ANDROID ARMY
by William C. Martell
INT. CARNUBIUM MINE -- DAY
A pick axe SLAMS into solid rock, breaking off a chunk.
The prisoner lowers his axe and wipes sweat from his brow.
Muscled arms with metal bracelets on each wrist, a trim body,
alien face partially covered by the nose piece from a
rebreather tank. MERRITT is a hip alien with a sarcastic
wit and a kick-back attitude.
A camera mounted in the mine stops panning on Merritt.
MONITOR SCREEN
Merritt leans against his pick axe.
A column on the right gives us a mug shot and data:
Name: Merritt. Race: Smov. Sentence: 25 years.
Crime: Hijacked 14 transport ships.
Note: Problem prisoner. Poor attitude. Disciplined 37 times.
A GUARD'S FINGER touches a button on the screen.
Zap! Sparks fly from the metal bracelets on Merritt's wrists.
MERRITT
I was trying to sleep!
When Merritt goes back to work, the camera pans away from
him, picking up other PRISONERS.
THREE TYPES OF PRISONERS work the mine:
1) Aliens like Merritt.
2) Humans like PRATT (Sentence: life. Crime: Murder - 3
counts) with a weight lifter's body and a really bad attitude.
3) But more than half the prisoners are Androids like:
RALPH 124C41, Android leader. Huge, mean, a hot-riveter for
a left hand, mag-gravity boots. (Sentence: life. Crime: Murder
of Humans - 37 counts). He slams his axe into the rock.
SMITH EE17, wiry, with pincher claw hands and a 360' turning
torso. (Sentence: life. Crime: Murder of Humans - 18 counts).
COBLENTZ HL2000, whose body is criss-crossed with baseball-
like seams where he's been sewn together after knife fights.
His left hand is a metal screw gun - now disconnected.
(Sentence: life. Crime: Murder of Humans - 13 counts).
2.
Other Androids (all sentenced to life for Murder of Humans):
DELREY 2525 with welding torch left hand (disconnected).
AEVOGT 1117 with forklift hands (operational).
SILVERBORG 070 with shrink-wrap dispenser left hand (disc).
LEINHEIN DD38 with a trouser-press chest appliance (disc).
GUTENVON IC9 with a nailgun left hand (disconnected).
LS-SUN 99 with a cutting saw left hand (operational).
KORNBLUTH 7575 with a sewing machine left hand (disc).
SIMAKURT 14 a backwards walker with magnetic hands (disc).
NEVIN L71 with a blow torch left hand (disconnected).
And many others - all have restraint bolts on their chests.
A guard only has to do is touch the onscreen button and ZAP!
INT. CARNUBIUM MINE -- DAY
Coblentz HL2000 breaks stone, exposing glimmering Carnubium.
COBLENTZ
Fucking motherlode! Vein of Carnubium!
Merritt wrinkles his nose under the rebreather.
MERRITT
Swell, Coblentz, what you found is a
damned Deros Cave. If you weren't a
fucking Android you could smell 'em.
SUDDENLY, a slimy DEROS worm breaks through the opening in
front of Coblentz and EATS the PRISONER next to him.
The other PRISONERS yell and scramble out of the mine.
EXT. MOUTH OF THE CAVE -- DAY
The PRISONERS sit along the side of the mountain. Merritt
looks up when NOWLAN nudges him with his rifle.
NOWLAN
Warden wants to see you.
MERRITT
Must be my lucky day.
JACK NOWLAN is head guard of the prison mining colony. Tough
but good natured, he's Esau to Merritt's James Dean-like
Jacob, here on the twin sunned planet Isaac.
Nowlan's PDA shows Merritt (and his rap sheet) - Nowlan pushes
a button and CLINK! the two bracelets on Merritt's wrists
come together - magnetic handcuffs.
3.
Nowlan nods for AL BESTER to take over. Bester is a farm
boy prison guard. Second in command and Nowlan's best friend.
He wears a cowboy hat, has a small town attitude.
Nowlan prods Ralph 124C41 with the rifle.
NOWLAN
Warden wants to see you.
RALPH
Screw you, screw.
Nowlan pushes the button on Ralph's screen - his restraint
bolt sparks for a second.
NOWLAN
You going to cooperate, or am I going
to have to shock you again?
Ralph complies, Nowlan and Bester escort the prisoners away.
EXT. PRISON BUILDING - ESTABLISHING -- DAY
The Prison Building scorches under Isaac's twin suns.
INT. GERNSBECK'S OFFICE -- DAY
Nowlan and Bester prod the two prisoners into chairs across
from Warden Gernsbeck.
In his tailored suit and gold Rolex, VERNON GERNSBECK is the
type of slimy, bigoted, corrupt warden they make prison movies
about. Trophies and political photos adorn the office,
obscuring the UN flag in the corner.
On his desk, near his polished brass name plate, is a photo
of his pretty twenty year old daughter, GARBY.
MERRITT
What you want, Verne? I'm a busy man.
GERNSBECK
Nowlan. Bester. Better stick around.
Nowlan and Bester keep their guns & PDAs ready.
GERNSBECK
In the next week there will be some
rather drastic changes around here.
MERRITT
Going in for sexual reassignment?
4.
GERNSBECK
Your labor has been leased by Manrocci
Industries to mine the Carnubium
deposits here on the planet Isaac.
This quarter you have unearthed only
a fifth of the ore mined last quarter.
MERRITT
Blaming us for strip mining the place?
GERNSBECK
I won't make my bonus this quarter.
MERRITT
Sorry to hear that.
GERNSBECK
The bottom line is all that matters
to Manrocci, since this is my franchise
I've decided to close the facility.
(smiles)
Because of my deep love for you, I'd
like to leave you all on this God
forsaken planet to rot.
Merritt starts out of his chair. Clink! His wrist bands
magnetically connect to the chair arms.
GERNSBECK
The cost of transporting you to the
smelting plants on Mars is expensive -
that's money from my operating budget
that can be put to better use.
MERRITT
You can't --
GERNSBECK
But your families would hire defense
lawyers to sue the corporation, and
even though you are all scum, some of
you might win... so that wouldn't be
a prudent business decision.
Gernsbeck sits back, looking from Merritt to Ralph.
GERNSBECK
I've decided to avoid legal action by
shipping the human and alien prisoners
to the penal colony on Mars.
RALPH
And the 'droids?
5.
GERNSBECK
The Androids will be set free... But
remain here on Isaac.
Ralph goes berserk.
RALPH
You piece of scrap! I'll kill you!
You and all the other human scraps!
Gernsbeck touches a button on his desk's vid-screen.
Ralph's restraint bolt arcs and sparks - he shakes and smokes
as thousands of volts shoot through his body.
NOWLAN
Jesus! You'll fry his circuits!
Gernsbeck gives him a few more seconds, then hits the off
button on his vid-screen.
GERNSBECK
Sergeant Nowlan, please remember that
it's not your place to tell me how to
discipline my prisoners.
NOWLAN
Yes, sir.
Gernsbeck hits a button. Two other guards enter the office:
KLINE, a jokester ex-Marine, and STILSON, an attractive female
guard. When Stilson brushes past Nowlan they exchange smiles -
sparks of attraction between them.
KLINE drags Ralph out with Bester and Stilson's help.
Merritt scoops the photo of Garby off the Warden's desk.
MERRITT
Come on, Verne. This is just an excuse
to keep me away from your daughter.
You know she wants me.
Gernsbeck pulls the photo out of Merritt's hands.
GERNSBECK
Keep your hands off my daughter.
MERRITT
Better tell her to keep her hands off
me... You KNOW she's looking for some
"close encounters".
6.
GERNSBECK
I'll give you enough voltage to fry
that evil little sociopathic brain.
MERRITT
She must take after her mother, Verne.
Don't see a lick of family resemblance.
Was your mailman a handsome guy?
Gernsbeck is about to explode.
GERNSBECK
Get him out of here!
Nowlan prods Merritt to his feet.
NOWLAN
Come on.
Merritt allows Nowlan to escort him out.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Nowlan escorts Merritt across the Command Center.
THE COMMAND CENTER is a circular room with work stations, a
security section where video monitors show various interior
and exterior views of the prison, and a vidmap of the prison
with lighted points showing where prisoners are.
One wall has windows looking over the Commons - exercise
yard, recreation area, mess area - connected to cell blocks.
A guard named CARTER is on security duty, watching the video
monitors. He nods as Nowlan passes by, but ignores Merritt.
HALFWAY across the command center, they pass GARBY, Warden
Gernsbeck's pretty daughter.
Garby is one of the few people on the planet not in prison
denim or guard uniforms. She's in a VERY sexy outfit.
MERRITT
Well hello.
Nowlan pulls Merritt away from Garby, but she changes course
so that she can run her hand across Merritt's body sensually.
GARBY
Is it true what they say about 'Smovs?
MERRITT
Depends upon what they say.
7.
Garby whispers something in Merritt's ear, he laughs.
MERRITT
Well, that's true about ME.
GARBY
Is it?
They exchange flirtatious smiles. Nowlan YANKS Merritt away
from her, dragging him to the doorway marked AIRLOCKS.
Merritt looks at her over his shoulder.
MERRITT
Until we meet again.
GARBY
I'll be waiting.
They exit and Garby crosses to her father's office.
ON THE VIDMAP
Two red dots exit the building and cross the terrain to a
section labeled: Carnubium Mines.
INT. CARNUBIUM MINE -- DAY
Ralph 124C41 slams the pick axe into the rock, grumbling in
beep-bop (computer speak), about to explode in anger.
Pratt cracks through rocks, a cloud of gas billows into his
face. He steps back, covering his eyes... bumping into Ralph.
Ralph spins, using the head of his axe to press Pratt back
against the wall of the cave.
RALPH
Human scrap! Don't ever touch me.
Merritt sets down his axe, moves between Ralph and Pratt.
MERRITT
It was an accident, tin man. No reason
to blow a fuse.
Ralph shifts the axe blade to Merritt's neck.
MERRITT
Back off or I'll piss on you while
you sleep and rust your ass.
Ralph JABS the axe at Merritt.
8.
RALPH
Screw you.
Merritt grabs the axe before it slices his neck.
MERRITT
We can do without the axe, can't we?
Settle this like men. I forgot. You're
not anatomically correct, are you?
Ralph lets go of the axe, rushes Merritt.
The two fight, it spills out of the cave into the sunlights.
EXT. MOUTH OF THE CAVE -- DAY
Ralph and Merritt fight. A circle of prisoners around them.
ONE SIDE OF THE CIRCLE: Human and Alien prisoners cheer
Merritt. The other side: Android prisoners cheer Ralph.
WHAM! WHAM!
Ralph 124C41 lands a pair of solid punches to Merritt's chest.
RALPH
Ready to die, Alien?
MERRITT
Ready to pound you into sheet metal.
Merritt blocks Ralph's next punch, lands a SOLID hit to the
Android's jaw. The Human and Alien prisoners CHEER.
Coblentz HL2000 yells in beep-bop to the Androids. They cheer.
A PRISONER shakes his head.
PRISONER
No one can fight an Android and win.
PRATT
Five nic-patches says Merritt will
turn him into scrap.
PRISONER
You're on.
Both sides CHEER and JEER at each other.
Tension and hatred runs thick between steel and flesh.
Merritt tries a combination to Ralph's face, hitting with
his right.... Ralph plucks his left hand out of the air before
it can make contact and SQUEEZES it.
9.
Merritt screams at the snap crackle and pop of bones breaking.
He kicks Ralph in the chest, forcing the Android to let go
of his hand.
Merritt staggers back, cradling his injured hand.
THE ANDROIDS yell in beep-bop, push Merritt back to Ralph.
Merritt stumbles right into Ralph's arms. The Android grabs
Merritt's neck and squeezes, cutting off his air. Merritt
tries pulling the Android's hands off him, but can't.
RALPH
No air, no life.
Merritt turns blue, pulls back his head, SLAMS it into Ralph.
Ralph lets go of Merritt, staggers back from the head butt.
Merritt takes a deep breath from the rebreather tank.
MERRITT
No heart, no strength.
He spins, kicks Ralph in the head.
RALPH AND MERRITT exchange kicks and punches.
It's a battle of the titans.
COBLENTZ
Steel against flesh - he can't win.
PRATT
Imagination against programming.
WHAM! WHAM!
Merritt takes two brutal kicks to the head, reeling backwards.
The line of Androids pushes him back into the ring.
Ralph kicks at Merritt's head. Merritt catches his foot and
flips him head over heels onto the sandstone.
MERRITT
Kissing the ground I walk on, tin man?
RALPH
Screw you.
Ralph rushes Merritt, presses his hot-riveter left hand into
Merritt's head and tries to fire. Click. The wires to the
device have been disconnected - plastic caps on each end.
Merritt knocks the hot-riveter appendage aside, spins a pair
of kicks to Ralph's head.
10.
Ralph 124C41 hits the ground.
When Coblentz helps him up he hands him an axe!
Ralph swings the axe at Merritt.
Merritt jumps back, axe slicing open his shirt.
MERRITT
Swell.
Ralph swings the axe again, forcing Merritt into the crowd.
A human prisoner gives him an axe, pushes him back at Ralph.
Merritt and Ralph battle with axes. Swinging, blocking.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Merritt feints low, swings high, connects with Ralph's chest.
Sparks fly...
So does Ralph's restraint bolt - sliced off by the axe.
Ralph swings at Merritt, who blocks, twists, swings.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Merritt swings his axe at Ralph's head.
Ralph blocks it, knocks the axe out of Merritt's hands!
Merritt dives for the axe... misses it!
Ralph lifts his axe - ready to cleave Merritt's head.
MONITOR SCREEN
Merritt and Ralph. Nowlan's finger hits a button.
EXT. MOUTH OF THE CAVE -- DAY
Merritt's wrists CLINK together - magnetic cuffs.
Ralph - axe ready to descend - hears an electrical sound.
Sees his fallen restraint bolt sparking in the dirt.
Drops the axe and grabs his chest - pretending to be shocked.
Nowlan and Bester push through the crowd.
NOWLAN
Break it up! Break it up!
BESTER
Who wants the first one? Coblentz?
Bester aims his rifle from Android to Android.
They all fall back, arms in front of them.
Nowlan drags Merritt out of the circle, tosses him against
the rocks.
11.
NOWLAN
Trying to get yourself killed? That
android'll tear you apart.
MERRITT
He's scrap... just like you.
NOWLAN
Some day, you and me is gonna fight.
MERRITT
I'll be looking forward to it.
Nowlan slams Merritt back against the rocks, trying to knock
the grin off his alien face.
No luck. Merritt moves to his feet, laughs.
Ralph keeps his hand on his chest so Bester can't see he's
missing the restraint bolt. Speaks in beep-bop to Coblentz.
Androids speak beep-bop to each other, making Bester nervous.
BESTER
Break it up. You two are gonna spend
the next week in solitary.
Pratt looks at the other Prisoner for a moment before handing
him five nicotine patches from his shirt pocket.
INT. SOLITARY CELLS -- DAY
The electro-door zaps shut on Merritt.
Across the hall, an electro-door zaps shut on Ralph.
INT. LOCKER ROOM -- DAY
Nowlan slams his locker closed, anger still bubbling.
BESTER
Shouldn't let him rattle your cage.
NOWLAN
Right.
BESTER
In a week this will be over. Merritt
will be breaking red rocks on Mars.
NOWLAN
My luck, I'll be reassigned there.
12.
BESTER
Then you could date Stilson.
NOWLAN
Stilson?
They leave the locker room.
INT. CIRCULAR HALLWAY -- DAY
Nowlan and Bester walk around a hallway to crew quarters.
BESTER
I saw you two looking at each other.
If it weren't for anti-fraternization
rules, you'd have asked her to be
your naked rhumba partner long ago.
NOWLAN
Maybe.
BESTER
Don't try to shit me, Nowlan. Have
you seen what she looks like under
that uniform? I'd kill or die for a
chance at that.
NOWLAN
Okay, Bester. Say I end up on the
Mars Colony and Stilson's transferred
to Earth. How do we rhumba when she's
thirty nine million miles away?
Nowlan opens the crew quarters door for Bester.
BESTER
You could e-mail her kisses.
NOWLAN
That's satisfying.
Nowlan lets the door slam closed behind them.
EXT. PRISON BUILDING - ESTABLISHING -- DAY
The prison building bakes under the twin suns.
A shuttle zooms out of the sky and slow descends to the
Prison's shuttle dock.
13.
INT. GERNSBECK'S OFFICE -- DAY
Nowlan reads from a video-clipboard, reporting to Gernsbeck.
NOWLAN
The majority of the human and alien
prisoners have been transferred out.
GERNSBECK
Who's left?
NOWLAN
Skeleton crew. Stilson, Giesy, Kline,
Carter, Bester and myself. A dozen
Max Security prisoners including
Merritt and Pratt.
GERNSBECK
Shackle them into the shuttle now.
NOWLAN
It'll take three hours to refuel.
GERNSBECK
Do it. I want all of the Max
Securities locked into that shuttle.
NOWLAN
Sir, with all due respect....
GERNSBECK
Do it, Nowlan.
NOWLAN
Yes, sir.
(beat)
I have Giesy and Kline packing up all
of the reserve weapons and ammunition.
I think we can last the next three
hours with personal sidearms.
Nowlan's clipboard beeps and he looks down at it.
NOWLAN
Shuttle just docked.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
GIESY, a Born Again Christian guard, puts the lid on a crate
of high-tech rifles and nails it closed.
Kline and Stilson help crate up all of the guns and equipment.
Carter sits at the security section, watching monitors.
14.
KLINE
What about the operations system?
STILSON
Have to leave it behind. Need the
computers for shuttle take off and
atmosphere manufacturing.
KLINE
Those animals are going to tear it
apart. Use it to rewire themselves.
They'll be nothing left for a salvage
company to loot.
STILSON
(touches her chest)
Restraint bolts will stop them.
KLINE
Then they'll tear each other up and
go to hell. Ask Giesy.
Giesy looks up from hammering, frowns threateningly at Kline.
KLINE
Sorry, they're Droids. Droids don't
go to hell, they aren't God's children.
Giesy growls, realizing that Kline is making fun of him.
Before he can quote scripture, J.W. CAMPBELL saunters in.
Campbell is the pilot of the shuttle, a good looking flyboy
in the overly fancy uniform of the U.S. Space Force.
CAMPBELL
J.W. Campbell. I'll be your pilot on
this escape from hell.
Campbell holds out his hand and Kline shakes it.
KLINE
Kline.
CAMPBELL
You the Marshal around here?
KLINE
That'd be Bester. Thinks he's a cowboy.
CAMPBELL
I've been accused of that.
KLINE
This is Giesy, and...
15.
CAMPBELL
Who's the pretty lady?
Campbell shows Stilson all of his teeth. She isn't impressed.
STILSON
Janet Stilson. Sgt. Stilson to you.
CAMPBELL
Well, Sarge, I'm stuck here for the
next three hours while my fuel cells
re-energize. Kind of hoped to spend
the time in bed.
STILSON
I'm sure you could use the sleep.
CAMPBELL
Not what I had in mind.
STILSON
You aren't landing here, sky pilot.
Runway's closed.
Campbell isn't used to being rejected - takes a step back...
Bumping into someone.
When he turns around, his smile returns.
Garby returns the smile.
CAMPBELL
J.W. Campbell, shuttle pilot.
GARBY
Really?
CAMPBELL
That's right. Got three hours to kill.
Thought I'd spend it in bed.
GARBY
That sounds interesting.
CAMPBELL
Tell me: What's a beautiful girl like
you doing on a prison planet?
GARBY
They didn't tell you?
Campbell looks from Stilson to Kline to Giesy.
All three give him cryptic smiles.
16.
GARBY
I'm doing twenty five years to life
for sexually mutilating a hundred and
seven men... I bite.
Campbell takes a step back, color draining from his face.
Garby waves goodbye, enters her father's office.
Campbell watches her leave, still in shock.
Kline touches his arm and explains.
KLINE
Warden's daughter. Strictly off limits.
Campbell nods.
INT. BLOCK 11 BUNK ROOM -- DAY
Nowlan and Bester toss Ralph into the Android room.
NOWLAN
Be a good little machine, okay?
Nowlan and Bester leave, locking the door behind them.
Ralph 124C41 uncovers his chest - no restraint bolt. Says
something in beep-bop. Lots of beep-bop conversation.
A line of Androids forms, beginning with Coblentz and Smith.
Ralph slices off their restraint bolts - freeing them to
slice off the restraint bolts of the other Androids.
Ralph jumps on a table, makes a speech in beep-bop.
Androids cheer.
Ralph pops off the two plastic caps and rewires his hot-
riveter gun. Fires a shot. Bling! Hot rivet hits the wall.
Beep-bop laughter from the Androids.
They rewire their appendages... ready for battle.
INT. HALLWAY #6 -- DAY
Kline drives an electric scooter with a trailer (empty) out
double doors marked "SHUTTLE BAY" and heads down Hallway #6.
HALLWAY #6 is a long, industrial-looking hallway with a bright
red stripe broken only by the number six.
Kline whistles a tune as he scoots down the long hallway.
Occasionally, he steers right into the wall, only to correct
course at the last minute. Anything for a thrill.
17.
AT THE END OF THE HALL he turns into ANOTHER long hall.
INT. HALLWAY #7 -- DAY
HALLWAY #7 has a GREEN stripe broken only by the number seven.
Kline scoots down this hallway, still whistling, occasionally
driving like a lunatic, until he comes to a door at the end
marked "COMMAND CENTER".
The scooter and trailer come to a stop. Kline gets out and
knocks on the door, smiling at the overhead security camera.
STILSON'S VOICE squeaks from speaker next to the electronic
door controls.
STILSON (V.O.)
Who is it?
KLINE
Kline.
STILSON (V.O.)
Use your Mag-Key.
KLINE
Can't. Lost it last week.
STILSON (V.O.)
At least you didn't give it to a
prisoner.
There's an electronic noise, and the doors are opened.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Kline drives the scooter into the Command Center, pulls up
next to a stack of crates and shuts off the motor.
STILSON
You're such a screw up, Kline.
KLINE
At least I'm the best at what I do.
I used to be the best screw-up Marine,
now I'm the best screw-up Prison Guard.
Stilson rolls her eyes, points to the last twenty crates.
STILSON
Come on. Let's get them loaded.
18.
She turns to Giesy, who's on his knees praying.
STILSON
Put God on hold and give us a hand.
Giesy ignores her, finishing his prayers before helping them.
Giesy, Stilson and Kline load the crates onto the trailer,
but can't fit the last crate on.
KLINE
It's not gonna fit. I'll come back
for it, later.
STILSON
I think we can tie it on top.
KLINE
Skip it. It's not like the shuttle's going
anywhere for the next three hours.
STILSON
You're wasting a trip.
Kline hops into the scooter and starts it up.
KLINE
No, Stilson. I'm wasting time in a
professional manner. There's a
difference. My way, I get promoted.
He pulls a U turn and scoots out the doors, Stilson rolls
her eyes. She turns to Giesy, who is already on his knees
preparing to pray.
STILSON
I'm going to miss him.
Giesy ignores her and prays.
INT. HALLWAY #7 -- DAY
KLINE zig-zags through the hallway, trying to see how close
to the walls he can get without scraping them.
He begins singing.
KLINE
Oh, she's just a sheep, but she's the
love of my life. And someday, I'll
have my way, and take her for my wife.
(beat)
Bahhaaa, bahahhaha, bahhaaa, bahahhaha.
19.
He gets to the corner, and turns onto Hallway #6, not knowing
what waits for him....
INT. HALLWAY #6 -- DAY
Nothing.
Hallway #6 is empty.
Kline continues to zig-zag, almost skimming the walls, singing
to himself and laughing when he almost hits the wall.
KLINE
Oh when I see her in the fields, my
heart with love is full. And when I
get her in my bed, I stroke and kiss
her wool.
(beat)
Bahhaaa, Bahahhaha, bahhaaa, bahahhaha.
Bored out of his mind.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Nowlan enters, mag-cuffed to Merritt.
Behind them, Bester is mag-cuffed to Pratt.
ANOTHER PAIR OF GUARDS escorts ten mag-cuffed PRISONERS into
the command center.
Stilson exchange a smile with Nowlan, then back to business.
STILSON
What are you going to do with them?
MERRITT
Trade us to the Yankees for a third
round draft choice.
Nowlan yanks on Merritt's cuffs to shut him up.
NOWLAN
Gernsbeck wants them secured in the
shuttle immediately.
STILSON
We aren't leaving for three hours.
NOWLAN
Gernsbeck's idea of discipline.
MERRITT
You want to hear my idea of discipline?
20.
NOWLAN
No.
MERRITT
It involves the Warden's daughter in
skin tight leather and a ping pong
paddle... The kind with sandpaper.
NOWLAN
Now I really don't want to hear it.
Nowlan turns to Giesy and Carter.
NOWLAN
Giesy. Carter. Take these two down
to the shuttle and lock them in the
brig. Stilson, take over for Carter.
Stilson nods and sits in Carter's chair when he vacates it.
Clink! Clink!
PRATT is mag-cuffed to Carter, MERRITT mag-cuffed to Giesy.
MERRITT
Well, reverend. Looks like it's you
and me. The saint and the sinner.
CARTER
Shut up, Merritt.
CARTER, MERRITT, PRATT, and GIESY lead the procession of
PRISONERS and GUARDS to the doors to Hallway #7.
Stilson watches the video monitor.
ON THE MONITOR
The end of Hallway #6, where Kline is ramming the scooter
against the wall repeatedly. The trailer is empty.
BAM! He hits the wall, bounces backwards a few feet, then
BAM! Rams it again.
STILSON
You ought to see Kline. He's playing
bumper cars in Hallway Six.
NOWLAN
He's WHAT?
STILSON
Just goofing off, as usual.
21.
NOWLAN
If he doesn't get back here to get
this crate he'll be goofing off on
suspension without pay for two weeks.
Stilson clicks on a microphone and speaks into it.
STILSON
You hear that Kline? Nowlan's going
to suspend you without pay for two
weeks if you don't quit goofing off.
ON THE MONITOR
Kline continues ramming into the wall with his cart.
He doesn't seem to care about being suspended.
Giesy uses his mag-card to open the doors, and the procession
leaves the Command Center.
INT. HALLWAY #7 -- DAY
Giesy, Merritt, Pratt, and Carter and the others walk down
Hallway #7.
INT. HALLWAY #6 -- DAY
They turn the corner, and walk down Hallway #6 towards Kline,
who continues to ram his scooter into the wall.
MERRITT
You're in a heap of trouble, there,
boy. Nowlan's gonna fry your ass when
you get back to the command center.
You'll probably end up like me...
Chained to a Saint on the way to hell.
Giesy yanks on Merritt's cuffs to shut him up. When they
get to the end of the hall, CARTER walks up to Kline.
CARTER
Kline. Will you stop jacking off?
(closer)
Nowlan's serious. He's going to put
you on suspension if you don't quit
ramming that scooter.
(closer)
You probably dented it.
(closer)
Don't let Gernsbeck see it, he'll
take it out of your pay.
(MORE)
22.
CARTER (CONT'D)
(closer)
Kline? Are you listening to me?
Carter grabs Kline's shoulder to turn him around.
Kline is dead - pierced by hundreds of nails!
A human pin cushion.
CARTER
Shit!
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Gutenvon IC9 fires his nailgun arm at them, nails ricocheting.
Coblentz HL2000 leads an army of Androids towards them.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Stilson watches the video monitor, which shows one CELL BLOCK
after another. All are EMPTY.
STILSON
Nowlan?
NOWLAN
What is it?
STILSON
Cell Block 11 is empty. So's 12, 13,
14, 15. All of the 'droids, gone.
NOWLAN
No... They're locked in for the next
six hours.
Nowlan looks over her shoulder at the screen - cell doors
have been cut open with a blow torch.
Camera pans to show: A pile of restrain bolts on a table.
STILSON
I thought the restraint bolts prevented
them from taking off the restraint bolts?
NOWLAN
Shit... Lock it down! Lock it down!
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Hot rivets blast through the command center, shattering glass,
exploding computer monitors. Nails ricochet.
Stilson hits a control button, then hits the dirt.
23.
INT. HALLWAY #11 -- DAY
Metal blast doors between hallways begin slowly closing.
INT. HALLWAY #6 -- DAY
Metal Hell.
NEVIN L71 uses his blow torch arm to blast fire at a GUARD.
The daisy-chain of cuffed PRISONERS tries to run, one
stumbles, pulling the others down.
COBLENTZ presses his screw-gun appendage into a Prisoner's
leg - Zreeeew! - screwing him to the floor!
A GUARD fires his sidearm at an advancing AEVOGT - but can't
stop him! Aevogt uses his forklift arms to pierce the Guard's
chest and toss him across the hallway...
Near where Merritt and Giesy duck behind the Scooter.
Giesy's eyes closed in silent prayer.
COBLENTZ moves from PRISONER to PRISONER, screwing them to
the floor.
A GUARD makes a break for it - running down the hallway.
SILVERBORG catches him - Zip! - fires shrink wrap plastic
over the Guard... then vacuums out the air! The Guard
struggles for air as the plastic wrap shrinks over him.
A Prisoner, screwed to the floor, tries to escape LEINHEIN.
Can't.
The trouser press on Leinhein's chest closes over the
Prisoner's head - steam and screams!
Merritt ducks as nails spray overhead.
Then he notices Kline's corpse on the bouncing scooter.
MERRITT
Guard's gun.
He times the bouncing scooter for a moment, uses it's movement
as cover when he pops up to grab the gun from Kline's holster.
NAILS SPATTER around Merritt as he realizes Kline was a
leftie... the holster's on the wrong side!
MERRITT
Shit!
Merritt ducks back down, just as a new volley of nails spark
off the Scooter. He didn't get the gun.
24.
PRISONERS lay screaming, screwed to the floor.
KORNBLUTH uses his sewing machine arm to sew up one's mouth.
Pratt and Carter are trapped in the center of the hallway,
nails fly all around them. Face down, next to each other.
PRATT
We've got to run.
Carter nods an affirmative. Nails spray around them.
PRATT
On three. One. Two. Three!
Carter and Pratt pop to their feet.
Running to Hallway #7... trying to beat the closing doors.
BLAM!
A Nail sparks off their handcuffs. Severing them.
Pratt takes a quick look at the cuffs, realizing he's free,
keeps on running. At the corner of Hallway 6, he turns to
yell at Carter.
PRATT
Carter, come on!
But instead sees Silverborg grab Carter and shrink-wrap him.
Pratt runs around the corner to safety.
INT. GERNSBECK'S OFFICE -- DAY
Gernsbeck hides under his desk as hot rivets ricochet through
his office. A trickle of urine runs down the leg of his pants.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Hot rivets and nails fly over Nowlan's head.
He looks at Bester, notes the crate of guns just behind him.
NOWLAN
Bester! That crate of guns! We're
gonna need them!
Bester turns to see the crate. Crawls across the floor, as
nails spatter around him. When he reaches the crate, he
realizes he can't pry it open with his hands.
BESTER
I need a hammer!
25.
Stilson has the hammer near her, and slides it across the
floor into Bester's hand.
Bester grabs the hammer and goes to work opening the crate.
A rivet explodes a corner of the crate into a shower of
sawdust, and Bester ducks. Using the crate as cover.
Stilson ducks as the monitor above her is destroyed.
STILSON
Shit!
Stilson closes her eyes as debris rains around her.
Nowlan scoots to the wall and raises his pistol overhead,
firing out the window blindly.
Stilson grabs a shard of mirrored glass and scoots along the
floor to Nowlan's side. Holds the mirrored glass overhead,
using it as a periscope.
NOWLAN
How many of them?
STILSON
Hundreds. An army.
Bester gets the crate open, pulls out weapons.
BESTER
Catch!
Bester throws a shotgun to Nowlan, and a rifle to Stilson.
Nowlan and Stilson catch guns, swing to their feet and fire
a volley out the window, then dive for cover.
RETURN FIRE pummels the room, exploding anything on the
counter and sending papers scattering.
NOWLAN waits for a lull, pops to his feet and pulls the
trigger on his shotgun. Click! Out of shells!
INT. HALLWAY #6 -- DAY
Coblentz spots Giesy and Merritt pinned behind the scooter.
Starts towards them - firing screws.
No way Merritt is going to reach Kline's gun.
Giesy keeps praying silently.
The doors are slowly closing.
26.
MERRITT
Listen, Padre. God's not gonna get
us out of this one. We're on our
own. Gonna have to make a break for
it. Understand?
Giesy continues his silent prayer, ignoring Merritt. Merritt
yanks on the handcuff, getting Giesy's attention.
MERRITT
Understand? We gotta RUN.
Giesy nods slowly, anger in his eyes.
Merritt and Giesy make a break for it.
Running down Hallway #6, connected by their handcuffs.
Screws chase them down the hallway.
Androids advance, lead by Coblentz HL2000, firing screws.
HALFWAY DOWN THE HALL, one of the PRISONERs screwed to the
floor grabs Merritt's leg.
MERRITT
Get off me! Get off me! Let go!
Merritt kicks the PRISONER until he lets go, then they
continue running down the hallway, Androids chasing them.
Wounded Prisoners and Guards, most screwed to the floor, are
put out of their misery by nails or shrink-wrap or press.
Merritt and Giesy get to the corner of the hallways...
Coblentz and the Androids are chasing right behind them!
Firing screws at Merritt and Giesy.
Zreeew! Zreeew!
Giesy is screwed in the chest, yanking Merritt off his feet.
MERRITT
Swell.
Giesy falls down dead... still mag-cuffed to Merritt!
Coblentz and the Androids continue to advance.
INT. HALLWAY #7 -- DAY
Merritt makes it around the corner into Hallway #7, dragging
Giesy's body behind him. Momentarily out of the line of fire.
27.
MERRITT
Geeze, Padre, you weight a ton!
Merritt tries to pull his cuff from Giesy's - but the
magnetism is like and invisible rubber band. They're stuck.
THE DOOR TO THE COMMAND CENTER (and safety) at the far end
of the hallway.
Merritt drags the body behind him, in a race for the doors.
INT. HALLWAY #6 -- DAY
The last of the fallen Prisoners are killed and the Androids
round the corner into Hallway #7 chattering in beep-bop.
INT. HALLWAY #7 -- DAY
Merritt and dead Giesy are hallway down the hall when the
Androids open fire at them.
MERRITT
Damn you, come on.
He drags Giesy's corpse at high speed to the Command Center.
NAILS AND SCREWS SPRAY around Merritt as he POUNDS on the
command center doors.
MERRITT
Let me in! Let me in!
BUT THE DOORS DON'T OPEN.
The Androids continue to advance.
MERRITT
Come on! Come on! You can't just
leave me out here!
He pounds some more.
The doors don't open.
The Androids are getting CLOSER and CLOSER!
Merritt is trapped. Then he remembers something.
THE ANDROIDS advance, ready to tear Merritt to pieces.
Merritt scoops the gun from Giesy's holster, opens fire.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
28.
MERRITT
Eat lead tinman!
BLAM! BALM! BLAM! BALM! BLAM!
He hits five Androids in the head - oil and fluids spurting -
dropping them to the floor.
Merritt shifts aim to Coblentz HL2000 and pulls the trigger.
Click! Out of shells.
MERRITT
Swell.
Coblentz HL2000 laughs, raises his screwgun arm at Merritt.
Merritt pounds on the door some more.
MERRITT
Open up. Please. Open the door.
Coblentz HL2000 takes aim and fires a stream of screws.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Bester opens the Command Center door quickly, and Merritt
drags Giesy's corpse inside.
Screws follow, and everyone has to hit the dirt.
INT. HALLWAY #7 -- DAY
Coblentz HL2000 and his platoon of Androids rush the open
door. Trying to get in the Command Center.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Bester sees the Androids coming in, and tries to shut the
door... A few Android arms reach between the door and the
jamb, grabbing for Bester's face.
BESTER
Need a hand!
Merritt jumps to his feet and helps Bester squeeze the door
shut. One of the Android's arms gets stuck... and is severed.
Bester gets the door shut and locked. Blasting suddenly
stops. Silence is deafening.
Stilson uses her shard of mirror to look out the window.
29.
STILSON
They're gone.
Merritt picks up the crawling Android hand.
MERRITT
You needed a hand.
Bester knocks it out of Merritt's hands. It crawls away.
RALPH'S VOICE BOOMS from the loudspeaker overhead.
RALPH (V.O.)
Scrap humans. I control your destiny.
I will let you LIVE in exchange for
Warden Gernsbeck. Your lives for his!
The voice turns to static.
Bester looks at Nowlan, then at Gernsbeck's office.
J.W. CAMPBELL comes out of the day room, alive, but scared.
Pratt rises from behind the counter, Merritt smiles at him.
MERRITT
Glad to see I'm not the only prisoner
to make it out of this. How about
getting me out of these cuffs?
Merritt nods at Giesy's corpse.
MERRITT
He's starting to get on my nerves.
Gernsbeck comes out of his office cautiously.
GERNSBECK
The cuffs stay on. He's still a
Prisoner, we'll treat him like one.
MERRITT
There's three hundred of them and
only eight of us. Seems like you
could use all the help you can get.
GERNSBECK
We don't need help from scum like you.
Nowlan pulls out his PDA and aims it at the mag-cuffs.
NOWLAN
We need all the help we can get.
30.
Nowlan unlocks Merritt's handcuffs.
Merritt smiles at Gernsbeck. Notices Garby as she rises up
from cover.
MERRITT
Hey, sugarpie. I'm a free man. Want
to help me celebrate?
NOWLAN
Want me to put the cuffs back on?
MERRITT
No. I want HER to do it.
Merritt winks at Garby, who smiles.
Nowlan doesn't smile.
He grabs Merritt by the collar and yanks him off his feet.
NOWLAN
You better start remembering you're
still a prisoner.
MERRITT
We all are, aren't we?
BESTER
What's he talking about?
MERRITT
We're trapped here. No way out.
CAMPBELL
There's the shuttle. It'll take a
couple of hours to fuel, but...
MERRITT
Until then, we're all prisoners.
NOWLAN
But only one of us has an attitude.
MERRITT
Screw off, Nowlan.
WHAM!
Nowlan punches him. Merritt returns a punch, and they
exchange blows, slamming each other with their fists, until
Stilson breaks it up. Standing between them.
STILSON
We've got to work together, okay?
31.
NOWLAN
Listen, Convict. Some day, you and
me is gonna fight.
MERRITT
Be looking forward to that day.
Nowlan and Merritt try to fight again, but Stilson is between
them. She pushes both of them back, concentrating on Nowlan.
Nowlan calms down, and looks at the crew: Stilson, Campbell,
Garby, Pratt, Bester, Gernsbeck, and finally Merritt.
NOWLAN
We've got to be ready for them when
they come back.
(beat)
Stilson. Keep your eye on the
monitors. They're out there someplace.
If they come this way, yell.
STILSON
Right.
Stilson covers the monitors, watching the two undamaged
screens. Trying not to blink, least she miss something.
NOWLAN
Al, I want you to booby trap the doors.
BESTER
Right, chief.
Bester starts to work.
NOWLAN
Warden, could you look over the floor
plans? Try to find us some escape
routes in case of emergency?
GERNSBECK
Who elected you leader?
NOWLAN
No one. You want to put it to a vote?
Gernsbeck looks from face to face, ending on Merritt's smile.
GERNSBECK
Just keep that man away from my
daughter.
32.
MERRITT
I can't help it if she likes Smovs.
We do it in stereo, you know...
GERNSBECK
You dirty little son of a bitch!
Nowlan blocks Gernsbeck's crazed rush at Merritt.
NOWLAN
One more word out of you, Merritt,
and you're back in shackles.
Merritt rolls his eyes, but steps back.
Gernsbeck scowls at Merritt, moves to the map in the center
of the Command Center and punches control buttons for details.
Nowlan looks at the rest of the team.
NOWLAN
Everybody else gets to help fortify
this place. Block the windows.
THE REST OF THE GROUP goes to work. They push file cabinets
in front of windows. Break up a desk and nail the parts
over the windows, and turn the place into a fortress.
Nowlan inventories guns and ammo from the crate. Counting
bullets. Loading weapons. Getting ready for battle.
STILSON keeps watching the monitors. Trying not to blink.
Her eyes are beginning to burn from keeping them open so
long. She blinks a few times to clear them.
WHEN SHE BLINKS, we see a SHADOW flit across one of the
monitors. When her eyes are back open, the shadow is gone.
EXT. PRISON BUILDING - ESTABLISHING -- DAY
The Prison building under Isaac's twin suns.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
THE COMMAND CENTER becomes the Human/Alien version of The
Alamo: A Fortress in the middle of hostile territory.
RALPH (V.O.)
Human SCRAP! Your flesh is no match
for our steel.
Nowlan moves up behind Stilson.
33.
NOWLAN
Where's he coming from?
Stilson clicks through security shots, trying to find Ralph.
RALPH (V.O.)
We will tear you limb from limb.
STILSON
I can't find him.
NOWLAN
He's got to be somewhere.
Stilson continues flipping through security images.
RALPH (V.O.)
Spill your precious bodily fluids
upon the floor. Unless you hand over
Warden Gernsbeck.
FINALLY Stilson flips to an image of Ralph 124C41 circled by
Androids, looking directly into the security camera.
STILSON
Got him!
NOWLAN
Where is he?
STILSON
Cell Block 11.
NOWLAN
Keep him talking.
Nowlan grabs a rifle and a shotgun and starts to the door.
BESTER
Wait a sec, I'll go with you.
Bester grabs a shotgun, and the two exit.
Stilson grabs the microphone.
STILSON
Why do you want the Warden?
RALPH (V.O.)
I only want his head - you can keep
the rest.
STILSON
The Warden is just doing his job. You
can't fault him for that, can you?
34.
RALPH (V.O.)
He likes punishing us. It gives him
pleasure. He should be in prison.
STILSON
In two hours you'll be rid of him.
RALPH (V.O.)
He exploits our labor than casts us
aside? Leaves us here to rust?
STILSON
You've been sentenced to life in
prison. What's the difference between
this prison and any place else?
RALPH (V.O.)
What's the difference between taking
the Androids and taking the humans?
Why does the Warden treat us different?
GERNSBECK
Because they're fucking animals.
RALPH (V.O.)
Humans made us in their image, then scorned
our people. Treated us as a lower class.
I have eyes like you, hands like you,
passions like you. If you cut me do I
not bleed oil? And if you wrong us, shall
we not seek revenge? We have learned our
ways from you.
INT. CIRCULAR HALLWAY -- DAY
Bester and Nowlan creep down the hallway, guns ready. Blast
doors have been ripped open by a cutting torch. It's hell.
They come up to the doorway to Cell Block 11.
BESTER
Can you get him from here?
NOWLAN
Sure. On three.
Nowlan and Bester ready their weapons.
NOWLAN
One. Two. Three.
Nowlan and Bester swing through the doors, guns blazing!
Firing at nothing.
Cell Block 11 is empty.
35.
Nowlan and Bester look across the hall to Cell Block 12 -
full of Androids!
INT. CELL BLOCK 12 -- DAY
BLISH 7940 is jacked into the video port - sending the
security feed from Cell Block 12 through the Cell Block 11
wire - four video monitors on his chest show the two Cell
Blocks, the Command Center, and the hallway.
It's a trap.
Ralph begins barking orders in beep-bop.
INT. CIRCULAR HALLWAY -- DAY
NOWLAN
Shit!
Nowlan and Bester take off running.
Ralph 124C41 and the Androids give chase.
Nowlan and Bester turns and fire a volley at the Androids,
dropping a few... But they keep on coming!
Nowlan and Bester run like hell, Androids chasing.
INT. HALLWAY #9 -- DAY
Nowlan and Bester enter Hallway #9, with the Androids only a
hundred feet behind them.
BESTER
Great idea you had. Glad I came along.
NOWLAN
It was a good plan. Kill Ralph and
it's over. These others won't fight.
BESTER
You sure?
Nowlan shrugs, dives into a doorframe, and aims his gun at
the corner of the hallway. Bester takes cover behind him.
WHEN THE ANDROIDS round the corner of the hall, Nowlan and
Bester open fire.
A half dozen Androids go down, none of them Ralph.
The Androids keep charging.
36.
NOWLAN
Shit!
Nowlan and Bester dive out of the doorframe and keep running.
BESTER
Course, if you get them angry enough,
they'll fight even after you kill
Ralph.... If you ever kill Ralph.
NOWLAN
Mister positive thinking.
BESTER
Your positive thinking almost got us
killed.
NOWLAN
Your lousy running's gonna get us
killed. Come on!
Nowlan and Bester pour on the speed, turning a corner into
another Hallway. Androids right behind them.
INT. HALLWAY #8 -- DAY
HALFWAY DOWN THE HALL, Nowlan and Bester spot SMITH EE17 and
a platoon of Androids entering in front of them.
NOWLAN
Shit.
Smith EE17 has a gun in his pincher claw - fires.
Nowlan and Bester return fire. When they run for cover in a
doorway, Bester gets tagged in the leg by a bullet.
Nowlan rolls into the cover of the doorway, and spots Bester
trapped in the center of the floor...
As Smith EE17 and his troops advance from one end of the
hall and Ralph 124C41 and a half dozen Androids advance from
the other end.
Nowlan pumps his shotgun and rolls out to rescue Bester.
Blam! Blam! Blam!
He gets off three shots, before getting caught in nail and
screw cross-fire from the two groups of Androids.
NOWLAN
Al...
37.
BESTER
Get out of here! Run!
A nail tags Nowlan in the arm, the shotgun goes flying out
of his hands. No time to save Bester.
Nowlan rolls back to the door, uses his mag card to zip it
open, and escapes into a storage room.
INT. STORAGE ROOM -- DAY
Nowlan can't just run away. That's his best friend out there.
He hugs the wall under a window, listening. Frightened.
RALPH (O.S.)
Well, Cowboy, just you and me, huh?
BESTER (O.S.)
Screw you.
Bester SCREAMS in agony.
RALPH (O.S.)
How many people in the Command Center?
BESTER (O.S.)
A hundred. More. Extra guards. All
waiting to kill your aluminum ass.
Nowlan sees Ralph's reflection in a chrome panel as he aims
his hot-riveter arm at Bester.
RALPH
Wrong. There's less than ten.
BLAAAP! BLAAAP!
Blood spatters over Ralph's face.
Bester's head is hot riveted to the floor.
Nowlan takes off. Scurrying across the floor to the door on
the far side of the Storage Room.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Someone is POUNDING on the door.
CAMPBELL
Who goes there?
NOWLAN (O.S.)
Nowlan. Open the door.
38.
Campbell disengages the booby traps, opens the door.
Nowlan slides in.
GERNSBECK
Bester?
NOWLAN
Dead.
The group looks at each other. Fear in their eyes.
SUDDENLY, one of the mechanical humms turns into a grinding
sound, then stops completely.
STILSON
We've got bigger problems.
GARBY
What?
STILSON
They've cut off the oxygen generators
for the entire complex.
MERRITT
Androids don't need air.
NOWLAN
But the rest of us do. How much time
do we have on the remaining air?
STILSON
About two hours, if we take it easy.
NOWLAN
How much time until the shuttle's
refueled?
CAMPBELL
Little over two hours.
NOWLAN
Will there be enough fuel in two hours
to get us to our own Solar System?
CAMPBELL
Yeah, but not enough to land.
NOWLAN
We'll send a distress. They can have
a rescue ship waiting near Pluto.
STILSON
Two hours of air. We can make it.
39.
MERRITT
Don't hold your breath.
Nowlan frowns at Merritt, then sets the timer on his watch
to count down from 2:00... Counting the minutes of air.
EXT. PRISON BUILDING - ESTABLISHING
The Prison frying in the sunlight.
Time and air running out.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Merritt is flirting with Garby again, as Gernsbeck watches.
MERRITT
You've never done it with a Smov?
GARBY
Only humans.
(smiles)
Is it true? What they say?
MERRITT
When a human has it, they call it
Diphallic Terata. But for Smovs,
it's considered normal.
GARBY
I've never met a human with...
Diphallic Terata.
MERRITT
They're out there. Gotta be, or else
they wouldn't have a name for it.
GARBY
I've never come across one.
MERRITT
Two. You'd come across two.
GARBY
Right. And all Smovs are....?
MERRITT
Yeah. My gun is twins.
GARBY
Side by side? Or over and under?
40.
MERRITT
Over and under.
GARBY
Fascinating....
MERRITT
Does it make you uncomfortable?
GARBY
No. I think I can accommodate you.
Have you named them?
MERRITT
Sure. The one on top is Jose.
GARBY
And the one underneath?
MERRITT
That's Hose B.
Garby smiles, and takes Merritt's arm.
Gernsbeck has had more than he can take, and attacks Merritt.
GERNSBECK
Get your hands off my daughter.
Fucking perverted convict.
Merritt and Gernsbeck fight, exchanging punches.
The others watch them fight it out.
Merritt is in better condition, and grabs Gernsbeck's fist
before it can make contact, tossing the Warden over his
shoulder and onto the floor.
Merritt moves over Gernsbeck, who covers his face from the
impending stomp... Which never happens.
MERRITT
Afraid I'm gonna stomp you?
(beat)
That's the difference between you and
me, Verne. You hurt people because
you like it. I only hurt people in
self defense.
(beat)
If it were up to me, I'd let those
tin men have you. Let you pay for
what you've done to them.
Merritt turns and walks away.
Gernsbeck gets to his feet and attacks Merritt from behind.
Blind-siding him.
41.
Nowlan pulls him off, trying to contain the Warden's attacks.
NOWLAN
Warden. Let it go. Just calm down.
GERNSBECK
You saw what he did to me. We should
kill him. Put a gun to his head and blow
his deviant brains to hell.
NOWLAN
If you don't calm down, we're going
to have to restrain you.
Gernsbeck's anger bubbles over, he gets right in Nowlan's
face. Yelling at him, shoving him.
GERNSBECK
Restrain me? I'm the warden, asshole.
I'm in control here, not you. You're
just a fucking guard. You can't even
keep your partner alive, why do you
think you can...
Nowlan decks him. Gernsbeck, knocked out, drops to the floor.
Nowlan turns to Campbell and Garby.
NOWLAN
Take him to his office and handcuff
him to the chair.
They take him away. Stilson notices blood on Nowlan's arm.
STILSON
You're hurt.
NOWLAN
I got nailed. Nothing serious.
STILSON
Let me fix it.
Stilson takes him into Gernsbeck's private wash room.
INT. GERNSBECK'S WASHROOM -- DAY
Stilson cleans and dressed Nowlan's wound.
STILSON
You going to be okay?
42.
NOWLAN
Just a flesh wound. Of course, it's
MY flesh. OUCH!
STILSON
Sorry. I mean, about Bester.
NOWLAN
He... He was a good man. Wasn't afraid
to tell me the truth, even when he
knew I wouldn't like it.
(beat)
Will you tell me the truth?
She nods slowly. Their faces only an inch away.
NOWLAN
Think we can make it out of this?
STILSON
I don't know. But I DO know, this
might be our only chance....
She moves her face towards him, but Nowlan moves back.
NOWLAN
Fraternization is against the rules.
EXT. PRISON BUILDING - ESTABLISHING
In the desert outside the Prison Building, Smith EE17 and
three androids search for a back entrance to the Command
Center. A steel door labeled "AIRLOCK #4", they enter.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
The group ignores Stilson and Nowlan when they exit the wash
room, tension between them.
Merritt gestures to Nowlan.
MERRITT
Look. I was thinking. There's a
couple dozen emergency rebreathers in
the air locks. They might come in
handy if we get down to the wire.
NOWLAN
Good idea.
Nowlan looks around the room for someone to send with Merritt.
Stilson? No. Too dangerous for her.
43.
NOWLAN
Campbell? You and Merritt check out
the air locks. Bring back all the
rebreathers.
MERRITT
You don't trust me?
NOWLAN
Never have. Never will.
Merritt accepts this, nodding slowly.
Merritt turns to Campbell.
MERRITT
Let's go.
GARBY
I'm coming along.
Merritt tries to dissuade her, but she stops him.
GARBY
You need all the guns you can get out
there.
MERRITT
Okay.
THE THREE, armed and ready for action, use Garby's mag-card
to exit through the door marked "AIRLOCKS".
INT. HALLWAY #12 -- DAY
The trio creeps through the hall, lights flicker around them.
Suspense builds. They come to a corner.
Merritt gestures for Garby and Campbell to hold back as he
scouts ahead.
INT. HALLWAY #13 -- DAY
Merritt peeks around the corner into Hallway #13.
The hall is empty all the way to the Airlocks at the end.
Lights flicker, and several doorways are dark...
Maybe with Androids hiding inside them.
Merritt creeps down the hall.
Tension builds as he passes each dark doorway.
But nothing happens.
44.
When he gets to the end of the hall, and the Airlock doors,
he gestures for Garby and Campbell to join him.
Garby and Campbell creep down the hall, guns ready. Each
time they pass one of the dark doorways, tension builds.
At the Airlock door, the trio gives the hallway behind them
a final sweep.
GARBY
Looks clear.
MERRITT
Looks are deceiving.
CAMPBELL
Let's get the rebreathers and get the
hell out of here.
Merritt nods, and gestures for Campbell to open the door
while he and Garby cover.
Campbell slowly opens the Airlock door.
Nothing inside but darkness.
GARBY
Let's make this quick.
Campbell nods and enters the Air locks.
INT. AIRLOCKS -- DAY
Campbell takes a step inside the dark airlocks.
Darkness.
He shines his flashlight at the floor. No sign of Androids.
Campbell crosses the darkness to the rebreathers.
Pulls one off the rack and tosses it out the door.
CAMPBELL
Coming at ya.
INT. HALLWAY #13 -- DAY
Merritt grabs the rebreather, slings it over his shoulder.
Garby grabs the next one, slings it over her shoulder.
INT. AIRLOCKS -- DAY
Campbell reaches for the next rebreather, hears a noise.
45.
CAMPBELL
Who goes there?
He shines his flashlight - sees nothing.
WHAM!
A metal claw grabs him! Campbell shines the flashlight at
the ceiling...
SMITH EE17 and three Androids hang from the ceiling like
bats - using their built in gravity boots. Smith yanks
Campbell off his feet and THROWS HIM!
INT. HALLWAY #13 -- DAY
He flies out of the airlock, skids between Garby and Merritt.
MERRITT
We aren't alone.
Androids spill out into Hallway #13 lead by Smith EE17.
Campbell tries to stand up, but his leg is broken - bent
backwards. He screams, falls to the floor.
Nails and screws ricochet around Garby and Merritt as they
race away from the airlock, dragging the rebreathers.
Merritt turns, sees Campbell trying to crawl away.
MERRITT
Come on!
He provides cover fire, blasting some of the Androids.
Sending one slamming backwards in a shower of sparks.
Campbell crawls along the floor, leg bent backwards.
Garby stops running and joins in the cover fire.
But Merritt realizes they don't have a chance.
He turns to her between blasts and yells.
MERRITT
Get out of here. Run!
GARBY
What about...
MERRITT
Just run, I'll hold them.
A look between them, then Garby takes his rebreather, and
runs like hell.
46.
Merritt tries to save Campbell.
MERRITT
Campbell. Come on.
One of the Androids raises his cross-bow arm and fires.
Merritt hits the dirt, rolling across the hall and popping
to his feet. The arrow, on a bungee, zips over Merritt's
head, then zips back into the Android's cross-bow.
Merritt fires cover shots, trying to force the Androids back,
so that Campbell escape.
MERRITT
Come on! Come on!
Campbell crawls towards Merritt.
Closer.
Closer.
Almost there.
Smith EE17 comes after Campbell - evading Merritt's gunfire.
The Android aims at Merritt and fires his cross-bow.
The other Android has a spray painter attachment - fires a
stream of blue paint at Merritt.
Merritt dives around the corner to Hallway #12.
Paint and the arrow slam into the corner of the hallway.
Campbell keeps crawling, but Smith EE17 grabs him.
SMITH EE17
Not so fast.
Campbell struggles to get away, but can't.
INT. HALLWAY #7 -- DAY
Garby runs down the hallway to the Command Center door.
Passing dark doorways along the way.
WHAM! A shower of sparks shoots out a doorway as Garby passes
it, as a light fixtures short circuits.
Garby keeps running to the end of the hallway, and the safety
of the Command Center.
47.
INT. HALLWAY #13 -- DAY
Merritt tries to force Smith EE17 away from Campbell, but is
forced back around the corner by a blast of paint and arrows.
Campbell is dragged back by Smith EE17's claw. He uses his
good foot to kick the claw off of him, but Smith grabs for
his neck. Campbell grabs the claw, pulling it away.
Campbell and Smith EE17 wrestling back and forth - razor
sharp pincher claw snapping between them. Campbell gets the
claw twisted around so that it's on Smith's neck.
CAMPBELL
Damned hunk of tin.
Smith EE17 twist the claw around to Campbell's neck.
SMITH EE17
Human scrap.
Campbell sees the claw ready to squeeze his neck, pushes it
up only moments before it snaps closed.
Clink!
It cuts off the tip of Smith's nose.
Smith EE17 yanks his claw away from Campbell, then clubs him
over the head with it. Knocking him out.
Smith EE17 turns to the other Androids, points to Merritt,
speaks in beep-bop. The Androids advance.
INT. HALLWAY #7 -- DAY
Garby pounds on the Command Center door.
GARBY
Let me in! Let me in!
No one answers. She can hear Androids getting closer.
She pounds on the door some more, then remembers her mag-
card key. Fumbles, trying to find it, swipes it through the
lock. The Command Center door opens, she squeezes inside...
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Right into Hell.
The Command Center is under siege again.
Under attack by an army of Androids lead by Ralph 124C41.
48.
When Garby squeezes through the door, Nowlan spins, aiming
his gun at her... Ready to fire.
When Nowlan sees who it is, he yells:
NOWLAN
Shut the door and get down!
Then Nowlan goes back to BLASTING Androids.
INT. HALLWAY #13 -- DAY
Merritt fires over his shoulder at the advancing androids.
Misses.
One Androids sprays a blast of blue paint - which changes to
green then yellow mid-stream.
The other Android fires his bunjee-arrow.
Merritt dives around a corner and both just miss him... except
for a splash of blue paint that tags his leg.
INT. HALLWAY #12 -- DAY
Merritt bolts to the end of the hallway, dives into the next
hallway seconds before the paint and arrows blast him.
INT. HALLWAY #11 -- DAY
Merritt rolls to his feet, aims his gun and fires.
The Painter Android is blown backwards in a shower of sparks.
Merritt aims at Cross-bow and pulls the trigger.
Click.
His gun is out of shells.
MERRITT
Swell.
Cross-bow laughs in beep-bop - a weird metallic laughter.
Aims his cross-bow at Merritt's head.
Merritt throws the gun at him.
Scoring a direct hit on his face. Cutting off his laughter.
Cross-bow fires his arrow... on his way down to the floor.
The arrow lodges in the hallway ceiling.
Cross-bow BUNGEES to the ceiling of the hallway.
Trapped.
49.
Merritt takes off running.
INT. HALLWAY #9 -- DAY
Merritt runs, hears beep-bop chattering behind him...
SIX ANDROIDS erupt from a Cell Block door and give chase.
Merritt dives into the next hallway and pours on the speed.
INT. HALLWAY #6 -- DAY
Merritt runs down the hall, chased by the six Androids.
Merritt gets to the Command Center door, realizes he has no
mag-key. POUNDS on the door.
MERRITT
Let me in! Let me in!
The six Androids are almost on top of him.
MERRITT
Unlock the damned door!
Merritt continues pounding, as the androids get closer.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
It's hard to hear Merritt's pounding over the din of gunfire.
Garby, Nowlan, Stilson and Pratt blast at the army of androids
outside the windows.
Garby fires out a window, but hears the pounding.
Without turning from the gun battle, she unlocks the door
with her foot.
Merritt squeezes in... but so do a dozen android arms!
Merritt tries to push the door closed.
The Androids are stronger.
Merritt looks for help, everyone is blasting outside androids.
MERRITT
Swell.
Android hands claw at him, he tries to press the door closed.
There's no way he can hold them back.
MERRITT
Throw me a gun! Throw me a gun!
50.
Nowlan tosses Merritt his 44 Magnum.
Merritt catches the gun with one hand.
Jumps back from the door.
ALL SIX ANDROIDS rush into the room.
MERRITT quick fires: six shells, six androids, six head shots.
ALL SIX ANDROIDS go down in a shower of sparks.
MERRITT
Help me take out this garbage.
While Pratt, Nowlan and Stilson hold the fort, Garby helps
Merritt push the six android bodies out of the Command Center.
They close and lock the door.
Merritt takes cover next to Nowlan as he reloads.
Nowlan fires and talks simultaneously.
NOWLAN
Where's Campbell?
MERRITT
They got him.
Nowlan stops firing and looks at Merritt.
GARBY
He's alive, Nowlan. But he's theirs.
NOWLAN
That's the only pilot we've got.
Everyone looks at Merritt, letting this bad news sink in.
MERRITT
Don't get them pissed, who knows what
they'll do to him.
Nowlan gives Merritt a look, goes back to blasting Androids.
Every time Nowlan sees an Android head, he fires at it.
It's like an arcade game... "Doom", maybe.
NOWLAN
Who's next? Step right up.
Blam! Nowlan fires.
NOWLAN
We have a winner.
51.
THE BATTLE CONTINUES with Pratt, Nowlan, Stilson, Garby, and
Merritt blasting away. Nails, screws, rivets fly through the
Command Center, shattering computer screens.
Garby pulls back from the window...
Sparks rain down on her from the solid steel wall...
DELREY 2525 is cutting through the wall!
Garby aims through the molten hole and fires.
INT. PRISON COMMONS -- DAY
DELREY 2525 blasts back - cutting two other Androids in half
with his cutting torch.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Garby aims through the hole, blows some Androids to hell.
Pratt spots Coblentz HL2000, takes aim, and fires.
Misses. Coblentz sends a stream of screw-fire at Pratt.
Pratt hits the dirt as boards covering the window splinter.
Screws ricochet through the room, shattering glass.
GARBY
Now he's angry.
PRATT
I was hoping he'd be dead.
Garby and Pratt pop up at the same time, blasting at Coblentz
and his Androids, forcing them back.
Merritt blasts a half dozen Androids, forces the others back.
Nowlan fires two guns through the barricades, forcing Androids
to take cover.
SUDDENLY, the shooting from outside stops.
The silence is deafening.
Nowlan rises up slowly, looking out the window.
NOWLAN
They're gone.
MERRITT
They've fallen back to regroup.
They'll attack again.
52.
NOWLAN
Stilson, check the monitors. Tell me
where they are.
No response.
NOWLAN
Janet?
Nowlan moves across the Command Center to her... finding her
dead. Shot by screws in the cross-fire.
NOWLAN
Janet.
He cradles her in his arms, fighting back the tears.
The others just watch him, unsure what to do.
Nowlan holds her face up to his and kisses her gently.
NOWLAN
Sweet dreams.
Then sets her body down, closes her eyes, then looks at Garby.
NOWLAN
It's the only time I ever kissed her.
I always wanted to. We used to flirt
back and forth. Joke about her serving
under me. I used to think about
holding her. Touching her face... But
fraternization is against the rules.
(frowns)
I always have to play by the rules.
Do what's right... even when it's
wrong. Even when it's too late.
(beat)
It's always too late.
Nowlan is about to totally break down.
Merritt crosses the room and pulls him to his feet.
MERRITT
Nowlan, this thing isn't over yet.
NOWLAN
It's over. First Bester, now Janet...
MERRITT
You've got to pull yourself together.
At least until we're out of here.
(beat)
We can't do this thing without you.
53.
Nowlan looks at Merritt, confused by his compassion.
NOWLAN
I... I can handle it.
Merritt nods slowly, and lets go of Nowlan.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- LATER
Merritt zips Stilson up in a body bag. Then looks at the
others. Pratt looks at the bag.
PRATT
Maybe we should say some words or
something.
MERRITT
(sotto)
Too bad they shot the Preacher.
Garby moves down next to the body bag. Pratt bows his head.
GARBY
Janet, you were a good friend in a
world where friends are hard to find.
And Good is even harder.
(beat)
You'd walk among the prisoners, and
never show fear. I don't know how
you did that.
(beat)
Where ever you are now, walk without
fear. And know that we'll miss you.
A moment of silence.
Then Merritt looks at Nowlan.
MERRITT
(softly)
Come on. Give me a hand.
Merritt picks up one end of the body bag, and Nowlan lifts
the other. Difficult at first, but Nowlan manages to control
his emotions, and just do the work.
INT. GERNSBECK'S OFFICE -- DAY
Gernsbeck looks up as the door opens.
54.
GERNSBECK
You going to let me out? So I can
punish that...
He sees Nowlan's expression and stops. They carry the body
bag into the room and set it down.
GERNSBECK
Who is it?
MERRITT
Stilson.
GERNSBECK
You can't leave her here! I won't
stand for it. I refuse to be in the
same room with her! She's dead!
Merritt crosses and grabs Gernsbeck's collar.
MERRITT
Look, asshole, we're all going to be
dead in an hour and a half. We're
running out of oxygen, and they just
captured our pilot.
(beat)
Things are pretty well fucked, here,
Verne. The last thing we need is a
lot of screaming from some sadistic
pile of shit like you.
(beat)
So take my advice: Shut the fuck up.
Merritt lets go of Gernsbeck, drops him back into his chair.
Turns to Nowlan, staring at the body bag, on the verge of
cracking again.
MERRITT
Come on. We've got work to do.
Nowlan turns from the body bag. They leave Gernsbeck's office.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
And walk into Hell.
Pratt is holding the Command Center hostage, and the moment
Nowlan and Merritt enter, he swings his gun on them.
Merritt casually raises his hands.
55.
MERRITT
Shouldn't you be aiming that thing
outside?
PRATT
I'm getting out of here.
MERRITT
There's the door.
Merritt nods to the door, and the Androids beyond.
PRATT
Don't you get it, man? We're all gonna
die. First it was the Joker, then the
Preacher, then Cowboy, now the Girl.
(beat)
I mean, it's getting down to the nubs,
here.
(beat)
Next it'll be the Marshal and Daddy's
Girl... And after that it's either
you or me.
(beat)
I'm not hanging around long enough to
find out which.
NOWLAN
Where do you plan on going? Seems to
me we're trapped.
Pratt swings the gun towards Nowlan.
PRATT
Why don't we just get on the shuttle
and get out of here?
NOWLAN
We wouldn't get far before we ran out
of fuel.
(beat)
Then we'd be adrift in the galaxy
without any life support systems.
PRATT
At least nobody'd be shooting at us.
MERRITT
Sure, why give up a quick death when
we could die slowly of asphyxiation?
Pratt reaims his gun at Merritt.
Behind him, Garby slowly creeps forward.
56.
PRATT
I don't need any shit from you,
Merritt.
MERRITT
What do you want, Pratt? The good news?
There isn't any. We're stuck on this
piece of shit planet for the next hour
and a half while the ship fuels.
(beat)
Now we can argue about it, and we can
fight about it, but we can't change
it. So quit pointing the damned gun
at me.
Pratt keeps the gun aimed at Merritt.
Garby takes another step closer, ready for action.
PRATT
Why don't we wait in the shuttle,
then?
NOWLAN
Look at how much damage they've done
to this room.
(beat)
The shuttle couldn't take this much
damage and survive. We'd never get
off the planet.
Garby takes another step... And Pratt swings around, aiming
his gun at her.
GARBY
You see, Pratt, we're the bait. As
long as they're attacking us, they're
leaving the shuttle alone.
PRATT
Man, I can't take any more of this
fighting... I'd rather end up drifting
through the galaxy in the shuttle
then be some sitting duck for those
droids.
NOWLAN
At least here we have a chance, Pratt.
Pratt aims at Nowlan, and Garby attacks.
She grabs the gun barrel, twisting it up at the ceiling.
BLAM!
The gun discharges, showering them with debris.
57.
Pratt pulls the gun back down.
BLAM! BLAM!
The gunshots force Merritt and Nowlan to hit the dirt.
She struggles, pressing the gun back up at the ceiling.
BLAM! BLAM!
Pratt pushes the gun around until it is aimed directly at
Garby. His finger tightens on he trigger.
PRATT
Last words, Bitch?
Garby looks down the gun barrel, she's about to die.
Pratt's finger continues squeezing the trigger.
Garby lets go and ducks out of the way quickly.
BLAM!
Bullet goes wild, hitting the vidmap with a shower of sparks.
Merritt jumps to his feet and tackles Pratt to the floor.
They crash into a work station, sending it down.
When they stop rolling, Merritt is on top of Pratt. But Pratt
still holds the gun. He aims it directly at Merritt's face.
PRATT
Get off me, or I'll blow you to hell.
MERRITT
Try it.
Pratt touches the gun barrel to Merritt's face.
Pulls the trigger.
Click. Out of shells.
MERRITT
You've got to learn how to count. At
least as high as six.
Merritt slams the gun out of Pratt's hands and pins him to
the floor.
MERRITT
Look, Pratt, we're all in this
together. Flesh against steel. If
we start breaking up, fighting each
other, they'll kill us one by one.
(beat)
The only strength we have is working
together.
58.
PRATT
You're gonna throw in with that screw?
MERRITT
What choice do I have? What choice
do ANY OF US have?
Merritt points at Nowlan.
MERRITT
I may hate him. I may wish him dead.
Nowlan gives Garby a look.
MERRITT
But the four of us are stuck here
together. And we're not getting out
of here any time soon.
(beat)
So I've got to learn to work with
him. And work with you.
(beat)
I may not like it, but I don't see me
having much choice in the matter. Do
you?
He lets go of Pratt and moves to his feet. Pratt just lays
there. Finally Merritt reaches a hand down to help him up.
Pratt looks at Merritt's hand and reluctantly accepts.
Merritt pulls Pratt to his feet, then the two separate. Pratt
goes off to sulk, Merritt examines a cut from the scuffle.
Nowlan crosses to the Vidmap. It's completely destroyed.
NOWLAN
No more early warning system.
PRATT
(sarcastic)
There goes our advantage.
Merritt goes into the wash room next to Gernsbeck's office
to wash and dress his wound.
INT. GERNSBECK'S WASHROOM -- DAY
Merritt is wrapping the cut as Garby enters, letting the
door close behind her.
59.
GARBY
That was a nice speech, but did it
mean anything?
(beat)
Or were you just making music to sooth
the savage beast?
MERRITT
Meant every word.
GARBY
Especially the part about wishing
Nowlan were dead?
MERRITT
I might have exaggerated.
She moves closer to him, serious, now.
GARBY
Do you really think we're going to
get out of this alive?
MERRITT
I don't know. But I have to keep
coming up with plans and possibilities,
or we're as good as dead.
GARBY
Then this might be my only chance.
MERRITT
To do what?
GARBY
To find out if what they say about
Smovs is true.
She moves into his arms and kisses him gently on the lips.
INT. GERNSBECK'S OFFICE -- DAY
Gernsbeck sees the silhouettes come together through the
pebbled glass of the connecting door.
INT. GERNSBECK'S WASHROOM -- DAY
When Merritt kisses back, Garby pulls away a little.
After flirting with Merritt for years, here they are about
to make love... and she's not sure she'd ready for it.
60.
GARBY
I've never done it with an alien
before.
MERRITT
We're all alien to somebody.
(beat)
We look different, we smell different,
we act different. But even if we
found someone who looked just like
us, they wouldn't be us. They'd be
their own person. Have their own
thoughts, their own needs.
(beat)
You can spend your whole life thinking
about how different you are than other
people. Me? I'd rather think about
the ways we're the same.
Merritt kisses her gently.
MERRITT
Smovs kiss the same as humans.
They kiss again, more passionately. She runs her hand under
his shirt, feeling his chest.
MERRITT
We feel the same as humans.
Another kiss. They begin removing each others clothing,
gently kissing each new exposure of flesh.
MERRITT
We love the same as humans.
Their passion flares as they kiss again, bare chest against
bare chest.
INT. GERNSBECK'S OFFICE -- DAY
Gernsbeck struggles against the handcuffs.
GERNSBECK
(sotto)
No. No. No. No. No. No. No.
Practically frothing at the mouth as the silhouettes of his
daughter and the alien move close again.
61.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Nowlan watches the remaining monitors for signs of the
Androids. Nothing.
NOWLAN
They're out there someplace.
Pratt re-barricaders the windows. Using the rest of the
furniture to block any holes.
INT. GERNSBECK'S WASHROOM -- DAY
Merritt moves his hand under her skirt, pulling her panties
down her legs. Garby kicks them off, then guides his hand
back under her skirt.
GARBY
Almost the same.
They kiss again. Then they glide to the floor and make love.
INT. GERNSBECK'S OFFICE -- DAY
Gernsbeck fights harder against the restraints as he hears
intimate laughter from the next room.
GERNSBECK
No. He's a filthy alien. A damned
prisoner. Garby... Garby...
His voice becomes softer, resigned to the fact that his
daughter is no longer under his control. Maybe never was.
Gernsbeck looks over to the body bag on the floor across
from him.
GERNSBECK
(sotto)
Garby....
Shadows flutter over the pebbled glass.
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Pratt finishes barricading the windows.
Nowlan watches the screens for signs of action.
They show only empty hallways. A sound behind him.
62.
Nowlan spins to see Merritt exiting the washroom, tucking in
his clothes.
MERRITT
How much time until the shuttle's
refueled?
Nowlan looks at his watch.
NOWLAN
A little over an hour.
MERRITT
And until we run out of air?
NOWLAN
About the same.
Merritt nods, and joins Pratt.
MERRITT
We're gonna need a couple minutes
head start to get to the shuttle.
PRATT
Yeah?
MERRITT
Can we rig one of the doors to close?
NOWLAN
Sure. But where do we get the power?
All this equipment's hard wired in.
MERRITT
Batteries.
Merritt points at Nowlan's equipment belt.
MERRITT
There's one in your PDA. Enough juice
in there to slow 'em down for a minute.
Nowlan unclips the PDA, tosses it to Merritt, who begins to
hot wire a door circuit on the control board.
Nowlan looks back at the monitor...
ON THE MONITOR
RALPH 124C41 holds a gun to Campbell's head.
63.
RALPH
Attention human scrap. Let's make a
deal. Flesh for flesh. This worthless
piece of scrap for the Warden.
(beat)
Give us Gernsbeck, and we'll let you
go. We have no rift with you, it's
the Warden who has hurt us. And it
is HE who will pay.
(beat)
So? Do we trade? This one for the
Warden?
INT. COMMAND CENTER -- DAY
Merritt looks at Nowlan.
MERRITT
I say we hand over the son of a bitch.
NOWLAN
I thought we were all in this together?
Flesh against steel?
MERRITT
The Warden's different.
NOWLAN
How?
MERRITT
They wouldn't be out there if it
weren't for that son of a bitch.
Nowlan aims his gun towards Merritt.
NOWLAN
I say we take a vote.
MERRITT
I vote we trade him.
PRATT
Trade him.
NOWLAN
I'm against it, and so's Gernsbeck...
MERRITT
That's two for, two against.
NOWLAN
Garby.
64.
All eyes are on Garby. The deciding vote.
GARBY
(pleading)
You can't make me do this. He's my
father.
MERRITT
You've got to decide.
GARBY
Look, he's an asshole. He's always
been an asshole. He can't help it.
NOWLAN
Which is it? For or against?
Garby looks at her father's office, making the toughest
decision of her life.
GARBY
We can't get out of here without a
pilot. We can wait the two hours
until the shuttle's fueled, but if no
one can drive it, we're stuck...
Trapped.
She turns away from the others, breaking down.
GARBY
I'm sorry. God, I'm sorry.
Merritt raises his gun at Nowlan.
MERRITT
You heard the woman. We trade.
Merritt switches on the microphone.
MERRITT
Okay, tinman. We trade.
Ralph 124C41 laughs in beep-bop.
INT. HALLWAY #9 -- DAY
Ralph 124C41 laughs in beep-bop when he sees Gernsbeck...
Shackled in hand and leg cuffs.
THE EXCHANGE is like something from a Cold War spy novel.
On one end of the hallway: the ARMY OF ANDROIDS lead by Ralph
124C41, who holds his rivet-arm to Campbell's head.
65.
On the other end of the hallway: Pratt, Nowlan and Garby aim
guns at the Androids, while Merritt tries to control the
screaming, pleading Warden Gernsbeck.
GERNSBECK
You can't do this to me. They'll
kill me. Don't you understand?
They'll KILL me.
MERRITT
If you don't shut up I'll kill you.
GERNSBECK
Please Merritt...
Merritt ignores him, looking at the far end of the hallway
where Ralph holds the gun to Campbell's head.
MERRITT
Okay. We trade.
RALPH
Not you. The guard.
MERRITT
What do you mean?
RALPH
The Guard brings me the Warden.
Unarmed.
Merritt and Nowlan exchange looks. Then Nowlan hands Merritt
his rifle and takes hold of Gernsbeck's shackled hands.
RALPH
Now.
Ralph and Campbell begin advancing to the center of the hall,
at the same speed as Nowlan and Gernsbeck.
THE FOUR face off in the center of the hall, a dozen feet
between them. Ralph keeps his riveter jambed into Campbell's
head. Nowlan has a six shooter, hidden behind his back.
RALPH
This one must be pretty important, if
you'll trade the warden for him.
Tension. They can't let Ralph know how important Campbell
is. They can't let him know he's the pilot.
NOWLAN
He's just a tech.
66.
RALPH
I've never seen him before.
NOWLAN
They sent him on the shuttle to look
over the computer systems for salvage.
RALPH
Computer tech? We should keep him.
Use him for repairs after you've gone.
NOWLAN
He's just a junk man...
RALPH
A junk man? You know what he told me?
He told me he was the shuttle pilot.
(smiles)
Now why would he lie like that?
NOWLAN
Just let him go. You can have the
Warden.
Ralph 124C41 laughs.
RALPH
No. We'll TAKE the Warden.
BLAM!
Ralph blows Campbell away - hot rivet shooting through his
head, then contracting and popping his skull.
Ralph reaims his riveter at Gernsbeck.
Gernsbeck starts screaming.
GERNSBECK
Please. Please don't hurt me. Please.
Nowlan kicks Ralph's rivet-arm aside, quick draws his pistol,
blasts until the Androids dive for cover.
MERRITT
Come on!
Merritt, Pratt, and Garby give cover fire for Nowlan and
Gernsbeck. Blasting away at the Army of Androids.
Gernsbeck starts hobbling back to the group.
Ralph aims his rivet-arm at Nowlan.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
The two exchange gunfire, like Cowboys at high noon.
67.
Gernsbeck stuck in the middle.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
A close quarters shootout, something from a John Woo movie.
Except hot lead vs. hot rivets.
SIMAKURT 14 steps into the center of the hall,