dem_man1x01
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
previous
| bottom
]
EXT. TACO BELL - MOMENTS LATER
An open delivery truck, some of the motorbike guys are
placing stuff into a bag. They are dressed like the
underground guys from earlier in the day.
Spartan runs up, and a few run away quickly. But Spartan
manages to deliver a PUNCH to one of the guys, and knees him
in the stomach.
He sees a gun on his side and GRABS it quickly, spinning
around knocking the butt on the chin of someone jumping
behind him.
An engine revs up, and a motorbike stands in front of
Spartan.
The driver REVS. Spartan stands quietly.
The bike DRIVES forward -
- then Spartan SIDESTEPS, spins and PUSHES the driver off the
bike. Hitting the ground hard. He stands, hears something. He
grabs his gun, turns
THEN
A GUN is in his FACE.
And it's being held by EDGAR FRIENDLY.
Spartan brings his own gun up before Friendly can act.
Stand off.
The two men stare at each other. Both confused.
FRIENDLY
What's a cop doing with gun.
(beat)
What's a cop doing looking like he
knows how to use a gun?
SPARTAN
What's a civilian doing with a gun?
FRIENDLY
I asked the question first, pal.
SPARTAN
And I have the jurisdiction to kick
your ass without charge, pal.
Friendly smiles.
FRIENDLY
Look at you, the San Angeles knight
in shining white armour.
SPARTAN
My armour isn't white. But don't
get me wrong, I appreciate the
compliment.
Spartan glances over, seeing some of Friendly's friends run
off - carrying bags of supplies from the truck.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
Wait a sec...
HUXLEY (O.S.)
Spartan?
Spartan LOOKS away, then Friendly runs off. Spartan watches
him run off, as Cocteau, Bob, Bob's date Sharie and Earle
walk up along with the other guests. Huxley is excited.
SPARTAN
Chief, who were they?
COCTEAU
They're the underworld come out to
pry.
Everyone turns to Cocteau.
COCTEAU (CONT'D)
They refuse to live in peace and
instead starve to death
underground. The man who held a gun
at you was Edgar Friendly. A scurge
that needs to be removed sooner
rather than later.
BOB
They're the only real criminal
element left in San Angeles.
Spartan looks to where Friendly went. Brow looking stern.
HUXLEY
Oh my that was amazing! Better than
disc! You're going to have to teach
me how - -
SPARTAN
This isn't fun, Huxley. You think
living in a world where you had to
do that all day everyday is
exciting? That everything is black
and white? Violence doesn't solve
anything. Well maybe, but - -
(to Cocteau)
- - not when it's people looking
for food!
Cocteau says nothing.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
Yeah. I just got an example of the
equality policy tonight, so thank
you for this lovely and
enlightening experience.
Beat.
BOB
Maybe we should go? End this
evening?
SHARIE
Gladly. Any more time with this old
decrepit fossil and I'll - -
Two BULLET HOLES in her chest.
Everyone goes HYSTERICAL.
Spartan looks upwards, looking towards the entrance of the
restaurant on a huge glass shelter is PHOENIX, holding a
rifle.
ON PHOENIX. He reloads.
PHOENIX
Shit. I was aiming for the old
dude.
He grabs his machine gun. Aims.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
HEY! I DIDN'T SAY YOU COULD RUN!
Then AIMS blindly at some people running away.
ON SPARTAN he quickly dashes across around the side of the
delivery truck while Huxley almost-grabs Cocteau.
HUXLEY
Come with me sir!
He turns and follows her, passing Bob who's CRYING over
Sharie's body.
COCTEAU
Hurry up!
Bob turns, seeing Cocteau and Huxley run off. With one last
look at Sharie, he goes after them.
Elsewhere, Earle looks very frightened. He takes a breath,
then:
EARLE
Ladies! Gentlemen! Please follow -
He's interrupted by a barrage of machine gun bullets.
On PHOENIX.
PHOENIX
Why in God's name can't I hit him?
SPARTAN (O.S.)
Because you suck!
Phoenix looks up to see Spartan on a higher storey window
JUMP out and SLIDE down the diagonal glass!
He jumps towards Phoenix -
- but he counters and throws him onto the glass! He then
trains a gun in Spartan's face.
Spartan stops struggling.
PHOENIX
Now, I couldn't fathom for the life
of me why I just can't pull the
trigger. Why I couldn't just kill
you at the museum. Then it struck
me: it'll be too easy.
He leans forward.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
And it'll end up disappointing if
it happens too quickly.
He PUNCHES Spartan then KICKS him in the gut with his heel.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Plus you're slow in your old age.
He then SHOOTS the rifle into his LEFT ARM!
Spartan GRUNTS in pain, holding his left arm.
Phoenix lies down, resting next to Spartan.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
The death penalty was always a shit
idea, why not slowly drive the bad
people into insanity? Because
you're a bad person John. You
killed thirty innocent people.
Death would be a release, which is
why they made those fridges so that
you would relive those people you
killed.
He rolls over and STRADDLES Spartan's stomach.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Your death will be a slow one,
Johnny. You're going to be alive
for a long time, but your death
starts now. Because I will torment,
hurt you to the point of death -
but you'll be ninety-six years of
age and a fucking vegetable in
infinite pain before I finally plug
the plug by suffocating you as you
literally kiss my wrinkly old ass.
Then he LAUGHS. That haunting pyschopathic laugh.
SPARTAN
One problem.
PHOENIX
What's that?
SPARTAN
I'm better than you.
PHOENIX
(smiles)
Is that right?
SPARTAN
Yeah.
And Spartan PUNCHES Phoenix with his left arm, yelling in
pain as he does so! He PUSHES Phoenix off him, but Phoenix
drags on Spartan's arm - giving a quite swift blow to the
stomach.
Spartan gets a kick to the face, dazing him. Phoenix moves
away, taking a few steps back.
He gives a few more kicks to the stomach and Spartan flies
face down, hardly moving.
Phoenix takes a few steps back, moving on the top of the
entrance.
He FIRES at the glass in several places. As it begins to
crack, he runs off and leaves Spartan lying on the roof.
EXT. TACO BELL PARKING - SAME TIME
Huxley ushers Cocteau and Bob towards a white limousine, a
driver opening the door for them.
HUXLEY
You should go now sir.
COCTEAU
Thank you...
HUXLEY
Lieutenant Lelina Huxley, sir!
COCTEAU
(smiles)
Yes, yes...
Bob gets into the car.
COCTEAU (CONT'D)
I shall leave you to your job.
And on that he steps into the back of the car and the driver
goes around to the front as Huxley runs off as fast she can
in high heels.
EXT. TACO BELL - SAME TIME
Spartan slowly comes to. He looks around, trying to get his
bearings - realising where he is.
His eyes widen as he tenses. The cracks in the glass begin to
increase...
INT. COCTEAU'S LIMOUSINE - SAME TIME
Cocteau sits down, fuming.
COCTEAU
I don't believe this!
Bob just looks vacantly blank.
DRIVER
Where to sir?
COCTEAU
Anywhere other than here!
DRIVER
Of course - -
GUN SHOT. The Driver slumps away from instant broken glass.
The front doors open and Phoenix appears, holding a gun
trained on Cocteau.
PHOENIX
I can't miss from here.
COCTEAU
(mocking)
I severely doubt that.
Phoenix TENSES up. Trying to pull the trigger. But he can't.
PHOENIX
Why can't I blow your brains out
all over the back seat?
COCTEAU
I don't know. Why can't you?
Phoenix GRITS his teeth. Cocteau's smile grows into a smug
arrogant satisfaction. And on that, CUT TO:
EXT. TACO BELL - SAME TIME
A crowd of people are staring at Spartan and a fifteen foot
drop through soon-to-be-broken glass.
He slowly tries to move forward. But the glass continues to
slowly break.
On ground level, Huxley runs up, seeing Spartan on the roof.
Spartan looks down. Takes a deep breath.
SPARTAN
Oh hell.
He then ROLLS over, and the roof SMASHES.
He FALLS THROUGH. Landing on his back onto broken glass.
Huxley gets to his side, noticing a lot of cuts and bleeding.
HUXLEY
Someone request an ambulance!
A few people just look at each other, unaware about what to
do.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
God dammit someone call an
ambulance!
She looks down on Spartan, biting her lower lip.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
C'mon John Spartan...
And on his unconscious body slowly FADE TO:
INT. CRYOPRISON WESTERN WING - ???
Several cells float across frame. Showing different inmates
in differing positions. In the distance a SLOW METHODICAL
BANGING can be heard.
The frame stops on SPARTAN's cell. He's in it - but he's
moving.
In front of him is the back of the head a woman with blonde
hair. FAST WIPE TO:
INT. BEDROOM - ???
Dark blue night. Dark blue sheets. Two bodies intertwining in
love.
The male is Spartan. The female is now revealed to be a
strong female face with blue eyes.
This is Spartan's wife. LAURA SPARTAN.
LAURA (V.O.)
(a whisper)
Why do you do what you do?
SPARTAN (O.S.)
Because it needs to be done.
Off that, JUMP CUT TO:
EXT. WAREHOUSE ROOFTOP - ???
Spartan is REPEATEDLY shooting an infinite amount of random
men of Simon Phoenix.
PHOENIX (O.S.)
Now what exactly is the difference -
Spartan TURNS sharply -
And PHOENIX stands there. Smiling.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Between you and me? You've killed
men of mine in the heat of battle.
I can argue the same thing.
SPARTAN
It's innocent civilians you've
killed.
PHOENIX
And you've killed. And you want to
do it again.
SPARTAN
No I don't.
PHOENIX
(laughs)
Well you want my head on a pike to
parade around town. You're just a
chicken to do anything about it!
Beneath them, the warehouse starts to erupt in flames.
Spartan says nothing.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
C'mon John. Get a conscience.
Spartan takes a few steps forward and PUNCHES Phoenix! The
flames RISE up and engulf the both of them.
INT. VOID - ???
And Spartan - frozen in the same position he was in the cell -
floats in nothingness.
SPARTAN (V.O.)
A one man army against Phoenix, it
was inevitable that someone had to
get caught in the crossfire...
INT. WAREHOUSE - ???
Spartan runs up towards a door, looking through a window to
see thirty faceless people SCREAMING.
INT. HOSPITAL WARD - DAY
And he SHOOTS awake, jerking forward in a cold sweat.
He looks around, noticing himself in a hospital ward with a
bunch of screens and scanners trained on his body.
He looks around, noticing glass internal walls and that his
body is covered in stitches. His left arm is in a sling.
The last thing he notices is a sleeping HUXLEY lying on a
small chair.
LAMB (O.S.)
Been there pretty much for twenty
four hours. Good kid.
Spartan sees Zachary Lamb standing in the entrance to his
ward. He walks forward, nodding towards Spartan's left arm.
LAMB (CONT'D)
Considering all the nick-nacks,
gadgets, automated systems and
coding in 2046 - it amazes me that
they still haven't really come up
with a faster way to heal broken
bones.
Looking at his arm, Spartan sighs.
SPARTAN
Am I a bad person?
LAMB
With your arrest rate? One thousand
criminals in two years - you
kidding me?
SPARTAN
I asked whether I was a good
person, not a good cop. There's a
difference.
Lamb walks forward, lifts a chair effortlessly with his
robotic arm; which is an interesting sight for a man his age.
He sits down slowly, smiling at Spartan.
LAMB
For years I blamed you for what
happened in the warehouse.
SPARTAN
It was my fault.
LAMB
No, not the hostages. This.
He raises his arm.
LAMB (CONT'D)
Dreams of helicopter piloting ended
that night. My career started and
my arm was injured beyond repair.
They said it was because it lowered
my reaction time.
(sighs)
I think it was because I decided to
help you. Helped your one man
crusade that finally went too far.
(chuckles)
I would stare at your cell for
hours, cursing your name.
I left the force - even got your
wife and your daughter - -
SPARTAN
I have a daughter?
(beat)
Or had...a daughter.
Lamb winces. Too much information.
LAMB
Then the Earthquake hit. I helped
out and then I saw that bad things
happen, but people have to do their
best in a bad situation.
SPARTAN
What's your point?
LAMB
You were an old fashioned cop, who
clashed with superiors and did
things his way but got things done.
People slept a little more soundly
after you did what you did. The
Demolition Man did his work.
SPARTAN
But at what cost did it affect me?
I've killed men during the Urban
Wars - that's the same as Phoenix.
LAMB
I guess some men just have to be
like that. Just like the only way I
can see Phoenix being caught is
when he's dead.
Spartan lies back, deep in thought.
In the corner, Huxley begins to stir; eyes opening.
LAMB (CONT'D)
I think I'll leave the two of you
alone.
Lamb nods to him, and then to Huxley before walking out of
the room. Spartan just leans back; deep in thought.
HUXLEY
I honestly thought that you were
prematurely terminated for a second
there.
SPARTAN
Yeah I thought I history as well.
Huxley smiles at him, looking strangely concerned.
HUXLEY
How are you feeling?
SPARTAN
Like I dropped nearly twenty feet
onto shards of glass.
HUXLEY
Oh good.
He raises an eyebrow.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
I mean, at least you didn't feel
any worse predisposition.
SPARTAN
I'm going to pretend that I
understood that.
HUXLEY
But really, how are you feeling?
Spartan sits up, mind halfway somewhere else.
SPARTAN
I don't remember Phoenix having
skills like martial arts, accessing
computers and basically being a
bigger pyscho than he used to be. I
wake up and I get an itching for a
cross-stich!
Huxley looks at him.
HUXLEY
Hmm...let's check something.
(turns)
Activate L-7. Lieutenant Lelina
Huxley signing on.
The screen at the end of Spartan's ward flashes.
L-7
Connecting to San Angeles Police
Department Network. Be Well
Lieutenant.
HUXLEY
Be well.
Spartan raises an eyebrow at that. Huxley just shrugs.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
Access CryoPrison parole files,
Simon Phoenix. Behaviour
modification tables.
The screen flashes up, showing a profile image of Simon
Phoenix and a list of additional neural programming.
L-7
Accessing list of behavioral
suggestions and skills for - -
Simon Phoenix.
(lists)
Combat training. System access.
Computer hacking. Murder-Death
Kill.
L-7 continues to run through these.
HUXLEY
What...this can't be right?
SPARTAN
Who has access to change these?
HUXLEY
Well Mr. Cocteau and Warden
Smithers...
SPARTAN
(thoughtfu)
What if...
Spartan leans forward.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
(points to mouth)
Do I?
(Huxley nods)
L-7, can you - -
L-7
Parole file for Simon Phoenix is
being deleted. Displaying list of
all paroled inmates.
SPARTAN
What?
HUXLEY
Deleted?
Spartan's eye narrow.
SPARTAN
Someone's covering their tracks.
(focused)
L-7, display security camera
footage of Taco Bell Carpark around
nine thirty last night.
The screen flashes quickly to see recognisably Phoenix shoot
the driver from outside and get in the car.
Then the screen JUMPS back.
L-7
Archive footage has been deleted.
HUXLEY
On who's authority?
L-7
That information is classified,
Lieutenant.
SPARTAN
Is Raymond Cocteau still alive?
L-7
Doctor Raymond Cocteau, our
illustrious leader, is alive and
well John Spartan.
Spartan leans back.
SPARTAN
Phoenix didn't escape. His escape
was planned.
Huxley seems to go immediately white.
HUXLEY
You're not suggesting...
Spartan smirks.
SPARTAN
It's like hiring out a contract
killer without the payment.
Huxley shakes her head.
HUXLEY
Doctor Cocteau wouldn't unleash a
menace on the city! He wouldn't
want anyone...
SPARTAN
L-7, cross reference Raymond
Cocteau with Edgar Friendly. Give
me any news items like, uh...news
programmes if you still have them.
The screen flashes and suddenly a video of a press conference
outside of Cocteau Industries.
COCTEAU (ON SCREEN)
...And I will not rest until
measures are put in place to remove
Friendly's criminal element from
San Angeles.
SPARTAN
Handy L-7 starts at the point which
re-iterates my point.
(smiles)
Good girl.
Huxley sits back, shaking her head.
HUXLEY
No...I can't believe it. Not Doctor
Cocteau.
SPARTAN
The evidence was deleted.
All she can do is shake her head as Spartan gets to his feet.
HUXLEY
What are you doing? You're in no
shape to be moving!
SPARTAN
I'm a lot stronger than I look,
Huxley.
HUXLEY
That maybe, but you can't...
SPARTAN
Look, Phoenix is going to be
killing someone who is doing
basically what he can to survive.
Plus stopping the death of Edgar
Friendly will piss Cocteau off.
Which I'm all in favour of doing.
(beat)
And there shouldn't be anymore
death. Not by Phoenix's hand.
Huxley looks concerned as Spartan just gives her a 'look'.
EXT. STREET - LATER
Standing above a man-hole cover, Spartan opens up the huge
cover. His sling has gone from his left arm. Watching this is
Huxley, and both are wearing their uniforms.
HUXLEY
Are you sure you want to go down
there?
He looks up, smiles then nods.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
What about your arm?
SPARTAN
(shrugs)
It's only pain, Huxley.
He looks down.
SPARTAN (CONT'D)
Now are you coming?
HUXLEY
How do you know that Edgar Friendly
hasn't had his life terminated yet?
SPARTAN
We don't. But it's our biggest
lead.
He moves across, and slowly goes into the man-hole.
[
top
| previous
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.