Harsh Realm - Pilot episode

Written by Chris Carter
Directed by Daniel Sackheim
Air date: 8 October 1999
[Transcribed by Libby]

[A grey, war-torn city. Soldiers are firing guns.]

WATERS:

Sniper says one o'clock, top four.

[The captain speaks into the radio.]

CAPTAIN:

This is Romeo-Seven-Three. Hold your fire. Over. This is Romeo-Seven-Three. We're boxed in our position in a building at Vinogradska. Over.

RADIO:

Copy that, Seven-Three. Over.

[Firing continues from snipers. The soldiers duck into cover. One soldier has been shot and his comrades tend his wounds.]

Sarajevo 1994

[Derelict buildings, rubble strewn in the street.]

WATERS:

Remind me why we're here.

HOBBES:

Peacekeeping mission.

WATERS:

Hell of a job we're doing.

[Hobbes is looking at a mirror on the end of a stick, so he can see what's happening in the building across the street.]

WATERS:

You got something else?

HOBBES:

Go back. No. What are you... You see them, Waters? Six kids.

[In the mirror can be seen the children, ranging in ages from very young to mid teens. They are running into the building.]

WATERS:

Six kids. I got them.

[The smallest child stops and bends down, possibly to tie her shoelace. The other children continue into the building. As Hobbes and Waters watch, the little girl stands up and can't see the other children. She starts crying.]

HOBBES:

Stay there, kid.

[Waters stands up.]

WATERS:

Hobbes. Got me?

HOBBES:

Got you, Waters.

[As Waters runs out of cover, Hobbes covers him, firing at the snipers' position. Waters runs across the street, scoops up the little girl and runs for cover in the building opposite. Hobbes ducks back down and reloads his gun.]

[Inside the building, Waters puts down the little girl, who is still crying. The building is open to the sky, the roof having collapsed.]

WATERS:

Hush, it's okay.

[As Waters tries to calm the little girl, the other children emerge from the back of the building. The oldest child, a boy about fourteen years old, carries a gun. Waters slowly gets to his feet, holding his hand out to the boy.]

WATERS:

Here, take her.

[He urges the little girl forward. The boy with the gun shouts in a foreign language. Waters seems to realise that he's in trouble. On the other side of the street, Hobbes waits, then hears gunfire.]

HOBBES:

Shots fired! Waters!

[He looks over to his comrades, who are still tending to the wounded man.]

HOBBES:

We got a man in trouble!

RADIO:

Romeo-Seven-Three. Stay put, captain. You've got air support coming in. They're gonna hit the building. Over.

CAPTAIN:

Roger.

HOBBES:

Captain, you've got to call off that air strike.

CAPTAIN:

We're gonna die in here, corporal.

[Hobbes hesitates only briefly, then gets to his feet.]

CAPTAIN:

Hobbes!

[Other soldiers open fire, covering Hobbes as he runs across the street. He runs into the building, gun at the ready.]

HOBBES:

Waters! Where are you?

[He hears a whisper.]

WATERS:

Hobbes.

[Hobbes looks into a gap in the floor and sees Waters lying on the ground, bleeding. Hobbes jumps down.]

WATERS:

Kids robbed me, Hobbes. Can you believe that?

[Waters' gun, helmet are now missing.]

WATERS:

Last time I do them a favour.

[Hobbes pulls back Waters' jacket, revealing a large amount of blood.]

HOBBES:

Take it easy, Waters.

[Hobbes puts his hands on Waters' chest, trying to stem the bleeding.]

HOBBES:

They're going to bomb the building. I've got to get you out.

WATERS:

Save yourself, buddy. Go on.

[Hobbes looks around for shelter. He drags Waters to a safer place, then finds an old mattress which he uses to cover himself and Waters. He takes off his helmet and places it on Waters' head. He sees some graffiti on a nearby wall - two crossed swords. He thinks while waiting for the bombing to begin.]

HOBBES (V.O.):

I never believed in fate or destiny, or that stuff about your path already being chosen. Who could believe it when a choice made in the space of a heartbeat can change your life? But here I am, dearest darling, wondering what force put me here, brought me to this moment, a fate I never wished for but have now certainly attained. How could I know this moment would change our lives forever?

[The bombs start falling, blasting the two with bright white light.]

 

[Spring, blossom adorns the trees set in grassy play area.]

Fort Dix, New Jersey
Present Day

[Children are playing happily. A red jeep drives down the road. Hobbes is driving. He's happy. He passes a small white-painted wooden church and looks over at it, smiling. He draws up at a small house and jogs up to the front door and unlocks it.]

HOBBES:

Sophie? Hey, hon.

SOPHIE:

In the bedroom. Don't come in.

HOBBES:

Why?

SOPHIE:

Because I said so, Tom. Now, don't.

[He's amused. He's looking through the mail and selects one particular envelope.]

HOBBES:

There's something in the mail from the county clerk's office, Sophie. Maybe they decided not to give us our marriage license.

[He smiles at his little joke.]

SOPHIE:

Then I won't need the dress.

[He looks over to the door and sees Sophie standing there, holding her beautiful wedding dress up against her. Hobbes is obviously overwhelmed.]

SOPHIE:

Well? What do you think?

[Hobbes looks away.]

SOPHIE:

Tom?

HOBBES:

What are you doing, Sophie?

SOPHIE:

It's my wedding dress, stupid.

[Hobbes is still not looking at her.]

HOBBES:

I know. I'm just... I'm not supposed to see it until the wedding day.

SOPHIE:

Thomas F Hobbes, I swear, sometimes...

HOBBES:

It's tradition, Sophie, you know?

SOPHIE:

Well, tradition and all maybe you shouldn't see this either.

[She steps forward, dropping the dress, revealing that she's not wearing anything. Hobbes looks at her now, looks briefly out the front window.]

HOBBES:

Well, that's one of those traditions I can overlook.

SOPHIE:

You want to overlook it right now?

HOBBES:

Yeah. Right now.

[They embrace and kiss.]

 

[Much later. A candle illuminates their bedroom. Photographs of Hobbes and Sophie can be seen, together by the Eiffel Tower, one with Waters, and one of Hobbes with a small dog. Hobbes and Sophie are in bed.]

HOBBES:

I'm thinking California.

SOPHIE:

California? Is that what you want?

HOBBES:

I want to get as far away from here as possible. Start a life. Get a little house. Another dog.

SOPHIE:

No kids? Hm?

[She tickles him. He laughs.]

HOBBES:

Well, first things first.

SOPHIE:

I love you, Tom Hobbes, but first thing, we better both get some sleep. Sun's coming up.

[There's a knock at the front door.]

SOPHIE:

Now, who could that be at this hour?

[Hobbes, now dressed, opens the front door. Two soldiers are standing there.]

SOLDIER:

Lieutenant Hobbes. Wake you, sir?

HOBBES:

No, I was ...

SOLDIER:

C.O. wants to see you. Asks that you pack an overnight bag, sir.

HOBBES:

For what?

SOLDIER:

Didn't say. Asked us to wait.

[Sophie comes out of the bedroom, dressed in a dressing gown.]

SOPHIE:

Tom? What do they want?

[No-one has an answer for her.]

 

[Hobbes is driven to an open area, surrounded by forest, in which stands a Quonset hut. He enters and sees a group of military people, including one woman. The colonel turns around and looks at him. Hobbes salutes.]

HOBBES:

Lieutenant Hobbes, reporting as ordered, colonel.

[The colonel walks over to him.]

COLONEL:

Lieutenant Hobbes. You look tense, son. At ease.

[The colonel shakes his hand.]

COLONEL:

Your C.O. tells me we're losing you from the army next month.

HOBBES:

Yes, sir.

COLONEL:

Too bad. I hear you were once a true believer, a man of calibre and resource. Decorated for an act of extraordinary bravery overseas. That resourcefulness saved your friend's life.

[Hobbes doesn't answer.]

COLONEL:

You want to know why you're here.

[A little later, in another room, Hobbes and the military people are sat around a table, eating breakfast.]

COLONEL:

That's damn good food, Hobbes. Eat. You know a classified project known as Harsh Realm, lieutenant?

HOBBES:

Harsh Realm?

[He shakes his head.]

COLONEL:

It's a simulated war game. A virtual-reality game used to teach situational war strategy. Pentagon developed it. Kept it under wraps. Cold War came to an end. You know the rest.

HOBBES:

Pardon me for asking, sir, but what does that have to do with me?

ANOTHER OFFICER:

You're here to play the game.

COLONEL:

We've got it online, looking for a crackerjack soldier who can beat our high scorer, Sergeant Major Omar Santiago.

SECOND OFFICER:

You know Santiago, lieutenant?

HOBBES:

Most decorated combat veteran to serve in Southeast Asia. Retired.

COLONEL:

But not before beating the reigning lord of the Realm. A title which he's defended from all players since.

HOBBES:

What's the objective?

[The female officer, Inga Fossa, answers.]

INGA FOSSA:

Take out Santiago.

HOBBES:

Ma'am?

ANOTHER OFFICER:

Remove his virtual character. Eliminate him from Harsh Realm.

[Hobbes, puzzled, looks at the colonel.]

COLONEL:

It's just a game, lieutenant. Make high score. Leave the military a winner.

ANOTHER OFFICER:

We pull a few strings for you and your new wife in California.

[Hobbes is wary about this officer's comment.]

 

[Hobbes is in a separate room, furnished only with a red leather chair and a large TV screen. He's holding a pair of headphones and seems a little edgy. The colonel comes in.]

COLONEL:

The video will explain how the game is played. Everything you need to know about Harsh Realm.

[A soldier comes in and places Hobbes' overnight bag and a metal case on the floor.]

HOBBES:

How long is the game gonna take?

COLONEL:

All on the video, lieutenant. Shouldn't be any questions.

[The soldier has left and the colonel walks to the door.]

HOBBES:

I do have one question.

[The colonel stops and looks back at him.]

HOBBES:

How did you know I was thinking about moving to California?

[The colonel hesitates briefly.]

COLONEL:

Who wouldn't move there, who's lived here?

[He leaves. Hobbes looks at the headphones from which comes a feedback whine. The headphones also have unusual protuberances around the edges. He puts the headphones on. He notices that the left arm of the chair has the work 'SIEGE' written on it. He looks at the right arm which has 'PERILOUS' written on it. Then music starts playing in his headphones and images appear on the TV screen. The music is military and the screen shows shots of airborne soldiers, aircraft carrier, troops storming a beach - all the kinds of music and images in a military recruitment film. A woman narrates.]

NARRATOR:

Technology and the threat of nuclear annihilation in the last half of the 20th century have changed the world forever.

[The screen now shows a mushroom cloud, a stealth bomber, missile launches]

NARRATOR:

They've changed war and its consequences as they have forever changed the battlefield and the warriors who must still fight on them. It's been estimated that a nuclear device the size of a small suitcase smuggled in and detonated in New York City would kill several million people instantly and many times that amount with radioactive fallout.

[The screen shows images to illustrate the narration.]

NARRATOR:

This scenario compelled the DoD to create the project code-named Harsh Realm. Using the 1990 census, satellite cartography and other classified data the creators of Harsh Realm have simulated a virtual reality where landscapes and people are identical to our world down to every man, woman and child.

[The images on the screen are now changing very fast, intercut with static.]

NARRATOR:

By putting players in this simulated crisis scenario, we can protect and...

[The video suddenly stops. The lights in the room flicker. Hobbes takes off the headphones and walks towards the door. When he opens it, he sees that no-one is in that room. He opens the door into the room where he first entered the Quonset hut and that too is empty.]

HOBBES:

Hello?

[He goes over to the entrance door and opens it. Immediately a bullet is fired, hitting the doorframe by his head. He ducks back into the room, and sees through the open door a group of people running towards the hut. A man, Mike Pinocchio, appears in the doorway, armed. He looks around but sees no-one there. He moves cautiously through the room and starts searching the rest of the hut. In the roof structure above the front room is Hobbes gripping hold of the metal struts to keep himself out of sight. He watches as the group of people enter the hut. They are dressed in ragged clothes. Pinocchio comes out into the room carrying Hobbes' overnight bag and the metal case. The people make a grab for these and Pinocchio throws them Hobbes' bag which they scramble for. Pinocchio opens the metal case, which contains a handgun and ammunition. From his viewpoint in the rafters, Hobbes sees the people leave with his possessions. Pinocchio, holding the handgun, moves outside the hut, searching for Hobbes. Hobbes drops down from the rafters and looks at the metal case.]

PINOCCHIO:

Boom!

[Hobbes turns and sees the man framed in the doorway, pointing the gun at him.]

PINOCCHIO:

You're dead.

[Pinocchio walks towards him.]

PINOCCHIO:

Let's have the watch.

[Hobbes doesn't move.]

PINOCCHIO:

Just as happy to take it off a dead man. Let's go.

[Hobbes takes off his watch and hands it to him.]

PINOCCHIO:

Pockets. Empty them.

[Hobbes pulls out his wallet from his pocket and hands it out. Pinocchio smacks it out of his hand onto the floor.]

PINOCCHIO:

Shirt pockets, dick.

[Hobbes takes something out of his shirt pocket.]

HOBBES:

It's my wedding ring. For my girl.

PINOCCHIO:

Well, I'm touched.

[Hobbes hands out the ring and as Pinocchio grabs it, Hobbes jumps him, gets hold of the handgun. Pinocchio spins away and draws his gun from his holster. Pointing their guns, they circle each other, a Mexican standoff.]

HOBBES:

Just the ring. That's all I want.

PINOCCHIO:

I could have killed you. Should have.

[There's the sound of a helicopter approaching.]

PINOCCHIO:

Now we're both going to die!

[Pinocchio makes for the open door.]

HOBBES:

Hey! Hey!

[Pinocchio is now outside, and he starts running. The group of people are also running for the treeline. Hobbes exits the hut and starts running after them. As he runs, the helicopter flies very low and launches a missile at the hut. It explodes, throwing Hobbes to the ground. He gets up and looks back to see the hut is completely destroyed. Armoured vehicles now arrive on the other side of the clearing. Soldiers on the vehicles are shooting. The helicopter has turned and is now chasing all the people, Hobbes being the last in line. The helicopter opens fire and one man is hit. Hobbes reaches him and pulls him to his feet.]

HOBBES:

Come on. Okay.

[Hobbes lifts the man on to his back in a fireman's lift and starts running towards the trees. All the other people have now made their escape into the forest. Gunfire hits the man that Hobbes is carrying. Suddenly the man fades and disappears. Hobbes stops and looks around, confused. The soldiers are still firing, so Hobbes runs for the forest. The helicopter lands and the military vehicles come to a stop. Hobbes watches and sees a man get out of the helicopter and joins a group of soldiers. Hobbes is astounded when he recognises the soldier - Waters. He stands up and shouts at Waters.]

HOBBES:

Waters! Hey, Waters! It's me, Tom! Tom Hobbes!

[Suddenly a shot rings out and Hobbes is hit in the chest. He falls back onto the ground. Soldiers are shouting commands, but Hobbes isn't listening. Someone appears in Hobbes' view, and drags Hobbes away to safety.]

HOBBES:

Who are you?

[The person, Florence, doesn't answer but starts unbuttoning Hobbes' shirt.]

HOBBES:

What's going on?

[Florence, who has very short hair, and looks very fit and strong, rips open Hobbes undershirt to reveal a bullet wound.]

HOBBES:

Are you military?

[Still she doesn't answer, but takes out a cloth pad and staunches Hobbes' wound.]

HOBBES:

Is this a game? Am I in Harsh Realm?

[Blood still pours out of Hobbes' wound. Florence puts her hand over the wound for a moment and when she takes her hand away, the blood stops, and the wound heals up. Then she gets up and runs away. Hobbes looks at his now-healed wound. He gets to his feet and looks around but can't see anybody. He starts jogging away into the forest.]

 

[Later, Hobbes is running down the street towards his house. There is nothing but destruction around, fires burning, debris scattered over the ground.]

HOBBES (V.O.):

My dearest Sophie.

[He reaches his jeep, which is burned out.]

HOBBES (V.O.):

I know it can't be, but it all seems too real. Is this what the world will become? Is this nightmare I'm in only a mistake away?

[He runs up to his house.]

HOBBES:

Sophie!

[The window glass is broken, the curtains torn.]

HOBBES:

Sophie!

[He bursts in through the broken door, and sees nothing but destruction and graffiti.]

HOBBES:

What the hell is this place?

[He hears a noise from an adjoining room.]

HOBBES:

Sophie.

[But this room is the same. The noise is a dog whimpering. Hobbes gets to the floor and looks underneath what's left of the bed. The dog is the same as the one in the photograph with Hobbes.]

HOBBES:

Dexter? How can this be? You're here.

 

[Hobbes walks down the deserted streets, Dexter walking alongside him.]

HOBBES (V.O.):

What are we that we would need to create such a place as this? How do I get out, Sophie? How do I get back to you? All I can think is I must finish the game. I must find Santiago.

[Hobbes walks up to the church from which loud music can be heard. He enters through a curtain, carrying Dexter. The former church is now a bar, dimly lit, filled with people, women in revealing clothing, people smoking. They turn and look at Hobbes as he enters. As Hobbes approaches the bar he sees Pinocchio examining his ring by the light of a cigarette lighter.]

PINOCCHIO:

Caret at least. Sparkles like a virgin's teardrop.

BARKEEPER:

Where'd you get it?

[Hobbes points his gun at Pinocchio. Pinocchio looks more exasperated than worried.]

HOBBES:

He stole it from me. And I'd like it back, please.

PINOCCHIO:

I swear I just heard somebody cock a gun in your bar, 'keep.

[The barkeeper takes out a gun and cocks it. Most of the customers take out guns and point them at Hobbes.]

PINOCCHIO:

But one rule in this cesspool, and you done broke it, dick.

HOBBES:

I just want what's mine.

[Pinocchio turns round to face Hobbes.]

PINOCCHIO:

Lose the gun, it's a conversation. Don't, and they kill you. I get to eat your dog.

[Dexter whimpers. Hobbes looks puzzled, looks around the bar, then angry, uncocks his gun. Everyone else relaxes.]

PINOCCHIO:

Ruined my dinner plans.

HOBBES:

I'm not leaving without that ring, I'm telling you now.

PINOCCHIO:

That's fine, but you best be talking to the man who owns it.

[Hobbes looks at the barkeeper, who puts the ring in his shirt pocket. Pinocchio has gone back to his drink.]

PINOCCHIO:

Welcome to Harsh Realm. Run along, GI. Maybe you'll get lucky and find Santiago.

[Hobbes looks puzzled.]

HOBBES:

How did you know I was looking?

[Hobbes turns round and addresses the crowd.]

PINOCCHIO:

GI asks how I knew he was looking for Santiago!

[Everybody laughs. Pinocchio turns back to Hobbes.]

PINOCCHIO:

Everybody here is looking for Santiago, one time or another.

HOBBES:

You can't find him?

PINOCCHIO:

No, I know where he is.

HOBBES:

Take me to him.

[Pinocchio snorts and shakes his head. Hobbes picks up Dexter and starts walking to the door. Then he stops, looks down at Dexter, then turns back.]

HOBBES:

I'll give you my dog.

[Pinocchio doesn't respond and Hobbes heads out of the bar. Pinocchio thinks then follows him.]

PINOCCHIO:

Hey.

[Hobbes stops and looks back at him.]

PINOCCHIO:

For the dog.

 

[Later that night, a car drives down a dirt trick towards a wire fence. The car is heavily protected with grills and mesh. Hobbes gets out, carrying Dexter. Pinocchio follows him.]

HOBBES:

So this is Santiago's fence.

PINOCCHIO:

His fence. His military. His gas. His food. His world. And it just keeps getting bigger.

[Hobbes looks at the fence. It's very high and topped with razor wire.]

HOBBES:

How do I get over it?

[Pinocchio picks up a small rock. He walks alongside the fence until he gets to a particular place.]

PINOCCHIO:

Right through here.

[He throws the rock at the fence. There's a shimmer as the rock goes straight through the fence as if it wasn't there and lands safely on the other side.]

PINOCCHIO:

Glitch in the software.

[Hobbes walks towards the fence.]

PINOCCHIO:

Not there, A-hole!

[Pinocchio picks up another small rock and throws it where Hobbes had been about to touch the fence. The rock explodes on contact, and falls to the ground in pieces, burning. Hobbes looks shocked.]

PINOCCHIO:

You gotta know where the glitches are, genius.

[Hobbes starts walking to the section where the rock had gone through safely. Pinocchio grabs his shoulder.]

PINOCCHIO:

Uh, we had a deal. The dog.

HOBBES:

Welcome to Harsh Realm.

[Hobbes smiles and walks to the fence. Pinocchio grabs Hobbes' gun from his waistband. Hobbes and Dexter go through the fence safely.]

PINOCCHIO:

I will shoot you in the back.

[Hobbes turns round. Pinocchio raises the gun to fire a warning shot, pulls the trigger, but the gun is not loaded.]

PINOCCHIO:

You're gonna die anyway.

[Hobbes holds up Pinocchio's car keys.]

HOBBES:

At least I know where you'll be.

[Hobbes walks off.]

PINOCCHIO:

Hey, I got travel plans! Hey!

 

[A grassy area, from which can be seen a cityscape, tall buildings, many lights.]

Santiago City Perimeter
Harsh Realm

[A soldier patrols. His uniform bears a badge showing crossed swords. He stops, then notices something. Dexter walks up to him, and sits. The soldier bends over to talk to him.]

SOLDIER:

Now, what are you doing out here?

[Dexter barks and wags his tail.]

SOLDIER:

Who do you belong to, boy?

[Suddenly the soldier is on his back. Hobbes pulls out the soldier's gun.]

HOBBES:

Where's your C.O.?

[An area of Santiago City. Very pleasant, well looked after. A jeep draws up in front of an apartment building. Waters gets out. He approaches the entrance where he is greeted by the doorman.]

DOORMAN:

Evening, Major Waters.

[Waters nods at him, enters the building, then goes to his apartment. He unlocks the door into the darkened apartment, enters, then closes the door.]

HOBBES:

Sergeant Waters, ten-hut.

[Hobbes puts his gun to the back of Waters' neck.]

WATERS:

Hobbes, is that you? Oh lord, they sent you to.

HOBBES:

Thought you'd be happy to see me, buddy.

[Waters turns to face Hobbes.]

WATERS:

Stupid, Hobbes. You've got to get out of here.

HOBBES:

Where's Santiago?

WATERS:

Oh, mother of Mary, you don't get it. The game, 'Get in, get, get Santiago'. It's all a freaking lie, Hobbes. It's no game. No getting out, no going home. I got the same mission.

[Hobbes is still pointing his gun at Waters.]

HOBBES:

What the hell are you doing here?

WATERS:

What do you think I'm doing? I'm trying to save my ass so I don't have to live like some dog in the bush.

HOBBES:

Army's got a name for that.

WATERS:

There's no other way! Go, Hobbes. Stay, you're a dead man.

HOBBES:

Why am I a dead man?

WATERS:

Because my orders are to kill you. And I don't follow my orders, I'm a dead man. You get it, Hobbes?

HOBBES:

Yeah, I think I do.

[Hobbes lowers his gun.]

WATERS:

You saved my life, now I'm saving yours. Go. Leave before my wife gets home. I'll come find you, Hobbes. I'll help you, I will. But not now. Not now.

[The front door opens. A woman enters the darkened hallway. Then she moves into the light - the woman looks exactly like Sophie. Waters looks over at Hobbes who is shocked.]

HOBBES:

Sophie.

["Sophie" looks puzzled.]

"SOPHIE":

Mel, who is this?

[Waters doesn't know how to answer her. He goes to Hobbes and whispers to him.]

WATERS:

Listen to me, Hobbes. It's not her. She's a VC.

[Hobbes is angry.]

HOBBES:

You married her?

WATERS:

She's not real. She's a virtual character. It doesn't matter.

HOBBES:

The hell it doesn't!

[He pushes Waters away and goes over to "Sophie".]

"SOPHIE":

Who are you?

HOBBES:

I'm Tom Hobbes.

[He turns and points his gun again at Waters.]

HOBBES:

Your fiancé.

 

[A little later, out in the night streets. Hobbes and Sophie walk away from the apartment building.]

HOBBES:

I don't like doing this, Sophie, but I don't see another way.

"SOPHIE":

Just don't hurt me. Where are you taking me?

HOBBES:

I don't know. I'm not leaving you here with Waters.

[As they pass a streetlight, Hobbes is seen to be wearing Waters' jacket, with the crossed-swords emblem.]

"SOPHIE":

What do you have against my husband?

[Hobbes angrily stops her.]

HOBBES:

He's not your husband.

[Hobbes pulls out his wallet and reveals the photograph of Sophie that he has in it. "Sophie" is even more worried and confused.]

"SOPHIE":

Where did you get that?

[Hobbes puts his wallet away, takes "Sophie's" arm and they starting walking again.]

HOBBES:

Your middle name is Anne. You've got two sisters and a brother, Sam. In the real world, they were going to be in our wedding.

"SOPHIE":

I think you need help.

[There are sounds of sirens approaching. Hobbes stops and watches three armoured jeeps drive by. Then a bus drives by, with a picture of man's face, wearing a beret, and bearing the legend: One People, One Nation, One Santiago.]

 

[On the outskirts of the city, on the grassy area near the fence.]

"SOPHIE":

Would you just let me go.

HOBBES:

It's not much further. You've got to trust me.

[Just ahead of them, Dexter scampers towards the fence. "Sophie" realises that Hobbes plans to take her through the fence and pulls back.]

"SOPHIE":

Hold it. No. Let me go!

[On the other side of the fence, Pinocchio is trying to hotwire his car when he hears "Sophie's" voice.]

"SOPHIE":

You can't take me over there! You don't understand!

[Pinocchio gets out of the car and sees Hobbes, "Sophie" and Dexter approach the fence.]

"SOPHIE":

You're going to get us both killed!

HOBBES:

I'm not. I'm trying to save you.

PINOCCHIO:

Let her go!

"SOPHIE":

You're insane!

PINOCCHIO:

Let her go!

HOBBES:

You stay out of this.

PINOCCHIO:

She can't come past this fence!

HOBBES:

She's coming with me!

PINOCCHIO:

She can't come past this fence!

[They've reached the fence and go through.]

PINOCCHIO:

Stupid bastard.

[Dexter follows. "Sophie" is bewildered.]

PINOCCHIO:

Give me the keys.

[The lights on the top of the fence come on and an alarm sounds.]

PINOCCHIO:

Give me the keys! Come on! Come on!

[He grabs "Sophie" and pushes her towards the car.]

PINOCCHIO:

Come on! Keys!

 

[Later, in the forest. In the earth there is a square, man-made opening leading into an underground area. Waters rips the front of "Sophie's" blouse revealing a rectangular mark on her right breast, looking something like a barcode.]

PINOCCHIO:

She set it off coming through the fence. It's an implanted tracking device.

HOBBES:

Just get it out of her.

PINOCCHIO:

Who is she?

HOBBES:

What difference does it make to you?

PINOCCHIO:

No difference to me, hell.

HOBBES:

She's a virtual character, isn't she? She means nothing to you, so just get it out of her.

[Pinocchio moves away and Dexter barks at him.]

PINOCCHIO:

I'm gonna eat that dog yet.

[He collects a bag from one side of the bunker..]

PINOCCHIO:

Have a seat. We gotta shake a leg. They're tracking us right now.

[He takes some equipment out of the bag as "Sophie" sits on a bench. Hobbes looks into an open bag and pulls out a set of dogtags.]

HOBBES:

Pinocchio. Your name is Pinocchio?

[Pinocchio grabs him, angry.]

PINOCCHIO:

Forget that name. Wipe it from memory. There are people who think I'm dead. I'd like to keep it that way, you understand?

[Pinocchio goes back to "Sophie".]

PINOCCHIO:

We're not like her, like the VC. We have consciousness of who we are. We know this isn't real.

HOBBES:

Then why does it mater?

PINOCCHIO:

It's all that matters because Harsh Realm is all that matters.

HOBBES:

Why, if it isn't real?

PINOCCHIO:

You're stuck here, don't you get it? There's no going back, no going home. And if they kill you here, it's not some character they zap, it's you. Your brain, your consciousness, your head, where they have you lying on some slab back in the real world.

HOBBES:

There's got to be a way out.

PINOCCHIO:

Not for you, not for me. Only Santiago.

["Sophie" is listening intently.]

PINOCCHIO:

Santiago controls the game, and he who controls the game controls everything.

HOBBES:

Then why don't they just take Santiago out in the real world?

PINOCCHIO:

They can't find him. They don't know where he is, where he comes in and out. He's hijacked the whole damn program.

[He pulls "Sophie's" blouse away and puts antiseptic on her skin.]

[Soldiers are moving slowly through the rainy forest.]

[Inside the bunker, Pinocchio is holding a small blade in the flame of his lighter.]

HOBBES:

There's only one thing to do. There's only one choice. Kill Santiago.

PINOCCHIO:

Hmph! He's gonna get you both killed.

[Hobbes looks over at "Sophie", who looks petrified, and whispers to Pinocchio.]

HOBBES:

What about her? If she dies here?

PINOCCHIO:

Never see her again in Harsh Realm.

[Pinocchio goes over to "Sophie" to begin work. Hobbes strokes her hair. "Sophie" winces in pain.]

[The soldiers have now found the opening to the underground bunker. One jumps down into it and looks around. Then sees and picks up the implant.]

[Pinocchio's car is driven away at speed.]

 

[Later that night. A harbour, a small vessel berthed alongside a wooden jetty. Pinocchio's car draws up nearby and he gets out.]

HOBBES:

Hey. Hey, where are you going?

PINOCCHIO:

Far away from you and Santiago.

[Pinocchio runs onto the jetty, where the Barkeeper is standing with another man.]

PINOCCHIO:

I'm late, but I'm here. We good?

BARKEEPER:

He'll take one more.

[Hobbes has pulled "Sophie" out of the car and runs with her to the boat.]

HOBBES:

Wait, one more where?

PINOCCHIO:

South America. So long and adios, GI. It was nice knowing you.

[Pinocchio continues to the boarding gangway. Hobbes and "Sophie" follow.]

HOBBES:

She's getting on this boat.

PINOCCHIO:

No more room.

HOBBES:

She's going on this boat. You let her take your place.

[Hobbes aims his gun at Pinocchio. Pinocchio stops.]

PINOCCHIO:

Now you're starting to piss me off.

HOBBES:

I paid with her ring. You let her on. It's the right thing to do.

[Hobbes has pushed "Sophie" to the foot of the gangway.]

PINOCCHIO:

The right thing to do?

[Then the Barkeeper and Pinocchio see something in the distance. Hobbes looks over and sees armoured vehicles approaching, the same kind as he saw in the street earlier. The Barkeeper runs off.]

BARKEEPER:

Adios to you all.

[Hobbes turns to "Sophie".]

HOBBES:

Get on the boat. Go. Go.

["Sophie" hesitates.]

HOBBES:

Please, Sophie. Trust your heart, what it feels. Somewhere inside you, you've got to know who your heart was meant for. Go now. I promise I'll find you.

["Sophie" starts up the gangway, looks back at Hobbes.]

PINOCCHIO:

Happy?

[Pinocchio turns away from Hobbes and runs back down the jetty, gets in his car and drives off at high speed. Hobbes stands on the gangway, watching "Sophie" as the boat pulls away. One of the armoured vehicles smashes through the gate to the jetty, soldiers get out, aiming their guns at Hobbes.]

 

[Inside a very grimy prison cell. Hobbes sits on the floor. Military personnel approach and the cell door is opened.]

WATERS:

On your feet, Hobbes. Let's go.

[Waters has noticeable bruising on his face. Hobbes gets to his feet.]

WATERS:

General Santiago?

[Santiago enters the cell. It was his face pictured on the bus that Hobbes saw earlier.]

SANTIAGO:

Mr Hobbes. Welcome to the Realm. I hear that you intend to kill me.

HOBBES:

I had orders to win the game.

SANTIAGO:

Well, you've lost the game, sir. To make certain your loss and my victory, I should kill you. Would that not be advisable? Kill your enemy dead, lest he rise up strong with spite? Spite, Mr Hobbes, is not what drives me, but my enemy, the men who sent you here to destroy all this.

HOBBES:

All this?

SANTIAGO:

I provide for my people a beautiful way of life void of strife. Could you find such a true thing in the real world?

HOBBES:

What about outside the fence?

SANTIAGO:

Those people are just on the wrong side. As you were. You must be able to see that now. You've been sent on a mission from which you can't return.

[Another door in the cell block opens. A number of people are led into the cell block, among them "Sophie". As "Sophie" passes by the cell she sees Hobbes, who is shocked to see that she has been captured. She also sees Waters, but turns away when he looks at her. Hobbes turns back to Santiago.]

SANTIAGO:

A man can have it all here.

 

Government House
Santiago City
Harsh Realm

[Night. Outside a floodlit, impressive building. Inside, Hobbes is pushed into an apartment and left alone. It is a lavishly furnished apartment. In the dining room, a table is set with quantities of food. Hungry, Hobbes eats with relish.]

[In another apartment, "Sophie" is smacked across the face by Waters.]

WATERS:

Who helped Hobbes? His name.

["Sophie" looks at him.]

"SOPHIE":

I don't know him or his name.

[Waters looks over at Santiago who is standing in the doorway, then smacks "Sophie" again.]

SANTIAGO:

That's enough. We don't want Mr Hobbes to think that she's been mistreated. She knows the man's name and she's going to get it for us by whatever means necessary.

[Santiago moves to the door.]

"SOPHIE":

I never believed the stories, but I believe them now. About another world and a man who's coming to save us.

[Santiago moves swiftly to her, angry, he smacks her.]

SANTIAGO:

I am your saviour!

[Santiago bends down and lifts up her face and speaks intensely.]

SANTIAGO:

I am that man.

[He stands up.]

SANTIAGO:

Get someone in her to see to her.

[Santiago leaves.]

 

[The church/bar. The barkeeper pours a drink for Pinocchio which he downs in one. Florence stands next to him. In the dust on the bar, she writes: It's him. The barkeeper notices this.]

PINOCCHIO:

I knew it the moment I saw him.

[Pinocchio rubs out the words and downs another drink.]

PINOCCHIO:

I should be in South America.

[Florence looks at him, Dexter barks. Pinocchio looks at the dog.]

PINOCCHIO:

What are you looking at?

[Both Florence and the barkeeper look at Pinocchio who gets up and moves away.]

 

[In the apartment building, armed soldiers patrol the hallways. They pass a set of elevator doors and when they are out of sight, the doors shimmer and Pinocchio and Florence, both armed, emerge into the hallway. Inside the apartment, Hobbes has eaten his fill of the food and is stretched out on a sofa. He hears a noise and looks over to the apartment door. A small bright light shows under the door. As Hobbes sits up he sees that it's a fibre optic scope. As he gets to the door, it opens and he sees Pinocchio and Florence.]

PINOCCHIO:

Hey. Let's go. Move it out.

HOBBES:

What are you doing here?

PINOCCHIO:

Saving my ass.

HOBBES:

Why?

PINOCCHIO:

Because he'll torture you just to get my name.

[Pinocchio gets closer to Hobbes and pulls down the front of his shirt to reveal a scar where his implant had been removed.]

PINOCCHIO:

Look, I know what he's capable of. I was sent here just like you. Now, come on.

HOBBES:

Not without Sophie. She's here. She knows your name too.

[Hobbes leaves. Pinocchio sighs and follows him.]

["Sophie's" bedroom. The door bursts open.]

HOBBES:

Sophie! I want you to come with me.

PINOCCHIO:

Let's go, Hobbes.

[Hobbes holds out his hand to "Sophie" but she hesitates.]

"SOPHIE":

It's you, isn't it?

[Hobbes is confused by that.]

PINOCCHIO:

Let's go!

["Sophie" takes Hobbes hand, and the three run down the hallway. Suddenly, there's a shout.]

WATERS:

Stop right there!

[They stop, Hobbes moving in front of "Sophie" to protect her.]

WATERS:

Weapon on the floor.

[Pinocchio puts his gun on the floor.]

WATERS:

Well, well. Mike Pinocchio, live and well.

[Suddenly, gun fire rings out. Florence has emerged from a side corridor and fires at Waters, who ducks down behind some furniture. Pinocchio, Hobbes and "Sophie" get to their feet and run into the side corridor. They continue running. Waters gets to his feet and runs after them. He takes careful aim and shoots "Sophie" in the back. She falls and looks at Hobbes, horrified. Then she shimmers and disappears as Hobbes looks on. Hobbes looks back at Waters and starts walking towards him. Pinocchio runs back and grabs him just as other soldiers come round the corner. Pinocchio pulls him back, opening fire on the soldiers who fall to the ground. Behind them, Florence opens fire on another group of soldiers who have entered the hallway from the opposite direction. The three then enter the hallway where the elevators are. The soldiers get to their feet and chase after them. But there's no sign of them. Santiago then approaches.]

SANTIAGO:

Waters!

WATERS:

It was Mike Pinocchio. He was here.

SANTIAGO:

For who? Hobbes?

[Waters nods. He's upset.]

WATERS:

My wife. I killed her.

[Santiago looks down, then back at Waters. He puts his hand on Waters' shoulder, as if to comfort him.]

SANTIAGO:

You've made a terrible mistake.

[Santiago turns away, angry.]

SANTIAGO:

Hobbes will never stop now!

 

[The forest at night. Soldiers are searching. Hobbes, Dexter, Pinocchio and Florence are hiding.]

HOBBES (V.O.):

Whose destiny is this? It can't be mine. What is this trial I'm being put through? Is this a test of my love for you? These people are afraid. They are the hunted, and I count myself as one of them now, though they look at me strange, as if I knew a secret or something. I know only this: I love you, dearest one, and will fight my war here. Know my heart, and please don't worry. I'll be home. I'll be home.

[In the real world, Hobbes is lying on a gurney, comatose. Electrodes and monitoring equipment attached to him. A doctor examines him. He is in a extensive room where other people are similarly comatose, being monitored. Hobbes is one among many, hundreds, perhaps thousands.]


Starring:

Scott Bairstow - Tom Hobbes
D.B. Sweeney - Mike Pinocchio
and
Terry O'Quinn - Omar Santiago

Special Guest Star:

Samantha Mathis - Sophie

Guest Starring:

Rachel Hayward
Sarah-Jane Redmond
and
Maximilian Martini as Waters

Co-Starring:

Michael David Simms - Lt Colonel Gilovich
Mark Houghton - 3rd Officer
Ronald Selmour - Bartender

Featuring:

Kurt Max Runte - Unit Commander Forsch
Sylvesta Stuart - Sergeant Peter McGonagle
Russell Porter - Republican Guard Soldier
D Neil Mark - Sentry
Jose Vargas - Latino Man
Dmitro Krasnogolov - Bosnian Youth
Tassis Bifano - Young Bosnian Girl
Robert Seckler - Doorman
Vinnie - Dexter the Dog

 

Music by Mark Snow
Edited by Michael Kewley
Production Designer: Graeme Murray
Director of Photography: Joel Ransom
Co-Producers: George Grieve, Janace Tashjian
Executive Producer: Tony To
Executive Producer: Daniel Sackheim
Executive Producer: Frank Spotnitz
Created by Chris Carter
Written by Chris Carter
Directed by Daniel Sackheim