"REALM'S GRAIL"
Written by Sullivan LePostec



		TEASER


EXT. BUILDINGS - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING

LEGEND reads : SANTIAGO CITY, HARSH REALM

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

A luxurious place. The camera shows medals of honor for good service to Santiago 
attributed to MIKE PIERSON. 

Mrs. PIERSON watches a second her two sons, MATT, 10, and PAUL, 12 playing with 
a Playstation.

		MRS PIERSON
	You should stop now. We're going to 
	eat soon.

		MATT
	Yeah, yeah, Mom. We'll just finish this 
	level.

Mrs. Pierson goes back to the kitchen. 

		MATT
	Paul, gimme the code please.

		PAUL
	What code?

		MATT
	I know Richard gave you a code. I know 
	that's why you always win.

		PAUL
	Who told you that?

		MATT
	Just gimme the code.

		PAUL
	OK... Cross, cross, triangle and square.

		MATT
	Now I'll have fun too...

The doorbell rings. We hear Mrs. Pierson from the kitchen:

		MRS PIERSON (OS)
	Can you open the door, Paul?

Paul gets up unwillingly and goes to the door. We see his frightened face when 
he opens it.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

Mrs. Pierson is still busy cooking.

		MRS PIERSON
	Who is it?

No answer.

		MRS PIERSON
	Paul?

Suddenly we hear Matt's voice.

		MATT (OS)
	Mom!!!!

		MAN (OS)
	Shut up!

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Mrs. Pierson runs from the kitchen to discover the man, STEVE MORGAN, a gun in 
his hand pointed at Matt. The boy struggles to escape, but Steve won't let him 
go.

		MRS PIERSON 
	(trying not to cry)
	What do you want?

		STEVE 
	(smiling)
	What do I want?

		MRS PIERSON
	(crying now)
	What do you want...anything...I'll give 
	you anything, just don't...

		MATT 
	(breaking up)
	Mom! Mom!!

		STEVE
	Shut up! I said shut up!

Mrs. Pierson takes one or two step toward her son. Steve points his gun at her.

		STEVE
	Don't move!

Mrs. Pierson starts to cry a little bit. She turns her head. From where she is, 
she now can see Paul lying on the floor, unconscious, near the door...

		MRS PIERSON
	Oh my God!

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

The lights are off. We recognize MIKE PIERSON from the pictures we saw near the 
medals. He's awake, seated on the bed. We see that he was ill.

		MRS PIERSON 
	(OS - we can barely hear it)
	My God! Paul? Paul, are you okay?

MIKE opens a drawer and takes a gun. As he prepares it, the voices continue from 
the other room:

		STEVE (OS)
	Listen to me! I don't want to hurt him, and I don't 
	want to hurt you either.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

		STEVE
	I want you to give me your money, your jewels, 
	and those medals. I want you to give me all 
	that you have.

		MRS PIERSON
	Okay, okay. I'm going to do that, don't worry. 
	Don't worry.

		STEVE
	Yeah, yeah... fast, please. Give me that now.

Mike Pierson appears behind Steve, pointing a gun at him.

		MIKE
	She's not going to do that. 

Steve turns to face Mike. He smiles, not worried...

		STEVE
	Oh yeah, she is. And you'll help her. You 
	don't want anything bad to happen to your 
	son, do you?

		MIKE
	Let him go!

		STEVE
	Only when I'll have what I want.

		MIKE
	Why? Why us?

		STEVE
	Because there's a lot of people who need all 
	you have badly. And they deserve it more 
	than you do.

Suddenly Steve falls on the floor. The camera reveals that he has been beaten 
by Paul. Matt manages to escape.

		MIKE
	It seems to me that now there isn't any little 
	kid to protect the coward you are!

Mike pulls the trigger. The bullet hit Steve's chest. Steve starts to DIGITIZE. 
But, soon, the process stops, and the particles reform Steve's body. He's 
smiling.

		STEVE
	I'm afraid I don't need the boy to protect me. 
	Just to be sure you follow my instructions.

Mike jumps at Steve. Steve shoots him. 

Mike DIGITIZES.

Steve looks at Mrs. Pierson, her two sons in her arms...



		ACT ONE


EXT. A CAMP OUTSIDE THE FENCE - DAY

The Sun is RISING. We're in a very poor place.


INT. TENT - DAY

STEVE MORGAN enters. He seems tired. He takes a glass of water. It is a very
simple place. Everything seems used. However, we can see a perfect 
computer in the background.

		RYAN
	You're back...

RYAN McARTHUR is on a very used couch. He slept there, obviously, waiting for 
Steve to come back.

		STEVE
	Ryan? You were waiting for me?

		RYAN
	Yeah. I know what you've done.

		STEVE
	Really? How?

Ryan doesn't answer.

		STEVE
	Well. I'm glad you've learned. 
 	That woman was so happy to receive that money. 
 	She was looking at her daughter and I read so 
 	much in her eyes.

		RYAN
	Steve...

		STEVE
	I knew you'd be proud.

		RYAN
	Proud? You're expecting me to be proud?

		STEVE
	What's up with you?

		RYAN
	You killed a man! Two children will never see their 
	father again!

		STEVE
	That guy was a bastard! He worked all day kissing
	Santiago's ass!

		RYAN
	That guy was a father!

		STEVE
	I don't understand you, Ryan.

		RYAN
	*I* don't understand *you*... I've never told you to
	kill someone.

		STEVE
	Sometimes you have to.

		RYAN
	I don't buy that.

		STEVE
	Then go to hell!

Steve LEAVES, letting Ryan alone, asking himself what he should do.


INT. PIERSON APPARTMENT - DAY

WATERS is there, with a couple of REPUBLICAN GUARDS, investigating the murder.
He's talking to Mrs. Pierson.

		WATERS
	O.K. There's nothing more you could tell me?

Mrs. Pierson HESITATES a few seconds.

		WATERS
	Ma'am, if you know something else, you should 
	tell me.

		MRS. PIERSON
	No, no. There's nothing. It... it was just horrible.

		WATERS
	Thanks you. Someone will see with you for the
	photofit.

WATERS leaves Mrs. Pierson, and goes to a room in the apartment.


INT. MATT's BEDROOM - DAY

MATT is there, with a female PSYCHOLOGIST.

		WATERS 
	(to the psychologist)
	I'd like to ask him a few questions.

The Psychologist doesn't move.

		WATERS
	Alone.

The Psychologist finally stands up. She stares at him, and just before leaving 
the room:

		PSYCHOLOGIST
	Try to not hurt him.

Waters acts as if he's not heard, and sit near Matt.

		WATERS 
	(softly)
	Hi.

		MATT
	Hi.

		WATERS
	I'm trying to arrest the man who did that to
	your dad. I need as many information as I can 
	gather. Are you okay to help me?

		MATT
	Yeah.

		WATERS
	Can you tell me what happened?

		MATT
	He was pointing his gun at my head. He wanted my
	parents to give him all that we have. And he 
	beat my brother.   

Matt is almost crying, even if he tries hard not to.

		MATT
	Paul... Paul... My brother managed to hurt 
 	him -- so I was able to escape. Dad had a gun. 
	He shot him. He shot him, mister! But he
	didn't digitize. It started, but never ended.
	He was like nothing had happened to him.

Waters watch the boy gently, but obviously he doesn't believe him.

TIME CUT TO:

INT. PIERSON APPARTMENT - DAY

We see Mrs. Pierson and her two children in the background. Waters is talking to 
one of the Republican Guards.

		GUARD
	With the photofip, we shouldn't have difficulties
	identifying the killer. You've learned something 
	from the boy?

		WATERS
	No. Nothing the mother didn't say, except a
	beautiful fantasy... Hope that I'll be able to
	solve that fast. I don't like such a killer hunting
	in Santiago City. And I know Santiago won't like it
	either.


EXT. PITTSBURGH ENCAMPMENT - DAY

PINOCCHIO and HOBBES are seated near a fire. They're eating. You can read on 
their faces that they've had a hard day.

Hobbes sees a man APPROACHING. It's Ryan McArthur.

		RYAN
	Hi, Pinocchio.

Ryan has a brief look for Hobbes

		HOBBES
	Hi.

		PINOCCHIO
	You have a problem, Ryan?

		RYAN
	Yeah... Well, let's say a friend of mine has a
	problem. 

		HOBBES
	What kind of problem?

		RYAN
	He's gone too far.

		PINOCCHIO
	What do you mean?

		RYAN
	He killed someone. And I'm afraid he's going to
	do that again.

		PINOCCHIO
	When did that happen?

		RYAN
	Last night, in Santiago City.

		HOBBES
	Then your friend has more than a problem.

		PINOCCHIO
	Not to mention the Republican Guard.

		RYAN
	I'm afraid my friend has nothing to fear.

		PINOCCHIO
	What do you mean?

		RYAN
	Steve has found something... Something important.


TIME CUT TO:

INT. TENT, PITTSBURGH ENCAMPMENT - NIGHT

RYAN is sleeping in a dark part of the tent. Hobbes and Pinocchio are both 
awake, talking.

		HOBBES
	That guy... You know him well?

		PINOCCHIO
	Yeah. Ryan...let's just say he's got a reputation.
	But it's a good one. On this side of the fence, at least.

		HOBBES
	What has he done?

		PINOCCHIO
	He's a thief. He takes on one side of the fence, 
	and gives on the other. He's become somehow a 
	legendary figure. He has a number of followers,
	but became too much well known at one point. If
	he wanted to continue, he had to become more 
	discreet.

		HOBBES
	Do you know his friend? Steve Morgan.

		PINOCCHIO
	No. All that is very frightening. He wants
	to impress his master. But with what he's found... He's
	extremely dangerous, Hobbes.
	

EXT. SANTIAGO CITY. NIGHT

Steve Morgan exits a building. He has two large bags. One on the back, the other 
in one hand. On the other hand, he has his gun.

Suddenly:

		GUARD #1
	Don't move!

Two REPUBLICAN GUARDS that were patrolling are pointing their weapon at Steve.

		STEVE
	You, don't move! There's nothing you can do to me.

		GUARD # 2
	Sure there is. Everybody is looking for you, Morgan.
	You won't manage to leave Santiago City.

		STEVE
	You think?!

Steve starts to move again, with a smile on his face.

		GUARD # 1
	Morgan! Don't move or I'll kill you!

Steve doesn't listen. The GUARD # 1 pulls the trigger. 

Steve starts to DIGITIZES, but, again, the process stops. The two GUARDS can't 
believe their own eyes. Steve is in front of them. Alive.

Steve fires twice. The Guard # 1 DIGITIZES. The second one receive one bullet in 
the leg and falls on the floor.


INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

SANTIAGO enters the room. WATERS is behind him and stays near the door. 

		SANTIAGO
	Are you okay, lieutenant?

		GUARD # 2
	Not really, General. But I feel well enough to 
	answer you questions.

		SANTIAGO
	Feel free to start.

He shows the photofit Waters has given to him:

		GUARD # 2
	It was him. Steve Morgan.

		SANTIAGO
	Are you sure?

		GUARD # 2
	Completely. I have no doubts on that.

		SANTIAGO
	So... What happened?

		GUARD # 2
	That was incredible, sir. We shot him. He was 
	dead! But he came back.

Waters listens, very interested. Understanding that the boy was telling the 
truth. Santiago gives him a look, and his surprised to read on his expression 
that he has already heard that story.

		SANTIAGO
	What do you mean?

		GUARD # 2
	He too a bullet in the chest. He started to digitize.
	But the particles never disappeared, 
	and then they re-formed his body. Then, while we were
	completely surprised, trying to understand 
	what happened, he shot us.

		SANTIAGO
	Are you serious?

		GUARD # 2
	As serious as I can be, Sir.

Santiago is silent for a second.

		GUARD # 2
	Sir. You have to understand. He could have killed
	us from the beginning. But he wanted us to try to
	kill him first. He wanted to show his power.

		SANTIAGO
	Thank you for that information, Lieutenant. As a
	reward, I have something for your pain.

Santiago makes a sign to a NURSE. While Santiago walks toward Waters, we see her 
injecting a product to the guard.

After a moment, the Guard begins to panic.

		GUARD # 2
	What are you doing? What are you doing?!

		SANTIAGO 
	(to the Guard)
	Please. Just get some rest.

		WATERS
	I'm going to mobilize all the available forces,
	Sir.

		SANTIAGO
	That is the least you can do.

Santiago EXITS. 

Waters looks at Guard # 2 DIGITIZING.



		ACT 2


INT. COUNCIL ROOM - DAY

Waters is conducting a briefing. There's a giant reproduction of Steve's 
photofit projected on one wall.

Republicans Guard are seated around the table. In the dark, SANTIAGO is 
listening.

		WATERS
	This man is named Steve Morgan. He already
	killed one civilian and two Republican Guards. 
	For now, he's your first and only priority. 
	He's extremely dangerous and, somehow, hard
	to kill. Be extremely cautious while approaching
	him.

Waters makes a sign and it is now RYAN McARTHUR that is projected.

		WATERS
	Morgan is known to be Ryan McArthur's protegee.
	You should know McArthur very well. He has 
	managed to construct for himself the reputation 
	of Realm's Robin Hood. Unfortunately, you failed
	in putting an end to it. He hid those past few
	months. There is big chances that if you find him, 
	you'll find Morgan.

Waters makes a bit, dramatizing his last words:

		WATERS
	I want reports in three hours. And they better be good.

All the guards stand up and WALK OUT the room. Waters is alone with Santiago.

		SANTIAGO
	I hope they don't fail, Waters. I hope you don't
	fail.

		WATERS
	I won't, Sir. I'll bring you Morgan, and his secret.


EXT. NEAR A FOREST - DAY

Pinocchio and Hobbes are near the car. Pinocchio has a can of gas for the car. 
Ryan ARRIVES.

		RYAN
	He killed again.

		HOBBES
	When?

		RYAN
	Last night. The same thing, all over again. He's
	going to kill whoever tries to stop him. He
	killed two Republican Guards, from what I've 
	heard. They're all after him. I hope they don't
	find him.

		HOBBES 
	(to Pinocchio)
	We have to do something.

		PINOCCHIO
	Hobbes... What do you want us to do?

		HOBBES
	I don't know, but we can't let him kill innocent
	people.

		PINOCCHIO
	They were working for Santiago.

		HOBBES
	Are you suggesting that they deserved to die?

		PINOCCHIO
	No. Of course not. But...

		HOBBES
	But?! Do I have to remind you where you come from?

		PINOCCHIO
	That is unfair, Hobbes.

		HOBBES
	Nobody deserves to be killed for no reason. No father
	should be killed.

PINOCCHIO remains silent for a few seconds, trying to find the better way to 
express his idea.

		PINOCCHIO
	There's something you have to consider.

Pinocchio stops again.

		RYAN
	What do you want to say?

		PINOCCHIO
	Ryan, I know he's completely wrong, but he's trying
	to impress you. He wants you to go back to him and
	congratulate him. You have to consider what he'd be
	ready to do for that.

		RYAN
	You mean... He could try something against Santiago?

		PINOCCHIO
	That is an opportunity we can't miss.

		HOBBES
	You know how much I want to kill Santiago. You know
	how much I want to finish the game and go back to 
	Sophie. But I won't do that at any cost.  
 	Republican Guards are going to look for him 
 	everywhere. That'll be a horror. I can't let that 
 	happen. We have to stop him.

Pinocchio is looking at Ryan. Waiting for a different opinion.

		PINOCCHIO
	Ryan? What do you think?

A beat.

		RYAN
	I don't know. I don't know what to do.


INT. GOVERNMENT HOUSE - DAY

WATERS is walking fast in a hallway. Suddenly, INGA FOSSA shows up behind him.

		INGA
	Waters!

Waters stops, and turns slowly. He makes clear that he doesn't want to talk to 
her and has others things to do.

		WATERS
	What do you want?

		INGA
	To know what's happening. I've heard there was a
	problem, some kind of threat. But I don't know what.

		WATERS
	A thief.

		INGA 
	(she doesn't understand - just a thief?) 
	A thief?

		WATERS
	An invincible thief. And I have to stop him. I just
	don't have a single idea about how I can.

		INGA
	Waters... what are you talking about?

		WATERS
	You've understood. There's a man out there, who
	steals and kills Santiago's men, and we can't stop
	it. He doesn't digitize. He just can't die.

		INGA
	He... My God!

		WATERS
	Happy to see you have no clues either.

Waters leaves, angrier than when they started talking, if that is possible. 
INGA is alone, in the middle of the hallway.

		INGA
	He found a code. He found the code!...


EXT. A SHANTYTOWN - DAY

There's quite a lot of animation. Nobody notices STEVE MORGAN at first. He has a 
bag in his hand, and is walking, looking around him.

As he passes in front of a 'house', a CHILD, around 8, comes out, crying. Steve 
approaches her.

		STEVE
	Hey! Stop crying! Everything is going to be Okay.
	What's your name, little girl?

		CHILD
	Rosie.

		STEVE
	You're so beautiful, Rosie. You shouldn't let
	those tears roll on your face.	

		ROSIE
	What's your name, mister?

		STEVE 
	(smiling)
	I'm Steve Morgan. Call me Steve. Do you want to
	tell me why you're crying?

		ROSIE
	It's my father. He never let me do the things I
 	want to do!

		STEVE
	Really? You're sure?

		ROSIE
	Yeah! That is the truth.

		STEVE
	You know what? I have a gift for your father. When
	he sees that, he'll be happier. And he'll let you
	do more things. You'll leave this place.

		ROSIE
	Sounds great.

		STEVE
	I agree. You'll give him that for me, okay?

STEVE gives her a big wad.

ROSIE takes it and goes back inside the house. STEVE watches her with a smile 
and leaves.

But, before he has time to go far:

		FATHER
	Hey, you!

		STEVE
	Yeah?

The FATHER recognizes Steve. He has fear in his eyes...

		FATHER
	I wanted to know you you are. I... 
 	Take back your money.

		STEVE
	It's not mine. It's yours.

		FATHER
	No. This belongs to the people you murdered.
	I don't want it.

		STEVE
	Don't be stupid. You'll give your little girl a
	better life.

		FATHER
	I don't wanna do that with your crap. I don't want
 	to build my life on a murder.

		STEVE
	DON'T BE STUPID!

		FATHER
	I'm not! YOU are.

Steve is yelling to everyone, now:

		STEVE
	Everything I do, I do it for all of you.

		FATHER
	I believe you're doing that for yourself.

		STEVE
	I won't take back that money.

		FATHER
	And I won't keep it.

		STEVE
	Sure you will.

		FATHER
	No!

Steve takes his gun and points it and the father's head.

		STEVE
	You will.

		FATHER
	My God! You're completely crazy!

All life seems to suddenly stop at the sound of the shot.

The father DIGITIZES.


EXT. A DESERTED AND QUIET PLACE, NEAR A HOOD. DAY

HOBBES is waiting, impatiently. Behind him we can see someone moving toward him.

		INGA
	I'm happy to see you again, Tom.

Hobbes turns to see INGA FOSSA. He was waiting for her.

		HOBBES
	There are important things we have to talk about.

		INGA
	Sure. You're looking for Steve Morgan.
	You shouldn't.

		HOBBES
	Why?

		INGA
	Because he has a lot of power. Nothing will
	stop it.

		HOBBES
	You know where his power comes from.

Inga's silence indicates she does know, but she's not going to tell Hobbes.

		HOBBES
	I've been told that he can't die. And that he
	get this power with a computer. I don't understand
	how.

		INGA
	By hijacking Harsh Realm's program. He found
	something.

		HOBBES
	What?

		INGA
	Human nature is complex, Tom. Humans want to
	face challenges. But they always want to have
	some kind of emergency exit.

		HOBBES
	I don't understand.

		INGA
	Harsh Realm is a game. A game like every other.
 	Have you ever played video games, Tom?

		HOBBES
	Yeah.

		INGA
	Did you cheat?

		HOBBES
	No! I... You can't cheat. It's a computer.

		INGA
	That's what I'm telling you, Hobbes. There's
 	always a way to cheat. There's always a code.
 	You can have an infinite number of weapons...
 	Or an infinite number of lives.
		(beat)
	Even in Harsh Realm.

Hobbes is so shocked by the revelation he can't talk.

		INGA
	Santiago's men have been searching in the program
 	for a long time. Looking for the place this code
 	is hidden. They searched so much that it became
 	a myth. Some started to believe that there was
 	no such code in Harsh Realm. That this game was
 	different. We both know it isn't. Santiago doesn't
 	yet.

		HOBBES
	What can we do to stop him?

		INGA
	Nothing. There's nothing you can do. You have to
 	accept that and to not risk your life. You have a
 	more important mission, Tom. Sophie is still
 	waiting for you. As is your child.

Hobbes blinks.

		HOBBES
	My...

		INGA
	Goodbye, Tom. Take care. That's the most important.

		HOBBES
	Inga...Wait!

But she's already walked away from him.

EXT. PITTSBURGH ENCAMPMENT - DAY

HOBBES ARRIVES.

		PINOCCHIO
	Tom! We've been looking for you.? Where...?

		HOBBES
	I had an appointment.

		PINOCCHIO
	What?

		HOBBES
	That doesn't matter. I've learned more important
 	things on my way back.

		PINOCCHIO
	What did you learn?

		HOBBES
	He killed again. And this time it wasn't a
 	Republican Guard. It wasn't even someone of the 
 	other side of the fence. He killed someone
 	because he didn't want to accept his money.

		PINOCCHIO 
	Damn it!

		HOBBES
	There's no way I'm going to wait here and do nothing.

		PINOCCHIO
	What do you think we can do?

		HOBBES
	We have to find him. Ryan could talk with him.
 	Maybe...

		PINOCCHIO
	Hobbes!...

		HOBBES
	No. We'll try tomorrow morning. End of 
 	discussion.



ACT 3


INT. TENT - DAY

It is still dark. HOBBES, PINOCCHIO and RYAN are SLEEPING. We can see MOVEMENTS 
in the tent.

Hobbes OPENS his eyes. He has a GUN pointed to his face.

It's WATERS.

		WATERS
	Good morning.

Hobbes remains silent, wondering what to do.

		WATERS
	Don't worry. You're not my main problem any more.

		HOBBES
	What do you want?

Waters drop his gun :

		WATERS
	Your help.

TIME CUT TO :

INT. TENT - DAY

The tent is now largely open. The sun enters in it.

Hobbes, Pinocchio, Ryan are standing in front of Waters, seated on a chair. 
Waters' weapons are on a table, near Hobbes and the others. The atmosphere is 
very tense.

		WATERS
	He's killed in Santiago City again last night. 
 	Twice. We have to stop him. 

		HOBBES
	We know that. What do you want from us?

		WATERS 
	(to Ryan)
	This guy is hiding somewhere. You're the only
 	one who knows where.

		RYAN
	I don't. And I'm not going to risk my life 
 	working with you.

		WATERS
	I've told you. For today, I don't care about you, 
 	Pinocchio, or even Hobbes.

		RYAN
	And we're supposed to believe you?

		WATERS
	You have to. If we don't stop him, he'll take the 
 	power in the Realm.

		HOBBES
	And even Santiago is better than him. With 
 	Santiago, there's still hope...

PINOCCHIO can't believe what Hobbes is saying.

		PINOCCHIO
	You trust Waters?

		HOBBES
	Not really. But I'm sure he doesn't want to die.

		WATERS
	Ryan, I'm sure you have an idea about where he is.

		RYAN
	I don't! There's hundreds of places where we used 
 	to hide.

		HOBBES
	If we know where he kills, you may be able to 
 	find him?

		RYAN
	Maybe.

		WATERS
	I can show you that. Do you have a map?

		PINOCCHIO
	Yeah.

Pinocchio takes a map and puts it on the table. There's an uncomfortable moment 
where he doesn't know what to do with Waterss gun.

He gives it to Hobbes, but Hobbes gives it back to Waters.

		WATERS
	Okay. All his crimes occurred in the
 	same area of Santiago City.

Waters shows the place on the map.

		WATERS
	The first one here. And he killed the Guards there. 
 	Then last night, it was here.

		HOBBES
	And this side of the fence, he killed someone there.

		WATERS
	He killed someone here?

		PINOCCHIO
	He doesn't like when someone tries to resist.

		HOBBES 
	(to Ryan)
	Any conclusions?

		RYAN
	Maybe. There's a glitch in this area. If he's using 
 	it to enter Santiago City, then...

		WATERS
	Then?

		RYAN
	Then I know a place near the glitch, on this side.

		HOBBES
	Let's go.


EXT. IN THE HOOD - DAY

Pinocchio PARKS the car. He, Hobbes, Ryan and Waters goes out.

RYAN leads the other in the forest. They reach a HUT, between two trees.

INT. HUT - DAY

It's empty. But it has been occupied very recently.

RYAN goes out. Waters and Pinocchio enters and starts searching for any clue.

EXT. HOOD - DAY

RYAN is with HOBBES outside. He's looking in the forest. He starts to talk :

		RYAN
	Steve! I know you're here. I know you hear me!

RYAN takes a few steps.

		RYAN
	Please! I have to talk to you.

A beat.

		RYAN
	Please! You have to listen to me!

Suddenly, HOBBES sees a movement between the trees.

		HOBBES
	There!

Hobbes and Ryan start RUNNING. A few seconds later, Pinocchio and Waters COMES 
OUT the hut, and start running after Hobbes and Ryan.

Hobbes stops running. Ryan stops near him.

		HOBBES
	Did you see where he went?

		RYAN
	No...

We hear the SOUND of Pinocchio's CAR.

They start running again. 

They arrive just in time to see the car which GETS MOVING. Steve stops a second, 
and yells :

		STEVE
	Your dream will become true, Ryan. I promise.

Pinocchio and Waters arrive

		PINOCCHIO
	Hey! My car!! 

		HOBBES
	Your dream? What is it?

		RYAN
	I don't know, I...

		WATERS
	Talk!

		RYAN
	I told him... A few days ago, I told him that I 
 	would love to be able to distribute outside the 
 	fence the money that is in Santiago City main bank.

		HOBBES
	God! It's going to be a carnage...


EXT. SANTIAGO CITY - DAY

Hobbes and the others arrive at the bank with Waters on a REPUBLICAN GUARD's 
HUMVEE.

There are four other cars waiting.

Waters approaches one of his aides.

		WATERS
	How is it, inside?

		AIDE
	It's not good, Sir. From what I've heard, one 
 	hostage has been killed, plus two or three of 
 	our men.

Waters almost asks another question, but is interrupted by Steve leaving the 
bank...

		STEVE
	Nobody moves!! I'll kill you!

		RYAN
	Steve! You're completely out of your mind!

		STEVE
	Don't move, Ryan.

Steve looks in the bank. He makes a sign.

		STEVE
	You can come.

THREE MEN, with big bags, leave the bank. Steve walks with them toward one of 
the Republican Guard's Humvee.

Hobbes see that Waters wants to shoot.

		HOBBES 
	(whispering)
	Waters! You can't. You're going to kill one 
 	of them.

		WATERS
	I've to try, Hobbes. I have to.

At one point where the three "hostages" are farther away from Steve, Waters 
SHOOTS!

Steve starts to DIGITIZE, but, again, it stops. But the three MEN manage to 
escape. 

Steve is alone. Waters shoots, again and again, and the others GUARDS too. Steve 
digitize each time and come back to life. The Humvee is just behind him.

		PINOCCHIO 
	Waters! Be careful!

		HOBBES
	BEHIND YOU!

Suddenly, the Humvee EXPLODES.

We can see Steve digitizing again and again in the fire. Each times, Steve 
manages to make a few steps away. And the fire is slowly disminishing. 

Hobbes watches that with attention. He has an idea.

Finally, Steve manages to reach the point where the heat doesn't kill him. 

Steve escapes.



ACT 4


INT. TENT - DAY

Hobbes and Waters are in the tent.

		WATERS
	I can't, Hobbes.

		HOBBES
	I need it to stop him!

		WATERS
	Maybe, but there's nothing I can do! I don't 
	have access to that.

		HOBBES
	Really?

		WATERS
	I'm under Santiago's control! If I steal that 
	kind of things, I'll have to justify myself, and 
	I can't those days.

		HOBBES
	Okay. I'll find another way.

		WATERS
	Another way?

Hobbes leaves the tent.

CUT TO :

Hobbes is with Inga, near the hoods, like last time.

		INGA
	I can do that for you, Tom.

		HOBBES
	Thank you, Inga

		INGA
	But you'll have to be careful. We can't lose you 
	over something like this.

		HOBBES
	I have to do something.

		INGA
	I know. That's why you're who you are.

		HOBBES
	I'm just me.

But there is something deeper behind his "aw, shucks" demeanor - he also is "the 
One."

		INGA
	You're our last hope. 

		HOBBES
	Really, I'm just...

Hobbes leaves, letting Inga alone.

		INGA
	A very good idea, Tom. I may even manage 
 	to keep the code all for myself...


EXT. PITTSBURGH ENCAMPMENT - DAY

Hobbes, Pinocchio and Ryan are together.

Steve SHOWS UP.

		STEVE
	Hi, Ryan.

Ryan STARES at Steve, looking surprised. 

		RYAN
	What do you want?

		STEVE
	To talk to you. To explain you.

		RYAN
	What do you want to explain?

		STEVE
	That I was only creating your dreams. 
 	Fulfilling your vision.

		RYAN
	I don't think you are.

		STEVE
	We can talk about that, can't we? I miss you. 
 	I don't want to continue without you. What you've 
 	done. It's so important. I just want to be as 
 	great as you are. As you've always been.

		RYAN
	I don't think you're following the good path if 
 	you really want to do that.

		STEVE
	Come with me. We'll talk about that.

		RYAN
	Okay, Steve. I'm coming with you.

Ryan stands up and joins Steve.

Hobbes and Pinocchio, watch them leaving. Pinocchio rolls his eyes.

		PINOCCHIO
	Pathetic.

		HOBBES
	Sure.

CUT TO :

Waters is talking into a walkie-talkie.

		HOBBES (O.S.)
	It worked, Waters. Steve came, and they left.

		WATERS
	Okay.

He is watching a screen. There is a map, and a moving point.

		WATERS
	Everything is working fine. I can see where he's 
	going.


INT. COUNCIL ROOM - DAY

Inga Fossa enters the room where Santiago is alone, waiting for her.

		INGA 
	You wanted to see me.

		SANTIAGO
	I want an explanation.

		INGA
		(ever so innocent)
	About?

		SANTIAGO
	About what you took from the lab.

		INGA
	Oh! This...

		SANTIAGO
	Precisely.

		INGA
	I was just following Waters' orders.

		SANTIAGO
	Why wasn't I informed?

Inga feigns surprise.

		INGA
	Major Waters is your second in command. 
	Don't you trust him?

Santiago is waiting.

		INGA
	And Waters didn't wanted to disappoint you if it 
 	fails...

Santiago is still not amused.

		INGA
	We will bring you Morgan, Sir.


INT. PINOCCHIO'S CAR - DAY

Pinocchio is driving. Hobbes has a walkie talkie.

		WATERS (O.S.)
	You're on the way, Hobbes. They're near you. 
 	On the North.

		HOBBES
	Okay.

		WATERS (O.S.)
	Only 100 meters.

		HOBBES
	Stop the car, Pinocchio. We'll walk for the rest.

Pinocchio stops.

Before leaving, Hobbes takes something. A circular technological device built 
from what Inga gave him.

		HOBBES 
	(to himself)
	Hope this works.

		PINOCCHIO 
	(putting his head through the door)
	What?

		HOBBES
	Nothing. We have to go.


INT. A LITTLE HOUSE - DAY

		RYAN
	Steve... If you think that it's what I was trying 
 	to do... You've completely misunderstood. I've 
 	done what I've done cause life is sacred. Cause no 
 	one should die because they're poor. But no one 
 	should die because fate just happened to make them born
	in a city filled with wealth.

		STEVE
	But, I didn't want to... I was forced.

		RYAN
	No you weren't. You pulled the trigger. You had no 
 	right to do it. Especially since you weren't 
 	risking your own life.

Hobbes and Pinocchio shows up suddenly.

		PINOCCHIO
	Don't move!

Steve stands up, looking at them.

		STEVE
	You... How?...

He looks Ryan :

		STEVE 
	(whispering)
	You betrayed me...

		RYAN
	No. I had to do something. You had to understand.

		STEVE
	YOU BETRAYED ME!!

Steve has a gun under his vest. He takes it.

		HOBBES
	No. Drop it!

		STEVE 
	(still talking to Ryan)
	How dare you? 

		RYAN
	I had to!...

		STEVE
	I don't want to hear you! I can't trust you 
 	anymore.

There's a beat, for a second. Hobbes is looking at Steve. Suddenly, he 
understands.

		HOBBES 
	NO!!!!

Hobbes SHOOTS. But it's to late. Steve already has. At the same second, Steve 
and Ryan start DIGITIZING. 

But only Ryan disappear forever.

		HOBBES
	Ryan!

When he comes back to life, Steve is about to pull the trigger again. 
Pinocchio pushes Hobbes, and they both fall on the floor.

Steve escapes...

EXT. NEAR THE LITTLE HOUSE, LOST IN OPEN COUNTRY - DAY

...But Waters is waiting for him. A gun pointed in his direction. He doesn't 
hesitates a second, and SHOOTS.
And shoots AGAIN. And again.

Hobbes and Pinocchio exits the house. They see Steve DIGITIZING, again and 
again.

		WATERS
	GO HOBBES!

Hobbes approaches Steve, carefully (Waters is still shooting). The circular 
device is on his hand. 

Waters stops shooting. Steve is materialized for a second. Hobbes sticks the 
device onto his back.

		STEVE
	What?...

Steve never finishes the question. Pinocchio pushes a button on a remote 
control. A light switch on on the device. Steve digitizes, again and again. 
Forever...

		PINOCCHIO
	It's okay, Hobbes.

		WATERS
	We won.

		HOBBES
	Nobody wins. Men died. Ryan is dead. 
	(to Waters)
	But you don't care, I guess. Most of them were 
 	only VC.

		PINOCCHIO
	Hobbes...

		WATERS
	You should leave. Santiago's troops will soon 
 	be here.

		HOBBES
	Thank you for your help, Waters. At times, I could 
 	even remember the guy you used to be. The friend 
 	you used to be.

Hobbes and Pinocchio leave...

TIME CUT TO :

EXT. NEAR THE LITTLE HOUSE - DAY

Waters is leading Santiago.

		WATERS
	He's here, Sir.

They turn at a corner of the house, and Santiago discovers Steve, frozen in his 
surprised expression, digitizing forever. 

		WATERS
	It's an electrical device that constantly subject his body to fatal
 	electric discharges. Eventually he'll burn the circuits out.

		SANTIAGO
	Inventiveness, Waters. 
 	That's what I want from my men.

		WATERS
	Yes, Sir.

		SANTIAGO
	Have you learned his secret? How can he be what 
 	he is?

		WATERS
	Unfortunately, we didn't had time. We had to kill 
 	him.

		SANTIAGO
	We?
	
		WATERS
	I mean... I worked with my men.

		SANTIAGO
	Fine. My technicians will deal with him. Maybe they'll be 
 	able to understand.

		WATERS
	Yes, Sir.

Waters leaves Santiago.

He meets Inga Fossa, who came with Santiago.

		INGA
	I'm happy you've been able to handle the situation.

		WATERS
	I guess you are. For know, I'm more concerned by 
 	your involvement in this.

		INGA
	My involvement?

		WATERS
	Don't lie to me, Inga. I know you gave this material 
 	to Hobbes. You see him. I really wonder why.

		INGA
	Well. I think I myself am quite impressed by your 
 	collaboration with Hobbes. It feels like the old 
 	day, doesn't it?

		WATERS
	You won't always win, Inga. You won't.

Waters leaves Inga alone.

Inga watches Santiago and his men who are around Steve.

		INGA 
	(to herself)
	I don't, Waters. I've lost. He has the code. And 
 	Santiago doesn't even know it...



END



    Source: geocities.com/agentm119