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