KNIGHT
RIDER 2000
ACT
FOUR
75 INT. MADDOCK’S OFFICE – TIGHT ON SHAWN – DAY
The
tears are gone, evaporated by hatred.
SHAWN
I don’t
want to do this. When I see their faces…I won’t be able to hide anything.
She
paces forward, exposing Michael, Devon and Maddock. Michael steps behind her,
placing a hand on her shoulder.
MICHAEL
Give
yourself some credit.
DEVON
Michael,
maybe she’s right. This could be too dangerous.
MICHAEL
It’s
the only way we can get them.
He
looks back at her.
76 INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT – DAY
As
Shawn enters, stoically weaving her way through station.
SHAWN’S
POINT OF VIEW
as
familiar faces step into view…the friends that betrayed her. A nod here, a
smile there. Strand spots Shawn with an awkward acknowledgement.
SHAWN
waves
back, struggling to hide any signs of knowledge. Her eyes then fall on:
HEDGES
who’s
just stepped around the corner with a cup of coffee. Hedges makes no attempt to
be cordial. A beat later KURT appears. He is the hardest one. A moment of
uneasiness, then Shawn steps toward him.
SHAWN
Hello,
Kurt.
KURT
This is
a pleasant surprise.
SHAWN
Yeah…same
here. I left a few things in my locker.
(awkward
beat)
Guess
I’ll see you around.
He
nods. She forces a nearly successful smile, moving on. Kurt watches her go,
Hedges joining him. Watching with eagle eyes.
77 EXT. TWO-LANE HIGHWAY – SAME TIME –DAY
On the
city outskirts. The black Volvo has its hood up, Michael opposite it as a
POLICE OFFICER pulls up in his black-and-white.
MICHAEL
Who
says there’s not a cop around when you need one?
POLICE
OFFICER
Car
troubles, huh?
MICHAEL
Dead
battery. I’d really appreciate a jump.
POLICE
OFFICER
No
problem.
He goes
for his cables. Michael returning to K.I.T.T.
MICHAEL
Adam
2525, right on schedule.
K.I.T.T.
I’ll
say one thing about the police, they’re consistent and dependable. Unlike some
people I know.
MICHAEL
Don’t
start on me, K.I.T.T.
78 INT. POLICE DEPT. CORRIDOR – SAME TIME
as
Shawn walks down the hallway. She arrives at an intersection, which indicates
LOCKER ROOMS to the left. Shawn turns right.
79 INT. POLICE COMMUNICATIONS ROOM – MOMENTS
LATER
as
Shawn discreetly enters, spotting an unmanned computer cubicle.
Shawn
quickly sits, grabbing a computerized “screen pencil” and begins pointing at
icon choices on the monitor.
TIGHT
ON MONITOR
As the
main menu disappears, entering a “TELE-LINK” program. The pencil points to
“INTERNAL RECORDS” followed by “GLOBAL TRANSFER” and finally “PREPARE FOR
DOWNLOAD.” A choice pops up “DESTINATION?”
SHAWN
Puts
down the pencil and types something into the keyboard.
TIGHT
ON MONITOR
As
“MOBILE UNIT – ADAM 2525” is typed in opposite the query.
80 EXT. HIGHWAY – SAME TIME – DAY
As the
Police Officer finishes snapping the jumpers to his battery, the opposite ends
now connected to K.I.T.T.
POLICE
OFFICER
Go
ahead and crank her over.
ADJUST
to K.I.T.T.’s interior as Michael turns the key, whispering.
MICHAEL
Start
the download.
Michael
turns the key, the engine turning over but not starting.
TIGHT
ON K.I.T.T.’S DASH
His
monitor contains the same menu as Shawn’s. suddenly “DOWNLOAD IN PROGRESS”
begins to flash in red.
RETURN
TO SCENE
As
K.I.T.T.’s engine continues to crank without starting. The Officer climbs from
his car, approaching Michael.
POLICE
OFFICER
Sounds
like your have problems beyond your battery.
He’s
getting awfully close. Michael glances at the screen, then back at him. The
download still isn’t complete. Michael quickly hops out, stopping him from
seeing the dash.
MICHAEL
You’re
telling me. She has a mind of her own, Officer – a real pain in the butt
sometimes. But I’m sure she’ll start on the next try.
He
shrugs,moving back to his unit as Michael does the same.
K.I.T.T.
You
enjoyed that, didn’t you?
MICHAEL
Finish
the download.
81 INT. COMMUNICATIONS ROOM/POLICE CORRIDOR –
SAME TIME
As
Shawn exits, heading back to Daniels’ office. ADJUST TO FIND STRAND, having
just seen her leave the Communications Room. He sips his coffee, curious.
82 INT. K.I.T.T. – CONTINUOUS
As the
Volvo engine starts up. On the monitor “TRANSFER COMPLETE” flashes and beeps.
POLICE
OFFICER (O.S.)
Wow –
no wonder your battery’s drained.
The
Officer has just appeared at the driver’s window, taking in the far from
ordinary Volvo dash. Michael’s mind races for a simple explanation but K.I.T.T.
instantly replaces the screen menu with a Seahawks game.
POLICE
OFFICER
How are
the Seahawks doing?
MICHAEL
(no
clue)
Well,
aah…
K.I.T.T.
We’re
ahead fourteen to zip at the beginning of the third.
The
cop’s eyebrows raise. Michael tries to smile, glancing at the dash.
MICHAEL
It’s a
kit from Radio Shack.
83 INT KNIGHT FOUNDATION – TIGHT ON PERSONNEL
FILES
Held in
Michael’s hand as she skims them. Digital photos accompany each of them:
Hedges, Marla, Strand, Justin, Miller, Kurt. And others we recognize from
Watts’ office.
84 INT. MADDOCK’S OFFICE – WIDER – NIGHT
Michael
shuffles between the files. Devon, Maddock and Shawn are sorting through varius
documents as well.
MICHAEL
Ten for
ten. They were all assigned.
MADDOCK
Assigned
to what?
MICHAEL
Delivering
the confiscated police issues for destruction.
DEVON
(sinks
in)
There
must’ve been over eight thousand handguns….
MADDOCK
Maybe
they did some kind of swap, fake ones for the real thing. We’re talking serious
money here.
DEVON
Who was
their Captain at the time?
SHAWN
Daniels.
MADDOCK
Big
surprise.
DEVON
It
doesn’t mean she knew about it. They could’ve acted entirely on their own.
MADDOCK
You
don’t know the system like I do, Devon. They would’ve needed inside help.
85 INT. POLICE LOCKER ROOM – SAME TIME – NIGHT
As the
Police Officer who helped Michael returns from his shift. Hedges and Strand are
changing into civilian clothes nearby.
POLICE
OFFICER
(to
fellow cop)
You
shoulda seen the car I gave a jump to today, Charlie. The whole dash was decked
with TV screens and a computer console.
FELLOW
COP
Musta
been that new Vette I’ve been reading about.
POLICE
OFFICER
Naw, it
was just an old Volvo. The damn thing artificial intelligence too – it was
transferring some kinda data and then switched to the King Dome and gave me the
score!
He
chuckles, shaking his head. Hedges and Strand swap glances, shutting their
lockers and quickly exiting.
86 INT. MADDOCK’S OFFICE – SAME TIME – NIGHT
As
Devon steps into the room, handing another dossier to Michael.
DEVON
K.I.T.T.
just completed the workup of Shawn’s memory.
Shawn
immediately sits down next to Michael, devouring he information with him.
MICHAEL
Looks
like he matched that face to a file.
MADDOCK
The
4000 would’ve had it done two hours ago.
MICHAEL
Sure, if
it worked.
MADDOCK
It’ll
be fully operational by tomorrow morning – just ahead of our deadline.
Glances
exchanged. This means goodbye to K.I.T.T….and possibly Michael. Maddock shows
little concern.
MADDOCK
So
what’s this guy’s real name?
SHAWN
Watts.
Johnny Watts.
She
gravely studies the file of her near-murderer.
INSERT
– FILE
The
distorted memory image of Johnny Watts pointing his gun at Shawn is accompanied
by typed data.
MICHAEL
(O.S.)
He’s a
former homicide detective, which is why he didn’t show up in the current
personnel records.
RETURN
TO SCENE
As
Michael hands the document to Maddock.
MADDOCK
(reads,
nods)
Served
in the Philippine War in ’93 before joining Seattle P.D.
MICHAEL
Yeah, a
weapons specialist. Watts was in charge of delivering all the police issues for
destruction.
SHAWN
It says
he was working directly under Daniels.
Maddock
nods, impressed. Gives the dossier back to Michael.
MADDOCK
Not bad
– at least K.I.T.T. goes out with a bang.
DEVON
I’d say
the bang is premature – K.I.T.T. still has plenty left to do.
(to
Michael)
Is
there and address on Mr. Watts?
87 INT. WATTS’ PENTHOUSE OFFICE – SAME TIME –
NIGHT
Strand
and Hedges are facing Watts.
WATTS
You’re
telling me they tapped into the police mainframe?
STRAND
The log
showed a global download of the personnel files. It’s only a matter of time
before they put it together.
Watts
calmly stands and paces.
WATTS
A
complete loss of memory, huh?
He
approaches one of his delicate sculptures, caressing the side of it. Watts
furiously backhands it with no warning, the entire work SHATTERING against his
wall. His psychotic scale tips back to serene as he faces them.
WATTS
I don’t
enjoy being tense. But I’m sure there’s a solution.
HEDGES
Yes,
Sir, there is.
88 INT. ANACORTES PRISON – TIGHT ON CRYOGENIC
DRAWER – NIGHT
As it
pneumatically slides open, revealing an empty chamber. WIDEN to find Michael
and Shawn, standing with a PRISON GUARD.
MICHAEL
Don’t
tell me he escaped.
PRISON
GUARD
Nobody
escapes.
He
re-checks his paperwork, flipping back several sheets.
PRISON
GUARD
Here we
go. Watts, John J. Convicted in 1998 for fatally shooting a suspect with a
banned handgun. Early parole on February nineteen.
SHAWN
For
what, good behavior?
PRISON
GUARD
I don’t
make the rules, lady.
She
nods, taking a frustrated breath.
MICHAEL
She
knows. She’s sorry.
89 EXT. HIGHWAY – NIGHT
As a
dark-red blur winds its way down the highway in excess of 150 miles per hour.
The Knight 4000.
90 INT. KNIGHT 400 – NIGHT (INFRARED/PROCESS)
Maddock’s
behind the wheel, Devon across from him.
KNIGHT
4000 (MADDOCK’S VOICE)
Sir,
would you like me to engage in auto infrared operation?
MADDOCK
Why
not?
Maddock
takes his hands off the wheel, folding his arms snugly as their night vision of
moonlighted trees and farmland fences suddenly switches to a HIGH CONTRAST
INFRARED IMAGE, the trees going bright-white against a dark red sky.
DEVON
It’s very
impressive but I really think we should slow down.
KNIGHT
4000 (MADDOCK’S VOICE)
There
is no need for concern – I’m programmed to cruise at the optimum speed
calibrated to a risk factor of .7 which on this roadway calculates at 243
kilometers per hour.
Suddenly
a deer steps into the road.
DEVON
Look
out!
Maddock
grabs the wheel, swerving to avoid the animal.
91 EXT. HIGHWAY – SIMULTANEOUS
As the
Knight 4000 comes straight for us, veering to the left at the last possible
second, nearly careening off the edge of the road.
ANGLE –
SIDE OF HIGHWAY
as the
deer darts back into the brush, unharmed.
92 INT. KNIGHT 4000 – SAME TIME
as
Devon fires a look at Maddock.
DEVON
I
assume you have an explanation.
KNIGHT
4000 (MADDOCK’S VOICE)
I’ve
been prioritized to advoid human beings and large inanimate objects which could
harm my chassis. We would have sustained no damage whatsoever by striking that
animal.
Devon
gives Maddock a serious look.
MADDOCK
It’s a
small fix.
93 EXT. KNIGHT FOUNDATION – CONTINUOUS
As the
Knight 4000 pulls into the lot. A quiet moment between these two men.
MADDOCK
Overall,
what do you think?
(a
pause)
I’m not
looking for praise, Devon, I want your honest opinion…it means a lot to me.
DEVON
I think
you’ve done a remarkable job. It meets and in most cases surpasses all our
technical criteria.
Maddock
smiles; he needed to hear this.
MADDOCK
I know
we do things very differently…but believe it or not, our goal is the same.
K.I.T.T. was an exceptional car for his time, no question about it. It’s just
that the time has come to pass the baton.
Devon
nods.
DEVON
It’s
true, the Knight 4000 us superior in every way…
(beat)
…except
one. It lacks K.I.T.T.’s humanity.
MADDOCK
Humans
make mistakes. After prosecuting scum for so many years, always having to fight
defense lawyers and politicians who only care about winning, well, I’ve lost
faith in human beings.
DEVON
Maybe
it’s time you renewed it. Loyalty and respect can’t be dictated, Russ. It has
to be earned…whether you’re a car or the head of a Foundation.
Devon
climbs from the 4000, leaning back in.
DEVON
All
that being said, you’ve done a damn good job and I’m very proud to have you as
a partner.
Maddock
nods back respectfully. He drives away as Devon heads for his parked sedan…
..But
Devon never makes it. Hedges appears behind him, BUTTING HIM ON THE HEAD WITH
HER GUN.
94 EXT. ANACORTES PRISON – NIGHT
As
Michael and Shawn return to K.I.T.T. in the parking lot. Just as they get
there:
K.I.T.T.
Michael,
my sensors indicate we have company.
SHAWN
I don’t
see anybody.
MICHAEL
Look
again.
A
POLICE UNIT immediately appears on the hilltop above them. Followed by another.
And then another after that. Six in all…like Indians on the ridge above General
Custer. Michael climbs into K.I.T.T., Shawn deftly rolling over the Volvo hood
and swiftly hopping into her side. They speed off as the squad cars burn down
the hill in pursuit.
95 INT. K.I.T.T. – NIGHT
as
Michael floors it, checking his rearview.
MICHAEL
You’re
gonna have to pull out all the stops, buddy.
K.I.T.T.
They’ve
been pulled. This is a family sedan, remember?
96 EXT. STREETS – NIGHT
as
K.I.T.T. speeds through an intersection. Two beats then six police units
converge from three different streets.
97 INT. K.I.T.T. – SIMULTANEOUS
as
Michael swerves though another corner.
SHAWN
Use
your E.I.D. on them!
K.I.T.T.
I tried
– their ignition systems must have a scrambler I can’t penetrate. Prepare for a
collision.
SHAWN
What?
98 EXT. DOCKSIDE ROAD – CONTINUOUS
as the
Volvo races towards us just as a police unit shoots out of an alley. K.I.T.T.
deftly swerves and broadsides the Miata, sending it off an embankment.
99 INT. K.I.T.T. – CONTINUOUS
The
steering wheel is turning by itself now.
MICHAEL
What
are you doing?
K.I.T.T.
You’ll
have to trust me.
The
wheel spins into a hard right turn and:
100 EXT. DOCKSIDE ROAD – CONTINUOUS
The
Volvo drives onto a wooden dock, heading towards the ocean. A brief pause, then
five Miatas are hot on their trail.
101 INT. K.I.T.T. – CONTINUOUS
racing
down the bumpy wooden planks.
SHAWN
We’re
gonna go off the end of the dock!
But
just before this happens, K.I.T.T. slams on the brakes, stopping three feet
from the edge, his engine cutting. Michael looks in the rearview, seeing the
train of police cars speeding towards them. Shawn spins around, seeing them
too.
MICHAEL
I hope
you have a plan, K.I.T.T.
No
answer.
MICHAEL
K.I.T.T.??
102 EXT. DOCK – SIMULTANEOUS
as the
first Miata screeches up right behind them. Hedges is behind the wheel, Strand
shotgun. Hedges presses an intercom button on her steering wheel.
HEDGES
Looks
like they need a jump start. How about if we help ‘em with a little push?
She
gives Strand a wicked glance. The other cars line up behind her, each pushing
the other until Hedges’ unit bumps against the Volvo bumper AND BEGINS TO SHOVE
THEM FORWARD.
103 INT. K.I.T.T. – SIMULTANEOUS
reacting
to the movement, getting no response from any of K.I.T.T.’s controls. Shawn
immediately grabs for the door handle but at that exact second, the door locks
electronically snap down. She struggles to get out.
SHAWN
We’re
locked in!
Michael
desperately yanks up the emergency brake but the rigid tires still skid
forward…two feet from the edge… then one….then:
104 EXT. DOCK – SIMULTANEOUS
The
Volvo’s front wheels roll off the dock edge, the chassis scraping against the
wood as K.I.T.T., Michael and Shawn FALL OVER THE EDGE AND SINK INTO THE BLACK
MURKY WATER.
COMPUTER
FREEZE/BLACK OUT.
END OF
ACT FOUR