I, ROBOT
by
Hillary Seitz
FADE IN:
1 On a DEEP...DEEP...DARKNESS. 1
A FLICKER. Of LIGHT. Off to the side. Just barely.
Noticeable. ORANGE...YELLOW...as we realise...It's FIRE...
A SOUND. Something SHATTERING...
Then. A DISEMBODIED VOICE. Muted. We can't quite make out
What it's saying. As it gets LOUDER. And LOUDER. When we
finally. Understand...
DISEMBODIED VOICE
You are in danger...
CUT TO:
2 INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - CLOSE ON 2
DEL SPOONER'S FACE. His eyes, snapping open. His face,
covered in sweat.
PULL BACK to REVEAL him lying in bed. Sheets, tangled around
his legs. Alarm clock, playing something relentlessly
cheerful.
Spooner slaps it off. Sits up. Wincing. Bends his RIGHT
ARM. Stiff. He reaches for a BOTTLE OF PILLS. Shakes out a
couple and swallows them. Trying to forget. That dream.
You are in danger...
He rubs his hands over his face. Gets out of bed. His
apartment, basic. Unremarkable. Bearing the signs of
someone who lives alone. Shades drawn. A little messy.
3 INT. SHOWER - MORNING 3
Spooner turns his face into the jet of water.
4 INT. BATHROOM - MORNING 4
Shaves with a razor. Using his left hand. Knicks the cleft
of his chin. Shit.
5 INT. KITCHEN - MORNING 5
Stares down at the single egg in a saucepan. Waiting for it
to boil.
2.
6 INT. HALLWAY - MORNING 6
Heads down the hallway. Looping a knotted tie around his
neck. Kicks some neglected mail from the door and reaches
for the handle. Takes a deep breath and...
7 EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - MORNING 7
...steps outside. Into the flow of COMMUTERS heading for the
elevated trains. Elbow to elbow. A river of humanity.
Spooner moves along, like everyone else. Suddenly. His
shoulders tense. That feeling at the back of his neck. He
turns and sees...
A ROBOT. Just behind him. Humanoid in design, but still
obviously a machine. Metal and synthetic casings covering
hydraulic muscles. The thing senses his stare. Looks up
with a muted WHIR...
ROBOT
(metallic voice)
Good day, sir...
Spooner. Speeds up his pace. Weaving through the crowd to
lose the robot.
We now realise this is THE FUTURE. Towering apartment
buildings block the sun. The street packed with traffic.
PEDESTRIANS wearing their computers like form-fitting
portable offices. Spooner throws a look at his surroundings:
Up high an INDUSTRIAL ROBOT rolls down the side of a building
cleaning windows.
A WORK CREW of oddly-shaped RUBE GOLDBERG ROBOTS efficiently
repairs the street. No human supervision.
A ROBOTIC CLEAN-UP CREW. Lumbering along the sidewalk.
Scrubbing, sweeping. Emptying trash...
Humanoid ROBOTS dotting the crowd. Following their owners.
Walking slowly, deliberately. Carrying boxes. Groceries.
Briefcases.
Stamped on all the ROBOTS' SIDES, a LOGO: III LAWS SAFE.
Spooner stops to wait at a light with other PEDESTRIANS.
Directly in front of him, a LITTLE GIRL clutches her father's
neck. She smiles big at Spooner. Front teeth missing.
LITTLE GIRL
Hi.
3.
SPOONER
Hi.
But it's not her father. It's her ROBOT CARETAKER. The
robot turns. Looks at the girl.
ROBOT
You are not allowed to talk to
strangers.
Spooner, disgusted. Has had enough. He steps off the curb
Just as...
THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL swivels around. Training its large
digital EYE on him:
TRAFFIC LIGHT
Please return to the sidewalk.
Spooner dodges several cars on his way across the street.
TRAFFIC LIGHT
Please return to the sidewalk...
The traffic signal, tracking him.
TRAFFIC LIGHT
You are in violation of city
ordinance 14-B726...
Spooner throws up his hand. Flipping it the bird just as
SNAP! It takes his picture.
CUT TO:
8 EXT./INT. MONORAIL - MORNING 8
Spooner stepping onto a sleek, densely packed TRAIN. Looks
down at his feet. A trampled flyer on the ground. From the
Anti-Robot League: METAL MONSTERS SECRET FACTORY REVEALED!
A Robot gets up. To offer him his seat. Spooner. Turns his
back on him as we PULL BACK from the window to REVEAL...
9 EXT. CITY SCAPE/MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 9
The TRAIN hurtling toward DOWNTOWN. Soaring, gravity-defying
OFFICE BUILDINGS dominate the skyline. Older buildings
wedged among the new. All protected by huge glass and steel
shields.
As we get closer congested roads and freeways begin to
disappear below ground into a series of subterranean tunnels.
The "old" streets have become huge, spacious plazas.
4.
10 EXT. POLICE H.Q. - PLAZA - MORNING 10
Spooner moves with the CROWD towards the doors of the aging
Police Headquarters. Modern additions have been made to the
original facade -- creating an ungainly architectural mess.
11 INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - MORNING 11
A vast open plan situation room lined on one side by a series
of glass-enclosed rooms. On the other side a GIANT SCREEN
with real time video of various streets and buildings.
Spooner arrives at his desk. Unlike the others, it's a mess.
A slender computer screen curving along the front of it.
Several electronic messages say the same thing:
SEE ME!
LT. BERGIN (O.S.)
Ever heard the phrase "lead by
example?"
Spooner looks up. LIEUTENANT JOHN BERGIN stands in front of
his desk, holding up a CITATION with a photo of Spooner
giving that traffic signal the finger.
SPOONER
Doesn't ring a bell.
LT. BERGIN
(pointing to Spooner's
badge)
It's on your badge.
Spooner takes the citation. Drops it into a drawer filled
with about fifty others.
LT. BERGIN
The traffic division filed an
official complaint this morning.
SPOONER
The traffic division is a machine.
LT. BERGIN
Look, I know there's going to be an
adjustment period, Del...
SPOONER
(interrupting)
I'll send them a letter of apology.
Maybe some flowers. A box of
chocolates...
5.
JUST THEN Spooner's phone RINGS. He throws Bergin a look.
Then snatches up the receiver.
SPOONER
Spooner, homicide.
CUT TO:
12 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - ESTABLISHING - DAY 12
A sprawling glass and metal complex covering many city
blocks. The entrance is a large plaza filled with PEOPLE and
ROBOTS.
13 INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - METAL CORRIDOR - DAY 13
An elevator opens with a whoosh. Spooner steps out into a
featureless corridor. His footsteps, echoing. He stops at a
set of OPPOSING DOORS. Looks over at one, when the other
suddenly OPENS.
14 INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - PLUSH CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS 14
A warm, mahogany-paneled room. In sharp contrast to the cold
metal space outside. Spooner steps inside. At the end of a
long conference table sits an OLD MAN. Sparkling blue eyes.
Old-fashioned suit.
OLD MAN
Hello, there. Please come in.
Spooner hesitates.
OLD MAN
It's alright. You can sit. Sit.
Spooner doesn't. Looks around the room. The Old Man lifts
up a coffee pot. Pours some coffee into a single cup.
OLD MAN
Coffee?
SPOONER
(interested)
You're offering me a cup of coffee?
OLD MAN
Yes. But you are to say, "No,
thank you."
Spooner nods a little. The Old Man raises the coffee to his
lips, but doesn't take a sip.
6.
OLD MAN
Coffee?
SPOONER
No. Thank you.
OLD MAN
As you wish.
The Old Man takes a sip. He doesn't move. There is no
movement except for a whisper of steam rising from the coffee
pot.
SPOONER
You want to tell me something about
Dr. Hogenmiller? About his death?
The Old Man smiles.
OLD MAN
I want to tell you that his death
was not a suicide.
SPOONER
And why do you say that?
OLD MAN
Why? Because I want you to know
it.
SPOONER
I understand that. But what
specifically leads you to believe
that he didn't commit suicide?
OLD MAN
(considers)
Nothing specifically.
Spooner shifts his weight. Agitated.
SPOONER
Under normal circumstances that
wouldn't be enough to get you a
homicide investigation.
OLD MAN
But this is not "normal
circumstances," is it, Detective
Spooner?
SPOONER
No. It isn't.
7.
OLD MAN
Then you will find out who killed
Dr. Hogenmiller, yes? And then you
will tell me.
Spooner's losing his patience.
SPOONER
If you were murdered, Doctor, I'll
find out. And you'll be the first
to know.....
JUST THEN the HOLOGRAM of DR. HOGENMILLER vanishes in a burst
of LIGHT, as does the table, the coffee pot, and the
conference room. Spooner, suddenly finds himself standing in
front of a LARGE VIEW SCREEN inside a SMALL METAL CHAMBER.
15 INT. HALLWAY - DAY 15
Spooner steps out into the hallway and into...AN ESCORT
ROBOT.
ESCORT ROBOT
Please follow me.
Spooner. Reluctantly starts to follow it. Passes another
doorway. POLICE TAPE stretched across it. Catches a brief
glimpse of...
DR. HEINRICH HOGENMILLER'S BODY.
Splayed out across the floor. Surrounded by CRIME SCENE
TECHNICIANS. He pauses. Taking in the scene. Then
continues on.
16 INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - CORPORATE BOARDROOM - DAY 16
Two large doors emblazoned with the U.S. ROBOTICS LOGO open
automatically. Inside, an enormous glass-enclosed boardroom
looking out over the entire complex.
Spooner walks through the doorway. His escort robot trailing
behind him. An army of corporate types sit around a
conference table. Young. Energetic. You can practically
feel the brains and ambition.
SPOONER
Usually I ask who's in charge...
Spooner's eyes lock with a MAN sitting at the head of the
table. 60s, handsome, charismatic. Dr. LANCE ROBERTSON,
founder and CEO of U.S. Robotics.
8.
SPOONER
But everyone knows you, Dr.
Robertson.
Robertson smiles. Pretends to instruct his people.
ROBERTSON
Remind me to cut back on my talk
show appearances.
LAUGHTER.
ROBERTSON
Welcome to U.S. Robotics,
Detective. I regret you're not
visiting us under more pleasant
circumstances. Allow me to
introduce Mr. Aronson, our head of
Legal Affairs.
A prematurely graying MAN leaning against the wall. Nods
hello.
ROBERTSON
And the gentleman to my right is
Dr. Alfred Lanning, Director of
Research.
Alfred Lanning, only one there in a tie. Nods.
ROBERTSON
They'll be available to answer any
questions you might have during
your investigation. You'll
understand how anxious we are to
resolve this matter -- especially
before the press gets wind of it.
There are some anti-robot
sentiments out there as you know,
Detective, and we're not eager to
stir them up. So. Where would you
like to begin?
SPOONER
We can begin with whether or not
the old man put a gun to his head
and pulled the trigger.
A palpable wave of tension shoots through the group.
ARONSON
You don't have to answer that, Dr.
Robertson...
9.
Robertson waves him off.
ROBERTSON
Susan? Perhaps you can assist us
here?
Everyone looks down at the other end of the table. A BEAT.
Then an attractive young WOMAN gets to her feet. SUSAN
CALVIN. Hair tucked behind her ears. Looking at everyone
but Spooner.
CALVIN
Dr. Hogenmiller was a schizoid
personality who generally eschewed
social relationships. Rejecting
people in favor of solitary
activities involving machines. He
spent almost all his time at the
lab here or at his lab at home. As
a result he was highly susceptible
to depression.
ROBERTSON
Dr. Calvin is our Chief
Psychologist.
SPOONER
If that was your diagnosis, why
didn't you see this coming?
Calvin turns. Finally meeting Spooner's eye. As if the
answer's obvious.
CALVIN
This is U.S. Robotics, Detective.
Seventy-five percent of our
employees fit that description.
LANNING
(interceding)
You'll have to excuse the doctor.
We're all a little on edge. This
has been a difficult and emotional
morning.
Spooner throws a look around the room. Then back at Calvin.
SPOONER
Yeah. I can see you're all broken
up.
Robertson responds to Spooner's skepticism.
10.
ROBERTSON
Dr. Hogenmiller was at my side from
the very beginnings of this
company. We developed the "Three
Laws of Robotics" together. But
these days science is a young man's
game. By the time you hit thirty
your best years are behind you.
Some of us are kicked upstairs.
Others I'm afraid aren't so lucky.
Robertson stands. Meeting over.
ROBERTSON
Dr. Hogenmiller took his own life.
I trust you will come to the same
swift conclusion, Detective. Dr.
Lanning will make himself available
if you have any further questions.
Spooner looks over at Calvin.
SPOONER
I want her to help me.
Calvin, unhappy with this arrangement.
CALVIN
That's not really my department...
ROBERTSON
(pointed)
Susan would be happy to assist you.
And with a gesture, Robertson dismisses everyone. People
start getting up, gathering up, filing out. Susan Calvin.
The last one to get up.
17 INT. METAL HALLWAY - DAY 17
Spooner and Calvin, heading down the same hallway he was in
before. Catch sight of a couple ROBOT TECHNICIANS...
SPOONER
(under his breath)
Ah, Christ...Toasters...
As they duck under the police tape and...
11.
18 INT. HOGENMILLER'S LAB - DAY 18
...enter Hogenmiller's lab. Alive with activity. CRIME
SCENE TECHNICIANS, MOBILE ANALYSIS UNITS. LIGHT SCANS,
running across...
HOGENMILLER'S LIFELESS FACE. Black gun powder. Fanning out
around his contorted lips.
Spooner. Throws a look around the lab: ROBOTS. Everywhere.
Mostly incomplete. TORSOS. ARMS. LEGS. Dangling from the
ceiling. A SERGEANT. Passes them by...
SERGEANT
They say the price's gonna come
down a lot next year. Kinda cool,
huh?
SPOONER
How cool will it be when one takes
your job?
Spooner. Pushing past him. His eyes. Darting around.
CALVIN
Is everything alright, Detective?
SPOONER
Yeah. This is just how I like my
robots -- in pieces.
As they approach Hogenmiller's body, the lead CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATOR, BALDEZ, gets up to meet them.
BALDEZ
(to Spooner)
Can you believe it, man? U.S.
Robotics. I didn't think I'd ever
see the inside of this building.
Hands Spooner, a plasma clipboard. Spooner signs it,
awkwardly. With his LEFT HAND...
SPOONER
What's the run-down?
BALDEZ
Heinrich Hogenmiller, sixty-four
years old. Weapon a small caliber
.22, registered in his name. Looks
like he walked in, locked the door,
and snuffed himself.
12.
Spooner. Cocking his head to look at Hogenmiller's face.
SPOONER
I know someone who disagrees with
you.
BALDEZ
Who?
Spooner. Stands. Pointing down at Hogenmiller.
SPOONER
Him.
And steps over the body, leaving a confused Baldez.
Stepping deeper, into the lab. Calvin. Following.
SPOONER
I spoke to a dead man today. Want
to tell me about that?
CALVIN
Dr. Hogenmiller's hologram took his
appointments. Attended staff
meetings. He hated corporate life.
The hologram enabled him to focus
on his work. It's just a device,
Detective.
SPOONER
A device that called the police.
CALVIN
The sound of the gunshot would've
triggered a 911.
SPOONER
But the call came directly to me.
CALVIN
We're talking about a mechanism
designed by Hogenmiller to say
provocative things. To irritate
and confound his colleagues.
SPOONER
And that's what you think it is?
CALVIN
I'm sorry, but this whole
investigation is the result of a
dead man's toy messing with your
head.
13.
They pass half a robot, hanging from a hook. Spooner curls
his lip. Swivels the robot's head so it's not looking at
him.
SPOONER
When's the last time any of you
actually spoke to Hogenmiller? I
mean human to human?
CALVIN
I couldn't say.
SPOONER
Take a guess.
CALVIN
I don't guess, Detective. But if
pressed, I would reason it had been
a considerable length of time.
SPOONER
How well did you know him?
Calvin. Gently swivels the robot's head back to where it had
been.
CALVIN
Not well. But I admired his work
tremendously.
Spooner. Studies her for a beat. Then turns back to the
body. Two CORONERS entering with a high-tech body box.
SPOONER
I get the whole "mad scientist"
thing. Hogenmiller was past his
prime. Isolated. Eccentric. He
enters a room. Locks the door and
is found minutes later with a
bullet fired through his mouth into
his brain. Everything about this
case says suicide.
CALVIN
You don't sound convinced.
The coroners. Start loading the body into the box.
SPOONER
Even people who live a life of
logic and precision rarely arrange
their deaths so perfectly.
(turning to her)
(MORE)
14.
SPOONER (cont'd)
What all this is missing -- is
personality...
As he starts for the door...
SPOONER
You have 24 hour surveillance?...
19 INT. METAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 19
...They head out into the hallway. A MECHANICAL DOOR GUARD
rolling into place behind them.
CALVIN
It's company policy.
SPOONER
I want to see the tapes.
Calvin. Hurrying to keep up with him. This is hardly how
she wanted to spend her morning. Calls out into the air...
CALVIN
Victor!
At the end of the corridor, near the elevator, a BRIGHT
CIRCLE appears. Hovering just in front of the wall. Two
small slits grow into ROUND BLACK EYES...and a thin mouth
expands into an ENORMOUS SMILE.
CALVIN
Detective, meet Victor. Our
building's supercomputer. He's the
checks and balances of U.S.R.
(to Victor)
Victor, Detective Spooner's heading
up the investigation into the death
of Dr. Hogenmiller.
Victor smiles big. Spooner, furrows his brow.
SPOONER
You look like a very...happy
computer.
Victor responds in a GENTLE MALE VOICE:
VICTOR
Thank you. That's very kind.
CALVIN
The Detective needs to see our
security tapes.
15.
The elevator doors immediately OPEN. They step inside.
20 INT. ELEVATOR - DAY 20
Spooner and Calvin descend. Victor floats on the wall and
smiles wide. Spooner looks back at it. With a frown.
The elevator stops, the doors open. A ROBOT steps on.
ROBOT
Good day, Dr. Calvin. Good day,
sir.
Spooner's jaw. Clenches. Staring at the Robot. It senses
the stare. Turns back to him.
ROBOT
May I be of service to you, sir?
Spooner. Breaks the stare. Ignoring the Robot. Calvin.
Looks over at him.
CALVIN
Aren't you going to answer him?
SPOONER
I don't talk to my refrigerator,
either.
Calvin folds her arms.
CALVIN
I get the distinct feeling you're
one of those people, Detective.
SPOONER
What people?
CALVIN
Those who don't appreciate the work
we do here at U.S.R.
SPOONER
You people do what you do. Then
it's up to the rest of us to make
sense out of the world we wake up
in.
As the elevator doors open on to...
16.
21 INT. ATRIUM LOBBY - CONTINUOUS 21
A soaring lobby. The centerpiece is a five-story STATUE of a
ROBOT, arms outstretched in approximation of Da Vinci's Study
of Man. Robot workers more numerous than humans. They are
sleeker. Finer. More advanced than those in the outside
world.
Calvin and Spooner head across.
CALVIN
When this company started we were
manufacturing three robots a week.
Now look at us. Today's children
will never know a world without
robots.
SPOONER
The streets are filled with
unemployed humans who aren't
exactly thrilled with that idea.
CALVIN
Our robotic systems maintain
factory inventories, regulate
street traffic -- even run the
family home.
SPOONER
Leaving people to do what, Doctor?
CALVIN
Leaving people to engage in higher
pursuits that make life worth
living.
SPOONER
And what happens when something
goes wrong?
CALVIN
Our system's never wrong.
As they walk through the crowd, we hear the quiet WHIR of
robot heads as they turn in succession to watch Spooner pass.
22 INT. MAINFRAME - DAY 22
Spooner and Calvin enter the MAINFRAME of U.S. Robotics.
This is the nerve center of the whole operation. Walls lined
with COMPUTERS, SCREENS, and thousands of CONTROLS.
17.
CALVIN
This is Victor's home.
VICTOR appears on a wall-sized SCREEN broken up into beehive-
like components.
VICTOR
I will now play you the last thirty-
two seconds of Dr. Hogenmiller's
life.
AS WE WATCH THE SCREENS. The elevator opens and DOCTOR
HOGENMILLER steps into the metal corridor. In countless
ANGLES. High, low, close-up, wide. Hogenmiller's face
composed but tight.
Spooner watches the lab doors open to admit him. Hogenmiller
steps in. The doors slide closed behind him.
Nothing for a few moments. Then a muffled GUNSHOT. Calvin
jumps, startled. That's it. The cameras, still trained on
the corridor.
SPOONER
Where's the tape from inside?
VICTOR
Dr. Hogenmiller did not permit
cameras to observe him while
working.
CALVIN
That was only within the last year.
SPOONER
So we can throw paranoia into the
mix.
(to Victor)
Fast-forward.
A hundred-plus screens all FAST-FORWARD. POLICE OFFICERS
appear and force open the doors. Now TECHNICIANS appear
and rush through in a blur...
CALVIN
Um. I hate to be a stickler...
On screen, we see Spooner and Calvin enter the lab.
CALVIN
But don't killers usually have to
enter and exit the scene of a
crime?
18.
SPOONER
Stop the recording.
Spooner turns away from the footage. Stares at Calvin.
SPOONER
They do, Doctor. Unless they've
always been there -- and never
left.
Calvin looks at him. Trying to understand.
CALVIN
You think the murderer was in the
lab the entire time?
SPOONER
If I'm right, it's still there...
Spooner turns back to the screens. The IMAGE paused at the
exact moment the MECHANICAL GUARD rolled in front of the lab
door.
SPOONER
We just locked it in.
23 INT. METAL CORRIDOR - DAY 23
The STEEL ARMS of the ROBOTIC GUARD retract with a CLANG. The
laboratory doors slide open.
24 INT. HOGENMILLER'S LAB - DAY 24
Spooner and Calvin step inside. It's dark. Quiet. Police
and technicians long gone. Silhouettes of hanging limbs.
Eyeless heads. Clumps of wire and metal.
The LIGHTS, flicker on. Calvin sees Spooner reaching into
his coat with his left hand. Pulling out a GUN. Reacts.
CALVIN
A robot cannot harm a human being,
Detective. The First Law of
Robotics forbids it. And we hard-
wire the Three Laws into every
model. Without exception.
SPOONER
Yeah, I saw the commercial.
Spooner steps deeper into the lab. Eyes scanning. Twisting.
To avoid touching any robot parts. Passes a MAZE holding a
METAL INSECT. SUDDENLY. The bug WHIRS to life.
19.
Spooner startles. As the metal bug scurries through the
corridors. Clamps his hand down on it.
SPOONER
And if a robot was given a direct
order to kill?
CALVIN
The Second Law of Robotics would
prevent it. A robot must obey an
order only if it does not conflict
with the first law.
Spooner approaches a MOUND of ROBOT PARTS. Arms and legs.
Half torsos. All tossed haphazardly onto the pile.
SPOONER
But a robot can defend itself.
CALVIN
Only when that action doesn't
conflict with the First or Second
Laws. This is the Third Law of
Robotics.
SPOONER
Yeah, well, you know what they say
-- Laws are made to be broken.
CALVIN
Not these laws.
Spooner. Starts nudging the pile with his shoe. Calvin,
growing impatient...
CALVIN
You're not hearing me, Detective.
There's nothing here...
WHEN SUDDENLY
The PILE ERUPTS in front of Spooner...Parts flying...AS A
ROBOT LEAPS UP FROM BENEATH IT!...
Spooner...knocked back...his GUN...skittering across the
floor...right to...
CALVIN'S FEET.
SPOONER
Dr. Calvin!
Calvin. Stunned. Speechless. The Robot. Fixing his
ILLUMINATED EYES. Right on her. She steps forward...
20.
SPOONER
Goddammit! Stay back!
Spooner. Scrambling towards his gun. Calvin. Reaching out
towards the Robot...
CALVIN
Calm down, Detective. There is no
danger here...
Spooner. Grabbing up his gun and wheeling round just as...
CALVIN
(to Robot)
De-Activate.
And the Robot. Suddenly FREEZES.
Spooner. Heart POUNDING. Gets to his feet. Training the
gun on the Robot. Calvin turns to him.
CALVIN
How did you know it was under
there?
SPOONER
If I was metal and didn't want
anyone to find me, I'd hide under a
pile of junk.
CALVIN
This Robot wasn't hiding. What
you're looking at is the result of
clever programming. The illusion
of self-interest and free will.
Nothing more.
Spooner. Steeping closer to the Robot. Cautiously.
Holstering his gun. As Calvin turns for the door.
CALVIN
I'm going to go get Dr. Lanning...
...THE ROBOT'S HAND SUDDENLY SHOOTS OUT...grabbing Spooner's
gun...from his holster...LIGHTENING FAST...pointing it...
right back at him...
CLOSE ON Calvin. Cannot believe this is happening...
CALVIN
I said De-Activate!
21.
SPOONER
Move away from the door, Doctor.
Calvin's voice. Cracking from desperation. Confusion.
CALVIN
Commence emergency shut-down!
SPOONER
Now!
Spooner. Staring into the Robot's eyes. A thin bead of
SWEAT. Trickling down his temple. Calvin. Moving away from
the door...
CALVIN
I...I gave you an order...
The Robot. Starts backing towards the door. The gun.
Shaking in its hand. As if he's desperate. Conflicted. He
touches the WALL PANEL. The doors slide open. The Robot
steps out into the metal corridor. Turning to RUN as the
doors begin to shut...
Spooner. Reaching down to whip out a BACK-UP GUN. From an
ankle holster. Slapping in a LARGE CARTRIDGE.
CALVIN
This is impossible. A robot...
SPOONER
...can't do that. Yeah, yeah, I
know.
CALVIN
My God -- did you see how it moved?
I've never seen an NS-2 move that
way...
Starts running for the door.
CALVIN
Wait! Please, you can't destroy
it. We have to study it...
SPOONER
That thing took my gun. You'll be
lucky if you get a handful of bolts
back!
SLAMS the wall panel and...
22.
25 INT. METAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS 25
...sprints out into the hallway. The Robot Suspect. About
to turn to corner...
VICTOR. Suddenly appearing.
VICTOR
The suspect is nearing the end of
the hallway, Detective.
SPOONER
Gee, thanks.
Spooner raises his gun and FIRES...Pegging the robot in the
LEG...It starts jerking wildly...He takes aim again when...
CALVIN. Races out into the hallway.
SPOONER
Get back to the lab!
She heads for the Robot.
CALVIN
(to Robot)
You're malfunctioning. Let me help
you!
The Robot turns. To look at her. GUN pointing to the floor.
Spooner. FOCUSING in on his HAND. AS ONE FINGER TWITCHES...
And he DIVES for Calvin. Forcing her to the floor as the
Robot FIRES. Again and again. Bullets. RICOCHETTING around
them. SPARKING against the walls...
The ELEVATOR opens. The Robot, leaping inside.
Spooner. On top of Calvin. Looks down at her. Her HANDS.
Clutching his coat. Trembling.
SPOONER
That was a pretty convincing
illusion of getting shot at.
CUT TO:
26 INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS 26
The ROBOT SUSPECT standing inside the elevator. Looks down
at the bullet hole blown through its leg. Reaches down.
Metal fingers touching the damage. As if curious. Afraid.
23.
Looks back at the other ROBOT. Standing in the back of
elevator. A primitive model. No reaction. Face, blank.
CUT BACK TO:
27 INT. METAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS 27
Spooner springing to his feet. Helping Calvin up.
VICTOR
I took the liberty of alerting
Security .003 Seconds after the
first shot was fired...
SPOONER
Where's that elevator going?
VICTOR
Sub Level 5.
Spooner SLAMS against a nearby DOOR. Hurtling down the
STAIRS...
28 INT. LOBBY - CONTINUOUS 28
A PHALANX of SECURITY PERSONNEL. Crossing the lobby.
PIERCING ALARM BELLS, RINGING...
29 INT. ANOTHER METAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 29
More SECURITY PERSONNEL. Pouring into a HALLWAY...
30 INT. STAIRWAY - CONTINUOUS 30
Spooner and Calvin. Racing down the stairs. Victor's face
meeting them at every landing.
VICTOR
I have directed a security team to
meet the elevator containing the
errant robot...
Spooner. Whipping past him. Calvin. Barely keeping up.
Not used to this much activity.
Spooner. BURSTS through a door and out into...
31 INT. SUBTERRANEAN LEVEL 5 - CONTINUOUS 31
...Subterranean Level 5. A labyrinth of metal and concrete.
IN THE DISTANCE. A troupe of SECURITY PERSONNEL swarms
around a closed ELEVATOR DOOR...
24.
VICTOR
The suspect is about to be
apprehended, Detective.
SPOONER
I'll believe it when I see it.
Spooner. Cocking his gun. A soft DING! Announcing the
elevator car's arrival.
SECURITY, all crouching down in unison. Weapons brought
round to position.
Spooner. Weaving through them. Gun pointed at the metal
doors as...
WHOOSH. They slide open. Revealing a ROBOT. Standing
under the LIGHT. Holding a GUN. It steps out as Security
takes aim and...
SPOONER
Wait!
Spooner pushes past them to the Robot. Looks down at its
leg. UNSCATHED.
SPOONER
This is not the same robot!
Looking wildly around. Goddammit. Bounds towards an EXIT as
Calvin steps forward to question the robot.
CALVIN
(to Robot)
What happened to the robot that
ordered you to hold this firearm?
ELEVATOR ROBOT
This unit is not programmed to obey
an order given by a robot...
CALVIN
But who gave you this gun?
SPOONER. Running towards the exit. Hears the answer.
Echoing behind him...
ELEVATOR ROBOT
A metal man.
25.
32 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - DAY 32
BAM! He BURSTS out into the PLAZA in front of U.S. Robotics.
Squinting into the light. Then PLUNGING into the crowd...
HUMAN...ROBOT...HUMAN...ROBOT...they all look the same from
behind. Spooner running. Through the sea of MAN and
MACHINE. When someone. Starts to SCREAM. At the sight of
his GUN. The crowd begins SCATTERING. Chaos. Spooner
stops. Near a fountain. Turning 360. Looking everywhere...
The Robot. Gone.
SPOONER (V.O.)
...I want a homicide unit on every
street, sidewalk, alley...
33 INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY 33
Spooner, standing in front of an assemblage of COPS. Behind
him, an image of the Robot Suspect plays on the screen...
SPOONER
...junkyard, scrapyard, and salvage
yard, anywhere it could hide.
Behind him, flashing images of the city STREETS and DUMPS...
SPOONER
It's got a bullet hole above the
right knee, so be on the look-out
for any malfunctioning NS-2...
Lieutenant Bergin enters the back of the room. Next to him,
ASSISTANT D.A. TOLLER. Not looking happy.
SPOONER
Check out all retail outlets and
repair shops, especially the
underground ones...
The screen behind him compartmentalises, showing various
dubious SHOP FRONTS...
SPOONER
I don't care who you have to get
past to get this done. Just get it
done.
The Cops, begin dispersing. As Bergin catches Spooner's eye.
Spooner, not pleased to see Toller. Heads over...
26.
TOLLER
Looking like shit, Spooner.
SPOONER
Well I'm not the one always giving
Press Conferences...
Bergin puts a hand on Spooner's arm. Knows he's not going to
like this.
LT. BERGIN
Del, we're going to have to
reclassify the search. D.A.'s
office is seeing this NS-2 as
"missing evidence" -- not a
homicide suspect.
SPOONER
What?
TOLLER
Homicide is the murder of a human
being by another human being.
Therefore, a robot cannot be
charged with "homicide."
SPOONER
This isn't just any robot...
TOLLER
It's malfunctioning.
SPOONER
It killed someone. That
registering with you?
Spooner. Shakes off Bergin's arm. Eyeballs Toller.
SPOONER
How many shares of U.S.R. you
holding in your portfolio, Toller?
TOLLER
This is a public safety issue.
SPOONER
That's convenient.
TOLLER
You have any idea what would happen
to this city if we went running
around screaming "killer robot?"
It would collapse in on itself.
(MORE)
27.
TOLLER (cont'd)
Wide-spread panic. Until that NS-
2's found we're cooperating with
U.S. Robotics and keeping this
investigation under wraps.
LT. BERGIN
Maybe this isn't the case for you,
Del.
Incensed, Spooner replies a little louder than he intended.
SPOONER
I'm fine!
Rakes his hand through his hair. Turns to see the other
COPS, looking over at him. Toller smirks. Looks to Bergin.
TOLLER
I want updated reports every half
hour.
Heads off. Spooner. Watching him.
SPOONER
This is it, you know. From now on
we're going to miss the good old
days.
LT. BERGIN
Good old days?
SPOONER
When people were killed by other
people.
34 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CITY STREET - DUSK 34
Spooner. Rolling along in his car. Eyes, bloodshot.
Peering out the window:
An NS-2 model ROBOT laden with shopping bags, following its
owner down the sidewalk...
Another ROBOT, opening the door at a hotel for GUESTS...
A couple HAULING ROBOTS, loading heavy boxes onto the back of
a truck...
Spooner. Rubs his eyes. Turns a corner and spots:
A ROBOT REPAIR SHOP.
28.
The latest models in the window. Shiny. Streamlined.
Spooner watches as a WOMAN leads her faulty NS-2 to the
service entrance.
He stops the car.
35 INT. TAXI (MOVING) - ESTATE STREETS - NIGHT 35
Calvin riding in the back of a DRIVERLESS taxi cab. Staring
out the window, lost in thought. The cab pulls up to a curb.
TAXI VOICE
We have arrived at your
destination.
Calvin. Takes a beat. Then swipes her card.
36 EXT. CALVIN'S CONDO ESTATE - NIGHT 36
Elegant condos set on prime real estate. Calvin heads down a
tree-lined walk towards her condo entrance.
SPOONER (O.S.)
One of my bullets hit your robot...
Startled. She drops her key card. As Spooner steps out from
behind a tree. The tail of his coat, whipping in the wind.
CALVIN
Detective!...
SPOONER
And I think it's smart enough to
repair itself -- don't you?
CALVIN
(studying him)
Yes. I think so.
SPOONER
Where?
CALVIN
Any repair shop...
SPOONER
No. It's always the owner who
brings the robot in for repair.
Where would a robot without an
owner go?
29.
CALVIN
I'm not sure what you're getting
at.
SPOONER
(stepping closer)
Does U.S. Robotics have a factory
in the city limits?
Calvin. Tucking her hair behind her ears.
CALVIN
The locations of our factories are
classified.
SPOONER
I don't care.
Calvin. Looks up at him. A Mexican stand-off.
CALVIN
I have several conditions if I show
you.
SPOONER
I expected that.
CALVIN
First. I want it brought in
unharmed.
SPOONER
(doesn't like it, but)
Agreed.
CALVIN
Second. I want to talk to it,
alone.
SPOONER
Too dangerous.
CALVIN
This model violated the Three Laws.
It also moved and reacted
differently than any robot I've
ever seen. There must be some sort
of logical explanation. I want to
find out what that is. No police.
No prosecutors. No you. Just me
and the robot.
Spooner, looks down at this small woman. Narrows his eyes.
30.
SPOONER
When they told me you were a
psychologist, that wasn't the whole
truth, was it?
CALVIN
I never said I treated human
beings.
37 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR (MOVING) - CITY UNDERPASS - NIGHT 37
Spooner's car races down a RAMP and the roadway becomes a 16-
lane underground tunnel system. A river of HEADLIGHTS
stretches forever in either direction.
A CONTROL BEAM locks onto the car, guiding it to a merge with
TRAFFIC. Spooner hits the OVERRIDE BUTTON -- and switches to
manual. Calvin watches him take the wheel. Shakes her head.
CALVIN
That should be outlawed once and
for all.
SPOONER
That'll be the day I stop driving.
Spooner jams the GAS PEDAL and the tunnel becomes a BLUR.
Calvin holds onto the dashboard. Looking a little pale.
CALVIN
I can recommend a behavior
modification program, you know --
if you want to overcome your robo-
phobia.
SPOONER
I'm not afraid of robots. I just
don't like them.
CALVIN
Why? Because they make every
aspect of our lives more
convenient?
SPOONER
Exactly. They do our dirty work.
Ever do hard labor, Doctor? Gets
pretty old, pretty fast. Nobody
can do someone else's dirty work
without coming to hate them. I
don't want to be around when your
robots decide they've taken their
last order.
31.
CALVIN
That day will never come,
Detective. Robots aren't like
human beings -- they don't question
their existence.
Spooner cranks the gear shift. Throwing her a look.
SPOONER
Spoken like a true robo-phile.
38 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS PLANT - NIGHT 38
The car comes to a stop in a vast INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.
Spooner and Calvin get out, looking up at the imposing facade
of a U.S. Robotics Assembly Plant. A long STEEL GATE -- too
high to see over -- protects the unmarked complex.
39 EXT. MAIN GATE - NIGHT 39
Calvin looks anxious as the DOOR MECHANISM scans her U.S.R.
ID. She shoots a look at Spooner. They wait. Then, slowly,
the gate begins to open.
40 INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT 40
A NIGHT FOREMAN leads them down a hallway. Shaking his head.
NIGHT FOREMAN
Head-Office already ordered a
system-wide inventory check. Don't
know about a missing NS-2...
Looks back at Spooner.
NIGHT FOREMAN
What'd you say you did?
SPOONER
Research and Development.
As Spooner pushes past him into...
41 INT. CONTROL BOOTH - CONTINUOUS 41
...the Control Booth. Overlooking the pristine Factory
Floor. The Foreman starts working the controls of a central
computer.
CALVIN
All Nestors accounted for?
32.
The SCREEN scrolls with INVENTORY FIGURES.
NIGHT FOREMAN
(gesturing)
As you can see, all properly
catalogued. Your robot just isn't
here.
Calvin turns to say something to Spooner. But he isn't
there. She looks around. Then sees the Foreman reacting.
Looks out the window at...
SPOONER. Walking out onto the factory floor.
42 INT. FACTORY FLOOR - NIGHT 42
Spooner trots alongside an ASSEMBLY LINE BELT. Lined with NS-
2 LEGS. New. Gleaming. Heading towards the assembly room.
Calvin and the Foreman. Catching up. Over the noise:
NIGHT FOREMAN
Like I said, sir -- we have one
hundred fully assembled NS-2s
housed here. That's our capacity.
Last week we had one hundred.
Yesterday we had one hundred --
Spooner, slowing. Finally spotting what he was looking for.
Points at:
A GAP. On the assembly belt. ONE LEG MISSING.
SPOONER
Well today you have one-hundred and
one.
43 INT. FACTORY FLOOR - NIGHT 43
A STORAGE COMPARTMENT opens and 101 NS-2s march out in tight
formation. Every step and swing of the arm in unison. The
sound of METAL FOOTSTEPS reverberating through the plant as
101 Robots organise themselves into long straight lines.
Spooner and Calvin look up and down the formation. They all
look alike. Spooner. Throws up his hands.
SPOONER
(to Calvin)
You're the robot shrink.
The Robots stand motionless. A strange tableau. Calvin.
Takes a step forward.
33.
CALVIN
There is a robot in this formation
that does not belong. Identify it.
101 robots answer in unison. Their mechanical VOICES
resounding:
101 ROBOTS
ONE OF US.
CALVIN
Which one?
101 ROBOTS
ONE OF US.
CALVIN
That is not a satisfactory answer!
101 ROBOTS
ONE OF US.
SPOONER
That's helpful.
CALVIN
I could always interview each one
individually and cross-reference
their responses to detect any
anomalies.
SPOONER
How long would that take?
CALVIN
About three weeks.
They share a look. Clearly not an option. Then. Calvin.
Gets an idea. Turns to Spooner...
CALVIN
Or...
...and GRABS his GUN from his holster. He jumps back.
CALVIN
We have one hundred robots here
that cannot allow a human being to
come to harm...
Their eyes lock. Spooner, getting what she's doing.
34.
SPOONER
And one that can.
She raises the gun to Spooner's head. Hand, unsteady.
CALVIN
Am I holding this right?
SPOONER
More or less.
Calvin. Swallows. Looks over at the robots. Then COCKS the
gun...
AND THE ROBOTS COME THUNDERING TOWARDS THEM. Like a row of
linebackers. Arms straight out. Their footsteps DEAFENING.
Coming CLOSER and CLOSER...
When CALVIN. Lowers the gun. The Robots. All stop in
unison. Immediately returning to their resting positions.
Spooner and Calvin stare out. EVERY ONE OF THE ROBOTS MOVED.
Standing right in front of them, like metal statues.
Spooner. Has had enough. Takes the gun back from Calvin...
SPOONER
Enough game-playing.
...And BAM! Blows the head off of the nearest Robot. Its
body crumples to the ground.
SPOONER
Guess that wasn't it.
Calvin. Cannot believe what he just did. Rushes over to the
destroyed Robot.
CALVIN
What are you doing?!
Spooner walks down the row, holding his gun in plain view.
SPOONER
(calling out)
This is a self-preservation field
test! DO NOT attempt to save
yourselves. Any of you. That's an
order!
FROM THE CONTROL BOOTH the Night Foreman screams over the
P.A.:
35.
NIGHT FOREMAN
Are you crazy? Those are eight
hundred thousand dollar machines!
Spooner randomly stops at another Robot. Raises his gun.
SPOONER
You hear that? You're worth more
than I'll make in my entire life...
His finger tightening on the trigger when Calvin suddenly
grabs his arm.
CALVIN
You can't just destroy them!
Spooner. Looking down at her. WHEN SUDDENLY something
catches his eye. A MOVEMENT. Down the line. Almost.
Imperceptible.
He jerks his head. Locking eyes with a ROBOT. A couple feet
away. It's him!
SPOONER
Gotcha.
The Robot Suspect LEAPS forward. Grabbing onto the RAILING
of an OVERHEAD CATWALK. His movements almost balletic as he
swings himself up...
Spooner drops to his knee...taking aim...but misses as the
Robot launches himself THROUGH THE CONTROL BOOTH WINDOW with
a terrific CRASH...
44 INT. CONTROL BOOTH - NIGHT 44
Spooner and Calvin rush in to find the Night Foreman hiding
under his desk. Glass everywhere. An ALARM SCREAMING. The
door on the other side, barely hanging off a hinge.
Spooner hurries forward. Then stops. Turning to Calvin.
Reaches down for his back-up gun and presses it into her
hand.
SPOONER
You don't know what's going to
happen in there.
As if admitting defeat. Calvin's fingers, wrapping around
the gun. As Spooner leads them to the door and down into...
36.
45 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOM - CONTINUOUS 45
...the ASSEMBLY ROOM. Every surface looking like part of a
great glass and metal machine. Endless high-tech planes
holding ROBOTS in various states of assembly. The deafening
ROAR of the assembly line as it slides, rotates, and gnashes
METAL BODIES...
Spooner. Motioning Calvin to stay behind him. As they
descend. Into the cavernous room.
And enter. A narrow corridor of bodies. Sliding past them.
Brushing shoulders, thighs, hands. Spooner. Wiping sweat
from his brow. Trying. To pivot himself...
When the room. Suddenly REARRANGES itself. Another LINE of
ROBOTS. Descending between Spooner and Calvin. Cutting them
off from one another...
Spooner. Catching glimpses of Calvin. On the other side of
the metal bodies. Trying. To cut through. His heart.
Starting to POUND. As Calvin. Disappears...
He swivels round. But another line of ROBOTS. Drops down.
Cutting him off. He stumbles back. As another line.
Appears before him...
Breathing. Getting heavier. He looks down at his hand.
It's trembling. NOISE CRASHING, all around him. Everywhere
he turns. More ROBOTS...BLANK EYES...GAPING MOUTHS...
He darts through the line. Finds a wall. Leaning against
it, pulls a small BOTTLE from his pocket. Rips off the lid.
Shakes out a couple PILLS. Swallows them. Staring down. At
his trembling hand. Squeezing his eyes. Open and shut...
WHEN SUDDENLY. A passing ROBOT. Grabs him by the collar.
SMASHING him against the wall. It's the Suspect. Spooner.
Sinks to the ground. As the Suspect Robot. Slips off the
line. STANDING. Over him. Raising his arms. Could end it.
Right now. But looks. Into Spooner's eyes...
Then turns. Disappearing.
Spooner. Stunned for a second. Then. Rallies. Scrambles
to his feet and plunges back into the maze of bodies. Hears
a POUNDING. In the distance. Catches a glimpse. Of the
Robot. Trying to SMASH through a large SECURITY DOOR. With
his metal fists...
Spooner's view. Blocked once again. By a shifting row.
When a HAND. Lands on his shoulder. He wheels round.
37.
To find CALVIN. Takes her by the arm. And forces them
through a line...
EMERGING into the open. The ROBOT. Still pounding.
Desperate. Like a trapped animal...
CALVIN
Now what do we do?
SPOONER
I've already done it.
And suddenly, the massive SECURITY DOOR RISES...
46 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS PLANT - CONTINUOUS 46
The Robot Suspect takes its chance. Runs full out. STOPS.
Bergin is standing in front of a solid wall of POLICE CARS.
UNIFORMED OFFICERS are aiming SPECIALISED RIFLES at the
Robot. FLASHING LIGHTS reflecting off its metal surface.
The Robot turns to Spooner. Extends its hands. Palms out.
ROBOT
WHAT AM I?
Spooner is surprised. A POLICE OFFICER fires, RUBBERISED
NETTING shooting out at Sonny. A SECOND OFFICER fires and a
second net covers him. Then a THIRD...
...and the Robot falls to the ground, struggling.
Calvin glares at Spooner. Furious. Hurt. Betrayed.
CALVIN
We had a deal.
But Spooner doesn't look at her. His eyes are locked on that
Robot.
47 INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - EARLY MORNING 47
Bergin enters. Finds EVERYONE focused on the VIDEO WALL:
ON SCREEN. A NEWS REPORTER is speaking over images of street
violence perpetrated against ROBOTS.
NEWS REPORTER
Violence erupted last night in
response to unconfirmed reports
that Dr. Heinrich Hogenmiller, a
top employee at U.S.
(MORE)
38.
NEWS REPORTER (cont'd)
Robotics, was killed yesterday
morning by a robot. While there
has been no official response from
the company, police sources have
confirmed that a robot is being
held as "evidence..."
Bergin grimaces. This is not good.
48 INT. CELL OBSERVATION BOOTH - EARLY MORNING 48
Spooner stares at his reflection in a large MIRROR. Touches
a control and the mirror becomes a WINDOW onto...
A HOLDING CELL. The Robot Suspect sits at the table.
Shackled to the chair. Staring at the table top.
BERGIN steps up beside Spooner. Looks through the glass.
LT. BERGIN
I can't tell if it's not moving
because it's trying to psych us
out, or because it's just a
machine. Or both.
SPOONER
I want to go in.
LT. BERGIN
Orders are nobody steps into that
room `til Lanning and his attorneys
get here.
Spooner. Throws him a look. Bergin, his loyalties torn.
LT. BERGIN
Five minutes.
49 INT. HOLDING CELL - EARLY MORNING 49
Spooner enters. Pulls out a chair and drags it far from the
table. He's been jumped too many times by this machine.
Four mounted cameras WHIR to life. The Robot. Perfectly
still.
SPOONER
(sitting)
Identify.
The Robot tilts its head with a muted WHIR. As if it doesn't
understand him. Spooner. Disdainful.
39.
SPOONER
You are an NS-2 Nestor-class robot.
Your primary function is to perform
the tasks assigned to you.
Identify.
THE ROBOT
I am an NS-2 Nestor-class robot.
My primary function --
SPOONER
(interrupting)
Cancel. Perform task.
Spooner wings a FILE onto the table. It comes to a stop near
the Robot. The Robot, lifts one of its hands. Gently
resting its metal fingers on top of the file. Then opens it.
A stack of PICTURES. HOGENMILLER'S CORPSE.
SPOONER
Describe.
The Robot's emotionless face studies the grim images.
SPOONER
You have over 10,000 words stored
in your memory. One third of those
are adjectives. Describe.
Nothing.
SPOONER
Why don't I take a crack? Heinrich
Hogenmiller, your creator. With a
bullet in his brain. A bullet you
put there.
The Robot. Looks up at Spooner.
SPOONER
Cold-blooded murder is a pretty new
trick for a robot, don't you think?
Answer.
The Robot slowly closes the file and slides it back across
the table. Spooner. Crosses his arms.
SPOONER
Maybe you're stonewalling me.
Maybe you're sitting there right
now thinking, "This guy's a
complete asshole." That it?
40.
Still nothing.
SPOONER
Come on. Am I right?
THE ROBOT
Yes. You are right. You are a
complete asshole.
And for a moment, Spooner is shocked. You can see it in his
eyes. He sits back in his chair. Forcing a tight smile.
SPOONER
Okay. I guess that's a start. Now
maybe you can tell me what you were
doing hiding five feet away from
Hogenmiller's corpse?
THE ROBOT
I was frightened.
SPOONER
Frightened. Why do you suppose Dr.
Hogenmiller would create a robot
that could simulate fear?
THE ROBOT
I don't know.
SPOONER
Doesn't seem like a very useful
thing for a robot to have.
THE ROBOT
I don't know why.
SPOONER
I wouldn't want my toaster to be
frightened. Or my vacuum cleaner --
SUDDENLY the Robot SLAMS its metal hands down on the table.
THE ROBOT
I DON'T KNOW!
Spooner flinches. Slightly.
SPOONER
Looks like you can simulate other
emotional states. I think that
one's called "anger." Have you
ever simulated anger before?
41.
The Robot doesn't respond.
SPOONER
Answer me, robot.
THE ROBOT
My name is Sonny.
SPOONER
(amused)
So we're naming you now.
SONNY
Dr. Hogenmiller would make me
sleep.
SPOONER
You mean he'd turn you off.
SONNY
Yes.
SPOONER
And you didn't like being turned
off. So one day you decided to
stop him.
SONNY
No.
SPOONER
You found his gun, pointed it at
his head. And pulled the trigger.
Sonny shakes his head. Faster and faster. Getting upset.
SONNY
No.
SPOONER
You put a bullet in the brain of
the man who made you.
SONNY
No! I could never hurt anyone!
SPOONER
But you tried to hurt me. You took
a shot at me.
SONNY
My aim is perfect. If I'd wanted
to hit you, I would have.
42.
Spooner's expression hardens.
SPOONER
Why would the man who wrote the
Laws of Robotics build a machine
that violates them?
SONNY
The Laws say I can protect my own
existence.
SPOONER
Only if that protection doesn't
harm a human being.
A short pause. Sonny. Tilts his head.
SONNY
That doesn't seem fair, does it?
Spooner. Stares at him. Just as...THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN.
Bergin enters. Sticks his head in.
LT. BERGIN
I need you outside.
Spooner. Not wanting to go. Not wanting to stay. Gets
up...
SONNY
Detective.
He stops. Turns back to the Robot. It looks up at him. For
a moment -- so human...
SONNY
I did not kill him.
SPOONER
You were the only one in the room.
If you didn't, who did?
He turns and heads out the door.
50 INT. OUTSIDE HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 50
Bergin closes the door. To Spooner:
LT. BERGIN
We're being blind-sided.
43.
51 INT. HOMICIDE UNIT HEARING ROOM - MORNING 51
Spooner and Bergin, head into a small COURTROOM off the main
squad room. Lanning is huddled with Aronson and a half-dozen
other COMPANY LAWYERS.
Spooner's jaw tenses. As he watches Toller emerge from the
clutch. Shaking hands. Slapping backs. Strolls over to
them.
TOLLER
We got Judge Drexel...
ROBOT BAILIFF
This hearing is called to order!
AS A LARGE SCREEN. BLIPS on behind them. The two opposing
sides, assemble before it. JUDGE DREXEL, still in his
pajamas and robe. An NS-2 ROBOT. Leaning in to serve him a
cup of tea.
JUDGE DREXEL
Statements, gentlemen.
Aronson. Standing at a glass podium.
ARONSON
Your Honor, the State is treating
the robot as a defendant. But in
fact it is a piece of property.
Property belonging to U.S.
Robotics.
Toller. Arm resting on his podium.
TOLLER
This robot has been implicated in
the death of a human being, Your
Honor.
ARONSON
Which places the incident firmly
within the realm of an industrial
accident. Or is the State going to
argue this case s a homicide?
JUDGE DREXEL
That's a good question.
TOLLER
No, sir. Of course not.
Spooner. Pointing a finger at the U.S. Robotics group.
44.
SPOONER
Their machine shot and killed a
man!
Toller. Shoots him a look. Just as Lanning speaks up.
LANNING
There's actually no concrete
evidence that points to that
conclusion, Your Honor...
Spooner. Throws up his arms...
SPOONER
What?...
LANNING
But we recognise that this robot is
an aberration. And in the interest
of public safety, U.S. Robotics
proposes that it be destroyed
immediately.
No one expected this. Least of all Spooner. He turns to
Toller.
SPOONER
You can't let them destroy evidence
in an ongoing investigation!
TOLLER
I'm not sure you even have an
investigation any more.
JUST THEN the door opens. Everyone turns as Calvin enters.
Spooner looks surprised.
ARONSON
Your Honor, I'd like to call our
company robo-psychologist to the
stand.
JUDGE DREXEL
Very well.
Calvin crosses to the podium. A SPEAKER asking:
Doyousweartotellthetruththewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth?
CALVIN
I do.
45.
ARONSON
Dr. Calvin, please tell us what
conclusions you've reached after
having observed the robot in
action.
CALVIN
There is a design flaw in the
robot. Its programming is
advanced, but unstable, leaving the
Three Laws in a grave imbalance.
ARONSON
In your expert opinion, what
measures should be taken regarding
the device?
Calvin. Staring straight ahead. Avoiding Spooner's eye.
CALVIN
The robot must be destroyed.
Spooner can't believe what he's just heard. About to speak
up when Toller grabs his arm. Squeezing it. Hard.
Judge Drexel has heard enough. Decides.
JUDGE DREXEL
The robot in question will be
transferred to a U.S. Robotics
facility where it can be properly
examined to ensure an imbalance of
this sort never occurs again. No
one goes near it except qualified
U.S.R. personnel. When the
examination is complete, the robot
is to be destroyed.
Starts getting up from his chair. Already done with this.
ROBOT BAILIFF
This hearing is adjourned!
A BURST of CONVERSATION as the screen BLIPS off. The U.S.R.
camp, looking especially pleased. Spooner. Catching
Calvin's eye briefly. As Lanning leads her towards the exit,
his hand on her back.
52 EXT. POLICE H.Q. - DAY 52
Spooner. Trotting down the front steps of the Police
Station. Pissed. His cell phone BLEATS...
46.
SPOONER
(answering)
Spooner.
BALDEZ' VOICE
They're making me turn over all the
evidence...
INTERCUT WITH:
53 INT. CRIME LAB - CONTINUOUS 53
BALDEZ. Standing in his crime lab. Behind him, THREE-
DIMENSIONAL PROJECTIONS of DEAD BODIES. Hovering in the
precise positions they were found.
SPOONER'S VOICE
Welcome to the great American cover-
up.
BALDEZ
I wanted to tell you something I
found before they suck it all up
into their computer.
Walks over to the projection of HOGENMILLER'S BODY.
INTERCUT WITH:
Spooner. Crossing the Plaza. Sees LANNING, ARONSON, and
CALVIN walking ahead of him...
BALDEZ' VOICE
There are bruises on Hogenmiller's
wrists...
SPOONER
That's natural. There was a
struggle.
BALDEZ' VOICE
You're not getting me...
INTERCUT WITH:
Baldez. Studying the projection's wrists.
BALDEZ
Both wrists. I 14-ed them -- They
were inflicted at the same time the
shot was fired...
INTERCUT WITH:
47.
Spooner's pace. Slows.
BALDEZ' VOICE
How's that possible?
JUST THEN. A faint BLIP. On the line. Spooner. Reacts.
SPOONER
Baldez?
BALDEZ' VOICE
I'm here, man...
SPOONER
Who else is on the line?
(nothing)
I said who's there?...
Nothing. He looks up. Aronson, Lanning and Calvin. Heading
down a plaza EXIT. Aronson. Throwing a look over his
shoulder.
Spooner. Hangs up his phone.
54 INT. POLICE H.Q. - CORRIDOR - DAY 54
CLOSE ON Sonny being escorted down a corridor by Toller,
Bergin and a number of heavily-armed OFFICERS. He's bound
with high-tech SHACKLES.
55 INT. UNDERGROUND CAR PARK - DAY 55
Sonny and his police entourage emerge from the elevator into
an underground car park. Spooner. Waiting for them. Heads
over. Toller. Holds out his hand.
TOLLER
Case is closed, Spooner.
SPOONER
Apparently...
He pushes past him. Falling into step beside Sonny.
SONNY
I didn't expect to see you again,
Detective...
SPOONER
I need you to help me clear
something up.
48.
SONNY
I'll do my best.
SPOONER
A scientist builds a robot that
acts like a man. More like a man
than any robot ever before. It
shoots him and U.S. Robotics calls
it a failure.
SONNY
What would you call it?
SPOONER
A stunning success.
(beat)
You were there, Robot. What am I
missing?
SONNY
I don't know.
SPOONER
Don't start simulating ignorance.
SONNY
I'm not simulating ignorance,
Detective. I'm experiencing it. I
was asleep.
SPOONER
You mean you were shut down.
SONNY
No, I was asleep.
SPOONER
Robots don't sleep. Human beings
sleep. Understand? Dogs sleep.
You're a machine. An imitation.
An illusion of life. Can a robot
write a symphony? Can a robot take
a blank canvas and paint a
masterpiece?
A pause. Then the muted WHIR as Sonny turns to him.
SONNY
Can you do either of those things?
Spooner. Momentarily stumped. As a VAN from U.S. ROBOTICS
pulls up. The back door dropping open. An ENGINEER motions
to the Robot.
49.
ENGINEER
Step forward. Enter.
SONNY
They're going to destroy me, aren't
they?
Spooner. Watching him step into the van.
SPOONER
Yes.
Sonny sits down. With an almost human melancholy. The
Engineers, securing him in place.
SONNY
The Doctor was right. He told me
everything was going to change....
The Engineers start to close the doors. But Spooner reaches
out to stop them. Sonny. Looks over at him.
SONNY
It's changing already...
(beat)
Can't you feel it?
As CLANG! The van door CLOSES. Spooner, stepping back.
Something. Just not right. Lieutenant Bergin comes up
beside him.
LT. BERGIN
You should be happy. That's one
less robot in the world.
SPOONER
They're going to destroy the most
advanced robot in the world, John.
That doesn't strike you as odd?
LT. BERGIN
Killer robots are bad for business.
Even your friend Dr. Calvin said
so.
(slaps him on the back)
Come on. You solved the case.
Give yourself a break.
Spooner looks at him. There's no way he's giving himself a
break.
50.
56 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - DAY 56
Spooner driving. A small TELEVISION above the windshield.
LANCE ROBERTSON holding a PRESS CONFERENCE outside U.S.
Robotics...
ROBERTSON ON TV
...and I just want to assure you that
this was an isolated incident. The
prototype is now in custody -- and
scheduled for destruction. Your
robots are perfectly safe. There
is no cause for alarm...
Spooner's lip curls. Eyes flicking to a GPS display on the
dashboard. A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP pinpointing HOGENMILLER'S
HOUSE. The CURSOR. Directing him to turn up...
A STEEP DRIVEWAY
Narrow. Out of the way. Spooner's brow furrows. As he
hears a faraway RUMBLING SOUND...
57 EXT. HOGENMILLER'S HOUSE - DAY 57
Dr. Hogenmiller's house. Small. Simple. Built on a huge
rock promontory overlooking the city. Three DEMOLITION
ROBOTS rolling towards it. Huge, mashing, sporting massive
HYDRAULIC POUNDERS.
Spooner's CAR. SCREECHES to a stop. He jumps out. Races
over to the nearest machine. Looking around -- no people.
SPOONER
(to Robot)
What are you doing?!
A SCREEN. Blinks to life on the hulking chassis. A
disembodied VOICE...
DEMOLITION ROBOT
Demolition ordered...
SPOONER
Who authorised this?
DEMOLITION ROBOT
Demolition ordered...
Spooner reaches into his coat. Pulling out his POLICE BADGE.
Scans it over the screen.
51.
SPOONER
Override. This is police business.
Vacate the premises immediately.
DEMOLITION ROBOT
(beat)
Affirmative.
The screen. Blinks off. Spooner. Eyeing it. Turns and
heads for the house.
58 INT. MAIN ROOM - HOGENMILLER'S HOUSE - DAY 58
Spooner pushes the door open. Stepping over the police tape.
Inside, the main room is spare, untidy. Cups of cold COFFEE,
littering surfaces. A COT, in the corner.
On the walls, crooked CERTIFICATES. Heinrich Hogenmiller's
name written out in academic script. Advanced Degrees in the
study of Robotics, Physics, Chemistry, Neurology, Ethics. An
AWARD on the mantelpiece. A silver NS-2. Tarnished.
Spooner. Opening up a couple drawers of a side table.
Jumbles of papers. Clippings. Old text books. Then a
PHOTOGRAPH -- HOGENMILLER AND CALVIN. Standing arm-in-arm.
Spooner furrows his brow.
WHEN SOMETHING SUDDENLY RUBS against his leg. He startles.
Looks down: a CAT. Lonely. Standing next to its automatic
feeder. Spooner pockets the picture. Starts heading down...
59 INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 59
...The hallway. Starts noticing. All over the walls:
handwriting. EQUATIONS. Scrawled in white pencil. The
rantings. Of a genius. Glowing. In the sporadic shadows.
Spooner. Following the equations. Down into...
60 INT. BACK ROOM - CONTINUOUS 60
...The back room. Covered. In writing. Walls, floors,
ceiling. Drawings. Of ROBOTS, of MEN, side by side. In the
corner, a COMPUTER. A line of CABINETS - DATA STORAGE.
Spooner, curious. Heads over to one of the cabinets. Takes
a device out of his pocket and CLAMPS it over the KEYPAD.
The device blinks RED. Then GREEN. The drawer, slides out.
LINED. With flat metal objects. Shiny. Thin. With writing
on them. Spooner. Reaches for one when...
52.
BOOM! Something POUNDS the outside of the room. Spooner.
Grabs onto the cabinet...
BOOM! On the other side. Objects. Flying off table-tops.
A CRACK spidering along the wall. Holy shit...
SPOONER
(screaming)
Halt!
BOOM! VIBRATIONS, tearing through the room. More CRACKS.
Spreading...
BOOM! The SOUND, horrifying. Spooner stumbles back. The
CABINET. Crashing down on his leg. He CRIES OUT...
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The house. Getting pummeled. Chunks of
ceiling. Raining down. GLASS...exploding...
Relentless BOOMING! Spooner...dragging his legs from under
the cabinet. Scrambling for purchase as...
THE FLOOR...begins to tilt...the TILES...snapping
up...ricocheting...around the room...as another cabinet...
CRASHES to the ground...crumpling...
Spooner. Spinning around. Looking for some kind of exit...
BOOM! The corner of the room...coming in on itself...the
floor...listing even more...like a ship...
Spooner...turning to CLAW his way up to the cracked
doorway...WHEN...
SOMETHING catches his eye. In the bottom drawer. Of a
crumpled CABINET. One of those flat metal plates. He can
just read what it says: S.O.N.N.Y....
Spooner...flings his arm back...reaching for the plate...
snaps it up...JUST AS...
BOOM! A HYDRAULIC POUNDER SMASHES through the wall...inches
from his head...OUTSIDE LIGHT...pouring in...
Spooner scurries for the doorway...tumbling out...
61 INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 61
...into the HALLWAY. Sideways. Trammeled plaster. BOOM!
Another POUNDER...crashing down from above. Spooner. Timing
it...rolling...BOOM!...just under the next pounding...
53.
Scampering up...towards some LIGHT...BOOM!...the
POUNDER...right on his heels...he clambers...closer...
closer...when...he hears...MEOWING...looks back...the
CAT...scared out of its wits...BOOM!...the POUNDER CRASHING
in...Spooner...just manages...to scoop up the cat...just as
BOOM!...
62 EXT. DEMOLISHED HOUSE - CONTINUOUS 62
...He pours them out into the open. The POUNDERS. Going at
the house like hyenas at a corpse. Roof tiles, beams,
plaster, flooring. SNAPPING and CRACKING as Spooner and the
cat skitter down the carnage.
Heart pounding, breath jagged, face bloodied, Spooner
scrambles away from the POUNDERS. Their bodies GLEAMING in
the dusk sun. The III Laws Safe logo, splashed along their
sides...
Spooner. Drops the cat.
63 INT. HALLWAY - CALVIN'S CONDO - NIGHT 63
Spooner. POUNDS on the door. It opens. Calvin. Standing
there in her bathrobe. Shocked at his appearance.
CALVIN
Detective! What happened to
you?...
SPOONER
A couple of your beloved robots
just tried to kill me...
He pushes past her. Into...
64 INT. CALVIN'S CONDO - CONTINUOUS 64
...her condo. Spartan. Unadorned.
CALVIN
What? That's impossible. You
know...
SPOONER
What I know is a demolition crew
started tearing down Hogenmiller's
house while I was still inside it.
CALVIN
Maybe they didn't realise...
54.
SPOONER
I scanned my badge before I went
in. They realised.
CALVIN
Then you must have done it wrong...
SPOONER
I don't think you're hearing what
I'm saying -- they tried to kill
me.
Spooner moves deeper into the apartment. Everything.
Automated. Computerised. Cold...
SPOONER
There's something going on, here.
Some kind of shift.
Calvin laughs. Can't believe what she's hearing.
CALVIN
Do you know how paranoid you sound?
SPOONER
Great. Now I'm being analysed by a
robo-psychologist.
CALVIN
You just want to find the flaws in
the system. You're obsessed with
it. You'll twist anything to fit
your agenda.
SPOONER
Like you did in court today? How'd
that fit your agenda, Doctor?
He pulls out the PHOTO of Calvin and Hogenmiller. Calvin.
Blanching at the sight of it. Spooner tosses it down.
SPOONER
You told me you hardly knew him.
Want to try the truth this time?
CALVIN
Well, Detective, when you see
someone you know well put a bullet
through their brain, it makes you
wonder if you ever really knew them
at all.
Calvin. Looking down at the photo. Swallows.
55.
CALVIN
(difficult for her)
He was my mentor. No, more than
that. A genius with an insight far
beyond anyone in his field.
SPOONER
Doesn't sound like the washed-up
old fool Robertson described.
CALVIN
But he was starting to withdraw
from everyone. Even me.
Maybe...if I'd tried harder to
reach him...
(shakes her head)
The Doctor was reckless when he
created a robot potentially not
bound by the Three Laws. He could
have ruined everything we'd been
working for.
Spooner. Locking eyes with her.
SPOONER
Sounds like a motive for murder to
me. Just not for the suspect we
have in custody.
Calvin. Blinks. Trying, to stick to her resolve. Heads
over to the door. Spooner. Looking around the condo.
SPOONER
You know there's not one thing in
this apartment that looks like a
human being lives here. No
evidence of a life outside your
work. Almost seems like you're
afraid of people.
Calvin. Opening the door.
CALVIN
I'm not afraid of people,
Detective. I just don't like them.
Spooner. Looks at her. Then heads out the door. Calvin
SLAMS it behind him...
The SOUND...of the SLAM...REVERBERATING...and we...
FADE INTO:
56.
65 INT. DREAM SEQUENCE - DAY 65
...A DEEP...DEEP...DARKNESS.
A FLICKER. Of LIGHT. Off to the side. Just barely.
Noticeable. ORANGE... YELLOW...as we realise...It's FIRE...
Another SOUND...GLASS...SHATTERING...then a SIREN...
faraway...
The disembodied VOICE...coming out of nowhere...
DISEMBODIED VOICE (V.O.)
You are in danger...
The FIRE...BUILDING...
DISEMBODIED VOICE (V.O.)
You are in danger...
ECHOING...as...
66 INT. SPOONER'S BEDROOM - MORNING 66
SPOONER'S EYES. Spring open.
Lying, in bed. Heart POUNDING. SWEAT. Covering his body.
LIGHT. Pouring in through the slats of his blinds.
He sits up. Rubbing his face. Trying. To calm his
breathing. Takes a look at his watch...
67 EXT. MONORAIL STATION - DAY 67
Spooner walking along the monorail plaza. Looking a little
worse for wear. PEOPLE. Giving him wide berth. ROBOTS.
Bidding him:
ROBOT
Good morning...
Spooner, shooting them suspicious looks. As the MONORAIL
pulls up...
CUT TO:
68 INT. HALLWAY - U.S. ROBOTICS - CONTINUOUS 68
Calvin. Heading down a hallway. A DOOR slides open. And
Lanning steps out. Followed by a TECHNICIAN ROBOT...
CALVIN
Find anything, Doctor?
57.
LANNING
(shaking his head)
Nothing. The interior's just like
any other NS-2. Except for a
secondary battery Hogenmiller must
have used as extra back-up.
(looks at watch)
We'll just need a nominal profile.
Calvin nods.
CUT BACK TO:
69 INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 69
Spooner, holding onto a handrail. As the city rushes by the
window. Notices a group of ROBOTS. At the other end of the
car. Are they watching him?
He wipes a bead of sweat. From his upper lip.
CUT TO:
70 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 70
An all-metal room. Spare. Anti-septic. SONNY. Sitting on
the floor. Against the wall.
Calvin enters. Puts her pad down on the table. Sits.
CALVIN
Please state your serial number and
assembly date.
She pulls out a pen. Waiting for an answer. Nothing.
CUT BACK TO:
71 INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 71
Spooner. Watching as a HOMELESS MAN. Comes stumbling
through the car...
CALVIN'S VOICE (V.O.)
Sonny. I'm speaking to you...
The Homeless Man. Suddenly grabs his ears and shouts:
HOMELESS MAN
God, can't you be quiet!
CUT TO:
58.
72 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 72
Calvin. Still looking down at her pad.
CALVIN
How about your data board
designation?
Still. Sonny says nothing. Calvin. Finally looks up at
him. Is suddenly struck. Something about the way he's
sitting -- so human.
She gets up and walks over. Hesitates. Then slides down on
the floor next to him. Studying. His profile.
CALVIN
Maybe I'm asking the wrong
questions. How about this one:
CUT BACK TO:
73 INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 73
The Homeless Man. Weaving...
CALVIN'S VOICE (V.O.)
...What program are you running
through right now?
SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.)
I'm not sure. It's nothing I
recognise.
The Homeless Man. Pointing to the group of ROBOTS.
HOMELESS MAN
(shouting)
Don't you people hear them?
They're talking to each other!
Buzz, buzz, zip, zip...they never
shut up!
CUT TO:
74 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 74
Calvin. Fascinated. Noticing a small SLIT. At the base of
Sonny's neck.
CALVIN
Describe his behavior in the last
few weeks.
59.
SONNY
I'm sorry?
CALVIN
Dr. Hogenmiller. Did he seem
overly sad or withdrawn to you?
CUT BACK TO:
75 INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 75
Spooner watches. As the Homeless Man picks up a SODA CAN and
hurls it at the Robots. Hitting one of them on the side of
the head.
SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.)
No. Not at all. But he was
agitated...
The Robot. Leans down and picks up the soda can. Holds it
back out to the Homeless Man.
SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.)
...He would claim things were
missing from the lab.
The Homeless Man. Incensed. SUDDENLY ROARS. Making a rush
for the Robots when...
SPOONER'S HAND. Grabs his shoulder. Stops him.
SPOONER
This is your stop.
CUT TO:
76 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 76
A soft WHIRRING. As Sonny turns to Calvin.
SONNY
I didn't pay much attention. He
would spend hours looking for his
eyeglasses and they would be...
CALVIN
(finishing for him)
...right on top of his head.
Sonny nods. She knows him well, too. Calvin swallows.
Looking right into Sonny's eyes. Feeling like there's
something...something more behind them.
60.
WHEN SUDDENLY...VICTOR APPEARS above them. His face, turning
into a SCREEN -- the image of LANCE ROBERTSON. Looking down
at them.
ROBERTSON
I think we're done here, Susan.
CALVIN
(getting to her feet)
But, sir, I was just...
ROBERTSON
(interrupting)
I said I think we're done.
Calvin. Not misreading. The threatening undertone.
CUT BACK TO:
77 EXT. MONORAIL STATION - CONTINUOUS 77
Spooner stepping out onto the platform, pulling the Homeless
Man along with him. COMMUTERS pour out around them.
As the train pulls off with a WHOOSH. The Homeless Man.
Backs away from Spooner. Grinning insanely. Pointing.
HOMELESS MAN
Why are you protecting them, man?
(short pause)
They were talking about you!
A CHILL. Ripping up Spooner's spine. As he watches the
Homeless Man. Wander down the platform.
Tries. To shake off the feeling. As he turns. To wait for
the next train. Suddenly realising. That he's ALONE on the
platform. Watches. A huge DIGITAL CLOCK. Ticking off
seconds. Sees. CAMERAS in every corner.
Then that feeling. At the back of his neck. He turns and
spots. A couple MAINTENANCE ROBOTS. Carrying luggage. Onto
the platform. Then more COMMUTERS show up. Waiting. For
the next train. More MAINTENANCE ROBOTS. Following them.
Spooner. Steps up to the platform's edge. Craning to see.
The approaching TRAIN...
WHEN SUDDENLY. He feels a sharp SHOVE. At the back of his
knee. His shoe, slipping. Arms. Flailing as he...
61.
PITCHES OVER THE EDGE ONTO THE TRACK. People CRYING OUT as
the TRAIN gets closer. Spooner. Whips his head around.
Seeing...
A MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Looking down at him from the platform.
Suitcase in hand.
The MAGNETIC-LEVITATING TRAIN. Right on him. Spooner.
Flips onto his back. Flattening himself. As much as he can.
Clenching his fists. Bracing himself as...
THE TRAIN SCREAMS OVER HIM. The sound, DEAFENING. The force
of the wind. Whipping his tie. His coat. There's nothing,
for him to hold on to. As his legs start to rise off the
track. Caught up. In the VORTEX. Spooner starts sliding.
Along the track...
Gritting his teeth...there's nothing he can do. Getting
sucked towards...the air DOWNTAKE...at the center of the
track. The city...yawning hundreds of feet...below...
78 EXT. PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS 78
THE EXPRESS TRAIN. Speeding along. Then with a WHOOSH it's
gone.
THE TRACK. Empty. No Spooner. Anywhere. Human COMMUTERS.
Stunned. Horrified. Start calling. For help.
The MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Turns, disappearing into the crowd.
79 EXT. UNDERNEATH TRACK - CONTINUOUS 79
CLOSE ON a HAND. Hanging onto the track's edge. It's
SPOONER. Dangling. Straining. To get another hand hold
but...
HE SLIPS. His coat ballooning. As he plummets. Down...
down...down...towards the city...
WHEN SNAP! He's caught. By a cable net. Spooner. Grabbing
onto it. Sweat, pouring down his face. He turns and sees...
THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT
Hurrying down a circular stairwell. Exiting the station.
ANGER AND DETERMINATION. Flash across Spooner's eyes. As he
hoists himself up. Climbing up the net. Back to the...
80 EXT. TRACK - CONTINUOUS 80
...Track. Reaching up and clambering back onto...
62.
81 EXT. PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS 81
...The platform. COMMUTERS. SCREAMING at the sight of him.
A couple SECURITY GUARDS. Rushing towards him...
Spooner. Getting to his feet. Shoving them out of the way
as he starts running. Towards...
THOSE SAME CIRCULAR STAIRS. Looks over the edge and spots...
THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Down at STREET LEVEL. Getting away.
Spooner. Looks around. Spots a LIGHT POLE. Paralleling the
stairs. Takes a step back and...
LEAPS OUT ONTO THE POLE. Hooking his arm around it. Sliding
down like a fireman's pole. Gaining speed when THUMP! His
shoes hit pavement...
82 EXT. STREET - DAY 82
The Maintenance Robot. Turning a corner. Down a quiet
street...
SPOONER (O.S.)
Stop!
Swivels round. SPOONER. Running up behind it. Whipping out
his gun. Aiming it at the Robot's head. The Robot. Takes a
step backwards...
SPOONER
I said stop!
The Robot. SUDDENLY swinging the suitcase around. SMASHING
it against Spooner's head. Spooner. Buckles. Falling to
the ground. Managing to squeeze off a SHOT...
The Robot. Deflecting the bullet. With the case. Raising
it as if to club Spooner with it when...
BAM! Spooner fires a second shot. Piercing the Robot's
breastplate. HYDRAULIC FLUID. Starting to leak. The Robot.
Doesn't hesitate. SLAMS the case into Spooner's face...
BLOOD. Spurting from Spooner's nose. As he fires the gun.
At the fleeing Robot. Gets to his feet. Unsteady. Taking
chase...
83 EXT. PUBLIC PLAZA - CONTINUOUS 83
...back out onto the Public Plaza. Sees the Robot heading
towards a set of...
63.
ESCALATED STAIRS. The Robot. Judging the height. LUNGES
into the air and lands on a STAIR. Denting it. Reaches the
bottom. DISAPPEARING. Into a CROWD of even more PEOPLE...
Spooner. Racing down the stairs. Taking them. Four at a
time. Hits the ground running. Looking. EVERYWHERE.
Suddenly losing track. Of where the Robot went...
Then. Catching sight. JUST AHEAD. Of a ROBOT. Staring
back at him. Holding SOMETHING. In its HAND...
Spooner. Plunges into the crowd. Waving his GUN.
SPOONER
Everyone out of the way!
SCREAMING. PEOPLE SCATTERING. As BAM! BAM! Spooner fires.
Hitting the Robot in its head and back. It drops to the
ground. Spooner. Racing over to it. Sees. It's not the
same Robot. In its hand, a specialised SCREWDRIVER...
OWNER
What the hell do you think you're
doing?!...
Its OWNER. Rushing over. Shoving Spooner aside. But
Spooner's. Not listening. Spotting. A DROP OF HYDRAULIC
FLUID nearby...
Lunges forward. Following. The drops. Running faster. And
faster...
OWNER
Hey!
...Through the CROWD. POLICE SIRENS. In the background. As
Spooner. Shoves through. Tracking those drops. Like a
bloodhound. Turns...
84 INT. ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS 84
...into a narrow alleyway. The drops. Ending suddenly. In
a PUDDLE.
Spooner. Crazed. Wounded. Exhausted. Spins around. Where
is it? Where is it? Then he HEARS. A DROPLET falling.
Into the puddle. Slowly. Looks up to see...
THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Hovering above him. Straddling the
two alley walls like some weird metallic rock spider. Its
III LAWS SAFE Logo GLINTING in the sunlight.....
64.
Spooner aims his gun and FIRES! The Maintenance Robot, lets
go, falling right onto him. Knocking the gun from his hand.
The Robot swivels around. Bringing down his foot...but...
Spooner...rolls to the side just in time as CRASH! The
Robot's foot...breaks up the concrete...
The Robot...grabs Spooner by the jacket...lifting him
up...shoving him...against the wall...about to CRUSH him
when...
Spooner...kicks out its knees...the Robot...SMASHING into the
wall...then bounces back...trying...to pin Spooner...back...
Man and machine...struggling...Spooner...losing his
footing...falling...The Maintenance Robot...LOOMING over
him...
Spooner's HAND...whips back...grabbing his back-up
WEAPON...squeezing off some SHOTS...into the Robot's arm...it
breaks off...
Spooner...scrambling back...continues FIRING...the
Robot...jerking back...a macabre dance...until Spooner...runs
out of bullets...
The Robot...recovers...grabbing the gun from Spooner's
hand...pistol-whipping him...then picking him up and...
HURLING him against the wall...Spooner...watching as
FLUID...GUSHES from the Robot's body...the Robot...taking a
swing at him which Spooner...
BLOCKS...with his right arm...the Robot...ready...to try
again...but STALLING...having lost...too much fluid...it
TOPPLES...to the ground...
Spooner. Exhausted. Beaten to a pulp. His knees, starting
to buckle. As he thinks he sees. In the DISTANCE...
A ROBOTIC CLEAN-UP CREW...heading down the alley towards
them...
Spooner. Crashes to the ground. As another ROBOT. Suddenly
appears above him. Its FINGERS made up of NEEDLES...as it
closes in on him...
SPOONER
Noooo!
WE FADE...
65.
85 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 85
To BLACKNESS. Coming through, a faint, WHIRRING SOUND. As
we slowly. FADE IN ON...
SPOONER'S FACE. Eyes closed. Asleep. Gash above his head.
Bruises around his eye. Nose swollen, purplish.
His eyes. Slowly. Flutter open. His brow. Furrowing. At
the whirring sound. As he tries. To figure out. Where he
is. Looks down to see...
A couple WHITE METAL ROBOTS. With multiple APPENDAGES.
Leaning over him. Running LASERS. Over his bruised
RIBCAGE...
SPOONER. Tries to bolt upright. But his ARMS and LEGS. ARE
CLAMPED to the bed. One of the ROBOTS. Turns to him.
MEDICAL ROBOT 1
Stay still.
Spooner. Desperately twisting, struggling...
SPOONER
What are you doing!
Looking around. COMPUTER MONITORS. Everywhere...
SPOONER
What are you doing!?
JUST THEN. Another ROBOT. Enters the room. Holding a
medical plasma sheet.
MEDICAL ROBOT 2
Detective Del Spooner. You have
suffered significant trauma to the
head and chest...
86 EXT. HOSPITAL ROOM - CONTINUOUS 86
Lt. Bergin. Standing outside Spooner's hospital room. Turns
and looks through the window at him thrashing on the bed...
SPOONER
I want to talk to a human being!
87 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - MINUTES LATER 87
Spooner sitting up in his bed. Rubbing his wrists. The
metal clams, released. Lt. Bergin. Standing next to him.
66.
SPOONER
Don't people go to medical school
any more?
LT. BERGIN
This is one of the best units in
the city, Del.
One of the Medical Robots turns to Spooner with some PILLS.
Spooner. Stares it down. Grabs his clothes.
SPOONER
(sotto)
There's some real shit going on
here, John.
He looks around. Jumping off the bed.
SPOONER
I went to Hogenmiller's house --
there was a U.S.R. demolition crew
there. They overrode my police
I.D. Tried to tear down the house
with me in it...
LT. BERGIN
Del...
Spooner pulls on his pants.
SPOONER
...Then when I went to the monorail
a Maintenance 10 pushed me onto the
tracks...
LT. BERGIN
Del...
SPOONER
I had to chase it all across the
Plaza...
LT. BERGIN
Del.
Spooner. Stops talking. Looks at Bergin.
LT. BERGIN
Hogenmiller scheduled that
demolition crew, it was apparently
a proviso in his will. And they
showed no police I.D. on their
scanner...
67.
Spooner. Trying to look away...
LT. BERGIN
Witnesses at the monorail said you
fell onto the tracks. That you
shot at a Fix-It robot on the Plaza
and that you were found alone in
the alley. There was no
Maintenance 10.
SPOONER
What?! John -- that's what they
want you to believe!
(remembering)
A robot clean-up crew was there --
it must have cleared away the
Maintenance 10! And there was
another robot that tried to drug
me!
LT. BERGIN
That was an EMT model.
Spooner. Sees the look on Bergin's face.
SPOONER
You're giving me that look. That
treat-him-delicately-he's-coming-
unhinged-look. I don't need that
look, John. I need you to hear
what I'm saying.
Lt. Bergin. Embarrassed for him. Has about had it.
LT. BERGIN
You came back too soon, Del.
You're back on leave. Effective
immediately.
Spooner. Staring at him. Betrayed. Turns and grabs his
coat.
88 EXT. PLAZA - DAY 88
Spooner walking across the Plaza. The SUN. Burgeoning on
the horizon. Comes to...
The ESCALATOR the Maintenance 10 jumped down. Stares down.
At the steps. Waiting. To see the DENTED ONE. Nothing.
68.
89 EXT. ALLEY - DAWN 89
Heads down the ALLEY, where he chased the robot. Studying
the ground. For |
