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May have some swearing, should I edit this out?


HardWired - Part 5
Chapter 1 - "Neonprint"



INT

A desolate New York apartment. It is the future, only not as we know it.

Our imaginings were wrong. The colors are gradient based, like a computer application.

The walls are alive with neon glowing animation and computer readouts. Local news,

Back stories, random fragments off random social sites.



It is a single large room, with a couple of doors leading elsewhere. The fourth wall, holds a giant oval window, gently reflecting the living fabric of the room. and behind it a giant fan, hovering via anti-grav, springs what you might call magic air, into the room. it is artificially produced and treated to go through equally treated surfaces.(I.e, the window)



The sunlight is bright and spiteful. Laying down a giant spinning parade of light beams into the room, cut only by the shadow of the spinning fan.



It reaches out over to a highly highly sophisticated sofa, that has all the hallmarks of the century.



A man, simply known as Icarus, sits upon it. The shadow descending over his naked chest. a smoking capsule, as technological as anything of their era, dangles out of his mouth. He is not amused.



We sit here for a few moments. The fan spinning, the light rotating and cascading around the turning fans.



ICARUS (NARRATING)

They say the world is a series of systems. Networks. Interchangeable high speed data exchange.

Money gained and lost quicker than light travels. Lives bought and sold on a the dollar.

They say the world is a vast network of organizations. Baying for power. At each other's throats.

Dying to be kings. Or just dying.

They say we're all expendable. Tagged. Positioned and fought against in a world of shadow cooperation who make it their business to keep the status, qou.



He flicks the smoke across the room, it evaporates before it hits the ground.



He gets up and faces the camera.



ICARUS (NARRATING)

In this world, they're not wrong.



He walks over to a communication hub, highly decorated with dynamic animations.



ICARUS

I am Icarus. No last name. I am the product of a world of terror. A world where life is secondary

to big business and end profit. I am also the leader of Jet Sky. We are not terrorists, but there are plenty

who fear us. We signal change. In a world that subsides on static virtues. We built this world on a foundation of hope and prosperity. We threw it to the dogs.



He waves his hand over the device and a holographic list of faces appears. he waves over one.



ICARUS

Nice dreams?



ROBIN

(half laughs) No.



ICARUS

Is this line secure?



ROBIN

We're atop a star.



ICARUS

We change things today. We show the world who they're dying for.



ROBIN

I'm hardcoded to this cause, You don't have to sell it to me.



ICARUS

I'm selling it to myself. It's always good to feel the weight of your own vigour.



ROBIN

We're too good at this s***, it's a relatively simple job once you put aside the ramifications.



ICARUS

The job's the job.



ROBIN

Exactly. Ping Ray, the sun is setting.



ICARUS

He'll be nervous.



ROBIN

He's always nervous before a job.



ICARUS

This is not just another episode. Bring some levelers. Calm him down some.



ROBIN

Stimed on the job?



ICARUS

That guy's always flying, no state of sober could put his feet back on the floor.



ROBIN

He's a blue eyed rebel, that's for sure.



ICARUS

He'll be sound. Good head on his shoulders.



ROBIN

No problem. Best ping him now, the night is here.



ICARUS

I'll talk to you later. Keep the faith.



ROBIN

Always.



He makes a hand gesture and the call ends.



He is about to make another ping when the system auto-activates on the emergency band.



RAY (Out of breath)

Jesus Icarus, they are f**** crazed and wild!



ICARUS

They found you?



RAY

Found me!? They're outside with a G.K Seven. I'm toast!



ICARUS

You're no such thing. Find the escape vent and make your way to the roof. I'll be there.



RAY

What am I going to open the f**** thing with, my ****?



ICARUS

Calm f***** down Ray. Use your weapon.



RAY

Right! Right... *gunshot noise* It worked! Alright hurry f**** up!



The line goes dead as ray hangs up.



Icarus pings Robin urgently.



ICARUS

They've got Ray. Meet me at the wasting grounds.



ROBIN

Awww f****. Gearing up. S**** never gets easier.



ICARUS

Bring a calm head.



ROBIN

Don't worry.



He hangs up again. He begins to pack for the occasion.



ICARUS (NARRATING)

Tonight our band of brothers go on a mission to prove the hypocrisy of this puppet regime.

We could be the last group of people on this planet, still fighting for the right way of life.

Yes, we walk into the open arms of uncertainty. But we do so with belief in our cause.



He has finished gearing up, and heads towards the door which automatically senses his presence and opens for him on a quick hand gesture.



ICARUS

Lights neutral.



The lights dim to neutral levels.



ICARUS (NARRATING)

No mission is perfect. But tonight...tonight went bad. Real bad.

Ray was dead before I reached him. Robin got arrested. I was nearly in the same wagon with him.



NEW YORK, NEW YORK - YEARS LATER



Icarus is walking through a scattered crowd of night dwellers. It is 2am. He is dressed in a long trench coat with neon armbands animated as most of the street signs and store windows are also.



We are following him closely as he weaves in and around the crowd, he has a certain sense of purpose about him.



We keep following him closely.



TWO BEATS



He reaches his mark. A tall politician of the United States Race to Arms Movement.



He pulls out a very hi tech looking weapon.



ICARUS

Walk.



DAVID

Who the f**** are you? Get lost you a*****



ICARUS

Look down.



He looks down and sees the semi-concealed energy based weapon.



DAVID

You're mugging me? Do you have any idea who I am? You sorry little maggot.



ICARUS

I get my looks from my father's side. Move. Now.



DAVID

Are you a moron? Do you watch the news like at all? Get f*** lost before I have you arrested and *****

ICARUS

I'm running out of patience. Move now or I'm going to do something you regret.



DAVID

Jesus fucking...Alright you spineless f****. I'm moving.



ICARUS

You got in bed with the wrong people my friend.



DAVID

What? This isn't..you're not mugging me?



ICARUS

Money means nothing to me. Five years ago you took something away from me.



DAVID

What the f**** are you talking about?



ICARUS

Look into my eyes. It will come back to you.



David

You're f***** nuts.



ICARUS

This isn't a question of sanity. It's a question of justice. You are a very bad man David.



DAVID

So what, you're after your slice of the pie?



ICARUS

What me and my people want, you can not offer. Because what we want, is a world without people like you.



DAVID

We keep this world steaming.



ICARUS

You keep this world in a hole. Shed us a little light when the sun isn't in your way. This isn't life my friend, it's slavery.



DAVID

What are you some f***** freedom fighter?



ICARUS

I haven't thought of it. I think you know what I'm after.



DAVID

My U-Tier key? The f**** you think I am, stupid? I'd be eating out of a trash can they found out.



ICARUS

David....don't push me.



DAVID

It's at the congressional apartments. What do you think it will buy you?



ICARUS

A better tomorrow.



DAVID

We are tomorrow.



ICARUS

You're dreaming David. Give me you apartment key. Now.



DAVID

I'll call the cops the second you leave.



ICARUS

No you won't. You're a coward David. All your kind are.



DAVID

When they lock your a** up. I'm going to personally throw away the key.



ICARUS

Have a nice day David.



He puts away the piece and walks away, taking the apartment key with him.



DAVID

S****...



INT - DAVID'S APARTMENT - LATER THAT NIGHT



ICARUS (NARRATING)

I saw the world I loved turn from a peaceful prosperity, to a corporate-run jungle. Business is all. Money is their religion.

Sick little men grabbing their handful of coin. They'd cut your throat for the silver that lined it.



The door blows open.



He looks down at his hand, holding a key.



ICARUS

Oh yeah...



He shrugs and walks in. The place is lit a dark amber hue. He begins to search through David's belongings.



ICARUS (NARRATING)

They drove us to the brink of oblivion. And they would have happily held our hand as we took the final step.

What they don't get, what none of their kind could ever hope to understand...is just how strong we are. Just how far we'd go

to stop them destroying our people and their land.



He stops looking. Holding up a holographic projector. VE-64 series. State of the Art.



He activates the device and places it on top of the table.



A projection of a man appears. at first low resolution but as the reality matrix locks in the picture becomes crystal clear, with fuzzy edges as the projection meets reality.



The man is Senator Johnstone.



SENATOR

It's done. Account number five five nine seven eight five five four seven six. Do not contact me again.



The message ends abruptly.



ICARUS

David, what have you been up to?



He pockets the device and continues to rifle through the desk and personal artifacts.



ICARUS (NARRATING)

What I was about to find next, was going to change everything.



He continues to search.



Another holographic device, this one of an unknown design to Icarus.



ICARUS

Nice to meet you.



He plants it on the table and activates the device.



A holographic projection plays. perfectly instantly this time. no fuzzy edges. Icarus has never seen such a clear rendition of the tech.



The figure is a unknown man. He is holding a lighter.



MYSTERY MAN

Ah, David. You really are quite the prodigy. First you rig an election,

and then you get me this diamond ring! If only they knew the life we must endure *laughs*

Well David, it's been my pleasure as ever, we'll be in touch.



The projection disappears.



ICARUS

They bought the election....



He pockets the device.



As he does there is a sound of a car door shutting outside. and the voice of several inter-state peacekeepers. The cops of the time.



PEACEKEEPER #1

Report of breaking and entering.



ICARUS

F****



He looks around the room, looking for a fire escape or roof hatch.



The cops are at the stairs door.



He spots a hatch in David's room. It is locked.



ICARUS

I'm a bad house guest.



He pulls his energy gun and vapourizes the hatch.



The peace keepers hear the fire.



PEACEKEEPER #1 (Shouting)

Stop! in the name of the state!



ICARUS

Bye bye ladies.



He pulls himself up. We follow him as he gracefully jumps from rooftop to rooftop, until he reaches a fire escape.



He climbs down to street level. It is still night but the vast array of electronica illuminates the street vividly.



He begins to blend into the crowd.



ICARUS (NARRATING)

This is life. The life of an urban soldier fighting for freedom. And so much more.



He spots someone he knows.



He makes his way through the crowd over to him. It is Chuck Thomson



CHUCK

Dirty b***** let you out huh?



ICARUS

Where you getting your intel from? I've been free as a bird since we last met.



CHUCK

I just assumed. (laughs)



ICARUS

They just nearly nabbed me though. You got a ride nearby?



CHUCK

Oh I got a ride or two. Follow me partner. It's nice to see you again.



ICARUS

Likewise. My life is busy at the best of times, don't take it personally.



They are approaching an alleyway leading off into a car park.



CHUCK

Never did. Look I don't know what s*** you guys have planned,

and to be frank....Just take the ride and mail me a cheque.



ICARUS

Don't worry Chuck. This is positively certificate 18.



CHUCK

Bodies follow you man, they f**** follow you.



ICARUS

This is war, not poetry.



CHUCK

Life seems pretty ok to me though Icarus. You're on a crusade man.



They reach the ride.



Icarus puts his hand out to shake Chuck's.



ICARUS

I'll try to return her in one piece.



CHUCK

Ah keep it. You know me, I got more rides than I know what to do with anyway.



ICARUS

You always were a good friend Chuck.



CHUCK

Tell me more at the after show party.



He smiles and taps him on the shoulder.



He gets in the car and it ascends upwards into the sky.



WE switch to inside the car, looking at Icarus sideways. The air traffic flows beside him.



ICARUS(Narrating)

We built utopia out of the ruins. But we...we just let her go.

We let her go and watched the world around turn to neon stone.

I won't. We won't......we can't let that happen any more.

It's time humanity took back her most prized asset.



INT - LEON'S DIGGS, A SKY-BAR - MOMENTS LATER



Leon and a room full of patrons sit and embellish their drink with story and humor.



The door slides open.



In walks Icarus.



LEON

Ick baby! Long time. Long mother f**** time. How you been?



Icarus

Stop calling me Ick. Please. I've been fine. You, you dirty scoundrel? (Laughs)



LEON

Well _Icarus_, I've been banging a supermodel!



ICARUS

In your lonely pathetic dreams?



LEON

Where else? (Laughs loudly) Sit, sit. Let me pour some of the fine stuff.



ICARUS

I don't drink anymore. Not while I'm on the job.



LEON

You're on the job huh? Oh well someone's going to hospital!



ICARUS

Leon...I appreciate your humor, but it can be misplaced.



LEON

Pardon me your majesty. (Smiles) A coke?



ICARUS

Plenty of ice.



LEON

Coming right up. Sit will ya, you're making me tired.



ICARUS

Alright, Alright.



He sits down and takes the shell of coke he is given by Leon



He downs it in one.



He burps loudly.



LEON

You always were a gut buster. Hah!



ICARUS

You always were a big immature idiot. How you been my friend?



LEON

Keeping the flies off the wall. Not much else to do up here. It's a good living. The view's amazing.(Smiles)



ICARUS

Yes, the view can be becoming. (Laughs)



LEON

[naughty word removed] (Smiles) Look, you in a sore spot? You need anything?



ICARUS

Just your gentle company for now. I may need a clean ride.



LEON

Well s***, I can do that. This is Leon! Leon the great!



ICARUS

Leon the bullshit artist.



LEON

Yeah, that too.(Laughs)



ICARUS

Any keepers nosing about?



LEON

Just the usual crowd. Relaxing after a hard day keeping the dischord.



ICARUS

Such scathing cynicism. You need a job?



LEON

Hey f*** you! (Laughing)



ICARUS

You big pair of b****. (Laughs)



LEON

Ah, I miss this. I do.



ICARUS

We'll be friends again one day. When my time is less...occupied.



LEON

Keep the faith right?



ICARUS

Always



Leon



Better not keep the world waiting?



Icarus



It will be worth it.



Leon



Keep your head low.



Icarus



It’s not a crime to fight for the future. They’ll be fighting for us one day.



Leon

.

.

Hey, thanks for your advice. Saw it before you edited.