INT/EXT. LUCID DREAM SPACE - NIGHT - (LUCID DREAM)
An endless empty white space emerges, a world of nothing but
endless white void. Seconds later, a man walks into frame.
With a wave of his hand, the endless empty white spaces is
visually transformed, centered in on a small home, which
digitally appears, side by side with numerous other identical
homes.
EXT. OTTO MCCABE'S HOUSE - NIGHT - (LUCID DREAM)
The man approaches the front door and a unique key magically
appears in his hand, as he then opens the lock.
INT. OTTO MCCABE'S HOUSE - NIGHT - (LUCID DREAM)
OTTO MCCABE (Mid-30s) walks through the front door of his
home and is quickly overcome with emotion, as he is greeted
lovingly by his wife, CARMEN MCCABE (Mid-30s), who's holding
their baby daughter, KAIA MCCABE (6 months).
OTTO MCCABE
Carmen.
CARMEN MCCABE
Hello, my love.
Otto immediately embraces his wife with a passionate kiss.
Just as they begin kissing, Otto's son, DANNY MCCABE (5),
bolts into the room.
DANNY MCCABE (O.S.)
Dad!
Danny leaps into his dad's arms, giving him a massive hug.
OTTO MCCABE
Hey, buddy.
DANNY MCCABE
Can we eat already? I'm starving.
CARMEN MCCABE
(To Otto)
He was born with my eyes but he
definitely got his lack of patience
from you.
OTTO MCCABE
They say patience is a virtue, but,
to me, it's just a way of not
getting what you want.
CARMEN MCCABE
What is it that you want?
OTTO MCCABE
This...
Otto embraces his family in a group hug.
OTTO MCCABE (CONT’D)
More than anything.
CARMEN MCCABE
You have it.
Carmen kisses Otto on the cheek.
DANNY MCCABE
Hey, Dad?
OTTO MCCABE
What is it?
DANNY MCCABE
How come I have Mom's eyes and not
yours?
OTTO MCCABE
It's called genetics. When people
are born, we inherit certain traits
from our parents. Like how we look
and even how we act. Within you is
a little of me, and lucky for you,
slightly more of your mom. The rest
is all you.
DANNY MCCABE
So, I could look like you one day?
OTTO MCCABE
Maybe. Why? Would that be so bad?
DANNY MCCABE
No... But I don't want a belly.
OTTO MCCABE
(To Carmen)
I think our son just called me fat.
CARMEN MCCABE
Not in those exact words.
OTTO MCCABE
He definitely implied it.
CARMEN MCCABE
I don't think--
Danny pokes at Otto's belly, who isn't fat, but also isn't
slim skinny.
DANNY MCCABE
Look at this thing, It's huge.
CARMEN MCCABE
Alright, he called you fat.
As they burst in laughter, Otto picks up Danny, holding him
up to his eye-level, pressing him against his right shoulder.
OTTO MCCABE
First off, I'm not fat. I'm big
boned, and, second, it's a sign of
happiness, son. If you're lucky,
you'll have a belly twice the size
of mine.
Otto then playfully blows raspberries into his tummy,
eliciting giggles and bubbly fart-like sounds.
CARMEN MCCABE
Come sit down for dinner, you can
make all the fart noises you want
after you shove this food down your
throats.
As they settle into dinner, Otto gazes at his family,
enraptured. Their laughter and chatter meld into a soothing
background hum.
Abruptly, this serene scene starts to fragment, as if
dissolving digitally.
OTTO MCCABE
No... It's too soon.
Before his eyes, Carmen and Danny begin to digitally
dissolve. Otto grabs their arms, as he faces the inevitable
with a mix of denial and despair.
OTTO MCCABE (CONT’D)
Please, don't go... I need more
time.
CARMEN MCCABE
Otto--
Before his eyes, Carmen, Danny, and the world itself
disintegrate into digital oblivion.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Desperate Dreams
INT. DREAM LOUNGE - NIGHT
In the real world, an older Otto McCabe (50s), gaunt and
disheveled, stirs in a chair. The headset of the futuristic
Lucid Dreaming Machine detaches automatically, pulling him
back from his dreamscape into a dingy dream lounge.
As he emerges from the machine, he sees multiple other people
sitting in chairs, hooked into the Lucid Dreaming Machine.
Otto, now clearly aged, malnourished, and unkempt, is
overtaken by a torrent of erratic emotions, grappling with
the stark contrast of his lucid dream and actual reality.
OTTO MCCABE
No, please! I need more time.
Behind the counter, PAKU (40s), disheveled and absorbed, is
fixated on explicit videos on his computer, unaware of Otto's
disconnection from the Lucid Dream Machine.
PAKU
Then you can pay for it, just like
everyone else.
OTTO MCCABE
Please, I need to see them again.
You don't understand!
Paku, momentarily pulling his attention from the computer,
regards Otto with a cold indifference.
PAKU
Everybody's got a sob story, old
man. Missing someone, wanting to
revisit the past, but I'm not
running a charity here, so, if you
can't afford it, get the hell out.
Otto, desperation mounting, edges closer to Paku, his plea
more urgent.
OTTO MCCABE
I'm begging you.
PAKU
Beg all you want. I don't give a
fuck. Dreaming ain't cheap. You
know this. So, until you're less
broke than you are right now, get
the fuck out before your ass is on
the curb.
Paku signals to BRUNO (30s), a towering and intimidating
security guard, who advances toward Otto with a threatening
stance. Otto, overcome, breaks down in tears.
OTTO MCCABE
Please!
Genres:
["Drama","Sci-Fi"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
A Glimmer of Hope in The Trench
EXT. DREAM LOUNGE - DAY, FOGGY
Bruno hurls Otto out of the Dream Lounge onto the grimy, damp
streets of "The Trench" slums. Distraught, he curls up, tears
streaming down his face, as he mutters to himself,
OTTO MCCABE
They're alive. They're still alive.
I just need to dream.... Please,
just let me dream!
Suddenly, ELSA KANE (Early 20s), a mysterious and captivating
figure, appears and crouches to meet Otto's gaze.
ELSA KANE
I can help you with that.
OTTO MCCABE
Who?... Who are you?
ELSA KANE
My name's Elsa... There's no need
to tell me yours, I know all about
you, Otto.
OTTO MCCABE
How?--
Before Otto can process, Elsa cuts him off, her knowledge of
him evident.
ELSA KANE
--And I know what you've lost. I
can give you the means to get them
back.
OTTO MCCABE
You... You can help me dream?
ELSA KANE
I can do more than that... How
would you like to dream and never
wake up?
Elsa rises, extending a hand to the still seated Otto. He
takes it, hesitantly, as she pulls him to his feet, a sly
smirk on her face.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Shadows of Duty
INT. PO DILLON'S APARTMENT - DAY
Po Dillion (Late-30s/Early 40s) lies awake in bed, a look of
sleeplessness etched on his face. His alarm blares, and with
practiced motion, he silences it instantly.
Sitting up, Po's gaze drifts to a whiskey bottle beside a
photo of a woman and child, his silver wedding ring
noticeable.
He rises, approaches the window, and flicks on the light,
illuminating his lavish, upscale apartment and a stunning
cityscape.
Yet, the view brings no joy to Po. He quickly plunges the
room back into darkness, gets dressed in a suit, and examines
himself in the mirror.
A sudden alert on his communicator displaying "Code 407" and
GPS coordinates sharpens his expression.
Po methodically gears up, securing his badge, holstering his
gun, and strapping a knife to his ankle. He pauses for a
final, reflective glance at the photo of the woman and child,
then leaves his apartment.
EXT. APEX CITY - DAY
The camera pans over Apex City, a shining metropolis perched
on a hill. Its skyscrapers, a dance of glass and chrome,
glimmer in sunlight, holographic ads flickering on their
surfaces. Sleek autonomous vehicles hover and glide
effortlessly on magnetic tracks.
CUT TO:
EXT. APEX CITY HIGHWAY - DAY
Po navigates his advanced police cruiser, floating just above
the ground, weaving through the city's vibrant streets. The
magnetic transportation system allows for swift and elevated
travel.
Descending from the upper echelons of Apex City, Po
approaches the border, the shift is palpable: the air grows
heavier, the light dims, marking the stark contrast between
the two worlds of Apex City and The Trench.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Access Granted
EXT. THE TRENCH - ENTRANCE GATE - DAY
Po approaches the security booth, where the formidable
barrier between The Trench and Apex City looms.
This high-tech electrically lethal barrier, pulsing with a
faint hum of energy, is powered by a generator, which is
visibly positioned on the Apex City side of the border.
As Po rolls down his window, he greets the on-duty security
guard, JOE MORRIS (60s), a warm and wise figure.
PO DILLON
Morning, Joe.
Activating a holographic badge from his wristband, Po
displays his police access for The Trench. The badge,
complete with a personal QR Code for identity verification,
glows in the air as he extends his arm out the window.
JOE MORRIS
Likewise, Detective.
Joe scans the code, nods in approval, and presses a button to
open the gate.
JOE MORRIS (CONT’D)
You be careful out there.
PO DILLON
I always am.
JOE MORRIS
Must be why you're still kicking
around.
PO DILLON
Or I'm just a hard motherfucker to
kill.
Po accelerates away, leaving Joe chuckling to himself.
JOE MORRIS
(To himself)
I bet it's both.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Mystery","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Echoes of Dissent
EXT. THE TRENCH - OUTSKIRTS - DAY
As Po crosses the threshold, the stark contrast between the
polished Apex City and the gritty reality of The Trench
becomes evident, shrouded in a dense, dark fog, and an aura
of dread.
EXT. SALVAGE FACTORY - DAY
Po cruises by a bustling factory. Massive bulldozers unload
heaps of debris, while numerous workers, their faces marked
with dirt and weariness, shuffle in and out of the facility.
EXT. THE TRENCH: EAST END - DAY
Continuing deeper into The Trench, Po drives through an
entire area filled with addicts, their eyes vacant, as
they're clearly lost in their hallucination.
Po spots a junkie administering a strange amber liquid into
their eyes, reminiscent of eye drops.
Further along, Po notices several grief-stricken people
sobbing, while clutching small, silver, metallic urns.
EXT. POLICE HQ - DAY
Navigating deeper into The Trench, Po encounters streets
alive with unrest. Approaching the Police precinct, he's
confronted by a massive protest. Trench citizens, wearied by
years of struggle, demand justice and equality, their
homemade banners raised in defiance.
The Police HQ, amidst this chaos, stands as an isolated
beacon of order. As Po nears the entrance, the tension is
palpable. Agitated protestors bang on the security gate,
blocking his way.
PROTESTOR #1
Fucking pig!
One of the protestors strikes Po's vehicle with a makeshift
metal club, leaving only a minor dent on its sturdy exterior.
PROTESTOR #2
You're not a hero! You're just a
tool for a bunch of rich assholes.
PROTESTOR #3
You're supposed to protect us!
Po, empathetic to their plight yet bound by duty, remains
stoic. Suddenly, an older emotionally disheveled motherly-
looking woman, PROTESTOR #3 (50s), aggressively throws her
body onto, and leans against the glass.
PROTESTOR #4
(frantically)
My daughter needed you, and you did
nothing! Why didn't you help her?!
Her words hit Po deeply, his expression turning somber. Just
as he's lost in thought, police guards intervene, removing
her and clearing a path for him.
As Po drives through the security gate, checked and cleared
by stern-faced guards, he glances back at the sea of
protestors in his rearview mirror, their cries echoing in his
mind.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Dystopian","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
The Interrogation Begins
INT. POLICE HQ - CONTINUOUS
Po enters the police station, immediately joining his
partner, OFFICER WALLY CARSON (mid-30s).
PO DILLON
Where is he?
WALLY CARSON
In interrogation waiting on you.
PO DILLON
How'd we get him?
WALLY CARSON
One of our informants dropped a
dime, and, as you can see...
Po and Wally walk to the interrogation room and, through the
glass they see, NOAH MOORE (Early-Mid 20s), tattooed, thinks
he's tougher than he is.
WALLY CARSON (CONT’D)
...it panned out.
Po's gaze locks onto Noah, a mix of intensity and calculation
in his eyes.
WALLY CARSON (CONT’D)
Here. This was on him when we
picked him up.
Wally passes Po an evidence bag, containing a substantial
stash of the same amber-colored drug Po witnessed earlier.
WALLY CARSON (CONT’D)
That's about a full kilo of pure
Haze right there... The most we've
confiscated from a single bust.
PO DILLON
Yeah, by a fuck ton... Chimera
doesn't operate like this. They'd
never put a single dealer on the
streets with this amount of Haze on
them. You'd have to want to get
robbed to be that stupid.
WALLY CARSON
It's not like the people here are
exactly educated. Hell, they hate
our guts and yet they're doing our
job for us. I'd bet about a third
of the Haze produced by Chimera is
stolen by random thugs off the
streets.
PO DILLON
You got it backwards. It's not out
of stupidity, it's desperation...
And desperation is the antithesis
of fear.
WALLY CARSON
Still, how the hell did he get his
hands on it?
PO DILLON
He wasn't given it to sell...
Po ponders briefly, absently jiggling the Haze-filled bag. He
grips it, feeling its coarse texture, and then a realization
dawns on him.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Because it was meant to be
delivered... And added to their
stockpile of pre-synthesized Haze.
WALLY CARSON
If he was meeting someone, should
we drop him back on the streets,
and have him tailed?
PO DILLON
No, whoever he was meeting with,
they're long gone by now.
(MORE)
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
But we don't need to know where he
was going, only where he was coming
from.
WALLY CARSON
I see you. So, how do you wanna
play this?
PO DILLON
Call a prep team. I'm gonna get
acquainted with the kid.
Po strides into the interrogation room as Wally remains,
dialing a number.
WALLY CARSON
This is Officer Carson. We need to
prep a suspect for dream inception,
as soon as possible.
POLICE TECHNICIAN (O.S.)
Location of detainment?
WALLY CARSON
Interrogation room 3.
POLICE TECHNICIAN (O.S.)
Confirmed. A prep team will arrive
momentarily.
As Wally ends the call, he observes Po settling opposite Noah
in the interrogation room, the tension palpable even from a
distance.
Genres:
["Crime","Sci-Fi","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Confrontation in the Dream Machine
INT. POLICE HQ - INTERROGATION ROOM #3 - DAY
Po enters calmly, with a slight smirk and swagger, as Noah,
instantly defiant, meets his gaze.
NOAH MOORE
Who the fuck are you?
PO DILLON
My name's Po. More importantly, who
the fuck are you?
Noah leans back, his silence a clear refusal to respond.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Let's start with a name. Is it
Matt? Nah, you sure as shit don't
look like a Matt? Devin, no...
(MORE)
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Axel? Nah that's too badass for
you.
NOAH MOORE
Noah!... My name's Noah.
PO DILLON
It's nice to meet you, Noah. You
know, in all my years interrogating
suspects, they all share one thing
in common. Not because they're
guilty, but because they're human.
NOAH MOORE
(Sarcastically)
Don't tell me it's the power of
love.
Without warning, Po aggressively slams the table causing Noah
to flinch in fear.
PO DILLON
It's fear, Noah, and it's
everlasting... Tell me, what do you
fear?
NOAH MOORE & PO DILLON
Nothing.
Noah is visibly startled by their simultaneous response,
while Po is unfazed.
PO DILLON
Yeah, you're not the first to say
it, and, I doubt you'll be the
last... Too bad it's a load of
crap.
NOAH MOORE
It's the truth. I ain't scared of
shit. Not even you.
PO DILLON
I know you think that. You're
strong, resilient, a survivor. No
one born in The Trench lives long
if they're not, but let me tell you
something, Boy; You're not special.
You're human. Fighting to survive
is ingrained in our DNA, but for as
long as humans have fought to
survive, they've felt fear just as
long. Despite whatever you may
think, everyone fears something.
(MORE)
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Fear of loss, fear of pain, fear of
the unknown. It shapes our choices,
it haunts our dreams, and there's
only one cure... Death.
As Po mentions "death," the bravado in Noah's eyes falters,
revealing a flash of worry, which he keenly notices.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
And there it is. You're not
special, Noah. Everyone is afraid
to lose their life.
NOAH MOORE
If you really believe that, then
you must not spend enough time in
the streets you're supposed to
protect because all you gotta do is
look around to see how wrong you
really are.
PO DILLON
My eyes work just fine so why don't
you enlighten me.
NOAH MOORE
You think most people in The Trench
are afraid of dying? They fucking
welcome it! Because it beats living
every day in squalor, knowing full-
well that things will never get
better.
PO DILLON
I wish I could help you... I wish I
could help all of you... But that's
beyond what I do.
NOAH MOORE
You don't do shit! That badge you
wear, says "Serve and Protect"...
But not us, not really... You work
for them...
Noah points upwards with his ring finger, a clear reference
to the affluent residents of Apex City.
NOAH MOORE (CONT’D)
Ya know, us "Trenchers" don't have
the luxury of going to school. Our
only form of education is taught to
us in the streets, including old
war stories passed down through
generations.
(MORE)
NOAH MOORE (CONT’D)
You people think we're stupid, but
it doesn't take a degree to see
you're a bunch of fucking fascists-
PO DILLON
-Or that you're a drug dealer
making things worse for your own
people.
NOAH MOORE
I didn't choose to work for Chimera
because it was my dream to sell
drugs... The only people who sell
drugs are the ones who have to...
It's not like The Trench is flush
with opportunities where you can
actually make a living.
PO DILLON
You have your reasons, but none of
them change the fact that all
you've done is serve a growing
evil... We both know, Domingo Shaw
is not in the business of saving
lives.
At the mention of Chimera's leader, a mix of surprise and
concern washes over Noah's face.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
That's right, we know his name.
Unlike the thousands of other
people in The Trench, who we
haven't ID'd and added to our
system yet -- your boss is special,
because life down here may not be
pretty, but it's hell of a lot
worse because of the poison he's
selling... So don't talk to me
about the purpose of my job when
you know nothing other than
protecting and serving your own
greed at the expense of others.
NOAH MOORE
(Defiantly)
You talk like you know shit, but
you don't know me. You're just
another cop playing god like all
the other kings and queens from the
city you call home.
PO DILLON
You're right, Noah, I don't know
you... But, in a few minutes, I
will.
NOAH MOORE
And how the fuck are you gonna do
that.
PO DILLON
...By playing God.
As Po sits calmly, Noah starts to panic as two technicians
enter the room with two police-issued Lucid Dream Machine.
(They look almost identical to the Lucid Dream Machines used
at the Dream Lounge).
NOAH MOORE
What the fuck?
The technicians, large and efficient, approach Noah and
quickly subdue him despite his frantic resistance.
NOAH MOORE (CONT’D)
Get off of me!
As Noah is sedated, a technician starts securing him into one
of the police-issue Lucid Dream Machines.
TECHNICIAN #1
We're all set, Detective.
Po acknowledges with a nod, as he then secures himself into
the other Lucid Dream Machine, directly facing Noah.
The technicians stand by, monitoring their vitals from a
monitor screen, as they prepare to activate the machines,
syncing their lucid dream states.
TECHNICIAN #1 (CONT’D)
3,2,1...
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Sci-Fi"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Echoes of Loss
INT. (LUCID DREAM) - NOAH'S MEMORY - DAY
Po stands in a vast, unkempt field, watching a young NOAH
MOORE (10) enjoy a rare, happy game of catch with his father,
CONNOR MOORE (40).
As Po edges closer, the memory distorts subtly around him.
Young Noah, catching a ball, turns to share his joy but finds
his father is nowhere in sight.
In his place emerges a small, silver, metallic urn, right
where he was standing.
Noah approaches the urn, picks it up and opens it, as human
ashes pour down from it onto his hand. Overwhelmed, he
clenches his fist full of ash and breaks down into tears, as
Po appears behind him.
PO DILLON
Happiness is fragile, Noah. One
moment, it's there -- the next it's
gone, and all that remains is the
memory. Nothing more, nothing less.
With a wave of his hand, Po turns the sky blood red, while
Noah, now transformed back into an adult.
NOAH MOORE
Please, don't ruin this for me...
It's the only happiness I've ever
known.
PO DILLON
Then you'll do whatever it takes to
preserve it... I'm sorry... I get
no joy from this, but you have
information that can save lives.
NOAH MOORE
So you terrorize a person's memory
to get it? What type of person does
that?
PO DILLON
A man trying to make a difference,
in a messed-up world, the only way
he knows how... Help me, Noah. I
need to know where you picked up
the Haze from... I need you to show
me.
Confronted with his own conflicted feelings, Noah finally
gives in.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Sci-Fi"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Dreams of Despair
INT. CHIMERA HIDEOUT - NIGHT - (LUCID DREAM)
The dream transitions to a bleak, sterile chamber with rows
of people linked to stolen dream machines. IV bags sustain
them while needles in their brainstems siphon amber liquid
into separate containers, while Po absorbs every detail.
NOAH MOORE
This is it. This is what people in
The Trench have been reduced to.
They're so desperate to escape
their lives, they're willing to
trade in reality for a never-ending
fantasy, but all they really are is
fuel for a drug.
PO DILLON
You sound like you've had a change
of heart.
NOAH MOORE
I told you, It's not like I dreamed
of becoming a drug dealer. I was
just tired of being afraid, and
they convinced me that working for
them would change that... And I
wasn't the only one.
PO DILLON
I'll stop them... Their entire
operation, I'll burn it down to the
ground if I have to... You have my
word.
NOAH MOORE
You can't end a nightmare when it's
the only reality you've ever known.
PO DILLON
Maybe not, but a nightmare is just
a type of dream, and dreams can
change... They can be better. You
just have to will it into
existence.
As Po disconnects from the Lucid Dream space, Noah's words
weigh heavily on his mind. As the two technicians disconnect
Noah from the Lucid Dream machine, Po intervenes.
PO DILLON
No... Let him have some peace, for
a little while longer.
TECHNICIAN #2
That's not protocol, Sir.
PO DILLON
I don't give a fuck. Have a heart.
Po briefly gazes at Noah before hastily grabbing his suit
jacket from the interrogation room chair and exiting the
room. Officer Carson awaits him just outside.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Prep a team, I know where they are.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHIMERA OPERATIONAL HIDEOUT - DAY
Elsa guides Otto through a dimly lit, narrow street.
ELSA KANE
This way.
Approaching a sturdy metal door, Elsa knocks on it in a
specific manner, signaling their arrival.
A man opens a small eye hatch, glancing at Elsa with an
unamused expression as she stands beside a nervous Otto.
Without delay, the man opens the door to let them in.
ELSA KANE (CONT’D)
Are you ready for the rest of your
life?
Otto hesitates but nods, then follows Elsa inside. The man
closes the door carefully, ensuring their secrecy.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Operation Haze: The Dark Reality
EXT. POLICE ARMORED VEHICLE - DAY
The high-tech Police armored vehicle, with a soundless
engine, drives through the streets, as an old and young
Trench Resident simultaneously gives them middle-finger.
INT. POLICE ARMORED VEHICLE - CONTINUOUS
Inside the gunship is a fully operational mobile command
center.
A holographic map displays the area as Po addresses a heavily
armed Taskforce. Wally and a dozen other police officers
stand ready.
PO DILLON
Listen up... Chimera's operation
goes beyond selling dreams and
drugs; They're stealing people's
lives. We've acquired visual
confirmation that this compound is
serving as one of their key
outposts.
A holographic image appears, captured from Noah's lucid dream
during his interrogation by Po. It reveals multiple people
connected to lucid dream machines, as liquid is extracted
from their brain stems.
Po glances at OFFICER MURPHY (Mid-20s), a younger, earnest
team member, who grapples with the gravity of their mission.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
This is the motherlode of Chimera's
operation, and, tonight, we have
the chance to cripple them... As
you can see, we've confirmed that
there are at least a dozen
individuals hooked up to Lucid
Dream machines.
OFFICER MURPHY
How'd they get their hands on them?
It's not like they were purchased.
Not a single person from The Trench
can afford one, let alone twelve.
WALLY CARSON
We suspect they were stolen, but,
how they managed to do it, without
being caught or crossing the
border, has yet to be determined.
PO DILLON
And it'll have to wait. However,
they got their hands on them, they
sure as shit aren't just letting
people use them for free out of the
goodness of their hearts.
A holographic image and video emerges, displaying the highly-
addictive lucid dream drug known as, "Haze."
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Each are equipped with an IV that's
connected directly to their brain
stem. We believe this is how they
are manufacturing "Haze," which, as
we know, has run rampant throughout
the Trench over the last several
months. So they offer desperate
souls a slice of paradise, but with
a price. While these folks are lost
in their lucid dreams, Chimera's
milking them like cows. They
extract a special kind of brain
fluid that's produced during
intense lucid dreaming...
OFFICER MURPHY
That's... barbaric.
PO DILLON
And highly lucrative. This, right
here, is the key chemical
ingredient for manufacturing
"Haze." They synthesize that fluid
and give people a one-way ticket to
dreamland.
WALLY CARSON
Users get hooked after one use, and
they don't stop until it their
brains are fried.
An image of a person dead from excessive use of Haze is
displayed.
PO DILLON
The only way to stop distribution
is to stop its production. This is
our mission.
Po's words hang heavy in the vehicle as it speeds towards its
destination.
Inside the dimly lit building, Otto's face contorts in horror
at the sight of several individuals connected to dream
machines, needles extracting a mysterious substance from
their brain stems.
Nearby, Chimera thugs methodically package the harvested
dream liquid. Elsa, alongside a thug, begins preparing Otto's
machine.
OTTO MCCABE
(panicking)
This isn't right. I... I can't do
this.
Elsa approaches him, her demeanor icy, her gaze sharp.
ELSA KANE
You've been given the opportunity
to transcend this reality for a
better one, permanently, and,
Otto... There is nothing wrong with
taking it.
OTTO MCCABE
They don't seem at peace though,
they look -- hollow.
ELSA KANE
Your eyes deceive you then. These
people aren't in pain...
Elsa points to the people hooked up, as she tries to persuade
and appeal to Otto.
ELSA KANE (CONT’D)
In there, they are free to live a
life with limitless possibilities.
In exchange, we take what they no
longer need. Nothing more, nothing
less. So, what about that seems
unfair to you, Otto? I'm giving you
a gift.
OTTO MCCABE
I don't want it.
ELSA KANE
You should be grateful that you
were chosen at all... I could have
gone to anybody anywhere in The
Trench, but I didn't... I chose
you, because I know, deep down,
this is all you want... To dream is
to live... But if you're too
ignorant to accept it, you can die
instead.
Otto, visibly shaken, steps back. Elsa's frustration
intensifies. Abruptly, a young CHIMERA THUG bursts in.
CHIMERA THUG
Police! They're outside!
Elsa's expression turns steely. She quickly orders her crew.
ELSA KANE
Pack everything up. I'll take care
of the rest.
As the thugs hastily gather the Haze and Lucid Dream liquids,
Elsa, facing Otto, draws a trigger device from her pocket and
presses it without a second thought.
A horrific hum resonates, followed by static shocks. The
hooked individuals convulse once, then fall ominously silent.
Otto's scream of horror slices through the chaos.
OTTO MCCABE
NOOO!
ELSA KANE
I gave them life... Which means, by
right, I can take it away.
Elsa fluidly unveils a sleek blade hidden in her sleeve,
advancing towards Otto with a gaze filled with murderous
intent.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Whispers of Betrayal
EXT. CHIMERA OPERATIONAL HIDEOUT - CONTINUOUS
As Otto and the other officers form up around the compound,
they are alerted by Otto's scream and the sound of a
detonation.
PO DILLON
Now!
Po and the Taskforce swiftly swarm the building.
INT. CHIMERA OPERATIONAL HIDEOUT - CONTINUOUS
Po, leading the charge, discovers Otto gravely injured, lying
in a pool of blood, amidst the hastily abandoned room and
lifeless bodies still connected to dream machines.
PO DILLON
(to his team)
Follow them, out the back!
Po rushes to Otto's side, while OFFICER CARSON checks on the
charred victims still connected to the lucid dream machines.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Sir, can you hear me? I need to
know who did this?... I need a
name.
Otto's eyes flutter, as he takes his final breaths.
OTTO MCCABE
(Whispers weakly)
...Elsa.
As Otto's body goes limp, Po checks his pulse and confirms
that he's dead. Po raises, his face a blend of anger and
determination, the name "Elsa" resonating as a crucial lead
in the grim case.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Consequences of Loss
INT. POLICE HQ - CAPTAIN'S OFFICE - DAY
CAPTAIN RASHIDA (50s) sits at her desk across from Po. The
air is heavy with tension.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
What happened?
PO DILLON
13 people died and there was
nothing we could do. By the time we
stormed the compound, the
hostages... Were already dead. Like
cattle in a slaughterhouse.
Rashida's face softens, empathizing with Po's evident
turmoil.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
In your report, you mentioned an
anomaly among the deceased.
PO DILLON
That's right. When I entered the
compound I found a man, about mid-
50s, stabbed to death, but he
wasn't connected to a Lucid Dream
machine like the other victims.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Any theories?
PO DILLON
Best guess, he was their newest
recruit, but we showed up before
they could hook him up, so they
killed him right then and there.
Rashida leans forward, clasping her hands together.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Regardless of the circumstances,
this is a major failure for the
department. Any other officer would
be facing a demotion at the very
least.
PO DILLON
Luckily, I'm not just any other
cop.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
You're god damn right you're lucky,
because if you were Carson, you'd
be bearing most of the consequences
right now. Not him.
Po clenches his jaw in a blend of anger and sorrow.
PO DILLON
What consequences?
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
He's been suspended from active
field duty, and reassigned to the
Records and Information Division.
PO DILLON
You can't be serious! Wally's a
good cop, you know that.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
It doesn't matter. Someone needed
to lay on a land mind and take
responsibility for this. Wally was
the most viable option.
PO DILLON
You're throwing him to the wolves
because of a failed operation I was
in charge of... If anyone should be
held accountable, it's me. Don't
let Wally suffer for my mistakes.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
I admire the loyalty but the
decision's been made. It's out of
my hands... As for you... You're
off the Chimera case and
temporarily suspended from active
field duty. Effective immediately.
Po clenches his fist, feeling the sting of the decision.
PO DILLON
Captain!
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
You'll be working various security
details for the time being.
PO DILLON
You cant be serious?
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
I'm as serious as the 13 dead
people you failed to save. You're
lucky to sill have a job, Po.
PO DILLON
It wasn't my fault.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
(softly)
Look, I really didn't want to bring
this up but there are additional
reasons supporting your suspension.
PO DILLON
Like what?
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Ruby.
The mere mention of "Ruby" transforms Po's expression,
intertwining deep anger and profound sadness.
PO DILLON
She has nothing to do with this.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Po--
PO DILLON
It's been years--
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
And you still haven't recovered,
not entirely.
PO DILLON
And I never will... That's what
happens when you lose a child, but
it doesn't mean I'm unable to my
job.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Listen, Po. You're a gifted dream
negotiator, the best I've ever
seen. That's why I'm not asking for
your gun and your badge. But you're
running on fumes, I can see it in
your eyes... Take the time to get
your head straight, and after a few
cakewalk assignments you'll be back
on the streets.
PO DILLON
What's my first assignment?
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Vision Corp's new product launch is
tonight. You'll be working security
for the event.
PO DILLON
I'd rather guard a school than be a
babysitter to that pompous ass.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
That "pompous ass" is your wife's
boss, and the only reason you're
not out of a job.
PO DILLON
So it wasn't my skills that saved
me from unemployment. You talked to
my wife and she went begging to her
boss.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Be grateful she still gives a damn
about you at all. Now, swallow your
pride, do your job, and try to get
your mind right...
Po nods annoyed but in agreement.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA (CONT’D)
And go thank your wife.
PO DILLON
Yes, ma'am.
Po leaves feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
A Vision for Healing: Harrison Lock's Empowering Announcement
INT. V1SION CORP - PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY
A futuristic stage, alive with advanced technology, sets the
scene. The V1sion Corps logo dominates a massive screen.
HARRISON LOCK (Early-mid 50s), suave and self-assured, steps
onto the stage, exuding the charisma of both a showman and a
visionary. The audience is captivated.
HARRISON LOCK
Thank you all for coming. Today, we
stand on the brink of a new dawn,
but, before I show you the future,
I want you to take a look at our
past...
The screen flickers to life, showing images of their ravaged
world post-nuclear armageddon.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
A world shattered by the horrors of
nuclear armageddon. But from the
ashes, a group of survivors who
anticipated the end of the world
used the resources they had
stockpiled away so that we could
begin anew... Apex City. The last
remaining safe haven in our corner
of the world, and with the help of
the greatest minds still alive,
they were able to prevent the end
of human history... Now, these
exceptional individuals were the
greatest minds of their generation,
but not of mine... That honor goes
to the co-founder of this very
company, and my dear old friend...
Dr. Milo Nunez.
As Harrison speaks, images appear of a young, ambitious
Harrison with DR. MILO NUNEZ (20s), a reserved, socially
awkward generational genius.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Milo was... extraordinary. His mind
was a crucible of innovation, and,
together, we dreamt of bridging the
chasm between reality and
imagination.
The screen depicts their society's evolution, torn yet
striving for unity.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
But as we dreamt, we could not
ignore the pain around us. Not from
those we lived among, but from the
people we towered above. The
suffering of those in The Trench
has never escaped our minds.
Images of the desolate Trench, its inhabitants stricken with
despair, flash on screen.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
That pain inspired Milo. It was he
who envisioned the applications for
Lucid Dreaming technology – a tool
to escape, to heal, and for
nurturing the human spirit.
The audience is visibly moved, captivated by Harrison's
words.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Imagine, a world where you could
live out years in hours. Where you
could mend a broken heart, visit
lost loved ones, or unleash
limitless creative whims, as
boundless as the stars themselves.
The concept of "Dream Time" is illustrated on screen, showing
the rapid progression within dreams.
The screen transitions to an image of the original prototype
for their Lucid Dream Machines, followed by an image of the
current model.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
While Milo created a technology
that revolutionized not simply our
everyday lives but the world around
us, his legacy lives on beyond
them...
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Because his knowledge is a gift
that will continue to inspire the
next generation of brilliant minds
for years to come, as it already
has. The first Lucid Dream machine
was a technological marvel... But
they were merely a stepping stone
for something greater.
Harrison points to the photo of the Original Lucid Dream
machine on the monitor.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
This was only the beginning...
Welcome to the future.
A V1SION CORP EMPLOYEE brings a metallic briefcase to
Harrison, who opens it revealing the latest Lucid Dream
Machine model to an awestruck audience.
The screen transitions from the old, bulky models to the new,
sleek, advanced version, underscoring the technological leap,
its specifications, and upgraded features.
The newest Lucid Dream device, a marvel of engineering,
resembles futuristic eyewear, designed with a matte black
frame and deep cobalt blue lenses that emit a subtle,
ethereal glow. Its intricate circuitry hints at unparalleled
technology, promising limitless dream exploration.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
These new goggles are not just an
upgrade. They are a revolution.
Portable, faster, safer, more
intuitive. They learn from you,
adapt to you, and we need to do the
same...
The crowd murmurs in awe.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Because there's so much more at
stake than people care to admit.
The Trench... our forgotten kin.
It's time we extend a hand, share
our dreams, as Milo always
intended.
He pauses, the significance of his words resonating.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
For too long, the Trench has
lingered in the shadows of our
prosperity. Their escalating
population has only diminished
their quality of life. It's time to
change that narrative. That's why,
at V1sion Corps, we've decided to
distribute the latest model of our
Lucid Dream Goggles to 50% of the
Trench population... Absolutely
free.
A wave of surprised approval sweeps the audience.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Starting today, we're opening a
submission process. For one week,
names can be entered into our
raffle. This a chance for our
brethren in The Trench to lucid
dream at will, just as we do.
An image appears on the screen outlining the details for the
raffle.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
This isn't charity, it's
empowerment. A step towards mending
a divided world.
Harrison pauses, letting his words sink in with the audience.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
And let's be clear – This a gift
for those who reside in The Trench,
not you. Those in Apex City will
have to pay the standard price
because unlike our brethren below,
they can afford it. Milo's dream,
and the goal of this company, has
always been to better the world, so
the world never falls into a state
where we are forced to rebuild from
the ground up, and this device...
Harrison lifts the Lucid Dream goggles high triumphantly.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
This is where it begins.
The room erupts in passionate applause, Harrison's face
glowing with pride and resolve.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Dystopian","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Dreams of Hope and Loss
INT. V1SION CORP - PRESS CONFERENCE: AUDIENCE - DAY
Contrast to the audience members, Po stands by the entrance,
furthest from the stage, his face a complex blend of
skepticism and pessimism.
CUT TO:
INT. V1SION CORP - PRESS CONFERENCE: CENTER STAGE -
CONTINUOUS
As the applause dwindles, Harrison, once again, raises the
Lucid Dream goggles, commanding renewed attention from the
audience.
HARRISON LOCK
But our progress doesn't stop here.
Our journey to unlock the potential
of the dream world, and our mastery
over it, has been one of discovery,
innovation, and wonder... But the
road was not paved with perfection.
We made a costly mistake.
Harrison pauses, a reflective shadow crossing his face.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
That is why, in our pursuit of
innovation, safety is our highest
concern. Our latest breakthrough
addresses our youngest dreamers -
the children -- To explain further,
I would like to introduce Dr. May
Dillon, our chief engineer in
adolescent dream technology, and
the architect behind making lucid
dreaming safe for all children.
As MAY DILLON (Late-30s/Early 40s) steps onto the stage, she
is greeted with applause. May's demeanor is calm and humble,
while her intelligence and empathy are clearly evident.
The screen shifts to display a detailed model of the human
brain, overlaid with data on brain wave patterns.
MAY DILLON
Thank you, Harrison. As many of you
know, the original lucid dreaming
machine was specifically designed
to only operate when used by its
designated owner... However, the
human brain is a complex entity.
Every individual has their own
distinct brain wave pattern, like a
fingerprint. Yet, within families,
especially between parents and
children, these patterns can
exhibit astounding similarities,
which led to unforeseen
consequences.
She pauses for emphasis, as the screen illustrates key points
about brain wave patterns and genetic connections.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
This resemblance posed a
significant risk with the original
lucid dream machine. As you know,
certain children were able to
inadvertently activate their
parents' device, only adolescent
minds are not advanced enough to
handle the cognitive processing
power required to lucid dream...
This oversight resulted in a tragic
consequence that left six children
in a permanent comatose state,
simply because we underestimated
the human mind and its capacity...
But instead of stopping there, we
sought to learn from our mistake,
because the only way to ensure
something like this never happens
is to find a solution and perfect
it, which is exactly what we did.
A fleeting shadow of personal pain crosses May's eyes, but
it's quickly supplanted due to her professionalism.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
Our newest technology now includes
advanced biometric locks, attuned
not only to unique brain patterns
but also to developmental stages of
the brain. This means, children can
now safely experience and benefit
from lucid dreaming, exploring
worlds only their imagination can
limit.
Three children, two boys and one girl, each donning Lucid
Dream 2.0 Goggles, step onto the stage. Crew members swiftly
arrange chairs for them.
The audience watches as the children put on the new Lucid
Dream Goggles, and immerse themselves in their distinct dream
worlds, which are projected on the screen:
The boy is in the midst of slaying a dragon in a medieval
fantasy, the first girl crosses a river made of chocolate in
a candy wonderland, and the third, intellectually mature for
her age, observes a supernova erupt from deck of her
spaceship.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
Lucid dreaming technology was meant
to expand the minds of those who
used it, and that includes all
minds. Adults and children alike,
which, with this device, is now a
reality.
The audience erupts in applause, acknowledging May's
achievement. She stands, embodying hope and safety.
Po watches from the sidelines, his expression complex, as his
an unspoken sorrow for the loss of his daughter, Ruby, clouds
and supersedes his pride in May's accomplishment, while also
reflecting the personal stakes behind these technological
advancements.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Confrontation at V1sion Corp
INT. V1SION CORP – POST-CONFERENCE AREA – DAY
While Harrison Lock answers questions from countless
relentless reporters, Po watches him from a distance, until
his attention shifts to May, who tensely approaches him.
PO DILLON
That was quite the spectacle.
May's eyes meet Po's, filled with a mix of resolve and
weariness.
MAY DILLON
It's called making progress and
it's important work.
PO DILLON
You're giving people the means to
ignore their problems whenever they
want by escaping into a dream
world. That's not "progress," it's
regression.
MAY DILLON
Except it's so much more than that.
It's not only a tool to escape,
it's for healing, imagination,
evolution.
PO DILLON
You think your tech helps people
heal? It's responsible for ruining
more lives than just those six
kids. Just go down to the Trench
and see all those sorry souls who
spend the only money they have just
for a few minutes with your
machine.
MAY DILLON
That's exactly what Harrison is
trying to fix.
PO DILLON
You can't fix anything when your
company profits off a device that
fundamentally helps people ignore
the truth. You say it's an escape,
but all it does is help people
avoid their problems.
May recoils slightly, hurt by his implication.
MAY DILLON
I'm trying to rectify a mistake,
Po. What happened to Ruby-
PO DILLON
That's just it, May. Your tech,
those safety measures... They won't
bring her back.
May's expression falters, as she's hurt by Po's insinuation.
MAY DILLON
I know... And I have to live with
it every single day. Do you know
what that's like?
PO DILLON
You know I do.
MAY DILLON
It's hell, Po. It's pain, anger,
sadness, regret, and guilt all
wrapped into one, running through
my mind every minute I'm awake...
My work is not an attempt to gain
inner peace, I know I'll never have
that... This is my chance at
salvation.
Before Po can respond, Harrison approaches them with a
charismatic smile.
HARRISON LOCK
Ah, there she is: The heart and
soul of V1sion Corp.
MAY DILLON
Thank you, Harrison.
May, who is noticeably despondent, is unable to continue
their conversation, as she glances at Po with a mix of
sadness and regret before walking away.
Harrison watches May walk away before re-focusing on Po, as
he puts his hand on his shoulder in a patronizing manner.
HARRISON LOCK
Po, I understand the complexities
of your... Personal history. But
let's remember the bigger picture.
Our work is about pioneering a
better tomorrow, and May is a vital
part of that endeavor.
PO DILLON
You keep talking about building a
better future but, in the process,
do you ever stop to consider what
it costs?
HARRISON LOCK
Cost is a relative term, my friend.
Throughout human history, people
have always sought to push the
boundaries of society, to challenge
the status quo-
PO DILLON
A lot of those people didn't push
through boundaries, or even cross
them, they fucking annihilated
them. Kings, Queens, religious
leaders, they all preached the same
bullshit about wanting to create a
better world, but it's always at
the cost of people's lives, and,
still, they never hesitated to see
it through.
HARRISON LOCK
I know this is personal for you.
But, the reality is, this
technology exists and it's not
going anywhere, so, to save
yourself the turmoil, you should
consider the larger impact it's
having on yourself and your job,
they matter.
Po looks at Harrison skeptically, whose gaze remains firm.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Sometimes, stepping back gives us a
clearer view of things. Maybe it's
time to do the same and focus on
the broader canvas, reflect on
what's been... And what could be...
If you won't do this for you, then
do it for her...
Po looks over and sees May talking to some reporters from
across the hall, and clearly he still loves her.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Ruby's not the only one she lost
that day. You left her too... But
you're still here, Po, and there's
still time to get back a piece of
what you've lost... But if you
choose to spend it on your current
investigation, then--
PO DILLON
Then, what?...
Harrison, sensing Po's escalating hostility and on the verge
of a threat, hesitates. Po, seizing the moment, cuts in
before Harrison can respond.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Since you're aware of my
investigation, can you explain how
more than a dozen of your machines
ended up in the hands of a criminal
organization from the Trench?
Harrison's demeanor subtly shifts, suggesting a hidden
malice, but maintains his composure, as he responds casually
with an underlying edge.
HARRISON LOCK
Your Captain notified me and I can
assure you, I have my best people
getting to the bottom of it. The
culprit is most likely a greedy
employee who's not satisfied with
their current salary. That being
said, Detective... Choices have
consequences. I'd hate to see a man
of your talents make the wrong one.
Po discerns the implicit threat in Harrison's tone, his jaw
clenching in silent acknowledgement. Still, he reluctantly
nods, seemingly in agreement.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Good man, and, Po... The future is
being shaped right here at this
very moment... Take comfort in
knowing that it will be a bright
one... For people here and in the
Trench alike.
With a reassuring pat on the shoulder, much to Po's chagrin,
Harrison strides back to the press, his charm on full
display. Po watches him, in bitter contemplation.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
A Father's Farewell
EXT. SAFE HAVEN: MEDICAL CENTER - NIGHT
Po arrives at the Safe Haven: Medical Center, parks his
vehicle, and takes a moment's solace before heading inside.
INT. MEDICAL CENTER: WAITING AREA - CONTINUOUS
With no one in the waiting area, Po enters and greets a
familiar face, NURSE PAM (60s), who works at the front desk.
PO DILLON
Hey, Pam.
NURSE PAM
Detective.
Exchanging no further words, Po signs in and proceeds to the
residential wing.
INT. RUBY'S MEDICAL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
RUBY DILLON (12), noticeably a few years older than the
picture from Po's apartment, lies in her hospital bed, hooked
up to multiple machines, in a comatose state. Po pulls over a
chair and sits down by her side.
PO DILLON
Hey, kiddo...
Gently holding her hand, his eyes, filled with love and
sadness, linger on her.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
I saw Mom today... She misses you,
more and more with every passing
minute... She told people about her
new invention, she says it's gonna
make sure kids can dream like we
can and that what happened to you
will never happen to another kid
ever again... If it wasn't your
mom, I wouldn't believe it, but
when is she ever wrong?...
Spotting a stack of books in the corner of the room, Po picks
up a worn copy of "A Wrinkle in Time." He returns to Ruby's
side and begins reading from a bookmarked page.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Chapter seven: The Man with the Red
Eyes...
Po halts mid-sentence, torn by an ethical quandary. After a
brief moment, with a sense of conviction, he rips out the
previous page from the book, and slips it into his pocket. He
then tenderly holds his daughter's hand, his face etched with
love and regret.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
I'm sorry sweetie, but I gotta
go... It's for work...
He gently kisses Ruby's forehead and caresses her cheek,
lingering a moment in silent farewell.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Sweet dreams, honey.
Reluctantly releasing her hand, Po returns the book to its
place atop the book-stack, and then exits the room.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
The Weight of Disappointment
EXT. SALVAGE FACTORY - NIGHT
On The Trench's outskirts, amidst toxic fumes, large waste
trucks empty heaps of garbage onto a conveyor belt leading
into the factory.
INT. SALVAGE FACTORY - CONTINUOUS
The trash moves along a conveyor belt where numerous workers,
all wearing hazmat suits and gas masks, sort through it for
valuables.
Anything unclaimed remains on the conveyor belt, and
continues into a large fire pit, adding to the unbearable
toxic haze engulfing the area.
One worker uncovers an old circuit board, briefly inspects
it, then surreptitiously pockets it, bypassing the valuable
items bin.
A factory ALARM BLARES, halting the conveyor belt. Workers
stop, filing out as the foreman's voice announces the shift's
end over the intercom.
FOREMAN (O.S.)
(Over Intercom)
Next shift in five minutes.
As the workers line up to receive their daily wage which is
automatically dispensed by a machine, the next shift of
workers walk in and position themselves throughout the
conveyor belt.
While in line, the worker who stole the circuit board steps
up for her turn at the machine, which dispenses a mere three
coins.
Despite the gas mask covering her face, for a brief moment,
she looks down at the coins in her hand, as her body language
visibly conveys her deep disappointment at the meager sum.
She then merges back into the masses of departing workers.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Dystopian","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Struggles in the Salvage
INT. SALVAGE FACTORY: GEAR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Workers remove their gas masks, revealing weary faces, and
place them in a large pile. The incoming shift, lacking
personal masks, picks up the used ones before leaving the
room.
Amidst the shift change, the circuit board thief, KAIA MCCABE
(late-teens), rebellious, highly intelligent, and resilient
removes her helmet, revealing the stark contrast between her
beauty and her home.
INT. SALVAGE SHUTTLE - NIGHT
In a gas-proof shuttle system that safely transports all the
salvage workers to and from the factory, Kaia boards the
vehicle, wedging herself between fellow workers.
As she struggles to retrieve her water canteen from her bag,
Kaia takes one small sip, until there's nothing left. Tapping
the canteen for any remaining drops, she catches the gaze of
an older MALE SALVAGE WORKER (late-40s-50s), his eyes devoid
of empathy.
SALVAGE WORKER
You won't find any sympathy where
your looking...
KAIA MCCABE
The possibility didn't even cross
my mind.
SALVAGE WORKER
Good. Cuz you won't find it nowhere
either. We're all dying of thirst,
you ain't special.
KAIA MCCABE
Don't I fucking know it.
The shuttle halts abruptly, and Kaia disembarks, along with
several other workers.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Dystopian","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Urgent News at Midnight
EXT. OTTO MCCABE'S HOME - NIGHT
Kaia navigates The Trench's dimly lit streets, until she
arrives outside the same home from Otto's lucid dream.
Approaching the front door, Kaia uses the same unique key,
that Otto had, to unlock it.
INT. OTTO MCCABE'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
Kaia opens the door, revealing a handmade lock cobbled
together from mechanical scraps. Inside, she tosses her bag
onto the small dining table and retrieves her canteen.
KAIA MCCABE
Dad, you home?
Kaia heads to the sink and uses a makeshift water filter from
the cabinet above. As she turns on the sink, murky water
flows out, which she filters until it turns clear. She then
discards the collected impurities and refills her canteen
with the clean water.
After a long refreshing sip, Kaia collapses on the couch,
visibly drained from her day's work. She's about to drift off
when a KNOCKING starts at the door. Too tired to move, she
ignores it, hoping it'll cease.
The knocking pauses briefly, only to resume, much to her
annoyance. Kaia buries her head under pillows to muffle the
sound.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
(exhausted and annoyed)
Go away!
The knocking halts. Through the door, the voice of a young
boy, HUNTER MAW (12), calls out, breaking the silence.
KAIA MCCABE
I don't give a shit, so it's gonna
have to.
HUNTER MAW
Kaia--
KAIA MCCABE
You know the rules, Kid. Once my
head hits the pillow, the only way
I'm getting up is if building's
burning down.
HUNTER MAW
It's about your dad.
At the mention of Otto, Kaia's eyes snap open. She leaps up
and flings the door open.
KAIA MCCABE
Where's my father, Hunter?
Kaia confronts Hunter as she fully opens the door. Meeting
his somber, youthful gaze, she instantly recognizes the
familiar, tragic expression she's seen on too many faces
before. Without a word, she knows the answer to her question.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
Tell me everything.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Late Night Vigil
EXT. THE TRENCH - MAIN ENTRANCE ROAD - NIGHT, RAINING
Po Dillion, in his police cruiser, speeds across the boundary
separating The Trench from Apex City.
EXT. POLICE HQ - NIGHT, RAINING
As he arrives at the precinct, Po Dillon drives through the
security gate and quickly parks, hurrying into the building.
INT. POLICE HQ - CONTINUOUS
Inside the precinct, Po Dillon strides to his desk. He begins
uploading case files and crime scene photos, particularly
focusing on Otto's image, onto his portable tablet.
As the download progresses, Po notices Captain Rashida
nearing, and he discreetly minimizes the download window on
his computer.
PO DILLON
Captain.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Dillon, what are you doing here so
late?
PO DILLON
Just starting my report. I'm not
gonna get back in the field by
sitting on my ass.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Getting a good nights rest doesn't
mean you're not doing your job. It
actually makes you more effective.
PO DILLON
I haven't slept well since Ruby
ended up lying in a coma.
(MORE)
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
So, until she wakes up, I can't get
a good nights rest so I might as
well be productive, which means
doing my job. Is that alright with
you, Captain?
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
It is, so long as you tell me one
thing.
PO DILLON
What?
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
How was it? We've all heard the
news, the tech sounds unreal.
PO DILLON
(sarcastically)
It's revolutionary.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
I know you're not Harrison Lock's
biggest fan--
PO DILLON
He's a dick. Everyone just fails to
see it.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Not the people who truly know
him... Finish that up and get some
god damn rest, Po. That's an order.
PO DILLON
Yes, Ma'am.
Once Captain Rashida leaves, Po checks his monitor and
confirms the download's completion. He picks up his tablet
and leaves the precinct.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Crime","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Confrontation at V1SION Corp
INT. V1SION CORP – POST-CONFERENCE AREA - NIGHT
Harrison Lock remains the center of attention, fielding
questions from several reporters.
HARRISON LOCK
Once again, since Human testing
began, not a single one of our
subjects have experienced any
cognitive dysfunction or side
effect of any kind. That goes for
children and adults alike.
AMELIA HART (late-20s/early-30s), determined and undaunted,
pushes her way past the other reporters to the front, as she
fearlessly confronts Harrison.
AMELIA HART
Mr. Lock, you preach about ending
the perpetual suffering of those in
The Trench, but you seem to neglect
your role in all of it.
HARRISON LOCK
Ms. Hart, isn't it?
AMELIA HART
Are you gonna answer the question?
HARRISON LOCK
I didn't hear one.
AMELIA HART
My sources say your revenue has
plateaued in recent years and it's
not your Dream Machines that make
up most of your profits but
instead, The Dream Lounges spread
out throughout The Trench.
HARRISON LOCK
While the purpose of any business
is to make a profit, I assure you,
the Dream Lounges were meant to
offer the less fortunate a slice of
heaven that they unfortunately are
not privy to simply because they
were not lucky enough to be born on
this side of the border.
AMELIA HART
That wasn't my question.
HARRISON LOCK
Then stop wasting my time and ask
it.
AMELIA HART
Do you acknowledge that the Dream
Lounges aren't just a source of
income or one of your philanthropic
endeavors, but an addictive means
to numb a population into finding a
better life in a dream as opposed
to fighting for it in real life?
HARRISON LOCK
My machine isn't a cigarette, Ms.
Hart. It's not addictive.
AMELIA HART
You're wrong, Mr. Lock... I've seen
it. The people down there, what
little they have, they spend it at
your lounges, and it doesn't
provide them with comfort, it only
furthers their despair... because
they may dream of a better life,
but it's always taken away, and
it's never enough.
HARRISON LOCK
What people choose to do with their
money is not my concern. It's
called free will for a reason.
Besides, isn't it better to
experience heaven, even for a
little while than never at all?
Lock's gaze shifts to his head of security, CALLUM JONES
(late-30s/early-40s), a formidable presence, signaling an
urgent need to talk.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
I'm afraid that's all the time I
have. Ms. Hart... Thank you. You've
given me much to think about.
As Callum steps forward, shielding Harrison from the press,
they quickly move backstage, away from the crowd. Once
secluded, Callum's demeanor shifts.
CALLUM JONES
Sir-
HARRISON LOCK
Not here.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Secrets in the Shadows
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Harrison and Callum walk through the busy corridors of V1sion
Corp, passing rooms where people, diverse in every aspect,
are engrossed in the Lucid Dream Machines.
Their dreams, ranging from serene to tumultuous, play out on
individual monitors.
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
As they enter his office, Harrison subtly presses a hidden
button under his desk, seamlessly locking the door before
turning his attention to Callum.
HARRISON LOCK
What is it?
CALLUM JONES
Have you seen the Police report on
the Chimera outpost they busted?
HARRISON LOCK
Po Dillon's case?
CALLUM JONES
Yeah.
HARRISON LOCK
I got the highlights from
Rashida...
Harrison notices the concerned look on Callum's face.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Unless there's something she forgot
to mention?
CALLUM JONES
Not something, someone...
He takes out his tablet and shows Harrison the crime scene
photos from Chimera's outpost.
CALLUM JONES (CONT’D)
These were taken at the scene of
the crime... Apparently, just as
Elsa was bringing in their latest
recruit, the cops showed up to bust
her. She killed him so he couldn't
identify her.
HARRISON LOCK
I know all this.
CALLUM JONES
What you don't know is who their
newest recruit was. Look here.
He hands Harrison the tablet, focusing on an image of Otto
McCabe's corpse.
CALLUM JONES (CONT’D)
Recognize him?
HARRISON LOCK
How could I forget?... Otto McCabe,
Milo's prize pupil. It's been
almost 20 years and not a peep, but
now, finally the prodigal son
remerges, as a corpse... Where the
hell did she find him?
CALLUM JONES
Apparently Elsa found him after he
was thrown out of the Dream Lounge
in the East End. She made it seem
like he was a recurring customer.
HARRISON LOCK
So even Otto couldn't resist using
the very technology that got him
sent down to The Trench in the
first place. Have the databanks
been compromised?
CALLUM JONES
If they were, I would've been
notified... Do you suspect Otto was
aware of the Lounges' true purpose?
HARRISON LOCK
I doubt it. He was brilliant but
like his mentor, their imagination
was always limited by
underestimating human capacity and
the means they would use to
survive. On the other hand,
Detective Dillon does not share
this weakness. If he were to pursue
his investigation, he could prove
problematic before the launch.
CALLUM JONES
You and Rashida told him not to.
HARRISON LOCK
If you'd ever met the man, you'd
know, he only ever listens to his
conscience... Go down to the
Trench, collect the data from the
Lounges, coordinate with Elsa and
use Chimera as protection while
you're down there. Mining this last
batch of data is all that matters.
CALLUM JONES
Understood.
As Callum turns to leave, Harrison has a sudden thought, and
stops him in his tracks.
HARRISON LOCK
Callum.
CALLUM JONES
Yes, Sir?
HARRISON LOCK
Elsa said Otto was a regular
customer?
CALLUM JONES
That's what she said.
HARRISON LOCK
Did she happen to know what he was
dreaming.
CALLUM JONES
Yeah, his family.
HARRISON LOCK
Find out if he has any left.
CALLUM JONES
And if he does?
HARRISON LOCK
Let them join him in the dirt.
Callum nods, a hint of menace in his agreement, as he then
exits the room. Alone, Harrison fixates on Otto McCabe's
crime scene photo on the tablet.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
(To himself)
You fled the city all those years
ago hoping to escape my grasp in
the only place you thought you
could allude me... But you didn't
gain your freedom, you simply sowed
the seeds of your own
destruction... Nothing survives The
Trench... Nothing at all. You only
suffer until your demise.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Confronting Loss
INT. CREMATORIUM - WAITING AREA - NIGHT
Kaia steps into a Trench crematorium just as a tearful
mother, cradling her baby and a metallic urn, exits. Kaia
diverts her gaze from the sorrowful scene and approaches an
AI RECEPTIONIST station.
KAIA MCCABE
I'm here for identification.
AI RECEPTIONIST
As specific as possible, state the
time of death.
KAIA MCCABE
Within the last 12 hours.
DESK RECEPTIONIST
Confirmed. Please proceed to
Holding Room 7. Once you've made a
positive ID, inform the nearest
technician.
A ticket prints from the machine. Kaia snatches it up and
moves on, as the next person steps up to the AI Receptionist.
INT. CREMATORIUM - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Kaia navigates the hallway, passing doors marked with
ascending numbers, surrounded by other mourners, each holding
a small metallic urn, while an AUTOMATED VOICE echoes over
the intercom.
CREMATORIUM AI (V.O.)
We can't bring back the ones you've
loved, as much as wish we could,
but here, at the Crematorium, we
ensure they are never forgotten.
With each urn, please accept our
deepest condolences, on behalf of
V1sion Corp and everyone in Apex
City.
Kaia steps into a room where rows of tables hold the still
forms of the deceased. Mournful cries fill the air as people
recognize their loved ones. Technicians move discreetly,
transporting bodies after identification.
Among the rows, Kaia's steps slow. Her eyes lock onto one
figure – her father, Otto McCabe. A CREMATORY TECHNICIAN,
noting her focus, approaches with a gurney.
CREMATORY TECHNICIAN #1
Is this who you're looking for?
Overwhelmed, while trying to hold in her emotions, Kaia can
only nod in affirmation.
CREMATORY TECHNICIAN #1 (CONT’D)
Come with me.
With a practiced motion, the technician moves Otto's body
onto the gurney. Kaia follows, her footsteps echoing her
heavy heart, as they move away from the rows of corpses.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Ashes of Resolve
INT. CREMATORIUM - FURNACE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Kaia follows the Crematory Technician and enters the furnace
room. Several large furnaces stand ready for cremation, as
the technician begins prepping one for Otto.
CREMATORY TECHNICIAN #1
If you have any last words you'd
like to say, now's the time.
KAIA MCCABE
I always knew this day would come,
but I never thought the last thing
I'd tell you, before becoming a
pile of ash, would be said in front
of a total stranger, who probably
gets off an everyone's suffering.
Kaia looks at the technician with utter resentment.
CREMATORY TECHNICIAN #1
If you need a minute, I can come
back.
KAIA MCCABE
Don't bother... Whether it's a
corpse or a pile of ash, the dead
can't hear a damn thing. So, get on
with it.
CREMATORY TECHNICIAN #1
As you wish.
The technician places Otto's body into the furnace. After a
30-second countdown, he reopens it to reveal a pile of ashes.
He scoops some into a metallic urn and hands it to Kaia.
CREMATORY TECHNICIAN #1 (CONT’D)
My condolences.
KAIA MCCABE
Fuck off.
Clutching the urn, Kaia storms out, her grief boiling over.
INT. CREMATORIUM: WAITING AREA - CONTINUOUS
Kaia, seething with anger, heads towards the entrance.
Abruptly, she halts, riveted by the intercom's repetitive
message.
CREMATORIUM AI (V.O.)
While we can't bring back the one's
you've loved, here, at the
Crematorium, we ensure they are
never forgotten. With each urn,
please accept our deepest
condolences, on behalf of V1sion
Corp and everyone in Apex City.
Kaia glances down at her father's urn in contemplation.
KAIA MCCABE
(To herself)
Fuck it.
With renewed determination, Kaia exits the crematorium.
EXT. OTTO'S SECRET STORAGE UNIT - NIGHT
Traversing the shadowy lanes of The Trench, Kaia arrives at a
nondescript shack-like storage unit, which she unlocks using
her unique key.
INT. OTTO'S SECRET STORAGE UNIT - NIGHT
Kaia switches on a rough-and-ready light, revealing a
cluttered space filled with scavenged parts, blueprints, and
unfinished projects. Her eyes are drawn to a familiar object:
a prototype resembling Harrison Lock's latest Lucid Dreaming
goggles.
She gently places her father's urn on a nearby shelf before
approaching the workbench. Setting aside the goggles, she
retrieves a handcrafted stun-gun from a drawer. With focused
precision, she tweaks and adjusts the weapon.
Standing, Kaia practices her aim, her expression determined,
yet haunted. She then pauses, her gaze returning to the urn.
KAIA MCCABE
(To Otto's urn)
I know you always despised
violence, so I'm sorry, in advance,
for what I plan to do...
Kaia turns off the lights and leaves the storage unit, her
resolve hardened.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Confronting Shadows
EXT. THE TRENCH: EAST END - NIGHT
Po Dillon moves with caution to the corner of "Salvation Rd"
and "Independence Ln," its identity announced by crudely
spray-painted metal signs. He slips a torn page from Ruby's
book into a hole in the nearby fence, a coded message for his
Confidential Informant.
Concealed nearby, Po watches as young Hunter cautiously
approaches and retrieves the paper. Reading it, Hunter
immediately takes off, prompting a chase.
Po weaves through The Trench's maze-like streets but abruptly
stops at a dead end, momentarily stumped.
Just then, Hunter emerges from the shadows behind Po.
HUNTER MAW (O.S.)
I'm always in front of you, but
you'll never see me. What am I?
PO DILLON
(Smirks)
The future.
Po turns to confront Hunter, who, despite his young
appearance, is mature beyond his years.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
You're a cautious fellow, aren't
you?
HUNTER MAW
If I want to keep breathing, I sure
as shit better be.
PO DILLON
That makes you smarter than most.
HUNTER MAW
What do you want?
PO DILLON
You were the one who gave us the
tip on the Chimera stash house the
other night, isn't that right?
HUNTER MAW
Yeah, I made the call, but it
didn't make a damn difference.
Everyone died!
PO DILLON
That wasn't on you.
HUNTER MAW
I can't control the way I feel. I
didn't just sign up with you guys
to make a buck, I wanted you to
make my home just a little bit
safer, and I thought with my help
you could do it... But I was wrong.
PO DILLON
You're wrong if you believe that.
You are making a difference. The
one reason we had a shot at saving
those people is because of you.
And, yeah, it didn't go our way,
but that doesn't mean we quit
trying to save the ones we can.
That's the job, kid, and I got one
for you right now.
HUNTER MAW
...What do you wanna know?
PO DILLON
One of the victims we found at the
scene, we think he was Chimera's
latest recruit. Do you recognize
him?
Po shows him an image from the crime scene of Otto's corpse.
HUNTER MAW
Yeah, that's Otto.
PO DILLON
Otto?
HUNTER MAW
Otto McCabe.
PO DILLON
How do you know him?
HUNTER MAW
When I was a little kid, he found
me one night huddled up in an alley
way practically starved to death.
He fed me and made sure I didn't go
a night without eating after that.
PO DILLON
What about your parents?
HUNTER MAW
Never knew 'em. I grew up in one of
the homes.
PO DILLON
I'm sorry.
HUNTER MAW
Me too. Otto used to say "family
isn't defined by blood." I wouldn't
exactly call him family, but him
and Kaia never treated me like I
was anything less. Same goes for
anyone who knew him.
PO DILLON
Who's Kaia?
HUNTER MAW
His daughter.
PO DILLON
Where is she now?
HUNTER MAW
Probably going to see Paku. He's
the owner of the Dream Lounge in
the East End. That's where the
freaky looking Chimera chick found
him.
PO DILLON
Do you know her? Have you ever seen
her before?
HUNTER MAW
No. Never.
PO DILLON
Did you hear her say anything?
Anything that could be useful?
HUNTER MAW
I didn't hear much, but, she did
tell Otto her name.
PO DILLON
What is it?
HUNTER MAW
I'm pretty sure it's Elsa.
PO DILLON
Elsa? You're sure.
HUNTER MAW
Positive.
PO DILLON
Alright... Wait, why would Kaia be
going to see Paku.
HUNTER MAW
Oh, she's either gonna kill him or
break his fucking legs.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Unlocking Secrets
EXT. THE TRENCH: EAST END - NIGHT
Kaia strides through The Trench, her hand firmly on the
concealed weapon inside her jacket, her expression one of
grim determination.
As she walks, her anger momentarily dissipates upon
encountering a restless, agitated crowd.
EXT. DREAM LOUNGE - NIGHT
As she approaches the angry horde surrounding the Dream
Lounge, Kaia questions a nearby TRENCH CIVILIAN.
KAIA MCCABE
What's going on?
TRENCH CIVILIAN
The Lounge is closed for business.
KAIA MCCABE
Why? It's never closed...
She surveys the crowd, their longing faces a mirror to her
father's final days, desperate for escape.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
They've got an endless supply of
customers to prey on.
TRENCH CIVILIAN
They're saying it's a server issue.
KAIA MCCABE
Are all the Lounges shut down for
maintenance?
TRENCH CIVILIAN
No, just this one.
KAIA MCCABE
Then it's not a server issue.
TRENCH CIVILIAN
How do you know?
KAIA MCCABE
Because they're all connected to
the same single network. If it
stops working so does every dream
machine in every lounge.
As she walks away towards the masses, the Trench Civilian
calls after her.
TRENCH CIVILIAN
And how the hell do you know that?
KAIA MCCABE
My father told me.
Kaia bypasses the crowd, arriving at the Dream Lounge's back
gate. She produces a metal ring filled with various lock-
picking tools. After a quick assessment, she selects one and
quickly unlocks the gate. Kaia then slips inside, ensuring
she's not seen, and closes the gate behind her.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Confrontation in the Shadows
EXT. DREAM LOUNGE: BACK LOT - CONTINUOUS
Quietly, Kaia makes her way to the lounge's back entrance,
which is unlocked, and she steps inside.
INT. DREAM LOUNGE - CONTINUOUS
Gun in hand, Kaia enters the back room which is filled with
disconnected data storage units stacked in a pile. She walks
to the front of the shop, and catches Paku off-guard, sitting
at his desk watching porn.
KAIA MCCABE (O.S.)
Did I come at a bad time?
Startled, Paku scrambles to swiftly close the window on his
computer, while his reaction suggests this is not the first
time he's been caught watching explicit videos.
PAKU
What the hell are you doing? Can't
you see we're closed?
Kaia faces Paku aiming her gun at his head.
KAIA MCCABE
I saw the sign out front. You wanna
tell me what that's all about?
PAKU
The server needs some maintenance.
I was just checking and it should
be up and running within the hour.
So you can put down the gun, you'll
be able to dream in no time.
Abruptly, Kaia lowers her aim and pulls the trigger, firing
an electric charge, stunning him in the gut, like a taser-
gun, causing Paku to wince in pain.
KAIA MCCABE
Otto McCabe. Remember him?
PAKU
Who?
Kaia pulls the trigger again, shocking Paku as he further
cries in pain.
PAKU (CONT’D)
(In pain)
Yeah, yeah, I know Otto.
KAIA MCCABE
You knew him. He's dead.
PAKU
I... I didn't know.
KAIA MCCABE
Why would you? It's not like you
give a damn about the people who
come here. Your livelihood is built
on the suffering and desperation of
others.
PAKU
Look, I don't tell people how to
spend their money. I might be
selling a dream but they pay for it
because it's better than the lives
they got.
KAIA MCCABE
Yeah, to the point where they've
got no life at all. They get hooked
on your machines and they end up
spending what little money they
have just to use one for all of
five fucking minutes. And then when
that's not enough they turn to haze
and at that point, they're an empty
shell... It's a cycle of despair
and it starts with places like
this... And people like you.
Kaia holsters her stun-gun, grabs Paku by the shirt, and
takes out a knife, which she holds to his throat, as she's
ready to kill him.
PAKU
(Desperately pleading)
Please... Killing me won't change a
thing.
KAIA MCCABE
I don't care.
PAKU
(Crying)
I'm begging you, please don't--
The color of the crotch area on Paku's pants suddenly turns a
darker shade, as urine begins rolling down his leg, creating
small puddle around his feet.
Still, Kaia shows no sympathy, but reasserts herself, and is
about to kill him, her focus shifts to the sound of a vehicle
entering the backlot.
KAIA MCCABE
Who is that?
PAKU
(Nervously)
...Chimera.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Tension at the Dream Lounge
EXT. DREAM LOUNGE - BACK LOT - CONTINUOUS
A van pulls into the back lot of the Dream Lounge, and not
only does Elsa and two other Chimera operatives exit the back
of the vehicle, along with Callum Jones.
EXT. DREAM LOUNGE - SECURITY GATE - CONTINUOUS
Through advanced binoculars, Po observes from afar as Chimera
operatives, led by Callum and Elsa, enter the Dream Lounge
through the back door.
PO DILLON
(To himself)
What the fuck are you doing here?
INT. DREAM LOUNGE - CONTINUOUS
Inside, Callum and Elsa walk to the front of the store, and
encounter Kaia, who has Paku at gunpoint with her stun-gun
and is using him as a human shield.
CALLUM JONES
Paku, isn't it?
A nervous nod is Paku's only response.
CALLUM JONES (CONT’D)
You were supposed to close up.
PAKU
I did.
CALLUM JONES
It seems your friend here, didn't
get the message.
KAIA MCCABE
I'm not his friend.
CALLUM JONES
I suppose not. Otherwise, you
wouldn't be pointing a gun at him,
would you?
KAIA MCCABE
Why are you here?
CALLUM JONES
I should be asking you that but, to
tell you the truth, I really don't
care. I got what I came for.
EXT. DREAM LOUNGE: BACK LOT - CONTINUOUS
Two Chimera operatives load data storage boxes into a van. As
they shut the trunk, Po emerges from the shadows, swiftly and
silently knocking them unconscious.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Chaos in the Dream Lounge
INT. DREAM LOUNGE - CONTINUOUS
Inside, Kaia apprehensively keeps Paku at gunpoint, as Callum
casually speaks to her.
CALLUM JONES
Whatever your reasons are, blow his
brains out if it'll make you feel
better. I won't stop you. But if
you try and use that gun on me, I
won't blink before it's your brain
that's splattered across the
walls... Do we have an
understanding?
PO DILLON (O.S.)
I don't believe we do.
To everyone's surprise, Po emerges with his weapon closely
aimed at Elsa's head.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Callum Jones, isn't it. Head of
security for Harrison Lock. So,
What the hell are you doing in The
Trench?
Callum's expression shifts to irritation upon seeing Po.
CALLUM JONES
Detective Dillon... He was right
about you... You are a stubborn
bastard.
PO DILLON
And I was right about him, he is a
dick.
(Looks at Kaia and Paku)
Who are they?
CALLUM JONES
That's Paku, he owns this dump, and
this bold nameless girls wants to
kill him.
PO DILLON
It's Kaia, isn't it?
KAIA MCCABE
How do you know that?
PO DILLON
Hunter told me. I know why you're
here. I'm sorry about your father,
but I need you to put down the gun.
There are bigger things at stake
here... What would Otto want you to
do?
Realization dawns on Elsa and Callum, each for their own
reasons.
CALLUM JONES
Wait... He was your father?
Kaia remains silent, but Callum sees the truth in her eyes.
Abruptly, he points his gun at Kaia, who tightens her grip on
Paku as her human shield.
PAKU
(Crying)
What the fuck?
Po, still aiming at Elsa, now turns his gun towards Callum.
PO DILLON
Don't you fucking do it.
CALLUM JONES
Stay out of this, Detective.
PO DILLON
If I did, I wouldn't be good at my
job.
CALLUM JONES
Clearly you don't value it very
much, otherwise you would've taken
your Captain's advice.
Callum's fury noticeably grows.
PO DILLON
If you kill the girl, I'll make
sure you join her... I'm a man of
my word, Jones.
CALLUM JONES
So I've heard... Too bad I don't
care.
Po senses Callum is about to pull the trigger.
PO DILLON
Kaia, RUN!
Elsa's sudden kick diverts Po's shot. Callum fires, fatally
wounding Paku. Kaia reacts swiftly, breaking the glass door
with her stun-gun and dashing into the night, while Callum
follows in hot pursuit.
Inside, Po and Elsa remain and engage in a fierce
confrontation. Elsa, with swift agility, disarms Po and
brandishes a hidden dagger.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
You don't have to do this, Elsa.
Elsa hesitates, surprised he knows her name.
ELSA KANE
Yes... I really do.
Elsa, momentarily taken aback by Po's recognition, attacks.
Her blade slices Po's arm, then plunges into his abdomen.
Grappling with Elsa, Po headbutts her fiercely, disarming
her. Elsa staggers back, bloodied and dazed.
Po, wincing with pain, removes the blade and casts it aside.
He pummels the recovering Elsa, knocking her to the ground.
Standing over her, gun in hand, Po hesitates. Then, in a
sudden decision, he holsters his weapon and rushes to follow
Kaia, leaving Elsa behind.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Collision of Secrets
EXT. THE TRENCH: EAST-END STREETS - NIGHT
In the dimly lit streets of The Trench, Kaia, breathless and
weary, darts through the alleys with Callum on her heels.
Finding a temporary refuge, she crouches behind a dumpster,
her gun at the ready.
Moments later, Callum appears, methodically scanning the area
with his weapon drawn, anticipating her nearby presence.
CALLUM JONES
Come on out little girl. Let's not
make this any harder than it has to
be.
As Callum prowls closer, the unexpected roar of a vehicle
shatters the tense silence. Suddenly, Chimera's van barrels
into view, striking Callum with a brutal force.
Po, behind the wheel, leaps out and quickly checks Callum's
lifeless body. He deftly retrieves a V1sion Corp security
badge from Callum's pocket.
PO DILLON
Kaia, it's alright. You can come
out now.
KAIA MCCABE (O.S.)
Is he dead?
PO DILLON
He is.
Kaia emerges from her hiding spot, her gun still in hand.
KAIA MCCABE
Good... So, you're the one working
my dad's case?
PO DILLON
I am.
KAIA MCCABE
Do you even know who he was?
PO DILLON
Otto McCabe. Hunter filled me in.
KAIA MCCABE
Except he didn't know the whole
story.
PO DILLON
Meaning?
KAIA MCCABE
20 years ago, my father was one of
the key engineers at V1sion Corp.
He studied under Milo Nunez
himself.
PO DILLON
You're saying, Otto was born in
Apex City?
KAIA MCCABE
Until he had to leave so he
wouldn't die.
PO DILLON
What did he do?
KAIA MCCABE
Only what he thought was right.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Dreams Under Surveillance
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE: SECRET SURVEILLANCE ROOM - NIGHT
In a dimly lit room, Harrison Lock stands amidst a sea of
monitors. Each screen plays a different lucid dream,
capturing the private fantasies of unsuspecting citizens.
Technicians busily analyze the data flowing in.
KAIA MCCABE (V.O.)
He found out that Harrison Lock was
accessing the dreams of people in
the city, monitoring them, and
harvesting the ultimate user
data...
The dreams displayed are varied: The Trench's dreams are
tinged with melancholy, longing reunions, and simpler joys,
while those from Apex City are laced with luxury, illicit
desires, and unrestrained indulgence. The contrast is stark,
a visual testament to the divergent lives and hidden
yearnings of the two worlds.
EXT. THE TRENCH: EAST END - CONTINUOUS
Kaia continues speaking with Po.
KAIA MCCABE
He didn't just sell it to every
company there is, he used it as
blackmail... That's how he's got
everyone under his thumb... He has
videos of people living out their
deepest, darkest dreams, and no
one's gonna risk crossing him, as
long as he has them.
PO DILLON
Is that what Lock's using the Dream
Lounges for? To mine the personal
data of people in The Trench?
KAIA MCCABE
I don't think so, the server's
connected to the dream lounges
aren't equipped to send out a
broadcast past the border.
PO DILLON
Your father was a genius, right?
KAIA MCCABE
He was super smart, but I wouldn't
call him a genius.
PO DILLON
Well how smart are you?
KAIA MCCABE
My dad used to tell me, I had a
once in a generation kind of mind.
PO DILLON
Good, because there's something I
wanna show you.
Po leads Kaia to the van and opens the trunk, unveiling
several data storage boxes, taken from the Dream Lounge.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
What are they?
Kaia lifts one of the boxes, examining it closely.
KAIA MCCABE
They're used for data storage.
PO DILLON
What type of data?
KAIA MCCABE
I don't know... But I can find out.
PO DILLON
How?
KAIA MCCABE
Follow me.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Revelations in the Dark
EXT. OTTO'S SECRET STORAGE UNIT - NIGHT
Po parks the van nearby. As they step out, and approach the
front door, Kaia unlocks and opens it.
INT. OTTO'S SECRET STORAGE UNIT - NIGHT
Once inside, Kaia secures the door and turns on the lights.
Po is astonished by the numerous inventions throughout the
room.
PO DILLON
This was your Dad's place?
KAIA MCCABE
It was, until he gave up on it.
PO DILLON
What made him stop?
KAIA MCCABE
Failure... Because he couldn't
build this.
She retrieves a prototype of the Lucid Dream goggles from a
desk drawer.
PO DILLON
Wait, is that...
KAIA MCCABE
Yup.
Handing the goggles to Po, he examines them closely.
Meanwhile, Kaia starts connecting one of the data storage
units to her father's old computer.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
He knew he could never get the
parts to make the original machine
so, after my mom and brother died,
he dedicated his entire life to
seeing them again, but when he
realized that would never happen by
his own hand, he went to The Dream
Lounge and sold them his soul... I
hear V1sion Corp beat him to it...
Everyone down here is signing up to
get one.
PO DILLON
But not you?
KAIA MCCABE
I'm not my father. My life is here,
not in some false reality. I don't
care how awesome it is.
PO DILLON
Believe me, I get it. I'm the same
way. I was never big on lucid
dreaming, even after my daughter...
Po trails off, unwilling to delve deeper into Ruby's memory.
Kaia respects his silence, focusing on her task until she
successfully accesses the data bank's operating system.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
That was quick.
KAIA MCCABE
Their firewalls are weak as fuck.
PO DILLON
Probably because they never thought
someone from The Trench would have
the hardware to crack it.
KAIA MCCABE
Or maybe they think we're all too
stupid to know how to use a
computer in the first place.
Po peers over her shoulder at the computer screen.
PO DILLON
Who are these people?
KAIA MCCABE
Past customers. I recognize some of
these names.
As she scrolls down the list, Otto's name suddenly appears.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
Dad.
After selecting his name, they are shown unusual data, which
Po appears baffled by.
PO DILLON
What the hell is that?
KAIA MCCABE
It looks like... His brain wave
pattern?
PO DILLON
What does that mean?
KAIA MCCABE
Everyone has their own distinct
brain wave pattern. It's like a
fingerprint for the mind. But why
was Lock keeping a record them?
PO DILLON
If every Dream Lounge is doing
this, and has been for the last
twenty years, then he could have a
list of--
A grim realization strikes Po.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Half the people in The Trench.
KAIA MCCABE
So what?
PO DILLON
I always wondered how Chimera was
getting the dream machines in the
first place. They didn't steal
them. Harrison Lock gave them to
Chimera. Lock's the reason they
exist.
KAIA MCCABE
Why? What does he get out of it?
PO DILLON
Everything he's been doing, the
dream lounges, Chimera, Haze...
Quality of life in The Trench was
always horrific, but it's
progressively gotten worse since
Chimera took root, but now this...
Harrison wouldn't have sent Callum
if this didn't have a greater
purpose. I know him.
KAIA MCCABE
Some people down here treat him as
a god... The man who controls
dreams... But my Dad knew what he
truly was... A bigot who would
rather see the people of The Trench
burn than given a chance at a
better life.
Kaia somberly exposes Harrison Lock's true nature.
PO DILLON
What did you just say?
KAIA MCCABE
Which part?
PO DILLON
I was at the V1sion Corp press
conference and Harrison Lock was
preaching about saving the people
of The trench. That's why he's
giving the new goggles out for
free..
A chilling thought strikes both Po and Kaia simultaneously.
KAIA MCCABE
To half the people in The Trench...
What's he gonna do? Wipe us all
out?
PO DILLON
I think that's exactly what he
plans to do.
May Dillon oversees technicians monitoring the vitals, and
the dreams, which are visually displayed on three adjacent
monitors, of the three young children from the V1sion Corp
press conference, who are in midst of using the Lucid Dream
Goggles, in the conjoining room.
MAY DILLON
Alright, shut it down. They've
earned the rest of the day.
As the children remove their goggles, May stares at them
through the transparent wall separating them, while trying to
mask her sorrow. She then walks toward the door to join the
children.
INT. V1SION CORP: CHILD TESTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
May affectionately greets the children, CODY (10), DARLA
(10), and NICO (10), each of them holding their Lucid Dream
Goggles in their hands.
MAY DILLON
How are you all feeling? Any
headaches or dizziness?
The children shake their heads, smiling.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
I want to thank you all for
everything you've done. The work
we've been doing, it's finally
over... Do you know where we keep
the cookies in the cafeteria?
Cody and Nico nod enthusiastically.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
Have as many as you'd like. You've
earned it.
Cody and Nico's eyes light up, and they rush out, excited for
sweets. Darla hesitates, her expression troubled.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
(Concerned)
Darla, what's wrong?
DARLA
...Do we have to go home now?
MAY DILLON
Home?
DARLA
Back to the Trench?
MAY DILLON
No... Your home is here now and
that will never change. Now go join
your "brothers."
Darla's face brightens, and she skips out to join her
"brothers."
Alone now, May hears Harrison Lock's voice through the
intercom, cryptically remarking on the children's future.
HARRISON LOCK (V.O.)
You weren't supposed to grow
attached...
May, unable to see Harrison, looks towards the one-way glass.
The door opens, and Harrison enters the room.
HARRISON LOCK
But I suppose we both knew it was
inevitable -- after what happened
to Ruby.
MAY DILLON
(Tensely)
I know the risks, Harrison.
HARRISON LOCK
And you were right to take them.
We've succeeded, May.
(MORE)
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
You can rest now, bask in your
accomplishment, and perhaps,
reclaim a semblance of what you've
lost.
MAY DILLON
You mean, Darla?
HARRISON LOCK
Her home is here, but she doesn't
have a mother. None of them do.
You're as close as it gets.
May's face is a mix of temptation and pain.
MAY DILLON
I don't deserve to be a mother
again. Perfecting this technology
doesn't change that.
May's phone alerts her to a call.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
Excuse me. I have to take this.
HARRISON LOCK
Of course.
Relieved for the interruption, May exits to answer the call.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
Urgent Revelations
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - NIGHT
May finds a quiet place where no one will hear her
conversation with Po, as she answers his call.
MAY DILLON
What do you want, Po? I'm at work.
PO DILLON (V.O.)
I know. Look, you know me. You know
I'm good at my job, and I'm a man
of my word, right?
MAY DILLON
I do... That's only two of the
reasons why I married you...
CUT TO:
INT. OTTO'S SECRET STORAGE UNIT - CONTINUOUS
Po talks to May over the phone and looks over to see Kaia
listening.
PO DILLON
Harrison Lock is planning
something, it involves the people
of The Trench.
MAY DILLON (V.O.)
I know.
PO DILLON
No, you don't. He doesn't want to
save them, May. He want's to wipe
them out.
CUT TO:
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
May sees two V1sion Corp employees walking toward her, and
she moves to an even more isolated area, ensuring no one's in
sight.
MAY DILLON
Are you insane?
PO DILLON (V.O.)
Callum Jones.
MAY DILLON
What about him?
PO DILLON (V.O.)
He's dead.
MAY DILLON
You killed him?
CUT TO:
INT. OTTO'S SECRET STORAGE UNIT - CONTINUOUS
Po continues talking to May over the phone and turns his back
toward Kaia.
PO DILLON
For good reason. He was working
with Chimera and he tried to kill
an innocent girl...
MAY DILLON
Why was he down in The Trench to
begin with?
PO DILLON
To collect a batch of data storage
devices that have a record of
people's brain waves in The Trench,
going back decades... The Goggles,
May. We have to stop the release.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
A Dangerous Call
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
May continues talking to Po, while checking her surroundings
to make sure she's still alone.
MAY DILLON
Po... They're already being prepped
for transport... By tomorrow night,
they'll be fully distributed.
PO DILLON
Do what you can, just don't get
yourself killed in the process.
MAY DILLON
Why don't you just call Captain
Rashida. Have her send in the
cavalry.
PO DILLON
That's another story. She's on the
take, May... He owns almost
everyone.
MAY DILLON
How?
PO DILLON
He--
Suddenly, May sees Harrison Lock approaching and quickly ends
the phone call.
HARRISON LOCK
There you are. Everything alright?
MAY DILLON
Yeah, I just needed a minute...
CUT TO:
INT. OTTO'S SECRET STORAGE UNIT - CONTINUOUS
With their phone call ended abruptly, Po tries to desperately
to get ahold of May.
PO DILLON
May? MAY!?
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Shadows of Fear
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
May tenses up as Harrison approaches her.
MAY DILLON
...Everything we've been working
for, all our work, and it's finally
come to fruition.
HARRISON LOCK
I've said it before, and I'll say
it again, it's minds like yours
that make this company the gem it
is, but you, May, you more than
anyone else, are a marvel that
cannot be replaced.
Harrison Lock seems to be flirting with her but May casually
and non-confrontationally dismisses it.
MAY DILLON
You're too kind, Harrison.
HARRISON LOCK
I'm just speaking the truth.
MAY DILLON
They need me back inside.
HARRISON LOCK
Don't let me keep you. If every
employee had your commitment to the
job, we'll be making innovations
for the next hundred years.
MAY DILLON
To a glorious century, then?
HARRISON LOCK
Glorious indeed.
May begins walking away and as soon as she turns her back to
Harrison, her fake smile is quickly replaced by her obvious
fear.
CUT TO:
INT. OTTO'S SECRET STORAGE UNIT - CONTINUOUS
The call with May is suddenly disconnected, leaving Po
worried.
KAIA MCCABE
What now?
PO DILLON
I gotta get back to the city.
KAIA MCCABE
Let me come with you.
PO DILLON
That's not gonna happen. You've put
yourself in enough danger already.
KAIA MCCABE
I live in constant danger. That's
what it means to live in The
Trench, but I still don't want to
see half my people die overnight...
Besides, you need all the help you
can get.
PO DILLON
Fine, but you'll need some new
clothes when we get there.
Kaia assesses her dirty, torn, clothing, clearly showing
she's from The Trench.
May returns to her office and opens her computer. The screen
displays analytics from the recent child safety test. She
begins altering the data.
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - LATER
May strides purposefully down the corridor towards Harrison
Lock's office. She pauses briefly to knock.
HARRISON LOCK (O.S.)
Come in.
Gathering her resolve, May opens the door.
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE
May steps inside to find Harrison Lock looking up from his
work, a welcoming smile on his face.
HARRISON LOCK
What can I do for you, May?
His tone is accommodating, shifting his full attention to
her.
MAY DILLON
It's about the adolescent safety
measures.
HARRISON LOCK
What about them?
MAY DILLON
I've been running through the data,
and there's something we might've
overlooked.
May passes her tablet to Harrison who looks over the data.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
Being exposed to the level of brain
activity required for Lucid
Dreaming at such a young age may
stunt their cognitive growth, and
that's only a preliminary
assumption. We can't possibly
anticipate the unintended
consequences and we shouldn't wait
to find out...
Harrison places his tablet aside and stands, his expression
cold and impassive.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
The risk is too severe. We should
delay the launch.
HARRISON LOCK
I'm afraid that's impossible, but
don't worry, May. We're about to
change the world. Celebrate your
accomplishment, like I am.
Harrison leaves the office, door ajar. May hesitates, then
quietly closes it.
She begins a thorough search of the office, rifling through
drawers and checking every corner. Her hand finds a hidden
button under the desk. Pressing it, a secret door opens
behind Harrison's desk.
Genres:
["Thriller","Sci-Fi"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Surveillance and Betrayal
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE: SECRET SURVEILLANCE ROOM - NIGHT
May steps into the room, her eyes widening at the multitude
of screens showing private Lucid Dreams.
One screen catches her attention – Captain Rashida,
compromised in a dream, which shows her living out her
wildest sexual fantasies. May is frozen, horrified.
HARRISON LOCK (O.S.)
You were always too curious for
your own good.
Startled, May whirls around to see Harrison looming behind
her.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
I had an employee like you once
before. It didn't end well for
him... I was hoping things would
turn out different for you... But
you're more like your husband than
I thought.
MAY DILLON
What is this?
HARRISON LOCK
You know what it is. Raw data from
every Lucid Dream ever conceived
using one of our devices. The power
was never in the machines
themselves, it was a tool for
greater control, and you wouldn't
believe the things people come up
with when they are given the means
to do anything... I mean look at
them.
Harrison and May refocus on the monitors, displaying more
people indulging in their darkest desires within their
dreams.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
This right here... This is the true
essence of human nature... Selfish
depravity.
MAY DILLON
These are all people from here in
the city... So what about the
people in The Trench?
HARRISON LOCK
They're worse.
MAY DILLON
I thought you wanted to help them.
HARRISON LOCK
There is no helping them. They only
serve as a future threat and it's
better to eliminate an enemy before
they can grow beyond our means to
contain them.
MAY DILLON
You won't get away with this.
HARRISON LOCK
Yes, I will. Because no one's
trying to stop me except your naive
impulsive husband... He should have
never involved you in this.
Harrison exits, leaving May alone. Suddenly, MARCEL (30s), a
muscular and daunting security guard, steps into the room and
tasers May. She collapses, unconscious.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Crossing Boundaries
EXT. THE TRENCH: MAIN ENTRANCE ROAD - NIGHT
Po and Kaia approach the border between The Trench and Apex
City.
KAIA MCCABE
They're not gonna let me through
the gate without authorization.
PO DILLON
Yes, they will. Just let me do the
talking.
KAIA MCCABE
The last time you tried talking, I
got shot at.
PO DILLON
And I saved your life. Besides,
don't think I forgot the only
reason you were there in the first
place was to commit murder.
KAIA MCCABE
I wasn't gonna kill him.
PO DILLON
You had me convinced.
EXT. APEX CITY + THE TRENCH: ENTRANCE GATE - NIGHT
Po and Kaia approach the security gate dividing The Trench
from Apex City. Joe Morris, the guard on duty, looks on as Po
rolls down his window, greeting him with ease. Kaia, beside
him, appears anxious.
PO DILLON
How you doing, Joe?
JOE MORRIS
You know me, Detective. Just
getting through the day... Word is,
yours was an eventful one.
PO DILLON
That's an understatement.
JOE MORRIS
Does it have anything to do with
your friend there? She don't look
like she's from this side of the
wall.
PO DILLON
She's not. Look, I don't have the
paper work, but I need her help. I
promise, I'll bring her back--
JOE MORRIS
Say no more, Detective. I trust
your word.
PO DILLON
Thanks, Joe, and, if anyone asks, I
was here alone, yeah?
JOE MORRIS
I figured that went without saying.
PO DILLON
You're a good man, Joe.
JOE MORRIS
Takes one to know one.
Joe opens the gate, and Po drives through.
Genres:
["Crime","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
43 -
Echoes of Loss in Apex City
EXT. APEX CITY - NIGHT
Kaia gazes out the window, captivated by the futuristic
cityscape of Apex City – towering skyscrapers, levitating
cars, and holographic billboards.
KAIA MCCABE
My dad told me stories about this
place... I never thought I'd get a
chance to see it.
Po glances at Kaia, noting her wonder.
INT. PO DILLON'S APARTMENT: LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Entering the apartment, Po flicks on the lights. Kaia is
instantly drawn to the panoramic view of the city.
PO DILLON
Wait here. I've got some of my
wife's old clothes around here
somewhere.
He disappears into another room. Kaia, enchanted by the view,
slowly walks towards the window.
KAIA MCCABE
Take your time... I could get used
to this.
She stops, drawn to a family photograph showing Po, May, and
Ruby, full of joy.
As Po returns with clothes, he finds Kaia holding the photo.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
This is your daughter, right?
PO DILLON
Yes.
KAIA MCCABE
She's got your eyes.
PO DILLON
And her mother's smile.
KAIA MCCABE
What's her name?
PO DILLON
Ruby.
KAIA MCCABE
Like the stone.
PO DILLON
Yeah, like the stone...
KAIA MCCABE
What happened to her?
PO DILLON
I'm not exactly sure, she's been in
a coma for the last 7 years.
KAIA MCCABE
I'm sorry.
PO DILLON
Everyone's sorry.
KAIA MCCABE
Probably because they are.
PO DILLON
Doesn't make it easier when people
constantly remind you of that.
KAIA MCCABE
I wouldn't know. In The Trench,
death is so common that we don't
dwell on it. We say our farewells
and then we move on.
PO DILLON
What if you can't let go?
KAIA MCCABE
You do it anyways. That's if you
want to survive in The Trench. I
guess you don't have that problem
living up here.
PO DILLON
We all have our burdens to bear, no
matter where you're from.
KAIA MCCABE
Ain't that the truth.
PO DILLON
...Come on, go clean up. We don't
have a lot of time.
KAIA MCCABE
I know. I won't take long.
Po exchanges the photo for a set of clothes. Kaia heads to
another room as Po lingers on the image of his family.
Setting the photo down, Po approaches a large painting
concealing a hidden wall safe.
He unlocks it with a fingerprint scan and retrieves a loaded
handgun and a duffle bag, its contents ominous.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
44 -
Preparation and Tension
INT. PO DILLON'S APARTMENT: MAIN BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Kaia peels off her shirt, revealing a tapestry of scars,
burns, and bruises marking her body. She flinches as she
steps into the hot shower, the water stinging her wounds.
Dirt washes off in streams, darkening the shower floor before
swirling down the drain.
After the shower, Kaia steps out, pausing to look at herself
in the mirror, seeing her true appearance unobscured for the
first time.
INT. PO DILLON'S APARTMENT: LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Po meticulously arranges an array of weaponry on the dining
table – guns, bomb charges, a combat knife, and other gear.
KAIA MCCABE (O.S.)
One of those better be for me.
Po turns to see Kaia, now clean and devoid of any dirt. Her
natural beauty is strikingly evident. Kaia catches Po's
surprised look.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
What? I knew it. I look ridiculous
don't I?
PO DILLON
Not at all.
KAIA MCCABE
You getting soft on me, Detective?
PO DILLON
My daughter would've liked you.
KAIA MCCABE
I would've loved to meet her.
PO DILLON
If we survive this, I'll introduce
you.
KAIA MCCABE
How?
PO DILLON
It's complicated. I'll explain
later.
Po picks up one of the guns and holds it out for Kaia to
take.
KAIA MCCABE
I already have one.
Kaia shows him her make-shift stun-gun, which Po inspects.
PO DILLON
It doesn't have any bullets.
KAIA MCCABE
If you mean, it's not designed to
kill, then yeah, but it can still
do some damage...
PO DILLON
How much voltage is running through
this thing?
Po hands Kaia back her weapon, as she wields it in pride of
her invention.
KAIA MCCABE
...Enough to fry a person's vision
if you hit 'em straight in the
eyes.
PO DILLON
Are you sure you're up for this?
You can stay here. You don't have
to come.
KAIA MCCABE
Growing up in The Trench, we're so
accustomed to death that all you
can hope for is a meaningful one.
Whether we succeed or not, this
would be as good a death as any.
Suddenly, the apartment's security alarm suddenly starts
beeping.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
What is that?
PO DILLON
Security system.
Po checks the security monitor and sees Captain Rashida and
two officers in the building's elevator, heading up.
KAIA MCCABE
Are we in trouble?
PO DILLON
Yup.
KAIA MCCABE
Are we screwed?
PO DILLON
Not entirely.
Genres:
["Action","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
45 -
Escape from the Inferno
INT. PO DILLON'S APARTMENT: FRONT DOOR - NIGHT
Captain Rashida and two officers arrive at Po's door. She
knocks firmly.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Po, it's Captain Rashida. I need
you to open the door.
Captain Rashida waits for a brief moment but there's no
response, and her impatience grows.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA (CONT’D)
We know you're in there... And we
know you're not alone.
(MORE)
CAPTAIN RASHIDA (CONT’D)
If you don't answer door, we're
gonna break it down, and there's
nothing more I can do to help
you... This is your last warning,
Po. Open the goddamn door.
Suddenly, an explosion sound emanates from inside. Rashida
signals one of the officers.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA (CONT’D)
Bust it down.
The officer readies a high-tech police battering ram,
preparing to breach the door.
INT. PO DILLON'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
The door crashes open. Rashida and the officers rush in to
find the apartment window shattered. Outside, Po and Kaia are
escaping in his levitating car.
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
Shoot him!
Their shots miss as Po's car ascends swiftly away. The
officers stop firing and quickly notice a smell in the air.
POLICE OFFICER
(To Rashida)
Captain, do you smell that?
CAPTAIN RASHIDA
It's gas.
Suddenly, everyone freezes as a beeping sound fills the room.
Rashida cautiously approaches the kitchen, and notices the
smell is coming from the gas stove, which has been fully
turned on to its highest setting.
As Rashida cautiously approaches, she sees the oven lights
are on, and through the transparent glass, she sees a
plastique explosive in the oven.
Without delay, the explosive detonates instantly, engulfing
the room in flames and smoke, killing everyone in its
vicinity.
INT. PO DILLON'S CAR - NIGHT
As they drive off into safety, Po holds the detonator to the
explosive, while watching apartment engulfed in fire and
smoke.
KAIA MCCABE
Here...
While Po is understandably upset, Kaia hands him the
holographic picture of him, May, and Ruby, which she managed
to save before they fled his apartment.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
I figured you'd want this.
Po looks at the image with awe, incredibly grateful.
PO DILLON
Thank you.
KAIA MCCABE
It was nothing.
PO DILLON
(Earnestly)
No... This means more than you
know.
KAIA MCCABE
Hopefully it won't be the last time
you see it.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Action","Thriller","Sci-Fi"]
Ratings
Scene
46 -
Confrontation in the Surveillance Room
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE: SECRET SURVEILLANCE ROOM -
CONTINUOUS
May, regaining consciousness, finds herself handcuffed to a
chair, flanked by security guards. Harrison Lock stands
before her with a cold smile.
HARRISON LOCK
Rise and shine, Love.
MAY DILLON
What are you gonna do to me?
HARRISON LOCK
That depends on you.
MAY DILLON
How so?
HARRISON LOCK
I was just informed that your
husband's apartment went up in
smoke.
(MORE)
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Captain Rashida was supposed to
retrieve him, but she has yet to
contact me, which she means dead
and your husband is coming to try
and take me down like the good
little soldier he thinks he is.
Now, you can either accept my
vision and stand by my side, as
true partners, or I can use you as
bait and leverage. What will it be?
MAY DILLON
You're insane.
HARRISON LOCK
Many visionaries were told the same
thing at one point in their lives.
MAY DILLON
You're not a visionary, you're a
monster.
HARRISON LOCK
The world isn't run by angels, it
never was... It was always run by
people like me...
MAY DILLON
No wonder the world came to an end.
HARRISON LOCK
That won't happen again. It took
twenty years but finally I can make
it a certainty.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
47 -
Mission at V1sion Corp
EXT. V1SION CORP: SECURITY ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Po approaches the V1sion Corp security gate. He retrieves
Callum's ID badge from his pocket, a grim reminder of its
previous owner's fate.
KAIA MCCABE
Are you sure this is gonna work?
PO DILLON
His body's not even cold yet. He's
still in the system. Trust me.
KAIA MCCABE
Not like I have a choice.
Po swipes the badge. The gate beeps in approval and swings
open.
EXT. V1SION CORP: SECURITY ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Exiting the car, Po and Kaia head towards a less conspicuous
security personnel entrance. Po uses Callum's badge again,
effortlessly unlocking the door, as they enter undetected.
INT. V1SION CORP: SECURITY ENTRANCE
Po detaches his high-tech wristband and hands it to Kaia.
PO DILLON
(Activating the hologram)
Here are the building's schematics.
This is where the goggles are being
loaded onto transport vehicles
bound for The Trench.
He hands her the duffle bag from his safe.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
When you get there, place the
explosive around the place and then
get your ass out of there... The
bombs are set for 20 minutes.
KAIA MCCABE
Got it.
As she begins to leave, Po grabs her arm, a serious look in
his eyes.
PO DILLON
If I'm not back at the car before
they go off, don't wait for me, you
understand? You take my car and you
haul ass out of here.
KAIA MCCABE
Po.
PO DILLON
Do you understand?
KAIA MCCABE
I do, but don't plan on it. We can
save everyone... We have to. Now go
save your wife.
With a nod, they split up – Po towards his mission, Kaia
towards hers.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Action","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
48 -
Leverage and Despair
INT. V1SION CORP: INTERROGATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Harrison stands before May, still tied to the chair, as an
armed V1sion Corp SECURITY GUARD rushes into the room.
SECURITY GUARD
Mr. Lock.
HARRISON LOCK
What is it?
SECURITY GUARD
Po Dillon has entered the building,
and it appears he isn't the only
one.
The Security Guard hands Harrison a tablet showing two hidden
security feeds of Po and Kaia making their way covertly
through the building.
HARRISON LOCK
Who's the girl?
SECURITY GUARD
We're not sure. We believe she may
have entered the city with him.
HARRISON LOCK
So, she's from the Trench?
SECURITY GUARD
Should I alert the Police in the
hanger to apprehend them?
HARRISON LOCK
No. They won't get here in time.
Every available officer is working
security for the product launch.
SECURITY GUARD
So are most of our own men. If he
gets through the front gate, we
don't have the manpower to cover
every possible access point.
HARRISON LOCK
Which won't matter because we
possess the only thing we'll ever
need... The love of his life.
(MORE)
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
So, like any good husband would,
he'll come here to try and save
her, but we'll be ready when he
does.
SECURITY GUARD
What about the girl?
HARRISON LOCK
She's of no consequence... And when
she discovers why, make sure your
men are there to greet her
SECURITY GUARD
Yes, sir.
The Security Guard signals to one of the other security
guards in the room, who follows him as they exit the room
while Harrison returns his focus to May.
HARRISON LOCK
It looks like your marital woes
couldn't keep your husband away.
MAY DILLON
And you're not gonna stop him?
HARRISON LOCK
Why would I? When I have all the
leverage I'll ever need against
him.
MAY DILLON
He's gonna kill you... One way or
another.
HARRISON LOCK
No, he won't, because, after what
happened to Ruby, he couldn't bear
losing you. He's either going to
accept my vision and get with the
program, or you'll both be seeing
your daughter in the afterlife,
because no one's paying her medical
bills, after her parents are found
dead, lying in a pool of their own
blood...
MAY DILLON
You would condemn an innocent
child? MY CHILD?! To death?
HARRISON LOCK
That depends on your husband. I
could kill you and make Po watch or
vice versa, but that would just be
wasted potential... Your mind is a
marvel, May, and I've only
encountered one like it before...
But even Milo couldn't unlock Lucid
Dreaming for minors... He could
have taught you so much. Lucky for
me, I was here to mentor you, not
him.
MAY DILLON
You're wrong. I learned more from
him, a man I never met, than in all
my years working for you.
HARRISON LOCK
His work was merely an echo of
inspiration. Your success was built
on my faith in you. If Milo were
here to train the next generation
of brilliant minds, we would be in
a much different place than we are
now.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
49 -
Desperate Negotiation
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Po navigates the eerily deserted halls of V1sion Corp.
Suddenly, Harrison's voice echoes through the intercom.
HARRISON LOCK (V.O.)
Hello, Detective.
Po halts, locking eyes with a security camera.
PO DILLON
Where is my wife?!
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE: SECRET SURVEILLANCE ROOM -
CONTINUOUS
Harrison Lock scrutinizes Po's face on the security monitor,
detecting his reluctance. He then glances at May, bound and
watched over by two guards.
HARRISON LOCK
I'm looking at her right now, and
you can save her... There's no one
there to stop you.
(MORE)
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
All I ask is that when you get
here, you hear me out instead of
coming in guns blazing aiming for
my skull. I think that's pretty
reasonable, don't you?
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Po continues locking eyes with the security camera.
PO DILLON
Just lead the fucking way,
Harrison.
HARRISON LOCK (V.O.)
I'm not the villain you think I am,
Po.
PO DILLON
Good for you. I really don't give a
fuck... You have my wife! So you
better hope, whatever you're gonna
say is good enough to save you from
a bullet between the eyes.
HARRISON LOCK (V.O.)
Only if you try and keep an open
mind.
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE: SECRET SURVEILLANCE ROOM -
CONTINUOUS
Harrison Lock scrutinizes Po's face on the security monitor,
detecting his reluctance.
HARRISON LOCK
Swear it, Detective. I know you're
a man of your word.
Po hesitates, his gaze drifting away from the camera. Then,
with evident reluctance, he locks eyes with the lens again.
PO DILLON (V.O.)
I swear.
Convinced of Po's commitment, Harrison nods at a technician,
who inputs a command.
Genres:
["Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
50 -
Confrontation at Vision Corp
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
The floor beneath Po illuminates with a green path leading
him onward. With a mix of anger and determination, Po strides
forward, following the illuminated trail.
CUT TO:
INT. VISION CORP: HANGAR BAY - NIGHT
Kaia cautiously approaches the Hangar Bay, pausing as two
police officers pass by. She then slips into the expansive
area, where numerous crates of the new Lucid Dream Goggles
are being stored. She watches the officers oversee the
loading of the last transport vehicle, which soon joins a
convoy of trucks already on the move.
Realizing she needs to act fast, Kaia takes out Po's
communicator and heads out to find him.
But as she exits the hangar, she's unexpectedly cornered and
overpowered by Harrison's security guards.
CUT TO:
INT. V1SION CORP: HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Po determinedly tracks the illuminated path on the floor
until it culminates at the entrance of Harrison Lock's
office. As he nears the door, it swings open automatically.
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Po strides into the room, gun at the ready, immediately
confronted by two armed SECURITY GUARDS.
SECURITY GUARD
Hand us your firearm and we'll take
you to Mr. Lock.
PO DILLON
"Mr. Lock," never said I couldn't
bring my gun to our discussion.
SECURITY GUARD
Well, he told us.
PO DILLON
And why should I listen?
SECURITY GUARD
He has your wife.
PO DILLON
Yeah, but he's not gonna kill her,
not before we talk, at least. It
would just be anti-climatic, and
that is not your boss's style. So,
can either of you explain to me,
why I should waste another breath.
The guards exchange a glance, unable to argue. In a swift,
unexpected move, Po reveals a hidden gun from his sleeve and
disposes of both guards with two precision shots to their
skulls.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
(Looking down at the two
corpses)
Never leave your gun uncocked for a
gun fight.
Unfazed, Po steps over the bodies and proceeds into the
hidden room behind Harrison's desk, gun still in hand.
Genres:
["Action","Thriller","Sci-Fi"]
Ratings
Scene
51 -
Confrontation in the Shadows
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE: SECRET SURVEILLANCE ROOM -
CONTINUOUS
With caution, Po advances into the surveillance room, gun at
the ready.
HARRISON LOCK (O.S.)
That is not how you begin a civil
discussion...
Reaching the room's heart, Po finds Harrison, gun trained on
the zip-tied May.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Put down the gun, Po.
PO DILLON
If that's what you want, release my
wife, and then we can talk.
HARRISON LOCK
She's the only reason we're talking
right now, so I think I'll keep her
where she is.
Tension mounts as Harrison presses his gun tighter against
May's head.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Or she can drop dead from the
bullet that's about to enter her
brain... Your choice.
Reluctantly, Po relinquishes his gun, surrendering to the
situation.
PO DILLON
What do you want?
HARRISON LOCK
To make you understand, so will
she. Milo's mind was a once in a
generation, as is hers. I don't
want to terminate her employment,
and I believe she can be persuaded -
if you are.
PO DILLON
Persuaded of what?
HARRISON LOCK
That a mass cleanse is in the
people's best interest.
PO DILLON
Whose? The people here in the City,
or the people down there?
HARRISON LOCK
Both! We don't have the resources
to sustain The Trench's population,
which has grown exponentially since
Apex City was founded. This city is
humanity's last refuge, and The
Trench is not only a threat to its
very existence, but if they ever
get wise and band together, they'll
topple this city within a matter of
days, and what do you think they're
gonna do when they get here? I'll
tell you: they're gonna murder,
rape, and steal anything they can
get their hands on because it's
what those savages do. You've seen
it with your own eyes!
PO DILLON
You hate them, don't you?
HARRISON LOCK
It's people like them that caused
the ruin of our world in the first
place.
PO DILLON
You can't know that, for sure.
HARRISON LOCK
Oh, but I can. Even as a child, I
was always curious to learn about
the world before its end, and what
exactly led us there. So I could
ensure it would never happen again.
After years of collecting
historical relics unearthed in the
debris of our fallen world, I
discovered the answer... People
would rather destroy than build,
consume rather than create,. It's
human nature, but more primal
within those from the lower
echelons of society, like The
Trench.... They lack the education,
the moral compass, the very things
that separate us from barbarism.
They led the charge into anarchy,
fueled by ignorance and greed. The
world didn't just fall apart; it
was torn apart, by people like
them.
PO DILLON
(Disbelieving)
You're basing the fate of thousands
on historical speculation?
HARRISON LOCK
It's not speculation, it's pattern
recognition. History is littered
with the chaos caused by the
uneducated and morally bankrupt. If
we don't act, history will repeat
itself. Apex City is the last
bastion of civilized society, and
I'll do anything to protect it -
even if it means making the hard
choices.
PO DILLON
(Disgusted)
And you're willing to wipe out an
entire population based on this
belief?
HARRISON LOCK
(Resolute)
Survival isn't always pretty, Po.
At that moment, two guards usher in a captive Kaia, pushing
her toward Harrison. Po's eyes flare with fury.
KAIA MCCABE
Get the fuck off me!
HARRISON LOCK
(To Kaia)
Speaking of survival, my gut says
you know all about that. Hi, I'm
Harrison Lock.
Harrison offers his hand, but Kaia responds with a spit to
his face. Harrison, visibly taken aback, retaliates by
slapping her hard across the face.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
So uncivilized, just like the rest
of your kind.
KAIA MCCABE
You know nothing.
HARRISON LOCK
Actually, I know a lot.
PO DILLON
Let her go, Harrison. This doesn't
involve her.
HARRISON LOCK
Oh, I think it does, or her father,
at least... Otto McCabe had an
incredible mind, like May here,
except he had the benefit of
learning under my old partner, and
he adapted some of his, shall we
say, more noble, yet foolish,
beliefs... That's what killed him
in the end.
KAIA MCCABE
You're wrong. He was happy once, we
all were, but then my mother died
from disease, and my little brother
not long after... That's what
killed my father... Not you!
HARRISON LOCK
He would've been spared such
heartbreak if only he stayed where
he belonged, and did what he was
told.
KAIA MCCABE
I'm glad he didn't, and you're an
idiot for thinking he would.
HARRISON LOCK
I never did... But I gave him the
same opportunity I'm giving May.
Hopefully, with or without Po's
cooperation, she'll make the right
choice, unlike your father.
KAIA MCCABE
He didn't make a mistake.
HARRISON LOCK
Do you really believe that?
KAIA MCCABE
I do... Because it led to his
greatest creation.
HARRISON LOCK
And what's that me?
KAIA MCCABE
Me.
SECURITY GUARD
We found her with a bag of
explosives.
A guard presents a duffle bag, filled with explosives, to
Harrison.
HARRISON LOCK
HA! Did you really think I wouldn't
adjust my plans after you entered
the city limits with a dead man's
ID badge?
Po's expression reveals his surprise.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Yeah, I know Callum's dead. Rashida
told me before you blew her up...
I've been planning this for twenty
years, Po.
(MORE)
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
I sent out the first wave of next-
gen goggles to The Trench, the
minute I learned you were coming.
By now, they should almost be fully
distributed.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
52 -
Dreams and Deceptions
EXT. THE TRENCH: PUBLIC SQUARE - NIGHT
A bustling crowd surrounds around a temporary V1sion Corp
stage in The Trench's central square. Apex City police stand
guard, monitoring for disturbances.
A large screen displays names sequentially, igniting cheers
and whispers amongst the throng. The atmosphere buzzes with
anticipation, and a touch of envy for those still waiting
their turn, while some are even praying their name is called.
V1sion Corp staff, in distinct corporate uniforms, distribute
Lucid Dream goggles to those called. Despite the large
chaotic crowd, the process moves in a surprisingly
disciplined fashion, as each person rushes off the stage,
eager to use their new gadget with visible excitement.
EXT. THE TRENCH: EAST-END STREETS - NIGHT
The streets of The Trench, just outside the lively square,
offer a stark contrast.
Individuals, already equipped with their new goggles, are
isolated in shadowy nooks and alleys. Motionless, they delve
into the depths of their lucid dreams, cut off from reality.
The vibrant commotion typical of The Trench's streets is now
subdued, replaced by an uncanny stillness. The residents,
absorbed in their private dreamscapes, remain unaware of
their physical environment. The once lively streets now exude
an odd tranquility, as more residents surrender to the allure
of their dream worlds.
INT. HARRISON LOCK'S OFFICE: SECRET SURVEILLANCE ROOM -
CONTINUOUS
Tension escalates between Po and Harrison.
HARRISON LOCK
I appreciate your drive, Po, but
there's no point in trying to fight
me on this. It's inevitable... Put
down the gun, and join the right
side of history, alongside your
wife... And your daughter.
Po freezes, shock and confusion evident in his and May's
expressions.
PO DILLON
What are you talking about?
HARRISON LOCK
I can fix her.
PO DILLON
Bullshit.
HARRISON LOCK
(Confidently)
She's trapped in a perpetual lucid
dream state, a rare but documented
side effect when we first began
human trials. Her mind is active,
but she can't return to
consciousness. It's like being
trapped in a never-ending dream.
PO DILLON
And you've known this the whole
time?!
HARRISON LOCK
Yes, but the knowledge was useless
without further advancements in
dream navigation and neural
synchronization for adolescent
minds, which your wife has now
brilliantly accomplished.
PO DILLON
And you can just... fix her?
HARRISON LOCK
We'll need some time, but, yes...
My scientists believe they've
developed a method to safely
extract someone from a lucid dream
induced coma. It involves aligning
and syncing brain wave patterns
with a calibrated neural pulse.
It's delicate work, but, with May's
help, it shouldn't take long to
perfect... So, what's it gonna be
you two? I'm offering you the very
thing that drove you two apart...
And what parent wouldn't save their
child if given the opportunity.
Po and May exchange a look, each grappling with the gravity
of Harrison's offer.
MAY DILLON
I accepted reality without my
daughter, a long time ago... I'm
not ready to give that up just
because you're telling me I can.
Harrison's expression hardens as he turns to Po.
HARRISON LOCK
Can you please talk some sense into
her?
PO DILLON
...I never could, because she's
almost always right... I love our
daughter... We both do. More than
anything... But, since we lost her,
I've been living in the past,
hoping I'll get it back, but
knowing I never will...
(inconspicuously to Kaia)
"My eyes were blinded" by what
happened to Ruby.
Po subtly locks eyes with Kaia, covertly signaling her with
his words. Silently, she begins to ease her stun-gun out from
her sleeve. Po keeps Harrison engaged with heartfelt words,
masking his true intent with a poignant confession to May.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
(looking directly at May)
I saw you as a constant reminder of
what we'd lost, maybe we both did,
maybe it was easier that way, but
in the process, we didn't just lose
our daughter, we lost each other...
And it only worsened the pain
because I had no one to share it
with... The only people who can
understand the pain of losing a
child aren't in this city...
They're in The Trench, where death
is so common that the people there
are "blind" to its importance...
Just like your inability to
understand the gravity of what's in
front of you.
Po gives a subtle nod to Kaia. She quickly readies her stun-
gun and fires, incapacitating Harrison. Po simultaneously
dispatches the two security guards with precise shots.
Kaia stands over Harrison, stun-gun aimed at his face. Po
swiftly cuts May free with his combat knife and they embrace.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Are you alright?
MAY DILLON
I am now.
Kaia looks at them, then back at Harrison.
KAIA MCCABE
What are we gonna do with him?
PO DILLON
He's gonna tell us how to shut down
the goggles before he becomes the
biggest mass murderer in recent
human history.
KAIA MCCABE
He might enjoy knowing that.
PO DILLON
Then it'll be the last thought he
ever has.
Po, with controlled fury, grabs Harrison by the collar,
pulling him close.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
(To Harrison)
Make no mistake... If people die
tonight because of your technology,
you'll be buried alongside them,
decaying in the gutter, forgotten
with time.
HARRISON LOCK
If the streets run red, I'll be
remembered forever.
PO DILLON
But not for the right reasons.
HARRISON LOCK
You're wrong... This technology,
this company... It's not my legacy,
its always been Milo's.
PO DILLON
You stupid fool, IT DIDN'T HAVE TO
BE!
HARRISON LOCK
But it is... And I will never give
in...
PO DILLON
I won't give you a choice.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
53 -
Dreams of Confrontation
INT. V1SION CORP: CHILD TESTING ROOM - LATER
Po and Kaia position two Original Lucid Dream Machines at the
center of the room. May, focused, works on the console, as
she attempts the intricate process of syncing the machines.
MAY DILLON
It'll take a few minutes to prep
the machines for dream
integration... Po, are you sure
about this?
PO DILLON
Not for a second, but that's
irrelevant right now, because this
is our only option. We don't have
any other choice but to take it.
MAY DILLON
Harrison's not your average dreamer-
HARRISON LOCK (O.S.)
That's an understatement...
Harrison, restrained in a chair, watches them intently, a mix
of anticipation and smugness in his demeanor.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
You're out of your depth, Po. This
won't work.
PO DILLON
I won't know if I don't try.
HARRISON LOCK
I'm the King of Dreams, and your
plan is to overpower me in my own
domain?
PO DILLON
That's my specialty.
HARRISON LOCK
What you do is elementary,
interrogating the minds of weaker
subjects, but I am at the top of
the food chain... And you've never
faced a mind like mine.
PO DILLON
(To May)
I need a sedative.
MAY DILLON
What for?
PO DILLON
Don't you know?
MAY DILLON
Know what?
A beat of silence as Po looks into May's eyes, then he grins
slightly.
PO DILLON
...Wow, I never imagine I'd be the
one to give you a lesson on Lucid
Dreaming--
KAIA MCCABE
When a person is in a lucid dream
state, their subconscious is more
malleable, more open to suggestion.
It's like hacking into a computer
system - the deeper the dream, the
less guarded the mind.
Po and May exchange impressed looks.
PO DILLON
That's exactly right.
KAIA MCCABE
Don't look so surprised, I didn't
just inherit my father's last name.
MAY DILLON
Clearly, you have his mind too...
May looks at Kaia, a hint of emotion in her eyes.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
We haven't officially met yet,
Kaia, isn't it?
KAIA MCCABE
Since the day I was born.
MAY DILLON
(extending her hand)
I'm May.
KAIA MCCABE
(shaking May's hand)
I know, since the minute I met him,
your guy just won't shut up about
you.
MAY DILLON
Did he hit his head down in The
Trench or something? Because I was
always the one who couldn't shut
up.
PO DILLON
I never had a problem with that.
You always have more to say than I
do.
MAY DILLON
Maybe I just like the sound of my
own voice?
PO DILLON
Then you're not the only one,
Love... Do you remember our third
year at the university, after you
had that massive argument with your
biology professor in the middle of
class?
MAY DILLON
He was arguing that quantum biology
was a fringe science without any
merit, and I took it personally.
PO DILLON
Oh, I'm well aware. You came to my
apartment after it was over, and
gave me a 3 hour lecture on stem
cell regeneration.
MAY DILLON
You remember that?
PO DILLON
I remember everything... Don't ask
me what any of it means though.
(MORE)
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
As good a teacher as you were, I
was never the best student.
MAY DILLON
So, why did you stay and listen?
PO DILLON
It mattered to you, so, it mattered
to me... That was the day, May...
Once you started talking, I swear,
it only took me seven minutes to
know I wanted to marry you.
Their eyes meet, sharing a moment, but it's abruptly cut
short by Harrison.
HARRISON LOCK
Jesus christ, instead of saving
half a population, why don't you
two go and get a room.
PO DILLON
(changing subject)
Where do you keep the sedatives?
MAY DILLON
They're in the supply closet down
the hall.
KAIA MCCABE
(starts to move)
I can run and get it.
PO DILLON
(stops her)
Forget it...
Without warning, Po lands a solid punch on Harrison, knocking
him out cold.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
We're running out of a time.
MAY DILLON
You just wanted to punch him in the
face, didn't you.
KAIA MCCABE
(Nodding in agreement)
Totally.
PO DILLON
...I'm not gonna lie, it felt
great.
Their minimal laughter briefly breaks the tension, as they
are alerted that the dream integration process is complete.
MAY DILLON
Integration's complete. The
machines are ready.
Po and Harrison settle into their respective Lucid Dream
Machines, facing each other.
MAY DILLON (CONT’D)
Be careful in there.
KAIA MCCABE
What she said.
PO DILLON
Always.
May hits the button to initiate the Lucid Dream process and
the machines hum to life.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
54 -
Breaking Free from Despair
INT. (LUCID DREAM) - MEDICAL CENTER: WAITING AREA - NIGHT
Po, slightly disoriented, finds himself in a familiar waiting
room of a Medical Center.
INT. (LUCID DREAM) - MEDICAL CENTER: HALLWAY - NIGHT
Po navigates the quiet hallway, pausing outside a particular
room. Taking a deep breath, he pushes the door open.
INT. (LUCID DREAM) - RUBY'S MEDICAL ROOM - NIGHT
Inside, Po sees Ruby lying comatose, her bed surrounded by
medical equipment. His chair sits nearby, an open book
resting on it.
HARRISON LOCK (V.O.)
Did you really think I wouldn't
learn the ins-n-outs, even how to
defend myself, against my own
technology... I told you before,
I'm the King of Dreams and this is
my domain...
Po, desperate, exits the room only to re-enter the same room
in a surreal loop, confronted each time by Ruby's bedridden
motionless body.
PO DILLON
(Looking up in the sky,
screaming at Harrison)
Stop this! Stop this or I will
fucking end you.
As he pleads, the heart monitor connected to Ruby flatlines.
A DOCTOR and Nurse Pam rush in with an Automated External
Defibrillator (AED) machine, a portable device designed to
deliver an electric shock to a person experiencing cardiac
arrest, in an attempt to resuscitate her.
HARRISON LOCK (V.O.)
Do that, and I still win... You're
no savior... You can't save anyone,
Detective. Not Ruby or those bottom
feeders you claim to protect. The
only difference between them and
your daughter is that they won't
have a pulse.
PO DILLON
I always knew this was the real
you... Exploiting people's dreams,
their deepest fears and desires,
and weaponizing it against them for
your own ends. That's your real
weapon, isn't it? Preying on the
broken-hearted.
HARRISON LOCK
I'm not the only who used people's
dreams against them... All those
criminals you interrogated over the
years--
PO DILLON
I was doing my job.
HARRISON LOCK
I know. It was your ability to
manipulate and exploit the small-
minded and that made you great at
your job, but, unlike them, I am in
no way small...
PO DILLON
You're a son of a bitch is what you
are, now show yourself already.
HARRISON LOCK
I'm not hiding. This is my mind,
and in here, I'm everywhere all at
once...
The scene shifts abruptly, as Po is now strapped to Ruby's
hospital bed, his own heart monitor flatlining, despite him
being conscious.
Harrison then enters the room, wearing a doctor's white coat,
with a scornful smile, as he approaches Po.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
You're the one who's hiding, Po...
Who you really are and what you
really want... Ever since you lost
your daughter, deep down, in your
bones, and in your soul, you've
longed for one thing only, and
that's an end to your suffering...
I can't imagine the pain of losing
a child, let alone holding them in
your arms, after you were too late
to save them... But clearly you do,
so, tell me, for a parent who loves
their kids, is there a worse
affliction than that?
PO DILLON
...No, and it never ends.
HARRISON LOCK
Only while you still breathe. There
are some fates far worse than
death, Po. Right now, you're living
yours... But I can help end your
suffering... You just have to want
it.
PO DILLON
Why would I when there's a chance
to save Ruby.
HARRISON LOCK
I lied.
PO DILLON
But you said there were others like
her.
HARRISON LOCK
It was just a ploy to convince you
and May.
(MORE)
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
I told you the one thing you wanted
to hear more than anything, and,
honestly, I figured we could find
the solution, with enough time,
but, the truth is, I don't know how
to cure the effects of Ruby's coma
because it's the first of its kind.
HARRISON LOCK (CONT’D)
Now that you know there's no saving
her, tell me, what reason do you
have to go on?
PO DILLON
...I don't have one.
HARRISON LOCK
Do you still want to live?
PO DILLON
...No.
Po lowers his head, a mix of guilt and resignation washing
over him.
HARRISON LOCK
Don't worry, Detective... You're
about to get what you want.
Nurse Pam enters, wheeling in an AED machine, as she then
calibrates it to maximum voltage. Harrison, with a cold
smile, turns to grab the paddles.
But as he turns back toward Po, he's shocked to see the
hospital bed is empty, and Po is no longer restrained.
Outside his line of sight, in a swift motion, Po lunges,
gripping Harrison by the throat. Harrison responds by
pressing the charged AED paddles against Po's chest. However,
to his disbelief, Po remains unaffected by the jolt.
PO DILLON
What I want doesn't matter... It
doesn't matter at all, because this
isn't about me... It's about
everyone else.
Channeling a newfound determination, Po alters the lucid
dream realm, his will reshaping the very fabric of reality
around them.
Abruptly, Po and Harrison find themselves in the grim setting
of a Crematorium holding room, surrounded by a chilling array
of lifeless bodies. Po, with a firm grip on Harrison, forces
him onto a gurney, which magically binds him with restraints.
As Po pushes the gurney through the room, Harrison's gaze
shifts uneasily over the faces of the deceased they pass.
PO DILLON
But you were right. For a parent,
losing your kid is more painful
than getting stabbed in the
heart... But then again, I've never
been stabbed in the heart, or burnt
to a crisp... I gotta imagine it
hurts like hell.
Po wheels Harrison in to the furnace room. Harrison,
restrained on the gurney, strains his neck to look up, his
expression a mix of fear and defiance.
HARRISON LOCK
Pain is a product of the mind, and
you have no control here! Not over
me!
PO DILLON
Look around you. Your mind's been
hacked, and now I'm in full
control...
HARRISON LOCK
That's not possible.
PO DILLON
The fact that we're here should be
impossible, but I'm starting to
think that's the nature of the
world we live in.
HARRISON LOCK
It won't work. You're not strong
enough.
PO DILLON
Now who's underestimating who?...
You're about to feel real pain
because I fucking say so, and I
fucking can...
(MORE)
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
The beautiful thing is, we have a
thousand years before reality
catches up... Unless you want to
talk and spare yourself centuries
of pain?
HARRISON LOCK
(With conviction)
Never.
PO DILLON
You expect to die in there don't
you?
HARRISON LOCK
I don't need to live when I know
I'm saving the world.
PO DILLON
Maybe, but you're a grade-A
narcissist. You would want to see
your plan succeed with your two
eyes -- And after all that time
watching people do fucked up things
in their dreams, it's not a
surprise you're even more fucked
than they are... Because, I'm
willing to bet, that you hate the
people of The Trench so much so
that killing them isn't enough...
You want to watch them die too...
Tell me I'm wrong.
HARRISON LOCK
(Unconvincingly)
...You're wrong.
PO DILLON
I'm not the one you need to
convince...
Po stands resolute, as he slides the tray out from the
furnace, on which Harrison, now magically constrained in a
strait-jacket, lies helplessly.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
Have fun in there.
HARRISON LOCK
Po, don't you fucking dare.
With a forceful shove, Po slides Harrison into the heart of
the furnace, then he slams the door shut.
Po activates the furnace, and through the small window, Po
watches as Harrison writhes, his screams echoing in the fiery
chamber, yet his physical form remains unscathed by the
flames.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
56 -
Desperate Measures
INT. V1SION CORP: CHILD TESTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
In the physical world, Kaia observes Po and Harrison, both
deep in their lucid state. May is intensely focused on the
brain activity monitors.
KAIA MCCABE
(Talking to May)
Other than working in the factory,
because of the fumes, I don't think
there's a more dangerous job than
being a cop in The Trench. I doubt
you've been, but we don't like
people with a badge down there.
MAY DILLON
He's more than his job. He actually
cares, although he didn't for a
while...
KAIA MCCABE
Were you ever scared that he might
not come home?
MAY DILLON
Every day and every night. That's
why I asked him to quit, or at
least to take a desk job.
KAIA MCCABE
You did? When?
MAY DILLON
A little after Ruby turned ten.
KAIA MCCABE
Was he gonna do it?
MAY DILLON
Yeah, he filled out the paperwork
and everything. He just had to
close his last active case before
telling Rashida.
KAIA MCCABE
So, what happened?
May remains silent, her expression answering the unspoken
question.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
...Ruby.
MAY DILLON
After we lost her, Po was never the
same. Neither of us were, so we did
what we did best... Our jobs --
Until our minds were nowhere
else... I don't blame him for what
happened to Ruby, I never did...
But he couldn't save her, and ever
since that day, he's tried to save
everyone he can to make up for it,
even though he knows it never
will...
Suddenly, the calm in the room is shattered by an alarm from
the monitor. May quickly checks the readings.
KAIA MCCABE
What's going on? Is Po alright?
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
He's fine. It's Harrison.
Kaia peers over May's shoulder, noticing the alarming spikes
in brain activity.
KAIA MCCABE (CONT’D)
What's wrong with him.
MAY DILLON
(Pointing to the monitor)
See this area lighting up? This is
the prefrontal cortex. It regulates
our thoughts, actions and emotions.
KAIA MCCABE
So what does that mean.
MAY DILLON
Normally, it could mean a number of
things, but this level of activity,
specifically here, it's not just
intense. It's off the charts, which
means he's in pain. The kind that's
more than just physical, it's
psychological, even existential.
KAIA MCCABE
(Looking towards Po in
concern)
What the hell is he doing to him?
MAY DILLON
If I had to guess... Whatever it
takes.
Abruptly, Po's eyes snap open. He's visibly shaken, yet
there's a fierce determination in his gaze as he disconnects
from the Lucid Dream Machine.
PO DILLON
You son of a bitch!
MAY DILLON
Po!
Po, fueled by rage, storms towards Harrison and forcefully
rips him from the Lucid Dream machine, and delivers a hard
punch to his face.
PO DILLON
Tell them.
Harrison, still disoriented from the dream interrogation,
struggles to regain his composure. Po, unrelenting, grabs him
by the collar and delivers another hard punch to his face.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
SAY IT!
HARRISON LOCK
There is no de-activation code.
MAY DILLON
What?
HARRISON LOCK
I didn't build one... Not for the
goggles being sent to The Trench.
MAY DILLON
But you said--
HARRISON LOCK
It was a failsafe that wasn't meant
for them.
PO DILLON
But all the others have one built-
in?
HARRISON LOCK
Yes.
PO DILLON
Can't you just copy the de-
activation code from any pair and
transmit it to the one's that's
been sabotaged.
MAY DILLON
We could, if they were anywhere in
the city, but they're not.
PO DILLON
I don't understand.
KAIA MCCABE
They operate on a different
network. Like everything down in
The Trench.
PO DILLON
I didn't know that.
KAIA MCCABE
Not many people do.
PO DILLON
If we can take down the server,
they won't need an activation code,
their devices will just stop
working.
KAIA MCCABE
True, but it won't be easy.
PO DILLON
Why is that?
KAIA MCCABE
Because the server is located in
the police precinct, and you just
blew up the Captain. So you'll be
shot on sight, if they find you
within 20 yards of the place, and I
don't know a single person who can
break in.
MAY DILLON
There's not enough time either.
May looks at the monitor, which has a countdown on display,
with under 30 minutes left.
PO DILLON
I think I know someone who can
help.
KAIA MCCABE
Who?
PO DILLON
Someone who's already there.
KAIA MCCABE
A cop?
PO DILLON
My partner.
INT. POLICE HQ: RECORDS DIVISION - NIGHT
Wally, sitting at his desk, appears disengaged as he goes
through routine paperwork. His phone buzzes, breaking the
monotony. He glances around, then takes the phone, retreating
to a secluded corner.
WALLY CARSON
Po, is that you?
PO DILLON (V.O.)
Yeah, it's me buddy.
WALLY CARSON
What the hell did you do? Captain
Rashida--
PO DILLON (V.O.)
I didn't have a choice. She was
trying to stop me.
WALLY CARSON
From doing what? Blowing her up
alongside two other officers.
PO DILLON (V.O.)
From stopping Harrison.
WALLY CARSON
Harrison Lock? What does he have to
do with this?
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Thriller","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
57 -
Abandoning Duty
INT. V1SION CORP: CHILD TESTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Po, phone pressed to his ear, speaks urgently to Wally.
PO DILLON
Everything. Look, there's no time
to explain every detail, but the
new Lucid Dream devices that are
being given to the people in the
Trench have been rigged to kill
them all, but we can stop it by
shutting down the server they're
all connected to. I would go and do
it myself but there's not enough
time and you happen to be right
where it is.
WALLY CARSON (V.O.)
It's in the precinct?
PO DILLON
Yes, and the only place in the
building large and empty enough to
store it is down in the basement. I
need your help, Wally, everyone in
The Trench needs your help.
WALLY CARSON (V.O.)
...They are not my concern.
PO DILLON
Wally?
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE HQ: RECORDS DIVISION - CONTINUOUS
Wally, on the other end, starts to reveal shades of his
duplicitous nature.
WALLY CARSON
He had dirt on Rashida, didn't he?
She was working for him--
PO DILLON (V.O.)
How did you know that?
WALLY CARSON
Because she wasn't the only one. If
people see what Lock has on me, I
might as well end my fucking life
because my wife sure as hell won't
be in it.
INT. V1SION CORP: CHILD TESTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Po's frustration is palpable.
PO DILLON
No one will see a fucking thing. I
have Harrison in cuffs. He has no
more leverage. It's over.
INT. POLICE HQ: RECORDS DIVISION - CONTINUOUS
Wally briefly weighs his options.
WALLY CARSON
...As long as he's still breathing,
it's not over.
PO DILLON (V.O.)
Wally!
WALLY CARSON
I'm sorry partner... You're on your
own.
Wally ends the call, and walks back toward his desk like
nothing happened.
Genres:
["Thriller","Sci-Fi"]
Ratings
Scene
58 -
Determined Resolve
INT. V1SION CORP: CHILD TESTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The phone call ends as Po seethes with anger, while
exchanging a grim look with Kaia and May.
KAIA MCCABE
That fucking pig.
MAY DILLON
So, what now?
PO DILLON
I'm going down there.
MAY DILLON
There's not enough time. You'll
never it make it.
PO DILLON
I have to try. I couldn't live with
myself If I didn't.
MAY DILLON
I know...
KAIA MCCABE
If you're going, you're gonna need
these.
Kaia takes out the keys to Po's vehicle for him.
PO DILLON
Thanks, kid. I almost forgot.
As Po reaches to take the car keys, Kaia refuses to let go.
KAIA MCCABE
(Defiantly)
I'm coming with you.
PO DILLON
(Firmly)
Absolutely not.
KAIA MCCABE
Wally isn't the only cop whose
crooked. They're all from the City,
so most of them have a Lucid Dream
device, which means maybe the
entire police force is under Lock's
thumb... You need backup. Let me
help.
PO DILLON
Not this time.
KAIA MCCABE
It's my home. I want to fight to
save my people.
PO DILLON
I know, but you've fought enough.
More than any kid should have to...
You can rest, Kaia. No matter the
outcome, this will always be your
home, and we will be your people.
Kaia reluctantly hands over the keys, but then wraps Po in a
tight, emotional embrace.
KAIA MCCABE
Thank you.
PO DILLON
I might not even get there in time.
KAIA MCCABE
I know, but at least you care
enough to try.
He then turns to May, seeing the concern in her eyes.
MAY DILLON
Po--
PO DILLON
(Smirking)
Be careful, right?
MAY DILLON
Yeah.
PO DILLON
...Always.
With one last look at May and Kaia, Po exits the room,
determined.
Genres:
["Action","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
59 -
Breaking Through the Gate
EXT. APEX CITY - HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Po flies at top speed across the entirety of Apex City.
EXT. APEX CITY + THE TRENCH: ENTRANCE GATE - NIGHT
Approaching the boundary, Po switches his car to auto-pilot.
He rummages in a duffle bag, pulling out two grenades.
He pops the sunroof open and stands, grenades in hand. As the
gate looms closer, Po hurls the grenades with precision.
The grenades explode on impact, the generators erupting in a
fiery blast. Lights flicker and die, the gate's power
failing.
Po's car, unimpeded now, zooms through the now inert gate,
crossing into The Trench.
EXT. THE TRENCH: PUBLIC SQUARE - CONTINUOUS
Po navigates his car through The Trench's maze of streets,
drawing near to the bustling crowd gathered around the V1sion
Corp stage.
The large screen dominating the stage, suddenly stops
displaying names, and transitions to a pre-recorded message
from Harrison.
HARRISON LOCK (O.S.)
(pre-recorded Video)
Attention everyone!
The crowd falls silent, all eyes fixed on the stage. Po
halts, tuning in.
HARRISON LOCK (V.O.)
This next few names will be the
last. I hope that this gift serves
as merely a steppingstone for my
commitment to making your home the
paradise I believe it can be. Thank
you all for your support, and may
you find peace in your dreams.
Applause and cheers thunder through the square as the video
concludes. Po, urgency etched on his face, shoulders his way
through the jubilant crowd.
Genres:
["Action","Sci-Fi","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
60 -
From Despair to Hope
EXT. THE TRENCH: EAST END - CONTINUOUS
Emerging from the crowd, he sprints down a street thick with
people, each engrossed in their new Lucid Dream devices.
Abruptly, a series of soft beeps emit from the devices. Po's
stride falters as the beeps crescendo into a chilling alarm.
In a instant, all the devices detonate simultaneously,
causing their heads to explode, killing them.
The once vibrant street erupts in a horrifying chorus of
explosions. Each device, though individually small,
contributes to an overwhelming synchronized blast that
ripples through The Trench.
Po stands frozen in horror, as the aftermath is a scene of
unspeakable carnage. Screams of terror and agony quickly rise
in a deafening swell, across The Trench, echoing the
devastation.
Po surveys the unimaginable carnage around him, the shock and
grief on his face mirroring the horrific tragedy. The streets
are filled with countless headless corpses. The streets are
covered in blood. People nearby, caught in the blast radius,
are drenched in blood, brain matter, and other remnants of
the deceased.
CUT TO:
INT. RUBY'S MEDICAL ROOM - DAY, MONTHS LATER
Po, immersed in reading "A Wrinkle in Time," sits by Ruby's
bedside.
PO DILLON
"They say that it is night now on
our planet, and that they cannot
see. They have told us that our
atmosphere is what they call
opaque, so that the stars are not
visible, and then they were
surprised that we know stars, that
we know their music and the
movements of their dance far better
than beings like you who spend
hours studying them through what
you call telescopes. We do not
understand what this means, to
see."
MAY DILLON (O.S.)
I always loved that book.
May stands by the computer monitor set up in the room, her
gaze shifting between the screen and Po.
PO DILLON
That's why she wanted me to read it
to her... You were her idol... And
now her savior.
MAY DILLON
Don't thank me yet.
PO DILLON
I have all the faith in the world.
Kaia enters, her confidence palpable.
KAIA MCCABE
In just her? Or am I included in
that?
PO DILLON
I thought it was implied.
KAIA MCCABE
(Confidently)
This is going to work.
MAY DILLON
(Looking at her monitor)
We hope.
May, focused on the monitor, wears an expression of deep
concentration mixed with anxiety. Po moves to her side, his
support unwavering.
PO DILLON
You've done the work, May.
KAIA MCCABE
And triple checked it. Everything
checks out.
MAY DILLON
In theory, but that's will only
take you so far. We won't know if
it works until it's been tested,
and it may kill her if it doesn't.
PO DILLON
If you need more time you can have
it. Ruby isn't going anywhere.
We've waited 10 years to see our
little girl, and I can wait a
little longer if that's what you
need.
MAY DILLON
...The only thing I need is to see
Ruby's beautiful brown eyes staring
back at me.
PO DILLON
So, then lets wake her up.
The room is filled with an air of anticipation. May, walks
over to Ruby's bed, holds a small, triangular, technological
device, its surface glowing softly.
Po gently takes May's left hand, offering a smile brimming
with confidence. Encouraged, May carefully positions the
device onto Ruby's forehead, adheres seamlessly to her skin.
Releasing May's hand, Po watches as she returns to the
monitor, ready to initiate the process.
MAY DILLON
Activating now.
May's fingers dance over the computer keys, activating the
device with precision.
PO DILLON
How long will it take?
MAY DILLON
I'm not sure. She's been in a coma
for 5 years, it'll take some time
before her brain activity returns
to normal levels.
PO DILLON
Then, we'll be right here when it
does.
May drags another chair to Ruby's bedside, joining Po.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
(to Kaia)
Want to hear the ending to A
Wrinkle In Time?
KAIA MCCABE
That depends, what's it about?
PO DILLON
A girl who travels through space
and time to save her father.
KAIA MCCABE
Sounds like my type of story.
PO DILLON
Pull up a chair.
Kaia settles in the last available chair. Po opens the book
but pauses, turning to May.
PO DILLON (CONT’D)
(to May)
Want to read?
MAY DILLON
I'd love to... "Life, with its
rules, its obligations, and its
freedoms, is like a sonnet: You're
given the form, but you have to
write the sonnet yourself."
INT. RUBY'S MEDICAL ROOM - NIGHT, LATER
The room as quiet, Po awakens from his slumber and sees Kaia
and May, are still fast asleep in their chairs. He rises,
stepping out into the hallway.
INT. MEDICAL CENTER - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Po approaches a sleek vending machine, dispensing a hot cup
of coffee without charge. He takes a refreshing sip and heads
back towards Ruby's room.
INT. RUBY'S MEDICAL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The door swings open, and Po steps in, only to freeze in
shock. His coffee cup slips from his grasp, hitting the
floor, as Ruby has awakened from her coma.