Categories > Original > Drama > The Archive (A Screenplay)
EXT TUSCON HOUSE
Caption : 13th August, YOG 1,302. 11:45pm
An unmarked car pulls up outside the Tuscon house, and four armed agents climb out. They look around, then they walk up to the house next door to the Tuscons.
They creep up to the door, then one of them picks the lock, and pushes the door open.
There are a few moments of silence, then a scream comes from the house.
There are a few more moments of silence, then the agents drag four people out of the house - two women, a girl of around twelve and a girl of around five. They are all in nightwear, and all obviously scared.
INT TUSCON HOUSE
Sophia is awaked by the noise, and looks out the window (but carefully, so she can't be seen)
EXT TUSCON HOUSE
The agents line the four people up against the wall of their house. Then three of them train their guns on the four, while the other turns to face them.
AGENT #1
Susan Parish, you stand accussed of
collabarating with Her Majesty's enemies, and
aiding the PPA in their criminal and seditious
cause.
SUSAN
No...
AGENT #1
Shut up. You have one choice, and one choice
only. Either you tell me the names of your
associates - all of your associates, or you
will be executed, here and now.
SUSAN
(sounding desperate)
I don't know any names - you have the wrong
person.
AGENT #1
So you are saying you are unwilling to name
your associates?
INT TUSCON HOUSE
Sophia is still looking out the window, although now she has ducked down.
SUSAN
(os)
I don't know any names - you have got the...
Sophia flinches backwards as there is the sound of a gunshot.
EXT TUSCON HOUSE
The older woman is now lying dead on the floor.
AGENT #1
When is the next attack planned? Who will be
responsible for it?
SUSAN
(staring at the body on the floor)
I don't know any names...
Another gunshot, and the older of the two children collapses on the floor.
AGENT #1
(pointing a gun at the youngest girl)
Are you going to tell me what I want to know,
Parish?
Susan glances at her youngest daughter with tears in her eyes, then turns back to the Agent.
SUSAN
(through the tears)
I don't...
The youngest girl is shot. Susan stares at her body for a moment, then she turns back to the agent.
SUSAN
(in a firm, calm voice)
I don't know any names. You have got the wrong
person.
The agent stares at her, then shrugs.
AGENT #1
Fine.
He shoots her, then turns to the three agents.
AGENT #1
Put their bodies back in the house, and torch
it. We will make it look like they were
informers, and that the PPA got to them.
INT TUSCON HOUSE
Sophia watches for a moment, then goes back to her bed.
EXT BLACKWALL CENTER
Caption : Blackwall Center, Serenity.
14th August, YOG 1,302. 9am.
Sophia is striding up to the center, looking determined.
INT BLACKWALL CENTER
Sophia walks through the center, obviously looking for somoene. After a few moments, she stops by a window of a music store. Stood next to her is Ariana.
SOPHIA
Do you know a woman named Susan Parish?
ARIANA
(turning, surprised)
Soph?
SOPHIA
Do you know a woman named Susan Parish?
ARIANA
Yes.
SOPHIA
How do you know her?
ARIANA
She is an old friend from home.
(Sophia closes her eyes in pain)
Soph?
SOPHIA
I need to meet with you and your teacher,
but I need to do it somewhere private and
safe.
ARIANA
Okay.
(pauses)
Do you remember the green house?
(Sophia nods)
I will bring her there at noon.
(Sophia nods again)
It was nice seeing you again.
She turns and walks away, leaving Sophia staring in to the window. In the reflection, we can see a single tear running down each cheek.
EXT HOUSE
Caption : PPA Safe House, Serenity. 10am
Sophia walks up to a non-descript house, but before she can knock on the door, it opens to reveal Alison stood there.
ALISON
Come in.
Sophia pauses, then walks inside.
INT HOUSE
A group of people are people are sat down round a table, when Sophia and Alison comes in. The group includes Ariana, Juliana, Michael and Nikolas.
ARIANA
Sophia - have a seat.
SOPHIA
Thanks.
(she sits, then looks around)
Last night, just before midnight, four
men came up to my neighbours house.
(pauses)
They pulled the four people out, and
arrested Susan on charges of terrorism,
being a member of the PPA and conspiracy
to commit terrorism.
(pauses again, this time a little longer)
The lead agent began to question Susan,
and she said she didn't have any names,
and that she knew nothing about the PPA.
There is a period where she looks down at the table and says nothing.
ARIANA
Soph?
SOPHIA
(looking up, now with a strong look)
When she refused to name names, they shot
Perri. She still refused to name names,
so they shot Mary.
(a few gasps of outrage)
Then Jane.
(there are no gasps, just stunned silence)
She still refused to name names, so, in the
end, they shot her.
(pauses)
The four agents stuck the bodies back in the
house, and torched it. They said they
wanted to make it look like the PPA killed
her entire family for being an informant.
(she looks around)
I thought you would want to know.
ALISON
(after a moment)
Thank you, Sophia, for telling us this.
(pauses)
Was there anything else?
Sophia stares at her for a moment, then takes a deep breath.
SOPHIA
This isn't easy for me.
(pauses)
I want to help.
There is a period of silence.
ARIANA
Okay.
SOPHIA
(not really listening)
I have dedicated the whole of my career to
saving lives, and the idea that I am going
to willingly kill people is...
(gestures vaguely)
But last night I saw the government shoot
a five year old girl in the head because
her mother refused to betray her friends.
(pauses again)
And there are... other incidents I am less
proud of in my history, and I think it is
time to stop running away.
ARIANA
(again, in a more serious tone)
Okay.
SOPHIA
There is one... condition.
They stare at her in surprise, but Ariana has a slight smile on her face.
ALISON
You are going to place conditions on your
terrorist activity?
SOPHIA
(firmly)
Yes.
ALISON
(with a wry smile)
Let's hear it then.
SOPHIA
Hospitals, and other medical centers, are
all off limits. I won't be a party to
attacks on them.
ARIANA
Why?
SOPHIA
Because if we are going to be hurting
innocent people, there has to be somewhere
they can go for help. Not to mention that
the patients will have far less of a chance
to escape any bomb that goes off.
(stares at them)
So - what do you say?
ARIANA
You haven't been paying much attention to
our activities in the past few years, have
you?
SOPHIA
I have been too busy dealing with the
casualties of your activities...
(smiles in embarrassment)
Sorry - force of habit.
ARIANA
We have only ever targeted the military
arm of the government, and those that
provide financial support to The Queen.
SOPHIA
So?
ARIANA
That doesn't include hospitals or schools.
(pauses)
I think that we can live with your
condition, Soph.
(Sophia smiles)
So, are you sure you want to join?
SOPHIA
(pauses to consider it, then, after a deep
breath, nods)
Yes.
ARIANA
Then - welcome to the Pallatium People's
Army.
(holds out her hand, and Sophia shakes it)
For the next few months, you are going to
be trained in various skills that you
probably don't have at the moment.
SOPHIA
Like?
ARIANA
Bomb making.
ALISON
Counter-espionage.
JULIANA
Infiltration.
NIKOLAS
Code-breaking.
ARIANA
That sort of thing.
(she looks at her)
Are you going to keep your job at the
hospital?
SOPHIA
For the time being, yeah.
(sighs)
In part because it will help me deal with
what I am doing...
(pauses, then continues)
But also because it is a good place to
pick up information.
(they look at her curiously)
Sometimes people on a morphine high say
things they wouldn't normally say.
ARIANA
Okay. So - you stay at the hospital, and,
in a few months time, we will sometimes
call on you to help plan and carry out
the attacks.
SOPHIA
Okay.
ARIANA
This is only a part of the Serenity Cell,
the rest you will meet as time goes by and
as needs dictate.
(she looks over at Alison)
Alison is our liason to the other cells
throughout the country, and she is the only
person you will meet from the other cells.
ALISON
This is so that, on the off chance you are
captured, you can only incriminate a
small number of people.
SOPHIA
Makes sense.
ALISON
Do you have any further questions?
SOPHIA
(pauses, then hesitantly)
How do you live with yourself?
For a long while, no one replies.
ALISON
You do it by reminding yourself that, in
the long run, this way will result in
a lot less deaths.
There is a pause.
SOPHIA
Does it work?
EXT NATIONAL REPRODUCTIVE CENTER
Caption : National Reproductive Center, Serentiy.
27th February, YOG 1,305. 11:55pm
Sophia, Sally, Nelly and Nikolas are walking towards the NRC. They all carry backpacks.
NIKOLAS
Best way in?
SOPHIA
There is a service way in the basement. It
isn't guarded, and the security is very low.
SALLY
How do you know?
SOPHIA
I did a six month stint here, after I
graduated.
(she looks around)
I suggest we target the outpatient
department, the morgue, Katy's office and
the records section.
(they both stare at her)
We can't touch the medical storage center,
nor can we touch the incubation centers,
because... because we can't.
SALLY
I agree, but I would also like to suggest
the testing suites as well.
NIKOLAS
Why?
SALLY
Well - partly because, after we take out the
other four sections, they won't be using
the testing suites anyway, but mostly
because they were recently refurbished to
be suited for female testing only.
(Sophia turns and stares at her)
I kid you not.
SOPHIA
Okay.
(turns to Nikolas)
Any other suggestions?
NIKOLAS
No. How do you want to arrange it?
SOPHIA
Sal?
SALLY
Well - Katy's office and the morgue should
be easy to arrange. So - Nik - do you want
to take those?
NIKOLAS
Okay.
SALLY
I will take the testing suites, since I
have been in them the most recently. Nelly?
NELLY
Yes?
SALLY
Can you do the records center?
NELLY
Why me?
SALLY
I want you to make sure the fire gets all
the files, but doesn't spread beyond there.
NELLY
Okay.
SALLY
And Soph...
SOPHIA
The outpatient department?
SALLY
You need to make sure you don't bring the
building down. Or that any fires spread
to the other sections.
SOPHIA
Okay - I will make sure.
They reach the area surrounding the NRC.
SALLY
Okay. Lets do this.
MONTAGE
Various shots of the four of them planting bombs, of
Nikolas looking through the files in Katy's office,
of the timers and detonaters being set and so on.
END MONTAGE
INT NRC
Sophia is putting a bomb down in the outpatients department when she hears sees Nelly pulling a radio out of her backpack. As Sophia watches, Nelly punches in a frequency, then lifts the radio to her mouth.
SOPHIA
Nelly - who are you talking to?
NELLY
Home base. To let them know...
She is interupted by the radio.
VOICE
(over the radio)
Agent Sutler? Are you there?
Sophia pulls out a gun, and shoots a dart in to Nelly's thigh. Then she leans over and picks up the radio.
SOPHIA
(to radio)
This is Agent Sutler
VOICE
(from the radio)
What do you have to report?
SOPHIA
(to radio)
I was right. They are going to attack the
five schools tomorrow, along with Queen
Leonara Hospital
VOICE
(from the radio)
Well done. You should stay with them, and
we will extract you tomorrow.
SOPHIA
(to radio)
Will do.
She clicks the radio off, then looks down at Nelly.
SOPHIA
(to herself)
What shall we do with you?
EXT NRC
Sophia, Sally and Nikolas are leaving the NRC, and walking away down the street.
SALLY
Where's Nelly?
SOPHIA
(looks over at Nikolas, who nods)
She couldn't make it.
(flashback)
INT NRC
Sophia has revived Nelly, and gagged her. She holds up a needle, filled with a yellowish fluid.
SOPHIA
(as she is injecting the fluid)
This will paralyse you. Your body, your
mouth, your vocal chords. But your mind
will function perfectly.
She ties a device round Nelly's waist, then carries her down to the morgue. Nikolas sees her enter.
NIKOLAS
Soph?
SOPHIA
Spy.
Nikolas pulls one of the empty morgue draws open, and they put Nelly inside it. As they push it close, Sophia gives a sweet wave to Nelly.
(end flashback)
EXT NRC
SALLY
(looking between them)
Spy?
NIKOLAS
Spy.
INT SOPHIA'S ROOM AT SAFEHOUSE
Caption : 28th February, YOG 1,305. 2:55am
Sophia is writing in her pad, still dressed in the clothes she was wearing during the infiltration of the NRC. She is writing in her notepad, lying on her bed.
SOPHIA
(vo whilst writing)
It never changes. I have been doing this
for three years, and every time is like
the first.
(pauses)
Scary. Gut-wrenching. Knowing that you are
taking an action that will kill someone...
(pauses again)
It is something you never, ever get used to.
And, to be honest, I don't think you
should.
(looks over at the clock, now showing 3am)
I wish I could feel guilty about what I
did to Nelly, but I can't. She knew the
risks, and was ready to see us all tortured
and killed.
(pauses)
She got what was coming to her.
She stands up, and moves to her desk.
SOPHIA
(vo whilst writing)
In six hours, the city of Serenity will
burn. The entire government will be wiped
out in a single strike, and our country
will have a new leader.
(pauses)
My parents, before they were forced to flee
the country, were big believers in
democracy. And they raised me to be the
same.
(pauses)
But what they don't tell you, what no one
ever tells you, is that democracy only
works when everyone plays by the rules.
She stands up and walks back to her bed and lies down again.
SOPHIA
(vo)
It's going to be a long night.
She puts the pad down, and closes her eyes.
MONTAGE
Various scenes of her planting bombs in various buildings throughout Serenity. Of her watching the explosions, and of her treating the victims in hospitals.
The montage ends with her walking round the bookshop from the opening scene. She plants a few devices, then walks out of the shop, and out through the center.
There are a few scenes of her looking round the shops, then of her walking out of the center and across the road.
We then see a repeat of the first scene, but from her perspective - she doesn't flinch as the bomb goes off, nor as the ambulances arrive and as the police follow.
The montage comes to a close with her walking away from the center, not looking back.
END MONTAGE
INT SOPHIA'S ROOM AT THE SAFEHOUSE
She is in the same position, still awake but with her eyes closed.
SOPHIA
(vo)
A very long night.
EXT SAFEHOUSE
Caption : 28th February, YOG 1,305. 8:30am
The group are gathered around the TV in the lounge.
SALLY
Are you sure you won't go to work?
SOPHIA
No.
SALLY
Mike?
SOPHIA
Yeah.
(pauses)
Amongst others.
EXT NATIONAL COURT HOUSE
The clock on top of the court house says it is 8:59am. It is almost entirely quiet, and people are going to work, passing by the building.
The sound of 9am chimes, and the building explodes in a massive ball of flame.
EXT SPECIAL SERVICES BUILDING
Another huge ball of flame as the building explodes.
EXT POLICE HEADQUARTERS
As sirens are starting to fill the air, the building explodes, sending police cars and agents flying.
EXT NRC
People are going about their business. The doors are not open (a sign says it will open at 9:30am due to staff training) and there are no queues.
The clock on the top of the center shows the hand move from 8:59 to 9:00, and the moment it switches over, the doors are blown out of the building, a number of windows explode and a portion of the roof near the top bursts outward in a ball of flame.
INT NRC
We see the draw that Nelly was placed in to explode outwards.
EXT CABINET BUILDING
The building collapses as fire rages through it.
MONTAGE
A number of buildings, all around the country, are exploding in massive balls of fire.
END MONTAGE
EXT QUEEN'S PALACE
The Palace suffers a number of explosions, from one end of the builidng to the other, ending with a set of five explosions as the entire building vanishes.
INT PPA SAFEHOUSE
They are all still watching the news.
ANNOUNCER
(clearly flustered)
Reports are coming in from all over the
country of explosions at key centers
of government.
(puts her hand up to her ear)
So far we put the estimate at thirty to
forty buildings, including the National
Reproductive Center, The Tiala Court
House, The Governors Mansions in
Sathra and Deala Districts, and The Burrows
House in Kildala Distrct.
(pauses, then her eyes widen in shock)
And we cross now to our reporter outside
The...
(trails off, then continues)
The site of the Queen's Palace
EXT QUEEN'S PALACE (now in ruins)
JOURNALIST
(also clearly shaken)
I am standing in Palace Plaza,
outside what used to be
The Queen's Palace. At 9 o'clock this
morning, along with a dozen other
buildings in Serenity, and a number
throughout the rest of the country, it was
destroyed by a series of explosions.
(pauses, then turns)
We are expecting a statement in a few
minutes, though we are not certain who is
going to be making it.
ANNOUNCER
What do you mean?
JOURNALIST
With the destruction of The Palace, The
Court House, The Cabinet Buildng, The
Special Services Department, The Police
Headquarters and The Army Command, it is
unclear who is left alive to take command
of the situation.
ANNOUNCER
What does the law say about it?
JOURNALIST
I really have no idea. I am not even sure
if there is anything that even remotely
covers this on the statute books.
ANNOUNCER
Have you got any idea of the casualties
yet?
JOURNALIST
No. These explosions all took place less
than ten minutes ago, and, because of the
attacks on the command centers of the
police and army, the entire country has
been thrown in to chaos.
ANNOUNCER
Has anything been heard about The Queen?
JOURNALIST
Not a thing.
(gestures behind her to the ruin that used
to be The Palace)
From the devestation behind me, it would
seem likely that we won't know for a few
hours yet.
ANNOUNCER
Do the police have any leads on who
planted the bombs?
JOURNALIST
(smiles)
Sorry Sophie, but I really don't think you
understand the extent of what has happened.
(pauses)
The police are in chaos. The army is in
chaos. Right now, all of their resources
are being directed to dealing with the
aftermath of the explosions. I doubt
they have even considered trying to find
the perpetrators yet.
Before there is any reply, Alison walks out in to The Plaza. The group watching the news all sit up straight in surprise.
ALISON
May I make a statement?
(the various assembled journalists all
nod their consent)
My name is Alison Duchamp. I am the
former Headmistress of Queen Telara
Final School here in Serenity, but, for
the past seven years, I have been the
leader of the PPA.
(various gasps of surprise, and a few
garbled questions shouted out. She holds
up her hand)
Can you please leave your questions until
the end?
(the journalists fall silent)
Ever since she took the throne, thirteen
years ago, Queen Leonara has turned this
country in to a brutal dictatorship. The
freedoms we once enjoyed are now
restricted to those who toe the line, and
anyone who dares to stand up to her
is either arrested and executed for treason,
or simply vanishes, never to be heard from
again.
(pauses)
We tried to protest within the rule of law,
but then the law was changed. We tried all
the peaceful and passive methods of protest
at our disposal, but one by one they were
taken away from us. Even as we moved in to
more active resistance - the strikes, the
stoppages - she moved against us to limit
freedom of speech and expression to make
sure that no one could stand against her.
(takes a deep breath)
After the massacre of 52 people in
Tiala, and the governmental cover up of
the slaughter of the innocents, we
decided that enough was enough, and that
it was time to fight fire with fire.
(pauses)
We regret the loss of life that we have
been responsible for, but we felt that,
given the fact Queen Leonara and her forces
were executing hundreds every month, that
we had no other choice but to try to bring
down her government by any means necessary.
(pauses again)
With this in mind, it is my duty to report
that, at 9 o'clock this morning, Queen
Leonara, First Triarch of Pallatium,
was killed when her palace was destroyed.
There are huge gasps of surprise from the journalists, and the group watching the news have a similar reaction.
ALISON
The bombings also claimed the lives of the
two deputies, the cabinet, the head
of Reproductive Services, most of the senior
police and army officers and a number of
other senior members of Queen Leonara's
government.
(pauses)
I take full and complete responsibility for
the loss of these lives, and I will accept
any punishment that the next Queen sees
fit to subject me to.
JOURNALIST
Who will be the next Queen? You?
ALISON
No - it will not be me. I do not believe
that I would be an appropriate choice,
given that I am responsible for the
death of Queen Leonara.
JOURNALIST
So - who?
ALISON
At 12 noon today, an announcement will be
made in Serala Park. I advise you all to
be there.
JOURNALIST
One more question?
ALISON
Yes?
JOURNALIST
Who is in charge at the moment?
ALISON
(pauses, then gives a short laugh)
I have absolutely NO idea.
(turns, and walks away)
JOURNALIST
(turning back to the camera, looking
utterly confused)
Well - Sophie - it seems that Queen Leonara
was killed in the bombing, along with the
rest of the government. And the head of
The PPA has confessed to several dozen
crimes, and murders, and has indicated that
we will find out who our new queen will be
in
(looks at her watch)
around two and a half hours.
ANNOUNCER
(simply stares at the OB for a moment)
Anything else?
JOURNALIST
(staring back)
Not that I can think of. Although it is
apparently unclear just who is running
the country at the moment.
ANNOUNCER
Thank you Sally.
(turns back to the camera)
We will of course keep you up to date with
any more information regarding this
on going story
Sophia turns the TV off, then looks at the rest of the group.
SOPHIA
So - are we going to let Alison take the
blame for all this alone?
SALLY
Yes.
(they all stare at her)
We discussed this before she left last
night.
(looks at the others)
She is the one person who knows everyone
in the PPA. And she will never name names,
regardless of what they do. Plus she
believes that the rest of us should get on
with our lives.
(they continue to stare at her)
The new Queen won't execute her, and she
honestly believes that she will either get
a very light sentence, or be pardoned for
her part in the activities of the PPA.
SOPHIA
And if she's wrong?
SALLY
Then we will still respect her decision.
(looks at the tv)
For better or for worse, the PPA has been
disolved, and we are done fighting.
EXT PUBLIC PARK
Caption : Serala Park, Serenity. 12pm
The park is filled to the brim with people, including Sophia, Sally and Nikolas. Alison is notably absent.
At one end of the park, a small stage has been set up.
After a moment, the entire crowd falls silent, and, as four women walk up on to the stage, the rest of the crowd all fall to one knee.
When the women are at the center of the stage, one of the women gestures that the crowd should rise. This woman is Holly Bell.
HOLLY
Greetings. My name is Holly Jane Bell.
(looks around)
For the past thirteen years, many of us have
watched in fear and sadness as our country
has been taken in to darkness. Using
opression and violence, Queen Leonara
changed our country from a free nation to
a brutal dictatorship.
(pauses)
Earlier today, in an act of equal violence
and brutality, the reign of Queen Leonara
was brought to a bloody and abrupt end.
(pauses again)
If the last decade has taught us anything,
it is that violence can not be used for
political ends, without the danger of it
begatting more violence. And while some
believe that the methods used to overthrow
Queen Leonara were justified by the actions
of The Queen herself, it would serve
everyone well to remember that, in the five
years since the Holborn Church Inicident,
the violence that has engulfed our country
has taken more than two thousand people
before their time.
There is a long moment of silence as everyone contemplates this number.
HOLLY
But I intend to change that, starting from
this moment.
(pauses, then takes a deep breath)
This evening, at 9 o'clock, I will become
Queen of Pallatium.
(there are a few gasps, but not many)
I was asked to serve in this position
by The Godessess, and I felt that I could
not refuse.
(she looks around)
I realise I will be serving without an
election, but it was felt that someone who
was not involved with either side would be
the best choice, to rebuild the country,
and to heal the wounds between the two
factions.
(pauses)
I will serve for as long as you wish, and
will step down when requested, or when I am
called beyond the veil, which ever comes
first.
(pauses)
As part of the healing process, my first
act will be to pardon all those who
committed crimes on both sides of the rift.
(there are a lot of gasps at this)
I realise that some of you want revenge,
or at the very least, justice. But if we
were to go down that path, then the hate
that has divided our country for too long
will never end, and the violence would
return, and I refuse to let that happen.
(pauses)
That is all I have to say for the moment. I
will be happy to answer questions after
my Ascension, but until then I would ask
that you take the time to think about
the past, and what we can do to make sure
the future is a better place.
The park is silent as she and the three women walk off the stage.
EXT PPA SAFEHOUSE
The group are gathered around the TV again, this time watching the Ascension of Queen Holly.
ANNOUNCER
(on the tv)
And now, the New Majesty is taking the Rod of
Office from the podium.
Holly picks up the Rod, then turns and bows to the crowd of people gathered to watch.
HOLLY
By the Rod of The Three, I do swear that I will
endeavour to do my duty to govern and rule
Pallatium with wisdom, justice and compassion.
The crowd cheers.
HOLLY
Thank you.
(pauses)
The past few years have been some of the darkest
we have seen for a long, long time. We have
all suffered loss, death and torment. But now,
now we have a chance to bring about a brighter
future for all, where people will be judged
for who they are, not how, or where, they were
born.
(pauses)
Despite my somewhat unorthadox Ascension to
the throne, I am not infallible. I may make
mistakes, I may not get things right on my
first try.
(smiles ruefully)
But I will listen to you, my people, and I
trust in you - all of you - to tell me if I
am straying from the correct path.
(looks around)
Over the next few months I will attempt to
undo the policies of Queen Leonara, and to
repair the damage that the events of today,
and of the past five years, have caused. I
will do my best to ensure this process happens
in a timely fashion, but I hope you will all
bear with me for however long it may take.
(pauses)
Finally, I believe that we can put the past
behind us, that we can work together, in harmony
and in peace to return our world to what it
should be, and ensure that our children - all
our children, will be born in to a world they
can be proud of.
(pauses)
Thank you.
INT SOPHIA'S ROOM AT SAFEHOUSE
Caption : 10:30pm
Sophia is writing in her notepad.
SOPHIA
(vo whilst writing)
From various reactions, a lot of people seem
annoyed that Hol... that Queen Holly, and yes,
it will take me a little while to get used to
calling her that, that Queen Holly made no
mention of the PPA in her Ascenion Adress.
(pauses)
But I understand her reasons. If she is to
truly heal the divisions in the country, then
she can not officially praise and glorify our
actions.
(pauses again, and looks downcast)
We killed. We murdered innocent women, men and
children, and we did it with a ruthlessness
that rivaled Queen Leonara.
(pauses)
I became the very thing I was fighting to
destroy, and I did it with an ease that, even
now, scares me.
(pauses)
And while Queen Holly might be willing to
forigve us all for our crimes, the question of
whether or not I can forgive myself will be a
lot harder to resolve.
(pauses)
Life is a process of choices. Some are small -
do you have waffles or pancakes for breakfast,
do you part your hair on the left or the right,
do you watch this film or that film.
But other choices are bigger.
(pauses)
Do you watch a five year old girl get shot
through the head, and say "That's the way
things are"? Or do you go out an kill many
five year old girls in an attempt to change
the way things are?
(pauses)
You always have a choice. People only say that
they had no choice when they realise they have
taken the wrong path but can do nothing about
it.
(pause)
Sometimes you take the right choice, and
sometimes you take the wrong choice.
She closes her eyes.
MONTAGE
Very quick sucession of pictures of her :-
Watching Queen Leonara's Ascension.
Graduating.
Watching Lyssa leave.
Watching Theala leave
Throwing the paper down at Ariana's feet.
Picking through the rubble of the travel agency
Watching Mary and Jane Parish being shot dead.
Planting a bomb at the Blackwell Center.
Watching the Blackwall Center explode.
Watching Michael die.
Shutting Nelly in the morgue draw.
Watching Queen Holly's Ascension.
END MONTAGE
SOPHIA
(in a tired, resigned voice)
And sometimes, there is no right choice.
She puts the notepad away, then walks over to her bed, lays down and goes to sleep.
INT LIBRARY
Darena closes the book, so we can see the cover again. Then she picks it up, walks over to the shelf, and puts it back.
Then she turns, and walks out of the library. As she goes, we see there are dozens of books on each shelf, and, as the camera pulls further back, we see rows and rows of shelves.
We cut to her walking through a door. She closes it behind her, and we see the door is labeled "The Archive". We hold on that for a few seconds, then fade to black.
THE END.
Caption : 13th August, YOG 1,302. 11:45pm
An unmarked car pulls up outside the Tuscon house, and four armed agents climb out. They look around, then they walk up to the house next door to the Tuscons.
They creep up to the door, then one of them picks the lock, and pushes the door open.
There are a few moments of silence, then a scream comes from the house.
There are a few more moments of silence, then the agents drag four people out of the house - two women, a girl of around twelve and a girl of around five. They are all in nightwear, and all obviously scared.
INT TUSCON HOUSE
Sophia is awaked by the noise, and looks out the window (but carefully, so she can't be seen)
EXT TUSCON HOUSE
The agents line the four people up against the wall of their house. Then three of them train their guns on the four, while the other turns to face them.
AGENT #1
Susan Parish, you stand accussed of
collabarating with Her Majesty's enemies, and
aiding the PPA in their criminal and seditious
cause.
SUSAN
No...
AGENT #1
Shut up. You have one choice, and one choice
only. Either you tell me the names of your
associates - all of your associates, or you
will be executed, here and now.
SUSAN
(sounding desperate)
I don't know any names - you have the wrong
person.
AGENT #1
So you are saying you are unwilling to name
your associates?
INT TUSCON HOUSE
Sophia is still looking out the window, although now she has ducked down.
SUSAN
(os)
I don't know any names - you have got the...
Sophia flinches backwards as there is the sound of a gunshot.
EXT TUSCON HOUSE
The older woman is now lying dead on the floor.
AGENT #1
When is the next attack planned? Who will be
responsible for it?
SUSAN
(staring at the body on the floor)
I don't know any names...
Another gunshot, and the older of the two children collapses on the floor.
AGENT #1
(pointing a gun at the youngest girl)
Are you going to tell me what I want to know,
Parish?
Susan glances at her youngest daughter with tears in her eyes, then turns back to the Agent.
SUSAN
(through the tears)
I don't...
The youngest girl is shot. Susan stares at her body for a moment, then she turns back to the agent.
SUSAN
(in a firm, calm voice)
I don't know any names. You have got the wrong
person.
The agent stares at her, then shrugs.
AGENT #1
Fine.
He shoots her, then turns to the three agents.
AGENT #1
Put their bodies back in the house, and torch
it. We will make it look like they were
informers, and that the PPA got to them.
INT TUSCON HOUSE
Sophia watches for a moment, then goes back to her bed.
EXT BLACKWALL CENTER
Caption : Blackwall Center, Serenity.
14th August, YOG 1,302. 9am.
Sophia is striding up to the center, looking determined.
INT BLACKWALL CENTER
Sophia walks through the center, obviously looking for somoene. After a few moments, she stops by a window of a music store. Stood next to her is Ariana.
SOPHIA
Do you know a woman named Susan Parish?
ARIANA
(turning, surprised)
Soph?
SOPHIA
Do you know a woman named Susan Parish?
ARIANA
Yes.
SOPHIA
How do you know her?
ARIANA
She is an old friend from home.
(Sophia closes her eyes in pain)
Soph?
SOPHIA
I need to meet with you and your teacher,
but I need to do it somewhere private and
safe.
ARIANA
Okay.
(pauses)
Do you remember the green house?
(Sophia nods)
I will bring her there at noon.
(Sophia nods again)
It was nice seeing you again.
She turns and walks away, leaving Sophia staring in to the window. In the reflection, we can see a single tear running down each cheek.
EXT HOUSE
Caption : PPA Safe House, Serenity. 10am
Sophia walks up to a non-descript house, but before she can knock on the door, it opens to reveal Alison stood there.
ALISON
Come in.
Sophia pauses, then walks inside.
INT HOUSE
A group of people are people are sat down round a table, when Sophia and Alison comes in. The group includes Ariana, Juliana, Michael and Nikolas.
ARIANA
Sophia - have a seat.
SOPHIA
Thanks.
(she sits, then looks around)
Last night, just before midnight, four
men came up to my neighbours house.
(pauses)
They pulled the four people out, and
arrested Susan on charges of terrorism,
being a member of the PPA and conspiracy
to commit terrorism.
(pauses again, this time a little longer)
The lead agent began to question Susan,
and she said she didn't have any names,
and that she knew nothing about the PPA.
There is a period where she looks down at the table and says nothing.
ARIANA
Soph?
SOPHIA
(looking up, now with a strong look)
When she refused to name names, they shot
Perri. She still refused to name names,
so they shot Mary.
(a few gasps of outrage)
Then Jane.
(there are no gasps, just stunned silence)
She still refused to name names, so, in the
end, they shot her.
(pauses)
The four agents stuck the bodies back in the
house, and torched it. They said they
wanted to make it look like the PPA killed
her entire family for being an informant.
(she looks around)
I thought you would want to know.
ALISON
(after a moment)
Thank you, Sophia, for telling us this.
(pauses)
Was there anything else?
Sophia stares at her for a moment, then takes a deep breath.
SOPHIA
This isn't easy for me.
(pauses)
I want to help.
There is a period of silence.
ARIANA
Okay.
SOPHIA
(not really listening)
I have dedicated the whole of my career to
saving lives, and the idea that I am going
to willingly kill people is...
(gestures vaguely)
But last night I saw the government shoot
a five year old girl in the head because
her mother refused to betray her friends.
(pauses again)
And there are... other incidents I am less
proud of in my history, and I think it is
time to stop running away.
ARIANA
(again, in a more serious tone)
Okay.
SOPHIA
There is one... condition.
They stare at her in surprise, but Ariana has a slight smile on her face.
ALISON
You are going to place conditions on your
terrorist activity?
SOPHIA
(firmly)
Yes.
ALISON
(with a wry smile)
Let's hear it then.
SOPHIA
Hospitals, and other medical centers, are
all off limits. I won't be a party to
attacks on them.
ARIANA
Why?
SOPHIA
Because if we are going to be hurting
innocent people, there has to be somewhere
they can go for help. Not to mention that
the patients will have far less of a chance
to escape any bomb that goes off.
(stares at them)
So - what do you say?
ARIANA
You haven't been paying much attention to
our activities in the past few years, have
you?
SOPHIA
I have been too busy dealing with the
casualties of your activities...
(smiles in embarrassment)
Sorry - force of habit.
ARIANA
We have only ever targeted the military
arm of the government, and those that
provide financial support to The Queen.
SOPHIA
So?
ARIANA
That doesn't include hospitals or schools.
(pauses)
I think that we can live with your
condition, Soph.
(Sophia smiles)
So, are you sure you want to join?
SOPHIA
(pauses to consider it, then, after a deep
breath, nods)
Yes.
ARIANA
Then - welcome to the Pallatium People's
Army.
(holds out her hand, and Sophia shakes it)
For the next few months, you are going to
be trained in various skills that you
probably don't have at the moment.
SOPHIA
Like?
ARIANA
Bomb making.
ALISON
Counter-espionage.
JULIANA
Infiltration.
NIKOLAS
Code-breaking.
ARIANA
That sort of thing.
(she looks at her)
Are you going to keep your job at the
hospital?
SOPHIA
For the time being, yeah.
(sighs)
In part because it will help me deal with
what I am doing...
(pauses, then continues)
But also because it is a good place to
pick up information.
(they look at her curiously)
Sometimes people on a morphine high say
things they wouldn't normally say.
ARIANA
Okay. So - you stay at the hospital, and,
in a few months time, we will sometimes
call on you to help plan and carry out
the attacks.
SOPHIA
Okay.
ARIANA
This is only a part of the Serenity Cell,
the rest you will meet as time goes by and
as needs dictate.
(she looks over at Alison)
Alison is our liason to the other cells
throughout the country, and she is the only
person you will meet from the other cells.
ALISON
This is so that, on the off chance you are
captured, you can only incriminate a
small number of people.
SOPHIA
Makes sense.
ALISON
Do you have any further questions?
SOPHIA
(pauses, then hesitantly)
How do you live with yourself?
For a long while, no one replies.
ALISON
You do it by reminding yourself that, in
the long run, this way will result in
a lot less deaths.
There is a pause.
SOPHIA
Does it work?
EXT NATIONAL REPRODUCTIVE CENTER
Caption : National Reproductive Center, Serentiy.
27th February, YOG 1,305. 11:55pm
Sophia, Sally, Nelly and Nikolas are walking towards the NRC. They all carry backpacks.
NIKOLAS
Best way in?
SOPHIA
There is a service way in the basement. It
isn't guarded, and the security is very low.
SALLY
How do you know?
SOPHIA
I did a six month stint here, after I
graduated.
(she looks around)
I suggest we target the outpatient
department, the morgue, Katy's office and
the records section.
(they both stare at her)
We can't touch the medical storage center,
nor can we touch the incubation centers,
because... because we can't.
SALLY
I agree, but I would also like to suggest
the testing suites as well.
NIKOLAS
Why?
SALLY
Well - partly because, after we take out the
other four sections, they won't be using
the testing suites anyway, but mostly
because they were recently refurbished to
be suited for female testing only.
(Sophia turns and stares at her)
I kid you not.
SOPHIA
Okay.
(turns to Nikolas)
Any other suggestions?
NIKOLAS
No. How do you want to arrange it?
SOPHIA
Sal?
SALLY
Well - Katy's office and the morgue should
be easy to arrange. So - Nik - do you want
to take those?
NIKOLAS
Okay.
SALLY
I will take the testing suites, since I
have been in them the most recently. Nelly?
NELLY
Yes?
SALLY
Can you do the records center?
NELLY
Why me?
SALLY
I want you to make sure the fire gets all
the files, but doesn't spread beyond there.
NELLY
Okay.
SALLY
And Soph...
SOPHIA
The outpatient department?
SALLY
You need to make sure you don't bring the
building down. Or that any fires spread
to the other sections.
SOPHIA
Okay - I will make sure.
They reach the area surrounding the NRC.
SALLY
Okay. Lets do this.
MONTAGE
Various shots of the four of them planting bombs, of
Nikolas looking through the files in Katy's office,
of the timers and detonaters being set and so on.
END MONTAGE
INT NRC
Sophia is putting a bomb down in the outpatients department when she hears sees Nelly pulling a radio out of her backpack. As Sophia watches, Nelly punches in a frequency, then lifts the radio to her mouth.
SOPHIA
Nelly - who are you talking to?
NELLY
Home base. To let them know...
She is interupted by the radio.
VOICE
(over the radio)
Agent Sutler? Are you there?
Sophia pulls out a gun, and shoots a dart in to Nelly's thigh. Then she leans over and picks up the radio.
SOPHIA
(to radio)
This is Agent Sutler
VOICE
(from the radio)
What do you have to report?
SOPHIA
(to radio)
I was right. They are going to attack the
five schools tomorrow, along with Queen
Leonara Hospital
VOICE
(from the radio)
Well done. You should stay with them, and
we will extract you tomorrow.
SOPHIA
(to radio)
Will do.
She clicks the radio off, then looks down at Nelly.
SOPHIA
(to herself)
What shall we do with you?
EXT NRC
Sophia, Sally and Nikolas are leaving the NRC, and walking away down the street.
SALLY
Where's Nelly?
SOPHIA
(looks over at Nikolas, who nods)
She couldn't make it.
(flashback)
INT NRC
Sophia has revived Nelly, and gagged her. She holds up a needle, filled with a yellowish fluid.
SOPHIA
(as she is injecting the fluid)
This will paralyse you. Your body, your
mouth, your vocal chords. But your mind
will function perfectly.
She ties a device round Nelly's waist, then carries her down to the morgue. Nikolas sees her enter.
NIKOLAS
Soph?
SOPHIA
Spy.
Nikolas pulls one of the empty morgue draws open, and they put Nelly inside it. As they push it close, Sophia gives a sweet wave to Nelly.
(end flashback)
EXT NRC
SALLY
(looking between them)
Spy?
NIKOLAS
Spy.
INT SOPHIA'S ROOM AT SAFEHOUSE
Caption : 28th February, YOG 1,305. 2:55am
Sophia is writing in her pad, still dressed in the clothes she was wearing during the infiltration of the NRC. She is writing in her notepad, lying on her bed.
SOPHIA
(vo whilst writing)
It never changes. I have been doing this
for three years, and every time is like
the first.
(pauses)
Scary. Gut-wrenching. Knowing that you are
taking an action that will kill someone...
(pauses again)
It is something you never, ever get used to.
And, to be honest, I don't think you
should.
(looks over at the clock, now showing 3am)
I wish I could feel guilty about what I
did to Nelly, but I can't. She knew the
risks, and was ready to see us all tortured
and killed.
(pauses)
She got what was coming to her.
She stands up, and moves to her desk.
SOPHIA
(vo whilst writing)
In six hours, the city of Serenity will
burn. The entire government will be wiped
out in a single strike, and our country
will have a new leader.
(pauses)
My parents, before they were forced to flee
the country, were big believers in
democracy. And they raised me to be the
same.
(pauses)
But what they don't tell you, what no one
ever tells you, is that democracy only
works when everyone plays by the rules.
She stands up and walks back to her bed and lies down again.
SOPHIA
(vo)
It's going to be a long night.
She puts the pad down, and closes her eyes.
MONTAGE
Various scenes of her planting bombs in various buildings throughout Serenity. Of her watching the explosions, and of her treating the victims in hospitals.
The montage ends with her walking round the bookshop from the opening scene. She plants a few devices, then walks out of the shop, and out through the center.
There are a few scenes of her looking round the shops, then of her walking out of the center and across the road.
We then see a repeat of the first scene, but from her perspective - she doesn't flinch as the bomb goes off, nor as the ambulances arrive and as the police follow.
The montage comes to a close with her walking away from the center, not looking back.
END MONTAGE
INT SOPHIA'S ROOM AT THE SAFEHOUSE
She is in the same position, still awake but with her eyes closed.
SOPHIA
(vo)
A very long night.
EXT SAFEHOUSE
Caption : 28th February, YOG 1,305. 8:30am
The group are gathered around the TV in the lounge.
SALLY
Are you sure you won't go to work?
SOPHIA
No.
SALLY
Mike?
SOPHIA
Yeah.
(pauses)
Amongst others.
EXT NATIONAL COURT HOUSE
The clock on top of the court house says it is 8:59am. It is almost entirely quiet, and people are going to work, passing by the building.
The sound of 9am chimes, and the building explodes in a massive ball of flame.
EXT SPECIAL SERVICES BUILDING
Another huge ball of flame as the building explodes.
EXT POLICE HEADQUARTERS
As sirens are starting to fill the air, the building explodes, sending police cars and agents flying.
EXT NRC
People are going about their business. The doors are not open (a sign says it will open at 9:30am due to staff training) and there are no queues.
The clock on the top of the center shows the hand move from 8:59 to 9:00, and the moment it switches over, the doors are blown out of the building, a number of windows explode and a portion of the roof near the top bursts outward in a ball of flame.
INT NRC
We see the draw that Nelly was placed in to explode outwards.
EXT CABINET BUILDING
The building collapses as fire rages through it.
MONTAGE
A number of buildings, all around the country, are exploding in massive balls of fire.
END MONTAGE
EXT QUEEN'S PALACE
The Palace suffers a number of explosions, from one end of the builidng to the other, ending with a set of five explosions as the entire building vanishes.
INT PPA SAFEHOUSE
They are all still watching the news.
ANNOUNCER
(clearly flustered)
Reports are coming in from all over the
country of explosions at key centers
of government.
(puts her hand up to her ear)
So far we put the estimate at thirty to
forty buildings, including the National
Reproductive Center, The Tiala Court
House, The Governors Mansions in
Sathra and Deala Districts, and The Burrows
House in Kildala Distrct.
(pauses, then her eyes widen in shock)
And we cross now to our reporter outside
The...
(trails off, then continues)
The site of the Queen's Palace
EXT QUEEN'S PALACE (now in ruins)
JOURNALIST
(also clearly shaken)
I am standing in Palace Plaza,
outside what used to be
The Queen's Palace. At 9 o'clock this
morning, along with a dozen other
buildings in Serenity, and a number
throughout the rest of the country, it was
destroyed by a series of explosions.
(pauses, then turns)
We are expecting a statement in a few
minutes, though we are not certain who is
going to be making it.
ANNOUNCER
What do you mean?
JOURNALIST
With the destruction of The Palace, The
Court House, The Cabinet Buildng, The
Special Services Department, The Police
Headquarters and The Army Command, it is
unclear who is left alive to take command
of the situation.
ANNOUNCER
What does the law say about it?
JOURNALIST
I really have no idea. I am not even sure
if there is anything that even remotely
covers this on the statute books.
ANNOUNCER
Have you got any idea of the casualties
yet?
JOURNALIST
No. These explosions all took place less
than ten minutes ago, and, because of the
attacks on the command centers of the
police and army, the entire country has
been thrown in to chaos.
ANNOUNCER
Has anything been heard about The Queen?
JOURNALIST
Not a thing.
(gestures behind her to the ruin that used
to be The Palace)
From the devestation behind me, it would
seem likely that we won't know for a few
hours yet.
ANNOUNCER
Do the police have any leads on who
planted the bombs?
JOURNALIST
(smiles)
Sorry Sophie, but I really don't think you
understand the extent of what has happened.
(pauses)
The police are in chaos. The army is in
chaos. Right now, all of their resources
are being directed to dealing with the
aftermath of the explosions. I doubt
they have even considered trying to find
the perpetrators yet.
Before there is any reply, Alison walks out in to The Plaza. The group watching the news all sit up straight in surprise.
ALISON
May I make a statement?
(the various assembled journalists all
nod their consent)
My name is Alison Duchamp. I am the
former Headmistress of Queen Telara
Final School here in Serenity, but, for
the past seven years, I have been the
leader of the PPA.
(various gasps of surprise, and a few
garbled questions shouted out. She holds
up her hand)
Can you please leave your questions until
the end?
(the journalists fall silent)
Ever since she took the throne, thirteen
years ago, Queen Leonara has turned this
country in to a brutal dictatorship. The
freedoms we once enjoyed are now
restricted to those who toe the line, and
anyone who dares to stand up to her
is either arrested and executed for treason,
or simply vanishes, never to be heard from
again.
(pauses)
We tried to protest within the rule of law,
but then the law was changed. We tried all
the peaceful and passive methods of protest
at our disposal, but one by one they were
taken away from us. Even as we moved in to
more active resistance - the strikes, the
stoppages - she moved against us to limit
freedom of speech and expression to make
sure that no one could stand against her.
(takes a deep breath)
After the massacre of 52 people in
Tiala, and the governmental cover up of
the slaughter of the innocents, we
decided that enough was enough, and that
it was time to fight fire with fire.
(pauses)
We regret the loss of life that we have
been responsible for, but we felt that,
given the fact Queen Leonara and her forces
were executing hundreds every month, that
we had no other choice but to try to bring
down her government by any means necessary.
(pauses again)
With this in mind, it is my duty to report
that, at 9 o'clock this morning, Queen
Leonara, First Triarch of Pallatium,
was killed when her palace was destroyed.
There are huge gasps of surprise from the journalists, and the group watching the news have a similar reaction.
ALISON
The bombings also claimed the lives of the
two deputies, the cabinet, the head
of Reproductive Services, most of the senior
police and army officers and a number of
other senior members of Queen Leonara's
government.
(pauses)
I take full and complete responsibility for
the loss of these lives, and I will accept
any punishment that the next Queen sees
fit to subject me to.
JOURNALIST
Who will be the next Queen? You?
ALISON
No - it will not be me. I do not believe
that I would be an appropriate choice,
given that I am responsible for the
death of Queen Leonara.
JOURNALIST
So - who?
ALISON
At 12 noon today, an announcement will be
made in Serala Park. I advise you all to
be there.
JOURNALIST
One more question?
ALISON
Yes?
JOURNALIST
Who is in charge at the moment?
ALISON
(pauses, then gives a short laugh)
I have absolutely NO idea.
(turns, and walks away)
JOURNALIST
(turning back to the camera, looking
utterly confused)
Well - Sophie - it seems that Queen Leonara
was killed in the bombing, along with the
rest of the government. And the head of
The PPA has confessed to several dozen
crimes, and murders, and has indicated that
we will find out who our new queen will be
in
(looks at her watch)
around two and a half hours.
ANNOUNCER
(simply stares at the OB for a moment)
Anything else?
JOURNALIST
(staring back)
Not that I can think of. Although it is
apparently unclear just who is running
the country at the moment.
ANNOUNCER
Thank you Sally.
(turns back to the camera)
We will of course keep you up to date with
any more information regarding this
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Sophia turns the TV off, then looks at the rest of the group.
SOPHIA
So - are we going to let Alison take the
blame for all this alone?
SALLY
Yes.
(they all stare at her)
We discussed this before she left last
night.
(looks at the others)
She is the one person who knows everyone
in the PPA. And she will never name names,
regardless of what they do. Plus she
believes that the rest of us should get on
with our lives.
(they continue to stare at her)
The new Queen won't execute her, and she
honestly believes that she will either get
a very light sentence, or be pardoned for
her part in the activities of the PPA.
SOPHIA
And if she's wrong?
SALLY
Then we will still respect her decision.
(looks at the tv)
For better or for worse, the PPA has been
disolved, and we are done fighting.
EXT PUBLIC PARK
Caption : Serala Park, Serenity. 12pm
The park is filled to the brim with people, including Sophia, Sally and Nikolas. Alison is notably absent.
At one end of the park, a small stage has been set up.
After a moment, the entire crowd falls silent, and, as four women walk up on to the stage, the rest of the crowd all fall to one knee.
When the women are at the center of the stage, one of the women gestures that the crowd should rise. This woman is Holly Bell.
HOLLY
Greetings. My name is Holly Jane Bell.
(looks around)
For the past thirteen years, many of us have
watched in fear and sadness as our country
has been taken in to darkness. Using
opression and violence, Queen Leonara
changed our country from a free nation to
a brutal dictatorship.
(pauses)
Earlier today, in an act of equal violence
and brutality, the reign of Queen Leonara
was brought to a bloody and abrupt end.
(pauses again)
If the last decade has taught us anything,
it is that violence can not be used for
political ends, without the danger of it
begatting more violence. And while some
believe that the methods used to overthrow
Queen Leonara were justified by the actions
of The Queen herself, it would serve
everyone well to remember that, in the five
years since the Holborn Church Inicident,
the violence that has engulfed our country
has taken more than two thousand people
before their time.
There is a long moment of silence as everyone contemplates this number.
HOLLY
But I intend to change that, starting from
this moment.
(pauses, then takes a deep breath)
This evening, at 9 o'clock, I will become
Queen of Pallatium.
(there are a few gasps, but not many)
I was asked to serve in this position
by The Godessess, and I felt that I could
not refuse.
(she looks around)
I realise I will be serving without an
election, but it was felt that someone who
was not involved with either side would be
the best choice, to rebuild the country,
and to heal the wounds between the two
factions.
(pauses)
I will serve for as long as you wish, and
will step down when requested, or when I am
called beyond the veil, which ever comes
first.
(pauses)
As part of the healing process, my first
act will be to pardon all those who
committed crimes on both sides of the rift.
(there are a lot of gasps at this)
I realise that some of you want revenge,
or at the very least, justice. But if we
were to go down that path, then the hate
that has divided our country for too long
will never end, and the violence would
return, and I refuse to let that happen.
(pauses)
That is all I have to say for the moment. I
will be happy to answer questions after
my Ascension, but until then I would ask
that you take the time to think about
the past, and what we can do to make sure
the future is a better place.
The park is silent as she and the three women walk off the stage.
EXT PPA SAFEHOUSE
The group are gathered around the TV again, this time watching the Ascension of Queen Holly.
ANNOUNCER
(on the tv)
And now, the New Majesty is taking the Rod of
Office from the podium.
Holly picks up the Rod, then turns and bows to the crowd of people gathered to watch.
HOLLY
By the Rod of The Three, I do swear that I will
endeavour to do my duty to govern and rule
Pallatium with wisdom, justice and compassion.
The crowd cheers.
HOLLY
Thank you.
(pauses)
The past few years have been some of the darkest
we have seen for a long, long time. We have
all suffered loss, death and torment. But now,
now we have a chance to bring about a brighter
future for all, where people will be judged
for who they are, not how, or where, they were
born.
(pauses)
Despite my somewhat unorthadox Ascension to
the throne, I am not infallible. I may make
mistakes, I may not get things right on my
first try.
(smiles ruefully)
But I will listen to you, my people, and I
trust in you - all of you - to tell me if I
am straying from the correct path.
(looks around)
Over the next few months I will attempt to
undo the policies of Queen Leonara, and to
repair the damage that the events of today,
and of the past five years, have caused. I
will do my best to ensure this process happens
in a timely fashion, but I hope you will all
bear with me for however long it may take.
(pauses)
Finally, I believe that we can put the past
behind us, that we can work together, in harmony
and in peace to return our world to what it
should be, and ensure that our children - all
our children, will be born in to a world they
can be proud of.
(pauses)
Thank you.
INT SOPHIA'S ROOM AT SAFEHOUSE
Caption : 10:30pm
Sophia is writing in her notepad.
SOPHIA
(vo whilst writing)
From various reactions, a lot of people seem
annoyed that Hol... that Queen Holly, and yes,
it will take me a little while to get used to
calling her that, that Queen Holly made no
mention of the PPA in her Ascenion Adress.
(pauses)
But I understand her reasons. If she is to
truly heal the divisions in the country, then
she can not officially praise and glorify our
actions.
(pauses again, and looks downcast)
We killed. We murdered innocent women, men and
children, and we did it with a ruthlessness
that rivaled Queen Leonara.
(pauses)
I became the very thing I was fighting to
destroy, and I did it with an ease that, even
now, scares me.
(pauses)
And while Queen Holly might be willing to
forigve us all for our crimes, the question of
whether or not I can forgive myself will be a
lot harder to resolve.
(pauses)
Life is a process of choices. Some are small -
do you have waffles or pancakes for breakfast,
do you part your hair on the left or the right,
do you watch this film or that film.
But other choices are bigger.
(pauses)
Do you watch a five year old girl get shot
through the head, and say "That's the way
things are"? Or do you go out an kill many
five year old girls in an attempt to change
the way things are?
(pauses)
You always have a choice. People only say that
they had no choice when they realise they have
taken the wrong path but can do nothing about
it.
(pause)
Sometimes you take the right choice, and
sometimes you take the wrong choice.
She closes her eyes.
MONTAGE
Very quick sucession of pictures of her :-
Watching Queen Leonara's Ascension.
Graduating.
Watching Lyssa leave.
Watching Theala leave
Throwing the paper down at Ariana's feet.
Picking through the rubble of the travel agency
Watching Mary and Jane Parish being shot dead.
Planting a bomb at the Blackwell Center.
Watching the Blackwall Center explode.
Watching Michael die.
Shutting Nelly in the morgue draw.
Watching Queen Holly's Ascension.
END MONTAGE
SOPHIA
(in a tired, resigned voice)
And sometimes, there is no right choice.
She puts the notepad away, then walks over to her bed, lays down and goes to sleep.
INT LIBRARY
Darena closes the book, so we can see the cover again. Then she picks it up, walks over to the shelf, and puts it back.
Then she turns, and walks out of the library. As she goes, we see there are dozens of books on each shelf, and, as the camera pulls further back, we see rows and rows of shelves.
We cut to her walking through a door. She closes it behind her, and we see the door is labeled "The Archive". We hold on that for a few seconds, then fade to black.
THE END.
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