Viktor Romeo, episode one
1.1
INT. VIKTOR’S OFFICE - NIGHT
Room is dark. The only light source is from a computer screen lighting Viktor’s face. Viktor is around 30-years-old, but his face is careworn, forehead creased, dark rings under his eyes. Frown lines forming around his mouth. View of an investigation map on the wall behind him. The angst and fatigue can be heard in his voice.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
2:30am. Report submitted late. Again. Another conversation with the censors to look forward to
(OLDE TIMEY TYPEWRITER SOUNDS)
Just about to slide around the streets and track the latest lead when a client pinged.
(ring tone sound over Viktor’s speakers)
POV switch to Viktor’s computer screen. Picture in a frame on his desk next to the computer.
I needed a digit or two more than another question in my pocket.
Sound of a husky, smoky female voice.
SHERRY BRACKEN
Viktor? Viktor Romeo? Are you there?
VIKTOR
I’m here.
SHERRY BRACKEN
Oh! It’s so dark -- I couldn’t tell.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I turned up the brights on the ins and outs.
ROOM LIGHT IS TURNED ON, SHOWING VIKTOR’S FACE.
END OF SCENE
1.2
INT. VIKTOR’S OFFICE - NIGHT
View over Viktor’s shoulder of his computer screen. Woman is sprawled out, facing away from the screen.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Bombshell redhead, enhanced curves overflowing the designer drape. She was sprawled out on a puffy cloud of a couch,. Nervously twisting a ring on her finger. The light caught the emerald green of the stone.
SHERRY BRACKEN
I’m Sherry Bracken, you may have-
VIKTOR
What’s your business?
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I could’ve hyped customer relations patter, but exhaustion anchored my lips.
SHERRY BRACKEN
My husband. He’s cheating on me. I think. Oh, will you find out?
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Lucky me.
View of Viktor’s face.
END OF SCENE
1.3
INT. VIKTOR’S OFFICE - NIGHT
View of Viktor typing at his computer.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
If social conventions hadn’t carried over into The Stream, I would’ve been flat broke. Instead, I had a few numbers bumping into each other and enough boredom to humdrum a riot.
VIKTOR
Just sent you account access. Transfer the digits now and I’ll get your answer.
SHERRY BRACKEN
Can we meet?
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Well, that was a new one. She felt my hesitation.
SHERRY BRACKEN
I could come with you. I won’t be in the way.
END OF SCENE
1.4
INT. VIKTOR’S PIECE-O-CRAP CAR -- NIGHT
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Sherry’s story was so ideal. They had met at the Chit-Chat Room.
CUE FLASHBACK
SHERRY (O.S.)
Haxel was handsome and rich. He kept my glass full as the singer sang love songs. He leaned over to light my cigarette. So big and muscular, a real take-charge kind of man. Next thing I knew, we were married and living in a mansion. Hosting pool parties for all our friends. Poker nights, laughing and drinking cocktails. Anything I wanted, whenever I wanted. Haxel doted on me.
INT. VIEW OF A NIGHTCLUB -- NIGHT
Cocktail tables filled with couples drinking and smoking. Small stage lit with a single spotlight on a vampy singer. Haxel on bended knee, offering Sherry a ring.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Haxel was all frame and drape, slinging digits around like they came out of a number generator.
CUE MONTAGE
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Whirlwind marriage with mansion
EXT. CHURCH STEPS -- MORNING
Sherry and Haxel exiting the church in wedding garb, guests throwing rice and flowers at their smiling faces.
EXT. MCMANSION -- DAY
View of the front of a suburban Mcmansion, generic and expensive. Realtors “sold” sign on the front lawn.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Pool parties and poker nights.
EXT. POOL -- MIDDAY
Gorgeous pool with sparkling blue water, deck chairs and tables filled with swimmers -- similar look to the nightclub people. Drinks and laughter, Sherry in the middle, adored by all.
INT. CASINO -- NIGHT
Vacant table strewn with poker chips, empty and half-empty glasses, overflowing ashtrays.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
But the story didn’t add up.
Like a script. Didn’t feel right.
CUE END OF MONTAGE
EXT. MOTEL WITH HUGE PARKING LOT -- SAME TIME
Dilapidated, low-slung motel. Shutters askew, broken sign on the ice machine, buzzing sound from flickering light over the manager’s door.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
We got to the motel. Looked like the place for some player in an old movie to have a fling.
INT. VIKTOR'S PIECE-O-CRAP CAR -- SAME NIGHT
Viktor’s hands on the wheel. Closer view of the cheap motel from the windshield of the parked car.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Too perfect. Like a ride on a trolley on a track.
CLOSE UP OF VIKTOR’S HANDS TIGHTENING ON THE STEERING WHEEL
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Haxel wasn’t real. Just another piece of cheap code.
VIKTOR REACHING OVER SHERRY TO PULL A GUN FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT.
END OF SCENE
1.5
EXT. MOTEL PARKING LOT -- NIGHT
SHERRY
Haxel’s roll!
Her painted nails point to the only car in the lot. Ring with green stone prominent on her hand. VIKTOR (V.O.)
My heart softened a notch. I felt bad for her. I was going to have to break it to her that this source she loved was really just spaghetti spooling out trite code to fill the nighttime Stream.
Viktor takes Sherry’s arm.
VIKTOR
C’mon
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I said, taking her hand
VIKTOR
I’ll make this quick.
INT. HALLWAY OF CHEAP MOTEL -- SAME NIGHT
Viktor and Sherry stand before a beat-up looking door. The last one of the tin numbers hammered into the door to indicate the room number has come loose and hangs askew.
SHERRY
No! Don’t, he’ll hurt you!
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I looked at Sherry and our eyes met.
Viktor and Sherry face each other.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
That was the last time I saw her alive.
END OF SCENE
1.6
INT. HALLWAY OF CHEAP MOTEL -- SAME NIGHT
Viktor and Sherry face each other in front of the door to Haxel’s room.
They hear a woman’s voice from the other side of the door. She sounds bored. In control.
KANDI KANE
Come in, it’s open.
INT. HAXEL’S MOTEL ROOM -- SAME NIGHT
Rumpled bed with figure of woman sitting up, sheet wrapped around her. She is facing Viktor and Sherry, cigarette in hand, looking bored. She motions with her head to the closed bathroom door.
KANDI KANE
He’s freshening up for you.
The bathroom door bangs against the cheap wall. Haxel emerges wearing boxers. He is a hulking, muscular figure, gun in hand. He stomps right up to Sherry.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Haxel rushed from the can, sputtering and outraged, holding a gun. Sherry flung hot accusations in his face.
SHERRY
How dare you! And who is this? You told me I was the only one you’d ever look at again.
Haxel’s voice drops as he gestures with the gun, punctuating every word. He raises the gun and points it at Sherry.
Sound of gun revving up to fire
VIKTOR (V.O.)
He rumbled in anger as he pointed the gun at her. I moved to block the shot. The room filled with a blinding flash.
Flash of blinding light. Screams.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Too late.
Sherry lays on the floor, a pool of blood spreading out beneath her. Haxel still has his arm raised with the gun in his hand. A puff of smoke from the barrel wafts toward the ceiling.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
The slug ripped through Sherry.
Sherry struggles for a moment, then stops moving. Her form pixelates, fading in and out on the floor. The gaudy wedding band Haxel gave her glitters on her finger.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Degaussed. Pixelated right in front of me.
The carpet fades in and out through Sherry’s disappearing form. Then there are no traces of her, just the carpet with no blood or signs that she was ever there. Haxel lowers his arm. The woman in the bed behind him sits pushed up against the wall, her knees to her chest, covered in the cheap motel blanket. Her face is hidden in shadow.
Viktor looks at the carpet where Sherry had just been. The ring is all that is left.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Gone.
END OF SCENE
1.7
INT. HAXEL’S MOTEL ROOM -- SAME NIGHT
VIKTOR (V.O.)
The gun was in my hand. I was going to kill him. Blast that fake code back into the random.
Sound of Viktor’s gun revving up
Haxel’s gun arm is limp by his side, the gun loose in his hand. He looks at Viktor.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Haxel still had his gun and was sizing me up now.
Viktor POV as he takes aim at Haxel
Sound of Haxel’s gun revving up
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I raised my arm, and a horrific riot of pain exploded in my chest.
View of ray hitting Viktor in the chest and knocking him down onto his back.
Viktor’s POV looking up at the ceiling. Red and blue lights flash across it, then a Censor’s head appears, looking down at Viktor.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I lay on my back, numb and gasping. Police lights flashed across the ceiling as a Censor’s head filled my vision.
POV switch to Censor looking down at Viktor. The Censor sounds like an authoritative police officer in charge.
CENSOR 1
Stay put, Viktor, or we’ll chill you in the cooler.
Viktor raises himself onto an elbow, gasps for breath. Gestures vaguely toward Haxel.
VIKTOR
He just -- [gasp, gasp] He just -- [gasp, gasp]
END OF SCENE
1.8
INT. HAXEL’S MOTEL ROOM -- SAME NIGHT
View of Censor, hands on hips, standing over Viktor, talking down to him
CENSOR 1
We don’t have time for that. We’re here for you. We told you to help.
View of Viktor struggling to sit up on the floor.
VIKTOR
Run this jasper -- he’s standing right in front of you!
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I propped myself up. Another Censor crowded in.
Shot with Viktor in foreground, Censor 1standing over him, Censor 2 in background by the door. Censor 2 sounds like a thug.
CENSOR 2
Now we find out you’re punching holes in our story. The Level Boss is not having it. You’ll work for us, or you’ll be tango uniform in the Stream.
Censor 2, hands on hips, mirroring Censor 1
Same shot, but focus now on Viktor in the foreground. He wobbles to his feet, gun arm shaky and uncoordinated.
VIKTOR
Fine then. Let me do your job and whack this non-player. I’m not even sure how he got a heater -- I didn’t think that was allowed.
Sound of Mac 10s revving up to shoot
Both Censors raise their Mac 10s and aim at Viktor
CENSORS
NO!
END OF SCENE
1.9
INT. HAXEL’S MOTEL ROOM -- SAME NIGHT
Censors are pointing their guns at Viktor
Sound of Mac 10s warming up to shoot
Close-up of Censor 1
CENSOR 1
General Haxel Rod was a hero at The Clone Liberation Campaign. Such a national treasure. Surprised you don’t recognize him -- you said you were there.
Shot of the entire room over Censor 2’s shoulder -- the bed on the other side of the room with Kandi wrapped in sheets, the glow of a cigarette at her mouth. Haxel stands in front of the bed holding his gun in his right hand. Viktor wobbles on his feet next to Censor 1 in foreground
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Haxel looked smug as he tossed his heater on the bed.
Haxel sounds confident. He’s used to getting his way.
HAXEL
Thanks, guys.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
He slowly put his pants back on. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
Shot of Viktor’s angry face.
VIKTOR
I don’t have time to comb through smoky clip joints looking for your lowlifes. I have my own ticket.
END OF SCENE
1.10
INT. HAXEL’S MOTEL ROOM -- SAME NIGHT
Close-up of Censor 1
CENSOR 1
Check your dance card, Viktor -- we’re number one on it. No time for the joints?
He sweeps his arm toward Haxel
CENSOR 1
Lucky for you, Haxel owns them all and will let you in the back door.
Focus on Haxel, holding his hands up in front of him in protest
HAXEL
I appreciate the invitation, but with my commitments-
Censor 2 cuts off Haxel’s speech by raising his gun and shooting Haxel
VIKTOR (V.O.)
The second Censor blasted Haxel in the chest with his Mac 10. Haxel dropped like a sack of potatoes and lay twitching on the floor.
Censor 2 stands between Haxel and Viktor
CENSOR 2
The Level Boss is going to hang us from a gambrel and get the meat saw. That means we’re fresh out of compromise.
He points at them with his gun
CENSOR 2
You two work together now.
END OF SCENE
1.11
INT. HAXEL’S MOTEL ROOM -- SAME NIGHT
View of Haxel writhing on the floor with the Censor standing over him.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Haxel gasped for air, trying to form words. The Censor holstered the Mac 10 and knelt on his shoulders, pinning him to the floor.
Camera angle from Haxel’s perspective, looking up at Censor pinning him
CENSOR 2
We do wonder why you were firing that gun.
POV shift to camera looking down at Haxel
HAXEL
Ah, she was just a cheap-
Wide angle showing Viktor and Censor standing, Haxel on floor with other Censor still pinning him. Censor punches Haxel in the mouth.
CENSOR 1
Now, now, no need to speak ill of the departed. We’re curious, but like we said: no time. Don’t make us spend it. Do what we say.
Close-up of Viktor’s angry face
VIKTOR
WHAT? But he’s a-
Return to the wide angle shot. Censor still looks down at Haxel, but his arm is raised and pointed at Viktor
VIKTOR (V.O.)
The Censor kneeling on Haxel whipped the Mac 10 and blasted me without looking.
Sound of Mac 10 buzz as it charges up and the flash as it shoots Viktor.
END OF SCENE
1.12
INT. HAXEL’S MOTEL ROOM -- SAME NIGHT
Wide angle: Haxel with Censor still pinning his shoulders, Viktor on his back on the floor, the other Censor standing, hands on hips, looking down at Viktor
CENSOR 1
Haxel Rod has knowledge from the front, and you’re quick to pan data nuggets from The Stream. Together, you’ll get our Facts. Find them in order. Bring them in one-at-a-time. You’ve got four days.
KANDI KANE
Four days? Word on the street says the Level Boss wants it faster.
CENSOR 2
Faster? You’ve got two days.
Close-up of Viktor’s surprised face.
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Facts? And Haxel was a hero? Was he the one I was tracking?
Close-up of Censor’s holstered gun
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I eyed the handle of the Mac 10 in the Censor’s holster. I had no choice. But taking the job meant taking government byte coin.
Shot of Viktor rising from the floor, seen over Censor’s shoulder
VIKTOR
OK. Transfer the digits. I’ll get started.
Close-up of Censor 1 with his eyebrow raised
CENSOR 1
Digits? Easy, lonesome cowboy.
END OF SCENE
1.13
INT. HAXEL’S MOTEL ROOM -- SAME NIGHT
Close-up of Censor-1
CENSOR 1
We’ve transferred the ID code of the first Fact. Haxel Rod will take the lead. You do what he says. Find him what he needs. Don’t be charging off on your own horse.
Close-up of Viktor, his eyes shift in Haxel’s direction
VIKTOR (V.O.)
I looked at Haxel.
Wide angle to show Viktor standing, wobbly. Haxel is now propped up on an elbow, Censor standing next to him, arms folded across chest.
VIKTOR (V.O.)(CONT’D)
He added a smug look in between gasping breaths, then made a shooing motion with his hand.
Close-up on Haxel’s smarmy face
HAXEL
I’m gonna finish up here. Go away. I’ll call for you.
Wide angle showing Viktor, Haxel, and the Censors. The Censors have their guns fixed on Viktor and Haxel
Close-up of barrel of gun
VIKTOR (V.O.)
The Censors raised their Macs in unison and blasted us one more time.
Wide angle, shots coming out of each gun and path to each man’s chest visible
Wide angle of both Viktor and Haxel spread eagle on the floor, Censors with lowered guns by their sides
Close-up of Censor’s angry face
CENSOR 1
Keep it simple: work together. Bring in the Facts. Two days.
END OF SCENE
1.14
INT. VIKTOR’S OFFICE - EARLY MORNNING
Viktor stands, rubbing his arm
VIKTOR (V.O.)
5am. Back in the office. My arms still tingled from the Mac 10 pills.
Close-up of Skrewball being poured in a bar glass
VIKTOR (V.O.)(CONT’D)
I poured a drink.
Shot of Viktor sitting in a chair with the drink in his hand. He worries Sherry’s ring between his hands. Images float over his head
VIKTOR (V.O.)
My mind rolled along the same tight loop: call, client, motel, Sherry degaussed, Censors, Facts, around and around, picking up more questions each time.
Close-up of Viktor’s face
VIKTOR (V.O.)
NonPlayerCharacters were just cheap code. They couldn’t own a working gun. But Haxel had one.
Dissolve to Haxel’s scowling face
VIKTOR (V.O.)
Who was he?
Dissolve to Haxel in uniform, saluting
VIKTOR (V.O.)
A hero?
Dissolve to Viktor, eyebrows raised in surprise. Sherry’s ring is gone from his hands.
[Sherry Ping]
SHERRY
Viktor?
Wide angle of Viktor sitting in chair, computer monitor in the foreground. Viktor has a look of horror on his face.
SHERRY
Viktor Romeo? Are you there?
END OF SCENE
