The setting for Melek Rik is in the near future. 2019. There's a violent coup. The coup leader is General Richard Bolivar, US Commander of the Iraq Coalition Forces. Yes, the US is still in Iraq. And yes, General Bolivar becomes known among the Iraqis as "Melek Rik."
I've posted the first 30 pages directly below on my blog (the link to the full 130 page script is also below). But I'm focussing specifically on the first 30 pages because of Blake Snyder. Who's Blake Snyder? He wrote Save The Cat, which is the latest in a series of "must-read" books about screenwriting. If you take a screenwriting class anywhere in Academia, the name "Blake Snyder" will pop up.
Blake Snyder says something must happen on page 25. Must. He says whenever someone hands him a script, the first place he goes is, you guessed it. But don't take my word for it. Let's go straight to Blake himself:
And now, my script.
Enjoy!
......................MELEK RIK
................................................a screenplay
................................................a screenplay
..................................................©2009
...in vivid phrases did Geoffrey de Viusauf, eye-witness to these
events, describe the black rage of Saladin when the news reached
him of the defeat. Bitterly did he reproach and deride his thegns,
while they listened with heads bowed low. At last one bolder than
the rest made answer, "Most sacred Sultan, this charge is unjust
for we fought with all our strength and did our best to destroy them.
We met their fiercest attacks, but it was of no avail. And further,
there is one among their number superior to any living man. He
always charges before the rest, slaying and destroying all in his path.
He is the first in every enterprise, and is a most brave and excellent
soldier. No one can resist him. They call him Melek Rik. Such a one
as he is born to a kingly command. What then could we do but
submit?"
events, describe the black rage of Saladin when the news reached
him of the defeat. Bitterly did he reproach and deride his thegns,
while they listened with heads bowed low. At last one bolder than
the rest made answer, "Most sacred Sultan, this charge is unjust
for we fought with all our strength and did our best to destroy them.
We met their fiercest attacks, but it was of no avail. And further,
there is one among their number superior to any living man. He
always charges before the rest, slaying and destroying all in his path.
He is the first in every enterprise, and is a most brave and excellent
soldier. No one can resist him. They call him Melek Rik. Such a one
as he is born to a kingly command. What then could we do but
submit?"
EM Wilmot-Buxton
--------------------------------------------
FADE IN
INT. LAUNCH CONTROL CENTER - NIGHT
SUPER: MUSUDAN-RI FACILITY, NORTHERN KOREA
Blastoff. KOREAN SCIENTISTS cheer. RICHARD BOLIVAR, 48, chiselled
face of a Texas cowboy, cracks a thin smile. He wears an Arab Prince's
robe. MELISSA BOLIVAR, 42, Asian, in a suit, hijab and fuck-me pumps,
her eyes on him, Nancy Reagan style. Next to her, MAJOR MATTHEW
BOLIVAR, 28, soft Eurasian features.
........................BOLIVAR
Make a note, Matthew. 10 September 2019.
Day one for our new Iraq.
........................MATTHEW
Day one for your new Iraq, Father.
........................BOLIVAR
Don't piss on my parade, boy.
........................MELISSA
Please. Can't my two men get along?
EXT. SATELLITE IN ORBIT OVER WASHINGTON, DC - NIGHT
The National Mall and Tidal Basin below in shimmering light.
........................SATELLITE TRANSMISSION
...........................(In Arabic)
God is great. There is no god but God. Hasten
to prayer, hasten...
Faint sound of big band dance music, growing louder.
EXT. THE ROSE GARDEN RECEPTION - NIGHT
A SWING BAND plays, GUESTS in tuxes and gowns dance, bling-bling everywhere.
A glittering MIMI, 59, dances with a YOUNG HUNK.
RUFUS MEADOWS, 35, smart dresser, stands with KEVIN HURT, 32, a smoldering
man in a wheelchair. Bolivar, bemedalled, approaches Rufus, claps him on the back.
Rufus smiles. Kevin scowls.
KENNY WETZEL, 35, athletic, rugged good looks. WOMEN smile. He smiles back, a
lingering eye on each. GEORGE GALMICHE, 55, a big toucher, gathers Kenny in a
bear hug, pats his right arm.
........................GALMICHE
We're all pullin' for that reinstatement, Kenny.
........................KENNY
Thanks, Mister Galmiche.
........................GALMICHE
George. Call me George. Still got your heater,
I betcha.
........................KENNY
...........................(A Woman beckons)
You bet. Excuse me, George.
Galmiche spots Bolivar and Rufus huddled together, heads toward
them as a grinning HENRY SLEZAK, 62, in tux & tails, and MADELINE SLEZAK, 22,
in a strapless iridescent gown, enter.
........................LIVERIED SERVANT
Henry and Madeline Slezak!
The PRESIDENT, 55, big smiler, rushes up with two AIDES.
........................PRESIDENT
Maddie! Henry!
........................MADELINE
Mister President.
........................PRESIDENT
Mister President?!? Call me Danny. Henry, you
haven't got your new bride trained yet. Just too
damn smart for him, aren't you, Maddie?
She giggles. Henry catches Rufus' eye, winks. Rufus blinks.
ANOTHER PART OF THE ROSE GARDEN - NIGHT
Henry guides Maddie to a table with seven bejeweled smiling WASHINGTONIAN MATRONS.
........................HENRY
What say I park you with Pamela and her esteemed
social set for some Washingtonian feminine lore?
........................MADELINE
Are you getting rid of me?
........................HENRY
...........................(Whispers)
Mimi's in the house.
........................MADELINE
She's not your wife anymore. I am.
Henry's fingernail flashes. He holds it up, rolls his eyes.
........................HENRY
Jeremy. Thinks hes in love. Again.
He walks off, finger to his lips. Pamela beams at Maddie.
ANOTHER PART OF THE ROSE GARDEN - NIGHT
The President, Henry & Kenny, whiskeys in hand, watch Mimi on the dance floor.
There's payback in her dance moves.
........................HENRY
What's that SOB even doing here?
........................PRESIDENT
I'd say he's dancing with your ex. Don't tell me you
want Mimi back?
........................HENRY
Fuck, no! Just so damn low rent of her, dragging that
dumb cocksucker in here to rub it in.
The President nods toward Bolivar, Galmiche and Rufus.
........................PRESIDENT
Last month Richard Bolivar looked me in the eye,
said Iraq would rely on us for all
its satellite needs.
........................HENRY
And then he went and had someone else do
the launch.
........................PRESIDENT
Yeah. He lied.
Dance ends. Mimi flashes Henry a look dripping with contempt.
........................PRESIDENT
Problem is, Bolivar's been in Iraq since Obama.
He's almost indis - -
........................HENRY
No one's indispensible. Cept me.
A WOMAN catches Kenny's eye. They watch as he goes to her.
........................HENRY
Kenny could use your help on this reinstatement.
About Bolivar, I'll handle it, cut him off at the knees
Henry looks across the room at Bolivar. They briefly lock eyes.
Bolivar smiles. It's the smile a man gives his sworn enemy.
ANOTHER PART OF THE ROSE GARDEN - NIGHT
Kenny & the Woman, off to the side. His fingernail flashes.
........................KENNY
Excuse me. What?
........................MADELINE (O.S.)
Who is she?
Mimi, mean drunk, followed by the Aide, brushes past Kenny.
THE WASHINGTONIAN MATRON TABLE - NIGHT
........................KENNY (O.S.)
Who? Oh, her. She's Senator LaJeunesse's Executive
Assistant.
........................MADELINE
So you're schmoozing.That it?
........................KENNY (O.S.)
Yup. Sure am. We on for tomorrow?
Mimi, weaving, approaches table.
........................MADELINE
Oh God! Mimi's coming this way.
Her fingernail flickers, goes dark.
........................MIMI
Well look! Trophy Wife Cinderella and her seven
Fairy Godmothers!
The Aide clears throat. Mimi theatrically drops the flute. It smashes into a
zillion pieces.
........................MIMI
Let them clean it, Snow White. God forbid
you prick your finger.
EXT. PARKING LOT AT THE BATTING CAGES - DAY
Late Afternoon. Neon Sign: "TIGER CAGES." A tiger in a baseball cap. Kenny
and Maddie walk toward the TICKET SHACK. We see two TEENAGE JOCKS in
Tiger Cage teeshirts at the ticket window.
........................SPORTS TALK SHOW HOST (O.S.)
On the air with Kenny Wetzel, ex-Giant, talking Nats
pitching. No question, team needs veteran help.
........................KENNY (O.S.)
Exactly. The young guys, Ruiz and Tovar, they're
getting shelled.
........................SPORTS TALK SHOW HOST (O.S.)
What say we send you out? Number 54. Still got
your heater, doncha?
...........................(Kenny laughs)
You always said you got a raw deal. Heard rumors
about a reinstatement. 'Course, it's nothing to do
with you working at the White House.
They laugh knowingly.
EXT. AT THE BATTING CAGES - DAY
Just before dusk. Kenny and Maddie in side-by-side cages.
........................KENNY (V.O.)
In the National, pitcher takes his cuts like everyone else.
Proud of my hitting. Way I see it, pitcher who can't hit is
just half a man.
Kenny & Maddie each smack a hard line drive into the chain link. Then WHUMPP! Madeline
down on one knee, hand on her breast, her face screwed up in pain. Kenny turns,
sees her, laughs.
........................KENNY
Not s'posed to crowd the plate, Petunia.
She gets up steaming. She grabs the bat, makes a beeline for the Ticket Shack.
........................KENNY
Hell you going?
He catches up, stops her. She fights to break free.
........................KENNY
Wait here. No! I said, wait here.
No one's at the ticket window. We hear boys laughing somewhere in the back.
INT. BACK ROOM OF BATTING CAGE TICKET SHACK - DAY
The two Teenage Jocks watch a vid of Maddie getting plunked on the tit. They laugh
and rewind. Suddenly, Kenny's there.
........................KENNY
You boys best go out and apologize.
INT. KENNY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Wall plastered with memorabilia: posters, photos, magazine covers, all about Kenny Wetzel,
big league pitcher.
INSERT: A PHOTO ON THE WALL
Kenny in mid-delivery in a San Francisco uniform, number 54.
BACK TO SCENE
Post coital. Kenny on bed, Maddie standing at mirror, her top off, a black & blue mark under
her breast. She winces.
........................KENNY
I'm thinking, when I'm reinstated, how about you coming
with me?
She slowly, gingerly slides her top on. It's painful.
........................KENNY
I think we're a good team. We fit.
A long silence. Then she turns. She's not smiling.
........................MADELINE
You have to understand, Kenny. With Henry, important people
talk to me. Danny Prophet calls me Maddie.
His face shows this wasn't what he expected to hear.
........................KENNY
You still haven't figured out how Henry and Danny work. You,
the blushing bride, the new kid on the block. You're gonna find,
being an old man's arm candy, being a trophy wife and all,
there's borderline collateral duties involved.
Maddie lashes out, slaps him hard. Her nails cut.
........................MADELINE
What did they call you just before they booted you?
"Cheatzel" Wetzel?
She storms out. He feels his face. He feels blood.
........................KENNY
I didn't cheat! Oh damn!
INT. A DENNY'S TYPE RESTAURANT - DAY
DONNA, 32, & ALAN, 9, in a booth. Alan has Donna's angel face and blonde locks.
They wait excitedly. Kenny enters. Donna & Alan wave. Kenny slides in,
band-aid on his cheek.
........................KENNY
Don't have a lot of time, Donna.
........................ALAN
Can I touch your $50 million arm?
Kenny gives her a "What the hell?" look.
........................DONNA
I. I told Alan how the Giants put that
insurance policy on your arm. He tells
everyone how his dad - -
........................KENNY
What's our rule on that word?
He picks up the menu, buries his head in it.
........................KENNY
Let's order, get this business over with.
Faint sound of men walking fast.
INT. CABINET ROOM, THE WEST WING - DAY
The men walking fast sound grows louder. The fifteen CABINET MEMBERS sit, waiting.
We see Galmiche up front.
THE HALLWAY LEADING TO THE CABINET ROOM
Sound very near. Kevin, wearing his usual scowl, meandering in his wheelchair, ID
clipped to his shirt. The President, whips around the corner, followed by Henry and
Kenny. They walk past Kevin like he's not there. They halt abruptly outside the door.
........................HENRY
No, Danny, don't stop now.
........................PRESIDENT
On Galmiche & Bolivar. Maybe we - -
........................HENRY
Fuck Bolivar. Fuck George.
A long silence. Henry & Kenny hold their collective breath.
........................PRESIDENT
Yeah. Okay. Let's roll.
CABINET ROOM, THE WEST WING
Henry stands back. The Cabinet Members eye him nervously.
........................PRESIDENT
Second term's in the bag, people.
They applaud. Henry raises his hand for silence.
........................PRESIDENT
History says second terms are a dead end. Here you
are, a lame duck sign on your back and your people.
He looks straight at Galmiche. Galmiche looks away.
........................PRESIDENT
Gearing up for the next election four years off. I got
news. No one uses my back for a springboard.
The President turns, exits. You can hear a pin drop.
........................HENRY
Didn't you people hear him?!? The President wants
your resignations!
Kenny passes out resignation forms. Galmiche glares.
A MEDIA ROOM SOMEWHERE IN THE WEST WING
The President watches on real time closed circuit TV.
........................PRESIDENT
Henry, you fucking genius, you!
INT. THE GAME ROOM AT THE WHITE HOUSE - DAY
The President at a pinball baseball game.
........................PRESIDENT
When you get back from Korea, I want you
to get some serious R & R.
........................HENRY
I don't need a rest.
........................PRESIDENT
Bullshit. You work 24/7. Take that young
bride up to the cabin, fuck her brains out.
That's an order.
........................HENRY
Now that might be fun.
........................PRESIDENT
George and I are headed to Florida.
........................HENRY
You and Galmiche?
........................PRESIDENT
His idea. Press the flesh.Show the flag.
Exhibit our famed solidarity.
The pinball machine goes BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
........................PRESIDENT
Well hot damn! A four-bagger! Speaking of
baseball, I'll be seeing the Baseball
Commissioner down there. I'll
mention Kenny.
........................HENRY
He got a raw deal, you know.
........................PRESIDENT
No, he didn't. But I'll say he did.
INT. A MILITARY BUS ENTERING A aN IRAQI ARMY BASE - DAY
The passengers, eight Iraqi OFFICERS, sit ramrod straight.
........................GALMICHE (O.S.)
Danny suspects. I'm sure of it.
INT. GEORGE GALMICHE'S KITCHEN - DAY
Galmiche in an apron. He kneads, pounds, a lump of bread dough.
........................GALMICHE
We need to move it up.
INT. A CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
The eight Officers march in silently. They stand. They wait.
........................BOLIVAR (O.S.)
How about it, Rufus? Think Danny suspects?
Should we move it up?
INT. THE LOFT IN RUFUS' HOUSE - DAY
Classical music plays. Kevin massages Rufus temples.
........................RUFUS
I leave the whys and the wherefores to you two.
All I want is to be on the right side of history.
INT. AN AUTO SHOP WITH A LIFT AND A GREASE PIT - DAY
Bolivar, in coveralls, under the hood of a '68 Roadrunner.
........................BOLIVAR
All right George, it's moved up. Happy? As for history,
Rufus, the winners get to write it.
He slides out from under the hood. Two MECHANICS put a robe & headdress on
him. He walks out, looking like an Arab prince.
INT. THE CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
All eyes on Bolivar as he enters. He sits, speaks in Arabic.
........................BOLIVAR
You are my most trusted. Iraq, the mother of us all, is
in danger.
EXT. AT THE CURB OUTSIDE MADDIE AND HENRY'S CONDO - DAY
Kenny watches Maddie walk to her door. He stubs his cigarette.
........................GALMICHE (O.S.)
He's changed his mind. Listen.
........................RUFUS (O.S.)
George? Sorry I missed you. Listen, I've been thinking
we should maybe hold off.
INT. RUFUS' OFFICE - DAY
We see Kevin in the outer office. He watches, smolders as Galmiche touches,
strokes, pats Rufus.
........................GALMICHE
Hold off? Tall order, Rufus. Wheels're in motion. Stuff's
happening. Another thing. Hate to break it at this late
hour, but after the election, Henry'll be Chief of Staff.
You'll be out.
........................RUFUS
What!!??
........................GALMICHE
Got it straight from the horse's cock. But don't worry.
Like I said.
EXT. THE SATELLITE IN ORBIT - DAY
........................GALMICHE (O.S.)
Wheels're in motion. You take care.
A hatch opens, releases a thousand marble-sized spheres. Tiny rocket engines ignite.
They vanish into the blackness.
........................SATELLITE TRANSMISSION
Hasten to prayer. Hasten. Hasten...
INT. CORPORATE JET - DAY
Sound of plane slowing down. We see the passengers are the 8 Iraqi Officers. They
stand, don burqas over their uniforms.
........................CONTROL TOWER (O.S.)
Clear on Runway 4. Welcome to Dulles.
INT. RUFUS' OFFICE - DAY
Classical music. Rufus throws an apple core at a photo of Henry Slezak. It sticks. A
glance at Kevin. Sound of a doorbell.
INT. HENRY AND MADELINE'S CONDO - DAY
Doorbell. Maddie opens door to JEREMY, 21, and CHLOE, 17.
........................MADELINE
Oh my, Jeremy. Henry, it's Jeremy.
Jeremy pulls Chloe up next to him. She's in a family way.
........................JEREMY
Dad, I want you to meet Chloe - -
INT. LOOKING OUT FRONT WINDOW OF HENRY AND MADELINE'S CONDO
Chloe & Jeremy peel out from curb. Jeremy squeals the tires.
........................HENRY
My son, the idiot.
EXT. THE SATELLITE IN ORBIT - DAY
More marble-sized spheres released. Miniature rocket engines ignite.
........................SATELLITE TRANSMISSION
Hasten to prayer. Hasten. Hasten...
INT. HENRY & MADDIE'S MERCEDES - DAY
An elaborate GPS drives the car. It blinks, clicks, hums. Henry reads memos.
Maddie stares out the window. They pass through a forested area. We see
upscale cabins, luxury cars in driveways.
........................GALMICHE (O.S.)
A change, General. Danny's going to the
stadium tonight, not tomorrow.
Spur of the moment thing.
........................BOLIVAR (O.S.)
So? Means we go tonight insteadda
tomorrow. Means we go minus Rufus.
EXT. THE SATELLITE IN ORBIT - DAY
More marble-sized spheres released. Rocket engines ignite.
........................GALMICHE (O.S.)
No big loss there. Where is Rufus?
........................BOLIVAR (O.S.)
Out with his boyfriend, joyriding.
EXT. KEVIN'S TWENTY-YEAR-OLD TAURUS - DAY
We see Kevin's car on the same road as Henry & Maddie.
INT. HENRY AND MADDIE'S MERCEDES - DAY
........................MADELINE
I'm not your trophy wife.
Henry busy making notations on a memo, does not hear her.
INT. KEVIN'S TWENTY-YEAR-OLD TAURUS - DAY
They pass a turnoff. Kevin slows down.
........................KEVIN
Wasn't that the turnoff?
Rufus gives him a "how should I know?" look.
........................KEVIN
You're the navigator!
Rufus makes a huge deal out of unfolding the map.
........................RUFUS
If we had a new car, we wouldn't need a map. Or
a navigator.
........................KEVIN
Gimme a stick shift every time. You want a new
car, learn to drive.
Kevin curses silently, slaps a U, enters the turnoff.
........................RUFUS
Promise me, when we get there, you won't do anything crazy.
EXT. A CABIN IN THE WOODS - DAY
Just before dusk. The Mercedes parked in driveway, trunk open. Henry unloads.
Maddie, in running togs, does stretching exercises. Henry carries the bags inside.
........................KEVIN (O.S.)
I'm not crazy. Don't say that word.
INT. KEVIN'S CAR ROUNDING A TURN NEAR THE CABIN - NIGHT
Just after dusk. Headlights on Maddie jogging. Rufus scrunches down, hides his face.
INT. ARRIVAL GATE AT MIAMI AIR TERMINAL - DAY
A baseball game on a giant flat panel screen. Organ plays Take Me Out To The
Ball Game. PASSENGERS with carry-ons walk past the screen. We see six Iraqi
Officers in burqas, one in a ball cap.
INT. STADIUM PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL - NIGHT
SUPER: ROGER DEAN STADIUM, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Sound of the stadium organ suddenly very close. We see a WAITER, his footsteps echo.
He carries a tray of baseball park food.
EXT. STADIUM - NIGHT
The Waiter emerges from the tunnel to a packed house. SECRET SERVICE AGENT waves
him by. Organist grins, nods, plays on. Everywhere we see Danny Prophet balloons,
posters, skimmers.
EXT. COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAE ON WEST WING ROOF - NIGHT
A steady hum. Somewhere, the faint sound of boots on tile.
INT. STADIUM - NIGHT
Boots on tile gradually coming closer. The six Officers in burqas move along the pedestrian
walkway. Below, in a home plate field box, the President and the BASEBALL COMMISSIONER
wave. We see the President on the scoreboard screen.
INT. WEST WING SECURITY CENTER - NIGHT
SUPER: WEST WING SECURITY CENTER
A monitor runs the length of the wall. We see TECHNICIANS at consoles. We see the image
of the President and Commissioner waving on the monitor. The Waiter moves onto the
screen. We see the President turn, take a hotdog. Boots on tile grow louder.
INT. A HALLWAY IN THE WEST WING - NIGHT
Boots on tile very near. Two OFFICERS in army uniforms, spit shined boots, side-by-side, turn
the corner, heading toward a guarded door. They're two of the Iraqi Officers.
EXT. STADIUM SCOREBOARD AT SEVENTH-INNING STRETCH - NIGHT
A Harry Caray-type voice sings Take Me Out To The Ball Game.
EXT. A MEN'S BATHROOM SOMEWHERE IN THE STADIUM - NIGHT
The Harry Caray voice. A sign: "CLOSED - USE NEXT BATHROOM"
INT. THE MEN'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Burqas on the floor. The 6 Officers, in military garb, wait.
INT. OUTSIDE THE GUARDED DOOR - NIGHT
........................OFFICER 1
...........................(Perfect American English)
Here for the Security Center audit.
........................GUARD 1
Strange time for an audit.
Guards run the IDs through scanner. Scanner churns, clicks.
EXT. THE SATELLITE IN ORBIT - NIGHT
The hum switches to a series of beeps and clicks. A slot opens. An array of antennae
unfolds, deploys.
MONTAGE - SATELLITES IN SPACE
-- A large communications satellite with a Turkish flag
...decal. We see a marble-sized sphere orbiting it.
-- A Chinese satellite. A marble-sized sphere orbits it.
-- A Canadian satellite. The marble-sized sphere fires up
...its jets, increases its speed, tightens its orbit.
-- A manned Russian space station. 20 orbiting marble-sized
...spheres converge, as if magnetized. Their rockets ignite
...as one, sending the mass at the heart of the station.
MONTAGE ENDS
EXT. SATELLITE IN ORBIT 320 MILES UP - NIGHT
The beeps and clicks change to a high-pitched whine.
INT. OUTSIDE DOOR AT WEST WING SECURITY CENTER - NIGHT
The Scanner begins emitting a steady buzz.
........................GUARD 2
Taking a long time to validate.
EXT. SATELLITE IN ORBIT 320 MILES UP - NIGHT
The whine becomes a shriek, then a howl.
MONTAGE - SATELLITES DISABLED
-- A laser beam from the tiny sphere burns a hole in a
...Chinese satellite. We see an internal explosion.
-- 2 tiny spheres on opposite sides of a British satellite
...link lasers & proceed to saw it in half.
-- The scorched hulk of a US satellite spins out of control.
-- The now-dead Russian Manned Space Station spins crazily,
...a huge hole in its hull. A lifeless arm protrudes.
MONTAGE ENDS
EXT. GAME OVER AT ROGER DEAN STADIUM - NIGHT
Organist plays. FANS stream out in Danny Prophet skimmers.
INT. THE PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL - NIGHT
The Commissioner's cane taps on cement. Galmiche hangs back.
........................PRESIDENT
Hell of a job, Commissioner. Owners
wanted a kick-ass-take-names man.
You were the right choice.
........................COMMISSIONER
Ass-kicking ain't over yet.
........................PRESIDENT
That's what I want to talk about.
The Commissioner looks up, a quizzical frown.
EXT. SATELLITE IN ORBIT 320 MILES UP - NIGHT
MONTAGE - THINGS START SHUTTING DOWN
-- A HIGH SECURITY PRISON. The Control Center bristles with
...microwave antennae. A hum. Suddenly, lights switch off up
...and down the hallways. Cell doors slide open. Shadows
...appear in doorways. Sound of shots being fired, things
...being smashed, violence being done. Screams. Howls.
-- OPERATING ROOM. The Control Center bristles with
...microwave antennae. A hum. A robotic operation in
...progress, the PATIENT laid out on a slab. A screen shows
...the realtime telecast of the Asian DOCTOR performing the
...long distance surgery. Suddenly, the hum stops, the
...screen goes black, lasers shut down. Blood pours from
...open cuts. A scream.
-- A VEHICLE ON A DARK ROAD. The Vehicle roof bristles with
...microwave antennae. 2 MEN inside are engrossed in a chess
...game as an elaborate GPS console display hums and purrs.
........................GPS VOICE
Proceeding forward 100 meters, turning left
to the train track.
...Sound of a train. The chess pieces shake slightly. The
...Men look up, then go back to their game. We see train
...headlights in the distance. Suddenly, the hum ceases, the
...cars power system shuts down, the GPS display goes
...black. The Men, now deer in the headlights, pound on the
...GPS as the train closes in. We hear screams and
...screeching wheels. We see the chess pieces fall. The
...sickening crunch of metal on metal. All goes black.
MONTAGE ENDS
INT. THE PEDSTRIAN TUNNEL - NIGHT
........................COMMISSIONER
Raw deal? Who got a raw deal? Gimme names,
Danny. Gimme names.
INT. OUTSIDE THE DOOR IN THE WEST WING HALLWAY - NIGHT
A long, sustained shriek from the scanner. The Guards cover their ears in pain. Smoke
from the 2 Officers nostrils and ears. WHUMP!! The 2 Officers explode. Body parts fly out.
INT. WEST WING SECURITY CENTER - NIGHT
Screen image of President in tunnel. WHUMP!! A quake-like shock. Wall caves in, screen
shatters, ceiling collapses.
EXT. LAFAYETTE PARK ACROSS STREET FROM WEST WING - NIGHT
WHUMP!!!!!!! Flames shoot from the windows of the West Wing.
EXT. ENTRANCE TO PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL AT BALLPARK - NIGHT
Secret Service Agent's video goes black. He runs into tunnel.
INT. WITH THE OFFICERS INSIDE THE MEN'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Comm devices flash red. A disembodied voice, "Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!" They draw weapons,
rush out.
INT. THE PEDSTRIAN TUNNEL - NIGHT
Sound of a man approaching, running, out of breath. Suddenly emerging from the dark,
we see the Secret Service Agent, his gun drawn. A single loud shot. The Agent drops
dead. The six Officers appear, seemingly out of thin air, weapons drawn.
........................PRESIDENT
My God, George! You killed Darnell.
........................GALMICHE
...........................(A gun in his hand)
Hewas a traitor. He was plotting.
Rumble of helicopters. The six Officers defer to Galmiche.
........................OFFICER 1
Time to load up and leave, sir.
........................PRESIDENT
Who are these men, George?
Officer 2 takes out a syringe. The President's eyes on the syringe, then on Galmiche.
EXT. SEMI-DESERT - DAY
SUPER: IN PERSIA AMONGST THE YEZIDI DEVIL WORSHIPPERS
A CROWD of men. From amongst them, glint of a steel blade.
........................CROWD
Melek Rik! Melek Rik! Melek Rik!
The Crowd parts. Bolivar and Melissa stand together. Bolivar holds a bloody sword over the
twitching body of a headless DERVISH. Melissa smiles up at Bolivar. A TV CREW awaits.
........................TV TECH
Five, four, three, two, one, go.
........................BOLIVAR
Brothers. Sisters. Comrades. A great
evil has been averted. There.
MONTAGE - BOLIVAR'S SPEECH
-- Two FEMALE COLONELS in hijabs watch a flat-panel monitor.
........................BOLIVAR
Was a plot on the President's life.
-- A Jet PILOT watches Bolivar's speech on cockpit console.
........................BOLIVAR
Thanks to God and the vigilance
of my armed forces, it failed.
-- A FLIGHT CREW in a hanger watches Bolivar on a hand-held
...video. We see Bolivar's lips moving. We cannot hear.
-- A giant hologram of Bolivar addresses a thousand SAILORS
...formed up on a Carrier flight deck. We cannot hear.
MONTAGE ENDS
Bolivar and Melissa walk to their Helo. On the horizon, a rumble, a flash, a mushroom cloud.
Melissa smiles. Yezidi WOMEN ululate, Yezidi MEN fire their rifles in the air.
EXT. KEVIN'S CAR OUTSIDE THE CABIN - NIGHT
Rufus, smoking a cigarette, sits in car, windows rolled up, classical music at full volume.
Wheelchair tracks in the dirt lead to cabin. We hear Maddie's muffled sobs. A shot.
........................KEVIN (O.S.)
That's so everyone knows this is.
INT. CABIN MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
The door to the Master Bath is closed. We seean old-fashioned skeleton key in the keyhole.
We see a bullet hole in the wall. We hear Maddie's muffled sobs, now closer.
........................KEVIN
Real. Not a fairy tale. Not some Snow
White or Cinderella deal.
Sports gear on floor at the wall. We see a canopy bed, a low ottoman at the foot of the bed.
Henry, in boxers, stands on the ottoman, a noose taut at his neck, the rope looped over the
cross-brace above him and running down to the wheelchair.
........................KEVIN
My pal's outside. He's upset about some
things. We're gonna have a chat.
Henry holds rope to keep from choking. In his eyes, rage.
........................KEVIN
Maybe I don't have your attention.
He fires at bathroom wall. Sound of the bullet hitting pipe.
BATHROOM
Air thick with dust. A canvas bag on Maddies head locked at the neck. She's soaked from the
spray of water. We hear her muffled sobs. She feels along the wall, around the sink.
........................MADELINE
Oh God! Henry! Henry!
INT. KEVIN'S CAR - NIGHT
........................RADIO NEWSCASTER (O.S.)
...The President's life. He is unhurt.
........................RUFUS
Damn! It's starting! Damn! Damn!
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Maddie's hand finds the medicine cabinet. She opens it. Bottles, toothpaste tubes, bandaids,
toiletries tumble out. She feels around inside. She grasps hold of a pair
of MEDICAL SCISSORS.
BEDROOM
Wheelchair powers back. Henry is forced onto his tiptoes.
........................KEVIN
Now do I have your attention?
BATHROOM
Maddie, bleeding from cut hands, ripped bits of canvas hanging from her neck, slams her
shoulder into the door.
........................MADELINE
Henry! Henry!
BEDROOM
The wheelchair powers forward. The rope slackens.
........................KEVIN
Tell her to stop. Now!
BATHROOM
She slams into the door, harder this time. The frame splits.
BEDROOM
She crashes through, splinters flying. Kevin spins his chair around to face her. The rope
suddenly tightens on Henry.
........................KEVIN
What the hell?!?
The rope jerks Henry off the ottoman. He tears at the noose, kicking, thrashing as Maddie
tumbles toward the sports gear. Kevin fires, misses. Maddie springs up, bat in hand. Kevin
fires three shots, hitting Henry. He fires again. The gun jams. Maddie comes around Henry,
bat upraised. Kevin powers backwards, lifting Henry. He throws his weapon at Maddie.
EXT. THE CABIN - NIGHT
Music blasts. Rufus, outside car, tries his phone. Busy.
........................RUFUS
They are starting without me! The bastards changed
the starting time and they didn't fucking tell me!
He reaches in, leans on horn. Shadows cast on the drawn curtain, shadows of a horrible
beating. He runs up to the cabin door.
........................RUFUS
Oh damn! I told him no crazy stuff. I said nothing
crazy! Kevin! Stop!
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
We see Kevin's gun on the rug below Henry's limp lifeless feet. Maddie, bloody, a wild look,
as she pounds Kevin to a pulp. Rufus appears at the door. He sees, gasps in horror, turns,
runs. She turns, sees the fleeing man. She pursues.
EXT. THE WOODS OUTSIDE THE CABIN - NIGHT
Rufus runs down the hill, thorns and thistles tear at his clothes and skin. Onthe hilltop, Maddie,
bloody bat held high like a war club, cabin lights enveloping her like an avenging angel. We hear
her scream. Rufus looks up. He tries his phone. Busy. Damn! He plunges into the brush, thorns
ripping him bloody, Maddies scream pursues him like a demon.
INT. THE LEAD HELO - NIGHT
The President in a litter on the cargo bay, medicated, his eyes open. A MEDIC attends him.
Galmiche into a comm device.
........................GALMICHE
Reports!
........................VOICE 1 ON SPEAKERPHONE
Capitol secured, Sir.
........................VOICE 2 ON SPEAKERPHONE
Pentagon secured, Sir.
........................VOICE 3 ON SPEAKERPHONE
Vice President secured, Sir.
EXT. KENNY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Sound of gunfire. Sound of shouting. We see Kenny, through the window, smoking,
beer in hand, glued to the TV.
INT. KENNY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Faint sound of gunfire somewhere outside. Faint sound of people shouting. The sounds
seem to be coming closer.
........................TELEVISION ANCHOR (O.S.)
Arson and riots up and down the eastern seaboard.
We go to Tampa.
........................TELEVISION REPORTER (O.S.)
At the Army Command Center at Raymond James
Stadium, reports of summary executions
by the military.
Sound of shots. Kenny turns down the sound.
........................KENNY
Fuck's going on? Henry, get back.
He activates his implant phone, tries a number. Nothing. He tries a second number.
Nothing. He curses under his breath. He tries a third number.
His fingernail lights up.
........................KENNY
Maddie? No! Don't hang up! I need Henry. All hell's
broke loose here!
EXT. THE CABIN - NIGHT
Maddie, bloody bat in hand at cabin door, not daring enter.
........................KENNY (O.S.)
Who? Who killed him?
........................MADELINE
Two men. One in a wheelchair.
........................KENNY (O.S.)
Wheelchair? Oh shit! Get out now!
........................MADELINE
The wheelchair. Think I killed him.
INT. KENNY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Kenny hurriedly gets dressed.
........................KENNY
Stay off the phone. Don't use your car.
It's wired. They'll track it.
........................MADELINE (O.S.)
Who'll track it, Kenny? Who?
INT. COCKPIT OF JET FIGHTER - NIGHT
........................KENNY (O.S.)
The wheelchair guy. His car there?
........................MADELINE (O.S.)
Yes.
........................KENNY (O.S.)
It's a '98 Taurus. Stick shift. Unwired. Use
the backroads. Meet me at the Tiger Cages.
Got that? The Tiger Cages. Now hang up.
Move it.
We see a thin smile on the Pilot's face through his visor.
........................PILOT
Pick up Slezak's wife at the zoo. Watch for
a 20-year-old Ford. Out.
EXT. UNDERSIDE OF FUSELAGE - NIGHT
Blinking lights. Bay opens. A SMART BOMB releases.
EXT. KENNY'S STREET - NIGHT
Kenny rushes into the street, buckling his belt, zipping up.
INT. KEVIN'S CAR - NIGHT
WHOOSH!!! Fire engulfs the cabin. We see Kevin in flames, still in the wheelchair,
turning black, crinkling, folding, bending into himself. Maddie, bloody bat on seat,
starts the ignition.
EXT. OUTSIDE KENNY'S HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET - NIGHT
Kenny next to his car. WHUMP!! A flash behind him. His house implodes. Lights switch
on up and down the street. Sirens.
EXT. ON A NARROW COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT
Classical music blasts, gears grinding, headlights on high beam. Thump of distant artillery.
Fire on the horizon.
EXT. OUTSIDE KENNY'S HOUSE, NOW RUBBLE - NIGHT
Flashing POLICE CAR lights. A CROWD gathers. A MAN runs up.
........................MAN
Can I report a stolen tow truck?
INT. THE TOW TRUCK - NIGHT
Kenny comes to a CHECKPOINT manned by a lone scared SOLDIER.
........................SOLDIER
S'posed to check all IDs!
Kenny tosses his ID to him.
........................KENNY
Here! Check this!
Soldier drops his rifle catching it as Kenny roars past.
EXT. TIGER CAGES - NIGHT
High beam lights coming toward Kenny. Sound of grinding gears, loud
classical music.
INT. TOW TRUCK - NIGHT
........................KENNY
Any idiot knows you drive with the lights
off. And thanks for the music,
told the whole world - -
........................MADELINE
Couldn't find the damn off switch! What is
this anyway?
........................KENNY
It's a tow truck. I stole it.
She gives him a look of shock mixed with admiration.
EXT. A HAYSTACK - NIGHT
Dusk. Kenny & Maddie asleep, bloody bat between them. Voices. Madeline's eyes
suddenly open. They peek through the hay. Two police cars, lights flashing. Sound
of a train whistle.
INT. A RAILROAD BOX CAR ON A SLOW-MOVING TRAIN - NIGHT
Kenny and Maddie on the floor, peering out a half-open door.
EXT. A JET FIGHTER AT 10,000 FEET - NIGHT
We see fires and explosions along the train track below.
INT. THE BOX CAR - NIGHT
Burning buildings. Distant explosions, small arms fire close by.
EXT. A BUILDING BY THE TRAIN TRACK AS THE TRAIN PASSES - NIGHT
SOLDIERS rush up. We see shadows moving inside the Building.
........................PLATOON COMMANDER
Burn 'em! Burn 'em out!
A Soldier fires an RPG. A flame grenade streaks through the window, explodes.
Two MEN & a WOMAN, early 20's, crash through a door, make a mad dash to
the Train. This is KIDD, WHIT & MARIA.
........................SOLDIER
There they go! Get em!
A BIG SOLDIER takes out a gun, pursues them on foot.
INT. LOOKING OUT FROM INSIDE THE RAILROAD BOX CAR - NIGHT
Kidd, Whit & Maria sprint toward the boxcar. The Big Soldier closes, fires. Kidd staggers.
Maria and Whit drag Kid. The Big Soldier makes ready to kill them all. Then, THUNK!, a
rock in the forehead. He drops, as they reach for the bat Maddie has extended. We see
Kenny in a classic pitcher's follow-through.
........................KENNY
High hard one. Yup, still got my heater.
INT. COCKPIT OF THE JET HIGH ABOVE - NIGHT
........................PILOT
Niner Zero Two on station. Request implant
coordinates download. Out.
INT. THE BOX CAR - NIGHT
........................WHIT
Near the spine. Gonna be hard. Gonna try. Suck it up, Kidd.
........................MARIA
That's Whit. Medic. Knows his shit.
........................KENNY
Medic. So you're Army.
........................WHIT
Let's just say we used to be Army.
Whit opens his medical kit, starts cleaning Kidd's wound. Maria lets a kitten out
from inside her blouse.
........................MARIA
Meet Little Ria. I'm Big Ria.
........................WHIT
Gonna hurt, Kidd. Be strong.
Kidd screams, his screams drowned out by the train whistle.
INT. COCKPIT OF THE JET - NIGHT
The control panel displays download at 50%.
INT. THE BOX CAR - NIGHT
Kidd lies shaking as Train picks up speed. Whit offers a cigarette. Kenny reaches
out. Whit jerks it back.
........................WHIT
You got implants. You gotta leave.
........................MARIA
They'll track you.
........................WHIT
They track you, they track us.
They'll kill us.
Burning buildings. Limp bodies hang from fences and power lines.
........................MARIA
They can't track us.
Maria & Whit hold up their forefingers, cut at the top knuckle. Whit holds up Kidd's stump.
Maria takes out a chopping blade.
........................MARIA
Didn't hurt. You go chop! It's off.
INT. COCKPIT OF THE JET - NIGHT
The control panel displays download at 90%.
INT. THE BOX CAR - NIGHT
........................KENNY
Absolutely not! See this? It was insured for $50 million!
50! Can you even comprehend that much?
EXT. THE JET, HIGH ABOVE - NIGHT
........................PILOT (O.S.)
Hard scan download complete. Out.
Jet peels off, goes into a steep dive toward the train.
INT. THE BOX CAR - NIGHT
Suddenly, a shock through the car of earthquake intensity.
........................MARIA
Hard scan! They're looking!
........................WHIT
You got to leave, man. Now!
Maddie takes the chopping blade, runs her finger on it. Outside, three female bodies
dangle from a high fence.
........................MADELINE
I'm not going back. I am not.
Another strong shock. Whit and Maria turn on Kenny menacingly.
........................KENNY
Okay, I'll leave. Parting time. Won't say it's
been a pleasure, but - -
EXT. AT THE REAR OF THE TRAIN - NIGHT
The Jet hovers menacingly over the last three cars.
........................PILOT (O.S.)
Hardscan proceeding, back to front.
INT. THE BOX CAR - NIGHT
Kenny on floor, unconscious, Maddie over him with the bat.
........................MADELINE
Medic! Get over here! Now!
EXT. THE TRAIN - NIGHT
A tank car, partly off the rail, bouncing, kicking up sparks.
INT. THE BOX CAR - NIGHT
A massive shock wave. Kenny, finger bandaged, groans. Maddie grins a "didn't hurt"
grin. Ria tapes a packet to Little Maria.
........................MARIA
Bye. You'll need all nine lives.
She kisses the kitten, tosses it out onto a grassy spot.
EXT. A GROVE OF TREES - NIGHT
Little Maria, packet taped to her torso, frightened, runs to a nearby creek.
INT. COCKPIT OF THE JET - NIGHT
Control panel display shows two gold blinking lights.
........................PILOT
Strong signals away from the train.
Looks like they jumped. Out.
Sound of afterburners kicking in.
EXT. A VIEW FROM 30,000 FEET - NIGHT
At the creek, an explosion. The Jet does a victory roll.
EXT. ENTRANCE TO A TRAIN TUNNEL - NIGHT
The train enters a tunnel. The tank car, now on fire and almost completely off the rail,
clips the portal, rips loose. Flames engulf it. It explodes, collapsing the portal.
INT. A HELO FLIGHT DECK ABOVE THE CABIN - NIGHT
The Helo spotlight floods the area, now a pile of smoking ashes. We see a blackened
wheelchair frame holding Kevins twisted charred body. Rufus, bloody, naked, waving
insanely.
EXT. THE ROAD LEADING TO THE BAGHDAD AIR TERMINAL - DAY
A million ARABS line the route, displaying pictures of Bolivar and Melissa. Bolivar's plane
passes low overhead.
........................CROWD
Melek Rik! Melek Rik! Melek Rik!
EXT. BOLIVAR'S PLANE AT THE BAGHDAD AIR TERMINAL - DAY
........................CROWD (O.S.)
Melek Rik! Melek Rik! Melek Rik!
We see the Iraqi flag and Bolivar's face on the tail. We see hundreds of troops on the
tarmac standing guard. Overhead, formations of Military Aircraft and Helos.
INT. AIRPORT ARRIVAL GATE - DAY
Bolivar and Melissa debark, accompanied by a multitude of fawning HOLY MEN in flowing
robes. Three smiling Gypsy CHILDREN, in traditional clothes, await them with flowers.
........................BOLIVAR
Always your damn Gypsy kids!
........................MELISSA
I have my Gypsies. Just as you have your Yezidi
devil worshippers.
........................BOLIVAR
They're not devil worshippers, damn it! See you
at the limo.
He brushes past the Gypsies, refusing to even look at them.
........................GYPSY KID
Melek Rik! Melek Rik! Please wait. We have flowers
for you. Wait!
He frowns, walks faster. Behind him, WHUMMP!! A flash.
EXT. ALONG A STRETCH OF HIGHWAY IN IRAQ - DAY
Vultures circle overhead. A line of roadside gibbets, spaced like power poles to the horizon.
A corpse dangles from each. Matthew in a jeep, a handkerchief over his nose.
........................AIDE
Melek Rik wants them left up, Sir. Until the birds
finish their work.
........................MATTHEW
It won't bring her back, thank God.
EXT. SATELLITE IN ORBIT HIGH OVER THE NORTHERN ROCKIES - DAY
The Satellite, a spec of light, coming toward us.
ROLLUP: "THIRTEEN YEARS HAVE PASSED. IT'S NOW 2032. THAT'S IDAHO BELOW US. BOUNDARY COUNTY, IDAHO, UP NEAR CANADA. MELEK RIK NEVER VISITED BOUNDARY COUNTY. WHEN HE WAS TEN, HIS PARENTS TOOK HIM TO COEUR D'ALENE JUST TO THE SOUTH. HE PLAYED IN THE SNOW, CAUGHT THE FLU, SPENT HIS VACATION IN BED. THESE DAYS, HE SPENDS HIS TIME FAR AWAY IN THE DESERT HEAT, CLOSE TO HIS GOD, CLOSE TO HIS BELOVED IRAQ, FROM WHENCE HIS POWER DERIVES..."
The Satellite closes on us.
........................SATELLITE TRANSMISSION
God is great. I bear witness to no god but God...
It zips past.
EXT. A NARROW MOUNTAIN ROAD IN NORTHERN IDAHO - DAY
MELEK RIK, an action-adventure screenplay
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