UNLOCKED

Written by Gant Laborde

A sleeper agent who’s fallen asleep - now jolted awake to ponder the burning question, “What’s the shelf-life of an oath?”

EXT. SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD – COLD MORNING

A quiet morning in everyday suburban America. DENIS (late 30s) steps into his kitchen. He pours coffee and prepares breakfast for his daughter JESSIE (pre-teen). DENIS gazes out the window. 

RACK FOCUS TO CAR ANTENNA:

He spots a BLACK RIBBON tied to his car’s antenna. 

RACK FOCUS BACK TO DENIS:

His face falls into a look of deep distress.

INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

DENIS sets the breakfast on the table. He calls JESSIE, who is busy with her homework.

DENIS

                 Breakfast is ready!

JESSIE

                 Whipped cream pancakes?

DENIS places pancakes on the table with a happy face painted in whipped cream.

DENIS

                 Hey, do you want to go to Airline Skate Center today?

JESSIE

                 Weren’t we going to work on my science project?

DENIS

                 We’ll do that later.

JESSIE

             But I’m too old for skating.

DENIS grins playfully.

DENIS

                 I’m too old for it too. Come on, it’ll be fun!

                 You never know if I’m going to fall on my face.

Her expression remains unimpressed. He softens his tone.

DENIS (CONT’D)

                 And—how about you get to see that movie with your

                 friends later?

JESSIE

                 Yeah?

Hope brightens his eyes; he needs this outing badly.

DENIS

                 You got it, Lovebug!

JESSIE

                 Dad! Don’t call me that.

DENIS laughs, but when JESSIE turns away, his smile disappears.

EXT. DRIVEWAY – MOMENTS LATER

They load into the car. As they settle in, JESSIE looks at him curiously.

JESSIE

                 How long are we going to skate?

DENIS

                 Not long. Just a short trip with your old man.

                 That okay, Lovebug?

JESSIE smiles, pleased.

EXT. AIRLINE SKATE CENTER – LATER

They arrive at the skate center. Oversized signs proclaim “CASH ONLY” and “NO CREDIT CARDS.” They pay and step inside.

INT. SKATE CENTER – LOCKER WALL – CONTINUOUS

Rows of lockers line the room. DENIS gestures to JESSIE.

DENIS

                 Pick a locker, love.

JESSIE

                 Not again!

DENIS

                 You know the game!

JESSIE

                 Why can’t we use the same one as last time?

                 There aren’t that many people.

DENIS

                 It’s our tradition.

She walks up and grabs the first locker. DENIS shakes his head.

DENIS (CONT’D)

                 Uh-uh! You chose that one before.

Rolling her eyes, she opts for the locker next to it and turns for approval.

JESSIE

                 How’s this?

DENIS

                 Excellent choice.

He feeds a five-dollar bill into the machine and selects Locker 36. The locker clicks open. Jessie places her shoes inside.

DENIS (CONT’D)

                 Go warm up—I want a race.

JESSIE runs off. Alone, DENIS lingers by locker 36. He looks around and then crouches to read the inside top of the locker. His eyes trace the printed words: “Orange/Stethoscope/Valentine.” With a somber expression, he slips his jacket into the locker, then discreetly checks for the hidden gun he has tucked. He scans the room again and then exits.

INT. SKATE CENTER – SKATE RINK AREA – CONTINUOUS

DENIS moves to a counter where a SKATE ATTENDANT awaits.

DENIS

(quietly)

                 Hey, I know this is going to sound strange,

                 but you got any orange skates?

The SKATE ATTENDANT puzzled, shrugs.

SKATE ATTENDANT

                 What size?

DENIS

                 Twelve

The YOUNG MAN returns with the right size skates.

SKATE ATTENDANT

                 They’re kinda orange.

DENIS

                 That works.

David looks around while walking. He sees the concession counter, and he changes his direction. He approaches the concession counter.

DENIS

                 Hey, you’ve got a lot of flavors. 

(beat)

                 Do you serve Orange Julias?

A YOUNG WOMAN behind the counter shakes her head.

YOUNG WOMAN

                 No.

DENIS

                 Thanks.

He wanders through the rink, looking anxious. A low, pulsing hum grows louder. He watches JESSIE laughing and skating alongside a slightly OLDER GIRL.

INT. SKATE RINK – BENCH AREA – CONTINUOUS

The spot that was empty before now has A WOMAN seated beside him. Her voice breaks through the ambient hum.

WOMAN (O.S.)

                 Aren’t kids the cutest?

Lost in thought, DENIS is startled as the rink’s ambient sounds swell back in as the hum fades

DENIS

                 Yeah… she’s amazing.

WOMAN

                 Is that your daughter? I think she’s making

                 friends with mine.

DENIS

                 Yeah.

A pause. Softly, he adds:

DENIS (CONT’D)

                 She used to dress up. I guess she’s finally

                 growing out of neon orange every time we go skating.

WOMAN

                 They grow up so fast. My daughter used to dress

                 in costumes, too. One year, she was a doctor, skating

                 with a stethoscope and everything.

FLASH CUT TO THE TEXT FROM THE LOCKER: Orange/Stethoscope/Valentine

DENIS freezes. His voice drops.

DENIS

                 I feel ya. Last time she got dressed up was

                 for a daddy-daughter Valentine’s Day date.

The WOMAN smiles wanly.

WOMAN

                 Regardless of the outfit, I’d love to have you

                 over some time. Our kids mesh so well—I can be

                 your newest contact.

DENIS nods understandingly. They both speak without making eye contact.

DENIS

                 I... had a playdate contact in my phone. I don’t

                 know what happened to him.

WOMAN

                 Don’t cling to the past. Our daughters are having

                 a wonderful time. I’ll be your new contact now.

DENIS clenches his jaw.

DENIS

                 What happened to Henry?

Anger flashes across her face.

WOMAN

                 Who?

DENIS

                 It’s just… the past twenty-three years—never mind.

WOMAN

                 It’s our JOB to focus on our plan for the future. 

(glancing around)

                 And the future starts right now.

DENIS nods – sadness in his eyes.

After a beat, the WOMAN leans in, speaking in perfect Russian.

WOMAN (in Russian)

                 ÐкÑ‚ивиÑ€оваÑ‚ÑŒ рыбу-меч‡

DENIS’ eyes widen.

DENIS

                 Are you serious?

WOMAN

                 As a heart attack.

DENIS

                 But why now? The Federation hasn’t sent

                 word in-

Her expression turns flustered.

WOMAN

                 Look, all you need to know is—it’s time.

DENIS

                 I understand.

WOMAN

                 Think of your daughter. You don’t want to end

                 up like Henry, do you?

DENIS’ gaze hardens.

DENIS (in Russian)

                 Ð"де моя целÑŒ?

WOMAN

                 No more mother tongue— 

(glancing around)

                 And its targets. Plural

DENIS

                 I don’t know if I can do more than one today…

He hesitates as she fixes him a piercing glare.

WOMAN

                 Lucky for you, your first one is close. The stall

                 in the men’s bathroom is shut for renovation.

DENIS

                 Here?

WOMAN (CONT’D)

                 Here’s my number.

                            (she hands him a card)

                 Today is going to be a glorious day.

She stands and calls out in a stern voice:

WOMAN (CONT’D)

                 Sasha!

The OLDER GIRL skating with JESSIE breaks from her smile and glides toward the WOMAN. JESSIE stares confused. WOMAN and OLDER GIRL leave.

JESSIE approaches the DENIS. She appears sad.

JESSIE

                 I want to go home.

DENIS

                 I haven’t gotten my skates on yet.

(beat)

                 We can go. I just need to use the restroom

                 really quick, Lovebug.

JESSIE

                 Can’t it wait? The bathrooms are disgusting.

DENIS

                 I’ll be quick! 

INT. RESTROOM – CONTINUOUS

DENIS enters an empty restroom. The last stall is taped off. He pulls out a knife, cuts through the tape, and enters. Inside, he finds a BOX marked “BROKEN.” He reluctantly opens it and sighs. He methodically assembles a nerve agent. His face is etched with sadness. He punches in a long code to arm the device.

INT. SKATE RINK – MOMENTS LATER

DENIS exits the restroom. Across the rink, he sees JESSIE laughing with one of her friends. The FRIEND greets him.

FRIEND

                 Hey, Mr. White!

DENIS

(softly)

                 Time to go.

JESSIE hesitates.

JESSIE

                 I want to stay.... You still haven’t

                 skated Dad!

A pair of PARENTS nearby chime in.

PARENT

                 Hey Denis! We just got here.

JESSIE

                 Dad said I can go to the movie later!

Denis avoids eye contact and looks down. He’s disturbed.

DENIS

                 We have to go.

PARENT

                 If you need to go, we’ll keep an eye on them.

                 We can drop her off after.

DENIS

                 We have to go now!

DENIS grabs JESSIE by the arm.

JESSIE

                 You’re hurting me!

They storm out. Onlookers gawk and gasp at the sight.

EXT. PARKING LOT – CONTINUOUS

JESSIE bursts into tears. DENIS’ pent-up emotions explode.

DENIS

(yelling)

                 It’s time to grow up! When I say we have

                 to go, we have to go.

JESSIE

                 You didn’t even return your skates! What is

                 happening? Why are you like this?

DENIS

                 There comes a time when life gets hard, Lovebug.

                 You need to be tough.

JESSIE

                 Don’t you fucking call me that!

DENIS is taken aback.

JESSIE

                 You want tough? You’re being an asshole.

                 You’re ruining this day.

She stands defiant, meeting his gaze.

JESSIE (CONT’D)

                 I don’t know why you’re acting like this,

                 but you’re wrong!

DENIS (CONT’D)

                 Look, this day is ruined, whether I ruin it or not.

                 That’s life. But don’t talk to your father like that.

                 You’re going to need me. You’re going to need

                 to be like me.

JESSIE

                 I don’t need this! And I’m never going to be like you.

(through tears)

                 I’m going to have a family that loves me.

                 They won’t hate me. I won’t hurt them.

(softly)

                 And if no one hurts you, then no one has to fight.

DENIS stares as tears well in his eyes. 

DENIS

                 Honey. 

(beat)

                 Sometimes... there’s no choice.

JESSIE

                 That’s not my dad talking.

He chokes on his words.

DENIS

                 You - 

DENIS stares back and forth between the building and JESSIE several times. Finally, he settles on his daughter's eyes. He opens his arms.

DENIS (CONT’D)

                 You’re right. 

JESSIE clings to him, crying softly.

His heart shatters. He manages a weak smile.

DENIS (CONT’D)

                 Sometimes, being strong isn’t doing what

                 you’re told, Lovebug. 

(beat)

                 You’re so much better than me. You’re everything

                 that’s right in the world.

JESSIE looks up at her father.

INT. SKATE CENTER – 

SLOW MOTION SHOT:

DENIS walks into the skate center’s entrance—torn between a life of cold and the warm love of his daughter. He knows that pulling the fire alarm will brand him a traitor, igniting a chain reaction that could cost him everything. 

DENIS (V.O.)

                 My daughter’s grown up so much. I think it’s

                 time I did, too. I know this means we’re anything

                 but safe, but -

With trembling hands, he reaches for the FIRE ALARM and pulls it.

DENIS (V.O.)

                 -today, I will do my part, not for my country

                 but for my family.

SLOW MOTION SHOT ENDS:

EXT. SKATE CENTER – CHAOS – MOMENTS LATER

Sirens wail. Panic erupts as people exit to safety. Amid the chaos, DENIS watches, his face a blend of resolve and sadness. He walks towards the police, his hands in the air.

In the distance, his daughter is held by the PARENTS of her FRIEND. Her concerned look tells him that, for once, he made the right decision.

He smiles back.

DENIS (V.O.)

                 We always have a choice, Lovebug.