by
Todd Guilmette
Miami, Florida, USA. Busy afternoon downtown. A MAN in clothes obviously too expensive for him struts down the sidewalk after climbing out of his blazer.
0 EXT - STREET
We see only the back of him as we follow him. Then he stops, looking behind his shoulders at us, and now we see his face. He is white but with darker tanned skin. Black hair, short. Nicely groomed. He looks behind as if someone is following. Then after a moment continues up the steps of a building
1 INT - POLICE DEPT HQ
The man continues inside the building, making his way through a cacophony of yelling, phones ringing and people walking amongst desks and the rubble in and around them. A place where people care more about their job than keeping neat office space.
The man continues to his desk.
OFFICER Hey, Wolf! Captain wants to see ya.
Detective Wolf bounces out of his chair and makes his way to the Captain's office.
2 INT - CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
CAPTAIN is talking on the phone as usual. Wolf walks in and sits down in front of the desk, taking no notice of the back of the room. As the captain is talking, Wolf sniffs the air. It's a bit musty. Captain must have been too liberal with the Old Spice. Captain finishes talking, throwing the phone on the cradle as usual.
CAPTAIN Punk Park officials. They think they run the entire country. WOLF Yeah, they do.
Captain sits for a second, studying Wolf. Then stands and sits nearer Wolf.
CAPTAIN You know, detective. You've been a great asset to this department. You've always been on-the-job. Street-smart. A good detective.
Wolf feels a bad thing coming here. He just nods.
CAPTAIN But the various higher-ups have decided to give you a change. A transfer. A transfer up, I assure you. WOLF I'm being promoted? CAPTAIN Of sorts. You know anything about the Animal Regulation Institute? WOLF Only what people generally know. They regulate all non-human species in the world. CAPTAIN Well, it seems they have a little problem. Some of the animals under their purvue are getting slain, and they are at a loss. WOLF The A.R.I? At a loss? That's a first. They have the biggest lobby in congress. What can't they do? CAPTAIN They need someone special to investigate. Someone totally objective. And someone who can get the job done. That's right, you. Don't ask me why they picked you, they just did. WOLF Out of all the officers in the country.. In the world. They picked me? That doesn't make sense to me. CAPTAIN Had to be someone. Maybe it's your name. Wolf. Maybe they thought you could do a better job with a name like that. WOLF Maybe they're smokin' crack.
Wolf sniffs the air again. That smell is getting stronger.
CAPTAIN Anyway, it's done. You've been assigned. You get this case, the outcome of which will have bearing on the whole world, probably.
Wolf is unimpressed.
WOLF Great. CAPTAIN Oh, and one more thing. Meet your associate on this case.
Captain points behind WOLF. Wolf stands around and looks to the back of the office. A Siberian white TIGER is there. The tiger pads toward Wolf and jumps it's front paws on the back of the chair. The tiger holds out a paw.
TIGER Nice to meet you.
We then realize that this is not the world we know, and Wolf realizes that he has been assigned to a world of trouble. Wolf stands there, hands beside him. He stares at the tiger. Wolf cranes his neck, staring at the ceiling.
WOLF This is gonna be really different.
The tiger loses his half-smile and puts his paw down.
INT - POLICE DEPT HQ
Wolf treads out of the captain's office, and now we see a different scene. The workers are no longer shadows, and we see not only human shapes but animals as well. A secretarial kangaroo answers phones. A German Shephard holds one of the dispatch booths. A llama bolts around dropping mail in people's desk trays. The tiger follows. They walk towards the front door, Wolf not turning to speak face to face.
TIGER What? What's your problem? WOLF Nothing. TIGER Oh yeah? That's a load of dung. You don't want to work with me. WOLF I didn't say that. Don't say I said something I didn't. TIGER Fine, there aren't that many non-human detectives. Fine, most of us are delegated to more menial tasks because humans don't think we can do anything more. Fine. But--
They reach the front door. Wolf suddenly turns around, glaring at his new partner.
WOLF What? TIGER I was educated with the finest. You don't have to have a head that big to be as smart as you. I've got more inside here. (taps his head) You've got what I've got in my head, plus a lot of hot air.
The tiger bounds past Wolf and out the door, leaving Wolf a bit stunned. He looks at nothing for a minute, then sees an advertisement on a bulletin board next to him. "You like it doggy-style? Call 555-8000 NOW!" A bad Xerox picture of a posing great Dane was below the announcement. Wolf shakes his head and shivers.
WOLF Eeech. 3 EXT - STREET
Wolf and the tiger rides in Wolf's black Chevy Blazer. Silence. Then finally:
WOLF So you gonna tell me why I'm here? TIGER Yeah. Because the A.R.I. thinks that you're the right man for this job. I'm beginning to wonder. WOLF Hey! I'm a good detective. Give me a case. I don't care if it has to do with humans or non-humans. TIGER "Animals", you mean. You humans say "non-human" well enough for the politically correct, but when we hear it, we know you mean "animal". WOLF Whatever. So what's the deal? Someone killing "non-humans".
Wolf leans over, over-stressing the last words. The tiger gives Wolf the evil eye and snorts. A bit more silence.
WOLF Well?! TIGER Ok. The A.R.I. has had reports of non-humans being murdered for no reason they can gather. There's no motives. No connection between the murders. They just seem to be random. However they feel that there has to be a connection. Even though they can't see one. Frankly, they're out of ideas. WOLF No one murders randomly. There is a connection. They're all non-humans.
The blazer stops at a red light and Wolf spots a construction area. A giraffe loading small pieces of particle board from the ground to the second floor like a crane. It has a brace on it's neck.
TIGER Yeah, no kidding. I -- WOLF Why's that giraffe have a brace? TIGER Because a giraffe's neck isn't that strong. It needs the extra support. Can we talk here? WOLF Yeah.
The light turns green. The car resumes.
TIGER Anyway, we are to go down to the A.R.I. headquarters, where they will brief us on what they've found so far. WOLF Which is not much I assume.
Wolf now spots a water booth. It is like a stout phone booth, but with a small handle which triggers a shower of water from the top of the booth. A turtle is in there, bathing.
TIGER Yeah, well, you can kinda figure that from-- WOLF Hey, why do they have to do that all the time?
The tiger stops again and finds where Wolf is looking. He sighs.
TIGER That is so they won't dry out. They are from the tropical forest, they need humidity or they dry out. Imagine being parched in the worst desert with dry wind whipping across your skin. That's what they feel like. (turns defensive) What the hell am I, your tour guide? We've been around you for ten years.. living with you. Walking alongside you, talking, existing in your society. And you've never wondered about these things before? This is all common knowledge! WOLF Yeah, well. I've really never paid much attention to you guys. You know, I just took it for granted. TIGER Well, you're missing a lot.
Another silence ensues.
WOLF I'll, um. Try to work with you on this.
Wolf and the tiger scan each other's faces for a minute. Then the tiger reaches out his paw again to shake. Wolf finally takes it.
WOLF Nice to meet you. What's your name? TIGER Neil. WOLF Nice to meet you, Neil.
Wolf then looks down at their hands shaking, and stops, feeling Neil's paw. He strokes it a bit.
WOLF Wow, this is soft. NEIL Hey! Give me my paw. Stupid. That tickles.
Wolf and Neil give each other the hairy eyeball and then continue to ride toward the A.R.I. headquarters.
4 INT - A.R.I HEADQUARTERS, CHIEF INVESTIGATORS OFFICE
An office much like the police captain's but much sparser and clean. An office of an administrator, not a leader of police. Wolf sits in a chair and Neil lounges on an elevated couch. The investigator, Thomas Riley, is a medium-sized GORILLA.
RILEY So they teamed you up with a flatfoot, I see. No offense, Detective, I am just surprised they went through with it. WOLF You don't like humans.. flatfeet.. and non-humans, working together? RILEY Mmm, not as much people working with animals. More like animals working with people who are of considerably less nature.
Wolf bristles, about to say something. But he doesn't; nothing better to get thrown off the case than by the objection of an official. Neil speaks after a moment.
NEIL So what have you found out so far?
Riley stares down Wolf for a minute, then answers.
RILEY It seems to be straightforward. Someone is murdering non-humans. There doesn't seem to be a pattern to the species or the location. Except that they are all in southern Florida. The victims are all the same. Quite grotesque style of killing. It's either a psychopath or just someone with an intense dislike for creatures other than himself. WOLF You think it's a human then? RILEY Detective, what you don't understand, and cannot understand, is that we "animals" have an innate protectiveness among our own kind. We respect each other, more than any human could respect another. It is the main difference between us and you. Yes, I believe the killer could only be human. WOLF Really? I like to keep all my options open. And my imagination, too.
Riley starts to answer, then is interrupted by a phone. Riley picks it up. We hear a short half-conversation, and then he sets down the phone.
RILEY Well now, you'll be able to see for yourself. There's been another. 5 INT - A CHEETAH'S HOUSE
Wolf, Neil and Riley enter the house of the murdered animal. Neil and Riley proceed to the center of activity, where various human and non-human officers catalog the scene. Wolf lags behind. He has never seen an animal's house. The rooms have an outward appearance of a normal house, yet there are details that set it apart. Small appliances and adapters are arranged about, designed to interface the animal with the man-made electronic. Wolf finally makes his way to the scene.
INT - KITCHEN WOLF Oh my god. RILEY Indeed. What if this had happened to one of you? It would be all over the news. 'Vicious murderer disembowels victim in cold blood' Is that what it would say? WOLF I don't know. RILEY You see, this is an act of barbarism that can only be done by a human. We are not capable of this.
Riley makes his way out. A bit of silence here as forensics works it's way around.
WOLF Jesus Christ, Neil. NEIL Yeah.
Now we see the whole picture. The kitchen is crowded with officers and technicians. Photo flashes light the room. In the center, a slain cheetah. It's skin has been neatly sliced off and it's innards lay in the sink.
WOLF Who would do this? Skin an animal. You can't sell skins anymore. It's illegal, and plus you'd get your ass eaten by a large python or sliced by a Komodo Dragon or something. Someone would make sure you paid for it, legally or not. NEIL Then it has to be something else. Maybe it's a decoy. Maybe this cheetah was taken out for another reason. And this .. act.. is just a cover. WOLF Of some real evidence, something someone wanted to protect. NEIL I'm gonna.. um..
Neil walks out, into another room of the house. It is just too much for him.
WOLF Yeah.
Wolf looks again at the victim and follows Neil. They search the house a bit. Mulling through some scattered papers on a coffee table, Wolf finds a small paper with human writing on it. It is a name and a place. It is the only paper with human writing, as non-human writing tends to be very different. Instantly curious, he looks up the name of the place. In the phone book, it is a bar. Not far from the house.
Wolf addresses Neil to the side. He suspects that Neil is a bit too unfamiliar with the grotesque of crime.
WOLF How long you been an investigator for the A.R.I., Neil? NEIL (defensively) Long enough.
Wolf grunts.
WOLF Well, we've got something. Come on. 6 EXT - HOWLING MOON BAR
Neil and Wolf exit the blazer, Wolf opens the door and Neil just jumps out the window. They walk toward the bar entrance.
WOLF You any better? NEIL Yeah. Sorry about that. We aren't used to that kind of thing. WOLF I don't understand it. I've seen nature shows, you know, with animals in the wild eating each other and attacking each other and competing for mates. And now here you are, getting nauseous at one corpse. NEIL It's not the same. When we got smart enough to talk, we got smart enough to realize that those things were too.. basic. We co-exist, not compete. WOLF Yeah, right. Evolution like that in just a few years, I don't get it---
As they walk toward the bar, a large body brushes up against Wolf, who is knocked almost off his feet. Wolf looks back, about to give the offending guy a piece of his tongue, and then sees what it is. It is a large panda, lumbering steadily away. Weighing a lot.
PANDA The hell're you looking at?
The panda looks forward again. Neil confides in Wolf for a second as they are stopped.
NEIL Never mess with those guys. They have a bad attitude. WOLF You know, I would have thought they would be nice. Like large friendly bears, soft and cuddly. NEIL Well, don't make that mistake. They are certainly NOT cuddly. Make one wrong move around them and you're likely to get trampled. One foot on you and you never have to worry about your figure again. You won't have one. 7 INT- HOWLING MOON BAR
The bar is your typical neighborhood pub. Dark, small. But since this is Miami, the top of the bar has a pink neon lining. The whole place seems a little uncomfortable with itself. Soft country music plays somewhere. Neil and Wolf walk up to the bar.
WOLF We're looking for Henry Bassett. Seen him in here?
The bartender is about to answer when a man to Wolf's side at the bar answers for him. A Stocky fellow, he talks with a lose jaw. He's had more than one drink.
BASSETT Yeah. He's me. What do you want? WOLF You know a cheetah named Farrell? Lives down the street. BASSETT Yeah, I KNEW a cheetah named Farrell. He was murdered. Just like the others. WOLF The others? BASSETT Yeah. The others on the council. WOLF What council is that? BASSETT The National Council on Flying Elephants.
Bassett breaks out in laughter, filling the room's quiet din. Wolf looks away, shaking his head. He sighs. Then suddenly straightens out on his stool as if he had sat on a cactus. He had, of sorts. Neil has his claws out, pricking Bassett on the shoulders.
NEIL We're not joking around. Are we? WOLF Um. Nope.
Bassett turns about, looking from Neil to Wolf. He is not calm but tries to act collected.
BASSETT I don't know. Please don't ask me. It's more than just me. I'm not going to tell you guys a damn thing.
Neil starts to pull his claw down the back of Bassett's suit. We hear ripping as the cloth is cut down to the waist. Bassett grimaces.
BASSETT You're gonna pay for that--
Neil pulls the claw down to Bassett's hindquarters, causing him to stand up off the bar stool. Neil then works his paw into Bassett's crotch, allowing Bassett to feel just what was threatened next by the sharp claws.
BASSETT Ok, ok, ok. Just stop. It's the Council of Territories. WOLF Never heard of it. BASSETT Don't think you would. It's not exactly in the public sector. I don't know what they stand for, what their goals are. I just know that they're dangerous and it's really best to stay out of their way.
Neil removes his claws and returns to his seat on the other side of Wolf, front paws on bar.
BASSETT Geez, where's a cattle prod when you need it?
Wolf says nothing. Neil answers by smiling, baring the long fangs for Bassett to study. Bassett backs away a little.
WOLF So what are you doing involved with this "council"? BASSETT I am just a courier. I deliver messages personally. You know, like a singing telegram? Farrell was too. I don't know why I'm telling you this. I could end up like Farrell. WOLF Really? Is it worth what you're getting paid to live under that kind of threat? BASSETT No. It isn't. So don't push me on this. I never saw you guys. Never.
Bassett tries to leave but this time Wolf sees he doesn't leave his seat quite yet.
WOLF Then make this worth my time. Give me something. BASSETT Farrell. He has everything you need to find the council. It oughtta be easy to find. Animals aren't that good at hiding things.
Bassett takes one last drag off his beer as he gets up.
BASSETT I don't know why the hell I tolerate this. Damn council. Just a bunch of snakes, all of them.
Bassett takes his hands off the bar, then freezes instinctively as he hears a sound not unlike a snake's hissing. He turns to see five large BOA CONSTRICTORS who have stopped in mid conversation with each other. They now turn toward Bassett.
BASSETT Um. Just a figure of speech there..
One snake approaches Bassett, slithering very close to his face. Bassett smiles weakly and tries to laugh. The snake draws near.
SNAKE A figure of ssss-peech? That's one I would loooove to disss-figure.
The snake then opened it's mouth wide, hissing. Exposing large fangs. Bassett runs out of the bar shortly.
8 INT - FARRELL'S HOUSE
Neil and Wolf again search the house, this time looking for any clue to the council. Finally they locate another paper. It is multicolored, a flyer denoting a cheetah gathering. "House of Snarl Festival. Sponsored by the Council of Territories. Key West, Florida." Then a date and time.
WOLF Look at this. Some sort of dance or something. NEIL Hmm. More like a cookout. Looks like we're going to the Keys. WOLF What the heck do cheetahs have at a cookout? 9 INT - BLAZER
Neil and Wolf riding again.
WOLF Huh? What? What do you guys eat anyway? You don't eat meat anymore? Then again, neither do we. Since the beef started to talk, no one really wants to eat it anymore. NEIL You know, I have no idea. Maybe some sort of vegetable concoction. WOLF Sure it isn't barbecued human? That "festival" sure sounds like some sort of deviant soirre. Kinda like-- NEIL You trying to make me mad? Why would you want to make an animal who has three inch fangs and the ability to gouge out significant portions of your body, mad? WOLF Huh. I thought you guys never killed anyone. NEIL We don't kill each-other. There's a difference. WOLF Oh yeah, so if we go to this thing and all your friends start looking at me like some sort of prime-rib, I'm gonna be really unhappy. Wolf spots something outside the car again. This time it is more than a turtle-shower. 10 EXT - PROTEST BLOCKADE Protesters form a picket line in front of a building marked "Phillium Pharmaceuticals" The protesters are chanting as a large crowd has gathered, hoping for some excitement. Wolf makes his way into the crowd near the front to see better. Neil has stayed in the truck. WOLF The hell is going on here? BYSTANDER It's the human-rights squad. That pharmaceutical company is hiring all non-humans for a special test. You know how they used to test makeup and stuff on animals and animal rights people were going nuts over it? Well, now these guys are hiring only non-humans to test on. Claims that they're better test subjects. These picketters say it's just discrimination cuz the non-humans can get paid less money. WOLF Huh. BYSTANDER It's just typical equal opportunity crap. I'm just waiting until the cops break it up. It's gonna be good.
Wolf turns away, a bit disgusted by the whole affair. He returns to the Blazer.
WOLF How the hell did I miss all of this? I'm a detective, for cryin' out loud. NEIL You people notice what you want to. That's why you people have to resort to blunt displays to make a point. Nothing gets your attention anymore. WOLF Yeah, but THIS? How could I have missed 10 years of this? NEIL It wasn't this bad 10 years ago.
Wolf gets into the blazer and they resume the trip out of town. It is nearly dark when they reach Key West.
11 EXT - FESTIVAL GROUNDS
Wolf can't help but be reminded of a zoo out of control. Driving in, they could hear the music and loud roaring a mile away. As they parked, they could see animals everywhere of every kind, loud and unrestrained. Incredibly, an old classic was issuing from loudspeakers. "Rock the Casbah".
Wolf and Neil made their way through the party, dodging tails and horns. Wolf was very conspicuous, being one of the only humans there. The only others he could see were serving drinks. A server walked by, offering some strange-looking beverages in large bowls. The server offered one to Wolf
WOLF The heck is this stuff? SERVER I don't know, but it's good enough to knock a rhino on it's ass. WOLF I think I'll stick to man-powered stuff. SERVER Good idea.
The server made his way off as a large animal a bit away caught Wolf's eye. It was a large creature, motioning him over. Wolf looked for Neil, but he had already made his way to a table on a far end of the festival grounds. Wolf started over slowly, avoiding a charging elephant on the way. The elephant fairly destroyed a nearby wall.
Wolf approached the table, seeing that it was a walrus who had called him over. On either side, two white polar bears sat studying him. Wolf made a point to be careful, suddenly and frightfully outmatched. A cold stream of air blew on him, undoubtedly for the benefit of the arctic threesome.
WALRUS You lost, good man? WOLF It looks like it. WALRUS You don't look like you got an invitation. WOLF No, I didn't. I kind of borrowed someone else's. WALRUS You can kind of walk out of here. Before someone gets really rowdy and casually gouges your skinny human stomach.
Wolf looks to the side, then withdraws his badge.
WOLF Detective Wolf. Special Investigations for the A.R.I. WALRUS The A.R.I., huh? The A.R.I. takes care of it's own. It doesn't need human help to solve it's problems. WOLF Well, that's what I thought too, but they called me. I'm not here because I want to be.
The walrus resettled itself. One of the polar bears bared a claw, picking a tooth with it. It made sure Wolf saw this.
WOLF So who are you? WALRUS Antonio. I run this place. This is my house. WOLF So what's all the celebrating about? WALRUS Groundhog day. WOLF You know, that's the second smart ass answer I've gotten from someone today, and it's starting to grate on my nerves. I know the Council of Territories is here.
The walrus straightened up, narrowed it's eyes at Wolf at the mention of this.
WOLF What is it, some initiation? Some sort of fund-raiser?
Then a loud mixture of noise came from the far side of the grounds, and all of the animals worked their way over to a small stage. A podium was there, a light came on. The sound was the animal equivalent of cheering, and it curled the hairs on Wolf's arms.
A well-groomed lion approached the podium. He reveled in the cheering, and then sliced the podium in half with razor claws. No animal was going to speak like a human. The crowd cheered louder.
Then the lion raised it's paw and the grounds quieted.
LION I am glad to see so many of you here. In the company of animals, and animals only. Do not be ashamed to go amongst yourselves. Animals are the only ones who will help each other. No man will. Remember that. I am here on behalf of the Council of Territories. The Territories of us. The territories of all which had belonged to us. We are here to make sure that humans never gain the upper hand over us again!
The crowd once again resumed the animal cheer. Wolf walked a bit closer, leaning on a railing. He stood away from the bears, but kept a sense on them.
LION You and I know that the humans have said they accept us, accept our change into the beings we are. They have welcomed us in ceremony. They have seen to our provisions, and given us jobs that suit them. We have gotten what they give. But it is time to leave the hand-outs of man behind. It is time to tell them that we can take care of ourselves. And more. We live in a world where humans still have the upper hand. It is the time in the evolution of the world, that WE triumph over those who have been our hunters, our slayers, our killers. It is time for us to succeed!
Another roar from the audience.
LION And when we are done, we will regain our territories. We will be the kings of the wilderness once again!
And the roar this time made Wolf shiver, and feel suddenly very uncomfortable. He looked over at the walrus, and the walrus winked at him. But the bears had gone. Wolf suddenly felt more naked than he had ever felt, and looked from side to side quickly. Sparing one last look at the walrus, he quickly walked back to the Blazer.
12 INT - BLAZER
Neil climbed in. Wolf pulled out and started to drive to the key highway as soon as Neil was in.
WOLF The hell were you? NEIL Oh, talking with some non-humans. Some very drunk, very forthcoming, non-humans. WOLF That's good. But I was feeling just a little vulnerable in there after that speech. The hell is going on here? NEIL Ah, just another radical exposition. Probably nothing to worry about. WOLF Oh? That "council of territories" is about to practically declare war on man-kind! NEIL They're just all talk. After all these guys sober up in the morning, they'll forget all this crazy posturing. They'll regain their senses. WOLF And that lion? NEIL That's another story. Turns out from my information, this council is serious about what they say. They really want to "take back the Earth". But they're still nothing without financial backing and the support of all non-animals. They know damn well they couldn't win a war against humans. The methods of war man has created just aren't meant for us.
Wolf drives, now sees reflections of white in the darkness. Reflections of light from the overhead lampposts, mirroring distorted white fur on the back windows. The polar bears were in the truck with them.
Wolf glances over at Neil quickly, nods at the back of the truck. Neil just nods a bit. He knows it. Wolf mouths "what?" Neil snarls a bit and points to his nose. He has smelled them since he got in the truck.
NEIL But I do think they're radical enough to kill to meet their ends. WOLF Like.. Farrell? NEIL And the others too. We've found our killer. We've found our killer now!
Strong white arms shoot out from the back seat. Two try to hold Neil in place on the seat. Two others engulf Wolf's head. Wolf can't see the road.
The Blazer is on a causeway, and now rolls onto a long narrow bridge. With Wolf struggling, the Blazer now starts to careen off the strong railings, flying sparks and snatches of metal behind it. Inside, the two struggle. Neil of course breaks free first and jumps in the back seat, engaged in what seems like an animal battle to the death.
Wolf is not so prepared. He has no claws or large teeth to bear. So as the arms choke him and drive him into unconsciousness, he reaches into his coat and withdraws the human compensation for evolved vulnerability. A shot pressures the air in the truck, and the arms release. Wolf has shot the polar bear in the head.
Wolf stops the truck and turns back to the back seat. All three animals lie on the seat. One is dead, the other polar bear seemingly dead or unconscious, and Neil laying there, eyes barely open, but he is breathing. There is blood everywhere.
WOLF Oh, no. Neil? Neil?
Wolf turns and hits the gas. He drives faster than he should to the nearest hospital.
WOLF I'm not gonna let this happen. I'm not gonna let this happen. Not like this. 13 INT - HOSPITAL VIEWING ROOM
Wolf is standing outside a viewing window, looking in on Neil, who is resting from wounds from the attack, most which are luckily superficial. Wolf appears in mildly good health but still looks weak. A DOCTOR is with him.
WOLF How's he doing? DOCTOR Resting. We didn't have to do anything serious. He had several deep scratches and a few ribs with slices along them from the claws, and he lost some blood, as you saw. WOLF Yeah, I'm never going to get that off my upholstery.
Wolf laughs nervously, but it is forced. His face turns grim again.
WOLF You know, I've only known him for two days. And yet I would grieve for him if he died. Two days ago I would have never thought about it twice if an animal died. You know, even though they talk and live around me.. I really wouldn't have cared. But now, after meeting one, after having him as my partner.. I don't know what I would do without him. DOCTOR They are irresistible. Having a pet dog or a cat die on you was enough even before they got smarter. But now.. There's something about them, something you just can't identify. They are a lot more than you think at first. A lot more.
The doctor starts away, but Wolf speaks again.
WOLF And all because of two dead polar bears.. DOCTOR Two? Only one of them died, the one you shot. The other one is quite alive. It seems your friend here only wounded him.
Wolf's eyes grow into narrow slits, and he sneers. 14 INT - PATIENT'S ROOM WOLF You son of a bitch.
The polar bear laughs.
POLAR BEAR Nope, wrong species. WOLF Do you know what I would do to you if I could get away with it? POLAR BEAR Do I know? Have I watched old movies and videos about the tyranny of mankind against all animals? Have I seen you murder for skins, kill for sport, drive to oblivion thousands of animal species? Yes, I know what you can do to me. WOLF My friend is in the hospital because of you. I had hoped he killed you. POLAR BEAR (indignant) I will not be killed by a mere tiger.
Wolf considers this for a second, then gets down to business.
WOLF I only want to know one thing. Who sent you to kill us? POLAR BEAR Not to kill you. To warn you, shake you up a bit. Put a slice of fear in your pale skin. And by the way, that other bear, the one you killed? That was my friend. And you cannot imagine what I would do to you for that.. If I could get away with it. WOLF I have an idea. Now. Who sent you to deal with us? POLAR BEAR Do your own detective work, detective. Humans say all the time, that we can't hide anything from you. Find it yourself.
The bear leans back in the veterinary bed, large enough to dwarf the bear's huge size. He will not say another word.
WOLF That's alright. You're in enough trouble already. The A.R.I. will have their way with you. It's out of my hands.
Wolf leaves the room as the bear leans over to look at the door closing. Then he sighs and closes his eyes. Indeed there will be hell to pay.
15 INT - POLICE HQ, THE NEXT DAY
Wolf is back at his desk, looking a bit hopeless. He picks up the phone, dials a number
RILEY Investigator Riley. WOLF This is Wolf. RILEY Oh? Sounds like a human to me. WOLF Stop fucking around, you know what I've been through. RILEY Yes. I know. We knew there was more to this than just fur. WOLF You heard about Neil? I'm really sorry about what happened. RILEY Huh. You were in more danger than he. It was just a warning, Detective. You didn't have to kill that bear. WOLF Did I know that? Did I? Am I well- versed in the traditions of crime in the animal kingdom? You guys have a strange way of doing things. RILEY Neil has probably tried to explain to you more than once. We don't kill our own. WOLF But I'm not one of you. Your little edict doesn't apply to me. RILEY As I said, you were in more danger than he. Anyway, it is good that you called. That lion you were hoping to track down? I have a name and I have a place. He owns a private club on Torrance Avenue. Non-humans only. 16 EXT - NEIL'S HOUSE
Wolf knocks on the door loudly.
WOLF Neil! Hello? I know you're in there! You asleep?
The door opens from a latch near the bottom of the door, and a tiger pokes his head out.
NEIL Not anymore. Get in here before you piss off my neighbors. You ever woke up a Savannah Monitor before? Not an especially good thing to do. INT - NEIL'S HOUSE
Wolf walks in after Neil. The room is dark and quiet, and a television illuminates the sparse furnishings. Wolf looks to see what is on.
NEIL So, what? I assume you have a lead or else you wouldn't be ramming down my door. WOLF I could get a real ram to do that. I think there's one across the street, pay him 50 bucks, you know. Hey! What's this? 'Thundercats'? Hey, I love this cartoon!
Neil uses a paw adapter with a sharp point on the end to press the power button on the remote. The TV goes off. Neil works toward the door, Wolf following.
WOLF Hey, why'd you turn it off? Thundercats rule! Thundercats, HO! Snarf. Snaaaarf! NEIL Sometimes I wish I stayed back in Zimbabwe. 17 INT - UGLY VAN
Wolf and Neil drive to the club.
NEIL I liked your Blazer better. WOLF Yeah, so did I, but it's pretty much done for. Even if it's not, I'm never going to get that smell out of the truck. NEIL What smell? WOLF The smell of blood. It's all over the front seat. And the back seat. And the seat behind that. (beat) What did you think I meant? NEIL I thought you were saying that we smell. WOLF Who, you guys? Only when you're wet. NEIL Oh, thank you. We smell? That's a good one. You know how far I can smell a human from? WOLF How far? NEIL Um. I don't know, it depends on the wind. Anyway, it's a long way. WOLF Damn, and I thought I put on my deoderant. NEIL And then you smell like human, and some other flowery concoction. Stink, I mean. Stink. WOLF I stink? NEIL Of course you stink. All humans stink. Ever seen one of us cross the street when we see a bum? That grimy- haven't-seen-the-inside-of-a-shower- for-6-years smell? Well, we can smell those people for miles. Absolute miles. WOLF Well, gee. Here, see what brand I am.
Wolf holds out his armpit toward Neil.
WOLF Here, sniff. Sniff, sniff, sniff. Eau de Human.
Neil fairly roars.
NEIL STOP IT!
Wolf stops. He looks over at Neil bashfully.
WOLF Yeah, ok. We all stink. But you know what you need? A really strong breath mint.
They arrive at the club Wolf reads the club's name: "The Lion's Den". They go inside.
WOLF That's original. NEIL Well, no one said lions were full of ideas. WOLF So who would you say is the smartest animal species? NEIL You don't want to know. WOLF Why? NEIL You'd be disappointed. 18 INT - THE LION'S DEN NEIL Now remember, the only reason we're here is because we're detecting. WOLF Yeah. Detecting. I know that. You reminding me of my job? NEIL Well, just don't get distracted. These places are kind of different.
Wolf scans the room. It is much like a human club: dance music blaring, bass rattling your insides. Dance floor with lights, bar and cocktail tables. Booths with special shapes to accommodate special shapes. To make every kind of animal feel comfortable.
Wolf is impressed by the place's decor: the place is abundant with live plants and trees, making the whole place a bit more humid than usual, even for Miami.
Neil spots the Lion quickly, and they work their way over. The booth is nested above most of the room, gaining a good vantage point. Naturally. The lion sits with two other fellow lions, one which appears to be some sort of mate.
LION Ah, the two investigators from the festival. WOLF You recognize us? LION Who wouldn't? A human and a non-human walking around together? Not something you often see. WOLF Yeah, well, you remember those polar bears you sent to gift-wrap us? LION I remember two polar bears at the festival. I believe they were Antonio's fellows. WOLF The walrus.
The lion just nods.
LION The polar bear certainly remembers you.
Wolf then takes notice of the polar bear, lounging behind the lion's booth. The bear smiles. It is not pretty. Wolf takes a deep breath.
LION Sit down.
Wolf and Neil join the Lion's booth.
WOLF Why isn't that-- (points at bear) in prison? LION Oh, he's just making an appearance. WOLF You know a non-human named Farrell? LION Yes. He is dead. Skinned alive. And I know what you are thinking. I know all about you. You think that we are some sort of mob, some animal gangster society, bent on ruling the world and taking back what was ours in the beginning. Well, only the latter part is true. We thrive on pomp and circumstance, but our main purpose remains. And we will not stop until it is complete. WOLF You mean the Council of Territories. LION Yes. But this is not what you think. You people seem to be at a loss for ideas, so I will give you a hint. There is a connection between the non- human deaths. They were all part of the council. All twenty killed. WOLF And you think you're next? LION I had thought about it. My death would make it twenty-one. There would be a sort of human dark comedy to that, that only you people would appreciate. WOLF So who is killing your council? And why? LION I don't know that. I do believe it is a human. No non-human is capable of this sort of atrocity. WOLF Of course. LION But I can guess why. There are those who would not permit what we are trying to do. WOLF Some people would call your little group a mild annoyance. But saying things like you said the other night.. certainly doesn't help human to non- human relations. The whole thing is just a little inciteful. What do you expect? LION Certainly not this. We have known all along that humans have been the kings of the jungle, so to speak, for a long time. And we know that you only got there through brute force. Intelligence is not enough.
The lion leans closer, and whispers.
LION But we did not expect that among humans.. there would be.. such animals.
Wolf backs up into his seat.
LION Now you know all that I know. Now it is your job to find this person before they kill all of us. Our organization is for political change, and all that we do is legal. You must protect us. WOLF Yeah. Freedom of speech is a bitch.
The lion smiles. He stands and turns to leave.
LION Now that you are here, enjoy my establishment. As the only human to come in here in a very long time, you may experience the best of both worlds.
Wolf watches the Lion and his mates leave, but his gaze is stopped by two panthers who have strode up to the booth. One addresses Wolf as the other does Neil.
WOLF Can I help you, uhh..
The panther pads right up to Wolf and puts her paws on his knees. Her soft face is in Wolf's, purring.
PANTHER Terry. I'm Terry. And you're Wolf. WOLF Um. Yes. PANTHER A human with an animal name. I like that.
The panther purrs, and Wolf is suddenly feeling a bit woozy. The music from the speakers gets very loud, and the rushing of the blood in his ears grows louder. The panther breathes in his face and moves her head back and forth hypnotically. Wolf is breathing fast and his heart is following suit. WOLF Neil..
Wolf looks over at Neil and sees that his partner is similarly entranced.. but by what, he does not know. But he does realize that the stirrings in his body are focusing on his sexual center. Realizing this finally after a moment, he shakes his head and stands up. The panther falls off his legs.
WOLF Holy shit. God. Holy shit. Neil. Let's go.
Neil is hypnotized with animal lust. Wolf has to break them apart and lead Neil to the front of the club. Wolf takes one last look back at the panthers.
WOLF Holy shit.
Wolf shivers. He and Neil leave.
19 INT - UGLY VAN WOLF Holy shit. Neil?
Neil is still overcome, and lolls his head over.
NEIL Huh? WOLF What the hell was that?
Neil smiles.
NEIL (drowsily) Pheromones. Pretty funky, huh?
Wolf stares at Neil like he is a grotesque zombie.
WOLF Funky? I'm so horny I could fuck a lamp post.
Neil smiles weakly again.
NEIL You do that. I'm just going to go to sleep.
Wolf watches Neil slunk into the seat. Wolf just lets out a giant puff of air and stares at the ceiling of the van. He hits the ceiling, making a loud thunk. He is not sure whether to be absolutely disgusted or to be flattered. He is precariously swinging between vomiting and collapsing into primal orgasm.
WOLF Holy shit! 20 INT - UGLY VAN
A bit later.. Wolf is sitting, trying to regain some sort of semblance as Neil is still asleep in the background on the other seat. A cell phone rings.
WOLF This is Wolf. TASK Detective Wolf, this is Julius Task, investigator for the A.R.I. under Riley's office. WOLF Yeah? TASK I've just found out some information which might be helpful to your case.
Wolf starts the van.
WOLF Where are you? TASK A.R.I. Headquarters. I-- WOLF Be right there.
Wolf drives.
WOLF Neil. Neil! Hey! Wake up. What is this, a catnap? Hey! 21 INT - A.R.I. FORENSICS LAB
Wolf talks to Task, a short human, as Neil is sort of recovering on a table in the back of the room.
TASK We have some findings on Farrell. From the details and the surrounding evidence, we can show that Farrell was skinned by a large sharp item, most likely a carving knife, like those we used to skin chickens with.
A bristling to the side as we notice another worker in the lab: a large stork. It turns to look at Wolf and Task, and puffs air. Humans.
TASK Sorry, Ted. TED Watch what you say about my cousins. TASK Anyway, from the details, the murderer entered unforcefully and rendered Farrell unconscious with some sort of hormonal spray. Traces of it in the blood. Knocked him out. Then he took to the body, leaving off with the skin. WOLF The skin. That still doesn't make sense. You can't sell the things. Why is that any use? TASK Maybe it's just a side effect of the killer's psychosis. I mean, the guy has to be nuts, right? WOLF You think it's a human that did this? TASK Most definitely. Even with the best prosthetic helpers, no one could do this unless they had hands. WOLF Hmm. Chimpanzees and Gorillas have hands. TASK Yeah, that's true. If you leave the whole thing open, any sort of large primate could have done it. But I would be more likely to believe a human. This was done very skillfully. The guy had practiced at this before. WOLF Yep. Practiced 19 times before. Maybe more. TASK If it's all the same person. We can't tell. No fingerprints. No fingers, for that matter. (beat) You're thinking a professional non-human killer? WOLF It's not un-heard of. Come on, Neil. Let's go.
Wolf turns to leave the lab. Neil practically falls off the table and follows Wolf.
TASK What's wrong with him? WOLF Nothing. It'll wear off. TASK You sure? I could take a look. I have a vet license. WOLF Um. No. You, um. Really don't want to know. 22 INT - UGLY VAN WOLF Ok, so let's gather what we know. We've got a hellish radical non-human group threatening to wage war on the whole of humanity. I think they're all b.s., but that's just me. But then you have a human or humans who don't like the idea very much so they are getting rid of the problem in the most straightforward way possible. They're killing the whole council. NEIL (softly) It won't work. WOLF You alive again? Why, it won't work? NEIL We have no sense of futility. They destroy the council, another will take it's place. WOLF Yeah, but they kill the lion, that's it. The king of jungle is dead. End of movement. NEIL Maybe.
Wolf rubs his neck, stretching it as if the muscles are tight. He reaches over and looks in the glove compartment.
WOLF I wonder if there are any aspirin in this van. I got a headache. NEIL Would you be really opposed to calling it a day? I don't think I'm going to be useful until I sleep for a while. WOLF No, probably not. I mean, yeah, let's go home. I'll call a couple of my guys to keep an eye on the lion. NEIL Won't be hard. He probably sleeps there. 23 INT - WOLF'S APARTMENT
The next morning. This time, Neil wakes Wolf up with a phone call. Wolf lets it ring a lot before he picks it up.
WOLF This better be really interesting. NEIL It might brighten your day a little. Not mine, but maybe yours. Remember that other polar bear? Someone made a rug out of him last night. WOLF Oh. Look, can I kind of take the day off? I'm not feeling very good right now. NEIL Wow, is it still that, um. With yesterday? You know, it was really exciting, but not that exciting. I mean-- WOLF No, can't be. Feels like the flu. NEIL Well, take a really big pill and join me. Here's the address.
Wolf writes it down.
NEIL Sure you're going to get out of bed?
Wolf finally looks around him. Wolf's apartment is a mess. You'd think an animal lived here.
WOLF I'm not in bed. I'm on the couch. NEIL Well, get out of couch and join me. WOLF Ok, ok. I'm up. You know what? NEIL What? WOLF I don't like mornings. NEIL That's ok. Watch some cartoons. 'Eek the Cat and the Terrible Thunderlizards' really get me up in the morning. WOLF Oh. Maybe I'll try that.
Wolf hangs up the phone.
WOLF 'Terrible Thunderlizards' my ass. 24 INT - POLAR BEAR'S ABODE WOLF This guy was really a mess.
Wolf looks around the apartment, which is in a mild state of disarray. Papers and food wrappers are everywhere. He notices a ticket for a baseball game two days from now. The Marlins in the World Series again. Who would have guessed?
NEIL Yeah, well some of us are neater than others. Just like you. Though bears have a tendency to be a bit of a pack rat. So to speak. WOLF Yeah.
Wolf and Neil approach the crime scene. It is an exact re-run of Farrell. A detective reads from a notepad.
DETECTIVE This guy was employed by an Antonio Carbazo. A walrus. I don't know why he lived here, that Antonio fellow is pretty wealthy. You would think he could have at least put this guy up at his place. Anyway, time of death is five hours ago, give-or-take. Same methods, and apparently the same killer. WOLF Apparently. I think we need to go and see Mister Wealthy Antonio Carbazo. Tell me if you find anything different than the last one. DETECTIVE Will do. WOLF Guess they shouldn't have put this one out on bail. 24b INT - UGLY VAN
En-route to the Florida Keys.
WOLF I've been wondering something. NEIL Yeah? WOLF Well, I've been thinking. The Lion said back there that humans and non-humans don't "go around together". NEIL (shrugs) Yeah. Well, he's right. WOLF Why is that? NEIL Well, normally, even among us, we don't really mingle between species. We pretty much stay away from each other. Only among others of the same kind. Or generally the same kind. WOLF Hmm. You ever think about that? NEIL Not really. Just seems natural. WOLF So you think that it's just like humans and non-humans. They just don't -- mingle. NEIL Yeah, I guess so. WOLF Are we really that different, that we can't just find it natural to associate with one another? NEIL Well, maybe that's just it. Maybe it is natural not to. WOLF That would be a shame. Because you're really o.k. NEIL Really? I mean, thanks. That's something coming from a human. Almost like admitting that you were wrong. WOLF Wrong about what? NEIL About how you treated us.. before. WOLF Hey, I wasn't even alive back then. Don't pick on me for that. NEIL I know. I apologize. It's just.. hard to forget. WOLF I understand. It's cool. 25 INT - ANTONIO'S PLACE
Wolf and Neil find the place more dignified and clean than when the festival was there. Wolf is not impressed, however, as he wanted to question the homeowner and leave. Wolf had gotten worse during the drive to the Keys again, and popping more flu remedy pills didn't help.
Wolf and Neil now sit in a waiting area/living room, waiting for a human butler to bring forth the walrus. Wolf rocks back and forth on a chair. He looks bad.
WOLF I can smell the guy from here. NEIL Who? Carbazo? WOLF No. The butler. I don't know if he's ever washed, but he's pretty damn rank.
Neil ponders this, eyeing Wolf carefully. Wolf looks up at Neil.
WOLF You don't smell him? NEIL No more than usual. WOLF Well, he reeks. And so do I. And I already took a shower today. Do I smell? NEIL No more than usual, like I said. You--
The walrus approaches, announced by his booming voice.
CARBAZO So the detectives are back. No luck yet, I see. I have to say I'm really not happy to see you two. WOLF Yeah? CARBAZO Both of my bears are dead. You know how expensive it is to import good strong polars? (beat) So is it my turn now? Am I the next to get inexplicably offed in wondrous human- ese fashion? WOLF We had thought of it. CARBAZO Well, keep on doing what you're doing. Nothing. Just let us all die, and then it'll be out of your hands.
Wolf sneers and jumps off his chair. He walks to the walrus, slouched over, at the walrus' eye level. He glares at him.
WOLF You do all this, and don't expect resistance? Huh? The human race has psychos-for-rent. We have assassins-for-hire. Or didn't you know? You're messing with the best killers in the world. Now, we will try our best to help you. I'll post some people on you, to stand watch for our mystery killer. But you people are digging your own graves.
Wolf strides out of the building, leaving Neil and Antonio looking at each other.
CARBAZO The heck is wrong with him? Is he a cop or not? NEIL Yes, he is a cop. Yes, he wants to help. He's just a little sick today. Flu or something.
Neil turns to leave. Carbazo calls after him.
CARBAZO How about you? You think we're digging our own graves? NEIL I think you are going about this the wrong way. There are better ways to make changes without resorting to these radical tactics. CARBAZO This is the only way to affect change. Real change. We know. We've learned from the best.
Neil leaves. Antonio stares after him, twiddling his whiskers.
CARBAZO (sarcastically) Something wrong with the cop? Is he a cop or not?
Carbazo laughs. It is not a pretty sound.
26 INT - UGLY VAN
Neil shortly joins Wolf, who is slouched over the steering wheel, head in arms. Wolf speaks in a shaky, half-laughing voice. It is very disconcerting to Neil.
NEIL You want to tell me exactly what that was? WOLF That was an interrogation. NEIL Interrogation? What that was, I don't even know what that was. But it wasn't an interrogation. WOLF Yeah? Then what was it? NEIL You treated---
Wolf starts at something now, whipping his head to the side. He looks over with wide eyes, searching the grounds, breathing heavily. Wolf has heard something, but we do not hear it.
NEIL What is wrong with you? WOLF I--. That noise over there.. I--
Neil is confused and suspicious at this. Wolf has heard a sound that Neil heard, but a sound that was too faint for the average person. Neil starts working a theory in his head, and he doesn't like it.
NEIL Wolf. We need to get to a hotel room. You're not driving like this, and I'm not riding in a car with you like this. Come on. Let's find a room. WOLF Yeah. A room.
Wolf calms enough to start the van and drive a few blocks to a small one-story motel. Neil checks in, and then does what he can, being on four legs, to help Wolf into the room.
27 INT - MOTEL ROOM
Wolf lies down sideways on the bed. He crouches against himself like a cat.
WOLF Quiet room. Quiet.
Neil watches Wolf lay down and try to sleep. Neil's sleep is broken often by faint sounds, more of which only animals should be able to hear. He groans and makes odd noises. Neil sees no option but to call for special help. He finds a paw adapter and dials a number on the phone.
28 INT - MOTEL ROOM, NIGHT
It is three hours since Neil has placed the call, and now two familiar faces enter the room. It is Task, the technician from the A.R.I. medical labs. Task brings in a large box, much like a paramedic's supply box. His assistant, the stork, accompanies and lays out some equipment.
TASK I hope you're wrong about this, Neil. I really do. TED I'm checking vitals.
Task and Ted examine Wolf, who is seemingly unaffected by the prodding. Wolf continues to sleep fitfully. They continue inspecting Wolf through the scene. After a moment, Task shakes his head.
TASK He's infected. NEIL With the Sheenah virus? How the hell can that be? I've watched every interaction. Every step he's taken. TASK Well someone must have slipped it to him. NEIL I don't see how. TED Think back, Neil. Was there any time that he was vulnerable? The festival? The Lion's Den?
Neil thinks to himself out loud.
NEIL The festival. Wolf was by himself with Carbazo and the bears, but he didn't say anything. And I saw him refuse the drink. And the Lion's Den; he didn't drink anything. I wasn't out of his sight for--
Neil straightens up. He shakes his head.
TASK What? NEIL No, that couldn't be. TASK What?? NEIL After we had talked to the lion, he had two panthers come up to each of us and try to seduce us. I thought it was only a distraction, to keep us from asking any more questions, but.. TED Did they slip anything to him? Do you remember? NEIL I don't-- no, that whole half hour is a jumble. Me and Wolf were both kinda knocked out by-- TASK What do you mean, me and Wolf? NEIL Well, they threw their bodies on us. I had no choice, well, maybe Wolf did but he had to drag me away from-- TASK You're saying the panther affected Wolf with her pheromones? Non- human pheromones? NEIL (shrugs) Yeah. TASK Humans aren't affected by pheromones. Not by any species. At least not what you suggest. The most they do for us humans is make us a bit happy, more cheerful, but definitely not as you suggest! NEIL Well then they must have slipped it to him then! In the pheromone. TED That's not easy to do. Form an aerosol from a designer DNA replicating virus. You usually have to inject the stuff, it isn't stable for long. TASK What if they integrated it into the pheromone release itself? TED If they injected the panther, and she let loose with some strong sprays of the stuff, it just may have transmitted that way! NEIL Transmitting a virus through a pheromone release. That had to be a human. I wouldn't have thought of it. TED You're not the smartest non-human in the world. But you're right. I tend to agree. TASK At any rate, we need to get this fellow to our labs. NEIL You think he has it? TASK From the symptoms you describe, and from his condition I see here... I see no other possibility. I'll run a test at the lab, but I'm pretty certain. TED Come on, let's get him up.
Task and Ted sit Wolf upright, then try to lift him up. Both are taken by surprise when Wolf bolts and cries out. He runs out of the room, yelling and clawing at nothing. By the time they make it to the door and look out, Wolf is gone.
TASK Can you guys track him? NEIL Yes. But I really wouldn't want to. TASK You're right. We'll get some help. I'll call base. 29 INT - A.R.I. RESEARCH VAN
Task speaks into a cell phone, hanging one foot out the door of the van. Ted sits inside. Neil stands to the side of the van, searching the dark grasslands, hoping that Wolf would have second thoughts and return. But he would be mistaken, as he well knew. Animals didn't have second thoughts.
TASK (speaking into phone) Yeah. Ok. We'll do it. TED What'd Riley say? TASK We're going back. Riley said let the police turn him up, or let him turn up himself. They can't spare anyone right now. Come on, Neil. We're leaving. NEIL We can't leave him. He's afraid, overtaken by his new senses. Every little sound scares him. Every smell is a nightmare. Every other moving thing is a monster. TASK You want to deal with that? It'll pass. He'll get used to it.
Neil takes one last look, then hops into the van. They drive off.
30 EXT - TROPICAL WETLANDS, NIGHT
Wolf's face glows in the moonlight. It is more like an animal's face now, eyes wide and ears moving constantly. He turns from side to side as he crouch-runs, seeing everything, smelling everything. His vision is sharper than the sharpest night-vision camera. But it is less colorful. Wolf is losing his color.
Wolf has all but lost his previous life, his cares from that life gone, his instincts strong and overwhelming. He bounds from here to there, scanning the wild for fellow life. Then he seems to find a direction, and runs that way, quieter than any man under the blanket of night.
31 INT - A.R.I. VAN, TRAVELLING
Task and Ted are dimly lit by the dash lights and headlight reflections. Neil is in the back of the van where it is totally dark. The three speak softly as they return to the city.
TASK I have to give the Council of Territories credit. I didn't expect them to be so ruthless. TED I didn't think they had the means. I mean, constructing a DNA altering virus like this, and then coming up with this way to administer it.. It's just genius. TASK Yeah. I just wish they were on our side. Not many people could do that. They'd have to have exact knowledge of humans and non- humans alike to do something like this. TED You mean, your side. I've got nothing to worry about. This virus can't touch me. TASK I wouldn't be as worried about that as I would the possibility of losing every human on the planet. The world would fall apart. TED Human-kind would fall apart. Non- humans would take over. It's just genius.
Task looks over at Ted: Who's side are you on here? Ted calms down a bit.
TED Not that I'd want that to happen.. I mean...
Neil speaks up for the first time from the back.
NEIL It's so frighteningly simple and elegant. "It is the time in the evolution of the world, that WE triumph over those who have been our hunters, our slayers, our killers. It is time for us to succeed!" That's what the Lion said. And that's what they are doing. Though not in the way we ever thought possible. They wanted to achieve their ends through brute force. Like humans. "Intelligence is not enough," he said. But they're not declaring war on human-kind in the way we thought. They know they cannot win. But if they bring humans to our level.. As animals, I fear humans will be a link far further down in the food chain than they would like.
Ted and Task consider this in darkness, and no one says another word until they get to the city.
NEIL Drop me off at my apartment. You guys tell me what you find out for sure. TASK You got it, Neil. Get some sleep, man. NEIL Don't you know? Tigers never sleep. 32 INT - NEIL'S APARTMENT, MORNING
It is typically dark, the television is on. Orange sunlight peers through slits in the blinds and leaves trails on the floor. It is morning, and cartoons are on. We see Neil wake and gaze at the television. It is 'Animaninacs'.
We see Neil sigh and scan the room. Various furniture scattered around, the room generally more dirty than Neil would like. Then he freezes as he sees two green spots. It is a pair of eyes, sunlight reflecting off the back of the cornea like an animal's eyes. Neil waits to see a reaction from this thing in his apartment for a moment. There is none.
Neil slowly sits up on his tiger-bed. No reaction. The eyes watch.
Neil starts to get off the bed and then the thing pounces. Neil is knocked over the bed to the wall. They claw at each other, spinning and rolling about the dark room. Then Neil sees what it is, turned over in a slit of orange light. It is a human's face, but not. It is one of the turned animals, a Council of Territories Human. The features are human, more human than any other primate, but the eyes are not. The fingers have grown larger, more think fingernails, and the skin is more hairy. Not a werewolf, but a de-evolved human being. An animal.
They roll about, gashing each other. Then the human hits Neil with a strong blow to the head, and Neil is knocked fuzzy, half-conscious.
The human stands as well as he can, which is half way. He pulls out a large carving knife. Ready to do his skinning, like the others. He lets loose with a spray from some sort of canister: it is the hormone spray. Then he starts toward Neil, and then a primal cry enters from another room. Neil watches a shape pounce on the human, knocking the knife loose. They box and battle. Neil has time to see that the other "human" is in fact his friend, Detective Wolf, before he passes out.
A bit later, Wolf has knocked his opponent into a wall. He studies the creature: is this what I am to become?
With sudden movements, he props the creature up, slaps him a few times. The creature blinks, still stunned.
WOLF You know, I've had a lot of time to think. Once I got used to myself again, I thought a lot. I thought about how we seem to be getting help from every side but the one which should. The A.R.I. I've been wondering, why is it that we have witnessed every event.. but have been unable to change anything. Why is it that the polar bear slipped by the reviews of both the human law and the non-human law? Why is it that everything seems to be going according to a plan? And why do I feel like I am just here to watch? (yelling) You hear me? I know you can talk! CREATURE (muted) I hear you. WOLF Am I right? Are you just a puppet too? Are you what I am going to be? What were you before they did this to you?
The creature seems reluctant for a moment, then answers slowly.
CREATURE I was a lab technician. For the A.R.I. I was in charge of certain projects involving viruses. WOLF So what happened? You pop one of your own pills? CREATURE I was tired of being the outcast there. Everyone's an animal there. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to have the freedom they have. The freedom to love without caring. The freedom to be a being with no conscience. Believing what I am doing because I think it is right. Having no second- thoughts. WOLF And now? What do you think? You killed all those living beings. You had a choice. You are a killer. That's all. You think that killing all these animals makes you even? CREATURE It wasn't my choice. I was assigned to do this. I was convinced it was right. And in my newfound existence, I may have chosen wrong. But I have no regrets. WOLF So is it better that way? Or worse?
The creature turns away. A moment passes.
WOLF So who sent you? Who in the A.R.I. sent you?
The creature loses consciousness. Wolf slaps him a few times, but to no avail. Wolf slumps to the floor too, exhausted.
WOLF It doesn't matter. I know the answer. 33 INT - NEIL'S APARTMENT
Neil wakes again to see Wolf's hybrid face. He starts a bit, backing away. Wolf speaks. His words are a little muffled, his mouth has formed a different shape.
WOLF Sorry. I don't feel like myself today. NEIL I guess not. You feeling better? WOLF I'm not sure yet. Ask me in a few days. What did they do to me? I see from your face you know. NEIL You are.. Afflicted with a sort of virus, courtesy of the Council of Territories. It is a self-replicating virus, affecting specific cell membranes-- WOLF (loudly) Just tell me what it is. (softer) I have kind of lost my patience. NEIL Yeah. (beat) The Council is going through with their plan. They want to take back the jungle, so it were. They're doing it by bringing the humans back to the jungle. Back to animals. WOLF You mean, I'm an animal? Not human anymore? NEIL Not exactly. Bear in mind, technically humans are animals, just not by humans' definition. But this virus has brought you to an earlier, more non-human state. WOLF So that's why I can hear your neighbor rustling through the fridge right now.. and now eating an apple.. and I can hear him.. right through the wall. NEIL Yes.
Wolf collapses on the floor. He is still very wild-like, but he has gotten accustomed to his new state of mind. He can think again, reason.
WOLF I feel like I'm being lead around on a leash. NEIL That's a change.
Neil pauses a moment, then sighs.
NEIL I have something I kept from you. I knew there was a virus out there that the Council had. I knew it attacked humans. But I thought I had kept an eye on you. Watched you good enough. WOLF That's alright. I find that I have no room anymore for feelings like yours. I just want to do something about it.
Wolf pauses. Then he finds a new voice.
WOLF We gotta stop them. To turn everyone into one of me, that's not the direction I want us to go. No offense, though. NEIL I know what you mean. (beat) Well, if I were the Council, I would be looking for a place to start spreading the virus to as many people as possible. In as short a time as possible, so the Centers for Disease Control won't even know where to start. WOLF How do they do that? Lots of people. People who all gather at once, and then go their own ways to places far from the gathering. Like a dispersal.. a distribution to everywhere... NEIL A shopping center? A Mall? The Airport? Maybe a rush hour traffic jam?
Wolf jumps up as if he were hit by something. Neil jumps too.
WOLF The baseball game! The Marlins! The World Series! NEIL Yes! It's big, lots of people, lots of visitors-- WOLF And when they all go home, they'll spread the virus wide. Let's go! Game 3 is today! 34 EXT - STADIUM PARKING LOT
Wolf and Neil have bummed a ride from Ted, since the ugly van is still in Key West. They hop out and make their way to the entrance. The game is already underway. Neil shows his badge, since Wolf has lost his somewhere in the Florida marshlands, and they enter the stadium.
35 EXT - STADIUM
Wolf and Neil realize that there are a lot of possibilities in this crowd.
TED Where do we start? There must be a million people here. WOLF Well, the pheromone has to be carried by the air. So someplace high up..
They look up to the highest seats, then up to the towering lights.. then to the sky.. and see: a distant blimp.
NEIL You're kidding! The, what, the Goodyear Blimp? WOLF A perfect way to spread the stuff to everyone here. They dump enough on this crowd, and things are going to get really weird in here. NEIL Great! How are we going to get up there?
They all look up at the Blimp, and then Neil and Wolf slowly look towards Ted. Ted looks at them.
TED Oh, no. Not me. I have this thing against flying near large combustible objects with spinning propellers on them. WOLF They aren't made of Hydrogen anymore. It's not going to blow up in your face. TED Well, still. That large blade is really disagreeable. I-- Um.
Neil and Wolf look silently at Ted.
TED Ok, whatever. But if you see barbecued hot wings coming down, you better break out the buffalo sauce, cuz I always wanted to go out with a big bang.
Ted flies off. Wolf scans the crown for a minute, then sniffs the air a bit. He recognizes the smell at once. It is the Lion.
WOLF Come on. We've got someone to talk to here. 36 EXT - STADIUM BOX SEAT
Wolf and Neil run up to the Lion's box. Wolf is met with several odd glances from various spectators, due to his changed appearance. The Lion is flanked by two polar bears and his mate.
WOLF I see that the Lion is an All- American today.
The Lion ignores Wolf directly. He watches the game progress, answering Wolf to the side.
LION Is that you, detective? You look like you need a shower. Actually, you smell like you need one too. WOLF We know about your plan. We've come to stop it. LION Ah, my plan. You mean the one for global domination? Ah yes, that one. Well, I don't see that my plans are any business of yours. My Council does it's work according to your laws. WOLF I know about your plan because I am part of it. I am evidence of it!
The Lion finally gazes upon Wolf. He cocks his head to the side, studying.
LION Detective Wolf. Ah, you look very different from when last I saw you. Now perhaps you will live up to your name. Except you have no fur. We'll need to do something about that in the future. Fur is much better than your.. clothing. I see no use for such redundancy. WOLF I don't care about fur, you giant bag of-- NEIL We know about your plan, and we have evidence. You will be brought to justice. LION Justice.
The Lion leans close to Neil and speaks softly, so that above the audience no one can hear but Neil and the Lion.
LION Justice is what we are trying to provide, and you are trying to stop. I think you are on the wrong side of the "law", Investigator Neil. I think you helping this human is a disgrace. If you had been on the force long enough, you would have realized this. NEIL (equally quiet) My interest is justice. Not your version. Not the human's version. Justice has no room for revenge. LION I will remember that. When we are again the kings of our "animal kingdom", I will remember that about you.
The lion backs away again.
LION I am trying to enjoy a baseball game, sirs. Leave us be. WOLF Whether or not you succeed in infecting all of these people, we will expose you. LION Expose what? This is a pleasure outing, Detective. Not one of business. WOLF Oh? Then what's that?
Wolf points to the sky.
LION A blimp, Detective. 37 EXT - NEAR THE BLIMP, MIDAIR.
Ted is close to the blimp now, carefully avoiding the aforementioned propeller.
TED Blasted Blimps. Humans trying to fly. That's a good one. Fat ass heavyweight monkey-suits trying to fly. That's just great.
Ted hovers near the windows on the bottom side of the blimp, and peers in. We see familiar animals in there. Antonio is standing behind the pilot, who is apparently under some stress from having a pair of sharp claws very near his proximity. The claws come from two new polar bears; new henchmen for Carbazo.
TED Great. Wonderful. Bears and Walruses flying too. This is a momentous day, I tell you. Momentous!
Ted alights upon a sill and slips in through an open window. He enters a back room, unseen so far by the three Council members.
38 EXT - STADIUM BOX LION (continuing to harass Wolf) A blimp. Shall we go back to school? Oh, what's that? A bench. Oh, and that? It's a human. Oh, and what is this thing all around us? Air. Life- giving air. That which gives life, and so much more. 39 INT - BLIMP
The hum of the blimp's engine drowns out Ted's incessant nervous talk. He flaps his beak anyway. We hear parts of what he is saying.
TED Just me and me, and hi, Ted. Yeah, Hi. Meet the S.W.A.T. team here to save humankind from the perilous polar bears and the--
Ted's words are stopped by a heavy swipe from a large claw. The swipe destroys part of a wall beside Ted's head. Ted yells in surprise, alerting the whole blimp to his presence.
Ted backs up into the rear room, seeing a polar bear follow on two hind feet, paws comically raised like a boxer.
POLAR BEAR You know how testy I am right now? You know how hot it is out here? You know how much I really want to be in a really cool walk-in refrigerator right now? TED (smiling futiley) Hee hee. Um. Yes. Um. POLAR BEAR If the boss there wasn't paying me a hell of a lot of money, I wouldn't be here at all. But since he is, I have the authority to beat you unconscious and push you right out that window where you came in.
Ted waves his wings in front of him.
TED Oh, no. You. You really don't want to.. Um.. POLAR BEAR That gives you a fair chance of about twenty seconds before you hit some really hard man-made pavement! TED No! EE!
The polar bear lunges for Ted, and Ted ducks like a winged acrobat. Or wings like an acrobatic duck. The polar bear, being quite heavy, hits the side wall and rips right through it, plummeting to a very warm death. Ted looks out the hole.
TED Eeech. Was he paying you enough for THAT? 40 EXT - STADIUM BOX
The lion stands up, attention now on Wolf only. He towers over him, menacingly.
LION Much more than life. In fact, the air just happens to be full of surprises!
At this point, as an irony as big as a polar bear, something white lands between the Lion and Wolf with a deep, very finishing thunk. Spectators gasp and shout about, pointing. A moment passes before Wolf and the Lion move, realizing what exactly has happened. Then the Lion roars, bearing a full spread of teeth. He lunges at Wolf.
41 INT - BLIMP
Ted works his way to the front of the blimp and enters the pilot room where the remaining polar bear and Antonio reside. Antonio has some sort of mechanism in his flipper. Ted guesses it is the trigger for the pheromone release. Antonio talks without turning around.
CARBAZO You take care of that winged menace to society? TED (mimicking a bear) Menace to society? Oh, not him. He was really a sweet bird. You know-- eeeHEEE!!!
The other polar bear runs at Ted in much the same way the other did. And in much the same way..
TED Oh, the same thing can't work twice!?
..the bear runs through the wall, making another large hole. But this time he has Ted in his grasp as they fall.
42 EXT - STADIUM SEATS
Wolf and the Lion battle. Another lion has taken on Neil, and the lion's mate watches from afar. Wolf has been able to avoid the lion largely for now, instead wrecking several benches and sending people running.
LION I'm going to kill you. WOLF Well, that's original.
The lion lunges again.
43 EXT - MIDAIR
The polar bear and Ted fall, Ted hopelessly in the bear's grasp.
POLAR BEAR You son of a bitch. You're coming with me!
Ted flaps his wings in the bear's face, sending feathers everywhere.
TED Not if I can help it!
Ted takes a large bite out of the polar bear's nose with his large beak, and the bear lets go. As soon as he sees what he has done, his eyes widen as we see him falling away.
Ted flaps his wings comfortably.
TED I told you bears can't fly! 44 EXT - STADIUM SEATS
The four battle still, but Wolf is getting tired, as is Neil. But Neil is more of a match for his foe, as Wolf is still very human. And very much smaller.
LION You really think you can win? You think you can rule the world? You need intelligence. WOLF (breathing heavily) Intelligence, yes. And contrary to popular belief, this head of mine is not as big as it is for nothing. I am smarter than you. LION But not stronger.
The foursome battle more, as the other polar bear lands next to Neil and his adversary. They get distracted by the thump, see what it is, and then continue to fight.
45 INT - BLIMP
Ted is back in the blimp again as Antonio readies for the dispersal. There is considerable wind from the two bear-shaped holes in the cabin.
CARBAZO Ok, just a bit more southward. We want this stuff to hit every human in that stadium.
Carbazo seems ready to hit the button, but he sees a solitary feather drift by. Attention diverted, he looks back to see Ted standing there.
TED Hi.
Ted attacks this time, flapping his wings in Carbazo's face. Carbazo spits and huffs, trying to get away. He drops the button, which is picked up by the pilot. The pilot moves away from the flapping and starts to pilot the ship away from the stadium.
CARBAZO You flying nuisance! Get out of my face!
Ted backs off, but Carbazo sees that he has dropped the trigger. Carbazo roars and flaps toward the pilot. But the pilot has brought out a pole, end sharp. He points it at the walrus, who stops.
PILOT You want this harpoon? Come any closer and I'll give it to you.
Ted grins.
46 EXT - STADIUM SEATS
Neil has defeated his enemy for now, as the lion lays unconscious on the pavement between bleachers. But Wolf is not so lucky. We see him lying on a bench, barely aware that the Lion is beating him to death.
LION (between hits) You.. Human.. Monkey.. Scum.. Bastard.. Freak.. Of Nature..
Neil speaks up; the Lion stops his torment and looks over. He sees Neil, to his side at least ten officers of the law with guns levelled.
NEIL Get off him.
The lion backs away and off Wolf. Wolf groans weakly.
LION How perfect. More humans to fend off the wild animal. Rescue the weak, pitiful human being. How perfect.
There is a moment of indecision. An officer asks Neil what to do.
NEIL I don't know. We need to get him into custody. Anyone have a tranquilizer gun? LION You will never defeat us.
The lion stands proudly, indignantly. The officers re-target the lion, tense for movement. Then it comes from behind. The lion's head whips to the side, struck by a thin appendage. The lion falls down, revealing Wolf behind. Wolf is very conscious, very angry and triumphant.
WOLF How's that for brawn.
Wolf walks over to Neil as the officers crowd around the lion. They decide to wait for the A.R.I. to get there with a dedicated team. Wolf and Neil walk away, both looking very beat up.
WOLF You guys need to learn how to box. NEIL Yeah.
They both laugh as they exit the stadium.
47 EXT - STADIUM PARKING LOT
Wolf and Neil emerge into a place very different from when they entered a few minutes ago. Fire trucks, Ambulances and patrol cars are everywhere, and an A.R.I. truck pulls up. Task hops out.
TASK Guys! What happened here? WOLF We kind of closed the case on those guys. TASK I'll just have to start clean-up. While I'm at it, why don't you start a clean-up of your own?
Task slips an envelope into Wolf's hand. Wolf looks at it. Task says not another word and walks off. Neil looks at Wolf expectantly.
NEIL Well, what is it? WOLF I don't know, but I have a feeling we're going to need a car.
Wolf waves up toward the sky. He yells as Ted makes a clumsy landing.
WOLF Ted! We need to go! We need your car! TED Oh! Sure! I keep the whole stadium from being turned into sex- starved maniacs, and all you can say is, "we need your car?" WOLF I wouldn't ask, but it's a stork car. I can't drive it. So you're nominated. TED Just as long as I don't have to drop any more polar bears from really high altitudes. 48 INT - TED'S CAR, LATE EVENING.
Wolf opens the envelope, takes out a manila folder. An A.R.I. Laboratory document. The tab has Wolf's name on it. He opens it and scans it. It is the medical test record for Wolf, complete with infection dates and progress reports. Some signed by Riley.
NEIL What is it? WOLF Let's just say you guys have been cut out of the loop. (beat) How long have you been an investigator, Neil?
Wolf leans back and stares Neil in the eye. Neil sighs.
NEIL Six months. WOLF They dropped a case in our laps. A cop that doesn't care about non-humans, and a green investigator. Sure to follow along and witness. Document. But not smart enough to interfere. We're going to the A.R.I. I've got someone to talk to there. And you guys are staying in the car. 49 INT - RILEY'S OFFICE
Wolf walks in slowly. The room is dark, but one window lets some afternoon light in. A figure is standing there, a gorilla with clothes. It is Riley, and he is wearing what looks like a fur coat. A coat made of several dead animal skins.
WOLF You give a new meaning to the word 'animal', Riley.
Riley turns around slowly. He grins.
RILEY You like my coat? I see why you humans appreciate such power. I killed these animals, and I wear their trophy on my back. WOLF You're sick. RILEY You of all humans should know, the glory of the kill. The knowledge that you, and you alone, hold another's life in your hands. And you have no doubts. WOLF I'm still more human than you know. And still more than you will ever be. It's done, Riley. Your plan is done.
Riley smiles. He starts to laugh.
RILEY How narrow you are now that I have made you one of us. I see now that we are indeed very much less than you.. in revenge. In vengeance. In pure barbarism. (beat) I will just try again. And with no evidence, you will not be able to stop me. Until all the humans on Earth are ready and willing to be lead. The human race will come in second place.
And then they hear a third voice from the door. It is Neil, come in despite Wolf's order.
NEIL My god.
Wolf turns to Neil. But Neil is staring at the coat Riley wears.
WOLF Neil! I told you to-- NEIL I don't believe it. You are behind this whole thing? You led us through this the whole time? RILEY I had you both in my control. You both were lab rats in my personal maze. And both of you fell for it like a couple of slugs. NEIL You SON OF A BITCH!
Neil pounces on Riley. He hops from the desk to Riley's shoulders before Wolf can act. Riley is still grinning, knowing that he cannot lose this battle. He is wrong.
Neil pushes Riley's head and body back toward the window. Riley crashes through the thick glass and Neil rolls away. But Riley is dead. He is impaled several times through the body by thick glass shards.
Wolf runs to look out the broken window.
WOLF Whoo! You o.k., Neil?
Neil nods.
WOLF Well, there goes the problem! NEIL (panting) You think we can call that self-defense? WOLF We can call that whatever you want! I saw what you saw.
Wolf steps out through the glass and joins Neil in the parking lot.
WOLF That's what I call the survival of the fittest. What do you think? NEIL I think he was an animal. 50 EXT - PARKING LOT
A bit later, we find Wolf and Neil sitting down in a bit of grass outside the building. A sound of fast footsteps, then a white lab coat rounds a corner.
TASK Well, I've got good news and bad news. We have the virus source from the A.R.I. files, so we know how it works. The bad news is, it'll take a few years to find a reversal technique. WOLF So you're saying I'm stuck this way.
Task nods. Wolf sighs. He looks at the technician, considering. Then turns to Neil, considering. He seems to be making a choice: Task and humans.. or Neil and animals.. which will it be?
WOLF I think I can live with being an animal for a while.
Wolf and Neil get up, start walking in no direction in particular. They walk through the late evening, unnerved and very much comfortable. We see them walking away from us. They are joined by Ted after a moment, who swoops in and strides alongside them.
NEIL So why don't you come and work with us here at A.R.I.? I know it's a stretch after what Riley tried to do, but I assure you, most of us are really good.. non-humans. You'd have a unique perspective you could bring with you. It would help a lot. TED Yeah, it would rock. You could be our liason to the human race. WOLF Naah, I like to keep myself objective. Besides, I have the best of you guys, and the best of us. I'll keep my assignment. Comfortably in between. NEIL Sounds good to me. WOLF I think I can enjoy this.
After a moment more of walking, we see three creatures of the planet Earth, bound as friends. It is the way we think nature would like. True co-existing. Three animals walk into the late afternoon sun, enjoying life as it is, and what it could be.
FADE TO BLACKwritten 11/8/97 - 11/15/97
email todd guilmette