"Glitch" From an original idea by Karin Goines & Emily Story by Ryan Thomas Written by Megan Reilly TEASER EXT. SANTIAGO CITY NEIGHBORHOOD - TWILIGHT Legend: Santiago City, Harsh Realm A poor community. Blue collar WORKERS linger in the street after a long day at work. Some lounge, beer in hand, around porches. Other are coming home, wearing uniforms. Small children run and scream and play in the street between clean but rundown apartment homes. An idyllic scene. Until: A PLANE streaks overhead. Bomb canisters FALL from the sky. As they HIT the ground, white smoke begins to unfurl from them. The action stops as everyone looks on in horror. One WOMAN wails in the silence as the smoke grows thicker. Men and women grab their children, run into their houses. EXT. HOUSE WINDOW - TWILIGHT Sad, strained faces staring out through the glass. EXT. FOREST - TWILIGHT FLORENCE, moving through the woods. We can HEAR HOBBES and PINOCCHIO not far from her. Suddenly she starts, completely alert. A frown seeps over her face. She looks back, over her shoulder, toward the men, then begins to walk with singular purpose away from them. EXT. FOREST - TWILIGHT HOBBES AND PINOCCHIO. PINOCCHIO Florence. No answer. PINOCCHIO Stop kidding around. We're getting close to the fence. Still no answer. Hobbes draws his gun and nods to Pinocchio. They start moving. EXT. THE FENCE - NIGHT Hobbes and Pinocchio reach the edge of the fence just in time to see Florence slipping through the fence. PINOCCHIO Florence! She stops and looks back at them. Waves her hand like "Go back!" The men approach the fence, but stop. HOBBES Florence! She shakes her head and takes off. Hobbes looks at Pinocchio, who shrugs. PINOCCHIO Something's up. HOBBES We have to go get her. PINOCCHIO Florence can look out for herself. HOBBES Safety in numbers. Pinocchio rolls his eyes, but Hobbes has a point. HOBBES Where did she go through? He's looking for the glitch. Pinocchio shakes his head, he has no idea. Dexter noses up to the fence, nudges through it. HOBBES Thataboy! Hobbes follows Dexter through, not noticing that Dexter HASN'T COME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE. Pinocchio slips through. INT. INSIDE THE GLITCH - NIGHT Total darkness. Like the digital void in 1x3. HOBBES What happened? PINOCCHIO Your mutt found one hell of a glitch. Dexter barks. HOBBES How do we get out? They have continued walking and have reached THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE - as though space has stretched and the darkness they walked through has only the actual thickness of the barbed wire fence. Pinocchio puts his hand out and the fence SEEMS TO STRETCH AND WRAP AROUND IT. PINOCCHIO We don't. ACT ONE. EXT. SANTIAGO CITY - NIGHT A pair of REPUBLICAN GUARDS, suiting up in BIOHAZARD SUITS. Florence skims around a corner, moving fast. Spots them a second before they spot her, and slides back around the corner, hiding out from them. YOUNG GUARDSMAN Are you sure these'll protect us? He inspects the sleeves of his blue rubber suit. An EXPERIENCED GUARDSMAN wraps duct tape around the Young Guardsman's wrists. EXPERIENCED GUARDSMAN Keep your head and you'll be fine. And we've been vaccinated. YOUNG GUARDSMAN Who could have done this? No one outside the fence has access to bio- weapons. EXPERIENCED GUARDSMAN Maybe it wasn't someone outside the fence. The Young Guardsman looks confused - he doesn't understand. Florence, leaning up against the wall, does. She sighs, then takes another look around the corner, to where the Guards have gotten into the Humvee and are moving out. Keeping low, she hitches a ride on the back of their truck. EXT. PERIMETER - NIGHT Hobbes and Pinocchio POP through the fence. HOBBES Are we out of it now? PINOCCHIO Think so. He's checking his weapon. HOBBES That ever happen before? Pinocchio shakes his head. More unnerved than he cares to let on. PINOCCHIO I'm low. You? HOBBES I don't have an extra clip. PINOCCHIO We find Florence, liberate some ammo, and get out. Got it? Hobbes nods, and they're off. EXT. SANTIAGO CITY - NIGHT The streets are empty. PINOCCHIO Quiet. Too quiet. HOBBES Somebody must be hurt pretty bad for her to come in here. He glances at Pinocchio, who nods grimly. HOBBES What'll he do...if he catches her? Pinocchio shakes his head. Darts back. PINOCCHIO We got company. Some REPUBLICAN GUARD turn the corner and walk right past them. HOBBES They didn't even see us. He moves out, away from the wall. Pinocchio makes a grab at him. Then: PINOCCHIO Hey, ugly! The Guard don't respond; just keep walking. Hobbes laughs. HOBBES They can't see us. PINOCCHIO The glitch. We must still be inside it somehow. I don't like it, Hobbes. HOBBES We're home-free! We can move through Santiago City in no danger He kicks over a trash can in his excitement. The Republican Guard turn and look back. GUARD Must have been a cat, sir. The Guard frowns, unconvinced. Hobbes whoops. Even Pinocchio is looking kind of amused. PINOCCHIO Let's get Florence and get out of here. HOBBES Wait. We can see what Santiago's up to. Get his secret plans. PINOCCHIO Or take him out. Hobbes grabs Pinocchio's shirt, growing more and more excited. HOBBES This is just the advantage we've been looking for! EXT. MAIN STREET, SANTIAGO CITY - NIGHT All the stores are shuttered and closed. Hobbes checks his watch - it's still early. PINOCCHIO Martial law. No one goes out after dark. Safer that way. HOBBES What is there to be afraid of in Santiago City? PINOCCHIO Outlaws. Mercenaries. He shoots Hobbes a tight grin. PINOCCHIO Thieves. With his gun, he breaks the plate glass window at the front of a food market. Clearing a path, he steps inside. PINOCCHIO Dinner's served. Hobbes starts loading up his pockets. Pinocchio's too busy eating. EXT. MAIN STREET - NIGHT POLICE OFFICERS - not Republican Guard, but perhaps in semi-similar blue uniforms - have gathered around the broken window. Hobbes and Pinocchio cross out of the store, walking right past them. Hobbes stops and waves his hand in front of the policeman's face, and laughs to himself again. Looks at Pinocchio. They are having the same thought. They both begin to throw the fruit they've gathered at the policemen, and it splatters their uniforms. The police are confused. Hobbes and Pinocchio run away, laughing. EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT They come to a stop, breathing hard. Grinning at each other. PINOCCHIO I can't wait to hit the government house. Hobbes nods. They wait a second to catch their breath, then move on. EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT Florence is lurking. The Republican Guard Humvee rolls past. She turns and runs into JOEL, 30s, in worn, clean clothes. JOEL People are sick here. It isn't safe. He coughs. She nods. He starts to go and she follows him. He turns and looks at her. She puts her hand against his chest. He doesn't understand at first, then his eyes light with surprise. Joel nods. JOEL Come with me. He glances back at the Republican Guard, then moves up the back alley. Florence follows. INT. RUNDOWN BUILDING - NIGHT It's a makeshift hospital. The sick don't even have beds to lie in. It's dark and squallid. Joel turns to Florence. JOEL The power went off when the gas came. We have no doctors, no medicine. Florence pulls off her gloves, looking around. She hardly knows where to begin. The PEOPLE are sick, feverish. Many have blood caked around their mouths and noses. JOEL Why would he do this to us? What have we ever done but serve him? She looks at him, disturbed. She doesn't have an answer. INT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE - NIGHT Pinocchio and Hobbes moving stealthily through the corridor. Pinocchio gestures to Hobbes and goes over to a closet door. PINOCCHIO Weapons stores. Santiago's personal stash. It's protected by a simple padlock, which Pinocchio rattles. INT. COUNCIL ROOM - NIGHT SANTIAGO, surrounded by his ADVISORS. SANTIAGO The experiment began at 17-hundred hours. By this time, illness will have taken hold. INT. MAKESHIFT HOSPITAL - NIGHT Florence follows Joel through row after row of people, laid out. A WOMAN, clutching her baby, coughing up blood. The KID's eyes are dull, its nose running. INT. COUNCIL ROOM - NIGHT SANTIAGO Our troops will have arrived on the scene to sanitize and contain the problem. EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT The Young Guard is on his hands and knees, scouring the street. He raises his head and looks up at the Experienced Guard. The Experienced Guard begins to slowly, resignedly, remove his Biohazard helmet. The Young Guard looks at him in shock. EXPERIENCED GUARD (weary) We've been vaccinated. It's all right. After a second, the Young Guard follows suit. INT. COUNCIL ROOM - NIGHT SANTIAGO And the experiment will begin in earnest. A GUNSHOT. Everyone jumps. SANTIAGO What was that? The military guards head for the hallway as the Advisors move to surround Santiago, get him to safety. INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT Hobbes and Pinocchio stand out of the rushing guards' way. The padlock on the closet door has been blown off; the door hangs open, boxes of ammunition strewn down the hallway. PINOCCHIO You ready? Hobbes nods. Intense. HOBBES Let's find him. They head off down the hall, determined. INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT Joel turns to Florence, who kneels next to a LITTLE GIRL, her eyes closed. JOEL Can you help her? Like you helped me? Florence places her hand against the child's chest. Her hand has only been there a fraction of a second when the child DIGITIZES. Florence draws her hand back, her eyes filled with sorrow. Joel sinks to the floor, stunned. Horrified. Florence looks at him, but there's nothing she can do for him. She stands alone, and faces the masses, all of whom need her help. INT. SANTIAGO'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT Santiago at his desk. INGA FOSSA stands. INGA How could you think of doing such a thing? SANTIAGO You've never been squeamish before. INGA You've never done the unthinkable before. He just looks at her. Unamused. INGA These people have done nothing. Use your weapons on your enemies, or your willing soldiers. Not on innocent - Santiago chuckles. SANTIAGO Since when do you believe in innocence? EXT. HALLWAY - NIGHT Hobbes and Pinocchio making their way toward Santiago's office. We can see the shadows moving against the frosted glass of the door. PINOCCHIO That's it. All you have to do is slip inside. HOBBES What about you? Pinocchio shakes his head. PINOCCHIO Nah. This is your fight. You've got to do it yourself. As Hobbes moves toward the door, there is a SPLIT in the air between him and Pinocchio. Pinocchio looks at it, but it's already gone. Some Republican Guard come round the corner. They react instantly to Pinocchio's presence. GUARD Down on the ground! Now! Pinocchio can't believe they're talking to him until they knock him off his feet and take his gun from him. He looks for Hobbes, who is staring on in horror. Pinocchio's POV: Hobbes is gone. PINOCCHIO Don't blow your chance. The Guard drag him off, leaving Hobbes bewildered in the hallway. ACT TWO INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT Joel moves among the sick, giving them sips of water, trying to ease their suffering. One DIGITIZES and he stops, shoulders slumping. Florence touches his shoulder. JOEL There's no time. She nods, sadly, turning to an OLD WOMAN, placing her hands on the woman. Joel watches. The woman grows better before their eyes. Joel looks at Florence, who catches his glance and looks away quickly. He starts to say something and she moves away quickly. He catches her wrist and she jerks away from him. JOEL How do you do it? She gives him a hard look, then turns her back on him. EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT The Experienced Guard is checking houses, leaving their doors hanging open. EXPERIENCED GUARD Empty. All empty. The Young Guard nods, then returns to scrubbing. A red drop falls onto the soapy pavement. Followed by several more. The Young Guard raises his head in surprise and shock. Blood is flowing from his nose. The Experienced Guard wears an expression of horror. INT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT Hobbes starts after the Guards. HOBBES Pinocchio! He remembers Santiago. His mission. Torn, he turns back, looks at Santiago's door. The door to Santiago's door opens. Out of habit, Hobbes ducks back. Inga steps into the hall, looks around. Hobbes looks at her - surprised. INGA There's no commotion, sir. She steps back inside. Hobbes follows her into the office. INT. SANTIAGO'S OFFICE - NIGHT Hobbes slides past Inga. His gun drawn. He's got a clear shot at the unsuspecting Santiago. INGA You know what you've done is wrong. SANTIAGO These are my people. I give them everything. INGA You call Washington and Jefferson your heroes. They never would have poisoned their own citizens. Horror on Hobbes' face as he looks at her. Santiago is angry, but only for a second before he squelches it down. A long moment passes. Inga does not back down. SANTIAGO I'm putting you in charge of the experiment. INGA No. SANTIAGO If there's another way to test the vaccine, you'll find it. He leans back, smug. SANTIAGO With power comes responsibility. If you're not up to the challenge, Inga... INGA (cold) Yes, sir. As the phone RINGS: SANTIAGO You're dismissed. He grabs the phone. Inga starts for the door. SANTIAGO You have Mike Pinocchio? Inga reacts to the name. SANTIAGO Execute him. Immediately. Hobbes pushes past Inga, out the door. He has to save his friend. Inga's only two steps behind him. INT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE - HALLWAY A FAMILY, mother father and child, are huddled against the wall. Hobbes glances at them as he runs past. MOTHER Please. Hobbes skids to a stop. Inga overtakes him, rushing out of the building. HOBBES You can see me? MOTHER Please, we need help. HOBBES I don't - How is it possible? MOTHER The glitch. HOBBES You're inside it, too. MOTHER My sister - HOBBES How does it work? How do people move in and out? The Mother's look changes. MOTHER You don't know either? Hobbes is surprised. MOTHER They'll kill my sister, please, we have to get her, bring her in here. Get her where it's safe. Hobbes breaks away from her. HOBBES They're going to kill my friend. MOTHER Please... HOBBES He found a way out of the glitch. Maybe he can help you. But the family makes no move to follow him. INT. JAIL - NIGHT Hobbes skids around a corner, to the holding cell. It's empty. HOBBES (low) No. He rattles the bars, frustrated - angry. Then puts his head against them. GRETCHEN (O.S.) They didn't kill him. Hobbes raises his head, looks at her. GRETCHEN, twenties, blond, wears a capable expression and is clad in psuedo-military clothes: the same sort of outside the fence cargo pants and t-shirt Florence and Hobbes wear. GRETCHEN He's got a friend in the Republican Guard. She moves from her position, leaning against the wall, approaching Hobbes. She glances past him, indicating. He turns his head. INT. JAILER'S OFFICE - NIGHT A Guard stands behind Pinocchio, who's been BEATEN. His head hangs down. His arms and legs are bound in heavy chains. INGA Santiago's changed his mind about this prisoner. GUARD My orders were execution. INGA He wants this prisoner delivered immediately to his council room. Telephone him if you don't believe me. She looks at the Guard challengingly. He picks up the telephone. INT. JAIL - NIGHT GRETCHEN You sure he's who he says he is? HOBBES Why can you see me when they can't? Gretchen is enigmatically silent. HOBBES It's something to do with a glitch. People can move in and out of them. Some people come in and don't go out. They hide in here. Hide from Santiago. Gretchen nods slightly. HOBBES You're hiding in here. Gretchen's look is confirmation enough. HOBBES How does it work? She just looks at him again. GRETCHEN Why should I trust you, when you call that man your friend? She glances back toward Pinocchio. HOBBES Because my mission is to kill Santiago. If you're hiding from him, then we're on the same side. She starts to laugh at his sentiment, but his earnestness stops her. GRETCHEN I almost believe you'll do it. HOBBES I'll do it, all right. GRETCHEN Then let's do it now. C'mon. She turns and heads up the stairs, looking over her shoulder to ensure Hobbes is following her. Hobbes takes a long look back at Pinocchio, then follows her. INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT The Young Guard's yelling and crying is audible. YOUNG GUARD (O.S.) Oh, god, somebody help me. I don't want to die. Florence looks up from the patient she is helping. JOEL This one needs you. She ignores him, goes to the window and rubs a spot clean so she can see out. The Young Guard begins to cry, and his tears run PINK. Blood is pouring from his mouth onto the ground. Florence dashes for the door. Joel blocks her way. JOEL No! They did this to us! Florence looks at him. Then shoves past him. JOEL They killed my baby girl. He breaks down into tears, and Florence stops and looks back at him. The Old Woman she healed comes to his aid. And Florence goes to the Young Guard. INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT HOBBES You know him. Pinocchio. GRETCHEN Small world. She looks him over carefully. GRETCHEN You belong outside the fence. HOBBES Can't kill Santiago from outside the fence. GRETCHEN That's not why you came here. HOBBES No. I'm looking for my friend. GRETCHEN You seem to have a lot of friends. Hobbes just looks at her. GRETCHEN They seem to get you in trouble. She pushes open the door. INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT Boxes are piled high. And the room is filled with PEOPLE, like the ones in the hallway. HOBBES What is this place? GRETCHEN It's a station. The people are looking at Hobbes. Murmuring amongst themselves. A couple of them get up, start walking toward him, almost as though they recognize him. GRETCHEN You can't stay inside the glitch forever. It degrades your code. These people...need to move on. HOBBES Where do they go? GRETCHEN Somewhere safe. HOBBES There is nowhere safe from Santiago. The people begin to GLIMMER. Slowly, they PIXELLATE (slightly different from digitzing) and disappear. Hobbes grabs Gretchen's arm. HOBBES What's happening to them? They are now alone in the room. ACT THREE INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT - RESUME HOBBES Where did they go? Gretchen smiles. HOBBES I need some answers from you. How does it work? Where did they go? GRETCHEN They're safe now. HOBBES Did you do this? She doesn't answer. He stalks toward the door. GRETCHEN Wait. I can help you. Help you find your friend. Pinocchio. And the healer. Hobbes looks at her. EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT Florence goes to the Young Guard, who is choking. The Experienced Guard looks at her, and at Joel in the doorway of the hospital. He takes a couple of steps toward it, then stops. The Young Guard has stopped coughing. Florence has her hands on him. The blood stops running, and the Guard's breathing is easier. She looks up and meets the Experienced Guard's eyes. EXPERIENCED GUARD You're one of the Sisters. She nods. EXPERIENCED GUARD Santiago's got a bounty on your head. She knows. The Experienced Guard swallows hard. Looks at the Young Guard, who is shocked to find himself perfectly well. EXPERIENCED GUARD Can you help me, too? INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT HOBBES How -? Gretchen's enigmatic look is back. HOBBES Can you show me a way out of the glitch, too? One that doesn't involve- He gestures toward the people who used to surround them. GRETCHEN I can do anything. Where do you want to start? She whips out a portable computer, which Hobbes regards with interest. HOBBES I want to know why you're here. GRETCHEN Santiago finds me - finds *this* - I'm history. You wanted to find your friend? She keys into the portable. Hobbes looks over her shoulder. CLOSE ON COMPUTER: A map of the Government House. A large X or a red dot marks Pinocchio's location, which Gretchen taps with her finger for emphasis. GRETCHEN Council room. HOBBES I heard her say that. So did you. GRETCHEN You still want proof. She does a few more things with the portable. GRETCHEN The healer is here. She holds up the screen, which displays a large X on a gridded road map. HOBBES There's no way to confirm it. You don't know any more than I do. He starts back toward the stairwell. GRETCHEN You want to see for yourself? JUMP CUT: INT. COUNCIL ROOM - NIGHT Santiago sits at the head of the big, round table, directly in front of the map of the United States. In the center of the circle is Pinocchio, his chains gone. Hobbes and Gretchen stand to one side. Hobbes gapes. HOBBES How did you do that? Gretchen grins. GRETCHEN You wanted to see. Pinocchio is talking. His manner seems different - he's standing at military attention and seems like he's giving a presentation. HOBBES Why can't I hear anything? GRETCHEN It's not the strongest processor in the world. Some people are never satisfied. You wanted to see your friend, there he is. Although... She looks at Santiago's face. He's paying attention to Pinocchio's words. GRETCHEN I still wouldn't be so sure he's your friend. She looks at Hobbes. GRETCHEN Seen enough? JUMP CUT: INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT Gretchen and Hobbes, as though they never left. HOBBES How do I know any of that was real? How do I know you weren't just manipulating something else - manipulating me - with that thing? (beat) HOBBES What is that, anyway? GRETCHEN It's a gateway into the central computer. Gretchen slips the portable computer away. HOBBES You had something to do with it, didn't you? The game. Harsh Realm. Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. GRETCHEN I want to help you, Hobbes, I really do... HOBBES How do you know my name? She bites her lip. She slipped. HOBBES I need answers. If you need protection from Santiago, I can offer that. I just need for you to be honest with me. GRETCHEN The price on your head is almost as high as the one on mine. EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT Florence finishes with the Experienced Guard. She's weak - the day's work has drained her of energy. She's ready to pass out. The Experienced Guard grabs her wrist. EXPERIENCED GUARD We have backup coming. They'll be here any minute. TRAFFIC NOISES in the distance. EXPERIENCED GUARD I won't forget what you did. Republican Guard Humvees roll up, and more men in blue biosuits come out. Florence is too weak to run. EXPERIENCED GUARD This woman has immunity. Everyone else here is sick, dying. She needs to be guarded. Treated with care. The Republican Guard accept his word and put her into their truck, then turn around and head out. The Experienced Guard meets Florence's eyes through the window as it pulls away. INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT Hobbes and Gretchen have pulled up chairs and sat down. GRETCHEN I worked on the original game. Programming. I've got fast fingers, and the government had a lot of code to write. HOBBES How could you? Gretchen shrugs. GRETCHEN Did you know what you were getting into? Hobbes contemplates that - she's right. GRETCHEN Santiago brought me into the game. Promised me everything. But he wanted to exact a price. FLASHBACK: INT. COMPUTER LAB - DAY Gretchen, in nicer clothes. Maybe even a white lab coat. She looks younger, more freshly scrubbed, less world-weary. There are other programmers, too. Santiago, in full Republican Guard uniform, at the front of the room. SANTIAGO You've been given an exciting opportunity. You'll work on the game from the inside. To make the program better. More real. He clicks a button and a multimedia presentation begins, the room darkened. Gretchen watches with youthful excitement. ON THE SCREEN: Soldiers, moving in formation, etc. Looks like an Army commerical. SANTIAGO You will take the real world soldiers beta testing the game - ON THE SCREEN: A green CAD frame outline of a soldier within a 3-D grid - standard design computer code. SANTIAGO - to pioneer the "Perfect Program" - an undefeatable soldier, combining the best of human knowledge and ability with the superior conditioning and strength of computers. ON THE SCREEN: The CAD soldier frame becomes filled in, transformed into a seriously mean looking soldier. SANTIAGO A virtual/human hybrid. He looks at the screen himself, almost smiles. END FLASHBACK INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT Gretchen is trying to hide how upset the memory makes her. GRETCHEN Of course he said this would end war and killing in the real world. In the future, war will be fought with computers. That's what he told us. That's what they told all of us. We thought we were making the world a safer place. HOBBES You were. Gretchen shakes her head. GRETCHEN This was always their plan. You think Santiago's acting alone? He'd got powerful men on his side. In the real world. HOBBES Help me take him out. GRETCHEN That won't stop their plans. HOBBES Then tell me what to do. She looks at him, her expression changes. GRETCHEN You already know. INT. JAIL - NIGHT The Republican Guards, leading Florence. Reporting to their supervising officer. GUARD This one needs to go to Santiago's scientists. She's immune. OFFICER Put her in the holding cell for now. GUARD Sir? OFFICER We've got a security breach. Classified areas have been locked down. She doesn't get in or out tonight. The Guard puts Florence into the cell, clangs the bars closed. GUARD Anything to worry about? OFFICER Some glitch in the system. She'll keep. He looks at her. Florence scoots back, pulling her knees up to her chest. Staring into the distance. A COMMOTION makes her look up. The Guard and the Officer do, too. OFFICER Look who's back. Pinocchio, in chains again, led to the cell. He turns his head, sees Florence like he expected her to be there. She gets up, puts her hands through the bars. OFFICER (to Guard) This one's slated for execution. The Guard looks at him, distracted from putting Pinocchio into the cell. OFFICER Gotta wait till the glitch is fixed. Unfortunately. He faces Pinocchio as he slams the door shut. OFFICER Behave yourself in there. He turns his back. Florence frowns at Pinocchio. PINOCCHIO Long story. He winces as she touches the cuts and bruises on his face. PINOCCHIO Where'd you run off to, anyway? She shrugs. PINOCCHIO (teasing) More trouble than you're worth. She nods. Serious. ACT FOUR INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT Gretchen and Hobbes. She's got the portable computer out. GRETCHEN You've got everything you need. HOBBES I can help you. She shakes her head. Taps at the computer. GRETCHEN You've got 10 minutes to get him out. The air around Hobbes STRETCHES and then splits. She nods to him, and he takes a step. In that instant, Gretchen DISAPPEARS. REVERSE ON GRETCHEN: Still inside the glitch, she can see Hobbes even though he can't see her. GRETCHEN Be careful. She goes to work on the computer. The hall crashes into darkness. Hobbes runs. INT. JAIL - NIGHT The lights go off here, too. Pinocchio starts to get up. OFFICER (O.S.) You just stay right there. Footsteps, then the unmistakable sound of a heavy object hitting the Officer's skull, followed by a groan and him hitting the ground. Pinocchio looks at Florence. Keys jangle. PINOCCHIO (looking past the bars) You. Hobbes looks down, sorting through the keys, looking for the right one. HOBBES You were expecting someone else? He meets Pinocchio's eyes and holds them, intense. PINOCCHIO What're you talking about? He reaches through the bars, grabs the right key. Hobbes pops it in, and the door opens. PINOCCHIO You make the lights go out, too? Could have used you earlier. HOBBES Where were you earlier? Pinocchio shrugs him off. PINOCCHIO We gotta get out of here before they reset the power grid. Hobbes puts his hand on Pinocchio's shoulder, stopping him. HOBBES We've got time. He nods to Florence. HOBBES You okay? He holds out his hand, helps her up. PINOCCHIO She's had a long day. Santiago used biological weapons on his own people. HOBBES I know all about that. PINOCCHIO (annoyed) Oh, you do? What else do you know all about? HOBBES I thought Santiago wanted you dead. PINOCCHIO There's bounty on all our heads. HOBBES Then why do you always end up in this jail for me to break you out? Pinocchio has no answer, and Hobbes looks more doubtful than self-satisfied. INT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE HALLWAY - DAY The door is controlled by a retinal scanner/keypad, still operational. It glows in the darkness. PINOCCHIO We'll never get past it. Hobbes looks at him, then keys in a code. PINOCCHIO How'd you do that? HOBBES Friends in high places. He shoots him a grin and pushes the door open. EXT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE - NIGHT The lights come back up. PINOCCHIO Now we're screwed. GRETCHEN Maybe not. Pinocchio turns and sees her standing there. PINOCCHIO (to Hobbes) This is your 'friend in high places'? HOBBES You know each other? PINOCCHIO You trusted her? HOBBES She helped me get you out. PINOCCHIO She works for Santiago. HOBBES She said the same thing about you. GRETCHEN I'm done with that now. Hobbes is waiting for Pinocchio's response. PINOCCHIO Hobbes. You don't believe - GRETCHEN We can't stand here arguing. A whole bunch of Republican Guard run out of the building, including the Young Guard from the hospital. GRETCHEN Run! Pinocchio grabs Florence, dives behind one of the cars parked on the street. He leans back out, to cover Hobbes. Gretchen has her palm pilot out, working desperately, looking at the Republican Guard. Hobbes is at her side. They're surrounded. EXT. BEHIND THE CAR - NIGHT PINOCCHIO Come on, Hobbes. EXT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE - NIGHT The Republican Guard raises his gun. YOUNG GUARD No. We take them alive. The Guard in charge looks at him. Pinocchio sighs, looks at Florence. Then he leans back around the car and begins firing. Gretchen turns and looks at him. GRETCHEN No! No more killing. The Republican Guard look like they've walked into the wrong movie. Florence has jumped up from behind the car, too. The Republican Guard FIRE their guns. Gretchen hits a final key on her portable computer and the Guards FREEZE. Hobbes turns to Gretchen as Pinocchio walks around a BULLET, frozen in midair. PINOCCHIO How'd you do that? Gretchen ignores him, puts the portable computer away. HOBBES Thank you. For helping us. Gretchen nods. GRETCHEN Better get out of here. PINOCCHIO She's right. Gretchen and Pinocchio look at each other with blatant animosity. GRETCHEN Stay out of Santiago City in the future. It's not safe for you here. HOBBES What about you? GRETCHEN I've got someplace else to go. She turns and begins to walk away. She stops and looks back at him. GRETCHEN I'll see you around. A moment later, she PIXELLATES, like those inside the Glitch did, and disappears. PINOCCHIO What the hell -? HOBBES Let's get out of here. He starts walking. Pinocchio follows, turning as though guarding his back. Looking at the still-frozen Republican Guard. EXT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE - NIGHT More Guard rush out, then stop short when they see their frozen compatriots. Santiago is among them. SANTIAGO She was here. The frozen Guards begin to unfreeze. Their bullets go wild. Maybe some strike unintended targets, causing men to die and DIGITIZE. SANTIAGO I want her found! INT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE - NIGHT Santiago, moving briskly through the halls. Angry. Inga Fossa is waiting at the door of his office. INGA The experiment was a success. The vaccine worked. Standing behind her is the Experienced Guard. INGA This man went into the field, and did not become sick. Our soldiers' immunity is assured. Standing near Santiago is the Young Guard, who looks at the Experienced Guard with some surprise. SANTIAGO We can't worry about that now. A greater force is at hand than the miserable outside the fence. INGA Sir? SANTIAGO It's Gretchen. She's been here. He turns to the Guardsmen in the hall. SANTIAGO Find her immediately! And when you do, bring her to me. No more fiascoes like the one out there. He goes into his office and slams the door. Inga meets the Experienced Guard's eyes and gives him a small, mysterious smile. Like she might know the whole story. EXT. FOREST - NIGHT A small campfire. Hobbes and Florence, their faces illuminated by it. Hobbes remembers and pulls an apple out of his pocket. Gives it to Florence. She accepts it, then bites into it with relish, eating quickly. HOBBES I know you did what you had to, but... She looks at him. HOBBES Don't run off without warning again. Let us know. She looks at him curiously. HOBBES More illness is coming. Santiago was testing a weapon. It's only a matter of time until he uses it. Hobbes' gaze wanders to Pinocchio, who's fallen asleep on the other side of the fire. Hobbes looks at him for a long time, taking in his weariness and the bruises where he was beaten. HOBBES You trust him. He turns to Florence. She looks surprised. Frowns. Then nods, putting her hand against her heart for a second. She trusts him deeply. Letting Hobbes know that he can, too. Hobbes is still thinking about it. From this, we: FADE OUT