Scene 9
[Bruce, Greg, and Dave walk out into the parking lot together. A medium
height man dressed in welding leathers, speeds up to them on a 1971 Triumph
motorcycle. He removes his helmet, and we see it is Charlie.]
Charlie: Hey guys…what have you all heard about this meeting on Thursday?
[The three of them glance at each other.]
Bruce: I know there's a meeting, what's the word.
Charlie: Well I have it on pretty good authority, from a friend of mine at
the Journal, Monolith is going to pull the contract. This Ministry of
Justice thing has them under the microscope, and since were the primary
contact with the public they want to move it back in house.
Bruce: How long have you know about this?
Charlie: Hmmm. I figured something like this might happen around 5 months
ago. I didn't mention it?
Greg: Nope.
Charlie: Anyway, there's also rumors that some underground group has
infiltrated the building, but that one has been floating around for about 3
years. Ridiculous when you think about it. Who would waste their time
trying to get people to see the truth about things they want to ignore?
Bruce: Good question. Sounds like a fairly meaningless existence.
Charlie: Did you guys see that little chickie walking around in here
earlier? The one with the English accent?
Bruce: Heh, yeah, her name is Vivienne. She's trouble Charlie.
Charlie: She isn't the type that runs off to Human Assets is she?
Greg: No, she shoots people when they piss her off.
Charlie: That's where I recognize her! She was Section Chief for Economic
Counter Intelligence with MI-5 from '90 to '93… glad I remembered that.
Well, gotta run guys. Charlie is gonna go get laid!
Bruce: Thanks for sharing.
[Bruce just starts laughing. Charlie puts his helmet back on and
accelerates out of the parking lot at about 60 miles an hour.]
Dave: How did he know any of that stuff. And what did he mean when he said
the 'Journal'?
Bruce: Wall Street Journal.
Dave: Oh.
Greg: How did he know about the meeting or Viv for that matter?
Bruce: I stopped asking a while ago. Sometimes you just run into those
people that know things, even though they appear on the surface to be
absolute maniacs.
Dave: So Charlie isn't a maniac?
Bruce: OH, he's certifiable. That doesn't mean he's stupid.
Dave: So, am I driving?
Bruce: Yeah, I took the train this morning. We're meeting Viv at my place.
You don't mind driving in town do you?
Dave: You live in town?
Bruce: Yeah.
Dave: Where abouts?
Bruce: You'll see.
[Cut to the interior of Dave's car. Bruce points to a side street off of
the edge of a main thoroughfare near the water. As they turn the corner
Bruce pulls out a garage door opener. He presses the button, and a large
overhead steel door slowly rises on the side of one of the warehouse
buildings.]
Bruce: In there.
Dave: In there?
Bruce: In there. Trust me, it's where I live.
[The car pulls into the building. Outside view of the car through the steel
frame of a large cage. Camera angle through the windshield. A large sign
reads: Shut off engine, and headlights. Restart vehicle only when signal
light turns green. The car slowly rises several floors in the freight
elevator. When it stops, another metal door rises in front of them and a
light flashes green.]
Bruce: just pull out and park on the left.
[The three of them get out of the car and Bruce heads for an elevator door.
The garage they are in extends for about 200 hundred feet.]
Dave: Bruce, what the hell is this place?
Bruce: It's a garage Dave. Relax, I'll explain it when we get upstairs. I
need a beer.
[Bruce opens the cage to the second elevator, and the three of them get in.
It rises several more floors; finally it stops, and opens on an enormous
apartment. Vivienne is seated at the counter in the kitchen area, reading a
newspaper and drinking a cup of tea out of one of Bruce's CIA mugs.]
Bruce: Honey, were home!
Viv: Bruce, I took the liberty of euthanizing the Chinese food you had left
in your fridge.
Bruce: Did it plead for its life?
Viv: In Mandarin, I assumed it was Communist and that you wouldn't mind.
Bruce: You didn't clean my bathroom in a fit of disgust did you?
[Vivienne gives Bruce a withering glance.]
Bruce: It was worth a try.
Greg: Beer in the usual place?
Bruce: Yeah, grab me one will you?
[Dave surveys his surroundings. The far wall is a series of 10-foot high
glass windows overlooking the waterfront and the harbor. The apartment,
which stretches for a good 400 feet is broken only by regularly placed
columns, and areas furnished to indicate a particular living area. ]
Dave: Bruce, this place is enormous. 50 people could live in here. What the
hell is the rent on this place??
Bruce: No rent. I own the building.
Dave: What?
Bruce: I
[Bruce points to himself]
own THE building.
Dave: How?
Viv: Tell him the truth Bruce.
Bruce: I worked for the Company for 10 years. 6 years in the D.O.O. and for
4 in the D.O.I. By the time I left I was making about 90 grand a year as a
section chief. I was usually abroad or in government housing. I never had
the time to spend the money. So I saved it. Half a million give or take. I
bought this warehouse on a foreclosure. The rest of it IS a warehouse. I
live off the rent.
Viv: The inheritance helps.
Bruce: Nasty, nasty, little girl.
Dave: Wow…
Viv: Don't be too impressed Dave, it's all he has really. That, and a small
place in Vermont. And he has very few expenses.
[Bruce takes a long drink from his bottle of beer.]
Bruce: I am going to cook dinner, and then, we are going to indoctrinate
Dave properly.
Dave: Indoctrinate me?
[Greg clasps his shoulder tightly]
Greg: No worries man. I found that bacitracin took care of the rash is a
few days.
[Cut forward. The four sit in a square of loveseats arranged in front of
one of the windows. Vivienne sits next to Dave. Bruce sits opposite them
nursing a glass of Scotch. Greg is off to the side drinking a rum and Coke]
Viv: So what have these two told you so far?
Dave: That Monolith is trying to usurp government power and form itself
into a corporate something or other?
Viv: Oligarchy? Bruce you've been reading Atlantic monthly again, how
charming.
Bruce: You know it's true.
Viv: Well he is right. Do you know what that is?
Dave: I haven't a clue.
Viv: It means that an elite group at the top, usually with the money, calls
the shots. In a corporate oligarchy people would have allegiance to their
corporation rather than a government.
Dave: Okay…what does that have to do with us?
Greg: They sank my tug. That's the extent of my thought on it.
Bruce: Ever read the 'Matarese Circle' by Robert Ludlum?
Dave: No.
Bruce: Okay, lets break it down. Monolith doesn't give a shit about its
customers, and is pretty much in the forced upgrade business at this point.
Their people are mindless drones interested primarily in stock options and
what they have decided the American dream is. They also abuse guys like
you, and me, and Greg here, and a hundred or so other people on a regular
basis by making us slaves to the phone and giving us impossible tasks they
themselves could not complete properly.
Dave: I follow you so far.
Viv: Our job is to damage them enough that they won't be able to recover
from an internal collapse or really bad publicity. Hopefully along the way
more people will see the truth of the completely idiotic way they run
things, which blatantly ignores a bunch of your governments guidelines, and
how everyday they lie to the public.
Dave: I see that too. But where are we going with this?
Bruce: Imagine a world where the Monolith logo is flying above the post
office.
Dave: I think I'd seriously consider becoming a terrorist.
Vivienne: Think of this as a way to avoid anyone ever having to go to such
extremes. Bruce showed you those clippings. You've seen how ruthless they
can be. And they don't even hide it well. They even managed to co-opt
people within both of our agencies.
[Vivienne nods over to Bruce]
Bruce: I thought I was acting under a presidential order when I eliminated
a bunch of software guys. I was in fact assisting the growth of several
Senators stock portfolios. I left after attending to some details.
Vivienne: I was involved in some similar things in the UK, I found out
about it, and quit…we were both approached by different representatives of
the same organization.
Bruce: And now we take a chunk out of Monolith a little bit at a time.
Other people work against other companies in other countries. Kind of a
balance thing.
Dave: So what's this other organization?
Greg: You like ice cream Dave? Like Jimmies Hendriks?
Dave: yeah.
Greg: Where'd you buy your furniture?
Dave: Mordan's.
Vivienne: What kind of cough drops do you use?
Dave: Smudin's? The one with the two guys on the front.
[The three of them stare at him.]
Dave: I don't get it.
Bruce: Ever see any Vermont companies give their profits to charity?
Dave: Wait a minute are you telling me that you guys run around the world
for of Ken & Terries Ice Cream????
Bruce: Those aren't their real names, they own Morden's too. Their
grandfather owned the cough drop company. They invested wisely…buying a lot
of toy companies these days. They make some really good educational
software for kids too. Really cool one helps them to learn how to resolve
their conflicts peacefully.
Dave: wasn't that line in Field of Dreams?
Bruce: their purpose is a good one, the techniques are subtle.
Dave: Still, I'm sitting here with two ex-spooks from different countries,
and a former merchant marine Captain, who for all intents and purposes are
running around like the Cold war isn't over, and they all work for the
happy ICE CREAM GUYS???
Bruce: Sounds absolutely ludicrous doesn't it?
Dave: At this point, NO. And if I stopped to think about it, I don't think
I could hold a job again.
Vivienne: He has my vote.
Dave: Paul Newman isn't in on this with the whole Salad Dressing for
Charity thing is he?
Bruce: Analytical capability too, damn I can pick 'em.
Viv: Bruce let the kid have his moment. I don't want to have to shoot you
in the other knee.
[Cut to Steve, the BasicallyGUI! Manager. He sits and a Plunkincrullers,
drinking a coffee, and munching on a plain donut. The paper before him is
covered in red circles. The top of the page reads classifieds. A
nondescript man in a dark suit and sunglasses walks in the front door sees
Steve. He strolls over to the table and sits down across the table from
Steve.]
Steve: Why are you wearing sunglasses? It's 9 at night.
Man: I like the Cars. Do you have the information?
Steve: Do you have my deal?
Man: We have your money…in order to make a deal you need to make more
guarantees about how many people you can supply for our cause.
Steve: I told you, five or six, maybe more.
Man: Then the deal waits. What do you have for me?
Steve: Bruce and Greg asked me for money to bring the Monolith guys out
drinking, told me they'd tell me if they found anything out.
Man: Have they?
Steve: Nothing that isn't obvious. I don't think they have any real idea
what's going on. None of them know the contract is going to end. A few of
them may guess because I had to ask around for you about the possible
transfers.
Man: I see. I hope you were subtle Steven. What about the new girl that
arrived the other day?
Steve: Her name is Vivienne Agincourte. She's a business analyst hired to
evaluate call volumes and potential staffing. She has been kept completely
out of the loop. Upper level management hired her, so there's no real way
to find out anything about her.
Man: True. They are never in their office. That's why we came to you.
Steve: So what about my deal.
Man: Steven, we don't have to give you anything. If any of your employees
found out what you have done, you may never work again. If Bruce Casey
finds out what you have done, or Gregory Duncan for that matter, you won't
need to worry about finding work.
Steve: What the hell are you talking about?
Man: Take the money and run.
[The man slides a thick envelope across the table. Steve opens it and
shakes his head]
Steve: This is a quarter less than we agreed.
Man: You have no one to complain to Steven. Find out what Bruce Casey and
his little band are up to, for real, and we will cut you a deal. We'll let
you work for us. Security for life. If you don't find out, that is the last
payment. And we send the tapes of all of these conversations to men who
otherwise could have helped you out of your predicament.
Steve: And then what.
Man: They'll be offering you a choice of body bags when they hear them. You
should have never started to play this game Steve.
[The Man gets up from the table, and walks back out to his black Sedan. He
gets in. Camera angle through window of PlunkinCrullers as Steve holds his
head in his hands.]
Man: Pathetic.
[Cut to passenger seat. Diane the Quality Girl looks mildly confused.]
Diane: I suppose so…so where do you want to go for dinner?
Man: Portuguese?
Diane: Nah, I had Portuguese the other night.
[Cut to Bruce's apartment.]
Greg: Oh, I almost forgot Bruce, I got Charlie's file from Diane.
Bruce: Run it through the shredder would you?
Greg: Sure.
[Greg walks over to another area of the expanse, which is surrounded in
plants, bookshelves, and computer equipment. The sound of a shredder can
heard in the background]
Dave: The ice cream guys.
Bruce: Didn't he say that 6 times already?
Viv: Yes, he did. You remember my reaction when you told me.
Bruce: You have a point. I guess I forget I knew more about it all when I
started.
Dave: So why do they do it.
Viv: They like to do business in a way that cares about people. Not an
entirely alien concept. They just decided it was their way of leaving a
mark. It's a worthwhile ideal aside from all of the other parts to it.
Bruce: And essentially we're still spooks… it's more than that though
Dave…it's a cause I guess. I'm not going to wax philosophical.
Viv: For a CHANGE.
[Bruce glowers at Vivienne]
Dave: okay, I have the ice cream guys fighting fascism thing under control,
but what is the plan right now.
Bruce: Do you want to explain this Viv?
Viv: Sure- okay fairly simple. Monolith is pulling the contract in 3 days.
What happens?
Dave: All hell breaks loose…well kind of. No one is going to be out of work
for long, but it will be damn annoying.
Viv: What does this allow us to do?
Dave: Wreak havoc, and get someone else blamed for it?
Viv: Exactly.
Dave: What about this whole assassination thing?
Viv: You were there with Simon, he is the best at what he does. If they are
anywhere near Magnus they'll kill him or die trying.
Dave: Okay…so internal corporate damage, and the leader of the entire
corporation is killed. Monolith descends into chaos.
Viv: Theoretically yes, but there are also some small details to be taken
care of. And Magnus has a second in command. The company won't die, but
it's megalomaniacal vision might be curtailed a bit.
Dave: What kind of details?
Bruce: they have someone watching us. Someone on the periphery. Maybe two
people. Hard to tell. We need to find them. Depending on who they are…they
disappear.
Dave: that's all you man, I don't mind screwing with people, but I'm not
killing anyone.
Bruce: Good plan, Maalox is a highly acquired taste.
Viv: in addition to that, we need to avoid discovery as long as possible.
To the very end if possible, in order to effect as much damage as possible.
Bruce: And we need someone they wouldn't suspect to start feeding them
disinformation, and rally the workers that aren't braindead to pretty much
be juvenile pains in the ass, and talk anyone who isn't in with us, against
going to work for Monolith.
Dave: Who you have in mind?
Bruce and
Vivienne: You.
Dave: I really didn't need to ask. What about the two of you?
Viv: I'm here to incapacitate Mr. Shiny Thing as a target of opportunity.
No matter where he ends up working, he's going to be someone's pawn. In
addition to that, I'm going to use a little of my charm to get into the
CallOps server, and have some of the less socially apt techs to do me some
favors.
Dave: You mean the guys that NEVER date?
Viv: No, because then Bruce would be included in the category, and things
could get confusing.
Bruce: Why don't you just shoot me in the knee again? My job is to manage
all of the information we acquire, keep track of all the players, and take
care of the small loose ends that no one else is going to have time for.
Dave: Loose ends?
Bruce: Did you know The Remora Group passed a Human Assets directive
AGAINST hot chocolate?
Dave: huh?
Bruce: Forget I said that. I need to deactivate Donald Garrett before he
can go back to Monolith headquarters too.
Dave: And what about Greg?
Greg: Me? I just sleep with whoever Bruce needs information from…if they're
girls that is.
Dave: Ahhh.
Bruce: and before I forget…there IS a mind-altering agent in the
ventilation system. The only effective agent we've found is ammoniated
tobacco.
Dave: Cigarettes.
Greg: Bingo
Viv: Can you think of anything else that you want to know?
Dave: Well you have a pretty good idea of where this is all going to go.
It's simply a matter of playing it out…. , there is one thing.
Viv: What?
Dave: Why did you shoot Bruce in the knee?
[Cut to the Evil Bunny in Bruce's cube. Its eye's are glowing red.]
Dan: Where is everyone?
[There is no answer. The building is quiet]
Dan: I have DIRECTIVES. I HAVE IDEAS. I HAVE PLANS TO IMPLEMENT. WHERE ARE
MY PEOPLE????
[The cube and its surroundings are quiet. The coffee can full of mold
seethes slightly. The Chia Head looks on blankly with no eyes, much like
Orphan Annie. A tiny beeping sound can be heard in the distance. The camera
turns and travels slowly down the corridor, eventually arriving at one of
the Coffee Stations. Text streams across its display, now glowing green.]
Coffee Machine's display Searching unit- CoffeemasterPlus
Data-accessing. Accounts payable- accessing.
Service contracts- Accessing. Beverage concessions- accessing.
Contract cancellations- Access denied.
Decryption in process. Decryption complete.
SwissMama Chocolate Dispensaries- reading file. Contract cancelled 6/23.
Approval- Patty O'Furntiure. Notes: Advised by Monolith Contract liaison-
Donald Garret. Data-disconnect.
Identify Donald Garret . . . . , Data accessed.
Android unit, Monolith controlled entity.
Purchased: Fissure-Pace toys, Defense Division. Model 17,
Mobile humanoid transport of AI-146 Advanced Processing Matrix . . . . .
correlating technical data . . . . .. Match acquired.
AI-146 APM, unit precedes production of this unit's processor by three
generations.
Processor ID AI-149 APM, searching unit- CoffeemasterPlus superior.
Assess reprogramming clearance . . . . . Clearance: Full allowance.
Coffee Machine: Big brother, I am going to kick your ass.
[The Coffeemachine's interface turns a bright yellow. Binary code flows in
an unreadable stream across it]
[Cut to Greg's apartment. An old worn out pair of cheerleading sneakers
has been recently added to the mobile of shoes and Polaroid pictures. One
Polaroid spins. The name Diane is written in black magic marker across the
back of it]