#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 5.
FADE IN:
4 INT. POLICE STATION BULLPEN - DAY - OFFICERS 4
do paperwork, book an agitated suspect. Your usual precinct
house. Except everyone is female.
QUINN, REMBRANDT, ARTURO
sit on a hard wooden bench, flanked by two police officers.
Throughout the scene, passing officers eye them with
expressions ranging from curiosity to outright desire.
REMBRANDT
(sotto)
Not a single man in this whole
place.
ARTURO
(sotto)
Considering our reception, is it
conceivable we've landed in a world
without men?
For a moment they each consider the possibilities
REMBRANDT
(excitement)
Man, wouldn't that be a kick? The
only guys in a world full of love
starved women?
ARTURO
Mister Brown, if this is indeed the
case, I believe we've found
Nirvana.
QUINN
I don't think so, guys. They
arrested us, remember?
REMBRANDT
Maybe for our own protection.
(then)
You saw how they came at us out
there.
A nearby office door opens revealing DETECTIVE LORRAINE
SPECATELI, late 30's. A tough pro, she curtly motions for
them to follow.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 6.
4 CONTINUED: 4
QUINN
All I'm saying is, watch what you
say until we figure out what's
going on.
As they go --
CUT TO:
5 INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY - ARTURO 5
at a table. An exasperated Detective Specateli circles him
like a vulture.
DET. SPECATELI
... Damnit! I want answers!
ARTURO
-- I am trying to be helpfull!
QUINN AND REMBRANDT
sweating it out. Behind them, a one-way glass mirror.
ARTURO
(going for charm)
Look -- What's it matter where
we've been? Or where we came from?
We' re here now.
(cheerful)
Ready, willing and able.
It's lost on Specateli; she regards him sourly. Under which
O'GRADY
the cop we recall from the teaser enters...
O'GRADY
(sotto)
We got a lead on the woman who was
seen with them. Miller's on it.
DET. SPECATELI
(sotto)
Good work.
Specateli turns back to the business at hand.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 7.
5 CONTINUED: 5
QUINN
Detective, Specateli -- are we
being charged with a crime?
(then)
Maybe we ought'a talk to a lawyer
or something.
DET. SPECATELI
(hard)
Did I say you could talk? Did the
words, "Hey kid, want to say
something?" leave my lips?! Sit
down!
(hard)
How did you survive the virus?
REMBRANDT
(shot in the dark)
we took a lot of vitamins?
Specateli slams her hand down on the desk.
DET. SPECATELI
This is a not a game!
Suddenly a VOICE (O.S.) filters into the room.
DOCTOR MORRIS (O.S)
That's enough, detective. You're
upsetting them.
DET. SPECATELI
Dr. Morris, let me to do my job.
The door to the interrogation room opens and DOCTOR ELAINE
MORRIS enters. A black woman in her late 30's with an air
of authority -- she has a visitor's tag clipped to her
waistband.
DOCTOR MORRIS
I said: enough.
(calmly)
The bureau has final jurisdiction
here.
Morris and Specateli square off a beat, then...
DOCTOR MORRIS
Arrange for transportation to the
Center.
Off the Sliders --
CUT TO:
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 8.
6 INT. UNMARKED VAN - DAY - QUINN, REMBRANDT, ARTURO 6
in the back seat. An armed guard sits behind them. Doctor
Morris is up next to the driver. The windows of the van are
blackened,
REMBRANDT
Blacked-out windows. Extra
security -- Like being on tour. At
any moment you could be overrun by
groupies.
ARTURO
Not a totally unpleasant thought,
time permitting.
QUINN
Guys, eyes on the ball, okay?
(then; to Morris)
Excuse me. You said something
about the bureau. Are you guys
F.B.I.?
DOCTOR MORRIS
B.R.P. --
(off Quinn: huh?)
Bureau of Re-population.
As now the van pulls in --
7 EXT. BREEDING CENTER - AN IMPOSING HOSPITAL-LIKE COMPLEX 7
protected by armed guards. News crews come to life as
security forces open the side door.
THE SLIDERS
exit --
DOCTOR MORRIS
(to the news guys)
People, please.
(then)
Where's security?
The crowd is frenzied, almost frightening in its intensity.
REMBRANDT
(off this)
Damn!
POV - THROUGH CAR WINDSHIELD - THE FOREGOING
Someone watches from a parked car across the way.
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 9.
8 INT. CAR - A WOMAN - BILLIE JEAN
grimly Surveilling the scene. She's attractive, late 20's.
Whatever the significance of what she's seen, it's not good
news.
BILLIE JEAN
(into car phone)
Our sources are correct. They have
three more.
VOICE FROM CARPHONE (O.S.)
(Australian accent)
We've traced their handler to the
Dominion Hotel.
(then)
I'll keep you posted.
CUT TO:
9 INT. DOMINION HOTEL LOBBY - DAY - WADE 9
stands near the end of a line of youthful, attractive women
waiting to check in.
WADE
(to the woman in front)
What's going on? Is there a
convention or something?
WOMAN
They're taking applications at the
Breeding Center. Every hotel in
town is jammed.
VOICE (O.S.)
There they are!!
Commotion from the direction of the Lamplighter. Wade
turns, enters --
10 INT. LAMPLIGHTER - A CROWD OF WOMEN 10
watching TV with rapt attention, reminiscent of the moment
before the O.J. verdict.
11 ANGLE - TV 11
Over photos of the Sliders being marched into the Breeding
Center...
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 10.
11 CONTINUED: 11
NEWSCASTER (V.O.)
...Rumors are circulating that the
men may have escaped from an enemy
breeding camp in Canada. Here, in
footage shot moments ago, the men
arrive at the Oakland Breeding
facility where it's expected they
will be pressed into service as
quickly as possible.
THE WOMEN
As a CHEER goes up. Off Wade --
CUT TO:
12 INT. EXAM ROOM -ARTURO 12
getting back into his clothing as Morris confers with her
nurse.
DOCTOR MORRIS
EKG normal. Stress test indicates
a level one arterial constriction
and a mild protein deficiency.
(the result)
B minus.
Arturo reacts -- obviously put down.
DOCTOR MORRIS
(to him)
There now, Mr. Arturo -- That
wasn't so bad, was it?
ARTURO
If you don't mind being poked and
prodded like a prime stud at
auction.
DOCTOR MORRIS
Don't worry, you're too valuable to
auction off.
(then; to nurse)
Let's give him the evening to get
acclimated. I want to get off to a
good start tomorrow.
(then)
Four times a day for the first week
and see how he does.
Arturo tries to process this -- four a day?
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 11.
12 CONTINUED: 12
ARTURO
Dr. Morris--?
(then)
I hate to suggest a problem, but
you said something about the "first
week?"
DOCTOR MORRIS
That' s right.
ARTURO
Unfortunately, I'm just a visitor
here --
(into the breach)
That is, my confreres and I're in
San Francisco for a brief window ---
We're happy to oblige you in the
interim, but in three days' time we
must be headed home.
DOCTOR MORRIS
I'm afraid you're going to have to
change your plans.
ARTURO
What're you saying? I'm a prisoner
here?
DOCTOR MORRIS
No, Mr. Arturo. You're a Patriot.
Off Arturo --
CUT TO:
13 INT. RECREATION AREA - CORRIDOR - ARTURO 13
It's like a health spa. It's humid, there's the implication
of a steam room somewhere. A couple of men pedal stationary
bikes.
ANGLE - A PLAQUE
on the wall, the kind you see in car dealerships, honoring
the facility's Breeder of the Month. Most every month of
the year is capped with the photo of a blonde Adonis, TREVOR
GRANT. The SOUND OF A TOWEL SNAPPING (O.S.). Arturo
turns --
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 12.
13 CONTINUED: 13
TREVOR GRANT
in the flesh, all 6'2", 195 pounds, engaged in a towel duel
with a similarly studly counterpart. A guy on an exercise
bike is struck by mistake --
STATIONARY BIKER
Knock if off, Trey.
TREVOR
(thick Australian accent).
Knock it off y'self, bloody wimp.
Once the duelists are gone --
STATIONARY BIKER
Cock-of-the walk Australians.
ARTURO
(of the stationary biker)
Excuse me. This plaque -- What did
Mr. Grant do to win such a...
coveted title?
STATIONARY BIKER
Two hundred and fifteen confirmed
pregnancies for the month of
February alone.
ARTURO
Extraordinary --
STATIONARY BIKER
Arrogant bastard, but the
Alpha-males do the work of ten.
(then)
We're just lucky he defected.
QUINN (O.S.)
Professor!
QUINN AND REMBRANDT
summoning him from up ahead --
ARTURO
Thank God!
As he approaches --
REMBRANDT
Can you believe this place, man?
It's like a buffet of love.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 13.
13 CONTINUED 2 13
QUINN
'You all right, Professor? You
look a little green.
ARTURO
Some Amazon forced a chalky protein
drink down my throat. I tell you
this -- whatever fantasies I had
involving nurses are gone forever.
A towering nurse seated by the weigh-station eyes them --
QUINN
I know what you mean.
(then)
C'mon -- we can talk in here.
He lead, Arturo and Rembrandt into --
14 INT. STEAM BATH - MOSTLY UNOCCUPIED 14
A man (owlish, almost intellectual) is sitting there,
obscured by steam.
QUINN
(sotto)
Apparently there was a conflict in
the Middle East here years ago
The Iraqis released some kind of
viral agent that attacked the
Y-chromosome.
ARTURO
(sotto)
How is it, then, that any men
survived at all?
REMBRANDT
A handful had immunities and
survived until the toxins burned
off --
(then)
Now most of the industrialized
countries are in a race to
re-populate.
ARTURO
What?
QUINN
These men are all captives,
Professor.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 14.
14 CONTINUED: 14
QUINN (cont'd)
They're just cogs in some bizarre
baby-making facility.
(off Arturo)
The point is, we've got fifty-nine
hours left 'til the slide.
(then)
We've got to get a message to Wade.
REMBRANDT
Never mind that. We have to find a
way out of here.
As now, through the steam --
VOICE
Hey --
Sliders turn --
DAVID is the one speaking to them --
DAVID
You guys are new, huh?
REMBRANDT
We just got here today.
DAVID
(a whisper)
You really looking for a way over
the wall?
ARTURO
It's a matter of life and death.
DAVID
(sotto)
Careful. The camera over the door
can spot you.
Rembrandt reacts: "Camera?" Sure enough --
A SECURITY CAMERA
pivots on a wall mount. Once it's out of range ---
ARTURO
What in the world is the point of
all this security?
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 15.
14 CONTINUED: 2 14
DAVID
You kidding? You know how many
countries would kill to get their
hands on us?
(then)
Failing that, to prevent us from
breeding?
REMBRANDT
One of the guys in the gym said
something about Iraq.
(then)
Is that who we're at war with?
DAVID
Iraq's a wasteland. Nothing but
ladies. Australia, man.
ARTURO
Australia a superpower? That
barren continent was barely
suitable for an English prison!
DAVID
Yeah, well that "barren continent"
was far enough away from the poison
cloud to suffer the fewest
casualties. They started this
thing with over eleven hundred men!
REMBRANDT
In other words, whichever nation
repopulates fastest has the global
edge!
QUINN
Not to shirk our patriotic duty,
David, but we have to get out of
here.
DAVID
(sotto; conspiratorial)
Listen up: My wife and sister are
planning to break me out. All
they're waiting for's the signal.
(then)
The four of us are gonna have
better odds than me solo.
(then)
Can I count on you?
Off the Sliders -- they're in.
CUT TO:
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 16.
15 EXT. REAR LOADING DOCK - NIGHT - TWO GUARDS 15
are stationed near several large rolling bins filled with
dirty linens. Beyond the truck-turning area is a
ten-foot-high stone wall. There is a security gate and
check point where the trucks enter. More GUARDS are
stationed there -- including O'Grady, on special assignment.
THE SECURITY GATE - DEBRA
an attractive young woman, early 20's, approaches, then
suddenly tries to run past the gate and into the Center.
O'GRADY
(restrains)
Where do you think you're going?
DEBRA
Please. I have to get inside!
O'GRADY
You and forty million others.
DEBRA
Let me go! I want a baby!!
She breaks away and goes running for the near end of the
loading dock. O'Grady grabs her 2-way.
O'GRADY
(into handi-talkie)
Code four!
AT FAR END OF LOADING DOCK - THE TWO GUARDS
see the ruckus.
O'GRADY'S VOICE
(over handi-talkie)
We've got a situation -- Requesting
back-up.
As the guards take off --
DAVID
peers out from behind the laundry cart, checks to make sure
they're all clear.
DAVID
Now!
Quinn, Arturo, Rembrandt and David emerge from their hiding
places and break for the wall -- as far as possible from the
guard gate.
(CONTINUED)
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 17.
15 CONTINUED: 15
A SEARCHLIGHT
rakes the facility grounds after them.
QUINN AND ARTURO
clamber to the top of the wall. Rembrandt boosts David up.
As Quinn and Arturo grab David's hands and help pull him up,
a SIREN SHATTERS the night. We hear VOICES of approaching
guards.
THE SEARCHLIGHT
illuminates David going over the top. The beacon stops,
freezing Rembrandt in its beam.
QUINN
Rembrandt! Let's go!
Rembrandt jumps. He grabs Quinn's hand but misses Arturo's.
Dangling from Quinn's hand, he swings against the wall. Quinn can't
pull him up alone. As he struggles to grab
Arturo's hand...
REMBRANDT
I can't reach!
ARTURO
You can, man! Try harder!
With one last lunge, Rembrandt and Arturo's hands connect.
As he's pulled up the wall...
CUT TO:
16 EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE BREEDING GROUND - NIGHT - QUINN, ARTURO, 16
REMBRANDT
race towards David, who's standing at the edge of a road.
DAVID
Let's go!
A CAR'S
roared up, SKIDS to a halt in front of them.
AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN - DIANA'S
at the wheel --
DIANA
Quick! Get in!
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#K0803 - "Love Gods" - 11/20/95 Prod. Draft 18.
17 INT. CAR - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS 17
The men scramble in and David and Diana engage in a fierce
embrace, two lovers together at last. Rembrandt spots two
guards nearing the car.
REMBRANDT
No time for this, man! Go!
Diana jams the car into gear. As it PATCHES away --
18 EXT. BREEDING CENTER - A GUARD 18
pulls her gun and takes aim. O'Grady grabs her arm.
O'GRADY
Are you insane? You'll kill a
breeder!
(into handi-talkie)
O'Grady here -- I'm gonna need an
A.P.B.
Off the sedan taillights, as they disappear into the
darkness.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
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