SCP TV Pilot: Into the Deep End - SCP Foundation

SCP: INTO THE DEEP END (PILOT)

Written by

trb456

Inspired by the SCP-Wiki: http://www.scp-wiki.net/

SCP-140 is by AssertiveRoland: http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-140

Sarkic Cults are influenced by the Sarkicism Hub by Metaphysician: http://www.scp-wiki.net/sarkicism-hub

Plus many other SCP influences: thanks to sirpudding, Humanmale, and Zyn

This derivative work is licensed under the Creative Commons ShareAlike 3.0 License:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode

TEASER

BLACK SCREEN:

VOICEOVER

We will bring them forth, with

blood and pestilence and fury. It

cannot be stopped. It is only a

matter of time.

CUT TO:

EXT. BIG RIG ON A US HIGHWAY

ANGLE ON big rig heading down a US highway at dawn. We hear a

tinny radio version of "Fast Freight" by The Kingston Trio.

CUT TO:

INT. CAB OF BIG RIG

CLOSE SHOT on cab radio, then ANGLE ON DRIVER listening to

music. (S)he notices something in the distance, and as we

cut, the music becomes higher fidelity.

CUT TO:

EXT. POV FROM CAB

We see a sign for a weigh station, whose light switches from

"Closed" to "Open." Below the main sign is another reading:

"Mile sponsored by: Society for Cetacean Protection".

CUT TO:

INT. CAB OF BIG RIG

Driver is noticeably perturbed. (S)he starts to turn the

truck into the weigh station, as we…

CUT TO:

EXT. WEIGH STATION

WIDE SHOT of truck pulling in as an ATTENDANT waves the truck

into a lane near a series of bays.

The truck comes to a stop timed with the end of the musical

phrase "If you go, you can't come back," around 1:15. Radio

ends here (series background music may commence here).

WIDE SHOT of Attendant near cab driver door. Door opens, then

ANGLE ON each speaker in turn. Driver does not leave cab.

DRIVER

What the hell?

ATTENDANT

New state regs. Random survey crap.

15 minutes, 20 tops. Over here.

WIDE SHOT as Attendant points towards one of the bays. Driver

closes door and maneuvers the big rig into the bay, which

Attendant accompanies and SHOT FOLLOWS. CLOSE IN on door as

it opens, driver exits cab, ANGLE ON each speaker in turn.

DRIVER

Anywhere to get a cup of coffee at

least? Long way to Fall River.

ATTENDANT

(takes notice, then smiling) Sure,

I can put on a fresh pot. This way.

WIDE SHOT as the two exit the bay heading towards the weigh

station office, with SHOT remaining centered on the bay.

CLOSE IN on Attendant's hand pushing a button on a device on

his/er belt. Resume WIDE SHOT as they leave the area, as we

see the bay doors closing, and the truck descending into the

bay floor.

CUT TO:

INT. TRUCK IN BAY

OVERHEAD SHOT of truck descending down a large shaft.

CUT TO:

INT. FOUNDATION SITE-76 LOADING BAY

WIDE SHOT on a large industrial loading bay in Foundation

Site-76, as the truck descends onto a loading pad. We see

numerous personnel in various states of work. As the truck

reaches the bottom, several Foundation GUARDS in hardshell

carapace armor, armed with automatic rifles, converge towards

the back of the trailer.

CLOSE IN on the rear trailer door, as it springs open. We see

a troop transport exit, rolling down a waiting ramp. SHOT

FOLLOWS the transport as it maneuvers into a parking space,

Guards following.

ANGLE IN on transport door, surrounded by Guards. Door opens,

and we see a succession of D-CLASS and Guards, alternating,

exiting the transport. The D-Class (imprisoned Foundation

test subjects) are garbed in orange jumpsuits and have a

black bag completely enveloping their heads. Their hands are

manacled behind their backs, and legs are also manacled but

allow walking. One of the D-Class has black gloves covering

their hands and wrists (GLOVED D-CLASS). The accompanying

Guards are similarly equipped as their Site-76 counterparts.

SHOT WIDENS as the Guards group the D-Class into rows. There

are 12 D-Class in all, each with a Guard on their right.

During this scene, the transport goes back to the truck and

re-enters the cab. The cab rear door closes, and the truck

ascends back up the shaft. This all happens in the

background, suggesting a fast transfer, triggered by the

Attendant above.

Another group of 12 Guards from Site-76 joins the D-Class

group, each Guard moving to the left of each D-Class. They

now move forward, each pair of Guards ferrying their D-Class

to a variety of holding cells, shown in a series of CUTS

(groups splitting up at corridor junctions, marching down

corridors, ferrying D-Class into cells). While this is

happening, we hear the following over a site-wide intercom:

INTERCOM

Alert. (CUT) Site-76 D-Class

Loading Protocol is in effect.

(CUT) Condition Yellow. (CUT) All

Foundation personnel not involved

in the Loading Protocol (CUT) are

asked to clear corridors until the

All Clear is sound. (CUT) Alert

(repeats as needed)

INT. OUTSIDE SITE-76 "CELL" DOOR

At the final CUT, the two Guards ferrying the Gloved D-Class

(OUTSIDE/INSIDE GUARD, corresponding to From Bus/From Site

76) stop in front of an apparent cell door. CLOSE IN on

Inside Guard applying key card to door mechanism, which

clicks open.

CUT TO:

INT. SITE-76 DECOMMISSIONED LAB

ANGLE IN on inside of door as the Inside Guard, Gloved D

Class, and Outside Guard enter in that order. Inside Guard

continues in, but Outside Guard stops short with Gloved D

Class and expresses surprise.

REVERSE ANGLE on Inside Guard, as we see what looks like a

derelict lab (not a holding cell). He approaches a lab bench.

Outside Guard begins speaking in this view, then immediately

CUT BACK to ANGLE ON Outside Guard and Gloved D-Class.

OUTSIDE GUARD

Hey, what's this? (CUT) Are you

sure this is the right-

Outside Guard is cut short by Gloved D-Class (still hooded),

who swings its arms completely over its head as though its

shoulders are on a ball joint, encircling Outside Guard's

head and putting him/her into a chokehold with the manacles.

CLOSE IN as Outside Guard struggles and loses consciousness.

CUT BACK to Inside Guard, who places a small metal disk on

the lab bench, as we hear (but do not see) the Outside

Guard's body collapse and hit the floor. CLOSE IN on disk as

Inside Guard touches the top, which causes the disk to glow

deep blue and infuse the room with a dim blue hue.

PROFILE SHOT as Inside Guard walks back to Gloved D-Class.

Inside Guard bends over to undo the Gloved D-Class' leg

manacles and speaks in a hushed tone.

INSIDE GUARD

The jammer shuts off in 60 seconds,

that's all we get.

CLOSE IN on Gloved D-Class' hands. While Inside Guard keeps

talking, Gloved D-Class squirms out of its arm manacles in an

anomalous & unsettling fashion, tossing them aside.

INSIDE GUARD

I've already logged you into your

cell, no one should notice.

WIDEN SHOT back to PROFILE. Inside Guard hands Gloved D-Class

a key card.

INSIDE GUARD

This gets you into the Keter Wing

and the containment cell. (more

slowly) Once you breach, you'll

have a minute at most. (faster)

That's it, I can't-

Gloved D-Class suddenly grabs Inside Guard's head and snaps

his/her neck instantly, letting him/her fall to the ground.

WIDE ANGLED SHOT of Gloved D-Class with dead bodies on either

side of it. ANGLE IN on Gloved D-Class so that torso and

hands are in view, then slowly PAN DOWN to hands as it

removes and drops gloves. Hands are anomalous humanoid hands

and are covered in tattoos. PAN UP as hands remove head bag.

As the bag comes off, we CUT TO BLACK, then…

INT. CORRIDOR TO KETER WING TWO

BLACK DISSOLVES as a figure walks into corridor from front of

camera (like uncovering the camera lens). We gradually see

the back of a Guard (the Gloved D-Class in stolen armor)

approaching a corridor arch guarded by two GUARDS. REVERSE

ANGLE to show approaching Gloved D-Class in full Foundation

armor, wearing sunglasses and a very blank expression. It

holds the key card in its (Foundation gloved) hand, and

continues walking forward.

CLOSE IN on wall panel showing a blue Foundation trefoil (a

circle in circle with three inward pointing arrows at equal

angles around the circle). Hand with card moves into frame

and touches panel turning the trefoil green and sounding an

acknowledgement chime. PAN UP to the back of the Gloved D

Class, who continues walking through the arch. SHOT WIDENS as

Gloved D-Class continues its walk, showing Guards oblivious

to anything unusual…

CUT TO BLACK

ACT 1

INT. SECURITY HALL FOUNDATION SITE-76

HIGH SHOT of an enormous hall, with many types of personnel

busily navigating the hall and adjacent corridors. The feel

is one of a modern high-tech military research complex. We

see the following text overlaid on the scene, in two lines:

"Foundation Site-76";"Somewhere in the United States

Midwest". In upper right corner of the shot we see 3 figures

(among others) entering the scene, and we…

CUT TO:

WIDE SHOT of Foundation AGENT SIMON GREY, flanked by 2

Foundation GUARDS, walking forward as the SHOT TRACKS BACK.

As we shall learn over the course of the series, the

Foundation is a global clandestine organization dedicated to

securing and containing anomalous objects, beings, and

phenomena, thereby protecting humanity and the world at large

against a breach of "normalcy" (defined by the Foundation).

Agent Grey is a Containment Specialist and Junior Agent for

the Foundation. He is 54, wearing an ill-fitting jacket and

fedora, carrying a messenger bag. He is a lifer, and works at

Site-19, the Foundation's largest containment site. He is

short on formal education, which makes him unusual compared

to most expert Foundation personnel. But Grey makes up for

this with experience and a gut instinct about anomalies. He

seems more comfortable with the anomalous world than most

people. Both these facts put some distance between Grey and

many of his colleagues.

CLOSE IN on Grey's face, looking distracted.

CUT TO:

INT. AGENT KLIKS' OFFICE SITE-76 (FLASHBACK)

In a flashback, we see Agent Grey in the Site-76 office of

AGENT THEO KLIKSOFAKUS ("KLIKS"). Flashbacks all have

slightly hazy borders in the overall shot.

Kliks is a Senior Field Agent for the Foundation. He is 36,

and is nattily dressed in a tailored suit and expensive

shoes. Under his jacket is a shimmering waistcoat tailored

from Foundation ballistic chainmail. Kliks carries a

concealed sidearm and blade. Kliks is sophisticated, well

traveled, and cynical.

He is well-connected to rival Groups of Interest, rendering

his methods questionable even by Foundation standards.

Kliks' office is a mix of Euro taste and tackiness. Behind

his chair is a grid of 9 computer monitors, with one a 3D

heads-up display, currently showing a hideous lizard-like

creature suspended in an aqueous medium, captioned SCP-682.

His fixtures include both spare and ornate pieces which

somehow seem to go together, just barely. Off in a corner, we

see a small display of trophies, and if we could see the

details, we would see various 2nd and 3rd place finishes (or

lower) in chess, squash, bridge, golf, and the like.

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT of Grey sitting across Kliks'

conference table, looking at the table's embedded Foundation

data station. We will see this object frequently: a monitor

and flush keyboard, with a glass panel to the left of the

keyboard. On the monitor we see the headshot of a young

woman, with underlying text reading: "Mahto, Jagruti (JR

Cand.)", plus other surrounding text in much smaller font.

Grey pushes away from the table and stands. WIDE SHOT of Grey

standing and Kliks sitting in his chair, feet up on the

table, not looking up from his phone.

GREY

Dr. Soren, sure. Mahto…I dunno.

Not seeing it, Kliks.

ANGLE ON Kliks, still not looking up.

KLIKS

Not very woke, Special Agent. White

boy over the brown girl…

ANGLE ON Grey, who furiously gazes at Kliks. ANGLE ON Kliks,

who now looks up, and alternate in turn.

KLIKS

Relax. Mahto's university advisors

were the same as you, Grey. All to

the Foundation's benefit.

GREY

(disgusted) Your slimy insinuations

aside, isn't 10 years a long time

to get a PhD?

KLIKS

(unfazed) Exactly why we want her.

She has skills beyond that one

degree. Another "disappointment"

that the Foundation recruits with

none the wiser.

GREY

(resigned) OK, OK, Kliks. Just tell

me when they're ready for the talk.

KLIKS

Two weeks, mark me. They'll love it

here.

Kliks reaches into a desk drawer and draws out an object.

CLOSE IN as he brings the object to the table top. It is a

metal disk identical to the communications jammer used by the

traitorous Inside Guard. He touches the top and the blue glow

infuses the room. ANGLE ON Kliks as he speaks to Grey.

KLIKS

And now, on to the next order of

business…

ANGLE IN and then PAN IN CLOSE on Grey looking uncomfortable.

CUT TO:

INT. SECURITY HALL SITE-76

CLOSE IN on Grey (matching prior flashback scene) as he

continues walking with Guards. REVERSE WIDE ANGLE as the

group approaches the main security desk.

INT. SECURITY DESK SITE-76

WIDE SHOT of the desk, staffed by 4 receptionists interacting

with various Foundation personnel. Grey's group reaches the

desk. LOW SHOT looking up at Grey retrieving his phone, then

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT as Grey touches his phone to the glass

panel of a desk data station. CLOSE IN on data station

monitor as it shows a headshot of Grey, with the text "Agent

Grey, Simon, Site-19" below, and a Foundation trefoil

switching from blue to green. ANGLE ON the nearest

RECEPTIONIST.

RECEPTIONIST

Welcome back to Site-76, Agent

Grey.

ANGLE IN on Grey, and we then flash back to…

INT. AGENT GREY'S OFFICE SITE-19 (FLASHBACK)

Grey's office is the antithesis of Kliks' office. It is

spare, messy, piled with papers and files, and reflects

someone who is rarely there and does not care.

First ANGLE IN on Grey looking down, then WIDE SHOT of Grey

packing his messenger bag with some papers and personal

items. His desk computer terminal (the only object on his

desk apart from stacks of papers, and he has no conference

table) sounds a notification, and he turns to address it.

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT of Grey answering the call. His

monitor shows a live feed of COMMANDER YOO YOON-HEE (CMDR

YOO), headshot only. Below the headshot is the text: "Cmdr.

Yoo, Yoon-Hee, Site-76".

Cmdr Yoo is 47 and is Chief of Security for Site-76. Starting

from the bottom, she has only accepted promotion as long as

she could stay "in the action," and routinely leads the fight

alongside her troops. She is brave to the point of

foolhardiness, much to the consternation of her superiors.

But as a result, she inspires great loyalty in her troops.

She is simultaneously charismatic and enigmatic, a source of

much knowledge that goes nowhere.

We see various Guard activity behind Cmdr Yoo, suggesting she

is at work making this call.

ANGLE IN on Cmdr Yoo and Grey in turn.

CMDR YOO

Hello Agent Grey.

GREY

(surprised) Commander! I'm, I'm

fine, but…why the call?

CMDR YOO

(formally) We look forward to

seeing you as usual when you pick

up our new Junior Researchers.

GREY

Oh. I was just going to pick them

up early tomorrow and go. Isn't our

scheduled teleconference next week?

CMDR YOO

(insistent) Whatever your plans,

Agent, I need to see you before you

depart. Please contact me.

GREY

(subdued) Of course, Commander. Is

there anything I should know?

CMDR YOO

Just make sure to contact me before

you leave. And safe travels, Agent.

Monitor restores to its neutral state, and we pan back to

CLOSE IN on a confused Grey, and then…

INT. SECURITY DESK SITE-76

CLOSE IN on Grey back at the security desk. ANGLE IN on

Receptionist, then Grey.

RECEPTIONIST

Drs. Soren and Mahto are waiting

for you in Conference Room 23. Your

escort will take you there. (pause)

Agent Grey?

GREY

(noticing) Ah, thank you. Guards,

let's go.

WIDE SHOT FROM REAR as Grey and Guards head towards one of

the many corridors. FIX SHOT as they leave, and then…

CUT TO:

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM 23

Room is small and sterile with a table, a few chairs, and a

few fixtures for running meetings. The desk contains a

standard Foundation data station. On the wall is a

touchscreen, with a predominant red eye optical interface.

This screen displays the Foundation trefoil in blue along

with some text. We see four travel bags against the wall.

ANGLE ON door opening. Grey enters holding a Foundation

touchpad, with GUARD #1 holding door, then closing it behind

Grey.

GREY

(to room) Doctors? I'm Agent Simon

Grey, from Site-19.

Shot CUTS TO DR. NILS SOREN and DR. JAGRUTI MAHTO, standing

behind the table.

Dr. Soren is 29, a surgeon and biochemist of great promise.

His residency completed, he had a pick of plum surgical

posts, but has been recruited to join the Foundation's

Xenobiology Division, with the goal of advancing anomalous

autopsy and exploratory surgery. He has had several meetings

with the Foundation and is confident as to what he is signing

on for. He had the steadiest hands and most precise technique

of his class. He is wearing a conservative bespoke suit.

Dr. Mahto is 26, fresh out of university after 10 years,

having entered as an age 16 prodigy. She is wearing a

Foundation issue lab coat (black trefoil on the left breast),

covering a colorful shalwar kameez. Dr. Mahto is a brilliant

researcher and scientist across multiple disciplines, but has

only recently been recruited to the Foundation and does not

fully understand what she has signed on for.

ANGLE ON Grey, Soren, and Mahto in turn. Grey approaches the

table on the other side.

DR. SOREN

Dr. Nils Soren, pleasure to meet

you, Agent Grey. (extends hand,

Grey shakes)

DR. MAHTO

I also, Agent, but please, call me

Jagruti. (extends hand, Grey

shakes)

GREY

(flatly) I call all researchers

Doctor. Easier that way.

DR. MAHTO

(assertive) Well, in that case,

Agent Grey, I would like to call

you Simon, if I may. I hate all

that macho surname bullshit.

GREY

(grins) Fine with me, Doc, though

the Foundation IS a macho surname

kind of place. (beat) I blame the

O's.

DR. SOREN

(glances at Mahto) Doctor is fine

with me, Agent.

GREY

I also! Please, sit.

They all sit at the table.

DR. MAHTO

Simon, (beat) Theo refers to you as

"Special" Agent Grey. Why is that?

GREY

(chuckling) Kliks, Agent Kliks.

Maybe his mum calls him Theo.

(looks down at pad) Anyway, it's a

joke, a dumb one at my expense.

DR. MAHTO

(flatly) I see. (Dr. Soren looks

bemused)

GREY

(looks up one more item on

touchpad, then settles in) OK.

(beat) I'm here to make sure you're

both making the right decision.

Frankly, the Foundation is a roach

motel: once you join, it's hard to

get out. And the amnestics are

unpleasant if you do get out.

CUT TO Soren and Mahto glancing at one another with

trepidation, then back to Grey

GREY

So I have just one question for

you, same one I have for all new

researchers: Why? Why the

Foundation? I mean, both of you

must have had other options.

DR. SOREN

That's right, Agent. I still have a

position available at Mayo if I

want it. But I've always wanted to

be the first, and the opportunity

to pioneer anomalous surgical

techniques is hard to pass up.

(glances at Mahto) And, the

Foundation tells me they have some

great perks.

DR. MAHTO

(pause) This is not so true for me,

Simon. The usual academic positions

I would pursue require that I

specialize. Publish or perish. My

Foundation recruiter said that I

would be able to pursue all of my

areas of interest. That the

Foundation has ongoing research in

both Hyperdimensional Quantum

Mechanics AND Computational

Linguistics is a dream come true.

GREY

Ah, yeah. I can imagine. (he cannot

imagine) But it's all in the

service of the Foundation. You both

get that, right?

Mahto starts to answer, but Soren interrupts.

DR. SOREN

Yes, of course, Agent. We're

securing and containing anomalous

phenomenon. Our research should

further that effort and aid in the

protection of humanity.

GREY

(pause, suddenly distracted) Right,

but are you sure you get what that

means? (beat, pained) The anomalous

world is not just some book of

monsters and magic items from a

role-playing game. (beat, wincing)

Soren and Mahto notice Grey's distress.

GREY

It's…much weirder than that. You

need to- (stops from the pain)

A loud klaxon sounds. CLOSE SHOT on wall touchscreen that is

now flashing red, and the words "Containment Breach" surround

the trefoil. Inside the center of the trefoil is a letter K,

indicating that the breach is a Keter class anomaly, the most

severe class, above both Safe and Euclid (medium risk). A

Keter breach is both rare and extremely dangerous.

WIDE SHOT of Grey, Soren, and Mahto reacting.

GREY

(snapping to, no more pain)

Containment breach…a Keter!

DR. MAHTO

Keter? (stands) Are we in danger?

DR. SOREN

(stands, intrigued) A Keter class

anomaly is breaching containment?

GREY

(stands) Don't know. (thinking)

God, what's Keter in this place?

(to Soren and Mahto) We have to get

you both to a safe room.

(takes Dr. Mahto's arm) Leave your

things, and do exactly what I say.

Let's go!

CUT TO:

INT. OUTSIDE OF CONFERENCE ROOM 23-DOOR

Door opens, and Grey cautiously looks both directions before

helping Drs. Soren and Mahto out. All then head left down the

corridor.

CUT TO:

INT. CORRIDOR

MOVING SHOT of front of Grey, Soren, and Mahto making their

way down the corridor. Some other personnel pass in both

directions. REVERSE ANGLE shot shows 3 GUARDS approaching.

They signal for the trio to stop. ANGLE ON Guards and Grey

alternately.

GUARD #2

Sir, are you Agent Grey?

GREY

(surprised) Yes?

GUARD #2

Sir, Agent Kliksofakus needs you at

the breach site ASAP.

GREY

What? Why, what breached?

GUARD #2

SCP-140, sir, Keter Wing 2. (NOTE:

140 is always pronounced "one-four

oh" whenever it occurs)

GREY

(ashen, with horror) How (inhales),

how did 140 breach?

GUARD #2

I don't even know what it is, sir,

just need to get you there.

GREY

(wipes brow) OK, one of you must

get these two to a safe location.

GUARD #2

No time, sir, you all need to come

with us now!

GREY

Guard, no, they're green hires.

They can't be exposed to a Keter

breach!

DR. SOREN

(excited) Agent, let's go!

DR. MAHTO

(concerned) We will be fine, Simon.

GUARD #2

Now! Move it, please!

The Guards escort the trio back in the direction from whence

they came, shot FOLLOWING FROM THE REAR.

CUT TO:

INT. NEAR SCP-140 CONTAINMENT CELL

MOVING SHOT of Grey, Soren, Mahto, and Guards approaching.

They then stop short. REVERSE ANGLE shows 2 Guards positioned

around a containment cell door to the left. Two Guards are

prone on the floor nearby, apparently dead. In front of door,

but with some space, Kliks and Cmdr Yoo are flanked by 4

Guards.

Cmdr Yoo wears a Foundation ballistic martial arts suit,

similar to a ninja's garment. She is armed with a holstered

machine pistol, a long blade strapped to her leg, and a short

riot baton dangling from her belt. Kliks wears a different

suit from the flashback but is otherwise similarly attired.

ANGLE IN on Kliks and Cmdr Yoo as they draw their sidearms.

CUT BACK to Grey's group, ANGLE ON Grey but WIDE SHOT.

GREY

Kliks! No weapons! No bloodshed!

ANGLE ON Kliks and Cmdr Yoo, who both hand their sidearms to

nearby Guards.

KLIKS

Way ahead of you, Grey.

CMDR YOO

Everything's under control, Agent.

Kliks and Cmdr Yoo hand off their blades next. We also see

Guards slinging rifles. Two of the 3 Guards minding Grey's

group enter the room with the other Guards. Grey's group is,

from left to right, Mahto, Grey, Guard, and Soren.

ANGLE ON Cmdr Yoo as she removes her riot stick from her

belt, which immediately extends to a full jo stick. Cmdr Yoo

twirls the jo stick in her hands, suggesting great expertise.

CMDR YOO

Guards, prepare for assault!

WIDER SHOT on Guards establishing perimeter, readying combat

positions. ANGLE ON two Guards flanking containment door, as

GUARD #3 prepares to bypass the lock. To the right of door is

another touchscreen, but this one is more elaborate as is

required for Keter containment. Guard #3 is working this set

of controls.

GUARD #3

Ready to bypass lock, sir!

ANGLE ON Kliks and Cmdr Yoo, in combat stance.

CMDR YOO

(beat) Now!

ANGLE ON door as Guard #3 keys in sequence. SOUND of a latch

opening as the door swings inward into the cell.

ANGLE ON Kliks, Cmdr Yoo, and flanking Guards leaning in to

see what is in the cell.

SHOT PANS to door and MOVES INTO cell to focus on an

anomalous humanoid holding a curved knife…

CUT TO BLACK

ACT 2

INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

ANGLE ON the inside of the cell through the door. The

anomalous humanoid holding the curved knife, our former

Gloved D-Class, is a SARKITE, a member of the Sarkic Cults,

one of many Groups of Interest (GoI) that compete/cooperate

with the Foundation as they navigate the anomalous world. The

Sarkic Cults are characterized by worship of power over

ethics, and strength through adversity, amongst other,

stranger things.

The Sarkite is of ambiguous sex, wears minimal clothing, and

is covered in tattoos. It also appears to have several

pustules and lesions, as Sarkites venerate disease. It is

this Sarkite that caused the breach of SCP-140. It may be

possible to see the Sarkite's discarded armor, as well as a

mask resembling a mannequin's face, on the floor.

Almost immediately, the Sarkite crouches and then leaps out

of the chamber in the manner of a large cat.

INT. OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

CUT TO CMDR YOO, who collapses her jo stick back to a baton.

SHOT TRACKS as she then executes a cartwheel and backflip

towards the Sarkite so as to leap facing up.

SLOW MOTION PROFILE SHOT of the Sarkite hovering face down

over Cmdr Yoo mid-air, with Cmdr Yoo facing up. Cmdr Yoo

extends her jo stick again, and twists her body to bring it

in contact with the Sarkite's knife just before it strikes

her.

SHOT TO REALTIME FOLLOWING as the knife hurls towards KLIKS,

who catches the knife and guides it into the wall. CUT BACK

to Sarkite and Cmdr Yoo, who each land on their feet, but

interchanged relative to their starting positions.

ANGLE ON Sarkite who leaps into the air again. CUT TO Dr.

Soren, as the Sarkite lands behind him. Sarkite reaches

across Soren's chest with left arm and grabs Soren's upper

right arm with its right hand. As the Sarkite hisses in

Soren's face, it breaks Soren's arm viciously, as a jagged

bone pierces the skin just below Soren's right shoulder.

CLOSE SHOT of blood oozing from the wound and falling to the

floor.

Soren screams in pain and terror. Mahto lets out a brief

shriek but maintains her composure better than Soren.

Grey instinctively pushes Mahto away from the Sarkite. Quick

CUT TO Kliks, then Cmdr Yoo reacting with great concern.

ANGLE ON Cmdr Yoo, as she begins running towards Soren and

the Sarkite.

CMDR YOO

Code Triad! I'll get him out!

Guard, follow me!

FAST CUT TO Kliks as he reaches into his breast pocket.

TRACKING SHOT as Cmdr Yoo leaps at Soren, literally forcing

him out of the Sarkite's grasp as they both tumble to the

floor some meters away. The attending Guard sprints towards

them. Soren shrieks even louder. Cmdr Yoo continues to move

Soren further down the hall, helped by Guard.

The knocked-down Sarkite quickly recovers. ANGLE ON 3 Guards

converging on Sarkite, who simultaneously fire Tasers at the

Sarkite. ANGLE ON Sarkite experiencing some pain, but not

enough to incapacitate it. Sarkite grabs one of the Taser

lines and pulls the Guard in. Once Guard is close enough, the

Sarkite snaps his neck.

ANGLE ON Grey and Mahto huddling in a corner, then CLOSE IN

on Mahto as she notices something. CUT TO spot on floor where

Soren's blood fell, as we see it vaporize rapidly, seemingly

wafting towards SCP-140's containment cell. CUT BACK TO Grey

and Mahto observing in bewilderment. Grey is frustrated.

GREY

God dammit!

ANGLE ON 2 more Guards who converge on Sarkite and Taser it.

Sarkite is weakening but still active. CLOSE IN on Kliks, who

is now wearing a compact face mask, and converges on the

Sarkite.

Sarkite sees Kliks and staggers to its feet, as the Guards

attempt to keep their feet with varying degrees of success.

Sarkite lunges at Kliks, but Kliks is ready. Kliks spins

around and leg sweeps the Sarkite, sending it sprawling.

Kliks becomes entangled in the Taser lines, and is just

barely able to activate the tranquilizer grenade he throws in

the Sarkite's face. Sarkite falls unconscious, but Kliks is

still entangled. Two of the Guards fall unconscious from the

grenade.

ANGLE ON Grey as he assesses the situation, then ANGLE ON

main area as Grey and other Guards free Guards and Kliks from

the Taser lines, turning them off and dispersing gas in the

process. One of the Guards that fell unconscious is dead from

head trauma. Kliks looks up at Grey ambiguously.

FADE TO:

VARIOUS SHOTS of the Guards (7 left) mopping up: helping

comrades and Soren, securing the Sarkite, piling bodies (4

total) on a removal cart, etc. WIDE SHOT on Cmdr Yoo in the

midst of the activity, nursing her left arm, ZOOM IN as she

speaks.

CMDR YOO

OK, people, I have to monitor the

lockdown. Lt. Quinn, you have the

duty. And kill the alarm.

LT. QUINN

Yes, sir! Let's move it, everyone!

Corporal, call in the 2nd Team to

secure the area.

CMDR YOO

(sternly) Agent Kliks. Do you have

the situation under control? All

the way under control?

KLIKS

(seriously) No question, Commander.

ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto as she walks towards Cmdr Yoo.

DR. MAHTO

Yoon-hee, what about Nils?

CMDR YOO

(honestly) He's hurt, Jagruti.

We're doing what we can. But

containing the breach is the

priority right now. Guards, attend.

Cmdr Yoo leaves with 2 Guards. After a moment, the klaxon

ceases in the immediate area, though it is still heard off in

the distance. Six (6) more Guards (2nd Team) enter.

CUT TO Kliks approaching the Guards securing the Sarkite.

KLIKS

Get the Sarkite on its feet.

Four Guards heave the unconscious Sarkite to its feet, two

each grabbing arms/legs.

Kliks picks up one of the Sarkite's hands (CLOSE SHOT), and

notices a long knife cut across the palm which is already in

the early stages of forming a scar. He glances back at the

knife in the wall (CLOSE SHOT) and we see no trace of blood.

Where did the blood go?

Kliks removes a small metal cylinder from his breast pocket

(CLOSE SHOT), and (OVER SHOULDER) uses it to spray something

in the Sarkite's face. The Sarkite immediately comes to,

coughing and sputtering, and still weak. The Guards

straighten up the Sarkite as Kliks moves closer. ANGLE ON

each in turn.

SARKITE

(Teaser voice) You cannot stop it.

We will remake the world.

KLIKS

You couldn't remake my bed. (beat)

Why do you even want them here?

They'd exterminate you without a

thought.

SARKITE

They're a worthy enemy. The battles

would be epic. Unlike you pathetic

weaklings. That world is preferred

to this one.

KLIKS

You mean the pathetic weaklings who

just owned you? Who else is here?

SARKITE

Fourteen to one. (sarcastic) I'm SO

impressed by you healthy ones. And

we have what we wanted. You know

you will get nothing from me.

KLIKS

Not now, perhaps. But it's another

story once the Church of the Broken

God sinks their hooks into you.

(menacing) I can't wait to make

that trade. I'll be there

personally. (whispering) All that

metal on flesh…

The Sarkite looks noticeably less cocky, but not afraid.

KLIKS

Guards, get this thing out of my

sight.

(beat) Toss it into the cesspool

next to 682. (grins) That ought to

concentrate the mind.

Two more Guards join the four holding the Sarkite and all

begin leaving the area. ANGLE ON Kliks as he watches them

leave. CUT TO Grey and Mahto, who converse quietly. Mahto is

clearly shaken.

DR. MAHTO

Simon, the Church of the Broken

God? What is all this? Is the

Foundation in some kind of

conflict?

GREY

Groups of Interest. Can't go into

it right now.

DR. MAHTO

So the…Sarkite, that wasn't the

Keter SCP?

GREY

What? No, the Sarkite caused the

breach. 140 is in that cell.

DR. MAHTO

(confused) But why would it want to

free the SCP? Aren't we protecting

humanity by containing SCPs?

GREY

Competition, Doctor. We're not the

only game in town. You may be a

recruiting target some day.

ANGLE ON Lt. Quinn and Kliks approaching Grey and Mahto.

LT. QUINN

I have to continue mopping up and

securing the perimeter. Kliks,

you'll keep us apprised?

KLIKS

Yes, Lieutenant.

Lt. Quinn and 3 Guards leave, leaving 8 Guards in the area

outside the cell. 2 of these Guards flank the cell door, and

2 are attending Grey and Mahto. ANGLE ON Kliks who joins Grey

and Mahto.

KLIKS

Grey, I've got to start working my

network. (beat) I…I need you to

re-contain 140.

GREY

(disbelieving) You need? I don't

work here, Kliks. Where's Dr.

Killman, or the junior on 140?

KLIKS

(pause) Both Killman and Rodriguez

are offsite today. (snide) And once

again, you show up as the backup on

yet another "skip" you shouldn't be

anywhere near. You're top of the

roster. It's the only reason I'm

asking.

GREY

BOTH of them are away? Kliks…

KLIKS

(angrily) Yes, it's sabotage, I

know! That's why I have to start

making calls.

GREY

This is your fault, isn't it! You-

DR. MAHTO

(before Kliks can respond) Stop it!

Both of you. Clearly there is work

to be done.

GREY

(regains composure) You're right,

Doc. (beat) And we're going to need

your help.

MOVING SHOT of Grey walking to a wall touchscreen, similar to

the others. The Foundation trefoil continues to flash red.

Mahto and Kliks follow along with one Guard. Grey touches the

eye, and the trefoil is replaced with the word "Ready".

KLIKS

What are you doing?

GREY

(to Mahto) Doctor, I know we're way

in the deep end, but please, stay

with us.

(to Kliks) Kliks, we need to give

Dr. Mahto documentation rights for

140. You can second, yes?

KLIKS

Of course I can, it's you who

shouldn't have access.

GREY

Not now. Let's just get this done.

(touches the eye again, speaking to

panel) Recognize Agent Grey, Simon.

(name appears on screen and an

acknowledgement chime sounds).

KLIKS

(to panel) Recognize Agent

Kliksofakus, Theo. (similar)

GREY

(to Mahto) Now you, Doc.

DR. MAHTO

(hesitating, to panel)

Recognize…Dr. Mahto…Jagruti.

(similar)

GREY

(to panel) Request documentation

access to SCP-140 for Dr. Mahto,

Jagruti, authorization Gamma-4.

KLIKS

(to panel) Concur, authorization

Omicron-7.

TOUCHSCREEN

Documentation access to SCP-140

granted to Dr. Mahto, Jagruti,

effective immediately. (flashing

trefoil returns)

GREY

(to Guard) Guard, escort Dr. Mahto

to the Archives. (to Mahto) Doc,

you need to ask the Librarian for

the last known good hardcopy backup

of SCP-140. You got that?

DR. MAHTO

Last known good hardcopy backup,

yes, Simon.

GREY

(smiling) You're in, Doc. Guard, on

the double.

GUARD #4

Yes, Agent. Let's go, Doctor.

ANGLE ON Grey and Kliks as they watch Dr. Mahto and Guard

depart. Grey turns back to Kliks.

GREY

So, what did you fuck up this time?

CUT TO:

INT. CORRIDOR HEADING TO ARCHIVES

Mahto and Guard are walking briskly. SHOT FOLLOWS them as

they navigate towards the Archives.

DR. MAHTO

Is there always so much excitement

around here?

GUARD #4

No, ma'am, we haven't had a breach

in months, and I can't remember the

last time a Keter breached.

NEW SHOT rounding a corner.

DR. MAHTO

But what is SCP-140? Do you know?

GUARD #4

Above my pay grade, ma'am. Cliche,

I know.

INT. SITE-76 ARCHIVES

The Archives are an opening in the wall with a counter. Rows

and rows of shelves are visible through the opening,

containing many files and objects. A bored looking LIBRARIAN

is reading a book behind the counter. Mahto and Guard reach

the counter.

DR. MAHTO

I need the last known good hardcopy

backup for SCP-140.

LIBRARIAN

(flatly) Authorization?

DR. MAHTO

I, I don't know what to do.

GUARD #4

Your smartwatch, ma'am, touch it to

that panel.

Guard gestures to a touch panel on the counter. Dr. Mahto

touches her wrist to the panel. Some text appears, and is

then replaced with the green trefoil.

TOUCHSCREEN

(voice only) Authorized.

LIBRARIAN

Was wondering when someone was

going to pick this up.

Librarian reaches under counter with no sense of urgency, and

retrieves a large hardback book, dropping it on the counter.

CUT TO CLOSE SHOT of book on the counter. It is a modern

book, and engraved on the cover is the title "A Chronicle of

the Daevas".

CLOSE UP on Mahto, then ANGLE ON speaker in turn.

DR. MAHTO

(confused) Is this a copy of 140's

documentation?

LIBRARIAN

(flatly) That's the partial backup

of SCP-140 that you asked for.

DR. MAHTO

SCP-140…is a book? A Keter book?

GUARD #4

We have to get this back, Doctor.

On the double, please!

Dr. Mahto picks up the book and the Guard gently but firmly

urges her into the corridor, SHOT FOLLOWS them down the hall

as they round a corner.

INT. OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

Slow ARC SHOT FULL CIRCLE around Grey and Kliks as they

speak, getting increasingly agitated. Kliks screwed up this

containment somehow, and Grey knows it.

KLIKS

What are you insinuating? I have no

idea how this happened, but I'll

get it sorted.

GREY

Sorted? Did one of your double

agents turn triple? Like before?

KLIKS

Sod off, Special Agent. We've

already found two traitors that

helped the Sarkite. Two DEAD

traitors, so not even clear they

turned. Dupes, perhaps.

GREY

Right, of course we get breaches

with you in charge.

KLIKS

Please. You have no clue about

actual field work. There are

tradeoffs.

GREY

MY field work's had zero deaths,

Kliks!

KLIKS

Oh really! Just wait until you have

to kill a few civilians to clinch a

mission. Then lecture me about your

field record.

CLOSE IN on Grey's face, then FLASHBACK TO an unknown older

Agent being shot while a younger Agent Grey looks on in

horror. FADE TO CLOSE IN on Agent Grey's face, and then

resume ARC SHOT.

KLIKS

And this is just you changing the

subject! I want to know why you're

on this "skip" at all. There's no

reason you should have any

clearance on 140, let alone be a

backup containment specialist.

GREY

You want me to save your ass, and

you're complaining? You want to

waste time finding someone else?

KLIKS

Do not tempt me. Using you is pure

expediency. Anyone else would be

preferable right now.

GREY

Really? Maybe I'm better at my job

than you think?

KLIKS

Keep telling yourself that,

"Special" Agent! Without that

anomaly detector in your head, you

couldn't shine my shoes.

GREY

(penny drops, slowly) I know what

this is. (faster) Our project's

gone pear-shaped, hasn't it?

(furiously) I knew it was a bad

idea!

KLIKS

(coldly) Without admitting

anything, what's our alternative?

You KNOW we need access. You KNOW

there's no hope otherwise. That

Sarkite was right…it's only a

matter of time.

GREY

(beat) No, it's not worth it. What

about…

ARC SHOT ends on Dr. Mahto and Guard as they enter,

interrupting this fight. ANGLE ON speaker in turn.

DR. MAHTO

(handing over book to Grey) Here

you are, Simon. But, is this a copy

of a Keter book? What can that

possibly be? And the Daevas are?

What does-

GREY

Not now, Doctor, it has to wait.

Guard, escort Dr. Mahto to the

nearest safe room.

DR. MAHTO

(furious) No, Simon, I deserve-

KLIKS

Doctor, Grey's right for once. We

have a lot to do, and we still

don't know if this breach is locked

down. Please, go.

GREY

I'll get you up to speed when it's

over, I promise. Guard?

GUARD #4

Let's go, Doctor.

Dr. Mahto scowls, then leaves with the Guard.

KLIKS

(to Grey, calmer) How many guards

do you want?

GREY

Leave four. (beat) When do we call

in the Diggers?

KLIKS

Depends upon what you find. I'll at

least notify the dig sites.

GREY

Geezus, what did it do this time?

KLIKS

Well, the Foundation is still here,

yes? I think we're still a secret.

It can't be that bad yet.

GREY

Maybe, but Zeta-9?

KLIKS

The Diggers know the score. We all

do. (beat) I need to get to work.

Guards, attend.

3 of the 7 remaining Guards stand by Kliks' side. They start

to leave, then Kliks turns to Grey.

KLIKS

Seal it up, Special Agent. And

watch yourself.

Kliks and Guards leave, SHOT OVER SHOULDER of Grey

Grey looks around the room, then to the Guards.

GREY

Two of you, mind the corridors.

(they move immediately) You two,

attend the cell door. Close it

behind me after I enter.

CLOSE SHOT as Grey steels himself. Then SHOT ON cell door as

Grey turns and slowly enters the chamber. Shot CUTS AWAY just

as Grey crosses the threshold.

CUT TO:

INT. SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM

Room has a number of tables, chairs, and amusements. Two

dozen or so Foundation personnel are chatting, standing,

sitting, waiting out the lockdown. There are a few Guards

watching the crowd.

Dr. Mahto is wandering around the room surveying the scene.

She notices some side booths labeled "Research Pod", and she

enters an empty one.

CUT TO:

INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM

POV Dr. Mahto. The pod has a small desk and computer

terminal, a standard Foundation data station. The terminal

screen shows the ubiquitous trefoil. ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto as

she sits down in the desk chair.

DR. MAHTO

Fine, I'll figure this out myself.

Thanks for the documentation

access, (beat) Special Agent.

CLOSE SHOT on panel to the left of the keyboard as Dr. Mahto

touches her smartwatch to it. CLOSE SHOT on computer screen

as trefoil disappears and a Foundation data menu appears,

along with the words "Good Morning, Dr. Mahto". CLOSE SHOT on

Dr. Mahto looking over the screen, then CLOSE SHOT on screen

as Dr. Mahto works the keyboard through some menu options

until she pulls up SCP-140's entry screen. She requests the

Special Containment Procedures for SCP-140. Screen clears and

is replaced with the title page for SCP-140. A photo of SCP

140 is in the upper right corner of the screen. Camera ZOOMS

IN slowly on photo…

CUT TO BLACK

ACT 3

INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

The cell is a small room, like a very spare office. It

contains only a single desk with a standard Foundation data

terminal. On a shelf on the desk is the book, SCP-140.

ANGLE ON open door, as GREY enters the room carrying the SCP

140 copy. The copy is twice as thick as the real book. Grey

briefly glances back as the door closes behind him.

CLOSE SHOT of SCP-140, then CLOSE SHOT of Grey, who winces in

pain. An electrical effect is seen around Grey's head, and

unintelligible murmuring is heard. Grey shakes his head

clear, and speaks to the desk.

GREY

You're not getting in my head. You

never have.

CUT TO:

INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM

ANGLE ON DR. MAHTO examining the documentation of SCP-140.

REVERSE ANGLE on the TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing, then

back to Dr. Mahto (Dr. Mahto voices all Terminal quotes):

TERMINAL

SCP-140 must never be brought

closer than 15m to any source of

standard ink, human blood, or other

fluids suitable for writing.

DR. MAHTO

(disbelieving) What the hell…

CUT TO:

INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

ANGLE ON desk as Grey walks to it and sits down, setting the

copy next to the keyboard on the right. Grey pulls out his

phone and touches it to panel to the keyboard's left (Grey

does not use a smartwatch, unlike the majority of Foundation

personnel). The welcome screen comes up as it did for Mahto.

GREY

Enable voice interface.

COMPUTER

Voice interface enabled.

GREY

Begin log.

The screen clears and "<BEGIN LOG>" is seen at the top. From

this point on, the computer records the conversation in text,

which we will cut to occasionally during the scene.

GREY

Recognize Agent Grey, Simon, ready

to commence re-containment of SCP

140.

After a beat, a different female voice responds. This is a

human, not a computer.

CONTROL

Roger, Grey, this is your Control.

CUT TO:

INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM

ANGLE ON DR. MAHTO continuing to examine the documentation of

SCP-140. REVERSE ANGLE on the TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is

viewing:

TERMINAL

The book jacket is missing, but the

title, "A Chronicle of the Daevas",

is clearly legible. The inside

cover is signed by the author,

whose name is indecipherable.

CUT TO:

INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

CONTROL

How's the cleanup going?

GREY

Could be better. Damn Sarkite let

some blood. Need to see how much

damage it did.

CONTROL

Roger that, Grey. Prepare for two

step identification of SCP-140.

GREY

Ready to begin identification,

Control.

CONTROL

Begin step 1: verify anomalous

signature.

GREY

Roger, Control.

Grey takes SCP-140 from the shelf, and opens the front cover.

On the inside front cover is a bizarre, twisting signature,

almost serpentine in nature. It seems to shimmer, even change

shape slightly, as if alive. Again Grey winces in pain, sees

the electrical crackle, hears the murmurs, and sees a shadowy

image of an elderly man. He slams the cover shut, shakes his

head clear, and places SCP-140 back on the shelf.

CUT TO:

INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM

ANGLE ON DR. MAHTO continuing to examine the documentation of

SCP-140, fascinated. REVERSE ANGLE on the TERMINAL that Dr.

Mahto is viewing:

TERMINAL

SCP-140 is a detailed account of an

ancient civilization originating in

what is now south-central Siberia,

identified as the Daevites.

DR. MAHTO

The Daevites? What is this…

CUT TO:

INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

GREY

Check, Control. Signature is

anomalous.

CONTROL

Roger, Grey. Begin step 2: verify

anomalous page count.

GREY

Roger, Control. Set timer for 10

seconds.

A stopwatch graphic appears onscreen. Grey again takes SCP

140 and holds it in both hands.

CONTROL

Begin.

As the stopwatch ticks down, Grey rifles the pages of SCP

140. It becomes quickly apparent that SCP-140 has far too

many pages to fit inside a book of its size. Numerous JUMP

CUTS between the book, stopwatch, and Grey's face. Grey

whistles at one point while he flips. Finally, the stopwatch

reads zero and a chime sounds. Grey is still rifling pages

with no end in sight. He again slams the book closed,

replaces it on the shelf, and wipes his brow with his sleeve.

GREY

Check, Control. Page count is very

anomalous.

CONTROL

Roger, Grey. Control is satisfied

that you possess the genuine SCP

140. Do you concur?

GREY

Affirmative, Control. This is the

genuinely horrible SCP-140.

CONTROL

Keep it professional, Agent.

GREY

Sorry, Control. It's been a long

morning.

CONTROL

Understood. Prepare to re-contain

SCP-140.

GREY

Roger, Control, ready to begin re

containment procedure.

CUT TO:

INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM

ANGLE ON TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing:

TERMINAL

If SCP-140 comes into contact with

any fluid suitable for writing,

including human blood, the account

of the Daevite civilization's

history expands.

ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto, utterly unprepared

DR. MAHTO

I, I cannot believe this…

CUT TO:

INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

CONTROL

Verify last known good page count.

GREY

Roger that.

Grey picks up the archive copy this time, turns the book over

so its back faces up, and opens the back cover, flipping to

the last numbered page. This is not visible to the viewer.

GREY

Verifying last known good page

count as-

A black bar blocks out Grey's mouth, and a low buzz cuts out

his voice. This is the Foundation AutoDact System, which

automatically censors spoken information based upon clearance

levels. The audience is not cleared on SCP-140 but Control

hears Grey just fine. Grey finishes his sentence:

GREY

Checksum A-4-6-J.

CONTROL

Check, Grey, page count and

checksum are valid. Verify new

preliminary page count.

GREY

Roger, Control. Drumroll please…

Grey puts down the copy and takes SCP-140 from the shelf. He

again flips the book over, opens the back cover, and flips to

last page.

GREY

Verifying new preliminary page

count as (beat) SHIT!

CONTROL

Mind yourself, Agent!

GREY

Sorry, Control. (slower, a bit sing

song) New preliminary page count is-

Count is again censored as before, but Control hears fine.

CONTROL

SHIT!

GREY

See, I was right the first time.

CONTROL

(pause) Agent Grey, please await

additional instructions.

GREY

(concerned) Ah, roger, Control.

Awaiting instructions.

CUT TO:

INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM

ANGLE ON TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing:

TERMINAL

Readers admit to feelings of

paranoia, unease, and occasional

nausea while reading SCP-140,

although this may be related to the

subject material.

DR. MAHTO

No, it's not what they promised…

CUT TO:

INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

Grey hears some cross-talk, occasionally sounding heated.

GREY

Is everything OK, Control?

CONTROL

Please hold, Agent!

Grey squirms a bit in his chair as he waits.

CONTROL

Agent Grey, (pause) the O5 Council

requests additional verification.

GREY

(freezes, eyes widen, then slowly)

Well, Control, we better provide

that, pronto. What do the O's want?

CONTROL

(pause) Please attempt to verify

new preliminary extinction date.

GREY

(freaked) Are you joking, Control?

Have you read this thing? I don't

know what half the words mean!

CONTROL

Understood, Grey, but we must try.

GREY

Of course, the O's have spoken. But

it won't be quick.

CUT TO:

INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM

ANGLE ON DR. MAHTO continuing to examine the documentation of

SCP-140 with increasing distress. REVERSE ANGLE on the

TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing:

TERMINAL

Through study of SCP-140 and other

contained objects related to the

Daevite civilization, Foundation

researchers have concluded that,

transposed to the modern era, the

resurgence of a hostile Daevite

civilization in history more recent

than [REDACTED] would constitute a

grave and even possibly retroactive

threat to the Foundation and modern

civilization as we know it.

ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto, furious

DR. MAHTO

No! NO! It was all lies…

Dr. Mahto hears an All Clear signal. She logs off the

terminal, leaves the pod, and makes her way back to SCP-140's

containment chamber, to angerly confront Agent Grey.

CUT TO:

INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

Frustrated, Grey snatches SCP-140 off the shelf, turns to the

back page. Montage of CLOSE SHOTS as Grey pours over pages,

attempting to find the requested information. Because Grey

must read more, there are more instances of SCP-140 trying to

get into Grey's head. We see shadowy images of battles, of

hideous riders on monstrous horses, of mages conducting

terrible rituals, and the elderly figure from before. Grey

becomes noticeably fatigued. Finally, Grey examines a passage

more intently, and seems to calm down a bit.

GREY

Grey here, Control. I think I found

the information. And it's not so

bad. I think the new preliminary

extinction date is-(AutoDacted)

CONTROL

(pause) Roger, Grey, that does

sound like good news. Relatively.

GREY

Yeah, looks like most of the new

pages are rituals and stuff. The

Daevas didn't live much longer.

CONTROL

Roger, Grey. (pause) But we still

can't stop it from happening again.

GREY

No, not yet.

CONTROL

(pause) Agent Grey, Control agrees

that SCP-140 is back in preliminary

containment. Do you concur?

GREY

(pause, quietly) Yeah, I guess so.

(pause, normally) I concur that SCP

140 is back in preliminary

containment. (pause) Recommend we

activate Mobile Task Force Zeta-9.

CONTROL

They've already been notified.

GREY

(pause) God help the Grave Diggers.

Or anyone else who can help.

(pause) Requesting permission to

close log on SCP-140.

CONTROL

Permission granted. Be safe, Grey.

GREY

Great advice for us all, Control.

End log.

The screen dictation finishes with "<END LOG>", and the

trefoil returns, now in green. The breach is closed. Grey

puts SCP-140 back on the shelf, pushes back his chair, rubs

his eyes, and inhales deeply. He rises, picking up the now

obsolete backup copy. ANGLE ON door as Grey approaches, and

keys in a code on the panel to the right. The door clicks

open a crack. Grey pulls the door open, and leaves the cell.

INT. OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

CLOSE SHOT of Grey emerging from doorway. He stops with an

expression of surprise. REVERSE POV Grey reveals DR. MAHTO

standing outside the doorway, with a very angry look.

GREY

Doc! How long have you been here?

DR. MAHTO

Not long, the lockdown ended 5

minutes ago. I came here straight

away. (step towards Grey) Simon, I

have been studying SCP-140 on my

own. My God, Simon, I had no idea..

GREY

Not in front of the guards. Let's

find a conference room.

CUT TO:

INT. NEARBY SITE-76 CONFERENCE ROOM

ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto bursting through the door, followed more

slowly by Grey. Dr. Mahto is very agitated and paces

throughout most of the scene.

DR. MAHTO

Simon, you said that the anomalous

world was not a collection of

monsters and magic items from a

role playing game. But I realize

now that I had no idea what else

there could be. I had no idea that

anything like SCP-140 was possible.

GREY

Well, technically, 140 is one hell

of a magic item that can bring

forth one hell of a monster horde.

DR. MAHTO

Yes! SCP-140 is re-writing history!

GREY

No, trying to rewrite history. I

don't fully understand it.

DR. MAHTO

But I do. It's retrocausality: as

the book is rewritten, history

follows suit, and the Daevas live

for longer as their failures are re

written as successes. And all this

happens whenever SCP-140 is in

proximity to any sort of ink.

(beat) So that Sarkite…was it…

GREY

It was ritually cutting itself.

Blood is the best ink of all. God,

it's like some schlock horror film.

Good thing those Sarkic rituals

drag out forever. Could have been a

lot worse. (beat) Could have been

better, too.

DR. MAHTO

So that's what I saw. Nil's blood.

GREY

Yeah. I saw that, too.

DR. MAHTO

(indignant) His life is over,

Simon. The Foundation have all but

killed him!

GREY

Dr. Soren isn't dead. The

Foundation will take care of him.

(pause) But he'll get the

unpleasant amnestics. I'm sorry.

DR. MAHTO

(holding back tears) Just don't.

(long pause) Why would that Sarkite

want to activate 140? Doesn't it

realize what would happen?

GREY

They're counting on it! The Sarkic

Cults would like nothing better

than to bring the Daevas into

today. Better than a world of us

weak normals. In a fair fight, my

money's on the Daevas, that's how

crazy the Sarkites are.

DR. MAHTO

Yes, the Daevas seem like Aztecs or

Mongols with magical powers! It is

madness that anyone would want such

a race to exist today.

GREY

Now, Dr. Killman was very clear

that…thaumaturgy?…is not magic.

"Miracle working," I think he said.

But yeah, that plus the cannibalism

and ritual sacrifices sounds pretty

awful. Except to the Sarkites. They

would love that shit. "Will to

power," they call it. The Daevas

alive today would be heaven on

earth for the Sarkites, even if

it's a war they lose.

DR. MAHTO

(beat) You were closing the breach,

Simon. So you know. How far have

they advanced this time?

GREY

Sorry, Doc, you may have

documentation access, but those

details are top secret.

As Kliks never gets tired of

saying, it's bizarre I get to know.

Dr. Mahto sits down in a conference chair.

DR. MAHTO

Simon, I'm so angry and disgusted

that I can barely speak. But is

this breach closed at least?

Grey sits next to Dr. Mahto.

GREY

No, it's not. (beat) I don't know

how much you read, but sometimes,

(beat) 140 expands on its own. No

blood, no ink, nothing. It just

gets longer. That's why it's Keter.

If it always required ink, it might

be classified Safe.

DR. MAHTO

(with horror) No, I didn't know

that. Then…we are not safe at

all. (beat) 140 is not actually

contained! Just another lie. It is

only a matter of time.

GREY

Bingo. And once it expands enough,

we get a CK-Class Reality

Restructuring scenario. Game Over.

We all bow down to the Daevas and

their witch-king, or whatever it

is. Even worse, the Foundation is

exposed to the world.

DR. MAHTO

(disbelief) Even worse, Simon?

Compared to the lives lost? The

unfathomable impact on humanity?

GREY

(serious, slowly) Doctor, nothing

is worse than an LV, a Lifted Veil

scenario. The world can't function

unless the Foundation remains a

secret. You have to accept that if

you want to work here.

DR. MAHTO

(long pause) My God. The nihilism,

Simon. The lies. The deception.

I had no idea what the Foundation

was doing, and they and you were

concealing everything.

GREY

Doctor, no. Someday, you might

figure out why the expansions

happen. Maybe you'll figure out how

to stop them entirely.

DR. MAHTO

(unbelieving) What? How, Simon?

GREY

(pause) Beats me, Doc. I don't

understand your work. But I know

it's why you're here. Why we're all

here. (long pause) There's one

other thing about this breach

that's not done.

DR. MAHTO

(weary) What is that?

GREY

When the Daevas live for longer,

they leave behind more artifacts.

Graves. The Foundation has

archeologists onsite at Daeva digs.

Yesterday, those sites were dug up,

empty. But today, the Daevas have

lived for longer. And so the

Foundation needs to look at those

sites again. And when they do…

DR. MAHTO

Oh my Lord, Simon, you mean a

complete rewrite of those sites?

GREY

And don't forget: thaumaturgy!

Cannibalism! You can't just start

digging wherever.

DR. MAHTO

So what does the Foundation do?

CLOSE SHOT on Grey.

GREY

(beat) We send in the Grave

Diggers.

CUT TO BLACK

ACT 4

EXT. FOUNDATION ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, SOMEWHERE IN NORTHERN

PAKISTAN—DUSK

The entirety of this act is shot with a handheld camera.

SHOT on an expansive, modern archeological site. The site is

peopled with workers, guards, and researchers. As it is

evening, activity is light. A few vehicles are seen entering

and leaving. The land is both mountainous and green. The site

itself is near the bottom of a valley with a small lake.

Screen shows two-line caption: "Foundation Archeological

Site"; "Somewhere in Northern Pakistan"

Camera PANS IN towards a research tent, then:

CUT TO:

INT. RESEARCH TENT ON ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE

Tent is supplied with a variety of high-tech equipment. A few

GUARDS are present. DR. JAFARI oversees 3 ASSISTANTS, one of

whom is operating communications equipment. This COMM

OPERATOR looks rather bored as he listens with earphones.

ANGLE ON Comm Operator as a red light flashes on his console.

The setup is a field version of the Foundation workstation we

have now seen many times. He noticeably perks up. The

following conversation is in Urdu with English subtitles.

COMM OPERATOR

(in Urdu) Doctor, incoming coded

message. Foundation priority one.

Dr. Jafari comes to stand behind Comm Operator

DR. JAFARI

(in Urdu) Priority one? Something

system-wide?

COMM OPERATOR

(in Urdu) Nothing else, Doctor.

They are requesting credentials.

DR. JAFARI

(in Urdu) One moment…

ANGLE ON Dr. Jafari tapping on his smartwatch, then CLOSE

SHOT of smartwatch touching the panel to the left of Comm

Operator's keyboard. The green trefoil appears surrounded by

Urdu text.

COMM OPERATOR

(in Urdu) (pause) Acknowledged,

receiving message. (pause) Doctor,

message is eyes-only, at your

panel.

DR. JAFARI

(in Urdu, concerned) Eyes-only?

What is this?

MOVING SHOT as Dr. Jafari moves to another station. SHOT over

back of station to look at Dr. Jafari's face. As Dr. Jafari

completes the login, a red light from his screen flashes,

reflecting off his face. Dr. Jafari's eyes widen, and he

abruptly shuts off the console.

Dr. Jafari gets up and hurriedly exits the tent. SHOT TRACKS

until exit, ends on WIDE SHOT of personnel in tent. Tensions

are higher. A Guard approaches Comm Operator. ANGLE ON both.

GUARD #5

(in Urdu) Yasir, what do you think

that was about?

COMM OPERATOR

(in Urdu) I don't know. It was a

priority one message, and (pause)

oh…oh no!

GUARD #5

(in Urdu) What? Tell me!

COMM OPERATOR

(in Urdu) No, no not again!

CUT TO:

EXT. FOUNDATION ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE

WIDE SHOT of Dr. Jafari running towards another tent, then

TIGHTEN SHOT on Dr. Jafari, FOLLOWING as Dr. Jafari enters…

INT. COMMAND TENT OF ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE

ANGLE ON Dr. Jafari as he enters the tent. Conversation is

now in English.

DR. JAFARI

Captain Good!

WIDE SHOT on tent interior, which is similar to the research

tent, except it has more personnel, all of whom are military.

CAPTAIN GOOD is the site security commander, an Australian

aged 42. She is talking to 2 Guards. The atmosphere is very

tense. She turns to Dr. Jafari. ANGLE ON Captain Good.

CAPTAIN GOOD

Good evening, Ibrahim. It looks

like you got the word.

DR. JAFARI

I cannot believe it! A breach at

Site-76? SCP-140?

CAPTAIN GOOD

Those bloody Sarkites never stop,

do they? You and your team need to

bug out to the emergency camp, at

least until we get this thing

buttoned up.

DR. JAFARI

Captain, I'd like to observe, if I

may?

CAPTAIN GOOD

Negative, Doctor. You know what

happened last time.

DR. JAFARI

Yes, but we learned from that

event. I can learn more. Please

grant this request.

OVER SHOULDER of Dr. Jafari as Captain Good approaches.

CAPTAIN GOOD

To be frank, it's not up to me,

Ibrahim. My company is day-to-day

security. Zeta-9 should be here

imminently. It's their call.

ANGLE ON COMM OPERATOR #2 behind Captain Good towards rear of

tent.

COMM OPERATOR #2

Captain, Zeta-9 is reporting one

minute.

CAPTAIN GOOD

Acknowledged. Doctor, come with me.

Guards, attend us!

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE COMMAND TENT

WIDE SHOT on Captain Good, Dr. Jafari, and 4 Guards exiting

the tent. Activity has noticeably picked up, with personnel

boarding vehicles to depart. There is still some sunlight.

ANGLE ON Captain Good as she scans Western horizon with field

glasses. She stops and points.

CAPTAIN GOOD

Here they come! Guards, escort us

to the landing pad!

CUT TO:

EXT. WESTERN HORIZON

Against the setting sun and a riot of colors, we see three

helicopters approaching the site. Two are gunships, and one

is a large troop transport. Across the screen we see the

following two lines of text: "Foundation Mobile Task Force

Zeta-9, C Troop"; "aka 'The Grave Diggers'".

CUT TO:

EXT. LANDING PAD

WIDE SHOT of Captain Good's party (including 4 Guards)

reaching the edge of the landing pad as the Zeta-9 copters

land. ANGLE ON troop transport as its main hatch opens. Zeta

9 COMMANDOS pour out. Last to exit is MAJOR STANTON, a brash

American aged 57, who walks towards Captain Good. Salutes are

exchanged. ANGLE ON speakers in turn.

MAJOR STANTON

How goes the evac, Good?

CAPTAIN GOOD

Should be done in 10, sir.

MAJOR STANTON

Too slow, Captain. My Diggers will

be in position in 5.

CAPTAIN GOOD

So quick? Don't you need more time

to prepare?

MAJOR STANTON

This is a breach, Captain.

Threatens a CK. Got to seal up

these ugly sorcerers. (notices Dr.

Jafari) Why is this civilian still

here, Captain Good?

DR. JAFARI

Major, I am the lead researcher

here. I would like to observe the

containment.

MAJOR STANTON

Observe, Doctor? You have no idea.

Some of my Diggers are going to die

today. They know it, I know it. No

way we get out unscathed. Why will

you?

DR. JAFARI

There is no guarantee that

something deadly happens this time.

MAJOR STANTON

Then why stay, Doctor? Isn't that

what you want to see? Get a Keter

notch in your belt? Anyway, I don't

have the luxury to contemplate

that. More people will die if did.

DR. JAFARI

(pause) I still need to try. To see

something living from the past, if

it happens…it is worth the risk.

MAJOR STANTON

(disgusted, ironic) I guess that's

fine, Doctor. You can sit up front

in the troop transport with Jacobs.

That should give you a nice view.

We'll see how you fare. (to Good,

seriously) Good, clear the rest of

your team out in 5.

Salutes, then Major Stanton leaves to join his Commandos.

ANGLE ON Captain Good and Dr. Jafari talking.

CAPTAIN GOOD

I'll send two guards with you.

DR. JAFARI

Is there any point to that?

CAPTAIN GOOD

(beat) No, there isn't. Just ignore

the Major, Ibrahim.

DR. JAFARI

(beat) Thank you, Captain.

CAPTAIN GOOD

(pause, in Urdu) Until we meet

again.

DR. JAFARI

(in Urdu) Yes, until we meet again.

WIDE SHOT of Dr. Jafari being escorted to troop transport

with 2 Guards, while Commandos get into position around one

of the main digs. Captain Good's vehicle is the last to

leave.

WIDE SHOT on landing pad, as the two gunships take off again.

Camera TRACKS them as they maneuver into position over the

dig on either side. Commandos have set up 2 heavy machinegun

stands, and the remaining solders are dispersed around the

perimeter. ANGLE ON two Commandos in position.

PRIVATE

Corporal, sir, this is messed up.

Sorry, but something's wrong here.

CORPORAL

No, good instincts, Private. This

is going to be bad. If we're lucky.

Hold your position.

CUT TO:

INT. TROOP TRANSPORT HELICOPTER

CLOSE SHOT of Dr. Jafari in the helicopter, with lights

dancing on his face. REVERSE OVER SHOULDER shot looking out

at the dig as the Commandos ready their positions.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMAND GUNSHIP

ANGLE ON Major Stanton and his PILOT, overseeing the action.

As he speaks, various CUTS TO Commandos listening over their

headsets and reacting.

MAJOR STANTON

OK you ghouls! (CUT) You knew about

Zeta-9, our mission, and you signed

on anyway. (CUT) And now it's clear

that you fucked up. (CUT) But you

also know what you need to do.

(CUT) Get hot, ready assault

positions. (CUT back to CLOSE SHOT

of Major Stanton). Prepare to blow

in 10.

CUT TO:

EXT. DIG SITE

ANGLE ON 2 ENGINEERS setting detonation charges at the bottom

of the dig. From the non-command gunship we hear a countdown

over a megaphone:

GUNSHIP

Nine, eight, seven…

Engineers clear out of the dig and take positions at the

perimeter.

GUNSHIP

Six, five, four…

Various CUTS TO Commandos readying their positions.

ANGLE ON Dr. Jafari through the windscreen, making notes and

watching intently.

GUNSHIP

Three…

ANGLE ON Captain Good looking pensive as her vehicle speeds

away.

GUNSHIP

Two…

CLOSE SHOT of Major Stanton.

GUNSHIP

One…

WIDE SHOT of entire scene.

GUNSHIP

Mark.

ANGLE ON explosion at the center of the dig. Several CUTS TO

Commandos cautiously straining to look at the aftermath. In

the last of these, a Commando is suddenly grabbed by an

enormous pseudopod and dragged offscreen.

WIDE SHOT of explosion site, where we now seen a large

amoeboid creature, shimmering with many colors, reaching out

with multiple tentacles. Covering the mass, we see what look

like smaller protrusions that are roughly shaped like human

appendages, including heads, that only last for a moment

before collapsing back into the mass and then regenerating,

which happens continuously.

What follows is a firefight where more and more Commandos are

pulled into the mass, with some deserting. At the climax, a

very large appendage flings itself towards the command

gunship.

CLOSE SHOT of Major Stanton

MAJOR STANTON

Code Red, repeat, Code Red! Fire

the-

EXT. COMMAND GUNSHIP

Appendage envelopes command gunship and begins pulling it

into the central mass.

INT. TROOP TRANSPORT HELICOPTER

OVER SHOULDER shot of Dr. Jafari watching this attack, then

REVERSE SHOT on Dr. Jafari and JACOBS in cockpit.

JACOBS

Fuck! Major called Code Red! We

have to get out of here!

DR. JAFARI

What's Code Red?

JACOBS

We're blasting the site!

DR. JAFARI

What? No! Why would they-

JACOBS

It's gone, Doc, they're gone, and

no guarantees for us!

EXT. TROOP TRANSPORT HELICOPTER

Helicopter starts to take off, but as it starts to turn away,

we CUT TO:

EXT. COMMANDO POSITION

Two Commandos with a large backpack run towards the center of

the dig. As a tentacle lunges for them, they trigger the

backpack, an SADM explosive. As the explosion begins, CUT

BACK TO:

EXT. TROOP TRANSPORT HELICOPTER

Where we see the explosion rapidly overtake the troop

transport. Dr. Jafari bows his head and rocks back and forth.

The explosion envelopes the transport. CUT BACK TO:

EXT. DIG SITE

WIDE SHOT of the site, where the explosion rises into the

air. As the scene starts to fade out, we hear Captain Good in

voiceover:

CAPTAIN GOOD (V.O.)

(in Urdu) Until we meet again.

FADE TO BLACK.

ACT 5

INT. SECURITY DESK SITE-76

This act opens with several shots and a voiceover by AGENT

KLIKS, who is conversing with an unknown party on his phone.

Focus on Security Desk engaged in normal activity.

KLIKS (V.O.)

No, that was never the deal. The

arrangements got fucked up somehow.

INT. SITE-76 ARCHIVES

Focus on that bored Librarian reading her book.

KLIKS (V.O.)

An information swap is nothing like

allowing a containment breach.

INT. OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140

Focus on the cell door and its two Guards, standing at

attention.

KLIKS (V.O.)

I never said that! (pause) Where

are you getting your information?

INT. AGENT'S KLIKS' OFFICE SITE-76

The once ornate office is now nearly empty of lived-in

furnishings. Instead, we see bare Foundation fixtures, and

two large taped-up boxes on the floor. Next to these are two

expensive-looking overnight bags.

Kliks is pacing the office, talking on a cheap cellphone that

looks like a "burner". He is wearing a summer scarf in the

European style, as well as a hat. He looks ready to travel.

KLIKS

Of course I want access to the

Library. The whole Foundation does.

But your price is too high.

(extended pause) I'll have to think

about that. (extended pause) Yes,

that sounds much better. But I have

to leave you now. I'm on the move.

(pause) To my new roost. Finally,

I'm getting the respect I deserve.

(pause) I'll be in touch. Ciao.

Kliks shuts off the phone, grins at it, then tosses it into a

heavy duty shredder attached to a bare desk. He picks up the

two overnight bags, and walks to the door. Looking around one

more time, he smiles and leaves the office, whose lights shut

off automatically when he leaves.

FADE TO:

INT. CORRIDOR LEADING TO SECURITY DESK-AFTERNOON

FRONT SHOT of GREY, DR. MAHTO, and 2 GUARD escorts, slowly

walking to the Security Desk. Grey has his messenger bag, and

each Guard is carrying a travel bag belonging to Dr. Mahto.

DR. MAHTO

(furious) It was all a lie, Simon.

This is nothing like what the

Foundation said I would be doing.

GREY

I don't know what to tell you.

Today was extreme, but not

unexpected. Your orientation-

DR. MAHTO

43 people died today! That's not

unexpected? That much daily death?

GREY

Look, Zeta-9 knew the score. Mobile

Task Forces are our best, but that

means they get the tough jobs.

Sometimes they're impossible.

DR. MAHTO

How can you tolerate that, Simon?

It's…it's monstrous. Unthinkable.

CLOSE SHOT on Dr. Mahto

DR. MAHTO

(sincere) I have always envisioned

my research helping people, serving

humanity. But now I realize I've

signed on to just holding back

cosmic monsters and keeping the

body count to a minimum!

WIDEN SHOT to Group. Grey stops and turns to Dr. Mahto, then

to the Guards.

GREY

Guards, give us a moment.

The Guards step to the side. FRONT SHOT on Grey and Dr. Mahto

in PROFILE.

GREY

Doctor. (pause) Jagruti. Today,

(pause) today you saw more than

most new researchers see in 3

years. It's awful on the best days.

You just saw the worst. But that's

it, you have to stop feeling sorry

for yourself and get on with it.

DR. MAHTO

(furious) How dare you, Simon! I am

not feeling sorry for myself! The

Foundation lied to me. I was

tricked into making the wrong

decision.

GREY

(thinking) I guess that old saying

is right, then.

DR. MAHTO

What old saying?

GREY

The truth hurts.

DR. MAHTO

(exasperated) How does that even

apply here, Simon?

GREY

I don't know! (pause) I'm just…

(long pause) You saw the truth,

Doctor. More than most people ever

will. And yeah, most people don't

want the truth, because it hurts to

know. (pause) But you're a

scientist. I mean, I'm not one, but

I thought that the truth was

everything to scientists. When you

do an experiment, or whatever, do

you give up if it doesn't work the

way you wanted?

DR. MAHTO

(disarmed) No, not if you are a

good scientist. Sometimes, the

failures provide the most

information.

GREY

Then you're in the right place,

Doctor. Lotta failure here.

DR. MAHTO

But how do I get past all the

deception, Simon? How do I ever

trust the Foundation again?

GREY

(beat) You don't. Ever. You just

get used to it. You figure out how

to contribute while maintaining

whatever morals you think you have.

Your first meeting with the Ethics

Committee will clarify a lot.

DR. MAHTO

(beat) And that's it?

GREY

(long pause) That's it.

DR. MAHTO

(long pause) I see. (beat, change

in demeaner) Well, I do think that

I trust YOU, Simon. Maybe that's

enough for me to continue.

GREY

(stunned) I hope so, Jagruti.

DR. MAHTO

So back to your proposal. (beat) If

I could figure out the mechanism

for SCP-140 expansion, it would be

more meaningful than anything I

have worked on to date.

GREY

Yes, it would.

DR. MAHTO

140 seems able to convert a certain

form of matter to retrocausal

energy. If we could monitor local

quantum entanglement during an

expansion event-

GREY

Doctor-

DR. MAHTO

-we could measure the changes in

entanglement correlation, and see

how it applies to the local quantum

field! Then-

GREY

DOCTOR. I. Have. No. Idea what

you're talking about. (beat) But

it's good you do. Let's get to Site

19. Look up Dr. Xyanks when you get

there. (to Guards) Guards, we're

ready.

REVERSE SHOT as Grey, Mahto, and Guard walk away, continuing

towards the Security Desk. Mahto continues to formulate,

while Grey just nods.

CUT TO:

INT. SECURITY DESK SITE-76

ANGLE ON Grey and Mahto as they come up behind main desk and

stop short. Camera continues forward to reveal a large

contingent of Guards, researchers, and staff milling about

and talking to each other. CMDR YOO and LT. QUINN seem to be

a particular focus of attention, while Agent Kliks stand near

the desk, observing the proceedings. The mood is festive.

Cmdr Yoo's left forearm has a cast with many signatures and

doodles.

GREY

Geezus, did we miss something?

KLIKS

In fact, you missed several

somethings.

DR. MAHTO

Oh, I'm sorry we missed it! Some

good news is welcome.

GREY

What? What happened?

ANGLE ON Cmdr Yoo and Lt. Quinn approaching.

KLIKS

Special Agent, you are now speaking

to Captain Jesse Quinn. Show some

respect.

GREY

Wow, that's great news, ah,

Captain.

DR. MAHTO

Jesse, I am so proud of you. I wish

we had more time to work together.

CAPTAIN QUINN

Thanks, Doctor. But I can tell,

you're needed at Site-19. I'll hold

down the fort here.

GREY

Hold down the—

CMDR YOO

Captain Quinn is the new Chief of

Security for 76. (to Quinn, in

jest) Don't botch this, Jess. I'll

have lots of eyes watching you.

GREY

(realizing) OK, catching up slowly.

Does that mean (smiles all about)

Commander, are you moving to Site

19? Yoon-hee, that's incredible!

(calmer) I mean, Commander.

CMDR YOO

Yes, Agent Grey. As long as they

keep telling me it doesn't have to

be a desk job, I'll keep saying

yes. Plus, who's going to keep you

and Kliks from driving each other

to drink?

GREY

(sickly) Oh, no, no really?

KLIKS

The powers that be have come to

their senses, and are moving me to

my rightful domain. I've been given

an "at large" portfolio: dabbling

in whatever I deem most important

across the entire grid. Don't

worry, Grey, I'll give you a taste

now and then.

GREY

(looking at the group) Well, two

out of three isn't bad.

CMDR YOO

If it's any consolation, Agent, we

get to take the jet back.

GREY

Nice perk, Commander. Well, then, I

guess we're ready. Guard, please

arrange an escort and take

everyone's luggage.

DR. MAHTO

Simon, I want to say goodbye to a

few people here. It will just take

a moment.

GREY

I think the jet has to wait for us.

Dr. Mahto steps into the crowd. Kliks moves closer to Grey

and they have a quiet conversation.

KLIKS

A quick chat, not in front of the

others.

GREY

Well, Yoon-hee must know.

KLIKS

No, the Commander has no official

knowledge. Remember that.

GREY

(beat) Sure. So you have some new

insult you want to spring on me?

KLIKS

In good time. But right now, I need

to apologize. Something did go

wrong with 140.

GREY

Christ, Kliks, you think? A Top 20

Keter breached! What possible-

KLIKS

It has to do with…our project.

GREY

(silent, then) Like I said. How?

KLIKS

Let's say that we may have an 'in'

now with someone who knows…a Way.

GREY

(pause) I don't know, Kliks. We've

been lied to again and again. Seems

like you're moving too fast. And I

don't have any control.

KLIKS

With us both at Site-19 it will be

easier to coordinate. And for you

to be more informed.

GREY

(distressed) So this may have all

been worth it. All these deaths.

What the hell's wrong with me?

KLIKS

The Foundation does it to us all.

Might as well put it to the best

possible use.

Dr. Mahto approaches with Cmdr Yoo and 3 Guard escorts. Also

entering the scene is the PILOT taking our crew to Site-19.

(S)he is a less armored guard, wearing a visored helmet

obscuring his/er eyes. (S)he also wears gloves…similar to

the Sarkite (recall none of our main cast saw this). PAN IN

on the gloves. Then CUT TO WIDE SHOT on Dr. Mahto.

DR. MAHTO

All right, Simon, I'm ready.

CMDR YOO

Do you know your first assignment,

Jagruti?

DR. MAHTO

I am part of Dr. Gears' research

group. I don't know much more than

that right now.

GREY

(knowingly) Oh, man, Gears!

DR. MAHTO

What does THAT mean?

GREY

(pause) I can tell you some stories

on the plane.

KLIKS

(acknowledging Pilot) Pilot, we're

ready to depart. Off to the

mothership, everyone!

Grey suddenly looks distracted, and is looking at the Pilot.

The group begins to depart. Grey turns to Dr. Mahto.

GREY

(distracted) Oh, almost forgot.

Never had a chance this morning.

Grey steps back and formally extends a hand to Dr. Mahto.

GREY

(ambivalent, serious) Welcome to

the Foundation, Doctor.

Dr. Mahto shakes Grey's hand once. The group turns towards a

corridor and heads towards it. Grey taps Kliks on the

shoulder and says something unheard. Both briefly stop, look

at the Pilot, then continue walking. SHOT PULLS BACK to show

the entire hall as the group departs. SHOT DISSOLVES up to

the weigh station bay, then WIDENS to show the whole weigh

station. Continues to PULL BACK to show a construction dig

next to the weigh station hidden from the highway. Across the

screen we see the text "Solaris Construction & Planning." We

hover over this scene as the text and scene begin to fade,

apart from the leading letters "S-C-P", as we…

CUT TO BLACK

THE END