HOSTAGESPilotWritten byAlon AranyaBased on the Yetzira Ivrit and Channel 10, Israeli series"Bnei Aruba" created by Omri Givon and Rotem ShamirSTUDIO DRAFTMarch 23, 2012

Page 2ACT ONEEXT. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ALLEYWAY - ANACOSTIA, DC - SUNRISEOne of the worst neighborhoods in DC. Rows of overpopulated,run down residential ghetto blocks. FBI Agent DUNCANCARLISLE, 30’s, chiseled, handsome face with a weight to hisstare that suggests he’s seen too much by now, walks througha narrow cracked alleyway.Hip hop music blares from an undetected apartment. The farend of the alleyway is closed off by several SWAT vans. GUYCAMPBELL, mid 20’s, the lanky rising star in the FBI HostageRescue Team exits the building, holding a portable monitor.He looks up at Duncan - a look filled with admiration, thekind reserved for a role model and mentor.DUNCANDo we have a visual?GUYBe up in a sec, boss. Morning.Guy looks up from the monitor. Duncan is gone.INT. HALLWAY - DAYA dim narrow corridor with peeling, stained wallpaper, theatmosphere evokes a foul stench. Guy catches up with Duncan.GUYTwo male locals were spotted in astolen vehicle. Officers pursuedthem to apartment two Charlie. Theygot at least one hostage in there.Congressman Bolton’s nephew, Carl,Junior at Georgetown.DUNCANBolton couldn’t find a properfraternity for his nephew?GUYPR stunt. Bolton gets to brag abouthis nephew living within his meansin this god awful neighborhood.(looks at his monitor)

Picture’s up. It’s rated R.CLOSE ON MONITOR: dark and dingy one bedroom. A male in his20’s holds a hostage at gun point. Hard to make out theirfaces. Duncan stares into the monitor and gives a slightfrown.

Page 3Duncan looks up and sees the SWAT leader, GAINES (Just turned40, you want him on your side) at the end of the hallway inposition with his team. Duncan nods at him, but Gainesreturns the greeting with his middle finger high in the air.GUY (CONT’D)He hates when we crash his party...DUNCANHe’ll get over it when he sees hisface all over the evening news withBolton and his nephew by his side.Duncan throws Gaines an air kiss as he approaches apt 2C. Histeam close behind. He knocks. Nothing.DUNCAN (CONT’D)My name is Carlisle, I’m with theFBI. I’d like to come in, alone. Ijust want to talk. I’m unarmed.Silence. Duncan holds the door knob, feeling it out.DUNCAN (CONT’D)If you open the door, we couldtalk. Just me and you.A few more beats of silence and then, the long awaited soundof a door being unlocked. Duncan slips in.INT. APARTMENT - DAYA dark, dingy one bedroom. The Captor is skinny, his eyessearching, scanning nervously, holds a gun to the hostage’shead. The hostage appears to be slightly older.Duncan does a slow 360 to show he’s clean. The captor sweatsprofusely as he stares at Duncan. Something in his eyes seemslost, wrong. The hostage looks down in shame, hopeless.DUNCANThere are more cops than ratsoutside. You stole a car, you’renot a killer. Let me help you.The captor looks away, bewildered.DUNCAN (CONT’D)Tell me what you want. I’ll try...CAPTORA car in the back alley...if youcome after me, he’s dead...

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Page 4Duncan notices the first few rays of sun penetrating theapartment. He shoots another look at the hostage. Somethingshiny sticks out from his jeans’ pocket. Looks like a knife.A quick last look at the nervous captor - Something’s off...DUNCANLet me discuss this with mysupervisor.INT. HALLWAY - DAYDuncan walks over to Guy who’s ready to go in from the backdoor. He still has the monitor with a visual on theapartment.GUY(can’t help himself)Please instruct the customer thatyour ‘supervisor’ can’t overridestore policy: all sales are final!Duncan smiles. He loves this kid. It’s the closest thing he’shad for a young brother.DUNCANCheck your monitor. The image isupside down.Off Guy’s confusion as he checks his monitor...INT. APARTMENT - DAYDuncan slowly approaches the captor and hostage.DUNCANSo... we thought about it, but wedecided to turn down your request.Cold sweat covers the captor’s pale face, his trembling handpoints the gun at the hostage. Duncan notices the hostagescanning the room nervously. They lock eyes, there is dangerin his look. Duncan turns back to the captor.DUNCAN (CONT’D)Go ahead, kill him. It’s one lesswitness to interview. Lesspaperwork, you know...?SUDDENLY the hostage brandishes the knife from his pocket andrushes Duncan. Duncan is quicker, he pulls a gun and shootsthe hostage in his groin, he goes down. The ‘captor’ dropshis gun and throws his hands in the air.3.

Page 5CAPTOR

Please don’t shoot, it’s not me, hethreatened... Jasmine...BOOM, the bedroom door flies open as it comes off its hingesand knocks Duncan down. He loses his gun. Another CAPTORappears holding JASMINE at gunpoint. He then aims his gun atDuncan. Jasmine wriggles out of the captor’s grip and runs tothe back room where Guy appears gun drawn.Guy holds his fire. The captor turns and shoots in theirdirection, missing Jasmine, but successfully hitting Guy’sgun which flies out of his hand. Guy is exposed, face to facewith the captor.GUYIt’s over! Nobody has to die.CAPTORFuck you!!The captor points his gun at Guy, ready to shoot when Duncanfires two shots killing the assailant. Duncan approaches Guy.GUYSorry, couldn’t take the shot...DUNCANYou would’ve killed her.(off Guy’s disappointment)Cheer up, you’re well trained, justnot ready to be my supervisor. Getsome rest. You’ll need it.Duncan and Guy exchange a knowing look. Guy leaves and Duncanturns to Congressman Bolton’s nephew, CARL (our faux captor),who sits in the corner shaken. Jasmine at his side.CARL(emotional)...Jasmine... he was going to killher... make me watch...Duncan wraps his arm around his shoulder.DUNCANYour uncle will be very proud ofyou, Carl. But maybe it’s time yougot yourself into some debt. Live afew blocks out of your means.Off Carl taking it all in...4.

Page 6INT. GEORGE WASHINGTON HOSPITAL OR - DAYCLOSE ON WET HAND: It shakes lightly. We open up to see:DR. ELLEN SANDERS, 40’s, a cold perfectionist with an earthyappeal stares at her shaking hand in the midst of the

scrubbing process. She makes a fist and releases it a fewtimes. The shaking slowly fades away. DELIA, the overzealous,fully scrubbed, resident surgeon, surprises her from behind.She swallows the last piece of chocolate truffle.DELIAPatient’s in. Two gun shots to thegroin through and through with adiminished pulse.ELLENLet’s get the bleeding undercontrol.Delia follows Ellen into the OR.INT. OPERATION ROOM - LATEREllen’s in the midst of operating on the faux hostage Duncanshot. She could do this work blindfolded in her sleep. At herside, Delia and AARON, 20’s, a clever brat who’s almost donewith his residency. Ellen works on a bleeding vessel...ELLENSuction!A nurse jumps in to clear the blood.ELLEN (CONT’D)Got it! That should do the trick.But more blood is coming out. Much more. Loud beeps!DELIAWe’re losing him.ELLENI need a lot more suction...The nurses can’t get rid of the blood. It just keeps coming.ELLEN (CONT'D)Come on, where’s that othervessel... Aaron?AARONHow come I always get the hardquestions?5.

Page 7DELIAPressure’s dropping.ELLENAaron!!A fierce teacher, Ellen’s relentless with her students.AARONLooks like an abdominal injury tothat vessel. You won’t be able toreach the bleeding from here.

ELLENDelia, where am I cutting?Delia’s quick to mark the spot. Ellen proceeds to make a cutabove the groin. The beeping intensifies.ELLEN (CONT’D)Here we go... I see it now, got it!DELIAPressure’s up. He’s stabilizing.Poor guy, they really went to workon him.AARON(imitating Delia)It’s so unfair, so what if healmost killed the nephew of aCongressman and a few cops...DOUGLAS STONE, the Hospital director, appears frantic in theOR window and motions for Ellen. She shakes her head ‘no’.Stone quickly writes something on a blank clipboard and holdsit up to the window. It reads: NOW!ELLENJesus, Stone’s going nuts outside.You two finish repairing thesevessels. No fighting, there’splenty of work for both of you.INT. HOSPITAL DIRECTOR’S OFFICE - DAYEllen walks in. Stone is there with a room full of mendressed in black suits.STONECome in, Ellen. Close the door.One of the men, JOHN WALLER, offers Ellen a handshake.6.

Page 8WALLERAgent Waller, Secret Service.Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Sanders.Ellen shakes his hand and sits down. The men study her in anawkward silence.WALLER (CONT’D)The President is leaving to Europenext week. He wants to go aheadwith the surgery tomorrow morningat 10am. We need your team here at6am to secure them.Ellen slips her right hand into the side pocket of her coat.ELLEN

Of course. May I ask why thesurgery was moved up? I mean it wasscheduled for next month and...WALLERThat information is not pertinentto your work, Dr. Sanders.STONEI think Dr. Sanders was...ELLENInquiring if the President’scondition has changed since hislast check up, does, I believe, Mr.Waller, pertain prettysignificantly to my work.WALLERThe President’s condition hasremained consistent.Off Ellen still trying to sort it out.INT. CROWDED HOSPITAL HALLWAY - DAYEllen exits the elevator and strides down the hall. She getsa call on her cell.ELLENHi, Danni.DANNI (O.S.)(emotional)Mom, do you have a sec?7.

Page 9ELLENOf course, what’s wrong, sweetie?Ellen obliviously walks by a fairly young, and perhaps toohandsome JANITOR, who eyes her suspiciously.DANNII think I need to break up withChad...ELLENWhy? What happened...?Ellen stops when she sees the door to her office wide open.She never leaves her door unlocked!ELLEN (CONT’D)Danni?DANNI (O.S.)(chocking on her tears)Yeah...?ELLEN

Just tell me what’s going on...Ellen turns around and spots the janitor walking away.ELLEN (CONT’D)(loud)Excuse me!The janitor steps into the elevator. He exchanges a quicklook with Ellen as the elevator doors close.ELLEN (CONT’D)Sorry, honey, are you there? Danni?(line is dead)Damn it!She attempts to dial back. Signal’s lost. Frustrated, Ellen’sattention turns back to the open office door.INT. OFFICE - DAYEllen looks around to see if anything was stolen. She scansthe room - everything seems to be in tact. She sits behindher desk, looks up and freezes. Her photo frames are photo-less. The photos are gone.ELLENThis is Dr. Sanders. I needsecurity up at my office...8.

Page 10Ellen hangs up and we push up from her troubled expression toreveal a mini security camera perched on the top bookshelf,hiding between medical journals.EXT. RUN DOWN DC RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAYA loud, polluting old pick up truck rumbles down the street.It turns into a driveway and crashes into the garage door.MAN (O.S.)Oops...I/E PICK UP - DAYThe driver, DOMINIC, burly African American, walking tattoogallery in his late 30’s, and his passenger MIA WYLE, 20’s,beautiful eyes you can get lost in, can’t stop laughing.They’re drunk. He grabs Mia for a kiss...MIAWait! Not here...Behind Mia’s captivating eyes, there’s something dark andmysterious.I/E CAR - DAYThe handsome Janitor from the hospital sits in a parked caracross the street. He watches Dominic leading Mia into thehouse as he grabs her ass. The Janitor makes a call.JANITOR

They just went in. Hurry up...INT. HOUSE - DAYDominic has a one track mind. He paws at Mia.MIAFirst, show me the guns... my bosswill kill me if I don’t get them...DOMINIC...Right in here...Mia follows Dominic into his bedroom. He pulls out a largemetal case and opens it. Inside there are a dozen hand gunswith silencers. Dominic hands one to Mia. She makes sure theserial numbers have been erased and hands it back to Dominic.MIAI’ll take all of them.Dominic loads the gun and points it at Mia.9.

Page 11DOMINICLet’s just make sure you ain’t nocop...MIADon’t be stupid. You know I’m cool.Dominic pushes her on the bed.DOMINICI don’t trust anyone, unless Icheck them inside out.Before Mia can make a move, Dominic whips out a set ofhandcuffs. Mia is quick to react, smiling as she rips openhis shirtMIALose the cuffs. Trust me, you wantmy hands free.Mia kisses him. They shed their clothes in lusty haste.EXT. HOUSE - DAYALEX VARTAN, late 30’s, rough around the edges, stares at Miaand Dominic through a side window. He then easily breaks intothe house from the side door.INT. HALLWAY - DAYAlex follows the sound of moaning and heads for the bedroom.INT. BEDROOM - DAYDominic rips Mia’s panties off, he is about to lay on top ofher when he is suddenly yanked backwards by Alex. He dragsDominic out of the bedroom. Dominic struggles against Alex’siron hold, but pulls a knife and stabs Alex in the upper leg.A surprised Alex reacts by shooting Dominic in the groin.

INT. HALLWAY - DAYDominic groans in pain.ALEXYou’re right. No point of livinglike that...Alex finishes him off with a shot to the forehead. He pullsthe knife from his leg as he winces in pain.10.

Page 12INT. BEDROOM - DAYAlex walks in and stares at a naked Mia getting dressed.MIAWhat’re you looking at? I almostgot fucked! What took you so long?Alex grabs Mia’s face.ALEXLooked like you were hoping I’d belate.Mia grabs Alex’s face.MIAFuck you! He was going to cuff meto the bed.She holds the cuffs up in her other hand. Alex seemsconvinced enough to let her go. The tension lingers.I/E UNMARKED BLACK VAN - DAYMia and Alex stare at Dominic’s house from a parked vanacross the street. They seem detached. He looks much olderthan her, more like from a different generation. Perhaps thefather figure appeal has worn off. Alex takes a sip from asmall bottle of whisky, then looks at Mia. Strokes herhair. Her mind seems to be drifting.ALEXWhat?MIANothing... thinking about Beliz...ALEXAlmost there, baby. One more joband we’re out of here forever.MIAAre you sure you want to do this?ALEXWe already are...Mia looks at the metal gun case in the back seat as theydrive away.END OF ACT ONE

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Page 13ACT TWOEXT. NATIONAL MALL - DAYWe’re back to FBI Agent Duncan Carlisle (from the openingscene), who walks under the rows of Cherry Blossoms holding achild sized backpack. He turns around and sees SAWYER, 5years old, a gorgeous child, meandering slowly behind him.DUNCANSawyer, can you please walk withdaddy?Sawyer shakes her head and stops walking. Duncan surrendersand walks back to her.DUNCAN (CONT’D)Come on, Soy-Soy, don’t you want tosee grandpa?(Off Sawyer’s defiantlook)Sweetie I packed you a bunch ofnice dresses.SAWYERI don’t want them. I want my redSponge Bob dress!Sawyer starts crying. Duncan gets on his knees.SAWYER (CONT’D)I miss mommy. I want to go see hertoday!DUNCANI miss mommy too. I promise we’llgo see her next week. Okay?(desperate to change thetopic)Did you know mommy and I met righthere? See those trees right there?They’re your mother’s favorite inthe whole world.Sawyer finally notices the glorious Cherry Blossom trees.DUNCAN (CONT’D)Aren’t they beautiful? They’recalled Cherry Blossom trees. Theycome from Japan.SAWYER(opening up)How did they get here?12.

Page 14DUNCANThe People of Japan donated threethousand of them, as a gift, to thePeople of the United States.SAWYERThat’s a lot of trees...What did we get them?(Off Duncan hesitation)Daddy, we need to get them a gift!BURTON DAILY, 60’s, an aging warrior with plenty of game leftin him sneaks behind Sawyer. He covers Sawyer’s eyes with onehand and pulls out a large lollypop in the other. He takesaway his hand and Sawyer sees the lollypop.SAWYER (CONT’D)Grandpa!Sawyer jumps in his arms. She loves this man and clearlyrocks his world.SAWYER (CONT’D)Can we go see a movie?BURTONExtra large popcorn?Burton high fives her. Then lets her down.SAWYERCan I go see the cherry blossom?DUNCANOf course, sweetie.Sawyer leaves Duncan and Burton alone. They don’t need topretend anymore.BURTONAny change in her condition?Duncan shakes his head. Dire expression. They lock eyes. Atense silence. Burton puts his hand on Duncan’s shoulder.ON SAWYERShe finds a fallen blossom branch on the ground and makes abeeline to Burton and Duncan to brag. She sees Burton huggingDuncan. The men notice her staring.SAWYERIs everything okay, daddy?13.

Page 15Duncan embraces Sawyer and doesn’t let go.DUNCANI love you, Soy-Soy...

SAWYER(imitating Duncan)I love you, Soy-Soy...They laugh at each other. It is their goodbye ritual. Duncanchokes back a sob as he watches Sawyer and Burton walk away.CLOSE ON SKATEBOARDTravelling at a serious rate. We open up to see another boardnext to it - both picking up speed. We open more to see:INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAYJAKE SANDERS, 13, he has a cute baby-face, which hides thelittle monster that lurks within and KEVIN BURNS, his bestbuddy, who’s got a cool facade but lacks guts. They zoom downthe empty hallway on their skateboards.Jake points down the hall where GAVIN, a slender, ‘gangsta’wannabe leaves a classroom plugged into his ipod.Jake and Kevin come at him from behind. Just as they nearGavin he turns around, but it’s too late - WHAM! A doubleswing from the storm riders - Ouch! Gavin goes down. Jakesnatches Gavin’s backpack, opens it and pulls out a paperbag. He tosses the backpack on the floor and they continuetheir run down the hallway.INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE PRINCIPLE’S OFFICE - DAYJake and Kevin sit together awaiting the Principle. They’rebeing watched by BETTY, the heavy set assistant who chews ona big piece of bubble-gum. A birthday balloon is attached toher desk.KEVINWe’re so screwed...JAKEAt least we got our shit back. Irather deal with the principle thanhave to explain to Nico why wedon’t have his money.KEVINEasy for you to say. I never toldyou to get five Ounces...14.

Page 16JAKEQuit bitching. You sold a wholeounce as soon as we got the stuff.BRIAN SANDERS, late 40’s, thinning hairline, the unassuminggeeky Principle of Hardy Middle School, Georgetown appears infront of them. He’s not happy.BETTY

Mr. Sanders, they’re upgrading thenetwork, so computers are down.BRIANHow long?BETTYThe technician that was here saidthey should be done in a few hours.Oh, and thanks for the balloon.You’re too nice.BRIANHappy Birthday, Betty!Smirks spread all over Jake and Kevin’s faces until Brianpoints to his office.INT. HARDY MIDDLE SCHOOL, GEORGETOWN PRINCIPLE’S OFFICE - DAYThe boys try to avoid any eye contact with Brian, who studiestheir expressions.JAKEIt was an accident. He justhappened to walk out of class atthe wrong time.KEVINWe really couldn’t see him coming.BRIANAn accident. That’s what Gavin saidon his way to the ER for a hand-full of stitches under his lip.This accident could have beenprevented if you boys simplyfollowed the rules. It’s not thefirst time you’re riding yourskateboards in the hallways...JAKEWe made a mistake. ...KEVINWe won’t do it again. Really.15.

Page 17BRIAN (CONT’D)Easy for you to say now, but lasttime you were caught, I had youwrite a five page paper on schoolsafety guidelines.Brian pulls out the papers and hands them to the boys.BRIAN (CONT'D)Luckily, I saved them. They’re

actually well written. So this timearound you will learn them by heartwhile you’re suspended from schoolfor the next 48 hours. I expect youto present your papers orally, wordfor word. Don’t want you to forgetthe rules again...The boys fall back in their seats, disenchanted.BRIAN (CONT’D)Because if you do, you will need tofind yourselves another school nextyear. Though I doubt you’ll findone that allows you to skatethrough its hallways. Dismissed!The boys’ eyes widen in shock. They get up to leave.BRIAN (CONT’D)Kevin, your mother’s on her way topick you up.KEVINGreat...Kevin leaves, but Jake hovers impatiently near Brian’s desk.BRIANYou’ve crossed the line this time.You’re leaving me no options...JAKESorry, Dad...BRIANIt has to stop! I need you to makea real effort or I will have totransfer you to another school.JAKEYou weren’t kidding about that?16.

Page 18Brian goes back to the paperwork on his desk. He’s notyielding. Jake walks away defeated. We push up to revealanother hidden security camera above a book shelf.INT. SANDERS HOME - DAYEllen walks into the all too quiet Circa 1900 brick home witha vast open living room and French doors that open to agarden.ELLENDanni? Are you here?Ellen walks up the stairs.ELLEN (CONT’D)

Hello? Is anyone home?She hears someone coughing and vomiting in the bathroom. Sheknocks on the door.ELLEN (CONT’D)Honey, are you okay?The sound of a toilet flushing, then DANNI SANDERS 17, abeautiful and intense teenage diva, comes out looking a bitpale.DANNII think I ate something.ELLENYou should lie down. I’ll make yousome tea.DANNII’m fine!ELLENYou’re pale. You need to lie down.Let’s get your temperature...DANNITake a break, Dr. Sanders. I don’tmake an appointment.ELLENI’m sorry I couldn’t talk before,sweetie, someone broke into myoffice... but at least I got offearly today...(Danni’s not impressed)Do you want to talk about Chad?17.

Page 19DANNIDon’t worry about it. I’m gonna golie down.ELLENYou sure you’re okay?Danni nods. Ellen kisses her forehead. Danni’s too cool forall this attention. She’s out of there.ELLEN (CONT’D)Where’s Barkley? Is he over atGary’s?DANNI (O.S.)I haven’t seen him since the cableguy was here.ELLENWhy was the cable guy here?

DANNI (O.S.)I don’t know ask Dad.INT. HARDY MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAYJake empties his locker into his backpack. TREVI, 16, sexyvampire red nail polish, the gorgeous, older chick at schoolyou have a crush on, comes up behind Jake and startles him.She’s also a few inches taller.TREVIScared of me?JAKENo!Jake’s fixated on her cleavage.TREVIHey! We still on for tonight?JAKECheck it out, Sour Diesel.Jake carefully pulls out the paper bag he snatched fromGavin. Inside several zip-lock bags of top notch weed.TREVISweet...She gives him a long kiss on the lips and runs off. Kevinsees them flirting from around the corner.18.

Page 20EXT. HARDY MIDDLE SCHOOL PARKING LOT - DAYJake and Kevin walk out of the school entrance towards theparking lot. Jake sees a Volvo station pulling into the lot.JAKE(can’t help himself)Your mom looks pretty pissed, dude.KEVINShut up...The Volvo comes to a grinding halt next to the boys. Thedriver, JANE BURNS, late 30’s, attractive, yuppie, well kept,pops her head out the window. She’s pissed alright.JANEWait until your father hears aboutwhat you did!KEVINLike he gives a shit.JANEGet in the car!JAKEYou’ll be fine...KEVIN

See you online, bro.Kevin jumps into the passenger’s seat as Brian exits theschool building and approaches.JANEMr. Sanders, I’m really sorry aboutthis. I promise you Tom and I aretaking this very seriously.BRIANThank you, Jane.JANEI’ll see you tomorrow.BRIANYes, of course. See you, then.Jane pulls out. Brian appears fixated on her for a quick sec.Jake notices. Was he checking her out?19.

Page 21I/E UNMARKED VAN - DAYAlex and Mia scope out the school and parking lot entrance.Alex taps her on the shoulder and they both watch Brianpulling out of the lot in a Jeep Cherokee with Jake at hisside. Mia finishes attaching a silencer to a hand gun. Alexand Mia follow them.ALEX(into his cell)On our way.I/E UNMARKED VAN - DAYFrom behind, we see two men sit in a parked van overlookingan alleyway behind a house.MANCopy that. We have eyes on the backentrance of the house.EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET, GEORGETOWN - DAYBrian’s Jeep Cherokee drives down the leafy street it pullsinto the driveway. Brian and Jake get out and walk to thehouse. Alex and Mia’s unmarked van parks across the street.ALEXWe have eyes on the front entrance.WE PULL UP to reveal the Sanders home from above. There aretwo unmarked vans one at each entrance of the house.END OF ACT TWO20.

Page 22ACT THREE

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHTEllen prepares a Pesto Risotto dish while watching a pressconference with Congressman Bolton, Carl, his nephew andGaines, discussing the hostage situation on TV. Brian andJake walk in. Jake throws his backpack on the living roomsofa.BRIANJake!Jake reluctantly goes back and picks up his stuff. Brianappears surprised to see Ellen.BRIAN (CONT’D)Hi, I didn’t know you were...ELLENI left you a message.BRIANSorry, I forgot to check my voicemail. You’re probably exhausted.Let me make dinner.ELLENAre you kidding? I’ve been dreamingabout making Risotto. I finally hadtime to get fresh Pesto from ALitteri’s...Jake walks past Ellen and up the stairs.ELLEN (CONT’D)Excuse me?Ellen motions him to come back down. Jake knows it’s Ellen’sturn to grill about his actions at school. He slowlyapproaches, defeated, only to see Ellen opening her arms fora hug. Jake embraces her as he exchanges a look with hisfather. Brian hasn’t told her.JAKEHey, mom. Were you fired?ELLENNo. I got off early.JAKECongrats! Barkley!! Come here, boy!(no response)Where’s Barkley?21.

Page 23ELLENProbably at Gary’s house.Jake disappears up the stairs. Ellen turns to Brian, he givesher a sour look.

ELLEN (CONT’D)What?INT. JAKE’S BEDROOM - NIGHTThree different types of sneakers are scattered on the floor,a T-shirt hangs off a computer monitor. Jake throws his stuffon the bed then carefully removes the front panel of thebed’s base. He takes out a safe box, punches in a code andopens it. Inside, there are several bags of weed, a few cashrolls, a flick knife and an extra cell phone. Jake turns onthe cell and dials a number.NICO (O.S.)You did good today. I can’t havethat punk stealing my weed. You gotthe rest of my money?JAKEYeah, I’ll see you in an hour.Jake hangs up and quickly puts the phone back in the safe.INT. KITCHEN - DAYEllen’s working on her Risotto as Brian paces the kitchen.BRIANMaybe it was a mistake to move himto Hardy. It’s making my job anightmare.ELLENConsider that it’s also a nightmarebeing the Principle’s son...BRIANExactly my point!ELLENIf we move him to another school,he will feel like he failed us.BRIANEasy for you to say...ELLENWhat is that supposed to mean?22.

Page 24Brian doesn’t answer. A tense silence between them. Ellenlooks for something, opening and closing cabinets. Brianpulls out the pasta strainer for her. He then hands her a fewserving forks. They’ve done this a million times, with orwithout love.ELLEN (CONT’D)Thanks. So why was the cable guyhere today?

BRIANWhat cable guy?Danni descends the stairs.DANNIMom’s cooking? Is it Thanksgivingalready?BRIANHey, watch your mouth, young lady.DANNISorry, Jesus, what’s up with you?BRIANYour brother was suspended fromschool today.DANNIShock-horror!ELLENDanni!DANNIHe’s a brat, deal with it, mom!DANNI (CONT’D)(She tastes the Risotto)Mmmm... yummy... can’t you show dadhow to make this?ELLENI can teach you...DANNIFunny. I’m off to Chad’s to study.ELLENI want us to have dinner together.23.

Page 25DANNINext time, let us know in advance.Was great catching up.Danni rushes out as Jake runs down attempting a beeline tothe door. Ellen blocks his path.JAKEMom, something’s up with Barkley.ELLENYou should be much more worriedabout how much trouble you’re in.Now go get Barkley and then you andI will have a long talk. Got it?Jake barely nods and runs out. Brian appears frustrated.ELLEN (CONT’D)

Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him.BRIANEvery few months you have aconversation with him and let himoff the hook, but then you’re notaround the following day or the dayafter that to deal with theconsequences of his actions.ELLENDamn’ it, Brian, I’m here rightnow! And you’re giving me a hardtime for trying to help our son.BRIANHe needs to be punished. He needsto learn the hard way. There’snothing wrong with that.ELLENHe also needs to be heard! You’renot listening to him.BRIANI’m not listening? Then why don’tyou cut back your hours at worklike you promised and do thelistening yourself...ELLENAre we seriously going to have thisconversation now?24.

Page 26BRIANJust tell me when? When does thatpart of you spending more time athome come? A year from now? Twoyears? Five years?Ellen can’t do this anymore. She goes back to her Risotto.ELLEN(doesn’t look at Brian)Can we talk about Jake?BRIANCan I have an answer, first?ELLENDinner will be ready in ten!Ellen opens the fridge and hides behind the door. She takes adeep breath, then some fresh spinach and turns back to faceBrian but he’s in the living room reading the Post. He’s

Given up. Again.INT. UNMARKED BLACK VAN - NIGHTMia is busy loading cartridges into the guns. Alex sees Danniwalking away from the house. He dials a number.ALEXWe have a problem, the girl leftthe house.INT. UNMARKED WHITE VAN - NIGHTFrom the back, we see the men take notice of GARY, the 60year old retired, gay, widowed neighbor and a huge Ellen fan,enter the Sanders home through the backyard.MANI got the neighbor coming in fromthe back. Make sure you have eyeson the girl at all times.INT. VAN - NIGHTAlex hangs up and turns to Mia.ALEXFollow her!Mia cocks her gun and attempts to exit the van.ALEX (CONT’D)Hey!25.

Page 27Mia looks back at him. They share a tense moment.ALEX (CONT’D)Almost forgot this...Alex tosses her a red striped black mask. Mia smiles, thenbolts out of the van. Alex switches on a portable monitor. Itdisplays a split screen with multiple frames of Danni andJake’s empty rooms, the kitchen and living room where Brianand Ellen continue to share the same space in silence.INT. KITCHEN / LIVING ROOM - NIGHTEllen tastes from her Risotto. Brian finishes texting on hisphone in the living room. Cold silence. Then a knock on thedoor. Ellen rushes to open. It’s Gary.GARY(effeminate)Darling, I can smell your PestoRisotto a mile a way.ELLEN(still trying to shake offthe fight with Brian)Hey you, come in...GARY

Just for a quick sec. Are you okaybabycakes?ELLENTired. Sit down, I’ll feed you.GARYCan’t. Big night out with the boys.Oh, hi Brian, how are you?BRIANGary...Awkward silence. Gary picks up on the tension. Jake comesback in.JAKEGary, did you see Barkley today?GARYSorry, sweetie. It’s the first dayin weeks he didn’t poop in mybackyard.BRIANGo to your room, now!26.

Page 28Jake runs upstairs. Gary decides to wrap it up.GARYAnyway, remember those AfricanPetunias I ordered ages ago, wellthey’re finally delivering themtomorrow. They’re giving me anextra dozen to make up for theterrible service. Do you want them?(Off Ellen’s silence)I’ll do all the planting, don’tworry.ELLENYou’re an angel.Brian’s annoyed. He grabs the remote and turns on the TV. Animage of the President is on screen.NEWS ANCHORThe President is scheduled toundergo surgery tomorrow morning...Ellen and Gary are drawn to the news report. Brian looks atEllen with a bewildered expression. Ellen realizes Brian hasyet to hear her message about the operation. Gary gets it.GARYGotta run! See you later, kids.Gary rushes out. Ellen switches the TV off.

BRIANWhy didn’t you tell me it’stomorrow morning?ELLENI just found out today. SecretService policy... I called you,remember?Ellen prepares a plate of Risotto.BRIANLet me clean up in the kitchen. Youshould get some rest.ELLENSure could use a long shower.BRIANAnd I’ll take Danni to her soccergame tomorrow morning, so don’tworry about that.27.

Page 29ELLEN(clearly forgot about it)Okay, yeah, thanks.BRIANI’m playing poker tonight. I didn’tknow you’d be around. If you needme to stay...ELLENAll I wanted was for all of us tohave dinner together. Bon Appetite!Ellen hands him the Risotto plate and heads upstairs.I/E UNMARKED WHITE VAN - NIGHTThe two men put on face-masks. They’re masks are black, onehas a WHITE stripe on top and the other a BLUE one (we willrefer to them as WHITE and BLUE for now). They nod at eachother, then grab their guns and exit the van.EXT. BACKYARD GATE - NIGHTWhite and Blue approach a small gate that leads into theSanders’ backyard. White pulls out a key that matches thelock and easily opens it. They enter and split up as theydisappear into the bushes.EXT. BACKYARD / POOL AREA - NIGHTWHITE emerges from the bushes. He makes his way around thepool and heads over to a side path to the right of the house.Clearly he knows his way around this place.EXT. SIDE PATH - NIGHT

White walks along the side of the house and reaches abasement window. Though the window appears to be locked,White slides it open and slips into the basement. Did he knowit was unlocked?INT. DRUGSTORE - NIGHTDanni is standing in line waiting to pay. She seems anxious.She looks around to make sure there’s nobody she knows in thevicinity. Mia follows her from one of the aisles, posing as ashopper. Danni’s phone rings. She picks up.DANNIHey...28.

Page 30CHAD (O.S.)Where are you? Jessie and Meghanare on their way...DANNII thought we were studyingtonight...CHAD (O.S.)I’m not your tutor, you know.DANNIBut I have a math test...CHAD (O.S.)But we never hang out anymore...Danni pays at the cashier as her eyes become teary.DANNII just can’t tonight, okay?CHAD (O.S.)Did you hook up with someone else?Danni hangs up. The sales associate shoots her a look. Dannithrows a polite smile, shoves the purchased items in her bagand rushes out. Mia follows her at a safe distance.I/E VAN - NIGHTIn the back of the van, Alex stares at his digital monitorwhere Jake is seen in his room glued to his iPad. An antsyBrian gets up and quickly makes his way upstairs.MIA (O.S.)The girl is a few blocks away...WHITE (O.S.)Copy that. Moving into position.Alex continues to track the operation through the monitor ashe throws on a silver striped, black face mask and exits thevan (we will continue to call him ALEX even though he’ll bewearing a face mask in the house and his identity is hidden

from the hostages)EXT. GEORGETOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET - NIGHTMia follows Danni at a safe distance. Danni slows her pace asshe nears the house. She hears something, turns around tolook. Nobody. She takes a deep breath and goes in.29.

Page 31Mia appears from one of the driveways and makes her waytowards the Sanders home. She adjusts her earpiece, thenpulls a small remote control device. She punches a fewbuttons and the main gate opens. She slips in and heads overto the garage door which is slightly open. Just enough forMia to slip under it.INT. SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY - NIGHTDanni scurries to her room. Slams the door shut and blastship hop music on her stereo.INT. GARAGE - NIGHTMia pulls out her red striped face mask and puts it on (wewill continue to call her MIA just like ALEX). She reveals asmall mic under her sleeve.MIAI’m in.ALEX (O.S.)Roger that. You’re clear.She carefully opens the door that leads to the house.INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHTShe reaches a side staircase (not the main staircase thatleads to the living room). Mia checks to see that it’s clearand creeps up the stairs. When she reaches the second floor,she takes cover behind a wall.ALEX (O.S.)Hold there. I have the fatherwalking up the west staircase.Mia carefully watches Brian walk into the master bedroom. Shecontinues down the hallway, loud music blares from Danni’sroom. She heads straight into the bathroom adjacent toDanni’s room. She knows this place by heart.INT. BEDROOM - NIGHTEllen’s dozing off on the bed, trying to relax, but Brianwalks in. She wakes up and heads into the bathroom.BRIANGood luck tomorrow.ELLENThanks.30.

Page 32BRIANWe should talk to Jake, the two ofus, after the surgery.(Off Ellen’s nod)They’re going through a lot. Mostdays I can hardly keep up myself...ELLENLook, maybe we should get some helparound the house... it’s too muchfor you to...BRIANDon’t worry about the house, or me.We’re fine. It’s the kids that needyou, Ellen. I can’t cover for youindefinitely.He’s given voice to her deepest fear and shame. And it'ssucking the life out of Ellen. She slips into the bathroom,locks the door. Anything to escape.INT. JAKE’S ROOM - NIGHTJake sits on the window ledge, smoking a joint. He’s carefulabout keeping the smoke outside the window. A full plate ofRisotto rests next to him untouched. He cell rings.JAKEDude, I took a few hits from theSour Diesel... crazy shit... sowhat’s the verdict?KEVIN (O.S.)Grounded for a month. No laptop,iPad and iPhone. Thank God Nico gotus these extra phones. You?JAKEWaiting to talk to my mother.Whatever... I’m off to pay Nico,then to Trevi’s...KEVIN (O.S.)I can’t believe you’re going on adate after you got suspended fromschool. I thought you’re supposedto get hit twice as hard being the‘judge’s son’. How do you do that?Jake hears a noise in the bushes.31.

Page 33

JAKEI’ll call you later, bro.(yells)Barkley!Jake puts out the joint and bolts out of his room.EXT. BACKYARD - NIGHTJake makes his way towards the bushes.JAKEBarkley! Where are you, boy?Jake scans the area. His phone rings. He looks at the callerID and smiles.JAKE (CONT’D)Hey, you, sorry I’m late I...TREVI (O.S.)Heard you were suspended...Jake hears another noise coming out of the bushes.TREVI (O.S.) (CONT’D)That’s totally hot...JAKEI’m heading over now!Jake hangs up as he nears the bushes. He freezes when he seesBarkley’s rear leg.JAKE (CONT’D)Barkley!Jake pushes in and sees Barkley laying unconscious on theground. Before Jake can get to Barkley, BLUE yanks him overto a darkened corner of the yard.INT. BATHROOM - NIGHTDanni enters and sits on the toilet seat. Her bag strapped onher shoulder. She takes a deep breath, trying to control animpending panic attack. A knock on the door shakes her evenmore.BRIAN (O.S.)Danni? You in there? I’m leaving...DANNIOkay... bye...32.

Page 34A dark figure, behind the shower door, appears in the sidemirror. It’s Mia. Her eyes on Danni.Danni waits for Brian to walk away then pulls out a couple ofpregnancy tests from her bag. She shoves one of them back inher bag and opens the other. She holds the HPT in her handand stares at it.She gets a text message: Did you hang up on me? Danni

replies: Will call you later! Another text from Chad: Don’tbother!Danni rolls her eyes, then slides the test tube underneath topee on the stick. After a few seconds she pulls it out.Before she has a chance to look at it, a noise from theoutside startles her.She reaches for the door to make sure it’s locked, but Miagrabs her from behind and covers her mouth. Danni loses theHPT in the towel basket. Never seeing the test result.Danni’s eyes fill with fear. She tries resisting to no avail.INT. BATHROOM - NIGHTEllen finishes blow-drying her hair. A knock on the door.ELLENI’ll be out in a minute.(off another louder knock)I said I’ll be right out! Brian?Ellen walks out of the bathroom and sees Brian sittingmotionless on the bed with WHITE holding a gun to his head.Before Ellen can react, her mouth is covered by Alex. Shebarely resists. Within seconds husband and wife are face downand helpless on the floor.INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHTThe entire Sanders family sits together on the living roomcarpet, hands cuffed and mouths gagged. Fear is evident intheir eyes. The four captors are scattered in the livingroom, guns pointed at the family.WHITE lowers his gun and stands in front of the family. Hiseyes piercing from the face-mask eye holes and meet Ellen’sgaze. A tense, silent exchange.SMASH TO BLACK:END OF ACT THREE33.

Page 35ACT FOURINT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHTThe Sanders family are fixated on WHITE standing in front ofthem.WHITEI’m not going to repeat myself, soI suggest you listen carefully. Wehave no desire to hurt you. We haveonly one goal here. Once we achieveit, we will leave. Don’t try to beheroes, these guns are real.Danni’s eyes are tear swollen. Brian tries to talk. Alex

removes the mouth gag, his gun pointed at Brian.BRIANWhat do you want from us?WHITEIt doesn’t concern you. All youneed to do is follow our orders.BRIANWhat does that supposed to mean?WHITE motions Alex to pull Brian to the side.WHITE(whispers in Brian’s ear)This is not a Q & A, Mr. Sanders!(Off Brian’s pale face)Now, tell your family thateverything is going to be alright.Brian appears dumbfounded as he stares at WHITE in shock.WHITE (CONT’D)Now, Brian!Brian turns to his family, but can’t look them in the eyes.BRIANIt’s going to be alright guys,Danni, Jake, listen to what I say,we’re going to be okay.Far from convincing, but everyone plays along.34.

Page 36INT. UTILITY ROOM - NIGHTBLUE and Mia beeline to the utility box, clearly they knowits precise location. They work together to open the box anddismantle the security system. Blue pulls out a memory cardand puts it in his bag.BLUEIt’s like we were never here.MIAI’d like to hear that in 24 hours.BLUE disconnects a few cables inside the box.BLUEDone.MIAI’m impressed.Then a flashing yellow light goes off from inside the box.MIA (CONT’D)What’s that?BLUEThat’s a problem.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHTMia and Blue rush into the living room, but before they cantell their colleagues about the problem, the land line rings.The captors and hostages exchange a few quick looks. A fewmore rings, then White motions Ellen to pick up. Alex untiesEllen and removes her mouth gag. She picks up.ELLENHello...?CLAIRE (O.S.)Hi, this is Claire from SecurityCapitol. Who am I speaking with?ELLENEllen... Ellen Sanders.CLAIRE (O.S.)Good evening Ms. Sanders, do youhave the password for the account?Ellen stalls, as if she’s trying to remember it. Alex pointshis gun at her.35.

Page 37CLAIRE (O.S.) (CONT’D)Ms. Sanders, are you still there?ELLENThe code is ‘Ringo Star’.CLAIRE (O.S.)Okay...Ellen disconnects. Alex keeps his gun pointed at her.WHITEI thought we had an understanding.ELLENWe do...WHITEThen why are you lying?The phone rings again. Ellen’s face turns pale.WHITE (CONT’D)Let’s try this again. You reallydon’t want to get it wrong thistime around.Ellen picks up.ELLENHello?CLAIRE (O.S.)Ms. Sanders, it’s Clair fromSecurity Capitol. The password yougave me is wrong.

ELLENI’m sorry, try... Jupiter 89.CLAIRE (O.S.)Yes, that works, thank you.ELLENSorry about that, Cheeky, our dog,must have set the alarm off.CLAIRE (O.S.)As long as you’re safe, Ms.Sanders, that’s what’s important.ELLENThank you, good night.36.

Page 38Ellen hangs up. WHITE studies her, decides to move on.INT. SECURITY CAPITOL CUSTOMER CENTER - NIGHTA plain long space packed with Office Depot furniture tomatch. A row of customer care reps sit in front of monitors.One of them is CLAIRE. Petite red head, full of energy. Shelooks up from her monitor and flags down a supervisor.SUPERVISORWhat is it, Claire?CLAIREThe alarm went off at the Sandersresidence. 1264 Congress Road.First Ms. Sanders got the passwordwrong, then she called the dogCheeky.Claire points to the Sanders account page that displays alist of residents in the house including the dog, Barkley.SUPERVISORThat’s not short for Barkley.CLAIREI don’t think so.SUPERVISORIt’s probably nothing. I’ll sendout a patrol car. Good job, Claire.Off a smiling Claire...INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHTMia walks around the family of hostages collecting their cellphones. Jake checks his text messages, most of them are fromTrevi. He attempts to text her back, but Mia snatches up thephone. Danni holds on to her bag hoping she’ll be forgotten.She stares down and sees Mia’s boots in front of her. Shelooks up at her with desperation. Mia motions her to hand

over the bag.DANNIPlease, I need it, there’s nothingvaluable in there. You already havemy phone...Mia points her gun at Danni who in return breaks down crying.Danni looks to Ellen for help.37.

Page 39ELLENHoney, it’s fine, give them yourbag. They won’t touch your stuff.(off a disappointed Danni)Danni, please...Danni surrenders her bag with the unused home pregnancy testinside. Her nightmare continues.EXT. HOUSE - NIGHTThe Capitol Security patrol car pulls in next to the entrancegate. We see the driver from the back leaving the car andringing the buzzer.INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHTThe intercom ring startles everyone. WHITE moves to the doorand looks at the monitor where the patrol driver is seen. Hemotions for Ellen.BRIANLeave her alone. I’ll deal with it.Alex points his gun at Brian’s face.ALEXIf we wanted your help, we would’veasked for it. Sit down!Brian backs down. Ellen slowly walks over to WHITE.WHITEWhat is he doing here?ELLENI don’t know. You heard me givingthem the right information.WHITE gives her a long suspicious look, then...WHITEAre you sure about that, Dr.Sanders?Ellen’s terrified, but keeps up her game, attempting tooutsmart WHITE.ELLENIt’s probably best if I answer,don’t you think?

38.

Page 40EXT. ENTRANCE GATE - NIGHTThe driver’s about to give up when the gate opens for him.I/E HOUSE ENTRANCE DOOR - NIGHTThe driver rings the doorbell. Ellen opens the door halfway.From inside the house we see the driver’s face for the firsttime. It’s the JANITOR that Ellen saw at the hospital.ELLENGood evening, is there a problem?The driver gives her a long silent look, then pulls out abrown envelope and hands it to her. She locks eyes on him.QUICK FLASH - Ellen’s at the hospital with her eyes on thehandsome janitor in the elevator.BACK TO PRESENTEllen’s fixated on the driver.ELLENYou were in my office...The driver walks away as he communicates on his radio.DRIVER1264 Congress is clear.WHITE pulls Ellen back in. She glances at the envelope.WHITEOpen it!Ellen opens the envelope and pulls out a stack of photos.WHITE (CONT’D)Look at them!She flips through them. It’s photos of Ellen and her family,including Barkley in his doghouse which has his name on it.WHITE (CONT’D)I’m sure you’re well aware thatyour dog’s name is not cheeky.ELLENYou took these from my office.39.

Page 41WHITEDo you understand now, Dr. Sanders?If you continue to test us, we willdestroy your life.(yells out)Barkley! Come here, boy!At first it sounds like an evil joke, but then, BARKLEY runsinside. Jake jumps at him.

JAKEBarkley, Barkley!Blue orders Jake to sit down, but let’s him hold Barkley.Ellen shoves the envelope with the photos into her pocket asa tear escapes one of her eyes. She’s been outsmarted!WHITEDr. Sanders, I need you to comeupstairs with me.Brian gets up, again.WHITE (CONT’D)Is there a problem, Mr. Sanders?BRIANIf you want something from myfamily you will have to talk to me!WHITEThat’s not possible, Mr. Sanders.BRIANYou are not going upstairs with mywife, alone.WHITEMr. Sanders, if we wanted to hurtyour wife, we would have done so bynow.ELLENBrian! I can handle it. Please,stay here with the kids.Brian sits down as Ellen walks up the stairs with WHITE.INT. BEDROOM - NIGHTWHITE and Ellen enter the room and share a long, tense silentmoment. Ellen’s thoughts run wild.40.

Page 42WHITEPlease, have a seat.Ellen slowly takes a seat, her eyes on WHITE.WHITE (CONT’D)Dr. Sanders, may I call you Ellen?(off her nod)How much do you love your family,Ellen?ELLENWhat kind of a question is that?WHITETruth is, you never really know howmuch you love your family until

their lives are on the line.ELLENWhat do you want from us?WHITEFrom you, Dr. Sanders. Tomorrowmorning you will be operating onthe President.(off Ellen’s silent nod)The President will die tomorrowduring the operation.ELLENWhat? What are you talking about?What does that have to do with myfamily?WHITETomorrow morning you’re going tokill the President of the UnitedStates when you operate on him. Orelse, we will kill your family.(off Ellen shaking herhead)Do you see how it’s all related?ELLENI can’t...WHITEI’m afraid you’ll have to do betterthan that, Ellen, or you’ll beburying your husband and kids theday after tomorrow...41.

Page 43ELLEN(snaps at him)I can’t just kill the President ofthe United States. It’s impossible!WHITERelax! I wouldn’t be going throughall this trouble unless I knew itcould be done.ELLENHow exactly?WHITEThat’s not important right now.What I need is for you to help yourfamily get through this.

ELLENWhat am I supposed to tell them?WHITENothing. They can’t know anything.ELLENMy husband knows about theoperation. He probably figured itout by now.WHITEYou will deny it. I’m sure you’velied to your husband before.Ellen’s too frozen to answer. Clearly these guys are notafter the diamonds her mother left her.WHITE (CONT’D)Take a deep breath, then go back toyour family. They need you, Ellen.ELLENWho are you?White walks away. Ellen’s still confused, trying to decipherit all. Her hopeless expression suggests there may be noother way out of this mess but to comply.OFF Ellen, in way over her head...END OF ACT FOUR42.

Page 44ACT FIVEINT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHTEllen walks into the living room escorted by WHITE. Brian andthe kids look to her. Ellen keeps a cool facade, yet she isobviously tense. She takes a seat next to Brian and forces aquick smile.BRIANWhat happened? What did they say?Ellen tries that smile again. Needs more work.DANNIMom?JAKEAre we going to be okay? Mom!BLUE motions for Jake to keep quiet. Ellen can’t find anywords. All she has is a blank expression. Danni startscrying.ELLENDanni, it’s going to be alright.JAKEWhat do they want?

ELLENIt doesn’t matter, sweetie. I’mfine and so will you be if wecooperate with them. Okay?BRIANJake, just let us handle this. Weneed you and your sister to bethere for each other right now. Canyou do that?Danni and Jake nod. Brian motions WHITE to approach.BRIAN (CONT’D)I’d like a few moments alone withmy wife. Look at her... she’s... Idon’t know if you have a family,but I’m asking you to allow me tosupport my wife.WHITE(Clearly Brian touched anerve)43.(MORE)

Page 45You have five minutes. In thekitchen. Don’t do anything stupid.BRIANThank you.(turns to his family)Guys, I need to talk to your motheralone in the kitchen for a fewminutes. We’re right over there,we’re not going anywhere. Okay?Danni appears antsy. She starts fidgeting and then gets up.DANNISorry, I need to go...Mia motions her to go upstairs. Ellen and Brian go to thekitchen.INT. HALLWAY - NIGHTDanni heads towards her bathroom, Mia follows, gun drawn. Asshe nears the bathroom, Alex comes out of the adjacentbedroom and beats her to the punch, walking straight intoDanni’s bathroom.DANNIExcuse me? I was going to use thebathroom?ALEX

Use the other one!DANNIWhat happened to ladies first?Alex slams the door shut in her face. Danni turns to Mia.DANNI (CONT’D)I can wait. I like to use mybathroom.MIALet’s go!Danni reluctantly heads down the hallway to use her parentsbathroom.INT. BATHROOM - NIGHTAlex tends to the stab wound Dominic gave him. He replaces ablood soaked bandage with a fresh one. He winces in pain ashe wraps the gash, pulls out a few pain killers and downsthem without a sip of water.44.WHITE (CONT'D)

Page 46INT. KITCHEN - NIGHTEllen and Brian huddle, still keeping an eye on Jake. Theytalk in whispers, cautious not to be overheard.BRIANIt’s about the operation, isn’t it?ELLENI’m sorry, I can’t tell you.BRIANThat’s ridiculous. You need to tellme, Ellen.ELLENThere’s nothing you can do aboutit, Brian. If I tell you they willkill us all.Ellen looks him in the eyes...BRIAN...The President. They want to getto him...ELLENBrian, don’t try anything stupid.They know everything.BRIANWho are they?ELLENBrian!Brian turns to see Alex standing behind him.

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUSDanni strides in with Mia close behind. She passes by herparents but can’t look them in the eyes.ELLENHoney? Is everything alright?Danni nods and takes a seat next to Jake. The Sanders are allin the living room.JAKEExcuse me, I’m starving. As youknow, we missed dinner. Do you mindif I grab some Risotto?45.

Page 47WHITEGet some for your sister.DANNII’m not hungry.Jake walks into the kitchen and serves himself Risotto. Helooks up to make sure nobody is watching and then proceeds tospill Risotto all over himself “by mistake”.JAKEShit!Jake comes out from behind the counter covered with PestoRisotto.WHITETake him upstairs to change.Jake walks up with BLUE. This family refuses to sit togetherin one space more than a few seconds at a time.INT. BEDROOM - NIGHTJake’s in his room changing. A knock on the door.BLUE (O.S.)Let’s go, kid.JAKEJust a sec, please.Jake opens his secret safe box and grabs his second cell. Heturns it on and texts Trevi back: “family emergency. Willcall you tomorrow”.Just then BLUE storms in and sees Jake in front of the opensafe box. Jake manages to hide the cellphone in his pocket.Blue points his gun at Jake. He approaches the safe and pullsout the cash and weed.BLUEAren’t you too young to be doingthis?JAKE

I don’t think you’re in a positionto judge.Blue turns his gun at Jake.BLUECareful, son.46.

Page 48JAKEJust take it. I won’t tell.BLUE smiles at Jake, then puts everything back in the safebox and locks it. He points his gun at Jake, ordering him toleave the room. Jake walks away defeated.INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHTBLUE watches Jake go downstairs and join his family in theliving room. Mia walks upstairs looking for Alex and bumpsinto Blue. Alex walks out of a room down the hall and seesthem.BLUEYou okay?MIAI’m fine as long as you don’t setoff the alarm again.BLUETouche! Let me know if you needanything.MIAYou know I will...Mia turns and is startled when she sees Alex standing there.Blue walks down to the living room.MIA (CONT'D)How’s your leg?ALEXIt’s fine.MIAYou should have it checked.Alex grabs her arm painfully tight. Whispers in her ear.ALEXAnd you should cut the small talk.INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUSAlex and Mia walk back down to the living room as the Sandersfamily prepares to call it a night. White whispers in Alex’sear, then motions Blue to join him upstairs.47.

Page 49

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHTWHITE and BLUE walk into the room. They lock the door, thenWHITE removes his face mask and reveals his true identity:FBI AGENT DUNCAN CARLISLE, the hostage rescue team leader.(Wewill refer to him as Duncan from now on at all times / withor without face mask)DUNCANDo we have a visual on the house?BLUE removes his mask and is revealed to be GUY CAMPBELL,Duncan’s protegee in the FBI Hostage rescue team. (Will referto him as GUY).GUYShould be up and running in a few.He takes a seat at his work station: a long table withseveral computer monitors displaying surveillance cameraframes of the entire house. Duncan sits next to him. Theyshare a moment.DUNCANEverything else in order?GUYTurns out the kid is dealing pot.Keeps his stash in his room.DUNCANIs he going to be a problem?GUYJuvenile. I’ll keep an eye on thelittle man. Here we go, picture’sup, should be PG-13...Duncan and Guy turn to the monitors and Guy zooms in on theliving room frame where the Sanders family now lie next toeach other. Ellen kisses her kids good-night. She sleeps onone side of them Brian sleeps on the other.END OF ACT FIVE48.

Page 50ACT SIXEXT. SANDERS HOUSE - DAYThe sun rises above this peaceful Cul-de-sac street. AGardner unloads a leaf blower from his truck. A couple intheir 40’s jog past him. All seem so normal except...INT. MASTER BEDROOM - DAYEllen stares at a masked Duncan, he holds a small vial filledwith clear liquid. Guy (blue striped mask on) is manningseveral laptops in the room.DUNCAN

Roughly five minutes after theliquid is absorbed in the blood,you can expect to see a reaction.ELLENWhat kind of reaction?DUNCANHis system will start crashing.Just follow regular CPR procedures.Nothing you do will save him.Ellen is appalled by Duncan’s casual manner. He makes itsound so easy.ELLENWhat’s in the vial?DUNCANThat’s none of your concern. Itwont show up in an autopsy.ELLENYou expect me to believe that?DUNCANIt’s in my best interest not toleave any traces behind.(looks Ellen in the eyes)If you do this exactly as I tellyou, I promise you, by tomorrownight, I’ll be nothing more than afading nightmare.ELLENIt all sounds so simple, except ofcourse for the fact that I’ll bekilling the President of the UnitedStates.49.

Page 51Duncan opens a bottle of Advil which has a secret bottomcompartment. He hides the vial in there and hands it to her.DUNCANIf it helps, don’t think of it askilling the President, think of itas saving your family.Duncan hands Ellen a cell phone.DUNCAN (CONT’D)Needles to say it can’t makeoutgoing calls. Let’s hope I don’thave to call this number. And onemore thing, Ellen...

Duncan points over to Guy who’s done setting up the monitors.Ellen looks closely at them. Dozens of frames from variouslocations in the hospital; the parking lot, Ellen’s office,the OR and every hospital hallway.DUNCAN (CONT’D)We have every inch of your missionon camera, so trying to outsmart uswould be quite... stupid.Ellen is stunned at the level of surveillance. It’s BigBrother with a death warrant.INT. LIVING ROOM - DAYDanni and Jake wake up. Brian is upright siting on the sofa.Mia and Alex guard them.JAKEWhere’s Mom?BRIANUpstairs. She’ll be back in a fewminutes, don’t worry.Danni sits up. She looks pale, sick.DANNIExcuse me?Alex turns to her as do the family members.DANNI (CONT’D)I really need to go to thebathroom. Like right now.50.

Page 52BRIANHoney, are you okay? Let me helpyou...Alex steps in and pulls Danni up a bit too aggressively.Brian gets in his face.BRIAN (CONT’D)Get your hands off her!Alex keeps his grip on Danni and points his gun at Brian.ALEXSit down!BRIANNot until you let go of her.Alex lets go of Danni and pins Brian to the wall.ALEXIf you ever move again without mypermission, it will be the lasttime you ever do. Got it?Duncan rushes in after hearing the commotion, and motions

Alex step to step away from Brian.DANNIExcuse me? I really need to go...BRIANHe’s not going with her alone.DUNCANI’ll take her, Mr. Sanders. Nowplease sit down and relax.INT. HALLWAY - NIGHTDanni nears the bathroom door. Duncan blocks her way.DUNCANAre you okay?Danni looks terribly pale, cold sweat - not good. She slipspast Duncan and locks the door behind her.INT. BATHROOM - NIGHTDanni rummages through the towel basket and pulls out thelost home pregnancy test. She looks at it and freezes.51.

Page 53Her nausea takes over and she covers her mouth with her handthen sticks her head over the toilet and throws up. Themystery is over. The girl is pregnant.She continues to hold the home pregnancy test in her hand. Aknock on the door. Danni’s coughing it all out. Another loudknock.DUNCAN (O.S.)Let’s go!Danni can’t move. Duncan breaks the door open. He sees Dannibent over the toilet, retching, with the home pregnancy testin her hand. He gets it.DANNIPlease don’t tell...DUNCANIt’s none of my business.Danni starts crying. Duncan looks to make sure they’re alone.DANNIMy boyfriend doesn’t know...DUNCANLook, in less than 24 hours, thiswill all be over...Duncan hands her a tissue. Danni lifts her head and cleansher face. She stands up and looks in Duncan’s eyes.DUNCAN (CONT’D)Take a few more minutes.INT. HALLWAY - DAY

Ellen exits her bedroom and slowly walks by Danni’s bathroomas she hears Danni’s coughing.INT. BATHROOM - DAYDanni and Duncan’s intimate moment is broken with...ELLEN (O.S.)Danni!Danni looks at the home pregnancy test in her hand. She looksaround trying to find a safe place to hide it. Finally Duncanreaches out and offers to take it from her. She hands it tohim as Ellen bursts in.52.

Page 54ELLEN (CONT’D)Danni, are you okay?DANNI (O.S.)I’m fine, mom.ELLENWhy are you in here with mydaughter alone?DANNIMom, he was trying to help. I thinkI have a stomach virus.Ellen goes into auto mode, checking Danni’s pulse and fever.ELLENShe’s dehydrating. She needs plentyof liquids. Now!DUNCANI’ll take care of it. You need toget ready.Ellen strokes Danni’s hair with her hand and looks her in theeyes. Danni’s eyes fill with tears. Ellen embraces her.ELLENDon’t worry, baby. You’re justoverstressed. Try and rest.Ellen leaves them behind as she exits in emotional agony.INT. MASTER BEDROOM BATHROOM - DAYEllen locks the door. She looks around and eyes the glassmedicine cabinet door. She grabs a few hand towels and opensthe glass cabinet door. She holds the towel on both sides ofthe glass door and elbows it a few times. She carefullyremoves the towels to reveal shards of broken glass. A fewprescription bottles fall from the cabinet on to the floor.Ellen puts down the towels and grabs a large, sharp piece ofglass. She stares at it, then at herself, in the mirror. Shemoves the broken glass from her right hand to her left. She

holds out her trembling right hand and aims the piece ofglass at it with her left hand. Can she hurt herself? It maysave the President, but it may also kill her family and hercareer.Good idea, impossible to execute. She drops the glass, unableto do it, slides down the wall and slumps on the floor.53.

Page 55Everything finally comes crashing down and Ellen sobs. Shepulls herself together and the prescription bottles on thefloor catch her attention. She grabs the medication bottleand stares at it. Then we see something click in her head. Adecision. Maybe a plan.INT. LIVING ROOM - DAYA composed Ellen descends the stairs and takes a seat next toher family.ELLENI’m leaving...Brian sits up, trying to digest. He turns to Duncan andmotions for a moment with his wife in the kitchen. Almost aroutine by now. Duncan approves.INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUSEllen and Brian enter with Alex close behind.BRIANDo you mind? I’d like a momentalone with my wife.Alex steps away giving them some space.BRIAN (CONT’D)Don’t do it. Do you really thinkthey would kill us?ELLENYes!BRIANHow do you know they won’t kill usafter you complete the mission?ELLENI don’t.BRIANSo why help them kill thePresident?ELLENYou’re going in circles and I havean operation to get to.Ellen goes to leave, Brian grabs her.BRIAN

You’re making a mistake.54.

Page 56ELLENMaybe, but at least it will be thelast mistake I ever make. Pleasetry to keep our kids alive whileI’m gone.Ellen walks back to the living room.INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUSDuncan and Alex await at the entrance door. Ellen reaches forDanni, pulls her into a hug. Jake joins in. Brian feels likea stranger looking at them.ELLENYou and I need to have a longconversation when I get back.JAKEI know.Jake finally looks her in the eyes. They have a short livedreal moment.ELLENCan you help your father and sisterwhile I’m gone?Jake nods as he becomes emotional. Ellen turns to Danni.ELLEN (CONT’D)Honey, I know what you must begoing through, but don’t worry,we’ll get through this together.Danni looks her in the eyes. Does Ellen know? Ellen kissesher kids, then gives Brian a hug and slowly walks to theentrance door. SUDDENLY, Brian runs to her. All guns pointedat him.DUNCANSit down!BRIANNo! This is crazy, I’m not going tolet her do this.Danni and Jake get up and move closer. Mia and Guy turn theirguns at them.ELLENDanni, Jake, sit down, now!55.

Page 57JAKE

We want to know where you’re going.DUNCANWe’re out of time. Brian, take yourkids upstairs, now!BRIANEllen, you’ll never forgiveyourself, don’t go!DANNIMom?Ellen is on the verge of breaking down but holds it together.Alex motions for Mia and Guy to take the kids upstairs. Theygrab Danni and Jake and drag them away kicking and screaming.Brian tries to go after them but is stopped by Alex.BRIANIf something happens to my kids, Iwill kill you!Alex’s eyes are filled with rage.DUNCANI realize you’re under a lot ofpressure, Brian, but you need...BRIANYou want to kill us? Come on, let’ssee if you have the balls.Alex pulls out his gun and shoots at Brian three times,intentionally missing him. Brian flinches and falls to hisknees. Alex kicks him in the face. Brian goes down.DUNCANThat’s enough!Ellen rushes to help Brian.DUNCAN (CONT’D)Ellen, I’m sorry you had to seethis, but you need to leave rightnow. You have my word that I willhonor our agreement.ELLENAll I have left is your word. Ihope you are half the gentleman myhusband is.(whispers in Brian’s ear)I’m sorry...56.

Page 58Ellen opens the door, the bright sunlight washes her face asshe leaves. Duncan helps Brian up and moves him to the sofa.DUNCAN

It doesn’t have to be this way,Brian.BRIANYou’ll never get away with it.Alex comes in and places a few photos on the coffee table.They are pictures of Jane and Brian having sex in a hotel.Brian is deflated.DUNCANEveryone has a weak spot, Brian.It’s what makes us human. You’renot much of a Poker player, areyou?Duncan holds up Brain’s phone, taunting him.DUNCAN (CONT’D)You really should erase texts toyour lover, Brian.(to Alex)Bring the kids back.EXT. DRIVEWAY - DAYEllen walks slowly to her car, she looks around for someone,anyone to stall her. She pauses for another long moment,hoping, maybe Gary will come by? Finally she relents andgets into her car.INT. CAR - DAYEllen puts her seat belt on, then stares in the rear viewmirror and sees Danni and Jake joining Brian in the livingroom. At least they’re together. Will she ever see themagain?HOLD ON ELLEN’S FACE: looking at her family, tears risingagain, feels trapped but, we can sense she’s determined to dowhatever it takes to save her family. She takes a deep breathand starts the car.SMASH TO BLACKEND OF PILOT57.