#K2804 - "World Killer" - First Draft 9/9/97                                                              

ACT THREE

FADE IN

INT. QUINN'S FAMILY HOME - DINING ROOM - DAY

Quinn sits at the table, flanked by Remmy, Maggie (no shotgun) and Quinn 2, who stand. The residents press in to listen.  Maggie and Remmy continually try to shift position so people aren't jammed against them, to no avail.

Sister Celine sits facing them with her gun, the Sliding Device on the table before her.  Sister Celine 2 stands nearby.  Oil lamps illuminate the room (the house has no electricity.).  Sister Celine yells at the YAMMERING CROWN:

SISTER CELINE
Quiet! I can't hear myself think!

They tone it down.  Sister Celine leans in toward Quinn.

SISTER CELINE
You got some rivets, I give you that...  And how you got past
the trip wires and the razor blades, not to mention the dogs --

QUINN
We're telling you, we didn't break in, we --

SISTER CELINE
-- materialized, right, you're about three years too late.

QUINN 2
The little kid saw us ...

SISTER CELINE
And last month he saw the Easter Bunny...

MAGGIE

squirms, getting groped.  She grabs someone's are by the wrist, lifts it high overhead (we can't see the offending party behind her).

MAGGIE
This belong to someone?

WIDE

SISTER CELINE
Luther, give it a rest...

Maggie drops the offending limb.

SISTER CELINE
Look, we got no drugs, no fuel, and the shelter can't half feed the mouths
we already got.

REMBRANDT
You've had some hard times...

SISTER CELINE
What gave you the first clue?... If you're trying to run some scam that this box ---

She reaches toward the Device.

QUINN
Don't touch that!

He gets a shotgun barrel jammed in his face as Sister Celine gives him a frosty stare. He moderates his tone. 

QUINN
Believe me... you wouldn't like it.

She puts up the gun. Impasse.

REMBRANDT
So what do we do now? Play board games?

SISTER CELINE
Throw them out.

The crowd roughly grabs our guys, starts hustling them off, as they struggle. Sister Celine nods toward the Device.

SISTER CELINE
And maybe I'll keep this as a souvenir.

Maggie pulls free, rushes up to Sister Celine.

MAGGIE
Look, I know you don't buy what we're saying --

The others have grabbed Maggie again, but Sister Celine waves them off -- finish what you have to say.

MAGGIE
-- so why don't you just tell us what did happen three years ago?

SISTER CELINE
And why don't you drop the act? It's not going to --

SISTER CELINE 2
It started long ago...

Sister Celine turns to Sister Celine 2 (in manner, Sister Celine is tougher, Sister Celine 2 the more serene).

SISTER CELINE 2
God saw what the world had become, and he made a terrible rain..
And he told Noah, bring the animals two by two, and he spared 
them... But in time the world became as it had been.. unholy,
corrupt.. and so God brought his terrible judgment... and he made
two by two, only this time it was people...

ON QUINN 2

As his eyes move over the crowd's gaunt, twitchy faces, and the enormity of what he's done begins to sink in.

SISTER CELINE 2 (O.S.)
What had been one became two... Five billion became ten.. and
hell was made manifest... so that we might see what we had done
to his beautiful Creation... This is our penance and our shame.

WIDE

Sister Celine 2 comes out of it, gives a half-embarrassed smile.

SISTER CELINE 2
Anyway, that's one theory...there are plenty to go around.

REMBRANDT
Lord have mercy...

QUINN 2
(soft, to himself) I did it...

SISTER CELINE
What?

Quinn 2's startled, as if he didn't mean to say it. Then:

QUINN 2
It wasn't God ...I did it.

SISTER CELINE
You did.

Quinn 2 walks to the Device, gestures at the people nearby.

QUINN 2
Clear away.

QUINN
No!! It needs to be checked out.

QUINN 2
Oh, yeah. Right...

He pushes the button. O.S. the VORTEX appears. The crowd reacts in fear and wonder. The Device starts to SPARK AND WHINE.

QUINN
Shut it down!

Too late.  The Device SHORTS OUT.  O.S., we HEAR the VORTEX COLLAPSE and vanish.

SISTER CELINE
Jorge!

A man grabs a pot full of water, moves toward the Device, which is BILLOWING OUT SMOKE.

QUINN
Don't!

Jorge dumps the water on the Device, putting out the fire.

QUINN
Great, just great ...

QUINN 2
(to Sister Celine) Well?

SISTER CELINE
Any number of magicians can pull stunts like that.

REMBRANDT
Then maybe we just better do something they can't...

Rembrandt pulls out the cash, gold, diamonds, dumps them on the table. The crowd MURMURS amazement.  Sister Celine is visibly impressed -- and confounded.

REMBRANDT
With all of this, why would we need to rob you? .. But I guess you
could rob us.

QUINN
(leans in close to her) You've gotta have some trust...

SISTER CELINE
(considers, then) Perkins!

The crown parts to reveal the Little Boy.

SISTER CELINE
What you saw in the basement.. you sure of that?

PERKINS
They came out of nothing. They weren't there.. and then they were.

Sister Celine nods. A beat, then she turns to Quinn.

SISTER CELINE
So just what do you want...?

                        DISSOLVE TO

INT. QUINN'S FAMILY HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT (N2)

Quinn and Quinn 2 work on the Sliding Device, lying open on a table. Sister Celine stands over Quinn 2's shoulder, with the gun. A group of residents look on.

Nearby, Rembrandt stands by a line of ragged people, running the souped-up (and wildly improvised-looking) MEDICAL SCANNER over them, one at a time, making notes on a pad.

ON QUINN AND QUINN 2

Quinn 2 removes a part from the device and up-ends it as Quinn looks on. Water pours out.

QUINN 2
The wrath of the great unwashed...and you wonder why I
feel superior?

QUINN
You set something on fire. They put it out. Yes, I wonder how that make
you superior.

Quinn 2 shrugs, watches Quinn work.

QUINN 2
Whatever you say.. we're not like them.

Quinn eyes him, then grudgingly:

QUINN
I'll give you this..You may have a losing personality, but
it really is an amazing design.

QUINN 2
It was just for starters. I've got lots of --

Rembrandt approaches Quinn, holding his notes. Quinn 2 clams up, not wanting to be heard by anyone else.

REMBRANDT
I'm scanning these folks, Q-Ball, but I can't make head or tail
of these numbers.

QUINN
Just jot them down. Unless we can zero in on the trace signature,
we won't be able to ship these folks back.. (sighs) Of course, that's
assuming we ever get this running...

QUINN 2
We needed a visual aid, so I turned it on.. I had to do something.

QUINN
Yeah, but not that.

ON QUINN 2 AND SISTER CELINE

He notices her standing close behind, alert to the crowd.

QUINN 2
You don't have to hang so close...

SISTER CELINE
Word's gotten out about you, they all know you did this to them...

He looks about. They're staring with hate-filled eyes.

SISTER CELINE
So maybe you better be grateful for a bodyguard.

Quinn 2's shaken, but won't admit it. He spies a LITTLE GIRL nearby, staring solemnly up at him with big eyes.

QUINN 2
You hate me, too..?

She says nothing.

WIDE

As Maggie come up.

MAGGIE
How's it looking?

QUINN
Not good.. We need replacement parts, and we can't exactly go back
where we came from.

MAGGIE
So we go 'round the corner to the Radio Shed.

SISTER CELINE
Let me clue you in... this ain't no Mayberry. When the Federal
Government collapsed, all these warlords sprung up. One we got
here's just called the Boss. His cops run the streets... and you don't
want to mess with them.

QUINN
So what are you telling us?

SISTER CELINE
Do what you have to... but do it fast.

EXT. RADIO SHED - NIGHT

The shop we saw before, only this version's a fortress: razor wire, bars, etc. SEARCHLIGHTS from O.S. POLICE HELICOPTERS rake the street. Quinn, Rembrandt, Maggie and Quinn 2 approach the entrance, which has a sign: NO WEAPONS ALLOWED. Two of the Boss's rough-looking COPS flank the entrance. They search through our guys backpacks. One gestures at Maggie's shotgun.

COP
We'll take that.

Maggie jerks away, holding tight to her gun.

MAGGIE
I don't think so.

QUINN
Give it to him.

MAGGIE
No way ---

QUINN
We need those parts, Maggie.

She hesitates, then surrenders the gun.

MAGGIE
Do I get a claim ticket?

COP
This ain't no coat check. We keep it.

Quinn shoots Maggie a look -- let it go. She relents. She and Quinn head in, followed by Quinn 2 and Rembrandt.

INT. RADIO SHED - NIGHT

Rembrandt and Quinn 2 look about at the shelves, which are festooned with signs reading NO CASH NO CREDIT, YOU BREAK IT WE BREAK YOU and LIGHT FINGERS LOSE FINGERS.

REMBRANDT
Why do I get the feeling that the customer is always wrong...

ON THE COUNTER

The MANAGER behind it, whom we saw in the EMPLOYEE OF THE WEEK photo. Same shirt and tie, but now he's got a black leather jacket with studs, scar across his face. Quinn and Maggie dump the parts they need on the counter. Rembrandt and Quinn 2 bring up the rear.

QUINN
What'll it cost?

MANAGER
Whadaya got?

QUINN
I'll bet just exactly enough...

The Manager nods, smiling.

EXT. RADIO SHED - NIGHT

Quinn, Maggie, Rembrandt and Quinn 2 exit. The Cop eyes their purchases with avarice.

COP
Made out like bandits...

Maggie starts to say something, Quinn stifles her with a look -- keep on walking. They exit shop. A beat, the Cop watching them. Then he pulls out a cell phone.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Quinn, Rembrandt, Maggie, and Quinn 2 walk along with their purchases in their packs. Quinn 2 holds an electronic part. Ragged figures huddle in doorways, alleys, etc. Quinn 2 moves close to Quinn, so the others can't hear.

QUINN 2
You know, I've been thinking... You and I make a good team. This
doesn't have to be the end of things. It could be the start.

He stuffs the part in his backpack.

QUINN
What are you saying...?

QUINN 2
We get back, maybe you miss the slide window. We build another of
these, a better one.

Quinn starts to protest, Quinn 2 presses on, cutting him off.

QUINN 2
My father was right. I get impatient, make mistakes. But you, you're
slow and steady -- For you, the equations --

QUINN
Wait. You're talking about a mathematical mistake?

QUINN 2
What else? I was trying to cut across a continuum without -- it doesn't
matter! Most of the world's great discoveries were by accident. 
Together, we could do something with this, show them it was worth the cost!

QUINN
That's still what it's about for you? Proving your genius?

They've stopped dead. Quinn gestures to the devastation.

QUINN
Haven't you seen? Heard? Look around you... Doesn't this
touch you at all?

QUINN 2
Of course... But what happened happened. In science, you can't control
every single --

QUINN
Science didn't throw that switch!

An outburst. A distant passerby is startled. Remmy cautions --

REMBRANDT
Quinn...

QUINN
When I tested it, it was small -- and on myself. Not the whole damn world!
(presses in) You didn't have to draw that much power. You just didn't care
what happened.

QUINN 2
The universe has risks!

QUINN
(erupts) The universe has no conscience -- so we have to! Let it in.
You blew it!

QUINN 2
Quinn --

QUINN
The answer's no ...

Quinn storms off to the front of the group, walking on. Quinn 2 shakes his head, keeps walking. Maggie makes a move to head after Quinn, talk to him, but Rembrandt stops her.

REMBRANDT
No, Maggie, let them has it out themselves ...

Just then, there's a SOUND behind them. They turn to see a POLICE CAR turn a corner some distance back, slowly approach, turning on its bubble lights.

REMBRANDT
What -- we jaywalked?

The car speeds up, right at them, SIREN WAILING TO LIFE, COPS leaning out of the windows aiming AK-47s.

MAGGIE
These aren't like the cops back home!

They take to their heels.

REMBRANDT
Speak for yourself!

The cops OPEN FIRE as our guys run off. Quinn 2 ducks behind something for cover, which
momentarily delays him. Then he hurries after the others.

Quinn leads them down ...

AN ALLEY

Too narrow for the car to follow. Quinn 2 can't make it in time; he ducks into a doorway to hide.

A beat, then the cop car ROARS up, one COP diving out with his gun to give chase on foot, the car speeding off to try to cut them off. The cop on foot darts by Quinn 2, not seeing him.

Inadvertently, Quinn 2 makes a sound. The cop hears it, doubles back, seeing him now.

QUINN

at the mouth of the alley, sees this. He waves Rembrandt and Maggie on.

QUINN
Go!

They hurry off.

QUINN 2

backs, trying to get away. The cop FIRES OFF SHOTS, narrowly missing him.

Just then, Quinn flies into shot from behind the cop, slugging him. The cop goes down hard.

Quinn grabs Quinn 2 and hustles him into cover in the alley. They peer out warily as TWO OTHER COPS run by them and are gone.

A beat, they let out a breath. Quinn 2 eyes Quinn in astonishment, murmurs:

QUINN 2
You came back for me...

QUINN
Not for you ... for who I'd be if I didn't..

Quinn 2 stares at him a long moment, silent.

DISSOLVE TO

INT. QUINN'S FAMILY HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

It's late. Maggie enters. Quinn's working on fixing the Device, trying to lock down a part. But he hasn't enough hands to hold it in place and secure it. It eludes him.

QUINN
Damn it!

Maggie rushes up, taking the pieces.

MAGGIE
Easy... why don't you just ask for help?

He lets her hold it, frustrated, not really wanting to relent. She picks up on it.

MAGGIE
I know... I don't hold it as perfectly as you could if you had four hands..
(smiles) But then, I guess you do .. only you're not speaking to yourself.

Quinn looks at her ruefully, continuing to work on the Device.

QUINN
God, Maggie, he's such a ---

MAGGIE
Jerk?

QUINN
You see all these versions of yourself, sometimes it's not pleasant...
(bitter laugh) It never is.

He considers the Device.

QUINN
I couldn't have built this.

MAGGIE
You don't know that.

QUINN
(yes, I do) I didn't build it...

He pauses, thoughtful.

QUINN
You know, after my dad died, I always felt like I never met my potential...
what could I have been, what would I have achieved? (beat) Three years
ago, I'd have said I'd never know...

Maggie looks at Quinn, eyes kind.

QUINN
I mean, the parents I remember... (rubs his eyes tiredly) It all gets
so confusing...

MAGGIE
The ones you remember, the ones who raised you, they're your parents no
matter what you find...

She puts a hand on his arm.

MAGGIE
We're all made up of everything that happens to us... Having your mom
survive and not your dad... maybe that's what gave you the heart you have.

They look at each other a moment, seeing each other, until Sister Celine emerges from the kitchen carrying bowls, Remmy carrying the stew pot, breaking the spell.

SISTER CELINE
Soup's on. Move it!

Maggie and Quinn move to them. Sister Celine ladles out some stew.

SISTER CELINE
Mulligan stew, we serve it only for special guests...

REMBRANDT
Just don't ask what the meat is.

MAGGIE
Beggars can't be choosers...

SISTER CELINE
We're all beggars here... only maybe soon you'll help us have a choice.

FAVORING REMMY

as he considers Sister Celine.

REMBRANDT
Sister, I been meaning to ask why you wear that rock around your neck...

SISTER CELINE
It's how our Lord died, crushed under stones...

REMBRANDT
Huh...

EXT. QUINN'S FAMILY HOME - BACK YARD - NIGHT

Some flowers and greenery, with barbed wire and a wall keeping the world out. Quinn 2 peers up at the stars. Maggie draws up to him form the house, carrying a bowl of stew.

MAGGIE
I brought you some stew.

QUINN 2
(not looking at her) Just set it on the rail.

She does so, then comes up to him.

MAGGIE
What do you see up there?

QUINN 2
What would you like me to see? My dark soul?

MAGGIE
Look, we're tired... How 'bout you give us both a break?

He considers, then relents.

QUINN 2
I was ... remembering. Just after mom died, my dad took me up on the roof,
showed me the stars... He said we're all made of star stuff.. so it's up to us to
blaze across the sky, burn our lives into the world... so we'll never be
forgotten...

MAGGIE
(gently) There are other ways to matter.

QUINN 2
Yeah. I'll buy a dog.

She turns away, angry.

QUINN 2
I'm sorry, I've got a headache and I'm not in the mood for sympathy...

MAGGIE
You know, in some ways you're so different, and in some ways you're
exactly the same...

QUINN 2
As Saint Quinn?

MAGGIE
He's no saint. But he cares about people...sometimes too much...
not about being some name in a history book... (moves in closer)
I'll let you in on something... Daddy's gone.. and unless you wake
up and start caring about someone, even if you're not the last man
on Earth, you're gonna be alone...

He can't smart-ass that, her words hit home.

INT. QUINN'S FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY (D3)

Quinn, Quinn 2, Maggie and Rembrandt stand beside the repaired Sliding Device, Sister Celine near them. Quinn addresses Quinn 2.

QUINN
I was right about the sliding signature. We can realign the Slidewave to return
the population of your world anytime we like. But there's a catch... The next
Slidewave will collapse the path between the two worlds. It should get everyone
through safely...

QUINN 2
But it's a one-way ticket...

Quinn nods.

REMBRANDT
Hold on a minute, Q-Ball...World's moved on since three years back. Woman
I talked to here, she married someone who 'appeared,' had a kid. Slide takes
everyone with a signature, we're gonna smash a lotta stuff up.

They all look at each other a beat, considering. Shit.

SISTER CELINE 2 (O.S.)
Before the change, I was half a person...

They all turn to see Sister Celine 2, having just entered.

SISTER CELINE 2
I'd do good works, touch the lives of others, but somehow no one ever
touched me.. Then I met my other self.. and it was like I'd found home.

ON QUINN AND QUINN 2

Hearing her words, regarding each other.

SISTER CELINE 2
I got to see myself outside myself... a mirror on all my flaws and my strengths...

FAVORING SISTER CELINE 2 AND SISTER CELINE

They look at each other, full of love.

SISTER CELINE 2
Beyond all things, I prize her, being with her, I'd give my life for that
(beat) But you have to send us back.

They study her in all her certainty and sacrifice.

SISTER CELINE 2
Two worlds, with enough abundance ... not one that's dying.

Quinn looks at the others, sees the same decision.

QUINN
All right. We throw the switch... Just gotta get the power.

EXT. QUINN'S FAMILY HOME - BACK YARD - DAY

Sister Celine stands looking out, flanked by Quinn, Rembrandt, Maggie and Quinn 2. Sister Celine 2 is nearby. People line the stairs YAMMERING in excitement. Sister Celine gestures for silence.

SISTER CELINE
Stifle it!

They quiet down. She shakes her head.

SISTER CELINE
I have a dream ... a bathtub full of bubbles ... soft music playing..
 and nothing else. (beat) Maybe we all have a shot at that, but
we need to make it happen. Electricity. (turns to our guys) The
Boss doesn't care if the little people starve in the streets, huddle
in the dark, freeze in the cold .. Power to the people means just
his people.

Sister Celine hands her rifle to Maggie.

SISTER CELINE 2
The power station's part of his fortress, palace, whatever .. right next
to his throne room.

MAGGIE
And just how do we get there?

SISTER CELINE
(calls back to the house) Roberto!

ROBERTO (50s), a little tough guy in an eye patch, appears.

SISTER CELINE
This is my good right hand, can get anything, fix anything, knows a lot
about a little and a little about a lot ---

ROBERTO
You forgot to kiss my ring.

SISTER CELINE
--- and, before he got the boot, was a honcho at the power station.

They look knowingly at him. He shakes his head warily.

ROBERTO
Whatever you're thinkin' ...

QUINN
Just gotta borrow some juice ...

ROBERTO
Nuh-uh, no way ...

MAGGIE
If we pull it off, everyone will get a second chance.. You'll have hope again...

Quinn 2 produces a stack of silver coins, drops them in Roberto's hand.

QUINN 2
And two-fifty, silver.

REMBRANDT
Now where you been hiding that?

Roberto weighs the money in his hand. He sighs, agreeing.

ROBERTO
Feeder cable shaft'll get us there. But in and out, no photo ops.

MAGGIE
So where do we find this place?

EXT. QUINN'S FAMILY HOME - DAY

The front door opens, revealing Sister Celine, Quinn, Maggie, Roberto and Quinn 2.

SISTER CELINE
You can't miss it.

They look out in amazement.

THEIR POINT OF VIEW - THE BOSS'S HUGE SKYSCRAPER/BARBARIAN FORTRESS

(Think a combination of Tyrell's building in BLADE RUNNER and the scariest Medieval castle you've ever seen.)

BACK TO MAGGIE, QUINN AND REMMY

PUSHING IN ON THEM looking out at this intimidating structure, as we ....

    FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE