Special Thanks to Penny, for suggesting the episode concept, and to The Chaos Factor and Anthony Fuchs for storyline suggestions. The Trial written by Megan Reilly eponine119@worldnet.att.net TEASER EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - DAY A small town in Harsh Realm, the sort of scene we've seen before. The sort of scene that plays out the same way every time. REPUBLICAN GUARD swarming the city, their Humvees parked haphazardly. Taking the city by force. Some of the TOWNSPEOPLE have rifles, guns. Ready to defend their city from the intrusion. Ready to protect their way of life. SANTIAGO (VO) I take care of my people. The citizens with guns digitize, no match for the Guard. SANTIAGO (VO) I believe in justice, swift and fair. The Guard turn their attention to setting the houses and buildings on fire. SANTIAGO (VO) Might does not make right. A woman and two children flee their burning house and run smack into the Guard waiting outside for them. He stops a moment, looking at the kids. Open, American faces now distorted by fear. He smiles at them -- they could be anyone's kids, even his. SANTIAGO (VO) But might does grant the power to determine a way of life. A way of life that ends war, ends conflict, ends strife. There will be peace and prosperity throughout the realm. The soldier, smile barely faded from his lips, kills the woman and her children. SANTIAGO (VO) "The pursuit of life, liberty and happiness." Thomas Jefferson chose those precious words to define America, at a time when there was struggle for freedom, for independence, to forge a new way of life without limitation. A pair of soldiers begin to line people up, putting them into the back of a stakebed truck. Packing them in like animals. SANTIAGO (VO) Those ideals have become lost in the world, buried under MTV and Nintendo and Three Strikes. It is good to find them again. It is kind. EXT. OPEN FIELD - DAY The farmland outside town. The flames are visible across the flat plains. The truck rumbles up, filled with people. CLOSE ON their faces pinched with worry and fear as the truck stops. SANTIAGO (VO) It is the only way to ensure "liberty, and justice, for all." Behind the truck is a large, deep pit. END TEASER ACT ONE INT. JAIL - DAY The faint rays of morning sunlight shine through the narrow, high up windows. We follow them to where they spill onto the floor. PINOCCHIO is sprawled on his face, sound asleep. HOBBES, in the next cell, is curled up against the wall. Also asleep. Pinocchio twitches and starts, suddenly awake. He twists around, up to a sitting position. He looks like hell. Quick turn of his head to check on Hobbes. Another quick jerk the other way. An empty cell. PINOCCHIO Florence? Of course, no answer. Pinocchio gets to his feet, goes to the bars separating his cell from the empty one. It's empty. He smacks the bars with his hands. PINOCCHIO Where's Florence?! Whether he's shouting for the guard or for God, we can't really tell. His shouting rouses Hobbes, whose eyes open slowly. HOBBES What's wrong. Pinocchio wheels to face him. PINOCCHIO Florence is gone. WATERS appears from the shadows outside the cells. WATERS I let her go. PINOCCHIO Go where? WATERS Not where I wanted her to go. She's little hellcat, isn't she, Pinocchio? I can see why you like having her around. Pinocchio goes to the bars. Murder in his eyes. He reaches through them, but Waters is wise enough to keep one step back from arm's length. PINOCCHIO If you did anything to her, Waters, I swear to god I'll -- Waters chuckles, amused. WATERS I didn't think you had it in you. A SENIOR GUARD appears and Waters glances at him, straightening up. SENIOR GUARD What's taking so long? WATERS Nothing, sir. SENIOR GUARD These two are wanted in court on the order of General Santiago. WATERS Yes, sir. Pinocchio doesn't move from his position against the bars as Waters finds the correct key, then unlocks Hobbes' cell, moving away quickly as though his former best friend may have suddenly turned into Hannibal Lecter. He repeats the same maneuver when he unlocks Pinocchio's cell, but he's not fast enough. Pinocchio wraps his hands around Waters' throat, smashing him into the stone wall. Waters falls and Pinocchio, unwilling to release his grip, follows him onto the floor. SENIOR GUARD I need help down here. Pinocchio is holding Waters down, watching his face turn red and swell. Hobbes crouches next to him. HOBBES Let him go. Pinocchio looks at Hobbes like he's never seen him before. The vision of a madman. But after a second, the insanity fades. He doesn't release him, but it's Pinocchio we're seeing again. HOBBES This is not the way. Reluctantly, Pinocchio releases his fingers one by one. Waters gasps to a sitting position. WATERS You're gonna pay for that. PINOCCHIO I'd like to see you make me. SENIOR GUARD Enough. We're late. Let's go. INT. COURTROOM - DAY The symbol of the crossed swords behind the judge's podium. Already there are spectators gathered in the seats at the back of the room: some reporters, and those who are interested in the trial. The seats from the jury box have been removed. The judge, a distinguished man with white hair, dressed in the traditional black robe, sits in his place. Waiting for things to begin. The door opens. A rumble of whispers from the spectators as Hobbes and Pinocchio are led in, down the center aisle, their clothes grubby, faces unshaven. Pinocchio's hands are chained in front of him. Hobbes' aren't, indicating this is probably a punishment for Pinocchio's earlier behavior. Waters takes a seat at the table on the right. He loosens the collar of his jacket. The angry red handprints are fading to purple welts. He pours a glass of water from the pitcher on the table, eyes on Pinocchio and Hobbes. Sitting at the table, if we'd never seen them before, it would be easy to believe they are a pair of low-life hoods. The door to the courtroom opens again and the whispers from the gallery are instantly silenced, replaced by the sounds of everyone getting to their feet. SANTIAGO walks in, head high, proud of what he sees. Another man follows behind him: the LAWYER. He's small, fortyish, with a nervous demeanor. Even the judge is on his feet, but Hobbes and Pinocchio remain seated. Santiago's eyes blaze when he looks at them, and Pinocchio looks ready to spit in his face. Santiago takes a seat at the table, between Waters and the lawyer. Everyone else sits down. HOBBES (whispering to Pinocchio) I don't like this. PINOCCHIO You're gonna like it less once they've gotten started. HOBBES Then why are we here? Pinocchio gestures with the hands bound in front of him. PINOCCHIO We don't have a lot of choice. JUDGE Defendants, please rise to hear the charges stated against you. PINOCCHIO This oughta take all day. He scrapes his chair back and swaggers to his feet. Hobbes seems a little put off by Pinocchio's attitude, but also stands, facing the judge. On the other side, the Lawyer gets up and begins to read from a list several pages long. LAWYER Okay. Well. The charges against Michael Pinocchio are as follows... EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY - DAY Florence is running, out of the city, away. But she stops and looks over her shoulder, not looking for danger, but out of hesitation. GRETCHEN Looking for me? She's lounging against a tree. Florence gapes at her -- she wasn't there two seconds ago. Gretchen slips her palm computer into the messenger bag hanging at her side. GRETCHEN I heard the boys are in a spot of trouble. Need a hand? Florence looks at her, not certain. Her eyes focus past Gretchen. HER POV: The fence, and the freedom of the woods beyond. GRETCHEN How are you going to raise an army to rescue them? One woman alone, without the power of speech? Florence looks at her. Pissed not only at her words, but that she knows exactly what Florence's plan was. GRETCHEN We don't need an army. Florence crosses her arms. Disbelieving. Gretchen pulls out a small, handcrafted technical device we've never seen before. Florence is unimpressed; she's never seen it before either. Then Gretchen pulls out her computer and plugs it in as an attachment. GRETCHEN Latest thing in signal interception and correction. She types hard for a few seconds, talking as she goes. GRETCHEN Santiago's got a new toy he wants to try out. Might be the only reason he agreed to this trial, who knows. Supposedly reads brain activity. Determined within one-one thousandth of a percentage point the difference between the truth and a lie. She glances up at Florence, who's waiting to hear the rest. GRETCHEN And for every toy, there's the irritated mama who takes the batteries out so it'll stop making so much racket. Finished, she turns the computer so Florence can read the display. There are a bunch of graphs and bars and monitors, sort of like a sophisticated, compiled version of all those monitors in an ICU hospital room, only tiny. In the center of the screen is a color MRI scan of a human brain. GRETCHEN My name is Gretchen. An area on the brain scan turns green, and the word "TRUTH" burns across the image. GRETCHEN My name is Anastasia Romanov. A different area on the brain scan turns green, and the word, "LIE" burns onto the screen. Gretchen taps the device she's locked onto the computer. GRETCHEN My name is Jimi Hendrix. The truth area lights up, with corresponding word. Gretchen looks to Florence, expecting her to be impressed. If she is, she hides it well. GRETCHEN We just need someone to be in close enough range. Someone inside the courtroom. Florence shakes her head. GRETCHEN If they see me, they'll kill me. She tries to hand Florence the computer, but Florence won't take it. GRETCHEN This will save them. Florence looks at Gretchen seriously. Shakes her head sadly. GRETCHEN Then there's another way. INT. COURTROOM - DAY The Lawyer in the midst of his spiel. Pinocchio fidgets like he's getting tired of standing up. LAWYER ...and finally, the attempted overthrow of the government following the assassination of General Santiago. PINOCCHIO (low) He missed that girl I kissed in 2nd grade. She had one hell of a right hook. The lawyer adjusts his glasses, rearranges his papers. LAWYER The People and Government of Santiago City also bring the following charges against defendant Thomas Hobbes: trespassing, destruction of government property, conspiracy, theft, assault, kidnapping... TIME CUT TO: INT. COURTROOM - DAY Even the judge is looking a little numb as the lawyer reshuffles his papers and looks up. LAWYER That's all I have, your honor. JUDGE Thank you. The judge turns to Hobbes and Pinocchio. JUDGE How do you plead? HOBBES Not guilty. The judge nods, then turns to Pinocchio. PINOCCHIO I think I'd like to address each charge individually. There is a long moment of uneasy silence as the judge borders on rage. PINOCCHIO (backing off) Not guilty, your honor. JUDGE Fifteen minutes. He moves from his pedestal out of the courtroom. Hobbes turns to Pinocchio. HOBBES What the hell are you doing? Pinocchio's eyes slide away, turning to look at someone back in the gallery. A woman, tall and slender, who just entered as the recess was called. HOBBES Who is that? Pinocchio shakes his head. PINOCCHIO Someone I thought I knew. He glances at Santiago, sees Santiago is also staring at the woman. Pinocchio watches Santiago until he looks away from the woman. The two of them involuntarily lock eyes. A contest of will not to be the first to look away begins. Waters, not aware of the power struggle, vies for the General's attention, and Santiago turns away. Pinocchio looks back at the woman, a frown deepening on his face. HOBBES What? He looks at her, sees nothing out of the ordinary as the woman arranges her bag on her lap. She suddenly looks up, sees Hobbes looking at her. Winks at him, which now causes him to frown, not understanding. As the seconds tick by, we get the same feeling that Pinocchio's got - we've seen this woman somewhere before. Then it begins to dawn on us. That's Gretchen's bag. The woman is wearing the same clothes Gretchen was wearing. But she does not have Gretchen's face. ACT TWO INT. COURTROOM - DAY A bailiff leads Pinocchio to the witness box. Once he is seated, the bailiff sets a small black box, a receiver, on the ledge in front of Pinocchio. PINOCCHIO What's that? The bailiff moves away. Pinocchio looks to the judge, whose attention is focused on the Lawyer, who has come to stand in front of the table. LAWYER Let's start with the assassination. PINOCCHIO Let's start with what the hell that is. LAWYER It's a truth machine. Pinocchio snorts. PINOCCHIO A what? (beat) PINOCCHIO I thought you said it was a "truth machine"? The Lawyer nods sincerely. PINOCCHIO No way. JUDGE Do you reject the authority of this court? Pinocchio looks at him. Deciding. Knowing he's gonna die either way. After a moment, he looks away with a hard expression. LAWYER Yes. Well. Let's start with the assassination. PINOCCHIO What do you want to know? LAWYER Why did you do it? PINOCCHIO I don't think the big man wants you to put him on trial for his crimes. Pinocchio flashes a grin at Santiago, who sits very very calmly, with his hands folded in front of him. LAWYER So you felt justified. PINOCCHIO You could say, that, yeah. LAWYER You don't have anything else to say for yourself? PINOCCHIO He ain't dead. He's sitting right there. Far as I'm concerned, it proves I didn't commit an assassination. Did I? A murmur through the courtroom and the judge bangs his gavel. JUDGE You will answer the questions as they are asked, Mr. Pinocchio, or I will find you in contempt of this court! PINOCCHIO Contempt's got a life sentence, doesn't it? You sure you wanna do that? The judge bangs his gavel again, pissed. Santiago turns his head to look at Waters. Waters heaves a deep sigh. WATERS I know, sir. He clears his throat. WATERS Ah...Henry? The Lawyer turns. WATERS A word? The Lawyer moves into conference with Waters. Pinocchio, seemingly bored, picks up the black box with his chained hands, examining it. The judge notices. JUDGE Don't touch that. The bailiff takes it back from him, sets it firmly on the counter. Pinocchio sits back in the chair and crosses his legs. His eyes wander and once again fall on the Mysterious Woman sitting in the gallery. And a flash of actual emotion crosses his face. EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY Florence is lingering around the courthouse. She doesn't fit in with the rest of the citizens of Santiago City, in their clean, pressed work clothes and she in her ratty fatigues. She paces, casting frequent looks toward the door of the courthouse. She stops in her tracks and turns around. INGA FOSSA is standing behind her. Florence glares and heads in the opposite direction, to make an escape, but Inga hurries diagonally and cuts her off, cornering her. INGA Wait. Listen. Florence glares at her. INGA I can help you help them. If you let me. Florence, considering. INGA All you have to do is follow me. Inga confidently walks away from her. Not looking back. Florence remains where she is for a long moment, watching Inga retreat into the distance. Then she pushes off the wall and begins to follow. INT. COURTROOM - DAY Deep into testimony now. LAWYER What do you know about the prophecy of the One? PINOCCHIO You believe that crap? He glances at Hobbes, a look that does not go unnoticed. LAWYER You believe it's him, don't you? Tom Hobbes. PINOCCHIO If you're trying to set me up for an insanity defense, you're doing a good job. LAWYER I don't understand. PINOCCHIO I'd have to be delusional to believe a bunch of fairy tales about some Christ figure waltzing in here and taking over, making everything all sunshine and light for everyone. He puts his head down, looking at the black box. LAWYER So you don't believe General Santiago is responsible for -- PINOCCHIO He's responsible for nothing but death and suffering. His anger makes the Lawyer take a step back, rattled. JUDGE Why don't we try some simple yes or no questions? That might limit some of the defendant's...vigor. The Lawyer nods, takes a moment to gather himself. LAWYER Are you currently involved in a conspiracy to overthrow the government of Santiago City? PINOCCHIO No. The small screen with his brain scan reveals him to be telling the truth. Pinocchio's gaze bores into the mysterious woman in the courtroom, but she doesn't notice, her eyes downcast. Her fingers are wrapped around a small console, similar to a Gameboy, but she is not manipulating it. By the same token, others - Reporters - in the gallery have similar devices for recording. LAWYER There are no other people involved in your efforts to overthrow the government? PINOCCHIO No. Again, the truth. His eyes are on Hobbes. Waters looks from Pinocchio to Hobbes, disturbed, almost frantic. LAWYER You have acted alone in your attempts against General Santiago? PINOCCHIO Yes. Again, the truth. Waters jumps to his feet. WATERS That isn't true!!! He has the grace to look moderately embarrassed at his outburst when the judge looks at him. WATERS It can't be true. LAWYER But the machine -- WATERS He must have tampered with it. Everyone seems rather surprised by the accusation. WATERS He picked it up, he must have done something -- Waters takes a step toward the witness box, but then swallows hard, coughs a bit, vitally aware of the pain from having Pinocchio's hands wrapped around his throat. WATERS Henry. Bring the machine here. Pinocchio is docile, almost blank, as the Lawyer approaches the box and picks up the small black box. He passes it to Waters. Waters examines it. JUDGE That machine has been used in hundreds of cases. It was tested extensively. It has revolutionized the system of justice in Santiago City. In fact, it is illegal and immoral to have a trial without one. Not one person has been able to deceive it. WATERS Where there's a will, there's a way. JUDGE Would you care to explain to me how he might have tampered with it? He turns to Pinocchio. JUDGE Have you ever seen such a device before? PINOCCHIO No. The readout says: Truth. JUDGE Did you tamper with it? PINOCCHIO No. Waters slams the device down in front of the judge. WATERS Then explain this. There are scuffs and scratches along the seam of the two plastic pieces, as though it had been pried apart and put back together. WATERS The unit has been damaged. The Judge is surprised, with evidence in front of him. JUDGE I've never seen -- WATERS Don't underestimate him. The Judge gets to his feet. JUDGE There will be a recess of one hour while we decide how to proceed without the benefit of the truth machine. He disappears back into his chambers. Waters lets out a sigh of relief. SANTIAGO (eerily calm) Nice work, Major Waters. Waters nods. Loosens his collar again as Santiago slips from the courtroom. The bailiff and a couple of Republican Guards move to collect Pinocchio and Hobbes so they can spend the recess back in jail. INT. HALLWAY - DAY Pinocchio and Hobbes converse while walking, their mouths barely moving, both men facing forward. HOBBES How'd you do it? PINOCCHIO I didn't. HOBBES Who's your friend in the gallery? Pinocchio glances at him. HOBBES You think I didn't notice? Pinocchio is silence, worry pulling at his mouth. HOBBES Some old girlfriend come to see you hang? Pinocchio shoots Hobbes a very sharp look and Hobbes looks almost sorry. PINOCCHIO (rough) Yeah. Something like that. INT. OFFICE - DAY It's small, neatly kept. No personal items or knickknacks. The SOUND of keys in the lock, then the door handle turns. Inga walks in, drops the keys on the desk. Leaves the door ajar and walks to the window, looking out. HER POV: The Santiago City skyline. The door closes. After a beat, Inga turns and sees Florence standing there. She has her rifle in her hand. Not threatening, just present. Inga nods to her, then takes a seat behind the desk. Florence doesn't move. Inga looks up at her again, and Florence uneasily slides into the chair on the other side of the desk. Inga opens the desk drawer. Her fingers quest inside until she removes an ENVELOPE, taped to the inside of the desk. She passes it across to Florence. INGA You'll find everything you need. Florence takes the envelope, holds it in her hands. Looks from it to Inga, weighing her options. Whether to trust her. INGA Florence. I know you have no reason to trust me. I'm sure Michael has told you...things. But you must believe me when I say we are working toward the same goal. She checks with Florence. Florence turns the envelope over, touches the sealed flap. Then looks back at Inga. INGA There is just as risk to me if you are caught. There are reasons why they must remain free to continue. Important reasons. Her eyes blaze intensely and Florence is convinced. She breaks the seal on the envelope and looks inside. Folded blueprints, several keys on a thin chain. And three bulky capsules. INGA Go now. INT. DARK BAR - DAY Waters walks into the seedy establishment, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks as out of place as Shirley Temple in a biker bar. A GRIZZLED SOLDIER in a back booth sees Waters and turns his back on him. Waters walks to the pay telephone in the back, picks it up. Holds it to his ear without dialing. A moment later, the Grizzled Soldier approaches, jingling change in his pocket as though waiting to use the telephone. WATERS (as though speaking on the phone) You have 45 minutes at the outside. Act and act swiftly. No mistakes. Waters eases an envelope from his pocket. Glances through it, as though counting the bills, all of which have Santiago's face on them. WATERS You'll get the rest when it's done. He sets the envelope on the shelf below the phone, hangs up, checks the coin return for realism, and walks away, never making eye contact with the Grizzled Soldier, who moves up to the phone and drops a quarter in the slot. He dials before he picks up the envelope. A moment later, he hangs up the phone and turns around to look at the other patrons in the bar. They are all very carefully minding their own business. Waters is gone. ACT THREE INT. JAIL - DAY Hobbes has taken a seat on the floor, waiting patiently. Pinocchio lingers near the window, face upturned to the sun, like it's the last time he'll ever see it. HOBBES Did you manipulate that machine? PINOCCHIO Can't be done. He sees the still-questioning expression on Hobbes' face and turns away. PINOCCHIO (muttering) Be like everyone else, don't believe me. HOBBES Why are you doing this? No response. HOBBES Do you honestly believe that being sarcastic is the answer? The only thing you did back there was make them angry. Do you really think this is so funny? PINOCCHIO Look, kid, I don't want to die here, okay? HOBBES What do you want to do? You don't want to die here and you don't want to go home. What's the other option? Pinocchio shakes his head, looks back out the window. Refusing to answer. Hobbes goes over to him, grabs his shoulder, turns him around. HOBBES The only way we're going to get out of here is by working together. The two men lock eyes, both realizing the truth of Hobbes' statement. The jangle of keys. Hobbes and Pinocchio freeze. The man with the keys is the Grizzled Soldier Waters paid off in the bar before the commercial. He's wearing a Republican Guard jacket now, wrinkled, and it doesn't fit very well. GRIZZLED SOLDIER Lunch. He unlocks the cell. PINOCCHIO We're not hungry. The Grizzled Soldier steps into the cell, leaving the door open behind him. GRIZZLED SOLDIER Good, cause it ain't lunchtime. He raises his face to the light and Pinocchio recognizes him a split second before the Grizzled Soldier produces a sleek plastic handgun, complete with silencer, from the inside of his jacket. PINOCCHIO Hobbes -- He shoves Hobbes out of the way, reaching for something to use as a weapon, but the cell is empty. Hobbes recovers from Pinocchio's shove and delivers a quick one-two to the Grizzled Soldier's back and knees, dropping him. But he's a professional, and doesn't let go of his gun, which is still trained on Pinocchio. The crack of a rifle shot splits the air and the Grizzled Soldier freezes, then digitizes in a startled gasp of blue glow. HOBBES Next time get yourself out of the way. The owner of the rifle is Florence, of course. HOBBES Good to see you. She flashes a smile at him, pushes the door further open. Gesturing, let's get out of here. Hobbes is ready to follow. Pinocchio crosses his arms. PINOCCHIO I'm not going. HOBBES Come on. Pinocchio shakes his head. PINOCCHIO I've got something to finish. HOBBES This stupid trial? They'll use any excuse they can think up to kill you. You and I both know it's not justice. PINOCCHIO I'm surprised at you, Hobbes. The truth is on our side. I thought you believed in the system. The rules. HOBBES Not Santiago's rules. Florence tugs at Pinocchio's hand and he pulls away. PINOCCHIO Don't. She's hurt and worried. PINOCCHIO I mean it. He sighs, looking at her. PINOCCHIO You're a fool to be here. They set you free. Florence shoots him a feisty look: You can't take care of yourselves. HOBBES How'd you get down here? PINOCCHIO Somebody sent you. Florence nods. Produces the folded blueprints from her pocket. They're not just blueprints for the jail - they're prints for the whole building. Exactly what terrorists would need to blow the place sky- high. Hobbes' eyes widen at the very sight of them. HOBBES This is the advantage we need. PINOCCHIO They've got to be bogus plans. It's got to be a set up. HOBBES Can't you just believe in something for a change? PINOCCHIO Truth, justice and the American way is what got us here, Superman. It's too easy. But... He fingers the plans. PINOCCHIO They'll bring a lot on the black market. He hands them back to Florence, who pockets them again. PINOCCHIO You should go. HOBBES I'm not leaving you here. PINOCCHIO Your choice. But consider this: What will it do to Santiago's credibility if people hear the truth, Hobbes? The crimes he's committed against his own people in the name of doing the right thing? You know, you've seen it. What will it do to him if the judge finds in our favor? HOBBES What will he do to us if he doesn't? They're at an impasse. HOBBES (gently) I thought "Live to fight another day" was your motto. PINOCCHIO I changed it, I didn't tell you? The three of them exchange a long, significant look. PINOCCHIO It doesn't work, Florence breaks us out, we blow the place sky high. HOBBES I don't like it. PINOCCHIO It'll work. Hobbes nods, reluctantly. So does Florence. She checks behind her, then steps out and swings the jail door closed behind her. Hobbes reaches through the bars and touches her hand. Florence lingers perhaps a half-second, looking for a similar gesture from Pinocchio, but there is none. INT. INGA'S OFFICE - DAY Waters, blustery, comes in, surprising Inga. WATERS Somebody just tried to break Hobbes and Pinocchio out. INGA Somebody also just tried to kill them. They just stare at each other. Each knowing the other has betrayed them. WATERS Let's just cut the crap -- INGA Excuse me!?! WATERS Whose side are you really on? He's moved behind her desk, predatory. She swivels her chair to face him and he steps in so she has to tilt her head far back to look at him, her expression absolutely innocent. INGA I don't know what you mean. WATERS Santiago. Pinocchio. Hobbes. Me. You're going to have to pick one, Inga. INGA Killing them would accomplish nothing. Except maybe saving your sorry neck. Waters removes the hand he was rubbing his sore neck with. WATERS You can't be trusted. Inga smiles, maybe even laughs at his realization of the obvious. WATERS How long do you think it will take him to figure it out? Santiago. INGA Should I factor in whether or not you tell him? Waters is silent. Furious. INGA You stab my back, Major Waters, I'll stab yours. Waters backs off, to make a hasty exit. WATERS You need me. INGA Don't be so sure. Waters looks at her, rattled, and she raises an eyebrow in challenge. He turns and goes out of the room. The door slams behind him. Inga is pale, eyes still on the door, and we see her doubts. INT. COURTROOM - DAY Santiago sitting at the prosecution table, alone. His hands still folded as he stares at the crossed swords, lost in his thoughts. Waters strides in, but Santiago doesn't break focus. WATERS It's not too late to call off this fiasco. Santiago keeps him dangling in silence long enough to let the tension build to the point where anything he says is gonna scare Waters. Finally, he looks at Waters. SANTIAGO It's your job to ensure it doesn't become a fiasco, Major. He returns his gaze to the crossed swords symbol. Seconds tick by as Waters stands there. SANTIAGO There is much to be done before the trial resumes. Waters doesn't have to be told twice, and he hightails it out of there. INT. HALLWAY - DAY Florence lingering outside Inga's office with uncharacteristic uncertainty. The door opens, startling her. INGA We mustn't be seen together. INT. INGA'S OFFICE - DAY As the door closes behind them. INGA You failed. Florence raises a hand to gesture, but Inga interrupts her with a sharp look. INGA You're too recognizable in those clothes for the courtroom. TIME CUT TO: INT. COURTROOM - DAY The gallery is slowly, noisily filling as court prepares to resume after the break. Pinocchio and Hobbes are already seated at the defendants' table, Waters and Santiago at the prosecution, with the Lawyer. Everyone is waiting on the Judge. As the Judge emerges from his chambers, a woman slips past the guards who move to shut the courtroom doors. She is dressed in an elegant suit - skirt and jacket - that upon closer inspection, looks sort of familiar. Add a big Dynasty style hat for good measure. She looks about the courtroom, then quickly sits down next to the Mysterious Woman, who once again has her bag on her lap and a Gameboy- type device in her hand. The Mysterious Woman doesn't look at the woman in the suit as she whispers to her, with Gretchen's voice. MYSTERIOUS WOMAN Nice threads. The woman in the suit nods and we catch a glimpse of her face below the hat brim - it is, of course, Florence, in a suit borrowed from Inga. INT. COURTROOM - DAY - PROSECUTION TABLE WATERS Where's Inga? LAWYER I thought I saw... He trails off, now unable to locate her in the gallery. SANTIAGO She isn't coming. WATERS Why not? SANTIAGO Sentimental reasons. WATERS There's no room in war for sentiment. SANTIAGO That, sir, is where you are wrong. Off his cryptic remark: INT. COURTROOM - DAY - JUDGE JUDGE We have found a suitable alternative. Low murmurs through the courtroom. The bailiffs at the back of the room move to open the doors again. The Lawyer squirms a bit in his seat, clearly proud of himself. Pinocchio and Hobbes crane around in their seats to see. As Pinocchio glances at the mysterious woman again, confirming her presence, he catches sight of Florence. PINOCCHIO No, damn it. HOBBES What? Hobbes looks to see what Pinocchio is looking at, and sees recognizes Florence in the next instant, taken by both surprise and fear. A moment passes in anticipation. Then a FIGURE fills comes into the doorway, surprisingly small and bent, wrapped in a gray wool cloak like a beggar. As he straightens up and his hood drops back, gasps of horror hiss through the courtroom. It's the misshapen, Quasimodo-type MINDREADER from "Manus Domini." Off Florence's look of absolute horror, we : END ACT THREE ACT FOUR INT. COURTROOM - DAY RESUME: The assembled horror at the appearance of the Mindreader. Pinocchio turns and bows his head over the table. WATERS What is that? LAWYER Erm...who....He has the ability to hear the thoughts of others. SANTIAGO He is a slaver, a common rebel no better than those two. LAWYER You employ the services of bounty hunters. The judge bangs the gavel, and all jump. JUDGE Order. This trial has now resumed. Michael Pinocchio, please return to the stand. PINOCCHIO That guy tries to touch me, he's gonna be missing some fingers. The Mindreader simply stands there, humble, quiet. Seemingly immune to the talk about him, perhaps because he can hear the even more cruel thoughts people do not give voice to. HOBBES I have nothing to hide. PINOCCHIO Hobbes. You don't want to do this. HOBBES Why not? Pinocchio doesn't answer. Can't. Hobbes stands, straight and tall, and looks the judge in the eye. HOBBES I'm not afraid of the truth. The Judge nods and Hobbes takes the witness chair. INT. COURTROOM - DAY - GALLERY Florence's face is still drawn, as though she is physically ill at the sight of the Mindreader. She would scream in protest if she could. The Mysterious Woman puts a hand on Florence's arm - seemingly comforting - but she digs her fingers in. Grounding her. After a second, Florence seems to regain her stone composure. INT. COURTROOM - DAY The Lawyer comes to stand before Hobbes, notes in hand. LAWYER You kidnapped a citizen of Santiago City. The wife of a Republican Guard. Hobbes struggles to hold back anger, to remain calm and collected. HOBBES It wasn't kidnapping. The Lawyer and the Judge glance to the Mindreader. The Lawyer nods encouragingly, and the Mindreader takes a step toward Hobbes. Reaching out his hand. Hobbes is stiff, stoic, even when the Mindreader feathers his fingers erotically thought Hobbes' hair for a moment before placing his hand firmly against Hobbes' skull. MINDREADER She went unwillingly. By force. HOBBES (rough) She was my fiancee. MINDREADER She was loyal to another. He casts a look at Waters. MINDREADER To that man. He would kill that man, given the chance. He shifts his gaze to Santiago. MINDREADER And you. LAWYER What specific steps --? The Mindreader's eyes sweep the courtroom and settle on Florence. She starts under his gaze. MINDREADER He has plans at this moment. To escape those chains and cause the destruction of this building in a rain of fire. HOBBES I can speak for myself. The Mindreader's eyes snap to him. MINDREADER I only tell the truth in your mind. HOBBES What about the truth in your mind? The Mindreader blinks, his only reaction to the accusation. HOBBES He's not involved in slavery. Not exactly. He takes young boys. Rips them from their families. And the sort of slavery he sells them into -- WATERS That's enough! JUDGE Is this true? The Mindreader's silence is damning. JUDGE Enough of this. He gestures with his hand and a pair of bailiffs seize the Mindreader, who goes along calmly. As though he has already been assured his freedom. HOBBES I have nothing to fear from the truth, Santiago. Do you? JUDGE Order in the court!!! HOBBES Why don't you submit to your truth machine, to a mindreader, and tell what good you've done for your people. JUDGE Young man, sit down before I find you in contempt! HOBBES I only want what Santiago claims to provide. A fair trial. The American way of life he's fought so strongly to uphold. Isn't that right? Santiago is furious, but what can he say? SANTIAGO That's correct. Hobbes holds up his hand. HOBBES I swear on the Holy Bible to tell the truth. A whisper goes through the crowd. The Judge bangs his gavel again, but the whispers intensify. SANTIAGO That is no oath. HOBBES I believe in it. Pinocchio gets to his feet. PINOCCHIO (quiet) So do I. He raises his head, as though he is fighting shame at the words. PINOCCHIO (to Santiago) Are you sure you can handle the truth? Santiago's face draws tight and ugly, holding back his anger. HOBBES Outside the fence, people are starving. They live in constant fear and want. They are men and women. No different from you or I. They want the same things you want. Safety. Security. Food for their family, a place to lie their head. But because they live there and not here, soldiers appear in the night and burn their homes. Kill the weak, the sick, the children. Ask him. He looks at Waters, who almost visibly cringes. HOBBES But I think you know this. You know the things he's capable of, the things he does in the name of your safety and security. You just look the other way. We have done nothing you wouldn't do, if you were put in the position we are in. It is better to live with honor, to believe in something, than to die in servitude and shame. He is looking directly at Waters as he says this. HOBBES This is what Santiago believes. It's what I believe, as well. We just exercise those beliefs differently. If you convict me, you convict your leader as well. As he finishes, there is utter and complete silence in the courtroom. Then the gavel comes down. INT. JAIL - DAY Now it is Hobbes who stands near the window, relaxed, the sun shining on his face. Pinocchio paces like a tiger in a cage, focused on the bars. PINOCCHIO Damn it, where is she? HOBBES We can't leave now. PINOCCHIO You really think Santiago's judge is gonna buy that load of crap? I'll admit you make a pretty speech, but there's no way... HOBBES I thought you had confidence in the system. In its ability to undermine Santiago's authority from underneath, so the support collapses. PINOCCHIO At this point I'd settle for some C-4 strapped to the foundation to really undermine his authority from underneath. He paces a bit more. Checks the time. PINOCCHIO Damn it, Florence. HOBBES She isn't coming. Pinocchio looks at him. HOBBES She believes in me. PINOCCHIO She can clap for Tinkerbell for all I care, but this ain't no Disney cartoon and the blue fairy isn't gonna float down and pull us out of the belly of the whale, Jonah. We're gonna die. Hobbes looks at him. He rattles the bars with frustration. PINOCCHIO I'm not gonna die here. INT. COUNCIL ROOM - DAY Santiago, standing before his precious glass map of the United States, newly restored. Waters and Inga are both quite nervously standing behind him, summoned there, waiting for him to do something. WATERS There's still time, sir. SANTIAGO Time for what? WATERS The judge... SANTIAGO No. He'll make the right decision. Santiago's eyes move from Waters to Inga. SANTIAGO Won't he? His gaze lingers, and Waters turns his head quickly, questioning, but Inga says nothing. Just stands there, locked up tight. A knock at the door and it opens. A MESSENGER. MESSENGER The verdict's in. INT. COURTROOM - DAY Everyone is quickly reassembling. Hobbes and Pinocchio sit up straight at their table. As Santiago strides in, trailed by Waters and Inga, Pinocchio turns and looks at Florence, still wearing the ridiculous Krystle Carrington hat. She returns his gaze. The Judge walks in and still Pinocchio doesn't turn to face forward. JUDGE In the matter of the People of Santiago City versus the accused traitors and conspirators Thomas Hobbes and Michael Pinocchio, it is the finding of this court that they be exonerated of all charges and freed immediately. Noise rumbles through the courtroom. The Lawyer is the only one at Santiago's table who reacts. JUDGE They are to be exiled permanently from Santiago City and its environs. If this exile should be broken, the threat against General Santiago may be presumed to be confirmed and this judgement rescinded, subject to the swift execution of the death penalty against them. He bangs his gavel once more and exits back into his chambers. Pinocchio stunned. HOBBES We won!!! There is chaos in the courtroom. LAWYER Sir...I... SANTIAGO See to him. Waters' hand clamps on the Lawyer's shoulder. The Mysterious Woman and Florence cross past Santiago on their way to Hobbes and Pinocchio, who are being unchained by the bailiff. Santiago gives a hard look to Florence's outfit, then glances at Inga. The Mysterious Woman leans forward and kisses Hobbes' cheek. MYSTERIOUS WOMAN (low) Congratulations on your freedom, soldier. Santiago's head jerks in that direction, attracted by her voice, which he recognizes instantly. INGA (sensing his alarm) General Santiago? His eyes are blazing, fixed on the Mysterious Woman as the four of them exchange words too low to be heard. SANTIAGO Gretchen. His voice drips with murderous intent. INGA Sir, that's not... SANTIAGO I know her. So much connotation in such simple words. SANTIAGO (louder) Gretchen. Out of instinct, the Mysterious Woman turns her head. We've never seen Santiago grin quite this way. Again, the courtroom has plunged into silence. Waters, realizing what's going on, pulls his weapon. INGA General Santiago, that's not her... Santiago walks over to her, where she stands without cowering, although her breath is shallow. He touches her face. SANTIAGO How did you do it? MYSTERIOUS WOMAN Do what? SANTIAGO You can change your face, but you can't change that voice. In a whisper in the darkness of a bedroom, to the cacophony of the jungle of death, I would know it anywhere. PINOCCHIO Take your dirty hands off the lady. Santiago ignores him, and Pinocchio punches Santiago. Of course, three Republican Guards return the punch for him. Hobbes and Florence join the fray and soon it's like the bar fight scene out of an old western, with punches flying everywhere. Maybe a chair broken over somebody's head for good measure. WATERS Sir. He's got his sights on Gretchen, but Santiago's in the way. As Santiago takes a step backward... Hobbes takes a punch and stumbles toward Gretchen... Inga makes up her mind in a split second... Waters fires twice. Hobbes finishes his fall to the floor. Gretchen is gone. Inga hits the tile floor, the impact sending a delicate spray of blood from the bullet wound in her chest. Waters realizes what he's done. Drops his weapon to his side. Pinocchio grabs Hobbes up off the floor and begins to drag him from the courtroom. Hobbes reaches for Florence, but she's moving in the opposite direction. She drops to her knees next to Inga. Hobbes and Pinocchio collide as Hobbes moves toward the door and Pinocchio takes two steps toward the scene. Toward Florence...and Inga. Blood stains Inga's mouth and her eyes are dull as Florence bends over her. Florence puts her hand to the wound and Inga gasps, the breath of life sucked back into dying lungs. Pinocchio's hand connects with Florence's shoulder, dragging her back. Waters helps Inga to sit up. The look between Florence and Inga doesn't break until the door closes. EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY Republican Guard Humvees are pulling up, closely followed by news vans and paramedics. Hobbes, Florence and Pinocchio push easily through the crowd, unnoticed. PINOCCHIO What did you do that for? Florence shoots him a cold, defiant look. HOBBES She had to. PINOCCHIO I wasn't asking you. But he drops it, brows still drawn together. HOBBES Where's Gretchen? PINOCCHIO She's safe. EXT. OUTSIDE THE FENCE - DAY The Mysterious Woman, moving quickly away from the fence, holding her bag awkwardly against her side. She breaks through the tree line and collapses to a sitting position against one of the trees, her eyes on the fence. She lets out a tiny sound of pain and as she lets the bag drop, we see there is blood staining her clothes. She touches her bleeding side gingerly and then digs quickly through the messenger bag. Her fingers, slick with blood, close on a digi-wand, which she presses against her side without looking. Her pain releases and she looks down at the now-healed wound. EXT. THE FENCE - DAY The trio, running toward the fence. HOBBES Where is it? Florence doesn't even hesitate, running directly through the chain links. Pinocchio follows her through. Hobbes casts a quick look over his shoulder before dashing through as well. EXT. FOREST - DAY They hit the woods. Gretchen is still there, against the tree. Now wearing her own face, the digi-wand tucked away. They don't even notice her. GRETCHEN Hey. Pinocchio jumps at the sound of her voice and stops. As in act one, it is as though he's seeing her appear out of nowhere, like she wasn't there a moment before. Gretchen looks to Hobbes. GRETCHEN Nice job back there. He nods his thanks. She turns to Pinocchio, less gracious. GRETCHEN You owe me. Pinocchio's look is hard, then he nods. Gretchen cracks a mysterious smile and takes a step back toward the trees. Another step and she's no longer standing there. Leaving the trio standing alone in the woods. END.