copyright 1998 PRP Do not reproduce without permission from the authors.
MINDWARP
FADE IN:
EXT--DAY--FRONT OF KIPP HOUSE
Abigail, and Will are in Will's truck, while Tressa is leaning against the window.
WILL
We should be back tomorrow morning. You sure
you don't mind spending the night alone?
ABIGAIL
I could stay, if…
TRESSA
Go! Believe it or not, I'm a big girl. I can handle
a night alone. Besides, I need those motor parts
more than I need company. (to Abigail) And if you
don't navigate God only knows when he'll get back.
WILL
Hey, I resent that.
TRESSA
No, you resemble that. Remember, when you went to
Thibodeaux to pick up that customer from New York.
WILL
I was only half a day late.
ABIGAIL
She does have a point, Will.
TRESSA
Go.
EXT--DAY--EDGE OF SWAMP
A short distance away, several of Arcane's flunkies are watching, As the truck leaves, we see
Tressa wave, then go inside. The Lead flunky speaks into a walkie talkie
FLUNKY #1
They're gone. She's alone now.
DISPATCHER
(V.O. from walkie talkie)
Move in…and I don't want the lovely Mrs.
Kipp injured in any way.
INT--DAY--ARCANE'S LAB
Arcane is speaking to General Sunderland, while Graham looks on. A light starts blinking very
prominently on one panel, while lots of experiments, and blinkie lights can be seen in the
background. Arcane holds up a test tube with a pale blue fluid inside. Two guards stand off to one
side.
ARCANE
This treatment WILL allow you to turn anyone
into an assassin. You want a world leader
dead…with this…you can make his wife, his
children…even his mistress finish him off.
SUNDERLAND
How many hours of hypnosis are required? It's
no good to me if the subject has to disappear
for too long.
ARCANE
No more than an hour…and the adrenal stimulant
gives them vastly increased strength for several
hours.
SUNDERLAND
I want to see a test.
ARCANE
It's already been arranged. I'll notify you when
things are ready to go ahead.
SUNDERLAND
Arcane…
ARCANE
There are still one or two last minute details to be
dealt with. I assure you, you will be very impressed
with what I have to show you.
SUNDERLAND
I'd better be.
ARCANE
You WILL be. If you'll just follow…
Arcane can't remember either guard's name, and flips up the badge of the nearest one, with total
impunity.
ARCANE
Stan Jones, here…to the reception area…I'll
finish the preparations.
The guards lead a stiff-necked Sunderland out, while Arcane flashes a too bright grin, and Graham
moves up next to his boss. Arcane ignores him as he flips switch next to the blinking light.
Dispatcher
The assault team just called in. They said things
are ready for go ahead.
ARCANE
Well, tell them to get on with it…
Arcane flips the switch, visibly irritated.
ARCANE
You know, Graham, that's the problem with the world
today, no one has any bloody initiative anymore.
I tell them I want Tressa Kipp taken prisoner. I
send them out to her house, carrying heavy weaponry,
and they still have to check in with me before actually
doing anything. You just can't get good help anymore.
GRAHAM
No, sir…what if Holland finds out?
ARCANE
He will, but by the time he does, it will be too late.
GRAHAM
Sir?
ARCANE
Holland is very vulnerable where his human friends are
concerned. He won't even be able to fight back.
INT--DAY--TRESSA'S BEDROOM
Tressa is cleaning, when we hear a soft shuffle and thump. She pauses, but doesn't hear anything
else, and goes back to work. There's a definite clunk in the hall, and no question about this
sound.
INT--DAY-KIPP STAIRWELL/FOYER
Flunky #1 is coming up the stairs when Tressa appears at the top of the stairs. He goes after her
and they struggle. He stumbles, and she slips past, only to run into Flunky #2. They also struggle,
and he sends her careening over the banister. She hits hard, and is dazed, but conscious. She's
just trying to push to her feet, when Flunky #3 appears from the kitchen. Before she can get up, he
flattens a cloth over her nose and mouth. She fights for a moment, before going limp.
FLUNKY #3
I've got her.
FLUNKY #1
I'll notify Arcane.
Flunky #3 lifts her into his arms, and carries her out, while Flunky #1, and #2 take out their weapons and step onto the front porch.
EXT--DAY--KIPP HOUSE--FRONT
Flunky #2 carries Tressa toward a waiting van, while the other two start firing their guns into the
air, making as much noise as possible. As #3 is trying to load Tressa, she regains consciousness,
and starts to struggle.
CUT TO:
EXT--DAY--SWAMP
We hear distant gunshots as we cut to Swampy's reaction shot, then he takes off running.
EXT--DAY--KIPP HOUSE--BACK
Swampy arrives to find things looking normal, but he senses something's wrong. He steps cautiously
onto the porch, where the door is hanging open. He pushes it open and steps through.
INT--DAY--KIPP KITCHEN
Swampy moves cautiously, suspecting something as he moves on into
INT--DAY--KIPP FOYER/LIVINGROOM
Swamp Thing steps into the foyer, finds the cloth used to drug Tressa, and picks it up, gingerly
sniffing.
SWAMP THING
Ether??
A sudden noise from the front draws his attention, and we hear a scream. Swamp Thing breaks into a
run, toward front, breaking onto the porch.
EXT--DAY--KIPP HOUSE-FRONT DRIVE
Tressa has regained consciousness (woozily so), and is struggling with her kidnappers.
SWAMP THING
Tressa?
One of the men strikes Tressa and shoves her into the van. Before bailing in after her.
FLUNKIE #2
Get out of here!
SWAMP THING
No!
Swampy starts forward at a run, but the van explodes into motion before he can catch up.
SWAMP THING
Arcane…
Swamp Thing turns and jogs toward swamp, and we:
XFADE TO:
INT--DAY--ARCANE'S LAB
Tressa lies unconscious on a lab table, her wrists and ankles bound by straps, so that she cannot
move, a rubber bite guard strapped into place between her teeth. Arcane, and Graham enter.
GRAHAM
They said he showed up before they got away,
and tried to stop them.
ARCANE
Good…good…
GRAHAM
Sir, he knows those men work for you. He'll
come after her.
They reach the table, and Arcane peels one of Tressa's eyelids back. He's very cheerful, of course.
Life is going well for Arcane right now.
ARCANE
Of course he WILL…and when he does, he'll a
very special surprise waiting for him.
Graham frowns in confusion, as Arcane fetches a stainless steel tray of medical supplies, including
a syringe full of blue liquid.
GRAHAM
Sir, if you're thinking of testing the assassination
drug on Tressa Kipp, don't you think you should pick
a different target?
Tressa's eyes open, and she blinks in confusion, tries to move, and realizes she's bound. Arcane
watches cheerfully as she begins struggling desperately against the bonds.
ARCANE
Not having a very good day, are you, my dear?
GRAHAM
There's no way she can kill that creature
Arcane suddenly remembers Graham's presence.
ARCANE
What…oh…you're still here…actually, Mrs. Kipp,
here will do very admirably, for what I need.
Arcane picks up a syringe of the blue fluid. Tressa's struggles increase, and we can see the whites
of her eyes.
ARCANE
Don't worry, only a moment more.
Arcane taps the air bubbles out of the fluid, then squirts a narrow stream, before lowering the
needle, and inserting it into Tressa's arm.
ARCANE
Sorry, about this, but, rest assured, it hurts you
more than it does me.
Tressa's back arches, and she screams behind the gag as she starts to convulse. Arcane watches it
all with persistent good cheer. When she suddenly goes limp, her eyes open, but unfocused, his grin
broadens a notch.
Arcane
Now, it's time for the fun to really begin. Graham,
start the tape.
Graham hits a switch, and the screens surrounding the lab table begin showing a montage of Swamp
Things committing evil acts (MONTAGE of stock footage that could be misunderstood), while a
soothing voice chants in the background.
voice over
This creature has taken everything from you…it is
evil…it stole your son…
And we:
CUT TO:
EXT--NIGHT--ARCANE COMPLEX--(STOCK SHOT)
Swamp Thing emerges from the cover of trees, careful not to be seen by the guard, and creeps to a
side entrance. He grabs an exiting guard in a choke hold.
SWAMP THING
Where's the woman Arcane kidnapped earlier today?
GUARD
I-I don't know
Swampy puts additional pressure on the guard's neck.
SWAMP THING
Are you sure about that?
GUARD
I-in Arcane's lab on the lower level.
SWAMP THING
When I let you go, you WILL enter the code to unlock the door. Don't try to
escape, or trick me.
GUARD
I won't.
Swamp Thing releases the guard, who unlocks the door, then swampy slams him into the wall, knocking
him unconscious, and letting him fall to the ground, while we:
CUT TO:
INT--NIGHT--ARCANE'S COMPLEX--SECURITY CONSOLE
CU, the same scene as above, seen from a black and white security camera. Pull out to find a bank
of monitors, showing various hallways, and rooms in the complex. Sunderland closely watching the
proceedings, while Arcane is enjoying a glass of champagne several feet away, and Graham is
standing close to his boss. Their conversation is carried on in low tones.
GRAHAM
Sir?
ARCANE
Relax, Graham. It's the perfect two pronged test,
the hypnosis and the polymascorbic acid.
GRAHAM
But, sir, the syringe she's carrying contains all
of the acid left. It will be three years before we
can synthesize another batch.
Swamp Thing appears on various monitors as he moves through the complex.
ARCANE
It WILL be worth it to get rid of that sanctimonious
pile of moss.
GRAHAM
And the woman? She's well liked around here. If
she goes back with this story, they might just
believe her.
ARCANE
She won't remember a thing.
Onscreen, Swampy discovers the door to the lab and steps inside.
ARCANE
Now, watch this, it should get interesting.
SUNDERLAND
This had better work Arcane
ARCANE
Of course it WILL.
And on those words we:
CUT TO:
INT--NIGHT--ARCANE'S LAB
The video screens are quiet now, and Tressa lays perfectly still (still bound, but no longer
gagged), seemingly unconscious as Swamp Thing crosses to her side. He touches her lightly, and she
stirs, but doesn't wake.
SWAMP THING
Tressa.
She groans softly, and he breaks her bonds. Her eyelids flutter, and she seems to become agitated.
SWAMP THING
You're safe now.
TRESSA
No.
Swampy lifts her into his arms, and she half struggles, but is still out of it.
SWAMP THING
What did he do to you?
He carries her out, while we:
CUT TO:
INT--NIGHT--ARCANE COMPLEX--SECURITY CONSOLE
Arcane cheerfully toasts the scene on the video monitor.
ARCANE
Come Graham, General Sunderland. We don't want to miss the second half of
the show.
EXT--NIGHT--A SMALL CLEARING IN THE SWAMP
Swamp Thing lowers Tressa to the ground near a stream, so that she's leaning against a tree. She
blinks and shakes her head slowly, struggling with the drugs, then looks up at him blearily.
SWAMP THING
You're safe now.
Tressa shows no emotion, even though she should logically freak out. Instead, she just stares at
him.
TRESSA
You.
Now, Swampy is confused. She's never seen him before, so how does she know who he is. He's still
considering this problem, when her hand comes around, syringe clenched tightly in her fingers,
trying to stab him with the needle. He blocks the blow, but she's strong, and they grapple.
SWAMP THING
How?
No answer from Tressa, except a hard shove, that sends him backwards several feet. She leaps to her
feet and lunges, and again they struggle, until he pushes her back. She lunges again and, this
time, he side-steps, so she stumbles on past. When she turns back, she's breathing hard, her
expression confused.
TRESSA
Have to…
SWAMP THING
Have to what? Tell me, Tressa.
Tressa shakes her head in confusion, but she can't quite resist the programming, and lunges. They
struggle for a moment, and he barely manages to shove her back.
SWAMP THING
Massive adrenal stimulation.
Tressa is struggling with the command to kill. She is not a killer by nature, but the combo of
drugs and hypnosis is still strong. She lunges again, and Swampy sidesteps, catching her from
behind, and shoving the needle in her hand into a nearby tree, which immediately withers and dies
(EFX). Tressa screams, her struggles becoming desperate.
SWAMP THING
That smell…polymascorbic acid…
Her struggles topple them both to the ground, and he pins her with effort.
Swamp thing
Fight it, I know you can.
TRESSA
I don't want…
She's struggling with the drugs now.
SWAMP THING
That's it.
TRESSA
…Inside my mind…made me…
SWAMP THING
Trust me. I can help you.
TRESSA
You…no…you're…evil…you hurt…Jim…
SWAMP THING
No…Jim was my friend…I would never harm him…please
trust me…you don't want to hurt anyone.
TRESSA
No…I…don't…
She's crying now, torn and confused, and clutching her head as though it hurts.
Swamp thing
Let go of the anger…it's not really yours…
TRESSA
No…
She suddenly lets go of the syringe, and it spills to the ground. Her knees buckle, and she
collapses, then he steps forward, kneeling beside her as he cradles her close.
SWAMP THING
It's all right, now. I'll help you back.
EXT--NIGHT--A TRAIL IN THE SWAMP
Arcane and Graham are following a locator signal on a small beeping device.
ARCANE
That Sunderland is absolutely no fun. Imagine
foregoing a chance to see Alec Holland die at
the hands of one of his little friends, just to
avoid the swamp. Hmmph, no fun at all.
Graham
Are you sure about this…because…
Graham looks around nervously. He would rather be almost anywhere else.
Graham
If you're wrong, he is not gonna be happy.
ARCANE
Oh, relax, Graham. By now, he's as desiccated as
a dried flower arrangement. Hmmm, perhaps that's
what I should do with him. What do you say, Graham,
shall we get a giant vase, and put him in the foyer?
The beeping coming from the tracking device becomes noticeably louder.
ARCANE
Oh, good, it's just ahead.
They step through a thick patch of growth and we:
CUT TO:
EXT--NIGHT--A SMALL CLEARING IN THE SWAMP
Reverse angle as Arcane and Graham step into the clearing through a thick patch of growth. Swamp
Thing is kneeling beside Tressa, who leans heavily against him, unconscious, or close to it. As
Arcane steps into the clearing, Swampy holds out the bug, and crushes it. The signal stops. Arcane
starts forward, but thinks better of it after Swampy says…
SWAMP THING
Be grateful I don't do that to you.
ARCANE
I always said you had no sense of humor.
SWAMP THING
Both of your experiments have failed, Arcane.
ARCANE
But they can't…I'm a genius.
Swampy rises, Tressa held securely in his arms.
SWAMP THING
You miscalculated the strength of the human will.
Even with your drugs in her system, Tressa couldn't
kill.
ARCANE
It's rude to gloat.
SWAMP THING
Do not try your foul experiments on her again.
ARCANE
As a fellow scientist, I'd think you'd understand
the value of empirical evidence.
SWAMP THING
I haven't killed you, because I don't wish to become
you…that can change. Leave her alone.
Swampy disappears into the swamp, leaving Graham, and Arcane alone.
ARCANE
I've always said he's got absolutely no sense of humor.
And on that we:
CUT TO:
EXT--NIGHT--KIPP HOUSE--FRONT
Long shot: Swamp Thing exits the swamp, carrying Tressa, and enters the house.
INT--MORNING-- TRESSA'S BEDROOM
Tressa is asleep on top of the blankets, still fully dressed, but barefoot. She comes awake at the
sound of truck out front. Pushes out of bed and stares down at herself, visibly not remembering
what happened.
EXT--MORNING--KIPP HOUSE--FRONT
Will's truck is parked in the drive, and Will, and Abigail climb out as Tressa exits the house.
WILL
Looks like you're up later than usual.
TRESSA
Uh…yeah. I guess I slept late.
Will moves around to the back of the truck and begins unloading, while Abigail watches Tressa
closely.
ABIGAIL
Is everything all right?
TRESSA
Uh…yeah…fine.
Tressa abruptly straightens herself, and goes around to join Will.
TRESSA
Let's see that. I've got a motor that needs fixing.
Cut to a wide-angle shot, as their dialogue fades out. Will, and Tressa begin working in the back of the truck, and we:
CUT TO:
EXT--NIGHT--KIPP FRONT PORCH
Tressa is sitting on the front steps, staring at the sky. Crickets, and nightbirds can be heard in
the background. Will exits the house, and sits down beside her.
WILL
Something wrong?
Tressa shrugs, and there's a long beat before she responds.
TRESSA
Why do you ask?
Will
You've been quiet since we got back. Did anything happen while we were
gone?
Long pause. Tressa's trying to remember, and can't quite place the previous night's events. It's like a dream she can't quite remember. She massages her temple as she speaks.
TRESSA
I don't think so…I think I must have fallen…hit
my head…things are a little blurry.
WILL
Have you seen Doc Hollister? It could be serious.
TRESSA
No, really, I'm okay…it's nothing.
WILL
Are you sure?
TRESSA
I'm sure. I'm fine, just a little…confused.
Both fall silent for a long moment.
TRESSA
Will?
WILL
Yeah?
TRESSA
Do you ever feel like there's someone out there?
WILL
Out there?
TRESSA
In the swamp…watching…protecting?
Will stares at her strangely.
WILL
Sometimes.
TRESSA
Me too.
EXT--NIGHT--SWAMP--(STOCK SHOT)
Stock shot of Swampy disappearing into the water. Voice over plays above the shot.
SWAMP THING
(V.O.)
Arcane would mold everyone to his will, but
he has never understood the power of the human
heart, and mind to resist what is anathema to it.
He seeks to control, while I seek only to end my
loneliness.
And we:
FADE OUT: