tc3x04
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION - NIGHT
With a CHIME, the elevator doors open. JENNA is inside. She
is a few years younger - shaken and speckled with blood.
JENNA (V.O.)
I used to want more for my life. I
didn't quite know what.
She takes a few shaky steps into the empty room. She looks
around, taking in her unfamiliar surroundings.
JENNA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Something more than just a good job
and a loving family.
The elevator closes. She jumps at the noise.
JENNA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
It was only after I died that I
figured it out. What I really
wanted.
INT. THE COMPANY - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Present day. Jenna and BENSON nurse cups of tea.
BENSON
And what was that?
JENNA
A future.
She takes a contemplative beat and puts down her cup.
JENNA (CONT'D)
I should get back to work. Thanks
for the tea.
BENSON
Anytime.
She smiles weakly and heads for the door.
BENSON (CONT'D)
Have you spoken to him yet?
She pauses, hand on the door knob.
JENNA
We had a conversation. But really,
Alistair, what am I supposed to say
to the man who murdered me?
Off her defeated expression, CUT TO:
INT. THE COMPANY - BASEMENT CORRIDOR - DAY
VI and SHANE walk side by side. Both carry armfuls of files.
SHANE
How about... I like you and I want
to do naughty things to your body?
VI
You need help.
SHANE
Says the girl who made out with a
guy and now refuses to acknowledge
his existence.
VI
I'm not refusing to acknowledge
anything. I just think that David
and I are --
SHANE
Perfect for each other.
VI
Not exactly compatible.
She adjusts her collection of files.
VI (CONT'D)
Besides, I'm a little too busy for
a relationship right now.
SHANE
Sure. Because volunteering to do
all this filing is not a way for
you to avoid talking to David.
They stop outside the door to the Records Department.
VI
Did you follow me down here to help
or just to make me hate you?
SHANE
Definitely the latter.
He heaves his files on top of hers. Vi sags under the weight.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Have fun!
With a cheeky grin, he pulls open the door for her. She walks
past, throwing him a glare.
INT. THE COMPANY - RECORDS DEPARTMENT - DAY
Vi moves through the musty storage shelves.
She balances the files as they teeter dangerously... Before
sliding to the floor in an avalanche of paper and post-its.
VI
Damnit.
She sighs in defeat, drops to her knees.
VI (CONT'D)
Great. This is just --
Her eyes are on a single page.
VI (CONT'D)
-- Great.
ANGLE ON PAGE
The words she's unable to drag herself away from:
Classified Psychological Report
Jenna Cooke
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. THE COMPANY - DIANA'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY
Hands rummage in a medicine cabinet. They find a bottle of
painkillers. The door closes, revealing DIANA in the mirror.
She recoils, disgusted by her sickly, hungover reflection.
DIANA
Maybe she's born with it.
She downs some tablets. Starts to shed her clothes.
INT. THE COMPANY - DIANA'S APT. - BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Now wrapped in a towel, Diana reaches behind the shower
curtain. She turns the tap --
-- And there's a SHRIEK from behind the plastic. ANDREW comes
flailing out of the tub, sopping wet.
Diana scrambles to turn off the shower while Andrew leans
over the sink, his head swimming.
DIANA
Were you sleeping in my bathtub?!
ANDREW
I... I thought I went home. I don't
remember anything after...
Diana tenses.
DIANA
After what?
ANDREW
We were in Kou's room. On the bed.
He straightens up, a look of horror coming over him.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Oh God...
Diana tries not to panic.
DIANA
Andrew, I can explain.
He slumps onto the toilet - completely distraught.
ANDREW
I cheated on Jenna! I cheated on my
girlfriend. I'm sick. I'm a sick,
disgusting, bad, bad man!
He begins THUNKING his head against the toilet tank. Diana
touches his shoulder comfortingly but Andrew leaps up.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Don't touch me, homewrecker!
DIANA
Andrew! We didn't do anything!
He stops, unsure.
ANDREW
We didn't?
DIANA
No. And you know why? No amount of
alcohol on this earth could get me
to sleep with you.
ANDREW
Oh, thank God!
He launches forward and hugs her. Diana, still in just a
towel, is alarmed. Andrew's relieved smile drops. A beat.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Inappropriate?
DIANA
Very.
He removes himself from her.
ANDREW
Sorry.
DIANA
So... You don't remember anything
about our little... chat?
ANDREW
Not a thing. Why? What did we talk
about?
She smiles innocently.
DIANA
Just the weather.
INT. THE COMPANY - DINING HALL - DAY
Shane finishes off a burger. Vi is in the chair beside him,
sitting a little too close and speaking in hushed tones.
VI
Listen to this part.
She reads from the single sheet of paper.
VI (CONT'D)
"The employee is unaware of events
post-incident, including the death
and subsequent Company employment
of her assailant, Nathan Percy".
An employee passes by. Vi's eyes dart to him nervously. She
lowers her voice and continues reading.
VI (CONT'D)
"It is of this professional's
opinion that should Ms. Cooke learn
of the Company's involvement in the
hiring of her attacker, it would
considerably damage her loyalty to
this institution".
SHANE
(through chews)
That sucks.
VI
Really? That's all you've got to
say? Nathan killed Jenna.
Shane swallows.
SHANE
Maybe he didn't get hugged enough
as a child.
Vi shakes her head in disbelief. Shane looks guilty. He wipes
his hands on a napkin and takes the paper from her.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Okay. What else does it say?
VI
It's only one page from the psych
report. Couldn't find the rest.
(off his judging look)
Not that I looked.
(beat)
Anyway, it mentions her family and
some guy named Brian - her
boyfriend, I think - but really
just focuses on... You know...
SHANE
Nathan.
Vi purses her lips, deep in thought.
VI
You know, this must be why she's
been acting so weird lately.
SHANE
Vi...
VI
What?
SHANE
Leave this alone.
VI
I never said --
SHANE
If Jenna wanted you to know, she'd
have told you.
VI
Do you think Andrew knows? Nathan's
still got his limbs so I doubt it.
SHANE
Vi!
She huffs in frustration.
VI
Fine! You win! I won't do anything!
SHANE
Good.
Something catches his eye across the room.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Because I think there's some other
stuff you should be dealing with.
Vi looks to where he indicates. DAVID has just entered. Vi's
eyes go wide. She throws herself under the table.
SHANE (CONT'D)
So not avoiding him, right?
VI (O.S.)
Shut up.
INT. THE COMPANY - DINING HALL - MOMENTS LATER
The duo sneakily head for the exit. Vi keeps an eye on David
as he moves across the room. He hasn't spotted them.
SHANE
I think I'm missing something here.
VI
Missing what, exactly? You remember
how things with Erin turned out.
SHANE
Yeah, but Erin didn't know about
the Company. David's different.
VI
You don't know that.
Shane sighs.
SHANE
You're being an idiot. He likes
you. And I'm pretty sure you like
him otherwise you wouldn't have...
He proceeds to perform a reenactment of a gratuitous make out
session - with eyes closed, mouth gaping and tongue rolling.
THWACK! The door swings inward and hits him in the face. From
the floor, he moans.
VI
Karma - one, Shane - zero.
She helps him up and they both face Shane's assailant.
The GIRL (20) is a ghostly figure in a stark white hospital
gown. She is covered with bruises and tiny cuts.
VI (CONT'D)
Um... Hi.
The Girl looks to her but doesn't respond. A NURSE appears.
NURSE
Bonnie! There you are! Don't go
running off, okay? You need rest.
Taking the Girl - now known as BONNIE - by the shoulders, the
Nurse leads her away. Bonnie cranes back to look at...
... Shane. And he can't take his eyes off her either. Beat.
SHANE
Who was that?
David appears beside them, startling Vi.
DAVID
She was the receptionist for the
Breakers. They found her like that,
all beat up, in a secret room in
the Breaker building.
SHANE
Why would someone do that to her?
DAVID
Won't know til she starts talking.
He turns --
DAVID (CONT'D)
So, Vi...
-- Only she is nowhere to be seen. The dining room doors
swing a little. David looks to Shane who shrugs.
INT. THE COMPANY - HALLWAY - DAY
Vi, walking along, visibly relaxes.
DAVID (O.S.)
Vi! Wait up!
She tenses, speeds up. David catches up and matches her pace.
DAVID (CONT'D)
You late for something?
VI
Yes I am. So if you don't mind...
DAVID
I'll make it quick, I promise.
(then)
Are you free this weekend? The
university is having a short film
festival or there's the aquarium?
VI
I'm allergic.
DAVID
To marine fun time?
VI
And student films. They see one
Bergman flick and think they're
experts on the human condition.
DAVID
Maybe we could do something else?
Vi grits her teeth. Frustration flashes on her face. She
stops walking and faces him.
VI
Look, David, I'm really busy. I'm
actually...
She looks to the paper scrunched in her hand.
VI (CONT'D)
I'm helping Jenna with something
and it's really important.
DAVID
Oh. That's cool. We can talk later.
VI
(thin smile)
Sure. Later.
He smiles. Walks off. Vi turns back and takes a deep breath.
JENNA (PRE-LAP)
What are you up to, Vi?
EXT. CAFE - DAY
Vi and Jenna sit at a little outdoor cafe along a strip of
shops. Jenna's eyes are narrowed suspiciously.
VI
(startled)
What? N-nothing!
A WAITER places coffees and cakes on the table.
JENNA
In the two years that I've known
you, you have never once asked me
to have coffee with you.
VI
And that's a glaring oversight in
our friendship, don't you think?
I mean, we are friends?
JENNA
Of course.
VI
So, we should hang out. Get to know
each other.
Jenna smiles knowingly.
JENNA
You want to ask about Andrew, don't
you?
VI
Andrew?
JENNA
He says you're fighting but I know
he's probably just being stubborn.
Vi pours sugar into her coffee and stirs slowly.
VI
Did he tell you why he's so mad at
me? It's because of Nathan Percy.
Jenna stiffens. Vi notices and presses on.
VI (CONT'D)
No one really seems to like that
guy. Myself included.
(beat)
How do you feel about him?
JENNA
Me? I don't... I don't think about
him. Why would I?
She grabs a passing Waiter and hands back her cup.
JENNA (CONT'D)
Excuse me, I asked for extra foam.
Could you? Thank you. Thanks.
He takes it and disappears. Jenna turns back to the table and
nervously plays with her napkin. Vi looks sad.
INT. THE COMPANY - DIANA'S APARTMENT - DAY
Diana dumps empty beer bottles into the trash. SIDNEY,
looking a little sheepish, appears in the open doorway.
SIDNEY
Big night?
DIANA
Blame Andrew.
(then; reassuring)
Nothing happened, by the way.
SIDNEY
I know.
Putting down the bin, Diana smirks.
DIANA
You're not checking up on me?
SIDNEY
Love, I trust you completely.
Diana's smirk fades guiltily. She gets back to cleaning.
Sidney, wringing his hands, moves further inside.
SIDNEY (CONT'D)
Actually, I wanted to ask you
something.
DIANA
About the room. Kou doesn't need it
so it should go to someone who
does. I'm moving on.
But Sidney's mind is elsewhere. The words come in a rush,
like he's trying to stop himself from chickening out:
SIDNEY
Andrew was right.
DIANA
About moving on?
SIDNEY
Moving in, actually.
(deep breath; then)
We should move in together.
He smiles, full of hope. Diana is shocked.
EXT. CAFE - DAY
The conversation has relaxed between Vi and Jenna. Their
coffee cups are empty and only crumbs remain on their plates.
VI
My favourite subject?
(thinks; then)
Does lunch count?
They laugh.
VI (CONT'D)
But seriously, I feel like I'm
hardly ever at school anymore. And
even when I'm there, I'm not there.
JENNA
(sad smile)
I think I know what you mean.
A beat. Vi leans forward.
VI
Jenna, is everything --
CAROLINE (O.S.)
Vi?
CAROLINE, PETER and CAM approach.
VI
Uh... Hi.
Caroline eyes Jenna, a little wary.
CAROLINE
I thought you were spending the day
with Shane.
VI
Oh, uh, he was busy. Do you know
Jenna? She's Andrew's girlfriend.
You guys remember Andrew, right?
CAROLINE
(hint of disdain)
Andrew, of course.
Jenna smiles.
JENNA
He gets that reaction a lot.
VI
What are you guys doing?
CAROLINE
Cam needs new school shoes.
Cam indignantly pushes his way to the forefront.
CAM
I do not. I need a new Bunsen
burner - I told you!
CAROLINE
Can't you just use the stove?
CAM
It's not the same!
PETER
Yeah, Coco, it's not the same.
He grins cheekily.
JENNA
Would you all like to join us?
She starts pulling over some extra chairs. Vi is alarmed.
VI
Actually, we're almost done. And
those shoes won't buy themselves.
CAROLINE
Yes, we couldn't intrude.
JENNA
No, not at all. Please. I'll get
some menus.
She goes inside. Vi scrambles after her.
INT. CAFE - CONTINUOUS
Vi joins Jenna by the stack of menus at the counter.
VI
They really don't have to stay.
JENNA
Vi, relax. They're your family.
VI
I know. Why do you care?
JENNA
My family knows that I'm alive and
I still never see them. You can't
imagine how much I wish I'd spent
more time with them before...
A sad beat. She puts a hand on Vi's shoulder.
JENNA (CONT'D)
I'm doing this for you.
She takes the menus and goes back outside. Vi watches her
take a seat beside the other Morgans and converses happily.
VI
Ditto.
Off her determined face, CUT TO:
INT. THE COMPANY - CUBICLE CITY - DAY
Vi strides through the quiet room. She finds an empty cubicle
and slips in. Firing up the computer, she gets to work.
VI
(as she types)
Show me what you got, super
computer.
The computer BEEPS. Vi smiles.
VI (CONT'D)
Bingo.
ANGLE ON SCREEN
Her search for "Jenna Cooke" has yielded one result. Jenna's
employee file.
BACK TO VI
She clicks. The computer BEEPS again. Not the good kind.
VI (CONT'D)
Classified? Ugh.
She starts typing again, muttering.
VI (CONT'D)
Search for... Jenna Cooke comma
parents...
BEEP. No luck.
VI (CONT'D)
Come on!
BIANCA (O.S.)
Are you doing something sneaky?
Vi jumps. BIANCA leans against the cubicle wall.
VI
Don't you have ice cream to scoop?
Maybe some thirty year olds with
dubious moral histories to lust
after?
Bianca looks away, pink with embarrassment. Vi is surprised.
VI (CONT'D)
Wait. That's why you're here?
You're avoiding him? Real mature,
Bianca. That's the dumbest --
She catches herself, noting the familiarity of the situation.
VI (CONT'D)
If you must know, I'm trying to
track down Jenna's family.
BIANCA
And you can't just ask her?
VI
It's a surprise. She's been kind of
down lately.
Bianca studies her cuticles.
BIANCA
Really? I haven't noticed.
VI
That's because you don't know her.
BIANCA
And neither do you if you don't
even know her parent's names.
She smirks and wanders away. Vi glowers for a beat, then is
struck with an idea. She takes out the psych report.
VI
I think I know someone who might.
ANGLE ON PAGE
She runs her finger beneath a passage. "... reluctant to talk
about family, including boyfriend Brian Huntley...".
BACK TO VI
She types the name into the search box. It BEEPS. She grins.
EXT. BRIAN'S HOUSE - DAY
Title over: Melbourne, VIC.
Rundown and dingy with an overgrown front yard. A dark green
muscle car sits in the drive. Inside, a phone RINGS.
INT. BRIAN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
No movement. The answering machine cuts into the call.
VI (V.O.)
Hi. Hopefully I've found the right
Brian. Jenna's ex-boyfriend, right?
(beat)
Anyway, my name's Vi. This is
probably a bit weird but I was
wondering if you had Jenna's
parent's contact info? I'm just
trying to get in touch with them.
(beat)
Jenna's fine, by the way. It's
nothing like... Um... She's doing
good. So if you could call me --
A hand grabs the phone. BRIAN (30) is a handsome guy - tall
and lean.
BRIAN
Hi, I'm here. Vi, right?
(listens; then)
Yeah, I can dig up the number for
you, no worries.
(beat)
You're welcome. Hey, I'm glad to
hear Jenna's doing okay. Real glad.
But his face is cold. No happiness there.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.