#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 7.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
6 EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT - A RAGING THUNDERSTORM 6
is pounding the dark street with torrents of rain. In the
midst of the deluge, something unearthly begins to form. A
jagged burst of lightning reveals a swirling blue vortex,
taking cyclonic shape just above the ground.
THE SLIDERS
blast out of the gate at breakneck speed. First Wade...
then Rembrandt... Arturo... and finally Quinn.
Quinn hits the ground awkwardly, gasping for breath in the
midst of a torrent of water that is surging down the center
of the sloped; city street.
LIGHTNING CRACKS and THUNDER BOOMS - A HOWLING WIND drives
sheets of rain in the Sliders' faces as they find themselves
knee-deep in the furious wash. A wounded Quinn is being
swept "downstream"; Rembrandt latches onto a lamp post and
heroically snares Quinn before he is sucked into a storm
drain.
Rembrandt pulls Quinn to safety. The other Sliders have
waded to them. They are all bathed in eerie blue light from
the shimmering gate that still swirls behind them.
Rembrandt must shout above its roar...
REMBRANDT
He's hurt. We gotta get him to a
doctor.
At that moment, the gate shrinks to nothingness, Leaving the
shivering Sliders in th? dark. Quinn is groggy and his
three friends support him with care. With a growing sense
of desperation, the Sliders take their first look at this
new world, but it's impossible to make out detail because of
the rain. Ail they can see are empty streets and dark
buildings.
WADE
Where are we gonna find one at this
time of night?
CUT TO:
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#K0807 -"Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 8.
7 A LONE TELEPHONE BOOTH 7
briefly illuminated by a flash of lightning. Rembrandt is
inside, the glass walls protecting him from the pelting
rain.
8 INT. PHONE BOOTH - REMBRANDT 8
is hurriedly thumbing through the rather thin section of
yellow pages. We catch a glimpse of many product:3 with the
brand name SORCERER, before Rembrandt finds a cryptic ad
for Doctor Wu's Medical Clinic located on the corner of
Tesla and Warlock, open 24 hours.
CUT TO:
9 INT. MEDICAL OFFICE - WAITING ROOM- NIGHT 9
The rain-soaked Sliders step in from the rain and check out
the digs. Gentle MUZAK coos from unseen speakers, the song
is Bewitched. Bothered And Bewildered.
At first glance,
the waiting room looks like any on our Earth: magazines
spread out on a wooden table, medical certificate:{ adorning
the walls.
WADE AND REMBRANDT
escort Quinn to a chair. He is weak and pale. A door opens
and a NURSE enters the room. She brightens at the sight of
the Sliders.
NURSE
Well, just look at you all!
Shivering and soaked to the bone.
You make me wish I was outside
enjoying the storm!
The Sliders exchange glances --
ARTURO
Our friend here has suffered an
injury.
NURSE
(just between us)
A fight with a jealous lover?
ARTURO
No, my dear, nothing quite so
salacious. Is there a doctor in
the house?
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 9.
9 CONTINUED: 9
She pulls out a dense medical history and insurance
questionnaire and plops it down in front of Arturo.
NURSE (Cont'd)
The Doctor is meditating in his
chambers. I'll tell him you're
here while you fill out these
forms.
She exits. The Professor scans the forms with a tired
SIGH...
ARTURO
There seems to be one constant no
matter which America we touch down
in.
REMBRANDT
Yeah. The health care system
always sucks.
CUT TO:
10 INT. DOCTOR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT - THE NURSE 10
beckons a blanket-draped Quinn (accompanied by a supportive
Rembrandt) into the doctor's office.
NURSE
The doctor will be right with you.
She exits, shutting the CREAKY DOOR behind her. The
difference between this room and the adjoining waiting room
is literally night and day, and Rembrandt is instantly
concerned as he looks around.
ALL-SEEING EYES
adorn the walls, alongside other occult trappings. The most
common symbol in the room is a caduceus, featuring two
snakes coiled around a medical staff. These snakes seem to
be Doctor Wu's primary icons. They are larger and more
predatory than the ones found on our earth and they are
featured prominently on a closed side door that reads:
"PRIVATE! KEEl? OUT!" A door slides open with A HZISS...
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 10.
10 CONTINUED: 10
DOCTOR WU
glides into the room. He is tall and thin --
THE SLIDERS
react. At first Wu seems almost darkly handsome, but on
closer inspection Wu's face is more like five faces grafted
together: faintly seen zipper scars, long black hair,
streaked with silver.
Wu has a deep voice, often speaking in a powerful
half-whisper.
DOCTOR WU
(accusatory)
Why did you wait so long to bring
him to me?
REMBRANDT
(defensive)
Hey. We got him here as fast as we
could.
Quinn stands there, hand to his head, which is throbbing.
DOCTOR WU
(examining Quinn further)
Your head aches, yes? I will fix
it for you!
Off which --
CUT TO:
11 INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT - A TESTY ARTURO 11
hunched over the medical forms, trying his best t() fill them
out while Wade scans the framed medical certificates on the
walls.
ARTURO
Has Mr. Mallory ever had the
chicken pox?
WADE
Beats me.
ARTURO
Is he allergic to anything?
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 11.
11 CONTINUED: 11
WADE
(not listening)
Professor... come take a look at
this stuff.
Arturo is only too happy to leave the forms and join her.
She is staring at what appears to be a standard eye chart...
but the symbols are not the normal A's through Z's.
ARTURO
Looks like an eye chart. But I
don't recognize the lettering.
WADE
(hushed)
I do. It's the witch alphabet. My
friend, Sabrina, was: into this
stuff.
Framed diploma-like certificates adorn the walls. Arturo
takes a closer look, reads out loud...
ARTURO
Doctor Mervin Wu, Ph.D in Auric and
Pranic healing, Spells, Formulas,
and Divinations: Stanford
University.
(to Wade, appalled)
Do you realize what we've done?
We've put Quinn in the hands of a
witch doctor!
SMASH CUT TO:
12 INT. DOCTOR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT - TIGHT ON DOCTOR WU 12
letting out a primal SCREAM that could shatter glass, his
arms extended, hands shaking spasmodically.
QUINN
looks hypnotized.
REMBRANDT
is appalled. THUNDER and LIGHTNING roar as Wu lays his
incredibly wrinkled hands on either side of Quinn's head.
He rubs Quinn's temples, quietly CHANTING...
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. BluE: 12.
12 CONTINUED: 12
then reaches into a front pocket and tosses brightly colored
powder in the air. Suddenly, Wu lets out another
bloodcurdling SCREAM, making Rembrandt nearly jump out of
his skin as THUNDER AND LIGHTNING punctuate the bizarre
ritual.
CUT TO:
13 INT. WAITING ROOM - NIGHT - ARTURO AND WADE 13
are arguing with the patient, smiling nurse.
NURSE
Sorry darlin', I can't interfere
with the doctor when he's behind
closed doors.
ARTURO
Calling that quack a doctor is an
affront to medical science --
He cuts off as a CREAKING DOOR opens and the other two
Sliders re-enter the room. Quinn is craning his neck --
Something happened in there.
ARTURO
My God.
DOCTOR WU
sports a smug yellow-toothed smile as he approaches the
Sliders. He reacts, taken by Wade --
WADE
Are you all right?
DOCTOR WU
Of course he's all right. He's had
the finest medical treatment
available.
(to Wade)
Your epidermal sheath is
epidendrum-like. Has anyone ever
told you that?
Wade pulls back slightly --
WADE
(to Arturo)
What's he saying?
ARTURO
He's coming on to you.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 12A.
13 CONTINUED: 13
Doctor Wu is full of himself, boasting...
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 13.
13 CONTINUED: 2 13
DOCTOR WU
Your friend's headache is
annihilated.
ARTURO
Headache? You blistering idiot,
he's dislocated his shoulder!
As --
NURSE
(to Sliders, covertly)
I'll bet The Sorcerer could help
but he'd never see you of course.
Still, you can pick up some of his
Miracle Balm at the marketplace.
REMBRANDT
(not covertly)
Who's The Sorcerer?
Wu pivots upon hearing that name. He is livid as he points
an accusing finger at the guilt-ridden nurse.
DOCTOR WU
Sorcerer?! How dare you mention
that charlatan in my presence!
NURSE
(cringing)
Sorry, doctor.
DOCTOR WU
Thanks to The Sorcerer, my
practice is half what it was!
Who wants my carefully formulated
herbs and potions, when they can
buy...
(pained)
... Sorcerer brand as-per-in, or
Super Sorcerer throat lo-zen-ges,
at half the price?!
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 14.
13 CONTINUED: 3 13
Wu's stomach is churning, just thinking about his hated
rival.
DOCTOR WU (CONT'D)
Just pay your bill and go!
(to Wade)
Except for you, my dear. You may
stay.
Wu motions to the chagrined nurse; she presents the Sliders
a bill.
REMBRANDT
Two hundred and sixty-six dollars?
For what?
DOCTOR WU
His headache's gone, right?
Services rendered.
The skeptical Sliders huddle; Quinn manages a sheepish
smile.
QUINN
You know, actually, I do feel
better.
WADE
That's beside the point. We don't
have that kind of money.
ARTURO
Given the dubious efforts of the
"doctor" in question, I propose a
solution that hearkens back to my
boyhood days.
SMASH CUT TO:
14 EXT. STREET - FRONT OF DOCTOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT -THE SLIDERS 14
sprinting away from the office.
ARTURO
Run! Run like hell!
Seconds later, Wu runs out onto the street, his nurse in
tow. He yells after the Sliders, shaking his fist in the
air...
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 15.
14 CONTINUED: 14
DOCTOR WU
Fools, I will bring a thousand
curses down on your heads! No one
crosses the AMA. You signed a
contract, and YOU WILL PAY!!
Off Wu's wrath --
CUT TO:
15 EXT. DOMINION HOTEL - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING SHOT 15
in the rain. Lightning flashes and we see that the marquee
on the Lamp-lighter reads: "Dominion Hotel...The Sorcerer
would stay here" (then, in smaller letters) "if he ever
needed a room."
16 INT. DOMINION HOTEL - LOBBY - NIGHT - GOMEZ CALHOUN 16
greeting the exhausted, dripping Sliders at the check-in
counter. His face is pasty white and he wears ghoulish
Alice Cooper-like eyeshadow.
ARTURO
Well, Gomez Calhoun as I live and
breathe. You've been dipping into
Mom's make-up kit, I see.
Calhoun nods happily as he checks them in, while munching on
some boxed chocolate candy.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
New from The Sorcerer's Sweet Shop.
Help yourselves.
Rembrandt takes a piece of the offered candy -- recoils:
it's in the shape of a cockroach.
GOMEZ CALHOUN
Say, how do you guys know my name?
I'll bet you're witches, in town
for the convention!
WADE
(stifling a smile)
That's right. We parked our
broomsticks outside.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 16.
- 16 CONTINUED: 16
GOMEZ CALHOUN
(guffawing)
Broomsticks. Whaddya take me for?
(hands them keys)
Suite 152 - down the hall. You
witches have a nice stay now.
(as Sliders exit)
Don't forget, there's a skeleton in
every closet - and complimentary
hot cocoa served in the lobby 'till
ten.
The Sliders go --
CUT TO:
17 INT. DOMINION HOTEL - NIGHT - ON TV 17
The familiar bumper and voice-over we recognize as --
JERRY SPRINGER (ON TV)
'Devil coax you to split Grandma's
skull? Voices in your head urge
you to push your little sister down
the stairs? We want to know about
it. Call us here at the Jerry
Springer show and we'll put you
on the air!
WADE
is gently tending to Quinn's shoulder on the bed. Rembrandt
is stretched out, remote in hand, watching TV. The muted
sound of the SHOWER tells us where Arturo is.
WADE
(needling)
Look at you - always turning on the
TV, first chance you get.
REMBRANDT
Interest of science, girl! What
better way to scope out a culture?
He changes channels, as if to prove the point...
ANGLE - THE TV - ROSS J. KELLEY
(the lawyer/interrogator we recall from the pilot) is
standing before his office desk, aggressively spieling --
REMBRANDT
Hey, Q-Ball. Look who's here.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 17.
17 CONTINUED: 17
ROSS J. KELLEY (CN TV)
Demon bill collectors on your back?
I can get those demons to leave you
alone, and I mean leave you
alone! I'm Ross J. Kelley and
I'll fight for you!
WADE
It is a world full of vampires.
Recognizing Kelley from previous worlds, Quinn shoots an
amused glance at Wade. Rembrandt rises, moves to the closet
to hang up his coat.
REMBRANDT
Man, I'm not gonna sleep a wink
until we Slide out of this place.
Rembrandt's voice trails off. He's become creeped out and
mesmerized by a portrait on the cheap motel wall. A pack of
squirrels are about to be torn apart and devoured by a wolf.
Meanwhile, A NEW COMMERCIAL is playing in the b.g...
COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Sorcerer Brand Orange Juice, one
sixty-six a quart. Mister Sorcerer
Steak Sauce now just one
seventy-nine...
QUINN
Sorcerer this, Sorcerer that. He
seems to have cornered the market
in just about everything.
REMBRANDT
(opening closet)
Yeah. I'd love to get a piece of
his action --
Rembrandt recoils from the opened closet door. Wade and
Quinn leap up to see what he sees...
REMBRANDT
Damn!... He wasn't kidding!
ANGLE - INSIDE THE CLOSET - A SKELETON
is fastened to the wall, being used as a hanger for suits
and robes.
QUINN
pats a shaky Rembrandt on the shoulder...
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 18.
17 CONTINUED: 2 17
QUINN
Think of the bright side. He
must've meant it about the cocoa.
Rembrandt exhales and hangs his jacket on the skeleton,
BLACKING OUT THE FRAME.
CUT TO:
18 EXT. NIGHT SKY - WISPY CLOUDS - LATER 18
gliding in front of a huge full moon. Somewhere in the near
distance, A PACK OF WOLVES begin to HOWL.
CUT TO:
19 INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT - REMBRANDT 19
snores peacefully. Quinn is sacked out on a cot, but when
we PAN to the other bed, Arturo's eyes snap open. He is
listening to the sound of the BAYING WOLVES and not liking
it at all. Then, a new sound alarms him - HEAVY FOOTSTEPS
trudging down the hall... coming closer... closer.
ARTURO
Gentlemen --
REMBRANDT AND QUINN
wake with a start.
ARTURO
Something' s coming...
As now the sound of HEAVY CLUMPING FOOTSTEPS mixed with the
sound of a DRAGGING CHAIN (O.S.), getting steadily louder.
The Sliders exchange glances, hearts pounding. There is
something primally frightening about the approaching sounds.
Even the --
WOLVES (O.S.)
have stopped howling.
WADE
pokes her head out of her room -- She's heard the noises
too. Then, a sound that turns their insides out. A heavy
hand KNOCKS three times on the door.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 18A.
19 CONTINUED: 19
THE SLIDERS
are frozen, hoping whoever it is will go away.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 19.
19 CONTINUED: 2 19
The KNOCKING resumes, more insistent now, making the door
shake on its rafters.
QUINN
Who's there?
HEAVIER POUNDING. Quinn takes a deep breath.., and slowly
turns the doorknob...
TWO FRIGHTENING FIGURES
are revealed in the doorway, backlit. They are GRIM
REAPERS: one carries a staff, the other is wrapped in grisly
iron chains. In ghostly fashion they each raise a horrible
bony arm... and point a long, ugly finger directly at Quinn.
One hands him what appears to be a piece of paper --
QUINN
has no choice but to take it. Thus satisfied, the Grim
Reapers shuffle off --
WADE
(of the paper)
What is it?
QUINN
It's a subpoena. I'm being sued.
Off Quinn's shock --
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
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