Trusting Hope - Episode 1
by Amythest Loring Lee & Jelyssa Salcedo
Trusting Hope - Episode 1
by Amythest Loring Lee & Jelyssa Salcedo
TV NARRATOR:
Nexton's poverty circle was growing more restless. As the population continued to grow in The Shallows, the outer-most circle, the government had a hard time controlling the the civil unrest. The people claimed that the lowest class was subject to unfair police treatment and prejudice. An investigation by the government proves otherwise. To help gain peace, Nexton's government issued Breakers, the new police force made entirely of androids. Androids built only in government-approved facilities are legal for with this new force, a new world was opened for the rings of the great nation, Nexton...
INT. LAB
RAZA beeps to life.
RAZA
Hello. How may I help you today, Darwin?
DARWIN chuckles, placing down some tools.
DARWIN
Hello Raza. I'm doing good today. How are your systems doing?
RAZA
The system update was a success. New interactions added.
DARWIN
That's great, my boy! I hope it actually works properly.
Darwin clears his throat.
DARWIN (CONT'D)
Let's check your motors. Arms?
Raza lifts his arms. Darwin give a satisfied hum. There's a pause.
RAZA
When will I meet Athea?
DARWIN
Soon, my boy. Right now let's test your system's new updates. Activate Combat Mode.
Raza chirps. His systems humming.
INT. HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Athea paces while on the phone.
ATHEA
Yeah, of course. Actually, is there any news on The Atlas Project?
AIDEN (V.O.)
Yeah-
Mechanical noises outside start up, disrupting Athea.
ATHEA
S-sorry could you repeat that again, I didn't quite catch that.
Athea walks further into the room and away from the noise. The mechanical noises get quieter.
AIDEN (V.O.)
Yeah. I said that we are picking up the asset for Phase 2 within the next 15 to 20 minutes, I believe.
ATHEA
Today? That's good to hear!
AIDEN (V.O.)
If I'm honest, I am a bit excited. We've been waiting to move forward with this for a while.
ATHEA
Of course! This is such a big project. I will make sure to have my end of things in to you tomorrow. Have a good afternoon, Aiden.
AIDEN (V.O.)
You too, Athea.
The mechanical noises stop as Athea hangs up, seeming a bit exhausted. The Automatic Door slides open then shuts. DARWIN enters. He places a bag down on the floor.
ATHEA
Hey, Dad! What's in the bag?
DARWIN
Hi, Thea. It's nothing. How was work?
ATHEA
It was- Dad! Your hand!
Darwin's hand is bleeding, dripping onto the tile floor. Athea walks to him, placing a towel from the table on his hand.
ATHEA (CONT'D)
Why are you bleeding? What are you
doing out there?
DARWIN
(Dismissive)
I'm fine, I swear! It's just an
acute laceration.
ATHEA
(mumbling to herself)
Just an acute...
(to Darwin)
Dad, you need to be more careful.
DARWIN
One look at what I just finished
and you'll see. It was worth it!
ATHEA
Another one of your..."inventions"?
DARWIN
This one is my masterpiece!
ATHEA
(chuckling)
I've never seen a single one of
your "masterpieces". Although, I do
remember that tall tale you used to
tell me in school.
DARWIN
It was no tall tale! I designed
those Breakers! The government
turned them evil!
ATHEA
Dad, come on...
DARWIN
B-but I knew what would happen if
those power hungry monkeys got to
my invention, and nobody would listen!
Athea laughs a little at her dad's outburst.
DARWIN (CONT'D)
I'm completely sane.
ATHEA
Of-
An explosion cuts the conversation short. Athea's ears ring as the two are throw across the room. Glass shatters and wood splinters. LIAM and a group of Breakers walk in.
DARWIN
(pained)
Athea...
Liam moves closer to the pair, glass crunching under his feet.
LIAM
Darwin Beckette.
DARWIN
(Pained)
Liam, m-my old friend. How's the
wife?
LIAM
Zip it, Beckette. Breakers, arrest
this man.
The breakers move to surround Darwin. They put handcuffs on him. Darwin groans. Athea tries to reach for her dad, but can't move. The ringing in her ears won't stop.
ATHEA
(crying)
D-dad...?
DARWIN
(pained)
Shh. Everything will be okay.
LIAM
Where is it, you piece of shit?
Liam kicks Darwin a few times. Darwin grunts in pain with every blow.
ATHEA
L-Leave him alone...
LIAM
Shut it, girly, or you're next-
DARWIN
I won't tell you anything if you
hurt her!
Liam kicks Darwin in the face, knocking him out.
ATHEA
Dad!
LIAM
Get this worthless shithead out of
here.
The breakers drag a barely conscious Darwin out with Liam leading the way.
ATHEA
H-hey! You can't do this! I work
for Aiden Scott. You won't get away
with this!
LIAM
(laughing)
Guess who issued the warrant, Sweetheart.
Liam leaves. Athea slowly tries to stand. She groans.
ATHEA
Oh..Oh God.
Athea stumbles to what's left of the front door, but the breakers and Liam are gone, along with Darwin.
ATHEA (CONT'D)
What do I do? I can't-
Athea trips over the bag from earlier.
ATHEA (CONT'D)
Dad's bag?
The bag clicks open. She pulls out a stack of papers.
ATHEA (CONT'D)
R. A. Z. A? What's Project Raza?
She flips through the papers quickly.
ATHEA (CONT'D)
(Sighs)
And a remote to something?
She clicks the button on it, but nothing happens. She stands and starts walking to the back door.
ATHEA (CONT'D)
It has to be in the shed.
The automatic door struggles to slide open. Athea steps out.
INT. DARWIN'S SHED
Athea walks into the all wood shed. She rummages through various tool containers. A tool piece falls, rolling to the empty metal closet. She stops to look at the rusted old closet.
ATHEA:
(underneath her breath)
Maybe...
Athea walks over to the closet. She clicks the button on the remote. CLICK. She pulls the doors open and finds the back wall propped open. Athea pushes open the heavy back wall.
ATHEA: (CONT'D)
What the hell is this?
INT. LAB
Athea steps in the lab. It's high tech and nothing like the shed she thought her dad worked in. The chorus of beeps and chimes of the different machines filled the room.
ATHEA:
Holy... Is that- a Breaker?
RAZA:
(Across the room)
Voice identified, Athea Beckette confirmed.
Athea walks over to RAZA. She places her hand on the hollow metal android.
RAZA (CONT'D)
Fingerprint identification confirmed.
Raza opens.
ATHEA:
What-
Cuffs latch onto Athea's wrists and ankles as Raza'a body moves to surround hers. Athea yelps in surprise.
ATHEA: (CONT'D)
What's going on? Why am I in this...suit?
RAZA:
Hello, Miss Beckette.
ATHEA:
What are you?
RAZA:
I'm Raza, your personal life
assistant. How can I help you, today?
ATHEA:
I-I can't see! It's so dark-
RAZA:
Sensory devices: on. Audio and visuals will now be streamed in my internal speakers and screen. You'll see and hear what I do, Miss Beckette.
ATHEA
No! I don't have time for this! I
gotta get to my dad. H-he's been arrested and-
Raza pulls up directions.
RAZA:
Directions Confirmed. Plaza Ring,
District 3 breaker station.
ATHEA:
Wait! Stop moving!
Raza marches to the door.
THE END OF SAMPLE