The Beautiful Ones Act One
Authors notes: I started this script before "Female Trouble" aired
and tried to adjust it to new information on Manticore along the way. It was
completed before "I and I am Camera" aired so I added Madam X before I
even saw her in action. Kendra was living with Max when I started the outline,
but when she later moved out I was forced to adjust the storyline again
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TEASER
FADE IN:
INT.MAX'S BEDROOM - DAY
MAX walks into her bedroom shaking, maintaining her balance
by holding on to the dresser in front of her. She opens the
drawer. Quickly she tosses clothing all over the room, trying
to get at her pills. She finally pulls out a bottle of
Tryptophan. She struggles to keep her hand steady as she
places a couple pills in her mouth, then she slides to the
floor shaking and grips her knees.
MAX (V.O.)
One day I know it's not going to be
enough. One day I know I won't be
able to get a hold of Tryptophan or
a glass of milk and the seizure will
kill me. Or I'll have Tryptophan and
it won't be enough to stop it.
FLASH CUTS
The MANTICORE CHILDREN standing in front of their beds in
the barracks, all wearing the same plain gown, girls and
boys all having the same buzz cut, barcodes on their necks
clearly visible.
JACK falls to the floor in the grips of a seizure.
The Manticore SOLDIERS grab him and dragging him away.
MAX (V.O.)(CONT'D)
When my seizures get bad like this,
I don't know what's worse, dying
like my brother or going back to
Manticore to save my sorry genetically
engineered life. Sure we all said
we'd rather die than go back there...
FLASH CUT
Young Max in bed staring at her own shaky hand.
DISSOLVE TO:
Max staring at her hand in the present day.
MAX (V.O.)
But when push came to shove and a
life was really on the line, Brin
chose Manticore over death and we
let her go. If Manticore was my only
hope for survival, would I be any
different from my sister?
INT.JAM PONY X-PRESS - DAY
Max enters Jam Pony pushing her bike. As usual, Jam Pony is
popping with activity, but little of this activity is actually
work related. Max meets ORIGINAL CINDY at her locker.
ORIGINAL CINDY
Hey, Boo, Kendra still crashing at
our place?
MAX
Yeah, she says she�s going to let
Walter sweat it out a couple more
days before she forgives him. But
there�s plenty of room if Logan�s ex
is sick of you.
ORIGINAL CINDY
Daphne, her name is Daphne. And Suga
is still hot for Original Cindy, but
Original Cindy don�t want to over do
it. It�s rare for me to find a lickity
chick with such deep pockets and
fine on top of that.
MAX
Well I�m happy for you.
ORIGINAL CINDY
You're just happy she�s away from
your honey.
NORMAL walks up to the women carrying a package.
NORMAL (TO WOMEN)
Cut the girl talk and lets get some
work done.
Normal hands Max a package.
MAX
Catch you later.
ORIGINAL CINDY
A�ight Boo.
Max gets her bike and exits Jam Pony.
INT.MARION APARTMENTS, APARTMENT B6 -- DAY
DR. QUINCE THOMAS, 40, rushes around his apartment while
talking on the phone. He�s looking through drawers and under
the couch for something. He�s sweating and is visibly on
edge. It�s obvious Quince hasn�t been living at the apartment
long. the apartment is only supplied with the basics and
mildly furnished.
QUINCE (ON PHONE)
I�m sorry. . . .yes I know you have
connections that extend outside of
San Francisco. . . .no, I didn�t
think I could hide in Seattle...
Yes, within a few days you will have
the correct files.
Quince finally finds what he�s looking for. Medical records
which he pulls from a drawer in a desk. The doorbell RINGS
and he shoves the files back in the drawer.
QUINCE (ON PHONE)
I have to go, but I promise, you�ll
have your files before the day is
out.
Quince hangs up and breaths a sigh of relief. The doorbell
RINGS again.
MAX (O.S.)
Jam Pony Messenger.
QUINCE
Coming.
Quince opens the door. Max is there. He immediately grabs
for the package. He looks up at Max as he signs for it.
They both regard each other with curious looks for a moment.
Quince then breaks the trance and goes back out into is
apartment. He rushes to open the package and the contents
spill out on the floor: More medical records and pictures of
the Manticore children.
Quince leans down to pick up the pictures.
QUINCE
Oh, my beautiful babies.
Quince quickly picks up the photos. At the bottom of the
pile is Max�s Wanted Poster. He pauses as he lifts it off
the floor.
QUINCE
It was her.
Quince runs to the door and looks around, but Max is gone.
CUT TO
EXT.MARION APARTMENTS - DAY
Max looks back at the building, her face still puzzled. She
shrugs, gets on her bicycle and rides away.
FADE OUT
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT.SEATTLE STREETS -- DAY
Max rides her bike down the street, the puzzled look on her
face has not gone away.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MANTICORE, LAB ROOM -- FLASHBACK
Young Max enters the lab room, she looks toward a doctor,
but all we see are his hands. It is obvious the big hands
belong to a man. He gestures towards the table and Max goes
to the table and slides up on it. The Doctor puts his hand
on young Max�s cheek.
DOCTOR
How�s my beautiful little girl today?
MAX�S POV.
PULL BACK from hands and we see the Doctor in Max�s flashback
is Quince Thomas.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT.SEATTLE STREETS -- DAY
Max stops her bike, turns around and heads in the other
direction.
INT.LOGAN�S APARTMENT, STUDY -- DAY
Max is sitting beside Logan as he types search criteria into
the computer.
MAX
The name on the package was Josh
Yeilding, but it probably wasn�t his
real name.
LOGAN
(focused on his
computer)
You sure this guy is from Manticore?
MAX
Yeah, I�d remember the only guy in a
white lab coat that didn�t torture
us. He seemed to do all the little
things. Taking blood, Checking us
out after our training exercises,
your basic pediatric duties.
LOGAN
(as he types)
He made sure Manticore�s genetically
enhanced killing machines remained
in tip top shape after their test
runs.
MAX
Yeah, but it was more than that. It
seemed like he really cared. I know
it sounds weird, because Manticore
wasn�t big on affection, but it was
almost like he loved us.
(she smiles)
He use to call me his beautiful little
girl.
LOGAN
Were you a favorite of his or
something?
DISSOLVE TO:
INT.MANTICORE, LAB ROOM -- FLASHBACK
Young Max slides off of a doctor�s table as Jondy enters the
room. Max turns back for a moment and sees Dr. Quince�s hand
go to Jondy�s cheek the way it had her own just moments
before.
QUINCE (TO JONDY)
Hello beautiful
Young Max touches her own cheek.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT.STUDY -- DAY
Adult Max touches her cheek with a far away look in her eyes.
Logan looks at her curiously, obviously confused by this
action.
MAX (SMILING)
I remember him saying it to Jondy
too. He was like that with all of
us.
LOGAN (TURNING TO MAX)
No offense Max, but this guy sounds
a little creepy to me. How can you
be sure he wasn�t some closet
pedophile.
MAX
Oh yeah, he must have a sick mind
because he treated us like human
beings and called us beautiful instead
of soldier.
LOGAN
I�m just saying we have to tread
lightly when dealing with Manticore
personnel. You know what happened
last time.
MAX (ANGRY)
And whose fault was that?
LOGAN
He might be an agent for Lydecker.
MAX
If he was, I would be back at
Manticore now, or dead. Besides, he
seemed to hate Lydecker as much as
we did. And I have to face facts,
as much as I loathe Manticore, a
Manticore Doctor may be my only hope.
LOGAN (CONCERNED)
Are you okay?
MAX
My last seizure was really bad. And
I keep thinking, if it doesn�t kill
me, some other wire in my twisted
genetic code will probably become
faulty. At least I have a sliver of
trust where this guy�s concerned.
All I need is for you to tell me if
he�s on the level or not.
LOGAN
I�ll see what I can find.
MAX
Good, while you do that, I�ll scope
out his place. Page me if you find
something.
Max gets up and walks out the door.
LOGAN
(yelling after her)
Be careful.
EXT.LOGAN�S BUILDING -- DAY
Max walks out of the building. She rolls her bike to a pay
phone and dials a number.
INT.JAM PONY X-PRESS -- DAY
The phone rings in Jam Pony. Original Cindy is nearby joking
with HERBAL and SKETCHY. She goes to answer the phone.
ORIGINAL CINDY (ON PHONE)
Jam Pony
INTERCUT MAX AND ORIGINAL CINDY
MAX
Hey Cindy, I won�t be back in today.
Can you cover me?
ORIGINAL CINDY
You a�ight Boo? Should I be checkin�
the news waiting for a mention of
Black helicopters?
MAX
That shouldn�t be a problem. You
remember my condition.
ORIGINAL CINDY
How can a sister forget?
MAX
Well, I found a guy that might be
able to help me with it.
ORIGINAL CINDY
Than do your thang gurl, Original
Cindy got your back. Ain�t nothin�
to good for my boo.
MAX
A�ight, I gotta blaze.
Max hangs up the phone and rides off on her bike.
INT.QUINCE�S APARTMENT -- DAY
Quince sits on his couch sorting out photos. He has two stacks
on the table, one for males and one for females. Max�s wanted
poster is in the middle. He picks up girl photo after girl
photo comparing it to the wanted poster. Finally his hand
comes to rest on Max�s childhood headshot. He seems satisfied
that he�s made a match. He then leans back and smiles.
QUINCE
(to himself)
One of my beautiful girls. I remember
you now, barcode 332960073452. How
could I have let you get away? You�ve
come to help me build my utopia
haven�t you? Somehow you know I need
you.
We hear a window slide open and see a man�s feet step on the
floor behind Quince. The MYSTERIOUS MAN is wearing dark
jeans with a flame running up the leg.
He slowly approaches Quince from behind and reaches for him.
He approaches the couch as if he's about to strangle Quince,
but he just rest his hands on the other man�s shoulders.
Quince jumps. He turns toward the man afraid of what he�ll
see. We never see the face of the man he�s looking at, but
we see Quince give a sigh of relief.
QUINCE
You mustn�t do that to me my boy.
He turns back toward the pictures of Max.
QUINCE
Soon my beautiful, we will have
exactly what we need to move forward.
I need you to find her while I get
rid of these thugs.
Quince hands the man behind him the pictures of Max. He leans
down to put the other pictures back into a pile. He pulls
out a briefcase and puts the pictures inside, then turns
back to where the man was, but he�s gone.
INT.JAM PONY X-PRESS -- DAY
Normal sits behind the front counter of Jam Pony. A BALD MAN
comes in and walks over to the counter.
BALD MAN
I need to check on a package I sent
out earlier today. Was it delivered?
NORMAL
Do you have the slip?
The Bald Man shows him a slip. Normal looks at it. He pulls
out a clipboard and goes down his list.
NORMAL
(to himself)
Max, great, the amazing disappearing
artist.
Sketchy rolls into Jam Pony on his bike. He nearly knocks
over the Man at the front desk. He is thrown off balance
trying to swerve away from him. He falls.
NORMAL
Idiot, I told you no riding inside
here.
Sketchy gets up off the floor.
SKETCHY
(to Bald Man)
Sorry dude.
NORMAL
(to Bald Man)
This is what happens when you work
with children.
(to Sketchy)
Have you seen Max?
SKETCHY
(thinks to himself a
minute)
Um, I believe Max is a part of a
secret government--
NORMAL
Yeah, never mind.
Herbal catches wind of the question and approaches Normal.
HERBAL
Last I �eard, Max was on �all, Mon.
NORMAL (TO SKETCHY)
She's always on call, everywhere but
here.
Original Cindy joins the on-going conversation and comes up
to Normal.
ORIGINAL CINDY
Max isn�t feeling to well. She told
me to tell you she�d see you tomorrow.
BALD MAN
I just want to know if my package
was delivered?
NORMAL
Did she say if she made the drop.
ORIGINAL CINDY
Of course she did. Max always takes
care of her business.
BALD MAN
(grabbing Original
Cindy�s arm)
Are you sure it was delivered?
Original Cindy gives him a death stare and pulls her arm
away.
ORIGINAL CINDY
You ever touch Original Cindy like
that again, you gonna get a smack
down.
She raises her hand to the man and Herbal grabs her arm.
A CHEER raises up behind the group of people at the front
counter. Normal, Original Cindy, Herbal, Sketchy, and Bald
Man all turn toward it. A YOUNG WOMAN is performing bike
stunts on the counter in the back of the room.
HERBAL (TO ORIGINAL CINDY)
Think the �oman gettin� betta deen
Sketchy �ere.
ORIGINAL CINDY
Hell yeah, that chicky got skillz.
Original Cindy and Herbal clap for the girl and join in the
cheers. Sketchy goes to grab his own bike and tries to take
over the crowd.
BALD MAN (ANGRY)
This place isn�t a business it�s a
circus.
NORMAL (TO BALD MAN)
I�m sorry Sir, I�ll find out about
your package and call you soon.
BALD MAN (TO NORMAL)
Don�t bother, I�ll never deal with
this place again.
The Bald Man leaves in a huff.
EXT.JAM PONY X-PRESS -- DAY
The bald man pulls out a cell phone and he dials a number.
BALD MAN
Yeah boss, I checked. I�m not sure
if the package is on the messenger
or with that crazy Doctor. I say
follow the bug and see where it leads.
INT.JAM PONY X-PRESS -- DAY
Normal, angry at this point, comes from behind his counter
and goes up to the employees cheering at and performing the
bike stunts.
NORMAL (TO EMPLOYEES)
The next person who treats this place
like a skate park doesn�t have a
job.
The crowd calms and the games end.
Normal turns his back to the crowd and goes heads toward his
counter.
As soon as his back is turned, the cheers begin again.
Normal walks up to Original Cindy.
NORMAL
And the next person who threatens a
client may not have a job either.
ORIGINAL CINDY
This body is not made for a man's
hands and anybody that touches it
without permission is getting a smack
down.
NORMAL
Well, I�m going to ask that you to
take a more civil approach to our
clientele while you're in charge.
ORIGINAL CINDY
What?
NORMAL
I�m going to find Max and see if
she�s completed her run.
ORIGINAL CINDY
And you're leaving me in charge?
NORMAL
Well despite what just happened, you
did do a better job of keeping order
than that idiot.
He points to Sketchy.
ANGLE ON
Sketchy, who is now entertaining the employees by smashing
cans on his head.
BACK TO SCENE
ORIGINAL CINDY
Original Cindy is truly touched.
NORMAL
Well don�t be, as it stands I simply
consider you the lesser of two evils.
Original Cindy is taken aback as Normal drops his headset in
her hands and exits Jam Pony.
When Normal�s gone, Cindy goes up to the phone and dials.
ORIGINAL CINDY
Boo, please answer your page.
EXT.MARION APARTMENTS -- DAY
Max�s pager beeps. She looks down at it. She is currently
sitting outside the building. We see Max has traded her work
clothes and bicycle for a black outfit and her precious
motorcycle, a NINJA 650.
MAX
(as she looks at pager)
Sorry Original Cindy, I�ll hit you
back later.
Max turns back toward the building.
She looks up into Quince�s window. Using her enhanced sight,
her eyes ZOOM IN on the apartment a few feet above.
MAX'S POV
She looks at Quince's Window. Quince is pacing back and forth
and has some type of papers in his hand.
ANGLE ON MYSTERIOUS MAN
A young man down the street from Max. We don�t see his face,
but his dark jeans with the flame on the side indicating
it�s the same guy who was in Quince�s place. He pulls Max�s
picture out of his pocket and looks at it.
REVERSE ANGLE
We see the mysterious man�s face for the first time. He�s
around twenty years old with a handsomely carved flawless
face. His eyes are fierce, cold and distant despite his
handsome features. He turns back toward Max.
BACK TO SCENE
Max's pager goes off again.
MAX
(looking at her pager)
Logan, finally.
She looks around and sees a pay phone. She walks to the pay
phone and dials.
While Max is on the phone and turned away from the building,
Quince exits. He�s gripping his briefcase for dear life.
Quince looks around for a moment and then darts away.
The Mysterious Max watches Quince flee and smiles to himself,
then turns back to Max who has hung up the phone and is now
mounting her motorcycle. She speeds off.
The Mysterious Man walks into the parking lot of the building
and comes out riding a green motorcycle. He follows Max.
FADE OUT
END ACT ONE
DZ - April 2001
The Beautiful Ones: Act 2 Act 3 Act 4
