​

​

7) In which we see Dad and Bean meet, in typical Noir style

​

(BEAN enters with a suitcase.  Everything echoes.)

 

DAD

You come alone?

 

BEAN
Yeah.

 

DAD
…

 

BEAN

…

 

DAD
It’s good to see you.

 

BEAN
…

 

DAD
We found your father.

 

BEAN

So did I.

 

DAD

…And how did you do that, I wonder?

The people that are smart enough to hack into our computer systems are our enemies.

Namely, a one…Dr. Phil…?

 

BEAN

Well…

 

DAD
We’re not the bad guys, Bean.

There was a reason why you married Sy.

Because you knew that we’re not the bad guys.

 

BEAN
If you kill my father, you’ll be killing an innocent man. 

Sounds like The Bad Guys to me.

 

DAD

An innocent man?

Not according to his computer records.

It seems as though his was the first jailbreak point for The Influencers.

Years ago.

 

BEAN

That’s a lie.

 

DAD
No, it’s not.

 

BEAN

…

 

DAD
Why did you give us up, Bean?

We are royalty.
Don’t you see that?

Regardless of your feelings: the ones who win are always the good guys.

And we will win.

 

BEAN
I hate you.

I’ve always hated you.

 

DAD
But you hated being afraid more.

 

BEAN

…

 

DAD

I don’t want your Dad to die.

And it just so happens you have information that I need.

You see, we know that the first person to be released from your father’s gateway was Princess Diana.  And we believe that if we can recapture her and return her to The Encyclopedia, all the other Influencers will be returned as well.  Like clearing from a certain date on your browsing history.  So, Bean.  You have a choice.

 

BEAN

…I don’t know what you’re talking about.

 

DAD
Then I’m afraid that you’ll never see your father again.

 

BEAN
I let her out.

I let Princess Diana out.

It was me.

I started the whole thing.
Not my father.

(A moment.)

So if you're going to kill some one, kill me.

 

DAD
Ahhh…interesting.

Sacrificial Lamb.

I suspected as much.

But I think I can get even more out of you.

Your father in the electric chair is still my best bet.

 

BEAN
I don’t know where she is.

 

DAD
Liar. 

 

BEAN
I don’t.  I swear. 

They were at the Reservoir.

Have your people check the Reservoir.

But…she knew I was…

 

DAD
…Yes…?

 

BEAN
She knew I was coming here.

She’s gone by now.

 

DAD
With no word of where’s she headed?

  

BEAN

None.

 

DAD
…I don’t believe you.

 

(DAD begins to walk away.  BEAN calls after him.

BEAN

Wait!!

(He doesn't.  She calls again and beings to cry.)

WAIT: PLEASE.

PLEASE: SHE’S NEVER BEEN WHO I’VE WANTED HER TO BE.

I HAVE NO HOLD ON HER.  SHE SLIPS THROUGH MY FINGERS.

PLEASE BELIEVE ME.  I’M NOT A LIAR.  I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE SHE IS.

I SWEAR.

 

DAD

Do you love her?

 

BEAN

Yes.

 

DAD

Why?

 

BEAN

…For the same reason your son loves me.

Because I will never have her.

​

(The suitcase rips open.  PRINCESS DI appears.  She holds a pistol to the sky and releases the chamber.  Bullets fall to the ground.  A car buzzes by in the tunnel, the horn blaring.  The world falls away to nothing...

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Smash into: Part Three)