Brain Trust - Screenplay


Included below is the full screenplay for Brain Trust. Each scene roughly corresponds to a separate iClone project.

               FADE IN:

               EXT. OFFICE PARK - AFTERNOON

               A quiet street in an office park.  A pleasant afternoon sun 
               brightens the modern buildings.  The sparse landscaping is 
               limited to a few trees that already show their autumn colors.  

               An old pick-up drives slowly through the street--a load of 
               pumpkins in the back.  It passes a three-story office with 
               the name "Random Reality" above the double glass entrance 
               doors.  The doors and the two large windows on the side allow 
               a view of the tasteful lobby.  

               A receptionist sits behind the lobby desk, which is decorated 
               with a single carved pumpkin.  A second carved pumpkin sits 
               on a low table in a seating area near one of the windows.  A 
               lone visitor in a nice suit is waiting, staring outside.  He 
               then turns his gaze to a hallway, from where an assistant 
               approaches to fetch him. 

               INT. RANDOM REALITY - OFFICE AREA - AFTERNOON

               An uninspiring office floor, filled with cubicles, and, at 
               the front of the building, a row of single offices.  Halloween 
               decorations give the drab decor some color.  Overhead lighting 
               supplements the little light coming from outside.  A glass 
               access door permits a view of the lobby.  The constant drone 
               of the air conditioning fills the air.

               The door of the first office in the row is open, revealing 
               WALTER PINHEAD, a man in his late 40s, at his desk.  Near 
               the door stands BEN VISSER, a geeky guy in his mid 20s.

                                     PINHEAD
                         The one thing that makes this GUID 
                         different than the conversation 
                         handle, is that it doesn't have to 
                         be auto-generated.

               INT. PINHEAD'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

               A neat work space with sci-fi posters on the wall.  From 
               behind his desk, Pinhead sizes Ben up.

                                     PINHEAD
                         Anyway, you know what to do?

               Ben looks at him with a mix of impatience and annoyance. 

                                     BEN
                         Yeah.  I'll get right to it.

               He leaves the office and closes the door.  Pinhead stares 
               after him.

               INT. OFFICE AREA - BEN'S CUBICLE

               The outside of the cubicle has a name plate: "Ben Visser".  
               The inside is decorated with posters and has the disorder of 
               a young developer's domain: soda cans, magazines, books.  

               Ben sits at his desk, working at his computer.  A ding-dong 
               announces a video call.  The screen shows CARLOTTA PANACHE, 
               an attractive woman in her late 20s.

                                     CARLOTTA (V.O.)
                              (on screen)
                         Hi Ben, I'm Carlotta, the new 
                         recruiter.  How are you?

               Ben is quite taken by Carlotta's appearance.  He blushes.

                                     BEN
                         Uh, hi Carlotta, I'm okay.  What can 
                         I do for you?

                                     CARLOTTA (V.O.)
                         As I'm new, I'd like to learn more 
                         about everyone's work here.  Do you 
                         have a moment? 

               Ben nods.

                                     BEN
                         Sure...

               INT. PINHEAD'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON

               The door to Pinhead's office is closed.  The overhead lights 
               are off.  Faint light from the outside filters through the 
               vertical blinds.  

               A lone desk lamp reveals Pinhead, who is staring at the screen 
               and listening to the online radio.  He yawns and consults 
               the wall clock: it's after 4 PM.  He stretches, yawns again, 
               then slowly nods off.

               INT. PINHEAD'S OFFICE - EVENING

               It is dark now and Pinhead is snoring softly, his head resting 
               on his folded arms.  His glasses are on the desk.  The desk 
               lamp spreads a pleasant, cozy light.  The wall clock indicates 
               that it is after six.

               The office door opens and bright light hits Pinhead's face.  

                                     CARLOTTA (O.S.)
                         Trick or treat!

               Pinhead's head jerks up.  He slowly straightens himself and 
               surveys the door opening, eyes squinting.

                                     PINHEAD
                              (grunting)
                         Who are you?  Ever heard of knocking?

               A blurry Carlotta, with a coquettish pose, smiles.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         Are we testy...  I'm Carlotta, the 
                         new recruiter.  Can I appease you 
                         with a drink or dinner or both?

               Pinhead puts on his glasses.  He sits up even straighter.  A 
               smile starts to form slowly.  He scans Carlotta up and down.

                                     PINHEAD
                         Wow...  
                              (recovering)
                         Sorry.  I'm Walter Pinhead.  Um, 
                         yes, of course, that would be great.

               INT. RANDOM REALITY - LOBBY - EVENING

               Carlotta and Pinhead stand near the entrance.  Pinhead checks 
               his pockets.  Carlotta watches him, impatient.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         What is it?

               Pinhead turns to her.

                                     PINHEAD
                         So sorry.  I forgot my phone.  I 
                         need to get it.

                                     CARLOTTA
                              (agitated)
                         Can't it wait till later?

               Pinhead shakes his head.

                                     PINHEAD
                         I need to be reachable 24/7.

               He walks briskly past her to the office area.  She stares 
               after him, annoyed.

               INT. RANDOM REALITY - LOBBY, OFFICE AREA - MOMENTS LATER

               Carlotta paces back and forth near the access door to the 
               office area.  Her face is a mask of impatience.  She stops.

               FROM THE OFFICE AREA

               we see her peer through the access door.

                                     CARLOTTA
                              (muted)
                         Damn!

               IN THE LOBBY

               she continues her pacing.

               The glass access door reveals Pinhead's return.  He pauses 
               briefly near the door, which swings open automatically.

               Carlotta stops pacing and glares at Pinhead.

                                     CARLOTTA (CONT'D)
                         Finally.  Let's go!

               She marches towards the exit.  Pinhead gapes after her.  

               INT. CARLOTTA'S CAR - EVENING (MOVING)

               Carlotta is at the wheel; Pinhead sits next to her.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         That was a lovely evening!  You have 
                         such a dry sense of humor.

                                     PINHEAD
                         I sure enjoyed it.  You're not so 
                         bad for a headhunter.

               Suddenly, Pinhead slaps his hand against his forehead. 

                                     PINHEAD (CONT'D)
                         Oh, shit!

                                     CARLOTTA
                         Now what?

                                     PINHEAD
                         My keys are at the office.  Can you 
                         swing by?

               Carlotta stares annoyed at Pinhead.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         You're the most disorganized sysadmin 
                         I've ever come across.  How do you 
                         keep things running?

               Pinhead looks away sheepishly, then studies the floor. 

                                     PINHEAD
                         Oh, you know, it's all scripted and 
                         crontabbed.

               Carlotta turns her attention back to the road, a faint smile 
               on her face.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         No worries, you'll get your keys...

               EXT. OFFICE PARK - EVENING

               The night comes with a slight fog, and the street lights 
               envelop the office park in an eery glow.

               The old truck, sans pumpkins, passes the Random Reality 
               office.  From the opposite side, Carlotta's SUV approaches 
               and stops in front of the building. 

               INT. RANDOM REALITY - LOBBY - EVENING

               Pinhead walks towards the access door and passes through.  
               Carlotta stares after him, her face hard.

               INT. OFFICE AREA - EVENING

               Pinhead returns and approaches the access door to enter the 
               lobby.  Suddenly, the office air conditioning switches off.  
               Pinhead stops to listen in the silence and then notices faint 
               wailing and moaning sounds.

               He scans the lobby; now empty.  He stiffens, uneasy now.  He 
               turns and slowly walks towards the cubicles.  The moaning 
               and wailing grows loader.

               Pinhead approaches the cubicle closest to his office.  He 
               peeks inside and recoils.  A headless body sits at the desk, 
               swaying slowly.  From the neck a moaning, gurgling sound 
               emits.  He checks the next cubicle and finds the same scene.

               In every cubicle he discovers a headless coworker.  He runs 
               back towards his office, but then stops at Ben's workspace.

               INT. OFFICE AREA - BEN'S CUBICLE

               Ben's headless body is sitting at the desk, trying to say 
               something with an eery gurgling voice.  The right hand slowly 
               moves towards the mouse, then back. 

               Pinhead swallows, then squeezes past the body.  He moves the 
               mouse.  The screen comes on.  He gasps.  There's Ben's head.

                                     BEN
                              (mouthing)
                         Turn on the sound. 

               Pinhead switches the speakers on.  Ben's voice erupts.

                                     BEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
                              (over speakers)
                         PINHEAD!

               Pinhead turns down the volume to normal levels.

                                     BEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
                         Thank God, am I glad to see you!

                                     PINHEAD
                         Well, that's a first...

               Ben gets irritated.

                                     BEN (V.O.)
                         Stop joking and listen up!

               Pinhead nods, his face serious.

                                     PINHEAD
                         I'm sorry.  Whatever happened?

                                     BEN (V.O.)
                         Carlotta somehow got hold of my head 
                         and of everyone else's on the floor.

                                     PINHEAD
                         How do you know about the others?

               Ben opens his mouth to answer, but no sound comes out.  His 
               face shows terror.

                                     BEN (V.O.)
                              (whispering)
                         Behind you...

               Pinhead spins around and stares into a gun held by Carlotta.  
               She is wearing a witches' outfit and glares at Pinhead.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         I could blow your head off, but that 
                         would be a waste.  I need your help.

               Pinhead looks at her with a kind of nervous amusement.

                                     PINHEAD
                         The gun would have been enough.  No 
                         need for those clothes to scare me.  
                         Anyway, what do you want?

               Carlotta motions for Pinhead to follow her.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         I'll tell you in my office.

               Pinhead looks back at Ben's head, who is nodding slowly.

                                     BEN
                              (whispering)
                         Play along...

               Pinhead leaves the cubicle to join Carlotta.

               INT. CARLOTTA'S OFFICE - EVENING

               Carlotta's room looks more like a witches' den than a regular 
               office.  A pumpkin lantern shines a dim light, a small dragon 
               sits on a pedestal, a greenish vapor escapes from a cauldron.

               Carlotta sits behind a large desk facing the door, pointing 
               the gun at Pinhead.  Pinhead is seated across her.  He scans 
               the room, amazed, but also feeling a tad uneasy.  Carlotta 
               watches him with satisfaction.  She clears her throat.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         You probably wonder what I'm up to.

               Pinhead nods.

                                     PINHEAD
                         Could you please put the gun down.  
                         It's making me nervous.

               Carlotta places the gun on the desk, within reach. 

                                     CARLOTTA
                         Alright.  Now pay attention.

               A video screen lights up on the side wall.  Pinhead and 
               Carlotta turn to watch.

               VIDEO SCREEN - PRESENTATION

               The video shows a grimy space.  Central is a square structure 
               holding a five-by-five grid.  Each cell of the grid houses a 
               human head.  The heads are rotating at different speeds, 
               often spinning back and forth.  

                                     CARLOTTA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
                         What you see here is a complex brain 
                         trust.  The group I work for has 
                         found a way to harness the smarts of 
                         human brains, thus creating the first 
                         humanized computing device.  
                         Basically, a piece of wetware.

               One of the heads moves jerkily.  Suddenly it flashes and 
               stops spinning, eyes dead.

                                     CARLOTTA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
                         Unfortunately, in the current setup 
                         the heads don't last very long, and 
                         fresh ones are needed all the time.

               CARLOTTA'S OFFICE

               Pinhead watches with astonishment and disgust.  He turns to 
               Carlotta, whose looks back, unfazed.  

               VIDEO SCREEN - PRESENTATION

               A panic-stricken family, making their Halloween rounds, 
               hurries down a residential street.

                                     CARLOTTA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
                         We do preserve the bodies, to be 
                         rejoined with their used-up heads 
                         later.  Once a year, on Halloween, 
                         we send them out to have some fun.

               They flee from a threesome of slowly approaching headless 
               bodies, who each carry a pumpkin-shaped light and a blind-
               men's stick.  A guard dressed up as witch occasionally cracks 
               her whip to guide them in a general direction.

                                     CARLOTTA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
                         At the end of their useful life, we 
                         reunite the heads with the bodies 
                         and release the individuals, free to 
                         go where they please.  They seem to 
                         gravitate to graveyards.

               The image changes to a cemetery, shrouded in fog.  Some zombie-
               like creatures emerge, slowly walking past the gravestones 
               towards a chapel that has a large fire burning inside.

               CARLOTTA'S OFFICE

               The screen goes dark.  With effort, Pinhead composes himself, 
               then he turns to Carlotta, smiling.

                                     PINHEAD
                         Fascinating!  Thanks for sharing 
                         this.  So where do I come in?

               Carlotta looks at him with surprise.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         You're okay with this?

               Pinhead shrugs.

                                     PINHEAD
                         My co-workers always make fun of me, 
                         so I frankly don't give a hoot what 
                         happens to them...

               Carlotta nods with understanding.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         Well, this is your change to leave 
                         them behind then.  If you join us, 
                         you will be well-rewarded and laugh 
                         at their pettiness.  But you'll have 
                         to prove yourself.

               Pinhead leans forward, eager.

                                     PINHEAD
                         How?

                                     CARLOTTA
                         I've tried to transfer the heads to 
                         the brain trust, but I have trouble 
                         getting past the firewall.  I need 
                         you to open port 6-6-6.

               Pinhead leans back, closing his eyes in thought.  Carlotta 
               watches him, anxious.

                                     CARLOTTA (CONT'D)
                         Can you do it?

               Pinhead opens his eyes and nods.

                                     PINHEAD
                         I have to be very careful--there is 
                         triple protection.  It normally takes 
                         more than one person, but as there 
                         is no-one left, I'll try.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         Can I help?

               Pinhead shakes his head.

                                     PINHEAD
                         It requires a biometric I.D. and 
                         such, so it wouldn't work for you.

               Pinhead gets up.

                                     PINHEAD (CONT'D)
                         This will take a couple of hours.  
                              (yawning)
                         I'll need a coffee.  Want some?

               Carlotta smiles.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         Sugar please.  Lots of sugar...

               Pinhead turns to go.  Just then, Carlotta hold out her hand. 

                                     CARLOTTA (CONT'D)
                         Oh, and leave your phone here, you 
                         won't need it.

               INT. PINHEAD'S OFFICE - EVENING

               Pinhead switches his desk phone to speaker and pushes 9.

                                     CARLOTTA (V.O.)
                              (over speaker phone)
                         Pinhead, it's no use--all outside 
                         lines goes through my phone.  Now be 
                         a good boy and get me my coffee.

               Pinhead disconnects and sits down, staring at his desk.  A 
               medicine bottle stares right back at him.  Suddenly he perks 
               up and grasps the bottle.  The label reads: "Walter Pinhead - 
               Halcion - take one at bedtime (for insomnia)".

               He opens the bottle and drops some pills in a coffee cup.

               INT. OFFICE AREA - SMALL KITCHEN - EVENING

               The kitchen has a small counter with sink, microwave, and a 
               whirring and buzzing coffee machine, busy filling the coffee 
               cup with espresso.  Its decaf button is lit, as are the strong 
               and sweet options.  

               The machine falls silent, and Pinhead removes the cup.

               INT. CARLOTTA'S OFFICE - EVENING

               Carlotta, sitting at her desk, finishes her coffee and nods 
               with approval.  Pinhead, across her, watches.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         Mm...  Delicious, what a treat!

                                     PINHEAD
                         Right.  Well, I would like to explain 
                         to you what I'm going to do, so you 
                         know why it will take some time.

                                     CARLOTTA
                         Okay.  Go ahead.

                                     PINHEAD
                         I've told you there are three layers 
                         of security.  I have to make each 
                         layer temporarily dormant, so I can 
                         pass on to the next layer.  At the 
                         same time I have to make sure that 
                         nothing from the outside gets in.

               During Pinhead's explanation, Carlotta's eyes have become 
               more and more unfocused, as if she is not quite with it.

                                     PINHEAD (CONT'D)
                         To this end, I'm adding an additional, 
                         external layer that simulates regular 
                         traffic.  Without this layer any 
                         independent security monitoring system 
                         would grow suspicious.

               Carlotta yawns and closes her eyes.  Her heads slowly drops.

                                     PINHEAD (CONT'D)
                         I have to assume there is such a 
                         system, and it is the one component 
                         I have no control over.  Hence my 
                         precautions.

               Carlotta is now asleep, snoring softly.

               INT. OFFICE AREA - BEN'S CUBICLE - EVENING

               Pinhead moves the mouse to activate the monitor of Ben's PC.  
               Ben's head appears, relieved.

                                     PINHEAD
                         I've put her to sleep...  Now tell 
                         me what happened.

                                     BEN
                         Well, Carlotta video-called me, just 
                         to chat.  She then asked me to click 
                         a confirmation message that appeared.

               Pinhead sighs, and Ben looks at him sheepishly.

                                     BEN (CONT'D)
                         It seemed harmless enough!  And I 
                         guess I was, uh, well, bewitched.

               Pinhead nods.

                                     PINHEAD
                         That figures...  Then what.

                                     BEN
                         It was weird.  As soon as I clicked 
                         the message, I heard, like, a pop, 
                         and was staring at my headless self, 
                         sitting in the chair...

               Pinhead, in thought, strokes his chin.

                                     PINHEAD
                         Okay, I'm going to set this right.  
                         Don't loose your head over this!

               He catches himself, looking sheepishly at Ben.

                                     PINHEAD (CONT'D)
                         Oops... 

               Pinhead leaves the cubicle.  Ben lowers his head and closes 
               his eyes.

               INT. PINHEAD'S OFFICE - EVENING

               Pinhead is working at his computer.  He has an application 
               open called Head Harvester.  He clicks "Connect" and is 
               connected to Carlotta's PC.  A video-call window shows her 
               sleeping, an other window shows her PC desktop.  Pinhead 
               clicks "Engage", after which a security message appears on 
               the remote desktop.  He clicks "OK".

               POP!  Carlotta's head appears in the remote desktop window.  
               Her headless body remains in Pinhead's video-call window.  
               Pinhead grins.

                                     PINHEAD
                         A perfect head shot! 

               INT. CARLOTTA'S OFFICE - EVENING

               Pinhead stands behind Carlotta's desk.  The monitor shows 
               her head, still drowsy, slowly waking up.

                                     PINHEAD
                         Listen, I will release you, but only 
                         if you tell me how to free the others.

                                     CARLOTTA
                              (slurring her words)
                         You... tricked... me...

                                     PINHEAD
                              (scoffing)
                         Bah!  Your treat tasted nasty...  
                         Now out with it, or you'll end up in 
                         that think tank of yours.

               Carlotta hesitates, defiant.  Just then, Carlotta's body 
               turns to point first at her, then at Pinhead.  Carlotta 
               screams and turns white with terror.

                                     CARLOTTA'S BODY
                              (gurgling)
                         Just do what he says... 

                                     CARLOTTA
                              (whispering)
                         Alright.  This is what you must do...

               INT. OFFICE AREA - BEN'S CUBICLE - EVENING

               Pinhead stands next to a now complete Ben, who is still 
               shaken, but looking nonetheless relieved.

                                     PINHEAD
                         Ben, please go ahead and start freeing 
                         the others.  I'll call the boss.

               Ben nods and leaves.

               INT. CARLOTTA'S OFFICE - EVENING

               The office finds Pinhead, his boss DANIEL ROBINSON, and 
               Carlotta, as well as two young FBI AGENTS, who stand at either 
               side of her.  Pinhead looks uncomfortable; Carlotta angry.

               Robinson, late 50s and heavy-set, faces Carlotta.

                                     ROBINSON
                         Miss, you're fired!
                              (addressing the agents)
                         Gentlemen, she's all yours.

                                     CARLOTTA
                              (under her breath)
                         Fuck you... 

               The first agent turns to Robinson. 

                                     AGENT ONE
                         Good thing you called us, Mr. 
                         Robinson.  This is too big for the 
                         locals.

               Robinson smiles broadly; all jovial now. 

                                     ROBINSON
                         Glad to do my civic duty.  Besides, 
                         you know, I have fond memories of 
                         the bureau.

               Pinhead drops his head, embarrassed.  The two agents regard 
               Robinson with admiration.  

                                     AGENT TWO
                         Wow!  You were one of us, sir?

               Robinson grins and put his right index finger to his lips.

                                     ROBINSON
                         Hush... 

               The agents laugh and leave the office with Carlotta.

               Robinson smiles and turns to Pinhead, putting his arm on his 
               shoulder.

                                     ROBINSON (CONT'D)
                         You did well and deserve a treat.  
                         Let's join the others for some candy!  
                         No more tricks tonight!

                                                                  FADE OUT:

                                         THE END