103 — THE ESCAPE

DANIEL

You have to look out for the two dudes dressed in camo. They drive a white truck. Well, actually, it's one camo dude. The other is like a dummy. Like a doll.

JACKSON

I know what a dummy is, Daniel. What about snipers?

DANIEL

Well, Jackson, there's a van that brings in all the workers. There's definitely a sniper on top, so you'll need to stay clear of that.

JACKSON

And drones?

DANIEL

Oh, for sure.

JACKSON

No way the government will let anyone just walk in.

DANIEL

Well, of course not. Okay, they tried it once. I heard some guy on Funbook with like two million followers planned an event to storm Area 51, but on the day of the raid, not even half of them showed up. Not even the fun book dude.

JACKSON

Because nobody wants to get shot by snipers.

DANIEL

If they did it right, snipers couldn't stop all of them.

JACKSON

Nobody's gonna sacrifice-

DANIEL

-Imagine if they got the entire population of Vegas to storm the place. That's over, like, half a million people, which is like, you know, 30 percent of the population. Throw in some tourists, and they would totally get through.Well, some would. Some would get through.

TARYN

What are you two idiots talking about?

JACKSON

Area 51, and how Daniel's gonna get obliterated by snipers when he tries to break in.

DANIEL

Hey, not me. I'll be watching the live stream from the comfort of my duvet cover. Besides, it will never happen. The Democrats will tell us everything we want to know about the aliens. Trust that.

TARYN

I already know what they look like. Just look in the mirror.

JACKSON

Already tried. That didn't answer.

LARSON

(in another room) All your dishes better be in the dishwasher before we leave. Larson walks into the room…

LARSON

Michael's not picking up.

TARYN

Hot, hot, hot!

LARSON

Popcorn is not breakfast.

TARYN

Neither is coffee. At least mine fits into a food group.

LARSON

Oh, Taryn, why is it every day with you?

DANIEL

Mom, we can't be late again.

LARSON

Grab your lunch, backpack, and phones. Taryn, don't forget your Chromebook.

TARYN

I know, I got it.

LARSON

Matching shoes, Jackson.

JACKSON

Seriously?

LARSON

And don't forget your gym shorts, Daniel.

DANIEL

Put them in the car last night.

LARSON

Let's go!

JACKSON

Not if I get there first.

VOICEMAIL

You've reached the Petersons. Leave a message and we'll hit you back when we can. Have a great day. Bye.

MICHAEL

(O.S.)

Larson, kids, I'm fine. There's been an incident. I can't explain now, but I will. I promise I just might be gone for a little bit longer, but I will make it up to all of you.

MICHAEL

Doctor Stevens. Ramirez. Glad you could visit.

RAMIREZ

I'll be commandeering that phone.

MICHAEL

Is that really necessary?

DR. STEVENS

After that stunt you pulled?

MICHAEL

So you haven't found Alpha 8.

DR. STEVENS

We will.

MICHAEL

Let me help.

RAMIREZ

You've done, Peterson. You risk the lives of everyone on this compound.

MICHAEL

We are in uncharted territory. You need me. Samantha and I can communicate with Alpha 8. We will find out why it came to Earth.

RAMIREZ

Communication is no longer the initiative.

MICHAEL

Okay. What's the new plan?

RAMIREZ

You've done enough.

MICHAEL

Dr. Stevens! Come on, I can help. And what's the deal with Samantha? Where is she? She's my assistant. My responsibility.

SAMANTHA

Okay, I made it. Now what? What? Phone recorder, phone recorder, computer. Sam, what did you do today? Oh, not much. Just broke into my boss's office, got caught by his boss and escorted out of the building. Double check. Laptop. Double check. Oh, and he's going to want the iPod. Explain to me how one can have a fully functioning robot, but refuses to upgrade his musical experience. And that's his reminder to connect with Larson. And now she's calling. No, stay out of it. Don't answer the phone.

SAMANTHA

This is Michael Peterson's office.

LARSON

Hi, Samantha. I tried his mobile, but he didn't pick up.

SAMANTHA

Mrs. Peterson! I know he really wants to talk to you, but he wanted me to tell you that he just needs another hour.

LARSON

Save, it's Sam.

SAMANTHA

No, but he really wants to talk. I'm not doing this at work.

LARSON

Tell him I'll call him when I'm ready to talk.

SAMANTHA

She's pissed. There goes my invite to the annual holiday party. Time to get Michael so we can figure out what to do about our alien slash human Alpha 8.

WILLIS

Clear.

DELTA LEADER

Clear.

WILLIS

Willis to Bravo. The east stairwell is clear. I'm moving to the roof.

DR. STEVENS

We could activate the sprinkler system.

RAMIREZ

It looks just like… What do you think Peterson was trying to say?

DR. STEVENS

Ramirez, I should have been informed of the new directive.

RAMIREZ

Well, take that up with the commander.

RAMIREZ

Bravo to Delta, I can't get through to the hangar. Go check it out. Over.

DELTA LEADER

Copy that. South tower is secured. Heading to the hangar now. Over.

SAMANTHA

I wonder what they'll tell my mom as a cover up. (impersonates the Commander) There was an unfortunate accident. No, they'd want to discredit my name. Your daughter was drinking and crashed her car in the bay. Or, we found drugs and had to let her go. Someone's coming. I need to hide. Ugh, OMG. This is what dumpster diving smells like.

DELTA LEADER

Bravo Leader to Delta, we have the hangar surrounded. Any movement, over.

RAMIREZ

Negative Bravo Leader. Last contact in 45 minutes, over.

DELTA LEADER

Copy that. Moving in.

SAMANTHA

Oh. My. God.

SAMANTHA

He's just sleeping. Just sleeping. Please don't be dead. Please.

DR. STEVENS

(radio)

You can't bring Alpha 8 in alone. You need our help:

SAMANTHA

You're breathing. Good. I'm just gonna borrow your bag and take this radio with me.

RAMIREZ

(radio)

Orders are to apprehend the asset by any means necessary.

DR. STEVENS

(radio)

That asset, it’s not an asset.

RAMIREZ

(radio)

- human! Don’t act like you didn’t know where this was going.

SAMANTHA

Alpha 8? Are you here? I mean, I hope not. But this um, seems like your handiwork. Michael and I want to help. You, you can follow me to the promenade. That’s where Michael is. Okay, I'm going this way.

DR. STEVENS

We don't have enough information to start utilizing Alpha 8 in any capacity. We don't know the breadth of its abilities.

RAMIREZ

Willis, check the garage. Michael's assistant, Samantha Phillips, may try and jump ship. Confirm all gates are secure. We are on lockdown, ladies and gentlemen. Nobody leaves without the commander's authorization. Over.

WILLIS

Copy that.

RAMIREZ

It doesn't matter, Dr. Stevens. I have one objective. Do the job.

DELTA LEADER

Bravo Leader, hangar is clear and secure. No sign of Phillips or the asset. Over.

SAMANTHA

So much for making it home in time for Grandma's apple pie.

SAMANTHA

Okay, I'm here at the promenade. Michael's inside. He'll have a plan to get you out of here, Alpha 8. I know it. I hope you're listening.

SAMANTHA

Mom, not only did I get fired, but I'm also probably going to prison. I'll be sporting an orange jumpsuit until I'm 40. Promise you'll visit me, kay?

DANIEL

Mom, I know you're mad, but it wasn't my fault.

LARSON

I was at work, Daniel. About to head into a meeting. Do you know it takes 45 minutes to get to work from school? I get to my desk at 9. 30. The school called me just after 10 a. m. I barely had time to go through all my emails. You can't keep doing this.

DANIEL

I was feeling nauseous and I didn't want to puke at school.

LARSON

Oh, Daniel. You can't let those kids get to you.

DANIEL

Why can't I just go back to Math and Science Academy?

LARSON

We've been through this. We can't make it work with Taryn in high school. The commute to MSA would kill us all.

DANIEL

It’s not fair. That worked all those extra hours to get me in. You would be so mad if you were here.

LARSON

Okay. We can look into getting back once Michael settles into his new role.

DANIEL

You promised nothing would change.

LARSON

I said my love for you would never change. Just give it time, sweetheart. You'll grow to love the new School

DANIEL

I doubt that

LARSON

I know you'll love it more than spending the entire day in the break room at my office, especially since the TV is broken in the break room.

DANIEL

That's unfortunate. Can't wait.

SAMANTHA

Dr. Stevens asked me to come and administer these meds to a Peterson, Michael.

BRADY

No one is allowed inside his room.

SAMANTHA

Obviously that didn't mean the medical setting. Call it in, if you are, but you look like a guy that knows how to take initiative, take charge. Is that you, Mr. Brady?

BRADY

Just make it quick, okay?

SAMANTHA

In and out, I promise.

SAMANTHA

Mr. Peterson, Michael Peterson, you awake?

MICHAEL

Samantha? Why are you talking like that?

SAMANTHA

Nurse Phillips at your service. We only have a few minutes before that Brady dude realizes his radio is off.

MICHAEL

Do you have your phone? I need to call Larson.

LARSON

We need to get you out of here.

MICHAEL

Did you tell them what we saw?

SAMANTHA

Of course not. I'm not even sure what I saw. I mean, it looked Okay. So you know how there are like a gazillion engineers making AI robots look human, but nobody said anything about aliens. One could be walking around the city looking just like us. Are there more? Could have stood next to one in the elevator, or my neighbor, the creepy one, could be an alien. That would explain everything. Did you get a good look? What did Alpha 8 look like?

MICHAEL

Samantha? I have to tell you something, and it's big.

SAMANTHA

No, not now. Explain later. We need to break out of here.

MICHAEL

I'm not going anywhere.

SAMANTHA

Handcuffs. Well, that's gonna make things more challenging.

RAMIREZ

We got her. Delta Leader, we've got Michael's assistant. She's in the promenade. Bring her in. Over.

DR. STEVENS

Don't forget. You want her on your side. She's been with Michael every step of the way. She's your best bet on wrangling Alpha 8.

RAMIREZ

On my way.

WILLIS

Guard down. East exit.

WILLIS

His badge and radio are gone. The asset's still out there. Over.

WILLIS

Bravo Leader, come in, over.

RAMIREZ

How long has he been down?

WILLIS

That's hard to say.

RAMIREZ

Willis, go dark on this channel. Everyone switch to four! Switching to four. You two, split and cover the east and south exits. Willis, you're with me.

ARMED GUARD ONE

Switching to four

RAMIREZ

Nothing gets by, understood?

ARMED GUARD ONE

Copy that.

RAMIREZ

And get him checked out by the medic.

ARMED GUARD ONE

Yes, sir. Right away.

RAMIREZ

The Commander needs an update in 16.

WILLIS

Let's catch ourselves an alien.

MICHAEL

Samantha, you need to leave. Find Alpha 8 before they do.

SAMANTHA

I'm not leaving. There has to be something in here to pick a lock.

MICHAEL

I need to tell you.

SAMANTHA

Got it.

SAMANTHA

I can just unscrew the rail. Should only take a sec.

MICHAEL

Alpha 8-

SAMANTHA

-needs your help.

MICHAEL

Listen. You wanted to know who did it. What Alpha 8 looked like?

RAMIREZ

Phillips! Drop the screwdriver.

SAMANTHA

It's dropped!

MICHAEL

She didn't do anything.

RAMIREZ

That's up to Commander Garrett to decide. You're both detained until I hear from the commander.

LARSON

Did everyone get their homework done?

TARYN

I told you, I'm missing one of the pages from my science packet. And since you turned off the Wi Fi

LARSON

You could have called.

TARYN

Or you could just, I don't know, leave it on like normal?

TARYN

Why'd you just let her cut in front of you?

LARSON

We're all going to the same place, no need to stir the pot. You never know who's gonna road rage.

TARYN

Yeah, okay.

LARSON

Shoes in the closet. I shouldn't have to keep reminding you guys.

KIDS

(Groan)

LARSON

Uh, anything exciting happened at school today?

TARYN

It's school, so no.

JACKSON

There's a video of Daniel destroying a science project going around school.

DANIEL

It's not even funny.

JACKSON

Only cause you're on the wrong side of the joke. They do it to everyone. Don't you remember the one they did of me at the basketball game?

DANIEL

Oh, you mean when you became the basketball hero, winning the game on a three in the last 30 seconds?

JACKSON

My point is, it's a rite of passage to be maimed.

DANIEL

You obviously don't know what that means.

JACKSON

I do know what it means.

TARYN

Do you two even know what silence is? I'm just gonna eat in my room.

TARYN

Hey, Larson, there's a message on the answering machine. You want me to play it?

LARSON

I'll check it later. Thanks.

JACKSON

Aw, Daniel's first meeting.

LARSON

I have some work to do. Clean up the table when you two are done, please.

DANIEL

Okay, Mom.

DELTA LEADER

(VO)

Promenade exits are secured. Over.

RAMIREZ

Copy that. Let's circle back to the control room for a strategy briefing.

WILLIS

Hey, Ramirez, I think I got something. There's something approaching the main lobby. I see a flash and the screen goes black. See just like that.

RAMIREZ

There, I see it. But who is that?

WILLIS

Every employee's accounted for, so it's gotta be our asset.

DR. STEVENS

Alpha 8, If you wanna end this, let Michael go down there.

WILLIS

Do you see that?

RAMIREZ

Roll it back. Right there, pause it.

DR. STEVENS

It transformed.

RAMIREZ

Zoom in.

WILLIS

That's as clear as it's gonna get.

RAMIREZ

Who's at the security desk? Get the Delta team to the lobby now! The asset does not leave this compound!

DR. STEVENS

You don't know what it's capable of! If you go down there ready for battle, it might Well, you said it yourself. You don't want to lose any more people.

SECURITY GUARD

Is anyone there? This is Alan, at the security desk in the lobby.

SECURITY GUARD

You said you cleared this building, right? Cause I'm hearing something I cannot explain.

RAMIREZ

(vo)

That's a negative, Allen. We just spotted the asset. It's moving towards you from the left corridor. Over.

SECURITY GUARD

I'm not trained for this.

RAMIREZ

(vo)

That asset does not leave the building.

DR. STEVENS

Do not shoot it!

RAMIREZ

(vo)

Dr. Stevens, that's not your call.

SECURITY GUARD

I think it’s here. It just took out another light.

RAMIREZ

(vo)

Delta team is two minutes out. Alan, it cannot leave the building.

SECURITY GUARD

Copy that, sir.

RAMIREZ

(vo)

Your pension depends on it.

SECURITY GUARD

Hold it right there.

RAMIREZ

Sixty seconds.

SECURITY GUARD

Agh! What is that?

ALPHA 8

I am Larson.

WILLIS

(vo)

Did he say Arson?

RAMIREZ

You have a taser. Use it.

SECURITY GUARD

No. No!

WILLIS

Allen!

RAMIREZ

Breach! Breach! Get in there! Get in there! Get in there!

DELTA LEADER

We got the assets. The tracker is in place, sir. The asset is AWOL. Permission to pursue on foot.

RAMIREZ

Negative. Stand down, Delta Leader. Get a bird in the sky and the Humvee loaded. We're tracking it now. Over.