Project 2003 (working title)

 

John Quaid, can’t remember anything……………..John Fuller

Annette Price, sister of Michael…………..Emily Scorer

Michael Price, grieving for father away at university …………...Richard Fysh

Tony Bishop, head of Furore Crime Syndicate……….?????????????????

Kane Wolf, principle terrorist for NWS…………….Andrew Clifton

Arthur Price, deceased father of Michael and Annette

 

Over opening credits:

Newsreader: It was hailed as the greatest discovery since penicillin, now Achilles the non- subscription drug which many people claim has relieved them of many common pains much faster and more effectively than other treatments faces a total ban. Worrying concerns loom after Andrew Rawlings, a 22-year old man from Bradford was found dead in his apartment in April this year. Although forensics assure us that he did not die of an overdose the extremely high levels of the painkiller found in his system are forcing scientists to research further the drug which was marketed as the safest on the market.

 

Scene 1:

Camera focused up close on an ashtray/bin like those found in hospitals. A fire starts in it. When the camera pulls away the whole room is on fire and JOHN is in a hospital bed asleep. Close up on fire alarm/ sprinkler as it activates. JOHN wakes up, goes through door runs down a corridor knocking into a DOCTOR and out of the hospital into the pouring night rain. He stops, rubs his temple and collapses into an alley. The camera fades out on JOHN’S face.

 

Scene 2:

When the camera fades in it is daylight and ANNETTE is looking at him.

 

ANNETTE: What are you doing here?

JOHN: I’m…I don’t know. Who are you?

(She looks at him curiously, camera on her face)

ANNETTE: You know who I am John (forcefully, as though she believes he is trying to deceive her).

(She leans closer to him, but pauses as he speaks)

JOHN: I’m sorry (confused), Should I? I’m not feeling quite (pauses) normal.

ANNETTE: (looks at him suspiciously but then believes, after a sigh)(whilst talking she helps him to his feet) My name is Annette Price, you are John Quaid; you know me because you’re friends with my brother. You were with him at our house just last month before (she stops and thinks)

JOHN: What?

ANNETTE: Before my father died, I’m sorry its just if you can’t remember I probably shouldn’t say  

JOHN: It’s ok I shouldn’t have asked.

ANNETTE: Listen, you can stay at our house for a while if you like, I’ll find you some of Michael’s clothes. Just until you feel yourself.

JOHN: Michael?

ANNETTE: I’m sorry, I mean my brother. It seems like you might have amnesia.

JOHN: I don’t know what to think.

ANNETTE: I’m sorry it’s just I know you so well and seeing you like this makes me feel funny. It might be shock. If you stay at the house I’m sure you’ll remember and get back to normal soon enough.

 

 

 

 

 

Scene 3:

(A security camera high angle corner shot of a shop. A woman is stood behind the counter. KANE is pointing a gun at her, she hands over the money. Cut.

A news reporter behind a desk.)

 

REPORTER: This recording from three years ago is the only known video record of the criminal who people are calling Kane Wolf. Whilst nobody has positively identified him several people have come forward reporting crimes and this name keeps popping up. Kane Wolf is the suspected leader of an underground crime organisation thought to be responsible for half of all incidents involving theft or violent crime in this city last year. Despite several consistent eyewitness reports an arrest has still not been made.

 

In other news police are offering rewards for anyone with information regarding the murder of Arthur Price.

Price had been campaigning for a total ban of the new wonder drug, Achilles because of rumours that the drug could be manipulated to mutate human genes. His policy considers that this could be disastrous, possibly leading to cancerous diseases. Price was shot in his office two weeks ago. So far police have revealed no evidence of a suspect.

 

Scene 4:

(ANNETTE turns off the TV she is stood near JOHN who is sat on a chair. ANNETTE looks away from the screen to face JOHN.)

 

ANNETTE: That was my father they were talking about.

 

(JOHN looks across the room in Annette’s house and sees a photograph on the wall. He gestures toward this.)

 

JOHN: Is that his photo?

 

ANNETTE: Yes, we took that when Michael and me were younger, it was the day that dad got his position.

 

JOHN: So where is Michael now?

 

ANNETTE: He was away studying, but after what happened to dad he’s come back home. He lives just outside the town centre. It’s only a bus ride away. I haven’t really talked to him much since the funeral. It just doesn’t seem right now. I suppose I ought to phone him to tell him about you.

 

JOHN: Was I at the funeral?

 

ANNETTE: I didn’t see you. As I said the last time I saw you was here with Michael only a few days before it happened. Now I’m starting to think that whatever happened to make you lose your memory must have happened soon after but Michael never said anything to me.

 

JOHN: I can only assume I was alone. All I can remember is waking up in that hospital. The sprinkler water woke me up and I saw that my room was on fire. I ran out into the corridor and outside. I was confused. The next thing I remember is seeing you in that alley.

 

Scene 5:

(Chemist’s shop. A WOMAN is stood behind the counter. Behind her are stacks of pill bottles. A MAN is being served with a small paper bag. As the MAN collects his change and turns to leave KANE enters through the door opposite the counter, and is accompanied by two identically dressed HENCHMEN. One on either side. One of the HENCHMEN punches the MAN in the face as he tries to leave. The WOMAN looks shocked. KANE pulls a weapon on her.)

 

KANE: Give me every last box of Achilles that you have.

 

WOMAN: Why?

 

KANE: I have a splitting headache! (Sarcasm)

 

WOMAN: Don’t you want the money? (Confused)

 

KANE: Do I seem like a person who uses money to you?

 

(The scene cuts to KANE and HENCHMEN leaving chemist with bags full of pillboxes)

 

Scene 6:

(Annette’s house. Annette is on the phone)

 

ANNETTE: Hi! Michael? I have some bad news. (Pause) I found John in the street last night he’s pretty messed up. He says he can’t remember anything about us. (Pause: where did you find him?)

Outside the hospital. Did you hear about the fire? I don’t know how he was involved.

(Pause: Did you know he was in hospital?)

No I had no idea. I haven’t seen or heard from him in about two months but I thought you two would be in contact.

(Pause: I’ve not seen him since I was at your house.)

So he could have been anywhere?

Did he say anything to you about where he was going?

(Pause: no)

Do you think you could come and see him?

(Pause: yes but not right away)

Ok then, ring me to let me know if you decide to come then. Bye!

 

JOHN: I should go home, see if it sparks any memories. Do you know where I live?

 

ANNETTE: I don’t think that’s a good idea after what’s happened to you.

 

JOHN: You’re probably right.

 

ANNETTE: I think you’d be better to try looking through our photo album.

 Here look at this photo of me you and my brother. It’s from last year when we went camping together.

(JOHN studies the photograph (cam close up) he sighs and hands it back to her)

JOHN: I feel so useless, not being able to remember.

 

ANNETTE: It will come in time. I just wish we knew how this happened.

 

JOHN: So do I. Can I use your toilet?

 

ANNETTE: First door on the right at the top of the stairs.

 

JOHN: Thanks.

 

(He leaves the room. The letterbox makes a sound. Annette collects the letter and looks at it. It is simply marked ‘John; she goes to look out of the window but no one is there. Close-up of flushing toilet then cut to john puzzled face as though he remembers something. Shot changes to Annette sat in main room with john’s letter. He walks in)

 

ANNETTE: This letter just arrived. It’s for you.

 

(John takes it and reads it)

 

JOHN: Someone wants me to meet them at the market at 5 o’clock today. There’s a map included so it’s obviously someone who knows about my condition.

 

ANNETTE: Who's it from?

 

JOHN: I don't know, it's not signed.

 

ANNETTE: Do you think it’s a good idea to go?

 

JOHN: If it will help fill in some of the blanks in this head of mine then I’m going.

 

Scene 6.5:

 

A SCIENTIST is stood in a lab, and can be seen crushing some pills into a fine powder and then adding some of the powder into a demijohn full of liquid and the rest into a mixing cylinder. Finally at the end of the bench are test tubes full of solution.

 

Scene 6.6:

 

(Shot: Exterior of a pub)

(Inside the pub are a few people drinking pints of fluid the same colour as the liquid in the previous scene. KANE is sat in the corner of the room and checks his watch then downs his pint before standing up to leave)

 

Scene 6.7:

(ANNETTE’S house, interior)

(ANNETTE walks over to a bookcase and takes out a file which is entitled JOHN QUAID and then walks across the room and sits at a desk placing the file in front of her)

   

Scene 7:

 

(Wide angle shot of market place, a man is stood in centre of shot sat on a stall. His clothes hide his appearance, cloak/ hood etc. JOHN is seen approaching the man from off camera in one shot until he is almost upon him.)

 

JOHN: Hello. (Pause) Are you the person I’m supposed to meet? My name is John Quaid.

 

(The man looks up at John and is revealed to the audience to be KANE)

 

KANE: Is it really? How certain are you?

 

JOHN: That IS my name. I have amnesia but I know that feels right. Anyway I’ve seen proof. Photos. (Slight pause) Who are you?

 

KANE: Photographs are easily forged. I was very worried to hear that woman had found you. She is not to be trusted.

 

JOHN: And what makes you so trustworthy?

 

KANE: Because I can tell you how you got the way you are! Did Miss. Price tell you what you do for a living? You were a policeman! Annette Price killed her own father! She wanted the money. See she was an adopted child! As it happens you were the one trying to prove her guilty. And I can only assume that it was her who threw you into that river and probably her who tried to kill you in that hospital!

 

JOHN: How do you know all of this?

 

KANE: Because you told me, I’m your friend.

 

(John pauses to think)

 

JOHN: Actually, she did seem a bit hesitant when I first spoke to her.

 

KANE: That’s right John

 

(JOHN sits down to think. After a few short seconds, KANE moves toward him.  JOHN jumps up quickly and turns to kick KANE, who falls back onto the stall but quickly recovers. KANE then uses a pole of a stall to swing around and kick JOHN but JOHN grabs KANE’S legs and elbows him in the face knocking him down to the floor. JOHN looks down at KANE who is not moving.

 

JOHN: I thought you said I wasn’t called John.

 

Scene 8:

 

(ANNETTE’S house. The Doorbell rings, its Michael.)

 

ANNETTE: Hello. He’s not here at the moment he went down to the market.

 

MICHAEL: How does he seem?

 

ANNETTE: It’s as though he’s never seen me before. It’s been a hard time lately.

 

MICHAEL: How are you dealing with it? Dad I mean. It’s all I’ve been able to think about.

 

ANNETTE: Sometimes I think I’m starting to come to terms and then I’ll start thinking and questioning myself and wondering why it happened and how I could’ve stop it. I mean if I’d invited him over he wouldn’t have been working late, I don’t know.

 

MICHAEL: Don’t think like that. It just makes it worse. I know.

 

ANNETTE: All can think about is finding the (expletive deleted) who did it.

 

MICHAEL: They say vengeance doesn’t solve anything but that’s bollocks, I know exactly what you mean. You want to see the bastards get exactly what they deserve.

 

ANNETTE: There’s nothing we can do. He’s gone. I just wish there was some way. You know?

 

Scene 9:

(KANE is sat in a corner in market place. He is holding a syringe, the scene is dark)

 

KANE: Next time you wont be so lucky you little bastard.

 

(He injects himself and then lets out a satisfying sound)

 

Scene 10:

 

(ANNETTE’S house, JOHN arrives just as MICHAEL is leaving, they stand and talk outside)

 

MICHAEL: John! Hello! I’m Michael. Annette tells me you’re having some memory trouble. Just how bad is it?

 

JOHN: It’s fuzzy. Your face does seem familiar but the name doesn’t seem to fit. It doesn’t feel right to call you Michael. It’s like maybe I saw you in a queue once or maybe on a bus but Annette said you were my friend.

 

MICHAEL: Best friend actually. We went to school together. We even worked together for a while.

 

(John tries to look away from Michael and holds his head in his hands trying desperately to concentrate)

 

JOHN: The Police?

 

MICHAEL: No, we never did that you must be mixing up something.

 

JOHN: I really shouldn’t stay here. It seems like you have gone through too much. I’m going to tell Annette that I’m not staying.

 

MICHAEL: I think she could do with the company. She isn’t dealing with Dad very well. It’s understandable.

 

JOHN: I think I’d be a burden.

 

MICHAEL: She will only worry about you in this condition. I want you to stay here. We don’t want to lose you again.

 

JOHN: I don’t know. I’ll think about it.

 

MICHAEL: Good. I better be going home now anyway. Look after her ok.

 

(MICHAEL walks down the path and leaves JOHN knocks on the door, after a pause he walks inside.)

 

Scene 11:

(ANNETTE and JOHN are stood in kitchen. She is making coffee for them both. It is dark outside)

 

JOHN: Michael asked me if I’d stay. I thought you might prefer if I left you.

 

ANNETTE: I don’t mind you staying at all. Tomorrow we can go out to the places you went to a lot. I’ll re-introduce you to some more people. (She pauses for a few moments and starts to think of her dad, possible sniff or sign of emotion)

 

JOHN: Annette?

 

ANNETTE: Yes?

 

JOHN: I want to help you.

 

ANNETTE: With what?

 

JOHN: Find who killed your father and put them in prison.

 

ANNETTE: They deserve more than that! It’s not your responsibility. (Pause) Just go to bed. We can worry about things in the morning.

 

JOHN: I’m not tired, I’m going to get some fresh air, try to clear my head, see if anything comes back to me. I won’t stay out long.

 

(ANNETTE exits and stairs can be heard as she leaves, JOHN leaves the house through the back door and sets off into the night.)

 

Scene 12:

(John is walking alone in an empty street. He comes across a pub (exterior shot) and walks inside. The bar appears to be closed and there is only one person sat drinking. The person looks up and studies JOHN curiously as he stands in the entrance. JOHN, suspecting he is unwelcome walks back outside. A figure is approaching him. It is KANE)

 

KANE: John. My turn.

 

(With a flick of his wrist an iron bar appears as if from nowhere. He hits John around the head with it. Knocking him out cold. Kane walks straight past him in the direction John came from. The Camera focuses on John’s Face that is perfectly still)

 

Scene 13:

(Annette is in her bedroom and hears a cat screaming and so she looks out of the window and sees KANE standing at end of path. She looks away and looks back to see he is gone. Then she hears her front door rattling. All is quiet for a few seconds until she hears the sound of a window smashing. KANE knocks over the file entitled JOHN QUAID and it opens to reveal photographs. ANNETTE leaves her bedroom and goes toward the stairs, as she gets to the top of the stairs she looks down to see KANE standing at bottom with a big weapon (non-gun, sharp, pointy) about to walk up. She runs away and picks up a poster and starts to cover the cupboard opening, leaving a small gap big enough for her to crawl through. She bends as if she is going in. Cut to KANE putting the cat’s head on the window ledge. He then walks into the room, looks around then walks towards the cupboard. Cut to ANNETTE pulling the knife off the dartboard. He grabs the corner of the poster as if to pull it down. A knife then flies into the back of his neck. He falls over as she runs out into the street. She locks the doors behind her and runs desperately through the darkened streets exerting herself to the point of exhaustion through fear. She sees John on the pavement.

 

JOHN: Annette! (He reaches out to her.) I remember you!

 

ANNETTE: That’s great, some (weapon) wielding maniac just tried to slice me open.

 

JOHN: It’s Kane, the criminal who’s the head of the crime syndicate Furore, yet no one can prove it. I remember this now. I saw him once when I was training to be a police officer. He’s the one who knocked me out. The last thing I can remember though is being at your house with Michael. It’s good to know who I am though.

 

ANNETTE: John I’m really happy about that believe me but he just tried to kill me! Why? I haven’t done anything. This has got to have something to do with dad but…

 

JOHN: Where is Kane?

 

ANNETTE: I left him for dead on my bedroom floor.

 

JOHN: How dead? Can you be certain?

 

ANNETTE: Well I didn’t stop to check his pulse but the knife in the back of his neck and the bloodstain on my carpet have given me a sneaking suspicion that he’s not 100% right now!

 

JOHN: Calm down. Go to the police. I’ll go to see Michael. I’ll get him to come and see you. He might just be able to help.

 

Scene 14:

(John knocks on Michaels door, but gets no answer. So he tries the door, it’s unlocked. He walks in and looks around.)

 

JOHN:  Michael? … Michael?

(John explores Michael’s home but cannot find him, he sees a gun lying down and picks it up he finds a door/stairs leading to the roof)

 

Scene 15:

(Police station Annette in an interview room with a cop)

 

POLICEMAN: Now calm down miss, explain it to me again so I can get this straight.

 

ANNETTE: (Takes a deep breath) I was at home getting ready for bed when I hear a noise outside, I look out the window and see someone, I look away, and when I look again he's gone, then I hear the sound of a window breaking so I go and have look, and at the bottom of the stairs is Kane Wolf. I run back to my bedroom to hide, he comes in the room so I grab a knife and when his back is turn I throw it and it stabs him in the back of the neck.

 

POLICEMAN: So let me get this right for some unknown reason the most wanted person in the city comes to your house to kill you and you kill HIM, this is the man that despite all the efforts of every police office in the city has managed to elude capture, escaped armed police and even managed to survive an explosion, was killed by YOU.

 

ANNETTE: I’m telling you the truth, you have to believe me.

 

POLICEMAN: You now, it's against the law to waste police time.

 

ANNETTE: Why wont you believe me? (She storms out the room)

 

Scene 16:

 

(JOHN is outside MICHAEL’S house and walks around a corner into a narrow alley at the side of the house.

At the other end of the tunnel KANE is stood behind a gate)

 

JOHN: Kane! (Pause) What have you done with Michael Price?

(Kane is silent)

 

Answer me!

 

(Kane just looks at John. John pulls the gun he found in Michael’s house. Kane still seems incredibly relaxed)

 

KANE: I don’t think that’s any of your concern.

(Kane kicks the gate down and begins to walk towards John)

 

JOHN: Stop right there!

(Kane continues. John shoots the gun; Kane pulls a sword from nowhere and deflects the bullet. John tries to shoot again but realises the gun had jammed after the initial shot. John lowers the gun to his side and drops it. Kane still advancing raises the sword. Kane takes a swipe at John but John falls onto the floor to avoid being struck. Kane points the sword at John’s throat, but hesitates to kill him)

 

KANE: Actually I’d prefer it if you feel the pain for longer.

(The sword disappears as quickly as it appeared. This is due to Kane’s super fast reflex from the drug. John jumps to his feet and punches Kane. Kane catches the fist before grabbing JOHN by the throat and throwing him up onto the roof surface landing face first. KANE jumps/ climbs onto the roof and stands before JOHN. John grabs Kane’s leg pulling him onto the floor and quickly stands up himself. Kane gets to his feet and punches john in the face. John reacts by pushing Kane over the edge of the roof. John walks over and looks over the edge to see no body. The camera revolves on John who looks bemused)

 

Michael: John, old friend.

 

(John turns around to see Michael stood at the opposite end of the roof)

 

John: where did you come from?

 

Michael: I live here.

 

John: I know but I searched everywhere. Kane was here.

 

Michael: I know. As I’m sure you’re confused right now I’ll spare you the trouble and tell you he is my…. Associate.

 

John: WHAT? You had him kill your father? Why?

 

Michael: No, I didn’t and I didn’t do it either but I had him killed and the reason shouldn’t be too big a leap for you.

 

John: (in true 60’s Batman fashion) He was going to pass the act against Achilles. That’s how you managed to have so many loyal people. Pumping them with your modified enhancement drug.

 

Michael: Almost, I just made them all addicts and since I was the only one making the drug they were easy to control from there on and you’d be surprised how much people are willing to pay for it. There’s more to the story but I’m going to keep the juicier details to myself.

 

John: You’re insane. You killed your dad to get rich!

 

Michael: Actually no. You did!

 

John: Bollocks!

 

Michael: I have proof

 

(Michael produces a pocket TV. Passes it to John. The recording shows John entering Arthur’s office and shooting him at his desk)

 

You see, it was you who was so eager to get rich and for a small percentage of my profit you were willing to kill.

 

John: This can’t be real. I’m not that person.

 

(Michaels punches John him in the face, Michael rears back, John swings again but Michael ducks and punches John in the side of the ribs, grabs hold of his back and lifts his knee into Johns stomach, John falls to the floor, Michael spits blood walks towards john who is coughing on the floor as he gets close John kicks Michael in the knee dropping him to one knee, Michael grabs hold of his knee, John gets up and punches Michael in the face, John drags Michael into a sitting position and gets Michaels head into a head lock to break Michaels neck)

 

(Annette enters. John is standing over Michael’s body. Annette comes up from behind. She is holding the gun dropped by John and she un-jams it. She looks frightened)

 

ANNETTE: (low tone, soft quiet) John, I can’t believe I trusted you! You lied to me and killed my brother.

 

(She is holding the gun to the back of his head as the film ends)