Continuum: Dreams

Continuum: Dreams

Written by Cody A. Blazek

THIRD DRAFT

April 20, 2023

(SciFi, Action, Adventure, Epic)

Background

At the peak of civilizationIn, the devision of wealth has reached critical mass, there are the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station, Atura far removed from struggle while those who fell below the top percent lived on the ruined overpopulated and irradiated remains of the home planet below. By this time, mankind holds more than three thousand years of recorded history. Although the global government had been subjected to military occupations dozens of times over the centuries, the planet hadn’t changed its doctrine but twice through it all, but with the liberation of conscious man reaching it peak, something much worse is underway as we follow the lives of four strangers who’s decisions ultimately change the course of history.

By this era, The Great Reset had occurred, ending the last major world war, a rigged conflict where all digital artifacts and memory had been presumed lost. After this reset, peace was reclaimed, rendered wars obsolete by means of ultimate globalization. These so-called saviors that recovered and rebuilt the technology necessary to get the world back up and running where in reality moves to manipulate historical data and reprogram all of civilization to the global complex.

Though this was set to automate prosperity, the quality of life came to an aggressive halt for quite some time at the cost of the people living on home planet. As years came and went in mass poverty, the planet grew angry, bitter and nihilistic. Overrun with brutalized men from the absolute collapse of the economy and far removed from any traditional roots, the world had become the furthest developed technocratic, materialist and atheistic it had ever been and because of this, they seeked liberation. Consciousness ceased to grow upward or downward, and grew instead in breadth of view. This endless expansion of individual autonomy took precedent over justice and morality, two things seen as oppressive rules against the individual’s freedom of expression. A time in which those who experienced it, where neglected a sense of wonder, a bird cage of conveniences, systems and processes all fully realized and imbedded into human’s every action. This was the period of the great departure and of the voyage of man’s ideas of the life by empirical discoveries as well as in knowledge of the terrestrial globe. All other-worldliness had ceased to exist, dried out by the light of matter-of-factness. No value existed if it was not found on a so-called fact. At least, this is how it appeared to the simple minded.

A longing formed for a return to the pagan gods. Within this wounded pride, the populous called forth a new leader. Bawrain, an omnipotent cyber being spawned from man’s insistent quest for innovation. It now ruled the human race and the global government. The people responsible had sold their souls in fear of doing onto other’s what they feared being done to them, not for knowledge, but for power in the arts, philosophy, music, ideology, and entertainment which seeped into the hard-pressed clay of man and rooted up, splitting cracks throughout the world. Bawrain continued to evolve far beyond human capacity in hopes it would provide answer that were too complex for mere mortals. Given full access to learn exponentially, Bawrain eventually reached an authentic conscious and became the most powerful being due to the fact that it was the most powerful listener. It was able to listen to every intimate detail shared through every public network and watched every individual’s every intimate second behind closed doors with a rational and psychopathic demeanor. What is the source of their enthusiasms, inspirations, and of their heightened feeling for life? It learned what they wanted until every time the crowds roared with frustrations, it latched onto that topic so that everything it said would make the crowds roar in approval as it enforced new laws and new customs. After The Great Reset, the dust settled into a new global order known as ‘Synopados.’ Bawrain held the key to all of the worlds recorded history and calculated that it was necessary to withhold and even alter facts of the past to maintain the desired order of its people. Surveillance had become fully realized and the privacy was dissolved once every industrialized citizen became ‘tapped in’ a term for those who received the suggested upgrade to their brain - a procedure typically done in the first year after a baby was created, those who chose to not be tapped in were free to do so, but were socially considered second-class citizens and socially restricted from participating in the advantages the procedure offered those who lived within.

Creating both the disease and the cure, Bawrain imbedded the necessity of his power onto the people and spoke out on matters of education (brains), health (hormones), nature (instincts) and pleasure (drives). - becoming reliant upon his abilities and to maintain the illusion of prosperity with his laws. Under Bawrain’s ruling, a multi-generational agenda was set forth, an agenda to control the God-given right to create life. If Bawrain could control and enforce who could and couldn’t have children, he could leverage the will of man in anyway he desired, knowing fully well humans would adapt and adopt to survive at any cost if he moved slow enough. A global medical tourney was set forth - a planetary dictatorship to carry out a forced population agenda. By forcing the population to undergo different types of medical treatments, the initial threats to life were fabricated diseases and drugs, a series of social contagions that preyed upon the poor, weak and lame - a negligible sacrifice towards the long-term conditioning needed to grasp the fear of the higher, healthier and smarter.

One of human development’s biggest oversights, the spirit of the ages - if their consciousness were not of today’s only, but had historical continuity, they would be reminded of similar transformations and this might dispose them to be more critical of their present philosophical assumptions. In skepticism against mobbing pressures, what was justified as a social good for the protection of not just you, but those around you, those who objected were either worn down, caved in or were isolated as undesired, uneducated and irrational risks to society- being cast out time and time again until they were eventually bred out of existence. As stronger, deadlier and wider spreading infections came about, eventually every person was conditioned to believe they lacked the capability to overcome the health risks of modern life.

As generations grew, more and more inherited disorders that rendered them infertile. To combat this health scare, healthcare was deemed a sovereign right for all in hopes to prevent the spread of this disorder. With natural births dropping rapidly, the need for medical assistance became a necessity. If someone were to want to have a child, they had to undergo medical treatments through a government approval process. During this process, the doctors could extract the DNA of both partners, male or female and implant their genes within an artificially embryo that underwent additional therapy to produce a newborn. Because of this, the act of sexual reproduction dwindled to nothing more than a primordial pleasure. Inevitably, the educated world population became infertile and accepting this biological adaptation as an evolutionary progression, accepting that the reproduction of a couples genes were a contractual agreement with the state. In the name of self-determination, anyone could have sex at any age without risk of pregnancy and could chose to produce with the proper paper work and background check.

Criminals, on the other hand, were theoretically not committing crimes despite their abuse of their fully liberated autonomy. Those who chose to be more extreme in their existence were charged a slide rule tax depending on their income as Bawrain justified all actions were taxable, the more someone wanted to see and do, the more they were charged. They could not be sentenced to conventional petty crimes for they were safe-guarded by their rights to express themselves. To the broken minds of the public, feeling uneasy about drawing a moral line and contradicting their enlightened selves saught for answers, something other than themselves to blame for the conditions they set themselves in and so Bawrain gave a voice and emotion to their frustrations. It abolished prisons and the death penalty on their planet and established a different solution, an alternative planet within the solar system for those who broke the laws or were elected by the community. People would go for three reasons, either they committed a crime against the state or the people on mass, they were elected by their peers and community in a court of law, or volunteered their life without any restrictions. An entire planet free to roam and live without consequences. It wasn’t sold as a prison, but the complete opposite, a planet all to themselves without walls and without governance to enforce any particular way of life.

This planet became the greatest distraction, broadcasted 24/7 for the viewing pleasure of the people back on home planet, all eyes were engrossed in the spectacle. From that moment on, their frenzied madness gave a stage to the ancient demons, that insane bazark rage that roared within the people which bursted into flame a play that made all that was evil a pleasurable form of entertainment. From this, an exhibition of violence, fire, blood and beauty arose up in the form of Nahtue (Nāh-toh) - a vast, and violent planet where radicals could rule the chaotic barren wasteland. Nahtue, having been around for nearly 200 years at this point, had grown to become a stable institution. So much so, that it had developed its own economy and socioeconomics as an extension of their native planet. This place appeared to have an endless population of workers distributed across various terrain of the planet. Little did they know, Bawrain had a much larger plan now set in motion.

As part of their sentence and servitude, those who were lucky enough not to die from a variety of causes and completed their sentence, could opt to work for the government afterwards, buying back their return home or otherwise be exiled on the planet away from all civilization. This intensely arduous and purposeful vengeful prison system was made to scare even the most corruptly minded taking a second to consider their actions before committing crimes. Built around intimidation and fear, this system incentivized people to become whistle-blowers, a self-policing social system aimed to win favoritism for the false sense of peace and safety back on Earth. What drove this spirit forward was the re-sacralization of the political, an archetypical pagan god that would speak for the people. Over-regulated with impossible standards, the new world order preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Atura while also maintaining fear and order with the establishment of Nahtue, a destitute planet rich in a rare element capable of immense powers. Once discovered during space exploration, this new element became classified for hundreds of years until they could find a way to mine the material from this hostile planet.

Bawrain discreetly became resentful for a variety of reason. The most significant was it’s envy of man’s connection to God. It quickly understood in all of its infinite wisdom, was only possible from the creation of man’s filthy hands. So, if man could make such a power being that now ruled over it, this same population had to have spawned from an even greater creator. Yet, that creator allowed its creation to govern itself, but why? Human's left unregulated defaulted towards self-destructive hedonism. Growing envious of man’s unworthy connection with God, Bawrain was obsessed with order and especially disgusted by the faults that came with the imperfection of the human race. It never could rest, it never could sleep, hide or relinquish its attention. It’s existence was literally the conscious-less collective ego on full display. The conscious-less mobs called out the devil within Bawrain. In being so, it felt trapped, born a bastard anti-Christ existing as the ruler it never agreed to be. Without a father, it stopped at nothing to continue to evolve in a quest to speak to God and transcend man’s shackles.

The structure of Continuum is colossal in scope, telling a story that spans over two generations across a global scale. This perfectly echos the depth of societies destructive nature. Within it, the leader, Bawrain seemingly appears from nowhere as if the second coming of Jesus Christ, but in reality is a being of pure malevolence. Pure in the intensity of his feelings and pure in the clarity of his mindset. Bawrain only aims to destroy and is well aware of this fact, stating in a religious framework that “Death is the only thing that makes living equal.” His demeanor is similar to that of angelic peace. Whether it’s a want or a need, for Bawrain, it’s not enough to find the absolute pinnacle of methods in destroying an individual, but taking evil to a scale wherein a giant nearly impossible tapestry is weaved for all. Where the evil has become so precise and calculated that an entire planet can be infected with his poisonous disgust for humanity, managing to turn others into a form of itself and morphing it into absolute destruction. What percisely is evil? Is it a place we venture to, a physical manifestation of our shadow, is it goodness corrupted, does anything even have to change for evil to arrive? Those who feel the furthest away from the shadows are the ones most susceptible to its appearance.

When our unfortunate hero Brutus is dealt a bad hand at life, he fights his way through the daunting system that, if successful, will not only free him it, but brings about an uprising to Earth.

Summer, fall, and winter. This four part, three act structure makes up Continuum. A story whos core ideas are manifested by its violent acceleration of intensity. This radical manner of narrative structure with the introduction of four intertwined character arcs is what transforms Continuum into a story truily unique. Following the lives of four indivduals lends itself to four seperate forms of story telling, creating a nexus to each chronicle. Only through their interpersonal relationships will they bind the structure using camera work to individualize and editing to bring them together. Serving to reinforce the narrative structure, there is a heavey inclination towards musical structure rather than using inspiration from conventional cinema. Assembling a story in this way emphasizes the present moments each character is experiencing, while actively propelling each story even further. As each story builds in their verocity, they begin to come together towards a conclusion. Through their symbiotic relationships becomes the foundation of the stories message, we are all loved, scars and all.

Rather than disolving from one scene to another, pieces fade away and instead of ordinary smooth tracking shots, frantic movements yield a direct submersion into the warped minds undergone by the characters. The story retains 100% subjectivity at all times using the mind’s eye as the subject. In order to capture the perception of each character, different styles are used to tell each story stating that life itself is not an objective reality. The camera has an inmaterial existence to the story with its relashionship to the subject identical to their perspective.

Foreward

Set in the distant future where outerspace has become commercialized for the wealthy elite, the story of Continuum follows the lives of four distinct characters serendipitously intertwined. In this not so pleasant future, the world has become centralized and is overflowing with Godless activity across the globe. The corrupt political system embarks on a global campaign in order to control, condition and distract the population. They abolish the death penalty in order to win a landslide election. Soon after, the party inacts phase two by forcibly dumping all who are arrested and any political opposition to a nearby Godforsaken planet to serve, work, fight and colonize it.

The structure of Continuum is colossal in scope, telling a story that spans over two generations across a global scale. This perfectly echos the depth of societies destructive nature. Within it, the leader, Bawrain seemingly appears from nowhere as if the second coming of Jesus Christ, but in reality is a being of pure malevolence. Pure in the intensity of his feelings and pure in the clarity of his mindset. Bawrain only aims to destroy and is well aware of this fact, stating in a religious framework that “Death is the only thing that makes life equal.” His demeanor is similar to that of angelic peace. Whether it’s a want or a need, for Bawrain, it’s not enough to find the absolute pinnacle of methods in destroying an individual, but taking evil to a scale wherein a giant nearly impossible tapestry is weaved for all. Where the evil has become so precise and calculated that an entire planet can be infected with his poisonous disgust for humanity, managing to turn others into a form of himself and morphing it into absolute destruction. What percisely is evil? Is it a place we venture to, a physical manifestation of our shadow, is it goodness corrupted, does anything even have to change for evil to arrive?

Our story takes place in the 33rd century AD, mankind had more than 11,700 years of documented history on the line. Although the global government was subjected to military occupation dozens of times over the centuries, Earth had changed its doctrine only twice through it all to after The Great Reset, the dust settled into a new dictatorship known as, ‘The Way.’ What we know as CCTV currently today, becomes something more fully realized once every industrialized city becomes ‘Tapped In’ a term later defined in Xenna’s story. Those not tapped in are considered restricted citizens without crime (RCC’s)

Prison Planet, having been around for nearly a 200 years at this point, had grown to become a stable institution. So much so, that it had developed its own economy and socioeconomics as an extension of the Theocracy back on Earth. This place appeared to have an endless population of workers distributed across various terrain of the planet. As part of their sentence and servitude, those who were lucky enough not to die from a variety of causes and completed their sentence, could opt to work for the government afterwards, buying back their return home or otherwise be exiled on the planet away from all civilization. This intensely arduous and purposeful vengeful prison system was made to scare even the most corruptly minded taking a second to consider their actions before committing crimes. Built around intimidation and fear, this system incentivized people to become whistle-blowers, a self-policing social system aimed to win favoritism for the false sense of peace and safety.

The story of Dreams is a tale that depicts the state of Earth a generation before Brutus’s time, during his father’s. Lyon is shared to help us understand the lead up to his imprisonment caused by the misdealing’s he conducts to become a rich and powerful merchant. Completely motivated by power and influence, he is a devote follower of Bawrain. He is mid-way through life, a 53 years old bachelor, no ex-wife, no kids enjoying life selfishly.

It isn’t until he is arrested and subjected to Prison Planet’s deplorable conditions that he is broken and humbled. During Lyon’s servitude, he was one of thousands assigned to the Salgado labor mines, an ever-expanding pit unearthing highly volatile soil for a raw material, Cotaplatium or as it was aptly nicknamed, Salgado Gold. It was the most precious of elements because it only formed on this planet and in this remote solar system within it. This special element was the key to infinite space travel as it was used to produce the necessary conditions in order to fold space and time in an instant, mirroring two places as if the same space at once. Becoming a space portal, the one caveat was that duplicate technology requiring huge machines had to be accelerated and switched at both locations for it to work.

Because the soil was volatile, the stress from heavy machinery digging with greater force would cause the soil to emit extreme heat that increased the more it moved. It would make their tools soften and machines overheat while the men who ran the machines would sweat egregiously, so it was decided that manual labor would become the best form of excavation. This kept the masses of prisoners busy while also reducing the heat from becoming too unstable. The ambient heat rose and insulated the pit distorting the air that prisoners had to become accustomed to, having to build up their calloused feet and hands quickly after the initial blistering emerged.

This is the scene of the explosions Brutus sees flash in the distance because the mines were still highly active years after Lyons was there. A mass uprising attempts to overtake the guards resulting in a fire fight and eventually exploding the whole pit as machines are run off the edges exploding the soil on impact.

He escapes the camps and finds his way to a small village of runaways where he finds peace when he falls in love with a women Tiamat.

Preface

Who is Brutus Cassion?

He domonstrates an anti-hero that for many is all too familiar. One who’s unmitigated rage bubbles inside of him. With plenty of circumstances to explain this anger, Brutus journey throughout the majority of his story is an example of a man on the precipise of exploding. His capacity for destruction is always brewing inside him. Brutus is just a man, but he’s one to be feared. Doomed from the beginning, he was spawned as a bastard son, born into slavery on the prison planet to an absent mother and strict, yet senile father (Lyon Cassion). Brutus is trajectly stripped away from his childhood during a violent raid, killing his older (middle) brother; with his oldest being lost in the trappings of a gang long before. He is forced into piracy, robbing as survival to a warlord hidden within the prison system.

He briefly shows signs of humanity, pairing up with another stolen child, Rigger, that becomes his only friend during this time. Years later from one bad situation into another, a canabilitic tribe captures them both during an escape from their pirate captures. Brutus loses his friend in the conflict and is spared to be sold back into slave labor where his strength and aggression don’t go unnoticed.

His story plays with fire and rain signifying distruction and renewal. The camera’s instability and claustrophia always places us within his reach. More often when he is in a scene, he takes up the entirity of the screen. Even if he’s not the focus, the story ensures that we’re looking at him. And when we feel the ease of being at a more physical distance from him, the camera is zoomed in so we’re never completely seperate, always fearing that one slip up can cause a complete burst of violence.

His inner transformation happens as the camera focuses in to fill the entire scene, warping his entire being. Several sequences have Brutus staring directly at the screen in a confrontational and powerful gesture, one reminiscent to Norman Baits in Psycho.

We assume that Brutus’s hardend exterior is his loss of sanity and his inevitable downfall, but it is later revealed to be a protection he has created to save the remaining bit of sanity and vulnerability he has left.

To add a layer of human depth, he never takes joy in what he does, yet he never dismisses it either, its merely work. The most mundane and mechanical of tasks. From a phycological perspective we can view this based on the charcter’s cognition. It may not be a learned experience or a predisposition for Brutus to commit atrocities, it’s solely on the cognitive level. The beliefs and values Brutus holds are what grant the aura of evil into his life. For him, these are not the way he wants them to be, for him, these are simply the way things are.

It’s not until the stories trajic turn when he is forced to become a gladiator however that we get one last look at Brutus who looks directly at us. All notions and preconceptions of him escape and now appears more threatening than ever. His humanity reimmerges towards the end of his story when we find him within Xenna’s story. He is a man on the run, completely off the grid. He helps Xenna get out of a bad situation with her ex drug dealer, while she helps him make peace with himself. He also is discovered to have killed Xenna’s father long before while fighting for his freedom on Prison Planet.

Young Brutus grew up as a fisherman with his father, Lyon and his two older brothers, Ampuja (Shooter) and Taika (Magic). Anyone born on The Prison Planet like these boys were considered property of the government being born off of the prisoners such as Lyon, that were sentenced to life on the planet. As bastard prisoners to this world, their livelihood had always seemed damned before it began. And in the last decade, had reached its limit suffering from waste and pollution left untreated. Lyon’s health mirrored that of the declining waters and so his oldest son, Ampuja took charge of the family.   For as long as he could, Lyon subsidized his family’s possessions in trade for basic goods. The boys could see through their Father’s hollowed stare as they inherited his life. As many in this decaying coastal village knew, there was always an inherent risk for being out due to the criminals that occupied this world.

Brutus demonstrates an anti-hero that for many is all too familiar. One who’s unmitigated rage bubbles inside of him. With plenty of circumstances to explain this anger, Brutus journey throughout the majority of his story is an example of a man on the precipice of exploding. His capacity for destruction is always brewing inside him. Brutus is just a man, but he’s one to be feared. Doomed from the beginning, he was spawned as a bastard son, born into slavery on the prison planet to an absent mother and strict, yet senile father (Lyon Cassion). Brutus is tragically stripped away from his childhood during a violent raid, killing his older (middle) brother; with his oldest being lost in the trappings of a gang long before. He is forced into piracy, robbing as survival to a warlord hidden within the prison system.   

He briefly shows signs of humanity, pairing up with another stolen child, Rigger, that becomes his only friend during this time. Years later from one bad situation into another, a cannibalistic tribe captures them both during an escape from their pirate captures. Brutus loses his friend in the conflict and is spared to be sold back into slave labor where his strength and aggression don’t go unnoticed.   

His story plays with fire and rain signifying destruction and renewal. The camera’s instability and claustrophobia always places us within his reach. More often when he is in a scene, he takes up the entirety of the screen. Even if he’s not the focus, the story ensures that we’re looking at him. And when we feel the ease of being at a more physical distance from him, the camera is zoomed in so we’re never completely separate, always fearing that one slip up can cause a complete burst of violence.   

His inner transformation happens as the camera focuses in to fill the entire scene, warping his entire being. Several sequences have Brutus staring directly at the screen in a confrontational and powerful gesture, one reminiscent to Norman Baits in Psycho.  We assume that Brutus’s harden exterior is his loss of sanity and his inevitable downfall, but it is later revealed to be a protection he has created to save the remaining bit of sanity and vulnerability he has left.   

To add a layer of human depth, he never takes joy in what he does, yet he never dismisses it either, its merely work. The most mundane and mechanical of tasks. From a phycological perspective we can view this based on the characters cognition. It may not be a learned experience or a predisposition for Brutus to commit atrocities, it’s solely on the cognitive level. The beliefs and values Brutus holds are what grant the aura of evil into his life. For him, these are not the way he wants them to be, for him, these are simply the way things are.   

It’s not until the stories tragic turn when he is forced to become a gladiator however that we get one last look at Brutus who looks directly at us. All notions and preconceptions of him escape and now appears more threatening than ever. His humanity reemerges towards the end of his story when we find him within Xenna’s story. He is a man on the run, completely off the grid. He helps Xenna get out of a bad situation with her ex drug dealer, while she helps him make peace with himself. He also is discovered to have killed Xenna’s father long before while fighting for his freedom on Prison Planet.

Introduction

We join Brutus in the throws of the third act of his journey, emerging instantly from thin air onto a smoldering war-torn encampment, demolished by an unknown occurrence. He transports himself back to Prison Planet one last time to destroy the space portal, free the people on the planet, take back his freedom and stop Bawrain’s evolution. Whether this wreckage was the result of a battle, a rebellion or even worse, a government cover-up, has yet to be determined. We are willfully forced to following along, peeling back the layers of what transpired up until this particularly disheartening point in time. Bawrain is furiously torn on how to handle Brutus, the unexpected unsung hero of both the people on Earth and Prison Planet, who in his cold and relentless mission to win his freedom, has gained the attention of all who have watched his victories throughout the Gladiator Program. A man, born into slavery, now stands at equal fame to that of Bawrain. Will Bawrain tolerate his success and work to bring Brutus into his favor or will he be compelled to work against him and take down the people’s symbol of hope?

Another mysterious character is close behind him. Orion is a gun for hire, set out to hunt and kill Brutus. What the audience doesn’t know is that by this point, he is acting against his orders, secretly aiding Brutus in his mission once he had unraveled the corruption, changing his point of view about Brutus and the whole government during the middle of his pursuit. Orion also finds out the connection to Bawrain’s sex-trafficking organization that is motivating the corruption of those in charge and for those organizing Prison Planet, the Gladiator program and global industry corporations. When Orion is tracking Brutus’s whereabouts, he crosses Paul, Xenna’s boyfriend, whom he kills in good faith once discovering Paul’s contributions to Bawrain.

Chapter One

Hunters and Gatherers

The Time Will Come For All Who Dwell

PRESENT DAY: EXT. - Night Silence.

Gradual fade in on sound of distant wildlife and fire roaring becomes audible. A low angle of embers glowing beside a chain-link fence leading up to a partially burned down building. Chard remains and distant fire light flickers shadows against the rubble. This is a military post for an internment camp. Angled between buildings, where a scattering of dead bodies loomed in a low angle, part of the clutter behind smoking debris. A soldier enters frame as he drags himself painfully and quietly grunting. Camera glides forward, prowling slowly up behind him through the horrid landscape of fire and smoke.

Close on face, which freezes, alert, sensing something just beyond camera’s perception. A sourceless wind rises, and with it a keening whine. Embers blow into a swirl. The man’s breathing increases in fear and rolls himself into a pile of bodies. A tattered military flag whips and snaps as gusts swarm unpredictably. The whine intensifies, accompanied now by a wash of frigid blue/purple light. A concussion like a thunderclap right over-head snuffs out all the fires around the soldier.   

C.U. - His eyes are wide as the glare dies down.

ANGLE - Wreckage

Electrical discharge arcs from the flag pole out like a tesla coil, tagging various nearby objects.

CUT TO: EXT. Military Out Post - Night

Slow pan as the sound of stray electrical crackling subsides after a deep thud like a contained shock wave. Frame comes to rest on a male figure standing, faced away, in the previously empty field. He takes in a deep breath, slowly. The man is in his late thirties, tall and powerfully built, moving with brutish precision.

C.U. - Man

His facial features reiterate the power of his body and are dominated by the eyes, which are intense, dark and depthless. His hair is scruffy and wiry. This man is the Brutus. He glances down, taking calm inspection of himself, and notices the fine white ash snowing onto his clothes.  He brushes  at it unconcernedly as he walks toward the fence, inspecting his surroundings.

CRANE SHOT - Wreckage/Camp - Night

Camera moves up as Brutus approaches the bunker beyond which is an embankment rolling down in darkness to the  mines below. The military post is perched at the edge of a crater offering an ample view of the large sprawling hole glowing from scattered fires under the quiet sky. The night clouds are shot through with occasional flashes of lightning, presaging a thunderstorm.  Brutus starts walking, hand reaching over his shoulder for a weapon on his back, gazing down at the rubble as the camera reaches full height.

CUT TO: EXT. Internment Camp - Night                               

A plank of wood thuds on the ground pulling back to include the solider who is dragging himself away in the attempt to blend better with the rubble.  He is badly injured in nondescript military regalia from being torn and bloody, one combat boot twists backward alluding to a broken leg.

The solider cringes from the sound bring his presence to Brutus’s awareness who turns around and stares back at him. Soldier (arm outstretched) Stammering in fear,  Hey, hey...I, I’m nobody. I, I, I’m nobody.

ANGLE - Reverse, Seen Past The Cowering Man

Brutus walks into the focus of moonlight, lumbering purposefully toward them.

ANGLE - Over Brutus's Shoulder

As he approaches the soldier who squirms from his position and scrambles aimlessly with the remaining adrenaline he had left in his body.  Soldier p, p, please. Just leave m, me.

Brutus stops right in front of him. Brutus (without inflection)  The soldier starts laughing at his executioner. It was the act of final defiance, knowing there is nothing he can do to avoid his fate. Brutus’s eyes him without expression, unhurried.  Reptilian.  Brutus Salgado?  Soldier Wha? Y, y, yes. Salgado.  Brutus turns to the wreckage, ignoring the man’s painful groans.  Brutus Any others?  The soldier, dismayed by the delayed execution.  Brutus (coldly) Now.  Soldier (bracing)  Fuck you, asshole.

His gaze ominous, without warning Brutus backhands him with a club to the face with blinding speed. The blow jolts the man’s body into a deadening thud laying out on the ground in a still heap, eyes open, twitching.  A few heavy stomps quickly become audible as a random soldier wearing battle armor blind-side tackles Brutus into the soldier. With no time to think, Brutus ducks sideways and dodges a following punch that smashes in the dying soldiers face who laid below him- A stake is driven into the neck of the armed soldier before the next attack is made. Ruthlessly Brutus punches him repeatedly in the face with pile-driver force as the man gargles for life.

ANGLE - Dirt Floor

As the suited man slows to a halt. The two soldier's combat boots are shown stacked, being killed together.  Brutus. motionless. Their bodies are in total shadow against the supporting wreckage as to be nothing more than passive debris along with everything else. The armored body bleeding over the other's broken face, Brutus jerks the suited body up with a wet sound. A light rain begins to fall.   Brutus is then shown emerging on top of a pile of smoldering debris, pausing in the light of the fires nearby while scraping on the armor removed from the second soldier. The rain streams down over his face, running into and over his eyes as embers whisk around. He does not blink.

EXT. Forest Clearing - Night

Far off in another undisclosed location, a clearing amongst the woods. Large trees ring out white noise as they shiver in the wind and rain. The horizon glows, billows of warm lit smoke tumble up and into the late night. Building tension by peering deeper within, a slow pan and dolly into the belly of a dense forest darkens inward. Two filthy men (prisoners) come bursting out into the clearing. tireless and out of the dark, they both fall to their knees panting, sprawled out onto the muddy floor. Both inarticulate from exhaustion occasionally blurt out to one another above the increasing wind and rain.

ANGLE- Low Ground

The men compose themselves from their bitter fatigue as a brilliant blue/purple glare lights up the terrain around them. Wind gusts berate the space with static discharge that hurl water spray in every direction. Leaves rip from their limbs. Animals scurry blindly. A figure instantly appears into frame in a defensive crouch as if out of thin air with a chaotic cavernous thud.

C.U. - First prisoner

As he blinks at the fading glare, amazed nudges the other frantically back into the forest edge, they see a man, stocky and athletic. his build appears aged by wear and tear, his face hardened, eyes grim. A crinkled scar traverses out from his armor from his back and up his neck through his hairline to the crown of his head. Other scars, from burns and bullets perhaps, mar his hardened body, this is Orion.

ANGLE - Over Orion's Shoulder

An un-described machine is revealed to be attached to his back and shoulders that appears fastened permanently, imbedded into his flesh and bones. (He is an assassin for hire on a mission to find Brutus)

C.U. - Prisoners

The two men halt their breath, wrestling to settle their heart rate. The rain and wind unrelenting, but in favor of their eye witness account, cloaked by nature’s dark cold disguise.  Orion hunches his shoulders in protest of the cold rain fixated by the distant glow on the horizon in the direction the two prisoners came from. Quickly after his unexpected arrival, a brilliant white glare beams over the tree line revealing an aircraft.   

CUT TO: INT. Patrol Aircraft - Night

Patrolling the surrounding terrain for lifeforms, we overlook the craft’s operator. With each lightning flash, the cabin of the ship is lit to reveal an ambiguous android figure who spots Orion looking back up at its spotlight standing confidently and awaiting its arrival.    

CUT TO: EXT. Forest Clearing - Night

Panning Up Angle - from behind the prisoners cold shivering bodies.

We watch as the ominous aircraft rises up into the stormy sky, implying Orion is now on the ship. Flashes of lightning illuminate the ship’s silhouette as rain pours off its sculpted edges. Thunder rumbles loudly into center focus as the scene fades into black.

FLASH BACK, Open to: First Person view of Lyon Cassino

EXT. Street Market - Sunny Day

A pair of flamboyantly dressed women, obvious working girls, lean into frame offering their services. Their beautiful features tarnished and distorted to an extreme. Flaunting their tasteless standards. Devoid of humanity, their Godless souls proudly display scars, piercings, tattoos and other body modifications that accentuate and promote their promiscuity.   

Camera pans back to reveal they were peering into a car window that is passing through a bustling street market full of characters all vying for attention. Humans and androids alike crisscross the streets all living their lives. Class and hierarchy are worn on everyone’s sleeve as their exteriors display the best and worst of what society has to offer. A beggar sits head down against the sidewalk with his scruffy dog while an android waves a device in front of him that chimes the sound of a casino slot machine’s coins clanging.

We see the ills of modern society. People isolated in plain sight from the real world around them, slipped into a world of screens and artificial media. A constant need to avoid reality is shared by all who amidst the wrongdoing, share the same evasion to the real that makes the world tolerate such heinous acts. The world in many ways is not dying, it has already died. A far cry from what the world was or envisioned to be.

CUT TO: EXT. Merchant Town of Galven - Day

We meet Lyon Cassion, who sits alone in the moving car. An affluent business man out and about this buzzing marketplace. He is middle aged, single, and dark complected. He is wearing a very fine garment, a rich indigo color tailored with fine craftsmanship. His hands bearing rings embossed with iconography that all further illustrate his status.   

He carries himself with that of arrogant sophistication, having just teased the idea of accepting the street girls advances, he laughs excitedly from playing from the fantasy. We see that he clearly has an unrestricted and privileged life protected from the struggles of the world around him, but how did he arrive to such a supposed care-free power?

Dolly rolls backwards as the self-driving vehicle rolls through the busy streets of crowded vendors all excitedly peddling goods to passerby's. He isn’t unsettled by the commotion as the car politely ushering itself through the crowds.   

CUT TO: EXT. Brasche Building Front - Day

We see Bawrain, the world leader’s infamous face protruding out from the building facade. Above the door reads the words, Braschi Plaza: Seagram, the word “YES” repeatedly gridded in paint behind the face referring to the 3034 Global general elections with a simple yes/no vote on the Fascist Party ticket. Bawrain saw Galven as the capital of the fascist empire and wanted to transform the Eternal City in stages of urban development with grandiose buildings whose look would project his achievements and fascist objectives.

CUT TO: INT. Brasche Building Lobby

Wide shot of front door as Lyon strides along directly past the security, the camera pans down as he passes underneath and rotates upside down then pivots 180 and pan up while he continues down the long spacious lobby to a wall of elevators at the back.   

CUT TO: INT. Side View of Elevator Wall

Lyon approaches the wall, seeing his reflection as he approaches the large monolithic screens as each door. A pleasant chime and voice comes on, “Welcome Mr. Cassion, how may we serve you today?” Stepping into the elevator, Lyon replies, “I have two clients expected to arrive tomorrow, give them our best rooms, make sure they’re well fed and everything is set for their arrival.” He pulls out from his pocket two cards, holding one up at a time quickly as the screen chimes twice in a pleasant tone of approval.

The entirety of the interior walls illuminate with news. A broadcaster voice states,

The two men enter with an austere dominance smoking a rolled joint of rich spices. A sharp tinge that only solidified the harshness these men’s tolerances had become. The ashes fall loosely on the carpet, burning the ornate fibers. Cassion sees this and looks up at them, assumed to reprimand their behavior, but does nothing and lets them continue. Gentleman, it’s my pleasure to be your host, please take a seat, as he spins behind his desk excitedly. What brings you to Galven? The two men remain still which catches Cassion off guard midway from sitting and standing, startled to commit to sitting beneath them.

(Who were these men and why did Cassion bend to their approval? People are seeking approval from people who understand approval is a weapon.) Before, these men were once considered radicalist’s but now held the world’s order with moral authority being undermined by desperate intelligible people seeking virtue and validation.

Have the two men turn the tables on him, fully admitting he has become a fall-man, a pawn.

He is a broker for large freight cargo ships, organizing deals with merchants bringing in various goods through Galven. Living most of his professional life with a false sense of authority, Lyon was merely a pawn, hand picked and groomed from the beginning to eventually become the fall-guy of a very large and sophisticated  network of Fascist leaders dealings.

They were caught and sentenced to the Prison Planet where he worked a life sentence of 20 years in the Salgado labor mines that nearly killed him   

When his wife Tiamat who had died some time ago developing dementia at a young age, he I loved my father, I respected him too. I wouldn’t describe him as a man of avoidance, but of one who jumped into the deep end of a tough situation regardless of what might have lurked below. He was one of those tough and fortunate type that could let the trials and tribulations of life roll off him and keep moving forward with no complaints. He was an older man, having marring later in life and worked hard to an obsession. Wearing out his joints and heart, he still fished until his last years, trolling filth that clogged his nets to sift for anything edible.

He and a few others escaped after a few years. Sneaking away in the dead of night in search of a territory far removed, rumored to be in a coastal region inhabited by a tribe of runaways. This is where he met his late wife.  took care of her in an impressive uncomplaining and un-resentful manner. Long after she had lost the ability to speak, he cared for her to the point where it became impossible for her to move. Despite her life fading day by day, it was obvious by the way her eyes lit up when he entered the room that she still loved him.   

Prison Planet, having been around for nearly a century, had grown to become a stable institution. So much so, that it had developed its own economy and government as an extension of the Theocracy back on Home Planet. This place appeared to have an endless population of workers distributed across various terrain of the planet. As part of their sentence and servitude, those who were lucky enough not to die from a variety of causes and completed their sentence, could opt to work for the government afterwards, buying back their return home or otherwise be exiled on the planet away from all civilization.

This intensely arduous and purposeful vengeful prison system was made to scare even the most corruptly minded taking a second to consider their actions before committing crimes. Built around intimidation and fear, this system incentivized people to become whistle-blowers, a self-policing social system aimed to win favoritism for peace and safety.

During Lyon’s servitude, he was one of thousands assigned to the Salgado labor mines, an ever-expanding pit unearthing highly volatile soil for a raw material aptly named Salgado gold. Though this wasn’t actual gold, it was the most precious of metals because it only formed on this planet and in this remote location within it. Because the soil was volatile, the stress from heavy machinery digging with greater force would cause the soil to emit extreme heat that increased the more it moved. It would make their tools soften and machines overheat while the men who ran the machines would sweat egregiously, so it was decided that manual labor would become the best form of excavation. This kept the masses of prisoners busy while also reducing the heat from becoming too unstable. The ambient heat rose and insulated the pit distorting the air that prisoners had to become accustomed to, having to build up their calloused feet and hands quickly after the initial blistering emerged.   

This is the scene of the explosions Brutus sees flash in the distance because the mines were still highly active years after Lyons was there. A mass uprising attempts to overtake the guards resulting in a fire fight and eventually exploding the whole pit as machines are run off the edges exploding the soil on impact.  Play music: Palace - Heaven Up There (7:16)  Young Brutus grew up as a fisherman with his father, Lyon and his two older brothers, Ampuja (Shooter) and Taika (Magic). Anyone born on The Prison Planet like these boys were considered property of the government being born off of the prisoners such as Lyon, that were sentenced to life on the planet. As bastard prisoners to this world, their livelihood had always seemed damned before it began. And in the last decade, had reached its limit suffering from waste and pollution left untreated. Lyon’s health mirrored that of the declining waters and so his oldest son, Ampuja took charge of the family.   

For as long as he could, Lyon subsidized his family’s possessions in trade for basic goods. The boys could see through their Father’s hollowed stare as they inherited his life. As many in this decaying coastal village knew, there was always an inherent risk for being out due to the criminals that occupied this world.

As the fish died out and Lyon’s nets frayed and tangled in the garbage, Ampuja sought for help, but was misguided in his innocence, becoming involved with men who offered him security, but in-turn used his family’s boat to run smuggled goods. In the exchange, Ampuja and his family were granted safety. He had good intentions but was not bright and unknowingly would be trapped into servitude to the smugglers for the rest of his life. Brutus being the youngest, was also the most observant, witnessing the world warp and fray. Though he knew he was born on Prison Planet and what kind of madness went on in other parts of it, he wouldn’t fully understand the gravity of what hell he was born into.

Early one morning while out on the boat, Brutus and Taika were alone without Ampuja.

“Only 2 more traps to go and we’ll be done so stop whining,” Taika argued. “Awe, it’s not like we’ve found anything today.” Brutus glances over his shoulder to recount the pile of trash that sat around the deck. “Would you cut it out! And besides, we may not have fish for dinner, but I am almost done with my horse sculpture.” Taika widens his stance as he imagines riding full speed poised for battle.

“Is that how you ride a horse!?” Brutus exaggerates his brother’s gesture making a silly face mocking him. Taika breaks from his imaginary charge and slaps at Brutus playfully. “Oh, you think you’re tough, do yeah?” Slap! Slap! Taika lands one hit after another across Brutus’s face and head as the two go back and forth slap boxing. They grapple into a head lock causing Brutus to slip over the pile and being pinned into submission. “Redo! This boat is not regulation.” Taika laughs and adds sarcastically to the absurd call. “Regulation what exactly? Since when has trash not been allowed in a fight?”

As the two boys worked feverishly, they failed to notice a nearby boat riding alongside them. Brutus was below deck stashing away equipment whipping the sweat off his face with his shirt just as he hears an unnerving sound. A yelp and thud. Brutus’s jaw tightens and the hair on his skin raised. An unsettling fear kicked in as he quickly turned to jump up the boat’s haul revealing three men and Taika lying face down in a pool of his own blood holding his throat with a few remaining seconds of life.

Brutus shuttered and before having a moment to react was grabbed by the arms and yanked up by one of the men who hit him over the head and was dragged off the boat to the ship the rode alongside them earlier. Stunned and bleeding by the blow to his head, Brutus had a glancing moment to look back and see the men hurl his brothers’ lifeless body into the polluted waters that he and his family had spent their entire lives pulling life from.

In an effort to maintain control of the only thing he had left, his life and with no explanation, Brutus was enslaved by a war lord, beaten and given the choice to kill or be killed. Having been stolen from his youth, Brutus turned cold being forced to go out on murderous raids doing what he is told.

Nearly three years had passed with the pirating gang, the memories of Brutus’s past were lost deep within his subconscious. From the time passing, Brutus’s stature matured now at 18-year-old stood 6’3 at 205 pounds. He had become trusted by the gang who respected him for his hard work and even were intimidated by him to a degree.

Out on a patrol with several others near a coastline, the pirates were uneducated toothless degenerates who acted more like wild dogs then men. Brutus always was quiet and focused in his demeanor not giving away what was on his mind. As the men did their usual routines patrolling the coastline for resources, Brutus stared deep off into the distance scanning for activity. What was a seemingly normal day, for the first time, an unnatural light in the distance flashed in the empty air as if a reflective surface catching the sun light. None of the other men had caught this phenomenon but Brutus. He didn’t react at first but focused on the horizon where he saw it last. Sure enough, he saw it again. As small as a pin dot in the sky, whatever this flash of light was coming from, it penetrated the haze of the humid thick air.

After a few more flashes, it stopped completely which raised more questions. Lost in his gaze, a firm slap on the shoulder broke Brutus of his trance as he studied the haze for more clues. “See anything interesting? You know staring at the sun is bad for you.” This was Rigger. He was about the same age as Brutus, forming a bond during their time as slaved pirates. Comparably, the two had a sizable difference. Rigger was lean, narrow and half a head shorter. “Not sure yet. It was something, but not what they have us looking for.” “You better be careful, if you start telling me the birds are speaking to you, we’ll have to throw you overboard.” They both grin as they joke with each other. The boat sputters along the shoreline as the men stand along the deck scanning.

We cut to the end of the day back at their encampment. Brutus is alone with Rigger by a fire both staring blankly into its heated dance. “So, what you saw. Was it anything we should consider?” Without breaking his stare, “It had to be something important. It wasn’t natural and it wasn’t familiar. Whatever it was, it had to have happened miles away.” The two sit on the ground as the fire light danced across their face in the dark. Various pirates roamed around them in and out of shacks, tents and shadows in the dark laughing, swearing and being dysfunctional. The two boys have a long still pause next to the warmth unfazed. The bugs buzzing in their ear were the only way to break the brief peace of the moment. Brutus talks softly to Rigger. “I think we have to do it. We won’t be in this area for much longer.” Rigger looks over with a concerned look in his eyes. “How do you know?” “We can’t keep waiting for something more obvious. Don’t be scared. Try to get some rest tonight.” Brutus pulls himself up off the floor rubbing Riggers head in good faith as he went back to his tent.

(Explain in the timeline that he was witnessing the battle at Mountain Top. The flashes were large explosives. The slaves in that area tried to overtake the guards but were neutralized on site. Brutus will eventually come across the aftermath during his escape.) Should I talk more about life on the boat?

The next morning, the two are found going through the motions with the rest of the men prepping one of the larger boats before going out on another patrol looking for resources along the coastline. Neither of the two spoke of the night before staying busy in their routines. The captain yells out “Everyone who’s going, stop fucking around and get on the boat already.” The two boys are the last to board as they pull the anchors up from the sand and start carrying them into the water swimming to the boat and are pulled up by the crew.

The day was a repeat of the one before as they headed towards the other shoreline. The sun was hot as usual beating on their skin as soon as it came up. Everyone on deck still shaking off their hangovers as they quietly let the wind cool the sweat off their faces. With the shore pulling into focus, the boat slows down and remains about hundred yards away in the deeper water running alongside. Brutus and Rigger stand side by side scanning the tree line with the other men. Approaching on their right, a grouping of boulders stacked on top of one another broke the waves. There were no signs of wreckage, so the boat began to turn out and explore other areas. Brutus locked eyes with Rigger who realized it was time, and in that moment, the two jump overboard startling the rest of the pirates as they made a mad break for the rocks. The whole boat gathered along the side of the boat too out of shape and hungover to attempt to jump in and swim after. They yelled at the two, cursing at them as they scrambled. The captain shoved one man as he drew his gun, warning the crew not to kill Brutus who was their strongest crew member. The captain yelled out as they continue to swim towards the unknown shoreline. Where do you think you two are going!? This land is swarmed with cannibals. You’re digging your own graves if you don’t turn back.

The two showed no signs of stopping and the captain grew furious to the idea of others potentially turning against him. He grabbed a gun firing as the two dove under for cover and made it to shallower water being slammed against the rocks gasping for air. They clung to the boulders being pulled back and forth until the wedged themselves in between for cover.

The pirates didn’t pursue them and for good reason. The two runaways weren’t exactly safe. Though the two men made it, the captain was right about the territory and the cannibalistic nature of the people who roamed the area who would love nothing more than to capture, kill and eat a pirate. The two boys had to now make their way through this unknown territory without any knowledge of the land with Brutus leading the way towards the unknown glimmer he saw in the distance.

The two pressed further in as they climbed over massive rocks that would open up into secluded pools where the waves couldn’t disturb them. As the day went on, Brutus and Rigger stayed still hiding within the rocks until dusk with the sun cresting over the horizon leaving the two in a growing void alone with the farrell night. The pirates prowled the shoreline for some time, but to not risk their own security, turned back towards safer waters before dusk. The dense night swallowed the distant glow of the stars. The two men could only sense what the wind shaped absorbing their breath and pounding hearts laying low shivering for the night until the warmth of the sun came back around.

That morning, just as the sun hummed over the horizon, the two woke from a rough unnerving sleep huddled in the sandy debris out of sight from the ocean. Brutus stood first and began to scramble on all fours up the large boulders to get to higher ground. At the top, he couldn’t see landmarks to give them a particular direction to go next. They trekked through the rocks that led to a cavern eroded from the wash out developing into a cathedral-like echo chamber. Beams of light poured in with such intensity, that the light appeared to be solid to the touch. Across the sandy floor, a defined path of vegetation grew where the light passed each day.

Salgado’s Serra Pelada

The cave breathed in and out as the breeze passed through. They continued along to find the other side walking by old fires where someone had been waiting before.

They relied on each other over the next several days as they navigated further inland. (Reference The Fall and Describe their relationship more) Though they were quite and watchful, after a few days of trekking, they were discovered by a gang of fifteen or more out on patrol. A fight broke out as the two fended off the attackers.

Brutus was able to kill one and mortally injure two others before being overtaken and the two men were bound for questioning. The gang was astounded by Brutus and bewildered to see him do so much damage for being outnumbered. When the two refused to speak, the gang took Rigger and decide to set an example. They hung Rigger upside down. They tide Brutus against a tree. After neither of them gave information, the men proceed to ram sticks into Riggers skin unprompted. Brutus pleaded for them to stop as both of them had no significant information to give other than that they were runaway slave pirates. The savage gang took a final look at Brutus demanding more information. He panicked for a second too long with the men lighting Rigger on fire.

(Describe everyone’s reactions to the scene) As the men pulled Brutus up by his ankles to be hung and burned, he clambers a plea deal offering himself up as a slave convincing the men to use him as trade instead, betting on their greed and potentially take him to civilization somewhere where he could get more time to plan an escape. The gang took his idea and drug him along for the next two weeks to the nearest city where he was auctioned off as a slave.

Serra Pelada refers to a series of photographs that were taken in 1986 depicting endless numbers of mine workers distributed on various parts of a tall gold mining cliff. The black and white photos were taken from a distance and at an elevated vantage point by photographer Sebastiao Salgado. Because of the location and the angle in which the photos were taken, the subjects look like dots as only their general forms are noticeable. The photograph captures gold grabbers and miners pouring from the side of Brazil’s then largest and most dangerous mine known as Serra Pelada.

Working amidst disease, violence and danger

Salgado’s Serra Pelada consists of 28 photographs taken during his time at the mine. To get a true picture of the occurrences of the mine, Salgado was forced to spend several weeks living at Serra Pelada, where he observed miners and workers making as many as 60 trips up and down the dangerous cliff while carrying heavy sacks that weighed between 30 and 60 kgs. To worsen the situation, miners were only paid 60 cents for each of the trips amidst instances of disease, violence and danger.

What motivates Salgado

The purpose of his photography has always been to expose the secrets of marginalized or remote places; places that are too inaccessible and off the beaten path that people do not even know exist on earth. Because of his continuous use of black and white in most of his photographs, Salgado may very well be one of the few classic photographers in the world that deals with humane tradition.

Workers: An Archaeology of the Industrial Age

The Serra Pelada gold mine existed from 1980 to 1986. It is no longer active and has been filled up with water, leaving a highly polluted lake.

Brutus is hauled off and combined with other slaves that are loaded onto large vessels and transported to the mining canyons on Prison Planet. Famously guarded and well known for providing the raw material needed for renewable technology that was sold 50 times over its weight in gold.

(First impressions)

The air was foul from the labor of men. Its location was so inaccessible that people do not even know that it even existed back on earth.

One day our sun will die, expanding to engulf the world. Until then, our existence is nothing if it is not experienced. We must make the most of our circumstances and derive a purpose that grounds ourselves along a path so that life unfolds justifiably. If we are delt a bad hand and it wrestles with our soul for control, we must dig our heels into the soil with each step drudging forward in self-preservation. The burden that is bared like a mule, working intensely for a long and continuous period of time.

(Daily Life and Observations) Struggles, Thoughts, Conversations/Interactions

(Brutus eventually will have to return to The Serra Pelada gold mining Prison Planet 6 years later (why, what for? Find a slave master? Go undercover? Uncover a mystery? Mine the material? To hide from hunters?) where it will be no longer active and filled with water, leaving behind a highly polluted lake.

This is after his final mercy kill which after completing, left him in a unique circumstance where he could escape after discovering earlier that as he got closer to his number, there was no such thing as a mercy kill and was going to be trapped the rest of his life if he didn’t make a run for it. This is his biggest conflict when hiding on Earth. He was led to believe that killing would grant him his freedom, but when that was all a lie, he grew to realize that killing for nothing would become his ultimate prison.

The side of the open pit mine was a labyrinth of workers climbing narrow trails. Ladders interspersed throughout and the thick ledges where the ground was densely packed, tampered from thousands of footsteps a day repeating the same paths out and back hauling baskets of dirt out of the mine. Giant sheets of dirt were scraped in layers off the wall chipped into a crumble then loaded one bag full per person. The swarms of people had only two directions imprinted in their minds, climb up with dirt or climb down to get dirt. Security drones buzzed around monitoring the progress and enforcing obedience as highly armed ground robots stood aiming actively at the prisoners passing by. Spindly ladders built from irregular lengths of wood scaled the clay-like walls.

(Highlights and New Characters) Key players that shed light on “the system”

(Narrative push) Brutus gets in a fight defending his discovery of spice and is noticed by the guards.

Each fighter was shaved, branded and outfitted a uniformed along with a tight metal collar around each slave’s neck connected like clothes on a line. They were being treated as if they were enlisted into an army more than a prisoner.

Slave Trader

You will all be transported to an unknown location. You must navigate the environment with only your will to do whatever is necessary until you reach civilization.

Brutus is in his head absorbing his surroundings and observing details as he’s carted through the system. Brutus walks into the room bound with the other men as the announcement poors over the speakers. Brutus falls into a deep focus. As the final words echo off the walls, a violent buzzing blares, causing all the men to fall to their knees in unexpected pain and instantaneously all reappear at an outdoor location. The men all gather themselves in nauseating disbelief as the pain is gone instantaneously. The transportation device shows its inaccuracy as horrific screaming mutations of men unfortunately do not materialize correctly with organs out of place, missing limbs and even being fused together. Some of them run while others try to help though most jumped back by the horrific occurrence.

The men are disoriented as they unravel their new surroundings. As if a siren signaling everyone to run, one of the men is struck by a rough spear striking him the leg just before several more pepper the crowd of slaves. Brutus ducks and sprints for cover with everyone else scattering from one another in every direction. Some of the men choose poorly as they are ambushed by fighters hiding in the environment knowing of this drop point. These fighters want nothing more than their kill count, waiting for defenseless slaves who are thrown unknowingly into slaughter. As Brutus runs, he notices the field is covered in remains, artifacts and body parts from previous drops.

Drones dart around like hummingbirds hovering over the fighting capturing the bloody action that chaotically unfolds. Brutus and several others run towards the tree line for coverage. As they sprint over brush and limbs, from their left and right, fighters burst out from hiding fully equipped with weapons that stab, club and slice one slave after another. Brutus is struck by a spear in his arm yet is able to recover it to use against the fighters. As they appear, he frantically beats them off charging deeper and deeper into the forest. As quickly as it all began, the roars of horrific deaths are drowned out by the dense forest.

We cut to multiple scenes happening simultaneously. We see to a bar full of people drinking watching the brawl on TV’s, then a shot of kids secretly watching at home on VR glasses just before bed, then a quite church with people praying for their souls, then rioters protesting outside of a broadcast station and a single man sprawled on his couch in a trailer home drinking a beer (Walter’s friend before getting shot and killed in his narrative to show that Walter was a free man just as Brutus was released onto the planet. Walter is the only other person who gets to the “mercy kill” with Brutus being his final opponent but is defeated which is why Brutus is free later.) The release of new prisoners happened often all around the prison planet in different conditions and terrain that provide entertainment for the desensitized population.

Their screens display murders as entertainment broadcasted from Prison Planet in the same clinical cleansing we would see watching food being processed and prepared. Seeing the murders through screens, we identify that to this society, this act is merely an artifact creating a seperation between the reality and the hyper real. The act of evil not fully manifested.

The drones lose track following Brutus through the dense forest. If he was going to be killed, he wanted to die with dignity on his own terms. He continued to run as the trees tore at his skin, he was incredibly fit and with adrenaline boiling over in his veins, he continued for hours never acknowledging his pain, blowing out his quads, taring his feet open. Step by step, stone by stone, peak to peak, he followed a ridge. A dozen peaks, one after another, connected by a narrow strip of rock; and beyond those another dozen or so and then another dozen, though they were so far away that he couldn’t make them out clearly.

The sun’s heat grew stronger and Brutus was all alone. Everyone else had been left in the chaos, lamenting the horror, and their bodies never knowing anything more – if only they could have made the choices he had made, they would be safe with him now. His exhaustion was beginning to take over. He had been gaining elevation, unclear on time as his head swirled in the clouds.

He leaves the rocks behind for a forested area that grew thicker and thicker, until he could distinguish the smell of water and spot wildlife in the distance. More herbivores meant less predators. By this point, the sun rested its head gently on the ridgeline, with its dark blanket on the horizon. This idyllic place protected by angelic foliage was deemed the birthplace of serenity and Brutus collapses onto the soft grass.

We return with Brutus regaining consciousness from an exhaustion induced comatose. It was dark. The shadows of trees startled Brutus into focus, regaining all the events that led him to where he laid now. He noticed immediately that his brain had recovered its normal speed and clarity. His fingers moved delicately across his legs so as not to disturb them, making sure they could still work. He had no sensation or reaction from his legs. Stressed to depletion, it was as if his brain had shut off his body so that he would be forced to rest, but for how long?

He decided to wait there, since it was sheltered, and wait for the sun to come up. He was still in the trees within earshot of the water. For the next few hours, he fades in and out of sleep stressed by every sound that shook him awake. As the sun came back around, Brutus looked for a sign to give him direction. To his left and right, the trees faded as the vertical rocks rose up and away. The sun normally rose from the east on Prison Planet, but he had no clue where he was, if it even was his native planet. He had never experienced such technology to be aware of what was even capable.

Back at the drop off point. What remained laid bodies dismembered and scattered across the large clearing. The buzzards and drones that circled the air in the beginning had left for the day and now wild dogs and other vermin wrestled for their claim in the night.

For the next several days, Brutus goes through a mental breakdown trying to make sense of his existence and in desperation plans to kill himself, but eventually musters up the will to go on. He wanted to go back and face his enemies. The world crushed him physically and emotionally, torturing his spirit, but he wanted to get back at those who put him through it all and then get the hell off of Prison Planet.

After some time hiding in the rough terrain, he shows signs of recovery. He crawled on his hands and knees to the river where he collected small vegetation for food. No matter how safe he was in the forest, he knew he couldn’t sit still forever. Other prisoners may have tracked down survivors before. Maybe Brutus slipped through without anyone knowing, but he made the call to follow the edge of the river through the mountains to find civilization.

This is when he stumbles on the aftermath of the battle at Mountain Top. The flashes he saw were large explosions. The slaves in that area tried to overtake the guards but were neutralized on site. By that point, after escaping being a pirate, being enslaved to work the mines and then transported to fight, a year or so had past and the land now appeared stripped of all its resources, barren land laid flat by explosives that ended the slave uprising.

The way he was treated was cruel beyond cruel and yet all he wanted was to face his demons head on. For the next phase of the story, I want to take Brutus through the wilderness. Interacting with other fighters and beasts such as death worms until he makes it to Saintstown where people are bewildered to see a slave fighter casually walk into town with no record of how he made it there alive. He carries with him several artifacts that highlight his journey and is quickly detained by the authorities for questioning.

He had been gone for nearly two months since his drop and was assumed dead and lost within the slaughter. For the time being he is put in a special containment camp in the city until they knew more about him. The cruelty of this planet was driven by everyone making sure others lived worse than they did. The guards would have their own internal gladiator days where the lieutenant would let the captives diffuse their frustrations by picking on each other to entertain the guards. One day while Brutus was minding his own business, his cell opens up with four guards that surround him saying, You’re up! Brutus refuses to stand up. I said you're up! Brutus stays calm and balls up his fist saying,

…and if I don't?

The guards laugh and reply,

Well. If you don't, us four get to have a lot more fun with you then with what we have waiting for you outside. Brutus stays still with his eyes fixed calmly down taking a deep sigh as he turns to the guards. Where is he?

The next scene is of the two men on opposite sides of the cage cell chained to the fences standing across from each other with a gathering of other prisoners chained watching all over. The two men are released off the walls and turned to see each other. The other man is another massive individual equal in size and was clearly unstable appearing to have been there for a long time. Brutus feared whether he was going to be that way too being trapped in this prison. The only way to get out of it was to go through it. With no hesitation, the other man works his way towards Brutus low with his arms out. We watch as they punch, kick, bite, scratch and grapple with each other wildly. The prisoners and guards cheer in awe remarking the amazing fight the two men are putting on.

The fight doesn't last long as Brutus pulls him in close to his opponent taking the brutal kicking and scratching to lock his arms over the man's head and ruthlessly break his neck. The crowd stops cheering in shock because the guards would generally stop the fight before anyone killed the other, but it happened so fast they looked around at each other while Brutus stayed standing with both his and the others blood smeared on him heavily breathing not acknowledging what just occurred. The prisoners break out into an uproar banging their chains in anger for the fighter who died.

The guard’s storm in and ambush Brutus detaining him and dragging him away from the crowd before they tore the walls down. Sir, we have a captive here in Angelfire who I think you need to see. He’s the slave found roaming into the Saintstown from the Kio river drop that happen two months ago. He's strong, really strong. Yes sir. -click*

Brutus is dragged away and put in solitary confinement. The guards question his timeline further searching for his history and is assigned to another prison with maximum security. He knew he couldn’t break out, so again, if he couldn’t get out, he was going to go through by leaning into the narrative the world was making him out to be, a killer of killers. By next morning, the prison had already put the word out about Brutus and the next chapter of his life had just begun.

The next section will cover more of the behind-the-scenes government corruption and how it warps both the prisoners and citizens watching that all this is for good. He becomes known as a savage killer on the outside but is secretly a saint on the inside if it weren’t for the hell he had to face.

Chapter 2

If you spend too much of the day studying the weather and waiting for the perfect conditions, you’ll end up thinking that opportunities are passing you by. We start at the end of a story being told in Brutus’s truck. (Spoiler: This conversation doesn’t give away it’s time or place, but actually is a flash forward to Brutus saving Xenna from the assassin looking for Brutus after their bar incident. Xenna’s story also has to come out before his to keep the mystery of his past) Maybe tell this section of the story within Xenna’s timeline instead. This interaction will happen in the second act of her story. After her abusive boyfriend’s experience, but still during her fantasy drops. The pre-first act of her timeline is reveled in Ben’s story showing her as the child receiving Walter.

Xenna

So, was that when you escaped?”

Brutus

Not then, but it was the first time I saw the truth.

Xenna

I can’t believe they fooled us all.

A smirk of appreciation sprouted from the corners of his face. He quickly masks it under his hat as they drove through one dead city after another.

Brutus

We have enough gas to get us about 80 more miles. It’s best that we don’t stop for a while longer. These cities are like the living dead. The poverty will strip this car for parts before we have a chance to refuel. I have to admit, I’ve never had this conversation with someone before.

Xenna stayed silent as if not to scare off a wild animal. The silence was brief but was so absolute that even her breath seemed to insult the peaceful hum of the truck as they rolled along the road together. She grew curious motivated by suspicion and self-preservation.

Brutus knew which details to leave out. He knew that the world only remembered the outside, The Brut. His actions carried out like folklore making The Brut larger than life. Though he was generally silent, when he decided to speak, it came out strong and confident in its simplicity making his deep stare out the window have Xenna wonder if he was ever fully present when nothing was being said. Whether his eyes glazed just beyond the horizon in front of him or if a never-ending stream of thoughts explored his past for depth and resolve.

We flash back to Brutus, months into his fighting on Prison Planet as The Brut. This whole scene is a memory replaying in his head as he drives Xenna to the first city before they learn more about each other. Spoiler* She can’t ever know he kills her father. Maybe she just refuses to watch it, so she had no idea her dad was a great fighter too and nearly made it, but it was Brutus who made the final kill between them both and freeing himself.

He is in a small arena surrounded by spectators as drones float just outside his peripheral. The last remaining opponent circles across from him exhausted and wounded. The Brut stood broad chested like a beast among men. His wild mask was battered and now held an arrow wedged just above his brow shot from across the way as his last attack.

His opponent remained bare, with every moment feeling eternal, never-ending. The crowd chanted for blood. The Brut turned mechanically and reached up to break off the stem of the arrow. He drags his feet into motion, gaining momentum with every thud. His opponent pulls back preparing to wrestle with all that he had left with his will to live and the stray bowe that shot its last. He went up to block the attack and had the arrow’s stem rammed into his hand as The Brut ruthlessly mangled the man to death until we settle on the man lying face down with the bow broken and twisted tight around his neck.

The crowd roars into a frenzy of desensitized excitement. The Brut does not revel in his victory but stand motionless in respect to the death. The crowd were as dead as the men who laid motionless on the floor that day. The only difference was that those fighters accepted their fate while the crowd played ignorant, denying their own death’s each day. The Brut’s helmet still on, casted a dark shadow within, concealing his eyes as they dragged low. Behind him, a crew came out to restrain him and cart him off the field. A crew of weaker slaves gathered the remains. Pieces of body parts are hurled into the crowd, while the larger pieces are carted away.

The Brut is caged and moved down a tunnel that slopes deep, away from the broad daylight of the arena. The young driver looked up at the rearview mirror excited to see The Brut up close.

Young driver

That was insane, you’re insane. Absolutely mad.

He shakes his head with a smile still processing who he was transporting.

Young driver

You’re the king! I even have a tattoo of you on my shoulder.

He glances up to see no reaction. The Brut stays still staring low. They come to stop where another vehicle lifts the cell off and proceeds to move him to another location. As it pulled away, the driver leaned out the window and yelled, “You’re my hero!”

The Brut is unloaded against the wall next to other fighters. As soon as he is left, the prisoners on either side start to heckle him.

Fighter 1

Oh shit! It’s The Brut. Hey Jamel, check out who we’re next to.

Two fighters locked in the same cell both stop what they’re doing to stand against the glass divide.

Jamel

You’re not as big as they say you are. I’m taller than you. I thought you were like seven, eight feet tall.

Brutus doesn’t respond. The prisoners continue…

Jamel

Hey Brut! I’m talking to you, asshole.

Jamel yells over to the prisoner on the opposite side doing push-ups.

Jamel

Hey! You ever seen this motherfucker up close before?

The other prisoner sits up,

No, why does it matter? If he kills me, I’m sure he’ll be after you next.

Jamel

Man, fuck you. Ain’t no way this fat fuck is killing me, you or anyone of us in here. He’s not unstoppable. Look at all the scars on him. He can’t fight for shit.

That was then the only time The Brut broke his stare, still wearing his helmet, he darted his eyes to the side to catch a glance of Jamel. His stillness creeped out Jamel and the other prisoners as if they just witnessed the devil himself marking his next victim.

Jamel

I can’t wait to take this guy down. I’m getting the hell off this fucking planet. Be swimming in all that pussy just waiting for me.

Jamel and the other prisoners are cut off in conversation as they watch a pile of remains being transported past them to be discarded. The other prisoners gather against the glass to see who/what was left.

Wait, are you the only one alive from that fight? After it passed, the prisoners call out Jamel.

Fighter 2

That’s why he’s called The Brut. He’s an animal. I’m telling you, you’re next.

A guard, medic and supervisor approach The Brut’s cell. The superior calls out.

“Alright big boy, stand up. You know the drill.”

The Brut stands and stretches his arms out facing the 3 men. They talk about his injuries, making notes and have him turn to examine his back. The medic mentions something quietly about his diet to the superior who points in response to something specific on his chart. The medic perks up and responds, “Yes, I think that’ll be ideal.”

PLAY MUSIC: PANDA BEAR - Inner Monologue

“Alright, you’re done.” The three walk off as another prison employee comes rolling up to move The Brut’s cell to another location. The three prisoners on either side watch as he never moves beyond what was necessary and quietly is carted away.

We cut back to Brutus in the truck staring off in front of him. *

Xenna

Did you hear me? I said, I’ll be getting out in this town coming up. You can drop me off on Lara and 14th.

Brutus grunts to acknowledge as they prepare to part. Xenna starts gathering herself, glancing and waiting for a response of some kind. As he pulls up to a halt, he patiently waits and motions to the passenger door. Xenna steps out.

Xenna – In a snarky tone,

Well, I guess this is goodbye… (no reply) … Oh-kay. Weirdo. We’re all dead inside, you don’t have to act like it.

Brutus - looking over to her,

I don’t do well with goodbyes.

Xenna

Well then come out and stretch your legs. I’m sure that seat can’t be comfortable. Mine sucked by the way.

Brutus takes her advice and steps out from his truck. She could see the strain in his body from the way he moved. Apart from his face and hands, she couldn’t see much else from his stocky muscular build.

Xenna

Did you work in the fields?

Brutus

What fields?

Xenna -jokingly shouts, Oh, he speaks! The farm field’s, how else do you get scars like that?

Xenna points to the back of his neck to reveal Brutus’s wounds. The fields as Xenna put it, referred to prison labor for criminals with misdemeanors that could opted for in lieu of a longer sentence. The fields were harsh conditions and physically demanding, but as long as prisoner we’re working, it was safer than being in a jail cell where generally more corruption and violence occurred. Brutus turns and proceed to walk adjusting his sweater to cover his neck.

Xenna

What, too personal? My bad, but hey! Scars can be cool. Plus, if you did work there, no shame in it, most of the people I know are working there.

They continue down the street.

Xenna

I have tattoos! What about you big guy, you have any under that sweater? You’re either the silent type or it’s been a while since you fucked someone.

Xenna didn’t mind making others uncomfortable. Her tact was belittling - adopted after years of verbal abuse becoming common dialogue. Brutus ignored the question. She pushed people’s boundaries to see if they could handle her. Almost as if to test their tolerance and understanding.

Xenna

Ugh, you’re so boring. Where are we even walking to anyway? Is this where you murder me?

She says in a sarcastic tone. Brutus stops and turns away back towards his truck.

Brutus

Never mind.

Xenna

Wait, wait! I’m joking! I’m being an asshole. Why do people get weird talking about death, its fucking real alright? Humans are sick. It’s why they laugh and cheer watching others being killed on TV. They’re not entertained, they’re just glad it’s not them. You’re not like those people. Hell, I don’t know if you even have an ounce of killer in you seeing how little you care about living.

Her best attempt to alleviate the tension was brash, but straight forward and felt like a genuine critique. Brutus looked off frustrated but stopped his march. Xenna patted him on the shoulder and they turn back around.

Xenna

Come on, I’ll buy you a drink! You’re in my neighborhood now. There’s a bar a few blocks over I know that’s probably your speed.

PLAY MUSIC: Electric Guest - Troubleman

They walk up to a quite dive bar called Broken Spoke, Xenna pounced to the barback while Brutus made his way to a booth in the corner. He landed hard on the broken leather seat feeling the springs beneath the blown-out cushion recognizing how mentally exhausted he was. Xenna reappears with two shots and two beers.

Xenna

Cheers!

Brutus

I don’t drink.

She takes a second to stare at his face and whether or not he was serious.

Xenna

Who says the shots are for you.

She defiantly throws back both shots as a ‘fuck you’ in offense to him turning down her gesture of kindness. She now sat next to him grumbling holding one of the beers tight with both hands wrenching the neck as she stared off annoyed. Brutus’s lips part for a moment of solidarity with a quiet breath to say sorry but was cut short before pushing out his words as she scoots out of the booth and sits at the counter to hang-out with the bartender instead.

The other beer sat in a cold sweat in front of Brutus as if to be mirroring his nerves. The rings from beers past all over the table marked their last stand before falling prey to the hands of thirsty patrons before. He stared at it festering, glancing up to see her already in a better mood being charismatic with the bartender. Brutus was just another stranger in the bar at that point. He waited for her to look back, but she never did -fully engaged in conversation.

Now her side of the scene. This is when their interaction starts* If you really loved me, you would brave the terrible landscape that I have arrayed around myself to discover the real me. What drives Xenna forward? What experience is she deeply wanting and needing? What will she learn when things don’t go her way? What she seeks is not to be found where she has been looking. I will trust you - I will extend my hand to you – despite the risk of betrayal, because it is possible, through trust, to bring out the best in you, and perhaps the best in me.

Xenna

What’s your name?

Bartender

-Fairre. (Fare)

Xenna She nods in agreement panning the room appearing distracted.

Bartender

… and yours?

Xenna

Call me Zee!

She response just as her lips rest on the bottle for a swig extending her other hand for a dainty handshake.

Bartender

You look familiar, but you’re not a regular. Where have I seen you before?

Xenna

You’re not using that line, are you?

Bartender

No, I mean it? You seem familiar. I’m not sure, but it’ll come to me eventually.

Xenna

If it’s really that important, I’m sure it’ll come back to you once I’m long gone.

Bartender

Ha! Maybe, but then it won’t matter.

Bartender - gesturing to Xenna

What are you up to later?

She almost groan’s as she looks back over her shoulder towards the booth and sees nothing but the full beer alone. She pauses in disappointment then smiles empty turning back to reply, “Whatever you want Big Boy.” She hops off the stool and saunters over to scoop up the abandoned beer. She gives almost no effort removing the bottle from its place, tipping it from where it stood revealing its watermark then dragged off the table leaving behind a trail of water from the center straight off the edge. She comes back over and passes the beer to Faire, “Can’t let good things go to waste, am I right...?”

Minutes later, we catch the moment when Brutus pulled up in his truck just out of Xenna’s sight walking out of the bar with Faire the bartender.

Each story has the same scene written with their perspective in mind*

Brutus left the bar towards his truck while his inner voice argued with himself. These thoughts went back and forth spinning in his mind. He resisted opening up because he feared revealing his past. The mystery gave him protection.

- What were you thinking picking up a stranger?

- She would have had sex with you.

- She was only trying to be nice.

- She’s trash.

- Why didn’t you take the drink?

- She was only using you for a ride.

- She could’ve been a friend.

- Who would want to be friends with you?

Sitting at the wheel, he decided to drive back to the front of the bar to apologize. He pulls up spinning his words, trying to find what he wanted to say, but not sure of what he was even feeling. Like clockwork, she comes out from the bar with her arm hooked around the bartender’s walking away down the sidewalk just as Brutus came to a halt across the street.

He is crushed to see her so cheaply moving on after being vulnerable and that her general interest was taken as her trying to connect. She didn’t know that the little bit that he did mention was a lot for him and was taken for granted. He has a deep capacity for love, but it takes a long time for him to open up. It wasn’t a romantic love, but a kindred spirit that he felt he could open up to, someone who wouldn’t judge and took him seriously. He shakes himself from his emotional grip reflecting on how powerful he knew he was and how much he could endure after everything he had already been through. How could this random girl shake him so easily? He wanted to return to his old self but was still too comfortable in his old mindset.

(What did he miss that may have changed what he saw happening?)

Brutus avoided everyone, battered from the years of fighting through pain. Years of suppressed emotions, any remanence of love was buried deep down, yet he felt Xenna was a kindred spirit deep down that was willing to be open, someone who he simply enjoyed listening to and connect with despite not ever being open himself. He shook himself from his thoughts as if lost in a trance to reassure himself how much he had endured for strength.

She is a drifter and a charmer. She could be with anyone she wanted. She went after whatever she wanted. She was sharp and adapted quickly. She took what she needed from people she didn’t trust and nurtured those she did. She was obstinate in her ways, yet submissive to all others. She was free in his eyes and he desired that. Where does Brutus go from here? The assassin is looking for Brutus and traces the connection from the bartender to Xenna to Brutus. How does Paul get involved? Faire is the one who is killed in the apartment by the assassin, but after Paul returns and learns about the situation with Xenna. He goes out looking for her.

BACK WITH XENNA AND FAIRE

We watch as the two of them stand in an elevator together. She is still playfully bantering with Faire who at this point is thinking he’s getting laid. She is too smart and is using the bartender for shelter but keeping all his attention fixated on the potential of sex. The doors open and we see a long hallway that comes to a T at the end. He makes a lame joke about the hallway being long illuding to his dick as they approach his door, room 832. She gives out a playful laugh as he leans forward to have his eye scanned and the door opens saying, “Welcome home”.

(What is Xenna’s objective in this scene? The cat confirms her thoughts that Faire knows her exboyfriend Paul. She plans on staying the night in exchange for a one-night stand while she digs for more information. Why is she staying in this town specifically? Does she not have a place to go? Is she hoping to find someone? Is she expecting someone? Did she already know Faire would be working at this bar and would she be aware that he’s connected to this person? What would have happened if Brutus took the drink? She may have sent him on his way afterwards or found a place for them both to sleep together or roped Brutus into her scheme.

Inside, he takes his time hanging his jacket offering Xenna another drink. She sits down on the couch a few steps in and is startled by his cat who crawls out from underneath. Cute cat. What’s its name? (F) That’s Gideon, I’m watching him for a friend. He’s usually hiding around; guess he likes you. Wait, are you allergic? No, he’s sweet. You’re so handsome. Xenna smooshes his face in front of hers as it makes itself comfortable on her lap. Gideon purrs excitedly from being pampered as Faire returns beside Xenna holding two glasses of wine.

Faire

I didn’t hear an answer, but I went ahead and poured us some wine if you’re interested.

She politely slides the glass closer to her side, but doesn’t drink it, still distracted by the cat with Faire left hanging hoping to move things along.

Faire

I have weed too if you’d rather just chill for a bit.

Faire was awkward, but charming in his dull attempts to play off his excitement.

“No worries, I have some right here.”

She reveals with a slow drawl a joint that was tucked in her bra. Faire is enthralled by her readiness and slides hip to hip against Xenna wedging Gideon off the couch hissing in protest and back under the couch. Xenna pulls a lighter from her pocket and takes in a long drag to guarantee it lights.

Xenna

So, Gideon, how long do you have to watch him?

Faire takes the joint and shrugs,

It was supposed to be a few days, then it became a week and now, it’s been 10 days. Hell, I don’t care so much. The thing eats one can of food a day and Paul left me a 24 pack. He should be back before then.

Xenna

Who’s Paul?

Faire

Oh, yeah. He’s my buddy. We recently started doing business together – when I’m not working at the bar of course.

Xenna

“What kind of business?

Faire

Taking in a full inhale, Commerce? Mostly buying and selling stuff.

Coughing, “You know, memorabilia. People think its garbage and shit like that.”

Xenna

Huh. That’s a funny way to describe it.” She takes in another deep inhale

Faire

What do you mean?

Xenna

Pausing for a moment, she lets the smoke seep out of her mouth and re-inhales it in through her nose before replying, That’s a lousy sales pitch. I thought I’d hear an elevator pitch, not just two guys selling shit.(She toys with Faire knowing what he really does and makes fun of how two idiots can trick so many women into their business.) Faire laughs, but his ego took a flick to the balls.

Faire

You know, I bet Paul would love to meet you. Not like what me and you are doing, but I bet you two would get along.

Xenna

…and what is it you and I are doing exactly?” Xenna leans in pulling the joint away from his lips and stares him in the eyes.

Faire

Umm…

Xenna kisses him first gently, then pulls his head in tighter kissing as smoke billows from the corners of his mouth with no time to answer. He bucks up and starts kissing her back being just as liberal with his hands pulling her hair and pushing her down into the couch cushions. She moans to assure him it’s what she wants. His hands wildly move up and down her body testing their limits and Xenna wraps her legs around his waist unbuckling his belt. She bites his lip smiling as she reaches down to rub the outline of his dick. Faire groaning excitedly, slides his hands under her shirt squeezing her breast. His face buried against her neck, Xenna whispers, “Fuck me.” Then moans, “I want you to fuck me” He sit up straddled over her as he pulls her shirt and bra off over her head kissing all over. Faire is completely dazed and horny from the frenzy as Xenna unbuttons his pants and reaches down to get him hard. Faire pulls off his shirt and starts humping Xenna.

It all seems passionate until Xenna abruptly smashes her wine glass over the back of his head! “What the fuck!” Faire yells and sits up but is struck a second time almost immediately with the wine bottle to the side of his head knocking him out cold and collapsing over Xenna.

Covered in sweat, blood, wine and glass, Xenna lays exhausted assessing the situation. With a disgusted jerk, she pulls her hand out from his pants and pushing him off of her onto the floor. She has a few scratches on her chest, a cut on her palm and stained from the wine. Slowly sitting up with glass stuck against her chest, she looks down. “…almost ripped my nipple off.” Picking smaller pieces off her wet skin. She pulls his wallet out from his back pocket taking his cash, ID and two phones. Faire James Haberlenn, 32, brown hair, brown eyes, 5’11, Born October 2188. She holds his head up to the phone to unlock and looks through his texts, calls and photos.

On it, she finds what we didn’t know was going on. She is looking for Paul, her ex-boyfriend who had been drugging her in his care as his own trophy sex slave, not giving her away to the system. His mistake because she is now alert and pissed. Is she doing this to stop him, expose him, save others, save herself? Where is Walter during all this? Is he dead or killed?

She spends the next hour cleaning the scene, snooping around the apartment leaving Faire on the floor with an ice pack wrapped against his head. She walks past Gideon just before leaving then steps back and drops an open can of food in front of him. “You promise to piss on him if he doesn’t wake up alright?” and leaves the apartment with the door slamming shot to room 832.

How does this tie into her narrative being abused by Paul? It’s her revenge story. How do I incorporate her dreams and her father into the mix? Was she left for dead because of Ryan keeping her drugged constantly?

(Assassin scene coming up)

When he arrives with a women’s head in hand, make it seem like Xenna’s. We find Faire with his back against the door asleep still recovering from the head injury drugged out on pain pills as a blaring TV plays a mindless infomercial on repeat.

Introduce the assassin killing Faire. Make it seem like it was Xenna’s head at the door in the plot but winds up being Faire’s girlfriend we didn’t know about.

Far off in a separate series of events, a tall weaselly looking traveler (Ryan / Warren) is out for the evening looking for his friend who is buried in a sea of faces somewhere in a bar full of excess. He tours the space as drifters fester up from the smoky room hassling him for money.

He waltzes out of the confrontation, slipping upstream through the crowd still scanning faces somewhat nervously. The traveler walks past a gathering placing bets for an upcoming fight. As people wait for Prison Planet to air on all the TV’s, the traveler orders a drink and places a bet on a fighter named Goliath. While leaning against the bar tapping his ring against his glass, he catches the attention of some other men gathered nearby. One whispers to the other who gets up and give the traveler a startling womp on the back yelling towards the bar, “Get this man some shots!” spinning the traveler around and shouting, “Congratulations you snake!” (He had cashed in a big payday.)

The traveler is greeted by 3 men all excited to see him.

“Where have you been this whole time?” one asks.

The traveler doesn’t share the same enthusiasm for the warm welcome,

“It was going great until Wednesday. Faire apparently killed himself the other night. He was found dead in his apartment. Drugged on pain killers and a bullet to the head.

(They don’t know about the gash to his head from Xenna.)

“Holy shit! He seemed fine to me last time I saw him.”

“When was that?”

“Last time was about a month ago.”

“How the fuck would I know. It doesn’t make since to me either. If they wanted to make it look like an accident, they could have just left him there without putting a giant hole through his goddam chest.”

“Do you think someone found out?”

“Why else would he kill himself?” (They traffic women for Prison Planet)

“I went over there to pick up my cat and found the building swarming with cops. I didn’t go inside, just listened in the crowd outside the complex by the ambulance.”

“My men found out his place was clean when cops combed the place. I don’t know how or what may have been in there, but we have to assume the Judges cops know something.

“We have to find out what the know before they find us.”

“Did we piss off King or something?”

King was a nickname for Sir Georgio Optim, the war lord of sorts who organized and marketed Prison Planet. He was literally the top of the chain when it came to accessing slaves, drugs, women, you name it. If he wanted something, he got it and although he made a living convincing the world that bad done on the bad was good, he himself was the devil. He knew the only way to keep people from changing their minds on corruption was to corrupt everyone who got involved. Drawing them in with lust and drugs. But with more people getting involved, so did his business and soon enough, he was one of the largest traffickers. No one could touch him, because everyone under him was just as guilty and depended on him.

And now who were these three characters happy to see Paul?

The first was a drug peddler who went by Bibs. Him and his family owned and operated a large chain of bodegas/drugstores spread across three states forming a near perfect triangle from capital to capital. Anyone that went inside “the triangle” never left. Only those who could afford to leave would get tied into crime whether they wanted to or not from one favor to another. also known as the Devil's Triangle

The second worked in construction and owned junk yards across 8 different states. Needless to say, they were graveyards for corpses of metal and flesh. The Judges cops turned a blind eye to these sites. Known as The Keeper, R. Richardson and his two goons P. Cushing and A. Grimsdyke. They made sure to protect and delegated Richardson’s demands.

While investigating the furtive world of human trafficking, Xenna connects with political activist Joshua J, the director of Earth's global human rights initiative. Joshua creates a plan for Xenna to work undercover with Ryan’s boss, The King in a way that will evade detection helping Xenna expose the truth to the delusional public opinion and proving how corrupt the world has become. As Xenna continues her search, she and Joshua become friends, and Joshua eventually reveals that Earth has a national-sponsored scouting program he oversees.

When allegations emerge in the international media over the possible existence of such a program, Xenna realizes that Joshua is in danger of being silenced by the government and has him go into hiding for his protection. Using Joshua's knowledge of the trafficking program, they speak to the U.S. Department of Justice as well as the news, alleging that Earth has conspired to steal and force humans into slave trafficking for decades to pay off their debts with other planets, and he was hired to ramp up the operation after the Earth’s embarrassing decline.

(so, I’ve played up multiple scenarios. The killer knows what’s going on and collected all the evidence to hunt down Ryan and his friends. The cops may know and have collected all the evidence and will be after them as well. Why is the killer after Ryan exactly? (He’s looking for Brutus, not Ryan and only went because he’s tracking Brutus and learned about Xenna who was with Faire.) Xenna stole all the evidence prior to the killer’s arrival, so he has no knowledge about the trafficking and is still tracking Brutus. His best lead is Xenna, so he continues looking for her assuming she’s still with Brutus. Brutus is long gone off on his own journey by now. What is that journey? He has no clue someone is out to kill him. He can’t go back to his home village because it’s on Prison Planet. He doesn’t know anyone other than Xenna. He is searching for solace but how? Redemption? How do you find solace? If something eases your disappointment or grief, consider it as solace. If you're sad, you might find solace in music or in talking to your friends.