Sliders 4x02 - Prophets and Loss (1997!09!10)

8/20/2019 Sliders 4x02 - Prophets and Loss (1997!09!10)

1/51

EXEC. PRODUCER: David Peckinpah PROD. #K2805

CO-EXEC. PRODUCER: Bill Dial Prod. Draft 9/10/97 (F.R.)

PRODUCER: Jerry O'Connell

PRODUCER: Ed Ledding

PRODUCER: Marc Scott Zicree

EXEC. STORY EDITOR: Chris Black EXEC. CONSULTANT: Tracy Torme'

"P R O P H E T S A N D L O S S"

Written by

Bill Dial

Directed by

Mark Sobel

- NOTICE -

THIS MATERIAL IS THE PROPERTY OF UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS AND IS INTENDED AND

RESTRICTED SOLELY FOR STUDIO USE BY STUDIO PERSONNEL.. DISTRIBUTION OR DISCLOSURE

OF THE MATERIAL TO UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS IS PROHIBITED. THE SALE, COPYING OR

REPRODUCTION OF THIS MATERIAL IN ANY FORM IS ALSO PROHIBITED.


2/51

SLIDERS

"Prophets and Loss"

TEASER

FADE IN

EXT. COURTYARD - DAY (D1)1 1

A kind of cloister one might associate with a church or monastery. The VORTEX OPENS near a central well, and Quinnis dropped onto the grass next to it. After a moment Maggiedrops in. No Rembrandt. The vortex stays open.

QUINNWhere's Remmy?

MAGGIEHe's still at the ATM.

QUINNAgain?

ANOTHER PART OF THE COURTYARD2 2

Quinn and Maggie don't know it, but their dramatic arrivalhas been observed by a man on the other side of thecourtyard. His name is CADMUS, and he wears a distinctive white suit. He reacts with surprise to the open vortex andthe sudden appearance of these two people. Then he drawsback into the shadows of the cloister to observe without

being seen.

BACK WITH QUINN AND MAGGIE3 3

The vortex still open. Now Rembrandt comes tumbling out,just as the VORTEX CLOSES behind him.

QUINNThat was...too close.

MAGGIEDid you get any money?

REMBRANDTNo. And the thing almost ate mycard.

The Sliders start to pick themselves up and dust themselvesoff.

#K2805 - "Prophets and Loss" - Production Draft 9/10/97 1.

CONTINUED

Prepared by Earth Prime


3/51

QUINNOne of these slides you're going toget trapped in a world you don't want to stay in.

REMBRANDT

But I'll have money.(then)Where are we?

QUINNLooks like a monastery.

MAGGIEOh, fun.

They start to walk toward a gate. Quinn checks the timer.

REMBRANDTHow long have we got?

QUINNSeventy-two hours.

ANGLE ON CADMUS4 4

in the shadows of the cloister. As the Sliders approach thefar gate, he slips out and follows them.

EXT. CITY STREET - DAY5 5

As the Sliders move out onto a sidewalk. Looks like anormal city street, but a little cleaner. All the people wesee are pleasant looking, well dressed, clean cut -- men insuits or jackets, women in dresses -- no slacks or shorts.No street people or homeless.

QUINNLooks fairly normal.

MAGGIEToo clean.

REMBRANDTNo Kromaggs, which makes it justfine with me.

QUINNIf we've got three days, I want tofind a library, maybe talk my wayinto a lab, and get to work on thistimer. (MORE)


CONTINUED3 3

CONTINUED



4/51

QUINN (CONT'D)Got to be a way I can program thecoordinates to my brother's world.All I can do is hope he's got thecoordinates for our home world.

Quinn stops a moment, struck by what he's just said.

MAGGIEWhat is it?

QUINN'My brother's world.' I just can'tseem to get my mind around the ideathat I've got a brother.

REMBRANDTA brother, a new father and mother,another whole new world wheresomebody may have slammed the hell

out of the Kromaggots. Lot to geta mind around, Q-Ball.

The Sliders pass a newsstand and stop to check out a stack ofnewspapers. Maggie picks up a paper, Quinn pays for it withsome coins, and they continue up the street as they look atthe headlines.

MAGGIE(reading)

'Uprising in Detroit Ended. MasterOracle Declares Michigan Rat Free.'

REMBRANDTWhat? I've been to Detroit. Trust me, they've got rats.

INSERT - THE PAPER6 6

We see the headline and next to it a two-column photo of theMaster Oracle. Looks a lot like Newt Gingrich.

BACK TO SCENE7 7

as Maggie opens the paper and reads further.

MAGGIE'Welcomers ceremony draws a HundredThousand to Rose Bowl.'

QUINNWelcomers?


CONTINUED5 5

CONTINUED



5/51

REMBRANDTDoesn't sound like a football team.

MAGGIE(reading)

'Jason Five, RadRat Sentenced to

Re-Config.'

REMBRANDTWhat does that mean?

No one has a clue. Maggie continues to read as they pass alarge poster on a wall. Under a big photo of CharlesDarwin, in big print: DEMON DARWIN. HERETIC. ORACLELECTURE SERIES STARTS FRIDAY. CHANCELLOR CENTER.

QUINNI guess the Charles Darwin of this world did something reallyterrible.

REMBRANDTChancellor Center. Could that bethe hotel?

ANGLE ON CADMUS8 8

who has been following them. He pauses now and takes out a miniature communicator -- like a cell phone -- punches in acode, then talks.

CADMUS

This is Cadmus. Three intrudershave just transported into thecloister by some unknown method.Two men, one woman. They're headedfor the center. Have centralenforcement mark them forsurveillance. They could be usefulto us, or... they could bedangerous.

Cadmus snaps the communicator shut and starts off up thestreet, following the Sliders, and we...

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER


CONTINUED7 7



6/51

ACT ONE

FADE IN

EXT. CHANCELLOR HOTEL - DAY9 9

In this world, the sign over the door says: CHANCELLORCENTER -- THE ORACLE -- LOS ANGELES. Quinn, Maggie andRemmy approach on the sidewalk, moving among the crowds ofpolite, well-groomed people. They stop and look thingsover.

MAGGIEWhat do you suppose the 'Oracle'is?

QUINNCould be some kind of church.

Suddenly, there is a loud, musical chime filling the air.The people on the sidewalk all stop whatever they're doingand head for the entrance of the Chancellor Center.

WITH THE SLIDERS10 10

as they watch the people all move toward the center. Ayoung woman passes them, pauses and looks back, sees they'renot heading for the center, and turns back to talk to them.Her name is JANE.

JANEAren't you coming to the assembly?

QUINNAh...well, we're new in the area...

JANEWhy don't you join me? Newcomersare always welcome at ourassemblies.

(extending her hand)My name is Jane. I'm soon to be aWelcomer.

MAGGIE(shakes hands)

I'm Maggie. And this is Quinn andRembrandt.

REMBRANDTGood to meet a Welcomer. Alwaysliked getting welcomed better thannot getting welcomed.

And they follow her, along with the last of the others, intothe center.




7/51

INT. CHANCELLOR CENTER - DAY11 11

The inside is arranged like a church or large meeting hall.Several hundred seats in rows, now filling with people.There is a raised platform at the front. Two white suited men sit in high-backed chairs facing the audience. Behindthe men, upstage on the platform, is a large archway with

some kind of chamber inside. This is the Portal. Ethereal,new age music is playing as the audience assembles.

A NEW ANGLE12 12

to pick up the Sliders making their way to some seats withJane. An usher hands each of them a brochure.

CLOSER ON JANE AND THE SLIDERS13 13

as they take their seats.

JANE(sotto)

Our Chief Oracle is Gareth, a trulygifted man.

ANGLE ON STAGE14 14

Cadmus standing behind Gareth. Cadmus is taking note of theSliders' arrival.

JANE'S VOICEThe other man is the Chief

Counselor, Cadmus. They are both'sighted' leaders.

BACK TO SCENE15 15

with Jane and the Sliders.

JANEA special provenance from theMaster Oracle himself. 'Sighted'leaders can make law.

Maggie nods her understanding. Jane looks at Maggiecarefully, then at Quinn and Remmy, as if studying them moreclosely. Remmy notices, gives her a nod and a smile. Janelowers her eyes, thinking, then gives her attention to thestage once more.

ANGLE ON STAGE16 16

As the music dies down and Gareth moves to a podium.


CONTINUED



8/51

GARETHWelcome to this assembly of theOracle, followers of the way. Itis a blessing to see all of youthis morning. This is a veryspecial assembly because we have a

group of Welcomers going throughthe portal to the other side, tothe next world to make it ready forus.

At this, there is a gasp from the audience and thenapplause.

JANE AND THE SLIDERS17 17

Jane applauds with the rest, then leans over to explain toour people.

JANEYou're in for a special treat.

ANGLE ON GARETH18 18

as he continues.

GARETHThere is a wonderful new world waiting for us beyond the portal.A beautiful place you might thinkof as this earth, so alike will it

be. But there we will know truepeace, and contentment, leavingbehind all cares and concerns.

ON THE SLIDERS19 19

as they look at each other. Is this guy talking aboutsliding?

BACK TO STAGE20 20

as Gareth continues.

GARETHWe must be in constant readiness togo, to cross over when we arecalled.

The new wave music starts up again as Gareth faces the sideof the stage.


CONTINUED16 16

CONTINUED



9/51

GARETHAll witness now the traverse of theWelcomers.

Four people, two men and two women, enter and cross towardGareth. They are wearing red robes. Two large, muscular

young men in gray slacks and blazers walk behind them.We'll see more of them later. They are Oracle ENFORCERS.Cadmus and Gareth move to each of the Welcomers, embracingeach one in turn. The Welcomers then turn and walk upstageto the portal. They go inside the chamber and turn back toface the audience. Gareth and Cadmus close a gate on thefront of the portal. There is a wide window in the front ofthe gate, so we can see the Welcomers in the chamber.Gareth then goes to what looks like a control panel to oneside of it. The music reaches a crescendo and Gareth throwsa switch. There is a loud electric zapping sound, andthrough the window, we see a dazzling light display thatlooks a bit like the vortex our Sliders use. The lightflashes, there is a lot of smoke, and when it clears, the

Welcomers are gone.

THE AUDIENCE21 21

rises spontaneously to its feet, applauding and cheering.

THE SLIDERS22 22

react to what they've just seen. Amazed and concerned. Arethese Welcomers "sliding" to new worlds?

CUT TO

EXT. CHANCELLOR CENTER - DAY23 23

Quinn, Maggie and Remmy come out of the assembly with therest of the congregation. Jane is with them.

JANEI hope you will join our assembly.

MAGGIEWe're just passing through.

JANEI see. Well, you're welcome anytime. The center never closes.

She smiles and walks away. The Sliders turn and head outtoward the street.


CONTINUED20 20



10/51


as they pause on the sidewalk and watch the people come outof the center. Then they look up at the building that theyknow better as a hotel.

QUINN

I've got to get a look at thatportal mechanism.

REMBRANDTMaybe you should just ask them.They seem awful friendly.

QUINNI'm not sure about that. There'ssomething not right about thesepeople. If they hate Darwin, what would they make of someone like me?

They start to walk away from the center.

QUINNJane said the place is always open.Let's wait until there are not so many people around and have a look.

NEW ANGLE ON JANE25 25

She's been standing some distance away observing the Sliderscarefully, a worried expression on her face. After theystart to walk away, she turns and crosses back into thecenter.

CUT TO

EXT. PARK - DAY - SOME TIME LATER26 26

Remmy and Maggie are sitting on a bench, Remmy working on abagel and a cup of coffee, Maggie reading the brochure shepicked up at the Chancellor Center. Quinn isn't there.

MAGGIEThey believe that life here is onlyto prepare you for life in the next world.

REMBRANDTThat's pretty much what I wastaught in church.

MAGGIEThe faithful will all be gatheredup on the Day of Accounting.


CONTINUED



11/51

REMBRANDTSame again. Day of Judgment. Dayof Accounting. What does it sayabout the 'unfaithful'?

Quinn approaches, carrying several paperback books and

magazines.

MAGGIE(looking around)

I haven't seen any. Everybodyseems to agree that the way of theOracle is the way to go.

As Quinn arrives and takes a seat on the bench.

REMBRANDTYou mean the whole country followsone set of rules? Nodenominations? No political

parties? No crazy guys holed up inIdaho with automatic weapons?

QUINNWell, there are the Rats.

(indicates a magazine)It's what they call the RationalistParty. The Oracle apparentlytolerates disagreement with their way as long as the Rats keep it ona low flame.

(another magazine)They even have debates ontelevision. Naturally the Oraclealways wins.

INSERT - MAGAZINE27 27

A picture of an Oracle/Rationalist Debate. The Oracle is PatRobertson. The Rationalist, Hugh Hefner.

BACK TO SCENE28 28

MAGGIEIs it a religion, a life style,

what?

QUINNNear as I can figure from thisstuff, it's pretty much all ofthose. On Earth Prime we had aright wing political movement that wanted to establish a system basedon family values.


CONTINUED26 26

CONTINUED



12/51

REMBRANDTYeah, their family values.

QUINNObviously on this world, thosepeople have won the argument.

(another book)According to this, there is no Billof Rights. No real freedom ofspeech without Oracle approval. Noabortion. No sex without Oraclelicense. Right dress and behaviorat all times.

REMBRANDTSounds like a weekend at my AuntMiranda's.

MAGGIEHow did the people let this happen?

QUINNMust not have been paying attention when they should have been. Mostfolks on Earth Prime don't vote and when that happens, you generallyget the kind of government youdeserve.

REMBRANDTWell, they at least have technology-- cars, planes, CD players.Schools must be pretty good.

QUINNAll controlled by the Oracle. Nosocial sciences. Nothing about what they call 'Humanism.' And theyteach nothing but Creation Science.

MAGGIEThat explains 'Demon Darwin.'

QUINNNo 'Big Bang,' no relativity, noblack holes, no chaos theory. Butif that portal is a sliding

machine, they don't follow theirown rules.

REMBRANDTHow's that?


CONTINUED28 28

CONTINUED



13/51

QUINNQuantum physics predicted paralleluniverses. What we do isn'tpossible without some understandingof subatomic particles moving fromone place within the atom to

another without going through thespace in between.

Rembrandt looks at him a long moment, then.

REMBRANDTI have no idea what the hell you'retalking about, and I seem to slidejust f me.

Quinn grins at that, and we....

CUT TO

EXT. STREET - NIGHT (N1)29 29

Very few people out. The Sliders make their way along thestreet toward the Chancellor Center, and go inside.

INT. CHANCELLOR CENTER - THE ASSEMBLY ROOM - NIGHT30 30

The lights have been dimmed and the room is empty except fortwo people sitting in the front row of seats. The Slidersenter cautiously and look around. They take seats in therear row. After a moment, an Enforcer, one of the muscular

young men we saw earlier during the Welcomer ceremony, comesout onto the stage and walks down steps into the auditorium.He looks at the two people in the front row and smiles, thencomes up the aisle toward the Sliders.

ON SLIDERS31 31

As the Enforcer approaches, they quickly take brochures outof holders on the backs of the seats in front of them andstart studying. The young man passes them, smiling at them,and moves on. Quinn looks over his shoulder to see that theEnforcer has gone.

REMBRANDTI guess those guys make regularrounds.

QUINNI'm going to take a chance andcheck out the control panel. Youguys keep a lookout and give me asignal if somebody's coming.


CONTINUED (2)28 28

CONTINUED



14/51

MAGGIE(a shade sarcastic)

Like what, a flare?

QUINNHow about a sneeze?

Quinn gets up and heads down the aisle. He passes the twopeople, who have been sitting in the front row and are nowleaving. The people smile at Quinn just like everybody elsedoes.

ON THE STAGE32 32

Quinn quickly goes to the control panel we saw Garethoperating during the assembly.

MAGGIE AND REMBRANDT33 33

rise and move apart toward different aisles to keep watch oneither side of the auditorium.

QUINN34 34

uses a pocketknife tool to unscrew the panel and lift it up.He quickly checks out the wiring and transistor trays.

REMBRANDT35 35

sees an Enforcer coming in a side door and quickly sneezes.

QUINN36 36

drops the panel lid and dashes behind one of the big high-backed chairs.

REMBRANDT37 37

as the Enforcer passes him, smiles at him. Remmy smiles backand takes a seat and pretends to start meditating.

NEW ANGLE38 38

as the Enforcer starts for the stage, looking from side toside. He goes up the steps to the stage and crosses out theback door without seeing Quinn.


CONTINUED31 31



15/51

ON STAGE39 39

Quinn gets up and goes back to the panel and starts to work.He doesn't find anything unusual and crosses to the portalitself. He pulls back the curtains and starts to examinethe chamber and its apparatus. He sees some kind of residueon the floor, reaches down to pick up a handful. Ashes. He

suddenly realizes what this thing is and is shocked by it.

NEW ANGLE40 40

as Quinn comes out of the portal and hurries down the aisle,and Maggie and Remmy cross to meet him. Quinn is excited andsomewhat frightened by what he's learned.

MAGGIEWhat is it?

QUINNIt's not a sliding machine.

REMBRANDTWell?

QUINNIt's some kind of high-poweredincinerator.

MAGGIEWhat?

QUINNThose people were burned to death.

Just as they react to this news, the lights suddenly go on.

WIDER ANGLE41 41

to show that Enforcers are coming in all of the doors and moving fast. Cadmus comes through the door at the back ofthe stage.

THE SLIDERS42 42

react to being caught, and seeing no path of escape...

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE




16/51

ACT TWO

FADE IN

INT. CHANCELLOR CENTER - ORACLE'S OFFICE - NIGHT43 43

Quinn, Remmy and Maggie are being spread-eagled andefficiently frisked by a couple of Enforcers as Cadmusstands nearby supervising. The Enforcers put what littlethey find in the Sliders' pockets onto a tray on a nearbytable. Gareth is sitting across the room behind a largedesk, apparently busy with paperwork. Maggie is especiallyannoyed by the frisking. An Enforcer finds Quinn's timerand hands it to Cadmus, who looks it over. After they'refinished, the Enforcers move away and the Sliders turntoward Cadmus.

QUINNWhy are we being held? What have we done?

CADMUSWhy were you in the Assembly Roomtonight?

MAGGIEThe door was open. Other people were coming and going freely.

CADMUSYes. The Assembly Room is alwaysopen for meditation and self-renewal. But you were up on the

stage looking at the controls tothe portal.

QUINNI was curious about how it works.I'm...well, I'm kind of ascientist.

Gareth looks up from his work.

GARETHWell, you've just answered yourquestion...what have we done?

He rises and crosses to Cadmus and takes the timer to lookit over. His manner is friendly to the point of beingunctuous. He talks to the Sliders as if they're naughtychildren.

QUINNAnd that would be...?


CONTINUED



17/51

GARETHYou say you are a 'scientist.'That's a very dangerous thing toadmit.

REMBRANDT

For whatever it's worth, I'm nota scientist.

Quinn shoots him a look. Gareth crosses to Remmy.

GARETHSo, what are you?

REMBRANDTI'm...an entertainer. Concerts.Records. Weddings...bar mitzvahs...

GARETH(turns to Maggie)

And you?

MAGGIEA tourist.

Gareth turns to the table and sorts through the stuff on thetray that was taken from the Sliders' pockets.

GARETHA 'scientist,' an 'entertainer,'and a 'tourist.' Very little money.And very unusual.

(holds up a bill, turnsto Cadmus)Someone named Lincoln is on thisfive.

(then)No identification, no travelpermits, no locater documentation.No party cards. If you'reRationalists, you must carry aparty card at all times. Weren'tyou aware of that?

The Sliders shrug and shake their heads. No, we didn'tknow.

GARETH(holds up timer))

And this.(to Quinn)

What is this?

QUINNA kind of communicator.


CONTINUED43 43

CONTINUED



18/51

GARETHReally? These numbers are countingdown to something. What?

QUINNThat's a power indicator. The time

I have left before I have to changethe batteries.

GARETHIf it's a communicator, it mustcommunicate with something... where's the other one?

QUINN/MAGGIE(at the same time)

There's not one...We lost it.

A pause, then Remmy steps forward.

REMBRANDTActually, they're both right. Welost it, so there's not one. Now,it's getting late and if I don'tget at least eight hours, I'm notfit to be around, so...

Gareth just smiles at Remmy, quiets him by holding up hishand. Then he turns and hands the timer to Cadmus.

GARETH(to Cadmus)

Have our technical staff take a

look at this.Cadmus nods and hands the timer to one of the Enforcers, whoexits. Gareth turns back to the Sliders. Smiles at themagain.

GARETHForgive my rudeness. My name isGareth and I am the Chief Oraclefor the Los Angeles area. Yoursudden appearance has caused us toforget our manners.

(a pause)I've told you who I am. And this

is my associate, Cadmus. Don't you want to tell me who you are?

QUINNMy name is Quinn Mallow. This isRembrandt Brown, and MaggieBeckett. We're from...out of town.


CONTINUED (2)43 43

CONTINUED



19/51

GARETHSo it would seem? The questionis...how far?

MAGGIEOregon, actually. Way up in the

interior. This is our first tripto L.A.

REMBRANDTAlways wanted to see the BigOrange.

GARETHVacation? Trip to the beach?

QUINNSomething like that.

GARETHHave you been to Oracle World?

QUINNNot yet.

REMBRANDTIt's on the list, though.

GARETHBe sure to see 'The World in SixDays' at the Imax Theatre. It'sreally something. And the Dark AgeDungeon Ride. There's new music

this year by John Tesh.MAGGIE

Oh, I love him.

The Sliders laugh uncomfortably. Are they out of troublehere? Or what?

GARETHThere's a special exhibit this month: 'The Failure of ReasonThrough the Ages.'

QUINN

We'll be sure to check it out.

REMBRANDTAs for I.D., and that other stuff, we got rolled this morning just as we came into town.


CONTINUED (3)43 43

CONTINUED



20/51

MAGGIE(trying to help the lie)

They took everything... most of our money. We went to the police, butthey said there wasn't much theycould do...

QUINN(joining in)

And as for the Oracle and theRationalists...We're not reallyinto politics up in...

(quick glance to Maggie)Oregon.

GARETHIsn't there an Oracle assembly inyour part of Oregon?

QUINN

Not as such.

MAGGIEWe've heard about it, of course,and always wanted to see anassembly.

QUINNAnd now we have. So, if I couldget our communicator back, we'lljust get out of your way.

Gareth has been watching this as he would a tennis match,back and forth, always with a condescending smile on hisface. He holds up a hand to stop Quinn.

GARETHI'm afraid we'll have to detain youfor a while.

He nods to the Enforcers, who step forward.

QUINNWait a minute, we're beingarrested?

MAGGIE

On what charges?

Gareth looks surprised.

GARETHCharges? I'm sorry, I thought you were paying attention.

He nods to Cadmus, who picks it up.


CONTINUED (4)43 43

CONTINUED



21/51

CADMUSYou are unknown to the authorities.You have no means of identifyingyourselves. You're vagrants. Andyou're in possession of a'scientific' device. The first

three are misdemeanors.(a beat, the smile isgone)

The last is a felony.(to the Enforcers)

Take them.

The Enforcers start to herd them out. Rembrandt turnsback...

REMBRANDTHey, wait a minute ... we didn'tdo anything ...

An Enforcer zaps Remmy in the butt with a little, hand-held"sting gun."

REMBRANDTOw! Man what is that thing?

And they're gone. Gareth thinks for a moment, looks atCadmus, then returns to his desk.

CUT TO

INT. DETENTION BLOCK - NIGHT44 44

A row of cells separated from one another by thin, verticalshafts of white light -- laser bars. Quinn, Remmy, andMaggie are escorted along the adjoining corridor and intoadjacent cells. A section of three laser bars zaps off toallow the Sliders to enter their cells. Then the bars zapback on. A female Enforcer gives each of them a booklet.Then they are left alone. Each cell contains a chair, asmall table, a bunk bed, and standard sink/toilet combo inupper wall. We can see a prisoner lying on a bunk in thecell beyond Remmy. The other cells are empty.

QUINN45 45

tests a laser bar with a corner of his shirt tail. Thelight quickly burns a hole through the cloth.

QUINNTight focus lasers. Veryeffective.


CONTINUED (5)43 43



22/51

REMBRANDT46 46

flops on his bunk.

REMBRANDTYou know, Q-Ball, before I startedhanging with you, I hardly ever

went to jail. Now? Everywhere Igo...

He sits up and looks at the prisoner in the next cell. He'slying flat on his back.

REMBRANDT(to the prisoner)

Hey, pal, what are you in for?

The prisoner looks over at him. A young man, somewhatdisheveled, long hair, beard, raggy clothes.

PRISONERThinking.

Rembrandt nods. Makes about as much sense as anything elsehere.

REMBRANDTWhat do they do to you for that?

PRISONERRe-config.

REMBRANDTI was readinq about that in the

paper. Did it to some guy namedJason.

PRISONERJason Five. He was the Mentor ofthe Inglewood Pack.

REMBRANDTPack?

PRISONERRadRats. Radical Rationalists.Where have been?

REMBRANDTOut of the country.

PRISONERThe Oracle treats us like aterrorist group.

REMBRANDTSo, this...re-config...How's it work?


CONTINUED



23/51

The prisoner stands and comes closer to Rembrandt. He hashaunted, glazed eyes like a man who has been tortured or maybe begun to be chemically re-configured.

PRISONERChemical re-configuration.

Intravenous feed of of a drug soup.Wipes every cell in your brainclean. Then they feed you whatthey want you to know.

REMBRANDTSo, you just...'forget' everything.

PRISONEREverything. After chemicalre-config you're a mindless robot,a pliable follower of the OracleWay. No cares, no fears, no anger,no hate...

(a beat)No ideas, no challenges, noinspirations, no love.

REMBRANDTPaper didn't say anything aboutchemicals.

PRISONERThey don't want you to know.

Rembrandt thinks about that and we move to...

MAGGIE47 47

who is sitting in her chair, reading the booklet she washanded by the Enforcer. We see Quinn behind her, in hiscell, pacing back and forth, restless.

MAGGIEAccording to this, the Rationalistsare just misguided, and with 'careand love' can be retrained.

ADJUST ANGLE48 48

to include Remmy in the cell beyond Quinn. He crossestoward Quinn, away from the RadRat prisoner.


CONTINUED46 46

CONTINUED



24/51

REMBRANDTAnd I just heard how they do it.There's something called RadRats onthe loose, and these Oracle guysare vacuuming their brains.

(a beat, then)

You don't think they think we'reRadRats do you? I've been aDemocrat all my life.

BACK WITH QUINN49 49

as he paces.

QUINNI estimate we've only got aboutfifty hours to the slide.

REMBRANDTWell, you better think of somethinggood. I'm not staying here fortwenty-nine years with nothing but white noise between my ears.

AT MAGGIE'S CELL50 50

She has a visitor. An Enforcer escorts Martha down thecorridor to her cell. Martha is carrying a picnic basket.Three laser bars zap open and Martha comes into the cell,putting the basket on the table. As she talks she takes outpackages of food, etc.

MARTHA I brought you a few things to makeyou more comfortable. Somesandwiches for you and yourfriends...

(looking over to Quinnand Remmy)

Didn't know what you liked.

Martha takes out a small vase and some flowers, crosses upto the sink to put some water in the vase, then comes backdown and arranges the flowers.

MAGGIEThis is very kind of you.

MARTHA (shrugs)

I'm on a women's committee thatcares for the poor souls who findthemselves on detention. It's allpart of the good work.


CONTINUED48 48

CONTINUED



25/51

MAGGIEEven so...you didn't have to.

MARTHA I do it with joy. As I do all my work for the Oracle.

MAGGIETell me about the Oracle.

Martha reacts to that with surprise, as if she can't believeeveryone doesn't know this. Maggie sees the reaction.

MAGGIEMy friends and I still have a lotto learn.

MARTHA The Oracle is a way of life thatremoves care and doubt. It's asystem of belief and behavior basedon obedience to the Master Oracle.

MAGGIEThe Rationalists I've heard aboutthink it's a system of repressionand thought control.

MARTHA I think that's sad. Through careand love I have seen even the most militant Rationalist come around toour way of thinking.

MAGGIE(indicating the brochure)

Yes, I was just getting to the'care and love' part.

MARTHA All part of our training.

MAGGIEYou told me you were a 'Welcomer.'When do you expect to go to the'other side'?

MARTHA No Welcomer knows the day or thehour. So we must keep ourselves inconstant readiness. I have alreadysettled my earthly affairs, andceded all my assets to the Oracle.


CONTINUED50 50

CONTINUED



26/51

MAGGIE(surprised)

Wait a minute. You've given theOracle all your assets. All your money?

MARTHA Money. Property. A few stocks I managed to buy. It will be no goodto me where I'm going, and theOracle can use it here for manygood works.

Maggie turns away, thinking, not sure how to proceed. Shecan't just blurt out that the portal is an incinerator.

MAGGIEI know that you believe you'regoing to a better place. We all would like to believe that. But

this portal to the 'other side.'

Maggie pauses, unsure how to go on.

MARTHA I understand your doubts, Maggie.I had them myself in the beginning.But the more I learned, the more Igave myself to the Oracle, the moreI realized it had to be true.There is nothing here for me. Ihave no family. No real friends.No profession. But on the otherside, I will be reunited with my mother and father. There will beno pain, no confusion. Only loveand light.

Maggie has never met anyone like this. Much as she believesMartha is misguided, she can't help but respect her attitudeand unquestioning faith. After a pause.

MAGGIEWhat do they have planned for us?

MARTHA I don't know. The elders are

meeting now.(picks up an apple fromthe basket)

Won't you try some fruit? You mustbe hungry.

Maggie takes the apple and looks at. Martha is smiling ather with such innocence and love, Maggie can't help butsmile back.

CUT TO


CONTINUED (2)50 50



27/51

INT. CHIEF ORACLE'S OFFICE - NIGHT51 51

Gareth is behind his desk. Cadmus enters.

CADMUSSo far, the technical unit can't make out what the 'communicator'

is.

GARETHHow do we know it's not some kindof bomb. That thing could be thedetonator.

CADMUSWe've X-rayed it, and scanned it with the magnetic imager. There isno explosive material in it.

GARETHMaybe it will detonate a bomb

somewhere else. A much largerbomb.

CADMUSThe scan revealed no transmittingdevice. The best guess is thatit's some kind of switch. It turnssomething on. Or off . But wedon't know what. Naturally we'llhave it under observation in theshielded isolation chamber when itcounts down to zero.

GARETHThese people worry me. They couldbe part of some Rationalistinfiltration. I'm getting reportsof increased RadRat activity allalong the Pacific coast.

CADMUSWhat do you want us to do with thestrangers?

GARETHChemical re-config. First thingtomorrow.

Cadmus reacts to this and exits.

CUT TO

EXT. CHANCELLOR CENTER - CLOISTER - DAY - THE NEXT MORNING52 52(D2)

Morning activity with a few people up and about, Oracle workers in white suits, Enforcers, a few civilians.


CONTINUED



28/51

We see Quinn, Maggie and Rembrandt surrounded by Enforcers,being led out of a door on the far side of the cloister andbrought across the courtyard.


as they walk along, well guarded by the Enforcers.

REMBRANDTWhat do you think will happen now?

QUINNBreakfast. I hope.

REMBRANDTJust as long as they don't do thatchemical thing.

MAGGIEWhere do you think the timer is?

QUINNNo idea. And no idea what to doabout it.

REMBRANDTNot what I wanted to hear.

Suddenly, there is a shout and an explosion.

WIDER ANGLE54 54

as smoke grenades drop into the courtyard. It's a raid.Armed, dark-clad men in masks pop up from spider holes inthe courtyard and come up from the central well. They'reeverywhere, appearing like moles from out of nowhere. Inseconds, the courtyard is filled with smoke and confusion.Enforcers try to return fire, but are taken down by theautomatic weapons of the invaders. One Enforcer shoves theSliders toward the Assembly Building, but he's intercepted byone of the dark people and clubbed to the ground. Two orthree of the invaders circle around the Sliders, and firinginto the advancing Enforcers, move them to one of the spiderholes and down it. The Sliders have been kidnapped and havedisappeared into the ground under the Oracle Center.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO


CONTINUED52 52



29/51

ACT THREE

FADE IN

INT. TUNNEL - DAY55 55

The Sliders are being hustled along a dark, winding tunnel.The dark-clad raiders are pushing and pulling them along,flashlights shedding very little light on the wet walls andfloor of the tunnel.

EXT. FLOOD CONTROL CONDUIT - DAY56 56

The Sliders come out of the tunnel onto a high concreteconduit somewhere in the flood system of L.A. The dark-cladraiders motion for them to continue. They have Uzis so theSliders don't know for the moment if they've been kidnappedor rescued.

INT./EXT. TUNNELS AND FLOOD CHANNELS - DAY57 57

Various shots as the Sliders are hustled along by theircaptors, over rushing water in sluices, along more dark andcramped tunnels, across bridges and dams. They're moving insecret passageways farther and farther away from the OracleCenter.

MAIN FLOOD TUNNEL - DAY58 58

as the Sliders arrive in a large chamber that is apparently

headquarters for this bunch. We yet our first good look attheir captors: dressed entirely in various kinds of blackpants and coats, some of them seem to have kevlar vests andsurplus army gear of various types. All wear black cloth masks covering their head and face except for the eyes. Nowthat they've arrived at their H.Q., they start to take offthe masks and hats and we see that half of the raiders are women. They all smile at the Sliders, which is notimmediately comforting to our people. They've seen a lot ofsmiles on this world, none of them friendly.

ANGLE ON SAMSON59 59

The raider who has been leading the way from the cloisterhas removed his bullet-proof jacket and mask and turns tothe Sliders. He's a tall, rugged-looking fellow.

A big smile as he approaches Quinn and the others.

SAMSONMy name is Samson. Welcome to theunderground.


CONTINUED



30/51

He holds out his hand. After a moment of hesitation, Quinntakes it. Other raiders approach Remmy and Maggie, welcoming them, offering food and drink. Remmy is relievedto find that they may be among friends here. At least theyhave food.

CUT TO

MAIN FLOOD TUNNEL - DAY - SOMETIME LATER60 60

Samson is showing the Sliders around the chamber. It's a motley, jumbled, crowded headquarters. Rows of bookshelvescobbled together, and they all bulge with books of allkinds. There is a small laboratory with some battered-looking computers, various electronic instruments, chemistryand mechanical experiments in various stations being workedon by RadRats. As they pass by a row of jury-riggedcomputers, Quinn leans down to note the work being done onone of the screens. Then they move on. Samson is a

loquacious sort of fellow, a little self-important, maybeimpressed by his own press clippings. But likable.

SAMSONWe have here the beginning of what we need to take back our world fromthe Oracle. Our numbers aregrowing daily.

Samson moves to a desk area that is obviously his space. TheSliders take seats nearby.

SAMSON

There are other secret labs andlibraries, storehouses of theknowledge the Oracle would wipefrom the face of the earth. Butknowledge dies hard. And as thepoet said: 'Knowledge is power.'

QUINNYou're the RadRats we've heardabout?

SAMSON(nods)

The Rationalist Party that is in

the open is useful, but weak. TheBig 0 has too strong a grip on thepeople. The only way real change will come will be throughrevolution.

REMBRANDTLot of that goin' around.


CONTINUED59 59

CONTINUED



31/51

SAMSONNow, then, what about you?

MAGGIE(cautious)

What about us?

SAMSONA great philosopher once said,'First things first.' Who are you?Where do you come from?

A pause. The Sliders look at one another, not sure to trusthim.

SAMSONDon't give me that Oregon businessyou laid on the Big 0.

MAGGIEHow did you know about that?

SAMSONWe have sources. We know how youcame into this world. You wereseen doing it.

REMBRANDTWe were?

SAMSONAt first some of us thought you might be Welcomers, coming back

from the other side. That theOracle's portal really does work.

QUINNThe portal is an incinerator.

MAGGIEAnd the Welcomers are being robbed.I met one. She's given everythingshe owns to the Oracle.

QUINNWe know what the portal is, and wesuspected the rest.

QUINNAs for the 'other side.' Thereisn't one far as I know.

SAMSONWho can say? You came fromsomewhere didn't you?


CONTINUED60 60

CONTINUED



32/51

Quinn looks at Maggie and Rembrandt, decides to come clean.

QUINNWe came from earth, but not thisearth. My name is Quinn Mallory,this is Maggie Beckett and

Rembrandt Brown. I invented adevice that allows us to passthrough a vortex into parallel worlds.

Samson is blown away.

SAMSONI knew it! You were sent to help usin the struggle. It's true whatthe prophet wrote: 'God gives, but man must open his hand.'

MAGGIE

I don't know about that.

SAMSONAnd what do you do?

MAGGIEOn my world I was a Captain in theMarine Corps.

SAMSONMilitary background. Good, we canalways use another fighter.

QUINNWait a minute. We're not here foryour fight. We have no controlover where we go or how long westay. And the Oracle has the onlydevice that does have control overthat.

MAGGIEIf we don't get it back -- thetimer -- when the time runs out, we'll be stuck here a very longtime.

SAMSONIf that happens you'll have nochoice but to join us.

The Sliders react to that. Obviously a mistake to tell theseguys the whole truth. Quinn gets an idea.


CONTINUED (2)60 60

CONTINUED



33/51

QUINNLet's make a deal. You and yourraiders help us get the timer back,and for however long we're here, we'll help you.

Samson shrugs. What can you do for us?

QUINNWhen you were showing us around, Inoticed one of your people is working on heat transfer mechanics.

SAMSONYes?

QUINNHe's doing it wrong.

Samson thinks it over.

SAMSONYou've got a deal.

QUINNWe have to move fast. If you getthe timer back for us, we wouldn'thave much time left here.

Samson rises and summons a few of the RadRats whom we saw working in the lab areas.

SAMSON

Then we must get started rightaway. As Norm Crosby once said:'Waste not, want not.'

REMBRANDT(to Quinn)

I thought that was Ben Franklin.

QUINNDifferent world, different quotes.

Two or three RadRat "scientists" have gathered at Samson'sdesk.

SAMSONWe need to work up a plan for araid on the Oracle compound.Maggie, why don't you join me? Inthe meanwhile, I'm sure myassociates here have a fewquestions for Doctor Mallory.


CONTINUED (3)60 60

CONTINUED



34/51

QUINNIt's just Quinn.

Samson pauses a moment, looking at Rembrandt.

SAMSON

And what is your job on the team?

REMBRANDTI'm a singer.

Samson takes that in for a moment, then...

SAMSONInteresting.

Samson moves away, Maggie following. The scientistsimmediately bore in on Quinn, all talking at once.

SCIENTIST ONEI don't understand how photons canhave momentum but no mass.

QUINNWell...

SCIENTIST TWOIn parallel universes is there matter, or just 'ghosts' of matter?

SCIENTIST ONEAnd what about the AnthropicPrincipal?

QUINNOne of my favorites.

Quinn smiles. He enjoys this.

CUT TO

EXT. CHANCELLOR CENTER - CLOISTER - DAY61 61

Gareth and Cadmus are moving through the wreckage from theRadRat raid. Repair is underway to the smoke and firedamage. Cadmus and Gareth examine one of the "spider hole"trap doors.

CADMUSWe're closing down all the tunnels we found beneath the compound.

Gareth rises and crosses back toward the Assembly Room.Cadmus follows.


CONTINUED (4)60 60

CONTINUED



35/51

GARETHI imagine the RadRats have takenthe intruders far away by now,perhaps even out of the state.

CADMUS

I don't think so. I believe that'communicator' is more important tothem than they let on. I thinkthey'll be back for it. And we'llbe ready for then.

Gareth nods and exits.

CUT TO

INT. SAMSON'S WAR ROOM - DAY62 62

A small cubicle off the main flood channel, high up on oneof the dams. Through openings in the wall we can see therest of the flood channel and maybe a skyline of oilrefinery towers, with smoke and flame blow-offs. Samson andhis command staff are looking at a computer terminal thatfeatures maps and diagrams that he moves with a mouse as hetalks. Maggie is next to him.

SAMSONThey will have closed off thetunnels we used. And the guards will be doubled in the cloister andassembly area.

MAGGIEI think it would be better to makea surgical strike with a smallforce. Not a big raid like the onethis morning. If you can getintelligence on just where thetimer is being held, we canconcentrate on that sector.

Samson smiles at her. Maggie's expertise really turns himon.

CUT TO

ANOTHER SECTION OF THE MAIN TUNNEL63 63

Quinn is supervising a couple of scientists at a computerconsole. Rembrandt is there as well. The scientists beginto squabble among themselves over a calculation. Quinnleans in to correct them.


CONTINUED61 61

CONTINUED



36/51

SCIENTIST ONEAre you saying it's both a waveand a particle?

QUINNPretty weird, I know. Niels Bohr

said anyone who is not shocked byquantum physics just doesn'tunderstand it.

The scientists get excited and go back to their work. Quinn moves away from them, checks his watch, anxious.

QUINN(to Remmy)

These people better come up with agood plan. And fast.

REMBRANDTI'm not sure about these RadRats.

QUINNCompared to the Oracle, they looklike the good guys to me.

REMBRANDTMaybe. Did you see the way thehead man's eyes lit up when hethought we'd have to stay here.

QUINNHe's fighting for a cause.

REMBRANDTIt's all politics, man. And thatstuff gets all up your head andtwists it around. Power. That's what it's all about. The guys in white suits have got it, and theRadRats want it. It's folks in the middle, like us, who always gethurt.

Quinn nods, then turns as he hears a noise. Samson andMaggie are approaching.

MAGGIE

We've got a plan.

SAMSON(full of admiration)

Doctor Mallory, your CaptainBeckett here is so...so warlike.

(turning to her)I like that in a woman.


CONTINUED63 63

CONTINUED



37/51

Quinn and Remmy smile at that, and we...

CUT TO

EXT. ROOFTOPS - DAY64 64

A moving shot with our RadRat raider team: Quinn, Remmy,and Maggie in RadRat motley, city camouflage with masks, ledby Samson and one other RadRat. Only Samson and the RadRathave automatic weapons. All have climbing ropes. Maggie wears a small backpack. They are moving quickly across arooftop and leap across a narrow alley to another roof.

WITH SAMSON65 65

He is holding a small computer "locater" -- a small key punchpad and a little LED screen which displays a map of the areathey are moving through.

ANOTHER ROOF66 66

As a dart from a crossbow whacks into a wall. Samson hasfired the dart which carries a climbing rope. Samsonsecures his end of the rope and quickly attaches a smallpulley device. Beginning with Maggie, the Sliders grab holdof the pulley and make a slide on the rope across a wideralley to another rooftop. Remmy slides, then Quinn, thenSamson.

ON THE NEW ROOF67 67

As Samson jerks loose the slip knot at the other end of theclimbing rope and reels it in. Maggie, Quinn and Remmypause to catch their breath.

MAGGIEWe're on the roof of Oracle TechOps right now. If Samson's inside man is right, the timer is in asafe on the first floor.

QUINNWhere's the alarm panel?

Samson crosses to them, clicks up a new display on hislocater. He and Maggie check the schematic, then Maggiepoints to a panel on the wall by a ventilator opening. Theycross to it. Quinn takes some tools from Maggie's pack,puts small light in mouth, opens the panel and goes to workshort-circuiting the alarm system with transistors, etc.


CONTINUED (2)63 63

CONTINUED



38/51

SAMSON(indicating the vent)

That's the way in.

REMBRANDTI'm more interested in the way out.

MAGGIEThere's a conduit from the saferoom to the basement and from thereto the sewers.

REMBRANDTThey're not called rats fornothing.

Samson and the Sliders cross to the vent. Samson slips offthe cover and drops inside. The others follow.

INT. AIR CONDITIONING CONDUIT68 68

Samson and the Sliders make their way along the conduit.They reach a fork, Samson checks his "locater," takes theright tunnel.

A VERTICAL CONDUIT69 69

Samson and the Sliders drop carefully down this conduit,bracing their feet on the connecting seams of the tunnel.They drop one story, two, reach a cross vent and crawlthrough it.

ANOTHER CONDUIT70 70

As they arrive at the vent into the Tech Ops safe room.Samson looks through the vent.

SAMSON'S POINT OF VIEW - ANGLE THROUGH VENT71 71

A large room with work tables, various lab equipment. Thereis a large safe at one end of the room. There are alsoseveral workers in the room.

IN THE VENT72 72

Samson opens his backpack and takes out a canister. Pausingonly to make sure the Sliders are pulling their gas masksinto place, he aims the canister into the Tech Ops room andblasts away.


CONTINUED67 67



39/51

INT. TECH OPS ROOM73 73

As the gas mists out into the room. The unmasked workersreact almost immediately and pass out at their stations.Samson kicks open the vent cover and drops to the floor,followed by the Sliders. Samson crosses to the safe, takesa small charge of plastique from his pack, divides it,

places a charge on each of the two big hinges and inserts atimer detonator. He sets the detonators and they all takecover. In a matter of seconds the plastique blasts the safedoor off its hinges. Quinn crosses quickly and finds thetimer inside. He checks the timer -- ticking down from 6hours.

QUINNWe've got to lay low for anothersix hours.

SAMSONWe've got that worked out.

Or maybe not. As they start back toward the vent, there isa loud burst of automatic weapons fire.

NEW ANGLE74 74

Samson and the other RadRat engage the Oracle Enforcers whohave entered the room from doors in opposite walls. Thefirst burst from their weapons takes out the RadRat andSamson sees they're badly outgunned. He raises his weaponin surrender. More Enforcers burst into the room. Samsonis disarmed and knocked to the floor with a rifle butt. TheSliders are quickly surrounded. Cadmus steps through adoor, protected by a large Enforcer. He crosses to Quinnand takes the timer away from him.

THE SLIDERS75 75

react to their capture, and we...

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE




40/51

ACT FOUR

FADE IN

INT. DETENTION BLOCK - DAY76 76

This time Samson and the Sliders are all in the same laser-barred cell. The only piece of furniture is a long bench,so obviously they won't be here long.

SAMSONI'm certain my pack is alreadyplanning a rescue mission. When wedidn't return at the appointedtime, they're trained to move.

MAGGIEHow are they going to get past allthe security the Oracle has piledon us now?

SAMSONTrust me. They won't give us up.

REMBRANDTThere's some stuff here I don'tunderstand.

(rises and crosses to thebars of Quinn's cell)

Ever since we got here everybodyseems to know what we're doingbefore we do it.

(to Samson)

You say we were seen sliding in.Then, the Big O's heat is on usright away in the Assembly Room.Then your people bust us out ofhere. And when we come back forthe timer, here's the Big 0 againlike they were in on the plan.

QUINNMore than coincidence.

(to Samson)Who's running this show?

SAMSON

We have undercover agents very highin the Oracle. I don't know whothey are or when they'll move. Butthey will. 'The biggest campaignis built on the smallest detail.'Julius Caesar. The Second.




41/51

A NEW ANGLE77 77

As Cadmus and one of the Oracle Enforcers enters thecorridor and moves along by the cells. He pauses onlybriefly to look at Samson who glares back, then nods tosomeone unseen and the three light bars that form the doorto the cell zap off.

CADMUSMr. Mallory, I'd like a word withyou in private.

Quinn comes cautiously out of the cell, then follows Cadmusalong the corridor, the Enforcer bringing up the rear.

A CUBICLE78 78

at one end of the detention block. There is a table, twochairs, typical interrogation set-up. Cadmus stands at thetable, nods to the Enforcer, who leaves, closing the door,

CADMUSSit down.

Quinn does.

CADMUSI want to ask you a few questionsabout your 'communicator.'

QUINN(a shrug)

You can ask.

CADMUSIt would go a lot easier for you ifI knew exactly what it is and whatit does.

QUINNI'm not sure you could understandit.

CADMUSTry me.

A long pause as Quinn studies Cadmus.

QUINNIf you think I'll betray my friendsto get a better deal for myself...

CADMUS(cutting him off)

It's a timer. I know that much.What is it counting down to? (MORE)


CONTINUED



42/51

CADMUS (CONT'D)(nothing from Quinn)

What happens when it gets to zero?(nothing, then)

Well, let me put it to you this way. I think it somehow controls

your passage into and out of thisdimension.

Quinn reacts to this.

QUINNYou're the one who saw us slide in.

CADMUSNever mind that. I want to know what happens when the time runsout.

QUINN

Let's just say you'll have three more RadRats on your hands for along time.

Cadmus nods and rises.

CADMUSNot necessarily, Mr. Mallory. Notnecessarily.

He indicates it's time for Quinn to go back to his cell.Quinn rises, and we...

CUT TO

INT. ORACLE CENTER OFFICE - DAY79 79

Gareth is finishing a phone conversation as Cadmus enters.

GARETH(into phone)

Yes, we're certain to get a lot ofinformation out of him before heenters Chemical Re-Config.

(pause)Certainly. Thank you, sir. I'll

pass it along.

He hangs up and turns to Cadmus, very pleased with himself.


CONTINUED78 78

CONTINUED



43/51

GARETH(to Cadmus, indicatingphone)

The Master Oracle himself. He'svery pleased. Samson is thehighest ranking RadRat yet taken on

the west coast. His re-config willbe a great coup for the Oracle.

CADMUSI'm sure you're right, but I thinkyou should consider making aharsher example of him. And theothers as well.

GARETHWhat are you suggesting?

CADMUSAs dangerous as Samson is, the

others are worse. We don't know where they came from, or if thereare more like them. They have somekind of advanced scientificknowledge, and they may have passedalong some of it in the time they were underground. In short, Ithink we need to be rid of themall.

GARETHYou're saying we should executethem? The intruders, I understand,but wouldn't we be giving theRadRats a martyr with Samson'sdeath?

CADMUSAs far as the people know he won't die.

The light comes on as Gareth understands what Cadmus issuggesting.

GARETHAh...

CUT TO

INT. DETENTION BLOCK80 80

Samson and the Sliders are still in their joint cell.


CONTINUED79 79

CONTINUED



44/51

QUINNJust for the sake of argument.Let's say your people can break usout of here. Then what? Withoutthe timer, we're stuck here fortwenty-nine years.

SAMSONWould that be so bad?

REMBRANDTI'm gonna say 'yes.'

SAMSONWe're going to win.

MAGGIEHow can you be so sure?

SAMSONBecause we're right. Man is arational creature. All we want isto restore rationality as a way oflife. We want to stop thesuppression of speech, and get on with the search for knowledge, andultimately wisdom.

QUINNOkay, let's say you get what you want. The Rationalists take over.What will you do to the Oracle andthe people who believe in it?

SAMSONNothing. They're free to believe whatever they want. They just won't be free to impose thosebeliefs on others against their will. After all, God himselfcreated our minds. He must have wanted us to use them.

MAGGIEWho are you quoting this time?

SAMSON

Me.

They hear approaching sounds. Enforcers?

A NEW ANGLE81 81

as Jane enters, followed by one of the Enforcers keeping aneye on things.


CONTINUED80 80

CONTINUED



45/51

JANEI have wonderful news. I've cometo free you.

MAGGIEThat's great! How?

JANEWe will all make the transverse tothe next world together.

QUINNWhat?

JANEThe Chief Oracle has proclaimed it.Samson and the three of you will bejoining us as Welcomers.

REMBRANDTYou mean we're going through thatportal?

JANE(beaming to Maggie)

It's more than I could have hopedfor.

MAGGIEJane, that portal is not what youthink...

QUINN

It's a killing machine.SAMSON

The Oracle has lied to you. Takeneverything you own. And nowthey're going to take your life.

Jane is shocked.

JANE(to Samson)

I expected something like that fromyou.

(to the Sliders)

You can't listen to him. You haveto trust in the Oracle.

There's nothing left for the others to say. With a lastcontemptuous look at Samson, Jane exits.

CUT TO


CONTINUED81 81



46/51

INT. ASSEMBLY ROOM - THE NEXT DAY (D3)82 82

The service is in progress. This time, because of theimportance of the occasion, there are television cameraspresent. We may see a couple of monitors and an assistantdirector with headset, etc. Dressed in red robes, Samson,Quinn, Maggie and Remmy are standing on the stage behind the

podium where Gareth is addressing the congregation. There isquite a crew of Enforcers on hand for the occasion. Onestands behind each of our people, and there are morescattered around the stage and auditorium. Cadmus isstanding near the portal mechanism.

GARETHMy friends and co-workers in the way of the Oracle, the signs of the'end times' are all around us. Theconfusion you may be feeling todayas you see unrest increase has beenforeseen by the Master Oracle.Change is painful, but we know the

rewards that come of endurance andsteadfast faith.

The new age music starts up.

GARETHToday we are sending two specialgroups of Welcomers to that reward.

A NEW ANGLE83 83

as Jane leads three other "Welcomers" in their red robestoward the portal.

MAGGIE84 84

watches as Jane and the others cross toward the portal.

THE WELCOMERS85 85

are all embraced by Gareth and Cadmus. Jane then looks overtoward Maggie, crosses to her. Maggie stands and embracesJane.

JANEI'll see you on the other side.

She starts to move away. Quinn leans forward.

QUINNJane, you must listen to us...

JANENo, you must believe.


CONTINUED



47/51

And she goes with the others to the portal. Maggie isemotionally torn by this. Remmy leans down to her.

REMBRANDTMaybe she's right. We'll certainlyknow soon enough.

ANGLE ON PORTAL86 86

as the gate closes and Cadmus moves to the console. The music swells, and Cadmus hits the switch. We see the flashof the incinerator and the Welcomers are gone.

MAGGIE87 87

Crushed by this. Both Remmy and Quinn try to comfort her.

GARETH88 88

is back at the podium addressing the believers.

GARETHI'm sure you know that weapprehended the Radical RationalistSamson and some of his followers inthe Oracle compound this morning.We have consulted the MasterOracle, and have decided that ourre-configuration methods here arenot up to the task of dealing with

these people. So we are sendingthem with the Welcomers to theother side in the hope that the wisdom gained there will providethe means for their salvation.

He turns to Samson and the Sliders, who are nudged to theirfeet by the Enforcers behind them. Remmy is hit again withone of those little "sting guns" when he is reluctant to move. The music starts again as they are moved toward theportal.

As they pass the podium, Samson breaks free for a moment andrushes to the microphone.

SAMSON(to the TV cameras)

This is a fraud!(points to portal)

That thing is an oven! Your friendsaren't on the other side. They'redead!


CONTINUED85 85

CONTINUED



48/51

At this point, a couple of Enforcers start to drag Samsonaway from the mike, but he continues to shout.

SAMSONThe Oracle has robbed them and murdered them!

At this point one of the Enforcers zaps Samson with a stinggun and he collapses and is carried to the portal.

ANGLE ON THE AUDIENCE89 89

which has been visibly shaken by Samson's shouting. They aretalking among themselves, trying to figure this out.

THE STAGE90 90

In the confusion, Quinn and Remmy jump one of the Enforcers,trying to take his gun, but both are quickly subdued by theother Enforcers. Gareth quickly moves back to the mike.

GARETHYou see how perverted these RadRatshave become. Re-config on theother side is the only solution.The final solution.

There is still some unrest in the crowd. It could go either way here.

AT THE PORTAL91 91

as Samson is carried inside the chamber, and the Sliders areforced in after him. Looks like this is the end for ourfolks. Cadmus steps forward at the last moment.

CADMUSMr. Mallory...

Quinn turns to him.

INSERT92 92

Cadmus taking the timer from his jacket and slipping it toQuinn, who conceals it in his robe.

BACK TO SCENE93 93

CADMUSI wish you well on the other side.


CONTINUED88 88

CONTINUED



49/51

A smile from Cadmus as Quinn follows the others into theportal.

IN THE PORTAL94 94

as the gate is being closed. Quinn quickly shows Remmy andMaggie the timer. Relief is not really strong enough fortheir reaction.

REMBRANDTIt was one of the head guys allalong?

Quinn nods and checks the timer.

INSERT - THE TIMER95 95

Counting down from 10...9...8...7...

AT THE CONSOLE TO THE PORTAL96 96

Cadmus is also watching a timer in front of him...6...5...4...

WIDER ANGLE97 97

as the music swells and...

THE PORTAL98 98

is lit up with the vortex which looks like the incineratoreffect we've seen before. When the flash is over we can seethrough the glass that the portal is now empty.

CUT TO

EXT. FIELD - DAY99 99

One at a time, the Sliders are dumped down in a meadow. Weare somewhere in the country, no signs of life or building

around. Samson is coming around just as he makes the slideto this new world. Quinn, Remmy and Maggie pick themselvesup and start to look around. Quinn leans down to help Samsonto his feet. Samson is still a little stunned from thezapper, but okay.

QUINNIt was Cadmus.


CONTINUED93 93

CONTINUED



50/51

SAMSONI knew it would be somebody.

(then, re: the timer)Can that thing get me back?

QUINN

Yes. But we'd all have to go. If we miss the vortex we'd be stuckhere.

REMBRANDT(looking around)

Looks okay to me. I'm not ready tolet those guys take another shot atcooking me.

SAMSONDon't you understand, I've startedsomething and with Cadmus in place, we can finish Gareth, maybe more.

Millions of people saw me ontelevision, heard what I had tosay.

MAGGIEI agree with Samson. I think weshould go back, and help him finishthe fight.

Samson embraces her. Remmy is unhappy. Quinn is thinking.Maggie moves away from Samson and heads up a little rise tolook over the hill. Quinn gets the idea.

QUINNThe people there think the portalis a way into a better world. Andno one has ever come back. What ifsomeone did? That someone wouldhave such a powerful message thatnothing the Oracle said could stopit.

(to Remmy)Samson has to go back, and we haveto go with him. We have to do theright thing.

REMBRANDT

You sound just Like my mother.(then)You know I'm with you.

(to Samson)I was wrong about you.

Samson nods. Quinn notices that Maggie has moved away. Hecrosses toward her.


CONTINUED99 99



51/51

WITH MAGGIE AND QUINN100 100

as Maggie looks around. Quinn picks up on what she's doing.

QUINNYou didn't expect to find Janehere, did you?

MAGGIEExpect? No.

(then)I was hoping.

Quinn nods. They turn and rejoin the group. Quinn punchesin the numbers on the timer. The vortex materializes andthe Sliders jump in to return to be RadRats with Samsonuntil the next slide.

FADE OUT

THE END


Documents

Sliders 4x02 - Prophets and Loss (1997!09!10)