1 Episode One: Pilot
A TOKEN OTHER GUYS, INC PRODUCTION
TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT AKA
(TPM) THE SERIES.
INT= Interior
EXT-Exterior
V.O.=VOICE OVER
O.S.=OFF SCREEN
EPISODE ONE:
PILOT
FADE IN
SHANE
(O.S.)
So let's say one minute you're driving...and you're not quite paying attention, and then in the next moment...bam, A car hits you, but not just one car...dozens of cars.
EXT. HIGHWAY
A 47 CAR PILE UP can be seen as smoldering metal and dazed and confused men and women get out from the wreckage.
SHANE
(O.S.)
Now let's say that you didn't die in this pile up....
SHANE gets out of his car, a gash on his head as he looks confused just as a SEMI slams into him, pinning him against his car, adding to the already intense wreckage.
SHANE
(O.S.)
But you did die from a fuckin' Semi Truck hitting you. Would you ask yourself...what happens next?
INT. AUDITING ROOM
SHANE takes a deep breath as he looks around as he is sitting at a desk in the middle of a crowded room, SHANE watching as a LARGE WOMAN comes over and drops a stack of papers onto his desk.
LARGE WOMAN
Fill that out, do not skip any questions, and time is of the essence you have fifteen minutes, thank you.
The LARGE WOMAN hurriedly walks away as she gives the same responses down the line as SHANE just looks frustrated and confused as he looks at the papers with the words TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT emboldened in large text across the top as SHANE begins fumbling through the papers.
SHANE
(O.S.)
I don't know why, but I felt the urge to do this...
SHANE raises his hand as the LARGE WOMAN looks over at him as everyone else is focused on finishing their paperwork.
The LARGE WOMAN comes over to SHANE as SHANE clears his throat.
SHANE
Umm, If I may ask, what the hell is this?
LARGE WOMAN
You're dead sugah, please fill out the questions truthfully and leave through the door.
The LARGE WOMAN hurries off as SHANE looks rocked.
SHANE
(O.S.)
And just like that, everything I already knew was confirmed by a very fat and ugly woman, in a room full of very disgruntled and somber looking people. Dead. D.E.A.D. The big goodbye. Fucking lame.
SHANE begins flipping through the file as he begins to fill out the paperwork.
SHANE
(O.S.)
It was all so trivial. My name, my birthday, favorite memory, food, TV shows. It was like I was filling out some sappy and extremely lame door to door questionnaire. But within five minutes I was done, and out the door.
SHANE hands the papers to the LARGE WOMAN who ushers him towards the only door in the room, SHANE stepping out of it as he looks about to see a large line branching off in six different directions.
SHANE
(O.S.)
Then everything changed...again.
VOICE
(O.S.)
Hey, you must be TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT?
SHANE looks around as a man stands by the door, SHANE looking at him as the MAN checks a note and holds it up as it reads TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT.
SHANE looks at him skeptically as the MAN holds his hand out towards him.
CHARLES
Sorry, the TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT thing is your death name, basically your time of death.
SHANE
Is that why I had that on my files in there?
CHARLES
You seem pretty calm about all this, most people are more panicky, upset and freaked out.
SHANE
Oh I am...I just don't know how or why and where or when to displace it all.
CHARLES
I'm sure we'll find out in time.
SHANE
So I died at 12:12?
CHARLES
Seems like.
SHANE
You have a name too?
CHARLES
CHARLES. CHARLES REID.
SHANE
You have a death name also?
CHARLES
We all do. I go by 22 past 7.
SHANE
SHANE YATES.
The TWO shake hands as CHARLES motions for him to follow him as SHANE watches all the people getting into lines.
SHANE
Shouldn't I be getting into one of these lines?
CHARLES
Normally. But you're not meant to go where those people are going.
SHANE
Where is that?
CHARLES
Heaven. Hell. Valhalla. Wherever their souls need to be.
SHANE
Souls?
CHARLES
Yes. That's what we are. We have a body, flesh, so it feels, so it seems to the eye, but this, this is you. Your essence. What you were, that was just your soul being kept on ice.
SHANE
So why am I not going to...
CHARLES
Do you like Jazz?
SHANE
What?
CHARLES
Jazz, did you ever listen to Jazz when you were alive?
SHANE
Not a whole lot.
CHARLES
I love JAZZ, I don't know why, I just do. It's soulful, it's...beat and rhythm, intertwining in a way that at first doesn't make a lot of sense, doesn't fit...but then you get lost in it...and then it starts to make sense...starts to fit. It's all free form, just play.
SHANE
Yeah...
CHARLES
That's kinda like life. Like life used to be. Free form...never ending waltz of souls and persons, making memories...sharing laughs...leaving impressions.
SHANE
I suppose so.
CHARLES
That's why you're not in the line.
SHANE
Come again?
CHARLES
I don't want to tell you this without at least feeding you, I'm just kinda, laying out the feelers. You know?
SHANE
Uh...
CHARLES brings SHANE towards a PAIR of DOUBLE DOORS.
CHARLES
What you're going to see is going to be different. Because for the time being, this is gonna be your home. Your...world now. Mr. YATES, TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT, or whatever you call yourself. Welcome to the FRINGE.
CHARLES pushes the double doors open as SHANE hesitantly looks about before he walks out.
EXT. STREET
SHANE looks about as he watches the SPRAWLING METROPOLIS lay out before him, SHANE looking about awe struck as he watches a few VAMPIRES walking hand in hand, as a STRANGE TENTACLE like CREATURE was selling something from a stand as a CORPSE was chatting away with a normal looking MAN as SHANE was flabbergasted by the sight, CHARLES coming over as he lays a hand on his shoulder.
CHARLES
Crazier then dying?
SHANE
I don't know...but it's pretty fucking close.
CHARLES
Yeah, I felt the same way.
SHANE
What the hell is this?
CHARLES
It's the FRINGE.
SHANE
The FRINGE?
CHARLES
Think of it as beta earth, or Purgatory, or as we all call it, The FRINGE. A space between the living world, heaven, hell, and everything and all in between. It's just like how Earth was, there's movies, restaurants, booze, fuckin', jobs, government. It's just...with a slightly different kind of occupants.
SHANE
Vampires...? Monsters?
CHARLES
And people like us, mostly people like us. And ANGELS and DEMONS.
SHANE
ANGELS and DEMONS?
CHARLES
They run the place, well the big cheeses do, behind the scenes, it's mostly low level DEMONS and ANGELS doing clerical work and things of that nature, We'll have all the time to get into fringe politics I'm sure.
SHANE
What are we?
CHARLES
We're dead, rather UNDEAD. Souls giving a pseudo second chance if you will. Come on, I know a really good place with a hell of a burger.
SHANE is bumped into by a FLY LIKE MAN/CREATURE, SHANE looking him over suspiciously as CHARLES continues to walk and talk without a glance back.
CHARLES
A lot of people view death as a finite thing, but it's really not. There are infinite ways your soul continues on afterwards.
SHANE
You still haven't explained why I'm here, and not back in those lines...?
CHARLES
I'm getting there.
CHARLES huffs as he stops and turns and touches SHANE on the shoulder.
INT. RESTAURANT.
CHARLES holds up his menu as SHANE looks confused as he is sitting across from him.
CHARLES
Order the DOUBLE DECKER BACONATOR with jalapenos, it's the bomb.
SHANE
How did we...?
CHARLES
I have a limited but very fun little undead perk of being able to cross town whenever I feel like it, took about a hundred years to master, but it's working out rather well now.
SHANE
A hundred years?
CHARLES
I've been dead a while, bud. You pick up things.
SHANE
So UNDEAD, that's what we're called?
CHARLES
Well I mean, we're dead, physically. But this, our essence, that's still kicking, so we're living, in a sense. It's just easier going with UNDEAD.
SHANE
And this all this is...a place where dead things go?
CHARLES
our kind of dead, yes. Or the things that you've seen that make up the area.
SHANE
The monsters.
CHARLES
Don't call them monsters, they're normal people, most of them, just trying to make a living, and be left alone, monster is a derogatory term, it's like calling a black man the N word, it wouldn't be wise.
SHANE goes to speak but is cut off by a BEAUTIFUL WAITRESS who looked seemingly human, SHANE smirking as she smiles at him.
WAITRESS
CHARLES.
CHARLES
CINDY, I'd like the usual, but an iced tea to drink.
CINDY
Not a problem, and you, you look new.
SHANE
I am.
CINDY
Recently dead, nice. What would you have?
SHANE
I guess whatever he's having.
CHARLES
Just the meal, let him choose his drink.
SHANE
Uhh...Dr. PEPPER?
CINDY
Sure thing.
CINDY quickly jots it all down and heads off as SHANE looks at CHARLES.
SHANE
They have DR. PEPPER here?
CHARLES
I told you, we're not so different here as we would be back in the living, it's just...occupied differently.
SHANE
I guess that's pretty neat.
CHARLES
It's an easier transition for the newly UNDEAD, a lot of advances made over the past few hundred years to make it more bearable for us human souls.
SHANE
So are you going to get to why I'm here or not?
CHARLES
Wait for the meal.
SHANE
I really wanna know why the fuck I'm here!
Some creatures and other UNDEAD turn and look at him as SHANE looks foolish from his outburst as CHARLES shrugs and nods.
CHARLES
I suppose you would. The reason why you didn't get into any of those lines is because your soul is unreadable.
SHANE
Unreadable?
CHARLES
Yes, you lived a very...horizontal life. You weren't inherently bad, or good, and you didn't do enough of either or to make the choice easier for those keeping tabs. You didn't hold a specific or proper belief structure, and therefore had no afterlife plans to attain. Unreadable.
SHANE
What's so bad about that?
CHARLES
For most people, hearing you lived an uneventful life is...troublesome, for your soul. I mean that's all you are. Just a soul, so your emotions, and feelings, they're way more in tuned then they ever were.
SHANE
Uneventful? You never said Uneventful. Just that it was a bee line.
CHARLES
No, my friend. Your life was Uneventful. That's why you're here with me.
SHANE
I don't understand...?
SHANE stops as CINDY sets their food and drinks down, CHARLES smiling at her as SHANE looks at the burger.
SHANE
Okay so back to what...
CHARLES
Take a few bites first.
SHANE watches as CHARLES digs in and takes a large bite of his BURGER, CHARLES closing his eyes as he nods as SHANE takes a bite, SHANE savoring it as he looks at CHARLES with the same in love expression, the two nodding as they take a few more bites.
SHANE
That tastes...like an angel giving me handy.
CHARLES
Your soul is being fed directly, you're not just feeding a body to keep your soul happy, you're feeding your actual soul, so things smell, taste, and feel better...or worse. Depending on the situation.
SHANE
Back to what you were saying though?
CHARLES
Sure you don't wanna finish eating that first?
SHANE
I'm not hulking out over anything you've said yet, I don't see why that would start.
CHARLES
Death leaves an imprint, an impression on people, your family, mom, dad, siblings, or a wife, kids, lover, whatever you fancy. In most people, you leave an imprint, an event in their hearts...and souls, something that makes them always remember you, good or bad. When you live a life the way you did...sometimes impressions don't stick...
SHANE
What are you saying to me?
CHARLES
You're here with me...because you left no impression on anyone who lives. Eventually, all the ones whom you left behind, friends, family...they...won't even remember you existed.
SHANE
You're lying.
CHARLES
Afraid not.
SHANE
That's bullshit!
CHARLES
It is.
SHANE
My mom would never forget me...
CHARLES
It's not that they forget...it's that in death, their death, or their life...you don't share a prominent enough place to...come up. Nothing you've done in your life, will be brought up in a meaningful way, you've done nothing.
SHANE
Your saying my life was so...meaningless I don't even...
CHARLES
Yes, so you don't dwell too hard on the thought.
SHANE
Well...well that fucking sucks.
CHARLES
Yeah.
SHANE
Is that why you're here?
CHARLES
That's why we're all here.
SHANE
So your life was meaningless?
CHARLES
I don't think life is meaningless, especially mine, or yours. It led us here.
SHANE
What is here? A sad existence in creature feature land.
CHARLES
No. RECLAIMERS.
SHANE
RECLAIMERS?
CHARLES
That's why you're here. You fell into a category that not a lot of us UNDEAD have.
SHANE
You said all UNDEAD were here because...
CHARLES
No, all UNDEAD are here because their souls were unreadable, but you're here, with me, because of the specificity of your death. UNEVENTFUL. That's what we are. My crew. We are UNEVENTFUL.
SHANE
What the hell is a RECLAIMER?
CHARLES
It's a job. A multi purpose one. We dabble in all sorts of things.
SHANE
Like?
CHARLES
Bounty hunting, enforcement, mainly killing off bad people. We collect things, money, artifacts, for employers. Even REAPING.
SHANE
REAPING? Like grim reaping?
CHARLES
We're UNDEAD, we've got a magic touch, though you have to go through some paperwork fillings, get passes, decoy bodies, it's a hassle but everyone chomps at the bit to get back home. Though I don't know why.
SHANE
That's what RECLAIMING is?
CHARLES
In a nutshell. I get the jobs, I give them to my crew whom I feel can take care of it the best, and I collect the money.
SHANE
We get paid for this reclaiming?
CHARLES
I do. You get a bonus, or a small percentage based upon a multitude of factors.
SHANE
Like?
CHARLES
I guess you'll find out when you start working.
SHANE
I never agreed to work for you.
CHARLES
You don't have a choice, you were assigned to me.
SHANE
Assigned?
CHARLES
UNEVENTFUL. Not a whole lot of crew's you could have joined.
SHANE
I get it...I'm UNEVENTFUL, you don't have to keep throwing it back into my fucking face.
CHARLES
Lose the attitude okay, that's just what we're called, get used to it.
SHANE
You called your group the UNEVENTFUL'S?
CHARLES
You wear it as a badge of honor, no one can ever use it to hurt you, now, finish your burger, we got places to be going.
SHANE
Can't you just zap us around.
CHARLES
You need to learn and familiarize yourself with the area, I won't be expected to hold your hand throughout everything.
SHANE
What's with the snippy attitude all of a sudden.
CHARLES
My snippy disposition comes from the ungrateful free burger eating newly minted dead fuck who thinks he can speak to me however he wants because he's a little upset over the use, and I stress minor use, of one word.
SHANE
It's been said quite a bit the last few minutes.
CHARLES
A fact I am quite aware of, now if you don't fuckin' mind, I think I'm a keep using it till I decide it's not merited, agreed?
SHANE
Sure.
CHARLES
I don't want to start this new relationship on the wrong foot, so let me establish this early, so that there won't be much room for debate, or arguing down the road. You work for me, you were assigned to me based upon the complete and utter lack of life you lived when you were alive. You're getting a chance, a second chance, to prove to those who are still watching that your life has some meaning. You will become a RECLAIMER, you will be called an UNEVENTFUL, you will do the jobs that I assign you, you will follow my lead and my orders, and you will never question my authority, am I understood?
CINDY brings the check over as she smiles at them but she notices their tense gazes as they were fixated onto one another, CINDY quickly hurrying off as CHARLES pulls his wallet out and drops some multi colored currency on the check. SHANE nodded.
SHANE
I guess I don't have much of a choice, now do I?
CHARLES
No you really don't.
SHANE
Sorry.
CHARLES
Don't be sorry, you just died. Just understand my temperament, and my...patience only runs so far.
SHANE
I'll be sure to remember that.
CHARLES
Come on, I got some people to introduce you too.
CHARLES gets out of the booth as he heads off as SHANE quickly takes a final few bites of his burger before he follows after, SHANE moving out of the way of a hurrying THREE HEADED BEAST as it was running towards the BATHROOM.
EXT. STREET
CHARLES looks back as SHANE hurries forward to catch up.
CHARLES
I understand that things are a bit...volatile because of the recent bit of information you have gotten.
SHANE
I'm over it.
CHARLES
No you're not. I mean, maybe for now, sure. But in small doses, throughout the first few months of you being here, it'll creep itself up and I'll have to again put you in your place, and teach you a lesson about the merits of this world.
SHANE
That for certain about it?
CHARLES
You're no different than the guys you're about to meet. I think I'll take you to AUSTIN first.
SHANE
(O.S.)
AUSTIN BLACK...This dude's a trip.
EXT. AUSTIN'S APARTMENT
CHARLES knocks rapidly three times, SHANE looking about as the NICE HIGH RISE APARTMENTS were seemingly quite exclusive.
CHARLES watches as the DOOR opens and a lean, tall, muscular man answers with a towel wrapped around his waist as he looks as if he just came out of the shower.
SHANE
(O.S.)
AUSTIN...I'll always remember these words.
AUSTIN
I think I have a STD, CHARLES.
CHARLES
I'm not doing this again, AUSTIN.
AUSTIN
Will you just look...
CHARLES shakes his head as AUSTIN opens his towel, SHANE looking at it for a moment before looking away, in appalling awe and surprise.
SHANE
Dear god...
AUSTIN
Fuckin' huge I know, who the fuck is that?
CHARLES
That's TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT, or SHANE. Will you put your fucking cock away, wrap up will you.
AUSTIN
Did you at least look at it?
CHARLES
AUSTIN, we've been over this, wear a goddamn condom.
AUSTIN
I'm dead, CHARLES. A perk of this life is that I get to fuck without consequence.
CHARLES
An STD would be a consequence.
AUSTIN
A kid is the ultimate consequence, and seeing how dead people can't reproduce, I think the condom will stay off.
CHARLES
Then I will say this for what feels like the tenth time, and what will ultimately be the last. If you're not going to give a shit about it during the act, stop complaining and worrying about it afterwards. Either wear the goddamn condom, or shut the fuck up about.
AUSTIN
Boss, most of my clientele don't want me to wear a condom.
CHARLES
Then your problem is solved, keep your dick out of my line of sight.
SHANE
What are you? Some kind of a man whore?
AUSTIN
Male ESCORT, and I'm sorry man, I don't think we've been properly introduced. Name's AUSTIN BLACK, or ELEVEN PAST THREE.
CHARLES
Great now that that's out of the way, SHANE you're going to tag along with AUSTIN for a little bit, I've got some things to go take care of in regards to your registration.
SHANE
The hell?
AUSTIN
Your pawning this guy off of me, we just fuckin' met?
CHARLES
He's an UNEVENTFUL, AUSTIN.
AUSTIN
Oh. Fuck, we haven't had a new member in...longer than I thought.
CHARLES
Yeah, so make him feel all warm and fuzzy, keep your dick in your pants, and be sure to take him to the TAVERN.
AUSTIN
What's at the TAVERN?
CHARLES
Something you have to do. SHANE, good luck, learn, listen, try not to follow his lifestyle.
SHANE
I don't think I could If I wanted too...
CHARLES
I'll see you later.
CHARLES turns and heads off as AUSTIN pats SHANE on the shoulder.
AUSTIN
Welcome to the CASA.
INT. AUSTIN'S APARTMENT
SHANE looks about the LAVISH and DECORATED APARTMENT as AUSTIN shuts the door.
SHANE
So this is the lavish living of a RECLAIMER?
AUSTIN
Haha, fuck no. We don't make hardly shit RECLAIMING, unless it's a particularly nasty and or difficult job.
SHANE
Then how do you...ah, the man whoring.
AUSTIN
Pays the bills, and pays the expensive tastes I have.
SHANE
I'm sure it helps having the anaconda between your legs too.
AUSTIN
I like to think it's more about my rugged good looks and my interpersonal skills, but the beast helps out. I'm a go put some clothes on, look around if you like, but try not to break anything.
SHANE
I'm not a klutz.
AUSTIN
I didn't say you were, But you're a brand new undead person whom I have the grand honor of knowing for only three fuckin' minuets, so until I deem you touch worthy, don't touch a goddamn thing.
SHANE
Moody fuckin' lot you guys are.
AUSTIN
Oh my new friend...you have no idea.
AUSTIN heads off towards the BACK as SHANE begins looking around the apartment, noticing the fine art, the lavish entertainment systems, and the GRAND PIANO sitting alone in the corner.
SHANE comes over to it and studies it for a while as AUSTIN reappears a short time later, finely dressed as he comes over towards the GRAND PIANO, SHANE looking at him before gazing back at the beautiful musical instrument.
SHANE
You play?
AUSTIN
Yeah. I was pretty good when I was alive.
SHANE
Damn If I were chick I'd probably fuck you.
AUSTIN
Yeah, get in line pal.
SHANE
How long...have you been dead?
AUSTIN
Freshly minted always want to know. In due time my friend, that's a very personal question to ask a new buddy. Come on, I'll pour you a drink.
AUSTIN heads towards his BAR as SHANE looks at the nice set up as AUSTIN grabs two glasses.
AUSTIN
Poison?
SHANE
Whiskey, straight.
AUSTIN
Good man.
AUSTIN quickly pours him his glass as the two tap glasses and gulp the liquor down.
AUSTIN
So did CHARLES take you to that little diner restaurant, the one with the burger?
SHANE
Yeah, he does that with you?
AUSTIN
No, the burger place didn't come till a few years after I joined up.
SHANE
You got to join the UNEVENTFUL'S?
AUSTIN
Well, no not really but I feel I've done my just service well enough that I can say join and not...forced.
SHANE
I just don't get it man.
AUSTIN
You're going to feel that way a lot I'm afraid.
SHANE
No, I mean...look at you man.
AUSTIN shakes his head as SHANE smirks as he swirls the ice in his glass.
SHANE
I just can't believe that someone like you lived an uneventful life. How did you leave no impression on anyone?
AUSTIN
I wish I knew. But I didn't.
SHANE
Damn.
AUSTIN
You know I shouldn't tell you this, because It fuckin' sucks to learn this. But I think you can handle it.
SHANE
That seems to be the consensus.
AUSTIN
In life, you didn't know these answers. You just...lived and did what you did, and waited till this point. And now you're behind the veil, behind the curtain, and you know some answers...but the ones that really matter, the ones that you need for...closure. Those answers are filed away, locked up in some angel or demon's work cubicle. The answers for everything so close...and yet farther away than you could ever know.
SHANE
That does suck.
AUSTIN pours them another glass full of whiskey as they quickly take it down.
AUSTIN taps the bar top as he walks around it.
AUSTIN
Let's go man.
SHANE
Go where?
AUSTIN
I've got a job to do, you're going to help me out.
SHANE
A job? Already?
AUSTIN
Yeah, it should be fun.
AUSTIN smirks as he pats SHANE on the shoulder and grabs his KEYS, SHANE finishing his drink as he follows.
INT. THE TAVERN
AUSTIN comes in like a well loved regular as SHANE looks around to notice the EXOTIC DECORUM of the JAZZ BAR as "CRUISIN" by SMOKEY ROBINSON was playing as SHANE comes up to AUSTIN as AUSTIN touches the face of a few BEAUTIFUL WOMEN.
SHANE
They play normal music here?
AUSTIN
What did you expect?
SHANE
I don't know...something like from STAR WARS.
AUSTIN
It's a JAZZ BAR night, most of the time this place looks like a classic dive bar, but the TAVERN changes with the clientele.
SHANE
Spiffy.
AUSTIN
Small perks.
AUSTIN leads SHANE to the BAR TOP as they take a seat, a BEAUTIFUL UNDEAD WOMAN in a SNAZZY DRESS comes over.
BARTENDER
Hey, AUSTIN.
AUSTIN
EMMA, meet SHANE.
EMMA
Hello, SHANE.
SHANE
Hey.
EMMA
What are you guys getting?
AUSTIN
Whiskey and Coke for me.
SHANE
I'm fine.
EMMA
Simple enough, gimme a sec?
AUSTIN
Always do.
EMMA walks down the bar as she goes towards the next couple of MEN as AUSTIN eyes over towards a few MEN in the back in fine suits, SHANE ogling EMMA'S curvy petite frame as AUSTIN nudges him, SHANE looking at him as AUSTIN nods over towards the MEN as SHANE eyes them.
SHANE
And they are...?
AUSTIN
VAMPIRES.
SHANE
Terrific.
AUSTIN
Yeah...
EMMA sets his drink down as AUSTIN takes it as SHANE smiles at EMMA as she winks at him before heading back down the BAR, SHANE watching as AUSTIN takes a sip as he sets it down.
AUSTIN
The VAMPIRES here have to stay registered, it's part of the SYSTEM'S requirement in order for them to stay.
SHANE
The SYSTEM?
AUSTIN
It's the GOVERNMENT here. Everyone calls it the SYSTEM cuz nobody really knows what and or who runs the damn thing. The ANGELS and DEMON moxie over a 50/50 split of the SYSTEM, but it's run by things much much more powerful and transcendent then we are, at least that's what CHARLES always says.
SHANE
So these VAMPIRES...?
AUSTIN eyes them as a few of them begin to laugh as they were drinking blood from champagne glasses, AUSTIN taking a few drinks as EMMA eyes SHANE, SHANE not noticing though.
AUSTIN
Most VAMPIRES, stay to the SYSTEM, drink the blood from the blood banks or blood letting businesses such as this fine establishment. They can't feast on human blood, or our blood, because it's not life, sure we bleed, but it's not vital, that's not what keeps us going.
SHANE
Good to know. So what are they doing wrong?
AUSTIN
They're knocking over blood banks, taking excess amounts of blood and selling high quantities to vampire junkies, basically vamps who are gorging themselves on a blood high.
SHANE
Seems pretty heavy duty.
AUSTIN
It is.
SHANE
So what do we do?
AUSTIN
We? No sport, you're just a bystander taking lessons from a master. I specialize in BOUNTY HUNTING.
SHANE
So these VAMPIRES, are they DEAD or ALIVE?
AUSTIN
The more you bring in alive, the better the pay, I mostly bring in DEAD though.
SHANE
How do we kill these guys?
AUSTIN
Decapitation works well...Stake through the HEART is also a nice touch, problem with that is that these VAMPIRES here have about a six inch thicker chest wall, makes stabbing through their heart damn near impossible.
SHANE
Sunlight? Garlic, Silver?
AUSTIN
No effect on them here man, Sun, Moon, Sky, all artificially simulated thanks to the SYSTEM. Here there is no concept of time, no days, weeks and months, but the SYSTEM just implements it to make everything flow, allows everyone new and old to adapt easily.
SHANE
I see.
AUSTIN
Follow me, don't speak, and make sure none of them get away.
AUSTIN finishes his drink as he sets it down and slides it towards the back, EMMA nodding as she comes over and takes it as SHANE eyes her before he follows AUSTIN who begins laughing as he wraps an arm around SHANE, SHANE a bit caught off guard as SHANE watches the VAMPIRES eye them as they were drawing closer, SHANE suddenly catching on as he begins laughing with AUSTIN as they come closer towards the VAMPIRES.
AUSTIN
...And I said, I said you either take the long way or you take the...
AUSTIN side steps away from SHANE and kicks the FIRST VAMPIRE in the chest, knocking him over the table they were by as the other THREE VAMPIRES quickly hiss and jump towards him, AUSTIN drawing a SILVER JAGGED EDGED MACHETE as he spins and CUTS ONE'S HEAD CLEANLY OFF, as the patrons of the TAVERN just minded their own business as the casual violence was taking place, SHANE watches one of the VAMPIRE'S bolt, SHANE extending his arm and clotheslines the VAMPIRE across the FACE as AUSTIN headbutts the other and punches his face in repeatedly , watching as his FANGS begin to fall out of his mouth before AUSTIN slices his head off as the VAMPIRE that SHANE knocked down grabs SHANE by the leg and tosses him into the air, SHANE screaming as he hits the CEILING as the VAMPIRE makes a run for it, but AUSTIN runs and knees drops the VAMPIRE in the back, sending it flying as SHANE begins to stand as he winces in pain as AUSTIN stabs the MACHETE into the VAMPIRES HEART that he kneed, AUSTIN looking over as the VAMPIRE he kicked was on his knees, AUSTIN coming over to him preparing to decapitate him but SHANE grabs his arm, AUSTIN looking at him with crazed eyes but seems to come down from it.
SHANE
Extra money if you keep him alive...
AUSTIN
Good thinking.
EMMA comes over as she looks at the scene around them, SHANE wincing as she pats him on the chest.
EMMA
Nice going new meat, you managed to take your first real blow like a man, and get AUSTIN to actually keep someone alive.
SHANE
Uh...
AUSTIN
SHANE, TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT, this is EMMA LAIN, Seventeen Till Dawn. She's one of us. An UNEVENTFUL.
EMMA
Yep yep.
SHANE
Nice to meet you...again.
EMMA
Pleasure's actually all mine new blood. You two go ahead and do what you have to do.
AUSTIN
Actually I think I'm pawning him off to you now.
EMMA
What? I'm still working, AUSTIN, my shift doesn't end for another few hours.
AUSTIN
CHARLES didn't exactly state when he was going to be coming back for this guy so I figure you two can get along for a little while, while I go turn this guy in.
EMMA
Fine, Go.
AUSTIN taps SHANE on the shoulder as SHANE winces as AUSTIN grabs the VAMPIRE by the back of the neck and shoves him towards the entrance.
SHANE looks at the bodies of the VAMPIRES and the SEVERED HEADS as EMMA goes around the BAR, SHANE limping towards it as she fixes him a drink.
EMMA
Rum and Coke sound okay?
SHANE
Yeah...what are you guy's going to do about those bodies...?
EMMA
It takes longer with the other beings, but they'll take care of themselves in a moment, I would guess.
EMMA goes down and checks on her guests as she mixes a few more drinks as SHANE looks at the BODIES as he watches as they suddenly begin to emit a DARK LIGHT, before a BRIGHT LIGHT begins to float out of the bodies before dispersing in a bang of light, SHANE closing his eyes as he opens them after a moment, watching as speckle dust of the light could be seen, but nothing of the VAMPIRES, no bodies, heads, or blood could be found.
SHANE looks transfixed as EMMA comes back down towards him, SHANE not sure what to say.
SHANE
What uh...
EMMA
The energy that composes their souls is basically supernova's when they die, so their souls compress into these balls of light, and then poof, gone. Leaving behind...nothing.
SHANE
When we die, our souls come here...or...heaven or hell...so what happens to the soul when it expires...here?
EMMA
I don't know. Some people say it goes to where it really belongs, others say it goes nowhere, that it just...vanishes into oblivion.
SHANE
What do you think?
EMMA
Haha, hun, I don't know, and frankly I don't want to. I may be dead, but I plan on living in this world a lot longer than I did back home.
SHANE
You're...beautiful.
EMMA
Thanks.
SHANE
So was AUSTIN.
EMMA
Uh, that was weird.
SHANE
Just...saying.
SHANE takes a drink.
SHANE
I get why I didn't leave an impression...
EMMA
Oh...
SHANE
I don't mean to upset you.
EMMA
It's okay. I've learned to cope with it.
SHANE
So...
EMMA
No offense, new meat, but I take some time to open up in regards to that portion of my life. Not me trying to be a bitch but...
SHANE
Trust me, it's okay.
EMMA smiles as she looks around at her patrons who were all speaking to one another.
EMMA
Can I ask you a question?
SHANE
Now that seems a little unfair from where I'm sitting.
EMMA
I never said it was going to be fair.
SHANE
I'm starting to get that.
EMMA
What's your story? What do you remember?
SHANE
I remember everything. The car crash, the fuckin' semi...
EMMA
Car accident huh?
SHANE
Yeah, unglamorous, UNEVENTFUL.
EMMA
Nice.
SHANE
I try.
SHANE finishes it off as EMMA pours him another one.
SHANE
So you're a bartender, AUSTIN'S a man whore...diverse jobs.
EMMA
You should start thinking about a profession you're going to want to try and get into, I mean, RECLAIMING pays, but not enough to live off of. Besides, you're not going to be able to crash at very many of our places for long, so the sooner you look into getting a job, the better off you'd be.
SHANE
Thanks for the heads up.
EMMA
Woulda helped me out.
SHANE
Thanks.
EMMA
No problem, New Meat.
EMMA touches his hand as he smirks at her, EMMA heading off as she goes to meet some new patrons as SHANE smirks and takes a drink as he listens to the jazz music that is playing.
EXT. BUILDING
AUSTIN lights a cigarette as a DEMON scans the VAMPIRE before it is tagged and cuffed and brought inside, AUSTIN and the DEMON exchange a few words before AUSTIN hands him a cigarette as the DEMON nods and heads inside.
AUSTIN takes a drag as he looks over to see CHARLES appearing, CHARLES coming over as he has his hands in his pockets as AUSTIN nods.
AUSTIN
He's good. Intuitive, a little green, but nothing our training couldn't help fix. How'd you land this guy?
CHARLES
Same way I landed all of you, sheer luck and good will.
AUSTIN
And a pathetic life.
CHARLES
Something is different about this one. His demeanor. His casualness towards death.
AUSTIN
For now, We broke at different times, remember?
CHARLES
I'm sure he will. But I don't think it'll be as hard to corral him back.
AUSTIN
Where do you wanna hold him up?
CHARLES
I think tony's should do it for now.
AUSTIN
ANTHONY'S?
CHARLES
You wanna do it?
AUSTIN
Hell no, just saying.
CHARLES
Anthony's will be fine for now. He shouldn't have a problem finding his own place in time.
AUSTIN
We haven't had a new member in a long time. It's nice to shake it up a bit, huh?
CHARLES
You could say that.
CHARLES hands AUSTIN an envelope as AUSTIN checks it and whistles as he smiles.
AUSTIN
Just for keeping one VAMPIRE alive?
CHARLES
Incentive perk to just keep a few more people alive per bounty, besides, the extra isn't for you.
AUSTIN
Oh come on...
CHARLES
I assume it wasn't you that decided to take the guy alive?
AUSTIN
Well...
CHARLES
Give him his cut, we need to help ease him into this life. Because the punches are gonna keep coming.
AUSTIN
Always do.
CHARLES
Call me later.
AUSTIN
Yes, sir.
CHARLES disappears as AUSTIN looks at the money and heads off.
INT. THE TAVERN
SHANE and EMMA share a laugh as the TAVERN was pretty dead, EMMA sitting beside SHANE now at the BAR as SHANE hands her a bottle which she uses to pour her drink.
EMMA
So he just fell off of his ladder?
SHANE
Yeah, we had a cooler of beer set in between the four of us, and the drunker we got, the more we would wobble when we were reaching over, and just finally...he fell.
EMMA
Wow, Texas boys are crazy.
SHANE
Texas raised, not Texas born though.
EMMA
Oh?
SHANE
Yeah, I was born in...
AUSTIN
Hey, party people.
The TWO look over as AUSTIN comes up in between them, AUSTIN handing SHANE some multi colored money.
SHANE
The hell is this, monopoly money?
AUSTIN
No, just money. Green is a buck, Blue is 5, Yellow is 10, Purple is 20, and BLACK is 100.
SHANE
No 50s?
AUSTIN
Humor me, EMMA, drink?
EMMA
Off the clock, pour your own.
AUSTIN
Fine by me.
AUSTIN hops over the counter as EMMA shakes her head as AUSTIN looks through the extensive collection and pours himself a drink as SHANE shifts through his bills.
SHANE
Two grand? For what?
AUSTIN
Think of it as helping you on your feet, while passing GO.
EMMA
Cute.
SHANE
Seems like a lot.
EMMA
Haha, SHANE, you'd be wrong , 2000 will keep you fed and afloat for a while, but that ain't nothing to brag home about, hell just tonight I made about 9,000 easy, but that'll only pay for a week, maybe two.
SHANE
What the hell, is this place just all inflation?
AUSTIN
It is what it is my man, here you go...here you go.
AUSTIN pours them both shots as EMMA leans her head back as she scoffs but takes it anyways as SHANE, clearly a bit plastered takes it.
AUSTIN
To being...UNEVENTFUL.
EMMA
Lame.
SHANE
Haha.
The THREE tap SHOT GLASSES before they each take the shot. SHANE reeling as the other two shake it off.
AUSTIN
Alright, champ, let's go, you got more places and people to meet.
SHANE
I don't think I can walk.
AUSTIN
I can zap you there.
EMMA
You're wasting your one trip every few months to zip over to who's?
AUSTIN
Tony's.
EMMA
Lemme just drive him over there.
SHANE
You guys have cars?
EMMA
Yes we do.
AUSTIN
Quicker this way, you could drive over there and pick me up though.
EMMA
Grr, fine, but I am not happy about this.
AUSTIN
Awe, that's why I love you.
EMMA
You don't even know what that word means.
AUSTIN
I can learn though?
EMMA
Shut up and go.
AUSTIN smiles as he kisses EMMA on the back of her head as he grabs SHANE, who drunkenly staggers as he tries to stand as AUSTIN grabs him and the two suddenly disappear as EMMA grabs her keys and heads out.
INT. ANTHONY'S APARTMENT
AUSTIN and SHANE appear in a lushly furnished apartment with a lotta hemp and incense burning as SHANE coughs instantly as AUSTIN seems pretty resistant to it.
ANTHONY
(O.S.)
Whoa.
AUSTIN and SHANE turned as ANTHONY was sitting at a DESK, a pair of working glasses on as he was in a pair of wool pajamas as he was typing on a computer.
AUSTIN
ANTHONY, how's it going buddy.
ANTHONY
Fine, why'd you zap in here with some guy?
AUSTIN
SHANE, this is ANTHONY aka 35 after 1.
ANTHONY
Why does everyone insist on using those dead names?
AUSTIN
He'll be hearing his enough, might as well know ours.
ANTHONY
A weak excuse. May I ask why you felt the need to bring the new guy here...
SHANE turns and vomits into a nearby bin, AUSTIN smiling as ANTHONY takes his glasses off as he looks at SHANE who was on his left knee, his face still halfway buried into the bin.
ANTHONY
To throw up in my work bin, who is this guy!?
AUSTIN
He's the new guy, TONY. TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT. An UNEVENTFUL.
ANTHONY
No fucking way?
AUSTIN
Way.
ANTHONY
Hmm. I would offer him more to drink...but it seems you all beat me to it, how much could he hold?
AUSTIN
Surprisingly, a lot more than we ever did, he's got a fast tolerance to this place.
ANTHONY.
Hm.
AUSTIN
(To SHANE)
How are you doing there sport?
SHANE mumbles something as he waves AUSTIN off as he was still on a knee as AUSTIN smirks as ANTHONY stands and comes around his desk, leaning on it as he crosses his legs and arms.
ANTHONY
I'm guessing CHARLES is wanting me to babysit him for a few days?
AUSTIN
Look at you all smart and what not, you deserve a nickel.
ANTHONY
Wouldn't that me make me a whore...like you?
AUSTIN
You wish you could be a whore like me, when you've got choking wood tucked away like a half rolled up piece of salami.
ANTHONY
Didn't need the dried meat visual.
AUSTIN
Oh but I think you did.
ANTHONY
Get out of here.
AUSTIN
Can't yet, waiting to get picked up by EM.
ANTHONY
How is she?
AUSTIN
You should stop being a bitch, and talk to her more often.
ANTHONY
It's...complicated.
AUSTIN
It's really not.
ANTHONY
What do you expect me to say, AUSTIN? I can't just...
AUSTIN
Look, we've been over this, we all have with you, if you're not going to do anything about it, then stop...talking about it, you're torturing yourself, and trust me, EMMA'S awesome, but she's not worth this.
ANTHONY
That's easy for you to say.
AUSTIN
It is, but just...if you don't want to be hurt, or, if you want the hurt to go away quicker, that's the best way to do it. We work together, often, just say more than a few things to her, get personal, you know where she works, just be coy though.
ANTHONY
Me, coy?
AUSTIN
Yeah, forgetting things with you is an act in futility.
ANTHONY
Using big words, I am so proud of you!
AUSTIN
Dick.
SHANE tries to stand but drops back down to his knees as he continues to vomit. AUSTIN and ANTHONY watching him with a gleeful look before AUSTIN hears the sound of two distinct HORN HONKS from a CAR, ANTHONY looking at AUSTIN as AUSTIN nods at him and heads towards the door, ANTHONY looking a bit disheveled as he comes back over to the hurling SHANE.
ANTHONY
It's alright...let it all out...there ya go...
SHANE
I think they poisoned me...
ANTHONY
No they didn't...
SHANE
They fucking poisoned me...
ANTHONY
Can't poison a dead person...
SHANE
I'm fucking dying...poison dying...
ANTHONY
That...didn't even make sense.
SHANE
Please just end it...
ANTHONY
Hey now, stop being melodramatic, it's just a super strong purging, you consumed a very large amount of alcohol that hits your soul, or your body in this world a lot harder than it would back in the living world. So you're just...reeling a bit.
SHANE
Fuck...
ANTHONY
Lemme get you some water.
ANTHONY crosses his LIVING ROOM and into his KITCHEN as SHANE turns onto his back on his ass as he looks around to notice the apartment was even more expensive looking then AUSTIN'S though it was filled with a lot of movie posters to movies he never heard of like
"Nightmare Disaster Part V", "THE FORGOTTEN ONES", "STAKE FEVER".
ANTHONY comes over and hands SHANE a tall glass of iced water, SHANE drinking most of it as he grabs his head and moans as ANTHONY leans down and sits beside him as SHANE grabs the BIN and pulls it closer to him.
SHANE
So what the hell do you do? I mean this place is even more bitching than AUSTIN'S pad.
ANTHONY
I am in the film business.
SHANE
There's movies here?
ANTHONY
Movies, music, and TV. MUSIC crosses borders, you'll always find new and original music from our world and the living world. MOVIES and TV here, all one hundred percent FRINGE financed only.
SHANE
So all these POSTERS all over the place...? Are they...?
ANTHONY
Movies I've directed, yes.
SHANE
Directed? You're a director?
ANTHONY
Slash writer, slash producer, yeah.
SHANE
Damn. How many?
ANTHONY
OH, a few hundred.
SHANE
Hundred?!
ANTHONY
Yeah, like 345...46, something around there.
SHANE
Dear lord.
ANTHONY
Hey, when you've got hundred of years to work with you can accumulate a lot of work.
SHANE
How old are you?
ANTHONY
Oh, I've lost count. Died back in '64. What year is it now?
SHANE
Here, I don't know. When I died, it was 2013.
ANTHONY
Fuck.
SHANE
What's the time difference here?
ANTHONY
It's always in flux, sometimes it's a year here for a day there, or a week here, for an hour there, the system decides.
SHANE
That SYSTEM seems...like an interesting thing to be in charge.
ANTHONY
It's cosmic man, what can you do, argue with it?
SHANE
So you're some George Lucas kinda guy huh?
ANTHONY
George Lucas?
SHANE
Oh don't even play.
ANTHONY
I'm not, who is that?
SHANE
Oh...
SHANE grabs ANTHONY as ANTHONY reaches over quickly and pulls the bin up as SHANE vomits harder into the bin, ANTHONY cringing as SHANE takes a few moments to gather himself as he raises his head up.
SHANE
How do yo not know who fuckin' George Lucas is?! He made STAR WARS!
ANTHONY
What the hell is STAR WARS?! Why are you getting so angry?
SHANE
What is...STAR...
SHANE almost rolls his eyes but ANTHONY catches him from fainting over as ANTHONY smacks his face a few times as SHANE looks dazed.
ANTHONY
Hey, yo, new guy, snap out of it, the hell is wrong with you?
SHANE
I just feel a little dizzy right now.
ANTHONY
Look man, If it was made or created anytime after 1964 I do not know enough about it, perhaps I have heard of it when I visit the living sometimes, but man I'm sorry, I don't know what it is.
SHANE
Do you have time to spare?
ANTHONY
I guess...
SHANE
I'm about to tell you a story...a grand story....one that will take some time. I'd grab snacks.
ANTHONY
Uh..Okay.
SHANE nods as he begins speaking as ANTHONY shuts up and listens.
EXT. LOFT
CHARLES stands outside of a nice loft apartment complex in a very clean and well patrolled area as CHARLES notices a few MEN stare him down on their routine strolls as CHARLES nods at one after a few moments as he paces back and forth as he is waiting for someone for an unspecified amount of time.
CHARLES smirks as he notices the LIFT to the LOFT begin to move as it is coming down, CHARLES watching as a GUARD watches him again before heading off as a BLONDE WOMAN comes out of the LOFT. The beautiful middle aged woman looked about before coming over to CHARLES quickly, her walk was business and strict, as her face was also displaying seriousness.
TERESA COLPAERT, an ANGEL, stops in front of CHARLES clearly agitated.
TERESA
You have a lot of nerve coming here after hours, at this time of night.
CHARLES
Security seems to have picked up since the last time I dropped by.
TERESA
If I recall, the last time you showed up involved three sets of unauthorized explosions, followed by fifteen deaths in a firefight that your men instigated, that I'm still hearing flack for from the other OVERSEER'S.
CHARLES
I've apologized for that, and I will continue to do so until you forgive me and get over it, besides I took the demerit so it wouldn't register against your record, you're still clean and spotless.
TERESA
You and yours are more hassle than you are worth. Spotless record or not, I am coming down with a reputation of overseeing a group of bombastic and increasingly costly misfits and malcontents. Now, I answered your call, and responded to your request to meet outside for the sole purpose because you said it was work related, and so now let us get to that so I may go back to bed, because I have another long day of processing ahead of me.
CHARLES
Right. I just need to know a few things about the new guy we got.
TERESA
What is there to know? He was registered as an UNEVENTFUL and they shipped him to me to send to you, how is this important?
CHARLES
This one is different, TERESA. He's...more In tuned here then most UNDEAD I've ever seen.
TERESA
Some people can process being dead quicker than others.
CHARLES
I just need to know if there was anything in his file that stood out, perhaps something that was questionable but maybe overlooked...?
TERESA
Are you trying to say that I overlooked a finite detail about someone that is now in my employ? I think this conversation has reached its climax, goodnight CHARLES.
CHARLES
TERESA.
TERESA
What?
CHARLES pulls her into a kiss, TERESA is caught off guard but she quickly stops resisting as CHARLES opens an eye as he can't believe she was still kissing him back, CHARLES noticing one of the GUARDS watch him confused as CHARLES smirks at him as he closes his eyes and focuses on the kiss for a few more moments before she pulls away.
The TWO say nothing for a long moment before CHARLES goes to speak but TERESA touches her lips, a perplexed look on her face as CHARLES huffs.
CHARLES
Still awkward?
TERESA
I am an ANGEL, and an OVERSEER, and you are an employee, this...shouldn't still be happening.
CHARLES
Still can't stop yourself?
TERESA
Why do you insist on coming here and torturing me? You know this...whatever it is...can't happen...
CHARLES
Because of the SYSTEM...or because of you?
TERESA
Both. I work for the SYSTEM, I was sent here from HEAVEN, to help make sure the SYSTEM runs and gets what it needs, I can't...afford or want things for myself.
CHARLES
TERESA...
TERESA
I didn't miss anything from your new man's file. He lived an uneventful life...he died at 12:12 AM, and he works for you. If you need any other personal inquiries about your employees, I suggest you ask them. Please don't come back.
CHARLES
TERESA.
TERESA
Goodnight, CHARLES.
CHARLES goes to say something but stops himself as TERESA heads back into her lift and disappears behind the sliding panel doors, CHARLES nodding as he puts his hands in his pockets and turns and walks down the street.
INT. ANTHONY'S APARTMENT
ANTHONY looks enthralled as SHANE was clearly sobered up, a good SIX HOURS have passed as SHANE has some tears in his eyes, as does ANTHONY.
SHANE
...And then...it ends.
ANTHONY
Fuck.
SHANE
You died well before your time, sir.
ANTHONY
Goddamnit, that's awesome.
SHANE
The greatest motion picture saga ever created, and think about it, TONY. You could bring that to life...here.
ANTHONY
I could. Enough people who died after it's release will want to come and watch it, and the creature viewers who've never even dreamed of something like this...my my, SHANE, I think you're onto something.
SHANE
Don't ever say I never gave you nothing.
ANTHONY
You're not too bad of a guy, I'll give you that. How about this, once I finish the picture I'm shooting, I'll make STAR WARS my next project, you can be my co writer, slash, producer. What do you say?
SHANE
I thought you were more of a loner.
ANTHONY
2 thirds my friend. Inspiration is my one true gift here, but even I can't come up with work on a consistent enough basis. I'm offering you a chance to break into show business here son, you best be seriously thinking about the implication to your social life by doing so.
SHANE
Any chance to bring STAR WARS to life to the masses of those UN initiated will always have my blessing and involvement, so yeah, count me in.
ANTHONY holds a hand out as SHANE smirks and shakes it.
ANTHONY
I think me and you are gonna do big things.
SHANE
I think so too. So what are you working on?
ANTHONY
My action masterpiece, a gritty and explosion filled shoot em up, with a noir like flare for the dramatic, a dark drama coupled in with the copious amounts of violence unseen in FRINGE cinema before.
SHANE
Film got a name?
ANTHONY
Yep. BULLET EXPRESS.
SHANE
Are you shitting me?
ANTHONY
No, why would I?
SHANE
Your dark drama action opus, is called BULLET EXPRESS?
ANTHONY
You do 345...46...movies and then tell me how easy it is to come up with a title. I work with what I got.
SHANE
Alright.
ANTHONY
It's not my best, but it has a flare to it though, don't you think?
SHANE
Sure.
ANTHONY grimaces as he thinks as SHANE yawns as he stretches.
ANTHONY
I got a guest room in the back left corner there, past the KITCHEN, whenever you're ready to crash you're more than welcome to. I like you SHANE, you seem pretty genuine for a new guy. Most of the others will slowly ease up to you, but I'm not the others, I go all in or all out at once.
SHANE
Cept with EMMA...?
SHANE eyes ANTHONY for a reaction as ANTHONY looks at him quizzically.
SHANE
I may have been vomiting into a bin, but I am still here. What's your story with that?
ANTHONY
We hooked up a while back, around the time she started with the group. She has a funny way of expressing herself to people she meets.
SHANE
That being?
ANTHONY
She sleeps with you.
SHANE
No shit?
ANTHONY
No shit. So heads up, when you two are alone, and now knowing that you're part of our little family from here on out...she'll put the moves on you, and you'll succumb, we all do. Cept for CHARLES.
SHANE
If she means that much to you dude, I won't...
ANTHONY
Thanks, but you really don't have much of a say in that, she is really convincing, you've seen her. Talked to her. She's a goddess.
SHANE
You got sprung huh? Got a little booty, and never got over it?
ANTHONY
Now you sound like AUSTIN.
SHANE
No, man trust me I get it. But I do think he's right about one thing, if she does mean something to you, you should tell her, you bottle that shit up man and you'll always feel...regret.
ANTHONY
No offense, SHANE. But I think I'll play my cards to the chest with this one.
SHANE
I didn't mean to bring it up and make you...
ANTHONY
No, trust me I get the intention. Thanks.
SHANE
Yeah.
ANTHONY
Look, you're welcome to stay here as long as you like, but CHARLES is gonna push you to be out on your own sooner rather than later, but if you need an emergency place to crash once all that starts occurring, my home's open to you.
SHANE
Thanks. I mean that.
ANTHONY
Yeah, don't let me regret that.
SHANE
I won't. I think I'm calling it a night, are you...?
ANTHONY
I got some writing to finish up, maybe start up on a draft on EPISODE ONE.
SHANE
Don't get too far in, as a Co-writer I wanna be able to look over the work and add...and subtract...let's not forget about JAR JAR...
ANTHONY
Oh god.
SHANE holds a hand out and ANTHONY shakes it as SHANE stands and heads towards the back guest room as ANTHONY smirks as he stands and goes back around his DESK, towards his computer.
THE NEXT MORNING
INT. RESTAURANT
CHARLES smirks as SHANE comes in, neatly dressed in some new clothes as CHARLES motions for him to sit across from him as CINDY touches his shoulder and smiles at him, SHANE ordering quickly as CHARLES nods.
CHARLES
Man finds out he died yesterday, already got a new favorite diner meal and some digs. You're acclimating nicely.
SHANE
The money from AUSTIN helped with this, I figured walking around like a sore thumb for a few days wouldn't be too good for anyone looking to make an example of some new guy.
CHARLES
Good thinking. How was ANTHONYS?
SHANE
It was nice, thanks for hooking me up there, he's a good guy.
CHARLES
ANTHONY'S...different. Eccentric and good hearted, but not the best RECLAIMER, not with the heavy stuff. He was the first UNEVENTFUL member I ever had, and the only one who's been here with me since the beginning of my run as lead.
SHANE
How many have come and gone?
CHARLES
A lot. The crew I have now has been the most intact I've had, the TRIBUNAL'S are pretty rough, the choices they give you are too tempting sometimes. Can't be blamed. Some were just careless.
SHANE
I saw what happens when something dies here.
CHARLES
Interesting little light show huh?
SHANE
Is that what happens to us?
CHARLES
Yes.
SHANE
How can...we die?
CHARLES
The eyes. Destroy our eyes, we go with it.
SHANE
Our eyes?
CHARLES
Windows to the souls. Get rid of that buffer, that barrier, and our souls literally burst forth from us, rendering us into...an abstract ball of white light and then nothing.
SHANE
Protect the eyes, sounds good.
CHARLES
You'll still take a hell of a beating, can get put into coma, broken bones, severed limbs. These things heal, but not like a rapid healing, it's a slowly liveable but merciless pain. I once saw a guy had to hold his arm in place for sixteen days straight before his body fully reattached itself, course he could've went to the hospital and gotten it sewed back on and it would've healed up on it's own in about two days, but even in death, hospital bills are a high bitch.
SHANE
Why are we meeting here? ANTHONY said you had something you wanted to go over with me about?
CHARLES
I just wanted to see how you were progressing through your first night. And I think I've got my answer.
SHANE
Good or bad?
CHARLES
I think you're ready to be an UNEVENTFUL.
CHARLES pulls up a I.D. And a GUN that looks like a CROSS between a 9MM and a .357 MAGNUM.
SHANE
Hello, hello.
CHARLES
The I.D. Never leaves your persons, it's SYSTEM issued, and is your only viable way to identify yourself and provide information on yourself.
SHANE looks at the ID that was completely blank other than his Death name.
SHANE
It's blank?
CHARLES
The information that those checking to see will appear to them.
SHANE
And those that shouldn't be looking?
CHARLES
Won't get a damn thing.
SHANE
Neat.
CHARLES
The gun is a standard issue RECLAIMER PISTOL, no catchy name or make and model, you can nickname it if you want, everyone else does. Modifications cost money, if you wanna go around the higher fees talk to AUSTIN, but do not get caught, acquiring acquisitions through black markets and backdoor channels is a big no no, but I'm all for little things here and there if it helps me in any way. The gun has a DNA sensor, it'll only fire with your touch, and will only allow others to fire from it with your permission via a voice match modulator that is built into it. There are bigger, scarier and better weapons in the FRINGE, but for now, this is what you start with. How you obtain or acquire the others, is up to your transgressions, lest it's something that has to be turned in for extreme illegality, and or if it's a retrieval case, am I understood so far?
SHANE
Crystal.
CHARLES
I am entrusting you on the second day of you being here, with things that the others had to take weeks to earn. I'm doing this because you are an Enigma, SHANE. I don't know what, or why that is, but you are a special individual, even if you, me or anyone else can't see it for now. I don't want you to forget these words, because we may need to reflect back on this day years down the road and both ask ourselves this one question. Who is TWELVE PAST MIDNIGHT?
SHANE looks a bit confused as CHARLES nods and scoots out of the booth.
CHARLES
Meals on me. And kid.
SHANE looks up at him as CHARLES smiles and pats him on the shoulder.
CHARLES
I think we're in for one hell of a ride, don't you?
CHARLES puts his shades on and heads out as CINDY brings SHANE his drink, SHANE looking around as he notices a WEREWOLF was feeding a small WERE CUB in a high chair as a TRANSLUCENT BEING was having a conversation with another UNDEAD PERSON, SHANE looking over the vast creatures and the tranquility and strange normality of it all as SHANE smirks as he nods and leans back a bit, taking a sip of his DR. PEPPER.
SHANE
(O.S.)
Yep...A hell of a ride indeed..
FADE OUT
END OF EPISODE
