BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

 

“Shades of Grey”


 

written by

Howard Gordon & Alex Gansa
 
 

 

 

Aired Episode

Transcript

 

 

FADE IN:

FATHER'S CHAMBER

 

We see tunnel children sitting and standing on the stairs in Father’s chamber, looking down on him as we hear him speak.

 

FATHER

You have broken our rules,

not once … but time and time again.

Your repeated forays above put all of us at risk.

You have been warned again and again.

But still you have persisted in this willful course of action.

 

The camera pans down the stairs, past Vincent, who is standing near the bottom of the stairs, and settles on Father.

 

FATHER

Do you have anything to say in your own defense?

 

We ANGLE PAST FATHER to reveal the accused, MOUSE, standing in the center of the room. There are many other community members in the background.

 

MOUSE

(shakes his head and turns to face others in the room)

Why is everybody getting so upset?

 

FATHER

(frustrated)

Mouse, you've been stealing.

 

MOUSE

Not stealing. Taking.

(shrugs)

Just stuff. Needed it, found it, took it …

 

WINSLOW

… from a warehouse.

 

MOUSE

(pleasantly)

That's where the stuff was.

Lots there too … never miss it.

Left plenty.

 

FATHER

That is not the issue.

 

WINSLOW

You set off a burglar alarm!

 

MOUSE

Very noisy. New kind. Tricked me,

Won't happen again.

 

WINSLOW

(to Father)

He hasn't heard a thing we've said …

 

MOUSE

Heard everything. Lotta silly noise.

Everyone takes things from up top.

It’s what up top is there for...

 

FATHER

Mouse, there is a difference between foraging and stealing.

Yes, we take those things which the world above has cast off.

We accept those things given freely to us by our helpers above...

but we do not steal.

 

MOUSE

(frustrated)

Not stealing. Taking. Using. Couldn't wait.

Needed elevator cables, hydraulics.

 

Big project.

WINSLOW

What big project? No one was told

anything about any big project...

 

MOUSE

Winslow's mad...

(laughing and looking around the room)

Nobody asked his permission.

 

FATHER

(gently)

Mouse, you know we live here too...

It would have been nice to consult us.

 

MOUSE

Would have ruined the surprise.

 

JAMIE, steps forward and speaks up nervously.

 

JAMIE

It's all my fault, Father...

Mouse was just trying to help.

(beat)

You know that old iron ladder

down by the pipe chamber?

Well, it’s rusted out and it’s a hell

of a climb when you're carrying something...

So I asked if Mouse could fix something...

 

MOUSE

Moving ladder, all water power, works on hydraulics...

hop on … to the top, hop on … go down.

 

FATHER

But it does not excuse stealing.

 

MOUSE

(sighs)

 

FATHER

Well, then I suppose it's time.

Mouse has admitted the charge.

(Mouse turns to Father with a look a shock on his face)

Those who favor imposing the

punishment, please ... so indicate.

 

The camera pans around the room and one by one, people turn their backs on Mouse. Mouse looks around the room, upset, then crosses his arms, looking down. A few, including Jamie and Vincent, don’t turn around. He looks up in surprise as Father is the last to turn his back on him. Father looks over his shoulder towards Mouse and says:

 

FATHER

Mouse, I'm sorry... but since you won’t listen,

perhaps our silence will teach you the lesson our words could not.

For one month, no man, woman, or child will speak to you.

The sentence will begin...

(downcast eyes, soft)

... now.

 

Everyone begins to silently file out of the chamber. Mouse looks around the room, addressing the crowd as they leave.

 

MOUSE

Joke, right? Okay good, okay fine. (sigh)

Pascal, hey …

(Pascal turns and shakes his head before leaving)

This is stupid …

Jamie!

(grabs her by the shoulders as she passes, turning her to face him)

Big joke, huh? At least you were on my side.

 

But even Jamie looks away and leaves the chamber. Mouse turns all his attention and hope to Vincent.

 

MOUSE

Vincent ... Vincent breaks their stupid rules too...

Vincent’s my friend,

found me, brought me here when I was little,

read to me, talked to me;

(voice breaking)

Talk to me now Vincent …

 

CLOSE ON FATHER

His head bowed, he turns to watch Vincent and Mouse. Vincent silently walks away from Mouse.

 

MOUSE

(on the verge of tears)

Vincent too.

 

CUT TO:

DA’S OFFICE

 

We see Joe’s feet propped up on his desk. Catherine opens the door to Joe’s office and a dart whizzes by, sinking into a dart board mounted next to the door. Catherine laughs.

 

CATHERINE

You wanted to see me?

 

JOE

Yeah. Come on in, shut the door.

(she does)

 

CATHERINE

What is it?

 

JOE

(standing)

The Avery case.

Max Avery is as dirty as they come.

I know it, you know it, the guy

who sells the hotdogs across

the street knows it, only nobody

can prove it. We've already talked to

Waldrop, Snodgrass and Mertens, and a

dozen others that we know damn

well have paid off to keep their

buildings going. You know what we got?

(makes a "zero" sign with his thumb and forefinger)

Zip.

Moreno wants me to talk to you ...

There's one major developer who hasn't said no ...

 

Catherine is one step ahead of Joe, suddenly suspicious, on edge. She shakes her head.

 

CATHERINE

(angry)

No. Don't ask me, Joe.

Don't even think about it.

 

JOE

Gimme a break, Radcliffe. Do you think

I want to do this? I just work here.

Just have a little talk with Elliot Burch...

 

CATHERINE

(upset)

My relationship with Elliot was personal ...

not to mention painful. And it's in the past tense!

 

JOE

Alright, take it easy.

We're just asking you to interview him,

not have his children.

If Burch talks, we can put Avery away.

 

CATHERINE

Well, then subpoena him!

 

JOE

He's got an army of lawyers, Cathy.

He can stonewall and tie us up

for years ... but he'll talk to you.

 

CATHERINE

What makes you think that?

 

JOE

Because he told us he would.

(beat)

Look, personally, I think this whole thing stinks,

but there it is.

 

CUT TO:

MOUSE'S CHAMBER

 

We pan slowly across the wonders of the chamber that Mouse has made his home, a place that is equal parts laboratory, machine shop and junkyard. We see Arthur, his pet raccoon, moving about the room. As we pan across his treasures, we hear Mouse talking to Arthur.

 

MOUSE

It's good, the quiet.

Isn't it good, Arthur?

They won't talk …

okay good, okay fine,

they can't bother me all the time.

(mocking singsong)

Bother, bother, bother.

Mouse come here … Mouse can you help me?

Mouse fix this … Mouse don't go there!

Mouse that's dangerous! Yap, yap, yap ...

 

Mouse is sitting at a table with a large pachinko machine open in front of him and he's tinkering with it, his fingers moving deftly as he talks. He sets a ball in motion, and it rolls and tings down the complex pathway, bells ring and the payoff spills into the tray. For a moment, Mouse grins with delight.

 

CUT TO:

INSERT - KALEIDOSCOPE

Colors and shapes twist, shatter, and reform as a kaleidoscope is slowly turned.

 

FATHER'S CHAMBER

 

Vincent enters, and finds Father behind his desk, peering into a large, ornate brass kaleidoscope. He seems unaware of Vincent's presence at first.

 

VINCENT

(softly)

Father...

 

Father lowers the kaleidoscope.

 

VINCENT

Am I disturbing you?

 

Father sighs sadly, sets the kaleidoscope aside.

 

FATHER

No. I was ... hmm ... no, no ...

 

Vincent lightly touches the kaleidoscope.

 

VINCENT

I remember when Mouse first made this for you ...

his tube of colors ... all the colors we lacked ...

colors from the world above ...

 

FATHER

I was afraid he'd stolen it.

But he promised me solemnly

that he'd made it himself.

He was ten years old at the time.

I was very touched.

...then I found out that he'd stolen the parts.

(the two chuckle at the memory)

You were very silent in our circle today...

 

VINCENT

I had nothing to say.

(sits)

The problem is a grave one.

 

FATHER

You disagree with what we did?

 

VINCENT

It troubles me.

The silence can be terrible.

 

FATHER

So terrible as what he'd suffer

if he were ever caught up top?

I've seen the inside of their prisons.

No, what we did was right...

but it doesn’t make it any easier to live with.

 

Before Vincent can reply, we hear the sound of running footsteps and a young girl, ELLIE, bursts into the chamber.

 

ELLIE

(alarmed)

Father ... come quickly ...

It's Eric ... he fell.

 

FATHER

(very concerned)

Fell? Where?

 

ELLIE

In the maze...

 

FATHER

You know how dangerous the maze is!

 

Father walks across the room to get is medical bag.

 

FATHER

The whole of that area is saturated

with ground water. The walls are unstable,

there are warnings posted everywhere

and I know that Mary has told you

a thousand times to stay away from there.

 

ELLIE

(abashed)

We were playing hide-and seek ...

Kipper told him not to climb up there, he told him ...

 

VINCENT

It’s all right Ellie. Can you take us to Eric?

 

CUT TO:

ELLIOT BURCH'S OFFICE

 

Elliott is seated behind his desk. He looks up as Catherine enters. He stands to greet her, smiles. Catherine does not return the smile. Her demeanor is icy, controlled professionalism.

 

ELLIOT

(warmly)

... it's so nice to see you Catherine.

 

CATHERINE

Let's skip the amenities, shall we?

I'm here to talk about Max Avery.

 

ELLIOT

You're angry. I understand that, but believe it or not,

this is as difficult for me as it is for you.

 

CATHERINE

(sharply)

Well, maybe you should talk to someone less difficult.

That can be arranged.

 

ELLIOT

(vulnerable)

What did I do to make you hate me so much?

 

CATHERINE

I think we both know the answer to that.

Let’s get on with it?

 

CUT TO:

OUTER MAZE

 

Ellie leads Vincent and Father through a passage partially blocked by wooden barricades.

 

ELLIE

It's this way … right through here …

 

Ellie starts to crawl though a small passage, then turns to Father and Vincent.

 

ELLIE

(with childish impatience)

It's only a little crawl …

 

FATHER

(exasperated)

Only a little crawl...

(turns to Vincent)

Take my bag for me.

 

VINCENT

Father, are you sure you can make it... ?

 

FATHER

Yes.

 

Father gets on his knees and follows Ellie into the hole.

 

CUT TO:

ELLIOT’S OFFICE

 

Catherine and Elliot are seated across his desk from each other a thick file sitting between them.

 

ELLIOT

It’s all here (indicating the file) every threat,

every bribe, every kick back, dates, times, amounts,

names of all their go betweens.

It’s enough to put Max Avery away for twenty years.

 

Catherine reaches for the file but Elliot stops her.

 

ELLIOT

Not yet …

Please … there’s something I’d like to say first.

 

Elliot stands and begins to pace the room.

 

ELLIOT

I’ve dealt with a dozen Max Avery’s

since I began and not because I’ve wanted to.

Maybe in your life your choices have been always black and white

but in mine they are always gray. I wanted to build …

and I found that it was easier …

and cheaper to play ball with Avery than it was to fight him.

and maybe you were right to walk out on me when you did.

(walks back to desk and sits, looking intently at Catherine)

My employees were breaking the law in my name,

things were happening that were inexcusable and

ultimately it’s my responsibility, but Cathy I didn’t know.

Maybe I didn’t want to know.

I’ve got a lot of regrets in my life and losing you … is one of them.

My attorney advised me to shred this file

(he pushes the file towards Catherine)

I got a new attorney.

 

CATHERINE

It might take us months, even years to put Avery away;

until then you’ll have every kind of nightmare you ever imagined.

Avery plays hardball.

 

ELLIOT

Avery’s in a position to cripple four of my current projects.

He’ll cost me millions of dollars, but when it’s over

the city will be rid of him and so will I!

(quietly)

I can play hardball too.

 

CATHERINE

Why Elliot?

 

ELLIOT

(calmy)

Because I’m not one of the bad guys Cathy … no matter what you think.

 

CUT TO:

TUNNEL PASSAGE

 

We see Ellie, Father and Vincent crawling through a small tunnel passage. They emerge to find Eric is lying on the floor, Kipper beside him holding up his injured leg. Ellie scurries out of the tunnel, with Father and Vincent close behind her. Father kneels and begins to examine Eric.

 

FATHER

It’s alright Eric, don’t worry we’re here to help.

What’s the problem, his ankle?

Can you bring the lantern over a little closer so I can get a better look?

(Vincent brings the lantern closer to Eric’s leg).

Now how did this happen?

 

KIPPER

He fell, he was climbing up there

(points up to a ledge above their heads)

the rocks broke.

 

VINCENT

These stones are not a strong as they look Eric.

See how damp the walls are,

the same water that carved the maze eats away at these rocks.

 

FATHER

Which is precisely why none of you

should be down here in the first place.

You’re a lucky boy Eric, it’s a very bad sprain

but I don’t think anything’s broken.

Now I want you two to help him up very gently now

and try not to put any weight on it.

Alright? That’s it, that’s right … good boy.

(As Kipper and Ellie help Eric up rocks start to fall around them)

Now listen, I want this place sealed up, it’s just too hazardous

… children are down here playing …

 

Rocks continue to fall and everyone looks nervous, frightened.

 

FATHER

Come on quickly, get out of here.

Hurry on, kids …

 

The children get to the crawl way and as Father stands up, a large column of rock that supports the ceiling falls behind Vincent. Vincent turns and catches it before it can crush Kipper. Kipper turns back.

 

KIPPER

Vincent …

 

VINCENT

Go quickly!

 

Kipper hesitates

 

KIPPER

Vincent!

 

Vincent roars at them, galvanizing the children into motion. They hurry out. The chamber shakes as more pieces of the ceiling rain down around Vincent and Father. Father is helping hold up the column.

 

VINCENT

Go Father!

 

The walls around them start of collapse and a rain of rock, small and large, comes down around them. Then both of them are lost to our sight as we FADE TO BLACK.

 

FADE IN:

INNER MAZE

 

It is very dark, a small patch of flame burns on the floor where the lantern oil has spilled and burns out, leaving the cavern in darkness. We see Vincent free himself from the rubble, pushing away stones that had landed on him. He stands and starts to look around. He is covered in dust.

 

VINCENT

Father …

(he hears coughing)

Father …

(there’s a groan)

Father!

 

Vincent finds Father and starts to remove the rocks that have fallen on him.

 

VINCENT

I’m here Father, I’ll get you out.

 

FATHER

Vincent.

(Vincent pulls Father free of the rubble)

Vincent … the children?

 

VINCENT

They were well up the tunnel, let’s just pray that they’re safe.

 

FATHER

Vincent, can you … can you see anything?

 

VINCENT

Dimly … shadows, shapes, grays in a dozen different shades.

 

Father smiles weakly, reaches up, and touches Vincent's face.

 

FATHER

Your eyes are astonishing; in this blackness I’m blind.

 

VINCENT

How do you feel?

 

FATHER

(wry, pained smile)

I’ve been better.

 

CUT TO:

JOE MAXWELL'S OFFICE

 

Joe and Catherine are sitting on the edge of Joe’s desk, talking.

 

JOE

If Burch will corroborate on this

(indicating the file folder in his hand),

I’d say Avery is out of the construction business.

 

CATHERINE

It’s going to cost him Joe.

I don’t think it would be out of line to offer him immunity.

 

JOE

(raised eyebrow)

Am I wrong or are you whistling a different tune that when you left?

 

CATHERINE

(thoughtful)

Elliot’s doing the right thing, it should count for something.

 

JOE

I’ll talk to Moreno.

Immunity for Burch and his people seems like a small price to pay for Avery.

 

CATHERINE

Tell Moreno he owes me one …

(Catherine stands, walks toward the door, then turns)

… and tell him that if he ever tries to trade on my

private life again, my resignation will be on his desk by morning.

(Joe nods and smiles)

 

CUT TO:

OUTER MAZE

 

Jamie and other members of the tunnel community are gathered around the collapsed entrance to the maze.

 

JAMIE

My God … look at this, it’s even worse than Kipper said.

 

WINSLOW

Can we clear the tunnel?

 

JAMIE

Even if we clear this hole, that crawl space is twenty feet long,

once you’re in there’s no room to turn around and swing a pick.

 

SARAH

There must be something that we can do.

We can pass out the stones hand to hand.

 

WINSLOW

One rock at a time, they’d be dead for sure by the time we reached them.

 

SARAH

Don’t say that, they’re not dead and they’re not going to die.

 

WINSLOW

There’s gotta be another way in.

 

SAMANTHA

Here comes Kipper!

 

Kipper works his way through the crowd and hands a roll of maps to Winslow.

 

WINSLOW

It’s about time, let me have those maps.

(looks at the maps and shakes his head, agitated)

That’s not right!

 

KIPPER

There isn’t any …

 

WINSLOW

Quite! It’s not the right map …

There’s got to be another map, uh, maybe, maybe …

maybe of another level below this one.

Kipper, go back to Fathers chamber and bring the rest of the maps

you must have missed something.

 

KIPPER

(defensive)

I did not!

 

WINSLOW

Don’t use that tone of voice with me!

You weren’t supposed to be down in the maze in the first place.

None of this would have happened if you had done what you were told!

 

SARAH

(with her arm around Kipper)

Stop it Winslow, the boy feels bad enough as it is.

 

WINSLOW

Sorry … I’m sorry Kipper.

We’re all to blame,

we should have sealed these tunnels up years ago.

 

SARAH

There’s no way through is there?

There’s just no way to get to them.

 

WINSLOW

There’s only one way I know to get through twenty feet of solid bed rock.

Move … move!

(he stands and raises a pick axe)

and that’s one foot at a time.

 

He strikes the rock and we hear the "ping" of the axe against rock.

 

 

CUT TO:

DA'S OFFICE

 

Catherine is at her desk, writing. She winces, touches her temple. We hear the rhythmic pounding in her head, echoing the sound of Winslow's pounding on the rock. She closes and opens her eyes, rubbing her temple. With sudden understanding, her eyes open.

 

CATHERINE

(frightened whisper)

Vincent!

 

CUT TO:

INNER MAZE

 

Vincent is holding a cloth to Father’s forehead. Father groans.

 

VINCENT

Father?

 

Vincent suddenly turns and looks into the darkness, listening.

 

VINCENT

Father? Father …

 

FATHER

Vincent?

 

VINCENT

Listen.

 

FATHER

What is it?

 

VINCENT

Pounding … through the stones,

someone’s hammering against the rock.

 

FATHER

I can’t hear a thing.

 

VINCENT

It’s coming from the far side of the crawl space …

the children must have gotten out safely.

 

FATHER

Yes … thank God.

 

VINCENT

They’re digging us out.

 

FATHER

Hmm … It’s a long way Vincent.

 

VINCENT

Father, Father you must stay awake, you may have a concussion.

 

FATHER

I feel very faint, very sleepy.

 

VINCENT

Just keep talking.

 

FATHER

Alright, alright …

if the head injury was very severe I wouldn’t be lucid.

And I am lucid … aren’t I?

 

VINCENT

So far...

 

FATHER

So far? Well in that case

I shall recite from Virgil on the hour just to make sure.

 

VINCENT

Then I’ll be asleep.

(Father laughs)

 

More rocks start falling, Vincent throws himself on top of Father to shield him.

 

CUT TO:

DA’S OFFICE

 

Catherine is standing at her desk, hurriedly stuffing papers into her briefcase. She runs out, leaving her chair spinning behind her.

 

CUT TO:

OUTER MAZE

 

The scene is one of frantic activity, as workers begin to try to widen the passage and break through to Father and Vincent. Winslow is in the center of the activity, swinging a pick axe.

 

JAMIE

Winslow …

(taps on his shoulder)

Winslow …

 

WINSLOW

What?

 

JAIME

This won’t work, there’s gotta be a better way.

 

WINSLOW

I don’t see you coming up with no brain storms.

 

JAIME

Well, we could …

 

WINSLOW

What? Speak up Jamie!

 

JAMIE

We could tell Mouse, we could break the silence.

 

WINSLOW

If I thought it would help, I’d sing him a hymn.

Mouse would just slow everything down, get everybody confused.

 

JAMIE

Winslow … he knows these tunnels better than anyone,

even Father, maybe he knows another way in.

 

WINSLOW

There is no other way in, how many times did I go over those damn maps.

 

JAMIE

Maybe he could build some kind of a machine or something.

 

WINSLOW

Jaime I’ve seen Mouse’s machines half of them don’t work.

 

JAMIE

And half of them do.

 

WINSLOW

Vincent and Father are in there maybe hurt, maybe dying.

You want to get into them?

(Jamie nods)

Well, that’s what we’re doing.

Take a look, talk don’t break rock girl sweat does.

You get my meaning?

 

CUT TO:

TUNNEL THRESHOLD BENEATH CATHERINE’S BUILDING

 

Catherine walks through the passage, lighting her way with a flashlight. She bangs on the pipes and listens, but hears no response. We see scenes of the tunnel passages, empty, as Catherine’s tapping goes unanswered. She gives up and starts to navigate the tunnels on her own.

 

She comes to an old wrought iron gate. She leans against the gate and calls out.

 

CATHERINE

Hello!

(her voice echoes)

Hello!

(shaking the gate)

 

She looks around, shining her flashlight on the area around the gate. We see the face of a small stone gargoyle illuminated by the beam of the flashlight. Catherine places her hand on the base of the gargoyle, turning it slightly. Suddenly, the floor falls out from under her. We hear her scream as she disappears from sight.

 

FADE OUT

CUT TO:

 

MOUSE’S CHAMBER

Catherine falls through a hole in the ceiling onto a pile of pillows and bedding.

 

CATHERINE

Hello, hello is someone there?

 

MOUSE

(from the shadows)

Mouse. Who?

 

CATHERINE

My name is Catherine, I was looking for Vincent I...

 

MOUSE

(steps into the light)

Catherine? Vincent’s Catherine?

Express route to the deepest chamber of all, no place for a top sider.

 

CATHERINE

I think Vincent might be in … trouble.

 

MOUSE

Vincent takes care of himself, shouldn’t have come.

 

CATHERINE

Please, I need to find him.

 

MOUSE

Hundreds of tunnels, chambers wander forever and ever.

 

CATHERINE

Well then take me there.

Please, I need your help.

 

MOUSE

Ok. Ok good, Ok fine!

 

He takes off, Catherine follows.

 

CUT TO:

TUNNELS - WITH CATHERINE AND MOUSE

 

Mouse leads the way through the tunnels.

MOUSE

Grew up down here, know these tunnels better than anyone.

Vincent’s my best friend, we hang out.

 

We see Jamie making her way down the tunnel toward them.

 

MOUSE

Look, something’s wrong, something’s broken,

something needs fixing so then they come to Mouse even in the silence.

 

Jamie reaches them, out of breath; Catherine's presence makes her nervous and wary.

 

CATHERINE

It’s ok, I’m a friend of Vincent’s.

 

JAMIE

(urgently)

Mouse, you’ve got to come.

 

MOUSE

You broke the silence ‘cause you missed me.

 

Jaime grabs the front of Mouse’s shirt.

 

JAMIE

Listen to me!

There’s been a cave in, Father and Vincent are trapped.

 

CATHERINE

My God... where?

 

JAMIE

The Maze

 

MOUSE

(hurrying away)

This is bad, worse than bad, worse than worse.

 

CUT TO:

THE OUTER MAZE

 

People are moving rocks, trying to clear the collapsed passageway. They pass chunks of stone out hand-to-hand, like a bucket brigade. Mouse, Catherine and Jaime rush through the crowd to where Winslow is working.

 

WINSLOW

What the Hell is this?

 

JAIME

She was with Mouse.

 

CATHERINE

I’m a friend of Vincent’s, are they alive?

 

WINSLOW

We don’t know.

 

MOUSE

Never get through this way, one rock at a time.

 

WINSLOW

It’s the only way in, we can do it.

 

MOUSE

Not in time … run out of air in there before you get through.

 

CATHERINE

Then there must be another way in.

 

MOUSE

Through the other side.

 

WINSLOW

That’s crazy it’s solid rock!

 

MOUSE

No, another tunnel. I remember.

 

WINSLOW

You remember wrong, see for yourself.

(grabs map and shows to Mouse)

There’s no other way.

 

MOUSE

Maps are wrong!

(throws map to the floor)

I know what I know, and I know.

 

WINSLOW

Well I’m not risking their lives because you say you know!

Now let’s get back to work.

 

CATHERINE

What if Mouse is right?

 

MOUSE

Got a new machine … digging machine, best one yet.

Dig through … from the other side.

 

CATHERINE

If there’s the slightest chance...

 

WINSLOW

Leave it alone!

(shoves Mouse aside)

We’ve wasted enough time.

(to other workers)

Now, let’s get back to work.

 

MOUSE

Go on … do it your way, waste more time.

(starts to leave)

Anyone coming with me?

 

Jaime, Catherine and some others go with Mouse.

 

CUT TO:

INNER MAZE

 

Vincent is listening to the sounds of digging in the distance.

 

VINCENT

Catherine is with them.

 

FATHER

Catherine?

 

VINCENT

I can feel that she’s near.

 

FATHER

How could she know?

 

VINCENT

She knew … she must have known.

How? I don’t know.

Our bond is stronger and deeper than either of us could begin to imagine.

 

FATHER

As if both your destinies were inextricably linked.

 

VINCENT

Yes...

 

FATHER

As if your hearts, in their search for union, would transcend time and space,

circumvent the laws of physics and probability.

 

VINCENT

Yes.

 

FATHER

One June afternoon, nearly 40 years ago, I was walking along 57th Street.

As I approached 5th Ave, I saw the loveliest woman I had ever in my life seen.

She was walking toward me in a summer dress, a soft breeze was blowing,

she was ... a vision. She wasn’t merely beautiful;

her eyes were beaming with intelligence and humor, full of life.

Her gaze met mine for a moment, and left me … utterly speechless.

I knew then that this was the woman I’d searched all my life for.

Before I could even think of doing anything, she’d …

she’d stepped into a cab and was gone … gone.

 

VINCENT

What did you do?

 

FATHER

Oh, I tried to find her.

I went back to the same corner the next day and the next.

A day never went by when I didn’t think of her and wonder.

 

VINCENT

I hope that’s not the end.

 

FATHER

Well, a year passed by.

One day, I was walking along 57th when a cab drew into the curb,

and out … she … stepped, at almost the same spot.

A year later we were married.

 

VINCENT

Margaret!

 

FATHER

Yes … Margaret.

So you see, Vincent, I too know of miracles.

 

VINCENT

That’s a wonderful story.

 

FATHER

Well, I wanted you to hear it.

Vincent, I understand more than you think about your Catherine, about your bond.

 

Father shifted uncomfortably, Vincent tries to settle him into a better position.

 

VINCENT

Are you in much pain?

 

FATHER

Enough...

 

More rocks begin to fall, Vincent covers father with his own body in an attempt to shield him from more harm.

 

FATHER

It looks bad doesn’t it?

There was so much more I wanted to tell you.

 

VINCENT

We’ll walk out of here together. I promise.

 

CUT TO:

MOUSE'S CHAMBER.

 

Mouse is pulling a cover away as Catherine and others follow him into the chamber.

 

CATHERINE

This is a machine?

 

MOUSE

Not yet, will be. Not here, there.

Come on everybody help.

Jamie, give the box to Catherine.

 

They carry the parts through the tunnels, following Mouse until he stops them.

 

MOUSE

Ok good, ok fine. Here.

 

They start to assemble the machine

 

CUT TO:

INNER MAZE

 

Vincent sits near the wall, listening to the sounds of digging.

 

CUT TO:

OUTTER MAZE

 

Winslow and others continue to work at clearing stone from the passageway. Winslow looks worried.

 

CUT TO:

TUNNEL

 

Mouse pulls a starter cord and the drilling machine starts running.

We see Mouse working the machine.

There is only a small hole where the drill bit touches the stone.

There’s a clanging noise and Mouse is thrown back from the machine.

 

WORKER

Mouse, you alright?

 

MOUSE

No good, no good, no good!

(he kicks the machine)

Three drill bits ruined for three inches of hole.

 

CATHERINE

We have to keep going.

 

MOUSE

Could go above, find what’s needed …

construction shack maybe big job no time.

 

CATHERINE

What you need more tools?

Tell me what you need maybe I could get them.

 

MOUSE

You? Explosives, tungsten carbide drill bits?

 

CATHERINE

I know a man who might be able to help.

Come on Mouse guide me up.

 

MOUSE

(doubtfully)

You must be sure, no time to waste.

 

CATHERINE

I’m sure! Let’s go!

 

MOUSE

Ok good... ok fine!

 

They all hurry out of the chamber.

 

CUT TO:

INNER MAZE

 

FATHER

Are they still drilling?

 

VINCENT

They’ll soon break through,

then this will be no more than a memory.

 

FATHER

Vincent, it’s very hard to breath.

 

VINCENT

Help is coming

(he lift’s Father into his lap)

Father please stay with me.

Father, listen: To see the world in a grain of sand

Listen Father: To see the world in a grain of sand...

What’s the next line?

 

FATHER

And Heaven in a wild flower...

 

VINCENT

To hold infinity in the palm of your hand...

 

FATHER

And eternity in an hour...

 

Father passes out in Vincent’s arms.

 

CUT TO:

ELLIOT BURCH’S HOME

 

We see an exterior view of a large country estate. Then we see Elliot pacing with a glass of scotch in his hand. He sits down to work on some plans and the phone rings.

 

ELLIOT

Listen I thought I told you that I didn’t … of course I’ll see her, send her in.

(Catherine walks through the door)

Catherine what’s the matter? What happened to you?

 

CATHERINE

I need a favor …

 

ELLIOT

You look shaky, come on … sit down, I’ll get you a brandy.

 

CATHERINE

(agitated)

I don’t need a brandy! What I need is your help.

 

ELLIOT

Tell me what you want.

 

Catherine reaches into her pocket, pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to Elliot.

 

ELLIOT

(Laughing)

A tungsten carbide drill bit?

You’ve given up the law for hard rock mining?

 

CATHERINE

This is no joke, my need is real and immediate

and I don’t have time to spar with you.

 

ELLIOT

I don’t get an explanation?

 

CATHERINE

No, I’m sorry.

(pleading)

I’m asking you to trust me.

 

ELLIOT

That’s all I’ve ever asked of you.

I must have called you over 50 times since our disagreement.

(he walks to the phone and dials)

You always so certain you’re right?

(on the phone)

Hi, its Elliot Burch, give me Jack, quick.

Jack, I’ve got a friend coming down, give her what she need … yeah, thanks.

(he hangs up the phone, writes something on the list and hands it back to Catherine)

He’ll be expecting you, Catherine.

 

CATHERINE

(turns before she heads out the door)

Next time you call I’ll be in.

 

ELLIOT

Why?

 

CATHERINE

Because you didn’t put a price tag on this.

(holds up list)

 

CUT TO:

INNER MAZE

 

Vincent is wiping Father’s face with a cloth. Father’s breathing is labored.

 

FATHER

We haven’t much air left, no use fooling ourselves.

 

VINCENT

You mustn’t lose hope.

 

FATHER

I haven’t much time left Vincent.

 

VINCENT

Father, please.

 

FATHER

No, please listen to me.

Our world must continue,

a lot of good and trusting people depend on this place … it’s all they have.

 

VINCENT

Our world will continue, and you’ll live to see it for many years to come.

 

FATHER

If I don’t, your voice will be needed.

 

VINCENT

Mine is not the only voice.

 

FATHER

It’s the truest, and the strongest, promise me you’ll keep …

 

VINCENT

Shhhh Father...

 

FATHER

No, no … please, please promise me you’ll keep our dream alive.

 

VINCENT

I promise.

 

FATHER

It won’t be without sacrifice.

The colors... I think I miss the colors most of all.

They’ve even began to fade from my mind’s eye...

I wish you could have seen the blue of the Pacific under a summer sun,

the green of the grass at Ebbetts Field,

fall leaves blazing orange and yellow in Vermont...

 

VINCENT

But I have seen them, all Father, no child ever had a better guide.

Your words painted pictures that I will never forget.

You took me around the world, Twain’s Mississippi,

Kipling’s India, Jack London’s Klondike.

You made them come alive for me.

There are many places left to go …

 

Father has passed out, Vincent lays hold him.

 

CUT TO:

A TUNNEL PASSAGE

 

Mouse is rolling a ball of plastic explosive between his fingers like a kid with a piece of clay.

 

MOUSE

You’re good at finding and taking.

I love this stuff, tried to find some once … didn’t have any bolt cutters.

 

CATHERINE

You have used it before?

 

MOUSE

Oh yeah, sure, yeah, yeah, plenty of times,

one little glob and pow.

 

CUT TO:

INNER MAZE

 

Vincent reacts as he senses Catherine's presence.

 

VINCENT

Catherine...

 

FATHER

Hmm? What?

 

VINCENT

She’s returned, they’re drilling again

(takes Father’s hand)

we’ll be out of here soon.

 

CUT TO:

TUNNELS

 

We see Mouse struggling with the drilling machine. The progress is slow and only a small hole has been drilled.

 

MOUSE

Not working.

Won’t go through. Not strong enough.

 

CATHERINE

I’m going for the others.

 

MOUSE

Too stubborn, won’t help.

 

CATHERINE

(to Jamie)

Come with me.

 

CUT TO:

INNER MAZE

 

Vincent and Father wait. Father is conscious but his breathing is labored.

 

CUT TO:

OUTER MAZE

 

Work continues. Winslow is taking a break for water. Catherine and Jamie run up to where Winslow is standing.

 

CATHERINE

Listen to me, all of you!

There is another tunnel just like Mouse said,

we’ve been drilling there but we can’t get through without your help.

 

WINSLOW

If you’re not going to work, get out of the way.

 

CATHERINE

This is our only chance! You will never get through in time this way.

(pauses and looks around)

Vincent always said you looked out for one another.

 

CUT TO:

TUNNEL WITH DRILLING MACHINE

 

Mouse is struggling with the machine. Winslow approaches behind him and taps him on the back.

 

WINSLOW

Get out of the way.

(takes over drilling)

 

They’ve drilled a hole deep enough to place the plastic explosives, Mouse is filling the hole.

 

MOUSE

Pat, pat, pat. Pat, pat. Pat, pat, pat.

 

CATHERINE

It seems like a lot.

 

MOUSE

Maybe...

 

CATHERINE

Maybe? You don’t know?

 

WINSLOW

You’re gonna blow us all to kingdom come...

 

MOUSE

Put the stuff in the hole,

put in the gizmos set it off with the other gizmo,

read all about it.

 

CATHERINE

You’ve never used plastic explosives …

 

MOUSE

Yeah, might blow Vincent and Father up, might blow Mouse up,

might save their lives too, hand me the little gizmo.

 

CUT TO:

INNER MAZE

 

Vincent is listening …

FATHER

They’ve stopped haven’t they?

 

VINCENT

Catherine is frightened.

 

FATHER

She’s afraid you’re dead.

 

VINCENT

No … not sadness or despair: fear...

 

CUT TO:

OUTER MAZE

 

Catherine and Winslow watch as Mouse finishes rigging the explosives.

 

MOUSE

You want to blow up with me? Go on … her too.

 

WINSLOW

No I’ll do it, you take her and go on out.

 

MOUSE

My gizmos. Go.

 

CATHERINE

You can’t detonate if from the tunnel?

 

MOUSE

Signal won’t go through solid rock, go with Winslow.

 

CATHERINE

Show me what to do and I’ll do it

 

MOUSE

He’s my friend too Catherine …

If you die, Vincent will kill me anyway. Go now.

 

WINSLOW

You’re crazy, you know that don’t you?

 

MOUSE

I’m dead, you take care of Arthur.

 

WINSLOW

Best you don’t get yourself killed,

I’m not nurse, maiding no raccoon, take care.

(to everyone)

Come on, let’s go

 

Everyone takes shelter further down the tunnel. Mouse sets off the explosives.

The blast sends a shower of rock and dust through the tunnels.

Catherine and Winslow peer through the dust and see Vincent leaning over Father.

 

CATHERINE

Vincent!

 

VINCENT

Catherine.

(they hug, Father is on the ground between them)

 

CATHERINE

Vincent...

 

VINCENT

Father is badly hurt.

 

CATHERINE

Mouse …

(she looks around for him)

He stayed behind to set off the explosives...

 

MOUSE

(leaning against a tunnel wall, coughing)

Just a touch too much...

 

WINSLOW

(picking Mouse up off the ground)

You’re the only mouse I’ve ever known with nine lives!

(gives him a hug)

 

Mouse goes over to where Father is, kneeling beside him.

 

MOUSE

Vincent, Father...

 

FATHER

Mouse, Catherine... I have no words to thank you...

(he touches each one on the cheek with his hand)

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

THE THRESHOLD BELOW CATHERINE’S BASEMENT

 

Vincent and Catherine approach the entry to her basement. They turn to face one another.

 

VINCENT

Catherine …

 

CATHERINE

I’ve never been so frightened.

 

VINCENT

Your courage saved our lives.

 

CATHERINE

I felt like I was losing the best part of myself.

I would have done anything … it wasn’t courage Vincent, it was love.

 

She rests her head on his shoulder and he puts his arms around her. They hold this embrace for a moment before she pulls away and walks towards the light of her basement entrance. Vincent watches as she walks away.

 

THE END