Operation Vertigo Script

Operation Vertigo
By
Casey Giltner
cjgiltner@gmail.com
920-410-6668
1116 Emerson St, Apt 6
Denver, CO 80218
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
A pair of quivering, gloved hands place a GUN on a counter
next to a tiny red box splashed with Chinese characters and
one English word: "Untraceable!" Inside are a dozen oddly
shaped bullets.
The hands awkwardly remove the empty gun clip. Carefully,
they take a bullet and push it into the clip. Then
another... Then another...
The hands belong to JAMES DONOVAN (30), a man clearly at the

end of his rope. His young earnest face is offset by hollow
eyes filled with emotional torment and regret.
A WEDDING PHOTO lays on the counter. James and KRISTINA
(28), clearly in love. The glass cracked.
James pushes the last bullet into the clip, exhaling deeply,
emotionally exhausted. He slams the clip into the gun --
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
SUBTITLE: Washington D.C. 2049 A.D.

James scurries through the shadows. A SHADOW-HAWK, a small
drone helicopter, flies overhead. James holds himself tight
to the building as the spotlight runs by.
The gentle hum of the helicopter fades. He bolts down the

block, staying to the shadows.
He reaches a corner and presses his back against the brick
wall, casting his face momentarily in a streetlight.
He wipes the sweat from his brow and peeks around the
corner. A 10-story APARTMENT COMPLEX.
His gaze slides over to a streetlight. Atop the pole is a
tiny WHITE DOME. A street camera. They’re on every
streetlight and lamppost in sight.
A commercial with an attractive SPOKESWOMAN flashes on the
office building across the street. A translucent billboard.
SPOKESWOMAN
The GRID is what ties us all
together. Every time you turn on a
light, drive a car, or talk to your
mother, you’re feeling the positive
flow and connectivity of
billions. THE GRID. Powering your
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
SPOKESWOMAN (cont’d)
life and keeping America safe since
2029.
James delves into his jacket pockets and removes a small

clear tablet. He presses a thumbprint to it -- It lights
up. A 3D hologram of the entire area pops out of the
tablet, growing in detail as it registers its surroundings.
James bites his lip and studies the map. He controls the
hologram with his hands, spinning and zooming in on the
building across the street --
-- The map walls disappear, now a 3D blueprint with infrared
imprints of human warmth.
James searches, relentlessly, scouring the building room by

room. Finally he sees what he is looking for. An apartment
occupied by two people.
One, a man, strewn out on a bed. The other, a woman,
undressing bedside. She leans down and presses her face
into his. James zooms closer, right up on the woman’s
face. Her features are distinct and beautiful.
Anger spews from his eyes as he stares at her. He turns
away, the torment too much to bear.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS

Two gangster TEENAGERS strut down the block nearby --
-- A SHADOW-HAWK drops down from above, shining its

spotlight directly on them -- A POLICE CAR zips down the
street and stops next to them. Two OFFICERS step out.
James watches them jaw with the teenagers from his street
corner.
Teenager #1 struts away. Officer #1 pulls a small device
(PARALYSIS LASER) from his belt and points it --
-- A LASER shoots out from the device, striking Teenager #1
in the back. He collapses in a heap, his skull bouncing off
the pavement.
Teenager #2 immediately throws his hands up. The
Officers place him in their car -- Toss a limp Teenager #1
into their trunk.
After they pull away, James removes another device from his
pocket (Mini-EMP). A miniature white cube with a tiny
screen on one side.
3.
He pushes a button. "10 seconds" pops up onscreen. It glows

brightly, beeps, and begins a countdown.
SURVEILLANCE DOME VIDEO FEED
The street where James is hiding --

-- The feed cuts to a blank blue screen.
THE STREET CORNER

The streetlights flicker and die.
James dashes across the street -- Reaches the front entrance
of the apartment complex. He wrenches the door open and
ducks inside.
The Mini-EMP beeps in his hand again. "0 seconds" flashes
onscreen --
SURVEILLANCE DOME VIDEO FEED

The video feed returns just as the front door closes.
INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS
The lights flicker back on. An ominous calm hangs over the
lobby. James proceeds cautiously. An open elevator waits
for him.
INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS

The elevator flies to the 9th floor. The doors open on a
deserted --
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

James wipes the sweat away again as he creeps down the
hall. He reaches the last door and stops.
He pulls the tablet from his pocket. The hologram springs

to life again. A new infrared imprint appears standing
outside the room.
He looks both ways down the empty hall. He’s alone. He
slips his hand into his pocket and removes the gun. Holds
it up like James Bond.
4.
Takes a small black device and presses it to the door -- A

tiny click. He presses his palm against the door and gently
guides the door open.
INT. APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

The hallway is dark, save for a single sliver of light
peeking out a door at the end. His heart pounds loudly,
creeping toward the faint sounds of sex.
Sweat drips down his forehead. The sound of sex grows,

deafening. He takes the last couple steps --
-- Readies his weapon -- Grasps the door handle --
(beat)
... He hesitates. He can’t bring himself to open the door.

Discouraged, he releases the door handle and backs away.
WHAM! Something large hits the floor behind the door --
-- James stops cold.

A woman SCREAMS --
-- James strides back to the door and throws it open --
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

-- A naked MAN lays on the floor, blood pouring from the
back of his head -- KRISTINA lays naked on the bed, blood
spurting out of her chest.
A MASKED MAN stands next to the window. James freezes.
The Masked Man raises a silenced handgun -- James
instinctively pulls the door shut --
-- BULLETS rip through the door as James throws himself to

the ground.
The Masked Man stops shooting. He climbs into the
windowsill. Falls backward out the window --
5.
EXT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

-- Propels down the building, a cable attached to his belt.
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
James cautiously opens the door. A cable rig is latched

onto the windowsill, automatically unwinding.
EXT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
James sticks his head out the window and looks down. The
Masked Man has descended half the building. Seeing James,
he whips out his gun --
-- James rips his head back inside -- Bullets bounce off
brick, spewing dust. He dives away from the window, landing
right next to the dead man. His eyes stare blankly.
James jumps to his feet, scrambling to avoid the pool of
blood quickly spreading across the floor.
A police siren rings in the distance.
He reevaluates the situation. His wife: dead. His wife’s

lover: dead. He looks at the gun in his hand. Suddenly it
hits him. He needs to get out of there.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
He sprints out of the apartment --

INT. LOBBY - LATER
-- Dashes through the lobby -- Pulling out the Mini-EMP and
hitting the start button. He throws open the door --
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS

-- Sprints out into the street. He reaches the street
corner and presses his back against the brick. The MINI-EMP
flashes "0 seconds."
He catches his breath, completely unhinged. What the fuck
just happened?
He jogs into the safety of the shadows as the police sirens

grow closer and four SHADOW-HAWKS arrive on the scene.
FADE TO BLACK
6.
TITLE CARD: OPERATION VERTIGO
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. SKYLINE - DAY

A sparkling clean Washington D.C. skyline. Impressive new
buildings and monuments stretch to the sky.
INT/EXT. TRAIN - DAY

James nudges his way onto a crowded train. The train speeds
along on a flat gray magnetic surface.
He looks out the window -- A whiskey commercial pops up on
the window, blocking his view. (As though it’s a T.V.)
EXT. GOVERNMENT DISTRICT, STREET - DAY

James trudges through the busy crowds of morning
commuters. The streets are vastly overcrowded. Tiny cars
covered top to bottom with solar cells bottleneck the
roads.
A CNN report is projected on an office
building. HEADLINE: "SENATOR SEWARD ASSASSINATED! Found
In Love Nest With Mistress!"
James stops short and stares at the report. A video airs of

Kristina and SENATOR SEWARD outside the U.S. Capitol.
NEWS ANCHOR
-The Senator will of course be
remembered for authoring the law on
drone surveillance as well as being
a chief architect of the-
Cut back to an image of the dead man’s face from the
previous night. It’s Seward.
James tears himself away from the image of his dead wife and
bleakly rejoins the crowd.
NEWS ANCHOR
-President’s triple war policy. He
was a larger than life presence on
Capitol Hill, a man both hated and
revered by both parties-
James passes a hot dog vendor, and enters a large
Greco-Roman building labeled Department of Technology. A
dozen SECURITY GUARDS patrol the perimeter of the building.
7.
INT. SECURITY ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS

A brightly lit, glowing white corridor. James waits in a
long line of department employees. Those familiar white
surveillance domes line the ceiling.
INT. BUILDING SURVEILLANCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Over a hundred video surveillance screens. James is clearly
seen on two of the screens.
A dozen security guards operate the surveillance

system. SECURITY GUARD #1 surveys X-RAY and THERMAL images
of the employees in the corridor.

Each person in line stops at a thumbprint & eye scanner
machine. Each wears an identification badge. James’ reads
"JAMES DONOVAN, Senior Department Technician."
James steps to the machine. He rests his chin on the

machine, lines his eyes up with the scanner; simultaneously
places his thumb on a scanner.
James passes the normal elevators and proceeds to a smaller

two-person elevator. He presses his thumb into yet another
scanner. The elevator dings open --
SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FEED
James steps into the elevator, glancing at the camera --
James looks down from the white dome to the floor layout: 1
- Lobby. 2 - Bureau of GRID Security. 3 - Bureau of GRID
Research. 4 - Bureau of Analysis.
James presses his thumb to an unmarked button, scans it for
a third time. The elevator descends.
8.
INT. BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS

The door opens on a dimly lit hallway. James steps out and
follows the path. The hallway splits in two. James takes
the path to the left with a quick glance down the right,
which quickly descends into darkness.
James reaches a door labeled I.T. and goes inside.
INT. I.T. ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Essentially a stockroom. Broken equipment, rows of bins

containing spare parts, and four unoccupied glass desks.
James sets his briefcase down at a desk. Quickly, he
reaches inside and removes a bundle wrapped in tin foil. He
sets it on his desk and unwraps it --
-- Inside are the pieces of equipment from the previous
night. He gathers them up and returns each piece to its
appropriate bin in the rows of inventory.
Finished, he sits at his desk.

JAMES
Activate.
His entire desk lights up. A translucent 3D screen springs
to life in front of him (a MARS-screen). Like the previous
night, it responds to his touch.
Onscreen, a 3D map of the building. Each floor shows rows
of desks either flashing green or red.
JAMES
Desk 409.
The screen zooms to one of the blinking red desks. Words
spring out of the desk: Desk 409: Agent De
Rossi. Department of Analysis. Technical Inquiry. Status:
Unaddressed. Priority: High.
The door opens and RICHARDSON (55), a fat, boisterous, jolly
old man walks in.
RICHARDSON
Morning James. What’re we in for
today?
JAMES
Hell of a mess upstairs. I’ll take
the fourth floor today. You take
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
JAMES (cont’d)
two. And when Avery and Johanson
get in they can take three.
Richardson plants himself at his work station, his chair

creaking beneath the weight.
RICHARDSON
Suppose that’ll happen when a
Senator gets assassinated.
JAMES
You saw that?
RICHARDSON
Have to be blind not to. Didn’t
Kristina used to work for Seward --
Say James, you don’t look so good.
James stands and heads for the door. In his interactions
with others, James is a guarded and secretive.
JAMES
(sarcastically)
Gee, thanks Rich. See you on the
front lines.
INT. HALLWAY - LATER

James walks through doubled-doors labeled "Bureau of
Analysis." He glances at the white dome above the entrance.

James walks through the same double doors. A text box
follows his face: James Donovan - I.T. Level 4.
INT. BUREAU OF ANALYSIS, BULLPEN - CONTINUOUS

The bullpen consists of rows upon rows of work stations just
like James has. No walls. No privacy.
The Bureau is in a frenzy. James navigates frantic AGENTS

until he reaches DE ROSSI (45), a squat, bloviating Italian
man angrily shaking his desk.
DE ROSSI
James, what the hell is this?
De Rossi points at his station. While the desk is lit

brightly, the 3D screen is sputtering in and out.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
JAMES
You mean it’s not normally like
that?
DE ROSSI
Yeah. And you mean you don’t
normally have a bald man’s fist up
your ass?
JAMES
I’ll look into it.
DE ROSSI
I don’t want you to look into it, I
want you to fix it.
(ranting to himself)
God damn terrorist assassination.
And the man investigating it CAN’T
because he’s got a bureaucratic
thumb jammed up his ass.
JAMES
You got an butt fetish De Rossi?
De Rossi slams his chair into his desk. James kneels down
and investigates a wire. De Rossi calls to AGENT BRANDT, a
bookish man at a nearby station.
DE ROSSI
Keep looking into Vertigo for me
while I take care of this bullshit.
JAMES
Vertigo?
DE ROSSI
Fringe anarchist group. They’re
claiming responsibility for the
assassination.
De Rossi leans down and speaks quietly in James’ ear.

DE ROSSI
Sorry about the bluster. Not every
day a Senator is fucking some
intern- Well that’s pretty normal
itself. But not normal that he’s
fucking his intern in the ass and
some prick leaps in the window and
shoots him in the head.
James is visibly upset by these comments.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
DE ROSSI
What the fucks wrong with you?
JAMES
Food poisoning.
DE ROSSI
Whatever. Do you remember what we
talked about last week?
JAMES
The problem you need help with?
De Rossi takes a small piece of paper from his pocket and
drops it on the floor next to James. James picks it up and
unfolds it -- De Rossi snatches his hand and forces it shut.
DE ROSSI
Not here you brain dead piece of
shit retard- Sorry, sorry. It’s
just, a very sensitive piece of
information.
JAMES
You need it completely wiped?
DE ROSSI
Shh. Look, it’s like I told
you. If they find out I was
associated with a subversive group
in college... Let’s just say
getting fired would be the least of
my worries.
He trails off, his bluster gone, replaced with genuine
fear. James nods in solidarity and pockets the paper. De
Rossi grabs him by the arm.
DE ROSSI
I’m taking a huge leap of faith
here. Don’t mention this to
anyone.
JAMES
Do I seem like a loudmouth to you?
DE ROSSI
Well... Same amount we discussed?
JAMES
Cash. My apartment.
De Rossi glances around and returns to a normal volume.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
DE ROSSI
So, you thought about letting me
get you a job up here? You’re
gonna waste away downstairs.
JAMES
No, I like being in charge. Suits
me well. I’ve been in charge of
myself my entire life.
THE INVESTIGATOR (50) struts into the bullpen flanked by

four armed U.S. MARINES. She’s well groomed and
unnecessarily proper, with an overt falseness about
her. The entire bullpen stops working and
watches. Clearly, this has happened before.
INVESTIGATOR
(to the room)
Excuse me ladies and gentlemen. I
was wondering if you would be so
kind as to point me in the
direction of a certain Agent
Brandt, first name Jeremiah.
The crowd naturally parts. Every eye now on Brandt.
INVESTIGATOR
Ahh, Agent Brandt.
She marches straight to him. The Marines form a
perimeter. Brandt gazes around at his colleagues
helplessly.
INVESTIGATOR
I’m with the CIA. Please excuse
the large brooding hulks with
me. I was hoping you would be so
kind as to accompany me.
BRANDT
I’m a little busy right now. I’m
right in the middle of a very
important matter. Certainly in an
hour or so I could-
INVESTIGATOR
(undeterred)
Nonsense Mr. Brandt. Your
colleagues will of course be more
than happy to see to your business
while you are detained- sorry,
while you are occupied.
Brandt’s eyes glaze over. The look of a doomed man.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
INVESTIGATOR
Gentlemen. Be so kind as to escort
Agent Brandt to his transport.
The marines grab Brandt. He puts up no struggle.

INVESTIGATOR
(to the room)
Ahh yes. One more thing. Is there-
-- Brandt screams and makes a break for it -- The Marines

quickly corral him -- Carry him kicking and screaming from
the room, his shrieks echoing down the hall.
INVESTIGATOR
Right, I am also looking for a
certain Mr. James Donovan.
Again the room parts, this time towards James. De Rossi
throws a panicked glance at him.
INVESTIGATOR
Mr. Donovan? Would you be so kind
as to accompany me?
James stands calmly. All eyes on him.
INT. MR. DAILY’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

James is ushered into a large mahogany covered office
seemingly out of a different century. The Investigator
leads the way, pleasantly humming a tune. She takes a seat,
crosses her legs and waits for James.
MR. DAILY (80), a genial, respected bureaucrat, sits behind
his behemoth of a desk, eyes glued to a MARS-screen. He
looks as though he hasn’t moved from that spot in a decade.
JAMES
Is there a GRID issue you need help
with, Mr. Daily?
The old man doesn’t even look up. James frowns. The
Investigator indicates the chair opposite her.
INVESTIGATOR
No I.T. issues Mr. Donovan. We
merely wished to have a brief
discussion with you. Actually not
work related at all.
Her overblown cheerfulness is off-putting. James sits.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
INVESTIGATOR
First, it is with the utmost
sorrow, that I must inform you of
the untimely demise of your wife-
She consults her POD, essentially a hand-held version of the
MARS-screen.
INVESTIGATOR
-Mrs. Kristina Rhodes-Donovan. She
was shot twice, once through the
chest and once through the throat.
James reacts incredulously.
JAMES
Wait... What?
INVESTIGATOR
(matter-of-fact)
I’m afraid your wife has been shot
and killed.
JAMES
Jesus Christ...
James pretends to let the news sink in. The Investigator
seems to buy it and proceeds with the conversation in a
pleasant tone, a far cry from any social norm.
INVESTIGATOR
I understand this is difficult news
to accept. But it is more
important to us, not that she is
dead, rather, there is the issue of
who she was found dead with. It is
our opinion your wife was mere
collateral damage to a much larger
conspiracy.
JAMES
Collateral damage?
INVESTIGATOR
Just a manner of speaking Mr.
Donovan. She of course is a great
loss to you and her surviving
family. Just, as far as the United
States government is concerned, she
was, generally speaking, in the
wrong place at the wrong
time. That spot being the bed of a
prominent U.S. Senator.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
JAMES
You’ve gotta be kidding me-
James continues feigning disbelief.
INVESTIGATOR
If you have not already connected
the dots, allow me to
elaborate. Your wife did much more
than work for Senator
Seward. Unless it was a regular
part of her job description to
fornicate with him.
The Investigator does not seem bothered by delivering this
news. In fact, James can almost detect a hint of glee.
INVESTIGATOR
You are to tell me you had no
knowledge that such an affair
existed?
JAMES
I knew she was doing
something... I just didn’t know
what.
INVESTIGATOR
Sort of a sixth sense or did you
have actual evidence of said
affair?
JAMES
It was sort of a gut feeling.
As James speaks, the words appear on the POD’s screen.

INVESTIGATOR
Mmmhmm... No evidence at all?
JAMES
What does it matter if I knew she
was sleeping around?
INVESTIGATOR
Please leave the questions to me,
Mr. Donovan. Things will go much
smoother if you do.
JAMES
You walk in here and tell me my
wife is dead. You tell me she was
having an affair. That she’s
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
JAMES (cont’d)
involved in some assassination, and
expect me not to have questions of
my own or expect me not to freak
out or something?
The Investigator tenses up and glowers at James.
INVESTIGATOR
Evidence, Mr. Donovan. Did you
have any?
JAMES
She told me she was leaving me.
INVESTIGATOR
(taken aback)
You call that a gut feeling?
JAMES
I just thought it was because I was
a terrible husband. Not because
she was screwing a senior citizen.
The Investigator watches the notes run across her screen.
INVESTIGATOR
I’ll try and make this next part as
painless as possible for you. By
all accounts you are a model
citizen and employee. Not even a
single curfew infraction thus far.
James tries his best to contain his nerves.

INVESTIGATOR
Where were you between the hours of
eight p.m. last night and four a.m
this morning?
JAMES
I was at home.
INVESTIGATOR
No doubt. No doubt. Can anyone
account for your whereabouts.
JAMES
My doorman can vouch.
INVESTIGATOR
And this doorman lives in your
apartment with you?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
JAMES
No.
INVESTIGATOR
So he cannot verify that you did
not choose to take a moonlight
stroll? Just the fact that you
entered and eventually you exited.
JAMES
I guess so.
The mood is tense. She looks him over. A chess master
contemplating her next move.
INVESTIGATOR
It didn’t concern you that she
failed to return home last
night? Not even when she didn’t
contact you this morning.
JAMES
Of course it concerned me. But she
had just told me she was leaving
me. I figured this was her making
good on her threat.
(beat)
Am I the lead suspect or something?
INVESTIGATOR
Mr. Donovan. Even if you were, I
couldn’t tell you until the moment
I ordered your arrest.
JAMES
Just ask me then. Go on. We both
know what you’re getting at.
She smirks wickedly.

INVESTIGATOR
My questions cannot be rushed Mr.
Donovan. I shall conduct this
interview. Not you.
James leans in as well, abrasively and defiantly.

JAMES
Listen to me. I swear on my
mother’s soul, I had nothing to do
with any of this.
Her eyes pry into his, scratching and clawing their way into
his mind. She doesn’t believe him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.
MR. DAILY (O.S.)

Hello there James my boy.
They look over at the old man, startled by his presence.
JAMES
How are you today sir?
MR. DAILY
Same as yesterday, which at my age
is a good thing.
Gingerly, he leans forward and joins the conversation.

MR. DAILY
James, you heard what this woman
asked you?
JAMES
Yes sir.
MR. DAILY
And you maintain you had nothing to
do with Kristina’s death?
JAMES
None sir.
MR. DAILY
There you have it. The boy says he
was at home. Enough of this
persecution. James is our very
best technician. Can’t have you
detaining him on the same day a
Senator is assassinated. All hands
on deck so to speak.
The Investigator stands abruptly, annoyed with Daily’s
intervention and contradiction of her authority.
INVESTIGATOR
Very well. Mr. Donovan, you shall
be seeing me again should the need
arise, and I daresay it will.
She departs briskly. Mr. Daily returns to his desk.
JAMES
Thank you sir.
MR. DAILY
Think nothing of it my boy. I
doubt very much you were any more
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
MR. DAILY (cont’d)

involved in this assassination than
I was.
James stands to leave -- The blank MARS-screen on Mr.

Daily’s desk flashes to life. The familiar image of the
Presidential Seal appears, causing James to linger.
The screen cuts to the iconic East Room of the White
House. The PRESIDENT sits addressing the American public.
PRESIDENT
My fellow Americans. It is my
reluctant duty to report the
untimely death of Senator Isaac
Seward. Senator Seward spent a
lifetime fighting the forces of
injustice both at home and
abroad. From his early service in
the Marines, to his front and
center effort in the War on
Anarchy, his legacy will be that of
a true American hero. Last night,
he was gunned down by the forces he
has fought against for so long and
so diligently. Our nation remains
vigilant in the face of such
cowardice and terror. We will not
waver from our solemn duty to bring
peace, order, and the rule of law
to the world. Our efforts in the
Congo will continue despite today’s
loss of Senator Seward, the great
champion of the Congo people. Our
efforts at home to root out the
anarchy in our cities will increase
ten-fold as we seek out and destroy
those who would take away
everything we hold dear. We pray
that Isaac will continue to look
over each one of us from his
celestial perch in heaven-
Mr. Daily leans forward and turns off the MARS-screen.
JAMES
Did you know the Senator?
MR. DAILY
We were colleagues in an earlier
time. A simpler time. Afraid we
lost touch once he hit party
politics.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
JAMES.
That’s unfortunate.
Mr. Daily raises his head very slightly at this thought.

MR. DAILY
Yes... Yes it is... Are you a
member of one of the parties James?
JAMES
No sir.
MR. DAILY
Civil participation is good
James. I would urge you to join.
JAMES
Which party, sir?
Mr. Daily’s eyes return to his work.
MR. DAILY
Either one will do. The parties
are stable James. Let’s us know
you’re in the mainstream of
society. Not off on the fringe
like these anarchists.
JAMES
Yes sir, I’ll get right on it.
Mr. Daily quiets and James takes this as a dismissal.
INT. BUREAU OF ANALYSIS, BULLPEN - LATER

James returns to De Rossi’s station. De Rossi is waiting,
nerve wracked.
DE ROSSI
What was that about?
JAMES
Confidential.
DE ROSSI
Bullshit confidential. I have four
levels on you. Unless aliens
invaded Idaho, I doubt-
JAMES
(angrily)
My wife was the one found with the
Senator. But if you were any good
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
JAMES (cont’d)
at your job, you’d already know
that.
De Rossi opens his mouth in protest, but his MARS-screen
springs back to life.
James takes a glance at the screen. A PICTURE of a man
(TRUFFAUT) speaking at a rally, flanked by two others
(ATHENA and WARRICK) with "VERTIGO" stamped above.
DE ROSSI
Meet the cast of Vertigo. If these
pricks killed your wife, I’ll find
out and you can personally screw
them in the ass. But Seward? Guy
was fucking Joe McCarthy. Was
probably a line going out the door
to shoot him.
James throws De Rossi a weird look and stalks away.
INT. I.T. ROOM - LATER

James settles in at his desk. He sighs, overwhelmed.
He sets De Rossi’s piece of paper on the desk. Two codes
are written on it: 380.1015 and CRM-114.
He glances over his shoulder. He’s alone. He begins

typing. "WARNING: ACCESS LIMITED" flashes on the
screen. James continues typing.
"OVERRIDE" flashes onscreen. James concentrates, typing

relentlessly.
"GRID SURVEILLANCE RECORDS" flashes onscreen.
He glances at the paper and types "380.1015". The screen
searches and finds the correct file.
James clicks into it and then types "CRM-114". The screen
finds another file.
"FLAG AS SUBVERSIVE?" flashes on the screen. James
navigates to a different option.
"DELETE RECORD?" flashes on the screen. James clicks "YES"
and closes out.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
TALIK (O.S.)
Hello?
-- James freezes.
Ever so slowly he turns and looks over his shoulder. TALIK
(25), Indian with a bold face and a brazen attitude, stands
in the entrance.
They stare at each other for a long awkward moment. James,
a deer caught in headlights. Talik, unsure what he just
walked in on.
TALIK
This is I.T. right?
JAMES
(snapping out of it)
Umm, yeah. What do you need?
TALIK
I put in a technical inquiry this
morning at six. It’s after five
and still no answer. Name’s
Talik. Desk 249.
James turns back to his MARS-screen and pulls up the
building map. He frowns.
JAMES
I’m not seeing you here. What’s
the problem?
TALIK
Well if I knew what the problem was
I could fix it myself. Ya know
what I’m saying-
(looking at James’ badge)
-Mr. ahhh Donovan?
JAMES
Don’t call me that.
TALIK
Right-o Mr. D.
James continues to work on his screen.

JAMES
I’ll try and refresh the system and
see if I can access your GRID
port. Are you new here?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
TALIK
Started last week. Got moved over
from D.O.D.
JAMES
Hell of a time to start.
Talik wanders around the office, investigating its contents.
TALIK
That’s what they say. Can’t say I
know much of anything about the
GRID. Yet here I am, probing every
nook and cranny of the its
ass. Got any advice for someone
new to the trade?
JAMES
Well, the GRID controls everything.
If it went down for even a second,
there would be utter chaos. PODS,
MARS-Screens, mass power, stock
exchanges, prisons, bank
alarms. So I guess my main advice
would be... Don’t screw up.
TALIK
Seems foolish to put all our eggs
in one very shoddy basket.
Talik picks up a piece of equipment and fiddles with it.
JAMES
Well that’s why we’ve got jobs --
Don’t touch that.
Talik puts it down. James watches him out of the corner of
his eye as he works.
TALIK
Couldn’t some motivated individual
hack in and take down the system?
James tries to ignore the nagging feeling in his gut; that
Talik knows he is a hacker and is just working his way
around to it.
JAMES
Many have tried.
TALIK
What about an inside job?
Talik stops directly behind James. James swallows hard.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
JAMES
Okay. Found the problem. Somehow
your station’s access code changed.
James swings around in his chair. Talik smirks wickedly.

TALIK
Thanks boss. Appreciate it. We
should work together sometime.
Talik strolls out of the office, whistling gleefully. James

listens nervously, the tune reverberating down the hall.
James trudges inside. Lights turn on automatically as he

walks. As far as apartments go, it’s nothing special. It
feels vast and empty.
James digs into a cabinet below the sink. He pushes aside a
false board revealing -- Stacks of $1000 bills and a
HANDGUN, surrounded by a metallic material.
He digs in his jacket pocket and pulls out another small
stack of bills. Stacks it with the others. Replaces the
false board.
On his way back up he pushes aside some baking soda and

grabs a bottle of whiskey. Pours the last of it into a
glass.
A hologram sprouts out of nothing on the counter.
KRISTINA (HOLOGRAM)
The divorce was finalized today
James. My lawyer will send the
receipts over to you
tomorrow. Don’t fuck with my
stuff. I’ll send a guy over to
grab the rest of it. I’m taking
the car and the
MARS-screen. Please don’t try to
contact me.
James contemplates the hologram of his dead wife with mixed

emotions. He drains the glass of whiskey. Reaches into a
drawer and retrieves a hammer --
-- SMASHES the counter -- Over and over -- Anger and
frustration reeling out of him.
The hologram flickers and dies. He tosses the hammer across
the room, smashing something.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
He looks around the apartment, holding back tears. It’s

filled with Kristina’s things.
A cracked PHOTO of 9-YEAR-OLD JAMES with his MOTHER sits on
the floor next to the hammer.
James picks it up, contemplating it. Another woman who

abandoned him. He replaces the photo to its prominent home.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
James pulls his coat on as he steps out of the building. He

checks both ways, then hustles down the street, ignoring the
CURFEW signs.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

He pounds on an unmarked door. He looks above the door at a
blacked-out pane of glass. The door suddenly slides open
and a BOUNCER steps out.
BOUNCER
Drop your POD off.
James hands his POD to the bouncer. Steps inside.
INT. SPEAKEASY - CONTINUOUS

A haphazardly occupied dive-bar. A large neon sign on the
wall reads Heaven’s Hole. James squints as his eyes adjust
to the dark. Most of the occupants stare
uncomfortably. The BARTENDER greets him with a scowl as he
grabs a stool.
JAMES
Whiskey-rocks.
The Bartender pours out the drink and slides it to James.

BARTENDER
Fifty.
He digs in his jacket pockets. Pulls out a crumpled fifty
and puts it on the bar.
JAMES
Fuck inflation.
The Bartender grunts in agreement.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.
James takes a deep drink of the whiskey. Lets out an

audible sigh of comfort and glances around.
The bar’s occupants keep to themselves. An exotic
electronic music is playing just loud enough to prevent
eavesdropping. James returns his attention to his whiskey,
which to his dismay, is already empty.
JAMES
Another.
He drops a collection of crumpled bills on the bar top. The

Bartender pours again.
James stares deep into the glass, contemplating its
contents. A woman takes a seat nearby.
ZOOEY
Vodka.
James glances over casually and takes a good look. She
catches James looking and stares right back at him. This is
ZOOEY (28), exceptionally beautiful with a hard edge.
There’s a haunting, damaged aura hanging over her. She
wears a trench coat over an exotic dress and a black wig.
ZOOEY
Hello handsome.
She pulls out a cigarette and sensually lights it.

ZOOEY
(mockingly)
Come here often?
JAMES
On occasion.
ZOOEY
(fake-seductive)
Special occasions?
JAMES
No?
The Bartender delivers her vodka.
ZOOEY
To your good health.
She salutes him and downs the vodka. Then stares at him
awkwardly. He looks straight ahead, confused.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.
ZOOEY
You don’t have the look of someone
who usually comes to a place like
this. Are you a cop?
JAMES
What? No.
ZOOEY
Yeah, you’re too soft to be a cop.
Were you raised by two moms or
something? One of them double-dyke
babies?
He swigs the rest of his drink and puts his coat on to
leave.
ZOOEY
Oh, I’m sorry. Was I too hard on
your fragile ego?
JAMES
I’m sorry, do we know each other?
ZOOEY
(philosophically)
Can you ever truly know a person?
James is plenty confused. This woman is crazy.
ZOOEY
Name’s Zooey. That’s Zooey with
two O’s and an E. And a Y.
She playfully holds her hand out like a lady. He awkwardly

shakes it up and down.
JAMES
-Well it was truly a sensation, but
I must be going.
James stands to leave.

ZOOEY
Oh sit down ya brat.
(to the Bartender)
Jimmy, get him one on me.
James hesitantly sits back down. She finishes her cigarette
and dutifully lights another one.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.
ZOOEY
So here’s the deal. I’d like you
to leave this bar with me.
James’ eyes bulge.
ZOOEY
You look like a confused little
boy. Are you stupefied?
Paralyzed? Lobotomized?
Sterilized?
JAMES
Seriously? You don’t even know my
name.
ZOOEY
Well, I saw you giving me a once
over. And you stayed put after I
insulted you. So you must be
interested.
JAMES
(swallows hard)
You know. I, uh, on any other
night, I definitely would leave
with you, but I uhh --
ZOOEY
You’re married.
JAMES
Yes.
ZOOEY
I know.
She indicates his ring.
ZOOEY
I’m not interested in your body.
JAMES
(laughs)
What, are you gonna mug me in the
alley or something?
ZOOEY
Or something.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
JAMES
It’s just that, my marriage sort of
ended last night, so...
ZOOEY
So you have no reason not to come
with me.
She leans over and places her hand on his leg.
ZOOEY
Stop flirting with your dark side
and embrace it
James takes a deep breath and thinks it over.
JAMES
I’m sorry.
Zooey lowers her gaze and glares at him. Her playful
disposition hardens.
ZOOEY
Okay. Here’s what’s going to
happen. You’re going to get off
your ass and you’re going to follow
me out that door.
James looks at her incredulously.
JAMES
(forcefully)
No.
She raises her hand and motions to someone across the bar.
ZOOEY
That’s unfortunate for you.
A HOODED MAN smoking a cigarette, his face obscured, steps
right behind James.
HOODED MAN
Be very quiet, Mr. Donovan and
follow Zooey outside.
James turns around to face the Hooded Man.

JAMES
(nervously)
What is this? A shakedown? I’ll
call the police if I have to-
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.
HOODED MAN
That would be a mistake. Nobody’s
in any danger. We just wanna talk.
He speaks in a slow monotone. Sunglasses and a bandanna

cover his face. Still, he seems familiar.
HOODED MAN
Just follow Zooey out the door and
into the alley.
JAMES
No.
HOODED MAN
Do it now.
JAMES
No!
The hooded man sighs -- Shoots his hands out and grabs James
by the jacket -- He hoists him into the air -- Landing hard
on the bar top.
JAMES
What the FUCK?!
HOODED MAN
What the FUCK do you think you’re
doing?! Talking to my girl?
He pushes James to the floor. James scrambles to his feet.
BARTENDER
Dammit?! Get out, now!
The Hooded Man makes another advance. James instinctively
pushes back. He flies backwards over a table absurdly.
The Bartender and the Bouncer rush over and break up it up.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
James is thrown to the pavement. The bouncer tosses his POD

at him. He hops to his feet, ready to fight.
Zooey exits the speakeasy. The door slams shut behind
her. She brushes aside her trench coat and whips out a
stub-nose shotgun with a silencer -- Points it at James with
a crazed look in her eye.
James throws his hands up, panicked.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.
JAMES
Jesus! What the fuck is that?
ZOOEY
It’s a silenced shotgun. So I can
blast you into that dumpster and
nobody would care.
The gentle hum of a SHADOW-HAWK helicopter nearby. They all
look instinctively to the sky.
HOODED MAN
Quiet.
ZOOEY
We need to talk to you. You’re
coming with us.
JAMES
I’m not going anywhere until you
tell me what is going on --
She raises the shotgun menacingly. Barks at him:
ZOOEY
Shut up and listen to me. We can’t
stand here talking in the alleyway.
JAMES
Well we were in a bar until you got
us kicked out! That was the only
speakeasy I know of. Where am I
supposed to drink after curfew --
-- She cocks the shotgun.
ZOOEY
Shut up!
A SHADOW-HAWK flies right overhead. A spotlight descends
into the alley.
James backs against a wall -- Ducks behind a dumpster. The
man and Zooey take flight down the alley, out of sight.
James holds his breath as the spotlight passes over him.
(beat)
The SHADOW-HAWK continues on its patrol. James resumes
breathing and emerges from his hiding spot.
He looks up and down the alley, confused and flustered --
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
-- The SPEAKEASY EXPLODES --

-- Glass SHATTERS -- James is flung backward -- Lands on his
back -- A PLUME of smoke and fire ascends into the air.
James lies sprawled to his back. He coughs, in immense
pain. He rolls to his side and squints --
-- A smoldering CRATER where the bar once was. The
surrounding buildings burn fiercely.
EXT. CRIME SCENE, STREET - DAWN

FIREFIGHTERS extinguish the last burning embers of the
wreckage. POLICE block off the street. CURIOUS ONLOOKERS
hang around the edges of the police barricades. A PARAMEDIC
dabs at a cut on James’ soot covered face.
The Investigator strides through the crime scene flanked by
a couple CRONIES.
INVESTIGATOR
Mr. Donovan! A pleasure to see you
again.
James looks up at the her, dazed and confused.
JAMES
Aren’t there any other detectives
in this city?
His heart is in his throat. She removes her POD from her
pocket. It takes notes as they talk.
JAMES
Can you tell me what happened?
INVESTIGATOR
Mmm, no. But you can, no doubt,
tell me what happened. I have a
few questions. Actually if I’m
being honest, it’s more than a few-
JAMES
(Indicating the Paramedic)
-I’m a little busy here. Do you
think we could do this another
time. I already made a statement
with the police.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.
INVESTIGATOR
Oh but surely you can answer my
inquiries and have a band-aid
applied at the same time.
She glances back and forth between the Paramedic and James
looking for encouragement. When neither provides her with
any she plows onward anyway.
INVESTIGATOR
Excellent! Well, precisely what
were you doing at such a dour
establishment?
JAMES
Having a drink.
INVESTIGATOR
You were assuredly aware of the
mandatory curfew our leaders have
so dutifully seen fit to put in
place?
JAMES
My wife died yesterday. I think
you remember.
INVESTIGATOR
Yet that does not excuse one’s
breaking curfew, does it? The
curfew is in effect for our
protection, both yours and
mine. Am I to assume you frequent
this particular establishment?
JAMES
I’d never been here before.
INVESTIGATOR
(laughing)
Please Mr. Donovan. One does not
just wander into an underground
speakeasy on a whim. Perhaps you
are a drunkard? Perhaps that is
why your wife was sleeping with her
employer? Perhaps your penchant
for the sauce is why she is not
alive this morning?
James glares at her.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.
JAMES
Did you just fucking say what I
think you said?
INVESTIGATOR
Tsk tsk tsk. I would advise you to
mind what you say Mr. Donovan. I
am merely curious. You see, you
have had two exceptionally rare
things happen to you in an
exceptionally small window of
time. I only seek to ascertain how
these events could have aligned
so... conveniently.
JAMES
Conveniently?
INVESTIGATOR
Well, I suppose inconveniently for
yourself, if you are in fact
innocent.
JAMES
Innocent of what?
INVESTIGATOR
My dear Mr. Donovan... of
terrorism.
This hits James like a ton of bricks. The Investigator
studies his reaction carefully. The Paramedic casts a
sidelong glance at James.
JAMES
(mutters)
... Terrorism?
INVESTIGATOR
(to the Paramedic)
Are you sure he didn’t receive a
concussion?
PARAMEDIC
He’s fine.
The Investigator smiles boldly. The Paramedic packs up and

leaves.
JAMES
I’m not a terrorist.
The Investigator consults her POD notes.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 35.
INVESTIGATOR
For now, let us operate on the
assumption that you are not a
terrorist. You arrived at the
speakeasy at 11:30. You left at
12:15. That’s a very short amount
of time.
JAMES
I was thrown out. It should be in
my statement.
INVESTIGATOR
But yet again, there’s no one to
verify your story. How unfortunate.
JAMES
Two people can verify my story.
INVESTIGATOR
Mmm, yes. The girl Zooey and her
mysterious compatriot. How long
would you say they were there?
JAMES
Not long. 10 minutes?
INVESTIGATOR
Long enough to plant a bomb?
JAMES
Yeah, I would guess so.
INVESTIGATOR
Then tell me Mr. Donovan. If their
purpose for entering the speakeasy
last night was in fact to plant a
bomb, why do you suppose they would
knowingly attract so much attention
to themselves by initiating an
altercation with you? Does that
not strike you as odd?
JAMES
Lately, everything seems odd to me.
INVESTIGATOR
They seem to have specifically
targeted you, Mr. Donovan. And as
a result, you are the only one
alive. If I am to believe your
story-
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 36.
JAMES
It’s not some story. It’s what
happened. Listen, I’m not the bad
guy here. I’m answering your
questions.
James reaches suddenly to his head, overcome with pain.

INVESTIGATOR
Ah ah! You see. The body cannot
lie as willingly as the mind. For
your sake, I would advise you to
cooperate. I can already lock you
up and hold you overnight simply
for breaking curfew. If I were to
suspect you of having a hand in the
misdoings here last night, I could
detain you indefinitely.
JAMES
I need the paramedic-
James stumbles towards the edge of the crime scene. The
Investigator motions to her cronies -- They grab James by
either arm and drag him back.
INVESTIGATOR
Please don’t try to run away Mr.
Donovan. You need to answer my
questions. And you won’t be going
anywhere, and you won’t be talking
to anyone until you do so.
James can barely focus through the migraine, but manages to
glare at the Investigator.
JAMES
This is a free country.
INVESTIGATOR
Absolutely. Right up until you are
suspected of terrorism. Then, I’m
afraid, the rules are not so much
in your favor.
JAMES
Are you really that stupid? Are
you really fucking stupid enough to
think that I blew this place up and
nearly myself along with it?
CUT TO BLACK
37.
INT. CIA DETENTION CENTER, INTERROGATION ROOM

Lights flash on, blindingly. A windowless stone room. In
the middle, James is chained to a stool bolted to the
floor. His jaw clenched shut by a large iron mask. He
breathes heavy, barely conscious.
The door clangs open. The Investigator steps inside. Takes
a seat opposite James. Folds her hands and smiles politely.
INVESTIGATOR
Welcome. I apologize for the
brashness of our methods, but you
were being quite belligerent.
With the mask on, James can only mumble.

INVESTIGATOR
You no doubt know where you
are? From what I hear, our little
arena is quite infamous.
James nods breathlessly.

INVESTIGATOR
The love-hole! Wondrous name isn’t
it? Inside these very walls we can
turn hatred into love. All it
takes is a little time, patience,
and personal reflection.
James looks around, hardly believing his circumstances. She
activates a MARS-screen on the table. It springs to life,
displaying various indicators including heart rate, brain
scan, etc.
James yells something. She leans forward, trying to
decipher his gibberish.
INVESTIGATOR
What? Do you have something you
want to say? You could be saying
lawyer. But I can’t be sure...
Anyway, suspected terrorists are
not permitted counsel. Foreign or
domestic, it does not matter.
Suddenly James rips at his chains, struggling
ferociously. The chains tighten on his wrists and ankles.
INVESTIGATOR
Tsk tsk. Your restraints will
tighten if you struggle. A fitting
metaphor, is it not?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.
She cracks a gigantic, smug smile.

INVESTIGATOR
The backbone of any relationship is
honesty and communication. I want
us to be honest with each other Mr.
Donovan. Do you think we can do
that? How about we take turns? I
tell you something I know and then
you tell me something you know. By
the end of our discussions, I’m
sure we’ll be the best of
friends. If you agree to this,
don’t say anything at all.
James grunts aggressively.
INVESTIGATOR
Excellent! Let’s proceed, shall
we? Heaven’s Hole, an aptly named
locale if ever there was one, is a
well-known meeting place for a
subversive organization known as
the American Patriot
Alliance. Surely you knew this?
She waits for a response. James stares blankly at her.
INVESTIGATOR
Alright Mr. Donovan, you
devil. I’ll put another card on
the table. Our initial Intel
suggests that the bomb was set off
by a rival subversive
organization.
She leans forward, as if waiting for James to say something.
INVESTIGATOR
Come now, Mr. Donovan. This is a
decidedly one-sided relationship
thus far.
He looks away.
INVESTIGATOR
Damn my fickle heart. Okay, card
number three. Our Intel also
suggests this act of terrorism to
be the work of the anti-government
organization known as Vertigo.
(consulting the MARS-screen)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 39.
INVESTIGATOR (cont’d)
Mission statement: "To destabilize
the United States government and
restore power to its citizens."
James looks back at her, incomprehensibly.

INVESTIGATOR
Come come Mr. Donovan. I’ve told
you so much, and you’ve told me so
little. Still nothing to say? You
were so eloquent in our last
meeting. And now, nothing!
She stands, stretches. and strolls around the room. James
watches her closely.
The door clangs open and an ARMED GUARD wheels a tray into
the cell.
INVESTIGATOR
Ahh thank you.
He leaves the tray next to James and exits. It’s covered

with a towel. The Investigator stands over it, excited.
INVESTIGATOR
Perhaps you are familiar with the
means of interrogation at our
disposal? We have the modern.
She indicates the MARS-screen.
INVESTIGATOR
And we also have the classical.
She leans over and removes the towel from the tray at her
side. It’s full of torturous items: saws, knives, pliers,
etc. James’ eyes widen, horrified.
INVESTIGATOR
I find the modern to be
cleaner. But I am certainly no
stranger to getting my hands
dirty.
She laughs heartily, surveying the torture tray. She picks

up a pair of plastic gloves and puts them on. With the snap
of the glove band, her demeanor changes. Her fake
cheerfulness now a cool indifference.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.
INVESTIGATOR
The thing about torture, Mr.
Donovan; it is only capable of
being tamed by the utmost
expertise. Very few are capable of
harnessing its awesome potential.
James swallows hard. Sweat drips down his masked face. He
watches as she lets her fingers momentarily linger over
every tool on the tray, assessing his reaction.
She picks up a scalpel, testing the weight in her hand. He

watches her, terrified.
She walks around behind him, letting the scalpel dance
through the air in her hand. James closes his eyes in
fear. She leans down and whispers in his ear.
INVESTIGATOR
Let’s delve deeper into our
relationship, shall we?
The hair on his neck stands up -- She grabs James by the
hair and presses the scalpel lightly against his
cheek. James winces.
INVESTIGATOR
I snuck a peek at your personnel
file. Your mother was a prominent
GRID engineer for two decades.
She runs the blade of the scalpel up his cheek, over his
nose and down the other cheek to his lips.
INVESTIGATOR
Sounds like she taught you
everything she knew.
She pokes the very tip of the scalpel to his wrist. A tiny
drop of blood pokes out.
INVESTIGATOR
You’re a hacker.
She presses the scalpel into his wrist --
-- SLICING the skin open. Blood spills out. James winces

and wrenches away at his chains to no avail.
INVESTIGATOR
But where the Department of
Technology is forgiving and open to
second chances, the CIA is less
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.
inclined to oblige. Zebras do not
change their stripes. They merely
learn to blend in.
He stares bug-eyed at the blood gushing out of his arm.

INVESTIGATOR
And therein lies your value to an
organization like Vertigo.
James starts hyperventilating. She steps back and evaluates

him. He tries to control his breathing, but can’t.
INVESTIGATOR
Breathe Mr. Donovan. Relax your
mind. Perhaps this will help.
She steps to the MARS-screen and hits a button --

-- ELECTRICITY shoots through his body -- He screams -- His
body convulses -- The chains tighten.
James pants as the pain subsides.

She straddles him. Grasps his head with both hands, forcing
him to look into her cold black eyes. She presses the
scalpel against his face, an inch from his eye.
INVESTIGATOR
This isn’t going to go like you
think it will, Mr. Donovan. I can
see the gears at work inside your
brain. Maybe if you do the right
thing, or if you say the right
thing, then you’ll be off the hook;
free to go?
She whispers in his ear.
INVESTIGATOR
But I’m not going to ask you any
questions. I already know all I
need to know.
His eyes quiver with fear and helplessness. She takes the
scalpel and traces it over his eyebrows, down his
cheek. James closes his eyes, terrified.
INVESTIGATOR
I already know you’re a hacker. I
already know about the bombing. I
already know about Vertigo. I
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 42.
already know the mysterious Zooey
and her compatriot are figments of
your extraordinary imagination. And
I already know you’re a conspirator
in an assassination. There is a
sole event that could terminate
your stay here prematurely.
She pulls back and grasps his head firmly, forcing him to
look into her eyes.
INVESTIGATOR
And that’s if your body refuses to
support you any longer and you die.
James yells something indecipherable, instinctively pulling

at his chains. She smiles morbidly. She’s getting off on
this!
INVESTIGATOR
Don’t worry James. You will have
plenty of time to talk... You will
confess everything. Just as soon
as I want you to.
She leans over and exchanges the scalpel for some pliers.
INVESTIGATOR
Tell me James... Which tooth do you
use the least?
As she leans back, James takes his opportunity -- HEADBUTTS

her --
-- She recoils, her nose bloodied. She wipes it away and
looks at her blood-covered hand, shocked.
James glares at her with every last ounce of defiance and

confidence he can muster. She stares at him for a good
moment, her eyes bubbling with anger.
INVESTIGATOR
Enlighten me. What was your end
game with that move?
In one swift stroke she grabs a HAMMER off the tray --
-- SMASHES him in the head --
-- His body goes limp.

She picks up the pliers. Takes a knee behind him, grasping
his hand. He struggles.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 43.
She wrenches his hand -- A BONE SNAPS -- He screams.

She positions the pliers on his fingernail --
-- RIPS the fingernail off.
James’ muffled screams echo through the cell, his face

wracked with ungodly pain.
The Investigator tosses the pliers back onto the tray. She
wipes more blood from her face. Her previously calm
demeanor completely unraveled.
INVESTIGATOR
You certainly have a way with women
Mr. Donovan.
She strides to the door and exits. The door slams.

James looks around. Finally a reprieve. He’s a bleeding,
shivering mess. Tears pour down his face.
(beat)
A high-pitched SQUEAL --
-- Tears through his ears right to his brain. Every muscle
in his body tenses up -- He writhes in pain, screaming, his
face purple.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. CIA DETENTION CENTER, CELL - UNKNOWN
Darkness. A barely discernible crumpled mass on the

floor. It stirs slightly.
James rolls over, finally conscious. He crawls gingerly to
the bed and leans up against it.
First footsteps, then the door clangs open. James squints

into this new beacon of light. A man silhouetted in the
doorframe.
DE ROSSI
Jesus Christ, what the hell have
you done?
De Rossi storms inside and drops to James’ side.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 44.
DE ROSSI
James? James, are you alright?
James looks up at him, his vision hazy.
JAMES
(matter-of-fact)
No. I am not.
De Rossi stomps out of the cell.
DE ROSSI (O.S.)
What the FUCK, do you think you’re
doing?! You can’t fucking TORTURE
my employee on a fucking whim you
fucking cuntbag!
INT. INFIRMARY - NIGHT

A MEDIC hooks James up to an I.V. A NURSE tenderly washes
the blood off his face. De Rossi stands at the edge of the
room waiting.
James looks like hell: his hair a mess, face black and
bandaged up, and still wearing his soot covered clothing.
The nurse and medic leave. De Rossi approaches the bed.
DE ROSSI
Had to get you out of there before
it was too late. You, umm, didn’t
mention our dealings, right?
James shakes his head.
DE ROSSI
(relieved)
Good. You’d be surprised what
people will confess to after just
an hour in there. Much less 24.
James shudders at the thought. De Rossi claps him on the
shoulder. James winces.
DE ROSSI
Hey, look alive there. You just
survived a bombing and a CIA
interrogation. Not many people can
say that!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 45.
JAMES
She didn’t ask me any questions.
DE ROSSI
Lovely people aren’t they? Make my
department look like a band of
infants by comparison. These
fuckers. Anyway, they had to cut
you loose. Turned out the girl,
Zooey? Not only does she exist,
but we got a link between her and
Vertigo. Alias, but no
worries. That bitch’ll fry.
The door swings open and James limps inside. He drops his
bag to the floor, and takes off what’s left of his
coat. His apartment is trashed, thoroughly searched by the
CIA.
He drops down to his knees and crawls to the cabinet under
his sink. He pushes aside the false wall. It’s empty. The
money and the gun is gone. He laughs exasperatedly and
collapses onto the kitchen floor.
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
He pours a glass of water and chugs it. He stumbles and

catches the counter for support.
INT. BATHROOM - LATER

He looks at himself in the mirror. His head wrapped with
bandages. Rings around his eyes. Scrapes and cuts on his
face. Wrist taped up. Finger set in a splint.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER

He gingerly removes his clothes. More cuts and bruises on
his chest.
His head hits a pillow. He falls asleep instantly.

46.
INT. KITCHEN - LATER

Yawning and shivering, James emerges from his bedroom in
only his blood-stained underwear. He looks around for the
source of the cold.
The window is open. It wasn’t earlier.

ZOOEY (O.S.)
James.
He whips around. Zooey (wearing a crimson wig) is hiding in

the shadows -- James leaps backward.
JAMES
How did you get in here?!
ZOOEY
Magic!
She waves her hands elaborately.
JAMES
I have a security system.
ZOOEY
And yet, do you really feel safe?
He bumbles through the kitchen and grabs the first knife he

can find. He holds it up less than menacingly.
He scans the rest of his apartment frantically, looking for
any other intruders, leading with the knife.
JAMES
What do you want?! Didn’t blow me
up the first time. Wanted to get
another shot?
Zooey takes a couple steps towards him. He backs up.
ZOOEY
Why would I want to blow you up? I
would’ve just shot you.
JAMES
How the hell should I know? You
tell me!
ZOOEY
James-
She moves closer. He waves the knife.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 47.
ZOOEY
Put the knife down.
JAMES
Unlikely.
She withdraws a pistol from her pocket.

ZOOEY
Put the knife down.
JAMES
Okay.
He immediately drops the knife onto the counter. The
hologram machine flickers to life and the fractured image of
Kristina walks across the counter, the audio stuttering.
Zooey glances at the hologram.

ZOOEY
She’s pretty.
JAMES
She’s dead.
(beat)
She lowers the gun. The room calms.
JAMES
(pleading)
Just tell me what is going on?
ZOOEY
I’m here on behalf of some people
that need your help.
JAMES
Vertigo?
She holds up a finger, silencing him. She rotates her

finger around, pointed at the ceiling. Someone may be
listening.
INT/EXT. CAR - NIGHT

Zooey drives. James stares emotionless at the dashboard.
JAMES
Where are you taking me?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 48.
She stares ahead blankly, ignoring him, glued to the

road. He glances down at the gun on her hip, nervous.
The car makes an abrupt turn into an alleyway. They emerge
on a dystopian slum town hidden beneath an overpass. A
whole village of makeshift shelters and shanties.
The HOMELESS go about their business. She drives slowly

through the throngs of people.
James looks upward. A train thunders above them on the
overpass. The same train he rides everyday. He had no idea
this was down here.
JAMES
Are you sure we’re safe?
She ignores him and pulls the car down a narrow alley
between two shelters. The alley descends into --
INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING FACILITY - CONTINUOUS
Zooey parks the car.
INT. FREIGHT ELEVATOR - LATER

James nervously glances at Zooey as they ride up.
The elevator jerks to a halt and opens on --
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
The windows are blacked out. A single table with a lamp and
four chairs sits in the middle.
James steps cautiously out of the elevator. Zooey strides
to the table and offers him a chair. He nervously accepts.
Zooey stands at attention like a soldier at her post.

James scans the darkness, waiting...
A warehouse door clangs open. Through the darkness the
shapes of three people emerge.
Out walk TRUFFAUT and ATHENA, followed by WARRICK limping

with a stiff leg. They take the unoccupied seats. James
stares at them, obviously recognizing them from the picture
on De Rossi’s MARS-screen.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 49.
TRUFFAUT
(to Zooey)
This is him?
She nods. Truffaut surveys him closely. Truffaut (38) is

handsome and charismatic. Obviously the leader.
ATHENA
Have you explained anything to him?
Athena (50) is contemplative and studious. The brains of

the operation.
ZOOEY
Only what was necessary.
Warrick (50) is a quietly powerful sociopath. His face is

hardened and snakelike, his eyes hollow. Someone to both
trust and fear. He remains silent.
TRUFFAUT
Mr. Donovan. My name is
Truffaut. This is Athena. And
that is Warrick. We are the
triumvirate leadership of Vertigo.
James eyes dart between the three of them.
TRUFFAUT
We were sorry to hear about your
involvement in the bombing. How
are you coping?
JAMES
I’ll live.
TRUFFAUT
That’s great news. From what we
know about you so far, we think you
could be of vital help to our
organization moving forward.
JAMES
What is it you want from me,
exactly?
TRUFFAUT
Please, we’ll get to that. First
it’s important for us to impress
upon you a few things.
Truffaut speaks powerfully and with compassion. He looks at

James for some sign of understanding, so James sort of nods.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 50.
TRUFFAUT
First, I want to assure you that
you will not be forced into
anything. We are not some black
ops militia or anything of the
sort. I hope you will forgive any
brusque tactics Zooey may have used
to arrange our meeting tonight.
JAMES
She can be exceptionally persuasive
with a shotgun.
TRUFFAUT
Yes, well, these are trying times
for us... Second. Our
organization, Vertigo, recognizes
that the government has made a
power grab. That civil liberties
have been systematically trimmed
away for over a century to the
threshold of tyranny that we now
experience. Vertigo knows that
this cannot stand and that power
must be restored to the people.
James listens skeptically.

TRUFFAUT
Third. Until yesterday, our
government was largely ignorant of
our existence. It is of the
essence that we move quickly and
strategically now that they’ve been
alerted to our presence.
(beat)
Which brings me to you. You hold a
position of great importance.
You’re a vital cog within the
system of oppression. You’re a
model employee, heralded by your
colleagues, recognized by your
Department on numerous
occasions. What we need
desperately, are people like you:
average citizens in extraordinary
positions.
ATHENA
You’re in a unique position to
provide us with Intel. And at this
juncture, Intel is desperately
important to our survival.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 51.
JAMES
(overwhelmed)
You’re asking me to be a spy? A
double agent?
TRUFFAUT
You must understand our plight, Mr.
Donovan? The public slumbers under
illusions of freedom and
liberty. But they are
mistaken. This country is lulled
into complacency, subdued by their
MARS-screens, and their bibles, and
their guns. They won’t say a word
because they don’t care what’s
really happening. Meanwhile, those
of us that do realize what
hellacious times we live in are
kept in line by fear and
intimidation.
He stands and rounds the table.
TRUFFAUT
James, you have born witness to
these acts for years. What do you
think happens after someone is
flagged for subversive conduct at
your Department? Have you ever
known anyone to be flagged
twice? A genocide of the
uncorrectable is taking place under
our very noses.
JAMES
(growing antagonistic)
That’s a bit dramatic.
TRUFFAUT
You are living in a dystopia and
you don’t even realize it! Fear
and intimidation! That’s all they
need to keep the spineless masses
from outright revolt.
JAMES
(with a glance at Zooey)
Is that why it’s okay to blow up
citizens?
ATHENA
(to Zooey)
You didn’t tell him?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 52.
ZOOEY
I tried to.
TRUFFAUT
I’m going to tell you something
shocking Mr. Donovan. But please
let it sink in before you react.
James frowns and folds his arms, skepticism growing.
TRUFFAUT
The government planted that bomb.
JAMES
(scoffs)
You expect me to believe that?
TRUFFAUT
You have no idea what a government
under siege is capable of.
JAMES
Think of how absurd you sound.
ATHENA
Don’t be naive Donovan. You know
perfectly well that governments
have undertaken similar acts in the
past. Think. How has this
government responded to terrorism
for 100 years? It’s allowed us to
enter world wars, conduct coups,
spy on U.S. citizens, and most
recently, in 2028, the biggest
terrorist attack in US history, a
chemical attack on the water
supply? Is it just a coincidence
that the government invaded three
countries, established perpetual
war, and granted themselves special
wartime powers to suspend habeas
corpus? 21 years now!
James listens to her intently.
TRUFFAUT
You know more than most
James. You’re helping them abuse
their powers. Information is more
powerful than any gun could ever
be. With all the information you
have at your fingertips, a person
can disappear with one swipe of a
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 53.
TRUFFAUT (cont’d)
finger. It’s time you knew
James. The forces that run this
government. They would gladly blow
you up if it meant a tighter
stranglehold on the security of
their oligarchy.
Truffaut’s voice grows louder as he impresses on James the
seriousness of the situation.
TRUFFAUT
Ultimately, we can only ask of you
what you are willing to give. Will
you do this? Will you join us?
James looks purposefully into the faces of the
triumvirate. Truffaut, pleading with him. Athena,
stoic. Warrick, intense in his silence. And then over his
shoulder to Zooey, her seductive eyes boring into his back.
Suddenly, Zooey’s POD beeps loudly.
ZOOEY
Two SHADOW-HAWKS overhead.
ATHENA
Were you followed?
ZOOEY
No.
TRUFFAUT
Are they monitoring him?
JAMES
They might be.
They all stop and look at James.
JAMES
They interrogated me... Pretty
thoroughly.
TRUFFAUT
How thoroughly?
James pulls back his sleeve, revealing the bandaged wrist.

ATHENA
Clear out. They’ve gotta be
monitoring him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 54.
TRUFFAUT
Zooey will take you home
James. Tell no one of this
meeting. We’ll send someone for
your answer.
He grabs James by the shoulder.
TRUFFAUT
Join us. You must realize now.
You’ve been on the other side of
the curtain. They can’t allow you
to remain at large much longer.
JAMES
I haven’t done anything.
TRUFFAUT
I know. But they don’t care.
The Triumvirate departs briskly. Zooey ushers James back to
the elevator. As he boards, he catches one last glance of
Warrick, limping stiffly into the darkness.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. BUREAU OF ANALYSIS, BULLPEN - DAY

James walks through the bullpen as calmly as possible,
avoiding eye-contact. Every tap of a finger makes him
twitch. Every passerby makes him sweat.
The Investigator struts through the bullpen. She spots

James. Stops abruptly and stares at him in disbelief -- She
turns and walks directly into Mr. Daily’s office.
Panicked, James scrambles across the floor and approaches
Mr. Daily’s buxom SECRETARY.
JAMES
Got a call your MARS is broken.
SECRETARY
There’s nothing wrong with it.
JAMES
Gonna have to take a look
anyway. Shouldn’t take long.
She stands in a huff and storms away.

James rounds the desk. Pretends to work. Discreetly, he
picks up an earpiece and puts it to his ear.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 55.
INVESTIGATOR (EARPIECE)
-astonished you put him back to
work. As long as we let him
gallivant around out there he will
be a threat to this government.
MR. DAILY (EARPIECE)
I know very well the threat that
James poses. But he’s valuable.
You let him fix equipment. If he’s
so good at what he does, why is he
not planted behind one of those
stations in your bullpen?

We didn’t hire him to use his
skills. We hired him to prevent
anyone else using them.
I’ve been monitoring his movements
via his POD and I’m concerned. He
should be ostracized immediately.
I will not allow a reckless and
unnecessary purge under my watch.
James drops the earpiece and hightails it.
INT. I.T. ROOM - LATER

James enters in a daze. Richardson takes one look at him --
RICHARDSON
You know you really don’t look so
hot there James. I, uhh, was sorry
to hear about Kristina.
James ignores him. Drops into his chair. He holds his POD
in his hand and contemplates it...
He jumps up and tosses the POD into a spare parts bin.

LATER
He searches a news article on his MARS-screen.
HEADLINE: "Protesters Rally Against Senator Seward’s War

Plan!" A PICTURE: Truffaut speaking to a crowd. A dozen
stone-faced people stand behind him, Zooey amongst them.
56.
He scans the article. ’"There can be no peace where there

is no liberty," said rally activist Zooey Davarine.’
INT. BUREAU OF GRID SECURITY, BULLPEN - LATER
James pushes a cart of equipment through the bullpen. Talik

catches up to him.
TALIK
Hey there Mr. D. Got something for
you.
He hands James a file.
On his MARS-screen James searches for "Zooey Davarine."
INT. BUREAU OF GRID SECURITY, BULLPEN - CONTINUOUS
James opens the file. It’s full of blank sheets of

paper. He looks up at Talik, confused.
TALIK
Bosses want your answer.

James reads his MARS-screen: "Zooey Davarine - ALIAS
ALERT! Real Name: Alexis Hemingway. Threat Verified."
As James reads, new text appears: "Location

verified. Arrest: Imminent."
James stares at Talik.

JAMES
Answer to what?
TALIK
You had a conversation with three
of my colleagues last
night. They’d like an answer.
57.
James looks around. They’re standing right in the middle of

the floor, surrounded by dozens of government intelligence
analysts. The most conspicuous place possible. But no one
is paying them any attention.

"Arrest: Imminent" flashes in his face. More text
appears. "Last known location: 1712 Alameda Ave."

James stares blankly at Talik. Then it dawns on him.
Cut briefly to the Hooded Man in the speakeasy. It’s
Talik. The stereotypical accent must be a fake.
JAMES
Tell them I just don’t know yet.
TALIK
Tell them yourself.
Talik hands James another file. He looks inside. On a tiny
scrap of paper: "125 DuPont Circle @ 5:15"
TALIK
Great! Thanks for you help.
They shake hands jovially. Talik snatches the scrap of
paper and slips it into his mouth as he walks away.
EXT. COFFEE SHOP - CONTINUOUS

James waits impatiently, staring out the window.
Zooey (in a blonde wig) pulls her car up across the
street. James exits and hustles over to her and jumps in.
ZOOEY
Howdy stranger. So, what’s it
gonna be?
JAMES
(frantically)
Do you live at 1712 Alameda?
They’re going to arrest you the
moment you set foot there.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 58.
ZOOEY
Shit.
INT/EXT. CAR - LATER
Zooey drives ferociously down a residential street. A
translucent 3D GPS navigation system illuminates the front
windshield.
Zooey whips the car around a turn, narrowly avoiding cars
parked along the street.
JAMES
We can’t go there.
ZOOEY
If they’re coming for me, I need to
collect some things.
JAMES
There’s no time!
She slams on the breaks, pulling the car to the
curb. Throws open the door -- Opens the trunk -- Pulls out
her shotgun and sprints towards the house.
JAMES
Zooey! Zooey!
He races after her.
INT. ZOOEY’S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

It’s an older house with a decor to match. Zooey’s
footsteps pound through the ceiling.
James looks through the house. He lingers in a
doorway; Zooey’s room. Cluttered with boxes. Heavy on
vintage. Clearly she hasn’t lived here in a long time. A
picture on the wall: BABY ZOOEY with her PARENTS.
He steps into the kitchen. It’s very quiet... He brushes

aside the window shades.
An OLD MAN is pleasantly digging in a garden out back.
Behind him, a SWAT TEAM sweeps into the backyard, their

assault rifles raised.
59.

His eyes bulge.
JAMES
ZOOEY!
Zooey dashes down the staircase.

JAMES
They’re here!
She looks out the back window. The SWAT TEAM swarms the old
man. Zooey cries out --
-- James pulls her away from the window. They race into the
living room. Zooey leads him to a Grandfather clock sitting
in the center of the room -- Opens the clock door -- Winds
the minute hand to the 22nd minute.
JAMES
What are you doing?!
The clock springs to life. The hour hand mechanically winds

itself back around to the top of the hour.
The inside of the clock swivels open to reveal a secret
passage. Zooey squeezes into the passage -- Pulling James
behind her. James struggles, stuffing himself through the
tiny opening.
The front door EXPLODES -- Smoke and debris blow through the
living room.
James wrenches the door to the clock shut --
-- A SWAT team storms into the house --
INT. WALL - CONTINUOUS
James and Zooey are pressed up against wood in a dark narrow

corridor.
The SWAT team sweeps the house.

60.

They hold their breath. Boots storm up stairs overhead.
Zooey shuffles down the wall passage. James follows.

SWAT raid the upstairs rooms, upending furniture.

Zooey reaches a dead end. She crouches as best she can and
gropes the floor.

The SWAT Team continues to raid the house.

Zooey finds a handle. Lifts open a trap door.
She crawls down through the darkened hole in the
floor. Reaches up and guides James down into --
INT. BUNKER - CONTINUOUS

A cramped crawl space lined with something metallic. They
lay on their sides, smashed up against one another, their
faces inches apart.
She holds a finger up to her mouth to be quiet. The floor
creeks above them. Heavy boots parade around. Muffled
yells permeate through the cracks.
Suddenly, everything quiets. James holds his breath,

petrified.
A single floorboard creeks...
An explosion of sound! They’re tearing the house apart.
61.
EXT. ZOOEY’S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

They place the old man, hooded and handcuffed, into an
armor-plated DETENTION VEHICLE.

The SWAT Teams disperse throughout the house, SCANNERS in
hand, scanning the house with infrared and x-ray.
SWAT #1 scans the grandfather clock. He tries to move the

clock but it’s bolted in place.
SWAT #1 runs the scanner along the wall, right over the
secret passage.
He looks at the scanner. Where the bunker should be, the
monitor shows a large bright blot.

The gentle creek of someone right above them. James and
Zooey hold their breath, listening carefully.
SWAT #1 (MUFFLED)
What’s this?
SWAT #2 looks at the scanner.

SWAT #2
Looks like insulation. These old
houses are full of lead.
SWAT #1
Should we pull up the floorboards
and check?

Zooey looks James in the eye, prepared and resolute. She
crawls down the crawl space. James follows her.
62.

SWAT #1 removes his helmet and picks up an axe. He swings
it down -- SMASHING into the floorboards.

Zooey pushes out a false wall at the end of the crawl
space. She pulls herself through. James quickly follows.

Swat #1 swings the axe again -- And again -- Smashing open
the floorboards!
He stops, bewildered.
SWAT #1
Look at this.
He leans down and pulls up a piece of wood, revealing a
hidden cabinet.
He opens the cabinet and freezes. It’s laced with C4.
SWAT #1
Holy shit-
A trigger clicks -- The floor EXPLODES --
EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS
-- Windows SHATTER -- The house caves-in on itself -- SWAT

near the house are blown off their feet.
INT. SEWER - CONTINUOUS
Zooey and James crawl through a sewer. Zooey holds a remote

trigger. They hear the explosion -- Dust and dirt blow
through the sewer, enveloping them.
EXT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS

A SEWER GATE bursts open. Zooey hoists herself out. She
leans down and helps pull James out.
63.
EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS

The SWAT outside scramble into the burning house.
A RESCUER carries a bloody SURVIVOR out the door.
EXT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS

James looks back up at the destroyed house in shock.
Zooey grabs his arm and drags him into the shadows as the
fire grows behind them.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. SLUM - NIGHT

Out of the night they emerge. James, shaken. Zooey,
determined. After the sewers and the explosion they fit
right in amongst the unwashed masses.
A thriving BLACK MARKET. Food, merchandise, guns, etc.

Zooey stops at a SPARE PARTS STAND. She speaks privately
with a scaly-skinned MERCHANT.
INT. HUT - LATER

The merchant leads them into a small hut made of sheet
metal. Its occupants: a mattress, wash basin, and some
stools.
ZOOEY
We’ll be safe here.
Zooey hands the man some cash. The merchant leaves them.
JAMES
How do you know we’ll be safe?
She ignores his inquiry, grabs a hose and fills the
basin. With a wash cloth, she wipes the filth off her face.
James follows suit. They wash in silence.
She removes her shirt. James takes a sidelong glance at

her. She wipes at her back, but can’t reach well.
JAMES
Here, let me.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 64.
ZOOEY
I’ve got it.
She pulls away from his advance. This refusal snaps James
out of his momentary memory lapse. This situation is all
her fault!
JAMES
Okay then.
He tosses the cloth into the basin and paces.

ZOOEY
You seem like you have something
you want to say James?
He tries to hold it in but can’t --

JAMES
You just killed those people!
ZOOEY
Shh.
JAMES
(whispered yell)
You set off a bomb!
ZOOEY
You need to trust me James.
JAMES
Well I don’t! There’s a point you
don’t cross...
They stop. At a crossroads.
JAMES
At no point has anyone been honest
with me. In three days, my wife
has been murdered, I’ve been blown
up, shot at, kidnapped,
tortured, and now I’m aiding and
abetting a fugitive... and I’m
probably guilty of treason.
ZOOEY
We need your help James. There’s a
war out there.
JAMES
The only war out there is the one
you’re trying to start.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 65.
ZOOEY
There’s a war against every person
who speaks their mind; against
every person who --
JAMES
Save your propaganda for someone
who cares. Like the judge at your
murder trial.
ZOOEY
Look at what you’ve done. You
started spying for us without
admitting it. You helped me
escape. Whether you like it or not
you’re already in this.
JAMES
You already have a man inside my
department. You don’t need me.
ZOOEY
You’re part of a bigger plan. You
know the GRID better than anyone.
JAMES
(exasperated)
What.. The fuck.. Does that
matter? You don’t even know what
the plan is, do you?
Her silence indicates as much.
JAMES
Who are these
people? Truffaut? Athena? Warrick? They
don’t know what they’re doing,
don’t you see that?
ZOOEY
Like you could do better?
JAMES
Yeah! You have to be better than
them Zooey. If you hate their
tactics, you can’t use the same
ones.
ZOOEY
Look at what this government did to
you James!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 66.
JAMES
Well right now Vertigo’s not
looking much better.
ZOOEY
Take that back.
JAMES
Everyone dislikes the
government. Doesn’t mean they’re
ready to run out and become
anarchists. Just tell me the
truth. You set that bomb off back
there. Just admit you set the
other one off too!
ZOOEY
I didn’t --
JAMES
Don’t lie to me!
ZOOEY
We didn’t blow up the bar.
She takes a deep breath, pleading with him.
ZOOEY
We didn’t blow up the bar... But we
killed Senator Seward... And we
killed your wife.
JAMES
Why?
ZOOEY
Because he was an inhumane monster,
responsible for the worst human
tragedies of the last 25 years.
JAMES
So why’d you have to kill her?
They’re right in each other’s faces.
ZOOEY
Because she was there! God, you’re
a real charmer. No wonder your
wife was sleeping around. What do
you care?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 67.
JAMES
Cause I wanted to kill her myself!
Zooey stares wide-eyed at James, a man finally revealed.
JAMES
I know what she was. I was
there. There to do the same thing.
ZOOEY
You were going to kill them?
JAMES
Well... Turns out murder doesn’t
come so easily to all of us.
They pause inches apart, suddenly aware of the inherently
sexual vibe underlying their argument.
They turn. The merchant is standing in the doorway, staring
awkwardly.
They break apart. The merchant hands Zooey a bag.
JAMES
What’s that?
ZOOEY
Food.
She tosses him a bar of some sort. He devours it.

JAMES
Listen. Whatever plans you had,
they’re over now. The only thing
you can do is get outta town.
ZOOEY
No. We’ve got to get to Truffaut’s
safe-house. We stick to the plan.
JAMES
So we have to blow up the rest of
the suburbs?
ZOOEY
I have orders. I follow them.
JAMES
What if they got Truffaut?! You
can’t help anyone if you’re stuck
in the love-hole.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 68.
ZOOEY
Aww, James. Are you worried about
me?
Her playful personality returns. He looks away.
JAMES
No. I just... Obviously I don’t
want you to go through what I did.
She moves closer to him.
ZOOEY
What do you propose?
JAMES
Get you out of the city.
ZOOEY
Vertigo doesn’t have any safe
houses outside D.C. --
JAMES
Screw the safe houses. If they
almost got you, they probably got
others. The safe houses are
compromised.
She fakes a shiver.
ZOOEY
James, you’re like a super-spy.
JAMES
And you’re a really strange person.
ZOOEY
You like it.
JAMES
Stop it. I have a cousin. She has
a house out in Fredricksburg. We
can take the first train tomorrow
morning.
ZOOEY
Okay. What do we do ’til then?
JAMES
Blend in?
LATER
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 69.
The mattress is filthy, but so are they. They lay

ass-to-ass, avoiding touching. Neither can sleep.
JAMES
Zooey?
ZOOEY
James?
JAMES
Who was that man at your house?
ZOOEY
(hesitant)
My dad... At least he has so
little memory of me there won’t be
much to disappoint anymore... Not
like when I was in the army.
JAMES
What happened?
ZOOEY
Dishonorable discharge... We did
certain things. And after we did
them, it turned out they’d rather
we hadn’t.
Zooey stares into space, remembering a half-forgotten life.
ZOOEY
My real parents died in the
chemical attack when I was
four. Only joined cause I thought
I could avenge their deaths. Do
you know what it’s like to be
abandoned by your parents, and then
abandoned by your government...
A 1000-yard stare overcomes her. She grows quiet.
JAMES
My mother died too... I was
ten. Guess we handled it
different. I locked myself in a
bedroom with a computer. You
became a vigilante.
ZOOEY
Maybe I overreacted.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 70.
JAMES
Maybe I under-reacted.
Zooey stares blankly. James smiles to himself and closes

his eyes.
LATER
James wakes and rolls over. Zooey is gone.
INT. SLUM CLUB - NIGHT

A makeshift bar enclosed by a tent. A bar-top made of
crates. Oil drums for bar stools. Oil lamps. Bottom of
the barrel liquor, hookahs, drugs, and dancers. No
inhibitions. People making the most of the least. Some
DRUNKARDS sing terribly at an ancient karaoke machine.
James wanders through looking for Zooey. The drunkards
finish their song. The crowd gives a polite cheer. To his
surprise, Zooey steps onto the piece of wood doubling as a
stage.
ZOOEY
Hello.
Catcalls.
ZOOEY
Oh my. Thank you sirs and the
Madame next to the stripper pole.
Zooey sings "I Put a Spell On You."

ZOOEY
I put a spell on you... Because
you’re mine... You better stop the
things you do... No, I ain’t
lyin’... No, I ain’t lyin’.
She’s mesmerizing. Her voice is visceral, raw, and
emotional. The club quiets. James watches in a trance.
ZOOEY
I just can’t stand it babe... The
way you’re runnin’ around... I
just can’t stand it babe... The
way you always put me down... I
put a spell on you... because
you’re mine, oh
(beat)
I put a spell on you... because
you’re mine... You better stop the
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 71.
ZOOEY (cont’d)
things you do... No, I ain’t
lyin’... No, I ain’t lyin’!
The karaoke machine dies. Zooey looks around
nervously. The club bursts into raucous applause.
ZOOEY
Thank you!
The crowd envelops her. Two BURLY MEN hoist her onto their
shoulders.
James looks around, taking it all in. These people seem
happy. And for the moment so is he.
Zooey spots James. She beams at him. The men drop her
down. She beelines towards James --
-- Grabs him by the head -- Plants a KISS on him, forceful
and passionate.
She pulls back. James is shocked.
ZOOEY
(sincere)
Thank you James.
JAMES
Thank you! What was that for?
She shrugs helplessly and wanders away.
Flustered, James touches his lips and turns to the
BARTENDER. Points at the whiskey.
JAMES
Can I get one of those.
Suddenly, a commotion outside the club. Everyone
quiets. Zooey and James exchange a look of fear.
A WARNING CRY
IT’S A RAID!
The club flies into a frenzy.
72.
EXT. SLUM - CONTINUOUS

A platoon of RIOT COPS sweep into the slum, shutting down
the black market, beating the shit out of everyone.
INT. HUT - CONTINUOUS

James and Zooey dash into the hut and gather up their
things.
JAMES
What do we do?
ZOOEY
I thought you were the one with the
brilliant plan?
They rush out.
EXT. UNION STATION - DAWN
Zooey walks through the main doors of the station. James

follows 20 yards behind.
JAMES (V.O.)
I’ll buy the tickets. The 5:45
train. Meet me on the platform.
INT. UNION STATION - CONTINUOUS

Zooey turns a key and opens a locker. Inside is a bag. She
peeks in it. A red wig and clothes.
She closes the locker and walks into a bathroom.

ACROSS THE STATION
James steps to the automated ticket machine. He speaks
directly to the machine.
JAMES
Two for the 5:45 to Fredricksburg.
TICKET MACHINE
Four hundred and sixty dollars.
James pulls out a wad of cash and pushes a $500 bill in.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 73.
TICKET MACHINE
5:45 to Fredricksburg. Platform
15. Next please.
He walks through the station, playing it cool. MARS-screen
headlines roll overhead: Explosion Rocks Suburbs. Vertigo
Leaders Sought In Bombing. WANTED pictures appear on the
screen for Truffaut, Athena, and Zooey, among others.
INT. UNION STATION, PLATFORM 15 - LATER
James arrives on the platform. An ornate clock over the

platform reads 5:39 a.m.
James paces the platform. Passengers stream steadily onto
the train. A COP walks his beat nearby. He eyes James
suspiciously.
The TRAIN WHISTLE sounds. James looks round at the
clock. 5:40 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Now boarding. 5:45 to
Fredricksburg. Platform 15.
Richardson, suitcase in hand, waddles down the platform
toward the train. With one foot already on the train he
spots James. He rushes over, waving heartily.
RICHARDSON
James Donovan?! You on this train?
James begrudgingly shakes the fat man’s hand. The clock
ticks to 5:41 a.m.
JAMES
Hey Rich. Yeah, the 5:45?
RICHARDSON
Great! Let’s grab some seats
before it fills up.
Richardson makes for the door, but James hesitates.
RICHARDSON
You waiting for someone?
JAMES
Just don’t like being in confined
spaces for longer than necessary.
74.
INT. TRAIN CAR - CONTINUED

Richardson waddles down the aisle, his ass bumping into
every person he passes. Finally he finds two empty seats
and calls back to James.
RICHARDSON
Found some!
James fakes a smile and squeezes in next to Richardson.

RICHARDSON
So what’ve you got planned?
JAMES
Umm... Peace and quiet.
RICHARDSON
Took Friday off. Gonna head to our
country house. Martha’s already
there since last night -- Say
James, you really look
miserable. Weekend in the
country’ll do you good. You should
swing by. Home cooked meal is what
you need.
James wrings his hands. Where is Zooey?

JAMES
Let me hit the head before we get
moving. I hate pissing while the
train’s moving.
INT. UNION STATION, PLATFORM 15 - CONTINUOUS

James emerges from the car, fighting past passengers
hurrying to their cars. He holds tight to the car, avoiding
Richardson’s line of sight.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Last call: 5:45 to Fredricksburg.
He stalks to the end of the platform, staring out into the

endless sea of travelers. Where is she? He looks back to
the train platform. 5:43 a.m.
The faint sounds of a helicopter. James looks up through
the skylights. A SHADOW-HAWK hovers overhead. Panicked, he
strains his neck, searching. Finally he sees her.
Zooey rushes through the throngs of people, wearing a shawl
over a red wig and sunglasses.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 75.
5:44 a.m. He waves at her. He takes a step toward her but

stops -- A SWAT team is rolling in behind her.
Seeing his expression, she stops abruptly. Looks over her
shoulder -- SWAT bolt towards her from every direction.
SWAT #3
GET DOWN! HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!
Zooey runs -- The crowd screams and takes cover --
-- A SWAT officer dives at her -- She barrels through him --

-- Two more SWAT grab her tackle her to the ground --
Pinning her against the concrete. She struggles fiercely.
James watches, frozen in place. Zooey looks up at him. Her
eyes bulge. "Run you idiot!"
James backs away. The rest of the SWAT team fans out,
forming a perimeter, guns aimed into the crowd.
SWAT #4
On the ground! Everyone down!
The panicked crowd dives for cover. Chaos
everywhere. Within seconds, another dozen SWAT flood into
the station, locking down the platforms.
SWAT #5
On the fucking ground!
De Rossi and the Investigator stride into the Station.
INVESTIGATOR
Is it her?
DE ROSSI
Turn her head.
SWAT #3 grabs Zooey’s head and wrenches it to the side. De

Rossi crouches down and points a POD at her face --
-- She spits at it.
Annoyed, he wipes the spit away and presses her face into
the cement. He tries again. The screen quickly analyzes
her face and identifies her as Alexis Hemingway, Alias:
Zooey Davarine.
DE ROSSI
It’s her.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 76.
INVESTIGATOR
Who was her contact? Anyone? Did
any of your brain-dead agents think
to wait until she met her contact
on the train?
DE ROSSI
Spread out. Detain every goddamn
person in this goddamn
station. Stop those trains too.
A Train Whistle sounds. James blends back into the crowd

and hustles to the train -- Hops on the first car. The
doors slide shut.
SWAT #5 chases after the train as it pulls out.
SWAT #5
OPEN IT!
James shrugs helplessly. Swat #5 takes the butt of his
rifle and SMASHES the window -- James takes cover.
Swat #5 reaches through the window -- Hits the emergency

override -- James grabs his arm, holding it in the window
-- The door slides open -- Trapping the arm, dragging him
along with the train.
SWAT #5
AHH! Let go!
The train picks up speed. James lets go of the arm -- He
hits pavement and rolls into a metal trash can.
The train picks up speed, leaving the city. James picks his
moment and jumps --
EXT. RAILROAD - CONTINUOUS
He lands hard in a grassy ditch and rolls to a stop.
EXT. DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY - DAY

James walks slowly, stunned and sleep deprived. He reaches
a bench and plops down.
As he stares out at the street a VAN pulls up in front of
him. The door slides open --
-- Talik walks up behind James. He raises a paralysis laser
and fires --
77.
CUT TO BLACK
INT. CELL - UNKNOWN TIME

James unconscious. Talik waves a small pulsating object
over his face. Almost instantly his eyes open.
INT. VERTIGO HEADQUARTERS - UNKNOWN TIME

A large warehouse set up like a military base. A command
center of MARS-screen stations. A shooting range. Boxes of
provisions and supplies. Lockers. A kitchen.
The center of the warehouse is a large cube made of thick

glass. Inside, James sits opposite Warrick. Warrick
surveys James with intense curiosity. He still hasn’t said
a word and James is obviously unsettled.
JAMES
Not much privacy.
Warrick touches his forefingers to his forehead and closes
his eyes. A second later the cube walls turn black.
JAMES
Nifty.
Warrick reaches down and detaches his mechanical leg. James
shifts uncomfortably.
WARRICK
Wireless brain-wave. I worked on
development of a brain-wave GRID
browser. Worked like a
charm. Problem was, in testing,
kept taking everyone to porn
sites. That said, ain’t too far
from the day they’ll know exactly
what you’re thinking at all times.
Warrick quiets and again surveys James with muted intensity.
WARRICK
So they arrested her? Can’t say
I’m surprised. Still, it’s
unfortunate. Four days ago they
didn’t even know our names. Now
we’re branded the biggest band of
terrorists since Al Qaeda or the
KKK. All for a bomb we didn’t even
plant.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 78.
JAMES
So you didn’t plant that bomb?
WARRICK
Course not. You don’t get public
sympathy on your side by blowing
people up.
JAMES
Did they arrest the others?
WARRICK
Truffaut is dead. Many of our
operatives as well. Athena escaped
into hiding. Many are in the
love-hole as we speak.
JAMES
How’d you get away?
WARRICK
God smiles on those who prepare for
the unknown.
JAMES
What will they do to her?
WARRICK
You know what they’ll do to her...
You shouldn’t have taken her to the
train station.
JAMES
I know.
WARRICK
Amateur mistake. First place they
were looking for her.
JAMES
(forcefully)
I know.
WARRICK
Well... All that matters now is
that you’re here.
JAMES
Why me?
WARRICK
We may’ve lost some men, but that
doesn’t mean the operation’s off.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 79.
James doesn’t understand.

WARRICK
It’s a two man inside-job. The
directive is to delete all records
of Vertigo from the GRID,
permanently. Ideally we would’a
done this a week ago. But you go
to war with the army you got, not
the army you had last week.
Warrick removes a tiny box from his desk. He opens the box
and shows James a COMPUTER CHIP.
WARRICK
Upload this into the unvarnished
GRID source-code and it’s like we
never existed.
JAMES
And you need someone who knows how
to navigate the GRID source code to
upload it.
WARRICK
We’re talking about deleting an
entire organization. Deleting
hundreds of real people. Millions
of transactions. Social security
records. So, yes, that’s exactly
what we need.
JAMES
What about Zooey? They’re going to
torture her.
WARRICK
There’s nothing to be done. This-
(holding up the chip)
-is all that’s left.
JAMES
I have no reason to help you.
WARRICK
Donovan, they are going to find out
that you’re involved. And when
that happens, you will never see
the light of day again. The only
chance you have, is to delete the
records. Delete the street-cams
showing you and Zooey. Delete the
passenger records showing who
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 80.
WARRICK (cont’d)
bought the unused train ticket.
There are a hundred things you
never thought about-
JAMES
Don’t lecture me.
WARRICK
This is your only chance. You
won’t be safe anywhere.
JAMES
She’ll break. She’ll give me
up. Probably at the exact time I’m
walking through security. I’m
leaving town. Obviously not by a
train, though.
WARRICK
Donovan, all this shit has happened
to you for a reason. Don’t make me
list off the propaganda again. What
do ya got to lose?
JAMES
My life.
WARRICK
Yeah, but that ain’t worth much at
this point.
JAMES
That’s your problem. These people
were loyal to you and you’re just
going to let them rot in there? If
I were running this show I wouldn’t
let my people stay in there another
minute. I’d use my men on the
inside and go get them.
Warrick leans forward and unleashes the full weight of his
condescending and hostile personality.
WARRICK
Clearly, you don’t understand
anything you’re talking
about. Your fuck-buddy gets
arrested and suddenly you think
you’re Mr. Vigilante. Mr. James
Bond. That you know how my
organization should run. This
movement is more than just one ditz
or-
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 81.
(indicating James)
- one douche. This isn’t about
loyalty. You know why? Because as
soon as she got arrested she became
a liability. Everything she knows
will be used against us. Everyone
she ever said she’d protect. The
only true way out of this situation
for her is suicide. Execution if
she’s lucky. Pick your poison
lover-boy.
They stare at each other. At an impasse.

(beat)
WARRICK
Look, they knew what they were
getting themselves into. It’s you
that doesn’t have a choice here.
James shakes his head, uncooperative.
JAMES
I agree with everything you’re
saying. I just don’t agree with
your methods.
Warrick wracks his brains, thinking hard.
WARRICK
Our methods? Fine. We’ll do it
your way. You care about Zooey,
right?
It’s obvious he cares deeply.

JAMES
(sentimentally)
Yeah... She’s alright.
WARRICK
Okay then. You’re obviously a
gentleman. What if I told you we
could break into the love-hole as
part of the operation? Would you
be interested then?
JAMES
I’m listening.
He slides the chip across the table. James stares at it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 82.
WARRICK
We can alter the chip. Knock out
power to the detention
center. Talik could walk right in
and walk right out. Course, we can
provide a necessary distraction.
JAMES
Distraction?
WARRICK
We ain’t got a militia for
nothing. Now, she can’t hold out
beyond 24 hours. None of them can.
They’ll know everything they need
to track us down and exterminate
us. That includes you. We need to
do this yesterday.
James stares at the microchip, contemplating his options.
JAMES
... Tell me about the plan.
WARRICK
Can you hack into the surveillance
system? Knock it out?
JAMES
Yes, but there’s a 15 minute system
refresh.
WARRICK
That should be enough time.
JAMES
What about guards, eye-scanners,
thumbs scanners --
WARRICK
We can provide you with everything
to get you inside undetected. Once
you get inside the GRID you’re on
your own. It’s a fortress.
James picks the chip up and inspects it.
WARRICK
I know you think you can
disappear. But I’m telling you,
you can’t. You are fucked six ways
from Sunday if you do not do this.
This chip is the best chance you
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 83.
WARRICK (cont’d)
have of a fresh start. Do it for
yourself. Do it because they
tortured you. Or do it for
Zooey. She sacrificed everything
to make sure you got here. Now you
can return the favor.
James mulls it over. A million thoughts running through is
brain. Cut briefly to Zooey smiling at James in the Slum
Club.
JAMES
Okay... I’ll do it.
Warrick holds out his hand. James shakes it with slight
hesitation. Warrick smirks wickedly.
EXT. DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY - DAY

James walks up the front steps. He keeps his eyes straight
ahead, trying to ignore the Security Guards. There seems to
be more of them than usual.
INT. SECURITY ENTRANCE - LATER

James waits nervously in the security line. The white domes
stare at him from every direction.
INT. GRID SURVEILLANCE OFFICE BULLPEN - LATER

James strides through the bullpen, eyes darting. He arrives
at Talik’s desk and crouches down next to it. Talik winks
at him.
Across the bullpen, the Secretary’s POD beeps. She jumps up
and hurries out of the bullpen.
Talik crosses the floor. Slips into Mr. Daily’s office.

James fiddles with a wire arbitrarily. Moments later, Talik
ducks out. He hurries down the hall and out of the bullpen.
Mr. Daily appears in the doorway. He clutches the doorframe

with one elderly hand, the other clinging to his heart.
He attempts a few precarious steps, then COLLAPSES --
-- Falling to the floor with a loud gasp and a thud.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 84.
SECRETARY
Oh my god!
A returning Secretary rushes to his side. Curious AGENTS

crowd towards the commotion.
A hand claps James on the shoulder -- He jumps, startled.
DE ROSSI
James! You want a treat? Gotta
fucking show you this.
(off-handed)
What happened to Daily?
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS

James follows De Rossi down the stairs.
JAMES
Where are we going?
DE ROSSI
Trust me. You want to see this.
They reach the very bottom. An unassuming gray door. De
Rossi flips open a secret latch on the doorknob. It’s a
thumb scanner. He presses his thumb into it.
To James’ surprise, the door doesn’t open. Rather, a secret
passage in the wall behind them slides open, revealing a
long descending stone tunnel.
INT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS

James nervously follows De Rossi. Is he being led right
into his own demise?
INT. CIA DETENTION CENTER, HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

They emerge on a familiar hallway. James stops abruptly.
DE ROSSI
Come on.
James nervously steps into the hallway.
DE ROSSI
Strictly speaking, you’re not
supposed to be here. But I knew
you had to see the bitch who almost
blew your dick off?
85.
James is bewildered. De Rossi smirks and motions onward.
INT. CIA DETENTION CENTER, VIEWING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

The door opens and James gets a glimpse inside. Inside, the
Investigator and an ANALYST are watching a large video
screen.
VIDEO FEED: A familiar windowless stone room. Zooey, naked

and shivering, is chained to a backless stool, bolted to the
middle of the room. Her hair is draped down over her face.
James covers his mouth and looks away.
INVESTIGATOR
(noticing James)
What is he doing here?
DE ROSSI
Thought he deserved to see justice.
INVESTIGATOR
Well Mr. Donovan. It turns out you
were correct about the woman named
Zooey. Here she is. Justice is
served. I hope you are satisfied?
James stares at the screen, mortified.

JAMES
How’d you catch her?
DE ROSSI
Facial recognition. She was trying
to board a train.
INVESTIGATOR
We’ve successfully implemented it
city-wide. Complete
security. Show your pretty little
face in public, and we will know
who you are and we will know where
you are.
DE ROSSI
Classified though. Hush-hush.
ANALYST
Eat your heart out London.
Inside the room, Zooey suddenly shrieks and contorts her

body, as though trying to escape some invisible menace.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 86.
JAMES
What just happened?
INVESTIGATOR
That Mr. Donovan, is what we call
the dog whistle. You may remember
that one. It’s simply a matter of
time before she breaks completely
and irrevocably.
Just as suddenly, Zooey returns to normal, hunched over as
best her chains will allow.
INVESTIGATOR
We actually have a fight on our
hands. She’s plucky, this one.
Only given us one new name.
The Investigator turns and glares at James. His heart

pounds loudly.
INVESTIGATOR
And his name... is Warrick. Heard
of him?
JAMES
No, I haven’t.
INVESTIGATOR
That’s okay. We shall soon have
all the information we need.
De Rossi opens the door and motions for James to
follow. The Investigator turns and addresses him.
INVESTIGATOR
Understand Mr. Donovan. In these
trying times, one would be wise to
avoid even thinking about a
committing a crime. A conscious
thought of anarchy is tantamount to
a substantial step in furtherance
of a conspiracy. In the future, be
keen to watch which bars you wander
into.
INT. BATHROOM - DAY

James splashes water on his face vigorously. He stares in
the mirror, assessing himself. This is a man who has been
through the ringer. Baggy bloodshot eyes. Cuts. Unshaven.
But after seeing Zooey like that, he has new determination.
87.
INT. VERTIGO HEADQUARTERS - DAY

Warrick stands with OPERATIVES at the command center.
INT. GRID SURVEILLANCE OFFICE BULLPEN

The Secretary holds Mr. Daily’s hand as EMTs cart him
away. The bullpen staff watch in hushed whispers.
As they return to their work stations, James slips into Mr.
Daily’s office.

James creeps to the desk -- Wipes the MARS-screen clear.
He starts hacking. Video feeds from every security camera

in the building appear onscreen. He types: "STOP CAPTURE."
The door bursts open -- James ducks below the desk -- The
Secretary struts in. She hurries rounds the desk -- James
curls up in a ball underneath.
"STOP CAPTURE" blinks in her face. James holds his legs
tight to his chest, inches from her.
She finds what she’s looking for and leaves.

James peeks his head out. He crawls out and returns to the
work station.

Without warning, all of security monitors turn blue.
James checks his watch: 4:55 p.m. Types: "Replay 11:55."
Three stunned SECURITY GUARDS poke at the console. SECURITY

GUARD #1 taps a videophone on the wall.
SECURITY GUARD #1
Control 1 to Control 2. We lost--
-- The video feed returns.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 88.
SECURITY GUARD #2
What the hell was that?

James wipes the MARS-screen clear. Heads for the exit. He
holds at the door -- Someone passes by outside.
PASSERBY (O.S.)
-Heart attack I reckon. He’s been
here since the 90’s-
James waits. They pass. He slips out --
INT. AMBULANCE - DAY

The stretcher with Mr. Daily is loaded into the
ambulance. The doors slam shut. Immediately, Talik climbs
back from the front seat.
TALIK
Drive.
The ambulance peels out. Talik whips out a KNIFE -- CUTS
into Mr. Daily’s thumb. Mr. Daily gasps into his oxygen
mask, unable to scream.
INT. VERTIGO HEADQUARTERS - DAY

The Vertigo Militia prepares. Strapping on body armor,
pulling on black masks, loading their guns, etc.

James presses his thumb to the B button. It scans his thumb
and the elevator descends.
The door opens. Talik is waiting. He steps inside. The
doors close and Talik immediately hands him a small bag.
TALIK
Your means of access my lord.
James opens the bag. Inside is a HUMAN THUMB and two blue
EYEBALLS. He draws back disgusted.
JAMES
Ahh! How’d you get this?
Talik winks and hits the open button.
89.
INT. BASEMENT HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Talik and James stride down the hallway. At the fork, they
turn right instead of left. Glowing surveillance domes line
the otherwise dark hall.

An empty hallway.

After an eternity, they see the end. Three ARMED GUARDS
stationed at a security checkpoint outside an armored door.
One guard motions for them to stop. The other two sit
lazily, unconcerned.
Talik holds up a badge outstretched, slightly blocking the
guard’s view -- With the other hand he raises a paralysis
laser and fires it --
-- The guard collapses -- Talik catches his body.

The other guards leap to their feet -- James dives for cover
-- Talik draws the paralyzed guard’s gun, and FIRES --
-- Striking both guards in succession. They drop dead.

JAMES
Jesus Christ! What the hell?!
TALIK
Shut up and help me.
Talik strips the paralyzed guard’s uniform.
JAMES
I thought we were trying to avoid
detection!
TALIK
Then you’d better hurry. Grab
their guns.
James grabs the guns off the dead guards.

90.
EXT. VERTIGO WAREHOUSE - DAY

Four large black armor plated trucks. The Vertigo Militia
loads into them. Eight in each.

Talik and James toss a dead guard into a supply closet on
top of the other two. Both are dressed as guards
now. Talik closes the door -- Breaks the key off in the
keyhole.
At the GRID entrance, James swipes Mr. Daily’s badge. A
thumbprint scanner slides out from the wall.
Disgusted, he reaches into the bag and withdraws the blood
stained thumb and eyeballs from the bag. Simultaneously, he
carefully presses them into their respective scanners --
-- The scanners run. The door beeps and unlocks.
James tucks the body parts back in the bag and hands it to
Talik. A bloody imprint remains on the thumb scanner.
TALIK
It’s 4:59. You’ve got eleven
minutes before the camera’s
reset. Upload the chip before then
we’ll have all the time in the
world.
He hands James a handgun with a wink. James stares at it.
TALIK
Good luck boss. Don’t get caught.
James pockets the gun and pushes the door open --
INT. GRID CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS
His jaw drops. The chamber is the size of a three

Cathedrals, and extends downwards many stories like
caverns. A dozen 3-story tall monolith generators dominate
the room. Mainframes and work stations line the perimeter
manned by ENGINEERS & TECHNICIANS.
James shakes off the awe and looks around frantic. Many
gather their things, preparing to leave at 5 p.m.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 91.
TECHNICIAN
Can I help you?
A TECHNICIAN, white-lab coat, bookish, smiles at him from a
nearby work-station.
JAMES
Hi. I’m from surveillance
upstairs. We’re having a problem
connecting our network with the
surveillance mainframe.
TECHNICIAN
Sure follow me.
The Technician leads James into --
INT. GRID CHAMBER, SIDE ROOM - CONTINUOUS

A small room with a single mainframe. The Technician steps
up to the mainframe and activates the MARS-screen.
TECHNICIAN
Credentials?
James pats his pockets, absentmindedly.
JAMES
Yeah, somewhere in here.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the gun -- The
Technician jumps, startled.
TECHNICIAN
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don’t
shoot. Please don’t shoot.
He cowers. James is overwhelmed by this sudden sense of
power. He waves the gun.
JAMES
Get to the corner.
The Technician backs silently into the corner.
James steps to the mainframe and types furiously, hacking

the system.
92.
EXT. ROAD - DAY

The four Vertigo Militia trucks careen down the road.
"You are not authorized to access this content" flashes

onscreen. Lines of code fly across the MARS-screen. The
stress is evident in James’ face.
"Access granted."
He digs into his pocket and retrieves the microchip given to
him by Warrick -- Plugs it into the mainframe.
JAMES
Come on, come on.
An upload meter appears. 1% uploaded... 2% uploaded.
INT. VERTIGO HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Warrick at the central command station. Video feeds from

every single person in the Militia and the trucks.
MILITIA COMMANDER (VIDEO)
Truck Alpha to Base. Five minutes
to target.

James leers impatiently at the screen. 21% uploaded.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY

The Militia trucks pull to a stop. Two blocks down the road
from the white pillars of the Department of Technology.

Warrick watches his trucks pull into position on the video.
MILITIA COMMANDER (RADIO)

In position.
WARRICK
Copy. Standby.
93.

James waits with baited breath as the chip uploads its
contents. 45% uploaded.
"Foreign Contents. Automatic Shutdown Commence"
JAMES
Override shutdown. Continue upload.
The Technician watches James nervously.
TECHNICIAN
What are you uploading?
James waves the gun, silencing him.

Warrick switches on an old A.V. radio.
INT. TRUCK ALPHA - CONTINUOUS

WARRICK (RADIO)
Switch to frequency radio. GRID
silence to commence shortly.
The Militia Commander puts on a headset and flips a switch

on a radio attached to his vest.
MILITIA COMMANDER
Truck alpha, radio on.
INT. DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY, HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Mr. Daily’s credentials bounce Talik’s chest. He raises an
old radio to his mouth.
TALIK
Talik, radio on.
Warrick listens as the radio crackles to life.

RADIO
Truck charlie, radio on... Truck
beta, radio on... Truck delta,
radio on.
94.

James checks his watch. 5:08 p.m. 76% uploaded.
TECHNICIAN
You don’t want to do this. You
have no idea what could happen if
you upload that.
JAMES
You don’t even know what it is.
TECHNICIAN
Do you?
A look of concern betrays James’ face. The Technician

catches it and edges forward carefully. 80%
5:09 p.m. Warrick holds his breath.

The soldiers wait nervously.
INT. GRID CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS

TECHNICIAN
You still have time to stop this.
JAMES
Shut up.
90%. James keeps his eyes darting back and forth.
TECHNICIAN
You work here don’t you? I’ve seen
you before.
The door opens -- A WOMAN walks inside --
-- James whips around, gun in hand -- She screams --

-- The Technician, overcome with a moment of bravery, runs
forward -- Grabs James’ arm.
James fights back, throwing the nonathletic Technician to

the ground. 98%
He makes another run at James -- Tackling him --
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 95.
-- They roll on the ground, struggling for the gun --

-- A SHOT --
-- James leaps back -- The Technician dives to the ground,
covering his head -- The gun scatters to the ground.
100% -- Millions of lines of code fly across the screen.
5:10 p.m. Talik looks up from his watch and waits.
The Militia Commander holds his earpiece tight to his ear.

The monitors flash blue and return to real-time. Security
Guard #1 pokes at a monitor, confused.
SECURITY GUARD #2
Hey, look at this.
VIDEO FEED: James is wrestling with the Technician.

James lunges for the gun. He fires a warning shot into the
air -- The Technician ducks down -- People scramble away
from the gunfire.
On the MARS-screen, the code continues -- The screen flashes
red -- The station deactivates...
The LIGHTS go out -- All of the three-story GRID generators
grind to a halt.
Confused voices holler in the darkness. James looks out at
the GRID generators. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
James dashes out the door, gun held high --
96.

James bursts out of the GRID CHAMBER into a deserted
hallway. He upends a desk and barricades the door.

The video feeds cut out. The lights go out. Warrick’s eyes
dart around the warehouse, verifying his suspicions.
Calmly, he picks up the radio.

WARRICK
Go.
EXT. CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS

The Militia trucks peel out, tear down the road, and squeal
to a stop directly outside the Department of Technology.
ARMED GUARDS glance at each other, concerned.
The Militia spills out of the trucks -- The guards raise

their guns defensively.
INT. CIA DETENTION CENTER, HALLWAY
Talik enters the detention center. The lights are out. A

flashlight catches Talik in the face --
EXT. CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS
Two militia soldiers peek over the top of the trucks with
rocket launchers. They FIRE --
-- Rockets careen into the building directly between two
guards -- Propelling their bodies through the air.

The flashlight belongs to an ARMED GUARD. He points his
assault rifle at Talik.
ARMED GUARD
Declare yourself!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 97.
TALIK
Bureau of Analysis Security.
Talik walks straight towards the Armed Guard holding up Mr.
Daily’s credentials to his face.
The Armed Guard lowers the rifle slightly and extends his
arm to take the credentials.
Talik grabs the arm -- Wrenches the Armed Guard around --
-- Drawing a gun -- Firing two SHOTS into his head.

James throws open the door and dashes up the stairs.

Warrick listens to the chaos on the
radio. Gunshots. Swearing. Yelling. Explosions.
EXT. DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY - CONTINUOUS

The Militia unleashes a storm of automatic firepower at the
building -- The remaining security guards fall helplessly in
a sea of bullets.
CITIZENS flee from the sudden battle.
Another GUARD runs out of the building -- He’s met with a
barrage of bullets.
INT. DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY, ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS

James bursts out of the stairwell.
Chaos everywhere. Backup security alarms blare; their red

lights flashing through the dark. SECURITY GUARDS scramble
towards the entrance strapping on armor and readying their
weapons.
James thrusts himself against the wall as a half dozen
guards stream past him --
-- The front wall of the building EXPLODES --
-- Brick flies over his head -- Bodies careen backward with
the blast -- James hits the floor hard.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 98.
He crawls to his knees, coughing, and surveys the damage.

Smoke lingers in the air. A gaping hole where the entrance
was.
Gunfire flashes through the smoke. The security guards
regain their footing and take defensive stances.
INT. CIA DETENTION CENTER, INTERROGATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Zooey is still chained in the center of the room. A slight

tremor rocks her out of her trance. She looks up at the
door, terrified.
Militia soldiers dart inside through the smoking hole --

-- Exchanging fire with the Security Guards.
James dives behind a pillar --
-- Bullets chip away at the marble on his back.
Talik takes Mr. Daily’s thumb and holds it to a scanner

outside a cell door.
The door swings open. Talik steps into the doorway, raises
his gun --
-- Fires a SHOT right through a PRISONER’s forehead.

A security guard shoots a militia soldier in the chest.
James scurries through the back of the room -- Bullets rain
down over his head.
He runs past the elevators and dives around the corner by
the elevators -- An EXPLOSION -- Right where he was a second
earlier.
99.

Talik continues on to the next cell. He unlocks the door,
raises his gun -- Fires a SHOT.
He steps back and continues on to the next cell.

A GUNSHOT echoes through the cell. Zooey panics.

James runs up the stairs.

Loud footsteps right outside. The door swings open. Talik
steps into the doorframe and raises his gun.
Zooey lets out a tiny squeak of terror and closes her eyes.
Talik FIRES --
More chaos. A security guard sets a crate of firearms on a

desk. He opens it and passes out weapons to VOLUNTEERS.
SECURITY GUARD #3
The buildings under attack. Those
of you with training grab a gun and
follow me-
James scans the floor. A small group lowers a rope out a
window -- BULLETS spray in the window.
AGENT #1
Pull it inside!
He leans out and grabs the rope -- More SHOTS -- He falls
backward, shot in the throat.
100.

Talik marches to the exit. The door opens as he reaches
it. He steps back, pressing his body into the dark corner.
Two ARMED GUARDS rush into the hallway --
-- Talik FIRES, hitting each guard in the back.
INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
James rushes in. He grabs a chair and throws it at the

window -- Shattering it. Kicks out the remaining glass.
He backs up, preparing to launch himself.
INVESTIGATOR (O.S.)
Mr. Donovan.
James freezes. He slowly looks over his shoulder. The
Investigator stands in the doorframe holding a gun. A gash
in her forehead drips blood, her eyes askew.

The security guards push the militia back.

James turns to face her. The blow to her head has her
woozy. She steadies herself against the doorframe.
INVESTIGATOR
Come come. Away from the window.
He slowly moves towards her.
INVESTIGATOR
I can’t begin to fathom that I
actually doubted myself. I only
bring in the guilty ones.

Warrick listens closely to the radio.
MILITIA COMMANDER (RADIO)
We’re losing ground. Fall back!
101.

INVESTIGATOR
This is the beginning of a
beautiful friendship, James. I’ll
make sure you have the cell right
next to me. Then you and I can do
this waltz together for an
eternity.
James boils with rage. She lurches slightly --
-- He pounces -- Tackles her to the ground -- Grabs her by

the throat, straddling her, pinning her to the ground.
She struggles -- He CHOKES her, with every ounce of effort
he has -- Pure rage pouring out.
She gasps for air, ripping at his face with her hands --
-- He squeezes the last ounce of life out of her --
-- Her eyes quiver. Her legs kick. And then... nothing.
He lets go.
James instinctively looks at the white dome overhead. Then
back down at his hands. Holy shit. He strangled someone.
He backs away from the body, panicked. But then, something

hits him. He laughs exasperatedly. He runs his hands
through his hair, overcome by an enormous sense of relief.
DE ROSSI (O.S.)
Holy shit. James, what the fuck?
James looks up at the door. De Rossi stands in the doorway,

horrified.
James jumps to his feet, runs, and leaps --

-- Through the window -- Falling two stories -- Landing on
the hood of a car and bouncing to the ground.
He coughs intensely, in unimaginable pain.

De Rossi looks down from the window in disbelief.
James crawls out of the road. The alarms reverberate
outside the building as well.
102.

TALIK (RADIO)
Okay I’m clear.
Warrick lifts the radio.
WARRICK
Base to alpha. Pull out. Over.

James limps around the building. He reaches the front. The
four militia trucks sit idle, guarded by four soldiers.
The remaining soldiers storm out of the hole racing to the

trucks --
-- James stops and heads back the way he came.
Security guards flank the building. They come up behind

James, guns drawn.
SECURITY GUARD #1
Back the fuck up!
James raises his hands, panicked.

JAMES
I’m on your side!
James holds up his badge as Guard #1 puts his gun right in
James’ face.
SECURITY GUARD #1
I don’t care! Back the fuck up!
James backpedals awkwardly, turns, and takes flight.

Talik exits the stairwell, gun still in hand.

The Militia piles into the trucks. Guards pour out of the
building. Shoot the last fleeing soldier in the back --
-- The Militia trucks tear away down the street. The guards
and the volunteers (seen earlier) unleash a storm of bullets
from the front steps.
103.

Talik walks through the bloody battlefield. A wounded
SOLDIER drags himself towards the entrance. He sees Talik
and raises his hand calling for help --
-- Talik SHOOTS the soldier in the head -- He slumps over

dead. Talik continues out the still smoldering hole.
Talik descends the front steps and seamlessly melts into the
battalion of people firing at the escaping Militia. He
raises his gun and fires a clip at the trucks.
The last truck drives out of sight. The gunfire dies down.
TALIK
Damn!
He chucks his gun at the ground in anger. Claps the nearest
Security Guard on the back.
TALIK
Great job. Nobody’s getting in
this building without a fight!
As he slaps another Security Guard on the back, he sees
James fleeing in the opposite direction.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
James limps towards a waiting car. He can see Warrick

inside waiting.
Something doesn’t feel right. He looks around. Sure
enough, Talik is perched high up on a fire escape.
INT. CAR - LATER

Warrick shifts his mechanical leg impatiently.
The car door opens. Talik gets inside. Warrick looks at

him confused.
James climbs in behind Talik, gun drawn. Talik sits next to
Warrick. James takes the seat opposite them, gun drawn.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 104.
WARRICK
(to Talik)
You’re losing your touch.
JAMES
Hands on your head-
(to the Driver)
Drive.
They lazily hold up their hands.
WARRICK
Easy there Donovan. I’d say job
well done, but I got the feeling
that’s not what you wanna hear.
JAMES
What happened back there? The GRID
going down was not the plan.
WARRICK
Of course it was.
JAMES
You said it would shut off power to
the love-hole. Not the whole
fucking world!
Warrick smirks as James rants.

WARRICK
I said a lot of things. You didn’t
approve of my past methods, so I
didn’t tell you what they were this
time. But the plan worked. It was
an unqualified success. Congrats
by the way. Without you, none of
it was even possible.
He reaches into his pocket. James flicks the gun
menacingly. Warrick slowly pulls out his POD.
WARRICK
Power’s starting to come
back. Take a moment. Bask in your
glorious works.
Warrick flips the POD around. James stares in horror at the

headlines: STOCK MARKETS CRASH WORLDWIDE.
RIOTS IN OAKLAND
PRESIDENT ACTIVATES NATIONAL GUARD.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 105.
MASS PRISON RIOT AFTER SECURITY MALFUNCTION.

BANKING SYSTEM CRASHES: TRILLIONS LOST IN GRID MALFUNCTION.
JAMES
(distraught)
The plan was to free Zooey and the
others. You told me-
WARRICK
-What you wanted to hear. The plan
was to knock out the GRID. It was
always the plan. You knew why the
GRID was so heavily protected. You
knew what would happen. You let
yourself be manipulated. Face
it. They’ve made a true believer
out of you. You just don’t realize
it yet.
James listens skeptically.
WARRICK
The repercussions of this are gonna
go on for months, years, decades
maybe. Destabilization of this
government is finally a real
possibility. And thanks to you we
have the catalyst to make it
happen, and the finances.
JAMES
Finances?
WARRICK
If someone were to know the GRID
was gonna crash. Well, there are
an awful lot of ways to make an
awful lot of money disappear. A
trillion dollars in sixty seconds.
JAMES
You stole a trillion dollars?
WARRICK
No... We stole ten.
106.
INT. CIA DETENTION CENTER, INTERROGATION ROOM

Zooey’s lifeless face hangs askew.
De Rossi stares down at her, surveying the damage.
INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

James shakes with rage.
JAMES
What about Zooey?
Warrick pulls up another headline. Hands the POD to
James. VERTIGO TERRORISTS COMMIT MASS-SUICIDE DURING POWER
LAPSE. James stares at the headline, dumbstruck. The full
size of the double-cross finally evident.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT

De Rossi watches as the Investigator is stretchered out by
EMTs.

Warrick’s car drives on the overpass overhanging the
Slum. The slum village burns.
The National Guard barricades the slum residents out,
preventing them from entering to save their precious few
belongings. The crowd hurls insults and profanity.
A HOBO chucks a brick -- Hits a SOLDIER in the face.

Two soldiers FIRE -- ripping the hobo to shreds.
The crowd panics at the sound of gunfire. They unleash
rocks, bricks, and bottles. The soldiers lower their rifles
and scream at the slum crowd to stay back.

James looks up from the chaos in the slum and at
Warrick. He may very well be staring into the face of the
devil.
JAMES
How could you kill your own people?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 107.
WARRICK
They were a liability. I had to
take this organization to the next
level. Truffaut never had the gall
to do what was necessary, and
Athena never had the balls.

The soldiers FIRE into the crowd -- TANKS roll up from
behind. SOLDIERS stream out of the tanks. The crowd is
stuck between the National Guard and the SWAT team.
The gun quakes in James’ hand.

WARRICK
Blown up, persecuted, and tortured,
and all it really took was a pretty
girl in a wig. Amazing the power
of the pussy, even after all these
years. Consider her collateral
damage. This is a revolution
Donovan. This is my
revolution And I did what needed
to be done.
JAMES
You don’t believe in a revolution.
WARRICK
Oh you’re gonna start analyzing
me? The would be wife killer? The
pussy whipped bitch?
JAMES
You’re no better than Senator
Seward. These people all put their
faith in you-
WARRICK
Well Seward had one thing
right. Your whole life you’ve put
your faith in the wrong
people. Namely, you put your faith
in anybody but yourself. I am not
your friend, Donovan. I’m a
general sending his armies into
battle. You’re just a
soldier. You’re less than a
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 108.
WARRICK (cont’d)
soldier. You’re the plane that
takes my armies where they need to
go -- Screw it. Look at me,
explaining myself. Talik. Shoot
this mother-fucker.
James cocks his gun. Talik laughs psychotically.

TALIK
Natural born killer, Mr. D.
WARRICK
You couldn’t shoot your cheating
whore of a wife. You’re not gonna
shoot me.
The Driver slams on the breaks -- James flies forward --
-- Talik dives for his gun. They struggle for it. James
kicks open the car door and dives out --
EXT. CAR - CONTINUOUS
-- Rolling across the pavement.

The car screeches to a halt -- James jumps to his feet and
takes flight.
Talik steps out of the car -- Fires a SHOT -- Hitting a

dumpster as James races around the corner. Talik gives
chase, rounding the corner --
-- Another shot ricochets off brick as he turns the corner.
INT. APARTMENT LOBBY - NIGHT

The glass doors to the building have been shattered. James
jumps through the doorframe without opening it.
The BUILDING MANAGER sits on a chair in the center of the

lobby with a shotgun resting on his lap. James gives him a
curt nod, and dashes to the elevator.
Talik runs through the door, chasing James.
The Building Manager points the shotgun at Talik.

James hits the elevator buttons a couple times. Quickly
realizes it’s broken.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 109.
Talik rolls his eyes, and draws his gun -- Shooting the
building manager in the chest.
James runs for the --

-- James takes the steps two at a time.
He reaches a landing. Points his gun back down at the door.

Talik throws open the door -- James fires a SHOT --
Ricocheting off a handrail.
Talik ducks out of sight. James sprints up the stairs.

SHOTS whiz past his head.
James tears out of the stairwell and down the hall.

Talik whips open the hallway door.
James fires a SHOT down the hall -- Striking Talik in the
shoulder -- Talik falls back into the stairwell. The door
slams shut.
James is momentarily stunned. He shakes it off and opens
his apartment door.
INT. APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

De Rossi sits inside, a gun resting on his leg.
James freezes in the doorway. De Rossi spreads his arms,
beckoning him in.
DE ROSSI
James. You sick fuck. I feel like
we need to have a chat.
De Rossi raises the gun, calmly pointing it at James.

DE ROSSI
Please, I’m a much better shot than
you.
James raises his hands and tosses the gun into the kitchen.
The door at the end of the hallway flies open. James looks
left -- Talik raises his gun and FIRES.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 110.
James dives inside his apartment and throws the door shut.
DE ROSSI
Unwanted company?
JAMES
You could say that.
DE ROSSI
I think you have a very short
window of opportunity to explain to
me why I shouldn’t shoot your ass
right now.
Talik throws the door open -- De Rossi dives out of the way
--
-- James dives for his gun in the kitchen --

-- A flurry of bullets fly everywhere. Everyone takes cover.
DE ROSSI
Ceasefire! Ceasefire asshole!
They yell from their respective bunkers. Talik behind the

door. James in the kitchen. De Rossi in the living
room. A Mexican standoff. The power flickers on and off.
DE ROSSI
Who is that out there?
TALIK
What’s it to you?
DE ROSSI
Look. I’m just here to kill the
kid. I don’t want any trouble.
TALIK
So am I... What do you propose?
DE ROSSI
Not everyone has to die here. What
say we kill him together? And then
go our separate ways.
TALIK
Don’t you want to arrest him?
DE ROSSI
Fuck no!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 111.
TALIK
Aren’t you at the Department of
Analysis?
DE ROSSI
What of it?
TALIK
And you’re just gonna kill him?
DE ROSSI
I bet on the wrong horse.
TALIK
So we’ll kill him together then?
DE ROSSI
That way neither of us can turn the
other one in.
JAMES
Stop fucking negotiating!
DE ROSSI
Shut up James. This doesn’t
concern you.
JAMES
De Rossi, he’ll kill you the first
chance he gets.
DE ROSSI
Hey you in the hallway. You
wouldn’t do that, would you?
TALIK
Hand to god.
JAMES
God my ass! De Rossi! Don’t trust
him.
TALIK & DE ROSSI
Shut up!
JAMES
De Rossi. This is the guy you
want. Not me. He’s with Vertigo!
DE ROSSI
I don’t give a shit about Vertigo.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 112.
TALIK
You really should.
DE ROSSI
Everybody shut up!
James looks desperately around the kitchen for something to

use. He creaks open the cabinet below the sink.
DE ROSSI
I’m sorry James. This is just the
way it has to be. Together on
three, then?
James pulls out a box of baking soda. Helpless.
TALIK
One...
The whole building creeks -- The POWER comes back on -- A
ceiling fan over the kitchen turns rapidly -- The hologram
counter springs to life -- The lights flicker --
DE ROSSI
Two...
(beat)
TALIK & DE ROSSI
Three!
De Rossi launches himself over the couch and Talik jumps
through the doorway, both with GUNS ABLAZE --
-- James takes the box of baking soda and hurls it at the
ceiling fan --
-- It explodes, sending white powder everywhere --
Blanketing the room in a hazy white cloud --
-- James jumps up and FIRES.

The room explodes in GUNFIRE -- The cloud obscuring their
vision -- BULLETS hitting everything -- BLOOD squirting
everywhere.
Finally the gunfire dies down...

The lights continue to flicker. The cloud settles. No one
is left standing.
James lies in a pool of his own blood, shot multiple times.
He looks dead --
113.
CUT TO BLACK
EXT. VERTIGO HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

Vertigo soldiers and analysts load a waiting airplane.
INT. VERTIGO HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
A hive of activity. Everyone packs up equipment, emptying

the warehouse. A MEDIC patches up wounded militia soldiers.
The news of their victory rolls in on an enlarged
MARS-screen at the command center. It broadcasts a PICTURE
of James, branded with a WANTED label.
Warrick smirks as he passes the command center and walks
into his glass cube. He collapses into his chair. Lifts up
his pant leg and removes his leg from its stub. Sighs as it
detaches.
He checks his pocket for his POD. Can’t seem to find

it. He looks around confused. Pats his pocket
absentmindedly --
-- The lights go out.
Warrick listens closely for signs of a raid. Nothing. Only

frightened yells throughout the warehouse.
The emergency generator lights FLICKER to life, revealing --
-- James Donovan, a bloody mess, standing inside the

cube. A Mini-EMP in one hand. A gun in the other --
-- Warrick jumps, forgetting his leg -- Falls to the floor.
WARRICK
God dammit.
Seeing James, the militia soldiers run to the cube door but
James flips the lock.
MILITIA COMMANDER
Stand back.
The Commander raises his assault rifle -- FIRES into the
glass -- Bullets ricochet away -- Bulletproof glass --
Soldiers take cover.
James turns around, gun trained on Warrick, eyes bulging

with burning malice.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 114.
WARRICK
(buying time)
Donovan, you don’t look so good.
James limps around the cube.

WARRICK
What do ya want? You want
money? I’ll give you five percent?
James limps closer, psychotic. Soldiers rig the door with

an explosive.
WARRICK
Ten? Ten percent? For fucks sake
blow open the goddamn door!
JAMES
Ten percent of what?
WARRICK
Of the fucking money we stole.
JAMES
You mean the money I just
stole... From you?
James reaches Warrick -- Holds the gun to his head.

JAMES
Stop.
The soldiers obey. Everyone in the warehouse watches him
closely.
JAMES
You have two options. Blow that
door and both of us will die... Or
you can tell me to pull this
trigger, and let me live.
WARRICK
(laughs)
Why would they do that?
James reaches into his pocket, retrieves a POD. Warrick’s

POD, from earlier.
JAMES
I have ten trillion reasons I think
you’ll pick option number two.
James looks back at Warrick. Warrick eyes narrow. It can’t

be.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 115.
James turns and addresses the Militia Commander.

JAMES
What did this man tell you the plan
was? Did he tell you it was to
assassinate seven of your
comrades? Did he tell you it was
to silence members of your own
organization? To grab power for
himself?
Everyone in the warehouse looks at each other questionably.

JAMES
What will it be? Follow a man who
will kill you the moment your
back’s turned? Or follow me?
(to Warrick)
You said it yourself. I’m a true
believer.
Warrick sneers.
WARRICK
You’re gonna lead a
revolution? You won’t even shoot
me.
JAMES
Let’s just say, I’ve finally
embraced your methods.
WARRICK
Fuck you Donovan. So what? You
got the money? So what? You ain’t
getting out of here alive. No
fucking way, you piece of shit.
There’s no way you’re gonna spend a
dime of that fucking money and
there’s no way you’re ever gonna
shoot me --
The Militia Commander nods to James.
WARRICK
-- And there’s no way you’re
walking out of this warehouse
alive! Any way you play this, it
ends with a bullet in your brain --
-- James FIRES a round into Warrick’s skull. -- He slumps to
the floor -- Dead.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 116.
James stares psychotically at the body. All the fury of the

previous few days venting out of him.
(beat)
James slowly turns away his victim. The militia watches in
stunned silence.
The regular warehouse lights flicker back on as power
returns. The enlarged MARS-screen springs to life, showing
the "WANTED" poster of James.
James stares at the poster. Public Enemy #1.

He lowers his gaze to the Militia. Limps to the
door. Unlocks it. Nobody dares move.
He rounds the desk, steps over the dead body, and sits in
Warrick’s chair.
He nods purposefully to the Militia Commander. The
Commander cautiously opens the cube door and leads an convoy
inside. They gather around the desk, awaiting orders.
MILITIA COMMANDER
What now?
James breathes heavy, his wounds weighing him down. He
looks down at Warrick’s dead body. He takes a deep breath
and closes his eyes --
CUT TO BLACK
THE END

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Operation Vertigo

The hands belong to JAMES DONOVAN (30), a man clearly at the

EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

SUBTITLE: Washington D.C. 2049 A.D.

The gentle hum of the helicopter fades. He bolts down the

James delves into his jacket pockets and removes a small

James searches, relentlessly, scouring the building room by

EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS

-- A SHADOW-HAWK drops down from above, shining its

He pushes a button. "10 seconds" pops up onscreen. It glows

SURVEILLANCE DOME VIDEO FEED

The street where James is hiding --

THE STREET CORNER

SURVEILLANCE DOME VIDEO FEED

INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS

INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

He pulls the tablet from his pocket. The hologram springs

Takes a small black device and presses it to the door -- A

INT. APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Sweat drips down his forehead. The sound of sex grows,

... He hesitates. He can’t bring himself to open the door.

-- James stops cold.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

-- BULLETS rip through the door as James throws himself to

EXT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

James cautiously opens the door. A cable rig is latched

He reevaluates the situation. His wife: dead. His wife’s

He sprints out of the apartment --

EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS

He jogs into the safety of the shadows as the police sirens

TITLE CARD: OPERATION VERTIGO

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. SKYLINE - DAY

INT/EXT. TRAIN - DAY

EXT. GOVERNMENT DISTRICT, STREET - DAY

James stops short and stares at the report. A video airs of

INT. SECURITY ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS

INT. BUILDING SURVEILLANCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS

A dozen security guards operate the surveillance

INT. SECURITY ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS

James steps to the machine. He rests his chin on the

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

James passes the normal elevators and proceeds to a smaller

James steps into the elevator, glancing at the camera --

INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS

INT. BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS

James reaches a door labeled I.T. and goes inside.

INT. I.T. ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Essentially a stockroom. Broken equipment, rows of bins

Finished, he sits at his desk.

Richardson plants himself at his work station, his chair

INT. HALLWAY - LATER

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FEED

INT. BUREAU OF ANALYSIS, BULLPEN - CONTINUOUS

The Bureau is in a frenzy. James navigates frantic AGENTS

De Rossi points at his station. While the desk is lit

De Rossi leans down and speaks quietly in James’ ear.

THE INVESTIGATOR (50) struts into the bullpen flanked by

The marines grab Brandt. He puts up no struggle.

-- Brandt screams and makes a break for it -- The Marines

INT. MR. DAILY’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

As James speaks, the words appear on the POD’s screen.

James tries his best to contain his nerves.

She smirks wickedly.