dem_man1x01
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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INT. THE UNDERGROUND - LATER
It looks like a miniature city full of people living in old
abandoned subway tunnels. Houses - or at least small living
spaces - litter everywhere on several levels of walkways.
Crowded market stalls of people trying to sell their wares.
There are modified CRANES in the background, and are moving
platforms of people across from one area to another.
On one of the walkways, Spartan and Huxley walk through the
walkways.
HUXLEY
(scrunches nose)
What's that smell?
SPARTAN
(smiles)
Now that's the smell of home,
Huxley.
HUXLEY
I'm quite certain that there's a
unsafe ratio of cleanliness to
toxins in this air.
SPARTAN
Live a little, Huxley. Where's the
excitement if everything's safe?
Huxley looks down. She notices a few people staring at them,
and the people start to point. Then a lot more people look
up.
HUXLEY
Any idea how we're going to find
Edgar Friendly?
Spartan leans forward, looking downwards.
SPARTAN
I think he's going to be finding
us.
HUXLEY
How? This place is huge.
SPARTAN
How often do the SAPD come down
here?
HUXLEY
Never.
Spartan smiles at her.
SPARTAN
Then I'm going to guess that we'll
find him easily.
He glances back down, pretty much all the "Undergrounds" (as
they shall now be referred too) are staring up at him.
INT. THE UNDERGROUND - MAIN HUB - LATER
Now in a crowd of people, Spartan and Huxley are being
hounded on my people trying to sell something.
HUXLEY
No thanks. Thank you, but no.
An old woman speaks SPANISH to Spartan, who looks at the
collection of bracelets in her hands and responds in Spanish.
He stops at some steps to a walkway, seeing Friendly looking
down at him.
Some of the people notice Friendly and suddenly fall SILENT.
Soon this wave of quietness spreads.
Spartan looks around, astonished as he walks up the steps -
Huxley following.
SPARTAN
Now that's what I call commanding
respect.
FRIENDLY
That's not respect, that's people
who are looking towards someone who
they think they can follow.
SPARTAN
Aren't you a leader?
FRIENDLY
I'm no leader. I do the necessary
and then people decide to follow
me.
He then TRAINS a gun on Spartan, several fellow Undergrounds
follow suit.
FRIENDLY (CONT'D)
And I'm suddenly thinking why one
of Cocteau's buttfuck buddies has
come all the way down here.
Spartan looks at the guns. He doesn't react.
SPARTAN
Well for starters, Cocteau can blow
me. And the second is that I'm here
to actually warn you that the tall,
bald asshole wants to kill you.
Beat.
Friendly starts LAUGHING.
FRIENDLY
Well the feeling is mutual. 'Cause
I'd like no more joy than dragging
Cocteau kicking and screaming down
here before shoving this gun up his
ass and firing until my trigger
finger falls of.
And his laugh continues.
SPARTAN
Laugh all you want, but Cocteau's
reached critical mass and is
determined to have you removed.
Friendly looks at Spartan, his lip shape moves to that of
consideration. His trigger finger slackens.
FRIENDLY
How?
Spartan's eyebrows raise and FADE TO:
INT. THE UNDERGROUND - MAIN HUB - LATER
Spartan and Friendly are walking down another walkway with
Huxley behind them with some Undergrounds behind them.
FRIENDLY
So he sprung out America's Most
Wanted just to get to me? I don't
know whether to be flattered
or...well, I'm flattered.
SPARTAN
Don't be. Cocteau's got a huge
obsession and I think he's brain
washed Phoenix as much as he can.
FRIENDLY
And how bad is this guy?
SPARTAN
He's bad. We don't know where he is
- we think he's been hiding out
here.
FRIENDLY
(thoughtful)
Phoenix? Why does that name seem
familiar?
PHOENIX (O.S.)
Because I'm infamous!
They look up and see Phoenix JUMP down onto their walkway.
He looks up, smirking and then smiling.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Oh boy, Two-For-One Special at the
Phoenix buffet. I'm gonna be
getting me some of that gluttony
tonight!
(to Friendly)
You must be Edgar. Nice to meet
you.
FRIENDLY
Back at'cha.
Phoenix then looks towards Spartan.
PHOENIX
I admire your resilience Spartan.
But if you do something stupid like
- I dunno - die by over-exerting
yourself when you should be
recovering, then I'm going to be
one cranky motherf- -
SPARTAN
Oh shut up.
PHOENIX
(sighs)
John, we can talk about our
troubles later. Let the men talk
for now.
And on that he DRAWS out a gun!
Spartan LEAPS forward, knocking the hand up - the gun FIRES
and hits a walkway above them.
Phoenix swings a leg around and PUNCHES Spartan in the
stomach. Still hurting, Spartan feels it a lot more than
usual.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
John, you always leave your stomach
exposed!
He SWINGS him around - knocking him to the side of the
walkway. A swift sharp KICK later and Spartan TOPPLES over
the side - -
- And GRABS a cable for one of the cranes holding a mobile
platform with is left arm!
He SCREAMS as his left arm holds his bodyweight and the crane
moves away from the action.
ON WALKWAY. The Undergrounds aim their guns but Phoenix
quickly GRABS Friendly, pulling another gun. Friendly reacts
quickly, showing some skill and knocking the gun out of his
hand.
The Undergrounds train their guns on Phoenix, but Huxley
pushes them away.
HUXLEY
You might hit Edgar Friendly!
ON SPARTAN. He looks down and the platform is empty. He SLIPS
and quickly GRABS the cable with his RIGHT hand. His body
causing the platform to swing.
ON CRANE CONTROL BOOTH. The DRIVER, a young blonde man snaps
his eyes WIDE when he sees Spartan on the end.
Spartan WAVES towards the walkway with Friendly and Phoenix
on. The driver looks over and can just about see Phoenix and
Friendly fighting.
On seeing Friendly the driver quickly THROWS some levers and
the crane begins to SHIFT it's direction back towards the
walkway - also slowly ascending in height.
ON WALKWAY. Friendly TACKLES Phoenix across to the walkway -
striking Phoenix's back.
PHOENIX
Okay that nearly winded me!
He DOUBLE AXE HANDLES Friendly's back, then STRIKES his chest
with his knee before bring both fists around the side of his
face.
Phoenix DRAGS Friendly across the side of the rails, gritting
his teeth and trying to topple him over. Friendly is trying
to do the same.
Behind them the platform and John are getting closer...
FRIENDLY
You can...tell your boss...that I'm
not going this easily.
PHOENIX
(angry)
Not my boss!
A BURST of energy and he PUSHES him over!
THEN
Edgar GRABS Phoenix and DRAGS him across!
They FALL...
And LAND on the floating platform that zooms upwards!
The platform SWINGS as they both land. Phoenix scrabbles to
his feet first, gaining his balance. He glances up to see
Spartan holding onto dear life as he slowly goes down the
pole.
He walks over to Friendly who has gotten his balance.
The walkway swings to the left. Phoenix kicks from the left
rail and strikes Friendly in the stomach. Friendly retaliates
by grabbing the follow-up kick and PULLING on it.
Phoenix LOSES his balance, but the walkway now swings to the
OTHER SIDE and Phoenix regains his balance and SWINGS a punch
in momentum!
ON SPARTAN. He slides down - ending up to the point where the
cable splits to four for each corner of the platform.
On the WALKWAY Phoenix pulls out a knife as the walkway
slowly begins to level itself out.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Don't take this personally, I'm
just gonna make this quick.
FRIENDLY
(breathing heavily)
Fine. If you do kill me, tell
Cocteau that I hope someone finally
rips his head off.
PHOENIX
Well, another member of the We-Hate
Cocteau fan-club..
FRIENDLY
Personally, I'd like to say that
I'm President.
Phoenix smiles, then laughs. Above him, Spartan is slowly
trying to move into a position.
PHOENIX
You know, I'm not gonna kill you.
(smiles)
Because it'll piss Raymond off. And
the thought of that makes me feel
all tingly and nice inside.
(beat)
Though once he's dead. You're next
on my list.
He then LAUGHS - -
- When Spartan JUMPS down on him!
Phoenix ELBOWS back, and smiles at John.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Never give up do you?
A PUNCH to the face, he throws him onto Friendly.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Should've just shot the cables and
hoped for the best.
He stops, thinks for a moment.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
(slaps forehead)
My God I'm stupid.
SPARTAN
Took you long enough.
PHOENIX
Hey Friendly, looks as if you'll be
dead a lot sooner. 'Cause I'm off
to go and gut me some crinkly old
white-boy.
He waves.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Toodles!
He turns, looks around and RUNS. He JUMPS off the platform -
- and LANDS on a nearby walkway before running.
ON PLATFORM. Spartan watches him walk off.
INT. THE UNDERGROUND - MAIN HUB - MOMENTS LATER
The platform is next to the walkway with Huxley and the other
Undergrounds. Spartan walks straight off.
SPARTAN
Phoenix is after Cocteau, we need
to go.
FRIENDLY
(from behind)
You're not going to stop him, are
you?
Spartan stops and turns around. A beat passes.
SPARTAN
I am. Because I have to.
FRIENDLY
But you're not a fan; he's an
asshole. He deserves to die.
Beat.
SPARTAN
No-one deserves to die. Everyone
has the right to end their life
naturally, but some people can't
seem to grasp that. Even Cocteau.
HUXLEY
Because he's a great man.
SPARTAN
(to her)
No he's not.
(back to Friendly)
Too many people have died, and it
can't be the answer.
I promise you that I'm going to
string Cocteau's ass in public so
everyone can see what a sleezeball
he is, but not yet.
Friendly gives Spartan a look of confusion. His nose is
bleeding.
FRIENDLY
I don't agree.
Remaining silent, Spartan turns and holds his stomach as
Huxley quickly rushes to his aid.
HUXLEY
John Spartan, are you really sure
that Dr. Cocteau's life is in
danger?
SPARTAN
My cop hunch is kicking in, but
it's probably due to the fact he
told me.
HUXLEY
Oh.
(beat)
You're in no shape to go after
Phoenix again! You might suffer an
Unsanctioned Life Termination, and
and more extraneous bodily
injuries...
She looks at him.
HUXLEY (CONT'D)
But that's what cops do, don't
they? They put themselves on the
line - even when they know they
won't come back.
SPARTAN
No.
(beat)
I'm coming back. And I'm gonna be
dragging Phoenix kicking and
screaming.
(smiles)
Let's go.
They walk off. Then, CUT TO:
INT. COCTEAU'S OFFICE - EVENING
Cocteau sits at his desk, looking something on computer
screens when off-screen, the sound of his doors opening are
heard.
COCTEAU
(not looking up)
Not now, Bob.
PHOENIX (O.S.)
Guess again.
Cocteau JUMPS up, seeing Phoenix standing there - holding a
shotgun.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
(glancing at gun)
Amazing what Edgar Friendly's world
allows you to get in such a small
amount of time, isn't it?
Registering this, Cocteau looks to the gun and calms down.
His smug satisfactory smirk appears on his face.
COCTEAU
We've been through this before. You
can't shoot or hurt me. So it's
incredibly redun - -
The CHANDELIER above him CRASHES down on his desk! Smoke
comes from the shotgun's nozzles.
He JUMPS back out of his chair, staring at the new crash site
in front of him.
PHOENIX
Now if you were just a little bit
forward, then you'd be dead. It's
like setting a car on fire that you
and a bunch of other people are
inside. You'll die indirectly.
The smile on Cocteau's face has left the building. Uncertain
fear has moved in.
COCTEAU
Y-you can't possibly believe that
method of thinking will work, do
you?
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. HUXLEY'S VEHICLE - SAME TIME
Huxley drives the car. She's obviously speeding.
AND:
EXT. RANDOM STREET - SAME TIME
Huxley's vehicle overtakes several cars at once.
PHOENIX
Well if I'm honest,I'm looking
forward to finding out.
He reloads the gun.
COCTEAU
But you're not programmed to hurt
me!
PHOENIX
(spitting)
YOU CAN'T REPROGRAM THE MIND!
(beat)
You can't change someone's mind.
You can learn to block emotions,
block feelings and accept certain
things about yourself - but you
can't fully control people.
COCTEAU
I beg to differ. San Angeles is
working out fine.
Huxley's car goes through a red light, and HANDBRAKE TURNS
left sharply.
Inside the car, Spartan holds his left arm. He's not looking
that well.
PHOENIX
People deserve to be able to kill
each other and have sexual
intercourse. Because I believe
that's banned, isn't it?
COCTEAU
(nods)
Yes.
PHOENIX
(laughs)
That because you can't get any,
Raymond?
COCTEAU
(beat)
Are you going to try and kill me or
is this a question and answer
session?
PHOENIX
Oh I'm just curious.
Cocteau sighs.
COCTEAU
Sex crimes have been reduced. The
lack of sexual diseases. There's no
rape - -
Gun cocks.
PHOENIX
Never could stand rapists. They
make me shiver.
COCTEAU
Imagine a world where there is no
crime. There is no rapists. No
guilt. You can find fun elsewhere
due to the reprogramming from the
CryoPrison!
Phoenix listens to this. A long silence follows.
During this, the car pulls up outside Cocteau industries.
Spartan and Huxley walk out. Spartan looks guilty, then uses
the Glo-Rod on Huxley and catches her.
He places her in the car before whispering something in her
ear. He places the Glo-Rod in his belt and then reveals a
gun. It's the same one he got from Taco Bell.
He checks the ammo. Fully loaded.
SPARTAN
Send a maniac to catch a maniac.
He walks to the building.
BACK IN COCTEAU'S OFFICE. Phoenix is listening. Then smiles.
END INTERCUT.
PHOENIX
One problem. You see, guilt is a
choice. Remorse is not a luxury but
an optional extra that's given away
free when God made us.
COCTEAU
God never made you who you are. I
did.
PHOENIX
(shakes head)
I always was a twisted
motherfucker. You just upgraded me.
(beat)
Now, I'm bored!
He SHOOTS the wall next to Cocteau. Cocteau does the sane
thing and RUN, quickly deciding to run up the left staircase,
using the rail for support.
Phoenix SHOOTS at the hand rail and it breaks! Cocteau NEARLY
loses his footing but continues up the stairs.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
(subgs)
You could've fell and broke your
neck!
Phoenix RUNS up after him, aiming a gun towards the upper
platform - which is made of glass.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
(still singing)
And trust me, I'm beginning to like
how dangerous glass can be!
He SHOOTS the ground by a book case and it RIPS through the
glass floor, toppling of the book cases over and sliding over
the rail onto the office below.
Phoenix aims the gun in the air and starts shooting the
chandeliers on the ceiling - causing them to crash to the
ground. It's raining glass.
Cocteau cowers, ducking the hail of glass.
Phoenix SHOOTS the floor and he JUMPS over the rail onto the
office -
THEN
Cocteau FALLS to the side section along with SEVERAL
bookcases.
He lands, and then slowly moves as books rain on him - and
then a BOOKCASE.
The bookcase is stopped by the inner wall of the staircase.
But Cocteau is nowhere to be seen under a pile of books.
Phoenix stares at the rubble - a hopeful smile on his lips.
SPARTAN (O.S.)
Sorry to break up the workplace
meeting.
Sharp 180. Shotgun now aimed at Spartan who has a gun aimed
at Phoenix.
PHOENIX
Are we still gonna do this? Or are
you going to man up and actually
kill me?
SPARTAN
Well why don't you kill me then?
End all this. End years of
bloodshed that's still to come.
PHOENIX
Save the buildings you've yet to
demolish?
SPARTAN
And the people you're going to
hurt. The people you'll kill.
PHOENIX
Thought about it, but it's just too
fun! I just can't explain it, but
just ending lives...why the fuck
are we still talking?
He THROWS his gun down.
Spartan throws his.
They get ready.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
I'm so gonna kick your ass. And I'm
going to enjoy it.
SPARTAN
Not today!
Spartan LEAPS forward, and Phoenix COUNTERS with a blow to
the stomach - -
- which Spartan GRABS and SWINGS it around and connects with
a blow to the face. Screaming in pain as his left arm
strikes.
Phoenix looks up. Lip split.
PHOENIX
Oh I'm gonna enjoy this!
He goes for a KICK but Spartan ducks and TACKLES him to the
ground - punching him in the face and sliding across several
pieces of broken glass near to the shatter raised level.
Phoenix grabs Spartan's left arm and TWISTS it. Hard.
Behind them, there's movement of books as Cocteau slowly
begins to crawl out.
Spartan now SCREAMS in pain and Phoenix THROWS him over head,
landing on the toppled bookcase.
Phoenix stands as Spartan lies on the bookcase, his left arm
near dead.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
C'mon then. Kill me. Kill me. You
know you want to, sweetie. This
marriage of ours - 'Til Death Us Do
Part.
SPARTAN
I'm not like you.
PHOENIX
Oh you are!
He RUNS at Spartan - but Spartan lifts his leg up and KNOCKS
Phoenix OVER - and THROUGH the big glass window!
Phoenix turns - -
- and is suddenly GRABBED by Spartan's LEFT ARM.
Phoenix looks down. There's a huge hundred feet drop down a
waterfall below him.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Haha! Go on John! You know you want
to!
Spartan is STRUGGLING.
SPARTAN
No...I'm not killing you Phoenix!
Every fibre in my being is telling
me it's the right thing, but I know
I'm wrong!
Phoenix laughs THAT laugh. Intent in his eyes.
PHOENIX
Maybe, John - but I know that I can
get to you.
Toothy grin.
PHOENIX (CONT'D)
Until we meet again, John!
He quickly fishes out a KNIFE - -
- and STABS John's LEFT HAND!
John LETS GO.
And Phoenix FALLS!
SPARTAN
PHOENIX!
And he vanishes in a torrent of water...
Spartan turns around, sitting up for a few moments. Unable
able to say anything.
Meanwhile, Cocteau gets to his feet - barely. There's a huge
cut on his head.
He notices Spartan.
COCTEAU
Well that's one problem sorted.
Spartan SNAPS, and DARTS across to Cocteau and SLAMS him
against the desk.
SPARTAN
Listen to me you sick, sick fuck!
You brought him here to save your
twisted vision and now he could
create more damage than you ever
have realised!
COCTEAU
What proof is there of that
accusation, John Spartan?
Spartan pauses then lets go, unsure how to answer. He looks
down, noticing there's still a knife in his left hand.
SPARTAN
I'll get it.
COCTEAU
You won't last long enough. Now
that Phoenix is dead.
SPARTAN
No-one's dead until there's a body.
He walks off, leaving Cocteau to stand there.
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