KNIGHT RIDER 2010
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
INT. HEARING ROOM - DOMESTIC DEFENSE AGENCY - DAY
OPEN CLOSE on a PROJECTION SCREEN on which we can SEE GENERAL SILLS, Chief of Staff, Domestic Defense Agency, seated behind a desk in his Arlington, Virginia office.
GENERAL SILLS
This is a board of inquiry.
The SCREEN DIVIDES IN TWO as an N.D. MAJOR appears, dressed in camo fatigues, seated at a field desk outside a tent in Havana, Cuba.
GENERAL SILLS
It's purpose is to examine evidence and testimony as to whether an alleged theft and conversion of United States Government Property did, in fact, occur…
The SCREEN BECOMES A TRIPTYCH as a third image pops up next to the first two and we SEE an N.D. FEMALE COLONEL in an un-helmeted spacesuit, seated in front of a window through which we SEE the planet Earth.
GENERAL SILLS
… and if so, whether Lieutenant Lincoln Pankow, a graduate of West Point on temporary assignment to the Domestic Defense Agency, should be held over for trial.
CAMERA WIDENS TO INCLUDE Lincoln sitting at a table, facing the screen. His MILITARY COUNSEL sits next to him. Brady testifies from his wheelchair.
AN INSECT
crawls across a computer that performs the function of a STENOGRAPHER.
GENERAL SILLS
Mr. Brady, what is your opinion of Lieutenant Pankow as an Army officer?
Brady looks Lincoln in the eye and speaks in an even tone.
BRADY
In my opinion, Lieutenant Pankow is more interested in kissing off our country than protecting it.
Counsel looks sidelong at Lincoln, struggling to hold his temper in check.
BRADY
He's the military's answer to a three-time loser.
Lincoln jumps to his feet -
LINCOLN
That's a load of crap!
GENERAL SILLS
Lieutenant Pankow, be seated or I'll have you removed.
Counsel strong-armed Lincoln back into his seat, under -
GENERAL SILLS
Mr. Brady, feeling as strongly as you do about Lieutenant Pankow…why did you allow him into your Knight Rider program?
CAMERA FINDS the insect still crawling across the computer.
BRADY
It was not my choice, Sir. It was Lieutenant Hackett's decision.
(beat)
Frankly, I don't think Lieutenant Hackett knew what she was dealing with.
Lincoln shakes his head in disbelief. - Brady is turning the hearing into a public lynching.
GENERAL SILLS
Mr. Brady, could you be more specific?
BRADY
It's my opinion that Lieutenant Pankow is a security risk to the Knight Riders, the United States Army and the nation.
CAMERA ZOOMS IN on the insect. It's a mini robot. Off it's plastic antenna twitching:
INT. ILYA'S OFFICE - DAY
Ilya sits at his desk, listening and watching Brady's testimony live on video. Veronica is also present, watching over his shoulder.
BRADY (V.O.)
I think he's for sale to the highest bidder.
LINCOLN (V.O.)
You lying sonofabitch!
BRADY (V.O.)
It's my recommendation Lieutenant Pankow be held over for trial and, until such date, be transferred to the Army's maximum security prison at Chino.
Ilya sits backs in his chair, smiling like a Cheshire cat at Veronica.
ILYA
I think we just found the solution to our problems.
INT. DOMESTIC DEFENSE AGENCY - DAY
An N.D. modern government office building, surrounded by a high-voltage wire fence and Armed M.P.s at the gates.
Hands cuffed in front of him and ankles joined by a yard's length of chain, Lincoln is muscle out of the building by TWO sturdy, well-armed, stern-faced M.P.s. Brady brings up the rear.
LINCOLN
(to Brady)
I'm not going anywhere until I see K.D.
INT. MOTOR POOL - DAY - ON K.D.
surrounded by white lab-coated N.D. SCIENTISTS. Every time someone steps within three feet of the car, K.D. ZAPS them with a current of electricity.
EXT. DOMESTIC AGENCY - DAY
Brady watches the M.P.s shove Lincoln toward a waiting Military Police car.
LINCOLN
I want to see K.D.
BRADY
(to Guards)
Get him out of my sight!
Suddenly, Lincoln trips one of the M.P.'s with his leg irons, then drives a two-handed uppercut into Brady's jaw with his manacled hands.
The M.P.s restore order. Lincoln refuses to be subdued, taking both men to hold him face down on the ground. Brady adjusts himself in his chair.
BRADY
When you get out, pay me a visit. We'll finish our conversation.
Lincoln is roughly shoved into the caged back seat of the car.
INT. MOTOR POOL - DAY - ON K.D.
Anger emanates from deep within her steel core, a reflection of the conflict that exists between her electronic intelligence and human soul.
K.D. (V.O.)
I want to see Lieutenant Pankow.
WIDEN TO INCLUDE -
BRADY AND THE SCIENTISTS
warily studying the car from a safe distance.
BRADY
(to K.D.)
One way or the other, Lieutenant, we're going to study the modifications Pankow made in the microprocessor.
INT. K.D. - DAY
The displays hum with aggravated activity. K.D. is in an extreme state of agitation.
INTERCUT - INT. MOTOR POOL - DAY
Brady reacts.
K.D. (V.O.)
Bring Pankow here and you can run all the tests you want.
BRADY
That's out of the question.
K.D. (V.O.)
In that case, no tests.
INT. K.D. - DAY - HER DIGITIZED POV
K.D. watches Brady take a pause to consider his next move.
ON K.D.
All her surface lights flash brightly, then wink out with a loud METALLIC CLICK. She is sealed tight, impenetrable, an iron virgin.
BRADY
(to Scientists)
I want that car opened and I want the microprocessor retro-modified.
Brady pivots in his chair and turns to leave -
K.D. (V.O.)
From a moral point of view, can you pull the plug?
This stops Brady cold.
K.D. (V.O.)
When Pankow resurrected me, he changed the world. Who can say that you're alive and I'm not.
Off Brady's look -
INT. TWO-LANE RURAL HIGHWAY - DAY
A late 20th Century convertible, radio cranked to the max and driven by a sun-glassed and kerchiefed BEAUTY, roars down the highway toward -
THE MILITARY POLICE CAR
One M.P. drives, the other sits alongside. A handcuffed Lincoln rocks back and forth in the back seat
NEW ANGLE
The convertible veers into the oncoming lane, directly in the path of the Military Police Car. The M.P. Driver lays on his HORN.
It's Veronica at the wheel. She doesn't flinch in her game of “chicken.” And instant before impact, Veronica leans from the convertible, tosses a handful of razor-sharp metal JACKS onto the blacktop in front of the oncoming police car as she weaves the convertible back into its own lane.
INT. MILITARY POLICE CAR - DAY
The driver throws a look of “Babes” and relief at the Second M.P. suddenly, we HEAR a soft EXPLOSION from under the vehicle -
INT. MILITARY POLICE VEHICLE - DAY
followed by a second EXPLOSION as the two front tires blow and go flat. The Driver pulls to the shoulder and gets out to inspect the damage.
He leans back in, really pissed.
M.P. CAR ONE
Call it in. Then, give me a hand with the spares.
Off Lincoln's look -
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. TWO-LANE RURAL HIGHWAY - LATER
Lincoln watches from the back seat as the M.P.s roll a second spare from the trunk.
A second, IDENTICAL MILITARY POLICE CAR rolls up and TWO M.P.'s in mirrored shades get out.
M.P. CAR TWO
Got your call. Our orders are to transport the prisoner on to Chino.
M.P. CAR ONE
(suspicious)
Not without written orders.
M.P. Car Two hesitates briefly, then smiles and hands over the official paperwork.
M.P. CAR ONE
(reading)
Sorry, guys. Can't be too careful.
(re: Lincoln)
He's all yours.
M.P. Car One pulls Lincoln out of the back seat, hands him over to the two new arrivals who stuff him, just as rudely, into their back seat.
M.P. CAR TWO
(turning back)
You need some help with that other tire?
M.P. Car One waves him off and returns to work as the second vehicle drives off -
INT. SECOND MILITARY POLICE VEHICLE - DAY
Lincoln has finally found the only comfortable position available to a manacled man in leg irons. M.P. Car Two shifts in the front seat and turns to Lincoln. He smiles and removes his shades, then flips Lincoln a ring of plastic KEYS.
LINCOLN
What's the deal? You gonna shoot me when I try to escape?
M.P. CAR TWO
(laughing)
You've seen too many movies.
(re: keys)
A favor from a friend. Now all you got to do is pay him back.
Lincoln's unreadable look -
EXT. POWER PLANT - LOS ANGELES - NIGHT
Steam pours from exposed turbines, throwing sparks into the darkening sky. The Second Military Police vehicle pulls up, disgorges the now-unchained Lincoln, and drives off.
Lincoln looks around uncertain, but on the alert. “What next?” A self-igniting cigarette fires up and Veronica steps through the steam into the dim moonlight. She offers it to Lincoln -
VERONICA
First one's free.
LINCOLN
I quit for my health.
She tosses the cigarette away with a shrug.
VERONICA
You've looked better.
LINCOLN
Everybody's a critic.
VERONICA
Even after you blew it for me at the smokeasy, I'm still your friend.
LINCOLN
The one with the keys?
VERONICA
(shakes her head)
My boss. Hates to see innocent men punished and talent go to waste.
LINCOLN
What makes you think I'm innocent?
VERONICA
You lost your best friend. You lost control. It's only human.
LINCOLN
What do you want?
VERONICA
A cigarette that lasts all night and a real man to smoke it with.
LINCOLN
(wearily)
Like I said, I quit.
She smiles.
VERONICA
We did you a favor. We want one in return.
(off his “get to the point” look)
My boss collects automobiles. He needs a Knight Rider car to complete a set.
Lincoln smiles right back.
LINCOLN
I get it. Grand Theft Auto.
VERONICA
Of course we both know it's impossible. No one's ever gotten through Knight Rider security.
LINCOLN
Give me `til midnight.
Veronica tosses Lincoln another set of keys, pointing behind her.
VERONICA
There's a bike around back.
Lincoln shrugs, and without a word, stalks into the steam and disappears.
CUT TO:
EXT. KNIGHT RIDER COMMAND - MAIN GATE - NIGHT
The GUARD who tasered Lincoln is on duty. Without warning, an arm snaps around his neck, on his windpipe, cutting off his cry with a choke. A second fist delivers a sucker punch to the side of his head, putting him out for the night.
Lincoln drags the unconscious Guard into the sentry booth.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MOTOR POOL - NIGHT
A GUARD walks past on his quarter-hour rounds. It's Lincoln. After a careful surveillance of the grounds, he creeps into the shadows of the Motor Pool doorway.
LINCOLN
Pulls the Guard's LASER TASER from its holster and rapidly disassembles it.
DISSOLVE TO:
ELECTRONIC DOOR PANEL
Lincoln's hands ENTER FRAME with a makeshift tool fashioned from the taser's innards. Six red lights FLASH intermittently on the panel. He inserts a wire around the rim of one of the lights, jiggles it.
The lights go out for a second - just long enough fro him to wedge a tiny plastic micro chip into a keyhole. When the lights go on again, they're amber. The security system has been breached. The door lock panel slides open TO REVEAL -
TWELVE DIGIT KEYPAD AND DISPLAY
Carefully, Lincoln pries the face plate from the keypad. He inserts a second wire carefully into the mechanism. Adjusting the wire with one hand, he enters a series of numbers into the keypad with the other.
DISPLAY
A list of DDA personnel with security voice access to the Motor Pool POPS UP: Brady, Spidell, etc.
Continuing his adjustment of the wire, Lincoln enters a second series of numbers into the keypad. -
LINCOLN'S NAME
materializes at the bottom of the list - Lieutenant Lincoln Pankow. His rank becomes first Captain, then Major.
TIGHT ON LINCOLN
smiling smugly.
LINCOLN
Major Lincoln Pankow. Access, please.
THE MOTOR POOL DOOR
silently slides open with a WHOOSH of air.
INT. MOTOR POOL - NIGHT
Lincoln moves through the open door and stops cold. K.D. is parked in the center of the garage. All around her, a roving crisscross pattern of laser security fills the Motor Pool, constantly moving, looking for intruders.
Lincoln starts to gerry-rig a remote to deactivate the system. He's running out of time as the crisscross pattern of deadly lasers inches along the wall toward him.
Lincoln mops the sweat off his brow. He's working too quickly, making mistakes. He looks up. Another ten seconds and he'll be microwaved. He rushes. The laser is inches from his head and his feet.
He's not going to make it. He stops trying, at the very instant the lasers stop alongside his head, then wink out.
LINCOLN
You could have cut the security system anytime.
K.D. (V.O.)
With your ego, I would never have heard the end of it.
Lincoln walks over to her.
K.D. (V.O.)
It's good to see you.
LINCOLN
Likewise.
He gets in the car.
INT. K.D. - NIGHT
He settles into the seat, runs his hand along the wheel, then across the dash, delighted to touch her.
K.D. (V.O.)
This is against regulations.
LINCOLN
Like I care?
(suddenly cold and bitter)
Brady screwed with my life. It's my turn.
He hot-wires the engine. It kicks over. Then, stops.
LINCOLN
Thirty seconds `til shift change. I drive you out or you end up chopped for spare parts.
K.D. (V.O.)
It's not my option.
LINCOLN
(bitterly)
Then I guess it's mine.
K.D. hesitates, her human side vying with her mechanical side. A beat. The car starts up with a ROAR - score one for humanity. As it peels out of the garage, we -
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
