MAINFRAME SHORT FILM

by

Luke Stewart

Luke Stewart
lukestewart@gmail.com
 FADE IN:

INT. MASS TRANSIT TRAM - DAY

SUPERIMPOSE: THE NEAR FUTURE

The underground tram is loosely packed with working class

citizens dressed in drab clothing. No one smiles. Many
small but noticeable security cameras cling to the
ceiling. A TV MONITOR broadcasts friendly state
propaganda.

ON SCREEN FEMALE SPOKESPERSON

Please comply with all federal,
state, and local regulations.
Thank you in advance for your
cooperation. Our peace and safety
depend on it.

NELSON (25) and JACQUELINE (23) huddle together.

TRAM ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Approaching McCully station.
Please stand clear of the exit
doors.

The shuttle lurches as it slows to a stop.

TRAM ANNOUNCER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
McCully station. Next stop
Chinatown station. Please stand
clear of the exit doors.
A pleasant DING and the doors open. Roughly half of the
occupants file out, including Nelson and Jacqueline.

INT. MCCULLY STATION - DAY

McCully station, an underground hub connecting major tram

routes, is a concrete labyrinth of tunnels, walkways and
escalators. CROWDS of people mechanically walk to their
destinations.

The same spokesperson from the tram on a gigantic screen:

ON SCREEN FEMALE SPOKESPERSON
Remember, if your neighbor acts
suspicious, report it immediately.
Our peace and safety depend on it.
 2.

Nelson and Jacqueline pass beneath a large billboard that

enthusiastically reads: “PROSPERITY THROUGH AUSTERITY.
When everyone has less, we all have more.”
A line of people file through a self-service floor-to-
ceiling security turnstile. Nelson and Jacqueline get in
the queue.
A TV MONITOR above the turnstile continues the
propaganda.
ON SCREEN MALE SPOKESPERSON
To avoid unnecessary delays,
please ensure your personal
tracking device has been updated
with firmware version 6.12.
Previous versions are no longer
valid for travel, commerce or
medical care. Thank you in advance
for your cooperation.
As each person approaches the turnstile, they hold their
hand under a scanner. A BEEP, CLICK and the gate opens.
ON SCREEN MALE SPOKESPERSON
(CONT'D)
As a friendly reminder, if you
encounter any form of privacy
technology please turn it in to
the nearest privacy awareness
center. Our peace and safety
depend on it.
Jacqueline is next. She looks down at her hand. It has a
SMALL ROUND PATCH between her thumb and forefinger, with
a small tube running from it into her sleeve. She puts
her hand under the scanner.
The turnstile’s screen reads: “Build 6.12 Identity
confirmed - Mary Jackson - Access granted".
BEEP, CLICK. Jacqueline walks through the turnstile.
Nelson passes his hand under the scanner, with a similar
patched hand.

The screen reads “Build 6.09” Confirming ID...

TURNSTILE BOT
Additional identification required
for entry. Please provide optical
biometrics identification.
 3.

Nelson glances at the eye hood used for eyeball scanning,

then quickly at Jacqueline on the other side of the
turnstile. Thick steel bars separate them. She looks
scared.
TURNSTILE BOT (CONT'D)
Please look into the optical
scanner for ID confirmation.
He looks at her for advice. Jacqueline shakes her head.

TURNSTILE BOT (CONT'D)

Sir, you are holding up the line.
You have 5 seconds to confirm your
ID via the optical scanner, or a
checkpoint officer will be called.
He looks at her a final time, as if to say “I have no
choice” then places his forehead against the scanner pad.

The turnstile screen reads: “Error. ID mismatch.”

TURNSTILE VOICE
Sir, please step to the side and
remain still until the checkpoint
officer arrives.
Nelson steps out of line. Jacqueline steps up to the bars
that separate them.

JAQUELINE
Get out of here.
NELSON
Maybe I can talk to them.
JAQUELINE
No! You have to go now!
Nelson turns around but it's too late. Three heavily
armed CHECKPOINT OFFICERS are walking briskly toward him,
clothed in black body armor, their faces hidden behind
dehumanizing reflective helmets.
Nelson turns back to Jacqueline.

JAQUELINE (CONT'D)
Give it to me!
Nelson takes something out of his pocket and carefully
passes it through the bars to Jacqueline. It is a tiny
flash drive with the MAINFRAME LOGO on it.
 4.

NELSON
You know what to do.

Jacqueline nods.
The checkpoint officers are close now.
Nelson turns around and greets the officers.
NELSON (CONT'D)
Good day gentlemen.

The checkpoint officers take out billy clubs and start

beating Nelson to the ground.
Horrified, Jacqueline backs away from the bars with her
hand covering her mouth.
One of the officers addresses Nelson as the other two
continue to bludgeon.

CHECKPOINT SERGEANT
You have the right to remain
silent. Anything you say can and
will be used against you in a
court of law...
Jacqueline runs as fast as she can up the long sloping
tunnel toward the surface.

FADE OUT:

TITLE OVER: PRIVACY

FADE OUT:

TITLE OVER: FREEDOM

FADE OUT:
TITLE OVER: MAINFRAME LOGO