tc2x13
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. THE COMPANY - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
CLOSE ON VI
She stares into nothing - her eyes dull, her face blank.
A wound at her hairline is stitched closed. An ugly purple
bruise covers it, darkening her temple and one eye. Kid's
been through hell.
SOUNDS from the background creep in. People TALKING.
ANDREW (O.S.)
Hey, are you okay?
Vi blinks, snapping out of it.
A NEW ANGLE reveals that she is sitting at the conference
table with a bunch of other EMPLOYEES.
Aside from ANDREW FRIAR, who sits next to her, we also
recognise DIANA CROSS and KOU YIMOU.
VI
I'm fine.
ANDREW
Maybe you need a few more days
off. I'm sure nobody will mind.
VI
(irritated)
I said I'm fine.
Before Andrew can point out that everything about her
implies the opposite, SIDNEY DOBBS and ALISTAIR BENSON
enter.
Sidney carries a stack of booklets under one arm and what
looks like a painting easel under the other.
Benson also carries a stand and an armful of large,
cardboard posters.
SIDNEY
Good morning, ladies and gents!
There are a few mumbled "good morning's". Diana, however,
sits up a little straighter.
DIANA
Good morning!
Sidney smiles at her, then looks down - embarrassed. Kou
glances between them.
THUD! Sidney drops the booklets at the end of the table.
SIDNEY
Are you all ready to be
motivated?
The employees all stare back at him, disinterested, aside
from Diana.
Benson starts setting up the two stands. On each, he places
a poster. Then, he starts taping the rest to the wall
behind them. They're all inspirational posters. Ones about
good attitudes, teamwork, cooperation, etc.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Come on, now. When, exactly, are
you going to start getting
enthusiastic about my little
projects?
ANDREW
When you stop forcing us to do
them?
SIDNEY
You. What was your name?
ANDREW
Kou Yimou.
Kou jabs his elbow into Andrew's side.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Andrew Friar.
SIDNEY
Alright, Andrew. I want you to
tell me what this poster says.
This one here.
He points to the one on the stand beside him. Andrew looks
around the table. Smirks.
ANDREW
What is this? Primary school?
SIDNEY
I'll make you come up to the
front of the class.
ANDREW
(quick)
Teamwork. It says teamwork.
SIDNEY
Keep going.
A beat. Andrew sighs.
ANDREW
(reads; flat)
"There's no other work more
important than teamwork".
Vi narrows her eyes. She puts up a hand.
SIDNEY
Ah! A question. Yes?
VI
What poster are we talking about?
Sidney points to the one beside him.
SIDNEY
This one, here.
(snaps fingers)
Come on! Keep up!
He reaches over to the poster and drags his finger under
each line as he says it.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
"There's no other work more
important than teamwork".
(then)
Now, let's go around the room and
I want everybody to say what
teamwork means to them. Let's
start with you, Diana.
As Diana starts to SPEAK, her words fade out. We focus on
Vi. She still looks confused.
VI'S P.O.V
To her, the text that Sidney read out loud actually says:
"An apple a day keeps the monsters away".
BACK TO SCENE
Realising, she groans. She leans over to Andrew.
VI
(quiet)
I wish the Signs would hold off
until I've actually been given an
assignment. It's so bloody --
SIDNEY
Violet?
VI
Um... Yeah?
SIDNEY
Oh, good. That is your name.
Since you like to talk so much,
why don't you read this next
poster for us?
Vi cringes a little. Sidney points to the poster on the
other stand.
VI
Um...
Underneath a picture of two people shaking hands, text
reads: "The world dies like a beetroot fish, Pogo!".
VI (CONT'D)
I don't think --
Sidney sighs, exasperated.
SIDNEY
Just read it!
VI
I can't. It doesn't make any
sense.
He points to the line of posters on the wall.
SIDNEY
These don't make any sense to
you?
These slogans on these aren't even spelled right. All the
words are jumbled up.
VI
Nope.
She shakes her head, incredibly confused.
VI (CONT'D)
That doesn't make sense.
Off this --
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. THE COMPANY - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
It's a bit later. The posters have been cleared away,
stacked in the corner. The other employees have also been
cleared out with only Sidney, Benson, Vi, Andrew and Kou
remaining.
Vi sits in a chair at the head of the table. A MEDIC packs
up his equipment into a bag and shakes his head.
MEDIC
Well, there's nothing wrong with
her physically. Aside from that
bruise, that is.
(beat)
I'd say that's part of the
problem. The Sign implant must
have started malfunctioning when
she hit her head.
Sidney nods. As the Medic exits:
VI
I didn't hit my head, I was
attacked by a serial killer!
Andrew looks to Sidney.
ANDREW
Yeah, what's happening with that,
anyway? We know the guy was a
Breaker - why hasn't Head Office
arrested him or something?
SIDNEY
I've submitted a complaint.
VI
A complaint?!
She stands hurriedly but immediately regrets the decision
as pain washes over her. She sways on her feet.
Benson steps forward and takes her shoulders. He gently
guides her back down.
BENSON
I think she should see Doc. He
should be able to fix this.
SIDNEY
The man's a criminal, Benny.
BENSON
He might be our only option.
There's a knock on the door. JENNA COOKE enters.
JENNA
Diana said that Vi's in here?
KOU
Yes, she's here.
Jenna moves further into the room. She holds a slip of
paper.
JENNA
(to Vi)
You've got an assignment.
She holds it out. Kou takes it, to pass it along, but
glances inside. Jenna looks around.
JENNA (CONT'D)
What's going on?
ANDREW
Vi's gone all --
He puts his finger to his temple and moves it in a circular
motion. Vi glares.
VI
I'm not crazy! These Signs,
they're all just for my
assignment. It's happened before.
I've gotten a Sign before the
little paper thingy.
KOU
(reading)
Garreton Youth Recreational
Centre.
ANDREW
(sarcastic)
Oh, I get it now! "The world dies
like a beetroot fish"!
Everyone looks to him. No one is amused. Kou continues:
KOU
I had an assignment there a few
months ago. There was talk of the
council wanting to shut it down.
Build a shopping centre instead.
Sidney grins and hoists Vi out of her chair.
SIDNEY
Well, there you go!
(beat)
Kou will go with you. He'll help
you finish your assignment.
Andrew steps forward.
ANDREW
But I'm her mentor!
SIDNEY
(still cheery)
And I'm your boss.
BENSON
Maybe she should wait. I'll speak
to Doc, he might want to help.
SIDNEY
And he might refuse, making us
play endless games to get what he
wants.
(decided)
No. Violet and Kou will do the
assignment.
Another grin.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
It's all about teamwork, Benny!
He claps him on the back.
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION - DAY
Diana hovers by the reception desk. Her eyes are glued to
the conference room doors.
They swing open and everyone files out, dispersing to
different parts of the building.
She adjusts her shirt - unbuttoning the top button - and
starts towards Sidney. But someone grabs her arm.
It's Kou. He releases her, crossing his arms like a
disapproving parent.
KOU
Can we chat?
DIANA
(annoyed)
Kou --
KOU
I saw how you were looking at him
in that meeting.
DIANA
So?
KOU
Diana, I don't think that this is
a good idea.
(as if it's obvious)
He's your boss.
Sidney, not noticing them, walks past. He enters his office
and closes the door.
DIANA
Great! I've missed the window!
KOU
The window?
DIANA
The window for a carefully staged
accidental meeting. God!
Kou sighs.
KOU
Are you even listening to me? I
don't think --
DIANA
-- That this is a good idea. I
got it.
She re-buttons her shirt.
DIANA (CONT'D)
Kou, you're my best friend. I
love you, I care about you, but
you can be a real drag sometimes.
Kou opens his mouth to speak. Diana flicks her hair and
flounces away, ignoring him.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
Vi and Kou walk side by side along the footpath. Vi looks
to him, apologetic.
VI
I'm sorry about this. Sidney just
ambushed you and, ugh, you really
don't have to stay if you don't
want.
KOU
Vi, when Sidney cleared the room
to have you checked over, I
stayed behind because I wanted to
make sure you were alright. This
is just me seeing that through.
Vi smiles, grateful. Kou returns it.
KOU (CONT'D)
Besides, it's just like our last
assignment together. All we need
is a Breaker and the reunion
would be complete.
Vi's smile falters and drops. It takes Kou a moment but
then he grimaces guiltily.
KOU (CONT'D)
Ah, I'm sorry, Vi. I didn't mean
to --
VI
S'ok. Hey, look.
She points up ahead.
A little way up the street is a large, rundown looking rec
centre. A crowd of PROTESTERS, holding signs, is gathered
out front.
EXT. REC CENTRE - DAY
Vi and Kou dive into the crowd, weaving their way through
until they're about halfway to the front.
The protest LEADER, an incensed middle-aged woman, stands
on the rec centre steps, yelling into a megaphone.
LEADER
This centre has been a part of
the community for over twenty
years. It has provided shelter
and support for troubled youths,
day-care for working mothers and
classes and groups for people who
want to better themselves.
(beat)
When the city of Garreton turns
it's back on this centre, they
are turning their backs on us!
The crowd CHEERS in support.
LEADER (CONT'D)
They want to tear this place down
and replace it with a shopping
centre!
(beat)
We are the voices of Garreton!
What do we say to that?!
PROTESTERS
No!
LEADER
What do we say?
PROTESTERS
No!
LEADER
What do we say?
PROTESTERS
No! No! No!
They CHEER again. Behind the Leader, two protesters hold up
a banner. It says, "Neumeyer Insurance, Garreton".
Vi looks to Kou. He doesn't seem to have noticed.
With her head angled up, Vi sees past Kou to the protesters
standing around them. All of their signs and banners say
the same thing - "Neumeyer Insurance, Garreton".
Vi tugs on Kou's sleeve. He looks down at her, concerned.
KOU
Is everything alright?
As Vi tries to figure that out herself, cut to...
INT. HAPPY VAMPIRE - DAY
CLOSE ON A MILKSHAKE
As it's placed down onto a table. The contents are a pale
grey and a few lumps float near the surface.
ANGLE ON SCENE
PENNY MORGAN, with text books and notes spread out around
her, looks at the shake with mild disgust.
Then, she looks up to PETER MORGAN who stands over her. He
wears his Happy Vampire uniform - which includes a cap with
plastic bat wings protruding from the sides.
PETER
Brain shake?
Penny pushes the abomination away.
PENNY
Thanks but I don't think banana
masquerading as gray matter will
help me pass Ancient History.
PETER
Can I interest you in some
spaghetti and eyeballs, then?
PENNY
(beat)
Maybe later.
Peter shrugs and walks away, back to the front counter.
Penny pulls back the shake and dunks the straw up and down
a few times. She doesn't look any less grossed out. As she
pushes it away again:
PENNY (CONT'D)
God, this place is disgusting.
LOUD VOICE (O.S.)
Morgan!
Penny snaps up. Across the room, the store MANAGER (male,
late 20s) stalks out from the kitchen.
Peter, behind the counter, whirls around to face him.
MANAGER
What is this?
He points to a pile of paper cups by the drink machine,
stacked on top of each other.
PETER
Um... Cups?
MANAGER
These are skeleton cups. See?
They've got the little cartoon
skeleton on the side?
He picks one up and shoves it in Peter's face.
MANAGER (CONT'D)
But look... What do I see in
there? Is that... Oh, gosh, it
is! It's a werewolf cup - with a
little cartoon werewolf on the
side!
(beat)
Now, Morgan, have we already
forgotten everything we learnt in
that intense hour of training?
He starts snatching cups from the piles and placing them
down on the counter.
MANAGER (CONT'D)
The skeletons go with the
skeletons, the werewolves go with
the werewolves and you will be on
bathroom duty if you don't sort
this out - right now!
Peter grits his teeth and says nothing.
MANAGER (CONT'D)
What was that, Morgan?
PETER
(beat)
Yes... Sir.
The Manager smiles smugly.
MANAGER
Good.
He moves off. Peter sighs and reaches for a cup.
Just then, CAROLINE MORGAN enters, her arms laden with
shopping bags.
CAROLINE
(to Penny)
Hello, hello!
Penny continues to stare at Peter as he works.
PENNY
We need to do something about
this.
Confused, Caroline follows her gaze.
CAROLINE
What?
PENNY
He's miserable!
Caroline sighs and puts the shopping bags onto the seat
opposite Penny.
CAROLINE
He's fine! Besides, we really
need the money.
PENNY
I honestly never thought I'd say
this but maybe it'd be a good
idea if you stopped, I don't
know, buying out David Jones.
CAROLINE
There was a sale!
She pulls out a fluffy towel from one of the bags.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
And we really need these new hand
towels, Penny!
Penny puts her hands up in defeat.
PENNY
Fine. Whatever.
She looks back down to her books.
PENNY (CONT'D)
(under her breath)
But you're being ridiculous.
Caroline slowly shoves the hand towel back into the bag.
She eyes Penny for a beat, having heard her last comment.
Then, she turns to look across the room to Peter - still
robotically stacking cups.
INT. NEUMEYER INSURANCE - RECEPTION - DAY
Kou enters from the street outside, pushing the glass door
open - the seal along the edge makes a crisp "popping"
noise. Vi follows him.
A pretty RECEPTIONIST looks up from the front desk and
smiles.
RECEPTIONIST
Welcome to Neumeyer Insurance,
how can I help you today?
KOU
Er... We're here about...
He glances down to Vi, who steps forward.
VI
The, uh, Garreton rec centre.
Down on Chambers street.
The Receptionist looks confused. Vi takes the hint.
VI (CONT'D)
You guys don't, um, insure them?
RECEPTIONIST
No, I don't think so. I could
check our files, if you'd like.
She swivels in her chair, facing the computer. Vi shakes
her head.
VI
No, that's okay. Thanks.
Vi and Kou step away from the desk and head towards the
door.
RECEPTIONIST
Have a nice day!
EXT. CITY STREET - MOMENTS LATER
Vi emerges onto the footpath. Caught up in a rush of
PEOPLE, she flattens herself against the building. Kou
joins her.
VI
What now?
Kou digs around in his back pocket. He pulls out something -
a little blue book.
KOU
We look for a Sign.
Vi groans.
VI
Believe me, I've had about as
many Signs as I can handle.
Kou hands her the book.
VI (CONT'D)
What's this?
KOU
A collection of quotations. Some
famous, some not so much.
Vi flips through the thin pages. The book looks expensive,
very precious.
KOU (CONT'D)
I use it when I need a Sign. It
helps.
A beat as Vi thinks this over.
VI
You think it'll work for me?
Kou shrugs. Vi nods and closes the book for a moment. She
takes a deep breath and opens it to the middle.
VI (CONT'D)
(surprised)
Well, what do ya know?
She looks up at him, smiling.
INT. NEUMEYER INSURANCE - RECEPTION - MOMENTS LATER
Once again, Vi and Kou step up to the front desk.
VI
Could you point us to suite nine,
please?
The Receptionist points to an elevator.
RECEPTIONIST
It's on the third floor. Turn
left.
Vi nods. As they head for the elevator:
RECEPTIONIST (CONT'D)
Do you have an appointment?
Vi waves the book of quotations at her as Kou presses the
button.
VI
Yep. It's in here. I'd show it
you but --
The elevator DINGS and the doors open. Vi and Kou hop in.
VI (CONT'D)
Oh! Gotta go! Thanks!
The doors slide closed.
The Receptionist takes a moment, trying to figure out
whether she should do anything about this. Before she can
make up her mind --
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Is this Neumeyer Insurance?
NATHAN PERCY, a familiar face to us - last glimpsed on a
certain bus last year, stands in front of the desk.
RECEPTIONIST
Yes. Yes, it is. How can I help
you?
Nathan takes a moment as his eyes flick around the room.
They land on the name plate on the reception desk. It
should read "reception". However, it doesn't.
NATHAN
Suite nine. Where can I find
that?
Off his charming smile, cut to...
INT. NEUMEYER INSURANCE - SUITE NINE - DAY
The office is large and impressive. It has a desk with a
high-backed chair, storage closet, filing cabinets and a
low bookshelf running underneath a window - which looks out
into the hallway.
Vi and Kou stand in the centre of the room. Vi eyes a pile
of boxes, stacked by one wall.
VI
Looks like they just moved in.
Whoever, you know, works here.
Kou picks up the nameplate on the desk.
KOU
Carter Stiles.
Placing it back down, he spots a card lying next to it.
"Congratulations!" is written across the front. Kou flips
it open.
KOU (CONT'D)
(reads)
"Congratulations on the new job.
Guess you're our boss now, huh?"
He puts it down.
KOU (CONT'D)
I think Mr. Stiles got himself a
promotion.
VI
Well, should we look around?
Maybe there's some clue about
what we're actually doing here.
Kou sits down behind the desk and starts going through the
drawers. Vi gets to her knees and sifts through books along
the bookshelf, beneath the window.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.