Severance Script Ep01 Under The Gun Xtract
Severance Script Ep01 Under The Gun Xtract
Severance Script Ep01 Under The Gun Xtract
Written by
Peter Ingham
1ST DRAFT
01 06, 2011
SEVERANCE
“Under the Gun”
TEASER
SUIT
(letting the hand go)
As my associates stressed, and as
you have well surmised, this Reeve
was never here. Just like my friend
and I were never here. And likewise
Warden, you and your friend’s were
never here.
The Suit takes out a small black slate from his breast
pocket.
SEVERANCE - EP1 - "Under the Gun" - 2.
4 CONTINUED: 4
SUIT
Take it, cash it anywhere. It’s the
most you’ve gotten paid for doing
nothing at all. Am I correct?
WARDEN
He’s all yours.
The Suit nods to the OTHER SUIT, who grabs Reeve roughly by
the arm, leading him away.
SUIT
(Grits his teeth)
We-- no-- I, have invested a lot of
time and effort in locating you.
Years pouring over data, trying to
find which hole you crawled into.
Honestly, I half expected to find
you dead in a trash-crater on the
far side of Vallis, perhaps I was
expecting too much.
The Suit punches Reeve in the stomach, keeling him over, the
other suit picks him back up. Reeve’s breathing heavily
through the mask.
The Suits guide him along the dirt track to their vehicle, a
compact space cruiser, two in the front, room in the back for
small cargo. Unmarked.
OTHER SUIT
Look alive sunshine.
SUIT
(turning round)
Give him another shot, we just need
him with us, not conscious.
The Other Suit reaches into his pocket, gets the syringe,
goes to jab it into his neck-- BAM! -- Reeve’s cuffed hands
lance out, twisting the syringe into his neck. Reeve’s hands
find the gun in his jacket, takes it out, caps him in the
stomach. Then-- still blindfolded, tags the driver in the
back, sending the cruiser on a sharp descent.
BECK
(smiles incredulously at
the crashing Cruiser)
Now there’s somethin’ you don’t see
every cycle.
WOREEVE
(jabbing a rifle into
Beck)
Keep. Movin’.
BECK
Okay-- okay.
SIL
It’s not you Beck, it’s us.
BECK
Tell me you’re gonna treat her
good, she’s the best in the
Reaches.
SIL
(sighing)
Sure, right until we scrap her
after the jobs done.
BECK
(incensed)
She is a treasure. In your next
life Sil, I hope you come back as a
bug that get’s flattened on my
windshield.
SIL
Unless you want to be waiting for
me down there to give pointers, you
better take your ass off MY ship.
Beck looks at the rest of the crew, then Sil, then spits on
the floor, but turns round and walks.
SIL (CONT’D)
(turns round to two men)
Check out that wreck, the rest of
you, LOAD OUT.
Sil and the crew turn to the flash from the gun. She finishes
tightening his cuffs to a post and cautiously returns to the
ship.
SIL
LET’S MOVE.
CREWMAN
What about those two?
SIL
You wanna check they’re still
alive, be my guest.
Reeve hides in the brush, looks toward the light of the ship,
sees one man protesting. Moves closer.
REEVE
(breathless)
I’m... gonna need that ship.
BECK
(looks at him, doesn’t
care)
Think you’re too late pal.
Beck gesticulates toward the crew, who now have their guns
trained on Reeve.
SIL
You off two of my crew then have
the stones to come to my ship.
Reeve looks to the several men and women with their guns on
him, levels his pistol at them--
BECK
I’d take it easy pal, these people
have a shoot first ethos goin’ on.
SIL
Shut it Beck. This guy’s dead in
the water.
REEVE
I need... that ship.
BECK
(whispering)
Guy, c’mon, this ain’t worth dyin’
for.
SIL
Burn ’em.
BANG-- tags two guys next to her. The crew return fire, Beck
trying his best to not get shot, made difficult by the fact
he’s tied to the post.
BLACK OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT 1
REEVE
How... many?
BECK
(like he’s seen a ghost)
Err... three.
BECK (CONT’D)
Oni...
He leads her down the ramp, stops at Beck. Nods at her, cocks
the gun.
BECK (CONT’D)
NO-- don’t. You’d be wastin’
bullets.
REEVE
(to Sil)
Jog.
Sil runs off into the night. Reeve let’s the gun rest at his
side, near the point of collapse. In the distance we can see
lights of approaching vessels.
BECK
(looks at the lights)
HEY-- Pal, while I’m real grateful
you massacred my treacherous crew,
you think you could get me outta
these bracelets?
BECK (CONT’D)
(looking frantically
around)
C’mon! They find me, they’ll lock
me in the deepest, darkest Gulag
this side of the Reaches.
BECK (CONT’D)
If you wanna get outta here I’m
your best shot, I can go places
they can’t-- best Driver out there--
I can get you gone. You hear me?
REEVE
You got connections-- to lay low?
BECK
Course-- just get me out!
Reeve tosses a swipe key his way, he catches it and the cuffs
come off. Beck runs up the ramp.
BECK (CONT’D)
C’mon, stay with me.
Beck clicks his teeth, slams the hangar lock button, then
drags Reeve and hastily secures him by some cargo. He runs
off.
CRUISER CAPTAIN
MTM Driver, power down your ship
and exit the vehicle. Failure to
comply will permit the use of
excessive force. You have--
BECK
(preps the ship)
Thanks cap, I’ll let my imagination
fill in the finer details of my
imminent and fiery death.
The ship taxi’s for a second and then breaks for the skies.
The Corp Cruisers follow.
BECK
C’mon.
BECK (CONT’D)
(sighs)
Lemonade...
24 EXT. STRATOSPHERE 24
Beck lets out a breath he’s been holding, wipes his face with
his hands. Flicks on a screen, Reeve still in the hangar.
Gets out the seat and runs.
REEVE’S POV
Vomits. Runs the tap, washes his face, looks in the mirror.
Cuts and scrapes, the shoulder wound bound, other scars and
wounds on his body, he’s been through something.
BECK
Fried-- special EMP, used to safely
take down ships-- guy in my line of
work always has contingencies
though.
He looks at Reeve.
BECK (CONT’D)
How’s the shoulder, I’m no fixer
but it’ll hold.
REEVE
Did a good job.
BECK
You pick up a few tricks in the
Reaches.
(holds his hand out)
Beck.
CARTER
(holding his hand out)
Carter.
FLASH--
REEVE
(clasps his hand)
Reeve.
BECK
Fancy enlightening me on what in
the nether just happened? You were
on that crusier right-- came outta
the sky like a meteor.
REEVE
Some suits-- corporate, took a
liking to me.
BECK
Let me guess, you don’t plan on
tellin’ me?
REEVE
(nursing his shoulder)
Not right now, I’m runnin’ is all,
same as you. That corp off our
tail?
BECK
‘Our’ tail.
REEVE
You wanted to keep your ship, that
was the deal.
BECK
Guess I should’ve read the fine
print.
REEVE
Where we headin’?
BECK
(tossing the board away)
CERES-- not my first choice but the
only place we could gun it to
safely. We’ll have to keep it stum
there, more than a few people have
the hots for me and the Lady.
REEVE
Hunters?
BECK
And then some, but I guess you’d
know all about that.
(walking away from the
engine)
Fact is, if we wanna be up crusin’
the Reaches again, I’m gonna need a
new Navicular-Driver. This place’s
is the only shot.
REEVE
Safe?
BECK
Blue as we can get it at the moment-
- Black-light territory-- a moon,
corp’s got no hold there-- outlaw
country. If I were you though, I’d
worry more about what’s down there,
than what’s out here.
REEVE
What’d they want you for?
BECK
The usual: smugglin’, corporate
espionage, bounty huntin’, a list
longer than a dead-head’s tongue
implant.
REEVE
You get around then.
BECK
I make it a priority to never let
the engines cool down.
BECK (CONT’D)
Hey-- When I get the Lady fixed...
you’re not gonna kill me or
anythin’?
REEVE
(smiles)
I got no reason to kill you, I need
your services. All you’ve got is my
word. That gonna be enough?
BECK
People’s word’s been a little shaky
recently.
REEVE
I’d picked up on that. If I were
you, I’d be more cautious after
what just happened.
BECK
(angry)
I don’t remember you givin’ me a
choice.
REEVE
You made your choice Beck.
BECK
Yeah, ‘cause I didn’t want some
stranger takin’ the Lady from me
and let’s not forget, I saved your
ass.
REEVE
I’d say we’re on pretty even
ground.
Beck’s walking, passes a door with Sil’s name on it-- her old
cabin-- looks at it-- SLAMS a fist into it, BEAT, wipes his
face, composure regained.
SUIT
Widen the net, find out where in
the Nether he got to.
SPEAKER (O.C.)
There’s half a dozen black-light
territories-- three possible Hub’s--
SUIT
I don’t care, you get anyone we
have connections with-- any side
they’re on, send them the image--
nothing else-- tell them we need
him alive.
SPEAKER (O.C.)
He was with another too, the ship
he took.
SUIT
Name?
SPEAKER (O.C.)
Quentin Beck.
SUIT
Expendable?
SPEAKER (O.C.)
No-- someone want’s him alive.
SUIT
Very well. Do what you have to.
The Suit hangs up, looks over the wreckage, rubs his chin.
REEVE
What’s going on?
BECK
Think I was a bit too optimistic
about whether the Lady could stand
the jump.
BECK (CONT’D)
Without the power runnin’ at
optimum she’s under-coolin’ on the
descent--
The Lady’s lights flicker off for a second and then come
back.
BECK (CONT’D)
C’mon baby, just a little longer.
REEVE
We gonna land okay?
BECK
Yeah, but I think my healin’ hands
won’t be enough.
REEVE
Meaning?
BECK
Look at her-- she’s a big lady,
wish I could take care of her by
myself but the fact is she needs a
crew.
REEVE
That safe?
BECK
Honestly, I’d rather ride blind
through an asteroid belt then look
for people on Ceres.
REEVE
We’re not in a position to be
picky.
BECK
Tell me about it.
The ship lands in the port through a haze of smog and neon.
Like a floating strobe light in a gloomy disco. Other ships
are lined up, the place is bustling, stalls set up, like a
shanghai market after a downpour.
BECK
I’m gonna go topside and find that
part. You better stay put.
REEVE
I’m taggin’ along.
BECK
Don’t think that’s such a good idea
pal.
REEVE
I wasn’t askin’.
BECK
(exhales)
Fine-- there’s some getup in the
cabin you were in, not like the
crew’s gonna need it anymore. I’m
gonna grab some stuff. Meet me down
there in five.
BECK
I told you people would be onto us.
BECK (CONT’D)
Well, don’t come cryin’ to me
wantin’ to be rescued.
REEVE
I’d rather take my chances.
BECK
(unintelligible speak)
(BEAT)
(exposes his mouth)
We’re lookin’ for a Navicular-
Driver, series 5, model 1300 for an
MTM-- the other parts are a little
more complicated so I’ll worry
about them.
(reaches into his pocket
takes out a handheld)
You find it, you gimme a call,
we’ll meet back in an hour.
REEVE
What about a crew?
BECK
(audible sigh)
We really need a mech, but I’m not
holdin’ out. At best, we’ll get one
to come to the Lady, sort her out.
Then we hightail outta here.
BECK (CONT’D)
Hey-- If you find this part as
quickly as you find trouble we’ll
be set.
REEVE
Sake.
SERVER
(Japanese)
Kane-- kane. (Money-- money.)
Reeve shakes his head, dives into the pockets of his jacket
and trousers but finds nothing. He exhales, then leaves.
GIRL (O.C.)
You won’t find what you’re lookin’
for there.
BECK
You psychic or somethin’?
LINK
Maybe...
BECK
(dismissive)
Right... I’m just gonna carry on
doin’ what I’m doin’.
LINK
Tell me what you’re lookin’ for and
I bet I can get it.
BECK
I’m set, kid.
BECK (CONT’D)
(grabbing his leg)
What the hell?
LINK
C’mon, try me.
BECK
Fine-- Navicular-Driver, series 5,
model 1300 for an MTM-- Happy?
LINK
Yatta! (yes!)
BECK
Seems I underestimate you street
urchins. How much we talkin’?-- I
won’t go a chip over five-thou.
LINK
Don’t you wanna check it out first?
BECK
(scratching the back of
his head)
Suppose I should...
LINK
C’mon!
She grabs his arm and pulls him along. They pace down a
street, the Girl pulls him into an alley.
BECK
Kid, you sure this is the place?
LINK
Aww Bibiri (scaredy cat)
Beck’s not too enthused, he feels for the gun at his back...
BECK
Kid. Hey--
BECK (CONT’D)
C’mon...
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT ONE