PREY
"After-Shock"
TEASER
FADE IN:
[NOTE: THE DATE IS WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 1999]
1. INT. RAY'S HOME; BEDROOM - NIGHT
Darkness. SFX: Telephone ring. DET. RAY PETERSON wakes up from the noise. He fumbles for the light switch on his bedside lamp. The bulb fails, Ray curses under his breath, and picks up the phone.
RAY
(groggily)
Yeah, hello?
ED
(OOV)
Ray, it's Ed, listen, I've-
RAY
Ed, do you know what time it is?
As Ed talks, Ray gets up and walks over to the window, opening the drapes a fraction to let in some light from the full moon.
ED
(OOV)
I know, I'm sorry, but it's Sloan, she's missing, we were at the lab, she went out for pizza, and-
RAY
What, at...
(checks a small clock on the windowsill. Incredulously:)
...3 AM in the morning?
(takes a breath)
Did you check her apartment?
CUT TO:
2. INT. SLOAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
ED
I'm at her apartment. Someone else beat me to it.
DR. ED TATE takes another look at the mess around him. Books and papers are scattered about the floor.
RAY
(OOV)
Anything taken?
ED
(dryly)
I'm not sure, but Sloan was never this messy.
RAY
(OOV, more to himself than Ed)
OK. Calm down. Think.
(beat)
When did you last see her, Ed?
ED
(guiltily, quickly)
A couple of hours ago, three maybe. We were talking, she went out, I started working on the computer...I guess my mind wandered.
RAY
(OOV, angrily)
Your mind wandered for three hours?!
ED
(continuing, evasive)
I got no answer from her cell phone - she left it here, of course.
RAY
(OOV, sternly)
Ed, what are you not telling me?
Ed twists his wrists slightly, and looks at the cuffs of his shirt sleeve - and the stains of blood.
ED
(guiltily)
I...got called away. It was an emergency - I'll explain later, it's not relevant. I left a note for Sloan at the lab. When I got back there, everything had been sealed, they wouldn't let me in, they said there'd been a break-in. So much for Walter's new security measures... Then I raced over here.
RAY
(OOV, anger not letting up)
Why didn't you call me sooner?
ED
(pained expression)
I don't know...I wasn't thinking straight, OK? I'm sorry.
RAY
(OOV, deep breath)
Right. I'm going over to the lab. I'll get some people over to you. Stay put till they arrive, then come and join me.
Ray hangs up. Ed bows his head for a couple of seconds, then switches his cell phone off, pockets it, and walks over to the window. He stares at the full moon. Pause. Suddenly, he hears a knock, and the front door opens. Ed turns to see a tall, grey-haired man, perhaps 60 years old, but looking very fit for that age.
ED
(surprised)
That was quick.
TRAVIS
(baffled at Ed's comment)
I'm looking for Dr. Parker. What happened here?
ED
Who are you?
(sternly)
What d'you want with Dr. Parker?
Travis takes out an ID wallet from his coat pocket, opens it, and holds it up to show a CIA badge. The name on the badge reads AGENT PETER TRAVIS.
TRAVIS
I'm with the Central Intelligence Agency - it's important I speak with her.
ED
She's...unavailable. I'm her friend and colleague, Dr. Ed Tate. Can I help?
TRAVIS
(stares for a beat)
I'd prefer to speak with Dr. Parker, but this really can't wait...
(shuts the door; approaches Ed)
What with recent developments and all, the removal of...key personnel, our departments have been reshuffled, and certain new evidence has surfaced.
ED
What evidence?
Travis removes a large, padded envelope from his coat, and pulls out a video tape.
TRAVIS
Dr. Tate, you worked with Dr. Ann Coulter, didn't you?
ED
(slowly)
Yes, she was a bio-anthropologist at Whitney labs. What's this got to do with her?
TRAVIS
(reproachfully)
I've been fully briefed on your involvement, Dr. Tate. This is a copy of some security tape, taken on the night of Dr. Coulter's murder last year.
ED
(quietly)
They examined that footage, they didn't find anything.
TRAVIS
(smiles)
Well, it must have been replaced. This is the real footage from the security camera in the lab corridor. I think you need to take a look at it. I've forwarded it to the right place on the tape.
Travis offers the tape to Ed.
ED
(not moving)
Randall Lynch killed Ann.
TRAVIS
(solemnly)
Not according to this.
Ed stares at Travis for several seconds before accepting it.
ED
I wanna see that badge of yours again.
TRAVIS
Sure thing.
Travis hands it over, and Ed examines it closely.
ED
(looks up to stare at Travis)
And a blood sample.
Ed produces a tiny blood-extractor gadget from his trouser pocket.
TRAVIS
(laughs out loud)
What?! You really think I'm working for them?!
ED
(earnestly)
This is an easy enough way to find out.
Travis smiles, takes off his coat and jacket, and rolls up a shirt sleeve. He stretches out his arm.
TRAVIS
(wryly)
That thing's sterile, I hope.
ED
Trust me.
(jabs the gadget into Travis's arm)
Thanks.
Travis rolls his shirt sleeve back down, and puts his jacket and coat back on.
TRAVIS
Y'know, most people just take a business card.
ED
It's not often the CIA drops by at 3:30 in the morning.
TRAVIS
The light was on - and like I said, it was urgent. It's a little too complicated for the police - and this may, directly or indirectly, implicate the high brass at the NSA. You really should see that tape, and give me a call when you're ready to talk. Number's on the back of the box.
(turns to leave, and opens the front door)
You should tell Dr. Parker to get a better lock on this door.
Travis exits. Ed looks at the tape in his hand, and then turns to look at the VCR in the corner of the room. He goes over to play the tape.
3. VIDEO-TAPE FOOTAGE: INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE DR. COULTER'S OFFICE - NIGHT
The date and time are stamped into the corner of the monochrome display, reading "1/15/98 23:25".
Silence. Ed turns up the volume to get just a loud hiss from the TV - no sound was recorded - he turns the volume down again. A few moments later, a shadow appears against the door to Dr. Coulter's office.
Ed stares closer at the TV.
The door opens, and out steps Dr. WALTER ATTWOOD. Even in the low-resolution black and white display, it is clear he has been in a struggle. His hands and shirt are covered in blood.
He looks as if he has heard someone coming, and rushes down the corridor, away from the camera's field of view.
ED
(incredulously)
Walter?
FADE OUT.
