Thomas Gallagher

Placed 4th in group in NYC Midnight 1st Round.

INT. Council's Hall - DAY
Thousands of spectators watch the stage in a large, brutalist auditorium. 
MARLA(20s) is moved to tears as she bows to an effigy of a snake coiled around the branches of a tree.
Marla
For the wisdom of the Council.
She composes herself as the crowd APPLAUDS fervently. 
The next inductee crosses the stage. His footsteps ECHO.
ANDREAS(20s) approaches the snake. Pledging with a hint of reluctance.
Andreas
...For the wisdom of the Council.
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE.
Int. NAD Screening room - later
Andreas and Marla sit in a dark, circular room with the other NAD inductees. They watch a large screen that extends around the room's circumference.
The screen displays lines of rolling text with a female narrator.
Council narrator
As a member of the Council's new Neural Archive Division, your main priority is mapping the preserved memories of deceased Council members. Your duties, however also include reporting suspicious activity.
The inductees watch on attentively.
Council NARRATOR
...This includes Anti-council rhetoric, unauthorized disclosure of Council information, and violations of oath-bound confidentiality. Failure to report suspicious activity will result in criminal charges and, in severe cases -- docilement.
Andreas turns away from the screen, shaking his head.
Andreas
(to himself)
It's always docilement.
Int. Bar - NIGHT
Andreas takes his seat at the sparsely populated bar. The decor is concrete and corporate - like everything else.
ELI(60s), an unkempt, disheveled regular, is slouched over beside him. He stares into his shot glass with his eyes half open.
The bartender pivots toward Andreas. He speaks with no inflection and a smile that doesn't reach the eyes.
Bartender
Evening, Andreas. Will it be the regular?
Andreas gives a polite smile.
Andreas
Please.
The bartender begins making his drink.
Eli
(to himself)
Fucking happies...
Andreas notices but ignores the comment.
The bartender returns.
Andreas
Thanks.
BarTENDER
My pleasure.
Eli looks at the bartender with disgust.
Eli
(imitating)
...my pleasure
The bartender smiles at Eli.
Eli huffs back. His speech is slurred.
Eli
Get me another shot, you stupid fucking happy.
BarTENDER
I apologize, but you've reached the maximum amount of alcoholic beverages allowed. In accordance with Council policy, I can't --
Eli THROWS the shot glass at the bartender, shattering it in his face.
Eli
Get me another one!
Andreas jumps up and grabs him. Eli fights back, but his old age hinders him.
Andreas
Stop it! Stop!
Eli stops struggling.
Eli
-- Just look at what they did to him.
Andreas turns to the bartender.
He's bleeding profusely out of his forehead, covering his face in blood. Bits of glass are embedded in his cheeks.
He smiles. Teeth stained with blood.
BartenDER
Come again.
Andreas and Eli stare in horror.
Andreas
C'mon.
Andreas helps Eli to his feet and carries him out of the bar.
Ext. Bus stop - MOMENTS LATER
Andreas plops Eli down on a bench. It's pouring around them.
Andreas
They'll come looking for you.
Eli laughs.
Eli
I know.
Andreas
You know what that means?
Eli
I know what it means, kid. Docilement. Happy as a fucking clam.
Andreas nods. There's a sadness in his eyes.
Andreas
They say it's peaceful.
Eli grows angry.
Eli
Don't talk like them!
Andreas pulls back. He checks over his shoulder.
Eli
I knew that bartender...before they got to him. Back when he questioned things. Now he's just...living decoration.
Andreas
Well, was he questioning the Council?
Eli ignores him. The headlights of the coming bus illuminate the street.
Eli
If you believe it's so peaceful, why didn't you report me? I'd be better off.
The question lands heavily on Andreas.
Andreas
I don't know. You're drunk.
Eli
So? It's illegal. You could've reported me.
Andreas thinks for a moment, weighing his response.
Andreas
You look like my Grandfather.
Eli has a belly laugh.
Eli
Sure, kid...that's why.
Eli spits on the ground and stands as the bus arrives.
Andreas watches on with concern.
Eli turns back as the doors close in front of him. He mimes a frown, turning into a smile.
Int. NAD Workroom - day
Andreas sits in a memory mapping pod. It's cozy with a side table, headset, and a reclined chair with a scrolling ball. On the table is a file that reads: AMY FARROW. In red text below it: CONFIDENTIAL.
Andreas lies down in his seat, places his headset on, and swipes the ball.
The world around him dissolves. Then reconstructs itself.
Int. Council's hAll - Five years ago
Andreas watches AMY(40s) from the crowd as she bows to the effigy.
The crowd APPLAUDS.
Andreas looks at his hand and swipes it in the air.
The claps are faster. Amy seems to run off the stage. Everything speeds up...
Int. Amy's bathroom - days later
Amy applies lipstick in the mirror. She messes up her red hair only to put it back in place neatly.
Andreas sighs. He swipes his hand harder than last time.
Int. Council's meeting room - months later
Andreas looks around a dark room with a giant, monolithic table in the middle. Council members deliberate in hushed tones. A miniature version of the snake from the hall is the table's centerpiece.
Andreas spots Amy. A few strands of red hair poke out from the hood of her robe.
The COUNCIL LEADER, dawning a silver mask, addresses the Council with a booming voice.
Council Leader
In the case of Joe Fisher being sentenced to docilement...All in favor?
Most of the Council raise their hands. Amy does not.
COUNCIL LEADER
Sentenced...In the case of Edward Harmon being sentenced to docilement...All in favor?
Once again, Amy does not raise her hand. She looks around the table, perplexed.
COUNCIL LEADER
Sentenced.
Andreas is intrigued. He looks at his hand once again.
Andreas
Let's see what happens when I do...
Andreas swipes his hand as hard as he can.
The world is a blur of colors and sounds...
Int. AmY'S BATHROOM - many months later
Amy stares in the mirror once again. Tears stream down her face.
Amy
Hello there.
Andreas looks around the bathroom. They are alone.
Amy
You...watching me right now.
Andreas holds his breath. Hangs on every word.
Amy
I know your watching me -- or...will be. We passed the NAD act today. It's March 4th, 2089. So, hello.
Andreas
(quietly)
Hello, Amy.
Amy
Listen closely. I need your help. Docilement...the Council...they're not just removing negative emotions.
Amy begins talking faster. Then faster. The bathroom dissolves.
Int. Nad workROOM - present
Andreas sits up, hyperventilating. 
OMAR(40s), Council member, holds Andreas' headset above him menacingly.
Omar
The first time can be...disorienting.
Andreas catches his breath.
Andreas
Why did we stop?
Omar
The workday is over. Did you find something worth reporting?
Andreas swallows hard, caught between truth and self-preservation.
Andreas
No...nothing yet.
Omar is unconvinced.
Omar
I'm Omar, your liaison with the Council. Please finish your neural mapping for the day so I may review it.
Andreas opens Amy's file. Gets to work.
ANDREAS
Of course.
Omar snatches it from him. His cold gaze fixed on Andreas.
Omar
I've been a Council member for ten years now. Of all my years, Amy's case was the most unique. Deep within those memories lies something...significant.
He looks at Andreas intensely. He reluctantly hands the file back.
Omar
Do your best to find what it is...for the wisdom of the Council.
Andreas
For the wisdom of the Council.
Int. BAR - night
With a large bandage across his forehead, the bartender slides a glass towards Andreas.
Andreas
Thank you. I'm sorry about what happened the other night.
The bartender flashes a big, meaningless smile.
Bartender
That's quite alright. It's a luxury to not feel negative emotions. I'm reminded of that when dealing with drunks.
Andreas nods hesitantly.
Andreas
Can I ask? Were you voluntarily dociled?
BARTENDER
No.
ANDREAS
What did you do? If you don't mind me asking.
BARTENDER
My wife and I were charged with propagating anti-council rhetoric.
Andreas is taken aback.
Andreas
Woah. So, now you feel no negative emotion at all?
Bartender
Yes, it's quite...blissful.
Andreas
But what if there's something you need to feel sad about? Like --grieving a dead relative. The pain reminds you they mattered.
The bartender's eyes grow wide. He stumbles backward but catches himself. 
Andreas stands up to help him, but the bartender extends his hand.
Bartender
(shakily)
I must not be fully recovered yet. The doctors informed me I was slightly concussed.
Andreas clenches his teeth. Motivated by a sudden clarity, he gets up and leaves.
Ext. NAD Building - night
Andreas swipes his keycard and enters the building.
Int. Nad security room - contINUOUS
A guard watches Andreas walk in through his monitor. A silent alarm is triggered.
Int. NAD WORKROOM - moments later
Andreas boots up the system, places his headset on, and swipes his hand.
Int. Amy's bathroom - march 4th 2089
Andreas watches intensely, picking up Amy's memory where he left off.
Amy
...they made NAD...to find me.
Andreas raises an eyebrow.
Amy
Last week, I overheard a conversation in the Council hall. Please...watch that memory.
Andreas's head whips down to his hand. He brings it back slowly.
Int. COUNCIL'S HALL - A week earlier
Andreas watches Amy as she peeks through the doorway. The Council leader is seated, seemingly in conversation with the effigy on the table.
CoUNCIL LEADER
Through retrograde, the masses will be placated...the new covenant ready to be destroyed.
The effigy hums with an alien sound.
CouNCIL LEADER
...The garden will be restored, and the apple will be bitten once again... docilement is the answer.
Amy leans too closely on the door, and it SLAMS shut. Her hair is caught. Some of it rips out.
Andreas watches her run as fast as she can down the hall and out the door.
Int. Amy'S BATHROOM - march 4th 2089
Amy weeps in the mirror.
Amy
They found my hair.
Andreas begins to tear up as well.
Amy wipes her eyes and suddenly -- gets a serious look.
Amy
I've been summoned. If you are watching this, then I am dead. Please find some way to share this information -- docilement is something much more sinister.
Amy begins to silently weep.
Amy
Whoever you are...please...let my death mean something. I --.
Amy freezes. Andreas breathes shakily. The world dissolves.
Int. Nad WORKROOM - present
Omar's knuckles whiten as he grips Andreas' headset. The Council leader looms in the darkness behind him.
Omar
Our leader wishes to inform you that the NAD does not support overtime.
Andreas sits up, meeting Omar's gaze directly.
Andreas
I found something worth reporting.
Omar raises an eyebrow. The Council leader steps closer.
Omar
Did you now?
Andreas
Yes...Amy openly critiqued the Council's punishment against Edward Harmon.
Omar
Who?
Andreas
It was a ruling she voted against.
Omar shares an unconvinced look towards the Council leader.
CouNCIL LEADER
Bring him to the hall for questioning.
The Council leader exits the room.
Andreas' pulse quickens. He tries to mask his terror.
Andreas
May I use the restroom?
Omar
There is no chance of escape, Andreas. The Council has the building surrounded.
Andreas
(gagging)
I just...I need to use the restroom.
Int. NAD WORKROOM - two weeks later
Marla is swiping the ball with her headset on. She's viewing a memory.
Int. Nad bathroom - two weeks earlier
Andreas looks into the bathroom mirror with tears in his eyes. He's breathing shakily.
Andreas
Hello...whoever you are. If you're watching this...I'm already dead.
Marla raises an eyebrow, watching him with a mix of skepticism and growing unease.
Andreas
I was like you. Mapping the memories of a Council member named Amy Farrow...a brave woman who died to share this information...
Andreas's eyes burn with purpose.
Andreas
...Docilement is not what it seems.
Int. NAD WORKROOM - present
Omar lifts the headset over Marla's head.
Omar
Anything worth reporting?
Marla takes a long pause. Bites her lip.
Finally, she meets Omar's oppressive gaze -- and shakes her head no.