DARK ANGEL
Season One, Episode #11: "Rising"
First Aired 2/13/2000

(Logan is at the doctor’s office. Dr. Carr is tapping Logan's feet with a pointy instrument)

DR. CARR: Feel that?

LOGAN: Yep. (Dr. Carr taps Logan feet again) Ouch.

DR. CARR (doesn’t touch Logan’s feet): That?

LOGAN: No, Sam, cause you didn't touch me.

DR. CARR: Well, my guess is we're dealing with phantom sensation.

LOGAN: So, how do you explain the fact that last night I was able to move my toe, not a lot, but it moved.

DR. CARR: Show me.

(Logan trying to move his toes, but they don’t move at all)

DR. CARR: Logan, spinal nerve damage does not just heal itself . . . Not ever.

LOGAN: I'm telling you, this isn't something I'm imagining.

DR. CARR: I looked at the results of your blood work last night and I did find something . . . Well, unusual. You have pluripotents circulating in your blood stream.

LOGAN: What are pluripotents?

DR. CARR: They're undifferentiated stem cells. It's what an embryo develops from. They can become any type of cell in the body. Usually we only see them in the first few weeks after conception but for some unknown reason your blood is coursing with them.

LOGAN: So, maybe these cells are regenerating what's been damaged.

DR. CARR: I don't want to speculate about something I can't even pretend to understand.

LOGAN: Yeah, but isn't it possible . . .

DR. CARR: Anything is possible. Look, I'm not . . . I'm not telling you not to have hope. But as your doctor I have a responsibility to give you the medical facts.

LOGAN: I'm getting out of that chair, Sam.

DR. CARR: I'm going to hold a good thought for you on that. In the meantime, we'll run some more tests and we'll see what we're dealing with here.

(Logan sighs)

LOGAN: Ow! Only my doctor tells me I'm imagining that it hurts.

MAX: He's the one with the medical degree, but you think he's wrong?

LOGAN: He can shove his medical degree. I know he's wrong. You did this, Max, when you transfused me. Your revved-up Manticore blood's the only explanation.

MAX: We were designed to recover from injuries quicker. Makes sense we'd have a surplus of stem cells.

LOGAN: Which I got to believe is what's repairing the nerve damage and reversing the atrophy in my leg muscles.

MAX: All that from one transfusion? You thinking what I'm thinking?

LOGAN: I'm game.

(Logan and Max sit at the dining room table across from each other to transfuse blood. A long candle is burning and melting as the transfusion takes place. As the candle becomes short, Max falls asleep while Logan stays awake. Then the candle goes out)

(Opening Credits)

RED MAN FROM BOARD: I'm ready.

(Red Man gets up from the board and walks. He falls. Blood is dripping from his eyes. Another Red man tries to help him get up, but he refuses. The Red man walks to a pile of wood and steps inside)

RED MAN FROM BOARD: I found freedom in service.

TWO OTHER REDS: You've served well.

RED MAN FROM BOARD: No regrets.

TWO OTHER REDS: No regrets.

(The two Reds each lit up a flare and throw it into the pile of wood)

RED MAN FROM BOARD: The girl. Find her.

(The two Reds and Johannessen watch the Red man burn)

(The next morning there is a pile of ashes and the remains of a skull and some bones. Johannessen retrieves the implant)

RED MAN: He only lasted six months.

JOHANNESSEN: He knew the risk when he took the implant. You all did.

RED MAN: You said we'd have a year.

JOHANNESSEN: I said you'd be paid for a year whether you lasted that long or not. Look, you want to live? You find the Manticore girl. We retrofit you with her DNA and you can tolerate the implant for years . . . Serve out your contracts and retire rich men. They got a partial number off her pager, they're working on getting the rest.

RED MAN: What's taking so long?

JOHANNESSEN: Its memory was wiped when it was damaged. The only way to retrieve the data is to run a quantum scan so they can reconstruct the LCD readout. It's time consuming. Once they get the number we'll track down the person that called her last. We set up on that person . . . Let them lead us to the Manticore girl. And this time, she won't get away.

ORIGINAL CINDY: What's up, my brother?

HERBAL (trying to talk normally): Good morning, my sister. Sketchy, my brother.

SKETCHY: You all right?

HERBAL: I am very well, thank you.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Forget to put water in the bong, boo? You talking strange.

HERBAL: I am practicing speaking more clearly.

SKETCHY: Well, what's wrong with the way you talk when you don't sound ridiculous?

HERBAL: My woman tells me that it's difficult for some people . . . many people . . . to understand me.

SKETCHY: Now, who doesn't over-stand you besides Normal, who's an idiot?

HERBAL: Many people, most people. My woman.

NORMAL (answering phone): Jam Pony.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Don't be losing your flavor 'cause fools ain't got ears to hear.

SKETCHY: It's going to be a sad day in Babylon when you start sounding like some haircut in a suit.

NORMAL: How many times I got to tell you this is a place of business not your answering service?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Does that mean I got a call?

NORMAL: Yes. Make it brief.

ORIGINAL CINDY (on phone): Yeah. That's me.

NORMAL (handing a package to Herbal): Hot run, 1298 Chapel.

ORIGINAL CINDY (on phone): Mm-hmm. You serious? Course I'm still interested. Today? Sure. Yes, and thank you. (hangs up)

SKETCHY: In a dark world that sounded like some good news.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Remember that whole Mr. Sivapathasundaram dealio when we thought we were going to get fired?

SKETCHY: It's our finest hour.

HERBAL: Yes.

ORIGINAL CINDY: I saw this help wanted ad and filled out an application just in case. That was them. They want me to start this afternoon.

HERBAL: You got a job? A real job?

MAX: Do you get to keep your clothes on?

ORIGINAL CINDY (Laughs) I'm going to be doing telemarketing. Selling insurance.

MAX: For?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Death and dismemberment.

SKETCHY: As long as there's misery in the world might as well be an upside for somebody.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Kinda how I saw it.

MAX: Way to go.

SKETCHY: Yeah, and when you get your foot in the door maybe you could use your influence to get us out of this hell hole.

ORIGINAL CINDY: You have got Original Cindy's word on that.

NORMAL: Let's go. This is not a warehouse for human flesh. Let's go. Let's get to work.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Normal!

NORMAL: What?

ORIGINAL CINDY: There's something I've been wanting to say to you ever since the day I first started working here. I quit.

NORMAL: Is that right?

ORIGINAL CINDY: I thought it over for a good . . . 12 seconds and decided it's in my own long-term best interest to get the hell up out of here.

NORMAL: Well, I am so pleased. One less disrespectful, uppity, loudmouth, deadbeat hooligan to ruin my day. The door's that way. (pointing and whistling) Let's get back to work.

ORIGINAL CINDY (hugging Herbal, Max, and Sketchy): The things you learn to put up when you have to. Later, my peeps. I got to clean out my locker . . . Bomb home . . . And dress for success.

MAX: See you at Crash tonight and tell us all about your first day. Bye, boo.

NEW RED: I'm ready.

JOHANNESSEN: You understand the risks involved?

NEW RED: I'll take my chances.

JOHANNESSEN: You know what to do.

(The new Red man takes the implant and puts it in the back of his neck. He shakes, then becomes strong and smashes the table in half)

RED MAN: You're one of us now.

JOHANNESSEN: Our friends back home got the rest of the number off the girl's pager. (gives a piece of paper to one of the Reds) Last call she got came from this address.

NEIGHBOR: Cindy?

(One of the Reds go out to get the neighbor and drags him inside Original Cindy's place)

RED MAN: The girl who lives here, where is she?

(The Red man shows the neighbor a picture of Max and Original Cindy on their bikes that he got off the fridge)

NEIGHBOUR: You just missed her.

RED MAN: Know where she went?

(The neighbor shakes his head)

RED MAN: Tell me. (grabs the neighbor by his neck)

NEIGHBOR: Said something about landing a new job. Washington Meridian Insurance, I think it was.

(The Red man snaps his neck and the three Reds leave)

WOMAN: So, have you worked in insurance before?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Technically speaking, no. But remember back in school when you used to play the dozens?

WOMAN: I'm sorry?

ORIGINAL CINDY: You know, trading insults. Like, your breath's so bad, when people call you on the phone they hang up. I happen to be blessed with mad verbal skills. Kids used to pay me cash money to come up with dis they could use. So, in a way, I guess you could say I sold insurance against catastrophic tongue failure.

WOMAN: Hmm. Maybe you better familiarize yourself with this. It's our standard sales pitch. Our manager, Mr. Petrick likes us to stick to the script.

(The woman hands Original Cindy a sheet of paper)

ORIGINAL CINDY: No problem, sugar.

WOMAN: Uh, here's the schedule of benefits for our policy. It's a good idea to memorize it so you can answer any questions customers might have.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Aiight.

WOMAN: Well, I have to run to the bank for Mr. Petrick. When I get back we'll set you up with some numbers so you can start cold calling, okay?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Okay.

WOMAN: Okay. (leaves)

ORIGINAL CINDY (sitting at her desk reading the sheet of paper): "Have you ever worried what might happen to you or your dependents if you were left unable to work due to a disfiguring accident? Well, worry no more." (grimaces and tosses the paper aside)

LOGAN: No!

(Bling comes in and helps Logan back into his wheelchair)

BLING: Easy. Easy, easy.

MAX: Honey, I'm home.

(She hears people talking and yanks open the curtain of Kendra's area to find Walter without his pants and Kendra wearing pink lingerie)

MAX: Let her go! (pushes Walter)

WALTER: Take it easy.

MAX: You think you're going to start shaking us down, Walter? Think again!

KENDRA: Max, Max, let him go. It's not like that.

KENDRA (gives handcuffs back to Walter): Walter, honey, why don't you put on your pants?

WALTER: Okay.

MAX: Tell me this isn't happening.

KENDRA: It's happening. It's been happening, and with any luck it's going to keep happening.

MAX: But this is the guy who used to shake us down once a month for 600 bucks.

KENDRA: He's changed. He's a different man.

MAX: How?

KENDRA: A few weeks ago we ran into each other at Dunkin' Donuts. He apologized for the way that he used to take our money. We got to talking and I started to see there was more to him than I'd ever realized. He's sweet and kind and funny.

MAX: And married, as I recall.

KENDRA: Which is why I kept things strictly platonic until his wife took off with some kid on a skateboard. Poor guy. Max, I am crazy about him.

MAX: But I thought things with this Mr. Multiples guy was getting really serious.

KENDRA: Max . . . Walter is Mr. Multiples.

(Curtains part and Walter comes out)

WALTER (to radio): Seventh floor is vacant and secure. (gives Kendra a kiss) See you later, cupcake. (to Max) Pearl of a girl here. (leaves)

(Max groans and looks disgusted)

ORIGINAL CINDY: May I please speak to Caroline Barrister? Hi, I'm calling from Washington Meridian Insurance. Today we have a one-time offer. (The receiver clicks as the person hangs up on her)

ORIGINAL CINDY: . . . the security of knowing that you and your loved ones will be looked after in the event of a disfiguring accident. (Receiver clicks)

ORIGINAL CINDY: . . . and you are entitled to a $50,000 payout if you were to lose both eyes, both legs and both arms, unless a functional prosthetic can be attached to any vestigial stump. (Receiver clicks)

ORIGINAL CINDY: . . . $25,000 if you lose an eye and a leg or both eyes and a hand. And if you sign up now you can take advantage of this offer that won't cost you an arm and a leg. A few questions? Sure. What do you want to know? Excuse me? How much if you lost your what? What am I wearing? Freak!

(Original Cindy hangs up the phone and takes off her headphones. She leaves work and the three Reds follow behind.)

LOGAN (on machine): You've reach the number you've dialed.

MAX (on machine): Hey, Logan, pick up the phone. It's me. Just called to see how you're doing. I'm headed over to Crash to meet some friends, thought maybe you might want to come, but you're probably out saving the world or maybe it's your bowling night. Anyway, hope you're doing good. Call me.

ORIGINAL CINDY: So she's hitting it with the po-po and getting kinky with the handcuffs, huh?

MAX: Do you mind? I'm trying to purge that particular image from my memory.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Original Cindy can understand the power of a well-starched uniform. I once had me a girlfriend that was 100% U.S. Marine. Damn, she was fine in her dress blues. Ten-hut!

MAX: He's twice her age.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Original Cindy can understand the allure of maturity. I once had a girlfriend who had a daughter that was older than me. She was fine, too. Which got complicated but we won't go into that.

MAX: Will you stop?

ORIGINAL CINDY: All I'm saying is it takes all kinds to make a world. This cop moves Kendra's furniture, who we to judge?

MAX: It's just everywhere I look, people keep changing on me. You know, Kendra's knocking boots with a guy whose coffee I used to spit in. You're making your getaway from Jam Pony hell and Logan's . . . I don't know.

ORIGINAL CINDY: What? Your squeeze giving you a hard time, sugar?

MAX: No. It's just his . . . possibilities are expanding. And he's not my squeeze.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Hmm. Is he kicking it with someone else?

MAX: No, it's all good. It's just all different.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Boo, you're dwelling too much on things that ain't party-related.

(Max scores the winning foosball goal)

ORIGINAL CINDY: You know what you need?

MAX: A pitcher of beer.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Read my mind. (Max and Original Cindy head back to the table)

SKETCHY: So how much you rake in today?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Nothing. As in zip, zero, nada.

HERBAL: You mean to say that you worked hard all day with no compensation whatsoever?

MAX: Are you okay?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Brother man's just having an identity crisis. Anyway, the dealio with this job is it's a commission-type situation. I followed the script they gave me straight up.

SKETCHY: And no sale?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Not even a nibble. I even cold-switched, pulled way back on the flavor.

MAX: See? That's the problem. You're not being yourself.

ORIGINAL CINDY: I don't know, boo. Sister girl want the scrilla peeps got to feel what she's putting down.

MAX: The next round's on me.

(Max takes the empty pitcher to get more beer. She sees a Red man coming down the stairs into Crash. Max drops the pitcher and runs out. Two Reds are chasing after her in the alley. A truck comes around and Max leaps aboard. A third Red man was waiting on top of a building and jumps down into the truck. The Red man and Max fight. A bus backs in front of the truck and makes the truck stop suddenly. Max kicks the Red man into a sharp metal piece on the truck and impales him)

RED GUY (groaning, dying): You . . .

MAX: But why? Why me?

RED GUY: Help us live. (dies)

SEBASTIAN (computer voice): Do you know why they were after you?

MAX: Road rage -- I cut them off in traffic.

SEBASTIAN: Has to be because you're a biosynth. My guess is Manticore. Judging from your age . . . an X5, one of the 12 that escaped.

MAX: How do you know so much about us?

SEBASTIAN: I have a lot of time on my hands to research all the good conspiracy theories.

MAX: How about instead, you clue me in on why these guys are seriously after my ass.

SEBASTIAN: They've been told by their handlers that your genetic code can prolong their life spans. Rumor is they're looking to create a new generation of soldiers that can tolerate the implant longer. My guess is they want you so they can harvest your ova.

MAX: Like being girl isn't hard enough . . . They want me to be mommy to a whole army of these guys.

(On the computer screen, they are looking at the record file and picture of the Red guy in surgery)

LOGAN: In a generation, they'd have themselves a perfect warrior.

SEBASTIAN: And wouldn't have to recruit from their prison population.

MAX: The Reds are convicts?

SEBASTIAN: Fresh off death row.

LOGAN: A commuted sentence in exchange for becoming one of these soldiers.

(Max gets up and goes to the glass window to look at the surgery)

MAX: More like a stay of execution until the implant kills them.

LOGAN: Why don't they remove it before they burn out?

SEBASTIAN: The implant rewires neural pathways.

LOGAN: So they can't survive without the interface.

MAX: Bottom line: How do I fight these guys?

SEBASTIAN: Manticore genetics are impressive but in direct combat, they're is no warrior equal to the Red series.

(Surgeon removes the implant)

SEBASTIAN: Got it!

(The implant twists back into its original cone shape)

JOHANNESSEN: You lost the implant?!

RED MAN: We lost a man. A second man.

JOHANNESSEN: Do you have any idea how much that thing is worth?!

RED MAN: Did you hear me? A man died.

JOHANNESSEN: A lot more will die if you don't get the girl.

RED MAN: Even if we do, how do we know it's not already too late for us?

JOHANNESSEN: Maybe you'd rather be back on death row? Let's see... You'd be dead by lethal injection almost . . . uh, eight months now?

(The Red man punches Johannessen to the wall)

JOHANNESSEN: Why don't you just go ahead and kill me? It's something you enjoy. You're really good at it. But you wouldn't dare because that'd be suicide.

(The Red man grabs Johannessen hand and pulls him back up)

JOHANNESSEN: The one you followed to lead us to the Manticore girl, did she know you were on her tail?

RED MAN #2: No.

JOHANNESSEN: Good. Then she can still be useful.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Hello? Is this Mr. Rogelio Riquelme? Have you ever worried what might happen to you or your dependents if you were left unable to work due to a disfiguring accident? No, no, don't hang up. Do not hang up this phone. (Sighs) I know you're a busy man, sugar, but let me keep it real for y'all. You lose an arm or a leg and Washington Meridian Insurance is gonna drop 20 large on whatever is left of your ass, which is better than nothin', aiight? Is that your seed I hear crying his little head off? What's his name, boo? And what's little Rogelio and the baby's mamma gonna do if you stone-cold dead? No, daddy, no dolla, dolla. Unless you step to me and plan for that child's future. 'Cause Original Cindy has got you covered all over like foundation makeup on a drag queen.

(The two Reds and Johannessen walk in)

ORIGINAL CINDY: What can I do for you girls?

(The Reds pull out two guns each and point them at Original Cindy)

LOGAN: Here's a question: How'd they know you were at Crash?

MAX: I don't know.

LOGAN: That's a problem.

(Max picks up a piece of blue glass off the floor and gives him a questioning look)

LOGAN: Little accident.

MAX: How you feeling?

LOGAN: Okay.

MAX: Did the transfusion help? Any change?

LOGAN: If there was, don't you think you'd be the first one to know?

(Max’s pager beeps)

MAX: It's Original Cindy. Can I use your phone?

LOGAN: Please do.

(Original Cindy is sitting at her desk at Washington Meridian Insurance with Johannessen pointing a gun at her)

ORIGINAL CINDY: Washington Meridian Insurance.

MAX: How goes it in the concrete jungle?

ORIGINAL CINDY: You know, you know -- I speak my word and the peeps just give me all their money. Listen, boo, there's a new club opening tonight and I got some love with security. Why don't you swing on by here and pick me up and we'll get our drink on?

MAX: Tonight's no good.

(Johannessen nudges her with the gun)

ORIGINAL CINDY: But you got to come meet my new hot boy, Carlito.

MAX: Carlito?

ORIGINAL CINDY: He a fine-ass stud. And he got a brother, too. W-what do you say? You gonna come kick it?

MAX: Yeah, I can kick it. I'm on my way.

(Johannessen pulls the gun away. Max hangs up.)

MAX: Got to jet. Original Cindy needs a ride home from work.

LOGAN: Be careful out there.

(Max breaks into Sebastian's place)

SEBASTIAN: What are you doing here?

MAX: I have a date with a couple of Reds and I need to be all that I can be. (picks up the implant)

SEBASTIAN: You don't want to do that. It could kill you.

MAX: I don't have a choice.

(Max inserts the implant in the back of her neck underneath her barcode and starts to shake)

SEBASTIAN: It's like turbo charging a turbo charged engine. If the Reds burn out in months Max might only last a few hours.

LOGAN: How do we disable the damn thing?

SEBASTIAN: By short-circuiting it.

LOGAN: With what?

SEBASTIAN: My defibrillator should do the trick.

LOGAN: You want me to blow 5,000 volts into Max's head?

SEBASTIAN: And the sooner the better.

JOHANNESSEN: What the hell is taking so long? She should've been here by now.

ORIGINAL CINDY: I don't know. A girl’s gotta look good.

JOHANNESSEN: You warned her somehow. Now she's in the wind . . . and you're dead.

(Johannessen points the gun at Original Cindy's chest. Max comes crashing in through a window and lands in a crouching position with her head down. She looks up and there is blood coming from her eyes.)

MAX: How do I look in red? (The two Reds surround Max) Bring it on.

(The Reds are punching at Max. She pushes them away by stretching out her two arms, sending one Red through the window while the other one lands on a desk.)

MAX (to Original Cindy): Go!

(Max goes to the Red on the desk and begins pummeling him. Logan comes in, sees Max going wild, and tries to reach the power switch. As Logan is trying to flip the switch, his wheel chair flips. The Red man thrown from the window comes back and attacks Max, who fights back)

MAX (to the Reds): Is that all you got?

(Max is able to pile the two Reds one on top of the other. Max pulls a grenade, tosses it at the Reds, and the two Reds explode, sending her against a desk)

JOHANNESSEN (comes up to her): I'll be needing that implant back. (points the gun at Max)

MAX: I thought I was worth more to you alive?

JOHANNESSEN: You were. But with the implant in, you're dead anyway.

MAX: Don't be so sure.

JOHANNESSEN: Manticore transgenetics are good, but you're not bullet proof.

(Meanwhile, Logan is still trying to reach the power switch)

MAX: Good thing your boys never found out the truth. . . . That getting me was never about helping them. You just wanted me for free, didn't you? There was no way I could have saved their lives.

JOHANNESSEN: There was never any hope for them either way. They heard what they wanted to hear.

MAX: They fought hard. Died for you.

JOHANNESSEN: They were criminals, scum of the earth.

(Logan still trying to reach the switch)

MAX: So what, they're just expendable?

JOHANNESSEN: You got to expect losses.

(Logan finally switches the power off)

LOGAN (yelling): Max move!

(As Johannessen shoots, one of the Red men axes Johannessen in the back and they both fall to the ground)

RED MAN: No . . . No regrets.

(The Red man dies. Logan crawls to Max. Original Cindy turns on a flashlight on Logan and Max)

LOGAN: Max?

(Logan calls Sebastian on the cell phone)

SEBASTIAN: Is she conscious?

LOGAN: No.

SEBASTIAN: Check her eyes. Do you see blood?

LOGAN: Yeah.

(Max starts to shake)

ORIGINAL CINDY: Damn!

LOGAN: She's seizing.

SEBASTIAN: There's no time. If you don't zap that implant it's going to burn out her nervous system.

LOGAN (to Original Cindy): Get the keys from my wheelchair, yellow plastic case. Get it.

SEBASTIAN: Find the entry point -- base of her skull.

(Logan turns to the back of Max's neck)

LOGAN: Okay, I see it.

SEBASTIAN: You need to make direct contact with the implant, so you'll have cut in.

LOGAN: Cut in? Are you kidding?

SEBASTIAN: Do it now.

(Logan takes out a knife and Original Cindy takes over the cell phone.)

ORIGINAL CINDY: Yeah, I got it. The number on the indicator? It says 300.

(Logan is cutting into Max's neck)

LOGAN: Okay, I got the end of it.

ORIGINAL CINDY: He says he feels the end of it. We're supposed to leave the knife in and use it as a conductor and zap her with these paddles. (hands Logan two paddles)

ORIGINAL CINDY: One on her forehead, and one on her neck. This is whack!

LOGAN: Okay . . . do it.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Clear! (zaps Max)

SEBASTIAN: Logan, what's going on? Is she okay?

LOGAN: The seizure's stopped. She's breathing normally.

LOGAN: How's the headache?

MAX: Not bad considering the creepy metal insect stuck in there.

LOGAN: Shrapnel of past wars. Got some myself.

MAX: Where's my girl?

LOGAN: In the kitchen. She's okay.

MAX: Maybe I ought to turn myself in to Manticore before someone else gets hurt.

LOGAN: Yeah, right.

MAX: I'm trouble, Logan. I almost got my best friend killed.

LOGAN: So, what are you going to tell her?

MAX: The truth.

LOGAN: Is that wise?

MAX: Maybe not. But, after today, I think she's earned it.

MAX: Say something.

ORIGINAL CINDY: What am I supposed to say? My homegirl just tells me she's not even human.

MAX: Mostly human. I thought about telling you a million times, but . . . I was afraid to.

ORIGINAL CINDY: What, you didn't think you could trust me?

MAX: When you and me hooked up . . . It was like, all of a sudden, there was this part of my life where I didn't have to be hiding or fighting or anything else except trying to make a living and kicking it with my homegirl. I never had that before -- a friend. I was scared that if I told you what was up it would all change. And that you would look at me like you are right now -- like I was some kind of freak you didn't even recognize.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Damn. All this time, I never knew.

MAX: Is this going to change things?

ORIGINAL CINDY: No doubt. No doubt. There's some issues here Original Cindy's got to think on.

(Max starts to cry. Original Cindy gives Max a hug and starts to cry too. Max and Original Cindy pull apart.)

ORIGINAL CINDY: You could have died putting that bitch in your head, but you did it anyway to get my back. You my boo for life, no matter what. Now let me see this barcode of yours.

(Max turns around and Original Cindy looks at the barcode)

ORIGINAL CINDY: Sugar, that's kinda hot, aiight. (They laugh)

NORMAL: Hot run, 46 Euclid.

HERBAL: 46 Euclid's been incarcerated. Solicitation of a minor.

NORMAL: Oh, well, we'll return that to sender.

(Max walks in)

NORMAL: Well, well, well. Someone's who's two hours late for work looks like they were a dirty little party girl last night. My God, girl, look at your eyes. What have you been drinking, gasoline?

MAX: I had to have radical emergency amateur brain surgery to remove a nano-chip from my cerebellum before I stroked out from a neuro-chemical overload.

NORMAL: This is all one great big joke to you, isn't it? You're late one more time, missy, you're going to be fired! Get some eye drops!

ORIGINAL CINDY: How 'bout you leave her alone? Maybe she don't feel so hot.

NORMAL: Ingesting petroleum products will do that to you every time. Excuse me. You're trespassing in private property.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Hear me out before you call the police. I would like my old job back. If you'd have me.

NORMAL: Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone? What happened to greener pastures, huh? What happened to the high horse you rode out of here on?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Maybe Original Cindy needed to learn a lesson.

NORMAL: What, opportunities don't grow on trees? Or maybe you're not the supreme goddess of the universe you thought you were.

ORIGINAL CINDY: I had some soul searching to do about a lot of things. Things I thought I already knew about. So what? Do I have to get down on my knees and beg?

SKETCHY: I really hate to see anybody prostitute themselves like this.

NORMAL: There's a lot to be said about the enemy you know.

ORIGINAL CINDY: I can understand if you're not a fan . . . But if you give me another shot, I won't let you down.

NORMAL: All right. But you're on permanent probation. Is that understood?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Original Cindy can live with that.

NORMAL: All right.

HERBAL: Come, come. (gives Original Cindy a hug) I and I be elated to have you back a yard, you know. Remember in your heart lie a power for come thru any storm.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Boo, I didn't understand a word you just said and this is me.

SKETCHY: He's happy to have you back.

HERBAL: Yes.

SKETCHY: And so am I. 'Cause now I don't got to feel so inadequate about being trapped in a place as lame as this. (hugs Original Cindy)

LOGAN: I got a surprise for you. Cover your eyes.

MAX (covers her eyes) Is it a new carburetor? It is, isn't it?

LOGAN: No.

MAX: Mmm, flowers . . . jewelry?

LOGAN: Since when do you wear jewelry?

MAX: I'm open to the idea.

LOGAN: It's not jewelry. Don't peek.

MAX: I'm not!

(Logan stands up in front of Max and pulls Max's hands down)

MAX: It's like some kind of miracle.

LOGAN: You're the miracle. You did this. You gave me back my life.

MAX: Thank the clever folks at Manticore. I'd forgotten how tall you were.

(Logan laughs and begins to fall, Max catches him and helps him sit back down in his wheelchair)

MAX: There's always tomorrow.

LOGAN: Yeah, tomorrow.

MAX: You're going to have to take it slow.

LOGAN: I don't want to take it slow, I want to go fast.

MAX: Oh, yeah?

LOGAN: Yeah.

MAX: Well, in that case, there's something I've been wanting to do with you ever since we first met. I think you might be up for it.

MAX: Shift. Shift!

LOGAN: Woo-hoo! Ha ha!

Max (reflecting): Yeah, there's always tomorrow, but there's a lot of stuff Logan and I have never had to face before and it's feeling like tomorrow we just might have to. Funny what you can be scared of.