EXT. THE UNDERWORLD, WHOPPER HILL - NIGHT
In fading light, GUSTAV joins TAYO on a small hill, looking out at the stars. Directly above them is a floating city in the sky that distorts their view.
Gustav: 16, male, average height, thin, honest, afraid.
Tayo: 17, male, average height, normal build, inquisitive.
TAYO: Can’t sleep?
GUSTAV: Why bother. Every time I sleep its a nightmare
TAYO: I thought it would be something we could grow out of
GUSTAV: It’s the underworld. Everyone here has similar problems.
TAYO: Sometimes I wish we could be braver, just like the others.
GUSTAV: You mean, the Upperworld? Just face the facts. We’re never going to be like them no matter how we try.
TAYO: Some say that what we see here isn’t exactly real. Some of it is an image.
GUSTAV: That’s dangerous talk
TAYO: Maybe it’s just an illusion
GUSTAV: Maybe you’ll get electrocuted if you find out.
GUSTAV’S NIGHTMARE
Gustave sees flashes of Sincro in Reevers uniform with a baton about to hit him.
SINCRO: 16, male, smaller than average, average build, wearing a Reevers uniform.
WHOPPER HILL
TAYO: Do you ever wonder about Barton Litbarski?
GUSTAV: What do you mean?
TAYO: Maybe he’s alive, somewhere out there.
GUSTAV: Or maybe he died trying. Maybe the Reevers got him
TAYO: Goddamn Reevers. There’s worse things than Reevers.
GUSTAV: Try me.
TAYO: Sometimes I wonder what it would be like up there. Are they really better than us, or is it just..
GUSTAV: What?
TAYO: Talk.
Tayo points to a group of stars
TAYO: Did you know that this constellation is known as the Spartacus formation?
EXT. UPPERWORLD, OMNIPROST BUILDING - MORNING
Dieter Ochwald enters a large building along with several other employees.
DIETER OCHWALD: 30, male, taller than average, a face in the crowd - nothing more.
INT. UPPERWORLD, OMNIPROST BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR - MORNING
Dieter approaches the security check with his briefcase. He hands over his briefcase to CHASE, the security officer, who puts it through the scanner. Dieter then walks through the body scanner.
CHASE: 28, male, tall, strongly built, friendly.
CHASE: Is there something you’re not telling us Dieter?
DIETER: Huh?
CHASE: I’m only kidding. You’re certifiably upperworld material Dieter. Have a great day.
Dieter accepts his brief case and approaches the elevator.
INT. OMNIPROST BUILDING (THIRTEENTH FLOOR) - MORNING
Dieter is working at his computer in a large open plan office when he is approached by a Superior (MR HAVELANGE).
MR HAVELANGE: 46, male, tall, slim, mostly bald, cold.
MR HAVELAGNE: Your productivity has dropped by two per cent Ochwald.
DIETER: Sorry, sir.
MR HAVELAGNE: Next time, I want those numbers up. Got it?
DIETER: Yes sir.
EXT. UPPERWORLD, SIDE STREET - EVENING
Dieter is walking home. Out of nowhere an old man with tattered clothing and unwashed, approaches him. He touches
Dieter’s chest.
OLD CRAZY MAN: It isn’t too late. Your life is a lie. Repent. Repent.
Dieter is afraid.
DIETER: Stay away from me. I should have you reported.
Dieter shrugs off the old man and walks away.
OLD CRAZY MAN: Its a lie. Its a lie. You don’t know who you are.
A police car approaches the old man in the background as Dieter continues home.
INT. UPPERWORLD, DIETER'S APARTMENT, LIVING AREA - EVENING
Dieter enters his apartment. He approaches a steel cabinet with a door and keys a few numbers. The NOISE OF AN
OBJECT DROPPING DOWN A CHUTE can be heard. He opens the door and takes a warm meal.
Dieter sits down with his meal and turns on a large screen.
An advertisement plays, showing a middle aged politician.
POLITICIAN ON TV: 50’s, male, stern face, full head of hair.
POLITICIAN ON TV: You have nothing to fear but fear itself. Anyone who is fearful or who sides with the fearful will be located and removed to a place where they belong. Those fearful represent the one per cent. A true citizen of the Underworld is brave, strong, intelligent. Superior in every way.
Dieter turns off the television and proceeds to eat his meal.
An automated voice addresses him.
AUTOMATED VOICE: I sense unhappiness in you Dieter. Are you unhappy?
DIETER: No. I look forward to my meals and our chats.
AUTOMATED VOICE: Good. I wouldn’t want to report you, now would I?
DIETER: There is nothing to fear.
Dieter turns the screen back on. The same politician is being interviewed
TV INTERVIEWER: 30’s, female, attractive, slim
POLITICIAN ON TV: Lord Prefect will rid us of this poison. The one percenters will be weeded out. We are superior to them in every way. You need only be afraid if you are one of them or stand with them.
TV INTERVIEWER (O.S.): Tell us more about Lord Prefect.
POLITICIAN ON TV: Lord Prefect is an exceptional individual. He is the architect of our world. The air that we breathe and the ground that we walk upon, we owe to him.
TV INTERVIEWER: Is everything they say about him, true?
POLITICIAN ON TV: Yes and more. As a young boy he received perfect scores in every test. He excelled at sports and broke every record.
TV INTERVIEWER: Is it true that he did a thousand sit ups in less than ten minutes, that he fought and defeated several lions with his bare hands...
POLITICIAN ON TV: Yes, all of it is true. He works night and day. He is a perfect specimen and a great leader. Lord Prefect will continue to make our world the best that it can be.
EXT. UPPERWORLD, CALRIDIAN STREET - EVENING
Dieter ambles down a quiet city street. A police vehicle approaches and comes to a stop. A police officer addresses Dieter.
POLICE OFFICER PELBY: 37, male, police uniform, full head of hair, slim
POLICE OFFICER PELBY: Sir, we have a report of deplorables in the area. Have you seen anything?
DIETER: No. Not at all. I’m just out for a walk. I feel perfectly safe.
The police vehicle drives away.
A young boy walks up to Dieter.
YOUNG BOY: 8, male, dark hair, scrawny, untidy, tattered clothing, dirty face.
YOUNG BOY: Please sir, have you any spare credits?
DIETER: Afraid not
YOUNG BOY: My mother is not well. She lost her job. Without money we could be deported.
DIETER: Credits are traceable. What happens to you would only happen to me.
YOUNG BOY: No risk. No reward.
DIETER: I can’t help you boy.
Dieter keeps walking. He turns a corner. In front of him - two young men putting up posters and a young woman handing out leaflets.
Barbella: 23, female, attractive, average height, slim, worn clothing
KYLE: 17, male, attractive, slim, tall
BARBELLA: Justice for the Underworld.
DIETER: Does the Underworld even exist?
BARBELLA: It does sir. It’s disgusting what goes on there.
(aloud)
Justice for the Underworld.
(in normal voice)
Here, take this.
Barbella offers Dieter a leaflet which he accepts
DIETER: How do you know it exists?
BARBELLA: Because our eyes are open.
KYLE: The police are on their way.
BARBELLA: We have to go
Barbella and her colleagues run. Dieter takes a quick look at the leaflet before discarding it and walking away. In the background SIRENS can be heard.
EXT. UPPERWORLD, LEAVESTOWN PARK - DAY
ARIADNE sits on a park bench patiently. HAROLD approaches her from behind and holds his hands over her eyes.
ARIADNE: 16, female, attractive, slim
HAROLD: 17, male, slim, average height
HAROLD: Guess who?
ARIADNE: Well I’m hoping its someone tall, dark and handsome.
HAROLD: I guess you’ll have to be disappointed then. On the tall part.
ARIADNE: So, where are we going today?
HAROLD: It’s a surprise.
ARIADNE: Does it include, delicious food, romantic movies or...
HAROLD: You’ll see
INT. UPPERWORLD, TECHNOLOGICAL BUILDING - DAY
Harold and Adriane enter the Technological Building. In front of them, guarding a doorway are two security guards.
Harold motions as if he is going through the doors.
SECURITY GUARD ONE: I’m sorry sir, but you can’t go in there.
HAROLD: But I’m Lord Prefect’s son.
SECURITY GUARD ONE: I still think that you shouldn’t go in there.
HAROLD: Do you want to take it up with my Father?
ARIADNE: Harold, we don’t have to.
SECURITY GUARD ONE: I’ll give you five minutes
The security guard opens the door and both Ariadne and Harold enter.
Movie Room
In front of them some men and women in white coats work in front of video screens.
ARIADNE: What’s this?
HAROLD: This is where they make movies.
ARIADNE: You mean, they make them from scratch.
HAROLD: From old movies. They can do anything. There will be no actors in a year or two.
ARIADNE: Isn’t that wrong?
HAROLD: That’s not even the coolest part. Wait until you see this.
Harold opens a large side door
DREAM ROOM
In front of them is a large curved machine that makes a whirring sound.
HAROLD: Isn’t this cool.
ARIADNE: What is it?
HAROLD: Take a guess
ARIADNE: I really don’t have a clue. Does it make donuts?
HAROLD: Not even close.
ARIADNE: Is it a super computer
HAROLD: Closer.
ARIADNE: Does it change the weather?
EXT. STREET IN THE UPPERWORLD - DAY
Ariadne is walking down a street when KYLE, approaches her from behind.
KYLE: 17, male, attractive, slim, tall
KYLE: Grant Buckwald, said you saw something.
ARIADNE: I’ve seen a lot of things, so leave me alone.
KYLE: I don’t bite. I just want to know more. What harm can it do?
ARIADNE: I don’t trust you. I shouldn’t have said anything.
KYLE: You can’t just stand by when innocent victims are wronged.
ARIADNE: What do you mean?
KYLE: From what I heard, the Lord Prefect has a machine that can give people nightmares and influence their thoughts.
ARIADNE: I just made it up.
KYLE: They give them nightmares for a reason. It should be stopped.
ARIADNE: I don’t like where this is going. Harold...
KYLE: Oh the guy with the silver spoon in his mouth. Why do you care about him? He doesn’t care about you.
ARIADNE: That’s not true.
KYLE: Don’t you want to fight for the underdog Ariadne? Not the guy who has everything.
ARIADNE: Don’t you follow the broadcasts? There is a reason that we are better than the underworld.
KYLE: They tell us what we want to believe but the truth is, they have eyes and mouths and toes just like us. It’s the upperworld that is the problem.
ARIADNE: Prove it.
KYLE: Can’t you see that giving people nightmares is wrong? Can’t you see that you aren’t questioning anything you’ve been told?
ARIADNE: Asking questions is only likely to get myself into trouble.
KYLE: It’s just the start. Open your eyes Ariadne.
INT. UPPERWORLD, OMNIPROST BUILDING, EIGHTEENTH FLOOR - EVENING
Dieter attends a work party, with his bosses and some co-workers.
Four men, including Mr Havelagne, SIR HAMISH and Dieter and two women are standing in a circle.
SIR HAMISH: The boss of Omniprost, 60, male, mostly bald, overweight, well dressed.
SIR HAMISH: I hear those heathens of the Underworld are revolting again. They should be all strung up and shot if you ask me.
DIETER: Where would our food then come from?
SIR HAMISH: My point is, they are annoying, inferior, unintelligent zombies who are a blight on society.
DIETER: Have you ever met any of them?
MR HAVELAGNE:Dieter. Apologise to Sir Hamish.
SIR HAMISH: Young man you might not only find yourself out of a job but chucked out to live among your heathen friends.
DIETER: I detest them more than you Sir Hamish. Can’t a man have a little fun?
Sir Hamish gives a reluctant laugh. The others laugh nervously as does Dieter.
SIR HAMISH: Now I know you are one of us, my friend.
EXT. OMNIPROST BUILDING - EVENING
Dieter exits the building where he sees some protesters led by a woman (BARBELLA) shouting and holding PLACARDS
BARBELLA: Justice for the Underworld
PROTESTER 2: The Underworld exists. It is real.
BARBELLA: Open your eyes to injustice.
Dieter continues walking past them.
BARBELLA (to Dieter) I know you. I know you. Don’t be a denier friend.
The sound of sirens can be heard. Most of the protesters run except from Barbella who stands there
Dieter walks slowly, in the expectation that he will see what happens to Barbella.
BARBELLA: Justice for the Underworld.
The police vehicles arrive at great speed. They abduct Barbella and escort her away.
BARBELLA: Rise up and fight back. It doesn’t have to be like...
The police hit her and put her in the back of a police van.
INT. UPPERWORLD, DIETER'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
Dieter climbs into bed and picks up a digital book. He reads.
AUTOMATED VOICE: I sense fear in you Dieter.
DIETER: There is absolutely nothing to fear, now is there?
Dieter puts down the digital book and turns off the light.
As Dieter sleeps there are flashes in his mind:
CHASE: Is there something you’re not telling us Dieter?
BARBELLA: Justice for the Underworld
POLITICIAN ON TV: Anyone who is fearful will be removed from society.
BARBELLA: Our eyes are open
AUTOMATED VOICE: I sense fear in you Dieter.
Dieter wakes up in bed.