9
Written by
Pamela Pettler
Short story by
Shane Acker
SEQ. 05 - PROLOGUE
The Focus Features logo appears on screen and we slide INTO
the "O" in Focus.
Stock dissolves from 35mm to 16mm. BLACK & WHITE. GRAINY,
like OLD DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE.
SCIENTIST'S VOICE
Experiment 208, day 20...
INT. SCIENTIST'S LAB - DAY
We see an early incarnation of a MACHINE (this will be the
inner brain of the FABRICATION MACHINE). We see the
scientist, in a white coat.
We pull back to see the Scientist is playing a complicated
MULTI-LEVEL 3-D chess game on a MULTI-LEVEL GAME BOARD with
the MACHINE. The Scientist makes an elaborate multi-level
move. The Machine reaches an arm out into the chess game but
then malfunctions and strews the game everywhere.
We pull back further to see the back and legs of the
DICTATOR, with black-uniformed soldiers flanking him. The
regime's emblem can be seen on the uniforms.
DICTATOR
Useless.
SCIENTIST
Please. Give it a chance.
We're on the machine, which is clicking and jerking as it
malfunctions.
DICTATOR (V.O.)
One more. That's all.
We turns to leave. We hear the clicking of boots as the
soldiers accompany him out.
We see the scientist's dejected face as he comes towards the
camera to turn it off.
CUT TO:
BLACK
2.
INT. SCIENTIST'S LAB - NIGHT
The grainy footage rolls again; we see the scientist moving
away from the camera (having just turned it on).
The lab is shadowy, late at night. We see his worktable for
the first time, covered with discarded sketches, a furiously
filled-in journal, and pieces of failed machinery (the floor
is also similarly littered). The TALISMAN sits on the
worktable. Nearby is a small old-fashioned tiny little box.
SCIENTIST
(tired, but dictating to
keep the documentary
record complete)
My last possible solution....
(muttering to himself)
It must work...
He gently brushes his fingers over the little box as though
for good luck. He picks the TALISMAN up off the table. He
moves over to insert the talisman into the port of the
machine.
His back to us, he faces the machine. We see him putting
something over his face (but only from behind).
There is a sudden FLASH OF GREEN LIGHT and the machine JOLTS,
and then suddenly, starts up...lighting up, electricity
crackling, parts moving in smooth coordination, etc.
The scientist waits, watching. The machine continues to run.
Its arms move smoothly, almost curiously.
The scientist puts the device covering his face down and gets
up and comes towards camera.
We see the camera's POV as the scientist comes towards us:
CLOSE on the scientist's face, which is exhausted, cheeks
sunken, eyes wide, pupils dilated.
Pull back to show the machine purring, suddenly full of a new
sort of energy. Something new has happened.
The scientist switches off the camera and:
CUT TO:
3.
INT. SCIENTIST'S LAB - A DAY LATER
The machine zips through the complex 3-D chess game at
lightning speed, checkmating the scientist in seconds as the
Dictator watches.
The scientist laughs fondly and pats the machine.
DICTATOR
Perfect.
SCIENTIST
(PROUDLY)
You see, it evolves.
The scientist proudly gives the machine to the dictator. A
flash goes off: someone is taking a picture O.S.
The dictator exits; we hear the click of boots and see as
much as possible of the soldiers flanking him.
OUT OF SIGHT OF THE SCIENTIST,
CLOSE on the machine: the dictator is gripping it with a
nasty firmness. The machine seems to try to squirm away.
The director's BLACK-GLOVED HAND grasps it harder.
he machine, responding to the brutality, lashes an arm out
and grabs the nearest soldier (seen from the back, we see
only the uniform and helmeted head) by the back of his arm,
BREAKING his ARM. The soldier falls (if possible).
he dictator CONTINUES ON WITHOUT BREAKING STRIDE.
DICTATOR
CHILLINGLY)
Yes. Perfect.
And we:
DISSOLVE TO:
SEQ. 010 - Title Sequence
IN BLACK:
TITLE CARD #1
4.
RADIO (V.O.)
(robotic sounding)
Alert. We are in a state of
emergency...
Sounds of WAR: EXPLOSIONS, MACHINE GUNS, SCREAMS...
FADE UP INTO:
INT. SCIENTIST'S WORKSHOP - DAY
A tiny, cluttered attic, filled with bits and pieces of found
material--burlap, door hinges, an old shoe, old eyeglasses,
rusty scissors, pen nibs, gas masks etc. We see the tiny
little box sitting on the cluttered makeshift worktable.
TITLE CARD #2
RADIO (V.O.)
...the Machines have become
uncontrollable... they are shooting
at will... ALERT: stay in your
homes.
Grainy footage as we see the scientist looking around
desperately--he's obviously in hiding.
SCIENTIST
(HEARTBROKEN)
My invention... my beauty... beauty
was taken...
He is feverishly cobbling together a SMALL BURLAP DOLL.
He labels the burlap doll on its back: "1." He makes frantic
notes in a journal. He brushes his fingers over the little
box for good luck, then moves towards a strange contraption
on the table.
LASHES and EXPLOSIONS shake the workshop horribly.
ITLE CARD #3
RADIO (V.O.)
Reports are coming in... they've
breached the Northern walls of the
city...
The radio voice is DROWNED OUT BY EXPLOSIONS. D
ISSOLVE TO:
5.
TITLE CARD #4
INT. SCIENTIST'S LAB - ANOTHER DAY
RADIO (V.O.)
An announcement from our
Chancellor!
DICTATOR'S VOICE
(on the radio)
Comrades, I have lost control. The
Machine is now our enemy. We need
to join forces to fight against it.
We hear EXPLOSIONS and SCREAMS outside.
We see the scientist cobbling together another SMALL BURLAP
DOLL, a little more evolved.
He labels it "5," then makes notes in a journal.
TITLE CARD #5
SCIENTIST
his voice a mere whisper
NOW)
Five so far....I can't get them
right...
ISSOLVE TO:
TITLE CARD #6
INT. SCIENTIST'S LAB - ANOTHER DAY
RADIO (V.O.)
(through static)
Gas masks are being distributed...
ALERT: beware....
We see the scientist desperately grabbing bits and scraps for
one last doll. He is like a skeleton, almost no energy left.
ADIO (V.O.) (cont'd)
...deadly gas....
he radio voice dies out. We hear nothing but STATIC.
ITLE CARD #7
H
H
C
(
6.
The scientist totters over, makes a note in his journal. He
clutches the little box, and suspends this last doll with a
rope in a strange contraption.
SCIENTIST
a feeble whisper)
My last one... this one, finally,
must work... it must....
TITLE CARD #8
The SOUND of the scientist collapsing to the floor.
DISSOLVE TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 020 - Attic
SEQ. 020 - INT. WORKSHOP - DAY
The thin strand of rope stretches... stretches... and
RAAAACK.
The rope SNAPS, and--
--a SMALL BURLAP FIGURE falls onto the table.
As he falls, he is yanked free from a large, circular
Machine.
e had been attached with the fraying rope and a long cable,
attached to him by the TALISMAN. The cable still dangles
from the Machine, but the force of his fall pulls the
Talisman off.
The little burlap figure pulls himself to his feet, shaking
his head. Falling free from the connecting cable has finally
awakened him.
e is made up of odd patchwork items: burlap, a thick zipper,
big round gas-mask eyes (which we recognize as what we saw
before, in the title sequence).
We pull around to see the number "9" painted on his back.
We pull back further to see...
9
H
T
R
H
S
"
7.
SEQ. 020 - INT. RUINED WORKSHOP - EERIE, INDETERMINATE
DAYLIGHT
.
..he is on the tabletop in the RUINS OF A SMALL ROOM.
Splintered BITS OF WALL jut up to the open sky. Rotted
FLOORBOARDS are BENT and WARPED. The room is full of years
of DUST and ROT. Dust hangs in the feeble rays of dirty
sunlight.
The table and floor are covered with the same kinds of scraps
and raw materials from which "9" is made: burlap, hinges,
bits of Machinery.
9" blinks and turns around, his head darting this way and
that, trying to make sense of his surroundings.
He walks over to the edge of the tabletop. He peers over, and
sees...
...the SCIENTIST LYING DEAD ON THE FLOOR.
lumped on the floor, we clearly see: the scientist's
skeletal hand is clutching a tiny box.
He hears a clattering sound and turns to see
A
loose window shutter. He goes over to the window.
e pushes opens the window to see--
SEQ. 020 - EXT. STREET - INDETERMINATE DAYLIGHT
...AN APOCALYPTIC WASTELAND.
usting machine carcasses, bombed-out ruins, and emptiness
stretch as far as he can see.
Terrible, life-ending destruction.
here is no other living being anywhere.
9 stares in disbelief and horror and fear. He can't make any
sense of it... or the room... or the endless miles of
lifeless wasteland stretching out in front of him.
e seems to be completely alone.
sees a glint of something, a possible sign of life. He
moves to go outside.
C
M
8.
He stops and is strangely drawn to the TALISMAN. He turns
and takes it, stowing it inside his zippered chest before he
heads out.
CUT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 029 - 9 Meets 2
SEQ. 029 - EXT. WASTELAND - DAY
9 moves warily in the dusty, grim light, along the deserted
RUINS of the outside streets. It is the remains of war.
Pulverized HULKS of BUILDINGS, torn-open suitcases, scattered
clothes, rusting cars and the grim debris of human
civilization surround him.
He sees a dead body slouched next to a suitcase in the front
seat of a car.
Banners hang on the buildings with a three prong symbol on
them.
achines lie deserted on the sides of roads.
Distracted by the spectacle, 9 stumbles and lands on a ragged
old flyer: REVOLT! He looks back at the War Machines and
Dictator flags. He sees a vandalized poster of what appears
to be a dictator/leader.
9 looks around him, trying to piece together what happened.
Suddenly there is a clanking sound in front of him.
9 sees a light flicker on in the shattered hulk of a war
Machine.
LOSE on 9 as the light crosses his face.
Scared, he ducks behind a huge piece of debris. 9 grabs a
piece of metal lying in front of him.
The shadow moves closer, 9 shakes nervously. The figure
emerges with spear in hand and 9 swings the weapon at him
with all his might.
9 hits him square in the chest. It is another ragdoll: 2. 2
is propelled backwards and falls to the ground on the debris
behind him. 9 quickly tries to hide.
2
A
9.
But 2 is looking at 9 with surprise. He struggles to get up,
2
speaking with urgency to 9.
(firmly, kindly, almost
eagerly; like trying to
soothe a wild animal)
Wait... I am a friend.
LT:
2 (CONT'D)
(GENTLY)
Friend... I am a friend.
9 now sees he has hit a ragdoll, similar to himself. He
hesitates, not sure what to make of this. 2 extends his
hand, calmly, eagerly. 9 hesitates again, then, still timid,
but showing a little bravery, drops his weapon and goes to
help 2 up.
We see that 2 is much older, much more decrepit, much more
primitively constructed: he is made from patchwork bits of
OLD LEATHER SHOES. A SHOELACE stitches up his front and is
tied in a bow at his neck. Bits of leather FRAY off him.
His feet are primitive small HINGES. Half of a pair of
eyeglasses, like an enormous MONOCLE, is attached to 2's hat.
9 helps straighten 2's monocle. 2 smiles at him. We see
that 2 is like a wise mentor, a kindly professor with a
contagious eagerness and imaginativeness.
2 peers eagerly at 9. He circles 9 and spots the number on
his back.
(CONT'D)
(eagerly, excited, like an
intrigued scholar)
Yes... yes... I always thought
there'd be one more.
He nods and smiles. He extends his hand to shake 9's hand.
While doing this, he takes 9's hand and studies it, nodding
with eager excitement. We see that 9's hand is more
sophisticated than 2's.
2 (CONT'D)
The details... how exciting.
(FASCINATED)
Carved wood... steel bolts...
molded copper...
H
9
2
10.
2 turns slightly, and 9 sees his number and tries to say it.
But no sound comes out of his mouth.
looks at him, nodding, again, the kind mentor. He's
interested, observing without judging; curious, kindly and
ready to help.
2 (CONT'D)
You can't speak.
With a friendly, disarming smile, he taps 9's zipper. 9
unzips himself and 2 peers in. 2 looks up, happy that he can
help.
2 (CONT'D)
Yes, yes...
2 looks around nervously and hurries over to his roller-skate
cart covered with detritus - odds and ends, a broken china
doll.
2 (CONT'D)
...come with me.
follows, looking around curiously.
2 finds the china doll.
2 (CONT'D)
Here!
As 2 rummages through the chest of the china doll 9 picks up
a bullet casing from 2's cart and starts tapping it. 2 turns
with the doll's voice box in his hand.
2 (CONT'D)
(sees 9 with the bullet;
whispers sharply)
No! Stop!
2 eases the bullet away from 9, then smiles gently at 9,
EXPLAINING:
2 (CONT'D)
(
QUIETLY)
Some things in this world are
better left where they lie.
e puts the bullet to one side and kneels, prying into 9's
chest. 2 begins to connect the doll's voice box.
A
9
11.
2 (CONT'D)
But if you know where to look,
these ruins are full of riches.
2 concentrates, a look of pleasure on his face as he twists a
few more wires. Static and unclear sound come out at first,
but as 2 tunes the voice further...
9
(as his voice is "tuned
in".. starting with pure
static, then slowly
moving into a voice)
Chhhhhhh.....chhhhehhhh...
2
Wait..
(tunes him in)
...almost there...
9 gets a little panicky look on his face at the strange
sounds coming out of him. 2 puts a calm hand on his
shoulder. 9 calms down and tries again.
9
Friend? Friend?
2
(BEAMING)
Friend.
9
(more and more normal
SOUNDING)
Are we alone?
2
(REASSURING)
No. There are others.
and 2 stare at each other. 9 looks at 2 in wonderment,
then reaches out and touches 2's chest where he hit it.
2 beams at 9, happy 9 can speak, happy he was able to help,
and happy that 9, with his first words, is concerned about
others.
glow beams from within 9's chest. 2 stares. 9 removes the
TALISMAN from his chest.
2 has a big reaction--he draws his breath in and looks at it
in ASTONISHMENT.
9
2
I
9
.
T
(
2
12.
He takes it and looks at it. He gives 9 a look of surprise.
(CONT'D)
But how strange....
muttering to himself as
he turns the Talisman in
his hands)
Yes, he was always drawing this...
exactly like this... how strange...
hey both stare at the TALISMAN.
Suddenly, a is heard OFFSCREEN. 2 looks up IN
HORROR. He grabs his spear. He pushes 9 away almost
fiercely.
ALT:
2 (CONT'D)
(firmly, to 9)
GO!
..........................................................
SEQ. 030 - Cat Beast Attacks
SEQ. 030 - EXT. WASTELAND - DAY
2 points forcefully to an old rusted can.
2 runs into the can.
stands, ready to attack.
9 watches 2, wondering what is coming. Then from behind him,
a large claw of a mechanical figure settles softly next to
9's can. He tries to call out to 2...
And from behind 2 enters--
A HIDEOUS CAT BEAST.
t is a nail and razor-studded predatory Machine with a cat
skull-shaped head, its body laced with bones, nails and
razors. 9 now understands 2 was trying to protect him.
GASPS as he turns and sees it. The Cat Beast lets out a
roar and claws at 2, KNOCKING him over and losing his spear.
looks on with horror.
9
H
T
9
13.
2 attempts to reach for his spear but the Beast holds him
down with its razor-sharp feet.
The Beast is attracted to the Talisman. It picks it up with
one of its jagged claws and looks at it quizzically.
cringes. His movement makes his hiding place teeter,
creaking.
he Cat Beast WHIRLS at the sound. Picking up 2's struggling
body, the Cat Beast stalks towards the noise, right up to 9's
hiding place, sniffing through its hollow nostrils. 9
cringes in terror. The Cat Beast probes with one of his
claws INTO the tin can. 9 recoils. The claws do not find
him and retreat. 9 is relieved.
A beat, then:
9 feels himself violently LIFTED UP and SMASHED.
We see the Cat Beast has picked up the entire tin can and is
smashing it to get at what's inside it. Failing, it hurls
the tin can aside.
9 is almost knocked out. Trying to stay conscious, he
struggles towards the entrance of the can.
is POV: through his haze and through the broken edges of the
opening to the can, he sees the Cat Beast GRAB the Talisman
and the struggling 2 in his sharp-toothed mouth, and
disappearing into the smoky mist.
9 can just make out, in the distance, the silhouettes of
THREE TALL SHAPES.
(MUTTERING)
The others...
CUT TO:
.............................................................
POV SPYGLASS - ELSEWHERE IN THE WASTELAND - LATER
POV SPYGLASS: the spyglass searches through the city and
comes across a lone staggering figure (9).
W
(
9
9
5
14.
Pull back to show the back of 5's head as he peers through
the spyglass, then pulls away so we can see into the spyglass
again. We zoom in through the spyglass to a
CLOSE SHOT on 9--
EXT. WASTELAND - CLOSE ON 9 - CONTINUOUS
9 staggers, weary, and collapses.
In the foreground, the feet of another ragdoll (5) step into
the shot.
CUT TO:
...........................................................
Seq. 040 - Meeting 5
SEQ. 040 - INT. 5'S WORKSHOP - DAY
5 is finishing sewing 9 up.
It's all right. You're safe now.
9
Where am I?
5
With us.
(MUTTERING)
Yes... he told me there were
others...
5
(suddenly, urgently)
Who?
(still dazed, trying to
REMEMBER)
He was older... Out there...
5
2. Out in the emptiness?
HORRIFIED)
Alone? Was he all right?
hen is he coming back?
I
1 W
1
5
1
(
T
9
15.
9 looks at him, the whole memory suddenly coming back to him
as though fresh.
HE--THE--
can't think of the right
WORD)
T
hing! It took him.
5 reacts with horror.
5
No... No! It can't be!
He turns away, grief-stricken.
(O.S.)
Keeping secrets from me, I see.
Another RAGDOLL pushes into the workroom. This is a bigger
ragdoll, the most primitive one we have seen. He has
primitive wooden hinges for feet. He is very frayed and
patched together. The number 1 is painted on his back.
and 9 whirl around. 5 CRINGES.
5
I... I was coming to tell you...
1 carries himself with authority. He wears a red cloak, and
a strange mother of pearl and wire hat bound together as an
almost papal-like headpiece, and carries a staff made from an
old gear, with a bell attached.
pulls at 9 with his staff, displaying the number on his
back.
1
hat's this?
turns and glares at 5 like a general glaring at a new
private, expecting an explanation for a misdeed. 5 cringes
back, obviously intimidated by 1.
5
... I found him.... in the
emptiness. He saw--
1 HOOKS 5 by the neck with his staff, cutting off his speech.
1
What? What were you doing out
there?
1
9
Y
1
16.
5
I saw him from the watchtower and I
thought...
ou'll lead The Beast straight back
to us! How many times have I told
you?
The Beast--that's what took 2! If
we hurry we could save him--
1
(CURTLY)
If the Beast took him, that's the
end of it.
9
But he was still alive--
5 turns with sudden hope to 9. 2 might still be alive?
1
No, we have RULES.
1 smashes his staff against the ground.
Immediately, a knife comes through the curtain revealing
another RAGDOLL: a large ragdoll, with the number "8" on his
arm.
(CONT'D)
(TO 8)
Our new guest seems confused.
(condescendingly, to 9)
Perhaps I can help you achieve some
clarity.
8 is very large, and designed for great strength. He is
almost as evolved in his design as 9, but his design favors
primarily brute force.
He has armored himself with curved pieces of tin and metal.
He carries the blade of a large kitchen knife, with a nail he
has attached for a handle. On his back he has slung another
knife--half of a scissors; the scissors handle loops up above
his head.
T
T
1
C
17.
1 leaves. 8 taps his knife in his hand and motions for 9 and
5 to follow. They follow.
UT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 050 - Clock Tower
SEQ. 050 - INT. CATHEDRAL - CONTINUOUS
They walk through the nave and plane up overhead.
5 taps 9 covertly.
5
(whispering, hopefully)
He was still alive? Really?
9
I think so--
8 looms forward threateningly.
8
Hmmmph!
5 quickly stops talking. 9, following his lead, stops
talking also.
The group gets into a bucket-like device. 8 pushes 9 hard
into the bucket.
NODS commandingly to 8. 8 begins to crank a rope that
lifts them up. 5 gestures to 9 to hold on.
9
braces himself as 8 pulls them up into a tall tower. He
steals a glance at 1. 1 frowns. 9 tries to smile.
hey pass an old plane outside that has crash-landed in to
the Cathedral.
On the side wall is a round, multi-colored stained glass
window. Shafts of different colored sunlight flicker
through.
he bucket moves past two large church bells into--
...the inside of a CLOCK TOWER of a once-magnificent
Cathedral. We see the BACK of the CLOCK, the light casting
shadows of the backward numbers onto the floor.
T
7
1
1
18.
1 gestures out towards the outside and addresses 9:
When we woke in this world....
Camera drifts up to the clock... WIPE to WHITE...
...........................................................
SEQ. 053 - War Flashback
ENTER FLASHBACK: as we see the chaotic inferno of
war.
(V.O.) (cont'd)
...it was chaos... Man and Machine
attacked each other with fire and
metal... The earth split and the
skies burned...
Ragdolls 2, 5, 6, 8, and 1 hide under an old helmet,
frantically trying to escape the explosions BURSTING around
them. 7 appears with 3 and 4. We get the sense that 7 is
the reckless one, the only one determined to SCOUT AROUND and
see what's out there.
(TO 1)
I found others...
They are welcomed in by the other dolls. They turn to 1, who
is clearly the leader, to see what to do next. 1 decides: he
points forward, and they all run a few feet while underneath
the helmet.
A plane crashes in the background, causing 5 to fall behind
(he has both eyes).
hrough a dirty MIST we see War Machines enter with their
weapons.
A RESISTANCE FIGHTER throws a Molotov cocktail at one of the
Machines. It turns and SHOOTS a round of gunfire.
A MUSTARD GAS BOMB is launched from the top of the Machine.
It heads straight at 5 but he runs and gets KNOCKED to the
ground, barely missing it.
T
he bomb lets out a yellow CLOUD that envelops the area and
KILLS PLANTS ON CONTACT.
7 turns and sees 5 lying face-down on the ground. 1 urges
her to stay with the others.
E
1
7
19.
But, again, brave and slightly reckless, she runs through the
yellow cloud to help him. She brings him back to the group.
His left eye is damaged. The others cower. 2, the gentle
mentor of the group, puts a comforting hand on 5's damaged
eye. 7, always the scout, brave and fearless, points off to
the right, and addresses 1. She knows what's out there;
she's seen it.
7 (CONT'D)
(TO 1)
There's a path ahead--
1 looks around calculatingly, like Patton: the general taking
charge. He thinks, judiciously, then:
1
(TO 7)
Go ahead.
nods and darts off. 1 turns to the others, who wait for
their instructions.
1 (CONT'D)
(to the others)
Follow me.
They hurry off, increasingly enveloped by the YELLOW CLOUD.
The yellow CLOUD TRANSITIONS into STEAM...
(V.O.) (cont'd)
The gas killed everything.
ND FLASHBACK.
...........................................................
SEQ. 057 - 9 Meets 6
SEQ. 057 - INT. CATHEDRAL/CLOCKTOWER - CONTINUOUS
The steam is rising from the small thurible in the CLOCK
TOWER.
1 (V.O.)
I led us here...
1 is now standing at the thurible with a torch in his hand.
1 (V.O.) (cont'd)
...to sanctuary. And here we
waited for the war to end.
9
T
9
9
T
1
20.
He puts his hand around 9's shoulders and walks him over to
the other side of the room.
(CONT'D)
Slowly, the world became silent.
1 and 9 walk over to a picture of the Cat Beast hanging on
the wall.
1 (CONT'D)
The only thing that remains now is
the Beast.
1 faces 9 as the torch slowly fades.
1 (CONT'D)
So we stay hidden and we wait for
it, too, to sleep.
he torch burns out. 9 looks at 1.
But where did it come from? Why is
it hunting us?
1
Questions like that are pointless.
We need to protect ourselves. Keep
ourselves out of danger.
But one of us is in trouble... he
could still be rescued...
1
turns and walks to a tattered calendar page on the wall
with the days 3, 4, and 7 crossed off.
1
oo many of us have already been
lost.
1 crosses 2's number off the calendar with the burnt end of
his torch.
No! You're not listening. He may
still be alive! Why won't you try
to save him? Why won't you--
1 angrily SMACKS HIS STAFF ON THE FLOOR.
5
O
(
21.
1
Enough! Enough of this madness!
(to 5, annoyed)
Go to the watch tower and take our
guest with you.
5 meekly immediately obeys, gesturing to 9 to follow him.
We hear a strange WHISPERING SOUND, and CAMERA, instead of
following 5 and 9, stays behind and moves in on a shadowy
little area. There, we see 6. 6 is ink-stained and has a
strange quality, as though he sees and hears things inside
his head that only he experiences. He has a SMALL SKELETON
KEY around his neck, and his fingers are made of PEN NIBS.
He is drawing on a piece of paper and WHISPERING TO HIMSELF.
6
muttering, whispering)
The source.... The source...
We see he is drawing the TALISMAN. In fact his whole area is
covered with drawings of the TALISMAN.
CUT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 060 - Telescope
SEQ. 060 - EXT. WASTELAND - DAY
FVERHEAD SHOT - THE CATHEDRAL
rom a high angle we see the nave of the Cathedral. It has
been bombed and attacked, and there is a plane intersecting
through the side.
The Camera moves to the left and what seems like a prow of a
boat comes into frame. We find ourselves in...
SEQ. 060 - INT. WATCHTOWER - DAY
2 had created a sort of LOOKOUT. A rickety, jury-rigged
spyglass points out of a hole in the wall. A half-drawn map
is pinned up next to the spyglass. Everything is pieced
together from the sorts of bits and pieces we saw 2
scavenging. Around the space, we also see more bits and
pieces that 2 has found out in the wilderness.
sighs sadly. He touches the spyglass sadly.
9
(
5
9
5
(
22.
5
This was the first thing we built
together.
looking around at the
map, bits and pieces,
etc.)
All his work... trying to make
sense of everything.
He looks out into the wilderness.
5 (CONT'D)
Is he out there? Is he still
alive?
9
Yes. He could be.
looks out in fear. We see the conflict on his face: fear
of going out there but a desperate longing to see his old
friend again.
(CONT'D)
(conspiratorially; looking
around to make sure
they're not being spied
ON)
We could go after him.
(shocked; and amazed, this
is impossible)
Us?
9
No one else will.
imploring him)
We MUST go.
5 is silent, afraid.
9 looks through the spyglass.
POV spyglass: the THREE TALL SHAPES in the distance.
(CONT'D)
Look. That's where the creature
took him. Out towards those three
tall shapes.
5
9
5
(
9
9
23.
5
(HORRIFIED)
Ohhhh... no... we can't... not
there. We need to stay here.
(as though repeating
something he's heard from
1)
We have rules.
looks at him. He recognizes 1's words.
QUIETLY)
Why do you listen to 1?
5 looks at 9.
(repeating what he's been
indoctrinated with)
A group must have a leader.
9
looks at him for a beat.
9
(GENTLY)
But what if the leader is wrong?
5 looks a little shocked. He never thought of this. We see
in 5's face that he is considering 9's question, but he still
can't bring himself to disobey 1.
5 hesitates again. 9 sees he is having an effect on 5.
(CONT'D)
(suddenly, firmly)
I'm going. I'm going to look for
him.
He turns to 5.
9 (CONT'D)
(COAXING)
Come with me. I can't do it alone.
is terribly torn. He wants to, but he's never done
anything like this before. He's always done as he's told.
He hesitates:
5
(HESITATING)
I... I...
(MORE)
9
24.
(he can't odo 'd) he can't
5(c nt it,
DEFY 1)
I can't.
9 looks directly into his eyes. He knows how 5 loved and
admired his mentor and everything he did. He understands
that 5 would like to be like 2, to do what 2 would have done.
(GENTLY)
But wouldn't he have come for you?
9 waits, hopefully. But 5 looks away. He wants to do it,
but he doesn't have the nerve. 9 nods, compassionately. He
turns away. 5 hesitates, looking down, then:
5
(more determined)
Wait!
5 grabs the map off the wall and rolls it up. He walks
towards 9.
5 (CONT'D)
You're going to need a map.
9 and 5 smile at each other.
CUT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 070 - Wasteland
SEQ. 070 - EXT. CATHEDRAL -- DAY
9 and 5 look behind them at the Cathedral as they start to
make their journey to find 2.
CUT TO:
SEQ. 070 - EXT. WASTELAND -- DAY
5 and 9 pick their way through the rubble. They have
traveled miles from the Cathedral. Mist swirls in front of
them, obscuring their path.
5
and 9 look around constantly, on the alert for the Cat
Beast. Piles of rusted, broken metal machines, broken
skeletal bones, exploded vehicles tipped into craters, and
crumbling, disintegrating buildings surround them.
5
9
H
5
T
9
25.
9 looks up and 5 follows his gaze to 2's STAFF stuck in a
pile of rubble atop a hill.
5
5 hurries up the hill. 9 follows him. 5 turns to FIND 2's
hat lying in the dirt. He bends down to pick it up, brushing
the dust off the top. 5 looks sadly at 2's broken hat.
(QUIETLY)
You looked out for him?
5
(SIMPLY)
He looked out for me. He taught
me.
he spoon-light falls off. 5's face is filled with grief.
(CONT'D)
Why was he out here alone?
He slumps. 9 puts his hand on 5's shoulder, reassuring him.
9
We can still find him.
e stands up, determinedly. 5 hesitates, but then, his face
filling with hope, gets up too. 5 puts 2's hat on his
quiver. 9 offers 2's staff to 5 but 5 gestures to 9 for him
to hold it.
They continue on, through the debris and devastation. A
storm is starting to come up. The wind howls loudly.
5
(BITTERLY)
Why was he out here alone?
A good question.
(RUEFULLY)
Yes. The ones we're not supposed
to ask.
They exchange a look. This is the first time 5 has said
something to actually challenge 1's rules. 9 notices this
and nods.
H
5
9
5
W
26.
The wind howls louder. 5 looks at his map uncertainly and
tries to keep leading them forward.
They come to a field full of trip mines and dangerous tank
trap pits. A parachute blows in the wind on a tree branch.
5 turns the map one way and the other with growing panic.
9
here are we?
5
(MISERABLY)
I don't know...
As he turns the map to look at it, the wind picks up and
blows the map out of 5's hands. It blows away into the
distance and gets stuck on a pole.
5 reaches after it desperately but can't retrieve it. He
looks in despair at 9.
(CONT'D)
It's no use. We should go back!
We can't.
9 looks around bravely, then points over towards a trench.
9 (CONT'D)
There.
They head over to the trench. They now see a huge FOOTPRINT
OF THE BEAST.
They inspect the footprints. 9 moves bravely towards the
trench entrance. 5 resists, afraid.
No... it's too dark.
9 looks around.
9
We can use that.
e points to a lightbulb in a broken headlight.
...........................................................
SEQ. 075 - Trench
9
5
27.
SEQ. 075 - EXT. TRENCH - CONTINUOUS
9 is pointing to the lightbulb.
can't help himself. He pulls the lightbulb out, pulls out
a battery and electrical wire from his chest, winds the wire
around the battery and places it inside the hat.
They screw the lightbulb and it LIGHTS UP. 5 can't help
9
smiling at 9.
unwinds the wire holding the blade on 2's staff. He places
2's hat on the end of 2's staff and secures it with the
blade. 5 nods, intrigued.
5
Yes... yes... good....
He sees that 9 now has made a LIGHTSTAFF. He blurts out:
5 (CONT'D)
2 will be so impressed!
A terrible grief suddenly comes over him as he remembers what
has happened to 2.
puts his hand on 5's shoulder, bracing him.
9
(FIRMLY)
Yes. He will.
9 is conveying with his simple words that he believes 2 IS
still alive and he WILL be impressed when he sees the
lightstaff.
9 shines the light to gesture "this way."
5 smiles tremulously at 9, almost more grateful for his
sympathy and support than necessarily believing him. He
follows 9 to the mouth of the trench.
The camera pans over to reveal catlike scratchmarks on a side
wall indicating this is the same trench we saw the Cat Beast
travel through earlier.
5 recoils, but 9 puts a calming hand on him again, then puts
both hands on the lightstaff and enters the trench. 5 takes
a deep breath and follows.
9
.
T
A
28.
SEQ. 075 - INT. TRENCH - LATER
9 and 5 continue down the trench, both looking around with
great caution and nervousness.
s they come around a corner they see--
The CAT BEAST.
9 AND 5
5 springs into action shooting his weapon at the Beast. 9
shines his light up to see... an old hanging gas mask.
hey look at each other and LAUGH as they continue down the
trench.
9 AND 5 (cont'd)
The mask DROPS behind them and they SCREAM and run away.
9 AND 5 (cont'd)
CUT TO:
A SHADOW (WITH A BIRD SKULL HEAD) AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE
TRENCH
Someone is watching them.
.......................................................
SEQ. 075 - INT. CLIMBING UP A "HILL" OF SAND BAGS - LATER
5 and 9 climb up a hill of sand bags..
They come around a corner.
5
(DISCOURAGED)
We've been here before... it's no
use.
steps over and pushes some debris aside. Suddenly they can
see they are right next to....
.
T
T
L
C
29.
THREE ENORMOUS SMOKESTACKS
UT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 080 - The Factory
The FACTORY: A enormous, destroyed old stone building, its
caved-in ceiling revealing huge boilers, scarred old metal
walkways and catwalks dangling, dust-covered rotting turbines
exposed to the elements.
SEQ. 080 - INT. FACTORY - CONTINUOUS
They creep into the enormous hulk of a building.
In the center of the building are the splintered vestiges of
an enormous
A
SSEMBLY LINE
Enormous metal arms lie motionless. Huge steel hooks tower
over the belt, with sharp-edged pieces of Machinery dangling
from them.
They look around in horror.
arge pieces of Machinery, pipes, and ducts dangle from the
ceilings. Layers of dust cover everything like eerie
blankets. Bundles of wires lie ripped from their moorings.
ools and shards of glass and metal are strewn around the
floor, twisted into strange melted shapes.
hey walk through lines of large missiles lined up in rows.
5 (CONT'D)
(WHISPERING)
Why would it bring him here?
They slide down a duct and land in a pile of debris. They
now see 2, imprisoned in an old birdcage. In the b.g., the
CAT BEAST lurks, next to a pile of what seems like debris and
broken machinery. The talisman is on the floor next to the
Cat Beast. The Cat Beast seems to be looking for something
in the debris. The Cat Beast's back is to us.
..........................................................
5
A
30.
SEQ. 081 - Factory Chase
SEQ. 081 - INT. FACTORY - CONTINUOUS
9 and 5 hurry forward towards 2.
They find 2, seemingly lifeless.
5 (CONT'D)
(deep regret)
I shouldn't have waited...
9 stands compassionately, respecting 5's grief. 5 pats 2's
shoulder.
t the pat, 2 blinks 2
awake.
(WHISPERS)
I knew you would come...
5
I thought--
2
(cutting him off)
Shhh...
He motions towards the Beast.
5 and 9 try to pry the bars open. 2 tries to help. They
just manage to pry the bars open and get 2 out when--
Suddenly a light SHINES above them. They look up and see --
The Cat Beast beaming his light from his eye. It GROWLS.
The three dolls run away frantically. The Cat Beast chases
after them.
9 gets cornered but swipes the Beast and manages to escape.
9 jumps a heap of debris but stumbles. 5 and 2 pull him up
to higher ground.
shoots his crossbow at the Cat Beast, shattering his eye.
2 manages to hide in a tube.
9 and 5 run away but get stuck at the end of a table.
The Cat Beast slashes his claw at them.
T
S
7 2
S
T
31.
They climb onto another piece of debris, only to encounter
the Cat Beast, now in front of them.
he Cat Beast slashes a claw out and knocks them over. The
Cat Beast moves closer and closer. They are doomed.
uddenly there is a strange rhythmic moaning sound. The Cat
Beast turns, distracted.
We pan over and see a mysterious creature that seems to be
half ragdoll, half bird, with a bird-skull head swinging a
weapon over its head. THIS IS 7. 7 releases the weapon--a
strap of leather with weighted shot at either end. The
weapon flies through the air with a low whooshing sound and
strikes the Cat Beast, entangling it.
7, 5, and 9 now charge the Cat Beast. 5 shoots his crossbow,
entangling the Beast's paw and hobbling it. 9 and 2 both
LURE THE CAT BEAST IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, deliberately
goading and further causing it to become entangled in the
machinery. 7 now leaps up over the Beast and brings the
full weight of her spear down on the Cat Beast's neck. The
head of the Beast comes off and lands at their feet.
7
now pulls off her bird-skull helmet.
5
!
You weren't lost--
5
You've come back!
7
I never left. YOU finally decided
to join the fight.
he hands 5's map back to him.
9 comes over with her shield (lost during the fight). 7
looks 9 over.
7 (CONT'D)
I think I know why.
They move towards her but she turns and looks at 9. 2 and 5
nod proudly towards 9. 7 nods.
hey all look at the fallen Cat Beast.
2 is poking at it:
.
N
9
9
32.
2
Rusty... hacked together... shoddy
pile of scrap.
They all turn to leave. 5 and 7 support 2 on either side of
him, helping 2 along. 9 hangs back to look at the machine
again, and suddenly sees the TALISMAN, lying on the floor.
5, 7, and 2 have continued on without him and do not see him
as he picks it up.
looks at the strange object with ENORMOUS CURIOSITY. He
turns it and see the RUNES on the side of it. He turns and
inspects it closely. He turns and discovers, on the
machine, a PORT with the SAME RUNES.
(blurting out)
Look!
The others now turn to see him. They see him holding the
talisman close to the machine's port... about to
experimentally put the talisman INTO the port.
2
No! Stop! NO!
2 tries to break free and stagger towards him but it is too
late. 9 puts the talisman into the port.
othing happens for a moment.
Then suddenly, horribly, the ground begins to SHAKE.
..........................................................
SEQ. 082 - Fabrication Machine
SEQ. 082 - INT. FACTORY - CONTINUOUS
Suddenly the Cat Beast's dead body begins to SHIFT and
MOVE... There is a rumbling from beneath it as...
... a LARGE FORM rises up from under the debris.
ANGLE on the machine awakening: movement under the cloth, a
claw-like appendage rising from the rubble.
7
Quickly! Run! Get away!
A
A
A
2
33.
They try to climb to safer ground from the tumbling debris.
is thrown back and LANDS hard.
A mechanical ARM emerges and PINS 7, 9, and 5.
As dust and debris rain down, we see one hideous RED EYE
begin to come up.
s 2 tries to scramble to safety, the other three ragdolls,
pinned by the mechanical arm, stare in horror. We see that
the "pile of Machinery" has risen to reassemble into an
monstrous, towering FABRICATION MACHINE attached to the
ceiling of the building.
It is enormous, a spherical shape with a dozen folded
appendages, each with different fabrication tools at the end
of its long spindly robotic arms.
2 tries to crawl away but the Machine grabs him with his
robotic arm.
T
he Machine points the talisman towards 2 and it OPENS up to
a sparking green glow. 2 struggles in the Machine's claw but
the strange green energy SHOOTS directly into 2's mouth and
eyes, painfully his soul.
NGLE on 2 as his soul is being taken.
2 slumps over, his LIFELESS CARCASS smoking in the grip of
the Machine.
NGLE on the green glow as it PASSES into the machine. The
sound has drawn its attention. The Machine turns towards
them and grabs at them with its enormous claw. 9, 5, and 7
turn and flee.
The Fabrication Machine's arms chase after them. 5 shoots
his grappling hook onto a switch. 9 and 7 grab onto him.
Frantically working together, the three of them manage to
escape the Machine's horrifying arms. [ Important to make
sure the Machine is understood to be tethered to the
Factory.]
They see in the distance a pipe that leads out.
In the Machine's RED POV, they run into it just as the
Machine's arm is behind them but can't fit into the hole.
7
9
T
(
(
34.
...........................................................
Seq. 084 - Going to the library
SEQ. 084 - EXT. FABRICATION FACTORY - DAY
9, 5, AND 7
9, 5, and 7 escape out a long tube that leads out from the
factory and JUMP behind a small trench.
5
HEARTBROKEN)
My poor old friend...
7 puts a consoling hand on his shoulder.
7
(shaking her head)
I know.
turning on 9)
What? What on earth were you
thinking?
9
(just as devastated)
I didn't know... I'm sorry...
He stares in horror at the factory.
9 (CONT'D)
What WAS that? What is it doing?
hey are interrupted by a loud whirring sound from the
machinery inside the factory. They whirl around, then stare
at each other, horrified.
(CONT'D)
What will it do now?
5 shakes his head miserably.
7 looks at them.
Let's go.
9
(
C
35.
She strides off. 9 follows. 5 turns, grieving, towards the
factory, head bowed. He hesitates, then goes after 9 and 7.
UT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 090 - The twins
SEQ. 090 - EXT. LIBRARY - DAY
9, 5, and 7 enter into a building through a hole that has
been put in a side wall.
SEQ. 090 - INT. LIBRARY - DAY
They enter the ruins of an old library.
Giant stacks of random, tattered, stained books, globes, and
celestial devices tower over them. Dusty rays of light beam
down through broken glass skylights, casting filtered light
on shelves and shelves of old tomes, papers, and crumbling
artifacts.
9 stops to look at a beautiful painting, showing life and the
world before the apocalypse.
9
(whispering to himself)
So beautiful...
7 grabs the lightstaff from 9 and shines it towards a pile of
books. A glimmer of two sets of eyes appear and disappear.
7 holds her hand up, gesturing to 9 to hold still.
3
& 4 emerge from their globe. 5 smiles.
5
delighted, relieved)
They've been here? The whole time?
The twins venture out.
(SURPRISED)
Twins?
A
9
T
3
36.
7
(to 5 and 9, explaining)
They've been hiding here. Lost in
the past.
and 4 approach 9 with curiosity. They communicate by
beaming ideas to each other. They look at 9, sizing him up.
They beam their ideas to each other excitedly. 9 recoils. 7
puts a reassuring hand on 9.
7 (CONT'D)
(EXPLAINING)
They're cataloguing.
3 and 4 take 9's lightstaff. Their chattering and beaming
gets more intense as they take it and catalogue it, their
eyes clicking as if they're recording on film what they are
seeing.
7 stops them. She has an urgent look on her face.
7 (CONT'D)
We need you--we awakened something--
9 interrupts her to take full responsibility for the mistake.
9
I awakened something. In the
factory. Something terrible...
3 and 4 look at each other WITH HORROR. They begin to
chatter feverishly and with great distress.
hey beam an image of THE FABRICATION MACHINE on the wall.
5 and 9 lean forward, startled.
(CONT'D)
(recognizing it)
That's it!
7
What is it?
3 and 4 now show:
NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPH of the Scientist and the Machine
(which we recognize from before, in the prologue, when the
Scientist gave the machine to the Dictator and we saw the
FLASH of the flashbulb).
We now push into the photo to a CLOSE UP on the machine.
7
9
-
-
D
-
37.
Then dissolve into a NEWSREEL of the machine and see:
-the original machine being wired into the FABRICATION
MACHINE
-
-Dutch-angle shots of the Dictator, and we hear his SPEECH--
ICTATOR
...yes, we have entered a new
future, the age of the intelligent
machine. This remarkable invention
can adapt and evolve, creating new
machines, machines of
(a slight, chilling pause)
PEACE---
--shots of the Killing Machines, marching out as they're
FABRICATED--
DICTATOR (V.O.) (cont'd)
--that will usher in a new era of
PROSPERITY--
--shots of the Machines ATTACKING--
--A newspaper headline "HUNDREDS KILLED AT PEACE RALLY"
DICTATOR (V.O.) (cont'd)
--and brotherhood for our nation!
Now, terrible sounds of war:
--A newspaper headline "WAR DECLARED AFTER UNPROVOKED ATTACK
BY OUR ALLIES"
--STILL PHOTOS showing the war, the machines getting more and
more devious, chasing a mother and child down an alley, more
and more machines appearing.
-SHAKY, HAND-HELD AMATEUR footage showing the GAS KILLING
EVERYTHING. The footage ends with the camera sinking to the
ground as whoever is operating it is overcome by gas.
-ending on a STILL PHOTO that we pan across, showing TOTAL
DEVASTATION.
The ragdolls stare at it. 9 turns to them.
What have I done?
shakes her head sadly and impatiently. 5 suddenly turns to
9.
.
T
9
9
2
S
38.
5
(TO 9)
The thing! Show them.
9 quickly sketches out a drawing of the TALISMAN and shows it
to the twins.
3 and 4 chatter, trying to analyze and catalogue the drawing
of the Talisman. They shake their heads: they don't
recognize it.
eeing it as a drawing, 5 is startled.
5 (CONT'D)
Wait! 6... he always draws that.
used to keep the drawings... with
his notes....
9 looks at 5.
The drawings... would they still be
there? In 2's old workshop?
5
Yes.
(slightly embarrassed)
I saved everything.
hen we'll go back. Perhaps the
answer is there.
5 looks alarmed and looks over at 7. 7 shakes her head.
7
I think the answer is there.
She points out towards the factory and strides off,
dauntless, fine, and proud. The twins chatter unhappily,
beaming flickering lights to each other.
9 looks at 5. 5 nods and they set off in the other
direction.
CUT TO:
..........................................................
SEQ. 120 - Winged Beast creation
5
5
39.
SEQ. 120 - INT. FABRICATION FACTORY - SAME TIME
Inside the factory, a very quick shot of the Fabrication
Machine reaching its arms out and gathering things. It welds
metal pieces. It grabs an enormous black-and-red Dictator's
flag and rips it in half. [ We do not see yet what it is
creating.]
CUT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 130 - Confrontation
SEQ. 130 - INT. 2'S WORKSHOP - NIGHT
9 and 5 sneak into 2's workshop. A dirty moonlight filters
through the air. 9's light is off.
, familiar with the layout, locates 2's stash of 6's
drawings. The pages are dotted with 2's annotations and
drawings; he was obviously trying to figure out why 6 kept
imagining this object and what it meant.
and 9 bend over the drawings. They are unable to see
clearly in the murky darkness. 9 looks around warily, then
switches on his light.
The light now reveals 8 LOOMING IN THE SHADOWS.
8 SEIZES them and escorts them out.
SEQ. 130 - INT. CATHEDRAL/CLOCKTOWER - SAME TIME
1, sitting on his throne, glares in righteous anger as 5 and
9 stand in front of him.
148 148
1
You awakened what?
He gets onto his feet angrily. 6 hunches over one of his
sketches, muttering to himself.
149 149
1 (CONT'D)
You fools! I warned you!
8 is sharpening his knife on the side.
150 150
8
He warned you.
6
40.
151 151
1
Now you've put us all in
unimaginable peril. And, may I
ask, did you manage to save 2? Of
course not! By following this
witless folly, you've endangered
everything we work for!
152 152
9
Why was 2 sent out to begin with?
153 153
1
(DEFENSIVELY)
I sent him to scout.
153.5 153.5
9
That doesn't make any sense! You
don't send the oldest out to--
(trying to control
HIMSELF)
Look, we need to figure out what's
going on--
6 emerges from his shadowy corner and comes over to 9. He
has a drawing of the Talisman and seems to want to show it 9,
urgently.
(softly, trying to tell
him of something, but
unable to fully
articulate it)
The source... You must go back to
the source....
9
(turning to 6)
What? What is it? Where?
1 bangs his staff against the floor. 8 stands at attention.
1
Quiet!
(TO 9)
I won't allow you to endanger us
further.
(TO 8)
Subjugate them.
8 looks confused.
S
1
5 Y
9
41.
159 159
1 (CONT'D)
(TO 8)
Take their belongings!
8
grabs 6's drawing and lifts 5 from his crossbow and shakes
him up. 9 tries to stop him.
8 PUNCHES 9 out of the way, knocking him to the edge of the
floor. A knocked chess piece FALLS down the dark abyss below
them.
slowly gets up and addresses 1.
160 160
9
ou're nothing but a coward!
lets out a GASP. 8 heads towards 9 as he laughs and cracks
his knuckles menacingly. 1 cuts in.
161 161
1
(suspicious, angry)
How dare you challenge me! I, who
kept everyone safe all these years.
Ever since you got here everything
has been unraveling. You're a
curse. A fool guided by pointless
queries.
9 stands staunch.
62 162
9
(gritting teeth, angry,
determined; effort at end
as 9 pulls the staff out
of 1's hand)
A
nd you are a blind man guided by
fear.
6 holds onto the key around his neck, looking afraid.
163 163
6
The sky... the sky is breaking....
A shadow comes over them with a faint sound of something
outside. 1 starts to back away.
164 164
1
ometimes fear is the appropriate
response.
The WINGED BEAST tail crashes through the stained glass
window and breaks into the floor right next to 9.
42.
6 looks bewildered and doesn't move. 5 pulls him out of
danger.
6
(whispering, reflexively)
The source... the source...
5, 6, 8 and 9 huddle together. Suddenly the Winged Beast
comes crashing in the window behind them, knocking over the
thurible and splashing hot coals all over the floor.
CUT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 140 - Winged Beast Attacks
SEQ. 140 - INT. CATHEDRAL/CLOCKTOWER - CONTINUOUS
5, 6, 8 and 9 see the Winged Beast emerge from the smoke
pouring out of the upset thurible.
The Winged Beast SHRIEKS at them. It catches its foot on the
runner leading up to 1's empty throne. The hymnboard/
calendar topples away to reveal 1 hiding behind it. 1
instinctively clutches his staff causing the bell at the top
of the staff to RING and attracting the Winged Beast's
attention.
1
flees. 8 charges the Beast but it SCYTHES its wing towards
him and knocks 8 across the floor. 8 slides across the floor
to 1, who stands next to 6's picture of the Cat Beast.
1 pushed the picture of the Cat Beast away to reveal a HIDDEN
PASSAGEWAY. 1 runs away as 8 looks at the others for a brief
moment before also running away.
The Winged Beast turns its attention to 9, 5, and 6. The
ragdolls run for the bucket and bell-ropes, but 9 trips. The
Winged Beast advances towards him. 5 reaches out to 9. 9
gestures to him to continue without him.
As 9 recovers himself and makes a break for the bucket, 5
starts to lower the bucket down. Just as the Winged Beast is
about to catch up with him, 9 LEAPS down the shaft and lands
in the bucket with 5 and 6.
Angrily, the Beast lashes its harpoon tail down at them,
piercing the bottom of the bucket. The bucket rocks and 6 is
sent FLYING OUT but 5 CATCHES him in the nick of time.
9
43.
The Winged Beast starts reeling its harpoon tail in. Jerking
back and forth, the bucket ascends, drawing the ragdolls
closer and closer to the Beast.
9 spots a SMALL LEDGE next to a stained glass window.
He opens the side of the bucket and gestures that they should
jump.
The others hesitate, but then 9, 6, and 5 jump out of the
bucket onto a swinging rope, and onto the ledge. The Winged
Beast plummets down the shaft after them.
SEQ. 140 - EXT. CATHEDRAL/CLOCKTOWER - CONTINUOUS
The ragdolls squeeze through a small crack in the stained
glass emerging onto a ledge overlooking the Cathedral's roof.
9 sees 1 and 8 running across the roof and points to 5 and 6
to look down there. Down on the roof, 1 and 8 see 5, 6, and
9. 1 pushes past 8 and runs farther out, towards the front
of the Cathedral. 8 follows.
S
uddenly, the Winged Beast SMASHES through the glass behind
them. It struggles to get through the window but can't quite
fit.
6 is very vulnerable out there.
9 turns to 5.
9
Take him inside.
now climbs out on the gargoyle purposefully.
The Winged Beast FLIES UP into the air, circling lazily. 1
and 8, running on the top of the roof, are very exposed.
Hawklike, the Winged Beast sails towards them.
8 steps up to defend 1. He flips his salt-shaker helmet down
over his face as armor, pulls out his scissor knife and
stands his ground... waiting... waiting for the Winged Beast
to soar in closer...
And then, at the last possible moment, he HURLS his scissor
knife at the Winged Beast. It flies through the air and
catches in the Beast's propeller.
Knocked off balance, the Beast swoops down. 1 ducks out of
the way but it knocks 8 off his feet. 8 slides down the
sloped edge of the roof, towards GAPING HOLE.
.
S
44.
Just as 8 is about to fall into the hole, he catches on to
the edge. His other blade plummets through the hole as he
hangs, desperately... his grip SLIPPING...
9 catches up to where 1 is.
SEQ. 140 - INT. CATHEDRAL - SAME TIME
6 and 5 run down the banisters towards the crashed plane. 6
seems to pull 5 in a particular direction.
EQ. 140 - EXT. CATHEDRAL - CONTINUOUS
The Winged Beast circles around and sets its harpoon tail to
shoot. 1 squints into the sun as the Winged Beast, backlit,
swoops down towards them. He sees a glare come from the tin
roof. 9 gets an idea. He gestures to 1 to help him. 1
scowls, but has no alternative but to help him.
9 peels back a piece of the roof, with 1 helping him. The
ROOF'S
GLARE
beams right into the eyes of the Winged Beast, momentarily
blinding it.
T
he Beast flinches just as it FIRES its harpoon tail at them.
Blinded by the glare, it MISSES and almost hits 8.
The harpoon imbeds itself into a rafter inside the Cathedral.
..........................................................
SEQ. 145 - Wing
SEQ. 145 - EXT. CATHEDRAL/CLOCKTOWER - CONTINUOUS
8 falls onto and then slides down the harpoon's line,
swinging into the Cathedral and landing on the wing of the
airplane embedded in the side of the Cathedral, right next to
5 and 6. 8's weight on the harpoon's line has pulled it more
and more taut...
The Winged Beast is pulled hard into the roof and slides
down, knocking into 1 and 9.
1 and 9 PLUNGE into the Cathedral and onto the plane wing,
where 8 catches them in midair before they hit the wing.
5
9
<
I
1
1
45.
The Winged Beast plummets after them onto the wing. It picks
itself up, spots the cowering ragdolls, and opens up his
bladed beak screaming.
The Winged Beast starts to charge them when suddenly--
7 DROPS DOWN from a high parapet and leaps onto the Winged
Beast's neck.
and 8 stare in surprise. 9 stares in delight and relief.
(stunned and surprised)
7?
mmediately, the beast throws her off towards the others.
She'd dropped her spear; she goes to pick it up and
PFFFFFFT> immediately, her leg is IMPALED by the Winged
Beast, which has fired its harpoon. She is impaled next to
the guys.
7
(LIGHTLY)
I thought you might need some help.
But as she speaks, the Beast begins to reel her in. She
fights viciously.
jumps and grabs on to 7 as she's being pulled away.
7 (CONT'D)
(YELLING)
My spear!
grabs her forked spear and hands it to her. She grabs her
forked spear and stabs it into the plane. The harpoon's
cable is pulled taut 9
between her leg and the Winged Beast.
(yelling to the others)
The cable! Cut it!
8 runs to recover the blade that slipped from his grasp as he
slid down the roof, then runs over and SLICES with all his
brute force through the cable. The cable flies up in the air
and WRAPS itself around the propeller on the end of the wing.
The Winged Beast jerks back, towards the propeller, causing
the whole wing of the plane to tilt, and the ragdolls to
slide. 5 and 6 tumble into the plane's engine room.
A
1
46.
7 clutches her staff. 9 slides by her and grabs on to the
harpoon, still lodged in her leg.
9's staff slides by, and 9 catches it just before it falls
off the wing. As 8 climbs up onto the same buttress fragment
that 7's spear is lodged in, 1 slides down the wing, past 9.
179 179
9 (CONT'D)
(to 1; holding out his
STAFF)
Grab on!
1 grabs 9's staff. Dangling, he sees that the Winged Beast
is close behind, snapping at him with its beak.
9 sees 5 and 6 in the engine room.
9 (CONT'D)
(shouting to 5)
The propeller! Start the
propeller!
6 nods. 5 points to the wires. 5 and 6 gather wires and set
to work. They ZAP the propeller to life and it GROANS... then
whines into motion as it starts taking up the power it had
generated. It goes faster... faster...
Even as the Beast is slowly drawn towards the propeller, it
struggles forward and grabs 1's cape in its beak.
As the Winged Beast pulls 1 closer, 9 strains to hang on to
1, and 7 strains with the added weight on the harpoon
sticking out of her wounded leg.
1
My... my cape!
9
Let it go!
1 glares furiously, hesitates, then undoes the clasp. The
Winged Beast falls backwards down the wing, DIRECTLY INTO THE
DEADLY BLADES.
It is instantly shredded.
Claws, feathers, and strange mechanical debris shower down.
, 9, and 7 look in relief as the Beast is finally destroyed.
fter the clasp is released, 1 has meanwhile recoiled into
9's arms. There is a brief moment of awkwardness as 1 and 9
realize how close they are physically to each other.
A
9
9
1
47.
1 begins to climb up the side of the wing, using dangling 9
and 7 as a ladder.
Perched on top of 7's staff, 1 reaches up for 8, who is
crouched on the edge of the buttress. He grabs 8's hand,
gesturing imperiously to 8 to pull him up.
9
looks at 7 urgently, nodding to her. She gets it
immediately and grabs 1's leg, stopping him.
86 186
1
You fool! We can still save
ourselves!
The plane teeters down to a 90 degree angle. 5 and 6 look up
at the rest of the ragdolls from farther down the wing. 5 is
concerned and almost panicked. 6 is almost zen-peaceful, as
though he can foresee it will be all right.
looks around and sees the rope tied around 7's waist.
(TO 7)
Your rope.
7 throws it down to 9 who ties it to his own waist. The plane
tilts... it's hanging even more precariously now... about to
fall out of the side of the Cathedral entirely...
9 suddenly jumps down into the flames just as the plane
starts to fall. 7 shouts with stress.
The plane EXPLODES as it hits the ground, smoke rising from
the crash. The rope pulls taut, and after the smoke settles
we can see 9 dangling with 5 and 6.
8 pulls the hanging chain of ragdolls up and onto the
buttress fragment.
s 1 recovers himself and straightens his hat, he glances
up... towards the smouldering clock tower...
CUT TO:
...........................................................
Seq. 155 - Sanctuary lost
SEQ. 155 - EXT. LIBRARY GARDENS - TWILIGHT
We can see, in the distance, the Cathedral, on fire.
8 I
9
O
1
48.
The ragdolls have come to the library. Embers from the
burning cathedral drift down like burning snowflakes.
(BROKEN-HEARTED)
Oh... my sanctuary...
The others try to avoid the embers. 9 moves purposefully
towards the library. 1 stands, mourning his sanctuary. His
staff is charred and ruined. He lets it drop. 8 takes 1's
arm and urges him to follow the others.
CUT TO:
.............................................................
Seq. 157 - Seamstress being constructed
SEQ. 157 - INT. FABRICATION FACTORY - SAME TIME
Inside the factory, a shot of the Fabrication Machine
reaching its arms out and gathering remnants and detritus
that we will see later as part of the SEAMSTRESS. [The
Machine is clearly tethered to the Factory.]
ne of the machine's arms discovers 2's body. The arm seems
horribly interested.
DISSOLVE TO:
.............................................................
Seq. 160 - Library
SEQ. 160 - INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT
, 5, 1, 8, and 6 have come to a clearing in the debris
outside the globe. 6 has dropped to the floor and is drawing
his pattern. 1 looks angrily up at the glass ceilings.
1
t's not safe here!
shakes his head, agreeing with his boss.
8
No.
7
(
5
(
7
9
6
1
1
(
49.
1
to 8, keeping his sense
of responsibility)
Stand lookout.
1 points out into the gardens.
(CONT'D)
I'll search out a safer retreat.
moves away, looking for what he might find in the way of a
safer retreat.
8, proud to receive orders, strides off towards the garden,
taking care to STEP ONTO 6's DRAWING and smear it. He laughs
meanly.
shakes his head sadly and takes another piece of parchment
to start over. He is drawing the talisman.
(looking up at the sky; to
7)
There will be more, won't there?
7 nods grimly. 9 looks worriedly after 1's retreating form.
looking after 1's
retreating form)
Forget him.
The twins appear in the crack of the globe. They flash their
eyes and gesture for 9 to come in. 9 moves away into the
globe. 6 sees the twins and, happily, skitters towards them.
and 7 are left alone. 5 works deftly on 7's leg.
5
QUIETLY)
You wanted us to forget you, too?
ALT:
5 (CONT'D)
(QUIETLY)
Why did you leave us?
looks around, trying to find the right words. Finally:
7
I couldn't sit and hide, just
waiting.
(MORE)
8
A
5
7
50.
7(CONT'D)
(APOLOGETICALLY)
I just couldn't. It's...
(contrite, trying to
explain herself to her
FRIEND)
It's not in my nature.
5 nods, smiling ruefully. He knows.
(CONT'D)
(GENTLY)
And perhaps, no longer in yours,
either?
smiles and nods, almost shyly. He's finished fixing her
leg. She flexes it and smiles at him. Now she looks
around, worriedly, sensing something.
CUT TO:
...........................................................
Seq. 162 - 8 & the seamstress
SEQ. 162 - EXT. LIBRARY GARDENS - SAME TIME
8 plays with his magnet, foolishly.
FLASH of something slithering.
8 looks around, but continues to play.
A FLASH again of something slithering closer. Something
menacing.
looks up in horror. Lights flash on his face.
CUT TO:
.............................................................
Seq. 164 - Confrontation
SEQ. 164 - INT. THE GLOBE - SAME TIME
C
LOSE on a DRAWING OF the TALISMAN'S RUNES in ancient
illuminated manuscript. Pull back to see the twins have
found this and are showing it to 9. 5 and 6 crowd around. 6
is clutching his drawing of the talisman.
1
9
(
51.
7 looks out of the globe, intuitively startled, her scout's
sense unhappy. She senses something.
9 looks at her, but also now studies the drawings and the
writings around them that explain them. He studies the
drawings of the RUNES.
9
studying the drawings,
CAREFULLY)
An alchemist's ability to draw
animus into the unanimated...
He turns the page and sees a drawing of the Talisman.
(CONT'D)
Again!
He gazes at the picture as though drawn to it.
9 (CONT'D)
What is it? What can it be?
6 comes over and recognizes his drawing.
6
(trying to help)
The source...!
9
(turns urgently to him)
What? What are you trying to say?
6
(helplessly trying to
articulate something)
The first room--
1 now appears out of the darkness. He sees the manuscript
and the drawings of the runes.
'S VOICE
(ANGRILY)
Dark science.
We whip pan over and see 1 standing in the entrance to the
globe.
1
(ANGRILY)
What good does this useless rubbish
do us? Forget it!
7
(
6
H W
9
52.
He seems unusually agitated.
9 moves towards him, curiously.
hat do you know?
e comes closer to 1.
(WHISPERING)
The source... the source...
1 turns and meets 9's gaze unflinchingly. We have a moment
of admiration for the old soldier's toughness. But he speaks
now with a strange bitterness. He gestures around at the
library, at the ruins of humanity's civilization.
1
(BITTERLY)
I know enough to leave their
ancient evils to moulder. Look
what they have left us with. Leave
it be, I say!
(ANGRILY)
But you. Always asking questions,
so many pointless questions--
probing, pushing--
spitting out the words,
beginning to rant and
rave a little)
like 2--he always had to know--too
MUCH--
9
(SUDDENLY)
I was right! You did send him out
to die!
5
No!
1
He was old! He was weak!
1 suddenly realizes what he's said. He collects himself and
stands tall, defending himself.
1 (CONT'D)
Sometimes one must be sacrificed
for the good of many.
LEAPS angrily at 1, pulling her blade to 1's neck.
C
C
H
9
53.
7
Coward!
Her blade flashes at 1's neck. 9 leaps forward and blocks
her.
9
Stop!
1 stands PROUDLY, staring down 7's blade. Again, we almost
admire the old soldier's fortitude. 7's reckless anger
blazes from her face. 9 looks at the two of them.
(CONT'D)
(IMPLORING)
We must work together. We must use
our thoughts, not our weapons.
9 moves back towards the drawing of the Talisman and looks
down at it.
9 (CONT'D)
The answer to all our questions is
here, in some way. I can feel it.
We must follow this path...
1 glares furiously at all of them, then turns to address 9.
1
Your path takes us to catastrophe.
e strides away.
UT TO:
.............................................................
SEQ. 166 - Seamstress
SEQ. 166 - INT. LIBRARY/ANOTHER AREA - MOMENTS LATER
1
picks his way through the stacks, ranting to himself.
1
an't he see his way only brings
trouble? What good comes from his
path? I know what we need. I know
what is right--
7
T
C
54.
Suddenly, he hears a sound. The twisted corpse of 2 comes
floating out from the stacks like Banquo's ghost. 1 stops,
rigid with terror.
1 (CONT'D)
(MOANING)
No....
2's eyes click on with their hypnotic gaze.
UT TO:
INT. LIBRARY/THE GLOBE - SAME TIME
1's SCREAM echoes through the library. The others rush out
of the globe.
INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS
They race towards 1, into an area of the library with a large
broken FOUNTAIN. The fountain is sunken into the library
floor (with statuary reaching up into the library).
hey now see, to their horror--
THE SEAMSTRESS:
A hideous SERPENT-LIKE CREATURE with NEEDLE-LIKE CLAWS and a
HORRIFYING VACANT FACELESS HOOD.
The Seamstress has sewed the carcass of "2" into her tail in
order to lure and mesmerize the ragdolls. She emits a
GLOWING LIGHT through 2's vacant eye sockets.
She RISES UP and points her sewing needles at 1... we see 8's
limp body trapped in her belly.
The other ragdolls leap into action.
chops off the tail and with it 2's carcass but then is
thrown to the side and trapped as a cascade of books fall on
her.
9 manages to grab 1 who is partially sewn on to the
seamstress but can't free him.
The seamstress lashes out towards them.
5 fires an arrow and hits the Seamstress's eye, blinding her.
She turns to flee, dragging 1 with her. 1 struggles in
mortal terror.
9
1
H
9
A
55.
5 pulls the blade from 2's staff from his quiver and throws
it to 9. 9 catches the blade and cuts the threads away from
1's body, trying to free him unsuccessfully as 1 struggles.
t the very last moment, they manage TO CUT 1 LOOSE. But the
seamstress suddenly darts one of her claws out, GRABS 7, and
SLITHERS OFF out through the library [ALT: through part of a
drainpipe in the bottom of the fountain] with 8 still
attached to her belly and disappears.
T
he other ragdolls run after her but it is futile; she is
gone.
9
(HORRIFIED)
No! No!
...........................................................
SEQ. 168 - Burial and Regrouping
SEQ. 168 - INT. LIBRARY/FOUNTAIN - CONTINUOUS
The ragdolls stand in the bottom of the fountain, where
remnants of water still linger, and water dribbles into the
drainpipe at the bottom of the fountain [ALT: next to the
fountain]. The coin in 1's crown falls to the ground. He
sits down heavily.
The twins emerge, eyes wide. They've seen the whole thing.
They look with alarm at everyone, and sadly, at 2's carcass.
looks in the direction of where the seamstress disappeared.
9
I have to get her back! I have to
go after her!
1
It's too late.
e has a strange, sad look on his face. He looks in the same
direction.
(CONT'D)
(SADLY)
It killed 8... it'll kill her too.
It didn't kill him.
(THINKING)
(MORE)
C
9
T
1
56.
It's taking (cont'd) to the
9 them back
Machine.
The twins look up and nod their agreement. While the others
have been talking, they have found a book cover and have lain
2's body on it. They now put the sword on top of 2 like a
fallen soldier and put his hands on his chest holding the
sword.
9 (CONT'D)
(URGENTLY)
We have to go--all of us. We have
to rescue them--
5
(nodding soberly)
--and destroy the machine for once
and for all.
just bows his head. He's still mourning 8. 9 gives him a
compassionate look.
They turn towards the twins, and see them pick up 1's coin
and place it on top of 2's face. They see that the twins
have prepared 2's body for burial.
hey all bow their heads. The twins now slowly send 2
floating down the remnants of water in the drainpipe at the
bottom of the fountain.
5 pulls out the piece of burlap from 2's back with his number
on it. He hands it to 9.
looks at 5, 9, and the twins soberly.
They look at him. Slowly, they nod, as though accepting
their mission.
1 sighs heavily. Suddenly he looks so very old, so very
tired. He stares down at 2 floating away. Slowly, he nods
as well.
UT TO:
S
...........................................................
EQ. 180 - Destroying the Factory
SEQ. 180 - EXT. OIL FIELD BEHIND THE FACTORY - DAWN
A SHOT of the tallest smokestack. It belches smoke,
darkening the dusk sky.
H
5
9
1
T
9
57.
We pan down, and see SEEKER DRONES (that the newly vitalized
Fabrication Machine has constructed) floating in the air
around the factory, tirelessly looking for enemies. One of
them floats near to camera and its searchlight fixes on
something. We follow the light down.
The light reveals a PUMPING OIL DERRICK, also newly awakened.
Its pump moves up and down in sinister rhythm.
The light moves away from the derrick. Camera stops
following the light and keeps moving down, arriving at the
ground where we now see, in the darkness--
THE RAGDOLLS. They huddle behind an oil pipe waiting for the
Seeker Drone to pass. 1 is weak, but is supported by 5, who
has been patching him, and is just finishing up, pulling the
last thread out of the patch he's sewn onto 1. 1 is
regaining his strength. The twins huddle behind 6.
looks out past the pumping derricks and sees AN ENTRANCE TO
A COAL CHUTE.
9
All right. I'll go inside. You do
as we planned.
(FIRMLY)
EXACTLY as we planned.
he others nod. 9 turns to 5.
9 (CONT'D)
Take charge.
scowls. 5 nods, proudly taking the responsibility.
darts purposefully towards the factory.
looks around keenly, looking up for seeker drones, then
runs out from cover, over to a huge barrel that lies half
buried in the scorched earth. A painting of the Dictator's
symbol is stenciled on the side.
He taps on the front. It is FULL. He looks up in the air at
the seeker drones. They haven't seen him.
We gestures to the others.
e see the barrel is on top of a small hill that leads down
to coal car tracks. The tracks lead to the open mouth of a
coal chute that feeds into the factory.
5 sees a bent spoon on the ground. He smiles, remembering 2
and his ingenuity, and picks it up. He hands it to 1.
T
A
A
A
T
58.
With confidence now, he looks around. He sees a splintered
pile of wood planks, the remains of a wooden derrick
platform. He looks at the others and gestures to the wood.
CUT TO:
INT. FACTORY - SAME TIME
9 darts from hiding place to hiding place inside the darkened
factory, moving towards the Fabrication Machine.
He spots the half-blinded Seamstress and watches in HORROR as
he sees that the Seamstress is giving 8 up to the Fabrication
Machine. 9 is too late to do anything to stop the Machine
from sucking 8's soul.
here is a bright GREEN GLOW as 8's soul is sucked, and in
the sudden illumination, 9 sees 7. She is sewn into the
Seamstress--but is still alive!
NGLE on 9 as he realizes she is still alive and he can still
rescue her! From his hiding place he looks around for a way
to rescue her. He inspects the machinery near him. He sees
a LEVER and GEARS. He looks at his LIGHTSTAFF. He then
spots a remnant of the FABRIC used to create the Winged
Beast. We see he is formulating a plan. He darts his hand
out to drag the fabric towards him.
NGLE on the Fabrication Machine as it begins to power back
up after taking 8's soul.
NGLE on the Seamstress. She turns to get 7, and give her to
the Fabrication Machine. We see the TERROR and DEFIANT FURY
in 7's eyes, but she is immobilized and can do nothing.
Suddenly the Seamstress hears a SOUND. She whips around.
P
OV through the Seamstress's damaged eye: a MOVEMENT in the
shadows.
he Seamstress, distracted from her morbid mission with 7,
slithers towards the movement.
In the shadow we see a RAGDOLL with GLOWING EYES. 7 sees
this and registers recognition, relief, and also TERROR at
what will be 9's fate. But she is unable to move or speak
and now, just as 9 could only watch 8's soul being sucked
out, 7 can only helplessly watch as the Seamstress slithers
closer and closer to its prey. We see the misery on 7's
face.
The seamstress raises her needles and STRIKES the ragdoll,
sewing wildly.
T
T
59.
The ragdoll SWINGS OUT from a string attached to a lever.
The lever now moves down (because of the weight of the
ragdoll) and SWITCHES on machinery. Gears start to turn and
we see the ragdoll is attached and begins to drag the trapped
seamstress in, arms first.
he gears CRUNCH the ragdoll. 7 FLINCHES... but then her
expression turns to amazement as she suddenly sees it is not
a ragdoll at all but is 9'S LIGHT-STAFF DRESSED IN FABRIC.
Instinctively, she looks up, a sudden hopeful look on her
face... just as
9 SWINGS IN and lands on the SEAMSTRESS, tearing a hole in
her back. He slides down the length of her body, FREEING 7.
7 and 9 fall to the ground as the gears now CRUSH THE
SEAMSTRESS.
CUT TO:
EXT. FACTORY - SAME TIME
5, 1, 6, and the twins crouch behind the barrel. We see they
have built two paths of wooden boards leading down to the
entrance of the coal chute, have dug a trench under the
barrel, and have placed a long bar of metal beneath the
barrel.
5
(hoarse whisper)
PULL!
They all pull down with all their weight. The barrel lifts
and teeters, then tips and RACES DOWN THE HILL. At the
bottom, it launches off the boards, spinning into the air and
landing on the rails to the coal chute with a sparking crash.
he ragdolls race down after it.
The barrel rolls and comes to a stop right at the mouth of
the coal chute.
.
..........................................................
SEQ. 185 - Seeker Drone
1
5
1
5
1
W
60.
SEQ. 185 - EXT. THE FACTORY - CONTINUOUS
5, always looking around warily for the seeker drones,
directs 1, 6, and the twins to conceal themselves behind the
barrel. He anxiously stares down the tunnel.
5
here are they?
The twins' eyes flicker anxiously. 1 looks down the tunnel
as well.
It's been too long. We should take
action.
hesitates.
(CONT'D)
Are you forgetting what he said?
If he doesn't return--continue as
planned.
hesitates. He peers down into the darkened tunnel.
(CONT'D)
EXACTLY as planned!
He grabs a sharp piece of metal and stabs the side of the
barrel. He stuffs an old rag into the hole and grabs a match
out of 5's quiver.
5
(SHOUTING)
No--stop!
Immediately a beam of bright light focuses down on them.
They look up and see one of the horrible SEEKER DRONES
floating directly above them.
Its two slug-like eyes reel in recognition. The wail of an
air raid siren pierces the still night.
1
(TO 5)
Fool!
CUT TO:
(
1
1
7
T
61.
INT. FACTORY - SAME TIME
9 and 7 sneak towards the coal chute escape. They hear the
SIREN go off.
he siren alerts the FABRICATION MACHINE to their presence.
They turn and see the Fabrication Machine's arms bearing down
on them [the Fabrication Machine is still clearly tethered to
the factory]. Scores of small Spider Beasts emerge from the
shadows towards them.
and 9 race desperately towards the coal chute escape with
the Spider Beasts crawling and spinning after them.
CUT TO:
EXT. FACTORY - SAME TIME
5 instinctively fires his grappling hook at the Drone. 5, 6,
and the twins try to drag the Drone down.
brandishes the match. We suddenly hear the sound of the
SPIDERS. 1 looks down the tunnel.
FIERCELY)
More creatures! We have to ACT!
NOW!
1 strikes the match on the side of the oil barrel and is
about to light the rag. 5 grabs his arm.
5
No! Not yet--
They tussle over the lighted match when suddenly--
9'S VOICE
What did I tell you? Light it!
Now!
7 and 9 run towards them. The eyes of the spiders can be
seen right behind them. 1 looks at the burning match in his
hands, thinking about what he almost did...
5
(CONFIDENT)
Now!
7
1
T
62.
1 sets the rag on fire. The ragdolls jump behind the barrel
and PUSH it into the tunnel. 7 and 9 just make it, leaping
out of the tunnel as the flaming barrel HURTLES down the
tunnel--DRAGGING the SEEKER DRONE with it--crunching over the
unseen Beasts--and landing in the factory and --
BLAM!!!!
THE FACTORY EXPLODES.
he dolls run from the blast. 9 and 7 look on in triumph.
...........................................................
SEQ. 190 - The Dolls Celebrate
SEQ. 190 - EXT. WASTELAND/A RUTTED FIELD - CONTINUOUS
The ragdolls walk up to the hill away from the explosions.
6, and the twins pick up old debris along the way and study
it.
T
he group turns and watches the factory as it burns to the
ground.
311 311
5
(TO 9)
It's done.
The past is dead.
turns to 9, her face full of gratitude.
7
And some of us very much alive.
9 warmly clasps her arm. She pats his hand. They look with
great affection and appreciation at each other.
The twins chatter: they've found an old Victrola lying in the
debris, with an old warped record still on it. They climb
onto the record, tripping the needle arm onto the disc, and
begin walking on the record.
A scratchy old melody comes from the large Victrola
amplifying horn. 7 smiles at the sound of the music. She
leaps on the record, joining them. As they walk faster, the
music speeds up.
1 comes up behind them. He looks deep in thought. He
catches his hat as it begins to slip off his head.
9
9
H
9
H
(
63.
1 goes to sit down and rest, sitting on a brick. 5 heads
over towards the others. But 9, seeing 1's contemplative
mood, stops next to 1. 1 looks up at him.
1
REGRETFULLY)
I've been a bitter old pill,
haven't I?
9 looks at 1, not sure how to respond. 1 now also sees 2's
old staff that 9 is still holding onto.
He looks over at 9.
1 (CONT'D)
I lost sight... of many things.
e looks at 9 as though to beg his forgiveness. 9 sits down
next to him.
We've both made mistakes.
e looks over at the smoldering remains of the factory.
9 (CONT'D)
What's past is past.
They look at each other for a beat, then look over to the
others, relaxing together on the Victrola.
holds out his hand to 1. 1 gives 9 his hand and 9 helps
him up. As 1 stands, his heavy headpiece falls off and
shatters.
looks in horror. But 1 just looks at it, shrugging and
slightly smiling.
1
It was always so heavy.
1 smiles.
H
e now runs his hand over his head, which we now see has a
funny looking pony-tail like protuberance. 9 hesitates,
then can't help CHUCKLING. 1 sees him, then starts to LAUGH
as well.
9 and 1 go over together to the Victrola. 7 notices as 9
helps 1 climb up on the Victrola and starts to celebrate.
9 joins 7 near the needle and 6 sits on the crank as it spins
around. Everyone is enjoying the music.
3
9
S
6
64.
5 discovers a trove of records (enormous in scale compared to
the little ragdoll). He curiously begins to go through them.
He picks one out.
But it rolls away from him. It rolls towards the hill and
then down the hill. 5 runs after it.
Behind him, unseen by anyone, the talisman crackles and glows
slightly.
notices.
6
No... it .... it... it...
9 sees 6's beginning panic and whirls to see --
...........................................................
SEQ. 200 - The Fabrication Machine Breaks Free
EQ. 200 - EXT. WASTELAND/A RUTTED FIELD - CONTINUOUS
5 running down the hillside. And suddenly--
--the enormous Fabrication Machine, RISES UP, free of the
factory, TOWERING over him like a giant monster.
THE TALISMAN is GLOWING ferociously in the Machine's front.
NO!
He tries to run towards 5. 5 SHRIEKS, running back towards
the others.
5
Run! Run!
The other ragdolls whirl and stare, frozen, at the hideous
apparition...
They leap off the spinning Victrola, hitting the needle and
the music SCRATCHES TO A HALT.
Before anyone can get to him, 5 is SNATCHED by the TOWERING
MACHINE.
30 330
9
No!
G
.
65.
9 tries to run towards the Machine. 1 pulls him away
frantically, fiercely forcing 9 to allow himself to be saved.
1
(TO 9)
There's nothing you can do!
5 faces the Machine as the green of the TALISMAN shoots out
at him, sucking his soul into its portal. The Machine's eye
turns green showing it has absorbed the soul, then back to
glowing red.
333 333
9
No! No!
The Machine again SHAKES and then seems momentarily paralyzed
as it ingests the soul, giving the ragdolls a moment to flee,
scrambling, desperately trying to get up the hill and escape.
1 looks over to the bridge. His general's instincts kick
back in.
1
Follow me!
The Fabrication Machine powers back up and lumbers after
them. The dolls head over to the bridge.
..........................................................
SEQ. 201 - The Bridge
SEQ. 201 - EXT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
335 335
9
o! Get across!
9 sends 1 and the twins across the bridge. He turns to 7 but
they don't need to speak--they both understand the plan.
They linger behind, luring the Machine.
1 tries to drag 6 across the bridge. 6 resists:
337 337
6
No! No! No!
The twins chatter. 6 is moving slower than the others. 1
grabs his arm and pulls him off the bridge.
338 338
1
Come on, we can't stay here!
N
3
(
T
66.
6
(protesting incoherenly to
1)
339 339
No... they mustn't... they
can't.... no...
The Fabrication Machine lumbers up the hill. 9 and 7 clamber
onto the bridge... get out to the center and stop. They wave
their hands and weapons trying to get the Machine to come to
the bridge.
The Machine CRASHES onto the bridge. It lumbers ferociously
after 9 and 7.
9 and 7 struggle to get to the end of the bridge.
The Machine is closing in on them... they frantically
struggle across, the Machine gets closer... closer...and
...suddenly the floorboards GIVE WAY under the Machine's
enormous weight.
he Machine scrambles and claws at the splintering boards but
falls through.
I
t hangs on with two of its mechanical legs, one on each side
in the broken bridge. Inexorably, it begins working its way
back up...
7 and 9 start sliding down the bridge as the Beast's weight
is making the bridge fall.
ALT:
339 339
9
efforts prying off the
Fabrication Machine)
Pry it loose!
They continue prying, hammering, pounding at the Machine's
legs with the steel scraps.
6, 1, and the twins watch with horror.
7 and 9 have almost managed to pry the Machine loose, and are
about to send it plummeting to its destruction.
6 breaks free from 1's hold. 1 grasps after him, trying to
stop him. 1 only grabs onto 6's key. 6 runs out onto the
bridge.
42.5 342.5
6
o, no, you must not destroy it!
6
6
B
Y
67.
He points to the Talisman on the machine.
6 (CONT'D)
We need it... they are inside...
343 343
7
Go! Get away!
9 looks in puzzlement at the Talisman. There's an
astonished, questioning look on his face.
7 (CONT'D)
(screaming at 9, re 6)
He has to go --
She grabs 6 and pushes him to the side.
6
ou must go back... to the First
Room...
9 looks at 6, trying to understand him. The Machine twists
and turns.
ehind him, the Machine begins to regain its footing.
(CONT'D)
He is there... He will show you...
6 suddenly gets a look of doomed horror on his face.
(CONT'D)
Come for us...
(his last words, urgent)
The source...
--and one of the Fabrication Machine's robotic arms grabs 6.
346 346
9
No!
9 goes for 6 but can't get to him.
The bridge starts to give way 9 and 7 run to the other side.
9's light staff slides and falls down into the dark crevice.
The Fabrication Machine is now hanging off of one side of the
bridge, still holding on to 6.
9
and 7 flee wildly across the disintegrating bridge. They
make it across to the other ragdolls at the other end of the
bridge, just in time.
9
(
9
1
9
S
68.
The Fabrication Machine tries to back up on the bridge but
ends up getting caught in the beams, which form a cage around
him. The other ragdolls yell to 6 from the other side of the
bridge.
The Fabrication Machine brings 6 up to its eye.
...........................................................
SEQ. 202 - Disagreement
EQ. 202 - EXT. BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
9 watches in horror as the Machine sucks 6's soul. As before,
the Machine SHAKES and then seems momentarily paralyzed as it
ingests the soul. It then re-animates.
1 strides over to 9.
1
We must destroy it.
9 stares at him. We can see a sudden new thought is forming
on his face.
We can't.
looks at the Machine.
1
Anything can be overcome. One
just needs the right weapon.
No. We can't destroy it.
TO 7)
You heard him: "Come for us."
They're still inside--
7
9, they're gone.
No. I don't think so. We can get
them back. I just have to figure
this out.
(trying to parse 6's
WORDS)
"The first room...."
7 tries to persuade 9.
9
7
9
P
I
1
W 9
69.
7
e need to get a weapon. Quickly.
(trying to parse 6's
words, completely focused
in thought)
"The source... he will show you..."
The machine screams, starting to break free.
turns, abruptly, making a decision.
1
This raving will get us nowhere.
'm going to find a real weapon.
1 turns and stalks off. The twins hesitate, uncertainly.
7 goes over to 9 and implores him.
7
lease. Leave it. Come with us.
9, determined, certain of his path, shakes his head gently.
No. I can't.
looks sad, but she feels she has no choice. She ushers the
twins away and they follow 1. The twins are carrying 6's
key.
9 (CONT'D)
(MUTTERING)
The source... the First Room...
Suddenly he looks up. He gets it!
(CONT'D)
The First Room!
SMASH CUT TO:
...........................................................
SEQ. 210 - Return to the Workshop
W
H
H
H
C
70.
SEQ. 210 - INT. ATTIC WORKSHOP - DAY
9LOSE ON THE SHUTTER banging in the Attic Workshop.
is staring at it, then looks around the Workshop.
e sees the Scientist on the floor. He recognizes him.
He looks up and climbs up onto the table.
e sees the machine that he fell out of. He sees diagrams.
He sees a journal, with drawings and thoughts. The drawings
include: the original machine... the talisman... sketches of
the dolls... the diagram that we saw in the Library
manuscript...
e looks further and sees a strip of film. Curiously, he
picks it up, and now sees it's feeding into a rickety old
movie projector which now TURNS ON and we see --
THE DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE that we saw being made in the TITLE
SEQUENCE [It can be the exact same footage, or can be
slightly altered if necessary for our uses here; if we still
want to hear the radio it should be mixed in very low, so we
are aware of it but it doesn't interfere with the scientist's
dialogue. This is constructed so the scientist can be in
V.O. only until the end, but if possible we can also see the
back of the scientist in the first few pieces of footage].
We HEAR the scientist's voice and we realize the Scientist
WAS ADDRESSING THE DOLLS.
e see first, THE FOOTAGE OF THE SCIENTIST MAKING 1 and hear
the scientist:
SCIENTIST'S VOICE
(MUTTERING)
It had such promise... my first
creation...
We see, on the table, a drawing of the original machine, as
the Scientist assembles the raw materials of 1. Sounds of
WAR in the b.g.
SCIENTIST'S VOICE (cont'd)
(BROKEN-HEARTED)
...but it was taken... and bent to
such evil...
We see him making 1.
(
I
71.
SCIENTIST'S VOICE (cont'd)
...so little hope remains... that
is why I create you...
The footage crackles out, then RESUMES.
Now we see the FOOTAGE OF THE SCIENTIST MAKING 5.
SCIENTIST'S VOICE (cont'd)
(much more weakly)
I am unable to reverse the transfer
process... my life force diminishes
with each one of you... it is all
right... you will thrive...
Tenderly, he puts 5 together.
The footage crackles out, then RESUMES.
Now we see the footage OF THE SCIENTIST MAKING 9... with
louder, more explosive sounds of WAR in the b.g:
SCIENTIST'S VOICE (cont'd)
...so little hope remains... that
is why I create you...
n the footage we now see him putting 9 into the strange
machine, putting the finishing touches on 9... brushing his
hand across the little box...
WE PULL OUT of the footage to see 9, looking in astonishment
at the flickering footage.
9 looks over at the little box in the scientist's hand in the
footage, and suddenly
FLASH
9 goes into a startling FLASHBACK:
HIS POV as he is suspended in the strange machine... he sees
the scientist, clutching the little box, from the front as
the scientist approaches him, a look of endless love on his
weakened, haggard face.
SCIENTIST
tenderly, to 9 directly)
... it's up to you now...
(with his last breath of
ENERGY)
...you...you are all the pieces of
my soul...
T
9
9
C
9
9
9
B
72.
The scientist puts the strange face mask on and 9's POV is
suffused with a GREEN GLOW. The talisman clicks shut, the
soul transfer completed. We hear the scientist fall to the
ground, his soul depleted.
ACK TO PRESENT TIME:
9 comes out of his vision. He looks over the side of the
table at the dead scientist.
walks to the scientist and stares at the dead man.
(finally realizing it;
GENTLY)
You. You're the source...
He reaches out to the skeletal hand clutching the box, then
simply touches the Scientist's hand, tenderly. He looks up,
a new, resolute look in his eyes.
CUT TO:
S
...........................................................
EQ. 220 - Reunion
SEQ. 220 - EXT. THE WASTELAND - NIGHT
runs through the Wasteland looking for the others.
UT TO:
EXT. THE WASTELAND - NIGHT
sees the others through barbed wire. They're carrying a
large missile towards an old cannon. 9 ducks under and
hurries towards them.
He--he's the source.
They stare at him, uncomprehendingly.
9 (CONT'D)
The Scientist! The one who made
the machine. He gave us life too.
hey stare at him.
7
9
7
73.
7
How?
9 pauses at the enormity of it. Finally:
9
He... he used his own soul.
and the twins look at him in awe and surprise. 1 seems
strangely unmoved.
(CONT'D)
That's why the machine is hunting
us. It was warped, reprogrammed to
hunt humanity. It, and the
machines it made, killed
everything. Except us.
They stare at him.
9 (CONT'D)
We're all that remains.
Suddenly the ground starts to shake. We hear the machine
approaching. 1, 7, and the twins run to the missile.
9 (CONT'D)
No! Don't destroy it!
What? It's hunting us! It'll
never stop! You said it yourself!
9
No. First we have to get them
back.
7
It's impossible!
She continues loading the missile with 1.
9
It isn't. I have an idea.
1
Enough of your ideas! We need to
load the weapon!
...........................................................
SEQ. 222 - The machine attacks
74.
SEQ. 222 - EXT. THE WASTELAND - CONTINUOUS
The Fabrication Machine appears from BEHIND THE CANNON. The
ragdolls are CAUGHT OFF GUARD and scramble to get away just
as its claw SMASHES down, DEMOLISHING THE CANNON.
The dolls fly back from the blast. 9 is the only one
standing. 9 deliberately walks towards the Machine. 7
rushes over, trying to pull him away.
7
(trying to get back up)
Stop! You're a fool!
The Machine swipes at 9 with its claw. 7 tries to stop it
from getting 9. The Machine sends her flying. She lands
badly and can't get up immediately. The Machine regroups,
then begins to re-approach 9. 9 stays put.
INSISTENTLY)
It powers down right after it takes
a soul! Just for a few seconds.
he twins chatter frantically. 7 struggles to get up.
No it doesn't!
9
Yes, it does. You'll see. I'll
let it take my soul. Then
after.... take the device.
e points to the talisman on the machine. He stands as the
Machine approaches.
7
But what if you're wrong?
(begging him)
Don't do this--
9
must.
The Machine raises its claw to grab 9 when suddenly 9 is
KNOCKED ASIDE and --
1 TAKES HIS PLACE.
9 (CONT'D)
No! What are you doing? Stop!
T
W
T
1
75.
He tussles with 1 but 1 pushes him aside with surprising
strength.
(TO 9)
They left us nothing. Nothing.
What right did they have to burden
us? Why did we have to right their
wrongs? So I refused. I refused
our path. But now... I see... we
cannot refuse it. We are all
that's left. We must complete
our journey.
he Machine raises its claw again and grabs 1.
1 looks over to 9.
1 (CONT'D)
Sometimes one must be sacrificed
for the good of many.
ith a horrible green glow the machine TAKES HIS SOUL. The
twins look away, distressed.
7
(TO 9)
Go! Get away! Hurry!
9
NO--NO--
But the machine RISES UP TERRIFYINGLY. It looks for a moment
as though 9 was wrong and they're all going to be killed.
They all cringe with horror.
But then, as 9 had remembered, the Machine powers down to
"digest" 1's soul.
9
darts in and GRABS the TALISMAN.
he machine, with a terrible shrieking sound, falters, then
crumples, dead. Sparks and smoke spew from it. Oil bubbles
down its sides. It is lifeless--just a pile of jumbled
machinery.
7 and the twins approach and all of them look down at the
Talisman in 9's hands and we:
DISSOLVE TO:
6
T
9
T
I
76.
...........................................................
SEQ. 240 - Souls Released, Life Renewed
SEQ. 240 - EXT. RUINED CITY, JUST OUTSIDE OF THE SCIENTIST'S
HOUSE - NIGHT
Smoke rises from the center of a funeral pyre the dolls have
made.
t is a circular pyre, with spokes reaching out from the
center.
At the end of each spoke is the burlap skin of one of the
fallen ragdolls, with its number stretched across a pole.
In the center, a small FIRE flickers.
9 stands in front of the last pole, holding 5's skin in his
hands. He looks down at it in his hands and sadly places it
upon the pole, looking up towards it.
he twins come in with artifacts from the Scientist's studio.
The journal. The tiny box. They put them down to the side.
and 7 take the Talisman and place it IN THE CENTER, in
front of the fire.
he Talisman pulsates, vibrates, and shakes, and, finally
BURSTS. A huge GREEN GLOW reaches up to the sky and the
ragdolls' souls emerge.
8 emerges and walks to his number. He nods to 9, 7, and the
twins. They nod back, acknowledging the fierce warrior.
2 comes out with 5 close behind. 5 places an arm around 2.
emerges from the Talisman energy. He sees his key and
caresses it.
1 emerges and comes over to stand next to 9. He nods,
acknowledging that 9 has finally completed the mission. He
looks up to the sky. The others follow his gaze.
Together, spirits and living, they all watch together, and
watch as the beam shoots up to the sky. We see THE SKY
CHANGING, HEALING, RENEWING ITSELF.
A healing rain begins to fall.
77.
The souls of the slain ragdolls now rise and dissipate into
the healing energy.
9 and 7 watch. 7 puts her arm around 9.
The twins chatter: they've taken 6's key and tried it in the
little box's keyhole. It opens the box. 7 and 9 go over as
the box is opened:
It is a music box.
As they see themselves reflected in it, they see the word
"HOPE."
Camera pulls back slowly... revealing a tiny tendril of green
grass growing.
FADE OUT.
THE END
|
