fat man

Say, what did you do to your eye?

dreadlock

On the last flight I was on. I was sucking on a lolli-pop, like you, to stop my ears from popping.

The fat man nods.

dreadlock

I’d just finished it and pulled the stick out of my mouth, when the plane hit turbulence. I was thrown forward and the damn stick went straight in my eye. When I pulled it out, the eyeball came with it.

He picks up the device and shows it to the Fat Man.

Dreadlock

I use this to help ease the pain.

The Fat Man’s face drops.

He pulls out his own lollipop and looks at it.

He quickly turns away and starts looking for somewhere to throw the lethal weapon.

Dreadlock smiles to himself and leans back.

 

INT: Perth Airport

It is a busy International airport, akin to LAX of the nineties, but busier. There are people everywhere, walking this way and that at a New York style pace.

Dreadlock comes down the aerobridge, he collects his suitcase and passes through security. Again a screen shows all green lights on the suitcase.

He walks off, moving through the crowds.

FIRST MAN is leaning against a wall.

He glances at Dreadlock without making it obvious.

As Dreadlock walks past he nods to SECOND MAN who is standing further down the corridor.

The First Man starts to follow Dreadlock.

Dreadlock notices THIRD MAN, who is again trying not to watch him.

Dreadlock notices a significant bulge in Third Man’s jacket.

Dreadlock’s eyes stay focussed forward.

He notices a toilet sign to the right and makes a casual beeline for it.

 

INT: toilet

A typical toilet, nothing really changes, cubicles line one wall. There are wash basins and urinals along the other, with the entry door between them.

Dreadlock moves to a cubicle, and placing his suitcase on the toilet bowl activates the hidden panel.

He grabs his gun holster and opens the door. The toilet is empty.

He moves across to the wash basin’s and places the holster on the bench near his right hand.

The First Man walks in, moves to the basins and starts washing his hands.

Dreadlock peers over at him and at the door.

The First Man walks past towards the hand-dryers.

Before Dreadlock can react, the First Man lashes out, and kicks Dreadlock in the side.

Dreadlock grabs for the gun, but it is knocked from his hand as he falls. It slides across the floor towards the urinals.

Dreadlock falls.

The First Man comes at him attempting to rain blows on him.

Dreadlock does a kick in the guts, "fling the man over your head" move.

The First Man crashes against the wall, just as the Second Man walks in and joins the fray.

The Second Man attempts to pull out a gun.

Dreadlock sees this and kicks at his legs.

There is loud crack.

Second man goes down, clutching at his leg.

FIRST MAN’s voice

Hold IT.

Dreadlock stops and slowly looks around.

The First Man is holding Dreadlock’s gun holster.

He places his hand on it and the gun melds with him.

FIRST MAN

I only want your money, it doesn’t bother me if its blood stained.

The First Man takes aim and nothing happens.

Dreadlock springs at him, kicking him in the stomach, and chopping him to the neck.

He goes down.

Dreadlock reaches down and retrieves the gun.

DREADLOCK

DNA signature gun dickhead. Only I can operate it.

Dreadlock activates the gun, just as the Third Man storms into the room, with his gun drawn.

His attention is drawn to the Second Man writhing around on the floor.

DREADLOCK

Silencer.

Dreadlock fires.

PHUT!!

The Third Man is blown backwards.

Dreadlock moves to the cubicle, replaces the gun and makes a hasty exit, looking around him as he does.

 

EXT: Perth airport

Dreadlock walks out and signals a cab.

He gets in and leaves.

The First Man walks out just as the cab leaves.

He pulls out a mobile phone and talks into it.

FIRST MAN

It’s Dalton. Dreadlock escaped. He got into a cab and drove off. I didn’t get a chance to follow.

 

INT: bald man’s office

bald man

That’s unfortunate, but we know where he’s headed anyway. Your incompetence is of course unacceptable.

Dalton’s voice

I’m sorry boss. He’s good. I thought we had him, but he got the jump on us.

The Bald Man takes the phone away from his ear. The handset has a large red button on it.

bald man

(to self)

Sorry is not good enough.

The Bald Man presses the Red Button.

Dalton’s voice

What was that boss, I didn’t catch it?

 

EXT: PERTH AIRPORT

Dalton is standing with the phone to his ear.

An electric spark arcs from the phone.

His head is enveloped in blue lightning.

After a couple of seconds he falls. His head is black and crisp. Wisps of smoke rise from it.

 

INT: bald man’s office

The Bald Man replaces the receiver on its cradle.

bald man

(to self)

I will not tolerate incompetence.

 

EXT: WAREHOUSE

A modest looking warehouse. A sign over the main door says "Western Imports Inc.".

SUBTITLE:

Western Imports Inc. 112 Park Road, South Perth

A cab pulls up outside the warehouse. Dreadlock exits and pays the cabbie. The cab drives off and Dreadlock looks around. He walks to the front door of the warehouse and enters.

 

INT: Western Imports’ warehouse

A neat office area. A reception desk can be seen at the front. DIANE MAUDE, a chubby, matronly woman operates a computer.

She looks up as Dreadlock enter.

DIANE

Can I help you?

DREADLOCK

Yes, Geoffrey Pearson here to see Ms. DeMarco.

DIANE

No problems sir, please take a seat.

Dreadlock moves to a couch and sits.

He looks around, checking the surveillance system in place. It is hidden, but he can pick it out.

Dandra DeMarco comes through a door to the right. Dreadlock is obviously moved at seeing her again. He pulls himself together.

DANDRA

Mr. Pearson I presume.

He stands and they shake hands.

DANDRA

Diane please hold all my calls for the rest of the day.

She turns to Dreadlock.

dandra

Would you come this way.

They exit.

 

INT: DANDRA DEMARCO’S OFFICE

A bare office, with a wooden desk in the centre. A small bookcase lines one wall. There are two visitor chairs in front of the desk, a computer sits on top.

Dandra enters followed by Dreadlock.

She motions for him to sit.

DANDRA

Please, take a seat Mr. Pearson.

She then closes the door, pressing a button on the frame.

She moves to the other side of her desk and sits.

She looks at Dreadlock thoughtfully.

DANDRA

Well, Dared Locke. It’s been a long time.

Dreadlock looks around him, and points to his ears.

DANDRA

Don’t worry. The place has a negative sound deadening system built in. Nothing goes out of this room.

Dandra smiles a little to herself. She leans back placing her hands in a cradle on her lap.

DANDRA

So, what can I do for you? All I’ve been told is that you are here to investigate a computer hacker. Personally, I can’t believe they’d send you to beat up some pimple faced geek who’s breaking in to EastCorp secrets. So, tell me.

DREADLOCK

I’m here to track down an arms shipment. Someone’s been moving guns across the border and selling or giving them to street punks. We think someone over here is trying to create an army for one reason or another.

DANDRA

To do what? It’s not as if anyone’s going to be stupid enough to start another war. Jesus they almost blew the crap out of each other last time.

Dreadlock shrugs his shoulders.

DREADLOCK

Don’t know. Whatever’s going on it seems bigger than we know. The guns were followed across by barrels containing some sort of humanoid life-form that can change form at will. Its streaks ahead of any genetic techniques on either side. My guess is that there’s a third party operating outside of WestCo and EastCorp, but I haven’t got a clue.

DANDRA

What was that about a humanoid life-form? Come on this is the twenty-first century. We deal with reality right, not science-fiction.

DREADLOCK

Hey, I’ve seen these things in action. They wiped out a squad of twelve top-flight IIC troops back in Sydney, and I saw their fathers in the New Zealand war. That’s how I got this.

He holds up his left hand.

DANDRA

Always wondered how that happened. You never mentioned it, so I never asked.

DREADLOCK

I don’t like talking about the war. Things happen that should be left on the battlefield. Anyway, that’s why I’m here. What can you do for me?

DANDRA

Well the address you’ve got is in a heavily built up industrial area. I’ve got a few guys assigned to me that we can use as backup. I sent one down there to check out the area. He should be back by now.

Dandra touches the computer screen. Dianne’s face appears.

DANDRA

Dianne, is Rod Nguyen back yet.

DIANNE

I’ll just check Miss DeMarco.

Dianne looks down from the screen.

DIANNE

He’s just arrived Ma’am. Shall I send for him?

DANDRA

Yes, please. Send him straight here.

The screen returns too normal. Dandra turns here attention back to Dreadlock.

DANDRA

Nguyen’s a good man. Defence training. He leads the team I mentioned.

DREADLOCK

Oh, one other thing before I forget.

DANDRA

Yes.

DREADLOCK

You might want to monitor the Police bands for the next few hours. I ran into three punks at the airport. I put it down to a mugging, but they may have been working for someone.

Dandra moves to speak, when there is a knock on the door. She thumbs a button on her desk and the door opens automatically.

A man walks in. He is ROD NGUYEN. A young efficient looking Asian man, with a pleasant demeanour.

Nguyen walks up to Dandra’s desk and stands.

DANDRA

Rod this is Dared Locke.

Nguyen turns and holds out his hand. Dreadlock takes it and shakes.

NGUYEN

I’ve heard a lot about you Mr. Locke. I’m glad to meet you and look forward to working with you.

Dreadlock looks back at Dandra and makes a "Hey I’m impressed" look.

Dandra smiles to herself, she turns to Nguyen and says.

DANDRA

What have you got for us Rod?

NGUYEN

Well I’ve got a couple of men down at the warehouse still. It looks pretty quiet. No one’s been in or out today. I had the address run through the Perth Business Computer and found that it belongs to a defunct company called West Trans Conglom. They were a transport company which went bust about two years ago. The warehouse has remained empty since then awaiting resale.

DREADLOCK

If this company went bust why wasn’t the property sold straight away.

NGUYEN

It seems that West Trans was bought out by another company, and all assets were transferred to the new owners.

DANDRA

What company bought them out?

NGUYEN

That was the weird part. Those details are all missing. I tried to delve deeper, but all records of sale have been wiped.

DREADLOCK

There are only two companies that could pull such a swindle, and we work for one of them.

DANDRA

Well you were looking for a link to WestCo, or some third party company. I think you just found it. I say we do a little nocturnal investigation of the property.

Dandra stands up and strides over to the door, she disables opens it. Nguyen follows and leaves through the open door.

Dreadlock stands and follows Nguyen. He stops in front of Dandra.

She looks up at him, her mood has changed and softened a little.

dandra

It’s good to see you again Dared.

dreadlock

It’s been too long. I didn’t know what happened to you. All Drake would tell me is that you were under-cover. He wouldn’t tell me where. Why didn’t you try to contact me?

dandra

It wasn’t easy. I’m pretty limited in the communications that I can get out of here. I wanted to find you, but I wasn’t sure that we could get anything back if I did. I felt that after a while I just got too wrapped up in things here and before I knew it two years had passed.

dreadlock

Yea, two years.

He looks her over, his face stern.

Dandra looks up at him concerned.

dandra

Hey, it’s not as if you’ve been celibate all this time. I’ve heard about your conquests.

dreadlock

What? How much has Drake been telling you?

dandra

Oh, I just prod him now and again. I heard all about your scientific victory.

dreadlock

Sue Benson isn’t what I’d call a victory, more like a skirmish. Anyway that’s none of your business. We were talking about us.

dandra

Well right now, we have a job to do.

She hands him a small business card.

Dandra

This is an address of a safe house. You will be staying there after tonight’s little adventure. Right now, you can go and freshen up in the bathroom facilities out the back.

She looks at her watch.

Dandra

I want to hit the warehouse just after dark, so that’s around 8:30pm our time. In an hour I want to meet with Rod and his men to plan for tonight.

 

EXT: PERTH STREET - NIGHT

Looking at the front of the abandoned Warehouse. The night is dark and overcast. There is a slight drizzling of rain.

Dandra, Nguyen and two other men are dressed in black commando type gear. All have pretty heavy looking armament. Dreadlock is dressed as normal, with his eyepiece on and his gun at his hip.

The two other men move to the sides of the warehouse. Dreadlock, Dandra and Nguyen move to the front.

Nguyen walks up to the front door and pushes. It opens with a loud squeak of protest.

 

INT: INSIDE THE WAREHOUSE

It is dark, dust and cobwebs are everywhere. A few empty crates lie around, slightly visible in the gloom.

Dreadlock turns to Dandra and says.

DREADLOCK

I have an uneasy feeling of deja vu.

Dandra looks at him questioningly.

Dreadlock moves his right hand down and comes up with the gun.

Dreadlock

(whispered)

Infra-red.

His vision goes to green.

He sees three creatures lining the wall to their left.

dreadlock

Oh fuck.

Suddenly all hell breaks loose.

The three creatures dissolve from the wall as they lose their camouflage look and grab the two soldiers.

One creature grabs Nguyen and he is dragged through an open doorway, screaming as he goes.

One of the soldiers lets loose a volley of shots as he is grabbed from behind.

Bullets spray towards Dreadlock and Dandra.

Dreadlock ducks.

Dandra is winged.

dandra

Aaahhh!

She falls.

Dreadlock, turns and fires.

The shot passes through the soldier and blows him and the creature back against the wall. Both slowly slide down together.

Dreadlock looks across at the other soldier, just as his head is ripped off.

Dreadlock shoots the creature. Its head explodes and both bodies fall to the floor.

Dreadlock immediately puts his gun away and reaches down for Dandra.

dreadlock

Gotta get you out of here.

He picks her up and boogies out of there.

 

EXT: EastCorp Safehouse

A modest house, looking extremely unobtrusive in a quiet suburban neighbourhood.

Dreadlock pulls up in a car and parks out the front of the house.

He exits the car and runs to the front door of the house.

The door is opened by an ELDERLY WOMAN.

Dreadlock talks to her, motioning towards the car.

The elderly woman turns and indicates to someone inside the house.

Two men emerge and go with Dreadlock to the car.

They help him get Dandra out of the back and carry her into the house.

 

INT: BEDROOM INSIDE SAFEHOUSE

A sparse room with a bed and a small bedside table.

Dreadlock, and the two men enter, putting Dandra down on the bed.

Dreadlock sits on the bed next to Dandra examining her and gently caressing her forehead.

Dandra’s clothes are bathed in blood on her right side.

The two men leave, and the elderly woman enters with a large first aid kit.

She puts it on the bedside table and places a hand on Dreadlock’s shoulder.

Elderly Woman

I can handle it from here Mr. Locke. If you’d like to wait in the other room for a while.

Dreadlock looks at her and nods his agreement.

He looks back at Dandra one more time, stands up and leaves.

The Elderly Woman starts to work on Dandra’s wound.

She peels back her shirt and sees the large red hole in her side.

She whistles through her teeth at the site.

ELDERLY WOMAN

Well its cliched but lucky. The shot went straight through. Looks like it only caught muscle. You certainly wont be doing the tango for a while.

Dandra groans a little, but there is a glazed look in her eyes, which indicates that she is talking to herself.

 

INT: Safehouse living room

A modestly decorated living room, full of nick-nacks and furniture that would be found in an Elderly Woman’s house. A pair of closed double sliding doors, lead off to another room.

Dreadlock walks into the living room.

He looks around and notices nothing untoward.

He moves around the room examining the nick-nacks, just through plain boredom and worry than for any real reason.

He notices the double doors and moves towards them.

He opens them revealing the true identity of the safe house.

 

INT: SAFEHOUSE COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

A jumble of communications equipment sits in the medium sized room.

The two men are seated amongst the equipment. Both are monitoring screens.

Dreadlock is mildly impressed by the setup.

The Elderly Woman walks up behind Dreadlock.

ELDERLY woman

Impressed?

Dreadlock turns to her.

Dreadlock

It’s amazing the sort of crap that old people keep in their houses nowadays.

The Elderly Woman laughs and motions to one of the chairs in the living room.

Elderly Woman

Take a seat, I’ll go make some coffee.

Dreadlock

Thanks.

The Elderly Woman leaves and Dreadlock starts to move away.

Suddenly, a small beeping noise comes from one of the consoles.

The two men leap to action.

One of the men, turns to a screen which shows a radar map of the house and surrounding area.

Three green blobs are moving across open ground towards the house.

First man

Shit. We’ve got a perimeter breach. Check Sector 3.

The second man turns to another screen and brings up a video image of the yard outside.

The image shows the backyard. Nothing is moving.

second man

There’s nothing there.

A concerned look crosses Dreadlock’s face.

He reaches down and brings his hand up with his gun in place.

Dreadlock

Have you got guns?

Second Man

Yea, why?

Dreadlock

Get them. Quick.

The two men look at each other.

The reach under their desks and pick up a large hand gun each.

The Elderly Woman comes back in with two cups of coffee, she puts them on a sideboard and looks around.

She sees that all the men are armed.

Elderly Woman

What the hell’s going on?

Dreadlock

(to elderly woman)

You better find somewhere to hold up for a while.

There is a crash of glass from somewhere in the back of the house.

The Elderly Woman walks across the room and stands before a couch.

She turns and looks back at Dreadlock.

Elderly Woman

Everything isn’t what it seems.

She reaches up and grabs her fringe.

She yanks backwards and her wig comes off revealing long flowing black hair.

She bends down and reaches under the cushions on the couch, bringing out a rather large and deadly looking shotgun.

Dreadlock

Jesus.

The two men stand up behind Dreadlock, smiling at his naivety.

The now Young Woman pumps a shell into the breach of the shotgun.

Young Woman

Let’s rock.

 

INT: Corridor

The corridor leads to the back of the house. The living room is off to the right. Dandra’s room is off to the left. Further down the hall another corridor comes off to the left and there are two more doors opposite each other at the end. Another door leads directly outside.

The Young Woman walks out of the living room on point.

The two men follow a little behind, with Dreadlock bringing up the rear.

The four move past Dandra’s room.

Dreadlock looks in. She is sleeping quietly.

Suddenly, a shape darts across the end of the corridor, entering the left-hand doorway.

The Young Woman aims and fires. A sizeable chunk is blown out of the wall.

She pumps the gun. The used shell is expelled.

The First Man moves ahead of her, and sidles up to the left hand door.

He turns into the doorway, gun out in front.

His expression drops immediately.

He screams as a hand darts out from the room, grabs him and pulls him in.

Suddenly, the creature jumps out from the room, holding the First Man’s body.

It throws it at the Young Woman and Second Man.

The Young Woman is knocked sideways, her shotgun is forced down to the right and fires, blowing the Second Man’s left foot off.

He falls to his right, almost on top of the creature, which immediately plunges its fingers into his eyes.

The Second Man screams in pain.

Seeing that the Second Man is done for.

Dreadlock raises his gun and shoots.

The shot hits the creature in the chest and it is blown backwards through the rear door.

He reaches down and helps the Young Woman to her feet.

They move slowly down the corridor.

Dreadlock indicates that he is going into the left hand room.

He rounds the corner, gun out, and enters the now empty room.

 

INT: KITCHEN

There is blood on the floor, a residue of the First Man’s death.

Dreadlock walks in slowly, peering around the room.

 

INT: Corridor

The Young Woman looks in at Dreadlock. She sees that everything is normal.

She turns and enters the right hand room.

When the corridor is clear, a creature steps in from the darkened yard and turns and enters the right hand room.

 

INT: KItchen

Dreadlock is making his way to a doorway at the other end of the kitchen when a high pitched scream breaks the silence.

He looks back the way he came and immediately bolts for the doorway.

 

int: corridor

Dreadlock moves across the corridor and looks in to the right hand room

 

int: second bedroom

Similar to Dandra’s room.

The creature has grabbed the shotgun from the Young Woman.

She is pressed up against a wall. The shotgun levelled at her.

Dreadlock pauses at the door. His gun raised at the creature.

The creature’s head slowly turns towards Dreadlock.

It smiles then pulls the trigger.

A thunderous noise erupts from the shotgun.

A large hole appears in the Young Woman.

She gurgles and drops forward.

Dreadlock turns his head quickly watching the Young Woman’s demise.

Dreadlock

Fuck!

He fires his own gun, and the creature’s head disappears in a cloud of red.

 

INT: CORRIDOR

Dreadlock walks out of the room, a little downtrodden. His gun, back on its holster.

He walks down the corridor towards Dandra’s room.

A voice from behind turns him around.

VOICE

Dreadlock!

The voice belongs to Rod Nguyen.

He steps in through the darkened doorway.

Dreadlock

Nguyen? I thought you were dead.

Nguyen

We all make mistakes.

He raises a strange looking gun and fires.

 

INT: A SEMI-DARK ROOM

The walls are white and there is no evidence of a door. In the middle of the room is a single chair with arms.

Dreadlock is seated in the chair.

He is just coming around.

Suddenly the four walls light up.

A strange face comes into view on all four walls. The face is computer generated and looks more like a ghost than a human.

GHOST VOICE

So, the cyborg is awake.

Dreadlock lifts his head and tries to focus on the wall in front.

GHOST

You are probably asking yourself a lot of questions right now. Where am I? Why am I still alive? Who the fuck is talking to me? What have they done with my companion? How do I get out of here? Where is my gun?

Ghost

Well let’s see now. Where are you? You’re in deep shit sonny.

The Ghost laughs.

Ghost

Who the fuck am I? You’ll find out in due course. Where is my companion? She’s here with me.

The screen directly in front of Dreadlock clears up and shows Dandra slumped in a chair.

Dreadlock strains at his bonds.

The Ghost comes back on.

GHOST

Calm down, believe me she is quite well. Now, where were we? Oh, yes. Next question. How do I get out of here? Well if you look straight ahead, there is a door on the left side of the wall in front of you. All you have to do is get out of your chair.

The Ghost laughs again, the sound is hollow and eerie.

Dreadlock

Fuck you.

Ghost

That’s the spirit cyborg. Now last question, what was it again. Yes, where is my gun? Its right here in front of me.

The front screen zooms in on Dreadlock’s gun. It is laying on a desk.

The Ghost returns.

Ghost

Now were those all the questions you were going to ask. I know I pre-empted you, but after all, I am in charge.

Dreadlock

Got just one question for you.

Ghost

What would that be?

dreadlock

Which side of the head do you want to be shot in when I kill you?

The Ghost laughs again.

Ghost

Oh, very droll Mr. Locke. That is extremely amusing. Especially, from someone in your position.

The Ghost’s mood changes to serious.

GHOST

Now, I want some information. You have it and you can give it to me.

Dreadlock

I know nothing.

Ghost

Oh, you know things. Who is in charge of the Cloning project in the Department of Science?

Dreadlock

Reichfuhrer Herman Gehring, and his off-sider Joseph Stalin.

Dreadlock snickers to himself, as if he’s been through torture before and survived.

Ghost

Oh, that’s funny. You think that’s funny? Ha ha bloody ha.

Dreadlock is nodding.

Ghost

Laugh at this.

 

INT: OFFICE

A finger presses a small red button on the desk.

 

INT: Torture chamber

The chair that Dreadlock is on suddenly lights up with electricity.

Dreadlock is immediately enveloped. His body arches around with the pain, he screams.

It stops and Dreadlock flops forward in the chair. His body is smoking from the electrocution.

Ghost

That wasn’t funny at all, was it? Now, are you going to answer my question or not?

Dreadlock looks up at the screen and shakes his head.

dreadlock

No.

 

INT: OFFICE

The finger presses the small red button again.

 

INT: Torture chamber

Dreadlock is enveloped in electricity again.

It stops and he flops back down in the chair.

ghost

Okay, if you wont tell me who is in charge, then at least tell me how far progressed they are.

dreadlock

Go to hell.

ghost

You are tiresome.

 

INT: OFFICE

The finger presses the small red button.

 

INT: Torture chamber

Dreadlock is enveloped again, and slumps down when it stops.

ghost

We can go on like this all night you know. It’s not hurting me, although my finger may actually get tired after a while.

dreadlock

I’m finding it quite exhilarating myself.

ghost