tc3x07
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. LARGE ROOM - NIGHT
SHANE, eyes closed, steps into a beam of light. Hidden in the
darkness around him, a CROWD chants in a steady rhythm.
CROWD (O.S.)
Shane! Shane! Shane! Shane!
Then, in a voice clearer than the rest:
VI (O.S.)
Shane!
INT. THE COMPANY - HANNAH'S APARTMENT - DAY
VI stares at him from across the kitchen bench. Both have
text books and homework in front of them.
VI
Are you paying attention?
SHANE
Yeah, of course. X equals thirty
four, right?
Vi flips his book closed to reveal the cover. They're
studying French. Shane smiles sheepishly.
The front door bangs open. HANNAH and DAVID enter, both
carrying bags from various fashion stores.
VI
You guys went shopping?
Hannah takes the bags from David and scurries into her room.
DAVID
You call that shopping?
(calls in Hannah's
direction)
I call it "Hannah is a crazy
person"!
HANNAH (O.S.)
I'm going to be playing bass for
hundreds of people tomorrow night -
I need to look good!
DAVID
The ski boots were a little
excessive, all I'm saying.
David sits next to Vi and looks to Shane, exhausted.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Does she do this a lot?
SHANE
Only when she's nervous.
He smiles thinly, letting his own nerves show through. Vi
puts a hand on his arm.
VI
He's going to love you, Shane.
DAVID
Who?
SHANE
An old friend of Jimmy's. He's an
A&R rep for Equilibrium Records.
Vi smiles like a proud parent.
VI
This guy is going to see the band
live and give them a record deal.
SHANE
Yeah, because they just hand out
record deals like day old donuts.
DAVID
How else do you explain Kesha?
Vi and Shane take a ponderous beat. Nod in agreement.
INT. THE COMPANY - RECEPTION - DAY
Shane pins an artfully designed flyer to a cluttered bulletin
board: "Shane of the Dead @ The Funky Pony. One night only!".
SHANE
There. How does it look?
VI
Good. But I have a feeling not many
people look at this thing.
She pulls off a handwritten "Benson Sucks" sign.
VI (CONT'D)
I think this was here on my first
day.
ANDREW appears. He takes the sign from her in disgust.
ANDREW
That's just juvenile. What genius
thought that would be --
(beat)
Never mind.
VI
(grins)
Recognised your handwriting?
ANDREW
Very funny. If only I had some
information to spoil your good
mood... Oh, wait.
(sly grin)
Bonnie wants to see you.
Vi's smile drops.
INT. THE COMPANY - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
A sea of yellow post-it notes surround BONNIE. She is hunched
over a stack of fresh ones, scribbling intensely.
She tears off one and hands it to JENNA.
BONNIE
Please give it to John.
JENNA
We have three Johns here. You need
to be a little more specific.
Bonnie doesn't stop writing.
BONNIE
Please give the assignment to the
man named John.
Vi enters, leaving the door open behind her. Jenna sighs in
relief - grateful for the reprieve from Bonnie.
JENNA
Vi, you have an assignment.
She peels the post-it off her clipboard. Vi steps back.
VI
I know but...
JENNA
But?
VI
This weekend is a really big deal.
Shane's band is playing this show -
their biggest ever - and I promised
I'd be there to support him.
Jenna looks strangely saddened.
JENNA
Vi...
VI
Can't it wait until Monday? Please.
JENNA
You really need to take this.
A beat. Vi slowly takes the post-it. It reads "Shane Evans".
VI
I have to fix a connection of
Shane's?
BONNIE
No.
She stops writing and looks at Vi.
BONNIE (CONT'D)
Not fix.
Vi looks into reception where Shane cheerily hands out flyers
to employees. Vi is filled with grave understanding.
VI
Break.
Off this --
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. PARK - DAY
BIANCA and NATHAN share a bench in the shade. No sign of the
crutches - Nathan's ankle is fully healed.
NATHAN
Tell me what you see.
Bianca gives a bored glance around the busy park.
BIANCA
Stuff.
NATHAN
Like what?
She folds her arms and gives him a narrowed stare.
BIANCA
This is dumb.
NATHAN
It's not dumb, it's important. I'm
not going to let your skills go
stale just because we're not doing
any assignments right now.
He takes a beat to let his point sink in. Then, firmly:
NATHAN (CONT'D)
Now, tell me what you see.
Bianca looks around. Nods to a YOUNG COUPLE strolling past.
NATHAN (CONT'D)
Okay. Good start. What can you tell
me about them?
BIANCA
You want me to talk to them?
NATHAN
I want you to watch them. Any
detail can be crucial in the
successful completion of an
assignment.
BIANCA
You sound like a text book.
Nathan simply motions to the couple. There's a quiet moment
as Bianca focuses on them.
BIANCA (CONT'D)
She's wearing an engagement ring.
NATHAN
And what does that mean?
BIANCA
(as if it's obvious)
They're in love.
NATHAN
Look closer.
The woman tries to take her partner's hand. He pulls away,
takes out his phone and starts texting.
Sadness washes over Bianca. Nathan leans closer to her, a wry
grin on his face.
NATHAN (CONT'D)
Five bucks says they don't make it
to the wedding.
Emotion flares up inside her, forcing Bianca to her feet.
NATHAN (CONT'D)
What are you doing? We're not done.
BIANCA
I got it. Guys are jerks. Here
endeth the lesson!
She strides off. Nathan looks utterly perplexed.
INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY
Vi and Andrew saunter down the chip and dip aisle. Vi's
trolley is piled with necessities (chocolate, ice cream,
frozen pizza) while Andrew eats from an open box of cookies.
VI
I hope you're gonna pay for those.
ANDREW
Don't you ever sample the grapes
before buying? It's just like that.
VI
So, just like stealing?
Andrew rolls his eyes and tosses the box into the cart. He
looks through the rest of her purchases with judging eyes.
ANDREW
How long is your family away?
VI
All weekend. Or until Nana Morgan
forgets who they are and kicks them
out of her house, which is likely.
CAM appears with an armful of supplies. He goes to drop a box
of bran cereal into the cart. Vi put out a hand to stop him.
VI (CONT'D)
What is that?
CAM
Cereal.
VI
Cam, mum is away for two days. You
can eat whatever sugar loaded
processed monstrosity you want.
CAM
But it keeps me regular.
Vi grabs him by the shoulders and forcefully turns him away.
VI
Get something else and for God's
sake, it better have a cartoon
monkey on the front.
Cam huffs in defeat. As Vi reaches for a packet of chips --
CAM
Gluten-free! Boris and Peng are
allergic!
Annoyed, Vi releases the packet and goes for the one beside
it. Cam is satisfied and leaves.
ANDREW
Boris and who?
VI
His friends from science club. And
I use the term "friends" loosely.
Andrew pumps his arms and grooves to an imaginary beat.
ANDREW
Ooh, nerd party at Vi's.
VI
It's Caroline Morgan sanctioned,
therefore not a party. Which is
fine with me. I've got enough on my
mind without having to worry about
Cam throwing an "epic rager".
They push on. Andrew gives her a sympathetic smile.
ANDREW
Still grumpy about Shane?
VI
I just found out that in order to
put the universe in balance I need
to ruin my best friend's life. I'm
allowing myself a moment to grump.
ANDREW
Maybe the assignment isn't about
stopping him from playing tonight.
Vi offers a disbelieving look.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Okay, who am I kidding?
(beat)
How are you going to tell him?
The wheels on the cart squeak as Vi speeds up. Avoidance
strategy. Andrew hurries after her.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
You are going to tell him, right?
VI
I want to find out why this is
happening first, so I can give
Shane a reason. Soften the blow.
ANDREW
Ask Bonnie.
VI
I tried. No help. The Power in
human form is kind of a bitch.
She gives Andrew a hopeful side-eye. He catches on.
ANDREW
So... You want my help.
VI
Jimmy's friend, the record label
guy, is flying in today. I just
need you to do a little digging.
ANDREW
You want me to find out if this
band thing is going to turn into a
Behind the Music type scenario?
VI
And if you could keep him away from
the gig tonight, that would be
great. Thanks.
She grabs a cookie from the open box and pops it into her
grinning mouth. Chewing, she pushes on.
Andrew remains behind for a beat. He sighs heavily.
ANDREW
Sure, why not? Not like I had
plans...
He follows, feet dragging.
INT. SUPERMARKET - FROZEN FOODS - DAY
Cam emerges from the cereal aisle with a couple of brightly
coloured boxes clutched to his chest.
He's faced with the long row of frozen goods running along
the back of the store...
... and the familiar person currently digging through the ice
cream section. Cam stops short.
CAM
Hi.
Bianca looks up.
BIANCA
If it isn't the Littlest Morgan.
She glances to the childish cereal. Cam quickly throws it
into the cart of a passing shopper. He smiles awkwardly.
BIANCA (CONT'D)
Any plans this weekend?
CAM
Having some people over. No big
deal.
BIANCA
A party, huh?
Cam nods coolly. But drops the act a moment later.
CAM
No... I hear you need friends for
that kind of thing.
BIANCA
You don't have friends?
He shakes his head. Bianca smiles, a sparkle in her eye.
BIANCA (CONT'D)
I can fix that.
EXT. GARRETON AIRPORT - DAY
A small airport, just outside of town. Private jets and small
passenger aircraft taxi to and from the lone runway.
INT. GARRETON AIRPORT - LOUNGE - DAY
Andrew and Jenna, along with a dozen others, are crowded into
the small glass walled lounge. They watch the planes outside.
JENNA
I should be back in the office.
ANDREW
So you can hand out assignments,
doing the job you quit weeks ago?
JENNA
Benson needs me. How else is he
going to explain where all these
new assignments are coming from?
ANDREW
Fortune cookies?
Jenna levels him with an unimpressed stare.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
You said you wanted to try
something new.
JENNA
I meant data entry or bookkeeping.
Not actually doing an assignment.
ANDREW
Technically it's Vi's assignment.
Outside, passengers file off a small plane and onto the
tarmac. Jenna takes a deep breath.
JENNA
What's the plan?
ANDREW
Plan?
JENNA
Shouldn't we have a cover story?
The passengers are close now, coming through the lounge
doors. Jenna grows more nervous by the second.
ANDREW
Yeah. We should have one of those.
(thinks; then)
Okay, I'll be ambidexterous and you
be good at math. Ready? Break!
He claps his hands and jets off. Jenna is left at a loss.
BY THE DOORS
Andrew holds up a sign: "Leon Crisp (music guy)".
He is approached by the man himself, LEON CRISP (late 20s). A
short, baby faced guy in a tan leather jacket.
His outfit and attitude exudes the effortless "cool" of a guy
paid to be in touch with the music scene of today.
LEON
Where's Jimmy?
ANDREW
Couldn't make it. Busy, busy, busy.
But I'm Andrew and this --
Jenna flies to his side. She smiles.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Is Jenna.
She takes Leon's hand and shakes vigorously.
JENNA
I'm good at math!
Leon smiles warily.
EXT. FLORIST STALL - DAY
Vi and David aimlessly browse the array of flowers.
DAVID
You want to know what I think?
VI
I already know what you think and
you're wrong. As usual.
DAVID
Shane will understand. Maybe not at
first but he will eventually.
Vi sighs in frustration.
VI
I lied to him from the first day we
met. I cancelled movies and dinners
and study sessions and I never told
him why. When I finally did tell
him the truth, he ended up on the
Company's hit list.
DAVID
Vi, that's not your fault.
VI
Of course it's my fault! My job has
screwed up his life enough. I won't
let it happen again.
She looks down, a wave of fear coming over her.
VI (CONT'D)
Not if I don't have to.
David wraps her in a comforting hug.
DAVID
What do you want me to do?
Still in the hug, Vi spots Shane across the street. She rolls
her face into David's shoulder and groans.
VI
Kill me.
EXT. CITY STREET - MOMENTS LATER
Shane walks along, guitar case in one hand. He doesn't notice
Vi and David until they're almost on top of him --
VI
Shane!
DAVID
G'day, mate!
SHANE
Hey...
He smiles, a little confused at their over eager faces.
SHANE (CONT'D)
What's with you two?
VI
Nothing. Everything's fine.
DAVID
Need a hand with that?
He grabs Shane's guitar case. Shane keeps a firm grip on it.
SHANE
I'm cool. Thanks.
DAVID
Come on. It looks heavy.
He gives it another tug. Shane doesn't budge.
SHANE
I said I'm fine.
VI
No need to snap.
David doesn't let go. Shane's confusion turns to annoyance.
SHANE
Sorry but I'd really prefer if --
Look, would you mind?
DAVID
I just want to help.
SHANE
(straining against David)
I don't need -- your -- help!
The tug of war comes to an abrupt end as David releases the
handle. The sudden lack of resistance causes the case to fly
from Shane's hand. It bounces onto the road a few feet away.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Crap!
He reaches for it. A horn BLARES, traffic barrels down. Shane
is frozen - deer in headlights. At the last possible second --
-- Vi hauls him off the road.
KEEEERUNCH!
That God awful sound freezes Shane's blood in his veins. He
jerks his head to the sky and screws his eyes shut.
SHANE (CONT'D)
How bad is it?
Vi and David solemnly come to his side.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Guys?
Vi makes the sign of the cross over the mangled guitar case.
INT. WICKER RECORDS - DAY
JIMMY paces, punching buttons on his mobile.
JIMMY
I said eleven fifteen. I told him
specifically. Did I not say --
HANNAH
Eleven fifteen, yeah.
HANNAH leans with her elbows on the check-out counter. Across
the room VINKLE anxiously taps out drum beats on the CD
racks. BB is sprawled on the bottom of the staircase.
JIMMY
Then where the hell is he?
VINKLE
Maybe he got arrested.
HANNAH
What for?
Vinkle shrugs.
VINKLE
Lots of things are illegal.
Littering, crossing on the 'don't
walk' sign, murder.
HANNAH
You think Shane's late because he
got arrested for murder?
BB
Dude always looked shifty to me.
JIMMY
None of you are helping!
There's a knock on the window. David waves through the glass.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
We're closed!
HANNAH
It's David.
She moves to unlock the door but Jimmy grabs her arm.
JIMMY
We don't have time for
distractions, Hannah.
DAVID
(muffled; through the
glass)
I have a message from Shane.
Something's happened.
VINKLE
I knew it. Cold-blooded killer.
The others shoot him incredulous looks. Vinkle nods gravely.
EXT. SHOPPING STRIP / FINE TUNES GUITAR REPAIR - DAY
A narrow staircase between a take-away chicken shop and a
diving supply store. A faded sign points up the stairs.
INT. FINE TUNES GUITAR REPAIR - DAY
TANYA (mid 40s), a tattooed wall of woman, stares down at
Shane's guitar with muted shock.
TANYA
Jesus H. Christ, Evans.
Shane, across the counter, looks hopeful. Vi hovers behind.
SHANE
If anyone can fix this, Tanya, it's
you.
TANYA
By tonight, you said?
Shane nods, biting his lip. Tanya shakes her head.
TANYA (CONT'D)
That could be tough.
SHANE
Please, can't you just --
His phone buzzes in his pocket. Shane checks the caller ID.
SHANE (CONT'D)
(annoyed)
Jimmy...
Vi bounces forward.
VI
I got it!
(taking the phone)
You just... you know... handle...
She waves to the guitar. Shane turns back to Tanya. Vi
appears to answer the phone as she walks to the stairs.
VI (CONT'D)
Hiya, Jimmy! Uh-huh. Uhhh-huh.
EXT. SHOPPING STRIP / FINE TUNES GUITAR REPAIR - CONTINUOUS
Vi jogs down the stairs. Confident that Shane can no longer
hear, she lowers the phone. It continues to buzz. She never
answered it. She cancels the call.
VI
Sorry, Jimmy. Whatever you have to
say...
Vi pops off the back of Shane's phone and removes the SIM
card. She does the same with her own mobile. Carefully,
peering over her shoulder, she swaps the SIM cards.
VI (CONT'D)
... Shane doesn't want to hear it.
She finishes up just as Shane emerges from the store.
SHANE
Tanya says it's doable.
VI
It'll be fixed by tonight? Really?
SHANE
She has magic fingers. And if worse
comes to worse, I can just use a
guitar of Jimmy's.
They start to walk down the street.
SHANE (CONT'D)
How mad is he, by the way?
VI
Huh?
SHANE
On the phone.
VI
Oh. David calmed him down. He said
he'll see you when he sees you.
SHANE
That sounds... not like him.
VI
Don't worry. It's just one show.
Shane stops short.
SHANE
It's not just one show, Vi.
She turns to face him, acutely aware of the intensity pulsing
from him as he speaks.
SHANE (CONT'D)
This is the show. Do you how many
bands never make it anywhere? And
it's not because they suck, it's
because no one will give them a
shot. Tonight is my shot.
(beat)
Tonight is what my entire life has
been building up to. Without
this... I'm nothing.
He keeps walking. Vi allows her face to show what she's
really feeling. Misery.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.