Wirelesshtml
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INT. CYBER INVESTIGATIONS - FBI OFFICE - DAY
Deckland gets to Nick's desk and shows him a small device, no
bigger than a quarter with a small connecter at the end.
DECKLAND
See this? It's the future.
NICK
Unless it cures hangovers, I'm not
interested.
DECKLAND
It's a hard drive. You know those
little drives you can plug in and
take around with you? Well this one
can hold all the data from every
computer in the building.
Nick picks it up -- looks it over curiously.
NICK
You're shittin' me.
DECKLAND
Be careful with that. Borrowed it
from a college buddy working at Cal
Tech. It's a prototype -- and it
doesn't quite work yet. It uses
bacteria to --
NICK
You're shittin' me.
DECKLAND
Quit saying that! You sound like my
grandmother. Yes, bacteria. Studies
have been going on for years.
There's a certain kind of bacteria --
Deinococcus -- it's genomes are very
adaptable for storage. It's
resistant to extreme temperatures and
even radiation. But after a matter
of time, it mutates. That's the
problem.
NICK
What does this have to do with Dunn?
DECKLAND
I think he might have solved it. He
worked on it while he was at MIT.
NICK
Are you telling me he could be
walking around with a copy of every
damn thing in the FBI databases?
DECKLAND
If it works...
NICK
Oh this just keeps gettin' better.
Ryerson hurries over to Deckland's desk.
RYERSON
Might've caught a break on this
Jester guy. We sent word to our
jailbird hackers and got a call this
morning from a guy named Carl Kieren.
DECKLAND
Yeah -- designed custom systems for
the 'good fellas'.
RYERSON
Well, seems we made him an offer that
he couldn't refuse. He used to build
for Jester. We've traced the account
back to a PO Box, and there's a
package waiting.
Nick follows Ryerson out of the department, but he turns back
to Deckland.
NICK
Hey Deck. Impressive stuff.
And they're gone. Deckland pops open another energy drink --
mumbling under his breath.
INT. FBI SEDAN - OUTSIDE POST OFFICE - DAY
Nick pops Tic-Tacs, two at a time. He offers one to Ryerson,
who refuses.
NICK
First stakeout?
(off Ryerson's nod)
You're kiddin' me. How long you been
with the Bureau?
RYERSON
Eight years.
NICK
What department were you in?
RYERSON
Fraud.
NICK
Holy shit.
RYERSON
What?
NICK
You're a pencil pusher.
RYERSON
Now why do you go and say something
like that?
NICK
Well? How many credit scammers did
you bust with bombs and Ak-47's?
RYERSON
That's not even a fair question.
He uses a light pen to access his PDA. Nick's attention is
drawn to the beeps it makes.
NICK
What's that you're playing?
RYERSON
I'm checking my credit score. We're
buying a house.
Now Nick's interest perks up. He leans over to check it out.
NICK
You can do that?
RYERSON
The city's blanketed in wireless
networks. Some are secure, but most
aren't. I just scan around, look for
an open network and I'm on the net.
(Nick's real close now)
You know, those Tic-Tacs ain't
helpin'.
Nick scoots back over to his seat. He watches as a young
woman, with dark uneasy eyes enters the post office. This is
ALISON MCCORMACK (ALI).
She heads for the PO Box, opens it and takes out the package.
NICK
It's a woman -- Jester's a woman.
EXT. POST OFFICE - DAY
Nick gets out and walks towards Alison like he's just going
to pass her by. When he gets close --
NICK
Hey Jester.
ALI
I'm sorry?
NICK
Either you're Jester, or you've just
committed mail fraud.
With that, Ali immediately drops the package and takes off
down the side alley.
NICK
Here we go...
ALI -- weaves through back passageways, Nick hot on her
heels.
RYERSON -- quickly gets in the driver's seat of the Sedan and
takes off down the street to cut her off.
EXT./INT. BRICK APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
Ali realizes she can't outrun Nick on the sidewalk. She
darts inside the four story building.
FOYER -- Footsteps POUND on the stairs above Nick. He runs
as fast as his he can up the metal staircase.
STAIRWELL -- Three stories up, Ali looks down -- sees Nick
running up after her. She ducks into a hallway.
FOURTH STORY -- Nick quickly climbs out a window onto a
rickety metal fire escape. He looks around, sees nothing.
Then to his surprise, Ali climbs out on the fire escape below
him. He quietly sneak down after her, but she spots him.
Ali rushes down the stairs with Nick thundering down behind
her.
He quickly makes a bold move and vaults over the side,
dropping down a flight and grabbing on to the railing.
The force of his fall pulls the bolts from the fire escape --
making it unstable.
He leaps over the railing -- blocks Ali's path.
ALI
Are you out of your mind?
The fire escape landing lurches, hanging by a single bolt.
NICK
Oh shit. Please no.
Like emptying a trash can, the landing tips over, spilling
both of them.
With a nasty SPLAT, they land in a dumpster, heaping full of
rotten trash.
Ali emerges, gagging from the repulsive smell. She tries to
climb out, but looks at her wrist. Handcuffed.
She sits down in the trash, defeated. Ryerson peeks over the
edge at the mess.
RYERSON
I'll take a cab back.
EXT. STREET - DAY
As Nick leads Ali to the Sedan --
Dunn watches from a car parked further up the street.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - FBI OFFICE - DAY
Nick walks in freshly changed. Ali's clothes are still
soaked with garbage juice.
NICK
A change of clothes are on the way.
ALI
I'm gonna smell like fish for a week.
Nick tosses a file folder on the table and sits down.
NICK
You didn't have to run.
ALI
You didn't have to chase me.
Nick has to laugh at that one.
NICK
...Let's talk about Jester.
(thumbs through the
folder)
Name, Alison McCormack. Spent a few
semesters at MIT I see. Very
interesting. Over fifty hacks that
made national news. Fairly
impressive resume considering you've
been a ghost most of your life. You
target mostly government and big
business.
ALI
If you're trying to hire me, I'm
retired. Now, if you don't mind, I'd
like to call my lawyer.
NICK
It's not what you think.
He pushes a picture of Dunn over to her.
NICK
Know him?
ALI
No.
NICK
Well he knows you. And he's looking
for you. His name's Wallace Dunn and
he's bad news. Seems rather
interested in something you invented.
Cerberus.
ALI
Look Agent --
NICK
Reeve.
ALI
Reeve, that was some myth a group of
girl-challenged geeks thought up. I
don't know why they attached it to
me, but all of a sudden it brought
down a lot more attention than I ever
wanted. Look, Cerberus -- doesn't
exist.
NICK
C'mon. You're considered the best in
the business -- a legend. They say
Cerberus is some kind of hacking
tool. Is that just a crazy
coincidence?
ALI
Yeah, it is! I don't know why I've
been singled out. Maybe to do what's
just happened. I've been flushed out
into the open.
NICK
Either way, if Dunn thinks it's real,
then I think it's real. And you're
not going anywhere until I get my
answers.
Ali slumps down in her chair -- powerless.
INT. NICK'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Nick's fast asleep in his bed. A THUMP wakes him up. He
kicks off the covers, grabs a bat.
LIVING ROOM: Nick rounds the corner -- bat ready. Looks to
the window by the fire escape -- feels a breeze.
KITCHEN: Nick hears a noise in the hall closet. He raises
the bat, prepared to strike --
He flings the door open -- sees a mouse on the floor. Nick
quickly scoops it up by the tail.
NICK
Thought I told you to stay out.
He dumps it out the open window. Turns the corner --
A DARK FIGURE jumps out from the shadows -- Nick's face is
slammed by a quick STRIKE! His world FADES TO BLACK.
NICK'S POV -- WHITE BLUR
Faint images blur in and out of focus. Some kind of
workbench, computers.
CLOSE ON NICK'S EYES
He squints and softly MOANS as he comes to. Tries to raise
his head, but can't. He can't move at all in fact.
INT. DUNN'S WORKSHOP - NIGHT
A BRIGHT LIGHT clicks on above him. As he adjusts to the
harshness, the rest of his surroundings become clear.
He's completely restrained on a stainless steel surgical
table. He struggles, but no use.
A MAN in scrubs and a surgical mask walks over. Removes the
mask to reveal a wide smile. It's Dunn.
DUNN
I can honestly say I'm surprised. I
never expected to see you so soon.
NICK
What the hell are you doing -
DUNN
Once again, you've changed the game.
I'm simply making my play.
NICK
Are you out of your fucking mind?
DUNN
They say, whomever they are, that all
geniuses are a little insane. I'd
like to think that's true. Ergo...
I'm about to give you a job -- make
you an employee of my new enterprise.
NICK
Let me tell you something right off
the bat, your PR department sucks.
DUNN
Einstein had a wonderful sense of
humor too. I think you'll find this
most amusing.
He rolls up a small table full of surgical tools. Nick's not
laughing.
Dunn uses a clamp to tightly fasten Nick's head into a cut
out hole in the table. With one smooth motion, he flips the
table upside down --
NICK
Jesus Christ! Dunn! Whatever it is
you're thinking about doing...
DUNN
Relax Mr. Reeve. My bedside manners
go only so far with squirmy patients.
You're going to work for me whether
you like it or not.
With that, he takes a scalpel, positions it at the base of
Nick's head near the neck.
Nick struggles wildly, but can't move a muscle. He can only
wait for whatever's coming.
Dunn sticks the scalpel into Nick's head. Blood runs around
his face, down his cheeks and pools at the floor. Nick
SCREAMS in pain. The cutting continues -- more blood runs
down. It's excruciating.
NICK
Oh God!
DUNN
You're doing great. Almost there...
Dunn peels back a flap of bloody skin. He opens a small
black case and takes out what looks to be some sort of
microchip.
He presses a small button on the side of the device, small
clamps pop out. He presses the chip inside Nick's head
causing him to WAIL OUT. It snaps into place.
Dunn swings a large magnifier over and uses pocket tools to
fasten the clamps into various nerve endings.
Once he's done he begins suturing the skin back into place.
The pain's so intense, Nick passes out.
DUNN
Hope it was as much fun for you, as
it was for me.
He finishes his work.
INT. COUNTERINTELLIGENCE - FBI OFFICE - DAY
Ryerson checks his watch, paces around the office. Stops a
passing Agent.
RYERSON
Anyone seen Nick this morning?
The Agent shakes his head. AGENT PRICHARD, the supervisor
walks over to Ryerson.
PRICHARD
Still no sign of him?
RYERSON
No, and the clock's ticking. We're
going to have to let her go.
PRICHARD
That's all changed now. I got off
the phone with some guy at the NSA.
Vance, I think his name was.
RYERSON
What's that got to do with us?
PRICHARD
Seems the NSA's been looking for Ms.
McCormack for some time. No one's
supposed to talk to her until he gets
here. Make sure Nick understands
that.
RYERSON
You gotta be kidding me. They can't
just --
He give Ryerson a look, leaving him stewing in frustration.
INT. DUNN'S WORKSHOP - DAY
Nick slowly wakes up, but finds he's now strapped to a chair.
He moves his head -- grimaces. Dunn checks the back of
Nick's head.
DUNN
Not a bad job for someone who never
went to Med school. Amazing what you
can learn online these days.
NICK
What'd you do to me...
DUNN
Congratulations Nick. You are now
linked to the city's entire wireless
network. A human access point if you
will. The chip I've just implanted
in your head broadcasts a wireless
signal. As long as it connects to
the network, you're in the clear.
Lose the signal and the bomb inside
the chip explodes -- along with your
head.
NICK
Berkley...
Dunn shows Nick a plugged in Wireless Access Point (WAP).
DUNN
Now look I'm not all that bad. If
you were to be so unfortunate as to
lose the signal, for instance in a
place like this --
He unplugs the WAP -- Nick immediately SCREAMS as electricity
passes through his head. Dunn waits a moment enjoying it --
then plugs it back in. Nick relaxes, the pain is gone.
DUNN
If you re-establish the connection
within two minutes, you're fine.
He takes a small credit card sized device from his pocket.
It has five bars of strength lit up -- much like a cell
phone.
DUNN
This will be your best friend for a
while. It detects wireless networks
in the area. Five bars of strength,
you're in good shape. Just don't
lose them all, I think you know why.
NICK
Fuck you.
DUNN
Oh, one more thing before you go. A
little contingency plan.
He opens his laptop -- punches in a password and opens a
program.
DUNN
Each chip has a specific code
embedded in its firmware. I punch in
the code -- and you're terminated.
So if you don't want to work for me,
we'll end it right now. What's it
going to be?
Nick pauses --
NICK
What is it I'm supposed to do for
you?
DUNN
It's very simple. Get Alison
McCormack out of FBI custody. You'll
receive further instructions later.
NICK
I can't break her out. Have you
forgotten I'm a goddamned agent!
DUNN
Trust me, the irony in that isn't
lost on me.
NICK
I know about Cerberus -- it doesn't
exist.
DUNN
(cold)
If that's true -- then you've nothing
to live for.
EXT. PENTHOUSE TERRACE - DAY
On a patio table the pieces of Quill's gun lay out, organized
and sparkling clean. Quill sips a cup of coffee as he cleans
the last piece.
TATE, one of Quill's men steps out on the terrace -- pours
himself a cup of coffee.
TATE
Heard the news? Markson's dead --
Damn this coffee sucks. How many
scoops is this?
As Quill reassembles his gun --
QUILL
I understand the agent's head
mysteriously 'blew up' just after he
shot Markson.
TATE
Weird shit, huh?
QUILL
I think Wallace Dunn hasn't been very
honest about what he's been up to.
That explosion reeks of his design
and frankly, I'm a little pissed that
he didn't feel the need to tell us
about it. Find out what he's up to.
And Tate --
Tate's coffee mug suddenly SHATTERS as Quill fires from his
now assembled silenced gun. Coffee sprays all over Tate's
clothes.
QUILL
Don't drink my fucking coffee again.
EXT. ALLEY/CITY STREET - DAY
Rain drips down the dank brick walls of a filthy alley.
Nick wakes with a start -- stumbles to his feet. He's wet,
dirty and woozy. He takes a step -- has to catch himself on
the wall.
He puts a hand to the back of his head -- feels the stitches.
It wasn't a dream.
The rain intensifies as he steps out of the alley into a
crowded street -- full of vendors and shops.
He ducks under an awning, getting out of the rain, when he
jerks back his head in pain. He feels in his pocket -- pulls
out the Wireless Network Detector (WND). It's at zero bars.
With no choice he steps back into the rain. One bar returns
to the WND.
He crosses an intersection -- the painful surge hits him
again. He limps across the street and the pain finally
stops. It takes his breath away.
Nick leans heavily against a wall -- tries to calm himself.
NICK
I'm a dead man.
He forces himself to keep walking.
EXT. KATE'S APARTMENT - DAY
A quaint building in a good area of town. Nick walks up the
entrance steps -- he still looks like hell. He presses the
buzzer -- waits. Then presses it again.
HALEY
(from intercom)
Who is it?
NICK
Haley, it's Nic -- Dad. Please
honey, I need to talk to you.
A moment of silence -- then finally the door buzzer rings.
Nick hurries in, out of the rain.
INT. HALLWAY/KATE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Nick watches the WND closely as he walks down the hall. Only
two bars. Not much.
Haley greets him at the door -- doesn't look happy to see
him, but surprised at his appearance.
HALEY
If Mom comes homes and sees that
you've been out all night drinking -
NICK
Haley honey, I'm not drunk.
She lets him inside the apartment. It's neat and organized --
the polar opposite of Nick's.
HALEY
Then what happened to you?
NICK
It's hard to explain. I just had to
see you.
HALEY
Dad, you're acting really weird.
NICK
I know I've been messing a lot of
stuff up lately -- I'm sorry for
that. I'm not trying to be a
deadbeat Dad.
Haley hands him a towel.
HALEY
Since when did you feel like you
needed to confess?
NICK
Haley, I'm trying -- I don't know
what to say.
HALEY
You're just acting really strange.
NICK
It's been a strange morning.
Haley has backed a little from Nick. He takes a step toward
her, but the WND goes down to one bar. He stops -- palms it.
NICK
I wish I could tell you -- I will
soon. But I had to come by and tell
you I was sorry.
HALEY
Okay...well, you've done that.
Nick nods. He understands. He heads for the door.
NICK
I love you. That part hasn't
changed.
He goes out the front door. Only then do Haley's eyes fill
with tears.
INT. MAIN FOYER - FBI BUILDING - DAY
A long line waits to be scanned through security. PAUL VANCE
(40's) walks through the main doors. Self-confident,
arrogant.
He bypasses the line and cuts right in front of the first
person.
SECURITY GUARD
Sir, you're going to have to wait.
VANCE
Sorry, but I just don't have the
time.
He flashes an NSA badge. An angry AGENT IN LINE steps out
sideways from his position.
AGENT IN LINE
Hey buddy, why don't you wait your
turn like everybody else?
The Security Guard reluctantly lets him through. Vance turns
back to the Agent in Line as he walks --
VANCE
I do apologize, but I'm much more
important than you.
Without a beat, he heads down the main hallway.
INT. COUNTERINTELLIGENCE - FBI OFFICE - DAY
Vance hits the room like a hurricane. Heads straight for
Prichard.
VANCE
You look like the man in charge.
PRICHARD
I'm Agent Prichard.
VANCE
I'm sure you are. Paul Vance, NSA.
Now do I have to suck your dick, or
do I get to see my prisoner?
PRICHARD
She's back in the interrogation room.
VANCE
Excellent. Hey, I think I saw a
coffee machine back there. Could I
get one with a truckload of sugar?
Thanks.
He heads back to the interrogation rooms. Prichard stands
there dazed.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - FBI OFFICE - DAY
Vance enters smoothly, flashes a broad smile when he sees
Ali. Her face falls when she sees him.
VANCE
You don't look happy to see me.
After all we've been through
together?
ALI
I thought --
VANCE
You thought wrong. Now before I get
the paperwork ready to have you
turned over to my custody, I wanted
to come in here and tell you
personally about the shitty future
you're about to have.
ALI
You're still mad.
VANCE
Oh, I'm way past mad. In ten minutes
your day is going from bad, to worse.
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