Genres: Drama, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Futuristic, Cat and Mouse

18: Drug references, sex references, language, violence, descriptive injuries

Written by Rafael Simpson

(RAFAEL SIMPSON © 2022-2025)

FADE IN:

EXT. ANESS CITY — SUNRISE

On a replica earth, in the Alpha Centauri System there is a city. A cold steel mess, with neon lights and tall skyscrapers that reach through the clouds, clouds which hardly let any light through.

We see these buildings and crowded streets full of signs and holograms. Time cannot be told by the sky as it is always dark on these levels.

We are transported through this city, Aness City…

CUT TO:

INT. APARTMENT — MORNING

Hologram starts up.

CEO (HOLOGRAM)
G-g-goodmorning, children. Get r-r ready to start the d-day!

ERIC REID is lying in bed. He looks up, awoken by the hologram.

He looks at the half-broken hologram-transmitter in disgust and begrudgingly gets up.

He puts on a workers uniform and walks to a fridge. There is nothing but single nutrient bars.

He pulls out one, takes it out the packaging and throws the wrapper to the bin which is full of these wrappers.

On the counter next to the fridge is a book; a diary. It doesn’t have a name on the front just a dash. He does not know his name.

CEO (HOLOGRAM) (CONT’D)
G-g-goodmorning, children. Get r-r ready to start the d-day!

The hologram repeats in the background. We hear and feel the shaking of a train go past the apartment. Eric walks up to his window, eating his bar as the train passes. We see the streets below filled with neon signs and people — each eye capturing. The hologram continues in the background.

CEO (HOLOGRAM) (CONT’D)
G-g-goodmorning, children. Get r-r ready to start the d-day!

Eric looks back at the hologram-transmitter. He leaves his apartment.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET

Eric walks down the street. A random person bumps into him.

RANDOM PERSON
(in alien language)
Hey! Look where you’re going!

ERIC
(in same alien language)
You bumped into me?

The random person starts walking away. Eric kisses his teeth, tutting at the person, then keeps walking.

The streets are filled with aliens and humans, all seemingly getting along.

Eric passes an alley and stops. There are citizens being arrested by police officers. A flying drone scans their faces.

DRONE
Cell capacity full.

Eric keeps looking.

The drone starts beeping and shoots the arrested citizens. They all fall to the ground.

Eric winces as he sees the murder, his face lit up by the red flash of the drone’s shots. Eric shakes his head before walking away. The officers drag the dead bodies to the side of the alley.

CUT TO:

EXT. ARMAND CORP. CONSTRUCTION AREA — DAY

Eric walks towards the building. It’s massive stature is intimidating. He walks through the main doors.

CUT TO:

INT. MODEAN CORP. CONSTRUCTION AREA

Eric is standing on an elevator, plummeting to the depths, down to the UNDER-LEVELS.

The elevator stops and Eric gets off. He walks into a room filled with wires and construction workers. He walks to his designated position.

ERIC
Hey Bo-ri.

BO-RI is an alien.

BO-RI
847! How are you dear friend?

ERIC
Ah you know, could be better.

Eric and Bo-ri both chuckle.

BO-RI
You will be better. The CEO just confirmed yearly bonuses this year —

ERIC
(surprised and quick)
Seriously? I didn’t think they were actually going to happen. I mean all the rumours —

BO-RI
847, boy, calm down, you’re going to give me headache. Now pass me that torch.

Bo-ri points to a blow-torch at Eric’s feet. Eric passes it, and they both start working.

ERIC
But bonuses? I can’t believe that. I might actually be able to make the trip.

BO-RI
I know boy, you threw quite the tantrum when you didn’t make enough last year.

ERIC
What else was I going to do? I let go of that promotion just so I could leave.

BO-RI
I know, I know. This year will be your lucky year I guess.

Bo-ri smiles at Eric.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET — NIGHT

Eric walks with Bo-ri through the crowds. They comes up to a street vendor, selling out of a stall. Bo-ri is in front of Eric in the queue. He orders first.

VENDOR
Next!

BO-RI
One Talid.

VENDOR
Name?

The Vendor has their hand ready to write up Bo-ri’s order.

BO-RI
Bo-ri.

VENDOR
Wait by the side. The Vendor gestures their head to the side of the stall.

VENDOR (CONT’D)
Next!

Eric comes closer.

ERIC
One Talid too.

VENDOR
Name?

ERIC
847.

Unlike Bo-ri, the Vendor doesn’t write Eric’s number down immediately. They look up at Eric.

VENDOR
Damn cyborgs.

The Vendor spits on the ground in front of Eric. They gesture their head to the side, just like with Bo-ri. Eric walks to Bo-ri.

ERIC
You’re sure you don’t want to come with me? Surely you have enough for a ticket?

BO-RI
Perhaps my friend, but this is my home, where am I to go if not here?

Eric thinks for a moment.

VENDOR
Here’s your food Bo-ri.

The Vendor gently passes the food to Bo-ri. It is a box.

The Vendor picks up another box and throws it at Eric, hoping that it would go all over Eric, but Eric manages to catch it properly.

VENDOR (CONT’D)
That’s your last meal from here! Stay away!

Bo-ri looks concerned at Eric but ushers him away, being able to see that he is saddened by the Vendor.

CUT TO:

INT. ERIC’S APARTMENT — FOLLOWING MORNING

Eric wakes up again.

CEO (HOLOGRAM)
G-g-goodmorning, children. Get r-r ready to start the d-day!

He lies in bed looking up at the dim lit ceiling. The lights in his room automatically come on, getting brighter and brighter.

He sighs and gets up, turning the hologram off. He is fed up with it.

He walks into his bathroom and turns on the water to his shower. He starts showering but the water suddenly stops and the lights go out.

Out of the darkness the light of a flashlight comes on — ERIC is holding it, now fully dressed.

He grabs a bar from the fridge and walks towards the door.

CUT TO:

INT. APARTMENT HALL

Eric comes out of his apartment. He starts walking towards the stairs.

Two alien tenants are shouting at a service robot. The hall is lit up by only the service robot’s lights.

ANGRY TENANT 1
Why can’t you fix it? Fix it now!

SERVICE ROBOT
I am sorry sir, I am unable to fix the energy —

ANGRY TENANT 2
Why not? What do we even pay you for?!

Eric walks past them, ignoring their shouting and just continuing on with his flashlight.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE

Eric stands on carriage, getting pushed around by other passengers.

CUT TO:

EXT. MODEAN CORP. CONSTRUCTION AREA — DAY

Eric walks down the street. The building is in sight, looming over him.

CUT TO:

INT. MODEAN CORP. CONSTRUCTION AREA

Eric comes to his designated position. He looks around for Bo ri but he is nowhere to be seen.

CUT TO:

INT. ERIC’S APARTMENT — FOLLOWING MORNING

Eric wakes up again.

CEO (HOLOGRAM)
G-g-goodmorning, children. Get r-r ready to start the d-day!

Eric picks up the hologram-transmitter and throws it against the wall. It stops for a moment, then…

CEO (HOLOGRAM) (CONT’D)
G-g-goodmorning, children. Get r-r ready to start the d-day!

ERIC
Shut up!!!

Eric gets up and leaves his apartment immediately.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE

Eric looks around the carriage. It is emptier this early. He sees a free space and he sits down, lying back into his seat to relax.

CUT TO:

EXT. MODEAN CORP. CONSTRUCTION AREA — DAY

Eric walks through front doors.

CUT TO:

INT. MODEAN CORP. CONSTRUCTION AREA

Eric comes into the room and sees Bo-ri.

Bo-ri is standing close to the edge of the room; there are no railings, just a clear drop deeper into the UNDER-LEVELS.

There are holograms of THE CEO everywhere.

CEO (HOLOGRAM)
K-k-keep up the g-good work-k my children.

Harsh blue lights shine upon everyone. Eric walks up closer to Bo-ri.

ERIC
Hey Bo-ri what are you doing?

Bo-ri turns around, he looks Eric in the eye with tears.

BO-RI
I am sorry my friend.

ERIC
Sorry about what? I don’t understand. Come help me with this —

Bo-ri pushes Eric to the ground and falls backwards himself, plunging into the abyss of the UNDER-LEVELS.

ERIC (CONT’D)
NOOO! BO-RI!!!

Eric crawls to the edge, watching Bo-ri fall into darkness. Eric stands up, his face frozen. He can’t avert his eyes from the void.

In the distant, deep below, blinking lights start rising.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(to himself)
Bo-ri?

The blinking lights keep rising, raising rapidly towards Eric. He takes a step back. The lights are extremely close. They are drones. The drones reach Eric’s level and hover, their guns pointed at him.

DRONE
Suspect identified as MW-847. MW 847 raise your hands. You are under arrest by the Aness Police Department. Put your hands up.

Eric puts his hands up. They shake slightly as he is now both upset and nervous.

ERIC
W-what? I didn’t do anything?

DRONE
Please remain silent, whilst we scan for capacity.

Eric looks worried. He looks back to the exit door of the room, through which the elevator shaft is.

DRONE (CONT’D)
Searching… Searching… Cell capacity full.

Eric’s face drops.

The drones’ gun arms begin whirring up.

Eric turns and runs towards the door, running through and shutting it as they follow him. He locks it but the drones start shooting at him.

He sees the elevator shaft and sees stairs.

He passes the stairs and runs straight to the elevator. He presses the button.

A drone bursts through the door he locked earlier.

DRONE (CONT’D)
Halt! Halt! You are under arrest. If you do not comply, we will use lethal force!

Eric frantically presses the buttons and the elevator door closes on the drone’s face.

He looks behind him to see a massive drop into the UNDER LEVELS. The elevator starts going downwards

ERIC
What? No, no, no, no! Up, go up!

Eric tries to press all the buttons which would allow him to raise to the UPPER-LEVELS.

Drones are falling after the elevator with sirens on. They shoot at the elevator, breaking a whole in the ceiling.

Eric frantically presses against a safe side of the elevator.

A drone bursts into the hole, but it is not big enough for it to go all the way through. It shoots randomly and Eric gets scared, running to the doors and presses the ‘open button’.

Eric jumps out and the doors close behind him, sending the elevator plummeting into the depths. He sees the stairs and starts running up them to correct his mistake of going down before.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(to himself)
Why me? What did I do?!

He hears drones flying down the stairs above, accompanied by sirens.

Eric runs out onto an open-plan floor and sees an adjacent building.

He runs through the floor, drones now pouring out of the stairs, and he jumps, successfully landing on the other buildings roof.

He gets shot at by drones and officers alike, but none hit.

Eric jumps down some steps, hitting his arm, and keeps running down a skybridge towards a station.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRAIN STATION

Eric gets on train amongst a crowd. He sees police through the crowd.

They see him as he gets on the carriage but it’s too late and they miss him. Eric sighs and sits back into a chair.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET

Eric walks past police, who are holding up wanted posters of Eric. He quickly rushes to his building and walks through the front doors.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKYLINE

A clean and sleek ship flies through the grimy and foggy atmosphere. It’s the car of the CEO. It stops on a balcony dock. A servant opens the door and guides the CEO out.

CUT TO:

INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT

The CEO walks through a hall accompanied by servants. He is noticed by a clerk and two officers are sent to escort the CEO to a fancy office.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMISSIONER OFFICE

The office is vastly different to the rest of the station. It is much like the CEO’s ship, with lots of perfect whites and golds.

COMMISSIONER
Mr Armand! It is so good to see you.

The pair shake hands with the captain putting his hand on CEO Armand’s shoulder/arm.

CEO ARMAND
(smiling)
And you too commissioner!

COMMISSIONER
I am so sorry to call you so late here, but I thought you would want to talk about this in person before we do any more.

The commissioner sits at his desk while CEO Armand sits on a pristine white chair in front.

COMMISSIONER (CONT’D)
This person who killed the worker was a worker too yes?

CEO ARMAND
From the footage you sent me, it looks like a worker. Which means commissioner, that you are going to need to work twice as hard to make the public forget that fact. I’ve seen your billboards, could you not have removed the mention of him being a worker before you ignorantly plastered his face across holo-boards?

COMMISSIONER
(apologetically)
I’m sorry sir. It will not happen again.

CEO ARMAND
Of course it won’t. You know what would happen if you did make the same mistake again.

CEO Armand gestures to one of his servants who reveals a blaster underneath their blazer.

COMMISSIONER
(nervously)
I understand.

CEO Armand gestures for his other servant to come to him, and the servant hands him a translucent screen.

CEO ARMAND
Here.

On the screen, Eric is depicted, alongside his worker number: ‘MW-847’, as well as his address.

COMMISSIONER
This is a recent address?

CEO ARMAND
Yes.

CEO Armand stands up and fixes his suit.

CEO ARMAND (CONT’D)
You know what to do.

CEO Armand leaves the office with his servants. The commissioner picks up the phone.

COMMISSIONER
Send a squad of officers to this address… I am sending it over now. Shoot to kill.

The commissioner hangs up the phone and turns around, looking out of his window as he sees the CEO’s ship fly off into the disgusting distance.

CUT TO:

INT. APARTMENT HALL — AFTERNOON

Eric runs down his hall. The power is back on. Its harsh blue light which follows him.

CUT TO:

INT. ERIC’S APARTMENT

Eric looks around, his lights don’t work despite the hall lights working.

He flicks the switch vigorously before giving up and relying on street light to see.

ERIC
(to himself quietly)
What do I need?

He searches his closet and finds some different clothes which he changes into.

He runs past the counter and his nameless diary is visible. He grabs what he can.

CUT TO:

INT. APARTMENT HALL

Eric walks out and sees an officer coming out of the staircase facing away from Eric.

Eric walks backwards carefully and looks to his right to see another apartment door. It’s slightly ajar.

He slowly opens it and slightly closes it behind him, leaving a crack to look out from.

CUT TO:

INT. STRANGERS APARTMENT

He crouches by the door and sees the police knock on his own apartment door.

One officer looks down the hallway towards him so he shuts the door. He turns around to see a small girl.

GIRL
(weakly)
Tengo hambre.

Eric stands up and looks around the barren apartment. There is no one else there.

He tries to turn on the light but it does not work either.

GIRL (CONT’D)
(weakly)
Senor, hambre. Por favor…

ERIC
No sorry. I don’t…

The girl tugs at his trousers.

Eric picks up the small girl and holds her in his arm. She yawns and rest her head onto his chest. He is shocked at how quickly she got comfortable.

He opens the fridge and looks through the drawers. There is nothing but a tin packet.

He pulls it out and it has some alien language on it. He looks around using the fridge light to see and finds a microwave.

He places the packet in and starts cooking it. He looks for a bowl and fork.

Eric carefully walks to the front living space and sets the girl down on the empty floor in front of an old tv. He tries to switch it on which it surprisingly does and the girl stares at the screen.

He grabs the food and hands it over to her. She sits contently watching and eating.

He wraps a blanket around her back and sits down at an adjacent wall watching her.

He slumps down and puts his head between his knees.

TIME CUT:

INT. STRANGERS APARTMENT — LATER

Eric looks out of windows, looking at the always busy streets below.

He decides to search the rooms, the first two are empty but he walks into the third, greeted by an overdosed mother.

He checks her pulse and looks back towards the door. There are visible flies. She has been dead for days.

Eric sees a spare bag of drugs on the floor and picks it up, stuffing it into a pocket of his coat.

TIME CUT:

INT. STRANGERS APARTMENT — EVENING

Eric opens the front door slightly and sees one officer.

OFFICER 1
There’s no one here commissioner, we’ve searched everything. What do you want us to do?

Eric closes the door and hears muffled voices before silence.

He opens the door again and sees no police. He looks towards his door which is covered in police tape.

He looks back to the girl who has finished eating and now lays asleep on the floor.

Eric picks her up and places her into a small sofa at the back of the room. He walks to the phone and calls it.

DISPATCHER’S VOICE
Authority line, what is your emergency?

Eric stays silent for a moment.

ERIC
(softly)
Come help.

Eric drops the phone and leaves the apartment.

DISPATCHER’S VOICE
Sir? Sir? Are you still there? We’re sending a dispatch to your location. Everything will be okay. Hello?..

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET

Eric is walking through the streets again, his hood is up to cover his face.

Everywhere he looks he seems to find happy families and couples. The streetlights are warm with glowing pinks and purples.

Eric comes up to someone standing by a building. It is the drug-dealer from earlier.

ERIC
(looking around)
You mentioned there was a way off world?

DRUG-DEALER
Yeah. You’re in trouble. I’ve seen the posters man.

ERIC
Does it matter to you?

DRUG-DEALER
Look man, I don’t care. But I may need a little incentive to tell you what I know.

Eric empties his pockets, handing over all the money he has on him. He feels the bag of drugs but puts it back.

DRUG-DEALER (CONT’D)
This isn’t enough man? Do you not have anymore?

ERIC
How much do you need?? That’s all I have on me.

The drug-dealer looks around.

DRUG-DEALER
There’s an ATM. Take something out.

ERIC
Fine.

Eric walks over to the ATM uses his identity chip and takes out money.

CUT TO:

INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT

We see a light blink on a dispatchers screen.

DISPATCHER
Sending squad now to 44th and 57th street, identification device used by Eric Reid.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY SKYLINE

Police ships fly quickly through the sky.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET

Eric hands over all the money he had left in his account.

DRUG-DEALER
This is enough. You want to go to the Ortain District —

ERIC
Under-levels?

DRUG-DEALER
Is there a problem with that?

Eric shakes his head.

DRUG-DEALER (CONT’D)
There’s a man down there. He owns a deluxe lust-house. A proper businessman. He knows a way off world, but it will definitely cost you more than you paid me. So I wouldn’t expect to get off-world —

Police start shouting and shooting in the air. Sirens turn on, appearing from nowhere.

Eric looks around wearily and cowers as police shoot towards them. The drug-dealer pulls out his gun and shoots back but promptly gets his head blown off by an officer.

Eric sees drones flying towards him as he scrambles to grab the gun off the drug-dealer’s corpse.

Eric runs down a side-alley, ducking behind trash-compactors as officers chase after him.

OFFICER 2
(shouting into radio)
Suspect is running down Alley-50QZ! Drones are unable to pass through! Reinforcements requested!

Eric keeps running, he stares down and looks at the gun. He aims backwards but hesitates as he is about to shoot the trigger; he can’t.

Eric sees a staircase which leads down below in this alley.

CUT TO:

INT. UNDER-LEVEL STAIRCASE

Eric jumps down multiple steps at a time, pushing past citizens as they look at him.

An officer is seen at the top of the stairs shooting.

Eric keeps running and sees a monorail about to leave on a sub-terrain-station which leads down to the UNDER-LEVELs.

The officer catches up to him as the doors close behind them both. They struggle both unable to shoot each other.

Eric gets pushed to the floor but manages to get back up and runs at the officer, pushing him into the next carriage section, an open air viewing carriage.

The officer slips, stumbling backwards into the railing. They fall into the abyss.

We see the underground skyscrapers and neon lights guiding the officer down. Eric turns around, all the other passengers are looking at him but he just brings up his hood and turns away from them, hiding his gun in his coat.

CUT TO:

EXT. UNDER-LEVEL ALLEY

Eric is walking fast and finally stops, throwing up against a wall.

Rain is trickling down from the UPPER-LEVELs. He holds his hand against the alley wall whilst throwing up.

HOMELESS PERSON
(alien language)
You okay there?

Eric turns around looking at the person, before running off again into the distance.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKY BRIDGE — FAR BELOW THE MONORAIL WHICH ERIC WAS ON

Eric walks along the empty skybridge, he looks behind him and in front of him; both entrance and exit are completely dark.

His left side of his body is being lit up by harsh blue light from signs and holograms.

CEO ARMAND (HOLOGRAM)
W-w-welcome to Armand Corp.! Join our h-happy family and be part of something great!

The hologram twitches as it points down below, towards a large crowd on a street.

Other billboards show various things. Lust-houses are advertised with a pink/red hue. Casinos are advertised in dark gritty green.

Billboards for service robots are being shown — Eric looks at the bill boards. The service robot board reads: ‘For when the job gets too real. Hire us and let your troubles fade away.’

The main billboard/hologram switches to life on the original Earth, and the new version of the solar system.

It shows the Solar System’s advances superstations: The Ring and The Belt. At the bottom of the advert is an inscription which reads: ‘We await your visit. Come and live your wildest dreams.’

There are other smaller adverts still advertising drugs, prostitutes, buffets, weapons, Armand Corp., many other big corporations similar to Armand Corp., more casinos, alcohol, bars.

Suddenly the main hologram/billboard changes to a wanted poster of Eric, asking for tips and for anyone who spots him to call the police dispatch line.

A reward of 10,000 credits is posted for Eric’s successful return to the authorities.

Eric stares at the board. He sees himself and his worker number, 847 but there is a name:

ERIC REID.

ERIC
(slowly)
Eric.

He looks down in contemplation. He nods

ERIC (CONT’D)
(more confidently)
Eric. He seems content having remembered his name, and he takes out his identification card to write it down when he realises what he had done.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(guilty)
The ATM…

He sighs. He extends his arm over the railing, holding the card, and drops it.

He looks around the bridge — it is still empty. He walks quickly towards the exit.

CUT TO:

EXT. DIFFERENT STREET

Eric walks through a street with his hood up, he notices another homeless person rummaging through a bin.

ERIC
Hey, you!

The homeless person comes out of the bin and sheepishly looks around. They notice Eric and point to themselves.

ERIC (CONT’D)
Yeah, can I trade my coat for yours.

HOMELESS PERSON 2
(broken English)
Me?

ERIC
Yeah can I have it or not? Mine is new.

HOMELESS PERSON 2
Yes, yes, take it.

The homeless person starts taking off their coat, eager to swap it with Eric — content to get a new coat.

Eric takes the gun and drugs out of his coat and shoves them into his pocket.

The homeless person hands over their coat.

Eric smells the coat and is disgusted but puts it on either way. Eric transfers his gun and bag of drugs into the new coat and he covers up, hiding his face.

CUT TO:

EXT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’

Eric walks up to the massive lust house.

It has huge signs out front, crowds of under-level citizens walk past. Eric walks up to the front doors.

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’

The entrance area is filled with tables. Humans and aliens alike having lap-dances. Others make out with sex-workers.

Waiters and waitresses wear revealing clothing, carrying massive platters of glasses which spill alcohol everywhere.

They serve drinks to everyone they can, people pulling away from another person’s lips to quickly down a glass of liquor before continuing.

Eric makes his way through the crowded area and walks up to the front desk. A woman is sat behind the desk. She is an alien.

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Welcome to PolyAmor. How can I help fulfil your desires today sir?

ERIC
(confused)
Uhm, what are the options?

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Whatever you desire.

ERIC
Is there anything I can pay for afterwards?

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Of course. You can have a private room with a worker of your choice.

ERIC
(uneasy)
That sounds good.

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Do you have something in mind? Female, non-binary, male, other? Or something more specific?

ERIC
Female is fine.

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Real or android?

ERIC
(pauses for a second before answering)
Uhm, real?

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Human?

ERIC
Yeah, it doesn’t really matter.

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Of course sir. Right this way.

The secretary leads Eric off through the “sex-fest” of the room.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY SKYLINE — SUNSET

A group of police ships fly past skyscrapers and start ascending through the clouds.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY SKYLINE — PEAK OF THE SKYSCRAPERS

The clouds become whiter and eventually the police ships break through the clouds to see an above-the-cloud city with pristine white skyscrapers.

One large skyscraper seems to outshine the rest, with gold lining and beautiful architecture.

The police ships come up to it and dock on a landing platform.

They get out of their ships; the commissioner is there with other officers.

They are waved at.

ARMAND BUILDING DOCK SERVANT
Good morning Commissioner, officers. Right this way, Mr Armand is awaiting your arrival.

The servant guides them through an entrance.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLS OF ARMAND BUILDING

The police are guided by the servant down a long corridor which is highly decorated with art — paintings and statues.

Mr Armand is seen standing in the middle of the hallway.

CEO ARMAND
Commissioner, officers. I hope your journey was a good one. Commissioner bring your lead detective, the rest of the officers can stay by your transport.

COMMISSIONER
This is Detective Marex.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Thank you for allowing us to be here Mr Armand.

CEO ARMAND
This problem involves me as much as it does you. What did you need me for Commissioner?

COMMISSIONER
The suspects apartment was empty.

The three begin walking down the walkway. CEO Armand leads them past floor to ceiling windows which look over the perfect white clouds and spectacular skyscrapers.

COMMISSIONER (CONT’D)
Our officers stayed there for hours, but he was already gone. However, he withdrew money and we almost apprehended him, unfortunately he was lost in the Under-levels.

The Commissioner pauses for a moment.

COMMISSIONER (CONT’D)
Sir, he’s killed one officer that we know of.

CEO ARMAND
Then he truly must have killed his co-worker. You have removed his status from the wanted posters right?

COMMISSIONER
They have been changed to say he was posing as a worker to get into the site but he is clearly not affiliated with your company.

CEO ARMAND
Good. Detective wait here, I wish to talk to your Commissioner in private.

Marex nods and remains looking out the ceiling-tall windows.

CEO ARMAND (CONT’D)
(friendly manner and informal)
Tamir, Galactic Affairs are breathing down my neck. My brother has been arrested for slaving.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
What? How?

CEO ARMAND
A new senator, a Senator Cooper, seems to have it out for the whole Armand family. Our eldest has warned us all. This senator has come to the planet Tamir, she is getting warrants and is currently investigating my whole operation. What will she think when she finds out we’re essentially holding slaves here too?

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
But sir, you do not hold slaves? You are merely leasing them —

CEO ARMAND
(interrupting)
In the eyes of Galactic Affairs, it does not matter what we call it. Owning beings is prohibited under the new legislations. The amount of prisoners you have given to me as workers is incredible — I mean seriously come on! But if she finds out my workers are killing each other, she’s bound to investigate more than she needs, and then suddenly she’ll be investigating you. And before we both know it the whole planet will be occupied and the whole A.C.P.D will be replaced. I will be dead and you will have no one to support your story.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
What do you mean you’ll be dead?

CEO ARMAND
Do you not know what they’ve been doing to slavers? Suicide would be a better option, believe me.

The pair keeps walking through these wonderful hallways, the sun is rising through the sky and bounces of the fluffy white clouds.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
(initially upset and aggressive)
Fuck.

CEO ARMAND
You now understand the importance of finding this suspect right? If he killed a worker it’s possible he knows he’s property. What if he runs to Galactic Affairs? He may tell them everything he knows about my operation.

They come to an open balcony with a spectacular view of the above-cloud skyline.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
Although, it’s also possible he just snapped and killed a co-worker who got on his nerves.

CEO ARMAND
You could be right. You could still be wrong. I’d still rather not risk it.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
I understand. I’ll send as many troops as I can after him.

CEO Armand nods and sighs.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR (CONT’D)
Is there anything that could help us find him? Employee records? CEO Armand looks towards the Commissioner with a look of realisation.

CUT TO:

INT. ARMAND BUILDING — RECORDS

The pair are going through records in an enclosed room with no windows.

There is a record holder sitting at a computer screen with clear cybernetic enhancements all over their head and body. They are a cyborg.

Commissioner Tamir, CEO Armand, and leading Detective Marex are standing behind the Record Holder.

RECORD HOLDER
Yes MW-847. This is his information.

COMMISSIONER
Thank you.

The commissioner sits down where the record holder was. He presses a button on the screen which says: ‘Activate’.

A light starts flashing on the screen.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — HALLWAY TOWARDS PRIVATE ROOMS — NIGHT

Eric is being led by the secretary through the hallway. He is a bit skittish, visibly unsure of what his plan is.

He’s led through narrow hallways. At the end he sees a door with guards in front. The secretary leads him down a different route.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — BATHROOM AREA — NIGHT

The secretary leads Eric through the cleaning area.

He sees a woman with torn clothes. Her mascara is running down her face. She looks at him and gags before throwing up in a sink.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — PRIVATE ROOM AREA — NIGHT

The secretary leads Eric down the hallway. There are private rooms on either side.

An unknown male alien leaves a room.

As the secretary and Eric pass he looks in through the curtains. He sees a naked young man picking up his clothes.

They walk past.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — NEW PRIVATE ROOM — NIGHT

The secretary leads Eric inside.

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Sir, if you’ll choose one of the following workers for your stay.

The secretary presents a screen which shows multiple woman — only humans as Eric requested. The secretary leaves Eric alone in the room, standing outside by the curtains.

Eric sees a face which seems slightly familiar. It’s the woman he saw in the bathrooms.

Without thinking, he clicks on her.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — BATHROOM — NIGHT

A different secretary walks up to the woman

DIFFERENT SECRETARY
Hey Marceline, you have another customer. Clean yourself up.

Marceline does not reply. Instead she groans and turns the tap on, splashing her face with water.

DIFFERENT SECRETARY (CONT’D)
(over radio device)
She’s not ready, I don’t think she can be used by any more customers.

Marceline turns the tap off.

MARCELINE
No, no, I’ll do it. I need the money, just give me five minutes to clean up.

DIFFERENT SECRETARY
Okay.
(into radio)
She’ll be there in five minutes. Apologise to the customer for the wait.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — ERIC’S PRIVATE ROOM — NIGHT

The polyamor secretary is standing by the curtains to the room. She hears the Different Secretary from a radio and walks through the curtains to Eric.

POLYAMOR SECRETARY
Sorry sir, it will be a little bit of a wait. Just relax and your woman will be with you shortly.

Eric goes and sits down on a “sex-sofa/bed”, staring at the curtains which are now closed.

They don’t reach the bottom. He can see the secretary still standing there in the hallway.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — CHANGING ROOMS — NIGHT

The woman has put on a new clean and unbroken dress. She finishes up her make-up and stands up.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — ERIC’S PRIVATE ROOM — NIGHT

Eric looks around anxiously. He sees the secretary is still there in the hallway.

Suddenly, the secretary leaves. He stands up and heads to the curtains. They get pulled back.

Eric stops in his tracks. The woman, Marceline, walks in.

Marceline stands seductively yet robotically.

Marceline walks past him, touching his arm to entice him to the bed.

Eric does not even bother coming closer to the bed. He looks out of the curtain and looks out down the corridor.

The hallway is empty.

MARCELINE
(confused)
Hey, don’t you want to come to bed?

ERIC
(ignoring her question)
How do I find the owner of this place? I want to talk to him.

MARCELINE
(still confused)
What? I don’t know where they stay, they’re off limits to everyone working on this floor.

ERIC
What about that door with the guards?

MARCELINE
That’s for VIP clientele.

Eric closes the curtain and looks back at her.

She is lying on the bed. Her dress is undone, she throws it towards the ground, revealing her lingerie.

Eric does not seem to care. Eric pokes his head back out into the hallway ignoring her.

Marceline stands up annoyed.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Hey are you actually going to fuck or what? I need the money, not you wasting my time.

Eric is still looking out into the hallway.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Hey I’m talking to you.

She walks towards Eric and grabs his shoulder.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
What’s your problem dude?

Eric is looking down the hallway. He is about to leave the room when officers come out of the door down the hallway.

Eric quickly closes the curtains and pulls back pushing into Marceline.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Hey?

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — PRIVATE ROOM HALLWAY — NIGHT

OFFICER 3
Check each room here. I’ll start checking further up.

Officer 4 nods and begins drawing back curtains to angry customers.

The customers and workers are all different. Aliens or humans; it does not matter.

CUSTOMER 1
(shouting)
HEY! CLOSE THE CURTAIN!

Officer 4 opens more curtains, steadily moving down the hallway.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — ERIC’S PRIVATE ROOM — NIGHT

Eric carefully peers out the curtains and sees officer 3 walk closer towards the room.

ERIC
(panicking a little)
How do you turn the lights off.

Marceline is no longer paying attention to Eric. She is slipping her dress back on, visibly confused and annoyed by Eric’s antics.

MARCELINE
What? —

ERIC
Just turn them off.

Marceline finishes putting her dress on and walks over to a panel on the wall by the curtains. She hits a switch and the lights come off.

Eric grabs Marceline’s arm. He pulls her to him.

MARCELINE
H —

Eric covers her mouth.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
(muffled)
— Ey!

Eric drags her down to the floor with him besides the curtains.

They are now hiding in the shadows of the room.

ERIC
(whispering in her ear)
Be quiet.

Eric pulls out a gun and Marceline sees. She stays silent and still.

We hear more angry customers and workers while we wait for the officer to walk in.

Officer 3 walks into the room slightly. They stand two steps into the room.

OFFICER 3 (O.S.)
(to themselves)
God, it smells in here.

Officer 3 looks hard into the shadows and sees nothing.

They turn around and walk out of the private room.

OFFICER 4 (O.S.)
Find anything?!

We cannot see either officer, we are focused on Eric and the woman.

OFFICER 3 (O.S.)
(shouting down the hallway)
Nothing yet!

OFFICER 4 (O.S.)
Check the security cameras!

Eric is shocked and panics slightly. He stands up, letting go of Marceline, and peers out of the curtains.

We see both officers walking down towards the end of the hallway.

Marceline looks nervously at Eric. She’s looking at the gun in his hand.

MARCELINE
(hesitates)
Are you going to pay? I’ll shout for the officers if you don’t.

Eric turns to Marceline with fear in his eyes.

ERIC
Don’t shout. For your own sake not mine.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — HALLWAY WITH PRIVATE ROOMS — NIGHT

Eric starts walking down the hallway away from the officers.

Marceline walks after him.

MARCELINE
(quietly)
Wait, stop. Please I really need some money, you’ve wasted my time you owe me at least some.

Eric looks at Marceline.

ERIC
Stop talking.

The officers are about to leave. One turns around for one final look. They spot Eric and Marceline.

OFFICER 3
Hey you two! Stop!

OFFICER 4
(into a radio)
Potential suspect has been found. I repeat, potential suspect has been found. Block initial entrances and exits. They are being assisted by someone!

Eric’s eyes widen. He can hear the officers shouts clearly.

He looks at Marceline.

ERIC
Come on!

Eric grabs Marceline’s arm and starts running with her down the corridor. The police start shooting.

MARCELINE
(shouting and scared)
Shit!

ERIC
Keep running!

She runs in front of Eric down the hallway. Eric manages to shoot one officer who falls to the ground instantly.

Eric sees them go down. He looks distraught.

OFFICER 4
(into radio)
Officer down! Officer down! I need reinforcements now!

Eric and Marceline keep running, they burst through the hallways entrance doors into another hallway.

Another officer comes out into the hallway and begins shooting.

Eric and Marceline take cover behind a corner. Eric fires some blind shots at the officer.

ERIC
Is there a way out of here!?

Marceline is panicking, she is unsure. She sees a padlocked barred door which leads to a stair case.

MARCELINE
(pointing to the door)
I don’t know! I don’t come this way! Try through there!

She points at the padlocked door.

Eric shoots one final time at the officer, who promptly takes cover, giving Eric the opportunity to go to the door and shoot the lock.

It swings open and Marceline runs through first. Eric follows her.

ERIC
Be careful.

CUT TO:

INT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — STAIRCASE — NIGHT

They run up the stairs which are lighted by strobe reds and pinks. There is music playing over a speaker system.

CUT TO:

EXT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — ROOFTOP — NIGHT

Marceline is leading Eric through strange rooftop alleys despite not having a clue where she’s going.

They pass smokers and drug addicts feeding into their addictions on either side of the narrow paths.

Marceline comes to a junction of sorts and stops to catch her breath.

Eric catches up.

An addict sits against the wall with a group comes forward to Marceline.

ADDICT
Damn girl, how much can I get for 5 credits?

Marceline doesn’t reply to him.

ADDICT (CONT’D)
Come on girl, I’ll treat you right, better than this guy. I got all you need.

Eric looks at the addict and pulls his gun out and aims it at the man.

ERIC
Step the fuck back.

The addict raises their hands defensively.

ADDICT
I was just joking man, calm down.

The addict sits back down with his friends and they continue smoking.

Eric looks at Marceline.

She starts walking off.

Eric is confused and follows her.

ERIC
Hey where are you going?

MARCELINE
Home.

ERIC
What are you talking about? You’ve been seen with me, they won’t let you step foot into your home.

MARCELINE
What am I meant to do then?

ERIC
Uhm, you can come with me.

Marceline lets out a laugh.

MARCELINE
Yeah alright. Look I don’t need you to save me.

She stops walking and turns to face Eric.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
That guy back there wasn’t your problem and you stuck a gun in their face. Something’s clearly wrong with you and I don’t want to stick around to find out what.

Marceline is still only wearing her dress.

ERIC
(taking off his coat and handing it to her)
Here.

She looks up at him, a little confused.

MARCELINE
Did you not here what I just said?

Marceline starts walking off again.

Eric watches as she walks. He starts hearing a faint whirring.

Sirens come on. He looks down the alley and sees drones flying around the corner.

Eric runs to Marceline and grabs her forearm again.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Hey!

She looks back and sees the drones.

Eric leads them under, over and through various rooftop machinery and neon signs.

They make it to the edge of the rooftop. They can see the drone siren lights in the distance.

They cross a wooden plank across the rooftop gap to a apartment block balcony.

They run to a nearby staircase, making the corner when…

They bump into an officer.

Marceline and Eric stumble back. Eric’s gun falls on the floor beside Marceline.

The officer regains their balance at the top of the staircase.

OFFICER 7
Hey what where you’re —

The officer sees Eric’s face. Their eyes widen. They scramble to pull their gun out of their holster.

Eric looks back at Marceline. He charges at the officer, sending them down a flight of steps to the first landing.

Eric starts punching the officer in the face. He hits the officer a few times before the officer knees him in the stomach.

Eric gets thrown around and pushed to the ground. The officer is now on top of him.

The officer punches him in the face and quickly grabs his neck.

The officer starts strangling Eric. Eric desperately hits at the officers face.

BANG!

The officer falls to the ground by Eric with a hole through the back of their skull.

Marceline is standing at the top of the stairs shakily holding the gun. She is still pointing it toward Eric.

He looks up at her with blood covering his face, wondering if she is going to shoot him too and end it.

MARCELINE
(scared & shaking)
What the fuck. Oh my god. Oh my god.

Eric slowly gets up.

We here sirens from various angles. From police making their way up the stairs and from drones navigating the rooftop mazes.

Eric walks up the stairs and grabs the gun from Marceline’s hands.

ERIC
Thank you. But we need to go now.

MARCELINE
(scared & shaking)
I don’t know why. What the fuck.

Eric grabs her arm and leads her down the dark hallway.

CUT TO:

EXT. PUBLIC ACCESS STAIRCASE — NIGHT

Eric and Marceline are making their way down a large staircase floating in the air, attached to the sides of hanging skyscrapers.

Marceline stops. Eric feels her stop. He turns around.

There’s a handful of people walking up and down the staircase, all minding their own business.

MARCELINE
Who are you? What is going on?

She pulls her arm from Eric’s grasp and stands still on the stair case.

We see ships flying in the background.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Why do the police want you?

She looks exhausted and annoyed at Eric, as well as confused. He doesn’t initially say anything.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
You don’t want to say anything?

She pushes Eric towards the side of the staircase. He looks back over the railing down to the abyss.

ERIC
Stop.

Marceline stares at him.

ERIC (CONT’D)
Just stop for a second.

Eric brings his hand to his face, rubbing his forehead.

ERIC (CONT’D)
I’m sorry okay? I’m not thinking straight. I shouldn’t have gotten you involved.

MARCELINE
That’s it? You seem to care and yet you just hired me to have sex with you not too long ago. That doesn’t seem saintly?

She gestures at Eric.

ERIC
I know you’re upset —

MARCELINE
(interrupting)
I just killed someone! I’m more than upset. I need you to answer me clearly or I’m going to send up both down over this railing.

Eric looks at her frantic eyes.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Why are you being chased?

ERIC
They think I murdered my co-worker.

MARCELINE
So why did you come to PolyAmor?

ERIC
I was told the owner of the place can smuggle people off-world.

MARCELINE
Yeah, that’s not true. They take people’s money and kill them. The workers gossip about it all the time.

Eric looks dumbfounded.

ERIC
What?

He sits down on the steps. Marceline looks down at him.

MARCELINE
Look I’m more than pissed with you right now but you’ve got a gun and I don’t have anyone to help me right now, so you’re the best shot I have at getting out of this.

Eric stares ahead.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
So before we figure out a way to get off this rock, could we go get me some clothes.

Eric looks up at her. He nods.

ERIC
Yeah.

MARCELINE
Don’t sulk. Let’s try make the best of this. I’m Marceline, by the way.

Eric is still looking up at her. He stands up.

ERIC
Eric.

CUT TO:

EXT. CLOTHING SHOP — UNDER-LEVELS — NIGHT

Eric and Marceline come to the entrance of a small clothing store.

There is a single sign outside, unusual for shops in this city.

Heaps of rainwater pour down in front of them.

Eric notices that Marceline is not wearing shoes, only drenched socks. Eric opens the door for Marceline letting her in first.

CUT TO:

INT. CLOTHING SHOP — UNDER-LEVELS — NIGHT

They come inside and start looking at clothes.

Marceline quickly picks some things out, and goes into a changing room whilst Eric stands outside waiting.

MARCELINE (O.S.)
Do you actually have money for this?

Eric takes out the bag of drugs in contemplation. He looks over to the store owner who is distracted looking at a newspaper and listening to a radio.

Marceline looks at herself in the mirror. She’s picked out baggy clothing.

ERIC (O.S.)
Yeah I have something which should work. Hand me the clothes, just wait there.

Marceline takes the new clothes off. Her dress still on underneath. She passes the clothes through the changing room curtains to Eric.

Marceline sits on a bench in front of the mirror; her back slightly exposed to it. Her back is covered with scratch marks and scars.

Eric walks up to the shopkeeper and hands the clothes over on the counter.

SHOPKEEPER
46 credits for it all.

Eric pauses, and looks at the clothes, noticing there are no shoes.

ERIC
Sorry, can you wait one second.

The shopkeeper nods as Eric walks back over to Marceline.

ERIC (CONT’D)
Marceline did you pick out shoes?

We see Marceline look at the floor.

MARCELINE
No sorry, I forgot.

Eric looks around and finds a footwear rack.

ERIC
Okay, uhm. Try these.

He picks up thick boots.

ERIC (CONT’D)
They’ll definitely keep water out.

He passes them through the curtain.

Marceline takes the boots and tries them on. We see her bare legs with the boots on.

She hands them back out the curtain.

MARCELINE
They’re good.

Eric takes the boots and brings them to the counter.

ERIC
How much now?

SHOPKEEPER
59 credits.

Eric looks towards his pocket.

ERIC
Are you willing to do a trade?

The shopkeeper looks towards Eric’s pocket then towards the entrance.

SHOPKEEPER
What type of trade?

Eric pulls out the bag and places it on the counter.

ERIC
A tenth of mugrash.

SHOPKEEPER
Mugrash? Are you sure you want to trade for that? You could get more clothes, I’d be happy to trade more for a tenth.

ERIC
Delete your cameras for today, and forget we were here.

SHOPKEEPER
(smiling)
Absolutely. I’ll do that now.

The shopkeeper hobbles over to a computer, turning the screen so Eric can see.

The shopkeeper deletes all footage and takes the bag while Eric takes the clothes to give to Marceline.

ERIC
Here.

He hands the clothes through the curtain.

MARCELINE
Thanks.

She comes out dressed up in the baggy clothes.

They start walking out when the shopkeeper interjects.

SHOPKEEPER
Thanks for the tenth.

The shopkeeper is seen crushing up a purple crystal on the counter and sniffing it as our pair walks out.

EXT. ORTAIN DISTRICT — STREETS — NIGHT

Eric and Marceline are walking side-by-side through a square.

The floating-staircase can be seen in the distance above.

MARCELINE
You gave him drugs?

Eric looks to her.

ERIC
Yeah.

MARCELINE
How much did you give him?

ERIC
A tenth.

Marceline looks a bit confused. They keep walking through crowds.

MARCELINE
How many credits is that worth?

ERIC
(immediately)
The whole bag is 270 credits.

MARCELINE
(confused and suspicious)
Are you a drug-dealer?

ERIC
(defensively)
No, I’m not a drug-dealer. Let’s not talk about this now.

MARCELINE
Okay fine, you don’t need to get defensive. I’m not one to judge.

ERIC
If we can’t get off world with the help of your boss, do you have any other ideas?

They keep walking aimlessly through the square.

MARCELINE
We could steal a ship at Targ Port. But I don’t know how we’d get there, I’ve only heard of it from friends.

Eric nods.

ERIC
It’s okay, I know the way. We’ll take the train to the Upper-levels and make our way from there.

The pair keep walking through the crowds. Signs and holograms are always on.

Eric squints because of the harsh blue lights.

CUT TO:

EXT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — ROOFTOP — STAIRCASE — NIGHT

Detective Marex arrives to the scene of the dead officer killed by Marceline.

Many officers are standing around the body.

Residents are trying to take a look, whilst officers do their best to usher them back into their apartments.

Detective Marex crouches down to the body which is covered by a tarp. He unveils the body, pulling back the tarp diagonally.

DETECTIVE MAREX
(disgusted)
Oh fuck.

He stares at the gunshot wound in the back of the officer’s skull.

Marex covers his mouth. Brains and blood are oozing out onto the staircase landing.

Marex stands up and covers the tarp.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
What happened?

OFFICER 5
The two suspects escaped from the roof and killed the man on their way down this staircase. They just disappeared. No one saw them come here or leave.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Two suspects?

OFFICER 5
Yes sir. Our main suspect and then a worker from the lust house.

DETECTIVE MAREX
A worker?
(to himself)
Why would he want to string along a worker?
(back to the officer)
Question the owner of the lust house. I want to know everything about this accomplice. Their address, employee information, work history. I want to know everything about them before the day is over.

OFFICER 5
Yes sir, right away sir.

The officer salutes quickly and turns away.

Detective Marex leaves.

CUT TO:

EXT. LUST HOUSE — ‘POLYAMOR’ — STREET ENTRANCE — NIGHT

Detective Marex walks out to a group of parked police ships.

There’s a few officers standing around. One is holding a bulky computer device.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Do we have a location update?

OFFICER 6
We’ve had a minor delay but it’s reporting that he’s still in the Ortain district. It looks like he’s inside a building.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Follow him. I want one officer maintaining confirmation of the suspects position.

Detective Marex gets into his own police ship and drives away, eventually flying into the air.

CUT TO:

EXT. ORTAIN DISTRICT — MAIN TRAIN STATION — NIGHT

Eric and Marceline are seen surrounded by a massive crowd of citizens.

We watch the train arrive and then they get on.

CUT TO:

INT. ORTAIN DISTRICT — TRAIN CARRIAGE — NIGHT

The pair sit down in a busy carriage next to each other.

JUMP CUT TO:

INT. ORTAIN DISTRICT — TRAIN CARRIAGE — NIGHT

The pair are still sitting but with less people now.

The pair are swaying. Marceline seems quite tired, and falls asleep.

The motion of the train swings Marceline’s head towards Eric’s shoulder. He looks down at her in slight shock at first but then his expression slowly turns to slight comfort as he allows her to stay there.

JUMP CUT TO:

INT. ORTAIN DISTRICT — TRAIN CARRIAGE — NIGHT

The pair are still sitting. Marceline is sleeping on his shoulder, and Eric himself has succumbed to sleep. He his leaning towards her too.

We see new backgrounds behind them, they are rising towards the UPPER-LEVELS. Their carriage is almost empty.

The train stops abruptly and they swing awake, both visibly embarrassed that they were asleep.

There’s a moment of silence.

MARCELINE
Do you not have a family?

Eric is clearly uncomfortable by her line of questions.

ERIC
(timidly)
I have no family. I work for Armand Corp.

Marceline seems surprised by this news.

MARCELINE
Armand Corp.? You live in the Upper levels?

ERIC
It’s actually not that different to the Under-levels.

MARCELINE
(disappointed)
Oh. I’ve never been above the ground. People talk about ivory towers and clean streets. I kind of wished it would actually be like that, at least different to below.

ERIC
I feel like everything’s the same here.

Eric looks at a child and its parents sitting opposite them. Marceline takes notice of Eric’s longing expression.

There’s another moment of silence.

MARCELINE
Did you actually kill your co worker?

Marceline asks hoping to get Eric’s attention.

Eric looks at her. He shakes his head.

ERIC
No.

Eric looks at the child opposite them and then looks down. Marceline takes notice.

MARCELINE
Where they a friend?

Eric doesn’t respond. He opens his mouth but struggles to speak.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Eric?

Eric hears his name. He looks up again. Staring out of the carriage windows.

ERIC
Yeah, he was.

They sit in silence for a couple of seconds.

For a few seconds, everything goes dark, but it slowly fades as light from the city creeps back in.

They are greeted with the cold awakening of grimy, dirty skyscrapers of the UPPER-LEVELS.

Marceline looks out of the windows, expecting the conversation to be finished.

ERIC (CONT’D)
They didn’t even try to arrest me. They just shot. I mean what was I supposed to do?

Marceline looks at Eric. She stares at him contemplating his question.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(starting to get upset)
I mean fuck, this whole city is shit. I see people get shot on the way to work. I work for a company who knows me more than I know myself.

The train stops, the last passengers get off.

The train is now empty.

ERIC (CONT’D)
I only found out my own name in the past day. And it was from a billboard.

Eric ends on a sour distaste. He just looks down with a slight shake in his neck.

MARCELINE
I understand —

ERIC
I saw a child.

Marceline looks concerned.

ERIC (CONT’D)
It was alone in the apartment next to mine — its mother was overdosed… God knows how long they’d been out. But no one even checked. I mean the door was unlocked, it was open..

Marceline thinks.

ERIC (CONT’D)
I don’t know why I’m telling you this it’s really not important.
(he pauses)
We have to get off at the next stop.

Eric sits back in his chair and Marceline stays as she was.

She looks into the distance, as if disturbed by Eric’s words.

Eric takes notice and looks at her as if guilty for taking her with him.

She turns to look at him but he averts his eyes as she does.

She looks back out the window. They just stare at different sides of the carriage in silence.

The train stops and the doors open.

TRAIN ANNOUNCEMENT
(repeated in multiple languages; both alien and human)
Final stop. Please debark. Final stop. Please debark.

Eric gets up and walks over to the exit door.

Marceline stays still in her chair. Eric looks visibly uncomfortable.

ERIC
We’ll get out of this like you said. I’ll do everything I can to make sure of it.

Marceline looks at him. Her expression is hard to read.

MARCELINE
Yeah.

She stands up and follows after him. They get off.

The train doors close and it slowly leaves the station.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — STREETS — NIGHT

Eric and Marceline are walking through the streets.

Somehow this district looks different. There are more aliens, more shops.

It looks like a tourist attraction rather than a district Eric and Marceline should be familiar with.

They keep walking in silence. Their hoods are up and they are mainly looking down.

Every now and again Eric looks up to see where they are.

As they walk through the district, Eric starts to see more police.

People are being stopped and checked for identification. The pair keep walking.

Eric begins looking around a bit more. He seems uncertain of them being there.

There seems to be police scattered all over the streets at every corners.

ERIC
(muttering)
How did they find us?

MARCELINE
What are you talking about?

ERIC
There’s too many police here. It feels strange.

Marceline looks up and around.

MARCELINE
It may be nothing. I don’t think they’ll be able to see us either way.

ERIC
I’m not too sure.

They keep walking, weaving through the hordes of people.

OFFSCREEN GUNSHOTS.

Marceline and Eric turn towards the gunshots.

People begin screaming, and Eric manages to focus on a few officers standing around something: a dead civilian.

Other officers usher people away. The crowd starts panicking.

Marceline looks up at Eric. She stares into his hood, there’s a faint orange glow wrapping around his neck.

MARCELINE
Eric, what’s wrong with your neck?

Eric still seems caught off guard by his name. It isn’t familiar to him.

ERIC
What do you mean?

MARCELINE
Take your hood off for a second.

ERIC
What?

Marceline takes his hood off and pulls Eric down towards her.

MARCELINE
It’s coming from your neck.

Eric looks puzzled and shocked.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
I think your “family” cares so much about you, they want to know where you are at all times.

Marceline looks up at him and looks towards the police in the distance.

Crowds are still running past. She looks through the streets in the direction the crowd is running. She notices something.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Put your hood up and follow me.

She leads him alongside the crowds, as he looks back at the officers one last time.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — SIDE-STREET — NIGHT

Marceline has led him to a side street. We see a sign in an alien language.

We cannot read it but it says: ‘Planetarium’.

The building is closed for renovations. There is a sign on the entrance door which has a chain around the door handles.

Marceline pushes the door and it opens enough for them to squeeze through it.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — PLANETARIUM — NIGHT

They walk through a ticket hallway. All the lights are off.

They come into another circular hallway which wraps around the circumference of the planetarium theatre.

Marceline sees a bathroom sign glowing in the dark. It’s far down the hallway. She runs towards it, leading Eric.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — PLANETARIUM — BATHROOM — NIGHT

Eric and Marceline walk in and she switches on the lights.

MARCELINE
Give me a knife.

ERIC
I don’t have a knife.

Eric gestures to signify he has no knife.

Marceline looks at the mirror. She gets an idea.

MARCELINE
Give me your gun.

ERIC
What?

MARCELINE
Just give it to me, I’m not going to shoot you.

Eric nervously pulls the gun out of his coat.

Marceline holds it by the barrel and smashes the butt into the mirror.

Glass mirror shards shatter down into the sink below. There are tens of shards, all different sizes.

He looks towards the mirror.

Marceline picks up a straight shard and holds it in front of Eric.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
Take your coat off.

ERIC
Wait, wait, wait. You’re not doing it. I am.

MARCELINE
How are you going to do it? You’ll do it wrong and cut a muscle, or worse, cut an artery.

Eric looks troubled at her. He looks at the shard in her hand and then touches his neck.

ERIC
(reluctantly)
Okay fine. But be careful.

He takes off his coat and throws it to the ground. He goes into a cubicle and sits on a closed seat.

Marceline remains standing and she holds his head, angling it correctly. She sees the blinking light below his skin.

She breathes out and digs her shard into his neck. Blood immediately flows out and dribbles down Eric’s neck.

She keeps digging through the neck and pries the small pill like tracker out of his neck.

She hands it to Eric. Eric sees the Armand Corp. insignia. He gets visibly angry, standing up quickly and walking out of the cubicle.

Marceline moves out of his way.

He sees a small sliding-window on the wall. He reaches up, and climbs up to the window. He looks down into the abyss.

WE SEE A MASSIVE WHOLE LEADING DOWN INTO THE UNDER-LEVELS.

Eric looks back at the tracker and throws it out.

CUT TO:

EXT. UNDER-LEVELS CHASM — NIGHT

WE FOLLOW THE TRACKER DOWN INTO THE ABYSS AND IT PASSES SPECTACULAR FLORESCENT HARSH LIGHTS BEFORE LANDING IN A PUDDLE, COVERED IN BLOOD.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — PLANETARIUM — BATHROOM — NIGHT

Eric comes down from the window and holds his hand to his neck. He starts swaying.

Marceline is looking at him, her eyes widen.

MARCELINE
(distressed)
Shit!

She rushes over to the cubicle and grabs many, many toilet paper pieces.

She folds them up quickly and goes to Eric who has now slumped against the corner of the room.

She crouches down to him and presses the paper against his neck, trying to stop the blood flow.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
(still distressed and worried)
Eric hold onto it!

Eric’s vision is starting to worsen.

The harsh bathroom light shines on Eric’s deadpan face.

His face is visibly becoming paler, with his eyes looking sunken. His lips go blue. He presses his neck weakly.

Marceline goes back into the cubicle to get more paper.

Eric struggles to stand up, he looks at his gun on the edge of the sink and tries to grab it but it just falls into the sink.

He stumbles past to the door and goes out of the bathroom while Marceline is trying to roll up more paper.

She turns around and comes out of the cubicle. Eric is gone.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
(under her breath)
Fuck, fuck, fuck.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — PLANETARIUM — MAIN AUDITORIUM — NIGHT

Eric enters the auditorium through a glass-panelled door.

He staggers inside and sees rows of seats. His face is drained of life.

He hobbles to the centre of the first row and sits into a chair, staring up at a large holographic Earth. It looks beautiful, lush and green.

The planet rotates with ships flying to and from it, in and out of frame of the holographic.

Marceline bursts through the doors and runs to Eric in his seat.

She leans over him to try and stop the bleeding but Eric remains focused on the Earth hologram.

His hand falls from his neck.

CUT TO:

EXT. UNDER-LEVELS — ILET DISTRICT — STREETS — NIGHT

A force of police sweep into a crowded street.

They park their ships. Many armoured officers quickly come out.

They create a barrier around the main ship which lands to reveal Detective Marex who comes out cigarette in mouth.

He is holding a device, the receiver of the tracker, which beeps as he moves. He walks up to one side of the police barrier.

DETECTIVE MAREX
This way.

He motions to some guards to follow him.

Marex begins walking through the citizens when the receiver starts beeping loudly.

He looks at the citizen it is beeping at and he flicks off their hood.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
You aren’t Eric Reid.

The citizen nervously looks at Marex.

Marex holds the device closer to the citizen’s chest. It beeps louder. He opens the citizens coat.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
Do you have anything in you coat pocket?

The citizen gulps.

NERVOUS CITIZEN
I found it. It’s mine.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Take it out.

The citizen reaches into their pocket and pulls out a bloody pill-shaped tracker. It has the Armand Corp. insignia.

Marex grabs the tracker.

NERVOUS CITIZEN
Hey that’s mine!

Marex pushes the citizen backwards.

The citizen tries to retaliate but the guards following Marex aim their weapons at the citizen.

Marex takes a plastic bag out of his overcoat and drops the tracker inside before sealing it up. He walks back towards his car/ship.

ANGRY CITIZEN 1 (O.S.)
(in alien language)
Fuck you police!

Marex doesn’t bother looking back. He heads to his ship.

ANGRY CITIZEN 2 (O.S.)
(human)
Armand Corp. ruined my life!

Marex makes it to his ship.

More citizens become rowdy. We hear an influx of tens of voices shouting at the police and speaking ill of Armand Corp.

Citizens begin throwing food and rocks at the police and their cars/ships.

One of the armoured SWAT officers turns to him.

SWAT OFFICER 1
Sir, what should we do?

DETECTIVE MAREX
(deadpan)
Shoot them. When they stop, you stop.

The guard nods and Marex gets into his car. He starts flying up.

OFFSCREEN GUNSHOTS

Citizens in the crowd start dropping.

Marex does not bother to look down once, but we can faintly make out many collapsed bodies on the ground as his ship flies up towards the UPPER-LEVELS.

CUT TO:

INT. ARMAND BUILDING — CEO ARMAND’S PENTHOUSE — NIGHT

We see CEO Armand awake, sitting on his bed.

CEO ARMAND
Droid, one absinthe shot.

A droid rolls around a corner and into CEO Armand’s bedroom.

It is carrying a tray, on which an elegant shot glass with the green alcoholic liquid is presented.

The droid stops in front of CEO Armand.

He picks up the shot glass, downs it and stands up. He chucks the glass onto his bed.

He walks from his bed to a wide floor to ceiling window, and looks up at the cloudy sky. The moon manages to break through and shine on him.

He stands in only his underwear.

He wanders out of his room into his living space. The place is elegant and chic.

He puts on a silky robe and wanders to the sofa. As he sits down a remote comes out of the armrest.

He presses the on button. A holographic screen comes up and he begins watching the senseless news.

REPORTER (HOLOGRAM)
A gang attack has recently happened in Ilet District.

The same street that Marex was previously on is shown.

REPORTER (HOLOGRAM) (CONT’D)
Officers were reportedly on scene, but unable to prevent the attack, resulting in the deaths of forty three civilians and twelve fatally injured, soon to die.

CEO Armand watches intently at the screen.

CEO ARMAND
Droid! Another shot!

The droid rolls up by him with the same tray and another shot.

He downs it instantly.

CEO ARMAND (CONT’D)
Bring the whole bottle.

The droid beeps and it whirs off to come back with a beautiful decanter of absinthe.

The reporter continues.

REPORTER (HOLOGRAM)
On other news, another of the Armand Brothers has been found dead in his penthouse in the Terout System. Investigators presume it was a suicide, but no other information has been announced by them. First an arrest of one brother and two suicides of another two, what are these CEOs doing!

CEO Armand’s expression changes from monotone to shock to anger.

He unscrews the bottles top and drinks straight from the bottleneck.

CEO ARMAND
AHHHHHH!

He throws the bottle across the room.

SMASH!

It shatters against his wall. He stares as left over liquid trickles down his wall.

CEO ARMAND (CONT’D)
Room.

The top lining of his walls lights up to indicate the A.I is listening.

ROOM A.I (O.S.)
Yes sir.

CEO ARMAND
Call Commissioner Tamir.

ROOM A.I (O.S.)
Calling the commissioner right away…

A ring resonates from the same holographic screen. The Commissioner is seen on the screen.

CEO ARMAND
Have you found the suspect?

COMMISSIONER TAMIR (HOLOGRAM)
No sir.

CEO ARMAND
(rudely)
Did you know of his death?

Commissioner Tamir looks down, immediately knowing who CEO Armand is talking about.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
I was just alerted —

CEO ARMAND
(harshly)
Do you want that to be me?

Commissioner Tamir looks confused.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR (HOLOGRAM)
I don’t understand?

CEO ARMAND
You heard me. Do you want to find me dead in my own home?

COMMISSIONER TAMIR (HOLOGRAM)
No, I —

CEO Armand interrupts Tamir.

CEO ARMAND
YOU WILL CALL ME SIR!
(back to a calmer but still angry tone)
They clearly killed him. I will not allow myself to be next.

CEO Armand pauses for a moment.

CEO ARMAND (CONT’D)
Did you find the tracker?

COMMISSIONER TAMIR (HOLOGRAM)
(slight scared undertone)
Yes sir. The suspect must have cut it out. Detective Marex found it in the Ilet District.

CEO ARMAND
Ilet? So did you allow that Marex to kill civilians?

COMMISSIONER TAMIR (HOLOGRAM)
I-I don’t understand what you mean.

CEO ARMAND
(stern)
The gang attack.

The commissioner’s heart drops, his face freezes.

CEO ARMAND (CONT’D)
I warned you, Tamir. You have until sunrise. If you do not find him, then someone else will. Room end call.

CEO Armand stands up and walks towards his bathroom, picking a new absinthe bottle off of his kitchen counter as he walks by.

He walks into the open floor shower and removes his robe.

He continues to drink the new bottle.

CEO ARMAND (CONT’D)
Room!

The top linings of the wall light up.

ROOM A.I (O.S.)
Yes sir.

CEO ARMAND
(beginning to slur)
Shower on.

ROOM A.I (O.S.)
Yes sir.

Water begins to flow. We see CEO Armand drink the bottle in the shower.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE — NIGHT

Commissioner Tamir stares at a blank screen, not a hologram.

With a scared expression he picks up a phone.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
I want every port in Aness guarded now. No passenger is allowed off without thorough inspection. All civilians walking in and out of the ports must be checked and I.D-ed. No trains out of the city. No ships out of the city unless it has been checked thoroughly. Find that man and his accomplice.

Commissioner Tamir hangs up, and begins calling someone else.

COMMISSIONER TAMIR (CONT’D)
Marex, where are they?

CUT TO:

INT. MAREX’S POLICE SHIP — NIGHT

DETECTIVE MAREX
I don’t know sir. But I am looking.

Marex looks at a screen in his passenger’s seat. It shows security footage of Eric and Marceline.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
Footage was captured of the two in the Targ District. I’m on my way there now.

Rain begins to our on Marex’s windshield. He pulls a lever behind his steering wheel and the wipers come on.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE — NIGHT

COMMISSIONER TAMIR
(exasperated)
Find them by sunrise, or we’ll be the ones needing to make a run for it.

CUT TO:

INT. MAREX’S POLICE SHIP — NIGHT

DETECTIVE MAREX
Absolutely sir, I’ll have them soon.

Commissioner Tamir hangs up on Marex as he flies up through the air.

The lights of his dashboard reflect against his face, and building signs shine through the fogged up side windows.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — PLANETARIUM — NIGHT — RAINING

Eric wakes up in the auditorium alone. He looks either side and sees no one.

The hologram’s reflection is shining onto his face. He starts patting down his coat, and suddenly his eyes widen, realising that his gun is missing as well as Marceline being gone.

He begins to panic and stands up but instantly staggers and has to sit back down.

He breathes heavily and raises his arm slowly. He touches his neck softly and winces.

The wound feels strange. It’s been cauterised.

He touches the rest of his neck which is covered in dried blood. He looks at his shirt which is completely stained in blood too.

He stands up carefully and comes closer to the hologram.

Eric comes closer under it, the rain making the hologram shiver.

Rain pours onto his face as he looks up through the light. It runs over his neck and through his shirt, carrying blood down to the ground.

He reaches up and slowly waves his hand through the hologram, watching how it reacts to his presence.

The door to the auditorium opens.

Eric looks back to the sound. He sees Marceline standing in the doorway.

She begins walking towards him.

She walks closer and reaches him under the hologram. She passes him some food.

MARCELINE
Here.

She brings back her coat and pulls out his gun, handing it to him whilst holding the barrel.

Eric looks at her appreciatingly.

ERIC
(softly)
Thanks.

Marceline walks back to the first row of the auditorium.

Eric watches her walk to the row, he puts his gun back into his coat, and follows a bit behind her.

He sits down next to her.

Without saying a word, he breaks the food in half and hands it to her. At first she pushes it back towards him.

MARCELINE
I’m not hungry.

Eric leaves the food on the armrest and begins eating his food.

Marceline notices he left it, and she eventually picks it up.

Eric keeps his eyes on the hologram as he eats.

Marceline holds the food in her hand. She looks at Eric. He seems completely focused on the hologram. She begins eating too.

The pair finish eating.

The rain doesn’t reach them in the first row, as they are covered by a roof. Only the hologram is not covered.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
You didn’t know you had a tracker in your neck?

She says having turned her head to Eric.

ERIC
No.

Marceline looks concerned at Eric who remains looking at the hologram.

Marceline looks down to the ground, unsure of how to reply. They sit in awkward silence.

MARCELINE
How —

She stops herself.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
How’s your neck?

Eric still looks forward.

ERIC
It just hurts to move. Thank you.

Marceline smiles but Eric doesn’t see.

There’s an awkward pause again.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(staring at the hologram)
It really looks beautiful.

MARCELINE
(staring at the hologram too)
It does.

They pause.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
I wonder how this planet came to be so different. This hologram is so green.

ERIC
I wonder how it looks in person.
(chuckling a little)
I’m sure it far better than this.

Marceline chuckles slightly too.

MARCELINE
I would love to live there. Just live on a farm or something like that. Feel grass. Not have to worry about coming to work when I run out of money.

Eric takes notice of her last statement, turning his head to her as she says it.

ERIC
I’d love to live there too. We could go together. We’d need somewhere to go from here.

MARCELINE
(uneasy)
Yeah…

They pause again.

ERIC
Did you have family?

MARCELINE
I only had my mum but she’s gone now.

ERIC
Passed? Yeah.

MARCELINE
Yeah

ERIC
I’m sorry.

MARCELINE
No, it’s okay. It was a long time ago. I don’t think about her much now.

ERIC
Do you have a dad?

MARCELINE
He was a customer I think.

Eric looks at Marceline carefully.

ERIC
Oh.

MARCELINE
Yeah. I don’t know anything else about him but that seems typical down below… I never thought I would ever get this high up, let alone go off-world.

ERIC
You see this as a good thing? But I’ve practically given you a death sentence by taking you.

MARCELINE
You haven’t taken me anywhere. If I stayed down there, I think I would’ve died one way or another. Whether by an angry customer, starving or something else…

They pause.

MARCELINE (CONT’D)
A farm with animals, and flowers just like from the adverts.

Eric smiles a bit, catching her eye, Eric quickly looks away embarrassed.

She looks down tilting her head, smiling slightly out of his vision.

The rain begins pouring more heavily, and they watch as the hologram flickers more.

ERIC
We should probably leave now.

Marceline nods and the pair gets up. She walks towards the door and Eric walks behind her.

She leaves through the exit doorway, but Eric stops. He looks back to the hologram longingly before following her.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — STREETS — NIGHT

The pair are walking down a street with many signs. The light is blinding and the pair walk with their hoods down low, sticking close to each other.

MARCELINE
How far is it to the port?

ERIC
We shouldn’t be too far. I think it’s three miles from the Targ District Armand Corp. branch, which should be at the end of this street.

Eric gestures to a large building in the distance. The Targ District branch for Armand Corp.

The building’s giant size outshines all the other buildings in the district.

The pair keeps walking down the street. The Armand Corp. branch looms over the whole district.

Eric sees more and more police, with more drones scanning over the crowds.

We see visible scanning lights going across civilians. Our pair does their best to stay out of view, nudging past people.

ERIC (CONT’D)
Down here. There’s a tunnel.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — OLD SERVICE TUNNEL — NIGHT

Eric leads Marceline down some steep steps, into darkness.

The tunnel is flooded. The water reaches up to their shins.

There is floating garbage, crates and crumbling bricks which the pair use as stepping stones.

Rain trickles down from overhead grates.

We see the crowds walking over head, with residue light somehow making it onto our pair’s faces.

They keep walking through the tunnel. There are cross sections and small lights at various points.

Marceline sees people hidden in shadow, exchanging things and walking further into darkness.

They pass aliens and humans. Some are sitting in the water, homeless with no where else to be.

Others are walking pass them, trying to use the same stepping stones.

Eric and Marceline squeeze pass them all.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — TARG PORT ENTRANCE STREET — NIGHT

The pair come out of a staircase and are pushed into a one way system.

They are being ushered down a main street which leads to the Dam Causeway entrance, which in turn leads to Targ Port.

They see on either side of the street are barriers, with officers holding heavy duty guns, guarded by drones.

Eric hides his gun in his coat pocket. They try to walk backwards but the current of civilians pushes them forward.

ERIC
What should we do?

MARCELINE
I don’t know. We’ll have to run past. There’s no way we can get out of this queue.

Eric doesn’t answer. They continue to be pushed forward by the crowd. Eventually they reach the arched entrance to the Dam Causeway.

Civilians are being called aside all around them so they try to walk through to the Causeway.

DAM GUARD 1 (O.S.)
You two, wait right there.

A guard walks up in front of them.

DAM GUARD 1 (CONT’D)
Do you have identification?

ERIC
No.

The guard looks suspiciously at them.

DAM GUARD 1
Okay.
(to drone)
Come over here.
(back to our pair)
Please look up into the scanner. Take your hoods off.

Both Eric and Marceline take their hoods off as the drone scans their faces at the same time. We see two beams off light coming from the drone; one on Eric’s face, and one on Marceline’s face.

The drone pings. The guard pulls out a tablet and looks at the alert the drone has sent.

The guard looks up at Eric, and then towards Marceline.

We see Eric’s hand tighten against the handle of his gun in his pocket.

The guard eyes Eric down and reaches to put the tablet back into his pocket.

The guard quickly draws their gun.

BANG!

Eric manages to shoot the guard in the leg before he was shot.

The guard drops their gun and holds onto their leg.

BANG!

Eric immediately shoots the drone to the ground.

Sirens begin blaring.

Guards begin shouting.

We see civilians, who had just been let through, run down the Causeway towards the port whilst the civilians in the street queue start running backwards.

Marceline grabs the guard’s gun and identification badge.

ERIC
RUN!

Marceline runs through the archway as they begin closing.

Eric shoots back at some of the pursuing guards as he squeezes through the shutting doors.

DAM GUARD 2
(into radio)
OPEN THE DOORS! THEY’VE GOTTEN THROUGH!

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — DAM CAUSEWAY — NIGHT

The Causeway is a long fairly narrow strip.

Only one vehicle can fit on his width-wise.

On the right of the Causeway is a massive reservoir with water filled close to the Causeway.

On the left is the dam wall which is a steep slide down into darkness. Some water can be seen toppling across the Causeway and rushing down the side of the dam wall into the abyss.

Marceline and Eric run down the Causeway. They can see some civilians off in the distance running away.

They run across puddles which splash violently.

At the end of the Causeway, they see sirens. Civilians are being shot down. None are let through.

They hear sirens behind them. Eric looks back.

He sees a police car driving towards them, the archway doors now open.

Eric looks forward again.

The sirens are getting closer.

Drones fly straight to them and start shooting.

Both Marceline and Eric shoot the drones down behind them before turning back towards the port running.

The police car behind them catches up, and a few officers instantly jump out and begin shooting.

BANG!

ERIC
Ahhh!

Eric gets shot in his right arm. He clutches the already cauterised wound.

Marceline sees that police are running towards them from the port side, running over dead civilians.

The officers shoot at Marceline and Eric.

The officers from the car come right next to them. One grabs Eric’s arm causing him to fire a few shots in the air.

The other grabs Marceline, pushing her closer to the edge of the Causeway.

She struggles but the officer punches her in the head. She falls backwards over the railing.

ERIC (CONT’D)
NO!!!

Eric knees the officer holding him and then smashes the butt of his gun into the officer’s head.

Eric shoots at the other officer’s leg. They stumble to the ground.

Eric reaches the railing and looks down. He sees Marceline sliding down the steep, metal, dam wall.

One officer tries to grab him but he punches the guard in the face.

He looks at the drop and stuffs his gun into his coat. Fuelled by adrenaline, he jumps over the railing after her.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — DAM WALL — NIGHT

Marceline slides down the dam wall unconscious, her lifeless body glides down the wet slanted metal wall. Her gun slides behind her.

Eric slides down after her. He tries to push himself to catch up with her.

Eric is able gain some speed, reaching Marceline’s gun. He grabs it and stuffs it into his coat.

He pushes himself further. He can almost reach her.

He pushes himself again, he pushes and finally grabs her arm.

The rain is heavy. It sweeps them down faster and faster.

Eric struggles to keep his eyes open. He tries to hold onto something but rain hits him in the eye.

The dam wall slopes outward slightly. Eric keeps trying to grab onto something.

Suddenly, Marceline falls off an edge and Eric quickly follows. Luckily, he is able to hold onto the ledge with his injured right arm.

ERIC
Ahhhh!

He keeps holding on despite the pain.

Eric looks down below him and sees Marceline still knocked out.

Bang!

A gunshot bounces off the metal close by him. He looks up to see gunshots coming from the Dam Causeway.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — DAM BRIDGE — NIGHT

Officers shoot through thermal scopes at Eric. They can see him holding onto the ledge.

Detective Marex comes up to the officers shooting at Eric.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Get some more drones now and send them down after him.

He looks at a second group of officers.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
All of you, follow me. We’re going to cut him off.

He looks back to the officers shooting.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
Keep shooting. If he falls, call it out on comms. Make sure those drones follow him down, when they arrive.

Marex starts walking off with the second group of officers.

They get into cars and speed down the Causeway towards the Port.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — DAM WALL — NIGHT

Eric keeps getting shot at. The rain is causing his fingers to slip, and his arm weakens by the second from the pain.

ERIC
Ahhhhh!

Eric loses his grip.

Marceline falls. Eric looks down he is still holding onto the ledge.

He drops.

They plunge into the abyss below.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — DAM WALL — LOWER RESERVOIR — NIGHT

SPLASH!

Eric crashes into cold and dark water.

There is no light.

He comes up for air and gasps.

Powerful waves crash into his face, pushing him under again and again.

He looks around frantically, trying to see Marceline.

ERIC
(shouting)
MARCELINE!!

He gulps, swallowing a large amount of water. He struggles to stay afloat in the water.

ERIC (CONT’D)
MARCELINE!!!!

He splashes around more, unable to see much.

The waves keep crashing into his face.

With each wave he struggles more to come back up.

A light appears in the distance, he looks at it.

It is followed by another light, and another, and another.

A sequence of lights appear, massive floodlights which blind Eric, but illuminate the water below him.

Something catches his eye below.

He dives underneath, and looks to the faint figure.

Eric comes back up for air and promptly dives back in, reaching Marceline as she floats deeper into the void.

Eric pulls her up with his injured arm and swims to the wall.

He tries to grab onto a crack between the massive metal slabs but is unsuccessful.

The continual crashing waves make it increasingly harder to hold onto anything.

He looks at Marceline, she is lifeless.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(desperately)
Marceline! Are you okay?!

She doesn’t answer, and they both get whacked by more waves.

Eric looks left to right, and sees what he thinks is a maintenance platform, faintly lit by one of the massive blinding floodlights.

He begins swimming towards the platform.

Suddenly, he hears the sirens of drones falling from far above.

Eric turns around putting Marceline on his chest, aiming to keep her head above the water.

As he looks up he sees the faint light of the sirens steadily dropping down towards where they had fallen into the water.

Eric swims as quickly as he can. He turns his head around and sees the platform is close by. It isn’t very big but he sees a door leading into the dam wall.

Eric reaches the platform. Waves splash onto it.

He pulls Marceline onto the platform and tries to stand up. He opens the door inwards and drags Marceline’s body in.

CUT TO:

INT. BENEATH DAM WALL — HANGING CATWALK STRUCTURE — NIGHT

He drops her down onto a grated floor and quickly closes the dam wall door.

He looks around. They are on a hanging catwalk structure.

Eric looks down through the grates. He can see the lights of the UNDER-LEVELS.

Eric rips open her coat and starts pounding his hands on her chest, attempting to do CPR.

He beats her chest properly, but nothing seems to be happening.

He keeps beating her chest, but she is unresponsive. Her face is lifeless.

He pinches her nose and breathes into her mouth.

He beats her chest again. Nothing.

He breathes into her mouth. Nothing.

He keeps beating her chest when Marceline suddenly sputters out water.

She starts coughing.

Eric helps her sit up.

MARCELINE
(weakly)
Eric…

Marceline looks at him, her eyes are half-open but she is thankful still. Eric turns to look at her.

ERIC
We’ve got to leave now.
(he wraps his arms around her)
Here.

He helps her up. She stumbles a little, but Eric catches her.

Blood drips from a cut in her forehead.

Eric leads her through the balconies. He sees a few staircases in the distance and heads for the closest one.

Marceline grabs onto the railing. Eric stops.

MARCELINE
I’m okay.
(struggling to stand up by herself)
Do you have my gun?

Eric pulls out her gun.

ERIC
Here.
(handing over the gun)
You’re sure you’re okay to stand?

She nods.

They start walking side-by-side, helping each other stand, with their guns in their free hands.

BANG!

A gunshot whizzes past Eric and Marceline’s heads.

They see officers shooting at them from a distance balcony.

The pair are halfway to the closest staircase.

They begin running shooting back at the officers.

Eric and Marceline try to take cover behind the railings but there isn’t much cover for them.

Eric randomly fires at the officers, hitting one of the bars which attach the catwalk to the ceiling.

The officers keep shooting at them.

Marceline notices the bolts at the top of their catwalk is slowly cracking.

MARCELINE
Eric we need to go now!

Eric helps Marceline up and they run as quickly as they can towards the staircase.

The catwalk the officers were on starts breaking and falling down into the UNDER-LEVELS.

Their own catwalk starts crumbling behind them as they scurry to the staircase.

Marceline and Eric jump onto the staircase just as their catwalk crashes down below. They land on the metal staircase.

Eric winces in pain, clutching his still injured right arm.

They help each other up and start making their way up the stairs while the officers keep shooting at them.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — DAM WALL — STAIRCASE — NIGHT

Marceline has gained her energy back but Eric’s arm is still slowing him down a little bit.

They head up the metal staircase which is surrounded by concrete walls. It feels endless.

The lights shine on them as they head up. Every other flight of stairs, there is a door.

Marceline and Eric keep heading up, their guns tucked away.

OFFICER 8 (O.S.)
(distant)
We’re in the staircase sir, we’ll keep you updated.

Marceline and Eric both look up. They hear the officer’s voice is still off in the distance.

ERIC
(whispering)
Let’s try go through here.

Eric opens one of the doors with his good arm. Marceline carefully goes in first. Eric follows her.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — DAW WALL — TUNNEL — NIGHT

They come out into a tunnel. There are lights equally spaced apart.

There’s a slight drop from where they are standing and they hop down onto tracks.

They are in a train tunnel. Marceline crouches down and touches the track.

MARCELINE
I don’t feel anything, I think we’ll be fine.

ERIC
Do you know which way we have to go? I’m a bit disoriented?

They both look down each way of the tunnel.

ERIC (CONT’D)
The lights seem to go up down the left. I think the train comes up at the same station we used.

Marceline looks down the right side of the tunnel.

MARCELINE
Going downwards feels wrong though.

ERIC
There should be another staircase which would lead us right inside the docks.

MARCELINE
Alright let’s go then.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — DAW WALL — TUNNEL — NIGHT — LATER

The pair walk carefully along the tracks, making sure not to accidentally touch the live rail.

They hear a faint rumbling. They look down the track and can see lights far below.

MARCELINE
Shit.

Not too far ahead of them is a emergency exit sign.

The pair run towards the door. Marceline jumps up first and opens the door.

She turns around and grabs Eric’s good arm.

The train is getting closer.

She pulls him up and pulls him through the door.

The train flies past them.

CUT TO:

INT. TARG DISTRICT — DAM WALL — STAIRCASE — NIGHT

They find themselves in another metal staircase, wrapped in a concrete case.

They head up.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — PORT — STAIRCASE EXIT — NIGHT

They burst out of a door. They can hear sirens in the distance.

Marceline looks around at all the docked ships.

MARCELINE
Alright, this looks promising.

Eric looks confused.

ERIC
This doesn’t seem like the pedestrian port though. Shouldn’t there be nicer ships?

Marceline looks at the ships carefully. They all seem large and blocky.

She turns back to Eric.

MARCELINE
What does a “nice ship” look like?

ERIC
Uhm, better than this.

They hear voices in the distance.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(whispering)
Go that way.

Eric points down a path.

Marceline goes down and Eric follows beside her.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(whispering)
We should check if any are unlocked.

A ship can be heard flying nearby.

Eric is looking at her.

ERIC (CONT’D)
(whispering)
It doesn’t matter what it looks like but as long as we can fly it.

The same ship flies overhead. Marceline watches it.

MARCELINE
(whispering)
Why don’t we take that one?

Eric looks up at it.

ERIC
Yeah okay, that could work.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — PORT — LANDING DOCK — NIGHT

The ship lands. A pilot comes out and walks over to a pumping station.

The pilot starts getting a call.

PILOT
(alien language)
Hey, Niko how you doing?.. Yeah just stopping in Aness before I finish the journey…

Marceline and Eric come out of the shadows and creep towards the pilot’s ship entrance.

PILOT (CONT’D)
(alien language)
Yeah, mistook how much fuel I would need. Thought it’d be better to fill her up before flying through the storms…

Marceline and Eric climb into the ship.

CUT TO:

I/E. TARG DISTRICT — PORT — LANDING DOCK — SHIP — NIGHT

They make their way up to the cockpit and get in.

MARCELINE
Do you know how to fly?

Eric starts pressing some buttons.

ERIC
Not really but I’ve driven forklifts, those fly, how different could it all be?

The pilot is still on the phone. They bring the fuel tube over to the ship and start filling it up.

PILOT
(alien language)
No way! That’s crazy… I did hear something about the docks being closed but hey, if you need fuel you need fuel, know what I mean?

Eric pulls a lever down and the engine comes on.

ERIC
Maybe, hold on.

The pilot looks around, their ship has just turned on.

PILOT
(alien language)
Niko my ship just turned on?!

The ship starts lifting in the air.

PILOT (CONT’D)
(alien language)
Niko it’s flying! It’s a ghost ship!

The ship flies up and away. The fuel pump pull the station out of its socket, detaching from the ship as Eric and Marceline fly high enough.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — PORT — NIGHT

Two officers are standing in the port with flashlights.

The ship flies up into the air.

One officer grabs their radio.

OFFICER 9
The same ship is taking off again. Please confirm.

CUT TO:

I/E. TARG DISTRICT — ERIC & MARCELINE’S SHIP — NIGHT

Eric flies the ship out of the port airspace. They start flying over Targ District.

A police ship flies alongside them.

DETECTIVE MAREX (O.S.)
(over radio)
Ship number #BU094X, please return to the dock. No vessel is currently allowed to fly in Targ District.

Eric and Marceline look at each other.

ERIC
What should I do?

MARCELINE
Keep flying, you can’t land.

DETECTIVE MAREX (O.S.)
(over radio)
#BU094X, I repeat, return to the dock or you will be shot down. This is you final warning.

Eric flies the ship past the dam. They are flying over and between buildings.

BANG!

Detective Marex shoots at them. It hits one of their engines.

MARCELINE
Shit! Fly quicker Eric!

ERIC
I don’t know how!

Marceline starts pulling and pressing random buttons. She pushes the lever in the centre of the console forward.

The ship starts accelerating quickly.

CUT TO:

I/E. TARG DISTRICT — MAREX’S SHIP — NIGHT

Marex stays in pursuit of them. He picks up his radio.

DETECTIVE MAREX
This is Detective Marex, I’m in pursuit of suspected hijacked ship. Their engine has been shot so keep reinforcements ready.

Marex accelerates his ship, following the plume of smoke coming out of Eric and Marceline’s ship.

CUT TO:

I/E. TARG DISTRICT — ERIC & MARCELINE’S SHIP — NIGHT

Eric flies as best as he can but their engine keeps sputtering.

The ship stops acceleration.

Bang!

The engine explodes.

ERIC
I’m going to have to land!

Marceline braces herself.

Eric steers the ship past skyscrapers and neon signs.

The ship starts sinking in altitude.

He’s able to glide it out across an area of lower buildings.

Marceline looks in a reverse feed and sees Marex’s ship in quick pursuit.

MARCELINE
We’ve still got a tail here!

The ship sinks lower and lower. A large building appears out of nowhere.

Eric steers the ship but can’t get enough lift. The ship crashes on a nearby warehouse rooftop.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — WAREHOUSE ROOFTOP — ALMOST SUNRISE

Detective Marex lands his ship gently on the rooftop.

The tall building stands beside them with a massive billboard.

The billboard has an advert for an aphrodisiac alcoholic beverage. It’s design illuminated the rooftop in a deep red.

The door to the cargo ship opens and Marceline and Eric get out.

Marex is pointing his gun at them.

DETECTIVE MAREX
I know you have weapons! Take them out slowly and drop them!

Eric looks at Marceline. He doesn’t know what to do.

She nods at him. She seems defeated.

He nods back.

They both slowly reach for their guns.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
Don’t try anything!

They are both slowly place their guns on the floor.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
Now kick them away!

They both kick the guns away.

Marex slowly starts walking towards them.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
Put your hands up! Both of you!

They put their hands up. Eric’s can’t lift his injured arm up fully.

Marex comes closer.

UNKNOWN VOICE (O.S.)
(over radio)
Marex, do you copy?

Marex looks confused. He keeps his gun aimed at Marceline and Eric.

Marceline and Eric can both hear the radio.

He clicks his radio to respond.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Captain? What’s wrong?

CAPTAIN WEBB (O.S.)
(over radio)
Do you have the suspects in custody?

DETECTIVE MAREX
They’re right in front of me sir.

CAPTAIN WEBB (O.S.)
(over radio)
Good. Let them go.

DETECTIVE MAREX
What?

Marceline and Eric look at each other. They’re both confused.

CAPTAIN WEBB (O.S.)
(over radio)
The case is a shit-show Marex. Are you near a media outlet?

Marex looks over to the massive billboard next to him.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Yeah.

CAPTAIN WEBB (O.S.)
(over radio)
The story is coming on now.

The billboard changes to a news reporter. Marex looks up to the board.

Eric and Marceline turn to the board, still with their hands up.

The news reporter begins speaking.

NEWS REPORTER (HOLOGRAM)
In the past hour, Senator Cooper announced the immediate forced shut down for the Armand Corporation in its entirety. She reported slaving practices and countless violations of the Galactic Affairs Commission. We have recently been informed that CEO Armand of Aness City was found to have committed suicide just here outside the Armand Building. I am currently standing just twenty feet from the impact. Commissioner Tamir is currently in custody of the Galactic Affairs Commission. The entire A.C.P.D is under investigation for corruption. Is this a good thing for our city? Or will these officials just be replaced by more people who will do the same? This is Sally Thompson reporting live from Armand Building.

The billboard lingers on the news reporter for a second before turning to an advertisement for antipsychotics.

The adverts green light illuminates the rooftop.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Sir what does this mean?

CAPTAIN WEBB (O.S.)
(over radio)
It means we’re all in a lot of shit. You can arrest the suspects or not but honestly after all of this, I don’t think it will do any good. Come back to the precinct now for depositions.

DETECTIVE MAREX
Okay sir.

Detective Marex looks at Marceline and Eric. His gun is lowered. He looks confused.

Eric and Marceline are looking at him.

DETECTIVE MAREX (CONT’D)
(confused)
I… You’re free.

MARCELINE
What?

DETECTIVE MAREX
Go live your lives. There’s not much else you can do.

Detective Marex holsters his gun and starts walking back to his ship.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — WAREHOUSE ROOFTOP — SUNRISE

Marex’s ship flies up and then flies off.

Marceline and Eric watch as it flies off to the horizon. The sun is rising through the surprisingly clear sky.

They look at each other, still unsure of what to think. They start heading towards the rooftop exit.

CUT TO:

EXT. TARG DISTRICT — STREETS — SUNRISE

Crowds of people line the streets. Countless billboards display multiple reporters, human and alien informing Aness City of what has just occurred.

But we cannot hear it.

The sun rises over the horizon.

FADE TO BLACK.

THE END

(RAFAEL SIMPSON © 2022-2025)