The Space Between Ep. 1: King of the Rats

An average single dad is forced into worlds he doesn't understand to save the daughter he loves.

INT. MONTGOMERY HOUSEHOLD - EARLY MORNING

The house it self is pretty simple, very minimalistic. A field fool of blimps/ airships can be seen through the window.

LEXI MONTGOMERY, an average eight year old, dresses like the nineteen fifties ran into a clock. She's hums the tone  to LULLABY as she runs downstairs.

Her dad, CAPTAIN MONTGOMERY, waits for her at the bottom. He picks her up and swings her around.

MONTGOMERY

Now what song is that?

LEXI

It's a secret

MONTGOMERY

I see

Montgomery over acts a thinking face. Then puts Lexi down

MONTGOMERY

I'll have to figure it out later

LEXI

But pa'

MONTGOMERY

Lots of ships comin' in tomorra. The worlds to big not to go and see.

LEXI

Can I come?

MONTGOMERY

Maybe when your older I'll teach you a thing or too

The door next to Montgomery begins to glow. He turns the knob. The door stretches to impossible proportions. Almost tentacle like. In a second it engulfs him completely.

LEXI

Pa'

INT. HUDSON'S HOUSE - HIS ROOM - MORNING - YEARS LATER

HUDSON "JOHN" HAWKENS, an average looking 21 year old dude, wakes up to an alarm clocks beep. "6:00am". He searches his bed-stand for a small toy gun. Aims for the target across the room. Hits the target right in the center shutting up the alarm clock. The falls right back to sleep. LYLA HAWKENS, a girl no older then five enters the room with a squirt bottle. All it takes is two sprays right to his face. John jumps back up. Lyla giggles.

LYLA

Good morning daddy

John plays with her hair.

JOHN

Thanks Lyla. I needed that

LYLA

I know. What's for breakfast?

BATHROOM

-SHOWER RUNS-

BATHROOM MIRROR P.O.V.

John's dressed doing his hair in the mirror. Lyla's there trying to make herself as tall as possible so she can see herself over the counter.

The counter itself is cluttered with hair gel, tooth brushes, tooth paste, ect.

JOHN

What do you think?

LYLA

No

JOHN

(laughs playfully)

No? What's wrong?

LYLA

Here I'll fix it for you

John crouches out of view of the camera. Lyla plays with his hair for a bit. John pops back up. His hair looks just about as horrible as you can make short hair look.

JOHN

Gorgeous

LYLA

Can you do mine now?

JOHN

Sure. Want me to braid it again.

LYLA

Yes yes yes please

John reaches for a hair tie. That ones filthy so he goes for another one.

KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM

-EGGS SIZZLE- John cooks them up, puts cheese on the top, and splits the eggs in half for himself and Lyla to eat. Lyla sits patiently on the couch in the meantime. Hair almost perfectly braided. He gives Lyla her breakfast.

LYLA

Thank you dada

JOHN

You know you don't have to thank me for everything

John sits down next too Lyla.

LYLA

Okay

JOHN

Up, hair, eggs. Okay what am I missing.

Lyla looks at her backpack.

LYLA

Nothing

JOHN

What are you looking at?

Lyla quickly looks away. But not quick enough. John sees the backpack. John practically jump

JOHN

Oh s**t school.

Lyla shoves eggs into her mouth.

JOHN

Don't say that

Lyla puts the empty plate down. They rush out the door

-BUS PULLS UP-

The door to John's room glows wildly.

INT. THE BIRDS - BAR - NIGHT

Imagine the future meets the past in a form of a bar with live bands. Everything is steam powered. The air foggy but in a nice calm way. The pipes rumbling and steam releasing provides a natural metronome for the band.

Lexi Montgomery sings. The songs slow starts slow. Sounds like LULLABY with a different tempo. There are only two things Lexi loves in this world; her music, and her dad whose picture she brings with her all the time.

TIME PASSES

Lexi leaves a small hat at her foot. People leave her coins of varying colors and sizes.

MAN

For captain Montgomery

WOMAN

Good luck finding you dad mam'

LEXI

Thank ya kindly

TWO MEN (PISTOL and SHOTGUN) walk in branding guns. The bar and band stop. Lexi stares them down.

PISTOL

Lexi woman. Stop being such a sing bird and come home.

Lexi ignores them. Shotgun fires his shotgun at a member of the audience. He looks very dead. The bar clears out.

LEXI

(mad)

Well gully that was uncalled for.

SHOTGUN

We're done asking.

LEXI

And I'm done telling you I'm not goin'. So stop being all hydrogen 'bout it.                                                                                             

PISTOL

Come on Lexi. Ya a married woman

LEXI

Well that ain't my fault. If my dad was here John would've listened to him.

PISTOL

Well he ain't

LEXI

You know ya horrible at this convincin' thing right?

SHOTGUN

That's what the guns are for.

Shotgun takes aim.

LEXI

You don't got half the guts of a elephant. You wont shoot

Shotgun flicks a switch on his gun. His shotgun becomes electrified.

LEXI

Looks like the weather just changed.

In smooth practiced motions Lexi grabs the MICROPHONE, flips it so the mic is pointed at them, closes her eye's and flicks her wrist. It flash an extreme bright light (similar to a flash-bang) blinding Pistol and Shotgun. Lexi looks at the picture of her dad.

LEXI

You alright Pa?

Lexi smiles and runs out the back.Pistol and Shotgun blink and shake if off in seconds. They run out the back, GAS MASKS ready, to chase Lexi.

ALLEY

Lexi's no were to be seen. Shotgun and Pistol throw down there guns in anger.

SHOTGUN

Well God be damn

PISTOL

Without a mask she can't survive out here long anyways

SHOTGUN

What's the boss sposed to do have a corpse bride

EXT. THE BIRDS

A city almost completely abandoned lays covered in fog. Lexi holds her breath but she can't for much longer. An airship field line the distance. She finds a manhole and despite opens it. She lets go of her breath involuntary. Coughing as she heads down. Lexi falls through a filter, smacking to the ground. Lexi pants trying desperately to catch her breath. The airs completely clean underground.

THE RATS - MANHOLE

LEXI

Golly I can't believe I made that

(cough)

Lexi still holds the picture of her dad in her hand. She moves it her back pocket.

INT. OFFICE - NOON

The INTERVIEWER sits at her desk. John sits on the other side, looking nervous. She flips through the stained papers on her desk.

INTERVIEWER

So John, Forty words per minute. A little slow for a secretary.

JOHN

I learn quickly.

INTERVIEWER

This would be you're second job Yes?

JOHN

Yeah, don't worry though. I can come whenever you need me too

INTERVIEWER

I'm sure you can.

(flip through pages)

Pennsylvania U. Nice college

JOHN

Thanks, took a lot of work

INTERVIEWER

Can I ask why you dropped out?

JOHN

I had a kid. Well I didn't really have, um my girlfriend at the time did and me.

INTERVIEWER

Is the mother still in the picture?

JOHN

Is this really necessary?

INTERVIEWER

I like to believe this company is one big family. Sense when does family keep secrets.

INT. SIR JOHN'S ESTATE - DINNING HALL

The table is comically long and filled with food. Only two people sit at it; Lexi, and SIR JOHN. You can't see his face but he sounds an offal lot like John.

LEXI

You don't gotta kill my friends for attention ya know

SIR JOHN

Like just asking really works for you

LEXI

What you want John? Youse left me alone three month

SIR JOHN

The loving support of my wife

LEXI

Malarkey

SIR JOHN

How dare you? Why can't you just stay with me? What have I done?

LEXI

Kill people for starters

SIR JOHN

Well I have you know

LEXI

Not if I find ya ship and take off. Follow me out there I dare ya.

SIR JOHN

You could never get into my office. It's locked by voice.

Lexi smiles.

LEXI

Try me

Lexi stands up and runs away. Sir John slams his fist to the floor.

SIR JOHN

Damn it not again woman.

INT. OFFICE

Just then John's PHONE rings.

INTERVIEWER

Who's that?

JOHN

Ms. Nancy. The babysitter. She can wait

-RINGS-

INTERVIEWER

I'm going to be honest. You're not who I'm looking for.

JOHN

(disappointment)

Okay, thanks for your time.

-RINGS-

INTERVIEWER

You should take that

JOHN

Yeah yeah

John leaves the office, and picks up his phone just in time.

JOHN

Hello?

(pause)

Yeah

(pause)

What do you mean you can't babysit tonight? You made me pay in advance

(pause)

What am I supposed to do with Lyla on such short notice? Take her with me?

INT. NEW MEXICO GAP - NIGHT

John's dress in a work uniform. Cleanings the display case for fancy jewelry he could never hope to afford. It was basically the only part of his job he was any good at. Lyla sits on his shoulders watches intently; half asleep.

His MANAGER walks by and tosses him a pair of keys. Hudson catches it.

MANAGER

Nice reflexes Hudson. You're closing tonight remember

John smiles the kind of smile you give a manager.

JOHN

(laughing)

You wouldn't let me forget. I owe you big time for letting me bring Lyla. Thanks sir

MANAGER

Don't worry I understand. Got two kids of my own. You take care of her.

JOHN

Will do

The manager walks out the door. John put Lyla down softly on a chair behind the case.

LYLA

Hudson?

John smiles

JOHN

Not you too. It's John

Lyla rubs her eyes

LYLA

(tired whine)

I like Hudson more.

JOHN

Of course you do. Call me whatever you want

John plays with her hair.

JOHN

I'm just gonna make sure no one's here, do a tiny bit of sweeping, then we can go home okay.

LYLA

Okay

John walks off

LADIES CHANGING ROOM

Hudson knocks on the wall.

JOHN

Anyone in here?

One of the changing room's WOODEN DOOR begins to glow a bright light. ARIA walks through the door in an oversized hoodie and seemingly nothing else. Her bright red hair and overuse of black eye shadow clashes with it perfectly. Something about the way Aria carries herself makes her seem other worldly.

The door stops glowing as she steps away.

JOHN

Hey mam' we're closing up so I'm gonna have to ask you to leave. If you found something you liked I could ring you up real quick.

Aria smiles at him but her eye's scream annoyed.

ARIA

That wont be necessary. I was just looking.

JOHN

Alright well have a-

John's interrupted by the door Aria walked out of. It bends in a way no wooden door really can. Like a slow moving bubble forms on top of it. It makes it to about two feet then snaps back causing ripples, like if you through a stone into a still pond.

JOHN

What the hell

Aria moves quickly to cover his mouth, preventing him from speaking. Aria's palms have stitches running down them.

ARIA

(whisper)

Say one more word and I'll bite of your head.

Rhythmic marching and the clanging of metal echo throughout the shop. The gets Lyla's attention.

The door begins to glow again. John is understandably panicked. Breathing heavily through Aria's hand. Lyla comes walking over.

LYLA

What's wrong daddy?

Lyla sees Aria

LYLA

Lady you have to leave. My daddy has to make sure no ones here so no one can steal things. He's like the Gap's superhero

ARIA

(whisper)

Shut up. Don't let them hear you

Lyla knocks on the glowing door.

LYLA

You can't throw a party in a store. You have to go away so I can sleep.

The door stretches out again. This time much fast engulfing Lyla. No screams no nothing. She's gone. The door returns to normal. The marching and metal sounds stop.  John breaks from Aria's grip

JOHN

(scream)

Lyla

ARIA

Well she's gone now

Aria twirls a key chain with a few decorative keys around her finger.

ARIA

Lost to the multi-verse

JOHN

What?

ARIA

Possibilities doesn't just go away

John's still a bit lost.

ARIA

Okay, what's your name?

JOHN

What?

ARIA

Name

JOHN

John. John Hawkens

ARIA

Right then. John, lets say you had to make a choice, chocolate or vanilla. They're both equally good. Nothing stops you from picking one or the other. Fifty fifty chance. So why chocolate? What happens to the vanilla? The multiverse plays out every possible choice, ever made.

JOHN

Why are you explaining this too me?

Aria walks over to a dressing room door and inserts a key. It goes in smoothly, like the door had a keyhole to begin with. The door glows and opens.

ARIA

You're helping me clean up the mess your spawn just caused.

JOHN

How did you do that? With the door, and the glowing, and the stretching?

ARIA

Daughters through the door. You coming or what?

 

Aria walks though the door. John hesitates for a few seconds, but when the glow fades he runs for it. Eyes slammed shut. They both disappear. Leaving behind only the keys for the store.

EXT. THE RATS

A complete underground city. The air is clean, and the tree's healthy. Sunlight trickles down to the trees throw holes. Heavy filters block the dust and smog from above. Water flows in the middle of street protected by. Everyone that walks by looks stupidly upper class.

A door for the bakery begins to glow. It's faint but still easily seen by passersby. Some people give glances but no one seems bothered by that really.

Aria walks through, then John.

JOHN

This is beautiful

John looks around amazed. Aria pulls his hair. John gives an exaggerated ow.

ARIA

Stop acting like you don't belong. The cloths are a giveaway as is.

People start giving the pair a more horrible look then they did with the glowing door.

JOHN

Makes sense? Guess we should go shopping then

ARIA

If you act like you belong you can do just about anything.

Aria straights out her poster and walks like the people around her. John just tries to copy Aria but he doesn't look nearly as good at it. It doesn't seem to help draw away attention. One LADY screams and points at them.

LADY

(yelling, scared)

They're... they're birds

ARIA

Or maybe we need some cloths after all

Aria pulls John down a back street avoiding people. The two take off.

JOHN

What the hell does she mean by birds?

ARIA

Different universe different slang

Aria throws John into a dumpster with relative ease. Three armed MEN run past.

JOHN

Okay, birds bad. Got it.

INT. SIR JOHN'S ESTATE - OFFICE

Pistol and Shotgun stand in attention. Sir John continues to not turn on any lights

SHOTGUN

So she came back then ran off again?

SIR JOHN

Did I stutter?

PISTOL

No sir

Sir John taps the bottom of his desk in debate. Quick he throws his hands into the air and stands up

SIR JOHN

She needs to be gone from the birds by sunset. I can't truly rule the rats with a dead queen.

SHOTGUN

When's sunset again?

Sir John hands them gas masks

SIR JOHN

Take a guess and find her again

SHOTGUN

But ain't you gonna...

SIR JOHN

(stern)

Good luck

EXT. THE RATS - ALLEY DUMPSTER

John's trying the best he can to make an outfit out of what Aria is throwing him. Using a sering and thread from other cloths. Aria takes a peek. It falls apart. Johns beginning to get frustrated.

JOHN

My daughters been eaten by a door and I'm just sitting here. She been eaten by a door

ARIA

You already said that

JOHN

Shouldn't we like put up posters or something.

ARIA

She probably isn't even here

JOHN

Isn't here? A door only goes one way.

Aria smiles and laughs.

JOHN

What's wrong with you?

ARIA

(calm)

Nothing. Literally nothing.

JOHN

Argent for starters. Don't you have any better ideas?

ARIA

It's your spawn. Your responsibly. Lucky I'm helping out at all

JOHN

Don't call my daughter spawn. If you didn't poof in with your stupid magic key none of this would have happened.

ARIA

(calm)

Your thing knocked on a glowing door making weird a*s sounds. Do they have Darwinism in your universe?

JOHN

She's five

ARIA

Doesn't matter

JOHN

What even are you? It's definitely not human

Aria hops out of the dumpster.

ARIA

(mad)

Have fun with your posters.

Aria walks off pissed.

EXT. THE RATS

Lexi walks down the street. She does a much better job of blending in. Even if a little dirty. Lexi waves and greets PASSERSBY. Sometimes they wave back. She slaps the a*s of a particular HANDSOME PASSERBY. He doesn't seem all to happy by it, and also doesn't seem to notice that his wallet is missing. Lexi plays with it between her figures.

LEXI

(smiles)

I'm almost there pa

She slips the wallet into her back pocket. The PHOTO falls out. Lexi almost leaves it behind when SIR JOHN picks it up.

SIR JOHN

Hello dear

SIR JOHN LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE JOHN HUDSON. Excepted for the fact that hes more expensively dressed then everyone.

SIR JOHN

Still missing your father I see.

LEXI

Buzz off John

SIR JOHN

Don't you even think...

Lexi runs. Sir John slams his walking stick to the ground.

SIR JOHN

God damn it woman

MEN IN UNIFORM chase after her.

MAN

(to sir john)

Don't worry sir, we'll find her.

SIR JOHN

Good. What of the birds you found last night?

MAN

Still looking

SIR JOHN

If you let them ruin what I've worked so hard to achieve

MAN

We'll find them

The stomping of high heels echos through the alley. John  climbs back into the dumpster. Lexi turns the corner. Aria's all but vanished. Lexi throws herself into the dumpster. The lid slams shut.

INSIDE DUMPSTER

It's almost pitch black in there. The man run past.

JOHN

Lady what the hell

Lexi gasps.

JOHN

What you never told me your name

LEXI

Well all you hadda do was ask. Names Lexi

JOHN

Oh sorry I thought you where someone else.

LEXI

How many girls you got jumpin' in dumpsters for ya?

JOHN

More then you'd think

LEXI

Well thanks for bein' soft... what's your name?

JOHN

John

LEXI

You playin' with me?

JOHN

What?

LEXI

I thought you was parrotin' the voice, but your name ain't even different

Lexi opens up the dumpster. By the time John's eye adjust to the light Lexi's got him pinned.

LEXI

What you tryin' to pawn here? Tricking me like this is just cruel

JOHN

I'm not... what did I do?

LEXI

Looking like my husband. Tryin' to get me to spill.

JOHN

Why would I do that?

LEXI

Ya should know why. Your his goon after all

JOHN

I don't work for him. I don't even know who he is

LEXI

Prove it then. Shouldn't be too bad if you are telling the truth

JOHN

Um okay... My real names Hudson. Hudson Hawkens

LEXI

Wow he told you everything

JOHN

I was born in Albuquerque New Mexico. Only child. I work at the Gap

LEXI

Now you're just gammering

JOHN

Please I just wanna find my daughter

Lexi relaxes

LEXI

Ya lost your little girl. Where'd see go?

JOHN

You won't believe me

LEXI

I'm a pretty gullible gal

JOHN

A changing room door stretched out and sucked her up

Lexi backs off

LEXI

I never told anyone that. How'd you know?

JOHN

I'm just telling the truth

LEXI

How'd you know what happened to my pa?

JOHN

I had no idea. I'm sorry

LEXI

What's her name?

JOHN

Lyla, it's Lyla

LEXI

You gotta have loved her like a pigeon loves sunday

JOHN

Still do, if that's a good thing

LEXI

Good. You see I'm tryin' to steal John's ship. Travel the world looking for him.

Lexi gets ride of the knife and holds out her hand.

LEXI

I know I just bout killed you and all. But you wanna come with we might find your gal too. If you good at actin' we got it now

John shacks it. Lexi smiles

JOHN

At this point I'm pretty desperate.

EXT. THE RATS - MAN HOLE

A thick layer of smog pours in from the open cover. Aria grabs a gas mask hanging at the wall and puts it on.

ARIA

Earth what have they done too you

Aria climbs the ladder to the surface

THE BIRD/ SURFACE

Aria looks around

ARIA

Now how do I see the spawn with smog like that

EXT. SIR JOHN'S ESTATE - WINDOW

Lexi climbs the walls of her husbands rather large and excessively labeled estate. John follows behind trying his best to keep up.

JOHN

Is going to the 3rd floor really necessary?

LEXI

Yeah a bit

Lexi climbs through the window

OTHER SIDE OF WINDOW

COBBLER, a woman dressed in uniform, dusts the desk next to the window. Lexi plops in.

COBBLER

What are you doing here? I thought I told you I don't want to see your face around these parts

LEXI

I take it I told you the same.

They smile and hug.

COBBLER

So whats the plan?

Lexi signals to the window. John still hasn't made it to the second floor.

JOHN

A little help please

COBBLER

Lexi Montgomery you lucky gal

Lexi and Cobbler start pulling the rope so John can make it up.

EXT. THE BIRDS

The Birds are just about the polar opposite of the Rats. A lot of people walk around with there shirts off because of the heat. Barley any water (lit alone clean water). Aria's starting to sweat.

Aria moves right up to everyones face and stares. It's extremely creepy. She walks up to this one family in particular. Aria crouches down to get a look at the little girls face.

MAN

What the hell are you doing?

Aria stands up

ARIA

Expressing my humanity

EXT. THE BIRDS

Aria walks slowly looking around. Like she's trying to find someone.

ARIA

This is going to be annoying

TEQUILA and ADDEN walk past with crud surgical masks taped on there faces. They're talking with each other until they notice Aria.

TEQUILA

Woo gal how'd you get your hands on something like that.

ADDEN

Yeah looky you can almost see her mouth

ARIA

I'll tell if you help me

TEQUILA

Name it whateva you want, we got it.

ARIA

I'm look for a human spawn

ADDEN

A what?

ARIA

(trying to mimic there voices)

A little gal yeah see

TEQUILA

We don't trade kids

ARIA

Not like that.

(trying to mimic there voices)

My missin' little daughter

TEQUILA

Oh good good. What she look like then?

ARIA

Dark skin, brown eye's

ADDEN

We know a few guys. Can ask around for yeah.

ARIA

Where?

ADDEN

Masks first

Aria tares the SURGICAL MASK off of ADDEN. He struggles to breath.

ARIA

And let you just walk off. No thanks

ADDEN sticks his mask back on quickly but meticulously.

TEQUILA

Alrighty then. We'll find the gal first. Trail me

Tequila and Adden walk off. Aria follows.

INT. JOHNS ESTATE - JOHN'S BATHROOM

John sits on the water bed next to Cobbler. This room similar to Sir Johns whole house is extremely expensive looking. Lexi paces back and forth.

LEXI

Makin' you my husband

JOHN

Yep

Lexi pulls John up.

LEXI

Lets start with that walkin. You gotta walk like a rat talks

JOHN

What?

COBBLER

Rat you know. Pompous. Arrogant

Lexi straightens out her poster, and starts parading around like a pompous a*****e. Fake cane and all.

COBBLER

Like that

LEXI

I git my practice

JOHN

Okay

John tries to copy Lexi's walk but fails.

LEXI

You look like a parrot in a coffee shop

JOHN

Doesn't that kind of work?

Lexi walks up behind him and pulls his shoulder back.

LEXI

You gotta be straight as a mast

JOHN

I think I get that one

John tries again. It's still a bit off.

LEXI

Maybe it's the eyes

JOHN

Please don't touch my eyes

- SHOWER RUNS -

LATER

Cobbler does John's hair. He's in a completely new outfit. Similar to Sir John's. Cobbler passes her hand through John's hair. She's pretty disgusted by the gel. Whips it off on a towel.

COBBLER

What is all this?

JOHN

It's hair gel

Cobbler looks confused

COBBLER

Feels like animal fat to me. Why put it in your hair?

JOHN

It looks goods

Lexi walks in

COBBLER

You really gotta teach yourself to knock

LEXI

I wanna see how it's going

JOHN

Well right now I look like a douchebag

COBBLER

What does that even mean?

LEXI

And you go round saying I spill nonsense

JOHN

You know. Like Dickhead. A*****e

Cobbler looks worried.

JOHN

Oh right; different universe different slang. Sorry

COBBLER

(to lexi)

Where did you find this man?

LEXI

The dumpster

COBBLER

That explains the fat in his hair

JOHN

It's supposed to be there. It's not fat

LEXI

I think you gots the look.

Lexi grabs John by the arm, and pulls him out of the bathroom

SIR JOHN'S ROOM

LEXI

Golly you look so much like him, I wanna smack you in the nose

John chuckles

JOHN

Good, I hope

LEXI

Come on. Go get the keys

JOHN

Where exactly is John's office?

LEXI

I got no idea. Have fun

Lexi pushes him towards the door.

JOHN

What did I get myself into

INT. THE BIRDS - BAR

There still little spots of blood. Pistol and Shotgun sit next to it drinking. The rest of bar knows to stay away now.

Aria along with Tequila and Adden walk in and take the seats next to them.

TEQUILA

I'm looking for this ladies daughter. Seen them?

PISTOL

(quickly)

Haven't really been looking. Could start if you'd like

ADDEN

Alright then. Keep an eye out

(to aria)

Sorry lady, we'll try something else

Aria takes off the mask looks Pistol in the eye's. She looks extremely menacing.

ARIA

What are you doing?

PISTOL

Drinkin'

ARIA

You're hiding something

Shotgun c***s his shotgun.

PISTOL

Shotgun what ya doing?

SHOTGUN

She knows. Said it herself

Aria turns her attention to Shotgun.

ARIA

You won't dare

ARIA

Not yet

Aria inches close to Shotgun.

ARIA

You know something?

TEQUILA

You kidnap her kid?

SHOTGUN

What? Course not

ARIA

 It's not about the spawn

Aria stares

ARIA

No no something bigger. Something deadly

INT. SIR JOHN'S ESTATE - HALL

The hall is teeming with staff. John stands outside of the bedroom door. The door shuts behind him.

JOHN

(whisper)

What have I gotten myself out into.

John stands there like a deer in headlights. The staff waits for him to say or do something

JOHN

(whisper)

Act like you belong

John straightens out his poster

JOHN

Evening

The staff groans evening back and continue to do what they where doing.

John walks off. Then changes his mind and goes the other way.

EXT. SIR JOHN'S ESTATE

Sir John walks towards his house annoyed. Followed by a very scared MAN IN UNIFORM

MAN

Sir sir I'll find her again I swear it.

SIR JOHN

I found her. You lost her again

MAN

It wont happen ever. Please I have a family

SIR JOHN

Meet me in my office in five minutes or I'll have then hunt you instead

MAN

Yes sir

Sir John enters his estate.

HALLWAY

John looks completely lost. He's starting to get a little panicky.

JOHN

Why couldn't Lexi just give me a map?

OTHER HALLWAY

Sir John walks down the hall full of determination. Cobbler's gone back to her job. She watches Sir John walk down the hallway. When he's out of earshot Cobbler dashes off.

HALLWAY

John stops at a door labeled office. A beam come out through the cornerstone and almost blinds John. The door opens. Sir John sits at the chair.

SIR JOHN

Who are you?

JOHN

S**t

SIR JOHN

Guards

INT. THE BIRDS - BAR

Aria puts the shotgun to her chest

ARIA

Shoot me please. I'd make this interesting

SHOTGUN

What the hell are you lady?

ARIA

The person who's going to crack you

PISTOL

We ain't hiding nothing

ARIA

I can see it in your eye's. You're very bad at lying.

Aria grabs Shotgun's face and kisses him. Shotgun pulls away.

ARIA

The sky is on fire

SHOTGUN

What the hell'd you show me lady. What, what!

ARIA

We traded secrets.

(honest, sympathetic)

Sorry

INT. SIR JOHN'S ESTATE - OFFICE

GUARDS have John by the shoulders. Sir John stands up and walks right next to John.

SIR JOHN

Kill him

JOHN

Obviously this mans some kind of impostor

SIR JOHN

You have to be joking

JOHN

Let go of me

The guards loosen there grip a little.

SIR JOHN

You embassles

One of the guards grab Sir John.

SIR JOHN

Unhand me. I will have your head

Lexi runs in

LEXI

Oh wow this backfired.

GUARD HOLDING JOHN

Mam' is this your doing?

LEXI

Yeah you got me. I found me a fake John

(smiles, turn to John)

Isn't that right, not fake John who I'm tied down with and hate to core.

JOHN

(not a great lier)

Yes. It looks a lot like me too. I'd be more impressed if I wasn't super mad right now.

SIR JOHN

What are you talking about?

LEXI

I'm sorry sing bird. We got caught. If there's one thing I can't do its lie

Lexi kisses Sir John

LEXI

I'll miss you sweety

Both the guards take Sir John and lift him up.

GUARD

What should we do with him sir?

JOHN

(unsure)

Throw him in the dungeon. Let him have lots of time to think about all the horrible stuff he's done.

SIR JOHN

You must be joking

The guards look confused.

GUARD

Then kill him?

JOHN

Um... Okay sure, just wait a bit

OTHER GUARD

Oh I see you wanna watch

JOHN

What no!

GUARD

Sir?

JOHN

Just kidding

John laughs awkwardly. The guards begin too.

SIR JOHN

I will have your heads.

LEXI

Oh don't be such a bird 'bout it. People loose

The guards take Sir John away kicking and scream. John closes the door.

JOHN

Thanks

LEXI

I did kiss the right one yeah?

JOHN

You couldn't tell the difference

LEXI

Nope. Let's find them keys

INT. THE BIRDS - BAR

Shotgun sits craddling himself in a corner

PISTOL

What the hell you'd do to him?

ARIA

Time to leave

TEQUILA

What do you mean sky's on fire?

ARIA

If I where you I'd leave this universe

ADDEN

What you talking bout lady

ARIA

Find a place to hide. I need to go

Aria runs out of the bar.

INT. SIR JOHN'S ESTATE - HALLWAY

The guards carry Sir John down the hall.

SIR JOHN

Use your brains

GUARD

Come on bird die with some dignity

As they pass a door labeled STAFF ROOM it begins to glow. Both the guards drop dead. Stabbed in the neck. Sir John quickly takes a knee, facing away from the murderer. Mechanical marching echos throw the halls.

SIR JOHN

Sir

MURDERER

(o.s)

I would hurry

Sir John stands up, and runs as fast as he can.

OFFICE

Lexi pulls open drawers as fast as she can. John looks through each one. He finds a pair of keys

JOHN

These

Lexi takes a look

LEXI

Nope

There's a knock on the door. John and Lexi look at each other. Lexi shrugs.

JOHN

Come in

The door opens.

SIR JOHN

Hello again

JOHN

Wow your guards suck

SIR JOHN

I'll be needing new ones anyways

LEXI

I'm taking your ship and I'm leaving

Sir John flicks a switch. The room shacks and begins to float away. Sir John closes the door.

SIR JOHN

I'd want nothing more.

LEXI

You made your office ya ship

SIR JOHN

More convenient that way. Now if you excuse me.

Sir John walks to his desk.

JOHN

What are you doing?

SIR JOHN

Watching the sky burn. The air up here is barley even air anymore. Plenty of junk to catch a flame.

JOHN

Why the hell would you do that?

SIR JOHN

My hands are tied John

LEXI

Who you lettin' captain ya?

The door begins to glow. Slowly and loudly it opens. Lexi's father, CAPTAIN MONTGOMERY, walks out. Looking exactly like his photo.

LEXI

(about to cry)

Dad?

Montgomery's hands are drenched in blood. His voice is the voice of the MURDERER.

MONTGOMERY

Honey

LEXI

Where'd you go?

MONTGOMERY

I saw the world for what it really is.

The ship makes it too the outside

MONTGOMERY

Worthless

Sir John goes presses a button underneath his desk. John without thinking grabs Sir John and pulls him away from the desk.

SIR JOHN

Unhand me

OUTSIDE

Aria runs towards a skyscraper, almost perfectly standing. Attached to the fifth floor of the building by a metal clamp is a canister of methane. Easily lite.

ARIA

S**t

Aria climes the scaffolding all the way up and reaches out for the canister. She just barley reach. Lite alone pull it out.

Adden, and Tequila round the corner too meet her.

TEQUILA

What's going on lady?

ARIA

Someones trying to drop these tanks. Try to catch the air on fire

ADDEN

What?

Pistol chases after them.

PISTOL

(to aria)

There's no point. They're all over the city

(to adden and tequila)

We just need to find a place underground, wait it out.

Aria runs back down the scaffolding.

ARIA

Doesn't matter. A fireball big enough to cover the world would fry the ground like an oven.

TEQUILA

Then what do we do

ARIA

Follow me, we need to stop these from getting set off in the first place.

PISTOL

I know where. Back to Sir John's estate. Just let me find shotgun

ARIA

There's not enough time

OFFICE/ SKYSHIP

The ships made it to the surface. You can see the smog through the window as it slowly rises.

Lexi stands there in shock.

LEXI

The world ain't pointless. You said yourself

MONTGOMERY

That was a long time ago dear. There are millions of world, millions of here but ever so slightly different. It has too stop.

LEXI

Why?

Sir John still squirms in Johns grasp. Sir John backs up and smashes John against the wall. John lets go.

JOHN

(call out)

Lexi!

Lexi's to stunned to react in time. By the time she starts running it's to late. Sir John makes it to his desk. The vanishes.

MONTGOMERY

I just thought of something much, much more fun.

JOHN

Not blowing everyone up?

MONTGOMERY

I know where Lyla is John.

JOHN

You want me to blow everyone up

MONTGOMERY

I can make sure you survive. It's not hard at all. I'll bring you right too her.

-LYLA SCREAM- John stands up and sits down at the desk.

MONTGOMERY

Now what are the odds you'll press that button to save here. In what would are you man enough to save you daughter, right here, right now.

OFFICE/ SKYSHIP

Aria jumps through the window over John, rolling to the ground beneath Montgomery's feet. Followed by Pistol, and Tequila. Adden attempts to make the jump but at this point the ship is too high and he falls off.

Aria isn't looking so good. She's been cut pretty badly.

ARIA

(to john)

Oh it's you again. Hows the posters coming along?

JOHN

This isn't really the best time

MONTGOMERY

I was warned of you. The traveler. The protector. The one they call Aria. I would leave before it's to late.

ARIA

So you're the one trying to blow everything up?

Montgomery smiles and puts his hands behind his back.

MONTGOMERY

Oh no, that's up to your friend here

-LYLA SCREAMS-

JOHN

Close the damn door

MONTGOMERY

As you wish

Montgomery closes the door. The glowing fades away.

ARIA

Don't do it John

JOHN

She's in pain

ARIA

It's a trick

JOHN

You said yourself you don't know.

ARIA

You can't destroy billions of universe. Billions of choices. It's not you.

MONTGOMERY

Wouldn't the destruction of billions of world make your life so much easier?

ARIA

That's not the point

Aria stands up slowly.

ARIA

(to John)

Are you really willing to become a murderer? Become him

(point at Montgomery)

MONTGOMERY

I try to help you and this is the thanks I get.

JOHN

She's in pain

ARIA

I wouldn't even bother trying to look for her if I wasn't a hundred percent positive. She's alive

JOHN

You looked?

TEQUILA

(trying to help)

She was lookin' for her. Honest. Asked me too help and all

John jumps over the desk.

JOHN

(to montgomery)

You wanna know the odds?

John walks over to Montgomery.

JOHN

Zero

John breaks Montgomery's nose. Montgomery barley flinches, whipping away some of the blood.

JOHN

Maybe in another universe, I wont aim for the nose

MONTGOMERY

You've disappointed me

In a flash of blue light Montgomery disappears, then just as quickly reappears by the desk.

MONTGOMERY

I hate doing thing's myself

Montgomery presses the button, then disappears for good. Outside of the window fireballs expand, shock waves shack the ship. Aria pulls out the keys and runs for the door. She uses the keys and the door glows. She pulls it open as quickly as possible and runs through. Tequila follows. John runs after.

LEXI

Well isn't that something

JOHN

(calls)

It's okay.

Promise

LEXI

(to pistol)

You comin' too

PISTOL

(looking out the window)

I'm stayin' here

LEXI

You'll die

PISTOL

He's all I cared about

LEXI

Don't be stupid bout it

PISTOL

Just leave me

Lexi looks out the window. The flames get closer.

LEXI

Alright then. No hard feelins

PISTOL

Good

Lexi runs through the door after John. The both make it just in time. The ship is engulfed in flame

THE SPACE BETWEEN

Light surrounds everything. Two doors sit not to far across from each other. Aria runs from one door to the other, eye's closed. The shard of glass vanished. Tequila follows. John stops the middle, and turns back to the door he ran through.

JOHN

(muffled)

It's okay. Promise.

He takes a few steps away from the door. His eye's are open. The light seems to hurt them a lot. Silhouetted in the distance is a GIRL no older then eight and a taller WOMAN holding hands

JOHN

(muffled)

Lyla

Lexi runs blindly through the door. Knocking John through the other door. A ball of flame follows there path from one to to the next. Like an invisible hallway blocks it from expanding.

EXT. ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - SUNSET

The rickety cabin door begins to glow. Aria runs out, falling to the ground. Followed by Tequila who trips over Aria. Half a second later Lexi and John barrow through the door; following on top of the pile. A ball of flame bursts out then dies. The door slams shut

TEQUILA

I never wanna see any of you people ever again.

ARIA

Fair enough. Can you get off of me now?

John and Lexi stand up. Followed by Tequila. Lexi looks at the sunset.

TEQUILA

Have fun, wherever it is ya goin'

LEXI

Good luck to ya

Tequila walks off towards the cabin. Lexi turns her attencion to the sun, her eye widen.

LEXI

That's the sun yeah?

JOHN

You act like you've never seen it before

LEXI

(shakes head)

I've seen it as often as dirt smiles

Aria looks at the sunset.

ARIA

It's nothing special

LEXI

I wouldn't mind coming with ya you know. Gots nothing better to do

JOHN

Sounds good to me. What about you, Aria?

ARIA

You're not supposed to know that

JOHN

Better then calling you lady

ARIA

Debatable

JOHN

Did you really go looking? For Lyla

ARIA

You where being annoying. I had nothing better to do

JOHN

Well thanks anyways

LEXI

I think I'm gonna go, be alone for a bit

Lexi gets up and walks away.

JOHN

There's more then one door

ARIA

About time you saw that

Aria sits up

JOHN

There where people there. In the light.

ARIA

Yeah, there probably was

JOHN

Is that where Lyla is?

Aria shrugs. The sun sets.