THE PACIFIER
Written by
Thomas Lennon & Robert Ben Garant
Previous Revisions by
Jason Fulardi, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewki
March 3rd, 2004
FADE IN:
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
A fishing boat pushes over choppy water. FOUR GUN TOTING
MEN on Jet Skis wearing black wet suits and goggles
escort the boat. Flying above it is a HELICOPTER.
INT. FISHING BOAT/CONTROL DECK - CONTINUOUS
A SERBIAN MAN captains the wheel. SERB 2 scans the
horizon with binoculars. He checks the GPS system, then
his watch, then speaks into his throat mic. All italics
are Serbian w/ subtitles:
SERB 2
Fifteen minutes to delivery.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - CONTINUOUS
The JET SKIER in the lead weighs in on a radio.
INT. SEA HAWK 1 - CONTINUOUS
The HELICOPTER PILOT weighs in.
PILOT
All clear from above.
EXT. SKY - CONTINUOUS
The camera descends as the boat passes, and dives beneath
the surface.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - CONTINUOUS
The droning of engines becomes less pronounced. Foam
from the boat and skis bubbles.
Calm. Then from out of nowhere five NAVY SEALs wearing RE-
BREATHERS appear, in neat formation like the Blue Angels.
JET PROPELLED BACKPACKS push the SEALs through the water.
The LEAD SEAL: SHANE WOLFE, points upwards. All eyes
follow his finger to the underbelly of the boat above.
From his belt, Shane takes a steel wand with an adhesive
disc attached, aims it at the fleeing boat and FIRES.
A cable shoots up -- THUD... The disc sticks to the
boat's hull. Shane pushes a button on the wand retracting
the cable and drawing himself closer.
Dangling from the cruiser, Shane fixes a BOMB to the
hull. He releases himself from the boat and speeds away --
2.
BOOM. A dense explosion sends ripples through the water
and ELECTRICITY crackling around the boat.
INT. FISHING BOAT/CONTROL DECK - CONTINUOUS
A SURGE of ELECTRICAL FORCE blasts from the control
panel. SPARKS fly.
The two Serbian Men jolt backwards -- WHAM -- and hit the
wall. All the needles inside all the dials go LIMP. The
roar of the engines DIES and the boat STOPS.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN, UNDER THE BOAT - CONTINUOUS
Shane slips inside the hull, through the new hole.
INT. SEA HAWK 1 - CONTINUOUS
The chopper slows to a hover. The Pilot looks below.
PILOT
What's happening?
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - CONTINUOUS
The jet skiers protectively circle the injured boat in a
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING move, and the Jet Ski drivers are
simultaneously YANKED below the surface: a split second
later they're replaced by our SEALS (ALSO IN BLACK WET
SUITS AND GOGGLES) -- the switch happens in less than a
second, way too fast for anyone to notice.
INT. FISHING BOAT/CONTROL DECK - CONTINUOUS
The shaken Serbs climb to their feet.
SERBIAN 2
What happened?
They look around, and see the SEALS, on the jet skis: In
the masks they are indistinguishable from the GUN-TOTTING
MEN they switched paces with. All seems clear. Serb 1
pushes on the throttle... nothing.
SERBIAN 1
We've been hit. We're taking on water.
Suddenly the boat lists -- and water pours in, under the
cabin door. They spring into action!
SERBIAN 1 (CONT'D)
Grab the professor, quick!
3.
EXT. DECK - CONTINUOUS
Serb 1 rushes out, shouting orders: He alerts four ARMED
GUARDS and the Jet Ski drivers (now our Seals).
SERBIAN 1
Something must be below us! Shoot! Shoot!
The Armed Guards fire relentlessly into the water. Serb 2
rushes below deck.
INT. SHIP'S HOLD - CONTINUOUS
PROFESSOR CHARLES PLUMMER, bound to a chair and gagged,
tries to YELP as the room begins to flood with water.
INT. SHIP'S CORRIDOR - SIMULTANEOUS
Serb 2 runs down steps to the lowermost hold. He tries to
force the door open. When it finally opens, he is forced
back by a three foot wall of water.
INT. SHIP'S HOLD - CONTINUOUS
Professor Plummer panics, as the water rises up to his
mouth He struggles, but can't get free. Up to his nose,
over his head.... He's gone.
Then Shane Wolf rises out of the water, hauling the
Professor up. He cuts the Professor's GAG. Plummer
screams. Shane removes his mouth piece. Shane doesn't
seem the slightest bit fazed by the circumstances.
SHANE
Lieutenant Shane Wolfe, United States
Navy. I'm gonna get you outta here. But
you have to do exactly what I say, when I
say it. My way -- no highway option. Do
you copy?
(Plummer nods, terrified.)
Where's the briefcase?
The Professor gestures across the room, where a metal
BRIEFCASE is floating. Shane calmly HANDCUFFS it to his
own waist. As the water rises, to the roof.
PLUMMER
How did you know where I...
Shane sticks the mouth piece into Plummer's mouth, giving
him his oxygen.
EXT. ON THE DECK - SIMULTANEOUS
4.
The Armed Guards stop shooting into the water. One of
our SEALS calls out to them, in PERFECT SERBIAN:
SEAL
KEEP SHOOTING!
The Guards fire again. The SEAL speaks into his neck mic.
SEAL (CONT'D)
Give it a second, they're almost out of
ammo.
The Seal calls out: "shoot more, more!" They do, until
there's nothing but empty CLICKS from their guns.
SEAL (CONT'D)
Now Lieutenant. Chopper's four meters at
your 10 o'clock.
INT. SHIP'S HOLD - CONTINUOUS
Just before the water envelopes him and Plummer...
SHANE
(into his mic)
I've got the Prof and the case. First
round's on me back at Virginia Beach.
Shane takes a deep breath, and pulls himself, the
Professor and the briefcase UNDER the water.
EXT. OCEAN'S SURFACE - MOMENTS LATER
Shane and the Professor rise to the surface as the boat
falters behind them. Shane pulls out a retractable
CROSSBOW. It clicks open and he shoots a CABLE into the
belly of the helicopter above him.
SHANE
Hold on.
INT. HELICOPTER - A SECOND LATER
Shane appears at the Pilot's door, holding the Professor.
Shane addresses the Pilot in perfect SERBIAN.
SHANE
You know how to swim?
The Pilot nods, terrified. Shane TOSSES the Pilot out.
Shane swings into the hot seat and grabs the controls,
pulling the Professor in behind him.
5.
ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER - CONTINUOUS
The SEALS on the Jet Skis SALUTE Shane in the chopper,
then disappear gracefully back into the water.
INT. HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS
Shane smiles, clearly he loves this kind of day. He looks
beside him, the Professor looks terrified. The Professor
takes out his mouth piece.
PLUMMER
Oh my God. I can't believe you... how'd
we... That was the most incredible...
Shane sticks the mouth piece back in the Professors'
mouth, shutting him up.
SHANE
Better keep that on `til we get to the
rendezvous point.
PLUMMER
(through the mouth piece)
Why? Poison gas?
SHANE
(re: the oxygen)
No. I'm just not big on chit chat.
EXT. MOUNTAIN CLEARING - A LITTLE LATER
A Pave Hawk SH-60 helicopter, rotors whirling slowly,
waits. Shane's chopper appears from behind a tree line
and sets down atop the mountain by a stream.
Shane and Charles sprint from the chopper towards the
waiting Hawk. Charles stops Shane.
CHARLES
Lieutenant, thank you. (He pats his
briefcase) You saved more than just my
life today. Can I call my wife to let
her know I'm okay?
SHANE
Negative. Not imperative to the mission.
We have to keep moving. I have strict
orders to get you out of here safely.
CHARLES
I'm safe, Lieutenant. Please. She thinks
I'm dead. (then) Don't you have a family?
6.
SHANE
(this gets him:)
Make it quick.
Charles picks up his briefcase. He holds the lock up to
his mouth and whispers into it:
CHARLES
Joe, Todd, Lulu, Peter, Tyler.
The briefcase pops open. Shane looks at him, puzzled.
CHARLES (CONT'D)
My kids. It's voice activated. Designed
it myself. I do security, that's my
specialty. (gestures back:) Those guys
back there tried to get this case open
for five days -- couldn't crack it. And
you should see what happens to you if
open it without the code. I have a
picture of my kids in here, you want to
see it?
SHANE
Negative.
Charles takes a cell-phone out of the case. Shane looks
in the case: it's EMPTY, except for the phone and a
family PHOTO. Charles dials his cell phone... nothing
CHARLES
Battery's dead...
Shane considers, then hands him his satellite phone.
Charles dials, and talks...
CHARLES (CONT'D)
Honey, I'm alive...
INT. PAVE HAWK - CONTINUOUS
Shane climbs in the Hawk and approaches the cockpit. The
PILOT sits, back to him.
SHANE
We're almost ready. Just gives us a -
The Pilot slumps forward... DEAD. Shane turns-
SHANE (CONT'D)
Professor, RUN!!!
WHAM. Shane drops, knocked unconscious. All goes black.
7.
EXT. PAVE HAWK - MOMENTS LATER
The helicopter is on fire. Wolf lies facedown in the
stream. He looks around, barely conscious.
SHANE'S P.O.V.: Everything is a blur, in slow-motion. He
sees Charles, unconscious. A Huey Helicopter lands. A
VERY TALL MAN steps out, and takes Charles' Briefcase.
There is huge explosion, as the chopper ignites.
Everything is ablaze. Shane reaches out, grabs the
picture of Charles' kids then goes unconscious.
F
ADE TO BLACK:
EST. HOSPITAL - DAY
TITLE CARD: 1 Month Later
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Shane lies in a hospital bed, despondent. His arm and
face bandaged.
Shane's Captain enters: BILL FAWCETT (35) -- friendly,
unassuming. He looks like he hasn't slept in days. Shane
salutes him with his bandaged arm -- it hurts to salute,
but he does it anyway.
SHANE
Captain, sir.
BILL
As you were Lieutenant.
Bill sits down beside the bed. He takes a long look at
Shane. He holds a REPORT in his hand.
BILL (CONT'D)
We've been through a lot together Shane.
You're the best man I ever trained. And a
good friend.
SHANE
... I know sir. And I except full
responsibility for the mission's failure.
BILL
Why the hell did you let him use the
satellite phone?
SHANE
He had to call his family. A lapse in
judgement on my part that I regret sir.
8.
Bill shakes his head, disappointed. He pulls up a chair,
and sits opposite Shane.
BILL
... Plummer was the best security expert
the department of defense ever had -- a
genius. He was working on a program that
scrambles launch codes. He called it
G.H.O.S.T.: Guided High-altitude
Scrambling Transmitter. One pulse from
the GHOST satellite and a country can't
launch its own nukes. That's what the
Serbians kidnapped him for, but they
couldn't get S
inside the briefcase.
SHANE
The case was empty sir, as I stated in my
report.
Bill considers this. Then...
BILL
Not a surprise, really. Not like the
professor to hide things where someone
might look for them. G.H.O.S.T. is still
out there, (Bill smiles:) which is why
I'm going to give you another shot.
Shane sits up. He can't believe his good fortune.
SHANE
Sir. Thank you. I... appreciate your
confidence.
Invigorated, he pulls off bandages, disconnects an IV,
and starts to rise.
SHANE (CONT'D)
I'll need to put a team together. I'm
gonna need the mini sub, I need access to
an EP3 aries 2 spy plane...
BILL
(interrupting:)
Negative. It's not that kind of mission.
Shane listens, intrigued.
BILL (CONT'D)
Two days ago, I got a call from the
professor's wife... Widow. She told me
someone had broken into her home.
Searched the place, top to bottom.
(MORE)
9.
BILL(CONT'D)
She's scared. The family's scared.
Whoever killed the professor must think
G.H.O.S.T. is in that house. Maybe it is,
maybe it isn't. Either way, I need
someone to stay at that house, and
protect them. And while you're there --
find out if the program is in there.
SHANE
That's it? Why would you want me for
that, sir.
BILL
The professor's wife requested you.
Shane is surprised... Bill pulls a tiny tape recorder
from his pocket, presses play, we hear PROFESSOR
PLUMMER'S voice.
CHARLES (O.S.)
Honey, I'm alive. Listen: A lot can
happen between here and home -- if
anything happens to me, call Lt. Shane
Wolfe. He's a good man... anyway, I
should go. I'll call you in an hour. I
love you.
Shane is shocked, hearing the dead man's voice.
BILL
... You gotta problem with this mission?
SHANE
Sirnosir. It's just that... I've never
been very good with kids, sir. Not even
when I was a kid sir.
CUT TO:
INT. SHANE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Shane packs his duffel bag. He opens a drawer: There's
five t-shirts, identical to the one he wears. He opens
another drawer: Five khaki pants, also identical to the
one he wears. He opens the closet: There's a massive fur-
collared coat. Hm. He rejects it.
Shane packs his duffel with military gear: GPS compass,
night vision goggles, camouflage vest, machete... they
all go in. Shane heads to the door, then goes back to his
chest of drawers. He reaches in, and pulls out a small,
old MEDAL: the ribbon is faded and frayed. He looks at it
for a moment, then unzips his suit and pins it to the
inside, like it's a lucky rabbit's foot.
10.
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - AFTERNOON
A taxi door opens. Shane looks like a bad ass, ready for
anything. He steps from the taxi onto an adorable TROLL
doll on the sidewalk. It SQUEAKS.
Shane's P.O.V.: Julie's unkempt suburban house, with toys
all over the lawn, and a "BLESS THIS MESS" welcome mat.
Shane double-checks the address. The sprinklers go off.
Shane darts to the door and rings the bell (it's one of
those long cheerful doorbells).
WE hear TINY FEET approach -- then the door swings open,
Shane looks down -- and sees LULU, 8, peering up at him.
Shane eyes Lulu. Lulu eyes Shane, then:
LULU
Mom! There's some weird bald guy at the
door!
SLAM. Lulu shuts the door in Shane's face. Shane frowns.
WE hear heavier footsteps approaching.
EMALE VOICE (o.s.)
(before she sees Shane:)
Look, if you're with the Hare Krishnas,
we're not interested...
The door opens revealing JULIE PLUMMER. Julie holds
NAKED baby PETER, 2. She sees Shane, and stops, a little
startled by his size...
SHANE
(salutes:)
Lieutenant Shane Wolfe, reporting for
duty.
JULIE
Of course. I'm so sorry. Thank you for
coming.
She hugs him. He's not quite sure what to do -- he's a
rock, he doesn't flinch.
JULIE (CONT'D)
Come in and meet the rest of the gang.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE/FOYER - DAY
It's warm and quiet. Petite Julie SCREAMS up the stairs-
11.
JULIE
KIIIDDS!!!
Shane startles, covers his ears.
JULIE (CONT'D)
Get your butts down here and say "hello!"
And then three pairs of feet come down the stairs. Lulu,
ZOE, 15, and TODD, 14 line up like the perfect family
portrait. Todd's hair hangs in his face. He wears a Sid
Vicious shirt and a long trench coat.
JULIE (CONT'D)
You've already met Lulu. This is Peter,
Zoe and Todd. Kids, this is Lieutenant
Wolfe. He's the man who is going to be
staying with us for a while.
All the kids except for Todd-
KIDS
Hi.
Shane nods, stern. On the stairs, a Romanian MAID walks
by, carrying a BABY.
JULIE
And this is Helga and Tyler.
Shane nods hello to them.
SHANE
(official:)
Ma'am... Baby.
JULIE
Kids, go finish your homework. And I'll
be checking.
Zoe, Lulu and Todd climb back up the stairs. Julie leads
Shane into...
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Julie sits, Shane stands "at ease" (which doesn't look
"at ease" at all).
SHANE
You have a pleasant family, ma'am.
12.
JULIE
Charles wasn't around too much. His work
took him all over the world. He'd be gone
six or seven months at a time. So I
think for the younger ones it's a little
confusing. Zoe and Todd... well, they're
dealing like your normal teenagers.
Maybe in Todd's case semi-normal.
SHANE
Mrs. Plummer, I have to tell you that I
did everything I could...
JULIE
Charles was in a dangerous business. I
knew it when I married him. No one's to
blame here.
(beat)
Everyone thinks that Charles told me or
the kids where he hid it. And until
G.H.O.S.T. is found, we're all in danger.
SHANE
Nothing will happen to your family as
long as I'm here. I've dealt with much...
Suddenly from behind Shane's head a DUCK appears and
NIBBLES his ear. Shane spins in full fight stance. He
sees the Duck... and relaxes. Sort of.
JULIE
That's Gary. He was Charles'.
The duck QUACKS angrily. Confused, Shane returns to "at
ease," keeping one eye on the duck.
SHANE
Mrs. Plummer-
JULIE
Call me Julie.
Beat.
SHANE
... Mrs. Plummer, I'll go secure the
perimeter.
JULIE
I'm glad you're here-
13.
But Shane is already gone.
CUT TO:
MONTAGE. MILITARY MUSIC PLAYS:
Shane secures the area. He paces off the yard.
He mounts surveillance cameras in the eaves.
He attaches contact alarms in the doors and windows.
Shane climbs a telephone pole, opens the circuit box and
TAPS the phones.
Shane, now wearing an EAR TRANSMITTER, crawls through the
shrubs, hiding electric eyes.
Nighttime -- the family eats dinner. We slowly pull
out... through the kitchen window... and reveal Shane
with night vision goggles on scoping the property.
The phone RINGS inside. Through the window, Julie
casually answers it. Shane touches his ear transmitter
and LISTENS as he walks into the house.
BILL (o.s.)
Julie, it's Bill Fawcett. I have some
potentially good news.
JULIE
What is it?
BILL (o.s.)
A safety deposit box under Charles' name
was just found in Switzerland. I think
it could contain GHOST.
JULIE
That's wonderful. This could all be over!
BILL (o.s.)
There's a catch. Swiss law says only his
family can access it. I'm going to need
you on a plane tomorrow morning.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Shane, listening to the conversation, enters-
JULIE
I'll be there.
14.
Julie and Shane share a look.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE/FOYER - MORNING
Julie, with her suitcase, Shane, Helga and the Kids stand
in the doorway. Zoe listens to her I-Pod ignoring the hug
Julie gives her.
JULIE
Don't worry about the Kids, Helga will
handle everything. (Worried:) But if
there is an emergency, all the emergency
numbers are on the fridge. And on the
phone. And on the back door...
ZOE
Mom -- we'll be fine, chill.
JULIE
(a little choked up:)
I know, it's just... I am a mom, it's my
job to worry. ... I love you guys. I'm
gonna miss you. I'll be back in 48 hours.
And guys, whatever Lieutenant Wolfe asks
you to do... do it. Okay?
A
ll the children nod in agreement except Zoe who pops her
chewing gum bubble.
JULIE (CONT'D)
Lieutenant, I don't want you to worry
about anything except the safety of my
children. Helga will take care of
everything else.
SHANE
Don't worry. They'll be safe with me.
HELGA
Everything will be fine, Mrs. Plummer.
Julie gets in the car and it drives away. Shane turns
back to the kids who loom in the doorway.
HELGA (CONT'D)
Tell me, are you licensed to kill?
SHANE
... No.
HELGA
(she frowns)
Too bad.
H
S
15.
Helga trudges up the path and in.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Shane, on a short ladder, screws in a surveillance camera
into the corner of a wall when he hears:
MALE VOICE (o.s.)
Prepare to be annihilated!
Lulu SCREAMS. The sound of MACHINE GUN FIRING.
Immediately, Shane leaps off the ladder and bounds down
the stairs two at a time and into the...
INT. HOUSE/FAMILY ROOM - NIGHT
hane rushes in -- and finds Lulu screaming and giggling
in front of a VIDEO GAME. Shane shakes his head.
SHANE
Could you turn that dow-
And Shane spies half of Todd's face peeking around a
corner staring at him...
S
SHANE (CONT'D)
Hey-
Todd disappears. WAAAAA!! WAAAAA!! Shane spins, looks
around for the CRYING BABY... can't find him.
SHANE (CONT'D)
... Where's the baby?
Without looking Lulu points. A diapered Peter stands in
the half full AQUARIUM, pouring in Cheerios. Helga
enters holding the wailing Tyler. Gary suddenly FLIES by -
- WHRRP! Shane ducks. Shane scowls at Helga:
SHANE (CONT'D)
You run a very loose ship.
HELGA
You don't like it? You're the SEAL. You
do something. I make bottle.
elga stomps out. Shane heads down the hall, when in the
corner of his eye -- he sees A FIGURE SCURRY ACROSS THE
BACK LAWN. Shane turns off the light. He shuts off the
window alarm and sneaks out silently.
16.
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - BACK YARD - CONTINUOUS
The yard is littered with toys. In the middle is a
TRAMPOLINE. He spots the Figure climbing the TRELLIS.
Shane runs, jumps onto the trampoline. He flies in the
air and latches onto the figure. They both tumble to the
ground.
Shane yanks off the DARK FIGURE's hood, revealing SCOTT
(16) a nervous teenager. He's dazed, but alright, wearing
SHARPER IMAGE night vision goggles.
SCOTT
... Zoe?
Zoe runs out the door, setting off the PIERCING ALARM.
ZOE
He's my boyfriend, tool.
SHANE
So you're the one who broke in.
Zoe -- go back inside.
ZOE
Okay, fine... come on Scott.
Shane grabs Scott by the scruff of the neck.
SHANE
Not with this kid. (to Todd:) You --
Gimme twenty!
Freaked, Scott fumbles for his wallet and gives Shane a
twenty dollar BILL.
SHANE (CONT'D)
I meant PUSH-UPS!
Befuddled, Scott starts to do lame push-ups. Shane grabs
the back of Scott's shirt, LIFTING him in the air,
spinning him away from the house like a marionette. Scott
runs off, calling out from across the street.
S
COTT
... I'll call you, Zoe!
Zoe storms inside. Shane stands there, fuming. The
Alarm's still blaring. The window of the house next door
opens: a Korean couple, THE CHUNS, pop their heads out.
They're arguing with each other in Korean. Shane
addresses them, IN PERFECT KOREAN with subtitles:
S
S
17.
SHANE
My apologies. We had an intruder. A
simple misunderstanding.
MR. CHUN
(perfect English, no accent)
We speak English, Kojak.
SHANE
Oh. Sorry.
MRS. CHUN
... Look, about the 2000 decibel alarm
and the kleig lights and stuff... we own
a bakery, so we're up kind of early.
Would you mind?
SHANE
Sorry.
Shane pulls a remote control from his pocket and clicks
it. The alarm stops.
MR. CHUN
Thanks a bunch. Oh, and we found this in
our pool filter... Try to keep that zoo
reigned in, huh baby-sitter?
Mr. Chun tosses him the TROLL DOLL and slam their window
shut. Shane's about to head inside, he pulls a tiny
camera phone from his pocket, and snaps a shot of the
Chun's car in their driveway.
I
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - NIGHT
hane marches Zoe up the stairs. Loud, angry rock music
blares from Todd's room.
SHANE
Your mother thought you were in real
danger. You should have told her the
truth.
ZOE
Who do you think you are -- my dad?
Zoe starts to turn -- then suddenly spins and tries
kicking him in the CROTCH. But Shane catches her foot --
and whirls her away. She has to hop on one foot, to not
fall over. He "hops" her down the hall to her room.
S
W
18.
ZOE (CONT'D)
Let me go! It's Saturday night. I have
plans!
Zoe's back to her door, Shane flips her foot in the air.
Zoe falls backwards into the room. Shane shuts her door.
SHANE
Not anymore.
Shane marches back down the hall, bangs on Todd's door-
SHANE (CONT'D)
Lights out.
TODD (o.s.)
Bite me!
Shane frowns, continues down the hall. He passes the
NURSERY (Peter and Tyler's room), where Helga is singing
a lullaby: (as annoying Has something Barney might sing).
ELGA
When you're down and low, lower than the
floor.
And you feel like you ain't got a chance.
Don't make a move `til you're in the
groove, and do the Peter Panda Dance.
Just hop three times like a kangaroo --
She does a little "dance" that goes with the lullaby: She
hops forwards three times, then "crab-walks" sideways.
HELGA (CONT'D)
Sidestep twice, just like the crabs do.
Three steps forward, one step back.
She does. The Children, in bed -- laugh and laugh.
HELGA (CONT'D)
Then quick like a turtle lie on your
back!
riggle like a snake `til you can't no
more.
he wriggles on the floor. Then jumps up, to their beds.
Shane shakes his head, keeps walking-
SHANE
This family's in for a rude awakening.
T
Z
Z
T
19.
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - DAWN
The sun rises over the neighborhood, warm orange light.
INT. HOUSE - SAME TIME
Everyone is asleep. In the bedrooms, a SERIES OF SHOTS:
L
Tyler snores in his crib. Peter in his bed.
ulu is surrounded by stuffed animals.
odd is out cold, motionless.
oe is wrapped in blankets. Until A TRUMPET BLARES
"REVEILLE"! Zoe jumps, like she's been electrocuted.
OE
Huh? Wha--?!
INT. TODD'S ROOM - MORNING
Todd sits up, disoriented, not understanding what's
happening. The Whistle GETS LOUDER. Suddenly his door
flies open -- and Shane strides in with a BOOM BOX. Todd
blinks groggily.
TODD
W-what are you doing??!
SHANE
You're burning daylight. Move. Move.
ODD
It's Sunday...!
(he squints at a clock)
And it's six a.m. You're insane.
Todd pulls the blanket over his head. Shane flips the
mattress over spilling Todd to the floor.
SHANE
Now move it!
Todd scrambles to his feet and out the door.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
All the little kids are CRYING. Covering their ears.
Helga runs through in hair curlers, half-asleep and
angry, carrying the crying baby.
L
20.
HELGA
(She curses in Romanian)
SHANE
Hey. Not in front of the kids.
S
he gives him a look of disbelief.
HELGA
What's it matter? Nobody speaks Romanian.
SHANE
Usca mi-as chilotii pe crucea lu mata!
Helga narrows her eyes, shocked.
HELGA
(She curses Again, in Romanian.)
Shane's jaw drops.
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
The children are assembled, lined up tallest to shortest.
At the end on the floor is Baby Tyler, sucking on a
bottle. Shane firmly starts his Patton speech:
SHANE
Listen up, ladies. Your behavior is
unacceptable. In order to maintain a
state of safety we need to maintain a
state of discipline and order. I've only
got one rule: Everything is done my way.
No highway option. Do you copy?
LULU
Do you copy?
SHANE
What? I said -- do you...
LULU
("copying" him)
What? I said -- do you...
SHANE
Do not copy me!
ULU
Make up your mind.
L
21.
Shane starts to speak then thinks better, he's furious.
Everyone stares blankly -- a tense silence. It's broken
by the sound of a large AIR BUBBLE from the aquarium.
ULU (CONT'D)
P
eter farted.
Everyone cracks up. Shane tries to maintain decorum. He
reaches into his bag and unpacks a set of small high-tech
SECURITY BRACELETS with a red light and a covered button.
He straps one to each Kid's wrist.
SHANE
Tracking devices. Now that I know I can't
trust you... Never take them off. The
panic button is only for emergencies.
Touch that -- you better be dying, or
you're dead.
ZOE
I am not wearing that. Just because my
mom's paranoid doesn't mean we have to
take orders from you.
He yells at her, Marine sergeant style:
SHANE
Let me explain how the chain of command
works. I tell you what to do -- and you
do it. End of chain. Now I'm not gonna
have time to learn your names. So you are
-- (pointing) Red 1, Red 2, Red Leader,
Red baby... wait, where's the older male?
There were five.
HELGA
(mysterious)
He walks like Dracula, with footsteps
silent like death --
Shane looks to Zoe for translation.
ZOE
He's in his room.
Angry, Shane bounds up the stairs.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - SAME TIME
S
hane marches to Todd's shut door. He tries the knob,
but it's locked. Shane bangs hard on it.
S
22.
SHANE
Red 4! Open this door!
No answer. Shane turns away from the door and DONKEY
KICKS it...SMASH! The wood CRACKS, then CRASHES inward.
The entire frame collapses.
INT. TODD'S ROOM
hane charges in-
SHANE
It didn't have to go down like-
Todd isn't there. Down the hall -- a FLUSH. Oops.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
The bathroom door opens, and Todd comes sauntering back.
He sees Shane, the destroyed door and wall...
SHANE
All I need is a hammer and some plaster
of Paris. I can fix this.
A piece of the ceiling falls, hits Shane on the head.
TODD
Can I get by?
Embarrassed, Shane steps aside, then mutters-
SHANE
Here's your bracelet. If you'd been
wearing it, this wouldn't have happened.
Shane SNAPS it onto Todd's wrist, and head down the hall,
patrolling. Zoe comes up the stairs, to her room. She
stops at Todd's door -- they glare at Shane.
ZOE
He has to go.
Todd nods in agreement.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - MORNING - LATER
S
hane does one-handed push ups in the living room while
the Duck watches. With his other hand he loads the PHOTO
of the Chun's license plate into his laptop computer.
His head shifts, he hears something suspicious -- the
rumble of a car approaching.
L
S
23.
He rushes for the front door, clicks his alarm remote and
opens it, just as -- WHACK -- the MORNING PAPER connects
with his face, hard. From off-screen we hear a PAPERBOY.
PAPERBOY (O.S.)
SORRY DUDE!
Shane rubs his nose. Lulu screams at the top of her
lungs. Shane turns, to see that Peter is chasing her,
wearing a towel as a sheet. He pretends to be a ghost.
PETER
Whhhoooooo!
LULU
Stop it, Peter!
Lulu hides behind Shane. Peter Booos again. Lulu screams.
SHANE
Hey, hey, good soldiers aren't afraid of
anything.
LULU
This house is haunted. Daddy even said
so. He said there's a ghost.
And then it hits Shane. His eyes light up.
SHANE
Really? And where is this ghost?
ULU
I don't know. I've never seen it.
INT. HALLWAY - LATER
Shane walks slowly down the hall. As he walks he glides
his hands along the wall, feeling, pushing, scanning the
ceiling. Searching.
I
INT. STAIRWAY - SAME TIME
Todd and Zoe kneel on the stairs. They surreptitiously
pour COOKING OIL all over the wood.
Then -- a creak. Zoe whispers.
ZOE
Here he comes...!
Zoe and Todd run downstairs and hide behind the couch.
F
24.
Shane strides to the top step and RAPS on the wall. He
RAPS again, listening for hollow spaces. Nothing. Shane
lifts his left foot out to take a step down...
When he hears an alert from his laptop. He goes back to
the living room, then turns his attention to his laptop.
MR. Chun's photo appears next to a VEHICLE REGISTRATION.
Shane scans it...
Todd and Zoe's faces fall. The footsteps again-
TODD
He's coming back-
But Helga, carrying a huge laundry basket, appears, takes
a step onto the stairs --
HELGA
AHHH!!!
BUMP! BUMP! BUMP! She flies down the greased stairs,
BANGING her head and ass on each step, all the way down.
inally, BAM! Helga HITS the bottom with a mighty crash.
She screams, as laundry flutters down from above.
T
IGHT - ZOE AND TODD
They gulp, terrified.
ZOE
Uh-oh.
EXT. SWISS BANK - DAY
Establishing.
INT. SWISS BANK - DAY
Bill and Julie, looking jet-lagged, sit across a desk
from a SWISS BANKER. He seems to be about 100 years old.
He's reading a HUGE stack of paperwork with a magnifying
glass, mouthing along in FRENCH. It's taking him a LONG
time. They wait patiently -- til their patience runs out.
BILL
As we discussed, this is an urgent
matter.
The Banker puts up a finger to "shush" him. Then looks
back to the paperwork, then licks his finger to turn the
page. He licks his finger again, but can't get the page
to turn.
25.
He feebly gets up, and shuffles across the room to a
WATER COOLER. He fills a paper cup with water and
shuffles back to his desk. He dips his finger in the
water to turn the page.
JULIE
Can't you call somebody? Do something to
get us around all this paperwork?
BILL
Sorry. Not in Switzerland, I can't.
Bill can't stand it anymore. He jumps to his feet.
BILL (CONT'D)
This is absurd. If we can't get some
faster service, we're going to have to
file a complaint.
The Banker looks at him blankly.
BANKER
Marcel!
Another Banker, MARCEL, enters.
MARCEL
Oui.
BANKER
Je ne comprende pas.
MARCEL
(to Bill and Julie:)
I'm so sorry, the chief does not speak
English. But I can tell you -- you will
have access to the box tout-suite. As
soon as your background checks clear.
JULIE
Thank you. How long is that?
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - SAME TIME
Helga, suitcases in hand, heads to the door -- Shane
tries to block her path. Peter's in the aquarium. The
duck flies around, QUACKING.
HELGA
AGGH! These brats! Sugi Pula!
SHANE
Red Leader, remain calm --
26.
HELGA
I am calm. I QUIT, that makes me calm!
SHANE
Let's not be hasty.
Suddenly, RING! Amid the chaos, Shane moves for the
phone. Helga takes the opening and runs for the door. He
grabs her suitcase. As she tries to wrestle it away,
Shane picks up the receiver.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Hello---
(sees Helga crawling away)
Don't even think about it.
The suitcase handle breaks off, and Helga dashes for the
door. Shane dives, grabbing her foot. He DRAGS her back.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Ah, Mrs. Plummer.
(covering the phone, so Julie
can't hear the struggle)
No no -- everything's fine. You're gonna
be gone how much longer?
here's a pause, the camera DOLLY/ZOOMS as he says it:
SHANE (CONT'D)
Five business days?
elga's shoe comes off -- Helga falls forwards, and Shane
falls back, against the counter.
SHANE (CONT'D)
That is not a problem. Just doing my...
He picks up his hand, that landed on a diaper.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Duty.
Helga's at the door. Shane body-checks it closed. Helga
struggles to get him off. CRUNCH. Helga chomps down on
Shane's hand...
SHANE (CONT'D)
Ah! Things are GREAT!!! You do what you
have to do.
Shane lets go. Helga scampers out the door.
27.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Take care, Mrs. Plummer.
Shane hangs up the phone, as Helga makes a dash down the
path to a waiting cab.
EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Shane chases Helga to the cab.
SHANE
Red Leader! I command you to come back!
That is a direct order! You can't leave
a man behind!!
Helga jumps in the cab.
SHANE (CONT'D)
(SCREAMING)
I don't know the Peter Panda song!!
As the cab pulls away, in the rear window, Helga glares
back, then does an obscene Romanian hand gesture.
ANGLE - SHANE
His jaw drops in disbelief. He drops his head, defeated.
Then -- he slowly glances up.
ACROSS THE STREET
The Korean couple is staring at him, dumbfounded.
KOREAN WOMAN
Don't worry, if she loves you, she'll
come back.
ANGLE - SHANE
Rises, takes a deep breath and strides inside.
INT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Shane enters... to find the kids are all gloomy. The
baby cries. Shane awkwardly picks the baby up.
SHANE
Okay, listen up. There's been a change of
plans. Your mom's not coming back as
soon as she thought...
28.
LULU
(worried)
When is she coming back?
SHANE
Soon. In the meantime, we're just gonna
have some more big fun.
TODD
That's what we've been doing?
LULU
But tomorrow's a school day.
ZOE
I need a signed release for Driver's Ed!
LULU
I've got Brownies!
Shane reacts, inundated.
SHANE
Whoa, WHOA! HALT! We'll take this hill
one inch at a time. Only then can we
rise to the challenge. All for one, and
one for all!
LULU
(singing)
"Be all that you can be!"
SHANE
That's Army. I'm Navy. But I appreciate
your enthusiasm.
nice moment. Until -- FWRPPPP!
SHANE (CONT'D)
Tell me that was the duck?
FWRPPP! WE zoom in on the baby's leering face.
hane quickly moves the Baby away from his body. Pure
self-preservation, everyone bolts from the room.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Hey. HEY!
Nobody will help. Even Peter runs, holding his nose.
29.
CLOSE-UP - SHANE
He gulps.
INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Shane enters, holding out the Baby at full arm's length.
He lowers Tyler onto a changing pad, takes a deep breath,
then pulls out PLIERS and a SCREWDRIVER. Using the tools
as chopsticks, he cautiously unfastens the diaper... And
then -- it flops open. SShane GROANS, repelled.
SHANE
The things I do for my country.
Shane tries approaching -- he can't do it. Aghast, he
looks around for a solution. Then: Shane picks up the
Baby and dips the bottom half in the toilet, then
FLUSHES, over and over and over.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Shane patrols the hall, making sure all the doors and
windows are locked. Lulu is in her pj's.
A hand tugs on Shane's shirt, he looks down to see Lulu.
LULU
Hi. Zoe thinks you look like the Hulk. I
think you're cute.
SHANE
(unsure how to respond...)
Thank you.
Lulu doesn't go away, she just stares at him, it starts
making Shane uncomfortable.
LULU
Do you know Kung Fu?
SHANE
Affirmative.
LULU
Did you ever punch someone so hard that
their head came off?
hane walks away from Lulu. She follows. Shane is again
twirling the MEDAL in his fingers. Lulu follows at his
heels, like a puppy.
30.
LULU (CONT'D)
What's that medal for?
SHANE
None of your business.
LULU
I'll trade you a SpongeBob button for it.
Shane walks room to room, pulling down the shades on
every window.
LULU (CONT'D)
Is that so people can't hurt us?
He bends down to her level, and tries to sound sweet:
SHANE
I think -- it's time for you take a nappy-
poo, in beddibye land, little girl.
Lulu looks at him, like he's an idiot.
LULU
Do I look like I'm five to you?
Lulu sulks off to bed, and shuts off her light.
All the lights are out, all the kids asleep. Shane
breathes a sigh of relief, and patrols.
INT. KITCHEN - BREAKFAST - MORNING
The Kids are dressed for school. On the table in front of
each place is a tan BAG. The kids sit down at their
designated spots, confused by the MRE's (MEALS READY TO
EAT) in front of them.
SHANE
What are you waiting for? Dig in.
Todd, Lulu and Zoe all tear open their bags.
Todd pulls out a bag of CORN BEEF HASH and a Snickers
bar. Zoe pulls out a bag of FETTUCCINE ALFREDO and some
matches. Lulu takes out a bag of turkey slices and a
coffee packet. Shane smiles, proud of his accomplishment.
The Kids stare at "breakfast," dubious.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Don't worry, I can get lots more of
those. And I've survived off this stuff
for months.
31.
ZOE
Like I'm really gonna eat all those
carbs.
Shane turns to address them:
SHANE
Okay, ladies. Your mama -- is not here to
take care of you now. So -- here's how
it's gonna be. We're gonna pull together,
all for one, one for all. If I say in,
you stay in, if I say out, you go out...
Peter stands in his chair, dancing...
PETER
Ba ba do the hokie pokey...
SHANE
I did not say at ease!
Peter's eyes fill with tears.
ZOE
He's only two, he doesn't have any idea
what you're talking about. I don't have
any idea what you're talking about...
Shane sighs. Lulu asks Shane:
LULU
Can you kill a man with your bare hands?
SHANE
You play too many video games. (then:)
Yes.
LULU
... I can cross my eyes. Wanna see?
SHANE
Negative.
Lulu crosses her eyes at Shane, then at Tyler -- who
SCREAMS at the top of his lungs. Shane turns to Lulu.
LULU
Tyler hates it when I do that...
Peter starts bawling, too. He runs away, crying. The
table cloth is yanked to the floor. And the phone rings.
Shane answers, trying to hear over the screaming.
32.
SHANE
Plummer residence... yes, I know it's
Monday. Oh. Thank you, sir.
He hangs up. Zoe smiles at him, innocently.
ZOE
Who was that?
SHANE
Your vice principal. He said if you're
late again, you and Todd are expelled. He
wants to see you in his office. With your
... legal guardian.
INT. GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
The garage door opens, dramatically unveiling Shane. He's
wearing Tyler in a SNUGGLE. Across his chest, he's got a
bandoleer of baby-bottles and juice boxes. Shane can't
hide his contempt as he sees: Julie's WHITE MINIVAN. A
bumper sticker declares "World's Greatest Mom." Shane
puts Tyler in a CAR SEAT. Its interlocking buckle
connects FOUR WAYS. Shane fumbles with it for a while.
It just doesn't add up...
LULU
We're gonna be late.
SHANE
Not on my watch.
Shane TIES the buckles in a fancy knot.
EXT. GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
The car speeds out of the drive, backwards at sixty
m.p.h.. It does a skidding 180 and heads down the street.
EXT. EAST BETHESDA K-12 SCHOOL - 9:29 A.M.
A big suburban school, Busses and PARENTS are parked at
the curb, STUDENTS of all ages are hurrying inside. The
Minivan skids completely sideways, into a TINY parking
spot -- a death defying, perfect parallel park.
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
CLOSE UP ON: a stopwatch. It hits ZERO, and at that
moment, the SCHOOL'S BELL RINGS.
Holding the stopwatch is the VICE PRINCIPAL MURNEY
(50's). He's HUGE and mean.
33.
MURNEY
I always said these kids didn't need a
baby sitter, they needed a parole
officer. Looks like Mrs. Plummer finally
listened.
He glares at Shane, and the Kids: Shane sits with Tyler
in a Snuggle, holding Peter on a harness, as he plays on
the floor. The Kids are seated around him, mortified.
MURNEY (CONT'D)
(To Shane)
What's your name, son?
SHANE
Wolfe. Shane. Lieutenant. I'm in charge
of watching these kids for... a few days.
Murney is unimpressed.
MURNEY
aby-sitter huh. Well, whatever work you
can get. I'm Murphy. Duane. V.P in charge
of discipline, conduct and truancy. Top
to bottom, K thru 12. You're in my house
now, boy. I coach wrestling, too. (re:
Todd:) And the creeper here played hookey
from every wrestling practice this month.
The Kids crack up. Murney is furious.
MURNEY (CONT'D)
She's missed twenty-two Driver's Ed
classes. Out of twenty-three. They're the
worst students in my school.
OMAN'S VOICE
Your school?
Murney grimaces as PRINCIPAL CLAIRE NELSON (early 30's)
enters. She's attractive, assured, tough. He withers.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Good morning kids. What are you doing in
my office, Murney?
MURNEY
I was explaining, that as vice principal,
I am in charge of....
34.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Very little. I thought I asked you to
find out who stuck to the baloney slices
to the cafeteria ceiling with mustard?
MURNEY
I'm got some leads. (then, confidential:)
My informant's about to crack.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Then hop to it. I think I can handle this
from here.
The opens the door for Murney. He exits, fuming. The
BELL rings.
SHANE
Red 1, Red 2. Get moving.
The teens hustle off to their classes. Shane checks his
TRACKER -- two little red DOTS move away. Good.
Principal Claire eyeballs him... staring him up and down,
as he casually holds the three kids.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
So. You're the new baby-sitter?
SHANE
Bodyguard. You see, Mrs. Plummer called
my captain, she thought the kids needed -
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
It's okay, Lieutenant, I was briefed of
the situation by Mrs. Plummer. She told
me all about you.
She notices NAVY SEAL tattoo on his upper arm. Claire
sees this -- and suddenly reacts, impressed.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE (CONT'D)
Lieutenant, huh? You with "The Teams?"
(Shane nods.)
Petty Officer Third Class Claire Nelson
at your service.
SHANE
... You're kidding?
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Four years at Naval base Coronado. The
Service paid for my college.
35.
Shane stares not sure whether to believe. On the spot,
Claire looks nervously around. She lifts her pants leg...
revealing a tiny ANCHOR TATTOO on her ankle.
SHANE
"Honor, Courage...
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Commitment". That's the way I live my
life, and the way I run my school.
SHANE
Can't be too careful. So. Permission to
stick around and keep eyes on the kids?
She smiles.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Permission granted. Welcome aboard. Just
try not to frighten the children.
SHANE
No one will even notice I'm here.
JUMP CUT TO:
EXT. EAST BETHESDA K-12 SCHOOL - MID-MORNING
Shane, dead serious, (Tyler in Snuggle) is riding the see-
saw in the school's playground. Peter rides on the other
side with a group of KIDS, to balance Shane. Shane types
on his laptop: CLAIRE NELSON. A picture of Claire in a
Naval uniform pops up as well as her stats...
SHANE
Clean as a whistle.
Shane closes the computer, picks up a pair of binoculars.
BINOCULARS P.O.V. as Shane goes from window to window of
the school: Zoe is glaring at him through the window from
her seat in a class. Todd, sitting in the back row of a
class, yanks his hood over his head. Lulu waves from 2nd
Grade, delighted.
Along line of FIRST GRADERS wait for the seesaw.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Back off. Official Business.
36.
ON THE PLAYGROUND:
Shane stands with his Baby snuggle. Peter is running in
circles around him on his harness, like a tether ball. He
checks his tracking device...
INT. CAFETERIA - LUNCH TIME
BINOCULARS P.O.V.: Five hundred students eat at long
tables. Zoe, with a group of HIP FRIENDS, turns her back
to him embarrassed. Todd, in line to get lunch, does the
same. Lulu sees Shane and waves.
Shane puts down his binoculars. He turns to the person in
front of him, with stern intensity.
SHANE
Give up now. Save us both a world of
pain. Now -- last time: Open the hanger,
Black Hawk coming in.
Reveal: Shane is talking to Tyler, in his safety seat --
trying to get him to eat. Beside Shane, Peter is
destroying a sandwich with animal crackers.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Open in T minus three, two, one...
Tyler gurgles, ignoring him. Shane sighs. Principal
Claire sits next to Shane with her lunch tray.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
What would you say is the secret with
kids, Mr. Wolfe?
SHANE
Show no weakness.
RINCIPAL CLAIRE
I'll drink to that. (she toasts, with
milk.) Shane... Can I call you Shane?
SHANE
... Sure.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
So. When you agreed to serve your
country, I bet you didn't know you'd be
serving creamed bananas to one year olds,
huh?
Shane gives her a look. Principal Claire smiles.
37.
SHANE
Hey -- I out rank you, you know.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Not here, you don't. You're on dry land,
lieutenant. (she looks at his chair)
Well, not so dry where you're sitting, I
guess.
Shane sees that Tyler is pouring his juice Box all over
Shane's pants. He yanks Tyler away from him.
SHANE
Oh, man...
Tyler starts to cry -- but Shane stops him from crying by
making a funny face. Tyler laughs. Claire smiles.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Don't take this personally -- but you're
pretty good at this. Seriously, I'm
impressed. A whole day, and all three
Plummer's stayed out of trouble.
That's... unusual.
Suddenly there's a huge crash around the corner, and the
sound of Students in an uproar. Shane hands Tyler off to
the Principal and leaps over the table...
INT. LUNCH-LINE - CONTINUOUS
Students are in a ring, cheering, as four STUDENTS in
Wrestling Jackets hold Todd. One reaches down and gives
Todd a "wedgy" then another WRESTLER punches him. Todd
slips out of their hold and decks the Wrestler. VP Murney
is watching, but not stopping it. Zoe, in the crowd,
cheers Todd on:
ZOE
Kick his butt, Todd!
Shane and Claire push through the Students. As soon as
they see the Principal, the crowd freezes.
RINCIPAL CLAIRE
Who started this?
Silence. Then vice principal Murney steps forward.
MURNEY
He did. (Todd)
38.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Todd started a fight with five students
at once?
Shane turns to Todd, and "punches fists" with him,
impressed.
MURNEY
The kid's mixed up. Look at him.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
If I catch anyone on the team fighting
again, next week's tournament is off. I
don't care who starts it.
Murney smirks, and gives her a "I'll handle it" wink.
MURNEY
You heard the lady. Any more fighting and
there'll be no more wrestling. Personally
I think that's a little harsh. Boys'll be
boys. (low, to Todd:) `Scept for Plummer
here.
Todd lunges at him. Shane effortlessly grabs Todd and
Judo FLIPS HIM -- Todd lands on his feet, sticking the
landing. No one is more Ssurprised than Todd and Shane.
SHANE
... Nice moves, man.
The Bell rings, the crowd breaks up. Murney approaches
Shane.
MURNEY
Pretty slick, Frogman -- I'm a black belt
myself. S'why they asked me to coach the
wrestling team.
Murney makes a loud Kung Fu CRY and throws a punch,
stopping an inch from Shane's head. Shane doesn't flinch.
MURNEY (CONT'D)
See -- total control. Maybe you could
stop by practice, we'd show the boys how
a couple of pros do it, what do you say?
Come on, promise I'll go easy on you.
SHANE
... Sorry, sir. I'm on duty.
39.
MURNEY
Oh, yeah. That's right. I forgot you had
to baby-sit. Maybe some other time then.
Shane puts an arm over Todd's shoulder. Todd shakes him
off and heads to class. Murney snickers to Claire:
MURNEY (CONT'D)
Looks like pretty boy there's all bark
and no bite.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
... Don't even think it, Murney. He'd
kill you so fast, I wouldn't even have
time to get my camera.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - 2:55
Shane looks exhausted. Peter is asleep in his shoulder,
Tyler is crying, as he keeps watch. The Principal strolls
up.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Another day, another dollar twenty, minus
taxes... aren't you gonna change him?
SHANE
I'd love to, for one who'll eat, and not
cry.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
That's not what I mean, Lt.
Then Shane smells what she means -- Tyler's diaper is
full. Shane recoils in disgust, holding Tyler out like a
grenade.
SHANE
Oh -- change him. Roger that. Uh...
Panicked, he pushes Tyler towards the Principal.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Sirnosir. Not my job.
SHANE
But...
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Instructions are right on the box.
Bathroom's down the hall. Have fun.
40.
Just then, an alarm in his Jacket GOES OFF. He looks at
his tracker: it's flashing RED 3 RED 3. Shane hands off
Peter and Tyler to the Principal.
SHANE
Emergency!
INT. 2ND GRADE HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Shane runs down the hall, following his tracking device.
It leads him to a door. He bursts though it, doing a
shoulder roll.
INT. 2ND GRADE CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS
2ND GRADERS are sitting on the floor. Lulu is in front of
the class, with the Panic Button in her hand. The board
reads: SHOW AND TELL. Shane lands in fight stance -- the
Class applauds. Next to Lulu is a very upstaged LITTLE
BOY with a FROG. Lulu sticks her tongue out at him.
LULU
See! My nanny can kick your nanny's butt.
Shane is furious, but the FINAL BELL rings. At that
moment, his Tracker Alarm sounds again. He looks:
CLOSE-UP ON THE TRACKER SCREEN: Two DOTS labeled RED 1
and RED 2, are heading away from the school fast.
I
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Shane runs with Lulu through the mob of Kids. He hands
her to the Principal.
SHANE
Thanks.
EXT. EAST BETHESDA K-12 SCHOOL - CONTINUOUS
Shane dives into the Minivan. The DOTS on the tracker are
headed North. He speeds away after them.
EXT. BUSY INTERSECTION - MOMENTS LATER
The BLINKING DOTS on his tracker are side by side, racing
down the road ahead of Shane. They make a sharp right.
Shane makes a right, almost tipping the minivan. He
blasts through a red light.
41.
EXT. IN FRONT OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE - MOMENTS LATER
He turns a corner -- a PLYWOOD WALL surrounds the site.
He leaps out of the minivan. He looks at the tracker: Zoe
and Todd are dead ahead, through the fence.
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - CONTINUOUS
Two BIG CONSTRUCTION workers are standing on the other
side of the plywood wall -- Shane KICKS out one entire
section, and charges through.
CONSTRUCTION WORKER
What hell do you think you're doing?
He turns around, to see several CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, all
brandishing tools.
SHANE
Tell me where the kids are and I'll let
you all live!
CONSTRUCTION WORKER
Buddy, you're about to get a beat down.
Three Workers rush him. Shane easily takes them out. The
remaining Workers give Shane a scared look -- then RUN.
ANGLE - SHANE
He's alone. He catches his breath, then checks his
tracker. Todd and Zoe's BEEPS are coming from a MANHOLE.
Shane pries off the manhole cover. He looks down.
IN THE MANHOLE - It's dark and dank.
No sweat. Shane lowers himself down.
INT. SEWER - SAME TIME
Shane lands shoulder deep in DISGUSTING SLUDGE. He
winces, then checks the tracker -- the DOTS are CLOSE,
feet away. Shane trudges through the river of muck.
SHANE
Red 1? Red 2?
It's horrific. The DOTS BEEP LOUDER. He's almost there!
He splashes around a corner -- then gasps -- he sees the
blinking lights below the surface. He takes a deep
breath and dives under. He comes up for air with ZOE and
TODD'S HOMING BEACONS. A note is tied to them: "Ha! Ha!"
42.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER
Principal Claire sits with the Kids in the living room.
From outside, they hear the front door open, and the
sound of OMINOUS, SQUISHY footsteps.
Then the door swings open, revealing Shane, looking like
a Swamp Creature. Everyone gasps, then covers their
noses. A CUTE YOUNG COP enters behind Shane. Todd
stiffens. Zoe fixes her hair. The Cop looks at them.
CUTE COP
14 year old Male, weird hair. 16 year old
female. Ditto. (into his radio:) Cancel
that a.p.b..
The Cop turns to Shane, with a smirk.
CUTE COP (CONT'D)
In the future, use our nonemergency
number. That's the one to call if
nobody's fleein' or bleedin'.
The Cop leaves, Zoe checks him out as he goes...
CLAIRE
Shane are you okay?
SHANE
(eerily calm:)
Just fine, thank you.
Covering her nose. The smell is BAD.
CLAIRE
I should probably get going then. If you
need anymore help... Call.
She practically GAGS as she passes him. Shane looks
around at Scott and Zoe, he doesn't say anything, but
with his hand he makes a "my eyes on you" gesture.
INT. BATHROOM - LATER
Shane is in the shower. He pours an entire bottle of
SHAMPOO over himself.
INT. BACK YARD - DAY
Shane BURNS his clothes in the barbecue.
43.
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
Tyler is in a high-chair, Peter rocks in a cradle-swing.
Shane enters, in just a towel. He sees on the fridge;
Helga'S SHOPPING LIST -- all junk food. He looks at it,
cringing in disgust, before he notices:
Sitting around the table are Lulu's entire BROWNIE TROOP -
- a dozen little girls in uniforms, they're staring at
him. The Brownies applaud, and whistle.
BROWNIE
oo hoo! Hubba hubba!
Shane covers up and leaps into the Family Room, pulling
Lulu after him.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
SHANE
Who are those people?
LULU
It's my troop, it's Monday. Monday,
Wednesday and Saturday are troop nights.
SHANE (O.S.)
Get rid of them.
LULU
I can't. Everybody's parents go out on
troop nights. They won't be home `til
ten. Mom's our den mother.
Lulu starts to sniffle, close to tears.
LULU (CONT'D)
Tonight we're supposed to sell cookies.
SHANE
Selling cookies isn't imperative to my
mission.
LULU
We have to. If we don't sell enough
cookies, we can't go the Jamboree, and if
we can't go to the Jamboree.
(whispers:)
Come on, Shane. You gotta help me out.
They already think I'm a loser. And it's
not like I have any other friends, cause
mom never lets me out of her sight...
44.
Lulu's about to burst into tears. Shane sighs.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Shane, back in "uniform," paces in front of the Brownie
Troop. They are assembled, at attention, Indian Style.
SHANE
Alright, ladies. Here's how it's gonna
be. Tonight, I'm gonna be your den --
commander. That means if you want to live
to see tomorrow, do as I say. DO WE
UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER?
The Brownies stare art him in stunned silence.
BROWNIE
Den Mother? ... I'm scared of you.
SHANE
Good. Now -- wait here.
INT. LIVING ROOM - A LITTLE LATE
The Brownies are in the living room, unpacking boxes of
cookies, getting ready to go. Zoe's on the phone.
ZOE
... yeah, he's a total psycho. I think
mom found him from one of those Tough
Love boot camps or something...
Shane blows passed her, revving a cordless POWER DRILL.
VARIOUS SHOTS: As Shane uses the drill to seal every
window and door. He's not just locking them -- he's
SCREWING THEM SHUT WITH DRYWALL SCREWS.
INT. ZOE'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Shane's finishing up the last window.
ZOE
This is totally cruel and unusual! You
can't do this -- we could run out of air!
Shane lifts her window so it's open a HALF INCH, then
drills it into place. Shane ushers the Troop out the
door, then loads Peter and Tyler into TWO SNUGGLES -- one
attached to his front, the other to his back. Shane
closes the front door and attaches a "Club" lock to it.
45.
EXT. DRIVEWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Shane Loads the brownies and toddlers into the minivan.
As the minivan pulls out of the driveway, the camera
CRANES up to...
ZOE'S WINDOW:
Inside, Zoe picks up the phone, hits speed-dial.
ZOE
.. he's got us on lock-down, it's like
Oz or something. No, not munchkin Oz --
HBO Oz. (she listens:) Hm... I dunno if
that's a good idea, Scott...
EXT. GROCERY STORE - PARKING LOT - AFTERNOON
Shane pulls the minivan into the crowded parking lot --
the Brownies are all singing 99 Bottles of Beer on the
Wall at the top of their lungs.
EXT. GROCERY STORE - MOMENTS LATER
Shane (double-Snuggled) helps the Brownies set up a card
table to display their cookies.
SHANE
I gotta get supplies. I can see you
through the window, but if anything
happens...
LULU
(flashing her bracelet)
I know.
INT. GROCERY STORE - MOMENTS LATER
Shane watches the Brownies on the store's CLOSED CIRCUIT
monitor, as he pushes a cart into the store. He looks
around at the bright, colorful boxes of Children's
Cereals, Rainbow Fruit Roll-Ups, Snack packs... NOTHING
looks familiar -- nothing even looks like food.
He sees: a huge, 100 pack VALUE CASE of SPAM. He smiles.
Tyler looks at him -- "what are you, nuts?"
EXT. GROCERY STORE - CONTINUOUS
The Brownies are trying to sell the cookies, but they're
very shy. SHOPPERS blow passed them without even noticing
them. One of the Brownies spots something...
46.
BROWNIE
Oh no... they're back.
SLOW MOTION: In a shot out of Reservoir Dogs, we see who
she means: A group of bad ass, chubby CUB SCOUTS. They're
headed straight towards the cookie table, menacingly.
UGLY CUB SCOUT
(to another Scout)
Hey Skeever, what's stinky and floats
`til you flush `em?
2ND SCOUT
Brownies?
The Scouts cackle. The Ugly Scout yanks a box of cookies
away from Lulu. He rips it open, dumping the cookies on
the ground and grinding Uthem with his foot.
UGLY CUB SCOUT
This is Troop 16 territory. How are we
supposed to sell raffle tickets when this
place reeks of your skanky cookies?
2ND SCOUT
BEAT IT, before I get my face punching
badge on you.
The Brownies take off running, clutching their boxes. One
of the Scouts grabs Lulu -- she tugs and tugs, but can't
get away. Finally, the Cub Scout takes her SCARF. He
laughs, and lets her go. The Cub Scouts high-five.
EXT. GROCERY STORE - MOMENTS LATER
Shane heads to the Brownie's table -- but Lulu and the
Brownies are gone. In their place are the Chubby Scouts.
SHANE
Where are my troops?
UGLY CUB SCOUT
... I haven't seen anybody, you Skeever?
2ND SCOUT
Nope. You wanna buy a raffle ticket?
We're trying to win .22's.
Around his neck, Shane's monitor starts beeping. Shane
takes off running in the direction of the signal.
47.
EXT. PARKING LOT - SECONDS LATER
Shane runs up to the minivan. The Brownies are huddled
behind it, trembling.
SHANE
What happened? (No one answers) Well?
LULU
Those boys over there broke our cookies.
Shane eyes the Cub Scouts. Dead serious:
SHANE
Well then -- I'm afraid I have to
eliminate them. If I don't come back --
avenge my death.
He heads toward the Scouts. The Brownies scream.
BROWNIES
No!
Shane stops. He bends down, and points at Lulu's Panic
button. He firmly tells Lulu, who's close to tears:
SHANE
This is not a toy. I'm here to protect
you. Not cookies. Get in the car, we're
going home.
BROWNIE
You can't take us home yet, you're
supposed to take us to dinner.
SHANE
Where?
INT. CHUCK E. CHEESE - A LITTLE LATER - DAY
An extreme CU of the Chuck E. Cheese MANAGER. He wears
braces and head-gear, which causes him to lisp.
MANAGER
Welcome to Chuck E. Cheese!
Wider reveals...CHAOS. SCREAMING CHILDREN everywhere.
On stage, the Chuck E. Cheese automaton band JAMS.
SHANE
I wish I were in Chechnya.
A LITTLE LATER:
48.
Brownies are running around, playing video games and skee
ball. Shane's watching Peter, in the PLASTIC BALL POOL,
while he holds Tyler in the Snuggle. The Manager
approaches Shane.
MANAGER
Anything elsh I can do for you?
SHANE
In a big glass (he shows him) This much
ice... this much cyanide.
The Manager laughs, but the headgear seems to hurt his
face when he smiles.
MANAGER
How `bout a re-fill on that pischer of
Mischer Pibb?
SHANE
What?
MANAGER
(gesturing:)
Pischer of Mischer Pibb? Mischer Pibb?
Frustrated, the Manager picks up a pitcher and exits.
Lulu approaches, she grabs Shane by the sleeve and drags
him over to the stand up Mortal Kombat game.
LULU
Let's fight!
SHANE
I'm watching your brother...
LULU
I pressed two player. I thought you liked
combat. Unless you're scared.
Shane doesn't like the sound of that. He steps up to the
machine. He cracks his knuckles, stretches. Then he takes
a joy stick. He checks over his shoulder -- Peter's
happily splashing about in the plastic balls.
ON THE SCREEN: they each select a fighter. Lulu picks a
small female character. Shane picks a man who looks LIKE
SHANE. They begin, Lulu screams out with her fighter, in
unison:
VIDEO GAME/LULU
Prepare to be annihilated!
49.
She leaps over Shane in a somersault and throws a DOZEN
throwing stars. Then kicks him in the head repeatedly.
SHANE
That's not fair. Nobody can jump thirty
feet.
LULU
The Hulk can.
SHANE
That wasn't a documentary.
The second round starts, Brownies have gathered around to
watch. Lulu's fighter does a series of kicks. Shane can't
even get one punch in -- she pins him to the ground,
kneels on his head, then kicks him in the face. Shane is
taking it really seriously. He's really mad.
SHANE (CONT'D)
This isn't fair. My joystick's broken.
LULU
You wanna switch?
They switch sides. Round three starts. Lulu's fighter
picks up Shane's in the air, spins her, then cracks her
in half over his knee... and then a kick in the face.
SHANE
(re: the Snuggle)
You don't have a baby on your chest...
Lulu's having fun now, she's just avoiding Shane's
fighter, dancing, jumping, while he pounds the buttons,
swinging and missing... Shane's really fuming.
LULU
You're not even trying...
SHANE
I AM TOO TRYING.
LULU
Too slow... come on -- take a shot...
oops too slow... swing and a miss...
She keeps dancing. It's really annoying. Shane's working
the joy stick hard, slamming buttons, but he can't hit
her. He is KO'd. She does a very obnoxious VICTORY DANCE.
50.
LULU (CONT'D)
In your face! I am the greatest hand-to-
hand combat champion in the entire world!
Shane screams and RIPS THE JOYSTICK OFF THE MACHINE.
Sparks fly. Shane looks around to see if the staff
noticed. He and the Brownies sneak away, leaving the
sizzling machine, its joystick dangling by its wires.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Zoe's on the phone, the Zhouse is quiet.
ZOE
Mom -- stop worrying.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. HOTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
JULIE (ON THE PHONE)
I'm a mom, it's my job to worry.
ZOE
Seriously, everything's cool. The guy's
just a control freak.
JULIE
It's only a few more days. I hate leaving
you, but you know I have to do this. I
love you.
ZOE
I know. Don't worry, we're okay. Tonight
I'm just doing homework -- in my cell.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
As Zoe hangs up, we WIDEN OUT: The house is PACKED with
TEENAGERS: they're keeping quiet until the phone is in
its cradle, then the TEENAGE DJ starts the music back up.
Zoe looks around at the mess. She turns to Scott, who
doesn't seem concerned at all.
ZOE
Dude, this is outta hand. Who are all
these people?
SCOTT
Jus' ma peeps. And the folks who read my
BLOG.
51.
Zoe rolls her eyes, then notices a WEIRD SWEATY KID,
who's throwing mustard covered baloney slices at the
ceiling, where they stick with a satisfying SQUISH.
ZOE
Dude, not cool...
VARIOUS SHOTS - The Plummer House:
- Its a huge party: the place is JAMMED, kids everywhere.
- Teenagers come and go through the kitchen's DOGGY DOOR.
EXT. MALL PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
Shane (Tyler in Snuggle), loads Brownies into the
minivan, counting them. Barking at them like Marines:
SHANE
Move, move, move! Go go!
EXT. SUBURBAN ROAD - MOMENTS LATER
Shane drives, the Brownies are singing 99 Bottles...
again. Suddenly, a look of horror comes across Shane's
face... he spins the minivan in a 180 and floors it.
INT. CHUCK E. CHEESE - LATER - DUSK
Shane (Tyler in Snuggle) bursts in, the Brownies follow.
We see what he forgot: PETER, still happily playing in
the pool of plastic balls. The Manager is watching him.
MANAGER
I figured you'd come back for him -- they
almost always do.
SHANE
Inexcusable, to leave a man behind like
that...
MANAGER
Relax, we once found a kid in the ball
pool when we opened in the morning --
Shane wades into the ball pool and pulls Peter out, which
is fine, except that he's MISSING HIS DIAPER.
MANAGER (CONT'D)
WHOA, Whoa. Not okay, freestyling in the
ball pool -- not okay.
S
52.
Shane grimaces. He holds his breath, and goes down for
the diaper. He disappears under the balls -- for a long
time. The Manager and the Brownies share a concerned
look. He's still down there. Silence.
LULU
Should we send someone in after him?
He surfaces, gasping. He's holding the diaper, out away
from him. He charges across the room with the diaper.
SHANE
Clear out! GO GO GO!
And he bursts out the other doors, at a full run.
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - NIGHT
Shane is exhausted, as he pulls up in the Minivan. He
gets out -- and groans in disbelief. It's insanity: HIP
HOP blasts, gyrating TEENAGERS everywhere, chugging
drinks, making out, peeing in the bushes, jocks throwing
footballs.
Reeling, Shane takes Lulu, Peter and Tyler up the path.
He protectively guides them past the craziness -- until a
football suddenly WHIZZES by. Outraged, Shane snatches
it mid-air -- then CRUSHES the ball. POP!
hane gives a blood-curdling stare.
SHANE
Party's over.
The jocks flinch, scared, then RUN. Shane unlocks the
CLUB lock off the door.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Inside is worse, a total wreck. Zoe's dancing with
Scott.
Shane drags the needle across a record at the D.J.'s
turntables. Everyone recoils from the horrible sound.
SHANE
No one leaves until this house is
spotless! I want to be able to eat off
the floor! The latrine! Hell, I wanna
be able to eat in the kitchen!!
Nervous glances -- then everybody suddenly RUNS for the
back! Shane is confused, trying to understand...
53.
then he intuitively dashes past them! He's scoping the
surroundings... windows... vents... AH! The doggy door!
Scott is halfway through the doggy door when Shane grabs
his ankles and yanks him back in. Shane holds Scott
upsidedown by his ankles.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Oh no you don't. Now, we're gonna do this
my way -- no highway option.
Just then: A MUSTARD SOAKED BALONEY SLICE drops from the
ceiling, sticking to the TOP of Shane's head. PLOP.
Shane's eyes narrow, he takes it off, trying to maintain
his dignity. He fumes...
SHANE (CONT'D)
Start swabbing, ladies.
He hands Scott the mop. Scott gulps - and starts mopping.
DISSOLVE TO:
CLEANING THE HOUSE.
Miserable TEENS scrub. In a bathroom, Scott and Zoe, in
Playtex gloves, furiously clean. Scott scrubs the toilet
with Pinesol as the Duck swims in the top of the toilet.
SCOTT
This is officially the worst party ever.
ZOE
It was YOUR idea! I don't even know most
of these losers.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE/STUDY - NIGHT
Shane inspects the house, as kids clean. Shane wipes a
finger down the sofa. Clean. He lifts the sofa, and rubs
his finger UNDER IT. He holds it up to a KID... residue.
The Kid quickly starts cleaning again.
A GIRL reorganizes a stack of CD'S. Shane goes over
them, straightening -- then he notices something. He
pulls out a CD: It is a home-burned disk, labeled with a
Sharpie. It reads: GHOST. Oh my god...
CUT TO:
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - SIMULTANEOUS
Two DARK CLAD FIGURES watch, through binoculars. They see
Shane find the CD, and walk out of sight.
54.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE/STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Shane quickly tucks the CD into his pocket.
CUT TO:
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - ALMOST DAWN
A long line of exhausted party-goers files out. Scott's
the last one to leave.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - VARIOUS
Shane works his way through the house. It's SPOTLESS:
counter tops glisten, furniture polished. It looks like
Better Homes and Gardens. He heads upstairs. Zoe blows
past him -- into the bathroom, where she throws up. Shane
sits down, outside the bathroom door.
ZOE
... Thanks a lot, Rambo. My friends will
never come here again.
SHANE
Those people aren't your friends. They
show no respect for you or your house.
Because you have no respect for yourself.
ZOE
I do too respect myself.
ueasy, she pukes again. Shane hands her a handkerchief.
SHANE
You got barf on your tank top.
(Announces:) Company, downstairs!
He walks down the hall, Zpounding on doors.
ZOE
You're not my dad!
Shane stops. Lulu and Todd step into the hall. Zoe gets
up, shaky and furious, and screams in Shane's face.
ZOE (CONT'D)
We hate you, you hate us. You're like a
robot. Why don't you just leave us alone?
Silence. Lulu's crying, Todd picks her up. Shane stands,
helpless. After a beat...
55.
SHANE
You're right, Red 1. I'm not the man for
this job.
LULU
Shane --!
SHANE
In all my years I have never been treated
with such disrespect. Not even from the
enemy. Don't worry, as soon as your mom
comes back, I'm gone.
Suddenly -- the power goes out.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Now what?
ZOE
(sighs, tired) It's Scott...
SHANE
Puberty... talking doesn't do any good.
Go to your rooms.
Suddenly, TWO NINJAS, all in black BURST in through the
window. Shane spins in fight-stance.
SHANE (CONT'D)
(to the kids:)
Go!
Terrified, Zoe and Todd scoop up the kids and rush down
the hall.
The Ninjas pull a retractable KENDO STAFFS. Wielding them
with great skill. It takes all of Shane's skill to fend
them off -- the three fight, close-quarters and fast.
Until Shane pulls down attic's spring-loaded FOLDING
LADDER and clocks a Ninja with it. He goes down, but
Shane is SHOCKED from behind by the other NINJA. The
Ninjas attack, fiercely -- they're good. Their Kendo
staffs hiss with a powerful ELECTRIC CURRENT. The Ninjas
knock Shane backwards down the stairs...
NINJA
GHOST -- hand it over!
They leap down after him, pounding him with their staffs,
knocking him into...
56.
INT. PLAYROOM - CONTINUOUS
There are TOYS EVERYWHERE -- like a tornado hit a TOYS-R-
US. Shane fends the Ninjas off. He spots a BASEBALL BAT,
and grabs it, facing them, fiercely. They step back...
SHANE
Okay -- who wants some?
Shane swings the bat down on a Ninja's head: It's a
whiffle bat, it makes a silly thunk. Shane and the Ninja
share a surprised look -- then the Ninjas charge. Shane
fends them off with his Whiffle bat. With his foot, he
picks up a FISHER PRICE CORN-POPPER, and uses them both
to fend off blows. It rattles and pops as he fights with
both Toys -- until a Ninja breaks them with one blow.
Shane sees a FARMER JOHN TALKING GAME. He jumps up onto a
shelf and grabs it. He pulls the string, and swings the
plastic disk like a deadly bolo.
FARMER JOHN GAME
The rooster goes...
WHACK, he hits a Ninja in the head. He swings the Farmer
John like a bull whip -- until a Ninja knocks the shelf
over. Shane crashes down, toys fly, several FURBIES hit
the floor. They echo the fight:
FURBIES
Ow! Ow!
Shane sees: The Ninjas are wearing only Ninja socks -- no
shoes. He grabs a barrel of LEGOS, and flings them all
over the floor. The Ninjas move towards him -- the Legos
and Jacks dig into their feet.
NINJA/FURBIES
Ow! Ow ow! Crap!
The Ninjas fight as they hobble around, avoiding Legos,
Shane runs to the changing table, then violently squeezes
DESITIN at a NINJA, blinding him.
Shane hangs in the doorway and swings at them, KICKING a
Ninja in the chest. The Ninja CRASHES through the window!
he other Ninja looks up, fearful. Suddenly he grabs a
bottle of BABY POWDER. He sprays it in Shane's face...
POOF! The room fills with a CLOUD OF WHITE.
ANGLE - SHANE
57.
He squints, blinded. The cloud dissipates... and Shane
sees he's now alone. He runs to the broken window.
OUTSIDE:
The Ninja's are long gone. Shane bangs the window sill,
disappointed to have lost them.
INT. HALLWAY - SECONDS LATER
Composing himself, Shane approaches Zoe's door. He
quietly knocks.
SHANE
Kids. It's safe. You can open up.
A long pause -- then the door creaks open. The kids run
out and hug Shane with all their strength, bawling. Todd
and Zoe enter, terrified. Shane isn't sure what to do...
Then, he hugs Peter and Lulu. He really hugs them.
LULU
Please don't leave us Shane.
SHANE
I'm not going anywhere.
He hugs them, even Zoe is crying and hugging Shane.
ZOE
I'm sorry for giving you a hard time.
SHANE
Shhh... It's okay.
TODD
Who were they? What did they want...?
SHANE
They're looking for a program, that your
father invented.
ZOE
So Mom's not paranoid? There really are
people out to get us.
He takes out the CD labeled GHOST.
SHANE
They're not after you. They want this.
But nothing's gonna happen to you, as
long as I'm here. And I'm not going
anywhere.
58.
The kids shudder, relieved. They hug him tighter. He
looks Zoe, eye to eye. He dries her tears:
SHANE (CONT'D)
But I can't do this without your help,
okay? We need a little more cooperation
here. (the Kids nod) Tell you what --
let's start over. From now on, you listen
to me, and do what I say. (to Zoe and
Todd:) And I... I'll listen to you too.
Deal? Truce -- okay?
Zoe and Todd nod. Shane offers his hand to shake. They
shake -- then they hug him, too.
INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Shane and the Kids sit around Shane's computer. Shane
slips the Ghost CD in the disc drive, pushes play --
SHANE
C'mon c'mon c'mon...
CLOSE-UP - COMPUTER MONITOR
The SOUND comes on: it's MUSIC. "Unchained Melody." And
then, PICTURE: Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze at a pottery
wheel. Shane is furious -- a long pause. Then...
Zoe laughs: she can't help it, it's been a long night.
Then, the other kids join in. Soon, even Shane is
laughing too: the telephone RINGS -- they all jump,
startled. Zoe answers it, all smiles, she tries to play
it cool and not frighten her mother:
ZOE
Hey mom we're fine, absolutely nothing
happened you should worry about. Nope.
Shane takes the phone.
SHANE
Mrs. Plummer... two men tried to get into
the house tonight.
WE INTERCUT:
INT. HOTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
JULIE
Oh my god!
59.
SHANE
No - it's okay. They're gone, everyone's
fine. They were looking for GHOST, but
they didn't find it. You have any luck?
JULIE
Well, yes and no. We found something in
the box... But we're not sure what it is.
Bill thinks it's part of the GHOST. It
looks like some kind of "key". We just
don't know what its for.
She holds up the strange, metal two pronged KEY.
JULIE (CONT'D)
The good news is I'll be home in two
days, as soon as the customs paperwork
clears.
SHANE
(very genuine)
...So soon? We were just starting to have
fun. Don't worry -- we'll be just fine.
EXT. SCHOOL - MORNING
Early morning, students run in to school. The minivan
pulls up, and Shane emerges with the five kids.
SHANE
I gotta warn you guys: From now on, I'm
gonna be sticking even closer.
INT. LULU'S CLASSROOM - DAY
The TEACHER shows the children how to dye Easter eggs.
ANGLE on Lulu, making a mess of an egg. She smiles.
ANGLE on Shane, squashed at a little desk. He dips an
egg in some purple dye.
EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT - DAY
Driver's Ed. An obstacle course with cones. Zoe
nervously drives a small sedan, a crazed TEACHER next to
her. He is gesticulating, SCREAMING, reacting each time
she HITS the gas, then BRAKES, HITS the gas, then BRAKES.
Shane stands off to the side, shaking his head. Peter
and Tyler are tight in their Snuggles.
60.
INT. LULU'S CLASSROOM - LATER
The TEACHER hangs a series of cute "Turkey Hand" drawings
above the blackboard (the kind where your fingers make
the feathers). She hangs one of a HUGE HAND, and smiles
at Shane, who sits in the back, sunglasses on. Shane
nods, "yeah, I know it's good." Then...
VOICE (OVER THE PA:)
Will Shane Wolfe please report to Vice
Principal Murney in the gym.
Lulu's classmates all chant, in unison:
SECOND GRADERS
Ooooooooh! (You're in trouble!)
INT. THE GYM - MOMENTS LATER
Shane enters. Zoe sits in a folding chair, mortified. She
is holding a broken-off SIDE VIEW MIRROR. Murney stands,
Principal Claire next to him. They look concerned.
SHANE
Don't worry. So, she wrecked a driver's
Ed. car -- she'll pay for the damage...
MURNEY
That? Lady drivers, what do you expect.
No, it's not that -- it's the boy...
SHANE
Red two? I mean Todd?
Claire nods. Shane gives Zoe a look. Zoe shrugs.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Ordinarily I would wait for his mother to
return... but -- I'm a bit concerned, and
I'm not sure what to do...
SHANE
Has he been skipping class?
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Well -- yes. He does always miss sixth
period. But this...
Murney calls into the hallway. Todd enters. Shane stops,
in shock: Todd's long hair is all shaved off, he now has
a bleach blonde BUZZ CUT, giving him a "skinhead" look.
61.
MURNEY
This is how he showed up to practice. And
that's not all. I was doing a little re-
con in his locker... and I found this:
Murney hands Shane a book and Shane flips through it.
It's a book of photographs of NAZI UNIFORMS. Shane
scowls.
MURNEY (CONT'D)
If he'd had Hustler or something, boys
will be boys -- but this is just sick.
SHANE
He's not a NAZI.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
It's certainly not normal.
(pulls Shane aside.)
See if you can talk to the boy. Find out
what's going on.
Shane shakes his head: Todd is worse than he thought.
Todd and Zoe stand to go, and Shane walks them out.
The WRESTLING TEAM is assembled, stretching. They snicker
and shake their heads at Todd, as he passes. Shane walks
the kids out, and Murney chases after him.
MURNEY
hope you won't go light on him -- that
whole family's no good, if you ask me.
SHANE
I'll talk to him.
MURNEY
You're a good man, Shane. Bet you're a
hell of a fighter on the mats, huh?
(Shane ignores him, and keeps
walking.)
Maybe sometime we oughta strap up, we'll
give these boys a treat.
He "fake-punches" one of his Boys -- who flinches like
Murney has maybe hurt him a couple times. Murney laughs.
SHANE
Another time, maybe...
MURNEY
It's a date then. I'll show you a couple
moves. I promise I won't hurt you.
62.
Shane walks away. Without warning, Murney lets out a Kung
Fu SCREAM, and leaps at Shane, kicking him in the BACK,
Shane trips forwards to his knees. Murney tells his team:
MURNEY (CONT'D)
See that? You never know when your
adversary is going to strike!
SHANE
Did you kick me in the back? Is there a
footprint on my jacket?
Shane dusts off his back, and leaves.
MURNEY
Come on Frogman! Don't be a sissy!
Shane turns back. It looks like Shane might fight, but
instead he takes a deep breath, and leaves. Murney shakes
his head, and snickers to his Team.
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - A LITTLE LATER
The minivan pulls up, with Shane and all the Plummers
piled in. Shane parks, Todd runs towards the house. Shane
holds Todd back by the arm.
SHANE
Wait Todd, I want to talk to you...
odd yanks his arm away and runs into the house.
INT. TODD'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Shane knocks on Todd's door. Nothing. He enters. The
window is wide open, Shane checks his window alarm --
there's a REFRIGERATOR MAGNET stuck to it, keeping the
contact, so the alarm didn't go off.
SHANE
Smart kid.
Shane looks out the window -- far down the block, he can
see Todd, running around the corner. Shane hops out the
window. He sees Zoe, peering out her window.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Zoe, you're in charge. If anyone gets
within forty clicks of the perimeter,
signal me. Keep all doors sealed, do your
homework, preheat the oven, and make sure
Lulu brushes her teeth!
63.
He starts to shut the window, but the Duck leaps up on
the sill.
SHANE (CONT'D)
You want in or out?
The Duck leaps out. Shane screws the window shut. On the
corner, Shane sees Todd climbing on to a CITY BUS.
Shane picks a GIRL'S BICYCLE up off the front lawn. It's
pink, with a flowered basket. It's small for him, but he
hops on and pedals furiously after the bus.
EXT. CITY STREET NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
Shane, on the girl-bike, pedals after the bus. A few
HOMEBOYS watch him pass, curiously. He nods back, tough.
EXT. OLD WAREHOUSE - DOWNTOWN D.C. - NIGHT - LATER
The bus stops in a rundown neighborhood Todd hops off the
bus. Shane's arrives a moment later, dripping sweat. He
stashes the bike behind a mailbox...
Shane'S P.O.V.: At the entrance to the old warehouse,
Todd meets up with three other TEENAGE BOYS, they're
dressed in brown HITLER YOUTH UNIFORMS, they head inside.
Shane follows them, stealthily.
INT. OLD WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Shane follows the Hitler Youth into a large room, set up
with folding chairs. He hides in a dark corner. Todd and
the Hitler Youth enter, and take seats. A CREEPY MAN in
a scarf walks out, and stands in front of them. Shane
watches as the MAN addresses the Hitler Youth.
MAN
Alright. All my Nazis are finally here.
Okay, I want all of you at attention.
The Nazis stand at attention. Shane is horrified...
MAN (CONT'D)
And on stage left - (he yells) VON
TRAPPS! I need my Von Trapps!
hane watches... as a group of blonde ACTORS, all dressed
in lederhosen as the SINGING VON TRAPP family enter, and
join the "Nazis." There's also a few NUNS, a CAPTAIN VON
TRAPP, and a MARIA. The Creepy Man is, in fact, a good
natured, slightly foppish DIRECTOR.
64.
DIRECTOR
Okeydokey. Starting from where we left
off Gimme Rolf and Liesl -- let's give
You are Sixteen a run up der flagpole...
Todd heads up to the stage, the Director arranges him and
the ACTRESS PLAYING LIESL (40ish) into position. An
ACCOMPANIST begins on piano, Todd sings, remarkably well:
TODD
You wait little girl, on an empty
stage/for fate to turn the light on/your
life little girl, is an empty page/that
men will want to write on...
ACTRESS/LIESL
To write on...
TODD
You are sixteen, going on seventeen...
Shane bursts into laughter. His whole face lights up for
the first time ever...
Todd and Liesl dance. Todd is good, but nervous. He
attempts a spinning kick, but he slips, and hits the
stage, clutching his ankle. He gets up, and limps to the
seats. The Director walks onto the stage, upset. He
looks up, to heaven:
DIRECTOR
Baby Jesus, have I done some unspeakable
evil that I deserve to be saddled with
the world's worst production of Sound of
Music? (he shouts, at the cast:) We open
in a week. The set's not finished... The
cast is a bunch of clumsy goats -- every
kick ball change would make Bob Fosse dig
himself out of the earth, so he could
have a heart attack again.
TODD
I'm sorry... I'll get it right.
DIRECTOR
None of you will ever get it right! Which
is why, I quit.
He throws down his script. The Cast is stunned.
DIRECTOR (CONT'D)
And with that, he exits stage right...
end scene.
65.
And, on his own cue... he exits stage right, in a huff.
The entire cast looks to Todd, fuming.
Shane jumps up from his hiding place, startling
everybody. Everyone steps back. Todd is terrified.
Shane kneels down beside Todd. He closes his eyes, and
begins rubbing his hands together like Mr. Miyagi.
LIESL
You gonna fix him?
SHANE
No. My hands are freezing.
Shane grabs Todd's ankle hard and unceremoniously CRACKS
it, and yanks him to his feet.
TODD
I'm not going to quit. I hate wresting...
SHANE
AT EASE. (Todd shuts up) Would you
listen, just once? Look, I don't know a
hell of a lot about this kinda stuff,
but... You're good. A lot to learn, but
with hard work, discipline -- you could
make a go of this.
TODD
... but what about Murney?
SHANE
That guy's an idiot.
Todd smiles, relieved. They sit on the edge of the stage.
SHANE (CONT'D)
"Sound of Music" is a great show. My dad
took me to see it when I was a kid.
Shane smiles wistfully. Todd relaxes.
TODD
You don't seem like the musical type.
SHANE
Come on. Julie Andrews was hot.
TODD
What if... girls'll think I'm... weird or
something?
66.
SHANE
You know what girls think is weird?
Wrestling. Men in leotards pinning each
other to the floor? I've never understood
that. Chicks dig guys who can dance.
TODD
Doesn't matter now anyway... show's
off... it's over.
Shane looks at the Cast, they look pretty glum as they
pack up their costumes. Todd looks devastated -- only a
moment after Shane saw him happier than ever. Shane
straightens up, grabbing Todd by the shirt collar. BEAT.
SHANE
COMPANY -- CENTER STAGE!
Everyone looks around, they're not sure what to do... off
Shane's glare, they quickly assemble on stage.
SHANE (CONT'D)
DO YOU, OR DO YOU NOT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES
TO PERFORM THIS MUSICAL?
There's some mumbling. Liesl chimes in.
LIESL
We don't have a director...
Shane shakes his head.
SHANE
No director? I have directed rescue
missions in Afghanistan! I've directed
numerous snatch and grabs in countries
who's names you are not allowed to know.
I have choreographed multi-pronged
amphibious landings and stealth air
attacks!
(full of bravado)
Do you think I have the stomach to whip
this production into shape, or not?
Everyone nods... Todd looks up at Shane. He smiles.
TODD
Yes.
SHANE
YES WHAT?
67.
TODD/CAST
YESSIR.
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - LATER
Shane's patrolling the hallway. He hears Zoe in her
room, BREAKING something, angrily. He peeks in -- just as
Zoe THROWS her cell-phone into the wall, furious.
SHANE
... What's up?
ZOE
(embarrassed)
Nothing... It's stupid... Scott. I called
him in his room, another girl picked up
the phone. I know it's no big deal. I
don't know why I let it get to me.
SHANE
I don't see what you see in this guy.
ZOE
It's just nice to think someone's
thinking about you, you know?
S
SHANE
(He nods)
It won't happen again.
ZOE
... No wait! ...What are you gonna do?
You're not gonna hurt him are you?
Promise you won't touch him.
SHANE
Okay. I promise. I won't touch him.
Shane exits. He turns out the light.
INT. LULU'S ROOM - LATER
Shane tucks Lulu into bed.
ULU
Tell me a story.
Shane looks at her surprised. He sits on the bed...
Stumped. Then he starts:
SHANE
Okay. Let's see. Once there was a family
of Elves.
(MORE)
T
S
L
68.
SHANE(CONT'D)
One day, the little Elf family -- Uh.
Went into the magic forest. To find a
secret gnome... facility, where gnomes
where turning mushrooms into... Uranium.
The elves had to go in and take it out.
ULU
Why?
SHANE
They were ordered to. By the Elf Unit
commander at Elf station bravo. So --
they waited for cloud cover, and they
came in from the north...
As Shane finishes the story, he illustrates, setting up
the scene with DOLLS, on Lulu's floor.
SHANE (CONT'D)
The Elf Team decided on an L Ambush -- so
three elves formed a base leg and laid
down a heavy suppressive fire on the
gnomes while the others maneuvered around
to the right flank and walked through
finishing off anything left alive... I
mean standing... D
ISSOLVE TO:
AN HOUR LATER:
Shane's really into the story. Lulu's fallen asleep.
Shane's eyes are brimming with tears as he finishes:
SHANE (CONT'D)
... And not one Elf got left behind that
day. We got `em all. Even, the teeniest
little elf of all -- Rodriquez.
Then, from across the hall, Peter WAILS. Todd pops his
head in the door.
ODD
You have to do the Panda Dance... or he
won't stop.
SHANE
Oh, c'mon... I can't remember that thing.
TODD
I'll write it down for you...
The wails get louder and LOUDER...
S
69.
INT. NURSERY - CONTINUOUS
Tyler's asleep. Shane sighs, and whispers to Peter,
reading from Todd's notes:
SHANE
When you're down and low, lower than the
floor. And you ain't got a chance. Don't
make a move `til you're in the groove,
and do the Panda Dance...
Peter starts bawling. Shane doesn't know what's wrong.
Todd calls from the doorway...
TODD
You have to do the dance. Like dad used
to do. He made it up for him.
Shane sighs. He sings again, mortified. He does the dance
as he sings... Shane hops forward three times.
S
SHANE
Just hop three times like a kangaroo --
Sidestep twice, just like the crabs do.
Peter applauds. Humiliated, Shane crab-walks sideways.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Take three steps forward and one step
back... (He does.)
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - MORNING - THE NEXT DAY
As Mr. Chun gets his paper, Shane, (Tyler in the
snuggle), hands out bag lunches as the Kids load into the
minivan. Shane turns and catches Mr. Chun, staring.
SHANE
What are you looking at?
INT. GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Todd sits in the back of the Minivan, listening to Sound
of Music on his Walkman, Lulu is next to him, with her
Gameboy, Zoe and Peter are half asleep. Shane climbs into
the PASSENGER SEAT. Zoe realizes he's staring at her,
through the mirror.
SHANE
Today you drive.
T
A
70.
The Kids sit bolt upright. They turn to Zoe, terrified.
She gets out in shock, and gets in the driver's seat. The
other Kid's seat belts CLICK loudly.
ZOE
But -- I can't even pass driver's Ed.
SHANE
Exactly.
ZOE
Have you given a driving lesson before?
SHANE
N
ot in a car, no... but it's a lot like
a Bradley Assault Vehicle.
TODD
Especially when Zoe's driving.
The Kids share a dubious look. Zoe backs jerkily out.
INT. MINIVAN - CONTINUOUS
Zoe is super-tense as they drive. Shane is nervous, but
trying not to show it. Lulu and Todd are terrified.
SHANE
Do you know what causes most accidents?
ttention span. The most important thing
is that you keep an absolute focus on...
Zoe's looking RIGHT at him, not the road.
SHANE (CONT'D)
THE ROAD! Don't look at me...
ZOE
What?!?
he Minivan brakes abruptly at a red light, just as a
semi SCREAMS through the intersection. Shane is shaky.
ZOE (CONT'D)
You wanna drive?
SHANE
No. Keep going. I trust you.
Zoe is surprised. Touched. She pulls out, jerkily.
S
P
71.
EXT. BETHESDA K-12 SCHOOL - LATER
Zoe pulls to the curb, almost tapping a bus's rear
fender. Shane unclenches his teeth.
SHANE
Good. Next lesson, 1500 hours.
Zoe smiles. And the other Kids all bolt from the car,
terrified. Lulu makes a big show of kissing the ground.
ZOE
Ha ha ha. Very funny.
T
hey head into the school. Shane spots something.
ANOTHER ANGLE reveals: SCOTT (Zoe's boyfriend), with a
few FRIENDS, laughing, being obnoxious. Shane jumps out
of the car. Before Scott knows what's happened, Shane's
LIFTED him in the air by his backpack. Scott's terrified.
SHANE
I know 437 ways to hurt a man without
touching him. Broken promises lead to
broken legs. Do we understand each other?
Scott nods, trembling. Shane lets him down and heads into
school.
INT. BETHESDA K-12 SCHOOL, CAFETERIA - LUNCHTIME
Shane (Peter in lap, Tyler in snuggle) keeps an eye on
the Kids at their tables. KIDS boisterously run past.
Suddenly -- Claire BARKS out.
RINCIPAL CLAIRE
CHILDREN... STOP RUNNING!!
The kids instantly freeze. Claire strides into view.
She's wearing a cute dress, and a little make-up.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE (CONT'D)
(a long, severe stare)
Now... WALK! DOUBLE TIME.
Chastened, the kids gulp and orderly march away. Shane's
eyes alight, impressed.
SHANE
Wow. I'm glad I never had you for a CO.
S
T
P
72.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
(she coyly smiles)
I've noticed improvement in your troops
lately, too. Noon and none of them have
been called to my office. It's a miracle.
S
he sits beside him, and offers him a milk.
RINCIPAL CLAIRE (CONT'D)
Buy you a drink, sailor?
SHANE
Thanks.
hey eat in silence. Shane`s not so good at small talk.
She's waiting for him to say... something.
SHANE (CONT'D)
You look nice today.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
This old thing? Well, you never know who
you're going to run into.
She smiles. He smiles back... Suddenly, there's a
commotion: Murney is marching Todd towards them, dragging
him by the ear. Principal Claire sighs "not again." In
one move, Shane leaps over the table. Principal Claire
watches him leap:
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE (CONT'D)
... Love it when he does that.
Murney shoves Todd forward.
MURNEY
I've had it. I just caught this boy
dancing under the bleachers like some
kind of Bavarian fruitcake.
Murney gets up in Shane's face.
MURNEY (CONT'D)
I want this freak outta my school and
into treatment. Somebody needs to give
this punk a talking to...
TODD
Hey. I'm right here. Talk.
E
veryone is shocked that Todd talked back. A hushed
whisper goes through the cafeteria. Murney turns around.
M
73.
MURNEY
You got something to say? Boy?
TODD
Yeah. Yeah I do. I quit, Murney.
A hushed "oooh" goes through the Students.
MURNEY
Winners never quit, boy. What're you so
scared of, Freak?
The Students snicker. Todd looks, intimidated. Then:
TODD
I am not scared. I... I want to sing.
Silence. No one's sure they heard him right. Todd pulls
out a stack of SOUND OF MUSIC FLYERS and hands them out.
Todd is on the poster in his Rolf costume. Principal
Claire takes one: she laughs, now it all makes sense.
TODD (CONT'D)
I'm in Sound of Music. It opens Friday...
MURNEY
A musical? You're blowing off wrestling
for a musical? (to Shane:) This is what
happens when there's no man in the house.
TODD
There is a man in my house -- me. (Murney
turns:) Let's get one thing clear. I'm
not quitting cause I hate wresting. I'm
quitting because you're a bad coach. You
suck. The whole team wants to quit. I'm
the only one with the guts to do it.
M
urney looks over at the Team. They look to the ground
sheepishly, Todd's telling the truth. Murney looks
around, humiliated, furious --
URNEY
So -- you're a tough guy now?
Murney takes ONE STEP towards Todd -- Shane steps between
them, protecting him.
MURNEY (CONT'D)
Stay out of this, baby sitter!
Murney glares at him -- face to face. So calm, it's scary
S
74.
SHANE
You said you wanted to wrestle. You win.
Let's do it.
Everyone is watching. Murney did not expect to be called
out. His voice cracks -- then he regains his calm:
MURNEY
After school. The Gym. Your ass is mine.
He storms out. There is a stunned moment -- and then a
mob of Students, and a lot of CUTE GIRLS, swarm Todd,
taking flyers. Shane gives Todd a proud thumbs up.
A QUICK SERIES OF SHOTS: Of STUDENTS whispering to other
STUDENTS, passing notes: A Kid opens a note -- it reads:
"Murney's getting his ass kicked. 3:00."
INT. GYM - 3:00
The bleachers are PACKED. Murney struts out onto the mat.
The two fighters begin circling one another. The
Wrestlers scream for Murney. Todd cheers Shane on.
M
URNEY
on, you're about to enter Murney's house
of pain.
SHANE
I'll be sure to lock up when I'm through.
Murney roars and CHARGES Shane. Shane defensively uses
Murney's momentum to flip him halfway across the mat.
WHAM. Murney lands on his back.
The Wrestlers mouths drop. Murney, shocked, climbs to his
feet and CHARGES again, Shane side-steps, and sweeps
Murney -- sending him right into the wall, hard.
Murney bounds to his feet, rushes Shane. Shane DIVES
OVER Murney, grabs onto Murney's waist. Shane's momentum
pulls Murney backwards -- BAM. Murney's shoulders hit the
mat with Shane smiling down on him.
Todd flops to the mat, raises his hand and SLAPS it down-
TODD
Pinned!
Shane stands. Shane throws an arm around Todd, and they
head out. The Wrestling Team huddles around Murney, who's
quietly twitching on the ground, mumbling something.
S
75.
TODD (CONT'D)
Is he okay?
SHANE
Dislocated nerve, that's all. He'll be
fine in (checking his watch) two months.
TODD
That was awesome.
They walk out. The crowd cheers. Claire, too. Shane
S
smiles at her as he passes. She gives him a thumbs up.
SHANE
(to Todd)
Let's go, Todd. I got my troops waiting.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Shane marches the Brownies through a FOREST. He wears
Peter and Tyler in front and rear Snuggles.
SHANE
If you're ever lost in the woods, the
first thing you have to do is find a
source of drinking water! And make sure
it's potable. If you're not sure, boil
it for thirty minutes!
The girls are loving it, fascinated.
SHANE (CONT'D)
You have to eat, right? Well let me tell
you you're not gonna find Girl Scout
cookies out here.
LULU
We're Brownies.
SHANE
No brownies either. A lot of roots are
edible. So is some tree bark. When I
HALO'd into Rwanda, I lived off the
underground fern stem for three weeks!
Shane kicks over a ROCK. Underneath are crawling BUGS.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Insects. They look nasty but they're full
of nutrients that may save your life.
76.
He scoops up some bugs and EATS them.
BROWNIE
He's eating Roly-Polies!
The Brownies are frozen in shock.
SHANE
(mouth full of bugs:)
Wots of pwotien!
E
UPBEAT MUSIC kicks in over the following MONTAGE:
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - FRONT LAWN - DAWN
Shane leads the Brownie Troop through Combat exercises.
In unison, the Girls PUNCH, KICK. PUNCH, PUNCH, KICK.
Shane's got Tyler's cradle next to him, in between
punches, in perfect tempo, he reaches out and rocks it.
The Duck watches all this -- fascinated.
EXT. MALL PARKING LOT - EARLY MORNING
The lot is empty. Shane and Zoe sit in the minivan, Shane
holds a stopwatch. He signals her, she burns rubber, and
races through a slalom of orange cones -- she hits EVERY
ONE -- the wheel hubs are CLOGGED with cones. She skids
to a stop just short of the "Severe Tire Damage" spikes.
INT. NURSERY - DAY
Shane changes Tyler's diaper WITH ONE HAND. In his other
hand he's reading The Brownie Handbook. It's open to a
page that reads "Knot Tying."
INT. OLD FACTORY - DAY
The CAST is assembled on stage, where Shane has set up a
scale model of the set on the floor. He illustrates the
stage directions, by moving around toy army men:
S
SHANE
Okay -- we'll put Von Trapps here, here,
and... here at the top of the stairs. Now
the Nazis are gonna come in, this way --
and the Von Trapp is set...
He laughs at his own joke... The Kids don't get it.
EXT. MALL PARKING LOT - DAY
Zoe leaps into the minivan through the windows. Zoe peels
out and weaves the cones...
T
I
E
77.
she only clips one, it teeters, but doesn't fall. Shane
gives her a signal, she throws it in reverse and drives
the course backwards.
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - FRONT LAWN - DAY
Lulu, in her BROWNIE uniform, ties a complicated knot --
we WIDEN to see she's tying Shane's hands behind his
back, as the Brownie troop watches. He counts "1,2,3..."
and then begins wriggling free. They watch closely.
EXT. MALL PARKING LOT - DAY
Shane and Zoe are huddled under the minivan's dashboard.
Shane's showing her the IGNITION WIRES.
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - BACK YARD - DAY
Shane has the Brownies assembled. He's attached SOFA
CUSHIONS to himself. The Brownies attack, mercilessly.
INT. NURSERY - DAY
Shane changes Tyler's diaper RAPID-SPEED. Hands a blur.
INT. OLD FACTORY - NIGHT
Todd and "Liesl" work on the You Are Sixteen dance.
ODD
... your life little girl, is an empty
page/that men will want to write on...
T
odd tries the spinning kick, but blows it, landing hard.
Shane blows a WHISTLE.
SHANE
Why don't we just let the Nazis win
tonight -- huh? Now. From the top --
think of yourself as a gazelle prancing
over the plains. Graceful.
Todd tries the kick. THUD! Shane BLOWS the whistle.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Gazelle. Prancing. Graceful. Again.
INT. NURSERY - NIGHT
At the end of Peter's crib, Shane performs the "Panda
Dance." Singing and doing all the moves -- he's got it
down, adding a James Brown flourish, now and then.
U
78.
SHANE
Don't touch that dial sleep for a while --
HEAAAY! And say good night, Peter Panda.
He does a spin kick. Then he tucks Peter in.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Good night, Peter.
PETER
(going to sleep)
Good night, daddy.
Shane is so touched, he almost bursts into tears. He
kisses Peter on the forehead.
SHANE
I'm not your daddy, Peter. But sweet
dreams.
MONTAGE ENDS
EXT. "PRICE CLUB" STORE - EVENING
The Brownies sit at their cookie table beside the door.
Across the lot, the Chubby Cub Scouts, at their own
table, see them. The Scouts head towards the Brownies.
U
GLY CUB SCOUT
Hey Skeever, what's in a Girl Scout's
pants when she has diarrhea?
2ND SCOUT
Brown...
He stops short, the Brownies have moved into a FORMATION,
ready to strike, Lulu at the front: it's (kind of) scary.
LULU
Go away and we won't hurt you.
The Scouts share a look -- they LAUGH. The head Scout
steps forward and grabs Lulu's cookies. In one move, she
spins out of the way and pulls off his neckerchief.
GLY CUB SCOUT
Gimme that!
He grabs the neckerchief, but like lightning, she wraps
it around his arm, tying him. She shoves a cookie in his
mouth.
79.
LULU
Uh oh. You're gonna have to pay for that.
The Scout struggles, the Other Scouts are scared.
UGLY CUB SCOUT
Let go! Let go -- MOMMY!
She lets him go -- in a FLIP, he lands on the ground
hard. Lulu lets out another "kia!" The Girls move
forward in unison, striking a cool pose.
INT. "PRICE CLUB" STORE - CONTINUOUS
Shane shops, wearing the double snuggle. As he's
comparing prices -- he sees, on the security monitor: The
Brownies attacking the Cub Scouts. He smiles, proud.
S
SHANE
That's my troop.
EXT. "PRICE CLUB" STORE - A MOMENT LATER
The Cub Scouts have all been tied with their own bandanas
to the CART CORRAL. Shane comes out of the store, and
catches Lulu, using his "catchphrase."
LULU
From now on, you do things our way -- no
highway option!
The Scouts nod, terrified. Shane gives her a stern look,
then LAUGHS.
INT. VAN - DRIVING - DUSK
Shane drives. The Brownies joyously CHANT a MARCH.
BROWNIES
I don't care what has been said,
Brownies rock! Full speed ahead!
Give me guff, I'm in your face!
Brownies rule the human race!
SHANE
Sound off!
BROWNIES
One two! Three four! One TWO THREE FOUR!
INT. PLUMMER HOUSE - UPSTAIRS - LATER
Shane works his way down the hall, checking on the kids:
N
80.
- LULU'S ROOM: LULU is asleep.
- TODD'S ROOM: The door is OPEN -- Shane peers in. Todd
has a SWITCHBLADE. He is practicing with it, clicking it
open, tossing it hand to hand. Off Shane's look:
TODD
West Side Story auditions in two weeks...
Shane takes the switch blade, and performs an AMAZING
trick with it, spinning Sit like a pro.
SHANE
It's all in the wrist...
He heads down to Zoe's room and peaks in -- SHE'S NOT IN
BED. He rushes in -- but she's out on...
EXT. BALCONY - NIGHT
Zoe sits on the railing, she seems sad. Shane approaches.
ZOE
Don't worry. I'm not gonna jump.
SHANE
What's wrong... Scott?
ZOE
o. Scott's fine. I don't know what you
did, but he's really straightened up.
Flowers, phone calls. ...I've never been
in love like this before.
Shane nods.
SHANE
How long you been together?
ZOE
A month...
SHANE
That's longer than any relationship I've
ever had.
ZOE
You're okay, Shane. I'm not used to
anyone giving me the benefit of the
doubt. My teachers don't trust me. Mom
doesn't. My dad didn't care about us, he
was never here...
Z
Z
S
81.
SHANE
(interrupts her, stern:)
Hey. Your father cared about you very
deeply. He told me you were the greatest
things in his life. That what's bothering
you? Cause -- we can talk about it, if
you want.
Zoe's eye well up, then she cries. Shane holds her.
ZOE
I miss him so much...
Shane is a little taken by surprise. Then -- he decides
to answer. He takes his Sfather's MEDAL out of his pocket.
SHANE
This was my dad's. He was the only family
I ever had. Mom left when I was little,
cause dad was always gone. Two years
in... an indisclosable locale. Another
six in... Another indisclosable locale. I
didn't really have a home, so I went to
military school -- then one day my mom
got the letter. No more dad.
He looks at the Medal.
SHANE (CONT'D)
I always wanted to be just like him. I'm
starting to realize, I never really knew
him. I don't know if I'm like him or not.
ZOE
That's horrible, Shane.
SHANE
The hardest part was living without any
details...why? How? Where? I always
wondered if he thought about me.
OE
Me too. So how did you get through it?
SHANE
You could say I just shut down my
emotions. I turned off all feelings and
dedicated myself to becoming the perfect
soldier.
OE
I never even got to say good bye.
J
82.
A tear runs down Zoe's face. She throws her arms around
Shane. The phone rings. Shane answers it.
INTERCUT WITH:
J
INT. HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
ulie's on the other end.
JULIE
The red tape is cleared up, we're on the
first plane in the morning.
INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Zoe runs down the hall, telling the family:
ZOE
Mommy's coming home! Mommy's coming home!
Everyone wakes up, happy, sleepy!
TODD
When?
ZOE
Tomorrow morning!
PETER
Mama!
Excited, the kids are all abuzz, talking excitedly.
ANGLE - SHANE
He's left alone.
EXT. BACK YARD - LATE NIGHT
The house is dark. Shane sits in a lawn chair, scoping
the area with NIGHT VISION GOGGLES ON. Gary sits in the
next chair. Shane sighs morosely.
SHANE
Just another assignment. No reason for
personal attachments.
Shane takes a sip out of a juice box. He pets the Duck.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Hey Gary, your wings aren't clipped. How
come you don't fly away?
(pause)
(MORE)
T
S
S
S
T
83.
SHANE(CONT'D)
I guess you've got it good. Kids to play
with. Three squares a day.
he Duck stares, unblinking.
SHANE (CONT'D)
All quiet on the western front. I guess I
better fix that Playroom window.
S
hane rises.
INT. GARAGE - NIGHT
hane turns the light on. Gary follows Shane as he looks
for tool. Suddenly, the Duck starts quacking... Shane
turns. Gary's foot is caught in a grate.
SHANE
What happened, Gary?
Shane gets down on his hands and knees and gently pries
Gary's foot from the grate. Shane is about to stand when
something below catches his eye.
Shane pulls out a pen flashlight, shines it down the
grate... we see a CRANK WHEEL.
SHANE (CONT'D)
What do you suppose this is?
Shane tugs at the grate until it pops off. Shane grips
the valve and tries turning it. Nothing. He tries harder,
muscles rippling, and then it gives... The wheel spins.
he floor opens, revealing a CIRCULAR STAIRCASE, leading
below the garage. Shane steps down it...
INT. BOTTOM OF STAIRS - CONTINUOUS
There's a small room, and a hall leading to a STEEL DOOR.
It's solid and inscrutable. No hinges or cracks. The only
break in its surface is a strange, TWO-PRONGED KEYHOLE.
Shane looks on stunned...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. GARAGE - MORNING
Shane's at the Steel Door. He has high-tech tools laid
out in front of him. He's been trying, unsuccessfully, to
crack the lock all night. The Kids are watching his
progress, Lulu hands him a tool. Shane dials a phone.
INTERCUT:
B
S
84.
EXT. SEDAN - MOVING
We pan up from the WHITE "US GOV" license plates to Bill
at the wheel. Julie sits beside him. Bill's cell phone
rings, he answers it.
SHANE
Sir! Excellent news. I think I found
GHOST.
Bill reacts, excited.
BILL
... Do you have it?
SHANE
No. It's in a steel vault. I've been
trying all night, can't crack it, sir.
ILL
(remaining calm)
Good! Good work. Okay, don't do
anything further. We'll be there shortly
-- don't do anything `til I get there.
BACK TO:
INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Shane smiles, pleased, and hangs up. Then we slowly MOVE
UP. Away from Shane... towards the neighbor's house.
W
e PUSH INTO the house. Through a window... revealing
the Korean neighbors standing in the dark. Silently
spying on Shane. An ominous pause.
MRS. CHUN
GHOST.
CUT TO:
INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
SHANE
One things for sure. After we turn this
in to my CO, whoever's been bothering you
guys won't be bothering you anymore.
Everyone reacts happily, relieved. Except for -- Lulu.
She looks stricken.
SHANE (CONT'D)
What's wrong, Lulu? You should be happy.
I
85.
LULU
But, Shane -- does that mean you'll have
to go?
CLOSE-UP - SHANE
He goes silent. Tongue-tied, he has no answer.
SHANE
You guys better get ready. Your mom
should be home soon.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
Bill's Sedan pulls up. Julie and Bill hop out.
INT. JULIE'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Julie opens the door, comes into the dark hall. Bill is
carrying her suitcases.
JULIE
I had a fight with Zoe when I left, so
they probably trashed the place...
She trails off...
BILL
What's wrong?
They listen -- they hear, in the next room, Kids singing
a beautiful, a capella version of The Hills are Alive
(with The Sound of Music). She turns on the lights --
what she sees makes her drop her luggage, in shock.
J
JULIE'S P.O.V.: The house is spotless. The rug is
vacuumed. The fish tank is clear, filled with healthy
TROPICAL FISH.
KIDS VOICES
(singing, a capella)
... with songs they have sung, for a
thousand years...
Dumb-struck, Julie goes to the...
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The kitchen is sparkling clean, no dishes in the sink.
She sees, attached to the fridge with magnets: A flyer
for Sound of Music, featuring Todd.
(
B
86.
JULIE almost faints. Bill steadies her. She staggers
to...
INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Shane and the Kids are holding up a home-made sign:
WELCOME HOME, MOM! Todd pushes STOP on a CD player: The
Sound of Music stops.
Zoe is in a conservative dress, Todd a button down and
khakis: barely recognizable. Lulu has bows in her hair.
Peter is fresh faced, smiling, Tyler is asleep: a picture-
perfect family.
ZOE
Welcome home, mom.
Julie starts bawling. The Kids rush forward and hug her.
Across the room, Shane sees Bill enter. Shane stiffens
and salutes proudly. S
SHANE
Captain.
BILL
(he smiles wryly, then
salutes back)
Good job, Lieutenant.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Shane leads Bill inside. Bill holds the pronged key.
ILL
I'm really proud of you, Shane. I'm
giving you your choice of assignment,
anywhere you want. You just name it.
SHANE
That's kind of you, Sir...
pause)
But I'll have to think about it.
Bill stops, surprised. Shane continues, a bit reluctant.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Sir, all I've never known is the
military. At nine years old my father
put me in cadet school and from there I
never looked back. Don't get me wrong, I
wouldn't trade it for anything and I have
no regrets...
S
S
87.
BILL
I should hope not.
SHANE
But being with these kids has made me
feel like there's more to life than
taking out your enemy. And I think I
want to explore that some more.
Suddenly, an ANGRY VOICE.
MAN'S VOICE
PUT YOUR HANDS UP!!
WIDE
Shane and Bill spin, startled. The CHUNS strides up,
GUNS DRAWN.
MRS. CHUN
Give US THE KEY!
SHANE
Mr. and Mrs. Chun? They checked out-
KOREAN MAN
H
ands up!
Compliant, Shane puts his hands behind his head. He
takes a submissive position... Mrs. Chun comes closer,
reaching for Bill's key... Shane shoots Bill a glance...
SHANE
NOW!
Shane SPINS and grabs both guns! He WHACKS the Koreans'
forearms, while SLAMMING their heads together.
hane takes control! He smiles, relishing a second of
glory -- when suddenly, CRACK! A third gun BUTTS him in
the head.
CLOSE-UP - SHANE
Lights out. He turns, startled, and starts to fall.
Disoriented, confused, he looks up as he drops...
SHANE'S POV
He is losing consciousness. Things are spinning... woozy.
B
88.
KOREAN MAN
(arguing with Bill)
You promised us GHOST months ago!
BILL
I'm sorry, Mr. Chun. There were delays...
Shane peers in confusion, then passes out.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
INT. NURSERY - MOMENTS LATER
Julie and the Kids are on the floor, tied up. Peter and
Tyler are caged in the play pen. Peter has a JUICE BOX.
The Korean Man (Mr. Chun) secures the room, closing the
window shades. Bill checks the knots binding the
children. They whimper, scared.
L
ULU
SHANE!!
BILL
He won't be baby-sitting you anymore.
He GAGS the kids. Julie glares, livid.
JULIE
I trusted you. Charles trusted you. So
did the Department of Defense.
ILL
North Korea pays better.
(to Mr. Chun)
Keep an eye on them. You -- with me.
Bill GAGS Julie. The Kids are furious. Bill and Mrs. Chun
exit.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Shane lies unconscious. Bill and Mrs. Chun approach the
steel door. Bill inserts the two-pronged key... and it
CLICKS. The door HUMS, then slides OPEN!
Inside is a dark corridor. Bill grins. They enter...
INT. SECRET VAULT
Light is at the end. They anxiously tiptoe, reaching...
89.
THE VAULT! Spare, bright and white. The floor is
covered with square tiles. At the far end is a LARGE
ELEVATED SAFE. Beside the safe is a red switch, with two
settings: ARMED and DISARMED. It's set on ARMED. The air
is filled with an ominous, low-pitched HUM, like a
monstrous computer. Bill eyes the safe.
BILL
You bring your stethoscope?
MRS. CHUN
No. But I've got some C4.
She confidently strides toward the safe -- which sets off
hidden flame-throwers in the walls. A jet blast of FLAME
shoots out! She leaps back just in time, but the shoulder
of her jacket is on fire. Bill pats out the flames with
his own jacket. Chun is Bokay, just missing BOTH eyebrows.
ILL
Charles never made things easy.
Mrs. Chun's eyebrows are neatly, completely SINGED OFF.
MRS. CHUN
Just... had eyebrows... done.
INT. HOUSE - SAME TIME
Mr. Chun guards the kids, eyeballing them icily.
Lulu "looks" scared. But behind her back, we reveal her
HANDS untying her ropes! Freed, she hits her panic
button! O.S., BEEPING. Lulu grins hopefully: Shane's
coming! A beat... then Mr. Chun pulls the Tracker from
his pocket. He sneers.
MR. CHUN
Think I'm stupid? Now stop bothering me.
Lulu frowns, then leans back against Zoe. With a rapid
blur of finger-work, she unties Zoe! Then -- needing a
distraction, she signals Tyler and crosses her eyes.
Tyler GASPS, horrified -- and SCREAMS HIS LUNGS OUT.
Chun spins, startled -- and Lulu quickly ROLLS across the
room! She lands against Todd, quickly assuming a fake
bound position, as if she hadn't moved.
Mr. Chun whirls -- the Kids look innocent. Mr. Chun is
confused for a second: "wasn't he tied to the other one?"
I
W
Z
90.
BEHIND TODD - Lulu frantically unties Todd's ropes --
it's gonna be close...
Chun scowls. Skeptical, he steps closer... He leans down
to look at Todd's ropes Z--
OE
Now Peter!
Peter SQUIRTS JUICE into Mr. Chun's face. The Kids use
the distraction: Todd POPS to his feet, then LEAPS into
his SPIN KICK: it connects with Mr. Chun's head.
OE (CONT'D)
Let's GO!
All the kids bounce up. They untie Julie, then scoop up
Peter and Tyler. Mr. Chun growls and starts to stagger
up. Lulu lands in Karate stance and calls out:
LULU
Hi ya!
The other Kids take off, Mr. Chun looks at Lulu. Mr.
Chun laughs:
MR. CHUN
That's cute.
HAM without warning, Lulu SWEEPS Mr. Chun's leg, he
drops to his knees in pain, then, when he's at her level,
she KICKS him right in the nuts. It HURTS.
Mr. Chun tries to grab her by the wrist, but Lulu EVADES
with her cool, snake-like move. Lulu runs, slamming the
door behind her. Mr. Chun gets up and turns the
doorknob, but the door won't budge...
INT. OUTSIDE THE NURSERY - CONTINUOUS
Zoe shoves a chair between the door and the opposite
wall, they're trapped inside.
INT. NURSERY - CONTINUOUS
Mr. Chun punches the door, making a small hole. He
reaches out to knock the chair away but he can't quite
reach. He puts his face up to the hole he's made...
I
INT. OUTSIDE THE NURSERY - CONTINUOUS
Todd's outside with a FIRE EXTINGUISHER: he blasts Mrs.
Chun's face.
M
E
M
91.
INT. NURSERY - CONTINUOUS
Mr. Chun falls back from the door, his face COATED in
white. He yells out furious!
MR. CHUN
That stuff doesn't hurt.
He sticks his face out the hole... DONNGGG -- Todd hits
him square in the face with the fire extinguisher ITSELF.
EXT. FRONT DOOR - SAME TIME
The family comes scrambling out -- but as Julie exits, a
HAND suddenly GRABS her.
JULIE
AGGGH!
She SCREAMS. Bill lurches into view, clutching her! The
kids are horrified. They start to run back, but she
urgently gestures --
JULIE (CONT'D)
Keep going! RUN! Go GET HELP!!!
The kids fret, unsure, then nod and run to the side
garage. Zoe and Todd load the kids into the minivan.
ZOE/TODD
Hurry! C'mon! Buckle up!!
INT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Bill pulls Julie inside. Mrs. Chun listens to Mr. Chun ON
THE RADIO, speaking in Korean:
RS. CHUN
They're headed for the car!
BILL
Relax -- I've got the keys, they're not
going anywhere...
INT. MINIVAN - CONTINUOUS
SPARKS FLY as Zoe hot-wires the minivan. She floors it...
EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
r. Chun comes racing around the house -- as SCREEEECH!
The van suddenly FLOORS out, almost clipping him!
Z
Z
92.
MR. CHUN
ARGHH!
Chun falls, as the van PEELS backwards down the driveway,
and 360's. RRRR! It shifts into drive and ROARS away.
Chun hops into Bill's car and races after them.
INT. VAN - CONTINUOUS
Zoe floors it.
OE
Omigod! What are we doing??!
TODD
Let's look for a cop!
WIDE
The sedan GUNS its engine, gaining on them.
oe runs a yellow. She hits the curb and goes AIRBORNE.
WHOOOOOO! The kids SCREAM, as they sail through the
intersection! The sedan keeps chasing.
INT. GARAGE - SAME TIME
Bill has Julie at gunpoint, leading her to the secret
door. They step past Shane's body, lying on the concrete.
BILL
How does it work?
JULIE
How does what work?
BILL
Don't play dumb. It's getting old. I want
to know how to get through the booby
traps. What's the code?
JULIE
I don't know any code -- Charles didn't
tell me about the room...
BILL
If I knew Charles had hidden it so well,
I wouldn't have killed him so soon. Don't
make me kill you too.
Julie GASPS, chilled. Then, a CRACKLING of static. Mrs.
Chun exits the vault, holding a military RADIO.
B
93.
MRS. CHUN
Mr. Bill, my husband has question:
MR. CHUN (OVER THE WALKIE)
I have a clean shot at their tires. It's
B
risky, they might wreck...
ILL
... Do it.
JULIE
NO!
Julie goes frantic, emotional.
SHANE (O.S.)
Bill, don't hurt the kids.
Surprised, everyone looks down.
ANGLE - SHANE
They look over -- Shane is standing in the doorway.
SHANE (CONT'D)
I know the code. I'll get you in... just
please don't hurt anyone.
ill eyes him. The men stare down, Bill deciding if he
can trust him. Then -- he clicks "talk" on the radio.
BILL
Change of plan. Bring them back
unharmed.
Bill uncuffs Shane.
EXT. BUSY STREET - DAY
The vehicles race, Chun just inches from the kids' tail.
He tries to pass them on the right. It's like a chariot
race, Chun zooming by, half on the sidewalk, to cut them
off!
INT. MINIVAN - CONTINUOUS
Todd scrambles into the back seat. He does something we
can't see, as Zoe drives.
ZOE
What's taking you?
94.
TODD
Don't wait for me!
The sedan pulls up beside them. Zoe makes a very lewd
gesture at him. It throws Mr. Chun off for a beat.
TODD (CONT'D)
Now!
Zoe floors it, Mr. Chun is now face to face with Todd --
who throws a dirty diaper into the his face. Mr. Chun
swerves and almost wrecks. Lulu starts PELTING Mr. Chun
with debris: milk cartons, crayons, orange peels.
M
R. CHUN
Aah! HEY --
Rubbish clobbers him. Exasperated, Mr. Chun ROLLS UP his
window, then POUNDS the gas! Faster! About to pass...
Zoe looks over. Chun is pointing a gun! She suddenly
PULLS the emergency brake.
WIDE
RRRRRRRR!! The Van SPINS into a squealing 360.
Mr. Chun SCREAMS, disoriented, and loses control.
In the van, Peter laughs.
PETER
Wheee!
The Van spins madly. The sedan skids and PLOWS into a
store window. CRASH!! The kids cheer, triumphant.
INT. SECRET VAULT - MOMENTS LATER
Shane scopes out the vault. The walls and ceilings are
covered with high-tech weaponry. Mrs. Chun holds Julie.
Bill waits impatiently. Shane is figuring his options...
SHANE
Anybody got any perfume? Hair spray...
breath freshener...
A bewildered beat -- then Julie pulls out a tube of
Binaca. Shane SQUIRTS it, revealing in the mist a myriad
of crisscrossing LASER BEAMS.
Shane steps forward. He speaks aloud, confidently:
J
B
B
95.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Zoe, Todd, Lulu, Peter, Tyler!
Bill reacts, puzzled.
SHANE (CONT'D)
The key is the kid's names. Watch.
Shane steps forward - ZAP! The floor tile SHOCKS HIM,
sending him flying backwards. Bill laughs. Shane gets up,
in pain.
ILL
You think this is a game?!
S
SHANE
But... That was the code! I swear! I saw
Plummer use it on his briefcase.
BILL
Code or no code, go get it -- now.
ill cocks his gun. Sweat drips down Shane's face. He
mists the air to see the beams: He steps forward, over
one beam and ducking under another -- he miscalculates: a
BURST OF FLAME blazes from the ceiling like a giant blow
torch, Shane leaps back, landing on his hands and knees.
JULIE
(to Bill) You can't make him do this --
He doesn't have a chance.
CLOSE-UP - SHANE
Shane's thinks. He notices a GROOVE carved in the floor,
not quite centered to the room. He feels the Groove.
Something she said...
SHANE
(thinking)
Haven't got a chance.
Shane feels the Groove in the floor. He thinks. He looks
up at the ceiling (bottom of the first floor).
SHANE (CONT'D)
(sings softly to himself)
... When you're down and low, lower than
the floor. And you haven't got a chance.
Don't make a move `til you're in the
groove, and do the Peter Panda Dance.
E
96.
Shane LAUGHS sharply. That's the code! He shares a look
with Julie. Bill and Julie share a look -- they have no
idea what he's laughing about.
Calmness comes to Shane's face. He takes a deep breath,
S
facing forwards:
SHANE (CONT'D)
Just hop three times like a kangaroo --
He hops forwards three times, fearlessly. NOTHING
HAPPENS. No BOOBY TRAPS are set off.
SHANE (CONT'D)
Sidestep twice, just like the crabs do.
He steps sideway, across two tiles. Again -- NOTHING
HAPPENS. It dawns on Julie what he's doing. Julie smiles,
relieved. Shane he steps forwards, then back:
SHANE (CONT'D)
Three steps forward and one step back.
When he steps back -- A SPRING-LOADED SPIKE launches down
from the ceiling, imbedding itself where he was standing.
Shane is rattled, his focus gone. Until Julie shouts:
JULIE
QUICK LIKE A TURTLE LIE ON YOUR BACK!
Shane snaps out of it and flops down on his back -- just
in time: FLAMES SHOOT FROM BOTH WALLS right at him. If
he'd been standing, he'd be toast.
EXT. BUSY INTERSECTION - SIMULTANEOUS
The Minivan blasts through another yellow.
LULU
Look out Zoe! Rollers!
There is a POLICE CAR cruising the street ahead of them.
Zoe blows past it. Inside is the Cute Cop. The Squad
Car's lights flash on, and he catches up with the minivan
-- it takes a while, they're FLYING.
ZOE
Come on. Use the gas, not the brake, 5-0.
Zoe slows down so the Police Car can pull up beside her.
The Cute Cop shouts over at Zoe.
97.
CUTE COP
I'd say you could lose your license --
but you haven't got one!
ZOE
People are trying to kill us. They have
my mom, and our bodyguard -- you have to
follow me!
CUTE COP
Just pull over!
ZOE
Fine. Don't follow me!
She swerves into the Squad Car, almost running it off the
road. Zoe U-turns, and speeds back towards her house. The
Squad Car turns around and chases her.
EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - MOMENTS LATER
The Minivan speeds by. The Squad Car is on its tail. It
is joined by MORE SQUAD CARS. Following the chase, at a
safe distance, is Mr. Chun in his now-wrecked sedan.
EXT. SCHOOL - SAME TIME
Murney and Claire are watching a SOCCER GAME. He's in a
NECK-BRACE.
MURNEY
That Baloney Bandit struck again. I
accept full responsibility. My
intelligence proved to be faulty, but if
I had more resources...
She shakes her head, Suddenly, the Minivan SPEEDS by.
VROOOOM! Then the Police Car CHASES by. VROOOM!! Then --
FIVE MORE POLICE CARS ZOOM BY. VROOOOOOM!!!
MURNEY (CONT'D)
(not that surprised:)
I told you not to pass her in Driver's
Ed.
Claire frowns, concerned...
INT. PLUMMER BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS
Shane is on the floor, sliding forward, nervously.
98.
SHANE
Wriggle like a snake `til you can't no
more. Then better jump quick, like there
ain't no floor.
Shane jumps up just AS THE FLOOR UNDER HIM DROPS AWAY,
revealing a pool of liquid. Shane has wedged himself in
the corner. A bead of his sweat falls into the liquid,
and sizzles in a cloud of smoke. It's acid.
SHANE (CONT'D)
(to himself, to calm down)
Almost done, almost done... "Just hold
your breath, and jump to the left."
He jumps, to the left of the HOLE. He lands in front of
THE SAFE. He's relieved -- then nozzles spray YELLOW GAS
at him. He holds his breath just in time. Still holding
his breath:
SHANE (CONT'D)
And that's the Peter Panda Dance.
He flips the switch to DISARMED. The safe's red light
turns green. Immediately, the flamethrowers and blowguns
retract! The gas gets sucked into grates. The whole
room goes SILENT. Whew.
Bill looks around. He nervously steps forward - he waves
his hand over the floor, and jumps back. Nothing happens.
Bill signals for Mrs. Chun to go first. She gestures
back: you go. It's a stand-off. Finally, Bill takes a
breath -- and walks across the room. The Booby Traps are
disarmed. Mrs. Chun follows, pulling Julie along.
BILL
Thank you, Shane. You were always my best
man. I knew you'd figure it out.
Shane scowls, disgusted.
BILL (CONT'D)
You know, if you're willing to join up,
I'd be happy to cut you in on the
proceeds. What do you say -- we make a
good team?
SHANE
I was devoted to you, sir. And you
betrayed all of that. All that we stand
for.
99.
Beat. Bill shrugs.
BILL
I'll take that as a "no."
Bill turns to the safe. He starts to reach for the
dial... then catches himself. Something's not right.
BILL (CONT'D)
... I think you better open it.
Shane reaches for the safe, before he reaches the dial --
BILL (CONT'D)
Wait. That's just what you want isn't it?
Bill thinks, trying to read Shane's poker face. Shane
shrugs. Bill gestures to Mrs. Chun.
BILL (CONT'D)
You open it.
Mrs. Chun doesn't budge.
BILL (CONT'D)
Oh come on. I walked the floor first.
Reluctantly - Mrs. Chun reaches out, and touches the
dial. Nothing happens. Relief. She turns it, and ZAPPPPP!
1000 volts ELECTROCUTES her, her hair on end, shaking
from the voltage...
Bill is off guard, Shane kicks his gun away! The gun
skids into the acid and plunges, SIZZLING. Bill is
incensed, but Shane gazes coldly.
SHANE
There will be no mercy.
BILL
None requested.
Full of himself, Bill LUNGES. And he's strong! He
shoves Shane back, then PUNCHES him in the gut.
Shane glares, then returns an onslaught of BLOWS.
Shane's fury is unleashed: A volley of attacks, hitting
Bill's arms, head, legs! He's crazed, unrelenting.
But suddenly Mrs. Chun LEAPS onto his back.
MRS. CHUN
AAAAAA!
100.
She SCREAMS and grabs his throat. Shane struggles to
lose her. Suddenly, he drops and FLIPS her. She
catapults, stumbles backwards across the room, and stops
just inches from the acid! She teeters, tottering,
unable to gain her balance.
Shane shakes his head, then runs to grab her outstretched
hand. She smiles, saved. But he's unforgiving.
SHANE
You're a... terrible neighbor.
Shane COLD-COCKS her, knocking her out. Suddenly --
JULIE
Shane! Watch out!
Bill is charging him. Shane whirls, delivering a
ROUNDHOUSE KICK. OOF! Bill gets slammed in the chest.
Bill tumbles, the wind knocked out of him. He jumps to
his feet, delivering a series of hard punches, which
Shane deflects -- they tangle like pro's. It's clear the
both have the same training. They punch, spin, kick,
connecting only occasionally. Bill wheels around and
lands a kicks squarely in Shane's chest. Shane tumbles,
landing on his back in front of the safe.
ANGLE - BILL
He steps over Shane. Leering mercilessly, he jabs the
spike against Shane's throat.
BILL
Any last words?
Julie gasps. Shane narrows his eyes, then whispers/sings.
SHANE
... Say, good night, Peter Panda!
The CODE! A BELL rings, and the safe door flies open!
SLAMMING Bill in the head! BONG! Bill's collapses and
drops. K.O.!
EXT. PLUMMER'S STREET - SAME TIME
The minivan races toward the house. The Police Cars
chase after, SIRENS wailing.
IN THE VAN, everyone is SCREAMING.
101.
TODD
Zoe! You're going too fast!! You're not
gonna have enough time to stop-
ZOE
Hey, I'M the one in Driver's Ed! I think
I know what I'm doing!!
WIDE
She squeals into the driveway, then BRAKES.
But it's too late. The van SKIDS, smoke BURNING from the
tires -- and hits a tree. The Kid spill out and run.
The lead Police Car screeches to a stop. POLICE leap
from the car.
INT. SECRET VAULT - SAME TIME
Shane and Julie stare at each other, then look in the
safe:
Inside, the cavernous metal box holds but one object: A
tiny COMPUTER CHIP. Shane gently removes it.
SHANE
... GHOST.
They look in silence. She smiles at Shane, grateful.
JULIE
Thank you Shane. It's finally over. Now
we can go back to our peaceful...
Then -- a sudden AMPLIFIED VOICE from behind them:
ULLHORN (V.O.)
FREEZE! HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!
EXT. HOUSE - SAME TIME
Total commotion. The kids clamber from the van, with
their hands raised. Cops surround them. Even Peter and
Tyler have their little hands over their heads. The
garage door raises, Shane steps out.
SHANE
Whoa, WHOA! What are you doing to these
kids??
CUTE COP
FREEZE. HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM.
102.
Cops cover Shane and Julie, Julie and Shane Freeze.
ZOE
But, officer...
CUTE COP
I said FREEZE. Zoe, you're in a lot of
trouble... Reckless endangerment!
Driving without a license. Numerous,
uh... trafficS violations --
SHANE
(cutting him off)
These kids are heroes. They just aided
in exposing a high-level espionage ring.
I suggest you call the FBI. Now.
Silence. The Cops are unsure what to do. He scoffs.
CUTE COP
You expect me to believe any of that?
Suddenly -- a CRAZED SCREAM.
MR. CHUN (O.S.)
EVERYBODY! HIT THE GROUND!!!
WIDE
Everyone spins. Mr. Chun stands inside the gate,
pointing a ROCKET LAUNCHER. He's disheveled and manic.
MR. CHUN (CONT'D)
I WANT THE GHOST, TEN MILLION DOLLARS,
AND A DIRECT FLIGHT TO PYONGYANG!
The cops freeze, helpless. Shane weighs his not so many
options... Nobody is sure what to do.
But then -- a WOMAN suddenly flips over the fence, vaults
onto Chun, and KNOCKS him out with a Karate Chop.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Ya!!
Claire lands on her feet, triumphant. Even Chun is
amazed, as he turns his head, Shane spins, and grabs the
rocket launcher.
CLOSE-UP - SHANE
He breaks into a big grin.
103.
CLOSE-UP - CLAIRE
She proudly smiles back at him.
ANGLE - THE CUTE COP
He's flummoxed. This chaos is unsolvable. Beaten, he
reaches for his radio.
COP
I think I'll call the FBI.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PLUMMER HOUSE - LATER
F.B.I. AGENTS swarm the area. Bill and the Chuns are
being hauled away in cuffs. Julie huddles with the kids.
Shane talks with an F.B.I. Agent.
F
.B.I. AGENT
Mr. Wolfe... that was nice work. You're
a one-man battalion.
SHANE
Just doing my job.
F.B.I. AGENT
The Bureau is always looking for good
men. Do you have a card or something?
The Agent hands him a BUSINESS CARD, then walks off.
Shane examines it, swelling with pride.
INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
The Kids are looking around, watching the FBI Agents
work. Lulu is following one of the FBI Agents around.
LULU
Do you have to wear that thing in your
ear all the time?
FBI AGENT
Yes.
LULU
Does it itch?
FBI AGENT
Yes...
104.
Zoe is looking at the safe. She sees, fallen onto the
floor, from the safe, a letter. Her siblings, and Julie
notice, and gather around. Zoe reads the LETTER:
ZOE
If you're reading this, then Julie found
the key. Julie, Tyler, Peter, Zoe, Todd,
Lulu -- I want to say: I love you more
than anything. I always have.
A tear comes to her eye. The Plummers hug each other.
EXT. THE PLUMMER HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Claire walks up to Shane. Mock-angry.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
So. What happens now? You'll be stationed
somewhere else, right? I guess there's no
more reason for you to stick around here.
Shane looks at her. He looks around: at the family. He
looks at Claire....
SHANE
Well. I'm kinda, re-conning the
situation, here... And to tell the truth.
I don't see anything but reasons to stay.
P
RINCIPAL CLAIRE
So... What's the next move?
Shane smiles slyly and pulls her close.
SHANE
... I don't know. I'm on dry land. You're
the superior office. You tell me.
PRINCIPAL CLAIRE
Well. Summer's almost here. What if you
and me did a little amphibious recon
mission. On, say -- Maui?
SHANE
Sir yes sir.
Claire beams. The Plummers all approach, interrupting.
Zoe gives them a look -- that makes Shane and Claire
BLUSH. Lulu turns to Shane, sad.
LULU
This is it. Your work here is through.
Guess you have to go now...
105.
She puts out her hand, to shake his.
SHANE
Ah, come here you.
He surprises her with a BEAR HUG -- he hugs the whole
family at once, squeezing them off the ground. He puts
them down. Before he goes: he reaches down and gives Zoe -
- his medal. He squeezes her hand around it.
ZOE
But...
SHANE
He would've wanted me to give it to
someone I care about. Like he did. Thank
you. For everything.
P
ETER
Love you, Shane.
TIGHT - SHANE
This is too much. He wipes his face.
SHANE
Your dad would be so proud.
Shane bawls -- he can't keep it in. He starts to head
off, Lulu calls after him:
LULU
Shane, we're never gonna see you again!
SHANE
What are you talking about? I'm gonna
see you Friday night.
A long beat. Julie looks up, baffled.
JULIE
What's Friday night?
INT. VICTORIA THEATRE, BACKSTAGE - NIGHT
Close on Shane:
SHANE
Tonight is the night we trained for, and
failure is not an option! No detail is
too small! We are the BEST! Remember
your lines, hit your marks, and stay in
character! I expect perfection!
(MORE)
106.
SHANE(CONT'D)
(he grins)
Now let's break a leg.
Wider reveals the Cast of `The Sound of Music'.
CUT TO:
Shane's military-march version of the musical. Nuns sing
"How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" The Von Trapp
kids perform "So Long, Farewell."
In the audience, Julie watches in astonishment. She is
surrounded by her children. Scott: in a suit, his hair
combed, Claire: dressed to the nines, the little Brownie
Troop, even Murney. Lulu has a basket in her lap --
inside: GARY THE DUCK and his new family, the most
adorable ducklings you ever saw.
They all watch, rapt.
You Are Sixteen begins. Shane watches with bated breath.
Todd spins. In SLOW MOTION, he leaps into the SPIN KICK.
It's fantastic -- a Michael Jordan dunk. The AUDIENCE
goes nuts, Shane stands, and shouts:
SHANE (CONT'D)
YESSS! (And an Armed forces:) Huu-ah!
The Audience stares at him, until he sits back down,
beaming with pride.
Finally: "CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN." Hearts swell, as the
family crosses the papier-m�ch� alps.
A STANDING OVATION. The performers take their curtain
calls, then giddily gesture Shane to come out. He humbly
steps into view -- and the house goes crazy. Thundering
applause. A cellophane bouquet of flowers gets thrust on
him. Shane smiles, touched. Mission accomplished.
FADE OUT.
THE END
