I'm Back

... because I finally "finished" my script. Yes, I know: weeks behind schedule....

Further details in the two following posts (my last Official-tagged, Roman-numeraled posts... how time flies! Below, for further reference: the scene discussed in post XII.

INT. NOPE CENTRAL - CONTINUOUS

The WATCHER follows the motion of the MERCEDES on one of his many MONITORS. The CAMERA stuck to the bottom of the bridge by a daring minion reveals that the amphibious vehicle has passed under the bridge and is heading for the harbor.

WATCHER

(into the headset)

Remember, we want them taken alive. A and B, commence corral sequence!

Another of the Watcher's MONITORS displays two SPEEDBOATS moving slowly out from under the bridge and following the MERCEDES, spreading wide apart to either side of their quarry.

The camera zooms in on the scene and there is a

MATCH CUT:

EXT. THE HARBOR

The speedboats, though quiet, do make an appreciable noise. This filters in to DON inside the vehicle.

INT. AMPHIBIOUS MERCEDES

DON

It appears we're being followed.

JOE

Any chance they're friendly?

DON

It doesn't much look like it.

By now, the SPEEDBOATS have pulled level with the MERCEDES, one a ways to the left, the other to the right.

DON

I really do not like the looks of this at all.

Now the boats begin to CLOSE in, heading towards each other in front of the MERCEDES.

DON

This is looking distinctly like a trap. I'll take us under.

He selects the OPTION and the AMPHIBIAN SUBMERGES.

EXT. UNDERWATER

We see DON, through the windshield, looking around and backward. But more importantly, we see the huge, tangled NET attached at two ends to the two SPEEDBOATS, which has formed almost a complete circle around the SUBMARINE MERCEDES. It goes from just under the surface to too low for the amphibian to dive under.

INT. THE MERCEDES

JOE

(alarmed)

Shit! Can we break through?

DON

Probably, but we'd get tangled and I have a feeling we'd shred the propeller. It appears there's only one way...

He trails off, lost in thought.

JOE

What's that?

DON

Forward into whatever trap has been prepared for us.

JOE

We're just going to let them take us?

While JOE dithers, DON has been getting an idea.

DON

(smiling)

I said we'll go into their trap. I never said we wouldn't come OUT.

INT. NOPE CENTRAL

The WATCHER is slightly uneasy. The MERCEDES submerging was dealt with in the plan, but only as an edge case. That it's doing so now is causing him doubts.

He pushes them aside, knowing that the Mercedes shouldn't be able to escape the net. From the position of the two boats on his MONITOR, he sees that they have just about reached their destination: a RAMP going from the harbor pavement into the water. Trucks have strategically blocked off all routes but one: straight ahead, to where the final ambush is set to take place.

WATCHER

(into headset)

X, Y, and Z, stand ready for capture.

Another MONITOR displays three drivers (in specially placed side streets, ready to give chase into the dead end then block all retreat) starting their cars' engines.

WATCHER

(to himself)

Well, now, you two little escapees... Escape THIS!

INT. THE MERCEDES

The SPEEDBOATS have finished their corraling operation: there is only one way left for DON and JOE to go, namely up the RAMP, dimly visible through the murky water but clear on the SONAR display on the center console.

DON smiles.

DON

Well, I think a successfully attempted ambush would count as an emergency, eh?

JOE

(tense)

Whatever, just get us out of it, okay?!

DON

Hang on, because we're about to go faster.

Dramatic pause; then DON flips open an unobtrusive compartment and pushes the big red BUTTON inside.

EXT. HARBOR

There is a sudden roar, and the water behind the MERCEDES lights up as the one-shot ROCKET engine engages. The EXHAUST is hot enough to stay lit for a few feet before the water extinguishes it.

There is confusion among the CREWS of the two speedboats. No one prepared them for THIS!

INT. THE MERCEDES

We get to see both the passengers' faces as the MERCEDES accelerates out of the water. DON is exhilarated; JOE is trying not to throw up.

INT. NOPE CENTRAL

The WATCHER is not amused. This was not in the plan at all. He makes a rapid mental inventory of his options; it is unsatisfactory. He'll go with the best he has.

WATCHER

(into headset)

X, Y, Z, stand down. Prepare to give chase once their rockets die down.

Before he cuts off the communication channel, we hear the DRIVERS' confused CHATTER. Rockets??

EXT. THE HARBOR RAMP

The MINIONS posted near the side of the RAMP for reinforcement can't believe their eyes as the MERCEDES emerges, dripping wet and lit from behind, at RIDICULOUS SPEED, from the water. As soon as its wheels find traction, it gets another speed boost; then it hits the air and goes into a very long jump.

INT. THE MERCEDES

Cameo: DON is still having fun, and even JOE is beginning to enjoy himself a little.

EXT. THE TRAP AREA

The car continues to fly, past all three side ALLEYS where teams X, Y, and Z are concealed, past all the TRUCKS blocking the other escape routes, and, as its rocket fuel finally runs out...

INT. NOPE CENTRAL

The WATCHER groans. The worst-case scenario has come true. The MERCEDES has caught just enough air not to smash into the STRAW BALES set up at the end of the trap to block the way, but has landed ON TOP of them. It's going so fast at this point that it just skates over the top of them and then crashes down onto the the road.

There is no way to remove all the straw in time for X, Y and Z to give chase. The WATCHER's hermetic trap has sealed in his own troops.

WATCHER

(into headset; bitterly)

All units stand down. Remove all traces. I will have to initiate plan C.

He switches to a different channel using the CONTROLS at his desk.

WATCHER (CONT'D)

(into headset)

P, Q, R, S, you are go: they broke our trap. I advise caution; they may have several tricks left. Non-lethal force only, until further notice.

The MONITORS show the harbor MINIONS taking apart their carefully built defenses; four SUVs starting up and racing to intercept; and the locator DOT of DON's MERCEDES headed toward a T in the road at high velocity....

CUT TO:

INT. THE MERCEDES

DON is having so much fun, his head tilted back, he hasn't realized that the road is ending in a few hundred feet. But JOE has.

JOE

(panicked)

Look at the damn road!!

DON

Whaa...

Then his eyes focus, he snaps back to reality, and with no time to give a warning, jams the brake. Both passengers are thrown forward as the car slows down quickly and appreciably, but the T-junction and the wall behind it is still approaching fast.

DON, his face screwed up in concentration, waits until the last possible second to lose as much speed as possible, then tears the wheel hard left. The car, traveling on its left wheels only, makes the 90 degree left turn with no room to spare--its right wheels are grazing the wall at the back of the intersection. DON pulls the car out of the turn and back onto all four wheels, exhilarated. Now that things are back under control, he allows himself a huge grin.

DON

I love this car.