copyright 1998 PRP Do not reproduce without permission from the authors.
TRADEOFF
FADE IN:
INT. DAY. KIPP KITCHEN
Tressa, Abigail, and Will are just finishing breakfast when the doorbell rings. Will tosses down
his napkin and rises to get it.
WILL
I'll get it.
Will exits as Tressa and Abigail both rise and begin clearing dishes.
ABIGAIL
So, who do you like on the Saints this year?
Tressa just stares at her, caught unawares by the question.
TRESSA
Since when do you watch football?
ABIGAIL
Will was telling me all about it.
TRESSA
Of course he was.
CUT TO:
INT. DAY. KIPP HOUSE FOYER
Will opens the door to find a package sitting just outside, on the porch. The delivery van starts
engine, pulling away just as he crouches down to look at it. He glances at the return and waves to
the truck to stop, but it's moving too fast to notice.
WILL
Hey!
With the van gone, he picks it up.
WILL
Great, just great.
He goes back inside, and closes the door.
INT. DAY. KIPP KITCHEN
Abigail, and Tressa are just finishing clearing the table as Will enters, carrying package.
TRESSA
What was it?
WILL
Mistaken delivery. It's addressed to Arcane.
(Beat)Tressa frowns, Abigail looks vaguely clueless.
TRESSA
Wonderful…I'll call him later and tell him to get someone down to pick it
up…
Or maybe we could just throw it away, and pretend we never saw it.
Tressa and Will share a look, both obviously considering the idea.
ABIGAIL
You can't do that.
Will, and Tressa turn startled gazes on Abigail. This is really not what they want to hear.
ABIGAIL
It would be dishonest.
Both Will, and Tressa look regretful
TRESSA
She's right (disgusted)
WILL
Yeah (unhappily)
TRESSA
I'll call him as soon as I'm done here.
EXT. DAY. ROAD TO KIPP HOUSE
A black van is driving down the road. Inside, a black garbed figure (Marsh Quinton--we cannot see
his face, it's always turned away, or in shadow, allowing no more than a glimpse until the final
scene) is driving. The dashboard is very high tech, lots of blinkie lights and one dial that looks
quite similar to a radar, but in red. A red dot beeps with every pass, drawing closer as he drives,
until it's nearly centered, and he enters the driveway to the Kipp House.
QUINTON
Finally.
INT. DAY. KIPP HOUSE FOYER
Tressa is on the phone
TRESSA
Look, Arcane, you can pick it up, or not, as you please…No,
I will not bring it over…I have better things to do with my time.
INT. DAY. ARCANE'S OFFICE
Arcane is kicked back at his desk, his feet hooked on the top, phone hooked on his shoulder, filing
his nails, and looking bored.
ARCANE
Very well. What's the return address?
A short second later, his feet, and the front legs of the chair hit the floor with a solid thumb, and he leans forward on the desk. This is seriously important, even for Arcane.
ARCANE
I'll be over shortly…no, I'll do it myself.
EXT. DAY. KIPP HOUSE
Two figures-both male, slim, athletically built, and all in black (including hands and faces, which
seem to lack any real features) get out of the back of Marsh Quinton's van. They go to Kipp front
door.
INT. DAY--KIPP HOUSE--FOYER
Tressa, now dressed, is coming down the stairs as there is a knock on the door.
TRESSA
Got it.
She hurries down the stairs, opens the door a crack, only to have it shoved open hard enough to
throw her backwards, off her feet. She screams as she goes down. Android #1 goes to her, grabs her
by the collar. Will comes running
WILL
Tress, I heard you…
Will pulls up short as he sees Tressa and Android #1, then takes a swing at Android #2, where he's standing just off to the side. The android catches his fist with one hand, then twists sharply, taking Will to his knees. A hard forearm catches Will in the face, and he goes down hard.
TRESSA
Oh, God, WILL!!
Abigail enters from the kitchen, to see what's going on, and pulls up short.
ABIGAIL
Tressa, I…Tressa, Will!!
TRESSA
Get out of here!!
Tressa squirms free of her attacker, while Abigail turns and runs. Android #2 starts to go after her, but Tressa manages to trip him up and he goes down. When he tries to get up, Will manages to get one more blow in, only to take a hard blow to the midsection, then the head, and go down again.
The brief altercation gives Tressa time to scramble to her feet, but #1 grabs her from behind and hurls her through the front door, tearing it off the hinges. She tumbles down the front steps and lies dazed. Android #2 moves down hallway, into…
INT. DAY KIPP HOUSE KITCHEN
Android #2 enters, finds package on the table, picks it up, peers at it for a moment, then exits.
EXT. DAY. KIPP HOUSE FRONT
Tressa is trying to get to her feet, when she's grabbed from behind. Reverse angle from inside of
van as she's tossed, bound, blindfolded, and gagged into the back. A second later, Will is tossed
in beside her. A muffled voice (Marsh Quinton) is heard from the front.
QUINTON
Good…the transverter…time for Arcane to pay for his crimes.
EXT. DAY. SWAMP
Abigail is running, trips and goes down, looks back, terrified she's being followed. Swamp Thing
sees hers, but remains hidden, so she never sees him.
SWAMP THING
What's happened?
ABIGAIL
It's Will and Tressa. Someone's attacked them.
SWAMP THING
Who?
ABIGAIL
Two men in black…you…you're Will's friend, aren't you?
SWAMP THING
Yes.
ABIGAIL
Please, you've got to help them.
SWAMP THING
I will. Stay here…you'll be safe.
EXT. DAY. SWAMP
Montage of Swampy running through the swamp.
EXT. DAY. OPEN ROAD
Arcane is driving along, quite cheerfully.
ARCANE
At last
EXT. KIPP HOUSE FRONT YARD
Swampy moves up steps, notes the door, hanging on one hinge, and the small splash of blood in one
area. Steps cautiously inside the house.
INT DAY. KIPP HOUSE FOYER
Reverse angle as Swampy enters, and begins looking around
SWAMP THING
Will! Tressa!
Swampy hears a car pull up outside, and draws back into shadows. A moment later, Arcane pops his
head in, noting the havoc.
ARCANE
So much for that good housekeeping award.
Arcane wanders a bit, noting the damage with increasing frowns. Backs up, unknowingly running into
Swampy, who grabs him in a choke hold.
SWAMP THING
The boy and the woman…where are they?
Arcane appears genuinely startled.
ARCANE
How should I know?
SWAMP THING
No more tricks.
ARCANE
Do you honestly think I'd just walk in here,
if I'd had anything to do with this? Some idiot
misdelivered a package. I just came to pick it up.
Long pause, then Swamp Thing shoves Arcane away. Arcane stumbles, then regains his balance, and straightens his clothes, playing the dandy.
SWAMP THING
If you're lying….
Arcane just waves him off.
ARCANE
Yes, yes, you'll do nasty things to me…blah, blah, blah.
Has it occurred to you, that you're getting a bit predictable?
EXT. DAY KIPP HOUSE FRONT
Swampy goes outside, studies tire tracks. Arcane joins him a moment later, looks
uncharacteristically worried.
ARCANE
I may have an idea who did this.
Swamp Thing turns on him, angry and suspicious (not really surprising, all things considered).
SWAMP THING
Who?
ARCANE
An old enemy of mine.
SWAMP THING
Why tell me?
ARCANE
I can't find the package. If I'm right, and I'm
always right, the person who stole it, also
kidnapped your little friends…I want the package,
I'm assuming you want your friends back…though,
personally, I'd question that choice.
SWAMP THING
Why should I help you?
ARCANE
Without my help, you'll never get them back alive…
and all I want in return is one small package.
Arcane measures the size of the package, with his hands, and flashes his best, innocent, puppy-dog eyed look. Swampy doesn't look terribly impressed, but there is a pause while he considers this information (though it can hardly come as any surprise that Arcane is involved in a bad thing happening in the swamp).
SWAMP THING
It appears I have little choice, but if you betray me, Arcane.
Arcane is quite cheerful now.
ARCANE
Oh, very well. Dire threats, and all that, dutifully
registered…well come on, you walking pile of moss.
Arcane takes off, his step quite bouncy now.
EXT. DAY. DIRT ROAD IN SWAMP
Quinton's black van pulls off road a short way and parks.
INT. DAY VAN
The androids sit in the back, deactivated. Will and Tressa are leaned, together, against one wall.
Tressa is conscious, but woozy. Will is apparently unconscious, one temple badly bruised and
bloody. Quinton moves out of the front seat, into the back to kneel beside Tressa. She senses his
presence and tries to twist away when gloved hands touch her face, but he clamps on her jaw,
holding her chin in place, while he loosens her gag. He speaks in little more than a threatening
whisper.
QUINTON
No screaming, or you'll regret it. Understood?
Tressa nods and he pulls the gag away.
TRESSA
Please, my friend. He was hurt. I-
Quinton jerks her chin solidly, silencing her.
QUINTON
Quiet…I'll tell you when I want you to say something.
He looks her over.
QUINTON
You don't look like Arcane's usual type.
TRESSA
Arcane…I don't-
Quinton shakes her to silence her. There is a very real edge of violence to this man.
QUINTON
I said quiet.
He forces her chin up to a painful angle.
QUINTON
Now, how do I get into Arcane's lab?
TRESSA
I don't know.
The hand on her chin slides down to her throat.
QUINTON
Wrong answer.
The hand at her throat tightens fractionally. Tressa is starting to panic.
TRESSA
I swear, I don't know.
His hand tightens another fraction of an inch.
QUINTON
You can do better than that.
TRESSA
(choking) I barely even know Arcane…and what I know,
I don't like. I-
QUINTON
(furiously angry) Then why was the transverter delivered
to you?
TRESSA
I don't even know what you're talking about.
QUINTON
Don't lie…or do you think he'll save you, if you can just
stall long enough? I know he has a tracer unit, but it won't
help you. It'll take hours to find us. By then, your young
friend may be dead. He doesn't look very well.
TRESSA
Oh God, Will…no please. I'll do anything.
QUINTON
Get me into Arcane's lab and I'll let you both go.
TRESSA
I don't know anything.
Quinton yanks her to her feet, and she cries out in shocked pain.
QUINTON
Then why did you have the transverter?
TRESSA
I don't know.
Something in her voice finally gets to him and he lets go, watching as she slides back into a sitting position. His shoulders slump in defeat, and his voice is deeply saddened.
QUINTON
I sincerely hope you're lying…and I'm truly sorry,
if you aren't.
Tressa cries out in fear and tries unsuccessfully to avoid him when he replaces the gag.
EXT. DAY. ARCANE COMPLEX
(stock shot to establish location)
EXT. DAY. SWAMP NEAR ARCANE COMPLEX
Arcane arrives, carrying what looks like a calculator, with some additional blinkie lights, and
joins Swamp Thing.
ARCANE
This will track it.
SWAMP THING
(to self) A high frequency wave receptor…(to Arcane)
What's in that package?
ARCANE
That's none of your business.
SWAMP THING
This truce lasts only until Will and Tressa are safe.
After that…
ARCANE
I wouldn't have it any other way.
INT. DAY. QUINTON MARSH'S VAN
Sun is rising, and the van is getting hotter. Occupants sweating. Will is leaning against Tressa,
and groans softly. Quinton moves into the back of the van, kneeling in front of Tressa. Reaches to
ungag her, and she tenses, startled, while his hand lingers at her cheek, making her even jumpier.
QUINTON
Who are you?
TRESSA
My name's Tressa Kipp. I-
QUINTON
No. Not your name. Who you are.
TRESSA
I don't understand.
QUINTON
Your hopes, your dreams, your fears, the things
that make you who you are.
Tressa is confused, not knowing how to answer. Will struggles dazedly, while Quinton stiffens.
QUINTON
Are you Arcane's mistress?
TRESSA
No!
QUINTON
Then why did you have a package addressed to him?
TRESSA
The package? (long pause) It was a mistaken delivery.
Please, you've got to believe me.
Quinton pulls up and away, saying nothing, but does not replace the gag, which is some small concession to the fact he's having doubts. Will groans softly, not doing well at all, and Tressa whispers to him.
TRESSA
You're going to be okay. Just hold on. We'll get
out of this.
EXT. DAY. SWAMP
It's late afternoon, Arcane and Swampy have obviously spent way too much time together, and are
getting snappish, to the point of nearly running out of one liners. Arcane is studying his blinkie
lighted calculator.
ARCANE
We're getting close.
SWAMP THING
The device you're after is a spectrum transverter,
isn't it?
ARCANE
I don't know what you're-
Swampy grabs him by the throat, cutting him off.
SWAMP THING
Don't lie.
ARCANE
(sounding choked) I'm not.
Swampy snatches the tracker from his hand. Studies it, while he maintains a one handed grip on Arcane's throat.
SWAMP THING
That's the only thing you could track with this.
ARCANE
It's mine. I-
SWAMP THING
I can't allow it to fall into your hands. It's far
too dangerous.
Throws Arcane to the ground on his backside.
SWAMP THING
Do not interfere.
Arcane starts to go after him, but Swampy shoves him back down, and jogs off.
ARCANE
I KNEW I COULDN'T TRUST HIM.
INT. EVENING. VAN
Will is still bound, gagged, and blindfolded. Tressa is only bound and blindfolded. Quinton is
making adjustments on one of the androids.
TRESSA
Why is that package so important to you?
What's in it?
QUINTON
A spectrum transverter.
TRESSA
A what?
QUINTON
It can control the electromagnetic spectrum. In
the wrong hands, it would be a very dangerous weapon.
TRESSA
Arcane…
QUINTON
Definitely qualifies as the wrong hands.
TRESSA
And yours qualify as the right ones?
Long pause as Quinton briefly stops working on the android, contemplating her question. The admission, when it comes, is not easily made.
QUINTON
Perhaps not…but better than his.
Quinton goes back to work. Tressa's scared, and Will's in bad shape.
TRESSA
Prove it. Let Will go. He's hurt. He's no threat to you.
QUINTON
I can't take the chance.
Quinton struggles to do some fine work, but the leather gloves make it nearly impossible.
QUINTON
Blast it!
Quinton strips off glove, revealing a horribly burn scarred hand.
TRESSA
What?!
Quinton looks up, freezes, sounds apologetic.
QUINTON
Nothing for you to be frightened of. Just a
mechanical problem.
TRESSA
What are you going to do with us?
The ensuing silence is broken by a beep from the dashboard panel. Quinton moves up front to make an adjustment to the scanner. His shoulders slump, and his posture is that of a very tired man. Will is struggling to return to consciousness again.
QUINTON
Company's coming.
Tressa's close to panic, knowing that Arcane's presence will mean everything's going to blow up, and she and Will will be expendable. Will seems to be semi-conscious now.
TRESSA
Please, just let us go. Will and I aren't part of this.
Quinton is uncertain, beginning to wonder if she's telling the truth.
QUINTON
Arcane-
TRESSA
Doesn't give a damn if we live or die. If you think
holding us hostage will slow him down, you're out of
your mind.
Quinton stares at her for a long moment, then a beep draws his attention back to the scanner, and he tenses.
QUINTON
Moving too fast to be…damn.
Quinton hurries back and activates android.
QUINTON
Keep everyone but the one with the Spectrum receptor away.
Quinton pushes rear door open and androids exit. Now, we see it's late evening, nearly night.
QUINTON
You want your friend out of the game?
TRESSA
Yes.
Quinton reaches down, unties her ankles, and pulls her to her feet. Will's struggles become considerably more noticeable.
QUINTON
Then do exactly as I say.
Tressa nods, standing still, while Quinton grabs a backpack and hooks it over one shoulder, then pushes rear door open again, and steps out, reaching back to haul Tressa down beside him.
EXT. EVENING. BLACK VAN IN SWAMP
Reverse angle on Tressa and Quinton, now outside the van.
QUINTON
Defy me just once, and I will kill you. Do you understand?
Tressa is terrified, but holding up surprisingly well.
TRESSA
Yes.
QUINTON
Good, because I can and will do it, if I have to.
EXT. NIGHT. SWAMP
Swamp Thing draws back into the shadows as the androids draw close, then pass by. After a moment,
Arcane's voice is heard in the distance.
ARCANE
Hey! Let me go!
SWAMP THING
Good.
INT. NIGHT. VAN
Swampy pulls the rear door open, and scrambles inside. Notes Will and kneels beside him, quickly
freeing his gag. They talk while he continues to loosen Will's wrists, and ankles. Will is
conscious, but not in good shape at all. His temple is badly bruised, and swollen, and blood still
streaks the side of his face.
SWAMP THING
Will!
WILL
Alec…thank God. He took Tressa, and he's out there
waiting for Arcane. You've got to go after them.
SWAMP THING
Do you have any idea who it is?
Will
No…he didn't give any clues, or use any names.
SWAMP THING
Do you know if has something called a transverter?
Will nods as he struggles to put himself back together, and gather his thoughts.
WILL
That's what he called it…there was a package delivered
to the house for Arcane. This guy seems to want it real
bad. When he was talking to Tressa, he called it a
spectrum transverter.
SWAMP THING
Then they must both be stopped.
Leaving Will on the floor, Swamp Thing moves to the front of the van, studying the front dash. He reaches out, and makes a change or two. Then speaks to himself.
SWAMP THING
It can't be…he's dead…
Swampy spins back to kneel beside Will.
SWAMP THING
Listen to me, Will. I'm going after them. If I'm right,
the swamp is in a great deal of danger. I think it's a
man named Marshall Quinton, and he's trying to lure Arcane
into a trap in order to destroy the transverter
WILL
I don't understand.
SWAMP THING
There were rumors that Arcane had gotten a hold of a compressed
carbonite crystal. It's harder, and clearer than any diamond.
It forms the lens that broadcasts the transverter signal. Only
one thing can destroy it, a power backlog within the transverter.
To do that, you need two crystals. There's a shard in the tracking
device. That's enough to do it.
WILL
But why not just grow his own? Why use Arcane's?
SWAMP THING
The crystal is manmade. The process is very slow, and complex.
It's only been successful a couple of times.
WILL
And Arcane has one of them?
Swampy nods.
SWAMP THING
Neither of them can be allowed to keep those crystals.
They can do far too much damage.
WILL
The guy who has Tressa…I don't think he's evil, but…I
think he's really dangerous…it didn't seem like he
was…all there…y'know, mentally.
Swampy nods in understanding.
SWAMP THING
If I'm right about his identity, it's very possible he's
not. He was a scientist, working for Arcane. There was
an accident. His family was killed. It was believed he
was, as well…but perhaps not.
Will tries to stand, but is too weak.
WILL
I'm coming with you.
Swamp Thing gently pushes him back down, though it doesn't take much.
SWAMP THING
I must go alone.
WILL
There are a couple of androids.
SWAMP THING
I know. I saw them.
Swampy moves back to the dashboard, makes several alterations to a control bar that apparently effects the androids.
EXT. NIGHT. SWAMP
Arcane is pinned to a tree by an android, about to deliver a killing blow. The android seems to
convulse, stumbles away, staggering like a man in the throes of death. After a long moment, the
android goes down, while smoke trails up from its body. Arcane calmly straightens his jacket.
ARCANE
Obviously couldn't handle my magnetic personality.
He steps over the creature with a look of distaste, and heads off.
EXT. NIGHT. VAN
Swamp Thing, and Will are outside the van. Will's standing, but not by much, and he leans heavily
against the side of the van as Swampy pats him on the shoulder.
SWAMP THING
Stay here.
Swampy heads away at a trot, while Will calls after him.
WILL
Be careful.
EXT. NIGHT. VERY OVERGROWN SECTION OF THE SWAMP
Tressa is sitting with her back against a tree, knees upthrust, visibly in pain. Her pants are torn
over one knee, and her knee is torn open as well, while Quinton is kneeling beside her, cupping her
injured knee.
QUINTON
I don't have time for this.
Tressa's angry, scared, and well aware that Quinton may kill her if she can't keep up.
TRESSA
What did you expect, dragging me blindfolded through a swamp?
QUINTON
Shut up!
TRESSA
Why don't you just go and leave me here?
QUINTON
I said, SHUT UP!
Quinton grabs her by the hair and slams her head back against the tree, only to abruptly freeze, and let go with a jerk.
QUINTON
What have I become? Arcane did this…turned me into this…
Suddenly defeated, and exhausted, Quinton reaches out to touch Tressa's cheek very lightly.
QUINTON
I should have left you at the van.
TRESSA
Just let me go. I know what Arcane can be like.
I promise, I won't tell anyone.
Quinton isn't hearing her. He's over the edge. The hand on her cheek trails down her jaw, and throat, his touch light, and caressing. He's not seeing Tressa anymore, but another woman, and another time.
QUINTON
You don't know how much I've missed you.
TRESSA
Huh?
QUINTON
Once the contract with Arcane Industries is up,
we'll go away…to Europe. Wouldn't you like that Sandy?
I love you so much.
The hand at Tressa's throat, moves up into her hair, and his mouth is on hers before she knows it's
coming. She tries to struggle, but there's not a lot she can do.
SWAMP THING
Let her go!
Quinton scrambles back, confused, and grabs the transverter. For the first time, we get a full shot
of his face, and see that it's as scarred as his hand was.
QUINTON
Stay back! What are you?
SWAMP THING
A friend.
Quinton regains some sense.
QUINTON
I don't need friends…I need Arcane and the Spectrum
Wave Receptor.
Swamp Thing holds out the receptor he stole from Arcane.
SWAMP THING
I have it.
QUINTON
No…Arcane…
SWAMP THING
Let me help you destroy the transverter.
QUINTON
Don't need your help…just need Arcane dead…
SWAMP THING
Just let the woman go. She doesn't deserve to die for
Arcane's crimes.
Quinton is in his own world, not really hearing anything Swampy says.
QUINTON
Arcane has to die.
SWAMP THING
MARSH!
That finally gets Quinton's attention, and he looks up, confused.
QUINTON
Who are you?
SWAMP THING
Let me help you.
QUINTON
(faintly) Yes.
Swampy moves forward. Just as he draws into range, Quinton's hand darts out, and he grabs the receptor.
SWAMP THING
Marsh, no!
But it's already too late, as Quinton locks the two together. A low hum can be heard. Swampy grabs Tressa's arm and hauls her to her feet.
SWAMP THING
RUN!!!
Swamp Thing and Tressa run, leaving Quinton behind, an oddly beatific smile on his face as the unit in his hands begins to glow. They are some distance away, when the initial explosion tears through the swamp, blowing Tressa off her feet, knocking her unconscious, and even sending Swampy to his knees. He sprawls protectively across her body, as the world behind them suddenly glows brighter than daylight.
EXT. NIGHT. SWAMP.
Arcane looking away as explosion begins to recede, and die away.
ARCANE
Damn.
EXT. NIGHT. VAN
Will is still waiting for Swamp Thing, sees the explosion.
WILL
NO!!
EXT. NIGHT. SWAMP.
Swamp Thing, carrying an unconscious Tressa comes across Arcane, who looks disappointed to see his
opponent still around and kicking.
ARCANE
Still alive, I see.
SWAMP THING
Unlike Marsh Quinton
ARCANE
It's hardly my fault he was an incompetent fool.
SWAMP THING
Spare me, Arcane.
Swampy shoulders on past, to disappear into the mists, leaving Arcane to straighten himself.
ARCANE
Well, it's not.
INT. KIPP HOUSE LIVING ROOM
Tressa regains consciousness on the couch. Will is sitting in a nearby chair, shirtless, his ribs
taped, and a prominent bandage on his head, while Abigail hovers nearby, and Doc Hollister sits on
the edge of the couch, looking relieved.
HOLLISTER
Back with us, I see.
Tressa jerks into a sitting position, looking around.
HOLLISTER
It's okay. You're safe now.
TRESSA
The kidnapper?
WILL
Dead.
TRESSA
There was another man. I was still blindfolded,
so I never saw him, but he…he saved my life.
Will looks away, unable to meet her gaze as he lies.
WILL
He must have been killed too.
Tressa
That poor man. If he hadn't helped me…Do you
have any idea who he was?
Will's eyes remain firmly locked on a distant point, hating the lie even more.
WILL
I don't know.
ZOOM on Tressa for her final line.
TRESSA
Whoever you were, may God take you and hold you.
CUT TO:
EXT. NIGHT. SWAMP (STOCK SHOT OF SWAMPY GOING INTO WATER)
SWAMP THING(V.O.)
Today I saw what I could have become, so twisted by
hate. Yet, even in his madness, a spark of humanity
burned in Marsh Quinton's soul. Now, his torment is
ended forever, while mine goes on.
And we:
FADE OUT: