by Robb House
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
by Robb House
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
TEASER
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - NIGHT.
Alarms blare and lights flash. LON, dressed in jeans and a t
shirt, is at one of the terminals frantically flipping
switches and turning knobs.
A series of SPARKS is emitted from one of the switches as it
shorts out. Lon hits the terminal repeatedly, knocking the
sparks away.
Over the intercom, the sounds of battle can be heard.
FRANK
(filtered; over intercom)
Lon! Not to rush you, but if you
and loverboy could stop playing
kissy-face for two seconds, we'd
appreciate it if you closed this
damn thing down!
Off Lon's annoyed look we:
CUT TO:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE STREET - CONTINUOUS.
A large PORTAL is open. In front of it are VI, TAMSIN, and
FRANK. A group of DEMONS of various shapes, sizes, and races
are busy attacking the gang.
Frank BLOCKS a punch from DEMON #1.
LON
(filtered; over earpiece)
We're doing our best! You know how
stubborn these anomalous portals
are!
Frank raises his sawed off shotgun with his other hand, and
BLAST the demon in the face. Tamsin and Vi continue to fight
in the background as we:
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - ORB CAVE - CONTINUOUS.
MIKE is in the cave area of Command Central standing at the
glowing sphere with a comm device in his ear. Lon can be seen
in the background in the computer area flipping switches.
Mike's eyes are white and glowing in time with the sphere. He
glances over to Lon.
MIKE
Ignore the loud, angry man, baby.
He's just jealous.
Lon throws a smirk in Mike's direction as we:
CUT TO:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE STREET - CONTINUOUS.
As before, the gang battle the demons. Another demon, DEMON
#2, jumps out of the portal and heads for Frank. It PUNCHES
the man in the face.
MIKE
(filtered; over earpiece)
It's not our fault he's old and
unloved.
Hearing this, Frank frowns and PUNCHES the demon hard in the
jaw. It goes down as Frank shakes his hand, wincing in pain.
FRANK
I heard that! And I'm not unloved!
Tamsin is now back to back with Frank as they continue to
fight.
TAMSIN
(motherly; to Frank)
Of course you're not, dear. Plenty
of women would be lucky to have
such a big, strong man as you.
FRANK
(pouting; turning to
Tamsin)
Damn straight! You forgot "ruggedly
handsome".
Tamsin HACKS the demon in front of her and gives Frank a
smile.
TAMSIN
(nodding agreeingly)
Ruggedly handsome.
Frank smile back. He SHOOTS an approaching demon.
Vi is also now fighting along side her fellow teammates.
VI
(glancing to Frank)
She's right!
Frank gives a cocky smile as he PUNCHES another demon.
VI (CONT'D)
If Grandma Clark was single and had
two good hips...
(hacking at a demon)
...I'd fix her up with you in a
heartbeat.
Frank frowns and turns his head quickly to Vi. Tamsin
chuckles.
VI (CONT'D)
What? My grandma's hot!
FRANK
(into his earpiece;
gruffly)
Today with the portal closing,
please!
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - ORB CAVE - CONTINUOUS.
Mike chuckles lightly.
MIKE
Yes, sir, mon Capitán. I think I've
just about got it...
(concentrating)
...right here.
CUT TO:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE STREET - CONTINUOUS.
The team glance quickly to the portal just in time to see it
close. They smile victoriously.
FRANK
(into his earpiece)
Great job! We'll just take care of
the rest of these guys and--
Behind them, the portal suddenly REOPENS!
FRANK (CONT'D)
What the Hell?!
Another wave of demons pours out of the portal and attacks
the team.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - ORB CAVE - CONTINUOUS.
MIKE
What the Hell?!
Mike turns to Lon with a panicked look on his face only to
find that Lon too is wearing the same expression.
Lon shrugs as he desperately turns dials and flips switches.
CUT TO:
INT. MACROWARE - JON BATES' OFFICE - CONTINUOUS.
Sitting behind Jon's desk typing on the computer terminal is
MITCH. A gleeful look adorns his face as he taps keys. JON
stands nearby, clearly unhappy to be there.
MITCH
Ha! Not this time!
He continues to type as we:
CUT TO:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE STREET - CONTINUOUS.
Frank, Vi, and Tamsin are overwhelmed by the demons. They
continue to HACK, SHOOT, PUNCH, and KICK but are severely out
numbered.
FRANK
(into his earpiece)
Lon!? What's happening!?
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - CONTINUOUS.
Lon continues to flip switches.
LON
Unknown. The portal just...
reopened!
FRANK
(filtered, over intercom)
To use one of Mike's favorite
catchphrases, "duh!" Do something
about it!
The camera PANS over to Mike in the ORB CAVE side of the
room. His face shows his strain.
CUT TO:
INT. MACROWARE - JON BATES' OFFICE - CONTINUOUS.
Mitch continues to type.
CUT TO:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE STREET - CONTINUOUS.
The horde of demons closes in on our fighters. CU on Tamsin's
eyes widening.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - ORB CAVE - CONTINUOUS.
Beads of sweat break out on Mike's forehead as he doubles his
efforts. The sphere begins to glow brighter.
JUMP CUT TO:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE STREET - DAY.
Everything has a HAZY BLUE TINT as, in SLOW-MOTION, the
camera PANS around the street. Mike is obviously having a
vision.
THE POWERS THAT BE (V.O.)
One will hate you.
PORTALS open all around as DEMONS pour out.
THE POWERS THAT BE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
One will love you.
TOWNSPEOPLE run and scream as the demons attack the innocent
people.
THE POWERS THAT BE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
One will die for you.
More demons pour fourth from the portals.
THE POWERS THAT BE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
One will kill you.
Still in SLOW-MOTION, the camera PULLS BACK to show more of
the town. Hundreds of portals are open. The town is in ruins.
JUMP CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - ORB CAVE - PRESENT TIME.
Mike screams out in pain. A white streak of hair appears at
his left temple. The bright glow of the orb increases,
drowning out everything else.
CUT TO:
EXT. HEAVEN'S GATE STREET - CONTINUOUS.
The portal begins to fluctuate. It emits a low hum which
grows louder and louder. The demons all stop what they are
doing and look to it curiously.
The hum becomes unbearably loud. Tamsin, Frank, and Vi cover
their ears with their hands.
The portal shrinks. Suddenly, all the demons are dragged
toward it by some invisible force. They try to run, but the
force of the portal is too great. They move faster toward it.
One by one they are sucked back into it, both living and dead
demons alike. After the last one has disappeared inside, the
portal winks out of existence.
The gang looks to each other questioningly as we:
CUT TO:
INT. MACROWARE - JON BATES' OFFICE - CONTINUOUS.
A confused look flashes across Mitch's face. He frantically
hits several keys on the computer.
MITCH
I don't understand. I can't reopen
the portal.
(hits more keys)
I can't open any portal!
He turns to Jon, an angry look on his face.
MITCH (CONT'D)
Find our what happened! I want to
know who's responsible!
Jon nods reluctantly, turns, and leaves.
CU on Mitch's face. His expression turns from anger to
anxious as we:
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTRAL - COMPUTER LAB - LATER.
Frank, Vi, and Tamsin race into the room.
FRANK
Lon! What happened back there--
He notices Lon standing in the orb cave side of the room next
to Mike who is still at the sphere.
The gang crosses over into THE ORB CAVE, as Lon turns towards
them, his face full of concern.
LON
I'm not sure. Somehow...
(shaking his head)
...he reversed the flow of the
portal, pulling the demons back
through it, and sealing it off.
FRANK
Good work, Mike--
Lon shakes his head.
LON
He can't hear you.
(worried)
He's been like this since it
happened.
All look concerned as Tamsin places a supportive hand on
Lon's shoulder. He gives her an appreciative smile.
At that moment, Mike blinks his eyes. The sphere's glow dims
as he let's go of it. Looking slightly dazed, he turns his
head to the expectant gang.
MIKE
Hey.
LON
Don't you "hey" me, I was worried
sick--
FRANK
(to Lon)
You can bitch him out later, Lon.
(to Mike)
What happened?
MIKE
I closed them.
TAMSIN
(nodding)
Yes. You closed the portal.
Mike shakes his head.
MIKE
No. I closed them all.
Lon frowns. Vi looks confused. Tamsin and Frank ponder what
this means.
CU on Mike's dazed face as we:
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. FRANK'S APARTMENT - MIKE'S ROOM - MORNING.
Tyler is sitting on Mike's bed. Mike is standing at the
dresser's mirror, wearing only a towel, examining the white
streak in his hair.
TYLER
I think it's cool. Like Rogue in
the X-Men movie.
(beat)
You keeping it?
Mike looks back at Tyler and scoffs.
MIKE
Hell no.
Mike grabs a small box off the dresser, holding it up for
Tyler to see.
MIKE (CONT'D)
(holding up the box)
Me and Miss Clairol got a date in
the bathroom right now.
(turning back to the
mirror)
I'm going with my natural color,
but do you think I should go
darker? Maybe Lon'd like me as a
brunette.
Mike turns back to Tyler to find his friend smirking at him.
TYLER
Dude. Don't ask me things like
that. Straight here, remember? I
thought stripes and plaid matched
until you showed me the error of
my, how did you put it, "evil
heterosexual ways."
Mike laughs lightly.
TYLER (CONT'D)
And since when do you care what
people think about you?
Mike's cheeks blush red. He looks away, embarrassed. Tyler is
on to something.
TYLER (CONT'D)
Not "people". Lon.
(beat)
How serious is this thing between
you two?
Mike turns back to Tyler and walks over to the bed, sitting
down beside his friend. He tries in vain to conceal his
excitement. His face blushes more giving him the look of an
innocent schoolboy.
TYLER (CONT'D)
That serious, eh?
Mike looks to Tyler, a truly happy look on his face. He nods.
MIKE
(sincerely)
Yeah. I think he's the one.
A moment passes between the two. Then Mike screws up his face
and puts his finger in his mouth, pretending to vomit.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Eww! How gay did that sound?!
TYLER
Well, considering the source...
The two break out laughing. Mike playfully punches Tyler.
Tyler punches back, still playful but harder.
Mike jumps off the bed and rips the towel from his waist.
Standing there naked, he holds the towel up as a weapon,
preparing to snap it at Tyler. Tyler holds his hands up,
guarding his face.
TYLER (CONT'D)
Whoa, dude! Stop! I give!
Chuckling, Mike lowers the towel. His face turns serious.
MIKE
Don't tell anyone what I said about
Lon, okay.
(beat)
Just, it's new and all. I don't
want to pressure him.
Tyler gives a supportive nod.
TYLER
You got it, bud.
(beat)
Now could you cover up "Dumbo"
there?
(nodding toward Mike's
crotch)
I don't wanna be thinking about
that while I'm making sweet love to
Callie tonight.
MIKE
(smirking)
Like you don't already.
He POPS his towel at Tyler. As Tyler jumps and shrieks like a
little girl we:
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - MOMENTS LATER.
Tyler enters from upstairs. He is rubbing his chest gingerly,
presumably from Mike's towel attack. The camera PANS,
following Tyler as he walks to the bar.
Behind the counter stands Vi. Noticing Tyler's discomfort,
she eyes him questioningly. He shakes his head as he sits,
indicating that it is nothing.
The camera continues to PAN to the other end of the bar where
sit Tamsin and Lon. Frank is behind the bar leaning in to
talk to the pair.
FRANK
So we're out of a job then?
LON
(lightly laughing)
Not yet. From the way Mike
explained it, he's managed to stop
portal activity on a purely
temporary basis. He's not sure how
long it will last. Probably not
much more than a few more hours.
TAMSIN
That's cutting it close.
MacroWare's big release is
tomorrow.
Lon nods.
FRANK
Can Mike keep the portals closed
longer? Maybe we could make "Mr. X"
miss his deadline.
TAMSIN
Mr. X?
FRANK
Just something I'm trying out.
Tamsin frowns.
LON
(shaking his head)
The strain on Mike to close them
for even a short time was
phenomenal. I'm not sure he could
do it again. Not without risking
permanent injury.
FRANK
(nodding)
We'll keep that as "Plan B" then.
Tamsin is still frowning. She obviously has a thought she's
not letting go.
LON
Speaking of your "Mr. X", has
Corrine made any headway at finding
out his identity?
Frank shakes his head.
FRANK
She's still looking, but keeps
hitting dead-ends.
Tamsin finally speaks up.
TAMSIN
Why do you assume it's a "Mr." X?
Why not a "Miss", or a "Mrs."?
Women can be evil too.
FRANK
(smirking)
Tell me about it.
TAMSIN
I'm serious.
LON
It's merely a figure of speech. I'm
sure Corrine is investigating women
as well.
TAMSIN
Good. Because we can be right
bitches when we want to be.
Lon and Frank suppress laughs as the bell over the diner door
CHIMES.
The three look toward the door as DET. TANYA JAMISON enters.
Her expression reveals that she is not happy.
TAMSIN (CONT'D)
(catty)
Case in point.
Seeing Frank, Tanya lingers in the doorway. Frank sighs,
obviously dreading the conversation to come.
FRANK
(to Lon and Tamsin)
Be right back.
Frank comes from behind the bar. And motions toward a booth
on the other end of the diner. Taking his cue, Tanya walks to
it. She and Frank sit. There is an awkward pause.
TANYA
(annoyed)
Alright. What's so important,
Frank?
FRANK
First, I want to explain about our
date.
TANYA
(loudly)
It wasn't a date!
All in the diner look at the couple. Tanya tucks her head
down, embarrassed.
TANYA (CONT'D)
(more quietly)
It was supposed to be a dinner to
thank you for saving my son's life.
Not... "grope-fest 2009."
FRANK
(firmly)
You were giving me signals, sugar.
Don't deny it.
TANYA
Can we not talk about this now?
I've got work to do. Now what did
you call the station about?
Frank realizes that he's hit a brick wall. He clenches his
jaw.
FRANK
I called to warn you.
The anger fades from Tanya's face, replaced with anxiousness.
FRANK (CONT'D)
We think that something big is
going down tomorrow.
Tanya gives a questioning look.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Tyler got possessed and Mike had
this whole vision and... I just
thought you should know.
Tanya ponders over what Frank is saying.
TANYA
When you say "big"...
FRANK
On a scale from one to ten?
Tanya nods.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Apocalypse.
A fearful look crosses Tanya's face.
FRANK (CONT'D)
I thought maybe you and Chris
should get out of town until this
thing blows over.
Tanya's scared look turns to anger. She shakes her head.
TANYA
(annoyed)
I don't believe you.
(standing)
Just when I think you're a total
asshole, you go and do something
nice. Damn you, Frank McGann!
She leans in and gives him a quick peck on the cheek.
TANYA (CONT'D)
(softly)
If you make it through this
"apocalypse", call me.
Tanya turns and quickly exits the diner leaving a stunned
looking Frank still sitting in the booth. After a beat he
smirks and stands. Turning back to the bar, he sees that
everyone is watching him.
FRANK
(shrugging)
Women.
Everyone chuckles lightly as the CHIME over the door again
rings. In walks BILLIE JACKSON. Frank's face lights up.
FRANK (CONT'D)
Billie! You're back!
Billie smiles as she and Frank both make their way to the
bar.
BILLIE
Well, I finished up my business at
Groom Lake and thought you guys
might need a hand. I assume you're
still working on that MacroWare
business?
The two sit at the counter between Tamsin and Tyler.
FRANK
(nodding)
D-Day's tomorrow and we still don't
know who's behind it or what
they're planning. We've got Corrine
doing research.
Billie rolls her eyes in an annoyed fashion.
BILLIE
You've got a civilian working on
this while you're all here sitting
on your asses!?
Everyone, Frank included, looks a little embarrassed. Frank
clenches his jaw.
FRANK
Corrine's a Slayer. She knows
what's at stake here.
VI
No pun intended!
Frank cuts his eyes at her, indicating that this is not the
time. Vi ducks her head sheepishly.
VI (CONT'D)
(quietly pouting)
You would have laughed if Mike said
it.
Frank ignores Vi and continues his conversation with Billie.
FRANK
We run a tight ship here. It's not
like we just let any John off the
street in on our plans.
As if on cue, Jon Bates enters.
Seeing the gang at the bar he walks toward them.
JON
Hey, guys. Any luck with the
MacroWare thing yet?
Frank cringes as Jon stops at the bar near Frank. Billie
cocks her eyebrow and gives Frank an expectant look.
FRANK
Billie Jackson meet...
(hesitantly)
..Jon Bates.
Billie gives Frank an amused look.
BILLIE
Jon?
Frank nods sheepishly as amused expressions flicker across
the other team members faces.
JON
(extending his hand to
Billie; charmingly)
Jon Bates. Founder and CEO of
MacroWare.
Cautiously, Billie accepts his hand and shakes it.
Mike enters from upstairs. He is now clothed. His hair is
still damp, but is now all the same color. He gives Billie
and Jon a nod as he walks past them and over to Lon.
Mike leans in and gives the man a peck on the cheek. Billie
cocks her eyebrow and nods toward the couple.
BILLIE
(to Frank)
Guess I did miss something.
FRANK
(smirking)
Yeah. That's something we do now.
Mike and Lon smile at each other as Mike slides his arm
around his seated partner.
JON
(to Frank)
Is Corrine around? I need to talk
to her.
Frank shakes his head as Tyler turns toward his boss.
TYLER
She's doing some research.
JON
Damn. We're having some last minute
problems with the OS firewall.
FRANK
(stunned)
You're still going ahead with the
launch?
JON
I tried to delay it, but it's not
up to just me.
Obviously not happy, Frank narrows his eyes and leans in
closer.
JON (CONT'D)
It's the board of directors. They
feel that a last minute delay would
undermine confidence, hurt sales.
Frank looks annoyed.
JON (CONT'D)
Look. The company has a lot of
money tied up in this thing. They
just want to make sure they get a
return on their investment.
FRANK
(sarcastically)
Who cares if it destroys the world
so long as stock prices go up.
(firmly)
You should have tried harder.
JON
What was I supposed to tell them?
That some mysterious thing is using
the new OS to open gateways to
other dimensions? They'd have me
out of office and into a loony bin
before you can say "rubber room".
Frank clenches his jaw and squints his eyes. He rises off his
stool. Tyler recognizes the signs and moves to diffuse the
tension.
TYLER
(to Jon)
So! Firewall problems, eh?
Frank sits back down and broods quietly. Jon turns to address
Tyler.
VI
What's a firewall?
JON
In this case, it's the software
program that protects our network
from attacks by hackers. It's
supposed to let through legitimate
data and keep out the bad stuff.
VI
That's good. Right?
JON
Yeah, but ours currently isn't
letting any traffic through at all,
good or bad. Everything's just...
stopped.
Vi nods, understanding. She looks to Mike with a smile.
VI
Did you hear that, Mike. Just like
you with the sphere.
(jokingly)
You're our firewall, man!
Mike grins. Jon's face betrays his grasp of what this could
mean. He furrows his brow and frowns as we:
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.