K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 6.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
3 EXT. SAME ALLEY - DIFFERENT WORLD - OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY 3
The alley is spotlessly clean and bright. There are
numerous tables under cheery umbrellas. A WAITER passes by
with a tray of snacks and drinks. CAMERA FINDS L.J., the
black guy with the machine gun on the previous world. He's
at one of the tables engaged in a game of SPEED CHESS.
CLOSE ON THE CHESS BOARD
which has a great many white pieces and very few black ones.
Beside the board, we can see all the lost black pieces plus
some money held down by two unopened packs of CIGARETTES.
OPPONENT (BIG JAKE)
Give up. You're just stalling.
It's checkmate in three more moves.
L.J.
(bluffing)
Maybe, maybe not. You never know.
OPPONENT (BIG JAKE)
Yeah, right.
L.J. strains, perplexed and troubled. His situation is
clearly desperate. Then he gapes in amazement as
THE VORTEX APPEARS
just behind his opponent. The opponent turns around to see
what's going on just as Wade tumbles out -- right into him.
She knocks him from his chair onto the ground. Then
Rembrandt lands on both of them. Michele hits the table,
scattering the board and all the pieces. Quinn follows,
finishing the job as he knocks the table onto its side,
clearing the way for a relatively soft landing for Arturo.
L.J. watches with extreme interest as Arturo quickly checks
over the timer to make sure it's okay and then tucks it
carefully into his duffel bag. Everyone is already getting
up and dusting themselves off when Sld is spit out -- just
before the gate closes -- and slams into Quinn, knocking him
down again.
OTHER WITNESSES
nearby are curious and start to approach, but L.J. casts
them a warning glance and they back off. Immediately, Sid
rolls onto Quinn, sits straddling him.
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 -'El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 7.
3 CONTINUED: 3
He whips out a customized, wicked-looking gun from beneath
his bush jacket and pushes the barrel hard against Quinn's
forehead, pinning him down.
SID
(to Quinn, savoring it)
Get ready...
Quinn's eyes are wide with fear. The other Sliders are
frozen lest Sid pull the trigger.
MICHELE
Sid, no! It was Mike!
Sid reacts. Apparently he can almost believe this. He
turns, looks at her, starts to rise and come towards her.
SID
You filthy bitch!
MICHELE
All we did was talk!
(off Sid)
Ask Lefty, if you don't believe me.
This seems to give Sid pause. Quinn springs to his feet.
MICHELE
I'd've told you last night, but
you're so Goddamn jealous...
The opponent comes to, very groggy.
OPPONENT (BIG JAKE)
What the hell happened?
L.J.
(hastily)
The game's a draw, bro!
Sid turns to L.J. and looks at him, confused.
SID
I told you to stay in the truck!
L.J.
Wasn't me, pal.
SID
(menacing)
Don't mess with me, L.J.!
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 8.
3 CONTINUED: 2
L.J.
(relaxed, cool)
It's not me that's messed up,-
friend. You see any trucks here?
For the first time, Sid looks around and reacts to the
surroundings. He glances at Michele who is equally
confused.
SID
Where the hell is this?
L.J. reacts, more certain than ever that something very
special has happened -- and increasingly interested in
taking control of the situation.
L.J.
Webb Court. And there's a
Custodian around the corner, so if
I was you, I'd hide the piece.
Reacting more to L.J.'s tone than any understanding of the
situation, Sid puts away the gun.
SID
I know every inch of San Francisco,
and this...
(indicates the alley)
... ain't Webb Court.
ARTURO
(hushed, to Sid)
It's not your San Francisco.
When we came through the...
(thinks of a word Sid can
understand)
...tunnel, it took us to a
different San Francisco.
L.J. reacts, controlled excitement as he takes this in.
SID
What the hell are you talking
about?
Arturo comes closer to Sid, trying to be as secretive as
Possible, but L.J. is determined to eavesdrop.
ARTURO
I promise you, sir. There are a
great many San Franciscos. We'd
been to dozens before visiting
yours, and we'll be going to
another one tomorrow.
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 9.
3 CONTINUED: 3
L.J. reacts, he's heard enough. He buttonholes Arturo.
L.J.
You got "Buddy Bracelets?"
(off the Sliders'
confusion)
Didn't think so. You're in luck!
L.J. opens his jacket. Hanging from the liner, along with
assorted other merchandise, are numerous metal BRACELETS.
He pulls them out.
ARTURO
(sour)
Great. A street hustler.
QUINN
C'mon, let's go.
The Sliders follow as he moves towards the street.
L.J.
(calling)
No, man! I'm giving these to
you! Gratis. No hype.
(then)
Hey! It's required! You gotta
have 'em.
L.J. hurries after the Sliders. Michele and Sid exchange a
look.
MICHELE
What do we do?
SID
Stay with them.
CUT TO:
4 EXT. COMMERCIAL STREET 4
which features electric GOLF CARTS and TRAMS rather than
cars and buses. The Sliders bare time to react to
this before
CUSTODIAN (O.S.)
Hey! Bracelets!
The Sliders turn, astonished to see
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 10.
4 CONTINUED:
A UNIFORMED CUSTODIAN
his gun drawn, leveled at the Sliders.
CUSTODIAN
Let's see those bracelets. Now!
L.J. runs up to the Custodian, waving his bracelets.
L.J.
Right here, boss. Right here. My
fault. They' re new. I ' m just
taking them to check in with
Custodian McGill.
The Custodian puts away his gun.
CUSTODIAN
Get those bracelets on them right
now and get moving.
Now, under the watchful eye of the custodian, the Sliders
are only too happy to take the bracelets and put them on.
Sid doesn't seem to like the idea, but Michele takes two
bracelets, puts one on, and gives him the other. He puts it
on. Suddenly, a RUMBLING as the GROUND SHAKES BENEATH THEM.
WADE
Earthquake!
Everyone stops and holds their breath till it stops. Then
L.J. relaxes, smiles at the custodian, relieved.
L.J.
Hey. How 'bout that one, boss?
Five point two?
(then, to the sliders)
All right. Back in the cab
everyone.
L.J. points the group into TRAM parked at the curb. It has
a jaunty red-and-white striped canvas top and easily seats
eight to ten people. Everyone piles in.
5 INT. L.J.'S TRAM 5
as it pulls away from the curb.
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 11.
5 CONTINUED:
WADE
Thank you.
(then)
If you could just take us to the
Motel 12 on TBD Street, we'll be
fine.
L.J.
It's rubble. Came down in last
month's six point four.
SID AND MICHELE
are behind Quinn.
MICHELE
(concerned)
Maybe he's not the L.J. we know,
but he sure as hell acts like him.
Sid isn't listening. He slaps Quinn in the back of the
head. Quinn turns around, angry.
SID
Just a reminder. It's not over
between you and me.
Arturo checks out the view.
ARTURO
At least it's clean here.
REMBRANDT
No mortars going off. That's a
plus.
L.J.
(very interested)
So, tomorrow, you're leaving the
same way you came?
ARTURO
Yes, but please keep that under
your hat, as it were. We'd just as
soon people didn't know about it.
L.J.
Not a problem.
CUT TO:
6 EXT. STREET - GOVERNMENT HOUSING COMPLEX - DAY
L.J. drives the tram into the parking lot. Everyone gets
out. L.J. leads them into
K#0802 - "El Sid" - i0/30/95 1st. White 12.
7 INT. GOVERNMENT HOUSING - MAIN OFFICE - DAY
It's the commons area for a condominium complex. There's a
registration desk to one side, and we can see a recreation
room/gym off to the other side. L.J. leads them up to the
desk, speaks to the buff-looking woman behind it, DELORES.
He pulls a carton of cigarettes from a pocket under his
jacket and slides them across the desk to her.
L.J.
Morning, sweetheart. These folks
need a place to stay, minimum
hassle.
Delores takes the cigarettes then pulls out a stack of forms
and shoves them across the counter to the Sliders. L.J.
shoves them right back to her.
L.J.
I said, minimum hassle.
(off her concerned look)
Don't sweat it, baby. Just do it.
She takes back the forms, replacing them with a single
leaflet.
DELORES
Here's the group therapy schedule.
Ladies at three. Men at Six.
(points to the rec room)
Right in there. Attendance is
mandatory.
The Sliders react, bewildered.
REMBRANDT
(sotto voce)
Mandatory group therapy? What the
hell are we checking into, a loony
bin?
Delores checks her computer during:
QUINN
(to L.J.)
Look...I'm not sure we can afford
this.
L.J.
Hey, I'm connected. My man, Leo,
runs this place. Government
housing. No charge.
DELORES
Take them to 622.
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 13.
7 CONTINUED:
As L.J. hustles them away:
CUT TO:
8 EXT. GOVERNMENT HOUSING COMPLEX - MAIN OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 8
as the Sliders come out. L.J. points to a group of
townhouses.
L.J.
Unit 622's just across the quad.
I'll meet you there in a few
minutes.
ARTURO
(holds out his hand)
We'll need the key.
L.J.
Key? There's no lock.
(then)
No one steals in San Francisco.
The Sliders are surprised, but Sid is aroused by this.
Arturo notes Sid's reaction with great concern.
L.J.
Look, I know you don't belong here,
but L.J.'s lookin' out for you, so
you're cool. Just don't go
anywhere, or trust anyone.
Off the Sliders discomfort:
CUT TO:
9 EXT. HOUSING UNIT 622 - DAY - THE SLIDERS 9
approach the perfectly normal townhouse. Rembrandt walks
with Quinn and confides his concern.
REMBRANDT
I don't like owing this L.J. guy
all these favors.
QUINN
Me either.
CUT TO:
K#0802 -"El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 14.
l0 INT. HOUSING UNIT 622 - ENTRY AND SITTING ROOM
as the group enters. Michele and Sid go straight for the
comfortably furnished sitting room. It features a big
window that offers ventilation and a view out to the street.
The Sliders hang back as Sid and Michele move into the:
SITTING ROOM
Sid scopes out the street through the windows while Michele
goes through the sitting room, wide-eyed, touching things -
like a child. She pulls Sid aside.
MICHELE
I can't believe this place!
SID
(has already figured)
Everyone's stinkin' rich here.
MICHELE
(urgent whisper)
No locks, Sid. We could be rich
in no time.
SID
(nods)
Damn right. We're gonna take home
a bundle.
Michele watches as Sid moves decisively towards:
THE FRONT DOOR
where the Sliders have been conversing in whispers. They
shut up fast as Sid reaches them. He addresses Arturo.
SID
I'm goin' out. When I come back
you're gonna get me 'n' her back
home.
ARTURO
I'm afraid that's not possible.
Our device can't be activated again
till tomorrow.
Sid grabs Quinn by the collar, jerks him away from the group
and pins him -- by the throat -- to the wall. Rembrandt and
Arturo make a move to help but:
SID
All I have to do is lean on him
and his windpipe is gone.
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 -"El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 15.
10 CONTINUED:
Arturo and Rembrandt stop in their tracks. Sid turns to
Quinn -- practically nose to nose.
SID
I don't like it here. And I
wouldn't be here if you hadn't
stuck your nose in my business.
So, you're gonna see to it I get
home when I want to. You got that'?
Quinn can barely breathe, but he's defiant.
QUINN
You get this! Piss me off and
you're here forever.
For one tense moment it looks as though Sid will kill Quinn.
Then, he releases him and storms out the door. Before Quinn
can even catch his breath, Arturo is on his case.
ARTURO
Don't expect sympathy. If you'd
used your brain, we wouldn't be in
this mess. You and your
ill-considered act of bravado.
QUINN
I was trying to help someone! If
you had your way, we'd spend all
our time in basements, hiding out
till the next slide.
WADE
Stop it! Both of you. This isn't
helping anything.
QUINN
(defensive, to Arturo)
I'm sorry, okay? I don't know how,
but I'll get us out of this.
He goes out the front door.
MICHELE
watches him go -- feels bad.
CUT TO:
11 EXT. THE FRONT YARD 11
Quinn comes down the front steps, stops and takes a deep
breath, trying to calm down.
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 16.
11 CONTINUED:
Michele quietly comes out the door, unseen by Quinn. She
comes to him and gently touches his back. Quinn jumps.
MICHELE
Sorry.
(then)
I just wanted to thank you for
tryin' to help me. I know it made
a lot of problems and everyone's
pissed off at you an' everything...
She gives him a kiss that has just the slightest hint of
being more than a thank you.
MICHELE
Thank you.
Quinn is embarrassed.
QUINN
It's okay.
Quinn locks at her, quizzically, trying to understand his
feelings, then turns as L.J. pulls his tram up to the curb.
A tall, gaunt man of about forty dressed in a Custodian's
uniform gets out with L.J..
QUINN
(weary)
Now what?
CUT TO:
12 INT. FOYER - FRONT DOOR 12
as Quinn, Michele, L.J. and Leo enter and join the other
Sliders in tire sitting room.
L.J.
This is Leo McGill. He's a
supervising custodian and he has
some things he needs to tell you.
Is everyone here?
ARTURO
Yes. Of course.
L.J.
I only count five.
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 17.
12 CONTINUED: 12
ARTURO
(thinks fast)
Our colleague is napping. He was
very tired.
L.J.
(supports the lie)
No problem. Just make sure he
signs the paperwork.
Leo looks them over very carefully. He holds a manila
envelope.
LEO
Welcome to San Francisco.
(waves the manila
envelope)
These are some forms you'll need to
fill out for the Board of Registry.
He drops the envelope on the coffee table, then takes a
small device from his pocket:
LEO
Now, hold out your bracelets.
The Sliders exchange quizzical glances as he points the
device at Rembrandt's bracelet and pushes a button.
Rembrandt's bracelet begins to glow red, as does Arturo's.
LEO
(indicates Arturo and
Rembrandt)
You and him are buddies.
Leo releases the button and the bracelets return to normal.
Now he points the device at Wade's bracelet. It glows red,
along with Michele's. He indicates them.
LEO
And you two.
L.J.
(indicates Quinn' s
bracelet)
His is paired with the guy who's
sleeping.
Leo varies the procedure on Quinn's bracelet, touching his
device to it.
(CONTINUED)
K#0802 - "El Sid" - 10/30/95 1st. White 18.
12 CONTINUED: 2
LEO
Okay, you're activated.
(then, a rote spiel)
Now, the way the buddy system works
is that each of you...
(he reacts to something
outside the window)
Hold on...
(into walkie-talkie)
I have a red glow in sight.
VOICE FROM WALKIE-TALKIE
Checking your position.
(then)
You have Steve Brown. Violation
C14710. Action approved.
Leo hurries to one of the vent windows and opens it, then
draws his huge gun with a silencer.
He aims and fires, dropping a MAN on the sidewalk dead in
his tracks. The Sliders react with slack-jawed
astonishment, but Leo simply returns the gun to his holster
and turns back to them with an air of utter nonchalance.
LEO
Now, where were we?
off the Sliders...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
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