PSYCHO & PSYCHE (Television pilot script)
Logline:
To avoid lockdown in an inescapable mental facility, a bipolar patient claiming to have superpowers must convince his estranged police detective sister that the criminal who framed him for murder is real.
EXCERPT FROM PSYCHO & PSYCHE (PILOT)
EXT. TALL BUILDING - NIGHT
ERIC KLAVEN (30's) climbs up a drainpipe, talking to himself.
ERIC
Applying his training, Psycho heroically ascends the building. It takes all of his stamina, but he's trained for months for this very purpose.
Eric momentarily loses his grip, but he steadies himself on a nearby window ledge. He keeps climbing.
ERIC (cont'd)
The madman Mr. Black is wreaking havoc on the city once more. Psycho is the only one who can stop him. Using his superb detective skills, he will comb the scene of the crime.
EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT
Eric reaches the rooftop and climbs onto the edge. He collapses onto the cement and heaves several deep breaths. He closes his eyes. Behind him, MALCOLM (30's), a security guard with a droll expression, approaches. He stares down at Eric.
MALCOLM
Like hell you will.
Eric opens his eyes and groans.
ERIC
How long have you been standing there?
MALCOLM
Long enough. Did you climb that drainpipe all by yourself?
ERIC
Yeah.
MALCOLM
Damn. How did you manage that?
ERIC
Plyometrics. I've been training in my room the last six months for this.
MALCOLM
And who is Psycho?
ERIC My alter ego. beat ( ) I suppose you're going to report me to Dr. O now?
MALCOLM
It's my job. Unless you have a rare comic for me?
ERIC
That depends what you're looking for.
MALCOLM
You got X-Men one-three-three?
ERIC
I used to have it, but my ex packed all my stuff away in storage.
MALCOLM
Man, you know I have to report you.
Eric extends a hand and Malcolm helps him up. The doorway to a staircase is nearby. Malcolm opens the door and gives Eric a light push through.
ERIC
Hey, watch the coat. It's new.
ONE YEAR EARLIER
INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY
Eric lies unconscious on a hardwood floor. His eyes flutter open and he sits up, rubbing his head. His face is narrow and his eyes are intense. He winces and looks around. He gives a start.
A body is lying next to him, covered in blood.
Eric panics. He lunges toward the body of his brother, JASON KLAVEN (30's), dark hair and sharp features, his torso covered in deep cuts and lacerations. Next to him lies a bloody wooden stake.
Eric grabs Jason's shoulders and shakes him lightly.
ERIC
Jason? Jason, wake up.
No response.
ERIC
Jason, please. Say something.
Eric reaches for Jason's wrist, but can't bring himself to touch it. Blood streams from a wound on Jason's arm: a strange pagan symbol carved into his flesh.
Eric checks for a pulse. Nothing.
ERIC
No, no, no!
Eric holds his brother, rocking him. Eric cries.
Ring! A cell phone.
Eric looks around. Stands and finds his phone across the room. The screen says Haley is calling. He answers.
ERIC
Sweetheart, hi.
Eric rakes a hand through his hair. He walks around the kitchen. It's a mess: Broken ceramic plates and mugs line the counter and floor. Like there was a fight.
ERIC
(into the phone)
No, everything is not OK. Haley, Jason is... He's... I don't know what's happening and I'm scared.
(dead serious)
He was there. Mr. Black was at the coffee shop this morning and now Jason is--
There's a heavy knock at the door to the apartment.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Open up. This is the police.
Eric looks toward the door. He heaves several breaths.
ERIC
Fuck!
The knocking continues. Eric covers the phone with his hand and yells at the door.
ERIC
I'll be right there!
(into the phone)
Haley, I'll see you at home.
Eric hangs up and answers the door to find several officers in the hall.
COP #1
Sir, we received a noise complaint.
INT. APARTMENT - DAY
A CSI team investigates in the kitchen. Yellow crime scene tape cordons off the area. Eric sits in the living room while a COP interviews him.
A woman in a suit enters, brunette and strong-willed with dark, untrusting eyes. This is SARA KLAVEN (30s), Eric's sister.
COP #1
(to Sara)
Detective.
Sara looks surprised to see Eric.
ERIC
Sara, thank God.
SARA
Eric, what are you doing here?
Eric breaks down in tears.
ERIC
I-I don't know what happened. I came to pick up the digging spike--
SARA
Digging spike?
ERIC
It was for a school presentation. Jason had it and I came here to pick it up, and then my memory is blank. I must've blacked out because when I woke up he was... was...
SARA
You're freaking me out. Where is Jason?
The Cop whispers into Sara's ear. Her face turns white.
SARA
(to Eric)
What did you do?
ERIC
Sara, it's not my fault.
Sara pushes Eric out of the way and walks to the kitchen.
INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY
Sara enters with the cops following. Eric trails behind. Sara locks eyes on Jason's body. Sees the blood and the wooden spike on the ground. She breaks down.
She wheels toward Eric, distraught.
SARA
What the fuck did you do?
ERIC
I didn't do anything! I just woke up and found him like this. It's not my fault.
SARA
He used to protect you. Well, not anymore.
(to Cop #1)
Ackles, cuff him and read him his rights.
Several cops surround Eric. One of them places Eric's hands behind his back. Eric tries to fight back, shifting his arms so they can't cuff him.
COP #1
You have the right to remain silent--
ERIC
No! It was Mr. Black, not me!
Two cops exchange confused looks. A large cop pins Eric's arms and the first cuffs him. Eric goes ballistic, struggling against the cops. Eric leans his weight into the larger cop and kicks his legs clumsily in the air. Sara draws a taser and points it at Eric.
SARA
Eric, there is no Mr. Black. You're acting delusional.
ERIC
IT WASN'T ME!
Eric's breathing becomes labored. He has a panic attack. He collapses onto the floor.
The cops look toward Sara.
SARA
(to Cop #2)
Williams, make sure he's unconscious.
As Cop #2 kneels in front of Eric, Eric's eyes snap open. His stare is oddly calm as he jumps to his feet. With skill, he lunges toward the nearest cop, taking him out with a headbutt. Eric wrestles the next cop to the ground.
At a distance, Sara fires her taser at Eric. Eric is jolted until he collapses once more. He does not get up this time. A cop on the ground gapes at Sara.
COP #1
Did you see how fast he moved?
To read the rest, please inquire at brian.beneventi@gmail.com