#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 34.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
30 EXT. THE BRIDGE - NIGHT - THE SLIDERS 30
are clearly shaken by this turn of events. Wade and Arturo
are standing by the railing, hanging on, anxious to get off
this unstable surface. Rembrandt stands by Quinn, who is
crouched down, examining the spot where the bridge cut off.
QUINN
This is really strange, Crying
Man.
REMBRANDT
(unhappy)
Come on, man. Let's just go back
the way we came.
QUINN
-- I'm not going back.
REMBRANDT
Oh? You plan on swimming across?
QUINN
No. I plan on walking across.
The others have overheard. They move toward Quinn, staring
at him as if he's lost his mind. Quinn points straight
ahead.
QUINN
Something about the diffusion of
moonlight -- look.
His skeptical companions look ahead to see if they can make
sense of what he's saying. Quinn reaches out and runs his
hand over the open air where the bridge broke off.
QUINN
It looks like it's gone.., but I
can still feel the bridge I think
it's an illusion, designed to keep
anyone from crossing.
Quinn takes off his jacket and tosses it straight ahead. It
comes to rest at foot level, seemingly suspended in mid-air.
QUINN
You can turn back if you want to.
I'm going to see The Sorcerer.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 35.
30 CONTINUED: 30
Quinn tries to keep his nerves steady as he rises .. and
deliberately prepares to step off the broken end of the
bridge.
WADE
Quinn - no!!
But he's determined, and before she can stop him, he steps
off the edge.., and finds himself walking on nothingness,
greatly relieved that he isn't plummeting into the cruel
sea.
The other Sliders overcome their trepidation and follow
Quinn off the edge. Soon they too are walking on an
invisible surface.
QUINN
Don't dwell on where we are ....
don't look down.., just think about:
something else.
Rembrandt takes the suggestion.., tries to relax a little...
He is smiling now, but it's a nervous smile...
REMBRANDT
(whistling past the
graveyard)
I'll have you know, this isn't the
first time the Crying Man has
walked on air. December of '86,
Norfolk's Coconut Grove, hundreds
of heartsick fans saw The Crying
Man make his final appearance with
The Spinning Topps.
(nostalgic sigh)
I can still hear them now -
REMbrandt, REMbrandt, we want
REMbrandt.
WADE
is tripping, can't believe her eyes.
WADE
Smoke and mirrors, Professor?
ARTURO
Precisely. A well placed mirror of
sufficient mass could make any
large structure seeminqly
disappear...
The Professor is looking down nervously, secretly terrified.
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 36.
31 EXT. END OF THE BRIDGE - NIGHT - THE SLIDERS 31
reach the land at the end of the bridge, grateful to leave
the swaying, part illusionary bridge behind them. They walk
a few paces and find themselves completely out of the fog.
Looking up, they see their destination...
THEIR POV - THE SORCERER'S CASTLE
towers before them. The Sliders realize it bears a striking
resemblance to the Transamerica Tower back home. But it is
painted jet-black and dressed with Medieval trappings.
CUT TO:
32 EXT. THE SORCERER'S CASTLE - NIGHT - THE SLIDERS 32
approach the giant black double doors. After several knocks
go unanswered, they try the huge doorknob (in the shape of a
snarling lion) and are surprised to find the door opens with
a simple twist of the wrist.
QUINN
pauses for a moment of caution.., pushes the heavy doors
open.., and steps inside.
33 INT. SORCERER'S CASTLE - LOBBY - NIGHT - ON THE SLIDERS 33
entering.., dazed. This is not what they expected.
QUINN
(half-whisper)
Wow... an Art Deco palace... I've
dreamt about places like this.
QUINN'S POV - THE LOBBY
An impressive Art Deco lobby - thirties style - highly
polished floors - old fashioned elevators - a direct
antithesis to the outside of the castle. Could This Be The
Magic by Manilow is playing on MUZAK - beyond that, the
sound of flocks of workers TYPING in unseen areas beyond the
elevators.
THE SLIDERS
slowly move forward in awe - their cautious steps echoing on
the freshly waxed floor.
A RECEPTION AREA - QUINN
approaches.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 37.
33 CONTINUED: 33
A GUARD
looks up.
QUINN
Yes. We'd like to see The
Sorcerer...
The Guard looks at them. This is clearly an unusual
request. Pushes a button and --
CUT TO:
34 INT. WAITING ROOM - A TICKING CLOCK 34
Art deco style, shows the time to be 10:40 P.M.
THE SLIDERS
wait, in various states of annoyance --
REMBRANDT
What gives? We've been cooped up
in this joint forever.
QUINN
Look at it this way... As long as
we're here, we're in no danger of
bounty hunters trying to carve out
my brain.
ARTURO
Surely, Mr. Mallory, you don't take
this nonsense seriously.
QUINN
Go ahead and make light of it.
It's not your brain he wants.
ARTURO
(injured pride)
What is that meant to imply?
REMBRANDT
Guys. Knock it off.
Wade, meanwhile, has been reading a corporate newsletter --
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 38.
34 CONTINUED: 34
WADE
In this corporate newsletter it
says, everyone who works here lives
on this side of the bridge and
never even goes into the city --
(then)
It appears to be a business empire
run by a mystical hermit.
ARTURO
That goes to the very heart of
what puzzles me -- This is a world
in thrall to the occult, yet also
under the thumb of a business
conglomerate --
REMBRANDT
Yeah, that is kinda Weird.
ARTURO
On our world, a conglomerate
usually devotes itself to one
corner of the market -- These
people have a finger in virtually
every pie.
QUINN
Someone's coming.
A MAN
approaches now, footsteps echoing down the long corridor.
He is an efficient fellow, finely tailored in a
double-breasted suit. As he draws near, the Sliders
react -- he's the pushy LAWYER from the previous Earth. On
this world, we'll call him the AIDE.
AIDE
I'm Mr. Gail, The Sorcerer's
Executive Assistant. How may I
help you?
QUINN
We've come to see The Sorcerer.
A polite smile from the Aide; he is extremely courteous.
AIDE
I'm afraid that's quite impossible.
WADE
Mister, please.., we've traveled so
far to get here.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 39.
34 CONTINUED: 2 34
AIDE
(still very friendly)
Oh, I'm sure you have. Just last
week, a gentleman from Japan was
here, asking to see The Sorcerer.
(pause, smiling)
I believe he's back in Yokohama by
now. Unfortunately, he went home
disappointed.
REMBRANDT
Believe it or not, we came even
farther than him.
AIDE
And you will return just as empty
handed.
Wade glances at Quinn.
WADE
Maybe we could just hang out here
for awhile.
AIDE
I'm afraid that is also impossible.
He nods at someone behind The Sliders.
TWO GRANITE-JAWED SECURITY GUARDS
move up --
AIDE
Escort them to the bridge.
ARTURO
Be reasonable, Sir.
AIDE
(touch of ice)
Should you try to enter the tower
again, unpleasant force will be
used against you. Good day.
The guards are starting to force The Sliders backwards. The
Aide is walking away...
QUINN
The Einstein Rosen-Podalski Bridge!
Tell him we've crossed it!
The Aide slows.., comes to a stop without turning around.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 40.
34 CONTINUED: 3 34
QUINN
It's a passageway between
Earths. We're Sliders.
The Sliders are just being kicked out --
AIDE
Wait.
Off Quinn -- it worked --
CUT TO:
35 INT. STYLISH ART DECO ELEVATOR - THE SLIDERS 35
are swiftly rising to the penthouse floor (marked "S" on
the
elevator) accompanied by the Aide. The elevator reaches the
top, punctuated by a BELL, and the doors open. The Sliders
get out.., but the Aide stays in the elevator.
AIDE
Walk straight ahead. Do not turn
back.
The elevator doors shut. The Sliders are on their own.
36 INT. HALLWAY LEADING TO SORCERER CONTINUOUS - THE SLIDERS 36
are entering an eerie corridor lit by torches. There is
something distinctly unnerving about this place. Quinn is
the first to head down the hall. The others follow, eyes
scanning the darkness, ever wary of their concealed
surroundings.
As they walk past the last pair of torches, nothing but jet
black hallway lies before them. They summon every ounce of
courage and walk into the black space, knowing they are
entering the den of The Sorcerer.
ARTURO
(inwardly wigging)
This setting is obviously designed
to intimidate the faint of heart,
playing on man's primal fear of the
dark. I urge you to follow my
example, and not let it get to
you --
Arturo jumps as A VOICE comes out of the darkness... It is
DEEP and POWERFUL, AMPLIFIED and ALL ENCOMPASSING.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 41.
36 CONTINUED: 36
It is a voice one could imagine belonging to God.
SORCERER (O.S.)
Stand where you are!
The Sliders find themselves bathed in red light.
SLIDERS POV - A DARK CRIMSON CLOUD
comes at them from out of the darkness. It makes a HISSING
sound as it hovers before and above them.., slowly
manifesting itself into the upper torso and head of a
humanoid entity. It's all The Sliders can do to keep from
turning and running in the opposite direction.
THE APPARITION
looks powerful and predatory. Angular, evil face, pointed
jaw, large dark eyes with a red dot at their centers, the
hint of horns sprouting from the top of the head. (Maybe it
looks like the Vampire character in the "The Spawn" series.)
SORCERER
I need to get a closer look.., at
those who dare to invade my domain.
REMBRANDT
(nervous laugh)
No invaders here, your highness.
SORCERER
I WILL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT!!!
If there were windows here, they would have shattered. The
crimson-bathed Sliders move closer together, trying not to
cower, touching each other for support.
SORCERER
I have lived for centuries...
Sliding from world to world...
drawing my life blood from the
corpses of my enemies. Do you
understand?
Half the nervous Sliders nod yes, the other two no.
SORCERER
Are you friend.., or foe?
WADE REMBRANDT ARTURO
Friends. Friends, man. Definitely. We mean no harm.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 42.
36 CONTINUED: 2 36
SORCERER
If you are my friends... I will
reward you for the courage of your
journey.
The Sliders manage to relax a just a little, liking where
this is heading.
SORCERER (CONT'D)
I am master of the passageway
between Earths.
WADE
Omigod! Did you hear that?
The Sliders are overjoyed at the news.
REMBRANDT
I knew coming here Was a great
ideal
(kissing up to Sorcerer)
We made a new friend. That's what
life's all about, right?
SORCERER
(bellowing)
Words are hollow, human!
The Sliders' knees are knocking again.
SORCERER
Ask not what I can do for you...
(sinister edge)
Ask what you can do for me.
Off The Sliders' reactions --
CUT TO:
37 EXT. ORIGINAL ENTRANCE TO BRIDGE - NIGHT - THE SLIDERS 37
are walking off the bridge, having recrossed it from the
castle side. Wade, Rembrandt and Arturo walk a few steps
ahead of Quinn, who is fiddling with the timer..
WADE
Blueprints? Why would The Sorcerer
want Doctor Wu's blueprints?
REMBRANDT
Maybe the guy's got plans for a
competing mini-mall or something.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
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#K0807 - "Into the Mystic" - 11/13/95 1st. Blue 43.
37 CONTINUED: 37
REMBRANDT (cont'd)
Who cares why he wants 'em.
(then)
We need to figure how we're gonna
accomplish it.
ARTURO
I say we steer absolutely clear of
this situation and find a
convenient place to wait for the
slide...
(checks expensive watch)
... which is roughly eleven hours
away.
QUINN
I uh, think it's a little late for
that, Professor.
They're face--to-face with a sawed-off shotgun.
A DEMON BOUNTY HUNTER
four-feet tal1, hooded cowl, with a face right out of The
Exorcist and a voice to match. He is holding the gun to
Quinn's nose and wielding an evil, satisfied smile.
BOUNTY HUNTER
Well, well, look what the black cat
dragged in. The boy with the
fugitive brain...
Off Quinn's terror --
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT THREE
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