Transcript by Jill

Guest cast

TEASER

FADE IN: Sunset/Gower Studios--D.D., Shane and Duncan are in the audience of Date To Mate

STAGE MANAGER: Okay, now remember folks this is a T.V. show, these folks up on stage really need your support and if you think you're on the edge of your seat waiting to see who Cheryl's going to pick, imagine how she and the bachelors feel. Okay, everybody back in five, four, three, two...

He raises one finger and points to the game show emcee and Cheryl

EMCEE: In the last twenty weeks Cheryl has narrowed down her choice of bachelors from a field of fifty down to three finalist and here they are.

The camera pans to the three men in tuxedos.

VOICE OVER: Bachelor number one, Jeremy...

SHANE: (bored) This show is so stupid. I cannot believe that I let you talk me into this.

D.D.: Shh! I think she's going to pick number two.

V.O.: Number two, John.

DUNCAN: Oh she's going for number three, definitely.

D.D.: But he likes sushi and she doesn't.

DUNCAN: Yeah, I don't think she's going to let raw fish stand in the way of true love.

SHANE: There are times I really wish I had a gun.

EMCEE: ...says a woman's eyes are a window to her soul. And when we come back Cheryl will tell us who she's going to pick on From Date To Mate.

Applause.

STAGE MANAGER: And we're out.

EMCEE: Who in the hell has my smokes?!?

STAGE MANAGER: Take one of mine.

As the stage manager lights the cigarette for the emcee a security guard is grabbed and drug out a door.

CHERYL: Excuse me, could you fix my corsage, my microphone is digging into my skin.

STAGE HAND: Sure thing.

DUNCAN: Oh, she's so beautiful...

A grinning D.D. elbows Shane who gives her a fake smile.

DUNCAN: You know she's got an I.Q. of 150, that's only 42 points lower than mine.

D.D.: Sounds like someone has a crush.

SHANE: This is a reality show,which means everything you see here, probably isn't.

Another guard has a weapon shoved in his back.

GUNMAN: Don't move.

The guards gun is taken and he is knocked out.

D.D.'s cell phone goes off.

STAGE MANAGER: Whoever that belongs to, lose it!

D.D.: (answers in a whisper) I can't talk right now.

CASSIE: (at Com Cent) Fine, just say you're coming in soon.

D.D.: (moves out of her seat to the far aisle) Hang on Cass.

STAGE MANAGER: Back in thirty.

Shane looks around and notices a strange man off to the other side.

D.D.: So what's up?

CASSIE: Cross wants to call a budget meeting, he wants us to be more cost efficient while saving lives.

STAGE MANAGER: In three,two...

He points to the emcee

EMCEE: Welcome back to From Date To Mate, well the time has finally

D.D.: Hang on.

She watches the show.

EMCEE: We're about to find out which bachelor Cheryl chose, alright Cheryl, the moment of truth, who is it going to be? Will it be bachelor number three, Tony, the Brooklyn born phone installer who likes to write poetry as a hobby?

Shane is eying the strange man.

EMCEE: Or is it number two, John, who says if he really likes a girl he'll give her a full body Swedish massage?

Shane sees the man pull a gun from the garbage can and tries to get D.D.'s attention.

D.D. glances behind herself and sees another man.

EMCEE: Or bachelor number one, Jeremy, the ski instructor from Colorado who thinks skiing is a great prelude to romance and doesn't mind a woman who likes to take the lead?

D.D. eyes the second man as he passes her.

Shane eyes her guy and both men come to the front of the audience.

CHERYL: Josh, I've decided to go with...bachelor number--

She's interrupted by automatic gunfire as more men enter the stage.

D.D. takes the sound boom and shoves it into her man knocking him to the ground, her phone also falls to the ground.

CASSIE: (overhearing the commotion) D.D.,what's going on?

Shane jumps to the the floor, pulls the cables and knocks the second man down

CASSIE: D.D.,talk to me! What is going on?!?

D.D. is busily taking her man on in a fight.

DUNCAN: (getting people out of the studio) Come on! Come on! Come on! Go! Go! Go!

Shane is battling the second guy while Duncan is getting the audience out.

DUNCAN: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Come on! Come on! Come on!

MAN: (pointing a gun at him) Move and you die. Go ahead, step away from the door. Do it!

D.D. and Shane look over hearing the man and see the stage manager holding Duncan hostage.

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN: Sunset/Gower Studio--Date To Mate set.

The stage manager has a weapon on Duncan, all the remaining audience members and crew are pushed to the set.

GOONS: Get down and stay there, now! Move it, let's go!

SHANE: Stay cool.

D.D.: Everything's gonna be okay.

The outer door opens and a man dressed in fatigues walks in.

MAN: I assume that I have your attention. My men and I have some work to take care of and until that is done you will do exactly what we say, when we say!

CASSIE: (on phone) D.D. are you there? D.D. what's going on, talk to me! D.D. you're scaring me, would you please just answer the phone?!?

MAN: (picks up the cell) My name is Phoenix, I represent the Lin-Tai Revolutionary Brigade, tell the police we have hostages.

Phoenix drops the phone and steps on it.

FADE TO: Military helicopters in the air.

V.O.:

DELTA ONE: Delta One to Command, Gulf One and Two are approaching studio.

COMMAND: Roger that Delta One, you're cleared to land on the South Stage, Number Five.

DELTA ONE: Delta One, roger.

COMMAND: Delta Two?

DELTA TWO: Go ahead.

COMMAND: Secure the studio perimeter, notify when your team is in position.

DELTA TWO: Roger that.

COMMAND: Delta One disperse your troops, evacuate all non-essential personnel, notify when completed.

DELTA ONE: Roger that, we're over the South Stage now.

The military unit repels down to the roof and takes up position.

DELTA ONE: Bravo is in position

FADE TO: ComCent.

Cassie and Cross are reading a computer screen.

CROSS: The Lin-Tai Brigade pulled some hi-jackings in the 80's, a few assassinations in the 90's... no one's heard from these bozos since.

He's handed a piece of paper by an aide.

CASSIE: Well they're making themselves heard now.

CROSS: (reading the paper aloud) Well this is good news, the people who got out say they didn't see anyone get shot.

CASSIE: At least we know D.D., Shane and Duncan are still alive.

A woman and man show up, she speaks to the woman agent closest to the door then heads over to Cross.

CASSIE: (notices) Delta's here.

WOMAN: Quentin Cross? Christine Black. (she shakes his hand then introduces the man with her) This is Lieutenant Bradford.

CROSS: Captain, Lieutenant,this is Cassie McBain, one of my agents.

BRADFORD: Ma'am, nice to meet you.

BLACK: So what's our status?

CROSS: We've re-routed all lines of communication from the studio into ComCent.

BLACK: Let me guess, they haven't said a word.

CROSS: Well a television studio is a big building to secure, we won't be hearing from them until they've protected their perimeters.

Black nods to Bradford and he unrolls the studio blueprints.

BLACK: Okay, there are large ventilation ducks throughout the building, my initial assault team can gain entry through these openings.

She points them out on the plans.

CASSIE: As much as storming the castle sounds like fun, don't you think you should wait to see what we're up against?

BLACK: We have two choices, we can either sit still and wait for them to settle in or we can knock them back on their heels. But the Chairman says it's your show sir.

CASSIE: (looks at Cross) What about what's behind door number three? We let D.D. and Shane do what they're trained to do.

BLACK: I have an assault team outside the studio now sir, they can be inside within ten minutes... with your permission.

Cross looks at both women then nods to Black.

CROSS: Do it.

CASSIE: Are you serious?!? And go in there blind!

CROSS: Surgical strike before they're settled in is standard operating procedure

CASSIE: (angrily) Two spies locked inside with hostages trumps standard operating procedures.

CROSS: The odds favor playing by the rules Cassie.

Cassie is not happy about the decision.

FADE TO: Sunset/Gower Studio--Date To Mate set.

The militants are moving boxes in.

EMCEE: I can't believe you're a terrorist.

STAGE MANAGER: Next time hire union.

D.D.: I don't get it, why hi-jack a reality show?

DUNCAN: Maybe it's one of those hidden camera shows and this is all a stunt.

A man makes a run for it and is knocked out.

PHOENIX: Get rid of him!

The unconscious man is drug away by the goons.

DUNCAN: I guess not.

D.D.: (quietly to Shane) Including their leader, I count nine.

SHANE: Against the two of us? At least the odds are in our favor.

DUNCAN: Hey, are we planning something 'cause I took a class once that simulated hostage situations, well...I mean actually I auditioned for it...

SHANE: Duncan relax, okay, I know you're a little pumped but this is not a classroom.

D.D.: There is one thing you can do.

DUNCAN: Anything.

D.D.: Keep the others calm.

DUNCAN: I can do that! We spent three days in hostage psychology. I know the importance of being calm. There was one example of a hostage--

SHANE: Duncan! Keep them calm, not us!

DUNCAN: Got it.

SHANE: Okay, we just need to figure out some kind of way to communicate with ComCent. It's too bad Godzilla over there stomped on your phone.

EMCEE: I've got a phone.

D.D.: Excuse me?!?

SHANE: Did it ever occur to you to use it?!?

EMCEE: I am no hero sweetheart! You want it you take it!

He hands it to Shane.

SHANE: There's no reception.

EMCEE: No it's, it's on sleep, you gotta power it up.

Shane does and the William Tell Overture starts to play.

PHOENIX: (strides over) What was that?!?

SHANE: Just ordering some pizza.

PHOENIX: Give it up! (Shane hands the phone over and he backhands her across the face) Confiscate all cell phones!

D.D.: (gives the Emcee a nasty look) You might have warned her about that!

GOON: Give up all your cell phones! Now!

EMCEE: She's the one that wanted to be an action hero.

SHANE: (gives him a dirty look) If they need a hostage to shoot, I'm voting for you!

FADE TO: ComCent

BLACK: (using radio) Alpha, let me know when you're in position. (they look at the screen) Communications, how long til I get a visual?

RADIO V.O.: Five minutes.

CASSIE: If you can't see, do you still go in?

BLACK: According to the book you do.

CASSIE: Maybe your book needs a rewrite.

CROSS: Procedures exists for a reason.

CASSIE: I just don't have a good feeling about this.

BLACK: With all due respect, feelings are what get people killed.

CASSIE: What kind of guys have you been dating? What is wrong with giving D.D.and Shane a little extra time?

BLACK: We gave 'em time at Ruby Ridge, we gave 'em time at Waco.

RADIO V.O.: This is Alpha team, we're in position.

BLACK: (looks to Cross) Sir?

CROSS: Get your men ready to go in.

Cross walks away and a disbelieving Cassie follows to confront him.

CROSS: I know you're angry, but there's something you need to understand--

CASSIE: Save the lecture! Just tell me why you'd take the advice of a woman you barely know over one of your own agents!

CROSS: Because that woman has nobody inside that studio that she cares about, Black is not emotionally involved--

CASSIE: Well maybe she should be! We risk our lives every day in this job and I have never let it affect my judgment, not one time. We've always come home!

CROSS: But this time Cassie, you're not in the field. You're in my shoes, you're on the outside looking in and this is a situation you have no experience in.

CASSIE: If rigid thinking and playing it safe is what it takes to go from field agent to management remind me to skip the next promotion test!

CROSS: What it takes to do this job, is a discipline to follow procedure first, before trying some half-baked, reckless alternative.

CASSIE: Okay, so we go with by the book first and if that doesn't work?

CROSS: I'm sure I'll be able to find someone with a few half-baked ideas.

FADE TO: Sunset/Gower Studio--Date To Mate set

STAGE MANAGER: Exterior security cameras back on line.

PHOENIX: That's good.

DUNCAN: Well, everyone seems to be okay, except this woman in the back, she wants to be home in time to see 'Crossing Over'.

SHANE: Yeah, well, if we're not careful she's gonna be crossing over.

D.D.: (notices an anxious Cheryl) How's she doing?

DUNCAN: I don't know, she kind of waved me off. What's it say that I can't get a a woman to talk to me at a time like this?

D.D.: It says she's scared and doesn't want anyone to know.

DUNCAN: Really? You think that's it?

D.D.: I know when I'm afraid I don't want anyone to know, especially a cute guy.

SHANE: Excuse me Dr. Ruth, it looks like he's measuring something.

They watch Phoenix count of four paces.

PHOENIX: (points to a goon) You, right here.

DUNCAN: The two step pace for the average man is five feet, he's a bit taller so you add two inches for variance, I would estimate he's traveled fifteen feet on that last pass.

D.D.: So now we just have to figure out what measures fifteen feet.

SHANE: Besides a mass grave.

PHOENIX: (looks at the map then points to the floor) Start digging right here.

SHANE: (off look from D.D.) Oh come on, I was just kidding.

DUNCAN: Hey, do you see this guy here? If I was to approach him quickly on his right side twenty degrees lower than the parallel plane of his arm I could take him out.

SHANE: Take him out?!?

DUNCAN: Yeah.

SHANE: Duncan no!

STAGE MANAGER: We've got Delta Forces coming in. We've got movement here (shows camera feed) and here (another angle) near the vents.

PHOENIX: Right by the book, turn on the exhaust systems, let's get some air moving in the vents.

V.O.: Yes sir, right away.

PHOENIX: Get those vents open then drop in the gas grenades.

The militia do as ordered.

CHERYL: What are they doing?

DUNCAN: Pressure displacement. By turning the fans on this room becomes positively pressurized forcing air through the vents. Aristotle did the first definitive research--

SHANE: Got it! What we need to know is why?

DUNCAN: Why? Right. I don't know. I don't know.

FADE TO: ComCent

RADIO V.O.: Bravo report, what's your status?

ALPHA TEAM: Alpha team in position, standing by, awaiting your orders. Do you copy?

RADIO V.O.: Vents open, ready to move.

ALPHA TEAM: Roger that, Alpha team in position, standing by, waiting your command.

CROSS: (picking up radio) Move in.

FADE TO: Sunset/Gower Studio

The units on the roof prepare their entry maneuver

PHOENIX: Give the gas a chance to get to them, don't ignite the flares too quickly, we might get a back blast. Move out!

STAGE MANAGER: (watching the roof video feed) They're entering the vents.

D.D.: They're gonna blow up the vents.

SHANE: And everyone in them.

END OF ACT ONE

FADE OUT

ACT TWO

FADE IN: Sunset/Gower Studios

V.O.: Okay, start the jackhammer right now.

SHANE: We gotta light that gas before Delta Force gets inside otherwise they'll be picking up pieces of Delta from here to San Bernardino.

Delta Force moves in.

FADE TO: ComCent

RADIO V.O.: What's that smell? Smells like popcorn.

CROSS: Popcorn!

CASSIE: K-7 gas!

CROSS: All units pull back, move!

FADE TO: Sunset/Gower Studios

D.D.: We need a distraction.

SHANE: I could take off my top.

DUNCAN: Not on my watch!

Duncan wrestles with the closest gunman.

D.D.: Duncan don't! Please!

Shane grabs the lit cigarette from the emcee's hand and tosses it into the airshaft blowing it and sending everyone for cover.

FADE TO: ComCent

They hear the explosion on the radio.

BLACK: What was that?!? Status report!

RADIO V.O.: An explosion! We've got fire, no casualties.

CROSS: They were waiting for us. They must have routed their security camera feeds back into the studio.

CASSIE: If that gas had ignited a second later those guys would have all been killed.

BLACK: (looks at Cassie) K-7 gas is classified, how did you know about it?

CASSIE: Um...we're spies!

CROSS: I got a better question, how did those terrorists get their hands on it?

FADE TO: Sunset/Gower Studios

PHOENIX: What happened?!? What went wrong?!?

STAGE MANAGER: I don't know! Could've been a spark caused by Delta.

SHANE: Duncan what were you thinking?!?

DUNCAN: Just thought I'd try to help.

SHANE: Did you learn that in hostage class?!?

D.D.: Give him a break, it wasn't pretty but it worked. Only don't do it again!

DUNCAN: (holding his stomach that got punched by the goon) No problem.

GOON: I didn't find it, you sure the map is right?

PHOENIX: Just keep digging! Alright, it's time to talk.

He pulls a ski mask on.

FADE TO: ComCent

RADIO V.O.: Command, we got some burns but no fatalities.

CROSS: Ladies, recommendations?

BLACK: We regroup and go back in.

CASSIE: And make the same mistake twice?!? You're lucky they ignited the gas when they did!

BLACK: How do we know it wasn't just an accident?

CASSIE: I know my friends...and they're not just sitting this one out. Look, this guy Phoenix seems to know what we're gonna do before we even do it! Maybe it's time we start breaking some rules if we're gonna out think this guy.

The phone rings.

CROSS: Let's hear what he has to say. (Cross answers via speaker phone) Yes?

PHOENIX: I assume you've routed all communications lines into your ops center?

CROSS: We have.

PHOENIX: Then let's do this face-to-face so to speak. Turn on the satellite feed.

Cross nods and Phoenix appears on the screen

PHOENIX: Like what you see?

CROSS: There they are.

CASSIE: Oh thank God.

PHOENIX: If you want to see the hostages walk out of here alive you must release all imprisoned members of the Chechen Freedom Front and the Heidelburg Resistance, you have three hours before I start shooting people.

He cuts the link.

CROSS: Heidelburg Resistance. Wasn't Sara Goodmanson a member of the Heidelburg Resistance?

CASSIE: And she's supposed to be in prison.

CROSS: (thoughtfully) Hmm...

CASSIE: Thinking about breaking some rules?

CROSS: Someone suggested that might be a good idea. Let's do it.

Cassie nods and leaves.

BLACK: Exactly what is it that you're doing?

CROSS: We're going to give Phoenix exactly what he wants.

FADE TO: Sunset/Gower Studios

EMCEE: (panicking) It's been an hour, he's gonna start killing people.

DUNCAN: Maybe you should keep your voice down.

EMCEE: (pulling his jacket on) Listen, I have got too much to lose to leave my future in the hands of a bunch of government bozos alright!

CHERYL: What are you gonna do?

The emcee pulls his jacket on and rises only to be stopped by a militia man.

GOON: Hey!

EMCEE: Um...Mr. Phoenix? (the goon lets him go to talk to Phoenix) Hi, how ya doing? Um...can we talk?

PHOENIX: Sure.

EMCEE: Josh Townsend, you might know me from t.v. (Phoenix gives him a look indicating he doesn't nor does he really care to) That's okay, you've probably been too busy to watch. (he pats Phoenix on the arm and receives a look making him drop his hand) Look, I've been doing some thinking...how does a primetime special sound? I mean, two hours to tell the world where they can get off.

PHOENIX: (appears to consider the offer) And in exchange I'd release you?

JOSH: Can't very well negotiate with the networks from in here, capice?

PHOENIX: (chuckles then grabs Josh) If you're so important maybe I should just kill you first. Capice?

Josh returns to his seat with his tail between his legs.

D.D.: Why do I feel like you're the kind of guy who would put on a dress to escape the Titanic?

CHERYL: This was supposed to be my big day.

SHANE: Oh come on now, you know every guy on this show is shallow, self-centered and stupid. All they had was flash.

CHERYL: We're in Hollywood, what do you expect?

SHANE: Intelligence, loyalty, honesty...yeah, yeah, I know it's hard to find...(She points over her shoulder to Duncan) but it's around.

CHERYL: (checking him out) Him? He's kind of a geek.

SHANE: Yeah, he's also kinda one of the best guys you could ever meet.

DUNCAN: (leaning to the spies) He's looking at some kind of map.

SHANE: Alright, well we gotta figure out some kind of way to get a look at it. How's your bladder?

D.D.: Starting to feel like one of the great lakes. Oh Mister Guard...

GOON: We're down three feet and still nothing.

PHOENIX: Keep digging, trust me,i t's there. (He turns to see D.D. and Shane) What do you want?!?

D.D.: Bathroom breaks would be a good start.

PHOENIX: Denied.

SHANE: Look! You don't get me to a bathroom I'm gonna show you a real act of terrorism!

D.D. takes a peek at the map.

PHOENIX: Get them out of my face!

The girls are manhandled back to their seats.

SHANE: So?

D.D.: It's an old civil defense chart, he's circled something half a block east of here on the other side of the street.

DUNCAN: That's the Federal Annex.

SHANE: Okay, if he's targeting a building across the street why is he digging a hole here?

The phone rings.

PHOENIX: Yeah?

CROSS: You asked for the prisoners to be released. We have one of the members of the Heidelburg Resistance in Los Angeles. Sara Goodmanson, we want to trade her for a hostage.

Phoenix holds the phone down.

PHOENIX: They want to trade a hostage for Sara Goodmanson.

STAGE MANAGER: What're you gonna do?

PHOENIX: Accept the offer, anything else would tip our hand. (puts the phone back to his ear) Okay, a trade. How soon?

CROSS: She's outside now, at the main entrance.

Cross dons an earpiece.

PHOENIX: Thirty seconds, no tricks.(he hangs up) You! (points to Josh) You get your wish.

JOSH: (pulled to his feet) Starpower baby!

PHOENIX:(to stage manager as Josh is led out) Get me a picture and background on Goodmanson.

The stage door opens and a figure clad in black comes in, arms shackled to waist...it is Cassie, the top of her hair is braided.

END OF ACT TWO

FADE OUT

ACT THREE

FADE IN: Sunset/Gower Studios

Cassie walks toward the militia not meeting D.D. and Shane's eyes.

PHOENIX: The legendary Sara Goodmanson

CASSIE: (using German accent) Do I know you?

PHOENIX: Let's just say I'm a friend of the cause. See if she's wired.

Cassie is searched.

CROSS: (in her ear) Cassie, how many men does he have in there?

CASSIE: (accented) How many are you? Nine? Ten?

PHOENIX: Enough to accomplish what I set out to do.

DUNCAN: What is she doing here?

SHANE: Goodmanson...Sara Goodmanson...that rings a bell.

D.D.: Of course! I knew I knew that name. The Heidelburg Resistance remember?

SHANE: And we...

D.D.: Yes!

SHANE: Way'd it go Cass.

DUNCAN: Way'd it go? All they have to do is run an internet search to find a picture and see that is not Sara Goodmanson.

D.D.: Duncan, Sara Goodmanson never existed. She was created by the department for the sole purpose of bringing down the Heidelburg Resistance.

DUNCAN: Oh...I get it...no I don't.

D.D.: The Heidelburg worked in small cells, so the government invented a leader, had her call a meeting and--

SHANE: And boom, we snared 'em! No muss, no fuss!

D.D.: And no Goodmanson, it was all a ghost operation.

CHERYL: (to Duncan) Excuse me, do you know her?

DUNCAN: Um, just play along, we've got everything under control.

Cheryl is impressed.

GOON: She's clean.

CASSIE:(accented) Now are you satisfied?

PHOENIX: Not yet. I still have some questions.

BLACK: (at ComCent) He's gonna quiz her.

PHOENIX: The Heidelburg Resistance bombed the Munich Exchange, what was the name of the team leader?

CROSS: (checking the file) Donzel Vonnegut

CASSIE: (accented) Donzel Vonnegut

PHOENIX: The Exchange has three doors, which one was wired to explode?

CROSS: He's trying to trick you,all the doors were wired with explosives but only the northwest door detonated.

CASSIE: (accented) The northwest entrance, the other charges did not detonate.

PHOENIX: What was the make of the getaway car stashed in the alley?

CROSS: (searching) Stall him.

CASSIE: (accented) I am tired of these games.

PHOENIX: What was the make of the car?!?

CROSS: Cassie, I can't find any record of the car! I...I don't know!

CASSIE: (accented) There was no car in the alley. We blended in with the crowd to cover our escape.

Cross, Black and Cassie hold their breaths.

PHOENIX: Release her.

BLACK: How'd she know that?

PHOENIX: (as she's unshackled) Call me Phoenix.

CASSIE: (accented) I'll need a gun Herr Phoenix.

PHOENIX: Just keep an eye on the hostages, you don't need a gun for that.

CASSIE:(turns away and says softly) That was fun.

CROSS: How did you know there was no car in the alley?

CASSIE: (softly) He has a tell. Glanced at the side when he asked the trick question about the bomb, did exactly the same thing when he asked about the car.

CROSS: Never con a con. Can you get to D.D. and Shane?

CASSIE: (softly) Shouldn't be a problem. (she heads over to where her friends are conversing) (accented) Schnautze! You with the mouth, there will be no talking!

SHANE: (snickering) What's your problem Heidi, braids too tight?

CASSIE: (yanks her up and across the stage)-(accented) No one talks back to me!

SHANE: (softly) Ow!

CASSIE: (softly) Sorry, had to make it look real. So what's going on?

SHANE: (softly) Phoenix's got seven guys armed with weapons, a map and guys digging a hole.

CASSIE: (softly) You getting all this?

CROSS: I'm getting it. I'm not sure what it means.

STAGE MANAGER: Phoenix we've got feedback! Someone's transmitting!

PHOENIX: Where's the signal coming from?

STAGE MANAGER: The stage. I thought we checked her for a wire!

PHOENIX: (looking at Cassie) Apparently we missed something!

END OF ACT THREE

FADE OUT

ACT FOUR

FADE IN: Sunset/Gower Studios

STAGE MANAGER: Something in here's causing feedback

Cassie and Shane look at each other

STAGE MANAGER: It's gotta be a microphone

Cross and Black are listening in concerned.

D.D. flashes back to Cheryl having her corsage mic fixed, she makes eye contact with Cassie and nods toward the corsage.

STAGE MANAGER: It must be her!

Phoenix starts toward Cassie pulling his gun, Cassie stalks over to Cheryl and pulls the corsage off and grinds it under her boot as Cross and Black listen in.

CHERYL: What are you doing?

CROSS: Kill the relay!

STAGE MANAGER: (as Phoenix reaches Cassie) Wait, it stopped.

CASSIE: (accented, holding up the mic from the corsage) Here's your stupid microphone!

Phoenix grabs it from her.

STAGE MANAGER: Stage mics weren't turned off.

PHOENIX: My apologies.

CASSIE: (accented) Maybe I should check these people to see what else your men have forgotten.

PHOENIX: They're all yours.

CASSIE: (accented) All of you, on your feet! Quickly! (Softly to D.D.) Nice save.

D.D.: (softly) You still in contact with Cross?

CASSIE: (softly) He cut the line, we're on our own.

D.D.: (softly) Phoenix has targeted the Federal Annex across the street.

SHANE: (softly) And judging by the tools these guys brought in we're guessing they're trying to tunnel in.

STAGE MANAGER: Goodmanson, move off stage.. Okay everybody let's move right here, front and center. Come on, let's go Hugh Grant, let's go Princess, Brawny bachelor number one let's go! Sit down. Sit down now! Okay, everybody look natural. (see's D.D. staring at him) No, don't look at me. (The hostages appear on camera) Record this and make a loop for playback later...and cut. Move them all to the bleachers.

GOON: Let's go people! Move!

SHANE: (softly to Cassie) What was that for?

CASSIE:(softly) We're about to find out

The goons move a green screen into place.

GOON: Alright, sit down!

STAGE MANAGER: Okay we're live in five, four, three, two...

The stage manager is standing in front of the hostages on the stage via green screen and holds up one finger, Phoenix, masked and standing in front of the green screen, though it appears the hostages are behind him, calls Cross.

CROSS: Go ahead.

The false image appears on the ComCent screen

PHOENIX: Listen up, have my demands been satisfied?

CASSIE: (softly) He's talking to Cross.

SHANE: (softly) Cross thinks we're sitting on the stage behind him, check out the monitors.

PHOENIX: You had my comrades imprisoned.

CHERYL: How is he doing that?

DUNCAN: It's the green screen.

PHOENIX: You dare to make a mockery of us!

DUNCAN: It's technology that uses a system called a chromokey, it basically uses a certain color and then drops a picture into where that color is or...

PHOENIX: You and your men better listen up or (sic) prisoners.

D.D.: Phoenix took the picture they filmed on stage a minute ago and combined it with what's going on up there right now.

TRANSITION TO: ComCent

PHOENIX: I am running out of patience!

CROSS: You have to give us more time, releasing political prisoners involves a great deal of negotiations with other--

PHOENIX: I am going to leave this camera on and if I don't get what I want in one hour then you can watch me kill these people one by one.

Phoenix stalks off.

BLACK: That sadistic bastard!

CROSS: Interesting choice, leaving the camera on. He wants us to watch.

BLACK: I don't like this, I'm going down there in case we have to go back in. Lt. Bradford...

Cross studies the screen.

WOMAN AIDE: Mr. Cross, the Chairman is on the secure screen in your office.

CROSS: Thank you.

Cross goes to his office, straightens his jacket and tie and then clicks on the screen.

CHAIRMAN: Quentin. Do you have an update?

CROSS: No casualties so far. This Phoenix character is starting to make some serious threats sir.

CHAIRMAN: I heard you sent McBain undercover, as Sara Goodmanson.

CROSS: That's correct.

CHAIRMAN: So now you have three agents in a compromised position...do you really believe that was the best course of action?

CROSS: Under the circumstances, yes sir.

CHAIRMAN: It's hardly standard operating procedure.

CROSS: I know, but sometime you...have to break a few rules if you're going to outwit your opponent.

CHAIRMAN: I don't remember breaking rules being one of your strategies when we talked about you taking over the She Spies program.

CROSS: Well I'm finding that rules and the She Spies don't always work well together.

CHAIRMAN: Well I don't like to second guess my people Quentin...but for your sake and theirs... I hope you know what you're doing.

CROSS: I believe I do sir.

CHAIRMAN: Very well, keep me informed.

Cross shuts off the monitor and takes a breath hoping for the same thing.

FADE TO: Sunset/Gower Studios

The goons are moving mannequins onto the stage

SHANE: (softly) Cross thinks we're still sitting on that stage, he has no idea what's going on.

D.D.: (softly) It would help if we knew what was going on.

CASSIE:(softly) I'll see what I can do. (she walks over to Phoenix and slips into her accent) Digging equipment, camera tricks, this has nothing to do with the release of political prisoners.

PHOENIX: You're right, it doesn't. Social causes, revolutions are dead. Capitalism rules and I am a capitalist.

CASSIE: (accented) I cannot imagine there's anything of value inside this studio. So what are you after? The Federal Annex across the street?

PHOENIX: Clever. Surprised you ever got caught.

CASSIE: (accented) Thank you for the compliment, but you did not answer my question.

PHOENIX: In the basement is a classified underground archive housing over ten years worth of CIA records, detailing every mission, every agent.

CASSIE: (accented) Worth a fortune on the blackmarket. But it will take you a week to dig through four-hundreds yards of earth.

He motions her to follow him to the hole.

PHOENIX: The U.S. government took care of that for me. This stage used to be an office building for the State Department in the 1950's. (the man digging uncovers a hatch) They built a civil defense tunnel connecting this building with the Annex.

CASSIE: (accented) But the hatch on the otherside must be blocked off as well.

PHOENIX: A little C-4 explosives should take care of that.

He walks away with a bag.

CASSIE: (accented) And you escape how?

Phoenix opens the bag in front of the hostages.

PHOENIX: Down the tunnel through the Annex.

CASSIE: (accented) With Delta Force right behind you?

PHOENIX: They will be too busy celebrating our defeat.

CASSIE: (accented) I don't follow.

PHOENIX: (pulling fatigues from the bag) When Delta come storming in they will shoot everybody wearing these but it won't be us...(he throws the fatigues at D.D. and Shane) it'll be them. Get undressed, now!

END OF ACT FOUR

FADE OUT

ACT FIVE

FADE IN: Sunset/Gower Studios

Deltal Forces are repelling from the helicopters.

PHOENIX: (has D.D.'s back to the screen) You're playin' with me? For some reason you have it in your minds that I don't mean what I say? (he pulls a gun and shoots D.D.) Kill them all!

STAGE MANAGER: And cut.

PHOENIX: How'd I look?

STAGE MANAGER: You looked great. (they looked down at D.D....which was a mannequin dressed in D.D.'s clothes) Cue this up, you can play this back whenever you want to use it.

PHOENIX: Make sure they get the audio on this.

Cassie ties D.D.'s hands behind her back.

GOON: Those ropes better be tight.

D.D.: (softly) That top looks better on the mannequin than it did on me.

CASSIE: ( softly) Look on the bright side, you still got a head.

D.D.: (softly) And it still doesn't understand what the deal is with the mannequin.

Mannequins are interspersed among the hostages on the stage.

CASSIE: (softly) If I got it right they're gonna broadcast that fake execution to ComCent, as soon as Cross and Black see it, Delta's gonna come in here with open fire.

D.D.: (softly) And they'll be shooting at us because we're dressed like the bad guys.

Cassie moves to Shane to tie her arms.

SHANE: (softly) The mannequins are dressed like us, all part of their decoy to help sell the trick.

CASSIE: (softly) And while Delta takes you out Phoenix and his boys are gonna blast into the Annex across the street, grab the CIA disks and adios.

SHANE: (softly) Any idea how to stop them?

CASSIE: (softly) I'm working on it, in the meantime, see what you can do with this.

Cassie slips a knife into Shane's hand.

SHANE: (feeling the blade, replies softly) Aw man, it's got peanut butter on it.

CASSIE: (softly) Well complain to Kraft Services.

PHOENIX: Goodmanson, come down here and earn your freedom!

CASSIE: (softly) Duty calls

She leaves them.

CHERYL: You know Duncan, I'm really sorry I blew you off before, I know you were just trying to make me feel better.

DUNCAN: Oh, that's okay.

CHERYL: If it means anything, I think you're a lot nicer than any of those hot guys they gave me to pick from.

DUNCAN: Thanks...I think. I was wondering...you know...if we get out of here alive...I don't know... maybe we could go somewhere...sometime?

CHERYL: What are the odds we're getting out of here alive?

DUNCAN: Two million, one-hundred fifty-seven thousand to one. That was a joke. I'm sorry.

CHERYL: No, it was funny. Sort of.

PHOENIX: Help them get the explosives into the tunnel

Cassie and another man lift the crate while Shane works on cutting her ropes.

SHANE: (softly) Looks like he's getting ready for his big finish. (she looks over at D.D. who's staring off into space) Earth to D.D.!

D.D.: Remember what Duncan said?

SHANE: Duncan says a lot of things.

D.D.: About the green screen. Anything green in front of it lets the background show through.

SHANE: Uh-huh?

D.D.: (softly) If I can get that green light to reflect onto Phoenix while he's talking I should be able to send a message to Cross in Morse code.

SHANE: (softly) Gotta love you brainy types, but you still need something to reflect the light.

Shane cuts her ropes free and works on D.D.'s.

D.D.: (softly) Cheryl, I need your watch!

CHERYL: Why?

D.D.: (softly) Green screen, green light, Morse code.

DUNCAN: Cool.

CHERYL: What is she talking about?

DUNCAN: (softly) It's top secret, give me your hands.

Duncan gets her watch off and tosses it between his feet and pushes it to Shane's hand, she passes it to a freed D.D.

STAGE MANAGER: In three, two...(he points to the camera then Phoenix, who's in front of the green screen making the call to ComCent

CROSS: (answers phone) Go ahead.

PHOENIX: You've tried my patience. (D.D. uses the watch to show through Phoenix clothing) You now have less than five minutes to deliver the rest of the prisoners.

CROSS: (seeing the screen) We have to do this right, the government is worried--

PHOENIX: No more excuses.

The screen goes black.

CROSS: (to aide) Rewind the tape.

Phoenix removes his mask and walks to the video banks

CROSS: I want to take another look

Cross studies the screen

STAGE MANAGER: (at control console) Explosives are ready.

PHOENIX: Alright, everybody into the tunnel, you too, Goodmanson.

GOON: (as others jump into the tunnel) Come on, let's go!

The spies nod to each other, ready to act.

PHOENIX: Roll the tape, let's get Delta in here.

CROSS: (seeing the pre-recorded video of D.D.'s execution) Since when did we get audio? (into radio) Black, he just shot a hostage, move in now!

DELTA: Hostage down, let's go!

STAGE MANAGER: (watching camera) Delta's moving in.

PHOENIX: Move out!

Cassie takes a crowbar and hits the goon at the tunnel with it knocking him into the tunnel. D.D. and Shane jump into the action.

CASSIE: (taking on Phoenix) Welcome to my revolution!

Delta is literally knocking down the stage door as Cross re-watches the second to last video footage again.

CROSS: Someone's sending us a message.

The girls are fighting Phoenix's goons.

CROSS: Zoom in on his left hip tighter.

Back to the fighting.

CROSS: It's Morse code.

More fighting, D.D. takes out a goon with a mannequins arm.

CROSS: Hostages dressed...hostages dressed...

Cassie and Phoenix battle.

CROSS: As terrorists. Hostages dressed as terrorists.

Cassie takes out Phoenix.

CROSS: (picking up radio) Black!

The studio doors give and Delta rushes in.

CROSS: Don't shoot! Hold your fire! Hold your fire, the hostages are dressed like terrorists! Repeat, hold your fire!

BLACK: (raises her arm) Hold your fire!

Cassie rushes over.

BLACK: Well, looks like you got everything under control.

CASSIE: Like I said, let us do what we're trained for.

END OF ACT FIVE

FADE OUT

ACT SIX

FADE IN: Sunset/Gower Studios

CROSS: (entering) Everyone okay?

D.D.: Everyone who's a good guy.

CASSIE: You ever get an I.D. on Phoenix?

CROSS: His real name is Darryl Stratton

SHANE: Darryl? What kind of name is that for a terrorist?

CASSIE: Maybe that's why he uses Phoenix instead.

SHANE: Well if it were me I'd have gone for something more scary, like 'Slash'.

D.D.: Or 'Scorpion'.

CASSIE: Or 'Pee Wee'. (the trio give her an odd look) What? That playhouse thing still gives me the creeps.

CROSS: He's not a terrorist at all, Stratton was a former member of Delta Force, he was drummed out for incompetence.

CASSIE: That's how he knew about K-7 gas and Delta tactics.

CROSS: Looks like having Delta shoot the hostages was his way of getting even.

SHANE: Some people just have a hard time letting things go.

DUNCAN: (comes up with Cheryl) Would it be alright if I gave Cheryl a ride home?

D.D. mouths yes to Cross while Shane gives him the thumbs up and Cassie gives a slight nod.

CROSS: That's fine. (Duncan leaves with her and the others walk to the stage) Why did I say yes?

D.D.: Because young love is a wonderful thing.

BLACK: Well, I gotta give him credit, it was a great plan and they would have gotten away with it if it weren't for you.

CASSIE: It's what we're here for, duty.

SHANE: Honor.

D.D.: Probation.

BLACK: I just wanted to say, good job.

She salutes them.

CASSIE: That's not necessary, we're not military.

BLACK: Well if you're ever interested in a career in the service, I could pull some strings.

SHANE: No thanks, it's too hard.

CASSIE: Too strict.

D.D.: Too green. I never looked good in olive drab. (the trio give her a look) Well I don't.

CASSIE: (to Cross) Well, looks like breaking the rules sometimes is not such a bad thing after all.

CROSS: (sighs and walks past) Don't get used to it.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT SIX

THE END