dem_man1x01
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EXT. COCTEAU CRYOPRISON - DAY
Establishing shot. A huge building. A lot of media and press
surrounding it.
SMITHERS (PRE-LAP)
Detective John Spartan you have
been sentenced to 100 years of
cryogenic imprisonment.
INT. CRYOPRISON WESTERN WING - SAME TIME
The camera PANS across, revealing a huge LABORATORY where
several men and women are trapped in FROZEN round cubes.
These are known as Cryocells.
SMITHERS (O.S.)
Your crime, the manslaughter of
thirty innocent civilians.
Eventually SPARTAN in a white overgown and hand-cuffs walks
past. His expression one of numbness again.
SMITHERS (O.S.) (CONT'D)
In accordance of the Cocteau
Rehabilitation Act of 1991, your
body shall be frozen into stasis.
In the background, Phoenix is seen in one of the Cryocells.
Leading the party of guards surrounding Spartan is a young
man in a white coat - DEPUTY WARDEN WILLIAM SMITHERS.
SMITHERS (CONT'D)
During this time your subconscious
mind shall be reprogrammed due to
synaptic suggestion ready for your
rehabilitation in 2096.
They stop, and they strip Spartan of the gown. He stands
naked in front of a small pool - an unfrozen Cryocell.
Smithers nods at him, and Spartan takes a few steps and walks
into the Cryocell.
SMITHERS (CONT'D)
You will be eligible for parole no
earlier the year 2096.
ANGLE: Looking on at a distance from a walkway, a small
ELEVEN YEAR OLD BOY stares at Spartan - intrigued. Behind him
two men in suits are talking, but they're inaudible for now.
BACK TO Spartan, he sits down in the cell, lying down and
closing his eyes.
Around him, a glass shutter locks above him. He opens his
eyes to find the Cyrocell being pumped with a fluorescent
blue liquid - filling the half full pool.
Panic starts to settle in, and he POUNDS against the glass
and gasps for air.
One of the prison workers holds out a METALLIC rod,
containing a bright blue sphere of energy. He carries it
across, placing it into a computer console next to Spartan.
Smithers pushes a few buttons, and the energy sphere is
RELEASED, striking the liquid and suddenly freezing the
water...
...And Spartan stays there, frozen in time.
BACK TO the boy, watching with interest.
VOICE (O.S.)
Are you happy with the upkeep sir?
And your son?
MR. COCTEAU (late fifties) nods, shaking the hand of the guy
speaking to him.
MR. COCTEAU
He's fine, I'm just showing him
what will be his one day. Isn't
that right Raymond?
The boy, RAYMOND, looks to his father - nodding. He then
looks back at Spartan. The camera slowly PANS away as we FADE
TO:
INT. CRYOPRISON WESTERN WING - MUCH MUCH LATER
And we're still on Spartan. Cameras pan across to reveal a
more up-to-date console. A date flashes across the screen:
Aug 03 2046.
Pan away to reveal the Prison Wardens, now in grey-like
gowns. Slowly pan across to reveal more prisoners.
ANNOUNCEMENT
"Please note that the parole
hearing for Prisoner Brambilla will
be scheduled at 0900 hours. Senior
Warden William Smithers please make
your way to the parole room."
An aging warden with glasses and a video tablet in his hand
walks across the lower levels. This is a much older WILLIAM
SMITHERS.
On his tablet, the screen flashes up to reveal a young
brunette Police Officer smiling at him. This is LELINA
HUXLEY. Eyes widen with anticipation yet routine.
INT. HUXLEY'S VEHICLE - SAME TIME
Lelina's car is very modern. A computer with several screens
show on the dashboard, and Smithers' face appears in one on
the screen.
She's also not got her hands on the wheel - it's driving
itself.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. CRYOPRISON WESTERN WING - SAME TIME
Smithers smiles.
SMITHERS
Greetings, Lieutenant Lelina
Huxley.
HUXLEY
Good morning Warden William
Smithers. The weather is as
stunning as ever, and as my duty
log requires it: I'm requesting a
status update on the prison
populous. Is the tedium still
maintained?
SMITHERS
Ahh Lieutenant, the tedium is
maintained for a reason. The
prisoners now being ice-cubes means
that we can hope to sustain the
peaceful crime-less tranquility
we've hand for over forty-years.
Nothing happens.
HUXLEY
(sighs)
I find this lack of stimuli
extremely disappointing.
SMITHERS
I would feel disheartened and
disturbed by your comments as I
should do every day - but today I
shall put this down to the
excitement of youth and this being
the day that my services to the
city shall come to a natural end.
HUXLEY
Will you not miss the prison?
SMITHERS
But of course, Lelina Huxley.
However one does require the
natural termination of employment
so that the remaining days of their
lives can be enjoyed in the company
of family.
(smiles)
However, I must go and tend to
further parole hearings. Be well.
HUXLEY
Be well.
END INTERCUT.
Huxley sighs.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
(hopefully)
Lelina Huxley signing on?
L-7
There is no requirement for further
police presence in the city.
Note: L-7 is the city-wide computer network system for the
police. All dialogue comes from everywhere; like the computer
from the Star Trek shows.
Huxley glances at the screen in the middle of the dash - all
L-7's words are written on the screen.
L-7 (CONT'D)
Please report back to the station.
Huxley sighs.
HUXLEY
Self drive on.
The steering wheel suddenly EXPANDS and Huxley grabs the
wheel.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
(sarcastically)
Wow, how exciting.
She glances out the window.
INT. SAN ANGELES STREET - DAY
Huxley's police car, a small electrical vehicle, passes some
buildings - including one saying "Earthquake Memorial Centre"
in a steel entrance sign.
From the ground, a small contraption crops up and SPRAYS
paint onto the sign. Spelling out words.
They say: "FAIRNESS IS A MYTH. ef."
Suddenly, the sign FIRES to life, and the paint is suddenly
wiped off.
The contraption suddenly EXPLODES, causing a few bypassers in
long grey/purple gowns to jump and move away quickly.
POV: PERISCOPE. The people running away, but then ZOOM in
onto a truck delivering food to a restaurant.
VOICE (PRE-LAP)
Look at them. Sloth and gluttony
all mixed into one package.
INT. UNDERGROUND SEWER-PIPE - SAME TIME
Looking into the periscope is a guy in a rag-tag long
overcoat, scruffy hair and a rough beard. This is EDGAR
FRIENDLY. And he's surrounded by people who look ill, hungry
and desperate.
FRIENDLY
They don't know how predictable and
boring they all are, they don't
even know how to survive
properly...
(sighs)
The truck's gone - we'll nab and
grab as much food we can get
tonight.
FOLLOWER
You sure we can do this, Friendly?
FRIENDLY
People are starving. We ain't got
any other choice.
He knocks the periscope upwards.
EXT. SAN ANGELES STREET - MOMENTS LATER
Huxley's car drives past, and then reaches a sign saying the
SAN ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT. Where she follows a line of
cars leading up to a building.
INT. SAPD RECEPTION AREA - MOMENTS LATER
Huxley walks up through automatic glass doors up to the
reception desk, smiling.
HUXLEY
Oh Erwin!
ERWIN, a short red-headed guy with a head set smirks as he
waves a small scanner over her hand.
ERWIN
Lovely-Lelina!
The scanner flashes a green light and Huxley smirks and walks
off.
Erwin suddenly jumps and speaks into his headset.
ERWIN (CONT'D)
(into headset)
Welcome to the San Angeles Police
Department Emergency Line. If you
prefer an automated response, press
'1' now.
INT. SAPD CONTROL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Huxley walks in, waving to some people. She walks and smiles
at an aging black officer at his desk.
HUXLEY
Officer Lamb.
This is ZACHARY LAMB. Only older. And greyer.
LAMB
Huxley! How are you faring on this
day?
HUXLEY
As adequate as one can be.
LAMB
That's my girl.
She carries on, and a Hispanic young man walks up and goes to
high-five Lelina -
- - but stops and they wave their hands together without
actually touching. This is ALFONSO GARCIA.
HUXLEY
Hello fellow officer Alfonso
Garcia, any interesting stuff
happen on the intercom?
GARCIA
Yes actually, there was someone who
accidentally brushed against a
woman of distinguished age with
their transport bike. She nearly
resorted to severe violent measures
in retaliation.
HUXLEY
(eyes widen)
Brutal! Why wasn't there any
communication for supplementary
support?
VOICE (O.S.)
Because there was absolutely no
need to create wide-spread panic,
Lieutenant.
She turns to see CHIEF GEORGE EARLE standing watching her.
Gold round glasses and a bald head distinguish him from
everyone else, and his uniform is one long black overcoat
decorated in achievements.
His face is decorated with annoyance. He walks towards her,
his hands holding each other behind his back. Stern and
straight, looking at people above his frames.
EARLE
In fact, I'm noticing a gradual
trend in your behavioral patterns,
Lieutenant Huxley. I monitored your
comments made to the warden this
morning.
(beat)
Do you really long for chaos and
destruction to reign on our
beautiful city?
Huxley says nothing.
EARLE (CONT'D)
It does disturb me that your mind
could even fathom images like that.
Your obsession with the twentieth
century and it's vulgar ways has
seemingly corrupted your
expectations as a police officer.
Huxley nods.
HUXLEY
Behavior improvement noted, Chief.
I shall assimilate the criticism
and will gain personal growth from
this conversation.
She nods and walks away towards her office. Earle smiles,
slightly chuffed at himself before clapping his hands once.
EARLE
Okay, let's do some policing!
INT. HUXLEY'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Huxley walks in, removes a silver sash around her body and
throws it on a chair.
HUXLEY
(sighs)
Stupid prick.
BEEEEEP.
WARNING SYSTEM (O.S.)
Lelina Huxley - -
(stilted pause)
- - you have been fined one credit
for violating the verbal morality
stature.
Huxley rolls her eyes and grabs a small ticket that has
dispensed from behind.
As she sits at her desk, Garcia follows her into her office.
GARCIA
It worries me when I see stressful
situations like that happen between
fellow officers.
HUXLEY
If that is your definition of
stressful then I'd be displeased to
witness you in a similar occurrence
of events.
GARCIA
Why are you in constant pursuit of
unspeakable acts? Do you not find
life here as fulfilling as I do?
HUXLEY
Life is...good, but it's boring as
he-
(stops herself)
Not as stimulating as I'd thought
it'd be.
Garcia sits down.
GARCIA
We've been here, for months and
we've seen things I'd never thought
we'd see. Things that will haunt
me. You've even been promoted
quickly because of it.
HUXLEY
That was a rogue dirty joke that
was sent to everyone in the city.
He closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. Bad memories.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
Why can't we just have some
excitement?
She slouches back on her chair.
BEEEEP.
WARNING SYSTEM (O.S.)
Posture threat warning for - -
(stilted pause)
- - Lelina Huxley - -
(another pause)
- - your position may result in
long term spinal misalignment. Be
well.
She sits up, glancing at Garcia. Off that, CUT TO:
EXT. COCTEAU INDUSTRIES - MORNING/ESTAB.
Establishing shot of COCTEAU INDUSTRIES. Lovely looking
building.
INT. COCTEAU INDUSTRIES CONFERENCE ROOM - MORNING
A table with several rotating screens on the side looking
upwards to see a man faced away from then, hands holding each
other behind his back.
Pan across the several faces on the screens.
MAN (O.S.)
(face away)
San Angeles is at the forefront of
the modern America. The other 47
State-Cities are following our
lead. Able to bring forth my
father's vision of utopia to
fruition.
He lowers his head.
MAN (CONT'D)
However, we are the first to
achieve near utopian goodness.
He turns around, and there stands a greying man in early
sixties. Tall. Commanding. A sour expression that has stayed
there far too long. This is RAYMOND COCTEAU.
COCTEAU
We've eliminated crime. We've
eliminated temptation. The desire
to dip into our primal urges has
been suppressed - and our city is
much better for it.
He smiles.
COCTEAU (CONT'D)
The President was quoted to say our
State-City was an example of my
father's vision working.
He pauses, takes a step forward and lowers his head before
sighing.
COCTEAU (CONT'D)
In a few months, all 47 Heads of
the other State-Cities, my
equivalents, and the President will
visit our illustrious city - but
we're not ready.
He sits down. A silent rage rocks through his voice during
those last few words.
COCTEAU (CONT'D)
We are plagued by a menance. A
figure of darkness and a stain on
the primal urges that we need to
overcome. You've all seen his name
on our walls. The initials 'E' and
'F' are two letters that cause
panic.
(beat)
I am referring to Edgar Friendly.
He stands again, quickly. Very agitated.
COCTEAU (CONT'D)
He nests under the city, lying in
our foundations attempting to break
them down and undo all the work
we've done to overcome the dark
past that the city, and the country
has done.
Cocteau stands before the screens.
COCTEAU (CONT'D)
Once he is eliminated; we can truly
become the first StateCity - and
Lazare Cocteau's brilliant ideas
will come into their own.
He smiles.
COCTEAU (CONT'D)
Sin will have been eliminated.
And after another smile, FADE TO:
INT. CRYOPRISON WESTERN WING - MORNING
Smithers walks into a room, checks his tablet. He stops, and
stares at the prisoner on a vertical metal slab.
SMITHERS
Is this correct?
He glances to the other officers, who just shrug. After a
deep breath, he shrugs too.
SMITHERS (CONT'D)
So, we have one of our first long
term inmates on parole.
He walks past, revealing it to be PHOENIX. He looks at him
with distaste.
SMITHERS (CONT'D)
Simon Phoenix.
(beat)
Wake him.
The slab jolts forward and a needle is injected into
Phoenix's neck.
Slowly, Phoenix's eyes flutter open and he glances around -
getting his bearings. Smithers walks around him, a bit unsure
how to act.
SMITHERS (CONT'D)
Simon Phoenix. Welcome to 2046, San
Angeles.
PHOENIX
(high pitched)
Welcome to San Angeles.
SMITHERS
You are at duty to partake in a
parole hearing, due to signs that
your behavioral modification has
reached a level of - -
PHOENIX
(same time; mocking)
Can I suck your dick Mr. Phoenix?
I'd like to know whether what they
say about black men is true.
SMITHERS
Shut up! You will speak when you're
spoken too, understand?
Phoenix just smiles.
SMITHERS (CONT'D)
(breathes)
Now, is there anything you want to
say now, Mr. Phoenix?
PHOENIX
Yeah.
(beat)
Teddybear.
The cuffs on the slab OPEN. Phoenix grabs two officers and
SMASHES their heads together before swinging one around and
ramming him through the slab!
Another guard runs up and Phoenix KICKS upwards, catching his
neck -
- and the neck suddenly SNAPS.
Smithers watches in horror as Phoenix traces his eyes on him.
INT. SAPD CONTROL ROOM - SAME TIME
Suddenly all the SCREENS flash with '1-8-7'.
L-7
WARNING. Code 187. Code 187.
Everyone looks up at the screens, completely confused.
Huxley and Garcia walk out of her office, glancing at each
other.
HUXLEY
What's a 187?
L-7
WARNING: Code 187. Unsanctioned
Life Termination.
(beat)
Murder. Death. Kill. Murder. Death.
Kill. Murder. Death. Kill.
Their eyes widen and they look at each other.
HUXLEY
A Murder Death Kill?
INT. CRYOPRISON WESTERN WING - SAME TIME
Smithers's head is SMASHED against a panel. His eyes widen as
a laser scans his eye.
Sliding doors open and Phoenix KICKS his back - breaking it
as he walks out the doors; leaving Smithers to lie in the
doorway. SCREAMING in pain.
SMITHERS
H-how...how did you know the
passwords?
Phoenix turns around, looks at Smithers then heads to the
panel in a swift mechanical movement.
He starts pushing a few buttons on the panel quickly.
PHOENIX
I wish I knew, I do. But I guess
it's the same reason I somehow know
how to do this.
He stops tapping. Smithers looking horrified.
SMITHERS
Do what? Do what?
PHOENIX
This.
One last button - -
- and the doors CLOSE. A scream is heard briefly and it dies
down.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Blame Windows '95.
He walks off.
ANGLE: SECURITY CAMERA.
INT. SAPD CONTROL ROOM - SAME TIME
And the camera sees the body of Warden Smithers in black and
white.
A lot of the officers JUMP up in shock. Garcia looks like
he's about to be ill, Huxley cringes and a just entering
Erwin has fainted.
L-7
Deceased: Warden William Smithers.
Do you wish to assign a coroner?
EARLE
(entering)
What is going on?
Huxley darts to a terminal.
GARCIA
We've got at least three Murder
Death Kills sir!
HUXLEY
(sitting down)
L-7, rewind the security camera
footage half a minute from the exit
from the parole - -
L-7
WARNING: Code 187. Murder. Death.
Kill. Location: CryoPrison car
park. Deceased: Doctor Jonathan
Flatley. Do you wish to assign a
coroner?
Huxley looks up.
HUXLEY
L-7, is the Doctor's conveyance
still in the parking zone?
L-7
Negative. The Doctor's conveyance
is not in the parking zone. It is
currently in motion.
HUXLEY
Activate the emergency override
cameras within Doctor Flatley's
car.
L-7
Negative. Privacy overrides have
been placed.
EARLE
What?
There's a LOT of whispers and looking around. The older Lamb
looking perplexed.
HUXLEY
(typing something else)
Can you get a code fix on the
driver in the car?
L-7
Negative.
A sigh of frustration, she looks to Earle and Garcia who look
completely out-of-their-league.
HUXLEY
L-7, track the conveyance on the
security cameras and let us know
when it stops.
L-7
Certainly Lieutenant Huxley.
Behind her, the screens around the top of the room show a
silver rounded dome car speeding through the city.
Earle moves towards another station, typing something with
one hand.
EARLE
L-7, announce to all officers to
follow and intercept the Doctor's
conveyance
HUXLEY
And can you show the security
camera footage of the attack on
Warden William Smithers?
L-7
Certainly, Lelina Huxley.
The screen showing half of Smithers' body suddenly REWINDS
showing Phoenix killing him, but his face isn't seen. It
freezes, showing Phoenix doing the deed - and the officers
look mortified.
GARCIA
H-how can a human being be capable
of such a deed?
Phoenix turns around and immediate the screen FREEZES and
zooms in on his face.
LAMB
It's Phoenix!
Lamb suddenly goes a little pale, and reaches for his right
arm.
HUXLEY
Who?
LAMB
Simon Phoenix. You had your FBI's
most wanted, your evil
warlords...he was the worst. An
evil that you could only usually
read about. Fiction made flesh.
HUXLEY
You remember him?
Lamb NODS, moving his chair closer.
LAMB
I was a young pilot back then when
they got him. Back in the
twentieth. That was before they
started knocking those codes into
everyone's hand.
(holds left hand up)
You can't track him. If he leaves
that car - then you've lost him for
good.
Huxley bites her lower lip.
HUXLEY
Chief, have the units gone into
pursuit?
EARLE
Yes. I - -
L-7
SPEEDING VIOLATION: Stolen
automotive vehicle has exceeded
limit of 25 kilometres an hour.
GARCIA
25 kilometres an hour? How can
people live at that speed?
Earle glares at him and turns back to the panel.
EARLE
All units maintain pursuit!
He looks towards Huxley, who looks back at the video shot at
Phoenix - a HUGE list of crimes and dates rolling by the side
of him. CROSSFADE TO:
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