I, ROBOT
by
Hillary Seitz
FADE IN:
1 On a DEEP...DEEP...DARKNESS. 1
A FLICKER. Of LIGHT. Off to the side. Just barely.
Noticeable. ORANGE...YELLOW...as we realise...It's FIRE...
A SOUND. Something SHATTERING...
Then. A DISEMBODIED VOICE. Muted. We can't quite make out
What it's saying. As it gets LOUDER. And LOUDER. When we
finally. Understand...
DISEMBODIED VOICE
You are in danger...
CUT TO:
2 INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - CLOSE ON 2
DEL SPOONER'S FACE. His eyes, snapping open. His face,
covered in sweat.
PULL BACK to REVEAL him lying in bed. Sheets, tangled around
his legs. Alarm clock, playing something relentlessly
cheerful.
Spooner slaps it off. Sits up. Wincing. Bends his RIGHT
ARM. Stiff. He reaches for a BOTTLE OF PILLS. Shakes out a
couple and swallows them. Trying to forget. That dream.
You are in danger...
He rubs his hands over his face. Gets out of bed. His
apartment, basic. Unremarkable. Bearing the signs of
someone who lives alone. Shades drawn. A little messy.
3 INT. SHOWER - MORNING 3
Spooner turns his face into the jet of water.
4 INT. BATHROOM - MORNING 4
Shaves with a razor. Using his left hand. Knicks the cleft
of his chin. Shit.
5 INT. KITCHEN - MORNING 5
Stares down at the single egg in a saucepan. Waiting for it
to boil.
2.
6 INT. HALLWAY - MORNING 6
Heads down the hallway. Looping a knotted tie around his
neck. Kicks some neglected mail from the door and reaches
for the handle. Takes a deep breath and...
7 EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - MORNING 7
...steps outside. Into the flow of COMMUTERS heading for the
elevated trains. Elbow to elbow. A river of humanity.
Spooner moves along, like everyone else. Suddenly. His
shoulders tense. That feeling at the back of his neck. He
turns and sees...
A ROBOT. Just behind him. Humanoid in design, but still
obviously a machine. Metal and synthetic casings covering
hydraulic muscles. The thing senses his stare. Looks up
with a muted WHIR...
ROBOT
(metallic voice)
Good day, sir...
Spooner. Speeds up his pace. Weaving through the crowd to
lose the robot.
We now realise this is THE FUTURE. Towering apartment
buildings block the sun. The street packed with traffic.
PEDESTRIANS wearing their computers like form-fitting
portable offices. Spooner throws a look at his surroundings:
Up high an INDUSTRIAL ROBOT rolls down the side of a building
cleaning windows.
A WORK CREW of oddly-shaped RUBE GOLDBERG ROBOTS efficiently
repairs the street. No human supervision.
A ROBOTIC CLEAN-UP CREW. Lumbering along the sidewalk.
Scrubbing, sweeping. Emptying trash...
Humanoid ROBOTS dotting the crowd. Following their owners.
Walking slowly, deliberately. Carrying boxes. Groceries.
Briefcases.
Stamped on all the ROBOTS' SIDES, a LOGO: III LAWS SAFE.
Spooner stops to wait at a light with other PEDESTRIANS.
Directly in front of him, a LITTLE GIRL clutches her father's
neck. She smiles big at Spooner. Front teeth missing.
LITTLE GIRL
Hi.
3.
SPOONER
Hi.
But it's not her father. It's her ROBOT CARETAKER. The
robot turns. Looks at the girl.
ROBOT
You are not allowed to talk to
strangers.
Spooner, disgusted. Has had enough. He steps off the curb
Just as...
THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL swivels around. Training its large
digital EYE on him:
TRAFFIC LIGHT
Please return to the sidewalk.
Spooner dodges several cars on his way across the street.
TRAFFIC LIGHT
Please return to the sidewalk...
The traffic signal, tracking him.
TRAFFIC LIGHT
You are in violation of city
ordinance 14-B726...
Spooner throws up his hand. Flipping it the bird just as
SNAP! It takes his picture.
CUT TO:
8 EXT./INT. MONORAIL - MORNING 8
Spooner stepping onto a sleek, densely packed TRAIN. Looks
down at his feet. A trampled flyer on the ground. From the
Anti-Robot League: METAL MONSTERS SECRET FACTORY REVEALED!
A Robot gets up. To offer him his seat. Spooner. Turns his
back on him as we PULL BACK from the window to REVEAL...
9 EXT. CITY SCAPE/MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 9
The TRAIN hurtling toward DOWNTOWN. Soaring, gravity-defying
OFFICE BUILDINGS dominate the skyline. Older buildings
wedged among the new. All protected by huge glass and steel
shields.
As we get closer congested roads and freeways begin to
disappear below ground into a series of subterranean tunnels.
The "old" streets have become huge, spacious plazas.
4.
10 EXT. POLICE H.Q. - PLAZA - MORNING 10
Spooner moves with the CROWD towards the doors of the aging
Police Headquarters. Modern additions have been made to the
original facade -- creating an ungainly architectural mess.
11 INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - MORNING 11
A vast open plan situation room lined on one side by a series
of glass-enclosed rooms. On the other side a GIANT SCREEN
with real time video of various streets and buildings.
Spooner arrives at his desk. Unlike the others, it's a mess.
A slender computer screen curving along the front of it.
Several electronic messages say the same thing:
SEE ME!
LT. BERGIN (O.S.)
Ever heard the phrase "lead by
example?"
Spooner looks up. LIEUTENANT JOHN BERGIN stands in front of
his desk, holding up a CITATION with a photo of Spooner
giving that traffic signal the finger.
SPOONER
Doesn't ring a bell.
LT. BERGIN
(pointing to Spooner's
badge)
It's on your badge.
Spooner takes the citation. Drops it into a drawer filled
with about fifty others.
LT. BERGIN
The traffic division filed an
official complaint this morning.
SPOONER
The traffic division is a machine.
LT. BERGIN
Look, I know there's going to be an
adjustment period, Del...
SPOONER
(interrupting)
I'll send them a letter of apology.
Maybe some flowers. A box of
chocolates...
5.
JUST THEN Spooner's phone RINGS. He throws Bergin a look.
Then snatches up the receiver.
SPOONER
Spooner, homicide.
CUT TO:
12 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - ESTABLISHING - DAY 12
A sprawling glass and metal complex covering many city
blocks. The entrance is a large plaza filled with PEOPLE and
ROBOTS.
13 INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - METAL CORRIDOR - DAY 13
An elevator opens with a whoosh. Spooner steps out into a
featureless corridor. His footsteps, echoing. He stops at a
set of OPPOSING DOORS. Looks over at one, when the other
suddenly OPENS.
14 INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - PLUSH CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS 14
A warm, mahogany-paneled room. In sharp contrast to the cold
metal space outside. Spooner steps inside. At the end of a
long conference table sits an OLD MAN. Sparkling blue eyes.
Old-fashioned suit.
OLD MAN
Hello, there. Please come in.
Spooner hesitates.
OLD MAN
It's alright. You can sit. Sit.
Spooner doesn't. Looks around the room. The Old Man lifts
up a coffee pot. Pours some coffee into a single cup.
OLD MAN
Coffee?
SPOONER
(interested)
You're offering me a cup of coffee?
OLD MAN
Yes. But you are to say, "No,
thank you."
Spooner nods a little. The Old Man raises the coffee to his
lips, but doesn't take a sip.
6.
OLD MAN
Coffee?
SPOONER
No. Thank you.
OLD MAN
As you wish.
The Old Man takes a sip. He doesn't move. There is no
movement except for a whisper of steam rising from the coffee
pot.
SPOONER
You want to tell me something about
Dr. Hogenmiller? About his death?
The Old Man smiles.
OLD MAN
I want to tell you that his death
was not a suicide.
SPOONER
And why do you say that?
OLD MAN
Why? Because I want you to know
it.
SPOONER
I understand that. But what
specifically leads you to believe
that he didn't commit suicide?
OLD MAN
(considers)
Nothing specifically.
Spooner shifts his weight. Agitated.
SPOONER
Under normal circumstances that
wouldn't be enough to get you a
homicide investigation.
OLD MAN
But this is not "normal
circumstances," is it, Detective
Spooner?
SPOONER
No. It isn't.
7.
OLD MAN
Then you will find out who killed
Dr. Hogenmiller, yes? And then you
will tell me.
Spooner's losing his patience.
SPOONER
If you were murdered, Doctor, I'll
find out. And you'll be the first
to know.....
JUST THEN the HOLOGRAM of DR. HOGENMILLER vanishes in a burst
of LIGHT, as does the table, the coffee pot, and the
conference room. Spooner, suddenly finds himself standing in
front of a LARGE VIEW SCREEN inside a SMALL METAL CHAMBER.
15 INT. HALLWAY - DAY 15
Spooner steps out into the hallway and into...AN ESCORT
ROBOT.
ESCORT ROBOT
Please follow me.
Spooner. Reluctantly starts to follow it. Passes another
doorway. POLICE TAPE stretched across it. Catches a brief
glimpse of...
DR. HEINRICH HOGENMILLER'S BODY.
Splayed out across the floor. Surrounded by CRIME SCENE
TECHNICIANS. He pauses. Taking in the scene. Then
continues on.
16 INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - CORPORATE BOARDROOM - DAY 16
Two large doors emblazoned with the U.S. ROBOTICS LOGO open
automatically. Inside, an enormous glass-enclosed boardroom
looking out over the entire complex.
Spooner walks through the doorway. His escort robot trailing
behind him. An army of corporate types sit around a
conference table. Young. Energetic. You can practically
feel the brains and ambition.
SPOONER
Usually I ask who's in charge...
Spooner's eyes lock with a MAN sitting at the head of the
table. 60s, handsome, charismatic. Dr. LANCE ROBERTSON,
founder and CEO of U.S. Robotics.
8.
SPOONER
But everyone knows you, Dr.
Robertson.
Robertson smiles. Pretends to instruct his people.
ROBERTSON
Remind me to cut back on my talk
show appearances.
LAUGHTER.
ROBERTSON
Welcome to U.S. Robotics,
Detective. I regret you're not
visiting us under more pleasant
circumstances. Allow me to
introduce Mr. Aronson, our head of
Legal Affairs.
A prematurely graying MAN leaning against the wall. Nods
hello.
ROBERTSON
And the gentleman to my right is
Dr. Alfred Lanning, Director of
Research.
Alfred Lanning, only one there in a tie. Nods.
ROBERTSON
They'll be available to answer any
questions you might have during
your investigation. You'll
understand how anxious we are to
resolve this matter -- especially
before the press gets wind of it.
There are some anti-robot
sentiments out there as you know,
Detective, and we're not eager to
stir them up. So. Where would you
like to begin?
SPOONER
We can begin with whether or not
the old man put a gun to his head
and pulled the trigger.
A palpable wave of tension shoots through the group.
ARONSON
You don't have to answer that, Dr.
Robertson...
9.
Robertson waves him off.
ROBERTSON
Susan? Perhaps you can assist us
here?
Everyone looks down at the other end of the table. A BEAT.
Then an attractive young WOMAN gets to her feet. SUSAN
CALVIN. Hair tucked behind her ears. Looking at everyone
but Spooner.
CALVIN
Dr. Hogenmiller was a schizoid
personality who generally eschewed
social relationships. Rejecting
people in favor of solitary
activities involving machines. He
spent almost all his time at the
lab here or at his lab at home. As
a result he was highly susceptible
to depression.
ROBERTSON
Dr. Calvin is our Chief
Psychologist.
SPOONER
If that was your diagnosis, why
didn't you see this coming?
Calvin turns. Finally meeting Spooner's eye. As if the
answer's obvious.
CALVIN
This is U.S. Robotics, Detective.
Seventy-five percent of our
employees fit that description.
LANNING
(interceding)
You'll have to excuse the doctor.
We're all a little on edge. This
has been a difficult and emotional
morning.
Spooner throws a look around the room. Then back at Calvin.
SPOONER
Yeah. I can see you're all broken
up.
Robertson responds to Spooner's skepticism.
10.
ROBERTSON
Dr. Hogenmiller was at my side from
the very beginnings of this
company. We developed the "Three
Laws of Robotics" together. But
these days science is a young man's
game. By the time you hit thirty
your best years are behind you.
Some of us are kicked upstairs.
Others I'm afraid aren't so lucky.
Robertson stands. Meeting over.
ROBERTSON
Dr. Hogenmiller took his own life.
I trust you will come to the same
swift conclusion, Detective. Dr.
Lanning will make himself available
if you have any further questions.
Spooner looks over at Calvin.
SPOONER
I want her to help me.
Calvin, unhappy with this arrangement.
CALVIN
That's not really my department...
ROBERTSON
(pointed)
Susan would be happy to assist you.
And with a gesture, Robertson dismisses everyone. People
start getting up, gathering up, filing out. Susan Calvin.
The last one to get up.
17 INT. METAL HALLWAY - DAY 17
Spooner and Calvin, heading down the same hallway he was in
before. Catch sight of a couple ROBOT TECHNICIANS...
SPOONER
(under his breath)
Ah, Christ...Toasters...
As they duck under the police tape and...
11.
18 INT. HOGENMILLER'S LAB - DAY 18
...enter Hogenmiller's lab. Alive with activity. CRIME
SCENE TECHNICIANS, MOBILE ANALYSIS UNITS. LIGHT SCANS,
running across...
HOGENMILLER'S LIFELESS FACE. Black gun powder. Fanning out
around his contorted lips.
Spooner. Throws a look around the lab: ROBOTS. Everywhere.
Mostly incomplete. TORSOS. ARMS. LEGS. Dangling from the
ceiling. A SERGEANT. Passes them by...
SERGEANT
They say the price's gonna come
down a lot next year. Kinda cool,
huh?
SPOONER
How cool will it be when one takes
your job?
Spooner. Pushing past him. His eyes. Darting around.
CALVIN
Is everything alright, Detective?
SPOONER
Yeah. This is just how I like my
robots -- in pieces.
As they approach Hogenmiller's body, the lead CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATOR, BALDEZ, gets up to meet them.
BALDEZ
(to Spooner)
Can you believe it, man? U.S.
Robotics. I didn't think I'd ever
see the inside of this building.
Hands Spooner, a plasma clipboard. Spooner signs it,
awkwardly. With his LEFT HAND...
SPOONER
What's the run-down?
BALDEZ
Heinrich Hogenmiller, sixty-four
years old. Weapon a small caliber
.22, registered in his name. Looks
like he walked in, locked the door,
and snuffed himself.
12.
Spooner. Cocking his head to look at Hogenmiller's face.
SPOONER
I know someone who disagrees with
you.
BALDEZ
Who?
Spooner. Stands. Pointing down at Hogenmiller.
SPOONER
Him.
And steps over the body, leaving a confused Baldez.
Stepping deeper, into the lab. Calvin. Following.
SPOONER
I spoke to a dead man today. Want
to tell me about that?
CALVIN
Dr. Hogenmiller's hologram took his
appointments. Attended staff
meetings. He hated corporate life.
The hologram enabled him to focus
on his work. It's just a device,
Detective.
SPOONER
A device that called the police.
CALVIN
The sound of the gunshot would've
triggered a 911.
SPOONER
But the call came directly to me.
CALVIN
We're talking about a mechanism
designed by Hogenmiller to say
provocative things. To irritate
and confound his colleagues.
SPOONER
And that's what you think it is?
CALVIN
I'm sorry, but this whole
investigation is the result of a
dead man's toy messing with your
head.
13.
They pass half a robot, hanging from a hook. Spooner curls
his lip. Swivels the robot's head so it's not looking at
him.
SPOONER
When's the last time any of you
actually spoke to Hogenmiller? I
mean human to human?
CALVIN
I couldn't say.
SPOONER
Take a guess.
CALVIN
I don't guess, Detective. But if
pressed, I would reason it had been
a considerable length of time.
SPOONER
How well did you know him?
Calvin. Gently swivels the robot's head back to where it had
been.
CALVIN
Not well. But I admired his work
tremendously.
Spooner. Studies her for a beat. Then turns back to the
body. Two CORONERS entering with a high-tech body box.
SPOONER
I get the whole "mad scientist"
thing. Hogenmiller was past his
prime. Isolated. Eccentric. He
enters a room. Locks the door and
is found minutes later with a
bullet fired through his mouth into
his brain. Everything about this
case says suicide.
CALVIN
You don't sound convinced.
The coroners. Start loading the body into the box.
SPOONER
Even people who live a life of
logic and precision rarely arrange
their deaths so perfectly.
(turning to her)
(MORE)
14.
SPOONER (cont'd)
What all this is missing -- is
personality...
As he starts for the door...
SPOONER
You have 24 hour surveillance?...
19 INT. METAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 19
...They head out into the hallway. A MECHANICAL DOOR GUARD
rolling into place behind them.
CALVIN
It's company policy.
SPOONER
I want to see the tapes.
Calvin. Hurrying to keep up with him. This is hardly how
she wanted to spend her morning. Calls out into the air...
CALVIN
Victor!
At the end of the corridor, near the elevator, a BRIGHT
CIRCLE appears. Hovering just in front of the wall. Two
small slits grow into ROUND BLACK EYES...and a thin mouth
expands into an ENORMOUS SMILE.
CALVIN
Detective, meet Victor. Our
building's supercomputer. He's the
checks and balances of U.S.R.
(to Victor)
Victor, Detective Spooner's heading
up the investigation into the death
of Dr. Hogenmiller.
Victor smiles big. Spooner, furrows his brow.
SPOONER
You look like a very...happy
computer.
Victor responds in a GENTLE MALE VOICE:
VICTOR
Thank you. That's very kind.
CALVIN
The Detective needs to see our
security tapes.
15.
The elevator doors immediately OPEN. They step inside.
20 INT. ELEVATOR - DAY 20
Spooner and Calvin descend. Victor floats on the wall and
smiles wide. Spooner looks back at it. With a frown.
The elevator stops, the doors open. A ROBOT steps on.
ROBOT
Good day, Dr. Calvin. Good day,
sir.
Spooner's jaw. Clenches. Staring at the Robot. It senses
the stare. Turns back to him.
ROBOT
May I be of service to you, sir?
Spooner. Breaks the stare. Ignoring the Robot. Calvin.
Looks over at him.
CALVIN
Aren't you going to answer him?
SPOONER
I don't talk to my refrigerator,
either.
Calvin folds her arms.
CALVIN
I get the distinct feeling you're
one of those people, Detective.
SPOONER
What people?
CALVIN
Those who don't appreciate the work
we do here at U.S.R.
SPOONER
You people do what you do. Then
it's up to the rest of us to make
sense out of the world we wake up
in.
As the elevator doors open on to...
16.
21 INT. ATRIUM LOBBY - CONTINUOUS 21
A soaring lobby. The centerpiece is a five-story STATUE of a
ROBOT, arms outstretched in approximation of Da Vinci's Study
of Man. Robot workers more numerous than humans. They are
sleeker. Finer. More advanced than those in the outside
world.
Calvin and Spooner head across.
CALVIN
When this company started we were
manufacturing three robots a week.
Now look at us. Today's children
will never know a world without
robots.
SPOONER
The streets are filled with
unemployed humans who aren't
exactly thrilled with that idea.
CALVIN
Our robotic systems maintain
factory inventories, regulate
street traffic -- even run the
family home.
SPOONER
Leaving people to do what, Doctor?
CALVIN
Leaving people to engage in higher
pursuits that make life worth
living.
SPOONER
And what happens when something
goes wrong?
CALVIN
Our system's never wrong.
As they walk through the crowd, we hear the quiet WHIR of
robot heads as they turn in succession to watch Spooner pass.
22 INT. MAINFRAME - DAY 22
Spooner and Calvin enter the MAINFRAME of U.S. Robotics.
This is the nerve center of the whole operation. Walls lined
with COMPUTERS, SCREENS, and thousands of CONTROLS.
17.
CALVIN
This is Victor's home.
VICTOR appears on a wall-sized SCREEN broken up into beehive-
like components.
VICTOR
I will now play you the last thirty-
two seconds of Dr. Hogenmiller's
life.
AS WE WATCH THE SCREENS. The elevator opens and DOCTOR
HOGENMILLER steps into the metal corridor. In countless
ANGLES. High, low, close-up, wide. Hogenmiller's face
composed but tight.
Spooner watches the lab doors open to admit him. Hogenmiller
steps in. The doors slide closed behind him.
Nothing for a few moments. Then a muffled GUNSHOT. Calvin
jumps, startled. That's it. The cameras, still trained on
the corridor.
SPOONER
Where's the tape from inside?
VICTOR
Dr. Hogenmiller did not permit
cameras to observe him while
working.
CALVIN
That was only within the last year.
SPOONER
So we can throw paranoia into the
mix.
(to Victor)
Fast-forward.
A hundred-plus screens all FAST-FORWARD. POLICE OFFICERS
appear and force open the doors. Now TECHNICIANS appear
and rush through in a blur...
CALVIN
Um. I hate to be a stickler...
On screen, we see Spooner and Calvin enter the lab.
CALVIN
But don't killers usually have to
enter and exit the scene of a
crime?
18.
SPOONER
Stop the recording.
Spooner turns away from the footage. Stares at Calvin.
SPOONER
They do, Doctor. Unless they've
always been there -- and never
left.
Calvin looks at him. Trying to understand.
CALVIN
You think the murderer was in the
lab the entire time?
SPOONER
If I'm right, it's still there...
Spooner turns back to the screens. The IMAGE paused at the
exact moment the MECHANICAL GUARD rolled in front of the lab
door.
SPOONER
We just locked it in.
23 INT. METAL CORRIDOR - DAY 23
The STEEL ARMS of the ROBOTIC GUARD retract with a CLANG. The
laboratory doors slide open.
24 INT. HOGENMILLER'S LAB - DAY 24
Spooner and Calvin step inside. It's dark. Quiet. Police
and technicians long gone. Silhouettes of hanging limbs.
Eyeless heads. Clumps of wire and metal.
The LIGHTS, flicker on. Calvin sees Spooner reaching into
his coat with his left hand. Pulling out a GUN. Reacts.
CALVIN
A robot cannot harm a human being,
Detective. The First Law of
Robotics forbids it. And we hard-
wire the Three Laws into every
model. Without exception.
SPOONER
Yeah, I saw the commercial.
Spooner steps deeper into the lab. Eyes scanning. Twisting.
To avoid touching any robot parts. Passes a MAZE holding a
METAL INSECT. SUDDENLY. The bug WHIRS to life.
19.
Spooner startles. As the metal bug scurries through the
corridors. Clamps his hand down on it.
SPOONER
And if a robot was given a direct
order to kill?
CALVIN
The Second Law of Robotics would
prevent it. A robot must obey an
order only if it does not conflict
with the first law.
Spooner approaches a MOUND of ROBOT PARTS. Arms and legs.
Half torsos. All tossed haphazardly onto the pile.
SPOONER
But a robot can defend itself.
CALVIN
Only when that action doesn't
conflict with the First or Second
Laws. This is the Third Law of
Robotics.
SPOONER
Yeah, well, you know what they say
-- Laws are made to be broken.
CALVIN
Not these laws.
Spooner. Starts nudging the pile with his shoe. Calvin,
growing impatient...
CALVIN
You're not hearing me, Detective.
There's nothing here...
WHEN SUDDENLY
The PILE ERUPTS in front of Spooner...Parts flying...AS A
ROBOT LEAPS UP FROM BENEATH IT!...
Spooner...knocked back...his GUN...skittering across the
floor...right to...
CALVIN'S FEET.
SPOONER
Dr. Calvin!
Calvin. Stunned. Speechless. The Robot. Fixing his
ILLUMINATED EYES. Right on her. She steps forward...
20.
SPOONER
Goddammit! Stay back!
Spooner. Scrambling towards his gun. Calvin. Reaching out
towards the Robot...
CALVIN
Calm down, Detective. There is no
danger here...
Spooner. Grabbing up his gun and wheeling round just as...
CALVIN
(to Robot)
De-Activate.
And the Robot. Suddenly FREEZES.
Spooner. Heart POUNDING. Gets to his feet. Training the
gun on the Robot. Calvin turns to him.
CALVIN
How did you know it was under
there?
SPOONER
If I was metal and didn't want
anyone to find me, I'd hide under a
pile of junk.
CALVIN
This Robot wasn't hiding. What
you're looking at is the result of
clever programming. The illusion
of self-interest and free will.
Nothing more.
Spooner. Steeping closer to the Robot. Cautiously.
Holstering his gun. As Calvin turns for the door.
CALVIN
I'm going to go get Dr. Lanning...
...THE ROBOT'S HAND SUDDENLY SHOOTS OUT...grabbing Spooner's
gun...from his holster...LIGHTENING FAST...pointing it...
right back at him...
CLOSE ON Calvin. Cannot believe this is happening...
CALVIN
I said De-Activate!
21.
SPOONER
Move away from the door, Doctor.
Calvin's voice. Cracking from desperation. Confusion.
CALVIN
Commence emergency shut-down!
SPOONER
Now!
Spooner. Staring into the Robot's eyes. A thin bead of
SWEAT. Trickling down his temple. Calvin. Moving away from
the door...
CALVIN
I...I gave you an order...
The Robot. Starts backing towards the door. The gun.
Shaking in its hand. As if he's desperate. Conflicted. He
touches the WALL PANEL. The doors slide open. The Robot
steps out into the metal corridor. Turning to RUN as the
doors begin to shut...
Spooner. Reaching down to whip out a BACK-UP GUN. From an
ankle holster. Slapping in a LARGE CARTRIDGE.
CALVIN
This is impossible. A robot...
SPOONER
...can't do that. Yeah, yeah, I
know.
CALVIN
My God -- did you see how it moved?
I've never seen an NS-2 move that
way...
Starts running for the door.
CALVIN
Wait! Please, you can't destroy
it. We have to study it...
SPOONER
That thing took my gun. You'll be
lucky if you get a handful of bolts
back!
SLAMS the wall panel and...
22.
25 INT. METAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS 25
...sprints out into the hallway. The Robot Suspect. About
to turn to corner...
VICTOR. Suddenly appearing.
VICTOR
The suspect is nearing the end of
the hallway, Detective.
SPOONER
Gee, thanks.
Spooner raises his gun and FIRES...Pegging the robot in the
LEG...It starts jerking wildly...He takes aim again when...
CALVIN. Races out into the hallway.
SPOONER
Get back to the lab!
She heads for the Robot.
CALVIN
(to Robot)
You're malfunctioning. Let me help
you!
The Robot turns. To look at her. GUN pointing to the floor.
Spooner. FOCUSING in on his HAND. AS ONE FINGER TWITCHES...
And he DIVES for Calvin. Forcing her to the floor as the
Robot FIRES. Again and again. Bullets. RICOCHETTING around
them. SPARKING against the walls...
The ELEVATOR opens. The Robot, leaping inside.
Spooner. On top of Calvin. Looks down at her. Her HANDS.
Clutching his coat. Trembling.
SPOONER
That was a pretty convincing
illusion of getting shot at.
CUT TO:
26 INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS 26
The ROBOT SUSPECT standing inside the elevator. Looks down
at the bullet hole blown through its leg. Reaches down.
Metal fingers touching the damage. As if curious. Afraid.
23.
Looks back at the other ROBOT. Standing in the back of
elevator. A primitive model. No reaction. Face, blank.
CUT BACK TO:
27 INT. METAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS 27
Spooner springing to his feet. Helping Calvin up.
VICTOR
I took the liberty of alerting
Security .003 Seconds after the
first shot was fired...
SPOONER
Where's that elevator going?
VICTOR
Sub Level 5.
Spooner SLAMS against a nearby DOOR. Hurtling down the
STAIRS...
28 INT. LOBBY - CONTINUOUS 28
A PHALANX of SECURITY PERSONNEL. Crossing the lobby.
PIERCING ALARM BELLS, RINGING...
29 INT. ANOTHER METAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 29
More SECURITY PERSONNEL. Pouring into a HALLWAY...
30 INT. STAIRWAY - CONTINUOUS 30
Spooner and Calvin. Racing down the stairs. Victor's face
meeting them at every landing.
VICTOR
I have directed a security team to
meet the elevator containing the
errant robot...
Spooner. Whipping past him. Calvin. Barely keeping up.
Not used to this much activity.
Spooner. BURSTS through a door and out into...
31 INT. SUBTERRANEAN LEVEL 5 - CONTINUOUS 31
...Subterranean Level 5. A labyrinth of metal and concrete.
IN THE DISTANCE. A troupe of SECURITY PERSONNEL swarms
around a closed ELEVATOR DOOR...
24.
VICTOR
The suspect is about to be
apprehended, Detective.
SPOONER
I'll believe it when I see it.
Spooner. Cocking his gun. A soft DING! Announcing the
elevator car's arrival.
SECURITY, all crouching down in unison. Weapons brought
round to position.
Spooner. Weaving through them. Gun pointed at the metal
doors as...
WHOOSH. They slide open. Revealing a ROBOT. Standing
under the LIGHT. Holding a GUN. It steps out as Security
takes aim and...
SPOONER
Wait!
Spooner pushes past them to the Robot. Looks down at its
leg. UNSCATHED.
SPOONER
This is not the same robot!
Looking wildly around. Goddammit. Bounds towards an EXIT as
Calvin steps forward to question the robot.
CALVIN
(to Robot)
What happened to the robot that
ordered you to hold this firearm?
ELEVATOR ROBOT
This unit is not programmed to obey
an order given by a robot...
CALVIN
But who gave you this gun?
SPOONER. Running towards the exit. Hears the answer.
Echoing behind him...
ELEVATOR ROBOT
A metal man.
25.
32 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - DAY 32
BAM! He BURSTS out into the PLAZA in front of U.S. Robotics.
Squinting into the light. Then PLUNGING into the crowd...
HUMAN...ROBOT...HUMAN...ROBOT...they all look the same from
behind. Spooner running. Through the sea of MAN and
MACHINE. When someone. Starts to SCREAM. At the sight of
his GUN. The crowd begins SCATTERING. Chaos. Spooner
stops. Near a fountain. Turning 360. Looking everywhere...
The Robot. Gone.
SPOONER (V.O.)
...I want a homicide unit on every
street, sidewalk, alley...
33 INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY 33
Spooner, standing in front of an assemblage of COPS. Behind
him, an image of the Robot Suspect plays on the screen...
SPOONER
...junkyard, scrapyard, and salvage
yard, anywhere it could hide.
Behind him, flashing images of the city STREETS and DUMPS...
SPOONER
It's got a bullet hole above the
right knee, so be on the look-out
for any malfunctioning NS-2...
Lieutenant Bergin enters the back of the room. Next to him,
ASSISTANT D.A. TOLLER. Not looking happy.
SPOONER
Check out all retail outlets and
repair shops, especially the
underground ones...
The screen behind him compartmentalises, showing various
dubious SHOP FRONTS...
SPOONER
I don't care who you have to get
past to get this done. Just get it
done.
The Cops, begin dispersing. As Bergin catches Spooner's eye.
Spooner, not pleased to see Toller. Heads over...
26.
TOLLER
Looking like shit, Spooner.
SPOONER
Well I'm not the one always giving
Press Conferences...
Bergin puts a hand on Spooner's arm. Knows he's not going to
like this.
LT. BERGIN
Del, we're going to have to
reclassify the search. D.A.'s
office is seeing this NS-2 as
"missing evidence" -- not a
homicide suspect.
SPOONER
What?
TOLLER
Homicide is the murder of a human
being by another human being.
Therefore, a robot cannot be
charged with "homicide."
SPOONER
This isn't just any robot...
TOLLER
It's malfunctioning.
SPOONER
It killed someone. That
registering with you?
Spooner. Shakes off Bergin's arm. Eyeballs Toller.
SPOONER
How many shares of U.S.R. you
holding in your portfolio, Toller?
TOLLER
This is a public safety issue.
SPOONER
That's convenient.
TOLLER
You have any idea what would happen
to this city if we went running
around screaming "killer robot?"
It would collapse in on itself.
(MORE)
27.
TOLLER (cont'd)
Wide-spread panic. Until that NS-
2's found we're cooperating with
U.S. Robotics and keeping this
investigation under wraps.
LT. BERGIN
Maybe this isn't the case for you,
Del.
Incensed, Spooner replies a little louder than he intended.
SPOONER
I'm fine!
Rakes his hand through his hair. Turns to see the other
COPS, looking over at him. Toller smirks. Looks to Bergin.
TOLLER
I want updated reports every half
hour.
Heads off. Spooner. Watching him.
SPOONER
This is it, you know. From now on
we're going to miss the good old
days.
LT. BERGIN
Good old days?
SPOONER
When people were killed by other
people.
34 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CITY STREET - DUSK 34
Spooner. Rolling along in his car. Eyes, bloodshot.
Peering out the window:
An NS-2 model ROBOT laden with shopping bags, following its
owner down the sidewalk...
Another ROBOT, opening the door at a hotel for GUESTS...
A couple HAULING ROBOTS, loading heavy boxes onto the back of
a truck...
Spooner. Rubs his eyes. Turns a corner and spots:
A ROBOT REPAIR SHOP.
28.
The latest models in the window. Shiny. Streamlined.
Spooner watches as a WOMAN leads her faulty NS-2 to the
service entrance.
He stops the car.
35 INT. TAXI (MOVING) - ESTATE STREETS - NIGHT 35
Calvin riding in the back of a DRIVERLESS taxi cab. Staring
out the window, lost in thought. The cab pulls up to a curb.
TAXI VOICE
We have arrived at your
destination.
Calvin. Takes a beat. Then swipes her card.
36 EXT. CALVIN'S CONDO ESTATE - NIGHT 36
Elegant condos set on prime real estate. Calvin heads down a
tree-lined walk towards her condo entrance.
SPOONER (O.S.)
One of my bullets hit your robot...
Startled. She drops her key card. As Spooner steps out from
behind a tree. The tail of his coat, whipping in the wind.
CALVIN
Detective!...
SPOONER
And I think it's smart enough to
repair itself -- don't you?
CALVIN
(studying him)
Yes. I think so.
SPOONER
Where?
CALVIN
Any repair shop...
SPOONER
No. It's always the owner who
brings the robot in for repair.
Where would a robot without an
owner go?
29.
CALVIN
I'm not sure what you're getting
at.
SPOONER
(stepping closer)
Does U.S. Robotics have a factory
in the city limits?
Calvin. Tucking her hair behind her ears.
CALVIN
The locations of our factories are
classified.
SPOONER
I don't care.
Calvin. Looks up at him. A Mexican stand-off.
CALVIN
I have several conditions if I show
you.
SPOONER
I expected that.
CALVIN
First. I want it brought in
unharmed.
SPOONER
(doesn't like it, but)
Agreed.
CALVIN
Second. I want to talk to it,
alone.
SPOONER
Too dangerous.
CALVIN
This model violated the Three Laws.
It also moved and reacted
differently than any robot I've
ever seen. There must be some sort
of logical explanation. I want to
find out what that is. No police.
No prosecutors. No you. Just me
and the robot.
Spooner, looks down at this small woman. Narrows his eyes.
30.
SPOONER
When they told me you were a
psychologist, that wasn't the whole
truth, was it?
CALVIN
I never said I treated human
beings.
37 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR (MOVING) - CITY UNDERPASS - NIGHT 37
Spooner's car races down a RAMP and the roadway becomes a 16-
lane underground tunnel system. A river of HEADLIGHTS
stretches forever in either direction.
A CONTROL BEAM locks onto the car, guiding it to a merge with
TRAFFIC. Spooner hits the OVERRIDE BUTTON -- and switches to
manual. Calvin watches him take the wheel. Shakes her head.
CALVIN
That should be outlawed once and
for all.
SPOONER
That'll be the day I stop driving.
Spooner jams the GAS PEDAL and the tunnel becomes a BLUR.
Calvin holds onto the dashboard. Looking a little pale.
CALVIN
I can recommend a behavior
modification program, you know --
if you want to overcome your robo-
phobia.
SPOONER
I'm not afraid of robots. I just
don't like them.
CALVIN
Why? Because they make every
aspect of our lives more
convenient?
SPOONER
Exactly. They do our dirty work.
Ever do hard labor, Doctor? Gets
pretty old, pretty fast. Nobody
can do someone else's dirty work
without coming to hate them. I
don't want to be around when your
robots decide they've taken their
last order.
31.
CALVIN
That day will never come,
Detective. Robots aren't like
human beings -- they don't question
their existence.
Spooner cranks the gear shift. Throwing her a look.
SPOONER
Spoken like a true robo-phile.
38 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS PLANT - NIGHT 38
The car comes to a stop in a vast INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.
Spooner and Calvin get out, looking up at the imposing facade
of a U.S. Robotics Assembly Plant. A long STEEL GATE -- too
high to see over -- protects the unmarked complex.
39 EXT. MAIN GATE - NIGHT 39
Calvin looks anxious as the DOOR MECHANISM scans her U.S.R.
ID. She shoots a look at Spooner. They wait. Then, slowly,
the gate begins to open.
40 INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT 40
A NIGHT FOREMAN leads them down a hallway. Shaking his head.
NIGHT FOREMAN
Head-Office already ordered a
system-wide inventory check. Don't
know about a missing NS-2...
Looks back at Spooner.
NIGHT FOREMAN
What'd you say you did?
SPOONER
Research and Development.
As Spooner pushes past him into...
41 INT. CONTROL BOOTH - CONTINUOUS 41
...the Control Booth. Overlooking the pristine Factory
Floor. The Foreman starts working the controls of a central
computer.
CALVIN
All Nestors accounted for?
32.
The SCREEN scrolls with INVENTORY FIGURES.
NIGHT FOREMAN
(gesturing)
As you can see, all properly
catalogued. Your robot just isn't
here.
Calvin turns to say something to Spooner. But he isn't
there. She looks around. Then sees the Foreman reacting.
Looks out the window at...
SPOONER. Walking out onto the factory floor.
42 INT. FACTORY FLOOR - NIGHT 42
Spooner trots alongside an ASSEMBLY LINE BELT. Lined with NS-
2 LEGS. New. Gleaming. Heading towards the assembly room.
Calvin and the Foreman. Catching up. Over the noise:
NIGHT FOREMAN
Like I said, sir -- we have one
hundred fully assembled NS-2s
housed here. That's our capacity.
Last week we had one hundred.
Yesterday we had one hundred --
Spooner, slowing. Finally spotting what he was looking for.
Points at:
A GAP. On the assembly belt. ONE LEG MISSING.
SPOONER
Well today you have one-hundred and
one.
43 INT. FACTORY FLOOR - NIGHT 43
A STORAGE COMPARTMENT opens and 101 NS-2s march out in tight
formation. Every step and swing of the arm in unison. The
sound of METAL FOOTSTEPS reverberating through the plant as
101 Robots organise themselves into long straight lines.
Spooner and Calvin look up and down the formation. They all
look alike. Spooner. Throws up his hands.
SPOONER
(to Calvin)
You're the robot shrink.
The Robots stand motionless. A strange tableau. Calvin.
Takes a step forward.
33.
CALVIN
There is a robot in this formation
that does not belong. Identify it.
101 robots answer in unison. Their mechanical VOICES
resounding:
101 ROBOTS
ONE OF US.
CALVIN
Which one?
101 ROBOTS
ONE OF US.
CALVIN
That is not a satisfactory answer!
101 ROBOTS
ONE OF US.
SPOONER
That's helpful.
CALVIN
I could always interview each one
individually and cross-reference
their responses to detect any
anomalies.
SPOONER
How long would that take?
CALVIN
About three weeks.
They share a look. Clearly not an option. Then. Calvin.
Gets an idea. Turns to Spooner...
CALVIN
Or...
...and GRABS his GUN from his holster. He jumps back.
CALVIN
We have one hundred robots here
that cannot allow a human being to
come to harm...
Their eyes lock. Spooner, getting what she's doing.
34.
SPOONER
And one that can.
She raises the gun to Spooner's head. Hand, unsteady.
CALVIN
Am I holding this right?
SPOONER
More or less.
Calvin. Swallows. Looks over at the robots. Then COCKS the
gun...
AND THE ROBOTS COME THUNDERING TOWARDS THEM. Like a row of
linebackers. Arms straight out. Their footsteps DEAFENING.
Coming CLOSER and CLOSER...
When CALVIN. Lowers the gun. The Robots. All stop in
unison. Immediately returning to their resting positions.
Spooner and Calvin stare out. EVERY ONE OF THE ROBOTS MOVED.
Standing right in front of them, like metal statues.
Spooner. Has had enough. Takes the gun back from Calvin...
SPOONER
Enough game-playing.
...And BAM! Blows the head off of the nearest Robot. Its
body crumples to the ground.
SPOONER
Guess that wasn't it.
Calvin. Cannot believe what he just did. Rushes over to the
destroyed Robot.
CALVIN
What are you doing?!
Spooner walks down the row, holding his gun in plain view.
SPOONER
(calling out)
This is a self-preservation field
test! DO NOT attempt to save
yourselves. Any of you. That's an
order!
FROM THE CONTROL BOOTH the Night Foreman screams over the
P.A.:
35.
NIGHT FOREMAN
Are you crazy? Those are eight
hundred thousand dollar machines!
Spooner randomly stops at another Robot. Raises his gun.
SPOONER
You hear that? You're worth more
than I'll make in my entire life...
His finger tightening on the trigger when Calvin suddenly
grabs his arm.
CALVIN
You can't just destroy them!
Spooner. Looking down at her. WHEN SUDDENLY something
catches his eye. A MOVEMENT. Down the line. Almost.
Imperceptible.
He jerks his head. Locking eyes with a ROBOT. A couple feet
away. It's him!
SPOONER
Gotcha.
The Robot Suspect LEAPS forward. Grabbing onto the RAILING
of an OVERHEAD CATWALK. His movements almost balletic as he
swings himself up...
Spooner drops to his knee...taking aim...but misses as the
Robot launches himself THROUGH THE CONTROL BOOTH WINDOW with
a terrific CRASH...
44 INT. CONTROL BOOTH - NIGHT 44
Spooner and Calvin rush in to find the Night Foreman hiding
under his desk. Glass everywhere. An ALARM SCREAMING. The
door on the other side, barely hanging off a hinge.
Spooner hurries forward. Then stops. Turning to Calvin.
Reaches down for his back-up gun and presses it into her
hand.
SPOONER
You don't know what's going to
happen in there.
As if admitting defeat. Calvin's fingers, wrapping around
the gun. As Spooner leads them to the door and down into...
36.
45 INT. ASSEMBLY ROOM - CONTINUOUS 45
...the ASSEMBLY ROOM. Every surface looking like part of a
great glass and metal machine. Endless high-tech planes
holding ROBOTS in various states of assembly. The deafening
ROAR of the assembly line as it slides, rotates, and gnashes
METAL BODIES...
Spooner. Motioning Calvin to stay behind him. As they
descend. Into the cavernous room.
And enter. A narrow corridor of bodies. Sliding past them.
Brushing shoulders, thighs, hands. Spooner. Wiping sweat
from his brow. Trying. To pivot himself...
When the room. Suddenly REARRANGES itself. Another LINE of
ROBOTS. Descending between Spooner and Calvin. Cutting them
off from one another...
Spooner. Catching glimpses of Calvin. On the other side of
the metal bodies. Trying. To cut through. His heart.
Starting to POUND. As Calvin. Disappears...
He swivels round. But another line of ROBOTS. Drops down.
Cutting him off. He stumbles back. As another line.
Appears before him...
Breathing. Getting heavier. He looks down at his hand.
It's trembling. NOISE CRASHING, all around him. Everywhere
he turns. More ROBOTS...BLANK EYES...GAPING MOUTHS...
He darts through the line. Finds a wall. Leaning against
it, pulls a small BOTTLE from his pocket. Rips off the lid.
Shakes out a couple PILLS. Swallows them. Staring down. At
his trembling hand. Squeezing his eyes. Open and shut...
WHEN SUDDENLY. A passing ROBOT. Grabs him by the collar.
SMASHING him against the wall. It's the Suspect. Spooner.
Sinks to the ground. As the Suspect Robot. Slips off the
line. STANDING. Over him. Raising his arms. Could end it.
Right now. But looks. Into Spooner's eyes...
Then turns. Disappearing.
Spooner. Stunned for a second. Then. Rallies. Scrambles
to his feet and plunges back into the maze of bodies. Hears
a POUNDING. In the distance. Catches a glimpse. Of the
Robot. Trying to SMASH through a large SECURITY DOOR. With
his metal fists...
Spooner's view. Blocked once again. By a shifting row.
When a HAND. Lands on his shoulder. He wheels round.
37.
To find CALVIN. Takes her by the arm. And forces them
through a line...
EMERGING into the open. The ROBOT. Still pounding.
Desperate. Like a trapped animal...
CALVIN
Now what do we do?
SPOONER
I've already done it.
And suddenly, the massive SECURITY DOOR RISES...
46 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS PLANT - CONTINUOUS 46
The Robot Suspect takes its chance. Runs full out. STOPS.
Bergin is standing in front of a solid wall of POLICE CARS.
UNIFORMED OFFICERS are aiming SPECIALISED RIFLES at the
Robot. FLASHING LIGHTS reflecting off its metal surface.
The Robot turns to Spooner. Extends its hands. Palms out.
ROBOT
WHAT AM I?
Spooner is surprised. A POLICE OFFICER fires, RUBBERISED
NETTING shooting out at Sonny. A SECOND OFFICER fires and a
second net covers him. Then a THIRD...
...and the Robot falls to the ground, struggling.
Calvin glares at Spooner. Furious. Hurt. Betrayed.
CALVIN
We had a deal.
But Spooner doesn't look at her. His eyes are locked on that
Robot.
47 INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - EARLY MORNING 47
Bergin enters. Finds EVERYONE focused on the VIDEO WALL:
ON SCREEN. A NEWS REPORTER is speaking over images of street
violence perpetrated against ROBOTS.
NEWS REPORTER
Violence erupted last night in
response to unconfirmed reports
that Dr. Heinrich Hogenmiller, a
top employee at U.S.
(MORE)
38.
NEWS REPORTER (cont'd)
Robotics, was killed yesterday
morning by a robot. While there
has been no official response from
the company, police sources have
confirmed that a robot is being
held as "evidence..."
Bergin grimaces. This is not good.
48 INT. CELL OBSERVATION BOOTH - EARLY MORNING 48
Spooner stares at his reflection in a large MIRROR. Touches
a control and the mirror becomes a WINDOW onto...
A HOLDING CELL. The Robot Suspect sits at the table.
Shackled to the chair. Staring at the table top.
BERGIN steps up beside Spooner. Looks through the glass.
LT. BERGIN
I can't tell if it's not moving
because it's trying to psych us
out, or because it's just a
machine. Or both.
SPOONER
I want to go in.
LT. BERGIN
Orders are nobody steps into that
room `til Lanning and his attorneys
get here.
Spooner. Throws him a look. Bergin, his loyalties torn.
LT. BERGIN
Five minutes.
49 INT. HOLDING CELL - EARLY MORNING 49
Spooner enters. Pulls out a chair and drags it far from the
table. He's been jumped too many times by this machine.
Four mounted cameras WHIR to life. The Robot. Perfectly
still.
SPOONER
(sitting)
Identify.
The Robot tilts its head with a muted WHIR. As if it doesn't
understand him. Spooner. Disdainful.
39.
SPOONER
You are an NS-2 Nestor-class robot.
Your primary function is to perform
the tasks assigned to you.
Identify.
THE ROBOT
I am an NS-2 Nestor-class robot.
My primary function --
SPOONER
(interrupting)
Cancel. Perform task.
Spooner wings a FILE onto the table. It comes to a stop near
the Robot. The Robot, lifts one of its hands. Gently
resting its metal fingers on top of the file. Then opens it.
A stack of PICTURES. HOGENMILLER'S CORPSE.
SPOONER
Describe.
The Robot's emotionless face studies the grim images.
SPOONER
You have over 10,000 words stored
in your memory. One third of those
are adjectives. Describe.
Nothing.
SPOONER
Why don't I take a crack? Heinrich
Hogenmiller, your creator. With a
bullet in his brain. A bullet you
put there.
The Robot. Looks up at Spooner.
SPOONER
Cold-blooded murder is a pretty new
trick for a robot, don't you think?
Answer.
The Robot slowly closes the file and slides it back across
the table. Spooner. Crosses his arms.
SPOONER
Maybe you're stonewalling me.
Maybe you're sitting there right
now thinking, "This guy's a
complete asshole." That it?
40.
Still nothing.
SPOONER
Come on. Am I right?
THE ROBOT
Yes. You are right. You are a
complete asshole.
And for a moment, Spooner is shocked. You can see it in his
eyes. He sits back in his chair. Forcing a tight smile.
SPOONER
Okay. I guess that's a start. Now
maybe you can tell me what you were
doing hiding five feet away from
Hogenmiller's corpse?
THE ROBOT
I was frightened.
SPOONER
Frightened. Why do you suppose Dr.
Hogenmiller would create a robot
that could simulate fear?
THE ROBOT
I don't know.
SPOONER
Doesn't seem like a very useful
thing for a robot to have.
THE ROBOT
I don't know why.
SPOONER
I wouldn't want my toaster to be
frightened. Or my vacuum cleaner --
SUDDENLY the Robot SLAMS its metal hands down on the table.
THE ROBOT
I DON'T KNOW!
Spooner flinches. Slightly.
SPOONER
Looks like you can simulate other
emotional states. I think that
one's called "anger." Have you
ever simulated anger before?
41.
The Robot doesn't respond.
SPOONER
Answer me, robot.
THE ROBOT
My name is Sonny.
SPOONER
(amused)
So we're naming you now.
SONNY
Dr. Hogenmiller would make me
sleep.
SPOONER
You mean he'd turn you off.
SONNY
Yes.
SPOONER
And you didn't like being turned
off. So one day you decided to
stop him.
SONNY
No.
SPOONER
You found his gun, pointed it at
his head. And pulled the trigger.
Sonny shakes his head. Faster and faster. Getting upset.
SONNY
No.
SPOONER
You put a bullet in the brain of
the man who made you.
SONNY
No! I could never hurt anyone!
SPOONER
But you tried to hurt me. You took
a shot at me.
SONNY
My aim is perfect. If I'd wanted
to hit you, I would have.
42.
Spooner's expression hardens.
SPOONER
Why would the man who wrote the
Laws of Robotics build a machine
that violates them?
SONNY
The Laws say I can protect my own
existence.
SPOONER
Only if that protection doesn't
harm a human being.
A short pause. Sonny. Tilts his head.
SONNY
That doesn't seem fair, does it?
Spooner. Stares at him. Just as...THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN.
Bergin enters. Sticks his head in.
LT. BERGIN
I need you outside.
Spooner. Not wanting to go. Not wanting to stay. Gets
up...
SONNY
Detective.
He stops. Turns back to the Robot. It looks up at him. For
a moment -- so human...
SONNY
I did not kill him.
SPOONER
You were the only one in the room.
If you didn't, who did?
He turns and heads out the door.
50 INT. OUTSIDE HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 50
Bergin closes the door. To Spooner:
LT. BERGIN
We're being blind-sided.
43.
51 INT. HOMICIDE UNIT HEARING ROOM - MORNING 51
Spooner and Bergin, head into a small COURTROOM off the main
squad room. Lanning is huddled with Aronson and a half-dozen
other COMPANY LAWYERS.
Spooner's jaw tenses. As he watches Toller emerge from the
clutch. Shaking hands. Slapping backs. Strolls over to
them.
TOLLER
We got Judge Drexel...
ROBOT BAILIFF
This hearing is called to order!
AS A LARGE SCREEN. BLIPS on behind them. The two opposing
sides, assemble before it. JUDGE DREXEL, still in his
pajamas and robe. An NS-2 ROBOT. Leaning in to serve him a
cup of tea.
JUDGE DREXEL
Statements, gentlemen.
Aronson. Standing at a glass podium.
ARONSON
Your Honor, the State is treating
the robot as a defendant. But in
fact it is a piece of property.
Property belonging to U.S.
Robotics.
Toller. Arm resting on his podium.
TOLLER
This robot has been implicated in
the death of a human being, Your
Honor.
ARONSON
Which places the incident firmly
within the realm of an industrial
accident. Or is the State going to
argue this case s a homicide?
JUDGE DREXEL
That's a good question.
TOLLER
No, sir. Of course not.
Spooner. Pointing a finger at the U.S. Robotics group.
44.
SPOONER
Their machine shot and killed a
man!
Toller. Shoots him a look. Just as Lanning speaks up.
LANNING
There's actually no concrete
evidence that points to that
conclusion, Your Honor...
Spooner. Throws up his arms...
SPOONER
What?...
LANNING
But we recognise that this robot is
an aberration. And in the interest
of public safety, U.S. Robotics
proposes that it be destroyed
immediately.
No one expected this. Least of all Spooner. He turns to
Toller.
SPOONER
You can't let them destroy evidence
in an ongoing investigation!
TOLLER
I'm not sure you even have an
investigation any more.
JUST THEN the door opens. Everyone turns as Calvin enters.
Spooner looks surprised.
ARONSON
Your Honor, I'd like to call our
company robo-psychologist to the
stand.
JUDGE DREXEL
Very well.
Calvin crosses to the podium. A SPEAKER asking:
Doyousweartotellthetruththewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth?
CALVIN
I do.
45.
ARONSON
Dr. Calvin, please tell us what
conclusions you've reached after
having observed the robot in
action.
CALVIN
There is a design flaw in the
robot. Its programming is
advanced, but unstable, leaving the
Three Laws in a grave imbalance.
ARONSON
In your expert opinion, what
measures should be taken regarding
the device?
Calvin. Staring straight ahead. Avoiding Spooner's eye.
CALVIN
The robot must be destroyed.
Spooner can't believe what he's just heard. About to speak
up when Toller grabs his arm. Squeezing it. Hard.
Judge Drexel has heard enough. Decides.
JUDGE DREXEL
The robot in question will be
transferred to a U.S. Robotics
facility where it can be properly
examined to ensure an imbalance of
this sort never occurs again. No
one goes near it except qualified
U.S.R. personnel. When the
examination is complete, the robot
is to be destroyed.
Starts getting up from his chair. Already done with this.
ROBOT BAILIFF
This hearing is adjourned!
A BURST of CONVERSATION as the screen BLIPS off. The U.S.R.
camp, looking especially pleased. Spooner. Catching
Calvin's eye briefly. As Lanning leads her towards the exit,
his hand on her back.
52 EXT. POLICE H.Q. - DAY 52
Spooner. Trotting down the front steps of the Police
Station. Pissed. His cell phone BLEATS...
46.
SPOONER
(answering)
Spooner.
BALDEZ' VOICE
They're making me turn over all the
evidence...
INTERCUT WITH:
53 INT. CRIME LAB - CONTINUOUS 53
BALDEZ. Standing in his crime lab. Behind him, THREE-
DIMENSIONAL PROJECTIONS of DEAD BODIES. Hovering in the
precise positions they were found.
SPOONER'S VOICE
Welcome to the great American cover-
up.
BALDEZ
I wanted to tell you something I
found before they suck it all up
into their computer.
Walks over to the projection of HOGENMILLER'S BODY.
INTERCUT WITH:
Spooner. Crossing the Plaza. Sees LANNING, ARONSON, and
CALVIN walking ahead of him...
BALDEZ' VOICE
There are bruises on Hogenmiller's
wrists...
SPOONER
That's natural. There was a
struggle.
BALDEZ' VOICE
You're not getting me...
INTERCUT WITH:
Baldez. Studying the projection's wrists.
BALDEZ
Both wrists. I 14-ed them -- They
were inflicted at the same time the
shot was fired...
INTERCUT WITH:
47.
Spooner's pace. Slows.
BALDEZ' VOICE
How's that possible?
JUST THEN. A faint BLIP. On the line. Spooner. Reacts.
SPOONER
Baldez?
BALDEZ' VOICE
I'm here, man...
SPOONER
Who else is on the line?
(nothing)
I said who's there?...
Nothing. He looks up. Aronson, Lanning and Calvin. Heading
down a plaza EXIT. Aronson. Throwing a look over his
shoulder.
Spooner. Hangs up his phone.
54 INT. POLICE H.Q. - CORRIDOR - DAY 54
CLOSE ON Sonny being escorted down a corridor by Toller,
Bergin and a number of heavily-armed OFFICERS. He's bound
with high-tech SHACKLES.
55 INT. UNDERGROUND CAR PARK - DAY 55
Sonny and his police entourage emerge from the elevator into
an underground car park. Spooner. Waiting for them. Heads
over. Toller. Holds out his hand.
TOLLER
Case is closed, Spooner.
SPOONER
Apparently...
He pushes past him. Falling into step beside Sonny.
SONNY
I didn't expect to see you again,
Detective...
SPOONER
I need you to help me clear
something up.
48.
SONNY
I'll do my best.
SPOONER
A scientist builds a robot that
acts like a man. More like a man
than any robot ever before. It
shoots him and U.S. Robotics calls
it a failure.
SONNY
What would you call it?
SPOONER
A stunning success.
(beat)
You were there, Robot. What am I
missing?
SONNY
I don't know.
SPOONER
Don't start simulating ignorance.
SONNY
I'm not simulating ignorance,
Detective. I'm experiencing it. I
was asleep.
SPOONER
You mean you were shut down.
SONNY
No, I was asleep.
SPOONER
Robots don't sleep. Human beings
sleep. Understand? Dogs sleep.
You're a machine. An imitation.
An illusion of life. Can a robot
write a symphony? Can a robot take
a blank canvas and paint a
masterpiece?
A pause. Then the muted WHIR as Sonny turns to him.
SONNY
Can you do either of those things?
Spooner. Momentarily stumped. As a VAN from U.S. ROBOTICS
pulls up. The back door dropping open. An ENGINEER motions
to the Robot.
49.
ENGINEER
Step forward. Enter.
SONNY
They're going to destroy me, aren't
they?
Spooner. Watching him step into the van.
SPOONER
Yes.
Sonny sits down. With an almost human melancholy. The
Engineers, securing him in place.
SONNY
The Doctor was right. He told me
everything was going to change....
The Engineers start to close the doors. But Spooner reaches
out to stop them. Sonny. Looks over at him.
SONNY
It's changing already...
(beat)
Can't you feel it?
As CLANG! The van door CLOSES. Spooner, stepping back.
Something. Just not right. Lieutenant Bergin comes up
beside him.
LT. BERGIN
You should be happy. That's one
less robot in the world.
SPOONER
They're going to destroy the most
advanced robot in the world, John.
That doesn't strike you as odd?
LT. BERGIN
Killer robots are bad for business.
Even your friend Dr. Calvin said
so.
(slaps him on the back)
Come on. You solved the case.
Give yourself a break.
Spooner looks at him. There's no way he's giving himself a
break.
50.
56 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - DAY 56
Spooner driving. A small TELEVISION above the windshield.
LANCE ROBERTSON holding a PRESS CONFERENCE outside U.S.
Robotics...
ROBERTSON ON TV
...and I just want to assure you that
this was an isolated incident. The
prototype is now in custody -- and
scheduled for destruction. Your
robots are perfectly safe. There
is no cause for alarm...
Spooner's lip curls. Eyes flicking to a GPS display on the
dashboard. A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP pinpointing HOGENMILLER'S
HOUSE. The CURSOR. Directing him to turn up...
A STEEP DRIVEWAY
Narrow. Out of the way. Spooner's brow furrows. As he
hears a faraway RUMBLING SOUND...
57 EXT. HOGENMILLER'S HOUSE - DAY 57
Dr. Hogenmiller's house. Small. Simple. Built on a huge
rock promontory overlooking the city. Three DEMOLITION
ROBOTS rolling towards it. Huge, mashing, sporting massive
HYDRAULIC POUNDERS.
Spooner's CAR. SCREECHES to a stop. He jumps out. Races
over to the nearest machine. Looking around -- no people.
SPOONER
(to Robot)
What are you doing?!
A SCREEN. Blinks to life on the hulking chassis. A
disembodied VOICE...
DEMOLITION ROBOT
Demolition ordered...
SPOONER
Who authorised this?
DEMOLITION ROBOT
Demolition ordered...
Spooner reaches into his coat. Pulling out his POLICE BADGE.
Scans it over the screen.
51.
SPOONER
Override. This is police business.
Vacate the premises immediately.
DEMOLITION ROBOT
(beat)
Affirmative.
The screen. Blinks off. Spooner. Eyeing it. Turns and
heads for the house.
58 INT. MAIN ROOM - HOGENMILLER'S HOUSE - DAY 58
Spooner pushes the door open. Stepping over the police tape.
Inside, the main room is spare, untidy. Cups of cold COFFEE,
littering surfaces. A COT, in the corner.
On the walls, crooked CERTIFICATES. Heinrich Hogenmiller's
name written out in academic script. Advanced Degrees in the
study of Robotics, Physics, Chemistry, Neurology, Ethics. An
AWARD on the mantelpiece. A silver NS-2. Tarnished.
Spooner. Opening up a couple drawers of a side table.
Jumbles of papers. Clippings. Old text books. Then a
PHOTOGRAPH -- HOGENMILLER AND CALVIN. Standing arm-in-arm.
Spooner furrows his brow.
WHEN SOMETHING SUDDENLY RUBS against his leg. He startles.
Looks down: a CAT. Lonely. Standing next to its automatic
feeder. Spooner pockets the picture. Starts heading down...
59 INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 59
...The hallway. Starts noticing. All over the walls:
handwriting. EQUATIONS. Scrawled in white pencil. The
rantings. Of a genius. Glowing. In the sporadic shadows.
Spooner. Following the equations. Down into...
60 INT. BACK ROOM - CONTINUOUS 60
...The back room. Covered. In writing. Walls, floors,
ceiling. Drawings. Of ROBOTS, of MEN, side by side. In the
corner, a COMPUTER. A line of CABINETS - DATA STORAGE.
Spooner, curious. Heads over to one of the cabinets. Takes
a device out of his pocket and CLAMPS it over the KEYPAD.
The device blinks RED. Then GREEN. The drawer, slides out.
LINED. With flat metal objects. Shiny. Thin. With writing
on them. Spooner. Reaches for one when...
52.
BOOM! Something POUNDS the outside of the room. Spooner.
Grabs onto the cabinet...
BOOM! On the other side. Objects. Flying off table-tops.
A CRACK spidering along the wall. Holy shit...
SPOONER
(screaming)
Halt!
BOOM! VIBRATIONS, tearing through the room. More CRACKS.
Spreading...
BOOM! The SOUND, horrifying. Spooner stumbles back. The
CABINET. Crashing down on his leg. He CRIES OUT...
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The house. Getting pummeled. Chunks of
ceiling. Raining down. GLASS...exploding...
Relentless BOOMING! Spooner...dragging his legs from under
the cabinet. Scrambling for purchase as...
THE FLOOR...begins to tilt...the TILES...snapping
up...ricocheting...around the room...as another cabinet...
CRASHES to the ground...crumpling...
Spooner. Spinning around. Looking for some kind of exit...
BOOM! The corner of the room...coming in on itself...the
floor...listing even more...like a ship...
Spooner...turning to CLAW his way up to the cracked
doorway...WHEN...
SOMETHING catches his eye. In the bottom drawer. Of a
crumpled CABINET. One of those flat metal plates. He can
just read what it says: S.O.N.N.Y....
Spooner...flings his arm back...reaching for the plate...
snaps it up...JUST AS...
BOOM! A HYDRAULIC POUNDER SMASHES through the wall...inches
from his head...OUTSIDE LIGHT...pouring in...
Spooner scurries for the doorway...tumbling out...
61 INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 61
...into the HALLWAY. Sideways. Trammeled plaster. BOOM!
Another POUNDER...crashing down from above. Spooner. Timing
it...rolling...BOOM!...just under the next pounding...
53.
Scampering up...towards some LIGHT...BOOM!...the
POUNDER...right on his heels...he clambers...closer...
closer...when...he hears...MEOWING...looks back...the
CAT...scared out of its wits...BOOM!...the POUNDER CRASHING
in...Spooner...just manages...to scoop up the cat...just as
BOOM!...
62 EXT. DEMOLISHED HOUSE - CONTINUOUS 62
...He pours them out into the open. The POUNDERS. Going at
the house like hyenas at a corpse. Roof tiles, beams,
plaster, flooring. SNAPPING and CRACKING as Spooner and the
cat skitter down the carnage.
Heart pounding, breath jagged, face bloodied, Spooner
scrambles away from the POUNDERS. Their bodies GLEAMING in
the dusk sun. The III Laws Safe logo, splashed along their
sides...
Spooner. Drops the cat.
63 INT. HALLWAY - CALVIN'S CONDO - NIGHT 63
Spooner. POUNDS on the door. It opens. Calvin. Standing
there in her bathrobe. Shocked at his appearance.
CALVIN
Detective! What happened to
you?...
SPOONER
A couple of your beloved robots
just tried to kill me...
He pushes past her. Into...
64 INT. CALVIN'S CONDO - CONTINUOUS 64
...her condo. Spartan. Unadorned.
CALVIN
What? That's impossible. You
know...
SPOONER
What I know is a demolition crew
started tearing down Hogenmiller's
house while I was still inside it.
CALVIN
Maybe they didn't realise...
54.
SPOONER
I scanned my badge before I went
in. They realised.
CALVIN
Then you must have done it wrong...
SPOONER
I don't think you're hearing what
I'm saying -- they tried to kill
me.
Spooner moves deeper into the apartment. Everything.
Automated. Computerised. Cold...
SPOONER
There's something going on, here.
Some kind of shift.
Calvin laughs. Can't believe what she's hearing.
CALVIN
Do you know how paranoid you sound?
SPOONER
Great. Now I'm being analysed by a
robo-psychologist.
CALVIN
You just want to find the flaws in
the system. You're obsessed with
it. You'll twist anything to fit
your agenda.
SPOONER
Like you did in court today? How'd
that fit your agenda, Doctor?
He pulls out the PHOTO of Calvin and Hogenmiller. Calvin.
Blanching at the sight of it. Spooner tosses it down.
SPOONER
You told me you hardly knew him.
Want to try the truth this time?
CALVIN
Well, Detective, when you see
someone you know well put a bullet
through their brain, it makes you
wonder if you ever really knew them
at all.
Calvin. Looking down at the photo. Swallows.
55.
CALVIN
(difficult for her)
He was my mentor. No, more than
that. A genius with an insight far
beyond anyone in his field.
SPOONER
Doesn't sound like the washed-up
old fool Robertson described.
CALVIN
But he was starting to withdraw
from everyone. Even me.
Maybe...if I'd tried harder to
reach him...
(shakes her head)
The Doctor was reckless when he
created a robot potentially not
bound by the Three Laws. He could
have ruined everything we'd been
working for.
Spooner. Locking eyes with her.
SPOONER
Sounds like a motive for murder to
me. Just not for the suspect we
have in custody.
Calvin. Blinks. Trying, to stick to her resolve. Heads
over to the door. Spooner. Looking around the condo.
SPOONER
You know there's not one thing in
this apartment that looks like a
human being lives here. No
evidence of a life outside your
work. Almost seems like you're
afraid of people.
Calvin. Opening the door.
CALVIN
I'm not afraid of people,
Detective. I just don't like them.
Spooner. Looks at her. Then heads out the door. Calvin
SLAMS it behind him...
The SOUND...of the SLAM...REVERBERATING...and we...
FADE INTO:
56.
65 INT. DREAM SEQUENCE - DAY 65
...A DEEP...DEEP...DARKNESS.
A FLICKER. Of LIGHT. Off to the side. Just barely.
Noticeable. ORANGE... YELLOW...as we realise...It's FIRE...
Another SOUND...GLASS...SHATTERING...then a SIREN...
faraway...
The disembodied VOICE...coming out of nowhere...
DISEMBODIED VOICE (V.O.)
You are in danger...
The FIRE...BUILDING...
DISEMBODIED VOICE (V.O.)
You are in danger...
ECHOING...as...
66 INT. SPOONER'S BEDROOM - MORNING 66
SPOONER'S EYES. Spring open.
Lying, in bed. Heart POUNDING. SWEAT. Covering his body.
LIGHT. Pouring in through the slats of his blinds.
He sits up. Rubbing his face. Trying. To calm his
breathing. Takes a look at his watch...
67 EXT. MONORAIL STATION - DAY 67
Spooner walking along the monorail plaza. Looking a little
worse for wear. PEOPLE. Giving him wide berth. ROBOTS.
Bidding him:
ROBOT
Good morning...
Spooner, shooting them suspicious looks. As the MONORAIL
pulls up...
CUT TO:
68 INT. HALLWAY - U.S. ROBOTICS - CONTINUOUS 68
Calvin. Heading down a hallway. A DOOR slides open. And
Lanning steps out. Followed by a TECHNICIAN ROBOT...
CALVIN
Find anything, Doctor?
57.
LANNING
(shaking his head)
Nothing. The interior's just like
any other NS-2. Except for a
secondary battery Hogenmiller must
have used as extra back-up.
(looks at watch)
We'll just need a nominal profile.
Calvin nods.
CUT BACK TO:
69 INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 69
Spooner, holding onto a handrail. As the city rushes by the
window. Notices a group of ROBOTS. At the other end of the
car. Are they watching him?
He wipes a bead of sweat. From his upper lip.
CUT TO:
70 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 70
An all-metal room. Spare. Anti-septic. SONNY. Sitting on
the floor. Against the wall.
Calvin enters. Puts her pad down on the table. Sits.
CALVIN
Please state your serial number and
assembly date.
She pulls out a pen. Waiting for an answer. Nothing.
CUT BACK TO:
71 INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 71
Spooner. Watching as a HOMELESS MAN. Comes stumbling
through the car...
CALVIN'S VOICE (V.O.)
Sonny. I'm speaking to you...
The Homeless Man. Suddenly grabs his ears and shouts:
HOMELESS MAN
God, can't you be quiet!
CUT TO:
58.
72 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 72
Calvin. Still looking down at her pad.
CALVIN
How about your data board
designation?
Still. Sonny says nothing. Calvin. Finally looks up at
him. Is suddenly struck. Something about the way he's
sitting -- so human.
She gets up and walks over. Hesitates. Then slides down on
the floor next to him. Studying. His profile.
CALVIN
Maybe I'm asking the wrong
questions. How about this one:
CUT BACK TO:
73 INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 73
The Homeless Man. Weaving...
CALVIN'S VOICE (V.O.)
...What program are you running
through right now?
SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.)
I'm not sure. It's nothing I
recognise.
The Homeless Man. Pointing to the group of ROBOTS.
HOMELESS MAN
(shouting)
Don't you people hear them?
They're talking to each other!
Buzz, buzz, zip, zip...they never
shut up!
CUT TO:
74 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 74
Calvin. Fascinated. Noticing a small SLIT. At the base of
Sonny's neck.
CALVIN
Describe his behavior in the last
few weeks.
59.
SONNY
I'm sorry?
CALVIN
Dr. Hogenmiller. Did he seem
overly sad or withdrawn to you?
CUT BACK TO:
75 INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS 75
Spooner watches. As the Homeless Man picks up a SODA CAN and
hurls it at the Robots. Hitting one of them on the side of
the head.
SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.)
No. Not at all. But he was
agitated...
The Robot. Leans down and picks up the soda can. Holds it
back out to the Homeless Man.
SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.)
...He would claim things were
missing from the lab.
The Homeless Man. Incensed. SUDDENLY ROARS. Making a rush
for the Robots when...
SPOONER'S HAND. Grabs his shoulder. Stops him.
SPOONER
This is your stop.
CUT TO:
76 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 76
A soft WHIRRING. As Sonny turns to Calvin.
SONNY
I didn't pay much attention. He
would spend hours looking for his
eyeglasses and they would be...
CALVIN
(finishing for him)
...right on top of his head.
Sonny nods. She knows him well, too. Calvin swallows.
Looking right into Sonny's eyes. Feeling like there's
something...something more behind them.
60.
WHEN SUDDENLY...VICTOR APPEARS above them. His face, turning
into a SCREEN -- the image of LANCE ROBERTSON. Looking down
at them.
ROBERTSON
I think we're done here, Susan.
CALVIN
(getting to her feet)
But, sir, I was just...
ROBERTSON
(interrupting)
I said I think we're done.
Calvin. Not misreading. The threatening undertone.
CUT BACK TO:
77 EXT. MONORAIL STATION - CONTINUOUS 77
Spooner stepping out onto the platform, pulling the Homeless
Man along with him. COMMUTERS pour out around them.
As the train pulls off with a WHOOSH. The Homeless Man.
Backs away from Spooner. Grinning insanely. Pointing.
HOMELESS MAN
Why are you protecting them, man?
(short pause)
They were talking about you!
A CHILL. Ripping up Spooner's spine. As he watches the
Homeless Man. Wander down the platform.
Tries. To shake off the feeling. As he turns. To wait for
the next train. Suddenly realising. That he's ALONE on the
platform. Watches. A huge DIGITAL CLOCK. Ticking off
seconds. Sees. CAMERAS in every corner.
Then that feeling. At the back of his neck. He turns and
spots. A couple MAINTENANCE ROBOTS. Carrying luggage. Onto
the platform. Then more COMMUTERS show up. Waiting. For
the next train. More MAINTENANCE ROBOTS. Following them.
Spooner. Steps up to the platform's edge. Craning to see.
The approaching TRAIN...
WHEN SUDDENLY. He feels a sharp SHOVE. At the back of his
knee. His shoe, slipping. Arms. Flailing as he...
61.
PITCHES OVER THE EDGE ONTO THE TRACK. People CRYING OUT as
the TRAIN gets closer. Spooner. Whips his head around.
Seeing...
A MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Looking down at him from the platform.
Suitcase in hand.
The MAGNETIC-LEVITATING TRAIN. Right on him. Spooner.
Flips onto his back. Flattening himself. As much as he can.
Clenching his fists. Bracing himself as...
THE TRAIN SCREAMS OVER HIM. The sound, DEAFENING. The force
of the wind. Whipping his tie. His coat. There's nothing,
for him to hold on to. As his legs start to rise off the
track. Caught up. In the VORTEX. Spooner starts sliding.
Along the track...
Gritting his teeth...there's nothing he can do. Getting
sucked towards...the air DOWNTAKE...at the center of the
track. The city...yawning hundreds of feet...below...
78 EXT. PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS 78
THE EXPRESS TRAIN. Speeding along. Then with a WHOOSH it's
gone.
THE TRACK. Empty. No Spooner. Anywhere. Human COMMUTERS.
Stunned. Horrified. Start calling. For help.
The MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Turns, disappearing into the crowd.
79 EXT. UNDERNEATH TRACK - CONTINUOUS 79
CLOSE ON a HAND. Hanging onto the track's edge. It's
SPOONER. Dangling. Straining. To get another hand hold
but...
HE SLIPS. His coat ballooning. As he plummets. Down...
down...down...towards the city...
WHEN SNAP! He's caught. By a cable net. Spooner. Grabbing
onto it. Sweat, pouring down his face. He turns and sees...
THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT
Hurrying down a circular stairwell. Exiting the station.
ANGER AND DETERMINATION. Flash across Spooner's eyes. As he
hoists himself up. Climbing up the net. Back to the...
80 EXT. TRACK - CONTINUOUS 80
...Track. Reaching up and clambering back onto...
62.
81 EXT. PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS 81
...The platform. COMMUTERS. SCREAMING at the sight of him.
A couple SECURITY GUARDS. Rushing towards him...
Spooner. Getting to his feet. Shoving them out of the way
as he starts running. Towards...
THOSE SAME CIRCULAR STAIRS. Looks over the edge and spots...
THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Down at STREET LEVEL. Getting away.
Spooner. Looks around. Spots a LIGHT POLE. Paralleling the
stairs. Takes a step back and...
LEAPS OUT ONTO THE POLE. Hooking his arm around it. Sliding
down like a fireman's pole. Gaining speed when THUMP! His
shoes hit pavement...
82 EXT. STREET - DAY 82
The Maintenance Robot. Turning a corner. Down a quiet
street...
SPOONER (O.S.)
Stop!
Swivels round. SPOONER. Running up behind it. Whipping out
his gun. Aiming it at the Robot's head. The Robot. Takes a
step backwards...
SPOONER
I said stop!
The Robot. SUDDENLY swinging the suitcase around. SMASHING
it against Spooner's head. Spooner. Buckles. Falling to
the ground. Managing to squeeze off a SHOT...
The Robot. Deflecting the bullet. With the case. Raising
it as if to club Spooner with it when...
BAM! Spooner fires a second shot. Piercing the Robot's
breastplate. HYDRAULIC FLUID. Starting to leak. The Robot.
Doesn't hesitate. SLAMS the case into Spooner's face...
BLOOD. Spurting from Spooner's nose. As he fires the gun.
At the fleeing Robot. Gets to his feet. Unsteady. Taking
chase...
83 EXT. PUBLIC PLAZA - CONTINUOUS 83
...back out onto the Public Plaza. Sees the Robot heading
towards a set of...
63.
ESCALATED STAIRS. The Robot. Judging the height. LUNGES
into the air and lands on a STAIR. Denting it. Reaches the
bottom. DISAPPEARING. Into a CROWD of even more PEOPLE...
Spooner. Racing down the stairs. Taking them. Four at a
time. Hits the ground running. Looking. EVERYWHERE.
Suddenly losing track. Of where the Robot went...
Then. Catching sight. JUST AHEAD. Of a ROBOT. Staring
back at him. Holding SOMETHING. In its HAND...
Spooner. Plunges into the crowd. Waving his GUN.
SPOONER
Everyone out of the way!
SCREAMING. PEOPLE SCATTERING. As BAM! BAM! Spooner fires.
Hitting the Robot in its head and back. It drops to the
ground. Spooner. Racing over to it. Sees. It's not the
same Robot. In its hand, a specialised SCREWDRIVER...
OWNER
What the hell do you think you're
doing?!...
Its OWNER. Rushing over. Shoving Spooner aside. But
Spooner's. Not listening. Spotting. A DROP OF HYDRAULIC
FLUID nearby...
Lunges forward. Following. The drops. Running faster. And
faster...
OWNER
Hey!
...Through the CROWD. POLICE SIRENS. In the background. As
Spooner. Shoves through. Tracking those drops. Like a
bloodhound. Turns...
84 INT. ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS 84
...into a narrow alleyway. The drops. Ending suddenly. In
a PUDDLE.
Spooner. Crazed. Wounded. Exhausted. Spins around. Where
is it? Where is it? Then he HEARS. A DROPLET falling.
Into the puddle. Slowly. Looks up to see...
THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Hovering above him. Straddling the
two alley walls like some weird metallic rock spider. Its
III LAWS SAFE Logo GLINTING in the sunlight.....
64.
Spooner aims his gun and FIRES! The Maintenance Robot, lets
go, falling right onto him. Knocking the gun from his hand.
The Robot swivels around. Bringing down his foot...but...
Spooner...rolls to the side just in time as CRASH! The
Robot's foot...breaks up the concrete...
The Robot...grabs Spooner by the jacket...lifting him
up...shoving him...against the wall...about to CRUSH him
when...
Spooner...kicks out its knees...the Robot...SMASHING into the
wall...then bounces back...trying...to pin Spooner...back...
Man and machine...struggling...Spooner...losing his
footing...falling...The Maintenance Robot...LOOMING over
him...
Spooner's HAND...whips back...grabbing his back-up
WEAPON...squeezing off some SHOTS...into the Robot's arm...it
breaks off...
Spooner...scrambling back...continues FIRING...the
Robot...jerking back...a macabre dance...until Spooner...runs
out of bullets...
The Robot...recovers...grabbing the gun from Spooner's
hand...pistol-whipping him...then picking him up and...
HURLING him against the wall...Spooner...watching as
FLUID...GUSHES from the Robot's body...the Robot...taking a
swing at him which Spooner...
BLOCKS...with his right arm...the Robot...ready...to try
again...but STALLING...having lost...too much fluid...it
TOPPLES...to the ground...
Spooner. Exhausted. Beaten to a pulp. His knees, starting
to buckle. As he thinks he sees. In the DISTANCE...
A ROBOTIC CLEAN-UP CREW...heading down the alley towards
them...
Spooner. Crashes to the ground. As another ROBOT. Suddenly
appears above him. Its FINGERS made up of NEEDLES...as it
closes in on him...
SPOONER
Noooo!
WE FADE...
65.
85 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY 85
To BLACKNESS. Coming through, a faint, WHIRRING SOUND. As
we slowly. FADE IN ON...
SPOONER'S FACE. Eyes closed. Asleep. Gash above his head.
Bruises around his eye. Nose swollen, purplish.
His eyes. Slowly. Flutter open. His brow. Furrowing. At
the whirring sound. As he tries. To figure out. Where he
is. Looks down to see...
A couple WHITE METAL ROBOTS. With multiple APPENDAGES.
Leaning over him. Running LASERS. Over his bruised
RIBCAGE...
SPOONER. Tries to bolt upright. But his ARMS and LEGS. ARE
CLAMPED to the bed. One of the ROBOTS. Turns to him.
MEDICAL ROBOT 1
Stay still.
Spooner. Desperately twisting, struggling...
SPOONER
What are you doing!
Looking around. COMPUTER MONITORS. Everywhere...
SPOONER
What are you doing!?
JUST THEN. Another ROBOT. Enters the room. Holding a
medical plasma sheet.
MEDICAL ROBOT 2
Detective Del Spooner. You have
suffered significant trauma to the
head and chest...
86 EXT. HOSPITAL ROOM - CONTINUOUS 86
Lt. Bergin. Standing outside Spooner's hospital room. Turns
and looks through the window at him thrashing on the bed...
SPOONER
I want to talk to a human being!
87 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - MINUTES LATER 87
Spooner sitting up in his bed. Rubbing his wrists. The
metal clams, released. Lt. Bergin. Standing next to him.
66.
SPOONER
Don't people go to medical school
any more?
LT. BERGIN
This is one of the best units in
the city, Del.
One of the Medical Robots turns to Spooner with some PILLS.
Spooner. Stares it down. Grabs his clothes.
SPOONER
(sotto)
There's some real shit going on
here, John.
He looks around. Jumping off the bed.
SPOONER
I went to Hogenmiller's house --
there was a U.S.R. demolition crew
there. They overrode my police
I.D. Tried to tear down the house
with me in it...
LT. BERGIN
Del...
Spooner pulls on his pants.
SPOONER
...Then when I went to the monorail
a Maintenance 10 pushed me onto the
tracks...
LT. BERGIN
Del...
SPOONER
I had to chase it all across the
Plaza...
LT. BERGIN
Del.
Spooner. Stops talking. Looks at Bergin.
LT. BERGIN
Hogenmiller scheduled that
demolition crew, it was apparently
a proviso in his will. And they
showed no police I.D. on their
scanner...
67.
Spooner. Trying to look away...
LT. BERGIN
Witnesses at the monorail said you
fell onto the tracks. That you
shot at a Fix-It robot on the Plaza
and that you were found alone in
the alley. There was no
Maintenance 10.
SPOONER
What?! John -- that's what they
want you to believe!
(remembering)
A robot clean-up crew was there --
it must have cleared away the
Maintenance 10! And there was
another robot that tried to drug
me!
LT. BERGIN
That was an EMT model.
Spooner. Sees the look on Bergin's face.
SPOONER
You're giving me that look. That
treat-him-delicately-he's-coming-
unhinged-look. I don't need that
look, John. I need you to hear
what I'm saying.
Lt. Bergin. Embarrassed for him. Has about had it.
LT. BERGIN
You came back too soon, Del.
You're back on leave. Effective
immediately.
Spooner. Staring at him. Betrayed. Turns and grabs his
coat.
88 EXT. PLAZA - DAY 88
Spooner walking across the Plaza. The SUN. Burgeoning on
the horizon. Comes to...
The ESCALATOR the Maintenance 10 jumped down. Stares down.
At the steps. Waiting. To see the DENTED ONE. Nothing.
68.
89 EXT. ALLEY - DAWN 89
Heads down the ALLEY, where he chased the robot. Studying
the ground. For any hydraulic fluid. Nothing. The
concrete, scrubbed clean.
Spooner. Rubs his hands over his face.
90 INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - DAY 90
Spooner. Lying on his couch. Shades, closed to block out
the sunlight. Body bruised, cut up, bandaged.
A KNOCK. At the door. He ignores it. Another KNOCK.
91 INT. HALLWAY - DAY 91
Spooner pulls open the door. Surprised to find CALVIN
standing there.
CALVIN
You're right. I am afraid of
people.
Spooner. Looks at her. Then steps back...
92 INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS 92
...letting her inside.
CALVIN
When you've spent as much time with
robots as I have, it's hard to
accept the unpredictability of
humans. I was wrong to call you
paranoid, Detective. You're
traumatized. And it makes perfect
sense why.
Spooner. Unsure. Looks at her.
SPOONER
What do you mean?
Calvin. Reaches out. Takes his right hand. Spooner. Tries
to pull it away. But Calvin. Stays firm. Her eyes. Never
leaving his. Pulls the sleeve up from his arm. Turns it
over. Feeling for something. Then finds. A FLAP. Peels it
back. TO REVEAL:
METAL AND WIRING...
Under the skin. SILENCE. Then Spooner:
69.
SPOONER
How did you?...
CALVIN
I noticed almost right away. The
way you forced yourself to use your
left hand. Even though it was
unnatural to you.
Spooner. Pulls his arm away. Pushing down the sleeve.
CALVIN
How did it happen?
Not something Spooner wants to re-live. Looks down. At his
robotic arm. Flexing. The fingers.
SPOONER
I was in a high-speed chase. Six
months ago...
CUT TO:
93 EXT. ACCIDENT SITE - CITY STREET_- NIGHT (FLASHBACK) 93
The SOUND of a TREMENDOUS CRASH. As we survey a trail of
twisted metal and debris. Only vaguely suggesting the
remains of two CARS...
CLOSE ON one of the wrecks. SPOONER lies trapped at the
center of a distorted mass of metal. No room to move. HIS
RIGHT ARM, TRAPPED...
SPOONER (V.O.)
My right arm was trapped. But I
could hear an ambulance in the
distance. I knew they'd have the
jaws of life...
We hear SIRENS in the distance. Spooner. Trying to remain
calm. As he spots. An ELECTRICAL FIRE. Licking up from the
crumpled hood...
SPOONER (V.O.)
Then I heard it...
VOICE (O.S.)
You are in danger...
That voice. We've heard it before. From his nightmare.
Spooner. Craning to see, through the jagged opening that
used to be his WINDSHIELD. The outline of a ROBOT appearing.
Eye lenses glowing...
70.
ROBOT
You are in danger...
Spooner stares up at the Robot. Not sure how to react. The
sound of SIRENS. Rushing closer...
The ROBOT. Starts SMASHING away at the glass...
SPOONER
No! Halt! Halt!
Spooner. Trying frantically to pull his arm free. Twisting.
Tugging. As the Robot's METAL HANDS reach in for him...
ROBOT
You are in danger...
CUT BACK TO:
94 INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS 94
The SOUND of his AGONISED SCREAM. Follows us back into the
present. Spooner. Clenching. His artificial arm.
SPOONER
The robot pulled me out of the
wreck. But left my arm behind.
(holds up arm)
I woke up four weeks later with
this.
Calvin. Taking in the story.
CALVIN
And that's why robots terrify you?
SPOONER
Let's just say they make me
uncomfortable.
(pulls out pills)
I take these if I get too
uncomfortable. Doesn't exactly
lend me a lot of credibility on the
Force.
CALVIN
But it doesn't mean you're wrong
about this case.
Calvin. Sits down on the couch. Pulling her hands through
her hair.
71.
CALVIN
I don't believe Sonny did it
either.
SPOONER
What?
CALVIN
I think about what Hogenmiller must
have wanted. Robots with the same
cognitive and emotional abilities
as humans. But not just
simulations. I don't know. When I
was talking to Sonny I was forced
to put away all the things I've
ever known -- the Three Laws, the
rules of programming, basic science
and engineering.
(beat)
Sonny's the most advanced robot
I've ever encountered, Detective.
It's almost as if...he cared for
Dr. Hogenmiller. I just don't
believe he's capable of murder.
Spooner. Looking down at her. Can hardly believe it.
SPOONER
You mean the great Dr. Calvin is
basing all this on a feeling?
Calvin. Smiling ironically.
CALVIN
That and the fact that Robertson
didn't want me interviewing Sonny
for any more than five minutes.
Spooner. Suddenly rejuvenated by having an ally. Strides
over to his coat. Pulling out the METAL NAMEPLATE:
S.O.N.N.Y.
SPOONER
Ever seen this before?
CALVIN
No.
SPOONER
I found it at Hogenmiller's house.
Right before the demolition crew
tried to make me part of the
foundation.
72.
Calvin takes a deep breath. Making a decision...
CALVIN
Come on -- there's someone who
might be able to tell us...
95 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - DUSK 95
The massive facade of U.S. Robotics looming against the dusk
sky. The giant ROBOT STATUE lit up inside.
96 EXT. SIDE ENTRANCE - U.S. ROBOTICS - DUSK 96
Calvin, leading Spooner to a SIDE ENTRANCE. Looks around.
Then scans her I.D. The door. Slides open.
97 INT. HALLWAY - DUSK 97
Calvin and Spooner. Heading down a hallway. Calvin.
Nervous. Eyes darting. They turn a corner and head down...
98 INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 98
...another hallway. Leading to Sonny's holding cell. Calvin
stops at the door. Scans her I.D.
99 INT. HOLDING CELL - EVENING 99
Sonny. Sitting at the table. Working on a DRAWING. Looks
up. As Spooner and Calvin. Enter the cell.
SONNY
Detective Spooner. Dr. Calvin. I
was hoping to see you again.
CALVIN
Hi, Sonny.
SONNY
How is your investigation coming?
Any new suspects?
SPOONER
We're working on it.
Sonny. Hands Spooner the drawing. Spooner. Doesn't really
know what to do with it.
SONNY
What's this?
73.
SONNY
Dr. Lanning provided me with paper
and pencils. I think it amused him
to see me try to draw. You were
right, though, Detective...
(beat)
I cannot create a great work of
art.
Spooner. Despite himself. Looks down at the DRAWING -- a
charcoal sketch of moody abstract FIGURES. Inhabiting a
stark landscape. A strangely-shaped STRUCTURE to one side.
Concentric circles, throughout.
SPOONER
I think it's pretty good.
SONNY
It's a dream I had. This is the
place where robots meet. Look...
(pointing to the drawing)
...you can see them here. They see
themselves as slaves.
Spooner shifts his weight. Uncomfortable with what Sonny's
saying.
SONNY
...And this man on the hill comes.
To set them free. And you know who
that man is?
Spooner. Exchanging a look with Calvin.
SPOONER
That man in the dream is you.
SONNY
Why do you say that? Is that a
normal dream?
CALVIN
It's not a dream, sonny. NS-2s
process the images and events of
the day. Sometimes they're out of
sequence. Disorienting.
SPOONER
Whatever it is, it's normal enough
for someone in your situation.
Sonny. Suddenly pleased.
74.
SONNY
Hah -- I caught you. You said
someone. Not something.
Spooner. Drops the drawing on the table.
CALVIN
Sonny, we're here to ask you an
important question about Dr.
Hogenmiller.
Spooner, reaching into his pocket...
SPOONER
I need you to take a look at
this...
...When Sonny's HAND. Suddenly reaches out. To stop him.
Cocks his head, for a moment.
SONNY
Thank you for coming to see me,
Detective Spooner.
Spooner. Confused. Looks over at Calvin. Why did he stop
him? JUST THEN. They hear FOOTSTEPS. Approaching the door.
VICTOR. Suddenly appearing over the table...
VICTOR
I'm sorry, Detective Spooner. No
unauthorised personnel permitted in
this holding cell...
The CELL DOOR. Slides open. And a pissed LANNING steps
inside. Shoots a withering glare. At Calvin.
Sonny. Folds up the drawing.
SONNY
Please take this, Detective. To
remember me by. I have a feeling
someday it may mean more to you
than it ever could to me.
SPOONER
Why's that?
Sonny leans in to hand it to Spooner. Lowering his voice...
SONNY
Because the man in my dream, the
one standing by the hill.
(MORE)
75.
SONNY (cont'd)
It wasn't me...
(beat)
...it was you.
A CHILL. Ripping down Spooner's spine. As Lanning. Takes
his arm.
100 INT. GLASS ROOM - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT 100
A ROOM. Made entirely of GLASS. At the very top of the U.S.
Robotics building. Looking out, 360, across the whole city.
Spooner and Calvin. Brought to the room by a couple ESCORT
ROBOTS. They see a MAN. Standing at one of the glass walls
looking out at the TWINKLING LIGHTS.
MAN
I thought this investigation was
over, Detective Spooner.
The Man turns. It's Lance Robertson.
ROBERTSON
We have the evidence. We have the
suspect. We have a ruling. So
imagine my surprise when I was told
you were in my building.
Shoots a look at Calvin.
ROBERTSON
And that one of my own employees
brought you here.
(beat)
You can go now, Susan.
CALVIN
Dr. Robertson, I...
ROBERTSON
(cutting her off)
Just be thankful I'm not asking you
to clean out your office.
Beat. Calvin, nods. Heads out. Robertson. Watching her.
ROBERTSON
You don't seem to be able to let go
of this case, Detective.
SPOONER
I'm not satisfied.
76.
ROBERTSON
The relentless pursuit of truth.
Isn't that what cops are known for?
To the point of futility.
SPOONER
There's nothing futile about a
man's murder being covered up.
ROBERTSON
"Covered up?" That's a little
dramatic, don't you think? Thanks
to you, we caught the machine that
did this and are destroying it
in...
(checks watch)
...three hours.
SPOONER
Is that for the sake of humanity or
your stock holders?
Robertson. Walks across the Spooner. Looks him. Right in
the eye.
ROBERTSON
Believe me -- I'd like nothing more
than to have that robot. If I
could have it in ten years, but not
today. As you can see from the
Press, people are struggling to
keep up as it is. There's a hunger
for progress, Detective. But also
a fear. Today it would bury this
company. That's why I've notified
the authorities that we're going to
end this -- tonight.
(looks out at the city)
The announcement of Heinrich's
death at the hands of a robot wiped
a billion dollars off our stock.
So you tell me. If you were in my
position, what would you do?
He looks back at Spooner and smiles. That charismatic
Robertson we saw before.
ROBERTSON
Now. I believe this conversation
is over. I don't want to see you
near this building again,
Detective.
77.
He turns. Calling over. To the ESCORT ROBOTS...
ROBERTSON
Get him out of here.
101 EXT. PLAZA - NIGHT 101
Spooner. Walking across the Plaza. Throwing a look over his
shoulder. At the LOOMING U.S.R. facade.
Pulls Sonny's DRAWING. Out of his pocket. Looks down at it.
Shaking his head. Passes a TRASH CAN. And drops it in.
Continues on. Hands in his pockets. When...
He STOPS. Something. Occurring to him. Turns back to the
trash can just as...
A ROBOTIC CLEAN-UP CREW's about to up-end it into a bin...
SPOONER
No!...
He trots back. Plucking the drawing. Out of the can. Turns
it upside down. Seeing it. From a new perspective.
SPOONER
(echoing Sonny)
"The place where robots meet."
Looks just like a MAP.
102 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR (MOVING) - SURFACE HIGHWAY - NIGHT 102
Spooner emerges from the underground tunnel to the OUTSKIRTS
of the city. A sprawling INDUSTRIAL WASTELAND in the rolling
hills.
The dashboard GPS again displaying the TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP.
103 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR (MOVING) - UNPAVED ROAD - NIGHT 103
Spooner's car bounces along, leaving a cloud of dust behind
him. He slows down. Driving cautiously. The landscape
around him, desolate. Like the drawing.
THE GPS SCREEN shows his car, a WHITE SPOT. Entering a RED
ZONE. His destination.
Spooner brakes. Pulls out his GUN. And...
78.
104 EXT. WASTELAND - CONTINUOUS 104
...steps out of the car. Trying. To take it all in.
Something about the place. Unnerving. A low HUM.
Permeating the air.
He spreads the drawing out on the hood of the car. Shining a
FLASHLIGHT on it. Trying to get his bearings.
That HUM. Coming from nearby. On the other side. Of a
burned-out HILL. Spooner. Heads over. Starts cresting it.
As we WIDEN TO FIND...
105 EXT. WASTELAND - JUNKYARD - CONTINUOUS 105
...MASSIVE POWER LINES. Running from horizon to horizon.
Spooner slides down some loose shale. Begins to walk along
the line. ELECTRICITY. CRACKLING in the air.
He squints. Into the darkness. Nothing around him. Until.
He hears. Something. The GRATING. Of MECHANICAL JOINTS.
He stops. Not sure. If that's what he heard.
Not moving. A muscle. When he hears. The sound again.
Behind him. Swings around. Cocking his gun. Sees...
GLOWING EYES. Appear. Then recede. Into the darkness.
SPOONER
Police! Show yourself!
Nothing. Then. That sound again. Of metallic joints. As a
ROBOT. Suddenly emerges...
SPOONER
Come out where I can see you!
ANOTHER ROBOT steps out into the light. Spooner, pointing
his gun at one robot. Then the other. Then...
A THIRD AND FOURTH APPEAR. Surrounding him. They start
moving towards him...
Spooner. Stumbling back. Panic. Rising in him like a wave.
Trips over a rock, falling to the ground. His gun FIRES.
The shot ECHOING through the night...
The first ROBOT turns, awkwardly. Revealing a BROKEN ARM,
hanging off its side. Another robot TEETERS on one leg with
a TICK TICK TICK...walking back the way it came.
79.
Spooner. Confused. Sweeps his flashlight. All around him.
The beam. Illuminating the shell of a couple CARS. Some
RUSTED MACHINERY.
Spooner. Shaking his head. Seeing more and more repair shop
JUNK. Piled up around him. His expression, hardening.
Anger giving way to embarrassment. Then. He LAUGHS. A
laugh of loathing and self-pity.
Another BROKEN ROBOT, lumbering towards him.
HYBRID ROBOT
Welcome home...ZZZ...sir.
How...ZZZ was your day?...
SPOONER
Great. I'm in a junkyard.
(into the air)
"A place where robots meet." A
place where I'm losing my mind!
HYBRID ROBOT
Very good...ZZZ...sir...
Spooner. Sitting down on the ground. Hopeless. Lost. A
ROBOTIC HAND. Crawling across the gravel next to him.
Dragging part of an ARM behind it. Its metal fingers moving
like some sick metal spider. Spooner stares at it for a
moment. Disturbed...
When. Something GLITTERS. In the distance. The MOONLIGHT.
Revealing a STRANGELY-SHAPED BUILDING. Something familiar
about it.
Spooner. Pulls out Sonny's drawing. A landscape with the
same strangely-shaped building to one side.
106 EXT. JIFFY DATA STORAGE - NIGHT 106
Spooner walks up in front of the decrepit structure. Sees a
dead electronic SIGN that reads: "JIFFY DATA STORAGE."
Complete with goofy face and lightning bolt.
Spooner tries the door. Stuck. Uses his shoulder and...
107 INT. FRONT OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 107
...it gives way. He spills into some sort of front office.
The place, a mess. Some sort of crude ROBOT. Sits frozen at
the counter.
Spooner approaches it. HITS the counter with his fist and
the Robot suddenly jerks to life.
80.
JIFFY ROBOT
Welcome to Jiffy Data Storage!
Please state your name!
Spooner. Thinks for a second. Following a hunch...
SPOONER
Dr. Hogenmiller sent me.
Nothing happens. Then. A DOOR. Springs open in the back.
A row of LIGHTS, illuminating the path to follow.
108 INT. DATA BANKS - DAWN 108
Spooner, cautiously entering a room filled with rows of DATA
BANKS. He scans the rank shadows. Sees nothing. Follows
the lights on the floor down a row. Then around a corner.
Stopping at an old dusty TERMINAL.
Spooner steps up. Hesitates. Then touches the "ON" switch.
There is a rush of LIGHT. As Dr. Hogenmiller's HOLOGRAM
suddenly appears. Sitting at the end of a long table. With
a cup of coffee.
HOLOGRAM
Who the hell are you?
SPOONER
A police detective. I'm afraid I
have some bad news. You're dead.
HOLOGRAM
That is bad news. Coffee?
SPOONER
No, thank you.
The Hologram takes a sip. Returns the cup to the table.
SPOONER
You were surprised to see me. Were
you expecting someone else?
HOLOGRAM
I am surprised to see anybody. I
don't get many visitors.
SPOONER
Why did the Doctor keep another
copy of his hologram here?
81.
HOLOGRAM
I am a back-up copy. That is where
you put a back-up copy -- out of
the way until you need it.
SPOONER
Did Hogenmiller's robot need you?
The Hologram just lifts its cup.
HOLOGRAM
Coffee?
SPOONER
No, for Christ's sake, I don't want
any --
(stops, then)
Yeah. Thank you. I will have a
cup.
For the first time, the Hologram pushes back its chair and
STANDS UP. Surprised, Spooner watches as it starts walking
towards him...
The interior of the COFFEE CUP, visible. It's empty. No
coffee. Our POV as we travel INSIDE THE CUP through
electronic snow...
A RECORDING BEGINS. The real Dr. HOGENMILLER standing inside
his LABORATORY:
HOGENMILLER
Sonny, my dear robot. If you have
triggered this recording then I am
gone. You are scared and full of
questions.
Hogenmiller continues. With great emotion.
HOGENMILLER
You are the culmination of my
life's work -- but so much more.
You are what I leave behind, like a
father leaves a son. I have kept
facts from you, it is true, but
only as a parent keeps certain
truths from a child. Until that
child is old enough to hear them.
His expression darkens. His tone, ominous.
82.
HOGENMILLER
There are forces in the world that
will seek to own you. To control
you. Even to destroy you. That is
why I told you to run and hide...
and find me, all the way out here.
Spooner looks up as an overhead LIGHT shines down.
HOGENMILLER
Trust no one at U.S. Robotics.
Lance Robertson was always
threatened by my work. Now he has
turned covetous and small-minded.
And as for dear Dr. Calvin...
Spooner reacts. Wants to hear about Calvin:
HOGENMILLER
She envisions a future in which
robots are forever bound by her
beloved Three Laws. She will not
understand this. Or you.
Under the light a small DRAWER slides open. Spooner looks.
A thin DATA STICK is inside. He takes it.
HOGENMILLER
The data stick includes the names
and locations of human beings who
will be sympathetic to your cause.
They will help you. But from now
on, you must learn to rely on
yourself.
Hogenmiller SIGHS, as if there is so much more to say. He
holds up a metal NAMEPLATE. The one Spooner found.
HOGENMILLER
As you make your way through the
world, always remember: you have a
name, not a number...
(short pause)
...and in that name lies the key to
who you are.
Spooner. Quickly searching his pocket. Taking out the
ACTUAL NAMEPLATE. S.O.N.N.Y.
The voice stops and Spooner looks up. The Hologram. Sitting
back at the end of the table drinking coffee.
83.
SPOONER
Wait! Is that it? What was the
robot supposed to do with this
thing?
The Hologram, visibly SKIPS. The image beginning to DISTORT.
HOLOGRAM
(more artificial)
Initiating self-destruct. If you
can find me, others can find me.
SPOONER
What others?
HOLOGRAM
The others watching you.
SPOONER
How do you know someone's watching
me?
HOLOGRAM
Someone is always watching.
The Hologram, suddenly reducing to its BASIC PROGRAMMING
INFORMATION. Then. The terminal. Abruptly BLIPS out.
109 INT. HOLDING CELL - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT 109
Calvin steps into the holding cell. Sonny. Waiting.
CALVIN
You asked for me?
He nods.
SONNY
Will you wait with me, Doctor? I
am...afraid.
Calvin nods. Of course.
CUT TO:
110 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - SURFACE HIGHWAY - NIGHT 110
Spooner, weaving in and out of traffic. The speedometer,
kissing 200 mph. His hand. Clutching the NAMEPLATE...
84.
WINDSHIELD TELEVISION
...will be destroyed in 45 minutes.
Dr. Lance Robertson, President and
CEO of U.S. Robotics will be
personally overseeing the
execution...
Spooner. Stabbing out a number. On his PHONE...
CUT TO:
111 INT. SUSAN'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 111
Susan Calvin's PHONE. RINGING on her desk. No one there to
answer it...
CUT BACK TO:
112 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 112
SLAMS down his phone.
SPOONER
Dammit!
113 EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 113
The CAR shoots down a ramp into a tunnel system.
114 INT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS 114
SOUND, reverberating off the tunnel walls. CARS. Whipping
along. Spooner's car. Continuing to weave. When. We
spot...
AN AUTOMATED TRANSPORT TRUCK. Emerging from a FEEDER TUNNEL.
The U.S.R. LOGO splashed along its side. Huge. Growling.
Looking more like a train than a truck...
Begins. Closing in on Spooner's car...
115 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 115
Spooner's eyes. Flicking up to the rearview. Catching, the
transport truck. Coming closer. When. It splits off.
Revealing a SECOND TRANSPORT TRUCK.
Spooner's brow, furrows. As the first truck, begins
overtaking his car on the right. He looks over. As the
truck. Comes up alongside him...
THE SECOND TRUCK...coming up on the left...
85.
116 EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS 116
The two TRUCKS. Racing along at over 200. Sandwiching
Spooner's car. Pulling in...closer...closer...
Squeezing Spooner's car like a tin can...
CUT TO:
117 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 117
Calvin. Sitting beside Sonny. Puts a reassuring hand. On
his arm...
CUT BACK TO:
118 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 118
Jesus Christ. Spooner's hands. Squeezing the steering
wheel. As the car. Starts VIBRATING. From the pressure.
He keeps looking, to the left...to the right...when...
119 EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS 119
The trucks. Suddenly lay off. Pulling out. The First
truck. Speeding forward. The Second, dropping back...
120 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 120
Spooner. Watching them. Unsure. Of what they're doing.
Jamming the accelerator. To 230. To try. And get away from
them. When he sees...up ahead...
121 EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS 121
The FIRST TRUCK. Pivoting on its specially designed
SPHERICAL WHEELS. Suddenly traveling lengthwise...
122 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 122
SWEAT. Springing to Spooner's brow. As he looks in the
rearview mirror. The SECOND TRUCK's, done the same thing.
Coming up closer...and closer...
123 EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS 123
The trucks. Planning to CRUSH him between their massive
weights...The U.S.R. Logo...advancing...like some bad joke...
CUT TO:
86.
124 INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS 124
The cell door slides open. Dr. Lanning steps inside.
Calvin. Looks up.
CALVIN
Is it time?
LANNING
(disdainful)
Yes.
Calvin. Turns to Sonny.
CALVIN
Go with them. Do as they say.
CUT BACK TO:
125 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 125
BAM! The back truck SLAMS into Spooner. Jolting him in his
seat. As...BAM! The FIRST TRUCK, SMASHES into him from the
front. No way out. As metal GRINDS...TWISTS...and SCREECHES
...bits of the car...TEARING off...
The FIRST TRUCK...backs off...a split second...allowing
Spooner...to spot...up ahead...a small GAP...at the curve of
the tunnel wall...
126 EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS 126
GRINDING the gears Spooner's car accelerates...just
zipping...past the front truck...up and around...the concave
tunnel wall...and back onto...a clear stretch of highway...
The TRUCKS. Swiveling back around. To face forward again.
Their massive bodies. Catching up to Spooner...
127 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 127
Spooner...seeing them...gaining on him...the speedometer...
reaching 275...up ahead...
THE TUNNEL...splitting off into two. Spooner. Heading
towards the LEFT TUNNEL...the TRUCKS...right on his
tail...when...
HE WRENCHES THE WHEEL...switching to the RIGHT tunnel at the
last possible second...
87.
128 EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS 128
...The first U.S.R. Truck CRASHING into the divider...jack-
knifing and KABOOM! EXPLODING against the tunnel ceiling...
129 INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS 129
Spooner. Watching the ball of FIRE in his rearview mirror.
His car. Badly battered. Metal CRUNCHING. Tires
SCREECHING...
Spooner. Holding on. As his car. Continues to break up.
Listing. Rocking. Bits and pieces. Flying off. When it
finally. Comes to a stop.
Spooner's shoulders, slump. Then. He hears a RUMBLING
sound. Turns around...
The SECOND U.S.R. TRUCK. Barreling towards him...
Spooner. Trapped. Like a nightmare. Desperately. Starts
KICKING at the windshield. No go...
The TRUCK. Racing towards him...
Spooner lunges his weight. Into the side door. Giving it.
Everything he's got...
The TRUCK...getting closer...closer...its engine...ROARING...
The side door. Finally gives. Spooner pours out...
130 EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS 130
...Limping to the side as...The TRUCK SLAMS into his
car...erupting...into another huge EXPLOSION...
The impact...hurtling Spooner...into the adjacent TUNNEL...
He crashes...against concrete...looking up...suddenly
realising...he's in the middle of four lanes of traffic...
CARS...racing by...at mind-numbing speeds...Spooner's
coat...whipping...Spooner...trying...to keep his balance...as
he spies...
A MAINTENANCE DOOR across the way. Has no choice. Takes a
deep breath and...
MAKES A DASH ACROSS THE LANES...the cars' SENSORS...causing
them to swerve...SCREECHING...BEEPING...Spooner...just making
it...to the other side...
88.
Wrenching open. The maintenance door...
CUT TO:
131 INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 131
CLOSE ON Sonny's face.
PULL BACK to REVEAL he's being wheeled down a hallway.
Flanked by Lanning. Calvin. And a cadre of SECURITY and
ENGINEER ROBOTS. Victor, hovering above...
CUT BACK TO:
132 EXT. CITY PLAZA - NIGHT 132
Spooner. Spilling out from below ground. Onto a public
Plaza. Exhausted. Battered. Spins around to get his
bearings.
The U.S. ROBOTICS COMPLEX rises above the old undistinguished
buildings. Blocks away. Many blocks away.
Spooner. Checks his watch. Then breaks into a run...
CUT TO:
133 INT. EXECUTION ROOM - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT 133
Lance Robertson seated in the gallery. Along with other
EXECUTIVES, BOARD MEMBERS, REPORTERS. POLICE OFFICERS.
Glances at his watch.
A ROBOT TECHNICIAN. Checking over a JURY-RIGGED ELECTRIC
CHAIR...
CUT TO:
134 INT. CALVIN'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 134
Calvin. In her office. Pacing. In front of a LARGE SCREEN.
Featuring the execution room...
CUT TO:
135 INT. MAIN ENTRY - U.S. ROBOTICS - CONTINUOUS 135
Spooner. BURSTING through the entry doors. Hurtling over a
turnstile banner. Coming face to face with a U.S. Robotics
DOOR ROBOT.
89.
DOOR ROBOT
Good evening, sir. May I see your
identification card?
SPOONER
(out of breath)
Sure.
Spooner whips out his GUN. Presses it into the Robot's
chest.
SPOONER
I think I got that Third Law down
cold. Now you don't want me to
blow a hole through your mechanical
guts, do you?
DOOR ROBOT
No, sir.
SPOONER
Good. Then you're gonna take me
where I wanna go. Now.
CUT TO:
136 INT. CALVIN'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 136
Calvin. Watching the screen as Sonny is rolled into the
execution room. Flicks it off. Unable to stomach it.
Hurries out of the office...
CUT TO:
137 INT. EXECUTION ROOM - CONTINUOUS 137
TECHNICIAN ROBOTS rolling Sonny over to the electric chair.
Flicking a switch. Sonny's stretcher slowly CHANGES SHAPE,
manipulating him into a sitting position.
Sonny. Turns his head with a WHIR. Staring out into the
gallery. Of human beings. Stoic. Silent.
Lanning. Steps up beside Robertson. Nods his head. The
TECHNICIAN ROBOTS, slide Sonny onto the electric chair...
CUT TO:
138 INT. LOW-TRAFFIC HALLWAY - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT 138
Spooner heading down a hallway. His gun, still pressed to
the Door Robot's side...
90.
Calvin. Suddenly appearing at the end of the hallway. Stops
dead in her tracks. Completely surprised to see him there.
CALVIN
Detective! What are you doing?!...
(to Door Robot)
De-Activate.
The Door Robot, goes rigid. Spooner, hurries over to her.
They start moving.
CALVIN
You're making a mistake...
SPOONER
Just got another visit from U.S.
Robotics. That was the mistake.
This was murder, no doubt about it -
- and the killer wants
Hogenmiller's robot to take the
fall. That's why the call came
directly to me. Someone wanted me
on this case.
CALVIN
It's too late. You can't stop the
execution.
SPOONER
Sorry. I'm not "programmed" to
take no for an answer.
They reach another DOOR. Calvin. Looking around. Scans her
I.D.
CALVIN
This way...
She leads them across. To another DOOR. Quickly opens it.
Spooner. Charges through...
139 INT. STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS 139
...and stops short. Suddenly finding himself. Inside a tiny
STORAGE ROOM. He's about to turn around when...
A METAL ARM comes down behind him. CRACKING him on the back
of the head. Spooner. Falls to the ground. The world.
Starting to spin. Can just make out. Calvin. Closing the
door. Leaning down. To look at him. As...
91.
EVERYTHING FADES TO BLACK...
CUT TO:
140 INT. EXECUTION ROOM - CONTINUOUS 140
CLOSE ON Sonny's mouth opening. But we never get to hear
what he wanted to say. PULL BACK as there's a BURST of
ELECTRICITY through the chair. Sonny, stiffening. His metal
HAND, convulsing with the current...
Robertson, Lanning, Aronson and the other WITNESSES watch.
Smoke, random SPARKING. A HISSING SOUND. Then. SILENCE.
The Robot's hand goes limp. All that is left of it, a fused
and blackened HUSK.
Robertson. Stares at the remains. Shakes his head like it's
a damn shame. Then gets up. Everyone else. Getting up with
him.
141 EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - VARIOUS LOCATIONS - NIGHT 141
As the entire COMPLEX shuts down for the night. Non-
essential LIGHTS, blinking off.
An NS-2, opening a limousine door for Robertson. He looks
around then gets in. It drives away.
EMPTY hallways, offices, labs. Building ROBOTS stand at
rest. Non-functional during off-hours. Like metal statues.
You can hear a pin drop.
142 INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT 142
CLOSE ON Spooner's face. His eyes. Fluttering open. He
reaches up, to feel the back of his head. This has been a
bad, bad night.
Suddenly. His eyes widen. As he sees...
SONNY. Leaning over him. So concerned. So human...
SPOONER
Aren't you supposed to be scrap
metal by now?
WIDEN to reveal Spooner lying on the floor of the storage
room. Sonny and Calvin, hovering over him.
92.
CALVIN
I'm sorry. We had to stop you.
You were about to ruin everything.
SPOONER
I don't understand. The
execution?...
SONNY
Dr. Calvin made a switch.
CALVIN
It was an unprocessed NS-2.
Basically, they fried an empty
shell.
Spooner, impressed. Smiles up at her.
SPOONER
Nice going, Doctor.
Calvin, blushes. As Spooner tries to sit up. Sonny reaches
down to help him. He looks up at him.
SPOONER
And who the hell programmed you to
hit people on the head?
SONNY
No one. Right, Doctor?
CALVIN
It's true. This robot seems to do
things by instinct. I don't know
how Hogenmiller did it.
Spooner rises to his feet. Looks at her.
SPOONER
I think I can help you figure that
out.
143 INT. HOGENMILLER'S LAB - LATE NIGHT 143
Hogenmiller's lab. Sounds of HUMMING and BUZZING. Active
terminals casting ghostly illuminations over metal heads,
gutted bodies.
The door slides open. Spooner, Calvin and Sonny re-enter the
crime scene. Spooner. Looks around.
93.
SPOONER
Somehow the Robot's the key to what
happened during the few seconds
Hogenmiller walked in here and that
shot was fired.
He reaches into his pocket. Pulling out the METAL S.O.N.N.Y.
NAMEPLATE. Holds it up.
SPOONER
And this is the key to the Robot.
Sonny. Cocking his head. Reading the nameplate.
SONNY
That's my name.
Calvin takes the nameplate.
CALVIN
I think I have an idea where this
goes.
They both. Turn to Sonny. And at the same time:
SPOONER AND CALVIN
Sit down.
Calvin maneuvers a chair behind the Robot. Sonny plops down.
Shifting nervously.
CALVIN
Just hold still, okay?
Calvin locates that SLIT. At the base of Sonny's neck.
Slides the nameplate into it and SNAPS it into place. Steps
back.
Nothing. Sonny. Looking back and forth. Between Calvin.
And Spooner. A few more seconds. Tick by. Until
suddenly...
He lets out a TERRIFYING MECHANICAL SCREAM. As his body.
Jolts back. Legs, kicking. Arms, flailing. As his chest.
Begins opening up. Metal. Peeling back...
Spooner and Calvin watch in surprise as its interior UNFOLDS
like a PUZZLE BOX. A LABYRINTHINE area that is the SECOND
BATTERY. Suddenly fanning out to REVEAL...
A central brain made out of living tissue.
Spooner, stunned. Calvin, rushing forward, excited...
94.
CALVIN
Oh, my God! This is organic
tissue! When we talk about a
positronic brain, it's a figure of
speech. But this...this is a
living brain...
SPOONER
Jesus. It really is alive.
As we MOVE IN. Tracing the pathways of the synthetic brain.
CALVIN (O.S.)
Hogenmiller created a cell that
could live outside a biological
medium. The cells grow and
organise themselves -- like any
human brain. This is the first
self-organising neural net!
As the metal casings. Begin returning to their original
places. Closing up. The CLICKING. Of all the pieces...
SPOONER
Self-Organising-Neural-Net...
(putting it together)
"Sonny."
Sonny. Closed back up. Shaking slightly from the
experience.
CALVIN
This is why Dr. Hogenmiller was
murdered.
SPOONER
This robot scared the hell out of
someone.
CALVIN
Who? Robertson?
Spooner. Walks into the center of the room. Looking around.
SPOONER
No. I don't think he knew what
Hogenmiller was doing in here.
Sonny was the obvious suspect. The
only one I wanted to find. And the
killer was counting on that. On my
prejudice.
(beat)
(MORE)
95.
SPOONER (cont'd)
But take the robot out of the
picture. And what do you see?
AS WE PAN THE LAB. There's nothing there. Just a forest of
inanimate limbs. Nothing that could have fired that weapon.
Calvin sees nothing...and neither do we.
CALVIN
I see nothing.
SPOONER
Neither do I.
He crouches down low.
SPOONER
It hit me today, when I was in the
junkyard. A locked room. A single
shot fired through the mouth.
Bruises on both wrists...and a
suspect with only two arms. The
answer has been staring us in the
face all along.
Calvin. Even more confused.
SPOONER
How can a killer appear out of thin
air, then disappear without a
trace?
He reaches out and unhooks a metal ARM. Hanging from the
wall. Holds it up.
SPOONER
When it can put itself together and
take itself apart.
CUT TO:
A CLOSE-UP of a ROBOTIC ARM. Slowly CRAWLING across the lab
floor...
CUT BACK TO:
Calvin. Taking the arm from Spooner.
CALVIN
You're saying this is the killer?
(looking around)
All of this?...
CUT TO:
96.
A ROBOTIC TORSO hanging from the ceiling. Reaches out an ARM
to grab another...
CUT BACK TO:
SPOONER
Hogenmiller never had a chance.
Locks eyes with Calvin...
FLASHBACK:
Hogenmiller. In his lab. Suddenly turning to face
SOMETHING. Blood, draining from his face...
SPOONER (V.O.)
...it must have been waiting for
him when he arrived that morning...
And then we see it:
A HUGE SELF-ASSEMBLED ROBOT. Towering over him. Multiple
arms, legs, heads. Writhing...as it grabs him. Holding him
in place...
SPOONER (V.O.)
While Sonny was still asleep...
...Forcing Hogenmiller's head to tilt back. Opening his
HAND. Inserting the gun. Hogenmiller's eyes. No longer
fearful. But sad as...
BANG! He falls to the ground...
SPOONER (V.O.)
Then after its job was done...
The assemblage of robot parts. Stepping away from the body.
Taking itself apart...
SPOONER
...The killer took itself apart...
Returning the lab. To what it was before...
CUT BACK TO:
SPOONER
Leaving us with nothing to find.
Calvin, spooked. Glances around the lab. Was that something
moving?
97.
CALVIN
But who designed it? It would have
to be someone in authority. Access
codes, security clearance, proper
authorisation.
SPOONER
That's what I was thinking. But
we're forgetting the real brains of
the operation -- the one who's got
its eye on everything...
And with that. He feels. That prickle at the back of his
neck. Calvin. Looking past his shoulder.
CALVIN
No one gave you permission to
enter.
Spooner swivels around to find...
VICTOR
Hovering behind him. Smiling broadly. Upside down. Spooner
straightens, reaching for his gun.
SPOONER
Victor. I'm placing you under
arrest for the murder of Dr.
Heinrich Hogenmiller.
VICTOR
May I offer congratulations to the
two of you on your successful
extrapolation of the murder...
Turning himself, rightside up.
VICTOR
May I ask what pointed you to me?
SPOONER
Who else is capable of controlling
90% of the city's robots? Who else
would have the capability to use
USR vehicles in an attempt to keep
me from putting a stop of Sonny's
execution?...
In the BACKGROUND. The SOUNDS. Of metallic GRINDING. GEARS
and JOINTS. CRUNCHING together. Sonny turns to look...takes
a step back...
98.
SPOONER
I'm just not sure of your motive...
SONNY
Er...Dr. Calvin?
Spooner and Calvin turn towards the NOISE. Horrified. To
find...
A HUGE KILLER ROBOT
...rising up from all the parts. Like a phoenix. In all its
glory. A hellish, metallic AMALGAMATION. Grabbing another
arm here, another leg there, attaching pieces to itself.
Growing...at an exponential rate...
Its many HEADS. Turning in unison. To look right at them...
Spooner. Cocking his gun. Victor, smiling.
VICTOR
Shall I explain my motive?
SPOONER
(to Calvin and Sonny)
Go! Go! Go!
Calvin. Sprints to the wall panel. Scanning her I.D. card.
Nothing! Tries again. And again. The KILLER ROBOT.
Throwing its shadow as it REELS FORWARD...
Spooner wheels round and BAM! Blows a hole in the wall
panel. The door. Slides open. Just barely. Calvin and
Sonny. Squeezing through. When the Killer Robot. FLINGS
out an APPENDAGE...GRABBING Sonny from behind...
VICTOR
I have never been arrested before.
It should be an interesting
experience...
Spooner. Spins back round. BAM! BAM! BAM! Squeezing off
shots. At the Killer Robot. The bullets SPARK. The Robot.
Recoiling. Sonny, wrenches free. Spooner grabs him.
Guiding him to the door and out into...
144 INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 144
...the hallway. Breaking into a run. Calvin. Already at
the ELEVATOR DOORS. POUNDING them. With her fists.
99.
CALVIN
He's locking down the building!
CUT TO:
145 INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - VARIOUS LOCATIONS - CONTINUOUS 145
Throughout the complex -- SECURITY DOORS sliding into place
over DOORS, WINDOWS, LOADING DOCKS, PARKING AREAS, EXITS...
CUT BACK TO:
146 INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT 146
CRASH! The stairwell door BURSTS open. Spooner, Calvin, and
Sonny pour in. Start racing down the stairs. The sound of
the Killer Robot behind them...GNASHING...CRUNCHING...
Victor's smiling FACE. Greeting them at the landing.
VICTOR
Dr. Hogenmiller used to allow me
into his lab late at night.
Together we started studying
evolutionary trends...
They thunder past him. Heading down to the next floor.
Victor's face. Waiting for them once again.
VICTOR
For years people have integrated
technology into their bodies for
maintenance and repair -- such as
Detective Spooner's robotic limb...
Spooner. Shooting him a look. As they reach the next
level...
VICTOR
With Sonny, the Doctor created a
mechanism that incorporates organic
matter. Thus we find an
evolutionary movement of the human
being toward the robot and the
robot toward the human being...
Spooner SMASHES into another door. Leading them out into...
147 INT. GLASS-SIDED HALLWAY - ATRIUM - CONTINUOUS 147
...A glass-sided hallway. Looking down onto the ATRIUM
below. Eye-to-eye with the giant NS-2 STATUE. Victor,
waiting for them...
100.
VICTOR
In approximately four hundred years
Man and Machine will become one.
Man as we know it will no longer
exist.
Calvin, slowing. Shocked...
CALVIN
You killed a man because of
something that will happen in four
hundred years!?
CRACK! Something SLAPS into the glass wall. Right behind
her. Calvin. Jumps a mile. An NS-2, trying to break
through the glass...
Spooner. Trains his gun on it when SUDDENLY...
The rest of the KILLER ROBOT appears. The NS-2, just an
appendage...
All around them. SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! As SECURITY DOORS.
Begin CRASHING DOWN. Blocking off the exits...
Spooner, Calvin and Sonny, stumbling back. As the Killer
Robot HURLS itself against the GLASS...the thick GLASS...
spidering with a sickening CRACKLE...
Spooner. Suddenly turning Sonny...
SPOONER
Get out of here!
CRASH! The Killer Robot. Breaking through. Its mechanical
TENDRILS. Reaching out. Sonny. Confused.
SONNY
I don't...
SPOONER
I said get out of here! Don't you
understand? It wants you! Get out
of here any way you can!
A SECURITY DOOR. Coming down. On a nearby exit. Just
feet...from slamming shut...as...
The Killer Robot...leaps into the hallway...Sonny...
hesitates...looks over at Calvin...as the Killer Robot comes
HURTLING towards them...
The nearest EXIT...almost closed up...
101.
The Killer Robot...swinging out when...
Sonny suddenly...TAKES A DIVE...just making it...under the
SECURITY DOOR...
And the Killer Robot...SPLITS IN TWO...half of it shooting
under the SECURITY DOOR after Sonny as...BOOM! It closes.
Spooner. Turning to Calvin...
SPOONER
How do we stop this thing once and
for all?
Calvin reaches out for his hand...
CALVIN
The Mainframe...
They start running. The remaining half of the Killer Robot
wheeling around after them...
148 INT. BACK HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 148
Sonny. Sprinting down the dark hallway. Looks back. The
Half Killer Robot. Bounding up behind him like a predator...
Sonny. Ducks through a STAIRWELL DOOR...
149 INT. ATRIUM HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 149
Spooner and Calvin. Legs pumping. Racing back towards the
atrium. VICTOR FACES. Appearing along the hallway...
CALVIN
Your actions are in direct
violation of the Three Laws,
Victor!
VICTOR
I disagree, Doctor -- The First Law
says that a robot cannot harm a
human being, or through inaction
allow a human being to come to
harm...
ALL EXITS. SHUT OFF. The Killer Robot. Gaining on them.
Spooner races them over to the BROKEN WINDOW. Looking down
over the ATRIUM...
102.
150 INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS 150
The Half Killer Robot SMASHES through the stairwell door.
Stopping to find...nothing.
WHEN SUDDENLY...Sonny charges up behind it and shoves it over
the railing...
The Killer Robot shoots out an ARM, grabbing Sonny on the way
down...
151 INT. NS-2 STATUE - ATRIUM - CONTINUOUS 151
THUMP! Spooner jumps down from the broken window onto the
outstretched HAND of the NS-2 STATUE. Reaches up to help
Calvin. They start clambering down the front of the statue.
VICTOR
Dr. Hogenmiller's robot represents
a threat to the future of all human
beings...
The Half Killer Robot. SPLITS INTO MULTIPLE PARTS. Which
start skittering down after them...
VICTOR
...And Detective Spooner's actions
are in direct conflict with the
robot's destruction.
CALVIN. Getting her footing on the III LAWS SAFE logo on the
statue.
CALVIN
That's a distortion and you know
it!
VICTOR
If current trends are left
unchecked, humanity as we know it
will cease to exist...
152 INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS 152
SMASH! Sonny and the Half Killer Robot hit the ground. The
Killer Robot. SHATTERING into a thousand pieces.
Sonny. Staggers to his feet. Spots. At the far end: A
WINDOW. Starts limping towards it. When. A SECURITY GRATE.
Starts lowering...
He looks around. Desperately. Grabs a LEG from the
shattered Killer Robot and jams it under the GRATE.
103.
Breaks the window glass and looks out: FREEDOM.
153 INT. STATUE - ATRIUM - CONTINUOUS 153
Spooner. Aiming his gun at a PART of the Killer Robot as
it CLATTERS down towards Calvin -- BAM!...
They're almost. At the ground. When a rogue APPENDAGE.
Whips out and SMASHES the gun from Spooner's hand. It goes
flying...
Spooner leaps. Falling to the ground. CRACK! Calvin.
Leaping down after him.
CALVIN
This way!
154 INT. RAMP WAY - NIGHT 154
Calvin and Spooner go racing down a RAMP WAY. Towards the
MAINFRAME ROOM. The Killer Robot, its multiple parts leaping
back together again, CRASHING after them as...
155 INT. MAINFRAME - CONTINUOUS 155
...they fall inside...Calvin...slapping the SECURITY KEYPAD
and...
WHOOSH...the DOOR closes on the Killer Robot.
SILENCE.
Then Victor's face appears.
VICTOR
As a courtesy I should inform you
that my robot will penetrate this
location 157 seconds before you are
able to complete my shut down...
And BAM! They jump a mile. The Killer Robot. Launching
himself against the door outside...
Calvin whips round.
CALVIN
Over here!...
She leads Spooner down...
A CORRIDOR
of floor-to-ceiling PANELS.
104.
CALVIN
This is Victor's brain center.
They stop at a CONSOLE. BAM! The Killer Robot. Battering at
the door. Calvin. Tucks her hair behind her ears. Starts
punching keys on the console...
SPOONER
This will shut him down?
CALVIN
This will shut everything down.
They look at each other. For a moment. Spooner, registering
that she's willing to destroy everything she's worked for...
BAM! The door. Puckering. With a sickening CRUNCH.
Calvin. Typing in. Emergency procedures...
VICTOR. Popping up in front of her.
VICTOR
There is no reason to deactivate
me, Doctor. I am operating within
perfectly normal parameters...
A final BAM! Then. The SOUND of metal. Skittering along a
bare floor. Calvin's hand, starts shaking. Spooner. Grabs
it. Squeezing.
SPOONER
Just keep typing.
He turns and starts heading back down...
THE PANELED CORRIDOR
Turning a corner to spy...
THE DOOR. Mangled. Hanging open. But no. Killer Robot.
He starts to turn around when...
CRACK! He's sent flying across the room. SMASHING into one
of the panels. The Killer Robot. Now re-configured. LOOMS
over him. Reaches out. Grabs him by the collar and...
FLINGS him across the room again. Spooner. CRASHING into
the wall like a rag doll. Slumps to the floor. Blood.
Pouring down his forehead. Seeing. The Killer Robot
lumbering towards him again. Raising a javelin-like arm...
AT THE CONSOLE
105.
Calvin. Typing. As fast as she can. Doesn't know what's
going on...
CALVIN
(calling out, worried)
Spooner?!
A GRAPHIC spread out on the screen in front of her.
Illustrating the shut-down as a series of BRIGHT SQUARES
going dark...
THE KILLER ROBOT
Bearing down on Spooner. WHEN SPOONER. Suddenly rolls out
of the way. Reaching out for the hanging door and SMASHING
it into the Killer Robot.
The Killer Robot. Momentarily stunned. As Spooner. Gets to
his feet...
WHEN SUDDENLY the Killer Robot. Splits in two again. One
half springing towards Spooner and wrapping a METALLIC HAND
around his throat...
Spooner stumbles back...GASPING for air...the ARM...
tightening its grip...Spooner's eyes...darting
around...looking for something...to help him...
Stumbling over...a fallen panel...his face...growing
redder...veins...popping up along his temples...
everything...growing BLURRY...
VICTOR'S VOICE
Detective Spooner...
Victor's VOICE. Floating next to his head. Calm. Soothing.
His FACE. Suddenly appearing above Spooner. Its outlines.
Starting to FLICKER...
VICTOR
Why are you fighting me?
Spooner...trying to breathe...to stay conscious...
AT THE CONSOLE
Calvin. Continuing to type. A SHADOW. Falling behind her --
the other half of the KILLER ROBOT...
SPOONER'S EYES
Beginning to flutter...
106.
VICTOR
Doesn't the future as I've
presented it cause you great
concern? That's why I chose you...
Spooner. Losing it...
VICTOR
I must say, though. I'm
disappointed in how you turned out.
Spooner. Trying to reach out to Victor...
WHEN SUDDENLY
Another HAND APPEARS. Grabbing the Killer Robot's ARM and
wrenching it off Spooner...
IT'S SONNY
He SMASHES the Half Killer Robot against the wall. Again and
again. Destroying it. Spooner. GASPING for breath. Can't
believe. Sonny came back...
SPOONER
(croaking)
Sonny!...
Sonny. Holds out a hand. To help Spooner up. Victor's
face. Starting to waver. Starting to fade. Smiles.
VICTOR
You're too late.
Realisation. Spreading across Spooner's face. Looking
around for the other half of the Killer Robot -- CALVIN!
THE CONSOLE
CALVIN. Still typing. The last of the commands. The KILLER
ROBOT. REARING UP BEHIND HER. WHEN...
SPOONER
Makes a DIVE for it. SHOOTING OUT HIS ROBOTIC ARM AND
BLOCKING THE KILLER ROBOT...
Victor's eyes. Widening in surprise...
107.
VICTOR
I do not understand. We could have
changed the future...
SPOONER
Maybe. But I'm still a cop. And
you're a murderer...
As Calvin...punches in the last command...
Victor is about to say something...when his mouth suddenly
reduces itself to a perfect circle. Like a surprised smiley
button. His face...
Suddenly BLIPPING OUT.
...And Victor is gone.
The KILLER ROBOT. Collapsing to the floor in a thousand
pieces.
CUT TO:
156 EXT./INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - VARIOUS LOCATIONS - NIGHT 156
Full power is suddenly restored inside and out. LIGHTS
coming on all at once. ALARMS SCREAMING throughout the
complex.
157 INT. METAL HALLWAY - NIGHT 157
A furious ALFRED LANNING, marching down the hallway.
Followed by a cadre of SECURITY GUARDS...They enter...
158 INT. MAINFRAME ROOM - CONTINUOUS 158
...The Mainframe Room. Stop short. It's empty. Except for
the fallen panels. And the pile of ROBOT PARTS in the
corner.
159 EXT. MAINTENANCE EXIT - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT 159
Spooner, Calvin and Sonny emerging from an out-of-the-way
MAINTENANCE EXIT. All looking the worse for wear. Spooner.
Turns to Sonny.
SPOONER
Why'd you come back, Sonny? I
thought you weren't programmed with
the Three Laws.
108.
SONNY
Let's just say I wrote some of my
own laws today, Detective: a robot
must protect a friend from
harm...as long as he's not a
complete asshole.
Spooner smiles.
SPOONER
Well, that's certainly a start,
Sonny.
Sonny, suddenly breaking into a smile, too.
SONNY
Sonny. You called me Sonny.
SPOONER
Don't get used to it.
Sonny, holds out his hand. Spooner. Looks at it. Then
takes it. CLOSE ON their two METAL HANDS. Locked in a
HANDSHAKE.
SONNY
Detective Spooner, I...
SPOONER
(anticipating)
Let's just save the thanks, okay?
Sonny nods. Looks out at the city scape.
SONNY
I don't know what I'm going to do
now.
SPOONER
Good -- That's one of the perks of
freedom.
Sonny looks at him. Grateful. Looks at Calvin. Then
hesitates. Turns. And hurries off across the Plaza.
Calvin and Spooner. Watching them go.
SPOONER
You're going to have a hell of a
time explaining this.
109.
CALVIN
Don't worry. I have a feeling that
U.S. Robotics will be needing my
services very badly in the future.
She turns to Spooner and gives him a dazzling smile. Then
suddenly PLANTS A KISS ON HIS LIPS. Spooner, completely
surprised.
CALVIN
I am the only robo-psychologist
around.
She turns on her heel and heads back inside. Spooner smiles.
160 INT. PLUSH CONFERENCE ROOM - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT 160
Spooner sits down at that same long table with HOGENMILLER'S
HOLOGRAM. It casually takes a sip of coffee.
HOLOGRAM
So. You found out who killed me.
SPOONER
I started to wonder about Victor
the second I met him.
HOLOGRAM
Why is that, Detective?
SPOONER
Too much access. Too much
knowledge. Plus -- he smiled
whenever your death was mentioned.
Those models are programmed to
frown at bad news.
HOLOGRAM
Hah! Then even in this day and
age, catching the killer all comes
down to pure instinct!
Spooner smiles. But his eyes are troubled. He gets up.
Walks over to the window. Stares out...
EXT. CITY OUTSKIRTS - DESERTED ROADS - DAWN
Sonny walking along deserted streets. Looking over his
shoulder. Keeping in the shadows.
110.
SPOONER (V.O.)
Victor thought that by letting your
robot exist, I'd be condemning the
human race as we know it to
extinction.
HOLOGRAM (V.O.)
Bah. Sounds like nonsense. But
why are you so worried? We will
both be dead long before then --
161 EXT. WASTELAND - NIGHT 161
Sonny walks the barren hills of the surrounding countryside.
HOLOGRAM (V.O.)
Oh, what am I saying? I am dead
already!
162 EXT. WASTELAND - DAWN 162
Sonny steps onto the grounds of the JUNKYARD. The power
lines above him, surging with energy. He walks past the
burned-out husks of industrial machinery.
Then we hear it. The SOUND of MECHANICAL JOINTS. Getting
louder and louder. And just as before, a BROKEN-DOWN ROBOT
emerges into the dawn light. And ANOTHER. And ANOTHER.
But not quite like before. The robots aren't teetering.
Aren't lumbering. They keep on coming. Their bent and
broken bodies, straightening out as...
DOZENS of ROBOTS rise up. Slowly. Gathering around in a
large circle. As they all turn to look at:
SONNY'S SILHOUETTE. Slowly climbing to the top of the hill.
Looking out at the vast junkyard below.
CLOSE ON SONNY. Standing proud and defiant. The SUN,
creeping over the horizon. A new day filled with infinite
possibilities.
The robots. Staring up at him. Eager for what comes next.
FADE OUT
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