This is just pissing me off...
Ok, This SHOULD be working, but it's not. I'll just have to try something drastic, sorry in advance to anyone checking their journals before I'm done.
FADE IN:
INT. OFFICE: NOMCO HEADQUARTERS - DAY
A special Agent is seated in front of a table of directors.
He is, as of yet, only known by his nickname: Lucky. Lucky
is a well-dressed young man in his early 20's, very young for
a NOMCO agent. He looks somewhat nervous. One director
leans forward to speak.
DIRECTOR
Special Agent 439B, we have come to
our decision.
LUCKY
(Desperately)
Please, sir, it wasn’t my fault. I-
DIRECTOR
We’ve heard enough of your excuses!
Because of your actions, one of our
top agents is now dead, and dozens
of civilians have been
hospitalized!
LUCKY
It would have turned out worse had
we not-
DIRECTOR
We realize this, and have taken it
into consideration. You, however,
must understand that our investors
have been rather upset. They were
calling for your immediate
dismissal. And we can’t ignore the
wishes of our investors. You know
as well as I that we are not
government operated. We need their
support to survive.
LUCKY
(Dejected)
Yes, sir...
DIRECTOR
However, as you are the youngest,
and, shall we say, most promising
agent we’ve ever trained, we are
prepared to grant you a second
chance. You will be put in charge
of a new team we are assembling,
and your progress will be watched
carefully. Your task is to
prevent another incident like
the one that has brought you
here today.
LUCKY
Thank you, sir! I can’t express-
DIRECTOR
You are to leave immediately for
your first mission. Your team is
already en-route to the airport. A
transport is waiting outside, you
will be briefed on the way.
LUCKY stands.
LUCKY
Thank you, sir.
LUCKY prepares to leave.
DIRECTOR
And, if possible...
LUCKY looks up.
DIRECTOR
Avoid another multi-million dollar bar brawl.
LUCKY
Yes, sir.
INT. ANONYMOUS NEUTRAL-TONE SEDAN, SPEEDING DOWN THE FREEWAY
LUCKY is in the backseat, looking forward at VOICE, a middle-
aged suit from the agency. VOICE gives LUCKY files and
papers when necessary.
VOICE
One of our agents, code-named Ginsu
Gazelle, was arrested in Beijing
while following up a lead on the
crime underground there. You and
your team are to break her out of a
top security facility in the
mountains before her execution
three days from now. Your
secondary priority is to keep
bloodshed to a minimum. We don’t
need the Chinese Government too
pissed off at us.
LUCKY
Of course.
VOICE
Now, your team: You will be
working with three agents of
varying ability, skill, and...
VOICE clears his throat.
VOICE
...Stability. First is Steven
Kremé, codename Poseidon,-
VOICE hands LUCKY a thin folder.
VOICE
-a rather brilliant hacker the
agency picked up while hacking into
corporate databases.
INT. STEVEN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
STEVEN, an emaciated man in his late 20’s - early 30’s with
bags under his eyes so big one wonders if he has ever slept,
is typing furiously on his computer. A gun cocks and is
pressed against his head. As he slowly raises his hands and
turns around, several dozen more guns cocking are heard.
Roughly thirty agents surround STEVEN, guns trained on his
head.
INT. CAR - DAY
VOICE
He claims he can hack into
anything. Corporate, Government,
whatever. You will also be working
with Chris Remington, codename
Chameleon, a young man we pulled
from the streets. He has been
trained with firearms, but his
specialty is vehicular combat.
VOICE hands LUCKY another small folder.
INT. SPORTS CAR - DAY
CHRIS, a very “suppish” man in his mid-to-late 20’s, is
driving with one hand on the wheel, wearing a backwards
baseball cap and sunglasses. He opens a can of soda with one
hand, and takes a sip. The engine revs louder and louder.
He doesn’t blink as the car is jolted violently, and then
stops. He takes another sip.
It is revealed that he has just jumped the sports car off the
second story of a waterfront parking garage and landed in a
nearby departing garbage barge. The cars chasing him either
screech to a stop or fall off the edge.
CHRIS finishes the soda and tosses it out the window into the
garbage.
INT. CAR - DAY
VOICE
Finally we have Vladka Pechenka,
codename Axehandle.
VOICE hands LUCKY a very fat file.
VOICE
Trained as an agent in post cold
war Russia, an expert in
demolitions, adept at almost any
firearm, and very dangerous to
oppose in combat.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
VLADKA, a muscular, badass, military-looking man in his mid
40’s is sitting pressed up against the back of a van. He
flips open and set off a detonator. The ensuing blast is
seen through the seams of the van doors, and blasts the
windows inward.
INT. CAR - DAY
VOICE
However, he was just recently taken
off probation for being a danger to
his fellow agents, and anyone else
around him.
INT. MALL - DAY
An ARMED ROBBER holds up a cashier while several others keep
the crowd under control.
A skylight explodes, VLADKA rapells inward, spinning around,
firing an AK-47 at everything. As he lands, the ROBBERS are visible behind him. He takes a grenade in each hand, flicks out the pins, and throws them off camera.
INT. CAR - DAY
VOICE
You’ll need to keep an eye on him.
The sedan pulls up to the terminal.
VOICE
You and your agents will
requisition your equipment from our
branch in Beijing upon arrival.
Here are your tickets and passport.
VOICE gives LUCKY these.
VOICE
Good luck. NOMCO is counting on
you.
LUCKY enters the terminal. The sedan drives off.
INT. TERMINAL - MOMENTS LATER
STEVEN is seated at a gate, typing on a laptop, glancing over
his shoulder every once in a while. On the screen, the
words, “All flights are cancelled today, refunds available at
the ticket counter, for the next five minutes only.” Appear
on the screen.
VLADKA is sitting at a nearby bar, staring listlessly into
his drink. CHRIS is nearby as well, baseball cap over his
eyes and stretched out over several chairs. He appears to be
dozing.
The intercom clicks on.
INTERCOM
United Airlines flight 233 to
Beijing is now boarding at gate 14.
CHRIS flips up his baseball cap, stretches, and looks around.
CHRIS
Hey old man, where’s this guy we’re
supposed to be meeting? Shouldn’t
he be here by now?
VLADKA finishes his drink.
VLADKA
Don’t call me old man.
CHRIS
Well, whatever. Where’s our new
leader? I’m not sure if I can
trust someone who shows up this
late. I mean, my life is in this
guy’s hands; he could at least have
the courtesy to-
VLADKA
He will be here.
CHRIS, dejected, stretches out again.
VLADKA
I liked you better when you were
asleep anyway.
LUCKY approaches, CHRIS sits up and VLADKA turns around.
LUCKY
Hello, gentlemen. I’m-
CHRIS
No way! You’re our leader?!
VLADKA
What? Who is this?
CHRIS
This is that Irish upstart guy
everyone’s been talking about. You
know, Lucky?
VLADKA stares.
CHRIS
The leprechaun? Because he’s
Irish?
VLADKA stares.
CHRIS
(In mock Irish accent)
They’re always after-
(stops)
Never mind.
(To LUCKY)
I heard you were fired.
LUCKY
No, I was reassigned to lead you
three.
LUCKY looks at his watch.
LUCKY
I’ll explain on the way. For now,
we’ve got a flight to catch.
STEVEN closes his computer. As they get up and walk off to
the gate, STEVEN quietly points to the intercom.
INTERCOM
Attention all passengers: All
flights have been canceled today.
Refunds and meal vouchers are
available at the ticket desk for
the next five minutes only.
PASSENGERS begin rushing toward the ticket counter. The
INTERCOM tries to correct this announcement to no avail.
STEVEN chuckles softly to himself as they walk off.
EXT. BAMBOO FOREST - EVENING
SUBTITLE
Crow’s Nest prison, outside Beijing.
An SUV is parked nearby, hidden from the road.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
The backseat is down. STEVEN is seated at a small panel of
monitors, looking through what appears to be a threedimensional
map of the prison. VLADKA is pacing around the
SUV, gun at the ready. LUCKY is peering over STEVEN’s
shoulder. CHRIS is drumming his fingers on the steering
wheel, looking bored.
STEVEN
Got it. Cell block C, lower level,
cell 14.
CHRIS
Finally!
CHRIS leans out the window.
CHRIS
Vladka, come on, we found her.
VLADKA opens the back doors of the SUV. CHRIS loads two
Glock-17s, which he puts into holsters. LUCKY carefully
opens a case and pulls out his severely modified .45 handgun.
VLADKA
What the hell is that thing?
LUCKY
It’s my Agency-issue modified .45.
CHRIS leans in to get a better look, quite interested.
CHRIS
Ooh! What mods you got on it?
LUCKY
The works. Tactical holster,
molded grip, laser sights, inbarrel
silencer and flash
suppressor-
VLADKA scoffs and begins loading the many pockets of his vest
with ammo clips.
LUCKY
What?
VLADKA
Such modifications are wasted in
weapons like that. I have seen men
better than you annihilated when
going into combat with fancied-up
garbage, thinking they are
Superman.
LUCKY
If we do our mission right, there
won’t be any combat.
VLADKA
Whatever. I’d still feel more
comfortable carrying something
capable of doing some damage.
VLADKA pats his AK, and puts a few smoke grenades in his
pockets.
VLADKA
Speaking of which, where is that
C-4 I requested?
LUCKY
You aren’t getting any. I took it
off the requisition.
VLADKA
Excuse me?
LUCKY
NOMCO has placed me in charge of
this team in order to prevent the
otherwise inevitable collateral
damage you might inflict. You
aren’t getting any high explosives
on this mission. You won’t need
any.
VLADKA
I’m the demolitions man. What do
you propose I do when we come to a
door or wall or platoon of soldiers
we need to get through?
LUCKY
Here.
LUCKY hands VLADKA a toothpaste-sized tube. VLADKA stares at
it, trying to figure out what in God’s name it is.
VLADKA
What in God’s name is this?
As LUCKY talks, VLADKA opens the tube, spreads some gel on
his fingers and feels the consistency, then wipes the gel off
on his vest.
LUCKY
A special gel, it burns somewhat
like concentrated napalm. Spread
it on something, ignite it, and it
acts like a very fast blowtorch.
It will burn through an inch of
solid steel in less than five
seconds.
VLADKA pauses, shrugs, and puts it in a pocket.
LUCKY
Oh yeah, here.
LUCKY tosses VLADKA a box of matches.
LUCKY
You’ll need these to set it off.
VLADKA puts the matches in the pocket he wiped the gel on.
VLADKA
Could you explain to me how this
fuseless napalm-like gel, ignited
by matches is safer than remote
C-4?
STEVEN
I don’t know how much longer I can
stay in the system. You’d better
get going.
LUCKY puts on a headset radio.
LUCKY
We’ll call if we need anything.
The agents head off into the forest, STEVEN stays in the car.
INT. FOREST - NIGHT
The team is crouched in some underbrush. A GUARD passes by.
LUCKY
Ok, Poseidon. We’re close. How do
we get in?
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN
You should be near the eastern
corner of the southern wall right
now. About 100 yards from the end
of the wall-
INT. FOREST - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
- there should be a small
ventilation shaft on the roof.
LUCKY looks carefully, sees it.
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
It should lead to a kitchen near
Ginsu Gazelle’s cell.
LUCKY
Got it.
They slowly get up. VLADKA looks around, then signals the
others to go ahead.
EXT. SOUTHERN WALL - NIGHT
After a pause, VLADKA silently rolls out of the bushes and
looks around, then runs up against the wall. He looks around
again, then signals the others.
As LUCKY and CHRIS approach, LUCKY detaches the front of his
belt buckle and opens it into a grappling hook. He then
pulls out fifty feet of cord from the buckle. He throws the
hook at the roof. It glances off the wall and falls back
down.
EXT. WALL - CONTINUOUS
A GUARD hears the sound, but ignores it.
EXT. SOUTHERN WALL - CONTINUOUS
LUCKY picks up the fallen hook, getting ready to try again.
VLADKA stops him and takes the hook.
VLADKA
Give me that.
VLADKA spins the hook around by its cord and hurls it to the
top of the roof. It catches.
EXT. WALL - CONTINUOUS
The GUARD hears this, and goes to investigate.
EXT. SOUTHERN WALL - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA and CHRIS look around again, then grab onto LUCKY.
LUCKY pushes a small button on the belt buckle. A small
motor rewinds the cord, and they are all pulled to the roof.
EXT. ROOF - NIGHT
The GUARD approaches a vent CHRIS is hiding behind. He is
soaking a rag in a bottle of chloroform. When the GUARD
walks by the corner, CHRIS presses the rag against his mouth
until the GUARD collapses. LUCKY drags the body aside.
VLADKA is spreading gel on a panel of the air duct. He
lights a match, pauses, then slowly touches it to the gel.
INT. VENT - CONTINUOUS
There is a bright flash and fizzling sound. When the smoke
clears, the metal of the vent has been melted into a door.
The piece in the center falls inward. VLADKA’s hand shoots
out and catches it. VLADKA pulls the metal back outside,
quickly puts it down, and blows on his mildly burned hand.
CHRIS peers in the hole with a flashlight.
INT. LOWER VENT - MOMENTS LATER
VLADKA drops slowly and silently to the bottom of the vent,
followed quickly by CHRIS and LUCKY. LUCKY is now dressed in
the guard’s uniform.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
The kitchen is empty. A large, 10 foot diameter fan slowly
rotates. The fan is built into the ceiling, and leads into
the vent shaft. The agents pause at the fan.
LUCKY
Poseidon, you think you could shut
off this fan?
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN is typing on the laptop.
STEVEN
Yes, but it’s part of the
building’s automated vent system,
so if I keep it off for long,
they’ll notice.
LUCKY (OVER RADIO)
How long will we have?
STEVEN
About ten seconds.
INT. VENT - CONTINUOUS
The agents look at each other, unsure.
LUCKY
Do it.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
Steven types at his laptop, the three dimensional map shows
the fan stopping.
INT. VENT - CONTINUOUS
The fan grinds to a halt.
INT. SECURITY OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
A small red light starts blinking on a panel. The GUARD on
duty doesn’t notice.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The agents jump down quietly. As they land, the fan starts
again.
INT. SECURITY OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
The light stops blinking as the GUARD turns around.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA wheels over a food cart and begins pulling the shelves
out of its cabinet. LUCKY cracks open his case and pulls out
a mask and other disguise materials. While LUCKY disguises
himself, CHRIS peers out the door at the upper cell block.
LUCKY stands up, now looking quite like a Chinese prison
guard. VLADKA burns the bottom of the cabinet door off, and
stands.
LUCKY
Now, we’re all clear on the plan?
The agents nod.
LUCKY
Chameleon, stay here and be ready
to cover us.
CHRIS nods. VLADKA climbs into the cart and closes the door.
INT. LOWER CELL BLOCK - MOMENTS LATER
The elevator doors slide open, and LUCKY pushes the cart out,
quietly singing a Chinese song to himself. He slowly strolls
down the row of cells.
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
Three more cells... Two more... One
more... Bingo.
LUCKY stops at a cell. Two women are inside, one seeming to
be asleep. The other is GINSU GAZELLE, a mid-20’s Asian
woman, small-framed but strong with a fiery look in her eyes.
LUCKY
Ginsu Gazelle?
GINSU GAZELLE looks up. The sleeping WOMAN sits up and pulls
a gun. The lights click on in the cell block and several
cell doors slide open.
WOMAN
Did you really think we didn’t see
this coming, NOMCO agents?
LUCKY freezes as people rush out of the now opened cells,
draw handguns, and aim at him.
LUCKY
(still in accent)
Oi. Fuckshit.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN runs his hand through his messy hair.
STEVEN
Oh, Jesus.
INT. LOWER CELL BLOCK - CONTINUOUS
The WOMAN walks toward the still closed cell door.
WOMAN
So, if you would be so kind as to
drop your weapons-
VLADKA rolls out the broken cabinet door and opens fire with
his AK-47. LUCKY shoots the gun out of the WOMAN’s hand,
then turns to face the large group of people behind them.
VLADKA stands up and lets loose another volley from behind
the cart. LUCKY shoots an ATTACKER in the shoulder.
LUCKY
Axehandle! Open the door!
VLADKA turns around and liberally applies gel to the workings
of the cell door lock. He strikes a match and jams it in,
burning the lock clean off. The door slides open.
An ATTACKER fires. The bullet ricochets off the bars near
VLADKA’s head. VLADKA turns around and fires into the man’s
chest.
LUCKY
Hey! No unnecessary bloodshed!
VLADKA
What kind of pansy order is that?!
They shoot to kill, I shoot to
kill!
VLADKA turns around and cold-cocks the WOMAN with his rifle
butt as she rushes at him with her newly retrieved gun.
LUCKY sighs, takes aim, and fires again.
VLADKA rushes over to GINSU GAZELLE, and finds her handcuffed
to the chair.
VLADKA
Hold still.
VLADKA shoots the handcuffs, snapping them.
VLADKA
Come on.
VLADKA pulls a smoke grenade out of his pocket, and hurls it,
with the pin still in it, toward the nearby staircase. The
ATTACKERS see it.
ATTACKER
Grenade!
They dive aside. VLADKA grabs LUCKY by the arm and carts him
off toward the stairs. GINSU GAZELLE follows closely behind.
VLADKA grabs the grenade as they pass it, and puts it back in
his pocket. As they run up the stairs, LUCKY pulls the fire
alarm.
The sprinklers go off, making the tile floor on the lower
cell block very hard to walk on. The ATTACKERS slowly make
their way to the stairwell.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
CHRIS is kneeling, looking out the door at the upper cell
block. He hears the gunfire from downstairs, and looks quite
anxious to leave his post and go help.
LUCKY (OVER RADIO)
Chameleon! Get ready for that
cover fire! We’re heading up the
staircase now!
CHRIS
Got it.
CHRIS takes a Glock into each hand and pushes a small button
on the side of each. Small braces slide out of the back of
the guns and over his arms just past the wrist. CHRIS
stands, and aims both guns at the stairwell.
Within seconds, VLADKA, LUCKY, and GINSU GAZELLE fly out of
the stairwell and begin rushing across the upper cell block
toward the kitchen. Shortly afterward, the ATTACKERS come
running after them.
CHRIS takes several steps out into the cell block and opens
fire with both guns at the attackers, who summarily scatter
for cover. The agents rush past CHRIS and into the kitchen.
CHRIS follows and closes the door behind him.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
VLADKA and CHRIS move an oven to block the door.
LUCKY
Poseidon, shut off the fan.
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
If I shut it off, it’ll alert the
guards that I’m in the system.
The ATTACKERS pound on the door.
LUCKY
I’m pretty sure they already know.
Just shut it off.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN types a few keys on the computer.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The fan screeches to a halt. LUCKY throws his grappling hook
into the fan, then looks at CHRIS and VLADKA.
LUCKY
I can only lift 500 pounds at a
time.
VLADKA and CHRIS look at each other.
VLADKA
Go.
VLADKA braces himself against the oven. CHRIS and GINSU
GAZELLE grab onto LUCKY, and LUCKY pulls them up into the
vent shaft.
LUCKY pulls out several yards of cord and drops the belt to
the floor.
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
Guys, as soon as they see that
fan’s off, they’ll turn it back on
themselves.
VLADKA rushes over to the belt and pushes the button on the
side. He disappears into the vents as the ATTACKERS open
fire on the door.
INT. VENT - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA gives the belt to LUCKY, then motions for the others
to keep going.
VLADKA
Go ahead, I’ll cover you.
VLADKA drops the smoke grenades into the room as the door
bursts open. The ATTACKERS slowly and carefully enter the
room. VLADKA spreads the gel all over the fan, then fires
down into the room.
ATTACKER
He’s up in the vent!
The ATTACKERS run underneath the fan and begin shooting
upwards. VLADKA strikes a match.
VLADKA
Goodbye, comrades.
He touches the match to the gel.
The ceiling fan disappears momentarily in a bright flash.
When the flash subsides, the fan slowly detaches from the
ceiling and crashes down into the kitchen, crushing several
ATTACKERS.
VLADKA disappears into the vent.
EXT. BAMBOO FOREST - NIGHT
The agents approach the SUV quickly, the sound of gunfire
blaring in the distance.
STEVEN opens the doors for them. CHRIS jumps into the
driver’s seat, LUCKY in the passenger seat, and VLADKA and
GINSU GAZELLE climb in the back.
VLADKA slams the doors in the back shut as CHRIS pulls onto
the road, and begins driving away very quickly. Several cars
pursue them.
VLADKA
(to STEVEN and GINSU
GAZELLE)
You might want to get down.
STEVEN and GINSU GAZELLE drop just before the windows explode
open as the PURSUING CARS open fire. VLADKA returns several
volleys, finally puncturing the tire of one vehicle, causing
it to spin, out of control, off the road. The other car
begins to close the gap between them and the SUV.
VLADKA takes another few shots, and shatters the windshield
of the remaining car. LUCKY turns around and fires a few
times as well. GINSU GAZELLE looks rather annoyed.
GINSU GAZELLE
Give me a gun!
VLADKA looks down at her, somewhat surprised.
GINSU GAZELLE
I’m an agent too, asshole.
CHRIS tosses back a Glock. GINSU GAZELLE grabs it, sits up,
and takes careful aim with both hands. She fires, hitting
the PURSUING DRIVER with perfect aim, causing the PURSUING
CAR to swerve off the road.
GINSU GAZELLE blows the smoke off the barrel, and hands the
gun back to CHRIS. VLADKA smiles and shakes his head.
EXT. FREEWAY - NIGHT
The SUV drives off, back toward Beijing.
INT. AIRPORT - MORNING
The agents are seated near a gate, looking somewhat tired.
VOICE approaches.
VOICE
Ah, Ms. Gazelle, nice to see you
safe and sound.
GINSU GAZELLE, almost asleep, mumbles something and shifts in
her chair. VOICE chuckles.
VOICE
Ah, yes, you’ve had a long day.
You’ve all earned a good night’s
sleep. Unfortunately, that will
have to wait.
LUCKY
What?
VOICE
Your team has been given another
assignment. A car is waiting to
take us back to headquarters.
VLADKA
What about her?
VLADKA motions to GINSU GAZELLE.
VOICE
A room has been prepared for her at
headquarters, she should be quite
comfortable there. Come on, we
haven’t much time.
EXT. PARKING LOT - LATER
LUCKY and VOICE are leading the way to the car, talking. The
rest follow groggily behind.
VOICE
So, it seems you make a decent
leader.
LUCKY
Thank you, sir.
VOICE
Expect a full debriefing when we
get back. The directors are
anxious to speak with you.
They walk over to a nearby van, get in, and drive off.
INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
The agents sit around a table. VOICE is nearby, finishing
the briefing. LUCKY comes in quietly and sits down.
VOICE
Ah, glad you came.
CHRIS
Have a nice talk with the
directors, Lucky?
VOICE
We were just beginning to think you
wouldn’t show.
LUCKY
What’s the mission?
VOICE clears his throat.
VOICE
In a nutshell, one of our investors
is hosting a party tonight. They
are going to be unveiling the
prototype Suspended Animation Unit
they have been working on for the
last decade. The investor thought
someone might try something, so
they requested that NOMCO send some
agents to stand guard. You are
those agents.
LUCKY
We’re being put on guard duty?
VOICE senses how upset LUCKY is by this.
VOICE
Yes. Get some rest, the party
starts at seven.
INT. GINSU GAZELLE’S ROOM - LATER
GINSU GAZELLE is on the floor, doing sit-ups. A clock on her
nightstand reads 4:50. There is a knock at the door.
GINSU GAZELLE
It’s open.
The door slowly opens and VLADKA enters. GINSU GAZELLE looks
up. She seems surprised.
GINSU GAZELLE
What are you doing here?
VLADKA
My team has been assigned to go to
a party, be ready for anything and
all that. Lucky has decided to
send a few agents into the party
undercover as guests.
There is a pause.
GINSU GAZELLE
And?
VLADKA
Well, the guests customarily bring
dates. Lucky hoped you would go
with him.
She rolls her eyes.
VLADKA
He thought we could use your combat
skills should something come up.
GINSU GAZELLE
And why doesn’t he ask me himself?
VLADKA
He’s downstairs with the others,
getting the equipment for the
mission. He asked me to... well,
you get the idea. So, what shall I
tell him?
She considers it.
GINSU GAZELLE
I’ll need a dress.
EXT. BIOTECH INDUSTRIES COMPANY BUILDING - NIGHT
A party has already started. A van pulls up to the side of
the building, the agents get out. LUCKY, GINSU GAZELLE, and
CHRIS are in formal wear, VLADKA and STEVEN are in covert,
badass ninja clothing.
LUCKY
Ok, you two. Take your posts on
the roof. We’ll be in touch.
The agents put radio earpieces on. VLADKA and STEVEN take
out grappling hooks and rope, and begin scaling the building.
The others go around front.
INT. BUILDING - LATER
LUCKY takes two glasses of champagne from a tray, gives one
to GINSU GAZELLE. He takes a sip of his.
GINSU GAZELLE
Do you think anything is going to
happen?
LUCKY
I hope nothing will, but no one can
be sure.
(into radio)
Chris, do you see anything?
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
CHRIS is standing on a staircase across the room, overseeing
the party.
CHRIS
Nothing yet.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
LUCKY
Vladka? How about you?
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA and STEVEN are seated on the roof, looking somewhat
bored.
VLADKA
Nothing’s happening. Enjoy the
party.
STEVEN pulls out a pack of cigarettes. He puts one in his
mouth and lights it.
STEVEN
Cigarette?
VLADKA
Thank you.
VLADKA takes a cigarette, and pulls some matches out of his
bag. When he does this, a brick of C-4 is visible.
STEVEN
Is that C-4?
VLADKA closes his bag.
VLADKA
No.
STEVEN
Lucky would be pissed if he knew
you brought that.
VLADKA
That doesn’t compare with how angry
NOMCO would be if some explosives
could have prevented a disaster and
Lucky wouldn’t let us have any.
VLADKA is about to put the cigarette in his mouth when he
notices-
VLADKA
Why is there a “F” on the filter?
STEVEN looks up.
STEVEN
What?
VLADKA
Look.
VLADKA shows him. A small “F” is written on the filter.
STEVEN
Oh, crap.
STEVEN takes the cigarette from VLADKA, and gives him a
different one.
STEVEN
Sorry about that.
VLADKA
What was that?
STEVEN
A one-use flamethrower cigarette.
I’ve got a bunch in here, mixed in
with the normal ones. I put
letters on the filters to tell them
apart.
VLADKA
What else do you have in that pack?
STEVEN shows him.
STEVEN
The “G” is a hand grenade, the “P”
is a one shot pistol, the “W” is a
welding torch, and the “S” gives
off poisonous smoke.
VLADKA chuckles.
STEVEN
Yeah, yeah, smoking kills. I get
that crack a lot.
VLADKA
No, I was thinking about how easy
it would be to mix those up. I
mean, I almost blew fire in your
face.
STEVEN chuckles, VLADKA suddenly sits up, alert.
STEVEN
Yeah, I guess that would-
VLADKA
Shh.
STEVEN stops, listens. A helicopter can be barely heard.
STEVEN
It’s only a helicopter.
VLADKA grabs his arm.
VLADKA
It’s coming for this building. We
need to hide.
STEVEN
How can you-
STEVEN sees how serious VLADKA is.
STEVEN
Ok.
They rush off and hide behind some vent outputs as a stealth
helicopter lands. Several men climb out, one much bigger
than the others. This is BUTCH WILLIAMS. He stands over sixand-
a-half feet tall, and is built like the Hulk. He gives
some orders to the men, who rush over to the roof-access door
and shoot off the lock with silenced rifles. The men
disappear inside.
VLADKA
I recognize that man.
STEVEN
What are you talking about?
VLADKA
His name is Williams. He was in
demolitions in the FBI with me
before I transferred to NOMCO. He
was very precise in what he did.
They said he died in action years
ago.
STEVEN (INTO RADIO)
Uh, Lucky, you guys are about to
have some company.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
A COMPANY EXEC is up on a stage at the end of the room,
getting ready to unveil the prototype.
LUCKY
What?
VLADKA (OVER RADIO)
They’re coming down the stairs from
the roof.
COMPANY EXEC
And now, the moment everyone’s been
waiting for, the culmination of ten
years of research...
LUCKY looks up at the staircase, sees several men enter onto
the balcony, begin spreading out and chaining shut the doors.
COMPANY EXEC
Ten years of work, ten years of
testing. We at Biotech Industries
are proud to unveil the Suspended
Animation Unit!
The Curtain is pulled back, the SAU is shown. The partygoers
applaud. Just then, BUTCH and several MEN climb up on the
platform. The MEN begin loading the SAU onto a platform as
BUTCH pushes the COMPANY EXEC away and steps up to the mic.
BUTCH
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
If everyone can remain calm, this
will all be over with quickly.
BUTCH holds up a detonator and pushes the button. The
skylight explodes, raining pieces of glass on the crowd.
BUTCH
We’ve only come for the technology,
not your lives. If everyone
cooperates, I won’t have to set off
any more explosives.
CHRIS reaches into his jacket, pulls out his Glock.
CHRIS (INTO RADIO)
I’m gonna take him down.
LUCKY (INTO RADIO)
No, you’re not.
CHRIS (INTO RADIO)
Why not? I’ve got a clear-
VLADKA (OVER RADIO)
The detonator he’s holding is
primed for four charges. We don’t
know where the other three are, or
how many people have access to
them. If you shot him now, the
whole place could go up.
A SECURITY GUARD makes his way slowly to the platform.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
Several MEN get out of the helicopter, and drag cables from
it to the skylight. VLADKA and STEVEN watch this.
VLADKA (INTO RADIO)
Lucky, what’s more important to the
mission and the agency; keeping the
SAU intact, or keeping the SAU away
from that man?
LUCKY (OVER RADIO)
Why?
VLADKA (INTO RADIO)
I have a plan.
LUCKY (OVER RADIO)
Vladka, I’m not sure that the
agency would appreciate-
VLADKA (INTO RADIO)
Sorry Lucky, I’ve got to turn off
my radio now.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
The SECURITY GUARD climbs up on the back of the platform and
presses his gun into BUTCH’s back.
SECURITY GUARD
Freeze! Drop the detonator and put
your hands over your head!
Several MEN aim their rifles at the GUARD. BUTCH slowly
turns around and signals his MEN to put their guns down.
They do.
BUTCH
You don’t want to do that. Point
your gun somewhere else, unless you
want to kill everyone here,
including yourself.
GUARD doesn’t move, although he looks rather nervous.
BUTCH
I know that right now, you’re
thinking that your trigger finger
is faster than mine. You’re
thinking that you could kill me
before I could push any buttons on
this detonator. However, if you
took such actions, it would lead to
disaster. See, this vest I’m
wearing is monitoring my vital
signs. If I were to be shot, or
killed, the vest is programmed to
set off enough plastic explosives
to reduce this entire building to
rubble. So, if you don’t mind.
BUTCH holds out his hand. After a pause, the SECURITY GUARD
gives his gun to BUTCH.
BUTCH
Thank you.
BUTCH shoots the SECURITY GUARD, then faces the crowd.
BUTCH
If there are no more heroes out
there, my team and I can get this
over with quickly.
MEN from the roof drop the cables down into the building, and
some of BUTCH’s MEN attach them to the platform holding the
SAU.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA sneaks up to the empty helicopter, and places the
brick of C-4 on its underbelly. He pushes a remote detonator
into it. VLADKA then quietly tosses his radio into the
helicopter, and sneaks off.
He reaches the vent STEVEN is hiding behind, and sits down.
STEVEN
I don’t like this.
VLADKA
What’s not to like? He takes off,
and heads out of the city,
otherwise the Police could track
him. Once he is safely in the
country, we inform him via my radio
that if he doesn’t land
immediately, we’ll blow him to
pieces. He lands, we arrest him,
and we all get big promotions in
the morning.
STEVEN
I still don’t like it. What if
something goes wrong? He’ll blow
the building. He’ll kill everyone
here!
VLADKA
If he is the man I think he is,
he’s going to blow the building no
matter what we do. Which leads me
to the next part of my plan.
STEVEN
What?
VLADKA
You need to go down to the back
entrance and cut open the door with
that welding-torch of yours.
STEVEN
...and?
VLADKA
And as soon as that helicopter
takes off, you need to get everyone
outside very quickly. Get the
others to help you.
STEVEN contemplates this.
STEVEN
All right. I hope this works.
STEVEN attaches his grappling hook to the wall and climbs
down. VLADKA moves to where he can see the helicopter.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
LUCKY (INTO RADIO)
He did WHAT?
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
I told him I didn’t like it.
LUCKY (INTO RADIO)
Oh well, it’s too late now.
LUCKY turns to GINSU GAZELLE
LUCKY
We need to be ready to get everyone
out the back door very quickly.
BUTCH’s MEN have finished attaching the cables. BUTCH turns
to face the crowd.
BUTCH
We’ll be leaving now, ladies and
gentlemen. Thank you for being
cooperative.
BUTCH and his MEN go back up the staircase to the roof.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
The helicopter starts its engines and takes off, hovering
over the broken skylight. The cables begin rewinding,
pulling the SAU up to the helicopter.
EXT. BACK DOOR - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN pulls the “W” cigarette out of the pack and lights the
end. The cigarette flares into, effectively, a blowtorch.
STEVEN begins cutting the hinges off the door.
EXT. ROOF - MOMENTS LATER
As the helicopter finishes pulling in the SAU, BUTCH’s MEN
board the helicopter. BUTCH stops just before boarding and
notices the C-4. He pulls the detonator out and looks around
the roof for the man who planted it.
VLADKA sees this, and looks over the edge of the roof at
STEVEN still working on opening the door.
VLADKA looks around, contemplating what to do, then stands,
holds his AK-47 at the ready, and walks out into BUTCH’s
view. Two MEN get out of the helicopter and train their
rifles on VLADKA.
BUTCH
You the one who put C-4 on my
helicopter?
VLADKA
That would be me, yes.
BUTCH
What agency are you from, huh?
CIA? FBI?
BUTCH chuckles.
BUTCH
NOMCO?
VLADKA reacts slightly.
BUTCH
NOMCO, eh? Interesting. They
usually try to minimize damages, so
as to make fewer mistakes. And
that mistake just cost everyone
here their lives.
BUTCH raises detonator. VLADKA quickly shoots it, sending it
flying into pieces.
VLADKA
Well, if you’re going to set off
the explosives anyway, I might as
well shoot you and get it over
with.
VLADKA aims low. BUTCH ignores this, scrutinizing VLADKA.
BUTCH
Do I know you from somewhere,
comrade?
VLADKA
Excuse me?
EXT. BACK DOOR - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN cuts off the last hinge, pulls the door down.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
LUCKY, GINSU GAZELLE, and CHRIS begin shepherding people out
the back door.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
BUTCH
Your face just seems familiar to
me.
VLADKA
I don’t acquaint myself with people
like you.
BUTCH
Oh well.
EXT. BACK DOOR - CONTINUOUS
People quietly rush outside.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
BUTCH
You don’t seem like you want to die
today, I know I don’t, so let’s
make a deal. You let me get in
this helicopter, and no one dies.
Fair?
VLADKA
No.
VLADKA smiles.
VLADKA
But I don’t really have a choice,
do I?
BUTCH chuckles, signals his men to stand down, and begins
getting into the helicopter.
VLADKA puts his AK-47 down.
BUTCH
Maybe we’ll see each other again.
Eh, comrade?
VLADKA just stares. The helicopter takes off. VLADKA walks
over and picks up the dropped detonator.
VLADKA
(very angry)
So close!
VLADKA throws the detonator to the ground.
EXT. BEHIND BUILDING - LATER
VLADKA slowly walks toward the crowd of partygoers, the
agents approach him.
LUCKY
Do you have any idea how close you
came to killing everyone here?!
And to make it worse, he got away!
He’s probably getting ready to blow
this whole place right now!
VLADKA
Did you consider the possibility
that he was bluffing to prevent
from being shot?
The building behind them suddenly explodes, throwing everyone
to the ground. The agents and VLADKA stand first.
LUCKY
The directors are going to kill
me...
VLADKA
Then you’ll probably want a stiff
drink. After we check in, we’ll go
have a nice drink somewhere.
LUCKY stares at VLADKA
VLADKA
I’m buying.
INT. BAR - LATER
CHRIS, GINSU GAZELLE and STEVEN are playing darts. GINSU
GAZELLE is kicking their asses. VLADKA and LUCKY sit at the
bar.
LUCKY looks more than somewhat drunk, VLADKA looks detached.
LUCKY
I’ve never heard so much yelling.
VLADKA
Yelling? Pah. At least they
weren’t shooting at us.
LUCKY
I’m still amazed we weren’t fired.
VLADKA
How could they fire us? We saved
hundreds of people.
LUCKY
And caused several million dollars
in damage to the property.
VLADKA
The people are still alive, and
they are unharmed. The premises
can always be rebuilt as long as
there are people to do it.
LUCKY
Yeah, I guess.
LUCKY takes a drink, and notices VLADKA staring into space.
LUCKY
Hey, are you all right?
VLADKA
As I ever will be.
LUCKY
You seem down.
VLADKA
I’m not “down”. “Down” is for
people who have lost their lovers,
or for kids whose pets have died.
I am lost.
LUCKY
What’s wrong?
VLADKA doesn’t respond.
LUCKY
Come on, you can tell me. We’re
friends, right?
VLADKA scoffs.
VLADKA
We aren’t friends. I’ve only had
one friend my entire life. My
partner, my squad leader back in
Russia when I was being trained.
God rest his soul.
LUCKY
What happened to him?
VLADKA
We were sent to break into a Mafia-controlled
warehouse and get names
of people involved there. We
showed up on time, everything was
perfect. We were to blow open the
front door, and rush the place.
Then I made a lethal mistake. I
placed the explosives too close to
the fuel for the gas furnace in the
basement. When I blew the door,
the whole warehouse went up. My
partner was the only one to survive
the initial blast, and he didn’t
have long to live. With his last
breath, he asked me to find his son
in America and take care of him. I
swore on my honor that I would.
VLADKA finishes and takes another drink.
LUCKY
Did you ever find him?
VLADKA
No.
VLADKA orders another drink.
VLADKA
Your turn.
LUCKY
What?
VLADKA
Why were you made our leader? What
did you screw up so badly that this
was your punishment?
LUCKY
Well-
LUCKY’s cell phone rings. He answers it.
LUCKY
Uh huh... Yeah... Ok, we’ll be
right there.
VLADKA
What was that?
LUCKY
The directors have made their
decision. We’re to return to
headquarters immediately.
FADE IN:
INT. OFFICE: NOMCO HEADQUARTERS - DAY
A special Agent is seated in front of a table of directors.
He is, as of yet, only known by his nickname: Lucky. Lucky
is a well-dressed young man in his early 20's, very young for
a NOMCO agent. He looks somewhat nervous. One director
leans forward to speak.
DIRECTOR
Special Agent 439B, we have come to
our decision.
LUCKY
(Desperately)
Please, sir, it wasn’t my fault. I-
DIRECTOR
We’ve heard enough of your excuses!
Because of your actions, one of our
top agents is now dead, and dozens
of civilians have been
hospitalized!
LUCKY
It would have turned out worse had
we not-
DIRECTOR
We realize this, and have taken it
into consideration. You, however,
must understand that our investors
have been rather upset. They were
calling for your immediate
dismissal. And we can’t ignore the
wishes of our investors. You know
as well as I that we are not
government operated. We need their
support to survive.
LUCKY
(Dejected)
Yes, sir...
DIRECTOR
However, as you are the youngest,
and, shall we say, most promising
agent we’ve ever trained, we are
prepared to grant you a second
chance. You will be put in charge
of a new team we are assembling,
and your progress will be watched
carefully. Your task is to
prevent another incident like
the one that has brought you
here today.
LUCKY
Thank you, sir! I can’t express-
DIRECTOR
You are to leave immediately for
your first mission. Your team is
already en-route to the airport. A
transport is waiting outside, you
will be briefed on the way.
LUCKY stands.
LUCKY
Thank you, sir.
LUCKY prepares to leave.
DIRECTOR
And, if possible...
LUCKY looks up.
DIRECTOR
Avoid another multi-million dollar bar brawl.
LUCKY
Yes, sir.
INT. ANONYMOUS NEUTRAL-TONE SEDAN, SPEEDING DOWN THE FREEWAY
LUCKY is in the backseat, looking forward at VOICE, a middle-
aged suit from the agency. VOICE gives LUCKY files and
papers when necessary.
VOICE
One of our agents, code-named Ginsu
Gazelle, was arrested in Beijing
while following up a lead on the
crime underground there. You and
your team are to break her out of a
top security facility in the
mountains before her execution
three days from now. Your
secondary priority is to keep
bloodshed to a minimum. We don’t
need the Chinese Government too
pissed off at us.
LUCKY
Of course.
VOICE
Now, your team: You will be
working with three agents of
varying ability, skill, and...
VOICE clears his throat.
VOICE
...Stability. First is Steven
Kremé, codename Poseidon,-
VOICE hands LUCKY a thin folder.
VOICE
-a rather brilliant hacker the
agency picked up while hacking into
corporate databases.
INT. STEVEN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
STEVEN, an emaciated man in his late 20’s - early 30’s with
bags under his eyes so big one wonders if he has ever slept,
is typing furiously on his computer. A gun cocks and is
pressed against his head. As he slowly raises his hands and
turns around, several dozen more guns cocking are heard.
Roughly thirty agents surround STEVEN, guns trained on his
head.
INT. CAR - DAY
VOICE
He claims he can hack into
anything. Corporate, Government,
whatever. You will also be working
with Chris Remington, codename
Chameleon, a young man we pulled
from the streets. He has been
trained with firearms, but his
specialty is vehicular combat.
VOICE hands LUCKY another small folder.
INT. SPORTS CAR - DAY
CHRIS, a very “suppish” man in his mid-to-late 20’s, is
driving with one hand on the wheel, wearing a backwards
baseball cap and sunglasses. He opens a can of soda with one
hand, and takes a sip. The engine revs louder and louder.
He doesn’t blink as the car is jolted violently, and then
stops. He takes another sip.
It is revealed that he has just jumped the sports car off the
second story of a waterfront parking garage and landed in a
nearby departing garbage barge. The cars chasing him either
screech to a stop or fall off the edge.
CHRIS finishes the soda and tosses it out the window into the
garbage.
INT. CAR - DAY
VOICE
Finally we have Vladka Pechenka,
codename Axehandle.
VOICE hands LUCKY a very fat file.
VOICE
Trained as an agent in post cold
war Russia, an expert in
demolitions, adept at almost any
firearm, and very dangerous to
oppose in combat.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
VLADKA, a muscular, badass, military-looking man in his mid
40’s is sitting pressed up against the back of a van. He
flips open and set off a detonator. The ensuing blast is
seen through the seams of the van doors, and blasts the
windows inward.
INT. CAR - DAY
VOICE
However, he was just recently taken
off probation for being a danger to
his fellow agents, and anyone else
around him.
INT. MALL - DAY
An ARMED ROBBER holds up a cashier while several others keep
the crowd under control.
A skylight explodes, VLADKA rapells inward, spinning around,
firing an AK-47 at everything. As he lands, the ROBBERS are visible behind him. He takes a grenade in each hand, flicks out the pins, and throws them off camera.
INT. CAR - DAY
VOICE
You’ll need to keep an eye on him.
The sedan pulls up to the terminal.
VOICE
You and your agents will
requisition your equipment from our
branch in Beijing upon arrival.
Here are your tickets and passport.
VOICE gives LUCKY these.
VOICE
Good luck. NOMCO is counting on
you.
LUCKY enters the terminal. The sedan drives off.
INT. TERMINAL - MOMENTS LATER
STEVEN is seated at a gate, typing on a laptop, glancing over
his shoulder every once in a while. On the screen, the
words, “All flights are cancelled today, refunds available at
the ticket counter, for the next five minutes only.” Appear
on the screen.
VLADKA is sitting at a nearby bar, staring listlessly into
his drink. CHRIS is nearby as well, baseball cap over his
eyes and stretched out over several chairs. He appears to be
dozing.
The intercom clicks on.
INTERCOM
United Airlines flight 233 to
Beijing is now boarding at gate 14.
CHRIS flips up his baseball cap, stretches, and looks around.
CHRIS
Hey old man, where’s this guy we’re
supposed to be meeting? Shouldn’t
he be here by now?
VLADKA finishes his drink.
VLADKA
Don’t call me old man.
CHRIS
Well, whatever. Where’s our new
leader? I’m not sure if I can
trust someone who shows up this
late. I mean, my life is in this
guy’s hands; he could at least have
the courtesy to-
VLADKA
He will be here.
CHRIS, dejected, stretches out again.
VLADKA
I liked you better when you were
asleep anyway.
LUCKY approaches, CHRIS sits up and VLADKA turns around.
LUCKY
Hello, gentlemen. I’m-
CHRIS
No way! You’re our leader?!
VLADKA
What? Who is this?
CHRIS
This is that Irish upstart guy
everyone’s been talking about. You
know, Lucky?
VLADKA stares.
CHRIS
The leprechaun? Because he’s
Irish?
VLADKA stares.
CHRIS
(In mock Irish accent)
They’re always after-
(stops)
Never mind.
(To LUCKY)
I heard you were fired.
LUCKY
No, I was reassigned to lead you
three.
LUCKY looks at his watch.
LUCKY
I’ll explain on the way. For now,
we’ve got a flight to catch.
STEVEN closes his computer. As they get up and walk off to
the gate, STEVEN quietly points to the intercom.
INTERCOM
Attention all passengers: All
flights have been canceled today.
Refunds and meal vouchers are
available at the ticket desk for
the next five minutes only.
PASSENGERS begin rushing toward the ticket counter. The
INTERCOM tries to correct this announcement to no avail.
STEVEN chuckles softly to himself as they walk off.
EXT. BAMBOO FOREST - EVENING
SUBTITLE
Crow’s Nest prison, outside Beijing.
An SUV is parked nearby, hidden from the road.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
The backseat is down. STEVEN is seated at a small panel of
monitors, looking through what appears to be a threedimensional
map of the prison. VLADKA is pacing around the
SUV, gun at the ready. LUCKY is peering over STEVEN’s
shoulder. CHRIS is drumming his fingers on the steering
wheel, looking bored.
STEVEN
Got it. Cell block C, lower level,
cell 14.
CHRIS
Finally!
CHRIS leans out the window.
CHRIS
Vladka, come on, we found her.
VLADKA opens the back doors of the SUV. CHRIS loads two
Glock-17s, which he puts into holsters. LUCKY carefully
opens a case and pulls out his severely modified .45 handgun.
VLADKA
What the hell is that thing?
LUCKY
It’s my Agency-issue modified .45.
CHRIS leans in to get a better look, quite interested.
CHRIS
Ooh! What mods you got on it?
LUCKY
The works. Tactical holster,
molded grip, laser sights, inbarrel
silencer and flash
suppressor-
VLADKA scoffs and begins loading the many pockets of his vest
with ammo clips.
LUCKY
What?
VLADKA
Such modifications are wasted in
weapons like that. I have seen men
better than you annihilated when
going into combat with fancied-up
garbage, thinking they are
Superman.
LUCKY
If we do our mission right, there
won’t be any combat.
VLADKA
Whatever. I’d still feel more
comfortable carrying something
capable of doing some damage.
VLADKA pats his AK, and puts a few smoke grenades in his
pockets.
VLADKA
Speaking of which, where is that
C-4 I requested?
LUCKY
You aren’t getting any. I took it
off the requisition.
VLADKA
Excuse me?
LUCKY
NOMCO has placed me in charge of
this team in order to prevent the
otherwise inevitable collateral
damage you might inflict. You
aren’t getting any high explosives
on this mission. You won’t need
any.
VLADKA
I’m the demolitions man. What do
you propose I do when we come to a
door or wall or platoon of soldiers
we need to get through?
LUCKY
Here.
LUCKY hands VLADKA a toothpaste-sized tube. VLADKA stares at
it, trying to figure out what in God’s name it is.
VLADKA
What in God’s name is this?
As LUCKY talks, VLADKA opens the tube, spreads some gel on
his fingers and feels the consistency, then wipes the gel off
on his vest.
LUCKY
A special gel, it burns somewhat
like concentrated napalm. Spread
it on something, ignite it, and it
acts like a very fast blowtorch.
It will burn through an inch of
solid steel in less than five
seconds.
VLADKA pauses, shrugs, and puts it in a pocket.
LUCKY
Oh yeah, here.
LUCKY tosses VLADKA a box of matches.
LUCKY
You’ll need these to set it off.
VLADKA puts the matches in the pocket he wiped the gel on.
VLADKA
Could you explain to me how this
fuseless napalm-like gel, ignited
by matches is safer than remote
C-4?
STEVEN
I don’t know how much longer I can
stay in the system. You’d better
get going.
LUCKY puts on a headset radio.
LUCKY
We’ll call if we need anything.
The agents head off into the forest, STEVEN stays in the car.
INT. FOREST - NIGHT
The team is crouched in some underbrush. A GUARD passes by.
LUCKY
Ok, Poseidon. We’re close. How do
we get in?
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN
You should be near the eastern
corner of the southern wall right
now. About 100 yards from the end
of the wall-
INT. FOREST - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
- there should be a small
ventilation shaft on the roof.
LUCKY looks carefully, sees it.
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
It should lead to a kitchen near
Ginsu Gazelle’s cell.
LUCKY
Got it.
They slowly get up. VLADKA looks around, then signals the
others to go ahead.
EXT. SOUTHERN WALL - NIGHT
After a pause, VLADKA silently rolls out of the bushes and
looks around, then runs up against the wall. He looks around
again, then signals the others.
As LUCKY and CHRIS approach, LUCKY detaches the front of his
belt buckle and opens it into a grappling hook. He then
pulls out fifty feet of cord from the buckle. He throws the
hook at the roof. It glances off the wall and falls back
down.
EXT. WALL - CONTINUOUS
A GUARD hears the sound, but ignores it.
EXT. SOUTHERN WALL - CONTINUOUS
LUCKY picks up the fallen hook, getting ready to try again.
VLADKA stops him and takes the hook.
VLADKA
Give me that.
VLADKA spins the hook around by its cord and hurls it to the
top of the roof. It catches.
EXT. WALL - CONTINUOUS
The GUARD hears this, and goes to investigate.
EXT. SOUTHERN WALL - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA and CHRIS look around again, then grab onto LUCKY.
LUCKY pushes a small button on the belt buckle. A small
motor rewinds the cord, and they are all pulled to the roof.
EXT. ROOF - NIGHT
The GUARD approaches a vent CHRIS is hiding behind. He is
soaking a rag in a bottle of chloroform. When the GUARD
walks by the corner, CHRIS presses the rag against his mouth
until the GUARD collapses. LUCKY drags the body aside.
VLADKA is spreading gel on a panel of the air duct. He
lights a match, pauses, then slowly touches it to the gel.
INT. VENT - CONTINUOUS
There is a bright flash and fizzling sound. When the smoke
clears, the metal of the vent has been melted into a door.
The piece in the center falls inward. VLADKA’s hand shoots
out and catches it. VLADKA pulls the metal back outside,
quickly puts it down, and blows on his mildly burned hand.
CHRIS peers in the hole with a flashlight.
INT. LOWER VENT - MOMENTS LATER
VLADKA drops slowly and silently to the bottom of the vent,
followed quickly by CHRIS and LUCKY. LUCKY is now dressed in
the guard’s uniform.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
The kitchen is empty. A large, 10 foot diameter fan slowly
rotates. The fan is built into the ceiling, and leads into
the vent shaft. The agents pause at the fan.
LUCKY
Poseidon, you think you could shut
off this fan?
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN is typing on the laptop.
STEVEN
Yes, but it’s part of the
building’s automated vent system,
so if I keep it off for long,
they’ll notice.
LUCKY (OVER RADIO)
How long will we have?
STEVEN
About ten seconds.
INT. VENT - CONTINUOUS
The agents look at each other, unsure.
LUCKY
Do it.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
Steven types at his laptop, the three dimensional map shows
the fan stopping.
INT. VENT - CONTINUOUS
The fan grinds to a halt.
INT. SECURITY OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
A small red light starts blinking on a panel. The GUARD on
duty doesn’t notice.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The agents jump down quietly. As they land, the fan starts
again.
INT. SECURITY OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
The light stops blinking as the GUARD turns around.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA wheels over a food cart and begins pulling the shelves
out of its cabinet. LUCKY cracks open his case and pulls out
a mask and other disguise materials. While LUCKY disguises
himself, CHRIS peers out the door at the upper cell block.
LUCKY stands up, now looking quite like a Chinese prison
guard. VLADKA burns the bottom of the cabinet door off, and
stands.
LUCKY
Now, we’re all clear on the plan?
The agents nod.
LUCKY
Chameleon, stay here and be ready
to cover us.
CHRIS nods. VLADKA climbs into the cart and closes the door.
INT. LOWER CELL BLOCK - MOMENTS LATER
The elevator doors slide open, and LUCKY pushes the cart out,
quietly singing a Chinese song to himself. He slowly strolls
down the row of cells.
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
Three more cells... Two more... One
more... Bingo.
LUCKY stops at a cell. Two women are inside, one seeming to
be asleep. The other is GINSU GAZELLE, a mid-20’s Asian
woman, small-framed but strong with a fiery look in her eyes.
LUCKY
Ginsu Gazelle?
GINSU GAZELLE looks up. The sleeping WOMAN sits up and pulls
a gun. The lights click on in the cell block and several
cell doors slide open.
WOMAN
Did you really think we didn’t see
this coming, NOMCO agents?
LUCKY freezes as people rush out of the now opened cells,
draw handguns, and aim at him.
LUCKY
(still in accent)
Oi. Fuckshit.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN runs his hand through his messy hair.
STEVEN
Oh, Jesus.
INT. LOWER CELL BLOCK - CONTINUOUS
The WOMAN walks toward the still closed cell door.
WOMAN
So, if you would be so kind as to
drop your weapons-
VLADKA rolls out the broken cabinet door and opens fire with
his AK-47. LUCKY shoots the gun out of the WOMAN’s hand,
then turns to face the large group of people behind them.
VLADKA stands up and lets loose another volley from behind
the cart. LUCKY shoots an ATTACKER in the shoulder.
LUCKY
Axehandle! Open the door!
VLADKA turns around and liberally applies gel to the workings
of the cell door lock. He strikes a match and jams it in,
burning the lock clean off. The door slides open.
An ATTACKER fires. The bullet ricochets off the bars near
VLADKA’s head. VLADKA turns around and fires into the man’s
chest.
LUCKY
Hey! No unnecessary bloodshed!
VLADKA
What kind of pansy order is that?!
They shoot to kill, I shoot to
kill!
VLADKA turns around and cold-cocks the WOMAN with his rifle
butt as she rushes at him with her newly retrieved gun.
LUCKY sighs, takes aim, and fires again.
VLADKA rushes over to GINSU GAZELLE, and finds her handcuffed
to the chair.
VLADKA
Hold still.
VLADKA shoots the handcuffs, snapping them.
VLADKA
Come on.
VLADKA pulls a smoke grenade out of his pocket, and hurls it,
with the pin still in it, toward the nearby staircase. The
ATTACKERS see it.
ATTACKER
Grenade!
They dive aside. VLADKA grabs LUCKY by the arm and carts him
off toward the stairs. GINSU GAZELLE follows closely behind.
VLADKA grabs the grenade as they pass it, and puts it back in
his pocket. As they run up the stairs, LUCKY pulls the fire
alarm.
The sprinklers go off, making the tile floor on the lower
cell block very hard to walk on. The ATTACKERS slowly make
their way to the stairwell.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
CHRIS is kneeling, looking out the door at the upper cell
block. He hears the gunfire from downstairs, and looks quite
anxious to leave his post and go help.
LUCKY (OVER RADIO)
Chameleon! Get ready for that
cover fire! We’re heading up the
staircase now!
CHRIS
Got it.
CHRIS takes a Glock into each hand and pushes a small button
on the side of each. Small braces slide out of the back of
the guns and over his arms just past the wrist. CHRIS
stands, and aims both guns at the stairwell.
Within seconds, VLADKA, LUCKY, and GINSU GAZELLE fly out of
the stairwell and begin rushing across the upper cell block
toward the kitchen. Shortly afterward, the ATTACKERS come
running after them.
CHRIS takes several steps out into the cell block and opens
fire with both guns at the attackers, who summarily scatter
for cover. The agents rush past CHRIS and into the kitchen.
CHRIS follows and closes the door behind him.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
VLADKA and CHRIS move an oven to block the door.
LUCKY
Poseidon, shut off the fan.
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
If I shut it off, it’ll alert the
guards that I’m in the system.
The ATTACKERS pound on the door.
LUCKY
I’m pretty sure they already know.
Just shut it off.
INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN types a few keys on the computer.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The fan screeches to a halt. LUCKY throws his grappling hook
into the fan, then looks at CHRIS and VLADKA.
LUCKY
I can only lift 500 pounds at a
time.
VLADKA and CHRIS look at each other.
VLADKA
Go.
VLADKA braces himself against the oven. CHRIS and GINSU
GAZELLE grab onto LUCKY, and LUCKY pulls them up into the
vent shaft.
LUCKY pulls out several yards of cord and drops the belt to
the floor.
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
Guys, as soon as they see that
fan’s off, they’ll turn it back on
themselves.
VLADKA rushes over to the belt and pushes the button on the
side. He disappears into the vents as the ATTACKERS open
fire on the door.
INT. VENT - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA gives the belt to LUCKY, then motions for the others
to keep going.
VLADKA
Go ahead, I’ll cover you.
VLADKA drops the smoke grenades into the room as the door
bursts open. The ATTACKERS slowly and carefully enter the
room. VLADKA spreads the gel all over the fan, then fires
down into the room.
ATTACKER
He’s up in the vent!
The ATTACKERS run underneath the fan and begin shooting
upwards. VLADKA strikes a match.
VLADKA
Goodbye, comrades.
He touches the match to the gel.
The ceiling fan disappears momentarily in a bright flash.
When the flash subsides, the fan slowly detaches from the
ceiling and crashes down into the kitchen, crushing several
ATTACKERS.
VLADKA disappears into the vent.
EXT. BAMBOO FOREST - NIGHT
The agents approach the SUV quickly, the sound of gunfire
blaring in the distance.
STEVEN opens the doors for them. CHRIS jumps into the
driver’s seat, LUCKY in the passenger seat, and VLADKA and
GINSU GAZELLE climb in the back.
VLADKA slams the doors in the back shut as CHRIS pulls onto
the road, and begins driving away very quickly. Several cars
pursue them.
VLADKA
(to STEVEN and GINSU
GAZELLE)
You might want to get down.
STEVEN and GINSU GAZELLE drop just before the windows explode
open as the PURSUING CARS open fire. VLADKA returns several
volleys, finally puncturing the tire of one vehicle, causing
it to spin, out of control, off the road. The other car
begins to close the gap between them and the SUV.
VLADKA takes another few shots, and shatters the windshield
of the remaining car. LUCKY turns around and fires a few
times as well. GINSU GAZELLE looks rather annoyed.
GINSU GAZELLE
Give me a gun!
VLADKA looks down at her, somewhat surprised.
GINSU GAZELLE
I’m an agent too, asshole.
CHRIS tosses back a Glock. GINSU GAZELLE grabs it, sits up,
and takes careful aim with both hands. She fires, hitting
the PURSUING DRIVER with perfect aim, causing the PURSUING
CAR to swerve off the road.
GINSU GAZELLE blows the smoke off the barrel, and hands the
gun back to CHRIS. VLADKA smiles and shakes his head.
EXT. FREEWAY - NIGHT
The SUV drives off, back toward Beijing.
INT. AIRPORT - MORNING
The agents are seated near a gate, looking somewhat tired.
VOICE approaches.
VOICE
Ah, Ms. Gazelle, nice to see you
safe and sound.
GINSU GAZELLE, almost asleep, mumbles something and shifts in
her chair. VOICE chuckles.
VOICE
Ah, yes, you’ve had a long day.
You’ve all earned a good night’s
sleep. Unfortunately, that will
have to wait.
LUCKY
What?
VOICE
Your team has been given another
assignment. A car is waiting to
take us back to headquarters.
VLADKA
What about her?
VLADKA motions to GINSU GAZELLE.
VOICE
A room has been prepared for her at
headquarters, she should be quite
comfortable there. Come on, we
haven’t much time.
EXT. PARKING LOT - LATER
LUCKY and VOICE are leading the way to the car, talking. The
rest follow groggily behind.
VOICE
So, it seems you make a decent
leader.
LUCKY
Thank you, sir.
VOICE
Expect a full debriefing when we
get back. The directors are
anxious to speak with you.
They walk over to a nearby van, get in, and drive off.
INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
The agents sit around a table. VOICE is nearby, finishing
the briefing. LUCKY comes in quietly and sits down.
VOICE
Ah, glad you came.
CHRIS
Have a nice talk with the
directors, Lucky?
VOICE
We were just beginning to think you
wouldn’t show.
LUCKY
What’s the mission?
VOICE clears his throat.
VOICE
In a nutshell, one of our investors
is hosting a party tonight. They
are going to be unveiling the
prototype Suspended Animation Unit
they have been working on for the
last decade. The investor thought
someone might try something, so
they requested that NOMCO send some
agents to stand guard. You are
those agents.
LUCKY
We’re being put on guard duty?
VOICE senses how upset LUCKY is by this.
VOICE
Yes. Get some rest, the party
starts at seven.
INT. GINSU GAZELLE’S ROOM - LATER
GINSU GAZELLE is on the floor, doing sit-ups. A clock on her
nightstand reads 4:50. There is a knock at the door.
GINSU GAZELLE
It’s open.
The door slowly opens and VLADKA enters. GINSU GAZELLE looks
up. She seems surprised.
GINSU GAZELLE
What are you doing here?
VLADKA
My team has been assigned to go to
a party, be ready for anything and
all that. Lucky has decided to
send a few agents into the party
undercover as guests.
There is a pause.
GINSU GAZELLE
And?
VLADKA
Well, the guests customarily bring
dates. Lucky hoped you would go
with him.
She rolls her eyes.
VLADKA
He thought we could use your combat
skills should something come up.
GINSU GAZELLE
And why doesn’t he ask me himself?
VLADKA
He’s downstairs with the others,
getting the equipment for the
mission. He asked me to... well,
you get the idea. So, what shall I
tell him?
She considers it.
GINSU GAZELLE
I’ll need a dress.
EXT. BIOTECH INDUSTRIES COMPANY BUILDING - NIGHT
A party has already started. A van pulls up to the side of
the building, the agents get out. LUCKY, GINSU GAZELLE, and
CHRIS are in formal wear, VLADKA and STEVEN are in covert,
badass ninja clothing.
LUCKY
Ok, you two. Take your posts on
the roof. We’ll be in touch.
The agents put radio earpieces on. VLADKA and STEVEN take
out grappling hooks and rope, and begin scaling the building.
The others go around front.
INT. BUILDING - LATER
LUCKY takes two glasses of champagne from a tray, gives one
to GINSU GAZELLE. He takes a sip of his.
GINSU GAZELLE
Do you think anything is going to
happen?
LUCKY
I hope nothing will, but no one can
be sure.
(into radio)
Chris, do you see anything?
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
CHRIS is standing on a staircase across the room, overseeing
the party.
CHRIS
Nothing yet.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
LUCKY
Vladka? How about you?
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA and STEVEN are seated on the roof, looking somewhat
bored.
VLADKA
Nothing’s happening. Enjoy the
party.
STEVEN pulls out a pack of cigarettes. He puts one in his
mouth and lights it.
STEVEN
Cigarette?
VLADKA
Thank you.
VLADKA takes a cigarette, and pulls some matches out of his
bag. When he does this, a brick of C-4 is visible.
STEVEN
Is that C-4?
VLADKA closes his bag.
VLADKA
No.
STEVEN
Lucky would be pissed if he knew
you brought that.
VLADKA
That doesn’t compare with how angry
NOMCO would be if some explosives
could have prevented a disaster and
Lucky wouldn’t let us have any.
VLADKA is about to put the cigarette in his mouth when he
notices-
VLADKA
Why is there a “F” on the filter?
STEVEN looks up.
STEVEN
What?
VLADKA
Look.
VLADKA shows him. A small “F” is written on the filter.
STEVEN
Oh, crap.
STEVEN takes the cigarette from VLADKA, and gives him a
different one.
STEVEN
Sorry about that.
VLADKA
What was that?
STEVEN
A one-use flamethrower cigarette.
I’ve got a bunch in here, mixed in
with the normal ones. I put
letters on the filters to tell them
apart.
VLADKA
What else do you have in that pack?
STEVEN shows him.
STEVEN
The “G” is a hand grenade, the “P”
is a one shot pistol, the “W” is a
welding torch, and the “S” gives
off poisonous smoke.
VLADKA chuckles.
STEVEN
Yeah, yeah, smoking kills. I get
that crack a lot.
VLADKA
No, I was thinking about how easy
it would be to mix those up. I
mean, I almost blew fire in your
face.
STEVEN chuckles, VLADKA suddenly sits up, alert.
STEVEN
Yeah, I guess that would-
VLADKA
Shh.
STEVEN stops, listens. A helicopter can be barely heard.
STEVEN
It’s only a helicopter.
VLADKA grabs his arm.
VLADKA
It’s coming for this building. We
need to hide.
STEVEN
How can you-
STEVEN sees how serious VLADKA is.
STEVEN
Ok.
They rush off and hide behind some vent outputs as a stealth
helicopter lands. Several men climb out, one much bigger
than the others. This is BUTCH WILLIAMS. He stands over sixand-
a-half feet tall, and is built like the Hulk. He gives
some orders to the men, who rush over to the roof-access door
and shoot off the lock with silenced rifles. The men
disappear inside.
VLADKA
I recognize that man.
STEVEN
What are you talking about?
VLADKA
His name is Williams. He was in
demolitions in the FBI with me
before I transferred to NOMCO. He
was very precise in what he did.
They said he died in action years
ago.
STEVEN (INTO RADIO)
Uh, Lucky, you guys are about to
have some company.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
A COMPANY EXEC is up on a stage at the end of the room,
getting ready to unveil the prototype.
LUCKY
What?
VLADKA (OVER RADIO)
They’re coming down the stairs from
the roof.
COMPANY EXEC
And now, the moment everyone’s been
waiting for, the culmination of ten
years of research...
LUCKY looks up at the staircase, sees several men enter onto
the balcony, begin spreading out and chaining shut the doors.
COMPANY EXEC
Ten years of work, ten years of
testing. We at Biotech Industries
are proud to unveil the Suspended
Animation Unit!
The Curtain is pulled back, the SAU is shown. The partygoers
applaud. Just then, BUTCH and several MEN climb up on the
platform. The MEN begin loading the SAU onto a platform as
BUTCH pushes the COMPANY EXEC away and steps up to the mic.
BUTCH
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
If everyone can remain calm, this
will all be over with quickly.
BUTCH holds up a detonator and pushes the button. The
skylight explodes, raining pieces of glass on the crowd.
BUTCH
We’ve only come for the technology,
not your lives. If everyone
cooperates, I won’t have to set off
any more explosives.
CHRIS reaches into his jacket, pulls out his Glock.
CHRIS (INTO RADIO)
I’m gonna take him down.
LUCKY (INTO RADIO)
No, you’re not.
CHRIS (INTO RADIO)
Why not? I’ve got a clear-
VLADKA (OVER RADIO)
The detonator he’s holding is
primed for four charges. We don’t
know where the other three are, or
how many people have access to
them. If you shot him now, the
whole place could go up.
A SECURITY GUARD makes his way slowly to the platform.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
Several MEN get out of the helicopter, and drag cables from
it to the skylight. VLADKA and STEVEN watch this.
VLADKA (INTO RADIO)
Lucky, what’s more important to the
mission and the agency; keeping the
SAU intact, or keeping the SAU away
from that man?
LUCKY (OVER RADIO)
Why?
VLADKA (INTO RADIO)
I have a plan.
LUCKY (OVER RADIO)
Vladka, I’m not sure that the
agency would appreciate-
VLADKA (INTO RADIO)
Sorry Lucky, I’ve got to turn off
my radio now.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
The SECURITY GUARD climbs up on the back of the platform and
presses his gun into BUTCH’s back.
SECURITY GUARD
Freeze! Drop the detonator and put
your hands over your head!
Several MEN aim their rifles at the GUARD. BUTCH slowly
turns around and signals his MEN to put their guns down.
They do.
BUTCH
You don’t want to do that. Point
your gun somewhere else, unless you
want to kill everyone here,
including yourself.
GUARD doesn’t move, although he looks rather nervous.
BUTCH
I know that right now, you’re
thinking that your trigger finger
is faster than mine. You’re
thinking that you could kill me
before I could push any buttons on
this detonator. However, if you
took such actions, it would lead to
disaster. See, this vest I’m
wearing is monitoring my vital
signs. If I were to be shot, or
killed, the vest is programmed to
set off enough plastic explosives
to reduce this entire building to
rubble. So, if you don’t mind.
BUTCH holds out his hand. After a pause, the SECURITY GUARD
gives his gun to BUTCH.
BUTCH
Thank you.
BUTCH shoots the SECURITY GUARD, then faces the crowd.
BUTCH
If there are no more heroes out
there, my team and I can get this
over with quickly.
MEN from the roof drop the cables down into the building, and
some of BUTCH’s MEN attach them to the platform holding the
SAU.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
VLADKA sneaks up to the empty helicopter, and places the
brick of C-4 on its underbelly. He pushes a remote detonator
into it. VLADKA then quietly tosses his radio into the
helicopter, and sneaks off.
He reaches the vent STEVEN is hiding behind, and sits down.
STEVEN
I don’t like this.
VLADKA
What’s not to like? He takes off,
and heads out of the city,
otherwise the Police could track
him. Once he is safely in the
country, we inform him via my radio
that if he doesn’t land
immediately, we’ll blow him to
pieces. He lands, we arrest him,
and we all get big promotions in
the morning.
STEVEN
I still don’t like it. What if
something goes wrong? He’ll blow
the building. He’ll kill everyone
here!
VLADKA
If he is the man I think he is,
he’s going to blow the building no
matter what we do. Which leads me
to the next part of my plan.
STEVEN
What?
VLADKA
You need to go down to the back
entrance and cut open the door with
that welding-torch of yours.
STEVEN
...and?
VLADKA
And as soon as that helicopter
takes off, you need to get everyone
outside very quickly. Get the
others to help you.
STEVEN contemplates this.
STEVEN
All right. I hope this works.
STEVEN attaches his grappling hook to the wall and climbs
down. VLADKA moves to where he can see the helicopter.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
LUCKY (INTO RADIO)
He did WHAT?
STEVEN (OVER RADIO)
I told him I didn’t like it.
LUCKY (INTO RADIO)
Oh well, it’s too late now.
LUCKY turns to GINSU GAZELLE
LUCKY
We need to be ready to get everyone
out the back door very quickly.
BUTCH’s MEN have finished attaching the cables. BUTCH turns
to face the crowd.
BUTCH
We’ll be leaving now, ladies and
gentlemen. Thank you for being
cooperative.
BUTCH and his MEN go back up the staircase to the roof.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
The helicopter starts its engines and takes off, hovering
over the broken skylight. The cables begin rewinding,
pulling the SAU up to the helicopter.
EXT. BACK DOOR - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN pulls the “W” cigarette out of the pack and lights the
end. The cigarette flares into, effectively, a blowtorch.
STEVEN begins cutting the hinges off the door.
EXT. ROOF - MOMENTS LATER
As the helicopter finishes pulling in the SAU, BUTCH’s MEN
board the helicopter. BUTCH stops just before boarding and
notices the C-4. He pulls the detonator out and looks around
the roof for the man who planted it.
VLADKA sees this, and looks over the edge of the roof at
STEVEN still working on opening the door.
VLADKA looks around, contemplating what to do, then stands,
holds his AK-47 at the ready, and walks out into BUTCH’s
view. Two MEN get out of the helicopter and train their
rifles on VLADKA.
BUTCH
You the one who put C-4 on my
helicopter?
VLADKA
That would be me, yes.
BUTCH
What agency are you from, huh?
CIA? FBI?
BUTCH chuckles.
BUTCH
NOMCO?
VLADKA reacts slightly.
BUTCH
NOMCO, eh? Interesting. They
usually try to minimize damages, so
as to make fewer mistakes. And
that mistake just cost everyone
here their lives.
BUTCH raises detonator. VLADKA quickly shoots it, sending it
flying into pieces.
VLADKA
Well, if you’re going to set off
the explosives anyway, I might as
well shoot you and get it over
with.
VLADKA aims low. BUTCH ignores this, scrutinizing VLADKA.
BUTCH
Do I know you from somewhere,
comrade?
VLADKA
Excuse me?
EXT. BACK DOOR - CONTINUOUS
STEVEN cuts off the last hinge, pulls the door down.
INT. BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
LUCKY, GINSU GAZELLE, and CHRIS begin shepherding people out
the back door.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
BUTCH
Your face just seems familiar to
me.
VLADKA
I don’t acquaint myself with people
like you.
BUTCH
Oh well.
EXT. BACK DOOR - CONTINUOUS
People quietly rush outside.
EXT. ROOF - CONTINUOUS
BUTCH
You don’t seem like you want to die
today, I know I don’t, so let’s
make a deal. You let me get in
this helicopter, and no one dies.
Fair?
VLADKA
No.
VLADKA smiles.
VLADKA
But I don’t really have a choice,
do I?
BUTCH chuckles, signals his men to stand down, and begins
getting into the helicopter.
VLADKA puts his AK-47 down.
BUTCH
Maybe we’ll see each other again.
Eh, comrade?
VLADKA just stares. The helicopter takes off. VLADKA walks
over and picks up the dropped detonator.
VLADKA
(very angry)
So close!
VLADKA throws the detonator to the ground.
EXT. BEHIND BUILDING - LATER
VLADKA slowly walks toward the crowd of partygoers, the
agents approach him.
LUCKY
Do you have any idea how close you
came to killing everyone here?!
And to make it worse, he got away!
He’s probably getting ready to blow
this whole place right now!
VLADKA
Did you consider the possibility
that he was bluffing to prevent
from being shot?
The building behind them suddenly explodes, throwing everyone
to the ground. The agents and VLADKA stand first.
LUCKY
The directors are going to kill
me...
VLADKA
Then you’ll probably want a stiff
drink. After we check in, we’ll go
have a nice drink somewhere.
LUCKY stares at VLADKA
VLADKA
I’m buying.
INT. BAR - LATER
CHRIS, GINSU GAZELLE and STEVEN are playing darts. GINSU
GAZELLE is kicking their asses. VLADKA and LUCKY sit at the
bar.
LUCKY looks more than somewhat drunk, VLADKA looks detached.
LUCKY
I’ve never heard so much yelling.
VLADKA
Yelling? Pah. At least they
weren’t shooting at us.
LUCKY
I’m still amazed we weren’t fired.
VLADKA
How could they fire us? We saved
hundreds of people.
LUCKY
And caused several million dollars
in damage to the property.
VLADKA
The people are still alive, and
they are unharmed. The premises
can always be rebuilt as long as
there are people to do it.
LUCKY
Yeah, I guess.
LUCKY takes a drink, and notices VLADKA staring into space.
LUCKY
Hey, are you all right?
VLADKA
As I ever will be.
LUCKY
You seem down.
VLADKA
I’m not “down”. “Down” is for
people who have lost their lovers,
or for kids whose pets have died.
I am lost.
LUCKY
What’s wrong?
VLADKA doesn’t respond.
LUCKY
Come on, you can tell me. We’re
friends, right?
VLADKA scoffs.
VLADKA
We aren’t friends. I’ve only had
one friend my entire life. My
partner, my squad leader back in
Russia when I was being trained.
God rest his soul.
LUCKY
What happened to him?
VLADKA
We were sent to break into a Mafia-controlled
warehouse and get names
of people involved there. We
showed up on time, everything was
perfect. We were to blow open the
front door, and rush the place.
Then I made a lethal mistake. I
placed the explosives too close to
the fuel for the gas furnace in the
basement. When I blew the door,
the whole warehouse went up. My
partner was the only one to survive
the initial blast, and he didn’t
have long to live. With his last
breath, he asked me to find his son
in America and take care of him. I
swore on my honor that I would.
VLADKA finishes and takes another drink.
LUCKY
Did you ever find him?
VLADKA
No.
VLADKA orders another drink.
VLADKA
Your turn.
LUCKY
What?
VLADKA
Why were you made our leader? What
did you screw up so badly that this
was your punishment?
LUCKY
Well-
LUCKY’s cell phone rings. He answers it.
LUCKY
Uh huh... Yeah... Ok, we’ll be
right there.
VLADKA
What was that?
LUCKY
The directors have made their
decision. We’re to return to
headquarters immediately.