Episode Three

NEXT SCENE
THE POLICE ARRIVE. RAY IS WITH THEM, INVESTIGATING THE SCENE. TOM WALKS OVER TO THE TRUCK. ED IS WRAPPING UP WHAT IS LEFT OF LYNCH.

Ed: So you knew this guy, huh?
Tom: Yes.

TOM REALLY SEXILY HOPS ONTO THE TAILGATE AND CROUCHES THERE.

Ed: What did Sloan tell you about him?
Tom: I know all about Lynch.
Ed: So, is she working for you or what?
Tom: No, just friends.
Ed: Really.

TOM NODS.

Tom: Come on.

THEY PULL THE BODY OFF THE TRUCK.

Ed: Got it?
Tom: Yep.

THE COP CARS PULL AWAY.

Ray: I just told them Lynch was a suspect that committed suicide. Now you wanna tell me what I just lied about?
Sloan: Why don’t I show you?

SLOAN LEADS RAY INTO THE CAVE WITH ED. THEY SEE PILES OF EYEGLASSES, BLANKETS, CLOTHES, WALLETS AND HANDBAGS, SHOES, ETC.

Ray: (stunned) Have mercy.
Sloan: We need Lynch’s remains.
Ray: You got ‘em.

NEXT SCENE
AT THE BIO LAB. ED AND ATTWOOD BURST THROUGH THE DOORS WITH A GURNEY.

Ed: Do we have a clean room?
Attwood: Taken care of.
Ed: Hey, can you buy us some more time?
Attwood: No, we have to work fast. I can’t believe Sloan’s not here.
Ed: I can.

NEXT SCENE
A CITY SKYLINE GLEAMS AT NIGHT. TOM AND SLOAN STAND OVERLOOKING THE SIGHT.

Sloan: You need to talk to me, Tom.
Tom: About what?
Sloan: Lynch.
Tom: Lynch is dead. You should feel greatly relieved.
Sloan: Don’t. Something happened back there. Lynch said what you’ve seen, is just the beginning. I wanna know what he was talking about.
Tom: So do I.
Sloan: Why don’t you know what he meant?
Tom: I was never told. My assignments were considered too sensitive.
Sloan: Assignments?
Tom: I was a chameleon. I got close to people. Watched them. Became them.

Sloan: That what you did with me?
Tom: Yes.
Sloan: When you tried to kill me.
Tom: That’s right.
Sloan: You were a killer.
Tom: Yes.
Sloan: What happens now?

HE POINTS TO THE CITY BELOW.

Tom: Look.

WE SEE A NUMBER OF FIRES ABLAZE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY.

Sloan: What’s going on?
Tom: The press conference. Me taking you to the cave. They’re moving on. Destroying every trace of their existence. They’re getting ready. I just don’t know what for.

Sloan: Where will they go?
Tom: Underground. For a while.

WE SEE SOMEONE WATCHING THE SCENE THROUGH A NIGHT VISION LENS.

Sloan: And you?
Tom: Why don’t you go home? I’ll find you.

WE SEE IT IS TWO MEN, HIDDEN IN SOME SHRUBS, OBSERVING TOM AND SLOAN WITH BINOCULARS. TOM COVERS SLOAN’S HAND WITH HIS OWN AND SHE LEAVES. HE STARES OUT AT THE CITY AND THE FIRES. HE LOOKS REALLY SEXY. THE MEN ARE STILL WATCHING HIM. (AND IT’S NO WONDER.)

NEXT SCENE
INSIDE THE LAB. ED, ATTWOOD AND RAY ARE THERE, PERFORMING THE AUTOPSY ON LYNCH.

Attwood: There’s not much to work with here, Ed.
Ed: Tell me about it.
Ray: Just do it fast. The medical examiner’s office is on its way over to pick up the body.
Ed: Internal organs are fried. I mean, there’s no way I can tell anything about his physiology.
Attwood: Maybe that’s what he wanted.
Ed: Good point.
Attwood: How about odeontology?
Ed: Could turn something up.
Attwood: A few more hours and we could do a complete bioskeletal autopsy.
Ed: (to Ray) We need more time.
Ray: I’ve done all I could do.
Ed: (brightening with an idea) His blood! No, I know we already have the DNA but we could test it for everything. Toxicology, serrology, immunity.

THEY GET A SYRINGE. RAY LEAVES. THE AUTOPSY IS PRETTY ICKY. IN THE HALL TWO UNIFORMED MEDICAL GUYS WALK TOWARDS RAY.

First Guy: Hey, gotta body for us?
Ray: Yeah, in there. Be a few minutes.
First Guy: No problem. Wanna sign the paperwork now?
Ray: Sure. Look, thank M.E. Rogers for me, would ya?
First Guy: Yeah.

NEXT SCENE
TOM IS STILL AT THE OVERLOOK, STARING OUT AT THE CITY. HE LOOKS PENSIVE, LOST IN HIS THOUGHTS. REALLY SEXY. IN A VOICEOVER, WE HEAR LYNCH SAY, “You’re gonna see hell. And it starts right here.” WE SEE FLASHES OF TOM’S THOUGHTS. THE GIRLS TIED UP. LYNCH DROPPING THE CIGARETTE AND IGNITING HIMSELF.
THE MEN ARE STILL WATCHING TOM.
SUDDENLY HE NOTICES A RED DOT OF LIGHT FROM A LASER SIGHTING ON HIS ARM. HE SCAMPERS AND TRIES TO AVOID IT, BUT THEY CATCH HIM IN THE SHOULDER AS HE RUNS TO HIS CAR. LOTS OF ROLLING AROUND, DODGING AND GREAT VIEWS OF THE AFOREMENTIONED BROWN PANTS. TOM MAKES IT TO HIS CAR AND SPEEDS AWAY.

NEXT SCENE
ED IS IN HIS OFFICE, WORKING AT THE COMPUTER. SLOAN KNOCKS AND ENTERS.

Sloan: How’d the autopsy go?
Ed: Uh, it didn’t really. But, I got a chance to do a full blood workup.
Sloan: That’s great.
Ed: Yeah, and actually it might be a goldmine. Lynch had immunities to virtually every virulent infection known to man. I mean the guy was a walking antibody. Highest concentration: Cryptosporidium, Heliobacter and Plasmodium. See, there.
Sloan: That means repeated exposure to those three strains.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT A COMPUTER SCREEN WITH A MAP OF SOUTHERN NORTH AMERICA, LATIN AMERICA, AND NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA. IT SHOWS CONCENTRATIONS OF DIFFERENT DISEASES AND VIRUSES.

Ed: Big area. All we have to do is narrow it down. See if we had more samples, we could tell if that’s their point of origin.
Sloan: This might be their Eden.
Ed: What’s that make their cave? Hell?
Sloan: One way or another they’ve gotta get rid of us.
Ed: Like right out of Hitler’s gamebook. Master race.
Sloan: Master species. This is nature, not genocide.

SLOAN’S CELL PHONE RINGS. SHE ANSWERS IT.

Sloan: Sloan Parker.
Tom: I need you.
Sloan: What’s the matter? Are you okay?
Tom: Just hurry up.

HE HANGS UP.

Sloan: Where are you?

NEXT SCENE
SLOAN’S APARTMENT. TOM IS SITTING NEXT TO SLOAN AT THE FOOT OF HER BED. SHE’S WRAPPING A BANDAGE AROUND HIS LEFT BICEP.

Sloan: This would be easier if you took off your shirt.
Tom: No. Just do it like this.
Sloan: You know, I-I’m not a nurse. I-I don’t know how to treat gunshot wounds. We really should go to a hospital.

HE LOOKS AT HER POINTEDLY AND SHE REALIZES HE CAN’T GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

Sloan: Why would they want to kill you?
Tom: I guess umm...I’m no longer one of them.
Sloan: Then maybe, you could help me.
Tom: How?
Sloan: Ed has an idea about where your species may have come from.
Tom: Then he knows more than I do.
Sloan: You can help confirm his theory. If you’re interested.
Tom: What kind of help, Sloan?
Sloan: I need a blood sample from you.

(YES, HE’S JUST BEEN SHOT, AND SHE WANTS TO TAKE EVEN MORE BLOOD OUT OF HIS BODY!)

Tom: I can’t do that.
Sloan: You owe them nothing.

(SPEAKING AT THE SAME TIME)

Tom: Who are you to tell me what I owe?
Sloan: You’re no longer one of them!

HE REALIZES THE POINT OF WHAT SHE’S SAYING.
HE LOOKS GORGEOUS. GREAT LIPS.

Sloan: How does that make you feel?
Tom: (he exhales) Alone.

NEXT SCENE
HOT SCENE ALERT! HOT SCENE ALERT!

AT THE BIO LAB. TOM IS SITTING IN A CHAIR. SLOAN STANDS ABOVE HIM. IT’S AFTER HOURS, DARK IN THE ROOM. SHE PUSHES UP HIS SLEEVE. THEIR FACES ARE INCHES FROM EACH OTHER. HER HAIR BRUSHES HIS FACE. HE LOOKS UP AT HER. SHE GAZES INTO HIS EYES. SLOAN PUTS THE TOURNIQUET AROUND HIS RIGHT BICEP AND TIES IT. THEIR FACES ARE STILL INCHES APART. EVERYTHING IS HUSHED.

Tom: You’re nervous.
Sloan: I know. I’m sorry.
Tom: Don’t be.

SLOAN SWABS HIS ARM SLOWLY WITH ALCOHOL. SHE GETS THE SYRINGE AND POSITIONS IT ABOVE HIS INNER ARM AT THE ELBOW.

Sloan: Ready?
Tom: (softly) I don’t know.

SLOAN INSTERTS THE NEEDLE AND WITHDRAWS THE BLOOD. SHE FINISHES AND TAKES THE TOURNIQUET OFF. TOM STARES INTENTLY INTO SLOAN’S EYES AND SHE STARES BACK INTO HIS. THEIR LIPS ARE INCHES FROM EACH OTHER. SHE PULLS BACK A BIT AS THEY CONTINUE TO GAZE AT EACH OTHER.


NEXT SCENE
BIO LAB, MORNING. PEOPLE ARE ABOUT. SLOAN IS WORKING AS ED WALKS IN.

Ed: Hey.
Sloan: Hey.
Ed: What are you doing?
Sloan: Some bloodwork.
Ed: I already did that. What’re you checking up on my results?
Sloan: No. It’s a new sample.
Ed: From Lynch?
Sloan: No.
Ed: (picking up a vial of blood) Where did this come from?
Sloan: (turning to face Ed) Tom Daniels.
Ed: How long have you known about him...about what he is?
Sloan: A while.
Ed: And you didn’t think you could tell me? You didn’t think I should know?
Sloan: Ed--
Ed: No, Sloan. What’s going on? Did you just forget to mention this while you were dragging me halfway across the state?
Sloan: No, I didn’t forget.
Ed: Well then you lied.
Sloan: I was afraid to tell you. More than anyone. And the more time that passed, the worse I felt about saying nothing, and the less I could say.
Ed: That’s double-talk.
Sloan: It’s guilt. Alright. But it’s the truth. Can you understand?
Ed: I don’t know.

ED WALKS OUT OF THE LAB. SLOAN IS STRICKEN.

NEXT SCENE
INSIDE A PARKING GARAGE. WE SEE ATTWOOD PUTTING HIS BRIEFCASE INTO HIS TRUNK.
ANOTHER CAR PULLS UP. LIMO LADY GETS OUT OF IT.

Limo Lady: How’re things going at the lab, Walter?
Attwood: Well the press conference had the desired effect. Everyone and his brother is contacting us absolutely certain their neighbors are the new species.
Limo Lady: Are you following up on any of those leads?
Attwood: That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?
Limo Lady: What’s the time table?
Attwood: I’ll let you know as soon as I can. There are a lot of crazy people out there. First let me separate the wheat from the chaff.
Limo Lady: Just stay on top of it. Oh. And get some sleep. You look like hell.

SHE GETS INTO THE LIMO AND IT DRIVES AWAY.

NEXT SCENE
THE MEDICAL EXAMINER VAN IN A BACK ALLEY. THE TWO ATTENDANTS ARE DEAD. THE REMAINS OF LYNCH ARE GONE.

NEXT SCENE
INSIDE SLOAN’S APARTMENT. TOM AND SLOAN ARE AT HER COMPUTER.

Tom: So tell me what you found out.
Sloan: You have the same antibodies as Lynch.
Tom: Is that good or bad?
Sloan: Neither. Based on the (something) list, I’m pretty sure the species began in the range 20 degrees on either side of the equator.
Tom: That’s a pretty big area Sloan.
Sloan: I think I can narrow it down. There’s only one parasite that carries the three diseases to which you and Lynch have formed antibodies. That bug is found in only one place on earth. Oaxaca. Southern Mexico. We have to go there.

TOM NODS HIS AGREEMENT.

NEXT SCENE
TOM’S HOUSE, NIGHTTIME. WE SEE TOM INSIDE WITH A GAS CAN. THE STRANGE BLACK PALLET IS STILL IN HIS LIVING ROOM. TOM EMERGES FROM THE FRONT DOOR, SPILLING GASOLINE FROM THE CAN. HE WALKS DOWN THE STEPS AND TO HIS CAR. FLICKING A LIGHTER INTO THE POOL OF GAS NEAR HIS FEET, HE WATCHES THE GAS IGNITE, AND THE HOUSE GO UP IN FLAMES.


NEXT SCENE
RAY IS SITTING IN A CHAIR AT THE POLICE STATION. A NEWS REPORT IS ON THE TV.

Anchorwoman: ....the fire department now estimates the number of first at one hundred and eight, and this evening in another bizarre twist, a fire department spokesman announced the most disturbing detail yet. It is now believed that all one hundred and eight fires were started at 7:50 in the evening. No explanation was offered by authorities. And so the mystery baffling the Southland deepens. Who started these fires. And why.

NEXT SCENE
DAYLIGHT. RAY DRIVES TO THE LOCATION OF THE CAVE. HE TAKES EVIDENCE BAGS AND ENTERS IT. WHEN HE ARRIVES AT WHERE THE PILES OF PERSONAL ITEMS WERE, HE SEES NOTHING. THE CAVE IS EMPTY. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CLEARED OUT.

NEXT SCENE
SLOAN’S APARTMENT. SHE IS PACKING A BAG WHILE ON THE TELEPHONE.

Sloan: Ed, I know you’re probably there. Look. I’ve pinpointed a location of origin of the new species in Mexico. I scammed some money from the lab’s research budget and I’m heading down there. Listen. I really need you to come with me. I’ll be here for another hour. Call me.

SHE HANGS UP JUST AS A KNOCK COMES AT HER DOOR.

Sloan: Who is it?
Ray: Ray Peterson.

SHE OPENS THE DOOR.

Sloan: I don’t have much time. What can I do for you?
Ray: Taking a trip?
Sloan: Mexico. We may have figured out where the new species came from. That’s why I’m taking this trip. It’ll help us understand what’s going on.
Ray: That’s a good question. I went back to that cave, Dr. Parker. There’s nothing there. Everything’s gone. Cleaned out. Sound familiar? They knew we were there. Any idea how that happened?
Sloan: No.

HIS CELL PHONE RINGS.

Ray: Peterson.....when...put someone on it until i get back.

HE HANGS UP.

Ray: Seems the contents of the cave aren’t the only things missing. Lynch’s body never made it back to the M.E.’s office. They found the van downtown. Both attendants are dead. No prints, no fibers, nothing. You still sure about your trip?
Sloan: I need to know their common ancestry. Understand their physiology.
Ray: Be careful, Dr. Parker.

NEXT SCENE
TOM WALKS OUT OF THE APARTMENT BUILDING CARRYING SLOAN’S BAGS AND PUTS THEM IN THE TRUNK. UNFORTUNATELY HE IS NO LONGER WEARING THE TASTY BROWN PANTS. WE WON’T SEE THEM AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THE DARK GREY PANTS HE’S WEARING NOW ARE THE NEXT BEST THING. ED WHEELS UP IN HIS VAN. SLOAN’S FACE BRIGHTENS. TOM GIVES AN ‘OH GREAT’ LOOK AND LIFTS HIS EYEBROWS.

Ed: Hey.
Sloan: Hey.
Ed: Got your message.
Sloan: I’m glad. Are you here to say good-bye or to come along?

ED LOOKS AT TOM.

Ed: How much do you really know about this guy?
Sloan: I know we need him. And I trust him.
Ed: How can you be sure of that?
Sloan: I have to be. My own...leap of faith.

ED BACKS AWAY FROM HER AND TOWARDS HIS VAN. SLOAN IS DISAPPOINTED. ED MAKES A DECISION AND REMOVES HIS BAGS FROM THE VAN. HE WALKS BACK TO SLOAN’S CAR.

Ed: I guess I’ll have to trust him too.

THE GUYS GIVE EACH OTHER REAL INTENSE, ‘I’M WATCHING YOU’ LOOKS. EVERYONE GETS IN THE CAR AND THEY DRIVE OFF.

End Episode 3

Part One


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