tc3x01
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. ELEVATOR - DAY
Down at floor level, the elevator appears to be empty. MUZAK
plays softly in the background. With a CHIME, the doors open.
The feet of a dozen people shuffle in. They are on their way
to work - evidenced by their sensible heels or briefcases.
WHOOSH! The elevator takes off. Nobody speaks. MUZAK is still
prominent. Then, two familiar voices...
GIRL (O.S.)
It's going to suck.
GUY (O.S.)
How do you know?
GIRL (O.S.)
I just know.
GUY (O.S.)
But how?
The CAMERA MOVES towards the back of the elevator, stopping
on two pairs of shoes we haven't seen before. They were
already there when the others arrived, just off screen.
The shoes are not at all business-like. A pair of scuffed
Converse and some flip-flops (toenails painted bright green).
GIRL (O.S.)
Well, I've never been trapped in a
submarine with a mountain lion,
either. Yet I'm about ninety-seven
percent sure that would suck.
GLIDING UP, the non-conformists are revealed. VI and ANDREW.
ANDREW
Ninety-seven percent?
She shrugs.
VI
Three percent leeway in case the
mountain lion knows how to pilot a
submarine. Then it's all good.
ANDREW
This is stupid.
Vi huffs and crosses her arms.
VI
I blame my parents. If they had
just kept the little rubber
raincoat on for a few more years...
There's awkward shuffling around them. The other elevator
occupants are trying not to listen but don't have a choice.
VI (CONT'D)
If they'd waited, I could be
turning fifteen. Or sixteen!
(wistful sigh)
Ah, sixteen.
Then, the gloom overcomes her again.
VI (CONT'D)
This is going to be the worst
birthday ever.
Andrew goes to speak. She holds up a finger.
VI (CONT'D)
And don't ask me how I know that.
We've covered this. I just do.
ANDREW
Okay, fine. You think your birthday
is going to suck. I, on the other
hand, happen to disagree with you.
VI
Give me one reason why being
eighteen is better than being
seventeen.
ANDREW
I'll give you three. Pubs, pokies
and porn.
DING!
The elevator stops. There's a few sighs of relief as the
other occupants hurriedly disembark, thankful for the pardon.
The doors THUNK closed again. Andrew and Vi are alone.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
That was fun. We should ride to
work during peak hour more often.
VI
Andrew, this is serious!
(grumbles)
Some mentor you are.
ANDREW
Hey, while some mentors just show
you the ropes and sit back, I take
a much more hands on approach.
He flicks her ear. She slaps him away, annoyed, and he
laughs. Vi can't help but smile too. The elevator slows.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Trust me, Vi. This is going to be
the best birthday ever.
The touching moment is cut short as the doors open once more,
revealing JENNA - poised to greet them. She looks serious.
JENNA
(grim)
They want to see you.
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION - MOMENTS LATER
The repaired reception desk gleams. Even the burn marks on
the walls have been painted over. It's all shiny and new.
Vi, Andrew and Jenna near the closed conference room doors.
VI
You won't even give us a hint?
JENNA
I'm sorry, Vi. I wish I could.
VI
I thought we were just being called
in to collect a new assignment?
JENNA
Oh, right. That too.
She slips a bit of paper from her pocket. Hands it over.
ANDREW
Come on, Jen. You've gotta give us
something.
He puts an arm around her. Waggles his eyebrows suggestively.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
I'll make it worth your while.
JENNA
(shrugs him off)
If you keep doing that eyebrow
thing, I'll never make it worth
your while again.
She reaches for the door knob but Vi grabs it first, scared.
VI
Wait! I can't do this.
JENNA
Vi...
VI
We get called in for some meeting,
that's fine. All in a day's work.
But a closed door meeting with a
secret, unknowable agenda? I want
to be prepared.
ANDREW
Yeah. We could be facing a firing
squad in there. You can't let us go
in blind.
JENNA
If you were to face a firing squad,
don't you think you'd appreciate a
blind fold?
Andrew and Vi give her identical pleading looks.
JENNA (CONT'D)
Okay, fine! But you have to promise
me that you won't let them know
that I gave you a heads up.
Both reply with the "Scout's Honor" salute.
INT. THE COMPANY - CONFERENCE ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The doors burst open, startling SIDNEY and BENSON who sit at
the conference table. Andrew storms in - fuming.
Vi is next, with less anger and more wide-eyed terror. Jenna
chases after them, regretting her earlier moment of kindness.
ANDREW
You're splitting us up?!
SIDNEY
How did you --
He looks to Jenna. Of course.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Right. Well...
(to Benson)
I guess we can ixnay the preamble,
then.
ANDREW
Damn right.
BENSON
Andrew, control yourself.
Andrew jabs an accusing finger at Sidney.
ANDREW
Why are you doing this? Head Office
won't return your calls about the
Breaker mess so you're taking it
out on us?
SIDNEY
That is not what this is about.
ANDREW
Then why?
Sidney stands calmly, completely unruffled.
SIDNEY
My mentorship scheme was only
supposed to last six months. It's
been brought to my attention that
you two have been together for far
longer than that.
ANDREW
(helpless; grasping at
straws)
But... but she needs me.
As Sidney continues to talk, we go to the silent Vi. We PUSH
IN on her face as the world she knew begins to crumble.
SIDNEY (O.S.)
Vi has been with the Company for
two years now. She is more than
capable of continuing her
assignments on her own. Heck, I
know for a fact that she's done it
before and done it well.
(beat)
She's grown up and while she may
have needed you once, she doesn't
need you anymore.
Back to Sidney. He lets these works sink in.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Sorry for being so blunt, mate.
Sidney sits down again. Conversation over. Jenna gives Benson
a pleading "please say something!" look. He spies Vi.
BENSON
Vi? Is there... is there anything
you'd like to say?
Vi looks up at Andrew. A beat, then:
VI
Worst. Birthday. Ever.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - DAY
A bright and sunny day. Andrew's car pulls up out front. It
lingers morosely at the curb, the engine rumbling quietly...
INT. ANDREW'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
... Until Andrew turns it off. He and Vi sit in glum silence
for a moment, neither knowing quite what to say.
ANDREW
You wanna see a movie tonight?
VI
I'll probably be busy. Assignment.
ANDREW
Right.
Vi opens the door. She is half out, her foot on the curb.
VI
I'll just grab my phone and we can
go. Are you sure you don't wanna...
She motions to the house.
ANDREW
I'll pass.
VI
They don't hate you, Andrew.
ANDREW
They don't hate the guy that tore
you away from your sister's
graduation to play paintball?
(then; getting worked up)
I know it was just an excuse Vi,
but really? Paintball? One look at
my scrawny arms and general
aversion to being shot and the
whole lie falls apart!
A beat.
VI
Are you done?
ANDREW
Yes.
She gets out. Andrew leans over and grabs her sleeve.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Just... tell 'em again that we're
not dating. I think your mum's
still under the impression that I'm
going to break your heart.
He chuckles, trying to lighten the mood. Vi's smile doesn't
reach her eyes. She pulls away and heads up to the house.
Leaning back in his seat, Andrew sighs and runs a hand over
his face.
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - DAY
A birthday cake. Pale pink frosting is spread on with a
butter knife. A finger reaches into frame and --
CAROLINE
Ah!
CAM yanks his finger back. Licks off the stolen frosting.
CAM
What?
CAROLINE shakes the butter knife at him threateningly.
CAROLINE
Not for you.
He shrugs innocently. The front door SLAMS.
VI (O.S.)
I'm back!
Caroline flings herself between the doorway and the cake.
CAROLINE
Don't come in here!
VI (O.S.)
(thumping up the stairs)
Noted!
(further away)
And you're crazy!
Caroline notices Cam snaking another finger towards the cake.
CAROLINE
Hey!
Cam spins away and plops down at the kitchen table.
CAM
But I'm hungry.
CAROLINE
I made you breakfast!
She motions to the milk and cereal laid out on the table.
CAM
No offense, Mum, but putting a box
of Coco-Pops on the table is not
"making breakfast".
CAROLINE
Peter, you want to take this one?
The box of cereal is pulled aside to reveal PETER sitting
across from Cam. Through a mouthful of Coco-Pops:
PETER
Don't talk back to your mother. She
carried you in her womb for nine
months.
Caroline smiles.
PETER (CONT'D)
And if you don't behave, she can
shove you right back up there.
The butter knife CLATTERS onto the kitchen bench.
CAROLINE
Peter!
CAM
Gross! Dad!
But Peter just shrugs and slurps the milk from his bowl. Cam,
disgusted, scrapes his chair back and heads for the door.
CAM
(exiting)
I'll be in my room, praying for an
alien invasion.
Vi enters. She tucks her mobile phone into a shoulder bag.
VI
What's going on?
She gets a look at the cake and groans.
VI (CONT'D)
Tell me that's not a birthday cake.
CAROLINE
I told you not to come in here.
VI
Mum, I said --
CAROLINE
You don't want a birthday this
year. I heard you. A lot.
Peter appears beside them and places his bowl in the sink.
PETER
Your Mum's worked really hard on
this, Vi-Pie. And you only turn
eighteen once.
With an anguished cry, Vi flees the room. Peter and Caroline
share a concerned look, then Peter jogs after her.
PETER (CONT'D)
Vi, hang on a sec!
INT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - FRONT HALL - CONTINUOUS
Vi waits impatiently at the front door. Peter appears.
VI
Yeah, what?
PETER
Is everything okay?
VI
It's fine. Just --
PETER
Work stuff?
VI
Yeah. How did you know?
PETER
A father knows.
VI
A father who knows about the
Company knows. Otherwise, you'd
just think I was on drugs.
Peter chuckles and sits at the bottom of the stairs. He pats
the spot next to him. Vi points to the door.
VI (CONT'D)
Dad, I've really got to...
He gives her a hard look. That wasn't a request. Vi sits.
PETER
Do you remember what we talked
about in the hospital?
VI
First or second time I got shot?
Peter tenses. Vi cringes.
VI (CONT'D)
Sorry. Wrong crowd.
(then)
Yeah, I remember.
PETER
And so you'll do it?
VI
I'm not doing anything dangerous.
(quickly)
Today, anyway.
PETER
(warning)
Vi...
VI
I know. This is my job, but you're
my dad.
PETER
And you being safe is more
important than anything these
people tell you to do, right?
VI
It's not that simple.
PETER
Yes, it is. If you need me, you
call me and I'll come and get you.
Vi nods.
PETER (CONT'D)
My little girl...
He smiles proudly and hugs her.
PETER (CONT'D)
Though, I guess I should stop
calling you that. You're not so
little anymore.
Over his shoulder, still in the hug, Vi's face drops.
EXT. WICKER RECORDS - DAY
Establishing shot.
INT. WICKER RECORDS - LOFT - DAY
Vi is sprawled, face down and motionless, on the couch.
SHANE, HANNAH, VINKLE and BB stare at her curiously. They are
surrounded by instruments, having just finished practice.
BB
I think she's dead.
HANNAH
She hasn't moved since we started
the second set run through, so I
wouldn't rule it out.
SHANE
She's not dead. Are you, Vi?
No answer. Shane's a little less sure.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Vi?
Vinkle throws a drum stick. It bounces off Vi's back and she
shifts. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief and gets back to
packing away the equipment. Shane joins Vi by the couch.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Are you okay?
VI
(still lying down)
I'm fine.
Shane crouches, following her eyeline to see that she's
watching Andrew, on the level below, browsing CDs.
SHANE
Yeah, I believe that.
He knocks aside her legs and sits down.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Anyway, have you given any more
thought to my list?
VI
List?
SHANE
The list I e-mailed to you, taped
to your locker and handed you when
you walked in.
VI
Right. That list.
She sits up, digs around in the couch cushions and pulls out
a scrunched up piece of paper. She glances over it.
VI (CONT'D)
All this stuff looks great, Shane,
but... I guess I don't really need
a Furby or a signed picture of
David Hasselhoff.
SHANE
It's not about what you need. It's
about what you want. What do you
want for your birthday, Vi?
VI
Nothing.
Shane just looks at her blankly.
SHANE
What about a collection of scented
candles?
VI
(heavy sigh)
I have to go.
She gets up and drags her feet towards the stairs.
SHANE
But Vi --
VI
I'm not kidding, Shane. No gifts.
She goes downstairs. Shane stands, watching until she's out
of sight. Then he turns to the others - not at all satisfied.
SHANE
(accusing)
Okay, who suggested the Furby?
He moves off screen. Over this, a WHISTLE BLOWS.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
A small, one-platform station. A sleek inter-city TRAIN is
about to depart. Vi and Andrew round the station house and
hurry towards it. Andrew looks over the assignment sheet.
ANDREW
This is it!
VI
But I don't have a ticket!
The WHISTLE BLOWS again.
ANDREW
Vi, I'd lecture you about time
management skills except that I
don't really have any myself. Just
get on the train. You'll be fine.
He places a hand on her back, pushes her up to the open door.
CONDUCTOR (O.S)
(over loudspeaker)
Eleven forty-five to Eden Beach is
now departing. Please stand clear.
Vi looks back at Andrew, stricken with sudden panic.
VI
Come with me.
ANDREW
Vi, I --
VI
I'll never ask you for anything
ever again. This'll be it, as long
as I live. Just... Andrew, please
do this for me. Please.
A tense beat.
ANDREW
You didn't let me finish.
(grins)
I thought you'd never ask.
Vi smiles and moves fully into the train. Andrew pulls
himself up. He hangs there, taking one last look around the
platform as the train hums to life. He smirks --
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Sorry, Sidney.
-- And ducks inside. The exterior door THUNKS closed.
INT. TRAIN - ECONOMY CAR - DAY
Vi and Andrew move down the narrow aisle, searching for some
empty seats among the other passengers.
As she passes a MAN in an aisle seat, Vi knocks the Akubra
hat off his head (think "Australian Cowboy"). She smiles
sheepishly, dusts off the wide-brimmed hat and hands it back.
VI
(re: hat)
I like it. Very "Man From Snowy
River".
He narrows his eyes at her. Andrew takes her shoulders,
propelling her forward. He leans down to her ear.
ANDREW
How about we hold off on freaking
out innocent bystanders until it's
absolutely necessary, yeah?
They sink down into a couple of empty seats.
VI
Thanks for doing this.
ANDREW
Well, I figure I haven't done
anything to make Sidney's face go
that special shade of purple yet
this year. Why not start now?
VI
No, I mean it. Thanks.
Andrew considers her.
ANDREW
What's going on? First there's the
birthday hate and now you're acting
like the world's gonna end if I
don't fix this connection with you.
(then)
You have done assignments on your
own before, remember?
VI
I know. It's just... them springing
this on us like it's no big deal.
But it is a big deal. You're my
mentor.
ANDREW
Not anymore.
Vi glares warningly.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
I'm not happy about this either,
but there's nothing we can do.
VI
So, this is it, huh? The last time?
An awkward beat. Andrew checks his watch.
ANDREW
We've got five hours.
He rises into the aisle, a picture of strength and
determination.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Let's get to work.
He goes to take a step but the train jolts forward. Andrew,
losing all composure, stumbles, trips and -- THUD!
Vi peers down at him over her armrest. She winces.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TRAIN - FIRST CLASS CAR - DAY
Vi slinks down the aisle, trying to discreetly scope out the
oblivious passengers. Andrew follows close behind her.
ANDREW
There'th way too many people. How
are we thupposed to figure out who
to help?
Vi snickers at his lisp.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Thut up! I bit my thounge!
VI
And I thympathise.
Unamused, he smacks her across the back of the head.
They stop at the front of the carriage, at the doors leading
into the vestibule. They hang here, trying to look casual.
VI (CONT'D)
If I get a Sign telling me to help
every person on board this train,
I'm throwing myself off.
Vi glances around. A MAN (38, suit and flashy ROLEX) reads
the paper. Beside him sits --
-- An anxious WOMAN (25, unkempt but pretty). She nervously
wrings her hands.
Vi looks back to the newspaper. The headline has changed into
a large arrow. It points to the anxious Woman. Vi nods.
VI (CONT'D)
It's her.
ANDREW
And you thay that becauth?
VI
There was a Sign. And look at her.
She's terrified of something.
ANDREW
Maybe thee getth motion thick.
VI
(beat)
I have no idea what you just said.
Andrew nudges her, drawing her attention to the Rolex Guy. He
folds his paper and walks down the aisle where he stops to
chat up ANOTHER WOMAN (26, poised, flaming RED hair).
This is Vi's chance. She sweeps in, dropping down into the
vacant seat beside the anxious woman - MONA MacDONALD.
While Mona looks startled, Vi spots a tattoo on her wrist.
VI (CONT'D)
(reads)
"God gave burdens, also shoulders".
(then)
That's deep. My sister wanted to
get a tattoo, but my mum said she'd
disown her. Guess it's lucky she's
finally moved out to go to uni. She
can finally get "Mrs. Justin
Timberlake" inked on her forehead.
She chuckles but notices Mona isn't joining in.
VI (CONT'D)
You know, you don't really strike
me as the tattoo type.
(jokingly)
Got any hidden piercings or gang
affiliations?
Again, Mona doesn't respond.
VI (CONT'D)
Is everything okay?
MONA
Y-yes. Yeah. I'm...
(in a high squeak)
I'm fine.
Mona angles around to look down the aisle. At the same time,
Vi spots Mona's purse, tucked in the seat pocket in front.
VI
Are you looking for someone?
Vi ponders.
VI (CONT'D)
Or looking out for someone?
Mona doesn't reply and turns to the window. Her hands,
clasped in her lap, are trembling. Vi sees this.
VI (CONT'D)
That's cool. You're not the type
for small talk. I get it.
She slips away. Mona looks oddly rattled by the encounter.
[
top
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.