tc2x21
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
ELEVATOR DOORS.
Shiny, silver elevator doors. CUT TO a little further back
to see we're in:
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION
Wide shot. The empty reception office. Silence. No work
sounds, no conversations. Just a quiet hum, the sound of
the elevator moving. DING.
The doors open to reveal:
VI'S FACE
Her eyes move, looking around, but her expression is blank.
Dull. Empty. And is that blood on her cheek?
PULL BACK
Vi, her clothes splattered with bright red blood, steps
calmly out of the elevator. She seems to be in shock.
SHANE sits behind the reception desk. He plays idly with a
top. He looks up as Vi approaches, gives her a smile.
SHANE
(nonchalant)
They're coming, by the way.
Vi doesn't react. She turns.
The lights flicker. Most of them GO OUT.
DOWN THE HALL
A pair of silhouettes grope hungrily at one another in the
darkness, moving down the hall towards her.
As they step into the light, we recognise DIANA and SIDNEY,
their hands running across each other's bodies rabidly.
Sidney is shirtless, and he grabs Diana by the waist and
lifts her up, TWIRLING her around.
They rush past Vi, and Vi turns her head to follow them --
-- To notice the couple is now BIANCA and KIERAN, still
passionately groping at one another. Kieran pushes Bianca
up against the wall. Vi watches impassively.
All of a sudden, the frenzied pair slow down. Kieran leans
his face toward Bianca's and chastely kisses her forehead.
Vi flinches, but continues watching.
Kieran steps back, and as he does so we can see the KNIFE
plunged into Bianca's stomach! Bianca turns her head --
-- and stares at Vi. Her lips move as she speaks but no
sound comes out. A tiny bit of blood drips from her nose.
PENNY (O.S.)
Vi! Mum wants you to come down
for breakfast.
Vi turns, to see PENNY standing at the end of the hallway,
her arms crossed and expression grim.
Vi looks back to Shane, now doing a crossword. He shrugs.
SHANE
She's your sister. I have my own
problems.
JENNA passes by Vi, ignoring her. She leans against the
reception desk and she and Shane converse silently.
Vi, still in her daze, turns to Penny --
-- who aims a GUN at her.
PENNY
(quietly)
Boom.
Vi pulls a pack of gum from her pocket. She holds it out to
Penny.
VI
Don't worry. I still love you.
Penny throws back her head and starts to LAUGH wildly. As
she does:
PENNY (O.S.)
(yells)
VI!
And we are JERKED into:
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - DAY
Vi's eyes flutter open.
PULL BACK to see Vi, sitting on the floor outside the
bathroom. Penny stands over her, bathrobe on and hair dryer
in hand.
Vi looks at Penny, blinks, tries to focus on her.
PENNY
(annoyed)
I'm graduating today. You know
what that means, right?
VI
(yawns)
That you're going to be leaving
soon?
Penny narrows her eyes, not fazed. There's a BANDAGE
running across part of her forehead, hiding the long cut we
know is there.
Regardless, she looks gorgeous. And exasperated.
PENNY
Look, I was going to help you get
ready because I can't have you
looking like that at my
graduation and admit to being
related to you, but if you're
going to be a bitch...
Penny stops. Tilts her head. Gives Vi another look.
PENNY (CONT'D)
Never mind. You need me.
Penny grabs Vi's wrist and YANKS her up, turning to the
bathroom.
But CAM darts in front of them and closes the door in both
of their faces!
PENNY (CONT'D)
Damn it!
CAROLINE (O.S.)
What's wrong?
Both girls turn their heads to see CAROLINE approaching,
done up to the nines in a nice outfit.
PENNY
(appreciative)
Damn, mum.
VI
You realise that every other mum
is going to be wearing khakis and
no makeup, right?
CAROLINE
Other mums don't matter.
Caroline smiles widely and moves to hug Penny, who throws
up her hands before she can.
PENNY
Careful! I'm still looking like
the Backstreet Boys album under
here.
CAROLINE
Er, excuse me?
PENNY
Black and blue? Really? No one in
this house is a fan of the Boys.
VI
I was an *NSYNC girl.
PENNY
(rolls eyes)
Of course you were.
CAROLINE
Alright, let's not go down this
road again. It never ends well.
She looks at Penny. Sighs.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, honey. You shouldn't
be in pain on your big day.
PENNY
It's not so bad.
CAROLINE
I'm just glad neither of you was
seriously injured. I saw the
parents of that poor Shelby boy
on the news.
She shakes her head.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Such a tragedy.
A beat. Caroline shakes off the sad moment and leans
forward. She brushes Penny's hair off her forehead.
CAROLINE (CONT'D)
Don't want to get hair under the
bandage.
Penny fixes Caroline's adjustment.
PENNY
Uh, mum? The point is to hide the
disfiguring injury.
CAROLINE
Of course.
She gives Vi a "It's Penny. What are you gonna do?" look
and departs. Vi stares after her.
VI
What did she mean by "glad
neither of you was seriously
injured"?
She turns to Penny, who shrugs.
PENNY
I guess she thinks I got you on
that bus after all.
She gives Vi a look and, oddly, smiles. Vi smiles back.
Making sure this sisterly moment doesn't go on too long, Vi
glances at the closed bathroom door. Penny checks out her
nails.
PENNY (CONT'D)
Can't wait until mum figures out
dad's slipped out. That'll be
fun.
Penny looks at Vi, a mischievous look on her face.
PENNY (CONT'D)
She'll pretend to be fine for
about five seconds, and then...
(grin)
Boom!
She laughs, not unlike she did in Vi's dream, and walks
away.
We HOLD on Vi. She slowly sinks down to the floor again.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
CLOSE UP on a mobile phone, lying abandoned on a desk. It
RINGS, but remains unanswered, until a hand grabs it.
As it goes out of frame, we PULL BACK to reveal we're in:
INT. GARRETON HERALD - SAM'S OFFICE - DAY
Kneeling at the desk is PETER, rifling frantically through
a drawer. SAM stands nearby. He's got the phone. It stops
ringing.
SAM
"Coco"? That the wife?
(sly grin)
That sounds like a stripper name.
Pete, are you doing something
naughty?
PETER
It's short for Caroline.
Sam's face falls.
SAM
Well, that was interesting for
about three seconds.
PETER
Damn it!
SAM
(defensive)
Alright, five seconds! Jeez!
Peter leans back from the desk and sighs.
PETER
No, not that. I can't find the
article.
He looks around the office, lost.
PETER (CONT'D)
I dunno where it could be.
SAM
(off phone)
What about "Coco"?
PETER
She'll be fine. I mean, I can't
think of what she'd be calling...
Peter's eyes widen as he realises exactly what he's missing
right now. He lunges back towards the desk.
PETER (CONT'D)
I'll just, I'll find it, then
rush over to the school.
SAM
Parent-Teacher conference?
PETER
My daughter's graduating.
(off Sam)
Penny.
SAM
Haven't met her.
Peter stops. Smiles. He's found it.
He hands the article up to Sam and leans back, winded.
PETER
Tell you what, tomorrow night,
you come over for dinner. Be my
guest.
Sam raises an eyebrow.
SAM
I don't do domestic.
PETER
(please?)
As a friend?
Sam gives him a look, then glances back at the article.
SAM
So, you think Parry's kid sis got
hired by the Company and he
bought us out to cover it up?
(beat)
Cool.
Peter nods, and points at the article.
PETER
It said she died but was later
"revived". If that wasn't
suspicious enough, I talked to
Henry, who wrote it. He said
there was a longer, more detailed
first draft but it was scrapped.
(beat)
And he doesn't remember what was
in it.
Sam gives him a significant look.
PETER (CONT'D)
Yeah.
SAM
Whoa, this is getting pretty big,
Pete.
(beat)
Look, I'll check this out alone.
PETER
(puzzled)
Why?
Sam just glances at Peter's phone. Peter's eyes go wide.
PETER (CONT'D)
Ah, right.
He stands quickly and rushes for the exit.
SAM
(stops him)
Pete!
Peter, halfway through the door, turns back.
PETER
Yeah?
Sam looks down, a little embarrassed at himself.
SAM
I'll be there. Tomorrow night.
He grins cheekily.
SAM (CONT'D)
It's a date.
Peter grins back. He exits. Sam sits down at his computer,
ready to work.
EXT. GARRETON ACADEMY - SPORTS OVAL - DAY
A platform has been set up in front of a bunch of folding
chairs (the seats for the graduated). Everyone else is
being herded into the stands surrounding the oval.
The Morgan clan (including Peter) move in this general
direction. Peter and Caroline are arguing quietly as their
children walk ahead of them.
CAROLINE
(whispering)
Honestly, Peter, it's practically
unforgiveable.
PETER
(quiet)
I was on time.
Caroline just looks over him - unwashed, unkempt,
especially in comparison to her pristine state.
Peter looks at her, frowns, knowing he's in the wrong.
Knows he needs a cover.
PETER (CONT'D)
Look, I've been working with one
of the columnists at the Herald
and...
(smiles weakly)
I think he might be able to use
his pull to, maybe, get me a
bigger job. I don't know, though.
(beat)
He might even be coming for
dinner later this week?
As he says this, Caroline begins to stare at him in
surprise. After a moment, she grins and hugs him!
CAROLINE
I am so proud of you, Peter. I
mean, I'm still annoyed, but...
(happy)
Yes!
Caroline kisses him on the cheek, then turns forward. She
wraps an arm around him, having clearly forgiven him, for
now at least.
PENNY
(sighs)
I can't believe this.
MOVE to the Morgan children, led by Penny in her robes.
PENNY (CONT'D)
I was talking to Lacey Hibberwash
from back home - they're having
their ceremony in some big hall
that's like a freaking palace!
CAM
(quiet)
This is home, Penny.
PENNY
For you guys, maybe, but as of
next year I'll be a proud Sydney
resident again. Honestly? I wish
I'd never left.
Then, she grins widely, as a robed JAKE bounds into frame,
giving her a tight hug.
JAKE
Penny!
Penny grins, wrapping her own arms around Jake. She winces
at the tightness of the hug, but doesn't say anything. Jake
pulls away and they run off, leaving us with --
-- Vi and Cam, walking awkwardly side by side.
VI
So... We haven't chatted in a
while.
CAM
True.
Cam tosses a look back behind them, agitated, where Peter
and Caroline are still strolling a bit behind them. He
turns back to Vi.
CAM (CONT'D)
(quickly)
Vi, I wanted to talk to you about
dad.
Vi raises an eyebrow, vaguely intrigued.
VI
Yeah?
CAM
Well, a few nights ago --
Vi sees Bianca walking up ahead of them and gives Cam an
apologetic look.
VI
I gotta talk to Bianca. But we'll
pick this up later, cool?
She runs towards Bianca before Cam can answer. His face
falls as he stares after her, worried.
CAM
(sad)
Cool.
Back with Vi. She trots up closer to Bianca, who's walking
with ERIN and some others. Erin's rolling himself along in
a wheelchair.
Bianca sees her coming and peels away from the group. The
two girls meet.
BIANCA
(annoyed)
What do you want, Vi?
Vi offers a weak smile.
VI
You know, I wanted to check up on
you. See how our cousins the
Breakers were treating you.
BIANCA
(dry)
Just fine. There's ice cream.
VI
We have ice cream.
Bianca rolls her eyes and sighs, turning back, but Vi
reaches out and grabs her arm.
VI (CONT'D)
Bianca, wait.
Bianca turns, her glare icy. Vi lets go.
VI (CONT'D)
Sorry, but I just... You know
they stole you. You're a Fixer,
Bianca. We don't exactly get
along, but I know you're a good
person.
BIANCA
You're a racist.
Vi gives her a shocked, offended look. A stunned beat.
BIANCA (CONT'D)
Well, not so much racist as...
Branch-ist. You can't even
believe any of them are decent.
(shrugs)
They're not like that.
VI
That isn't it. They stole you.
BIANCA
(shrugs)
It's not a big deal. Happens all
the time.
Before Vi can react, though, Bianca turns and walks away
from her.
Erin, in his wheelchair, looks up at Bianca, then back at
Vi.
ERIN
(confused smile)
Seems like you two are getting
along. Do I sense a budding
friendship?
Bianca, glowering, takes the handles of the wheelchair and
roughly starts to push him onwards.
ERIN (CONT'D)
I can wheel myself.
A beat. Bianca calms. She smiles to herself.
BIANCA
(amused)
Of course you can.
As she wheels Erin off screen, we tilt upwards, getting a
good glimpse on the beautiful afternoon sun.
And as we pull back...
INT. THE COMPANY - HALLWAY - DAY
... We realise we're staring into a buzzing fluorescent
light.
MOVING DOWN, we see Sidney walking swiftly. He holds an
empty coffee mug.
He passes LEX, leaning against the wall and reading a
magazine.
LEX
G'day, Sidney.
SIDNEY
Er, yes. Hello.
LEX
How are you today?
SIDNEY
Good. I'm... Ah, how are you?
LEX
Kinda bored, actually, since you
came along. With Benson, you
don't really seem to need a
personal assistant anymore.
SIDNEY
I can assure you, Benson is not
my personal assistant.
LEX
So why do I spend my days reading
GQ instead of personally
assisting you?
SIDNEY
(beat)
I'm sorry, who are you?
Lex sighs, shakes his head and moves off down the hallway.
Sidney, utterly confused, continues on.
INT. THE COMPANY - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Sidney nears the break room...
BENSON (O.S.)
(angry)
I'm serious, and both of you know
it.
JENNA (O.S.)
This is ridiculous!
ANDREW (O.S.)
Sidney's really got you whipped
now, huh, Alistair?
Sidney stops outside, but we continue into:
INT. BREAK ROOM - DAY
Benson stands at the break table, an open folder in front
of him. He glares at both of them, while Jenna stands back,
staring at her hands, and ANDREW stares Benson down.
BENSON
We have a loyalty to this
Company, and Sidney, right now,
is in charge.
(beat)
I have to say I'm disappointed in
you, Jenna. Friar's been
insubordinate and lazy since day
one, so just sending a fax to
Head Office is his style --
ANDREW
(offended)
Shut up!
Benson silences Andrew with a look.
BENSON
As I was saying, Jenna, I'm
disappointed in you. If we don't
have loyalty, what do we have?
(beat)
Besides, Sidney's track record is
far from the train wreck you
advertise it as. Sometimes he is
hard to get along with, but he's
a good man who thinks with his
brain.
Benson bows his head a little, frowning.
BENSON (CONT'D)
Maybe if I'd done that a little
bit more, I'd still have my job.
Jenna looks at Benson, concern crossing her face. But
before she can speak:
BENSON (CONT'D)
Go. Both of you. Before I lose my
temper.
As both look chastened:
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Sidney watches as both Andrew and Jenna file out of the
office. He smiles touched, before entering:
INT. BREAK ROOM - DAY
Benson enters to find Benson closing up the file. As Benson
turns to leave, he comes face to face with Sidney. Benson
sighs.
BENSON
Sidney.
SIDNEY
(smiles)
Benny. What's up, friend?
(points to door)
What's with that lot?
BENSON
I'm sorry, Sidney. I've tried to
keep an eye on them, but...
He hands Sidney the folder, which Sidney flips though.
BENSON (CONT'D)
It's a compilation of the case
against the Breakers. I kept
telling them, go to Sidney with
this, but Friar, he's... he
doesn't trust you. He doesn't
trust anybody.
(beat)
I just wanted you to know, for
what its worth, that I trust you.
Sidney quirks an eyebrow, smiles and nods at the folder.
SIDNEY
Let me have a look. If Pierson's
messing with us, I expect you'd
be the one who'd notice, yeah?
Sidney gives Benson a friendly punch in the arm.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Now smile, Benny. I'll deal with
this.
Benson cracks a warm smile, then notices Sidney's empty
cup.
BENSON
Let me get that.
Benson takes the cup, reaches back and grabs the coffee
jug, then fills Sidney's mug. He hands it back.
SIDNEY
No sugar?
BENSON
(grins)
A real Director takes his coffee
black.
Sidney, oddly charmed, nods and exits.
Benson stands for a beat. Waits.
ANDREW (O.S.)
(whispered)
Benson!
Benson turns, and Jenna and Andrew enter.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
He fall for it?
JENNA
Of course he did.
(to Benson)
Right?
Benson merely nods, and the other two break out into full
on smiles.
BENSON
I suppose we owe Lex a favour for
being the look-out, do we?
ANDREW
Eh. I guarantee he'll be
distracted by something shiny and
forget all about it.
BENSON
That remark about being
"whipped", by the way, seemed a
bit well-rehearsed, Andrew.
Benson gives Andrew a look, and Andrew just raises his
eyebrows innocently. Benson's face tightens.
JENNA
Oh, shush, both of you. Don't
ruin the moment.
Benson smiles again and exits. Jenna and Andrew share a
glance. They laugh and Andrew pulls her in for a kiss.
SHANE (V.O.)
I just can't believe it.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.