#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 20.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
20 INT. ROSS J. KELLEY'S OFFICE - NEXT DAY - ON KELLEY 20
the TV lawyer, who is examining some documents. He looks
up.
KELLEY
In reviewing the summons those
Reapers handed you, there's not a
whole lot I can do.
REMBRANDT
But you said you could get bill
collectors off our backs - and you
mean off our backs!
KELLEY
You ran out on a bill owed to an
accredited shaman. The courts
rarely get involved in situations
like that.
WADE
Well... we'll just have to find a
way to get him some cash.
KELLEY
Too late.
QUINN
What?
KELLEY
Didn't you read the fine print when
you signed those medical forms?
Doctor Wu has filed for a
retribution substitution.
WADE
(concerned)
What's that mean?
KELLEY
He gets his choice of a body part
for his medical experiments if yOWL
default. And according to these
documents.., he's chosen your
brain.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 21.
20 CONTINUED: 20
QUINN
You can't be serious.
(then)
This is some kind of joke, right?
KELLEY
You asked for my professional
opinion. That's it.
Quinn blanches --
CUT TO:
21 EXT. CITY STREET - FRONT OF OFFICE BUILDING - DAY - NO RAIN 21
now, the air is very still.
THE SLIDERS AND KELLEY
walk slowly down the sidewalk. He speaks to them while his
eyes scan the block for an expected limousine...
KELLEY
I could file for a delay -- but by
the time we got one, you'd be dead.
ARTURO
This is insane. I can't believe a
civilized society could allow this.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 22.
21 CONTINUED: 21
KELLEY
Let me talk to Wu's people --
(then)
In the meantime, get him off the
streets.
(then)
You can't underestimate the danger
he's in. Every demon bounty hunter
in the city will be tracking him
down.
The Sliders take a moment to ponder Kelley's warning. They
can't help but glance down the shadowy streets, worrying
about the dark forces that are lining up against them. The
limo pulls up. As Kelley climbs in --
WADE
What I don't understand -- he's
supposed to heal people. What's he
want with Quinn's brain?
KELLEY
Since he's lost most of his market
share to The Sorcerer, the profits
come from the making and selling of
zombies.
He rolls down the window and looks back at the Sliders.
WADE
Please. Isn't there anything else
we can do?
KELLEY
Only The Sorcerer can help you now.
(tough luck)
But, of course, he'd never see you.
Kelley gives a little wave and flashes his TV smile just
before the tinted window obscures him from view and the limo
drives away.
THE SLIDERS
are alone now and highly conscious of their vulnerability.
They sense potential danger from every direction...
ARTURO
Demon bounty hunter -- utter
nonsense.
(then)
We haven't witnessed a thing that
can't be explained by natural law.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 22A.
21 CONTINUED: 2 21
REMBRANDT
Those two freakazoids last night
didn't look too natural to me.
Six-foot tall, weighing forty-five
pounds?
ARTURO
Rejects from a Halloween carnival.
Using costumes and makeup to
intimidate the simple-minded.
WADE
Meaning us?
ARTURO
If the shoe fits, my dear...
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 23.
21 CONTINUED: 3 21
A MYSTERIOUS FORM
flits from shadow to shadow up ahead of them on the street.
QUINN
reacts, alerted --
QUINN
Don't all look at once, guys.
(then)
We're being watched.
Three sets of eyes swivel to see...
A DARK AMORPHOUS FORM
with only his/her/its two shiny eyes gleaming from the
gloaming of a doorway.
QUINN
gestures toward a STOREFRONT just behind them.
QUINN
Quick. In here
They duck into --
CUT TO:
22 INT. FORTUNE TELLER PARLOR - DUSK 22
The surroundings are moody and dark. An old lady FORTUNE
TELLER with the features of a witch, from her polity chin to
her wrinkled skin and narrow, strikingly pale eyes, rises
from a tarot table to greet the Sliders as they enter
FORTUNE TELLER
Come in. I've been expecting you.
Please. Be seated.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 23A.
22 CONTINUED: 22
FORTUNE TELLER (cont'd)
You have come such a long way to
get here.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 24.
22 CONTINUED: 2 22
FORTUNE TELLER (cont'd)
And you must be very sad to be
separated from your loved ones by
such a great distance.
REMBRANDT
(taking a seat)
Unbelievable.
ARTURO
(sarcastic)
Oh yes, unbelievable.
As the Sliders take their Seats, the Fortune Teller quickly
deals out the Tarot Cross.
QUINN
What're you doing?
FORTUNE TELLER
If there were ever four people in
more desperate need of a reading, I
do not believe them to exist on
this.., or any other world.
The Fortune Teller turns over a card - an upside Sown grim
reaper surrounded by daggers - she turns over another - the
word death dangles over a prone figure.
FORTUNE TELLER
(closing eyes,
trance-like)
You are all in grave danger...
Beware .... beware.., the forces of
the night are against you!
ARTURO
Oh, please.
FORTUNE TELLER
Stay together.., look out for one
another.., if you are to survive
this ordeal.
ARTURO
Could you possibly be more general,
madam?
WADE
Professor -- You're being rude.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 25.
22 CONTINUED: 1 22
ARTURO
Don't you see? Everything is
generic, abstract - designed to fit
most people and most situations.
That's how these things work!
The old lady opens her eyes.., and her intense gaze rests
squarely on Arturo, the corners of her mouth betraying the
hint of a smile.
FORTUNE TELLER
You are a man who feels slighted...
because you were never fully
appreciated in your chosen
profession. Those are the
invisible chains you bear.
ARTURO
(to Sliders)
This is absurd. I don't have to be
a part of this --
FORTUNE TELLER
(voice rising)
You resent the boy...
(room falls silent)
because it comes so easy to
him... You are Salieri to his
Mozart, yes?
Arturo looks at her, surprised, suddenly naked and
vulnerable.
FORTUNE TELLER
And because he reminds you of the
son you've neglected back home.
Arturo pushes back from the table, shaking his head slowly,
trying to deny his ears. The Fortune Teller now turns back
to the cards, flipping them over in sequence --
FORTUNE TELLER
(to other Sliders)
You must seek out The Sorcerer.
Only he can help you now.
(flips card)
But you must hurry. For he is
about to go Sliding again.
The Sliders are shocked, looking to one another, even Arturo
is openly interested now.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 26.
22 CONTINUED: 4 22
QUINN
Sliding?
FORTUNE TELLER
He and he alone has the magic to
travel between worlds.
(looks up from cards)
Trust in him.., for he holds the
power to send you home!
CUT TO:
23 EXT. STREET -. NIGHT - THE SLIDERS 23
are on the move, having just exited The Fortune Teller's.
Arturo is in the lead, on a mission...
REMBRANDT
The Sorcerer is a Slider! That's
fantastic !
ARTURO
We must find this man, The
Sorcerer, and tell him who we are.
(signals for a cab)
If he is able to control Sliding,
perhaps he can get us home.
WADE
(hope against hope)
Home. I can't believe it.
REMBRANDT
Taxi.
WADE
Becoming a true believer,
Professor?
ARTURO
Don't be impertinent. Her
pseudo-mindreading act was pure
vaudeville.
A racing cab SCREECHES to a stop. The Sliders clamber in --
CUT TO:
24 INT. CAB - NIGHT - ARTURO 24
turned to face the others --
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 27.
24 CONTINUED: 24
WADE
You're just afraid of anything that
doesn't fit in your neat little box
of science. Well such things do
exist Professor, even on our world.
Ever try a Ouija board?
PAVEL (O.S.)
Oy. You're not gonna talk politics
in my cab, are you?
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 28.
24 CONTINUED: 2 24
ANGLE - PAVEL KURLIENKO
The cab driver we remember from prior earths.
PAVEL (CONT'D)
You know, the fundamentalists want
Ouija boards in the classroom - I
say is clear violation of Coven and
State.
(wave of the hand)
Where to?
QUINN
Do you know where The Sorcerer
lives?
PAVEL
(incredulous)
Do I know? Is Helen Reddy?
(howling laughter)
Everyone know - Sorcerer live in
big black castle on other side of
Golden Gargoyle Gate Bridge.
QUINN
Take us there.
Pavel reacts, pulling the cab over to a neck-bending stop
at the curb.
PAVEL
Out.
QUINN
What?
PAVEL
No one go to Sorcerer's castle. Is
very dangerous journey.
ANGLE - THROUGH THE WINDOW - A HAGGARD VAGRANT
looking like a mummy, begins to hand-wash the window with a
loose rag attached to his body...
REMBRANDT
(off this)
Look man, just take us as far as
you can.
Pavel mulls it over.
PAVEL
How much?
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 28A.
24 CONTINUED: 3 24
QUINN
How much do you want?
PAVEL
(eyeing Arturo's finger)
... I like his ring.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 29.
24 CONTINUED: 4 24
The Sliders look to Arturo. He hesitates.., scowls...
QUINN
Professor --
Arturo submits Pavel holds it up to the dashboard lights,
then happily slips it on to his finger, further annoying the
Professor.
Meanwhile, Rembrandt locks eyes with the vagrant, who is
using a cobwebbed spray bottle on the side window. The
singer recoils at the sight of the swollen blood red eyes
peering back at him from under the dirty cloth wrapping.
As the cab patches out --
CUT TO:
25 EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS - PAVEL 25
slams on the accelerator, nearly clipping the squeegee-ghoul
in the process.
CUT TO:
26 EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT - THE CAB 26
streaks through the mystic San Francisco streets, racing
past scarecrows set up on the sidewalks.
We can occasionally hear the SCREAMS and MOANS of the
SLIDERS as they hang on for dear life.
27 INT. PAVEL'S CAB - NIGHT - PAVEL 27
driving with flat-out reckless abandon that would make the
most hard-core New York cabby proud.
The wide-eyed Sliders are white-knuckling it, leaning back
in their seats as far as they can go.
PAVEL
Uh-oh. Flock of bats.
REMBRANDT
Bats? What do you mean bats?
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 30.
27 CONTINUED: 27
PAVEL
Vicious, bloodthirsty bats -
probably sent by Sorcerer, to keep
us away.
THEIR POV - THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD - A SWARM OF BATS
is forming in the sky ahead, looking like a great black
funnel cloud. The bats begin to plummet like miniature
dive-bombers.
Pavel turns on his windshield wipers as the swooping,
SQUEAKING BATS literally CRASH and THUMP off the glass,
thick as hailstones.
Pavel shakes his fist at them, SWEARING IN RUSSIAN, but
never taking his foot off the gas. The cab plows ahead,
eventually breaking through and leaving the bat attack
behind.
28 EXT. STREET - THE CAB 28
as it streaks away, taking a corner way too fast and
SKIDDING out of sight. The last thing we hear (above the
sound of SCREECHING BRAKES) is the collective SCREAMS of
Rembrandt and the Professor.
CUT TO:
29 EXT. FOG SHROUDED RURAL ROAD - NIGHT - THE CAB 29
comes to a stop near a CRICKET-INFESTED set of dense woods.
A nervous Pavel keeps the engine running as
THE SLIDERS
exit.
QUINN
This is it?
PAVEL
End of the line.
REMBRANDT
Where's the bridge?
Pavel indicates --
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic,' - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 31.
29 CONTINUED: 29
PAVEL
There it is -- The Golden Gargoyle
Gate Bridge.
ANGLE - THE BRIDGE
shrouded and half-concealed in fog, and fronted by twin
ancient stone gargoyles painted a faded golden yellow. We
can hear the sound of RAGING SURF far below.., and this
bridge is a walking bridge that looks highly unstable as
it settles and CREAKS in the wind.
A RUSTY SIGN
(in bright red letters) in front of the bridge reads:
"WARNING! ! THIS BRIDGE IS CURSED! CROSSING IT IS HAZARDOUS
TO YOUR HEALTH! A public service message from The
Department of Health and The Sorcerer." Suddenly --
A CREATURE
rustles nearby.
WADE
(nervous)
What' s next?
ARTURO
Animals of some kind.
QUINN
I got 'til sun-up! You can't
touch me.
ARTURO
Don't be ridiculous, boy. No one
knows you're here.
But then -- LAUGHTER filters through the darkness.
WADE
Maybe we should go a different way
-- through Oakland or something...
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 32.
29 CONTINUED: 2 29
QUINN
Wade -- they're coming to take my
brain in a couple of hours. We
don't have time to look for
alternative routes.
Just then, A HORRIBLE METALLIC GROANING SOUND emanates from
the bridge, indicating its unstable nature and further
terrifying the Sliders.
REMBRANDT
Maybe she's right, Q-ball.
Quinn shakes his head.., takes a long deep breath.., and
inches forward.
ANGLE - BEHIND QUINN
passing the warning sign and approaching the tilted swaying
bridge, its tattered upper body obscured by swirling Pacific
fog.
ARTURO
Steady on... steady.
The others summon their courage and follow suit, gingerly
walking onto the unstable bridge. A thick swirling fog is
making the journey that much more perilous. The Sliders are
painfully aware of each CREAKING shift, as well as the
dangerous sound of the SURF hundreds of feet below.
QUINN
(over his shoulder,
grinning)
Nothing to it, guys.
(then)
Nothing to fear but fear itself.
Rembrandt shoots Quinn a perturbed frown, then suddenly
reacts to something he sees through the mist.
REMBRANDT
Look out!
(off Quinn)
Turn around. Slowly, man.
Whatever you do... don't move your
feet.
Quinn turns his perplexed head, to see what Rembrandt sees.
QUINN'S POV - THE LAST SECTION OF BRIDGE
has been swept away.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 33.
29 CONTINUED: 3 29
A thirty foot span between here and the shoreline is
missing...
QUINN
teetering on the edge.
WADE
Quinn!
Off Quinn's terror --
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT TWO
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