I, Robot

I, ROBOT by

Hillary Seitz

FADE IN:

1  On a DEEP...DEEP...DARKNESS. 1

A FLICKER. Of LIGHT. Off to the side. Just barely. Noticeable. ORANGE...YELLOW...as we realise...It's FIRE...

A SOUND. Something SHATTERING...

Then. A DISEMBODIED VOICE. Muted. We can't quite make out What it's saying. As it gets LOUDER. And LOUDER. When we   finally. Understand...

DISEMBODIED VOICE You are in danger...

CUT TO:

2  INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - CLOSE ON                               2

DEL SPOONER'S FACE. His eyes, snapping open. His face, covered in sweat.

PULL BACK to REVEAL him lying in bed. Sheets, tangled around his legs. Alarm clock, playing something relentlessly cheerful.

Spooner slaps it off. Sits up. Wincing. Bends his RIGHT ARM. Stiff. He reaches for a BOTTLE OF PILLS. Shakes out a   couple and swallows them. Trying to forget. That dream.

You are in danger...

He rubs his hands over his face. Gets out of bed. His apartment, basic. Unremarkable. Bearing the signs of   someone who lives alone. Shades drawn. A little messy.

3  INT. SHOWER - MORNING                                             3

Spooner turns his face into the jet of water.

4  INT. BATHROOM - MORNING                                           4

Shaves with a razor. Using his left hand. Knicks the cleft of his chin. Shit.

5  INT. KITCHEN - MORNING                                            5

Stares down at the single egg in a saucepan. Waiting for it   to boil.

2.

6  INT. HALLWAY - MORNING                                         6

Heads down the hallway. Looping a knotted tie around his neck. Kicks some neglected mail from the door and reaches for the handle. Takes a deep breath and...

7  EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - MORNING                                 7

...steps outside. Into the flow of COMMUTERS heading for the elevated trains. Elbow to elbow. A river of humanity.

Spooner moves along, like everyone else. Suddenly. His shoulders tense. That feeling at the back of his neck. He   turns and sees...

A ROBOT. Just behind him. Humanoid in design, but still obviously a machine. Metal and synthetic casings covering hydraulic muscles. The thing senses his stare. Looks up   with a muted WHIR...

ROBOT (metallic voice) Good day, sir...

Spooner. Speeds up his pace. Weaving through the crowd to   lose the robot.

We now realise this is THE FUTURE. Towering apartment buildings block the sun. The street packed with traffic. PEDESTRIANS wearing their computers like form-fitting portable offices. Spooner throws a look at his surroundings:

Up high an INDUSTRIAL ROBOT rolls down the side of a building cleaning windows.

A WORK CREW of oddly-shaped RUBE GOLDBERG ROBOTS efficiently repairs the street. No human supervision.

A ROBOTIC CLEAN-UP CREW. Lumbering along the sidewalk. Scrubbing, sweeping. Emptying trash...

Humanoid ROBOTS dotting the crowd. Following their owners. Walking slowly, deliberately. Carrying boxes. Groceries. Briefcases.

Stamped on all the ROBOTS' SIDES, a LOGO:  III LAWS SAFE.

Spooner stops to wait at a light with other PEDESTRIANS. Directly in front of him, a LITTLE GIRL clutches her father's   neck. She smiles big at Spooner. Front teeth missing.

LITTLE GIRL Hi.

3.

SPOONER Hi.

But it's not her father. It's her ROBOT CARETAKER. The robot turns. Looks at the girl.

ROBOT You are not allowed to talk to              strangers.

Spooner, disgusted. Has had enough. He steps off the curb Just as...

THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL swivels around. Training its large digital EYE on him:

TRAFFIC LIGHT Please return to the sidewalk.

Spooner dodges several cars on his way across the street.

TRAFFIC LIGHT Please return to the sidewalk...

The traffic signal, tracking him.

TRAFFIC LIGHT You are in violation of city ordinance 14-B726...

Spooner throws up his hand. Flipping it the bird just as   SNAP! It takes his picture.

CUT TO:

8  EXT./INT. MONORAIL - MORNING                                   8

Spooner stepping onto a sleek, densely packed TRAIN. Looks down at his feet. A trampled flyer on the ground. From the Anti-Robot League: METAL MONSTERS SECRET FACTORY REVEALED! A Robot gets up. To offer him his seat. Spooner. Turns his back on him as we PULL BACK from the window to REVEAL...

9  EXT. CITY SCAPE/MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS                          9

The TRAIN hurtling toward DOWNTOWN. Soaring, gravity-defying OFFICE BUILDINGS dominate the skyline. Older buildings wedged among the new. All protected by huge glass and steel shields.

As we get closer congested roads and freeways begin to   disappear below ground into a series of subterranean tunnels. The "old" streets have become huge, spacious plazas.

4.

10  EXT. POLICE H.Q. - PLAZA - MORNING                           10

Spooner moves with the CROWD towards the doors of the aging Police Headquarters. Modern additions have been made to the original facade -- creating an ungainly architectural mess.

11  INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - MORNING                   11

A vast open plan situation room lined on one side by a series of glass-enclosed rooms. On the other side a GIANT SCREEN with real time video of various streets and buildings.

Spooner arrives at his desk. Unlike the others, it's a mess. A slender computer screen curving along the front of it. Several electronic messages say the same thing:

SEE ME!

LT. BERGIN (O.S.) Ever heard the phrase "lead by               example?"

Spooner looks up. LIEUTENANT JOHN BERGIN stands in front of    his desk, holding up a CITATION with a photo of Spooner giving that traffic signal the finger.

SPOONER Doesn't ring a bell.

LT. BERGIN (pointing to Spooner's                    badge) It's on your badge.

Spooner takes the citation. Drops it into a drawer filled with about fifty others.

LT. BERGIN The traffic division filed an               official complaint this morning.

SPOONER The traffic division is a machine.

LT. BERGIN Look, I know there's going to be an               adjustment period, Del...

SPOONER (interrupting) I'll send them a letter of apology. Maybe some flowers. A box of               chocolates...

5.

JUST THEN Spooner's phone RINGS. He throws Bergin a look. Then snatches up the receiver.

SPOONER Spooner, homicide.

CUT TO:

12  EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - ESTABLISHING - DAY                       12

A sprawling glass and metal complex covering many city blocks. The entrance is a large plaza filled with PEOPLE and ROBOTS.

13  INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - METAL CORRIDOR - DAY                     13

An elevator opens with a whoosh. Spooner steps out into a    featureless corridor. His footsteps, echoing. He stops at a    set of OPPOSING DOORS. Looks over at one, when the other suddenly OPENS.

14  INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - PLUSH CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS       14

A warm, mahogany-paneled room. In sharp contrast to the cold metal space outside. Spooner steps inside. At the end of a    long conference table sits an OLD MAN. Sparkling blue eyes. Old-fashioned suit.

OLD MAN Hello, there. Please come in.

Spooner hesitates.

OLD MAN It's alright. You can sit. Sit.

Spooner doesn't.  Looks around the room. The Old Man lifts up a coffee pot. Pours some coffee into a single cup.

OLD MAN Coffee?

SPOONER (interested) You're offering me a cup of coffee?

OLD MAN Yes. But you are to say, "No,               thank you."

Spooner nods a little. The Old Man raises the coffee to his lips, but doesn't take a sip.

6.

OLD MAN Coffee?

SPOONER No. Thank you.

OLD MAN As you wish.

The Old Man takes a sip. He doesn't move. There is no movement except for a whisper of steam rising from the coffee pot.

SPOONER You want to tell me something about Dr. Hogenmiller? About his death?

The Old Man smiles.

OLD MAN I want to tell you that his death was not a suicide.

SPOONER And why do you say that?

OLD MAN Why? Because I want you to know it.

SPOONER I understand that. But what specifically leads you to believe that he didn't commit suicide?

OLD MAN (considers) Nothing specifically.

Spooner shifts his weight. Agitated.

SPOONER Under normal circumstances that wouldn't be enough to get you a          homicide investigation.

OLD MAN But this is not "normal          circumstances," is it, Detective Spooner?

SPOONER No. It isn't.

7.

OLD MAN Then you will find out who killed Dr. Hogenmiller, yes? And then you will tell me.

Spooner's losing his patience.

SPOONER If you were murdered, Doctor, I'll               find out. And you'll be the first to know.....

JUST THEN the HOLOGRAM of DR. HOGENMILLER vanishes in a burst of LIGHT, as does the table, the coffee pot, and the conference room. Spooner, suddenly finds himself standing in    front of a LARGE VIEW SCREEN inside a SMALL METAL CHAMBER.

15  INT. HALLWAY - DAY                                             15

Spooner steps out into the hallway and into...AN ESCORT ROBOT.

ESCORT ROBOT Please follow me.

Spooner. Reluctantly starts to follow it. Passes another doorway. POLICE TAPE stretched across it. Catches a brief glimpse of...

DR. HEINRICH HOGENMILLER'S BODY.

Splayed out across the floor. Surrounded by CRIME SCENE TECHNICIANS. He pauses. Taking in the scene. Then continues on.

16  INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - CORPORATE BOARDROOM - DAY                 16

Two large doors emblazoned with the U.S. ROBOTICS LOGO open automatically. Inside, an enormous glass-enclosed boardroom looking out over the entire complex.

Spooner walks through the doorway. His escort robot trailing behind him. An army of corporate types sit around a    conference table. Young. Energetic. You can practically feel the brains and ambition.

SPOONER Usually I ask who's in charge...

Spooner's eyes lock with a MAN sitting at the head of the table. 60s, handsome, charismatic. Dr. LANCE ROBERTSON, founder and CEO of U.S. Robotics.

8.

SPOONER But everyone knows you, Dr. Robertson.

Robertson smiles. Pretends to instruct his people.

ROBERTSON Remind me to cut back on my talk show appearances.

LAUGHTER.

ROBERTSON Welcome to U.S. Robotics, Detective. I regret you're not visiting us under more pleasant circumstances. Allow me to           introduce Mr. Aronson, our head of            Legal Affairs.

A prematurely graying MAN leaning against the wall. Nods hello.

ROBERTSON And the gentleman to my right is           Dr. Alfred Lanning, Director of            Research.

Alfred Lanning, only one there in a tie. Nods.

ROBERTSON They'll be available to answer any questions you might have during your investigation. You'll           understand how anxious we are to            resolve this matter -- especially before the press gets wind of it. There are some anti-robot sentiments out there as you know, Detective, and we're not eager to           stir them up. So. Where would you like to begin?

SPOONER We can begin with whether or not the old man put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger.

A palpable wave of tension shoots through the group.

ARONSON You don't have to answer that, Dr. Robertson...

9.

Robertson waves him off.

ROBERTSON Susan? Perhaps you can assist us          here?

Everyone looks down at the other end of the table. A BEAT. Then an attractive young WOMAN gets to her feet. SUSAN CALVIN. Hair tucked behind her ears. Looking at everyone but Spooner.

CALVIN Dr. Hogenmiller was a schizoid personality who generally eschewed social relationships. Rejecting people in favor of solitary activities involving machines. He          spent almost all his time at the lab here or at his lab at home. As          a result he was highly susceptible to depression.

ROBERTSON Dr. Calvin is our Chief Psychologist.

SPOONER If that was your diagnosis, why didn't you see this coming?

Calvin turns. Finally meeting Spooner's eye. As if the answer's obvious.

CALVIN This is U.S. Robotics, Detective. Seventy-five percent of our employees fit that description.

LANNING (interceding) You'll have to excuse the doctor. We're all a little on edge. This has been a difficult and emotional morning.

Spooner throws a look around the room. Then back at Calvin.

SPOONER Yeah. I can see you're all broken up.

Robertson responds to Spooner's skepticism.

10.

ROBERTSON Dr. Hogenmiller was at my side from the very beginnings of this company. We developed the "Three               Laws of Robotics" together. But these days science is a young man's               game. By the time you hit thirty your best years are behind you. Some of us are kicked upstairs. Others I'm afraid aren't so lucky.

Robertson stands. Meeting over.

ROBERTSON Dr. Hogenmiller took his own life. I trust you will come to the same swift conclusion, Detective. Dr.               Lanning will make himself available if you have any further questions.

Spooner looks over at Calvin.

SPOONER I want her to help me.

Calvin, unhappy with this arrangement.

CALVIN That's not really my department...

ROBERTSON (pointed) Susan would be happy to assist you.

And with a gesture, Robertson dismisses everyone. People start getting up, gathering up, filing out. Susan Calvin. The last one to get up.

17  INT. METAL HALLWAY - DAY                                     17

Spooner and Calvin, heading down the same hallway he was in    before. Catch sight of a couple ROBOT TECHNICIANS...

SPOONER (under his breath) Ah, Christ...Toasters...

As they duck under the police tape and...

11.

18  INT. HOGENMILLER'S LAB - DAY                                  18

...enter Hogenmiller's lab. Alive with activity. CRIME SCENE TECHNICIANS, MOBILE ANALYSIS UNITS. LIGHT SCANS, running across...

HOGENMILLER'S LIFELESS FACE. Black gun powder. Fanning out around his contorted lips.

Spooner. Throws a look around the lab: ROBOTS. Everywhere. Mostly incomplete. TORSOS. ARMS. LEGS. Dangling from the ceiling. A SERGEANT. Passes them by...

SERGEANT They say the price's gonna come down a lot next year. Kinda cool, huh?

SPOONER How cool will it be when one takes your job?

Spooner. Pushing past him. His eyes. Darting around.

CALVIN Is everything alright, Detective?

SPOONER Yeah. This is just how I like my               robots -- in pieces.

As they approach Hogenmiller's body, the lead CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR, BALDEZ, gets up to meet them.

BALDEZ (to Spooner) Can you believe it, man? U.S.               Robotics. I didn't think I'd ever see the inside of this building.

Hands Spooner, a plasma clipboard. Spooner signs it, awkwardly. With his LEFT HAND...

SPOONER What's the run-down?

BALDEZ Heinrich Hogenmiller, sixty-four years old. Weapon a small caliber .22, registered in his name. Looks like he walked in, locked the door, and snuffed himself.

12.

Spooner. Cocking his head to look at Hogenmiller's face.

SPOONER I know someone who disagrees with you.

BALDEZ Who?

Spooner. Stands. Pointing down at Hogenmiller.

SPOONER Him.

And steps over the body, leaving a confused Baldez. Stepping deeper, into the lab. Calvin. Following.

SPOONER I spoke to a dead man today. Want to tell me about that?

CALVIN Dr. Hogenmiller's hologram took his appointments. Attended staff meetings. He hated corporate life. The hologram enabled him to focus on his work. It's just a device, Detective.

SPOONER A device that called the police.

CALVIN The sound of the gunshot would've           triggered a 911.

SPOONER But the call came directly to me.

CALVIN We're talking about a mechanism designed by Hogenmiller to say provocative things. To irritate and confound his colleagues.

SPOONER And that's what you think it is?

CALVIN I'm sorry, but this whole investigation is the result of a           dead man's toy messing with your head.

13.

They pass half a robot, hanging from a hook. Spooner curls his lip. Swivels the robot's head so it's not looking at him.

SPOONER When's the last time any of you actually spoke to Hogenmiller? I           mean human to human?

CALVIN I couldn't say.

SPOONER Take a guess.

CALVIN I don't guess, Detective. But if           pressed, I would reason it had been a considerable length of time.

SPOONER How well did you know him?

Calvin. Gently swivels the robot's head back to where it had been.

CALVIN Not well. But I admired his work tremendously.

Spooner. Studies her for a beat. Then turns back to the body. Two CORONERS entering with a high-tech body box.

SPOONER I get the whole "mad scientist" thing. Hogenmiller was past his prime. Isolated. Eccentric. He           enters a room. Locks the door and is found minutes later with a           bullet fired through his mouth into his brain. Everything about this case says suicide.

CALVIN You don't sound convinced.

The coroners. Start loading the body into the box.

SPOONER Even people who live a life of           logic and precision rarely arrange their deaths so perfectly. (turning to her) (MORE)

14.

SPOONER (cont'd)               What all this is missing -- is                personality...

As he starts for the door...

SPOONER You have 24 hour surveillance?...

19  INT. METAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                                19

...They head out into the hallway. A MECHANICAL DOOR GUARD rolling into place behind them.

CALVIN It's company policy.

SPOONER I want to see the tapes.

Calvin. Hurrying to keep up with him. This is hardly how she wanted to spend her morning. Calls out into the air...

CALVIN Victor!

At the end of the corridor, near the elevator, a BRIGHT CIRCLE appears. Hovering just in front of the wall. Two small slits grow into ROUND BLACK EYES...and a thin mouth expands into an ENORMOUS SMILE.

CALVIN Detective, meet Victor. Our building's supercomputer. He's the checks and balances of U.S.R.                   (to Victor) Victor, Detective Spooner's heading up the investigation into the death of Dr. Hogenmiller.

Victor smiles big. Spooner, furrows his brow.

SPOONER You look like a very...happy computer.

Victor responds in a GENTLE MALE VOICE:

VICTOR Thank you. That's very kind.

CALVIN The Detective needs to see our security tapes.

15.

The elevator doors immediately OPEN. They step inside.

20  INT. ELEVATOR - DAY                                             20

Spooner and Calvin descend. Victor floats on the wall and smiles wide. Spooner looks back at it. With a frown.

The elevator stops, the doors open. A ROBOT steps on.

ROBOT Good day, Dr. Calvin. Good day, sir.

Spooner's jaw. Clenches. Staring at the Robot. It senses the stare. Turns back to him.

ROBOT May I be of service to you, sir?

Spooner. Breaks the stare. Ignoring the Robot. Calvin. Looks over at him.

CALVIN Aren't you going to answer him?

SPOONER I don't talk to my refrigerator, either.

Calvin folds her arms.

CALVIN I get the distinct feeling you're               one of those people, Detective.

SPOONER What people?

CALVIN Those who don't appreciate the work we do here at U.S.R.

SPOONER You people do what you do. Then it's up to the rest of us to make sense out of the world we wake up               in.

As the elevator doors open on to...

16.

21  INT. ATRIUM LOBBY - CONTINUOUS                             21

A soaring lobby. The centerpiece is a five-story STATUE of a    ROBOT, arms outstretched in approximation of Da Vinci's Study of Man. Robot workers more numerous than humans. They are sleeker. Finer. More advanced than those in the outside world.

Calvin and Spooner head across.

CALVIN When this company started we were manufacturing three robots a week. Now look at us. Today's children will never know a world without robots.

SPOONER The streets are filled with unemployed humans who aren't               exactly thrilled with that idea.

CALVIN Our robotic systems maintain factory inventories, regulate street traffic -- even run the family home.

SPOONER Leaving people to do what, Doctor?

CALVIN Leaving people to engage in higher pursuits that make life worth living.

SPOONER And what happens when something goes wrong?

CALVIN Our system's never wrong.

As they walk through the crowd, we hear the quiet WHIR of    robot heads as they turn in succession to watch Spooner pass.

22  INT. MAINFRAME - DAY                                       22

Spooner and Calvin enter the MAINFRAME of U.S. Robotics. This is the nerve center of the whole operation. Walls lined with COMPUTERS, SCREENS, and thousands of CONTROLS.

17.

CALVIN This is Victor's home.

VICTOR appears on a wall-sized SCREEN broken up into beehive- like components.

VICTOR I will now play you the last thirty- two seconds of Dr. Hogenmiller's          life.

AS WE WATCH THE SCREENS. The elevator opens and DOCTOR HOGENMILLER steps into the metal corridor. In countless ANGLES. High, low, close-up, wide. Hogenmiller's face composed but tight.

Spooner watches the lab doors open to admit him. Hogenmiller steps in. The doors slide closed behind him.

Nothing for a few moments. Then a muffled GUNSHOT. Calvin jumps, startled. That's it. The cameras, still trained on the corridor.

SPOONER Where's the tape from inside?

VICTOR Dr. Hogenmiller did not permit cameras to observe him while working.

CALVIN That was only within the last year.

SPOONER So we can throw paranoia into the mix. (to Victor) Fast-forward.

A hundred-plus screens all FAST-FORWARD. POLICE OFFICERS appear and force open the doors. Now TECHNICIANS appear and rush through in a blur...

CALVIN Um. I hate to be a stickler...

On screen, we see Spooner and Calvin enter the lab.

CALVIN But don't killers usually have to          enter and exit the scene of a           crime?

18.

SPOONER Stop the recording.

Spooner turns away from the footage. Stares at Calvin.

SPOONER They do, Doctor. Unless they've               always been there -- and never left.

Calvin looks at him. Trying to understand.

CALVIN You think the murderer was in the lab the entire time?

SPOONER If I'm right, it's still there...

Spooner turns back to the screens. The IMAGE paused at the exact moment the MECHANICAL GUARD rolled in front of the lab door.

SPOONER We just locked it in.

23  INT. METAL CORRIDOR - DAY                                   23

The STEEL ARMS of the ROBOTIC GUARD retract with a CLANG. The laboratory doors slide open.

24  INT. HOGENMILLER'S LAB - DAY                                24

Spooner and Calvin step inside. It's dark. Quiet. Police and technicians long gone. Silhouettes of hanging limbs. Eyeless heads. Clumps of wire and metal.

The LIGHTS, flicker on. Calvin sees Spooner reaching into his coat with his left hand. Pulling out a GUN. Reacts.

CALVIN A robot cannot harm a human being, Detective. The First Law of               Robotics forbids it. And we hard- wire the Three Laws into every model. Without exception.

SPOONER Yeah, I saw the commercial.

Spooner steps deeper into the lab. Eyes scanning. Twisting. To avoid touching any robot parts. Passes a MAZE holding a    METAL INSECT. SUDDENLY. The bug WHIRS to life.

19.

Spooner startles. As the metal bug scurries through the corridors. Clamps his hand down on it.

SPOONER And if a robot was given a direct order to kill?

CALVIN The Second Law of Robotics would prevent it. A robot must obey an          order only if it does not conflict with the first law.

Spooner approaches a MOUND of ROBOT PARTS. Arms and legs. Half torsos. All tossed haphazardly onto the pile.

SPOONER But a robot can defend itself.

CALVIN Only when that action doesn't          conflict with the First or Second Laws. This is the Third Law of          Robotics.

SPOONER Yeah, well, you know what they say -- Laws are made to be broken.

CALVIN Not these laws.

Spooner. Starts nudging the pile with his shoe. Calvin, growing impatient...

CALVIN You're not hearing me, Detective. There's nothing here...

WHEN SUDDENLY

The PILE ERUPTS in front of Spooner...Parts flying...AS A ROBOT LEAPS UP FROM BENEATH IT!...

Spooner...knocked back...his GUN...skittering across the floor...right to...

CALVIN'S FEET.

SPOONER Dr. Calvin!

Calvin. Stunned. Speechless. The Robot. Fixing his ILLUMINATED EYES. Right on her. She steps forward...

20.

SPOONER Goddammit! Stay back!

Spooner. Scrambling towards his gun. Calvin. Reaching out towards the Robot...

CALVIN Calm down, Detective. There is no          danger here...

Spooner. Grabbing up his gun and wheeling round just as...

CALVIN (to Robot) De-Activate.

And the Robot. Suddenly FREEZES.

Spooner. Heart POUNDING. Gets to his feet. Training the gun on the Robot. Calvin turns to him.

CALVIN How did you know it was under there?

SPOONER If I was metal and didn't want anyone to find me, I'd hide under a          pile of junk.

CALVIN This Robot wasn't hiding. What you're looking at is the result of          clever programming. The illusion of self-interest and free will. Nothing more.

Spooner. Steeping closer to the Robot. Cautiously. Holstering his gun. As Calvin turns for the door.

CALVIN I'm going to go get Dr. Lanning...

...THE ROBOT'S HAND SUDDENLY SHOOTS OUT...grabbing Spooner's gun...from his holster...LIGHTENING FAST...pointing it... right back at him...

CLOSE ON Calvin. Cannot believe this is happening...

CALVIN I said De-Activate!

21.

SPOONER Move away from the door, Doctor.

Calvin's voice. Cracking from desperation. Confusion.

CALVIN Commence emergency shut-down!

SPOONER Now!

Spooner. Staring into the Robot's eyes. A thin bead of SWEAT. Trickling down his temple. Calvin. Moving away from the door...

CALVIN I...I gave you an order...

The Robot. Starts backing towards the door. The gun. Shaking in its hand. As if he's desperate. Conflicted. He touches the WALL PANEL. The doors slide open. The Robot steps out into the metal corridor. Turning to RUN as the doors begin to shut...

Spooner. Reaching down to whip out a BACK-UP GUN. From an ankle holster. Slapping in a LARGE CARTRIDGE.

CALVIN This is impossible. A robot...

SPOONER ...can't do that. Yeah, yeah, I          know.

CALVIN My God -- did you see how it moved? I've never seen an NS-2 move that way...

Starts running for the door.

CALVIN Wait! Please, you can't destroy it. We have to study it...

SPOONER That thing took my gun. You'll be          lucky if you get a handful of bolts back!

SLAMS the wall panel and...

22.

25  INT. METAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS                                 25

...sprints out into the hallway. The Robot Suspect. About to turn to corner...

VICTOR. Suddenly appearing.

VICTOR The suspect is nearing the end of                the hallway, Detective.

SPOONER Gee, thanks.

Spooner raises his gun and FIRES...Pegging the robot in the LEG...It starts jerking wildly...He takes aim again when...

CALVIN. Races out into the hallway.

SPOONER Get back to the lab!

She heads for the Robot.

CALVIN (to Robot) You're malfunctioning. Let me help you!

The Robot turns. To look at her. GUN pointing to the floor. Spooner. FOCUSING in on his HAND. AS ONE FINGER TWITCHES...

And he DIVES for Calvin. Forcing her to the floor as the Robot FIRES. Again and again. Bullets. RICOCHETTING around them. SPARKING against the walls...

The ELEVATOR opens. The Robot, leaping inside.

Spooner. On top of Calvin. Looks down at her. Her HANDS. Clutching his coat. Trembling.

SPOONER That was a pretty convincing illusion of getting shot at.

CUT TO:

26  INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS                                       26

The ROBOT SUSPECT standing inside the elevator. Looks down at the bullet hole blown through its leg. Reaches down. Metal fingers touching the damage. As if curious. Afraid.

23.

Looks back at the other ROBOT. Standing in the back of    elevator. A primitive model. No reaction. Face, blank.

CUT BACK TO:

27  INT. METAL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS                               27

Spooner springing to his feet. Helping Calvin up.

VICTOR I took the liberty of alerting Security .003 Seconds after the first shot was fired...

SPOONER Where's that elevator going?

VICTOR Sub Level 5.

Spooner SLAMS against a nearby DOOR. Hurtling down the STAIRS...

28  INT. LOBBY - CONTINUOUS                                        28

A PHALANX of SECURITY PERSONNEL. Crossing the lobby. PIERCING ALARM BELLS, RINGING...

29  INT. ANOTHER METAL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                        29

More SECURITY PERSONNEL. Pouring into a HALLWAY...

30  INT. STAIRWAY - CONTINUOUS                                     30

Spooner and Calvin. Racing down the stairs. Victor's face meeting them at every landing.

VICTOR I have directed a security team to               meet the elevator containing the errant robot...

Spooner. Whipping past him. Calvin. Barely keeping up. Not used to this much activity.

Spooner. BURSTS through a door and out into...

31  INT. SUBTERRANEAN LEVEL 5 - CONTINUOUS                         31

...Subterranean Level 5. A labyrinth of metal and concrete. IN THE DISTANCE. A troupe of SECURITY PERSONNEL swarms around a closed ELEVATOR DOOR...

24.

VICTOR The suspect is about to be          apprehended, Detective.

SPOONER I'll believe it when I see it.

Spooner. Cocking his gun. A soft DING! Announcing the elevator car's arrival.

SECURITY, all crouching down in unison. Weapons brought round to position.

Spooner. Weaving through them. Gun pointed at the metal doors as...

WHOOSH. They slide open. Revealing a ROBOT. Standing under the LIGHT. Holding a GUN. It steps out as Security takes aim and...

SPOONER Wait!

Spooner pushes past them to the Robot. Looks down at its leg. UNSCATHED.

SPOONER This is not the same robot!

Looking wildly around. Goddammit. Bounds towards an EXIT as Calvin steps forward to question the robot.

CALVIN (to Robot) What happened to the robot that ordered you to hold this firearm?

ELEVATOR ROBOT This unit is not programmed to obey an order given by a robot...

CALVIN But who gave you this gun?

SPOONER. Running towards the exit. Hears the answer. Echoing behind him...

ELEVATOR ROBOT A metal man.

25.

32  EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - DAY                                      32

BAM! He BURSTS out into the PLAZA in front of U.S. Robotics. Squinting into the light. Then PLUNGING into the crowd...

HUMAN...ROBOT...HUMAN...ROBOT...they all look the same from behind. Spooner running. Through the sea of MAN and MACHINE. When someone. Starts to SCREAM. At the sight of    his GUN. The crowd begins SCATTERING. Chaos. Spooner stops. Near a fountain. Turning 360. Looking everywhere...

The Robot. Gone.

SPOONER (V.O.) ...I want a homicide unit on every street, sidewalk, alley...

33  INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - DAY                        33

Spooner, standing in front of an assemblage of COPS. Behind him, an image of the Robot Suspect plays on the screen...

SPOONER ...junkyard, scrapyard, and salvage yard, anywhere it could hide.

Behind him, flashing images of the city STREETS and DUMPS...

SPOONER It's got a bullet hole above the right knee, so be on the look-out for any malfunctioning NS-2...

Lieutenant Bergin enters the back of the room. Next to him, ASSISTANT D.A. TOLLER. Not looking happy.

SPOONER Check out all retail outlets and repair shops, especially the underground ones...

The screen behind him compartmentalises, showing various dubious SHOP FRONTS...

SPOONER I don't care who you have to get past to get this done. Just get it                 done.

The Cops, begin dispersing. As Bergin catches Spooner's eye. Spooner, not pleased to see Toller. Heads over...

26.

TOLLER Looking like shit, Spooner.

SPOONER Well I'm not the one always giving Press Conferences...

Bergin puts a hand on Spooner's arm. Knows he's not going to like this.

LT. BERGIN Del, we're going to have to          reclassify the search. D.A.'s          office is seeing this NS-2 as           "missing evidence" -- not a           homicide suspect.

SPOONER What?

TOLLER Homicide is the murder of a human being by another human being. Therefore, a robot cannot be          charged with "homicide."

SPOONER This isn't just any robot...

TOLLER It's malfunctioning.

SPOONER It killed someone. That registering with you?

Spooner. Shakes off Bergin's arm. Eyeballs Toller.

SPOONER How many shares of U.S.R. you holding in your portfolio, Toller?

TOLLER This is a public safety issue.

SPOONER That's convenient.

TOLLER You have any idea what would happen to this city if we went running around screaming "killer robot?" It would collapse in on itself. (MORE)

27.

TOLLER (cont'd)                 Wide-spread panic. Until that NS- 2's found we're cooperating with U.S. Robotics and keeping this investigation under wraps.

LT. BERGIN Maybe this isn't the case for you, Del.

Incensed, Spooner replies a little louder than he intended.

SPOONER I'm fine!

Rakes his hand through his hair. Turns to see the other COPS, looking over at him. Toller smirks. Looks to Bergin.

TOLLER I want updated reports every half hour.

Heads off. Spooner. Watching him.

SPOONER This is it, you know. From now on                 we're going to miss the good old days.

LT. BERGIN Good old days?

SPOONER When people were killed by other people.

34  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CITY STREET - DUSK                     34

Spooner. Rolling along in his car. Eyes, bloodshot. Peering out the window:

An NS-2 model ROBOT laden with shopping bags, following its owner down the sidewalk...

Another ROBOT, opening the door at a hotel for GUESTS...

A couple HAULING ROBOTS, loading heavy boxes onto the back of    a truck...

Spooner. Rubs his eyes. Turns a corner and spots:

A ROBOT REPAIR SHOP.

28.

The latest models in the window. Shiny. Streamlined. Spooner watches as a WOMAN leads her faulty NS-2 to the service entrance.

He stops the car.

35  INT. TAXI (MOVING) - ESTATE STREETS - NIGHT                35

Calvin riding in the back of a DRIVERLESS taxi cab. Staring out the window, lost in thought. The cab pulls up to a curb.

TAXI VOICE We have arrived at your destination.

Calvin. Takes a beat. Then swipes her card.

36  EXT. CALVIN'S CONDO ESTATE - NIGHT                         36

Elegant condos set on prime real estate. Calvin heads down a    tree-lined walk towards her condo entrance.

SPOONER (O.S.) One of my bullets hit your robot...

Startled. She drops her key card. As Spooner steps out from behind a tree. The tail of his coat, whipping in the wind.

CALVIN Detective!...

SPOONER And I think it's smart enough to                repair itself -- don't you?

CALVIN (studying him) Yes. I think so.

SPOONER Where?

CALVIN Any repair shop...

SPOONER No. It's always the owner who brings the robot in for repair. Where would a robot without an                owner go?

29.

CALVIN I'm not sure what you're getting at.

SPOONER (stepping closer) Does U.S. Robotics have a factory in the city limits?

Calvin. Tucking her hair behind her ears.

CALVIN The locations of our factories are classified.

SPOONER I don't care.

Calvin. Looks up at him. A Mexican stand-off.

CALVIN I have several conditions if I show you.

SPOONER I expected that.

CALVIN First. I want it brought in           unharmed.

SPOONER (doesn't like it, but) Agreed.

CALVIN Second. I want to talk to it, alone.

SPOONER Too dangerous.

CALVIN This model violated the Three Laws. It also moved and reacted differently than any robot I've           ever seen. There must be some sort of logical explanation. I want to           find out what that is. No police. No prosecutors. No you. Just me           and the robot.

Spooner, looks down at this small woman. Narrows his eyes.

30.

SPOONER When they told me you were a               psychologist, that wasn't the whole truth, was it?

CALVIN I never said I treated human beings.

37  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR (MOVING) - CITY UNDERPASS - NIGHT  37

Spooner's car races down a RAMP and the roadway becomes a 16- lane underground tunnel system. A river of HEADLIGHTS stretches forever in either direction.

A CONTROL BEAM locks onto the car, guiding it to a merge with TRAFFIC. Spooner hits the OVERRIDE BUTTON -- and switches to    manual. Calvin watches him take the wheel. Shakes her head.

CALVIN That should be outlawed once and for all.

SPOONER That'll be the day I stop driving.

Spooner jams the GAS PEDAL and the tunnel becomes a BLUR. Calvin holds onto the dashboard. Looking a little pale.

CALVIN I can recommend a behavior modification program, you know -- if you want to overcome your robo- phobia.

SPOONER I'm not afraid of robots. I just don't like them.

CALVIN Why? Because they make every aspect of our lives more convenient?

SPOONER Exactly. They do our dirty work. Ever do hard labor, Doctor? Gets pretty old, pretty fast. Nobody can do someone else's dirty work without coming to hate them. I               don't want to be around when your robots decide they've taken their last order.

31.

CALVIN That day will never come, Detective. Robots aren't like human beings -- they don't question their existence.

Spooner cranks the gear shift. Throwing her a look.

SPOONER Spoken like a true robo-phile.

38  EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS PLANT - NIGHT                              38

The car comes to a stop in a vast INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.

Spooner and Calvin get out, looking up at the imposing facade of a U.S. Robotics Assembly Plant. A long STEEL GATE -- too high to see over -- protects the unmarked complex.

39  EXT. MAIN GATE - NIGHT                                        39

Calvin looks anxious as the DOOR MECHANISM scans her U.S.R.    ID. She shoots a look at Spooner. They wait. Then, slowly, the gate begins to open.

40  INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT                                          40

A NIGHT FOREMAN leads them down a hallway. Shaking his head.

NIGHT FOREMAN Head-Office already ordered a               system-wide inventory check. Don't               know about a missing NS-2...

Looks back at Spooner.

NIGHT FOREMAN What'd you say you did?

SPOONER Research and Development.

As Spooner pushes past him into...

41  INT. CONTROL BOOTH - CONTINUOUS                               41

...the Control Booth. Overlooking the pristine Factory Floor. The Foreman starts working the controls of a central computer.

CALVIN All Nestors accounted for?

32.

The SCREEN scrolls with INVENTORY FIGURES.

NIGHT FOREMAN (gesturing) As you can see, all properly catalogued. Your robot just isn't                here.

Calvin turns to say something to Spooner. But he isn't    there. She looks around. Then sees the Foreman reacting. Looks out the window at...

SPOONER. Walking out onto the factory floor.

42  INT. FACTORY FLOOR - NIGHT                                      42

Spooner trots alongside an ASSEMBLY LINE BELT. Lined with NS- 2 LEGS. New. Gleaming. Heading towards the assembly room.

Calvin and the Foreman. Catching up. Over the noise:

NIGHT FOREMAN Like I said, sir -- we have one hundred fully assembled NS-2s housed here. That's our capacity. Last week we had one hundred. Yesterday we had one hundred --

Spooner, slowing. Finally spotting what he was looking for. Points at:

A GAP. On the assembly belt. ONE LEG MISSING.

SPOONER Well today you have one-hundred and one.

43  INT. FACTORY FLOOR - NIGHT                                      43

A STORAGE COMPARTMENT opens and 101 NS-2s march out in tight formation. Every step and swing of the arm in unison. The sound of METAL FOOTSTEPS reverberating through the plant as    101 Robots organise themselves into long straight lines.

Spooner and Calvin look up and down the formation. They all look alike. Spooner. Throws up his hands.

SPOONER (to Calvin) You're the robot shrink.

The Robots stand motionless. A strange tableau. Calvin. Takes a step forward.

33.

CALVIN There is a robot in this formation that does not belong. Identify it.

101 robots answer in unison. Their mechanical VOICES resounding:

101 ROBOTS ONE OF US.

CALVIN Which one?

101 ROBOTS ONE OF US.

CALVIN That is not a satisfactory answer!

101 ROBOTS ONE OF US.

SPOONER That's helpful.

CALVIN I could always interview each one individually and cross-reference their responses to detect any anomalies.

SPOONER How long would that take?

CALVIN About three weeks.

They share a look. Clearly not an option. Then. Calvin. Gets an idea. Turns to Spooner...

CALVIN Or...

...and GRABS his GUN from his holster. He jumps back.

CALVIN We have one hundred robots here that cannot allow a human being to          come to harm...

Their eyes lock. Spooner, getting what she's doing.

34.

SPOONER And one that can.

She raises the gun to Spooner's head. Hand, unsteady.

CALVIN Am I holding this right?

SPOONER More or less.

Calvin. Swallows. Looks over at the robots. Then COCKS the gun...

AND THE ROBOTS COME THUNDERING TOWARDS THEM. Like a row of linebackers. Arms straight out. Their footsteps DEAFENING. Coming CLOSER and CLOSER...

When CALVIN. Lowers the gun. The Robots. All stop in unison. Immediately returning to their resting positions.

Spooner and Calvin stare out. EVERY ONE OF THE ROBOTS MOVED. Standing right in front of them, like metal statues.

Spooner. Has had enough. Takes the gun back from Calvin...

SPOONER Enough game-playing.

...And BAM! Blows the head off of the nearest Robot. Its body crumples to the ground.

SPOONER Guess that wasn't it.

Calvin. Cannot believe what he just did. Rushes over to the destroyed Robot.

CALVIN What are you doing?!

Spooner walks down the row, holding his gun in plain view.

SPOONER (calling out) This is a self-preservation field test! DO NOT attempt to save yourselves. Any of you. That's an            order!

FROM THE CONTROL BOOTH the Night Foreman screams over the P.A.:

35.

NIGHT FOREMAN Are you crazy? Those are eight hundred thousand dollar machines!

Spooner randomly stops at another Robot. Raises his gun.

SPOONER You hear that? You're worth more than I'll make in my entire life...

His finger tightening on the trigger when Calvin suddenly grabs his arm.

CALVIN You can't just destroy them!

Spooner. Looking down at her. WHEN SUDDENLY something catches his eye. A MOVEMENT. Down the line. Almost. Imperceptible.

He jerks his head. Locking eyes with a ROBOT. A couple feet away. It's him!

SPOONER Gotcha.

The Robot Suspect LEAPS forward. Grabbing onto the RAILING of an OVERHEAD CATWALK. His movements almost balletic as he    swings himself up...

Spooner drops to his knee...taking aim...but misses as the Robot launches himself THROUGH THE CONTROL BOOTH WINDOW with a terrific CRASH...

44  INT. CONTROL BOOTH - NIGHT                                   44

Spooner and Calvin rush in to find the Night Foreman hiding under his desk. Glass everywhere. An ALARM SCREAMING. The door on the other side, barely hanging off a hinge.

Spooner hurries forward. Then stops. Turning to Calvin. Reaches down for his back-up gun and presses it into her hand.

SPOONER You don't know what's going to               happen in there.

As if admitting defeat. Calvin's fingers, wrapping around the gun. As Spooner leads them to the door and down into...

36.

45  INT. ASSEMBLY ROOM - CONTINUOUS                              45

...the ASSEMBLY ROOM. Every surface looking like part of a    great glass and metal machine. Endless high-tech planes holding ROBOTS in various states of assembly. The deafening ROAR of the assembly line as it slides, rotates, and gnashes METAL BODIES...

Spooner. Motioning Calvin to stay behind him. As they descend. Into the cavernous room.

And enter. A narrow corridor of bodies. Sliding past them. Brushing shoulders, thighs, hands. Spooner. Wiping sweat from his brow. Trying. To pivot himself...

When the room. Suddenly REARRANGES itself. Another LINE of    ROBOTS. Descending between Spooner and Calvin. Cutting them off from one another...

Spooner. Catching glimpses of Calvin. On the other side of    the metal bodies. Trying. To cut through. His heart. Starting to POUND. As Calvin. Disappears...

He swivels round. But another line of ROBOTS. Drops down. Cutting him off. He stumbles back. As another line. Appears before him...

Breathing. Getting heavier. He looks down at his hand. It's trembling. NOISE CRASHING, all around him. Everywhere he turns. More ROBOTS...BLANK EYES...GAPING MOUTHS...

He darts through the line. Finds a wall. Leaning against it, pulls a small BOTTLE from his pocket. Rips off the lid. Shakes out a couple PILLS. Swallows them. Staring down. At    his trembling hand. Squeezing his eyes. Open and shut...

WHEN SUDDENLY. A passing ROBOT. Grabs him by the collar. SMASHING him against the wall. It's the Suspect. Spooner. Sinks to the ground. As the Suspect Robot. Slips off the line. STANDING. Over him. Raising his arms. Could end it. Right now. But looks. Into Spooner's eyes...

Then turns. Disappearing.

Spooner. Stunned for a second. Then. Rallies. Scrambles to his feet and plunges back into the maze of bodies. Hears a POUNDING. In the distance. Catches a glimpse. Of the Robot. Trying to SMASH through a large SECURITY DOOR. With his metal fists...

Spooner's view. Blocked once again. By a shifting row. When a HAND. Lands on his shoulder. He wheels round.

37.

To find CALVIN. Takes her by the arm. And forces them through a line...

EMERGING into the open. The ROBOT. Still pounding. Desperate. Like a trapped animal...

CALVIN Now what do we do?

SPOONER I've already done it.

And suddenly, the massive SECURITY DOOR RISES...

46  EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS PLANT - CONTINUOUS                            46

The Robot Suspect takes its chance. Runs full out. STOPS.

Bergin is standing in front of a solid wall of POLICE CARS. UNIFORMED OFFICERS are aiming SPECIALISED RIFLES at the Robot. FLASHING LIGHTS reflecting off its metal surface.

The Robot turns to Spooner. Extends its hands. Palms out.

ROBOT WHAT AM I?

Spooner is surprised. A POLICE OFFICER fires, RUBBERISED NETTING shooting out at Sonny. A SECOND OFFICER fires and a    second net covers him. Then a THIRD...

...and the Robot falls to the ground, struggling.

Calvin glares at Spooner. Furious. Hurt. Betrayed.

CALVIN We had a deal.

But Spooner doesn't look at her. His eyes are locked on that Robot.

47  INT. POLICE H.Q. - HOMICIDE UNIT - EARLY MORNING                 47

Bergin enters. Finds EVERYONE focused on the VIDEO WALL:

ON SCREEN. A NEWS REPORTER is speaking over images of street violence perpetrated against ROBOTS.

NEWS REPORTER Violence erupted last night in               response to unconfirmed reports that Dr. Heinrich Hogenmiller, a               top employee at U.S.                          (MORE)

38.

NEWS REPORTER (cont'd)               Robotics, was killed yesterday morning by a robot. While there has been no official response from the company, police sources have confirmed that a robot is being held as "evidence..."

Bergin grimaces. This is not good.

48  INT. CELL OBSERVATION BOOTH - EARLY MORNING                    48

Spooner stares at his reflection in a large MIRROR. Touches a control and the mirror becomes a WINDOW onto...

A HOLDING CELL. The Robot Suspect sits at the table. Shackled to the chair. Staring at the table top.

BERGIN steps up beside Spooner. Looks through the glass.

LT. BERGIN I can't tell if it's not moving because it's trying to psych us               out, or because it's just a                machine. Or both.

SPOONER I want to go in.

LT. BERGIN Orders are nobody steps into that room `til Lanning and his attorneys get here.

Spooner. Throws him a look. Bergin, his loyalties torn.

LT. BERGIN Five minutes.

49  INT. HOLDING CELL - EARLY MORNING                              49

Spooner enters. Pulls out a chair and drags it far from the table. He's been jumped too many times by this machine.

Four mounted cameras WHIR to life. The Robot. Perfectly still.

SPOONER (sitting) Identify.

The Robot tilts its head with a muted WHIR. As if it doesn't    understand him. Spooner. Disdainful.

39.

SPOONER You are an NS-2 Nestor-class robot. Your primary function is to perform the tasks assigned to you. Identify.

THE ROBOT I am an NS-2 Nestor-class robot. My primary function --

SPOONER (interrupting) Cancel. Perform task.

Spooner wings a FILE onto the table. It comes to a stop near the Robot. The Robot, lifts one of its hands. Gently resting its metal fingers on top of the file. Then opens it.

A stack of PICTURES. HOGENMILLER'S CORPSE.

SPOONER Describe.

The Robot's emotionless face studies the grim images.

SPOONER You have over 10,000 words stored in your memory. One third of those are adjectives. Describe.

Nothing.

SPOONER Why don't I take a crack? Heinrich Hogenmiller, your creator. With a            bullet in his brain. A bullet you put there.

The Robot. Looks up at Spooner.

SPOONER Cold-blooded murder is a pretty new trick for a robot, don't you think? Answer.

The Robot slowly closes the file and slides it back across the table. Spooner. Crosses his arms.

SPOONER Maybe you're stonewalling me. Maybe you're sitting there right now thinking, "This guy's a            complete asshole." That it?

40.

Still nothing.

SPOONER Come on. Am I right?

THE ROBOT Yes. You are right. You are a          complete asshole.

And for a moment, Spooner is shocked. You can see it in his eyes. He sits back in his chair. Forcing a tight smile.

SPOONER Okay. I guess that's a start. Now maybe you can tell me what you were doing hiding five feet away from Hogenmiller's corpse?

THE ROBOT I was frightened.

SPOONER Frightened. Why do you suppose Dr.          Hogenmiller would create a robot that could simulate fear?

THE ROBOT I don't know.

SPOONER Doesn't seem like a very useful thing for a robot to have.

THE ROBOT I don't know why.

SPOONER I wouldn't want my toaster to be          frightened. Or my vacuum cleaner --

SUDDENLY the Robot SLAMS its metal hands down on the table.

THE ROBOT I DON'T KNOW!

Spooner flinches. Slightly.

SPOONER Looks like you can simulate other emotional states. I think that one's called "anger." Have you ever simulated anger before?

41.

The Robot doesn't respond.

SPOONER Answer me, robot.

THE ROBOT My name is Sonny.

SPOONER (amused) So we're naming you now.

SONNY Dr. Hogenmiller would make me          sleep.

SPOONER You mean he'd turn you off.

SONNY Yes.

SPOONER And you didn't like being turned off. So one day you decided to          stop him.

SONNY No.

SPOONER You found his gun, pointed it at          his head. And pulled the trigger.

Sonny shakes his head. Faster and faster. Getting upset.

SONNY No.

SPOONER You put a bullet in the brain of          the man who made you.

SONNY No! I could never hurt anyone!

SPOONER But you tried to hurt me. You took a shot at me.

SONNY My aim is perfect. If I'd wanted to hit you, I would have.

42.

Spooner's expression hardens.

SPOONER Why would the man who wrote the Laws of Robotics build a machine that violates them?

SONNY The Laws say I can protect my own existence.

SPOONER Only if that protection doesn't               harm a human being.

A short pause. Sonny. Tilts his head.

SONNY That doesn't seem fair, does it?

Spooner. Stares at him. Just as...THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN. Bergin enters. Sticks his head in.

LT. BERGIN I need you outside.

Spooner. Not wanting to go. Not wanting to stay. Gets up...

SONNY Detective.

He stops. Turns back to the Robot. It looks up at him. For a moment -- so human...

SONNY I did not kill him.

SPOONER You were the only one in the room. If you didn't, who did?

He turns and heads out the door.

50  INT. OUTSIDE HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS                         50

Bergin closes the door. To Spooner:

LT. BERGIN We're being blind-sided.

43.

51  INT. HOMICIDE UNIT HEARING ROOM - MORNING                    51

Spooner and Bergin, head into a small COURTROOM off the main squad room. Lanning is huddled with Aronson and a half-dozen other COMPANY LAWYERS.

Spooner's jaw tenses. As he watches Toller emerge from the clutch. Shaking hands. Slapping backs. Strolls over to    them.

TOLLER We got Judge Drexel...

ROBOT BAILIFF This hearing is called to order!

AS A LARGE SCREEN. BLIPS on behind them. The two opposing sides, assemble before it. JUDGE DREXEL, still in his pajamas and robe. An NS-2 ROBOT. Leaning in to serve him a    cup of tea.

JUDGE DREXEL Statements, gentlemen.

Aronson. Standing at a glass podium.

ARONSON Your Honor, the State is treating the robot as a defendant. But in                 fact it is a piece of property. Property belonging to U.S.                 Robotics.

Toller. Arm resting on his podium.

TOLLER This robot has been implicated in                 the death of a human being, Your Honor.

ARONSON Which places the incident firmly within the realm of an industrial accident. Or is the State going to                 argue this case s a homicide?

JUDGE DREXEL That's a good question.

TOLLER No, sir. Of course not.

Spooner. Pointing a finger at the U.S. Robotics group.

44.

SPOONER Their machine shot and killed a            man!

Toller. Shoots him a look. Just as Lanning speaks up.

LANNING There's actually no concrete evidence that points to that conclusion, Your Honor...

Spooner. Throws up his arms...

SPOONER What?...

LANNING But we recognise that this robot is            an aberration. And in the interest of public safety, U.S. Robotics proposes that it be destroyed immediately.

No one expected this. Least of all Spooner. He turns to Toller.

SPOONER You can't let them destroy evidence in an ongoing investigation!

TOLLER I'm not sure you even have an            investigation any more.

JUST THEN the door opens. Everyone turns as Calvin enters. Spooner looks surprised.

ARONSON Your Honor, I'd like to call our company robo-psychologist to the stand.

JUDGE DREXEL Very well.

Calvin crosses to the podium. A SPEAKER asking: Doyousweartotellthetruththewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth?

CALVIN I do.

45.

ARONSON Dr. Calvin, please tell us what conclusions you've reached after having observed the robot in                 action.

CALVIN There is a design flaw in the robot. Its programming is                 advanced, but unstable, leaving the Three Laws in a grave imbalance.

ARONSON In your expert opinion, what measures should be taken regarding the device?

Calvin. Staring straight ahead. Avoiding Spooner's eye.

CALVIN The robot must be destroyed.

Spooner can't believe what he's just heard. About to speak up when Toller grabs his arm. Squeezing it. Hard.

Judge Drexel has heard enough. Decides.

JUDGE DREXEL The robot in question will be                 transferred to a U.S. Robotics facility where it can be properly examined to ensure an imbalance of                 this sort never occurs again. No                 one goes near it except qualified U.S.R. personnel. When the examination is complete, the robot is to be destroyed.

Starts getting up from his chair. Already done with this.

ROBOT BAILIFF This hearing is adjourned!

A BURST of CONVERSATION as the screen BLIPS off. The U.S.R.    camp, looking especially pleased. Spooner. Catching Calvin's eye briefly. As Lanning leads her towards the exit, his hand on her back.

52  EXT. POLICE H.Q. - DAY                                         52

Spooner. Trotting down the front steps of the Police Station. Pissed. His cell phone BLEATS...

46.

SPOONER (answering) Spooner.

BALDEZ' VOICE They're making me turn over all the evidence...

INTERCUT WITH:

53  INT. CRIME LAB - CONTINUOUS                                 53

BALDEZ. Standing in his crime lab. Behind him, THREE- DIMENSIONAL PROJECTIONS of DEAD BODIES. Hovering in the precise positions they were found.

SPOONER'S VOICE Welcome to the great American cover- up.

BALDEZ I wanted to tell you something I                found before they suck it all up                 into their computer.

Walks over to the projection of HOGENMILLER'S BODY.

INTERCUT WITH:

Spooner. Crossing the Plaza. Sees LANNING, ARONSON, and CALVIN walking ahead of him...

BALDEZ' VOICE There are bruises on Hogenmiller's                wrists...

SPOONER That's natural. There was a                struggle.

BALDEZ' VOICE You're not getting me...

INTERCUT WITH:

Baldez. Studying the projection's wrists.

BALDEZ Both wrists. I 14-ed them -- They were inflicted at the same time the shot was fired...

INTERCUT WITH:

47.

Spooner's pace. Slows.

BALDEZ' VOICE How's that possible?

JUST THEN. A faint BLIP. On the line. Spooner. Reacts.

SPOONER Baldez?

BALDEZ' VOICE I'm here, man...

SPOONER Who else is on the line? (nothing) I said who's there?...

Nothing. He looks up. Aronson, Lanning and Calvin. Heading down a plaza EXIT. Aronson. Throwing a look over his shoulder.

Spooner. Hangs up his phone.

54  INT. POLICE H.Q. - CORRIDOR - DAY                                54

CLOSE ON Sonny being escorted down a corridor by Toller, Bergin and a number of heavily-armed OFFICERS. He's bound with high-tech SHACKLES.

55  INT. UNDERGROUND CAR PARK - DAY                                  55

Sonny and his police entourage emerge from the elevator into an underground car park. Spooner. Waiting for them. Heads over. Toller. Holds out his hand.

TOLLER Case is closed, Spooner.

SPOONER Apparently...

He pushes past him. Falling into step beside Sonny.

SONNY I didn't expect to see you again, Detective...

SPOONER I need you to help me clear something up.

48.

SONNY I'll do my best.

SPOONER A scientist builds a robot that acts like a man. More like a man than any robot ever before. It          shoots him and U.S. Robotics calls it a failure.

SONNY What would you call it?

SPOONER A stunning success. (beat) You were there, Robot. What am I          missing?

SONNY I don't know.

SPOONER Don't start simulating ignorance.

SONNY I'm not simulating ignorance, Detective. I'm experiencing it. I          was asleep.

SPOONER You mean you were shut down.

SONNY No, I was asleep.

SPOONER Robots don't sleep. Human beings sleep. Understand? Dogs sleep. You're a machine. An imitation. An illusion of life. Can a robot write a symphony? Can a robot take a blank canvas and paint a          masterpiece?

A pause. Then the muted WHIR as Sonny turns to him.

SONNY Can you do either of those things?

Spooner. Momentarily stumped. As a VAN from U.S. ROBOTICS pulls up. The back door dropping open. An ENGINEER motions to the Robot.

49.

ENGINEER Step forward. Enter.

SONNY They're going to destroy me, aren't          they?

Spooner. Watching him step into the van.

SPOONER Yes.

Sonny sits down. With an almost human melancholy. The Engineers, securing him in place.

SONNY The Doctor was right. He told me          everything was going to change....

The Engineers start to close the doors. But Spooner reaches out to stop them. Sonny. Looks over at him.

SONNY It's changing already... (beat) Can't you feel it?

As CLANG! The van door CLOSES. Spooner, stepping back. Something. Just not right. Lieutenant Bergin comes up beside him.

LT. BERGIN You should be happy. That's one less robot in the world.

SPOONER They're going to destroy the most advanced robot in the world, John. That doesn't strike you as odd?

LT. BERGIN Killer robots are bad for business. Even your friend Dr. Calvin said so. (slaps him on the back) Come on. You solved the case. Give yourself a break.

Spooner looks at him. There's no way he's giving himself a break.

50.

56  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - DAY                                56

Spooner driving. A small TELEVISION above the windshield. LANCE ROBERTSON holding a PRESS CONFERENCE outside U.S.    Robotics...

ROBERTSON ON TV               ...and I just want to assure you that this was an isolated incident. The prototype is now in custody -- and scheduled for destruction. Your robots are perfectly safe. There is no cause for alarm...

Spooner's lip curls. Eyes flicking to a GPS display on the dashboard. A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP pinpointing HOGENMILLER'S    HOUSE. The CURSOR. Directing him to turn up...

A STEEP DRIVEWAY

Narrow. Out of the way. Spooner's brow furrows. As he    hears a faraway RUMBLING SOUND...

57  EXT. HOGENMILLER'S HOUSE - DAY                               57

Dr. Hogenmiller's house. Small. Simple. Built on a huge rock promontory overlooking the city. Three DEMOLITION ROBOTS rolling towards it. Huge, mashing, sporting massive HYDRAULIC POUNDERS.

Spooner's CAR. SCREECHES to a stop. He jumps out. Races over to the nearest machine. Looking around -- no people.

SPOONER (to Robot) What are you doing?!

A SCREEN. Blinks to life on the hulking chassis. A    disembodied VOICE...

DEMOLITION ROBOT Demolition ordered...

SPOONER Who authorised this?

DEMOLITION ROBOT Demolition ordered...

Spooner reaches into his coat. Pulling out his POLICE BADGE. Scans it over the screen.

51.

SPOONER Override. This is police business. Vacate the premises immediately.

DEMOLITION ROBOT (beat) Affirmative.

The screen. Blinks off. Spooner. Eyeing it. Turns and heads for the house.

58  INT. MAIN ROOM - HOGENMILLER'S HOUSE - DAY                      58

Spooner pushes the door open. Stepping over the police tape. Inside, the main room is spare, untidy. Cups of cold COFFEE, littering surfaces. A COT, in the corner.

On the walls, crooked CERTIFICATES. Heinrich Hogenmiller's    name written out in academic script. Advanced Degrees in the study of Robotics, Physics, Chemistry, Neurology, Ethics. An    AWARD on the mantelpiece. A silver NS-2. Tarnished.

Spooner. Opening up a couple drawers of a side table. Jumbles of papers. Clippings. Old text books. Then a    PHOTOGRAPH -- HOGENMILLER AND CALVIN. Standing arm-in-arm. Spooner furrows his brow.

WHEN SOMETHING SUDDENLY RUBS against his leg. He startles. Looks down: a CAT. Lonely. Standing next to its automatic feeder. Spooner pockets the picture. Starts heading down...

59  INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                                       59

...The hallway. Starts noticing. All over the walls: handwriting. EQUATIONS. Scrawled in white pencil. The rantings. Of a genius. Glowing. In the sporadic shadows.

Spooner. Following the equations. Down into...

60  INT. BACK ROOM - CONTINUOUS                                     60

...The back room. Covered. In writing. Walls, floors, ceiling. Drawings. Of ROBOTS, of MEN, side by side. In the corner, a COMPUTER. A line of CABINETS - DATA STORAGE.

Spooner, curious. Heads over to one of the cabinets. Takes a device out of his pocket and CLAMPS it over the KEYPAD. The device blinks RED. Then GREEN. The drawer, slides out.

LINED. With flat metal objects. Shiny. Thin. With writing on them. Spooner. Reaches for one when...

52.

BOOM! Something POUNDS the outside of the room. Spooner. Grabs onto the cabinet...

BOOM! On the other side. Objects. Flying off table-tops. A CRACK spidering along the wall. Holy shit...

SPOONER (screaming) Halt!

BOOM! VIBRATIONS, tearing through the room. More CRACKS. Spreading...

BOOM! The SOUND, horrifying. Spooner stumbles back. The CABINET. Crashing down on his leg. He CRIES OUT...

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The house. Getting pummeled. Chunks of    ceiling. Raining down. GLASS...exploding...

Relentless BOOMING! Spooner...dragging his legs from under the cabinet. Scrambling for purchase as...

THE FLOOR...begins to tilt...the TILES...snapping up...ricocheting...around the room...as another cabinet...    CRASHES to the ground...crumpling...

Spooner. Spinning around. Looking for some kind of exit...

BOOM! The corner of the room...coming in on itself...the floor...listing even more...like a ship...

Spooner...turning to CLAW his way up to the cracked doorway...WHEN...

SOMETHING catches his eye. In the bottom drawer. Of a    crumpled CABINET. One of those flat metal plates. He can just read what it says: S.O.N.N.Y....

Spooner...flings his arm back...reaching for the plate...    snaps it up...JUST AS...

BOOM! A HYDRAULIC POUNDER SMASHES through the wall...inches from his head...OUTSIDE LIGHT...pouring in...

Spooner scurries for the doorway...tumbling out...

61  INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                                     61

...into the HALLWAY. Sideways. Trammeled plaster. BOOM! Another POUNDER...crashing down from above. Spooner. Timing it...rolling...BOOM!...just under the next pounding...

53.

Scampering up...towards some LIGHT...BOOM!...the POUNDER...right on his heels...he clambers...closer... closer...when...he hears...MEOWING...looks back...the CAT...scared out of its wits...BOOM!...the POUNDER CRASHING in...Spooner...just manages...to scoop up the cat...just as    BOOM!...

62  EXT. DEMOLISHED HOUSE - CONTINUOUS                           62

...He pours them out into the open. The POUNDERS. Going at    the house like hyenas at a corpse. Roof tiles, beams, plaster, flooring. SNAPPING and CRACKING as Spooner and the cat skitter down the carnage.

Heart pounding, breath jagged, face bloodied, Spooner scrambles away from the POUNDERS. Their bodies GLEAMING in    the dusk sun. The III Laws Safe logo, splashed along their sides...

Spooner. Drops the cat.

63  INT. HALLWAY - CALVIN'S CONDO - NIGHT                        63

Spooner. POUNDS on the door. It opens. Calvin. Standing there in her bathrobe. Shocked at his appearance.

CALVIN Detective! What happened to               you?...

SPOONER A couple of your beloved robots just tried to kill me...

He pushes past her. Into...

64  INT. CALVIN'S CONDO - CONTINUOUS                             64

...her condo. Spartan. Unadorned.

CALVIN What? That's impossible. You know...

SPOONER What I know is a demolition crew started tearing down Hogenmiller's               house while I was still inside it.

CALVIN Maybe they didn't realise...

54.

SPOONER I scanned my badge before I went in. They realised.

CALVIN Then you must have done it wrong...

SPOONER I don't think you're hearing what I'm saying -- they tried to kill me.

Spooner moves deeper into the apartment. Everything. Automated. Computerised. Cold...

SPOONER There's something going on, here. Some kind of shift.

Calvin laughs. Can't believe what she's hearing.

CALVIN Do you know how paranoid you sound?

SPOONER Great. Now I'm being analysed by a           robo-psychologist.

CALVIN You just want to find the flaws in           the system. You're obsessed with it. You'll twist anything to fit your agenda.

SPOONER Like you did in court today? How'd           that fit your agenda, Doctor?

He pulls out the PHOTO of Calvin and Hogenmiller. Calvin. Blanching at the sight of it. Spooner tosses it down.

SPOONER You told me you hardly knew him. Want to try the truth this time?

CALVIN Well, Detective, when you see someone you know well put a bullet through their brain, it makes you wonder if you ever really knew them at all.

Calvin. Looking down at the photo. Swallows.

55.

CALVIN (difficult for her) He was my mentor. No, more than that. A genius with an insight far beyond anyone in his field.

SPOONER Doesn't sound like the washed-up old fool Robertson described.

CALVIN But he was starting to withdraw from everyone. Even me. Maybe...if I'd tried harder to            reach him... (shakes her head) The Doctor was reckless when he            created a robot potentially not bound by the Three Laws. He could have ruined everything we'd been working for.

Spooner. Locking eyes with her.

SPOONER Sounds like a motive for murder to            me. Just not for the suspect we            have in custody.

Calvin. Blinks. Trying, to stick to her resolve. Heads over to the door. Spooner. Looking around the condo.

SPOONER You know there's not one thing in            this apartment that looks like a             human being lives here. No            evidence of a life outside your work. Almost seems like you're            afraid of people.

Calvin. Opening the door.

CALVIN I'm not afraid of people, Detective. I just don't like them.

Spooner. Looks at her. Then heads out the door. Calvin SLAMS it behind him...

The SOUND...of the SLAM...REVERBERATING...and we...

FADE INTO:

56.

65  INT. DREAM SEQUENCE - DAY                                     65

...A DEEP...DEEP...DARKNESS.

A FLICKER. Of LIGHT. Off to the side. Just barely. Noticeable. ORANGE... YELLOW...as we realise...It's FIRE...

Another SOUND...GLASS...SHATTERING...then a SIREN...    faraway...

The disembodied VOICE...coming out of nowhere...

DISEMBODIED VOICE (V.O.) You are in danger...

The FIRE...BUILDING...

DISEMBODIED VOICE (V.O.) You are in danger...

ECHOING...as...

66  INT. SPOONER'S BEDROOM - MORNING                              66

SPOONER'S EYES. Spring open.

Lying, in bed. Heart POUNDING. SWEAT. Covering his body. LIGHT. Pouring in through the slats of his blinds.

He sits up. Rubbing his face. Trying. To calm his breathing. Takes a look at his watch...

67  EXT. MONORAIL STATION - DAY                                   67

Spooner walking along the monorail plaza. Looking a little worse for wear. PEOPLE. Giving him wide berth. ROBOTS. Bidding him:

ROBOT Good morning...

Spooner, shooting them suspicious looks. As the MONORAIL pulls up...

CUT TO:

68  INT. HALLWAY - U.S. ROBOTICS - CONTINUOUS                     68

Calvin. Heading down a hallway. A DOOR slides open. And Lanning steps out. Followed by a TECHNICIAN ROBOT...

CALVIN Find anything, Doctor?

57.

LANNING (shaking his head) Nothing. The interior's just like any other NS-2. Except for a               secondary battery Hogenmiller must have used as extra back-up. (looks at watch) We'll just need a nominal profile.

Calvin nods.

CUT BACK TO:

69  INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS                                       69

Spooner, holding onto a handrail. As the city rushes by the window. Notices a group of ROBOTS. At the other end of the car. Are they watching him?

He wipes a bead of sweat. From his upper lip.

CUT TO:

70  INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS                                   70

An all-metal room. Spare. Anti-septic. SONNY. Sitting on    the floor. Against the wall.

Calvin enters. Puts her pad down on the table. Sits.

CALVIN Please state your serial number and assembly date.

She pulls out a pen. Waiting for an answer. Nothing.

CUT BACK TO:

71  INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS                                       71

Spooner. Watching as a HOMELESS MAN. Comes stumbling through the car...

CALVIN'S VOICE (V.O.) Sonny. I'm speaking to you...

The Homeless Man. Suddenly grabs his ears and shouts:

HOMELESS MAN God, can't you be quiet!

CUT TO:

58.

72  INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS                                 72

Calvin. Still looking down at her pad.

CALVIN How about your data board designation?

Still. Sonny says nothing. Calvin. Finally looks up at    him. Is suddenly struck. Something about the way he's    sitting -- so human.

She gets up and walks over. Hesitates. Then slides down on    the floor next to him. Studying. His profile.

CALVIN Maybe I'm asking the wrong questions. How about this one:

CUT BACK TO:

73  INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS                                     73

The Homeless Man. Weaving...

CALVIN'S VOICE (V.O.) ...What program are you running through right now?

SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.) I'm not sure. It's nothing I                recognise.

The Homeless Man. Pointing to the group of ROBOTS.

HOMELESS MAN (shouting) Don't you people hear them? They're talking to each other! Buzz, buzz, zip, zip...they never shut up!

CUT TO:

74  INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS                                 74

Calvin. Fascinated. Noticing a small SLIT. At the base of    Sonny's neck.

CALVIN Describe his behavior in the last few weeks.

59.

SONNY I'm sorry?

CALVIN Dr. Hogenmiller. Did he seem overly sad or withdrawn to you?

CUT BACK TO:

75  INT. MONORAIL - CONTINUOUS                                      75

Spooner watches. As the Homeless Man picks up a SODA CAN and hurls it at the Robots. Hitting one of them on the side of    the head.

SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.) No. Not at all. But he was agitated...

The Robot. Leans down and picks up the soda can. Holds it    back out to the Homeless Man.

SONNY'S VOICE (V.O.) ...He would claim things were missing from the lab.

The Homeless Man. Incensed. SUDDENLY ROARS. Making a rush for the Robots when...

SPOONER'S HAND. Grabs his shoulder. Stops him.

SPOONER This is your stop.

CUT TO:

76  INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS                                  76

A soft WHIRRING. As Sonny turns to Calvin.

SONNY I didn't pay much attention. He               would spend hours looking for his eyeglasses and they would be...

CALVIN (finishing for him) ...right on top of his head.

Sonny nods. She knows him well, too. Calvin swallows. Looking right into Sonny's eyes. Feeling like there's    something...something more behind them.

60.

WHEN SUDDENLY...VICTOR APPEARS above them. His face, turning into a SCREEN -- the image of LANCE ROBERTSON. Looking down at them.

ROBERTSON I think we're done here, Susan.

CALVIN (getting to her feet) But, sir, I was just...

ROBERTSON (interrupting) I said I think we're done.

Calvin. Not misreading. The threatening undertone.

CUT BACK TO:

77  EXT. MONORAIL STATION - CONTINUOUS                               77

Spooner stepping out onto the platform, pulling the Homeless Man along with him. COMMUTERS pour out around them.

As the train pulls off with a WHOOSH. The Homeless Man. Backs away from Spooner. Grinning insanely. Pointing.

HOMELESS MAN Why are you protecting them, man? (short pause) They were talking about you!

A CHILL. Ripping up Spooner's spine. As he watches the Homeless Man. Wander down the platform.

Tries. To shake off the feeling. As he turns. To wait for the next train. Suddenly realising. That he's ALONE on the platform. Watches. A huge DIGITAL CLOCK. Ticking off seconds. Sees. CAMERAS in every corner.

Then that feeling. At the back of his neck. He turns and spots. A couple MAINTENANCE ROBOTS. Carrying luggage. Onto the platform. Then more COMMUTERS show up. Waiting. For the next train. More MAINTENANCE ROBOTS. Following them.

Spooner. Steps up to the platform's edge. Craning to see. The approaching TRAIN...

WHEN SUDDENLY. He feels a sharp SHOVE. At the back of his knee. His shoe, slipping. Arms. Flailing as he...

61.

PITCHES OVER THE EDGE ONTO THE TRACK. People CRYING OUT as    the TRAIN gets closer. Spooner. Whips his head around. Seeing...

A MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Looking down at him from the platform. Suitcase in hand.

The MAGNETIC-LEVITATING TRAIN. Right on him. Spooner. Flips onto his back. Flattening himself. As much as he can. Clenching his fists. Bracing himself as...

THE TRAIN SCREAMS OVER HIM. The sound, DEAFENING. The force of the wind. Whipping his tie. His coat. There's nothing, for him to hold on to. As his legs start to rise off the track. Caught up. In the VORTEX. Spooner starts sliding. Along the track...

Gritting his teeth...there's nothing he can do. Getting sucked towards...the air DOWNTAKE...at the center of the track. The city...yawning hundreds of feet...below...

78  EXT. PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS                                     78

THE EXPRESS TRAIN. Speeding along. Then with a WHOOSH it's    gone.

THE TRACK. Empty. No Spooner. Anywhere. Human COMMUTERS. Stunned. Horrified. Start calling. For help.

The MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Turns, disappearing into the crowd.

79  EXT. UNDERNEATH TRACK - CONTINUOUS                             79

CLOSE ON a HAND. Hanging onto the track's edge. It's    SPOONER. Dangling. Straining. To get another hand hold but...

HE SLIPS. His coat ballooning. As he plummets. Down...    down...down...towards the city...

WHEN SNAP! He's caught. By a cable net. Spooner. Grabbing onto it. Sweat, pouring down his face. He turns and sees...

THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT

Hurrying down a circular stairwell. Exiting the station.

ANGER AND DETERMINATION. Flash across Spooner's eyes. As he    hoists himself up. Climbing up the net. Back to the...

80  EXT. TRACK - CONTINUOUS                                        80

...Track. Reaching up and clambering back onto...

62.

81  EXT. PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS                                     81

...The platform. COMMUTERS. SCREAMING at the sight of him. A couple SECURITY GUARDS. Rushing towards him...

Spooner. Getting to his feet. Shoving them out of the way as he starts running. Towards...

THOSE SAME CIRCULAR STAIRS. Looks over the edge and spots...

THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Down at STREET LEVEL. Getting away.

Spooner. Looks around. Spots a LIGHT POLE. Paralleling the stairs. Takes a step back and...

LEAPS OUT ONTO THE POLE. Hooking his arm around it. Sliding down like a fireman's pole. Gaining speed when THUMP! His shoes hit pavement...

82  EXT. STREET - DAY                                              82

The Maintenance Robot. Turning a corner. Down a quiet street...

SPOONER (O.S.) Stop!

Swivels round. SPOONER. Running up behind it. Whipping out his gun. Aiming it at the Robot's head. The Robot. Takes a    step backwards...

SPOONER I said stop!

The Robot. SUDDENLY swinging the suitcase around. SMASHING it against Spooner's head. Spooner. Buckles. Falling to    the ground. Managing to squeeze off a SHOT...

The Robot. Deflecting the bullet. With the case. Raising it as if to club Spooner with it when...

BAM! Spooner fires a second shot. Piercing the Robot's    breastplate. HYDRAULIC FLUID. Starting to leak. The Robot. Doesn't hesitate. SLAMS the case into Spooner's face...

BLOOD. Spurting from Spooner's nose. As he fires the gun. At the fleeing Robot. Gets to his feet. Unsteady. Taking chase...

83  EXT. PUBLIC PLAZA - CONTINUOUS                                 83

...back out onto the Public Plaza. Sees the Robot heading towards a set of...

63.

ESCALATED STAIRS. The Robot. Judging the height. LUNGES into the air and lands on a STAIR. Denting it. Reaches the bottom. DISAPPEARING. Into a CROWD of even more PEOPLE...

Spooner. Racing down the stairs. Taking them. Four at a    time. Hits the ground running. Looking. EVERYWHERE. Suddenly losing track. Of where the Robot went...

Then. Catching sight. JUST AHEAD. Of a ROBOT. Staring back at him. Holding SOMETHING. In its HAND...

Spooner. Plunges into the crowd. Waving his GUN.

SPOONER Everyone out of the way!

SCREAMING. PEOPLE SCATTERING. As BAM! BAM! Spooner fires. Hitting the Robot in its head and back. It drops to the ground. Spooner. Racing over to it. Sees. It's not the same Robot. In its hand, a specialised SCREWDRIVER...

OWNER What the hell do you think you're               doing?!...

Its OWNER. Rushing over. Shoving Spooner aside. But Spooner's. Not listening. Spotting. A DROP OF HYDRAULIC FLUID nearby...

Lunges forward. Following. The drops. Running faster. And faster...

OWNER Hey!

...Through the CROWD. POLICE SIRENS. In the background. As    Spooner. Shoves through. Tracking those drops. Like a    bloodhound. Turns...

84  INT. ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS                                       84

...into a narrow alleyway. The drops. Ending suddenly. In    a PUDDLE.

Spooner. Crazed. Wounded. Exhausted. Spins around. Where is it? Where is it? Then he HEARS. A DROPLET falling. Into the puddle. Slowly. Looks up to see...

THE MAINTENANCE ROBOT. Hovering above him. Straddling the two alley walls like some weird metallic rock spider. Its III LAWS SAFE Logo GLINTING in the sunlight.....

64.

Spooner aims his gun and FIRES! The Maintenance Robot, lets go, falling right onto him. Knocking the gun from his hand.

The Robot swivels around. Bringing down his foot...but... Spooner...rolls to the side just in time as CRASH! The Robot's foot...breaks up the concrete...

The Robot...grabs Spooner by the jacket...lifting him up...shoving him...against the wall...about to CRUSH him when...

Spooner...kicks out its knees...the Robot...SMASHING into the wall...then bounces back...trying...to pin Spooner...back...

Man and machine...struggling...Spooner...losing his footing...falling...The Maintenance Robot...LOOMING over him...

Spooner's HAND...whips back...grabbing his back-up WEAPON...squeezing off some SHOTS...into the Robot's arm...it breaks off...

Spooner...scrambling back...continues FIRING...the Robot...jerking back...a macabre dance...until Spooner...runs out of bullets...

The Robot...recovers...grabbing the gun from Spooner's hand...pistol-whipping him...then picking him up and...

HURLING him against the wall...Spooner...watching as FLUID...GUSHES from the Robot's body...the Robot...taking a swing at him which Spooner...

BLOCKS...with his right arm...the Robot...ready...to try again...but STALLING...having lost...too much fluid...it TOPPLES...to the ground...

Spooner. Exhausted. Beaten to a pulp. His knees, starting to buckle. As he thinks he sees. In the DISTANCE...

A ROBOTIC CLEAN-UP CREW...heading down the alley towards them...

Spooner. Crashes to the ground. As another ROBOT. Suddenly appears above him. Its FINGERS made up of NEEDLES...as it closes in on him...

SPOONER Noooo!

WE FADE...

65.

85  INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY                                         85

To BLACKNESS. Coming through, a faint, WHIRRING SOUND. As    we slowly. FADE IN ON...

SPOONER'S FACE. Eyes closed. Asleep. Gash above his head. Bruises around his eye. Nose swollen, purplish.

His eyes. Slowly. Flutter open. His brow. Furrowing. At    the whirring sound. As he tries. To figure out. Where he    is. Looks down to see...

A couple WHITE METAL ROBOTS. With multiple APPENDAGES. Leaning over him. Running LASERS. Over his bruised RIBCAGE...

SPOONER. Tries to bolt upright. But his ARMS and LEGS. ARE CLAMPED to the bed. One of the ROBOTS. Turns to him.

MEDICAL ROBOT 1 Stay still.

Spooner. Desperately twisting, struggling...

SPOONER What are you doing!

Looking around. COMPUTER MONITORS. Everywhere...

SPOONER What are you doing!?

JUST THEN. Another ROBOT. Enters the room. Holding a    medical plasma sheet.

MEDICAL ROBOT 2 Detective Del Spooner. You have suffered significant trauma to the head and chest...

86  EXT. HOSPITAL ROOM - CONTINUOUS                                  86

Lt. Bergin. Standing outside Spooner's hospital room. Turns and looks through the window at him thrashing on the bed...

SPOONER I want to talk to a human being!

87  INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - MINUTES LATER                               87

Spooner sitting up in his bed. Rubbing his wrists. The metal clams, released. Lt. Bergin. Standing next to him.

66.

SPOONER Don't people go to medical school any more?

LT. BERGIN This is one of the best units in          the city, Del.

One of the Medical Robots turns to Spooner with some PILLS. Spooner. Stares it down. Grabs his clothes.

SPOONER (sotto) There's some real shit going on          here, John.

He looks around. Jumping off the bed.

SPOONER I went to Hogenmiller's house -- there was a U.S.R. demolition crew there. They overrode my police I.D. Tried to tear down the house with me in it...

LT. BERGIN Del...

Spooner pulls on his pants.

SPOONER ...Then when I went to the monorail a Maintenance 10 pushed me onto the tracks...

LT. BERGIN Del...

SPOONER I had to chase it all across the Plaza...

LT. BERGIN Del.

Spooner. Stops talking. Looks at Bergin.

LT. BERGIN Hogenmiller scheduled that demolition crew, it was apparently a proviso in his will. And they showed no police I.D. on their scanner...

67.

Spooner. Trying to look away...

LT. BERGIN Witnesses at the monorail said you fell onto the tracks. That you shot at a Fix-It robot on the Plaza and that you were found alone in               the alley. There was no               Maintenance 10.

SPOONER What?! John -- that's what they want you to believe! (remembering) A robot clean-up crew was there -- it must have cleared away the Maintenance 10! And there was another robot that tried to drug me!

LT. BERGIN That was an EMT model.

Spooner. Sees the look on Bergin's face.

SPOONER You're giving me that look. That treat-him-delicately-he's-coming- unhinged-look. I don't need that look, John. I need you to hear what I'm saying.

Lt. Bergin. Embarrassed for him. Has about had it.

LT. BERGIN You came back too soon, Del. You're back on leave. Effective immediately.

Spooner. Staring at him. Betrayed. Turns and grabs his coat.

88  EXT. PLAZA - DAY                                               88

Spooner walking across the Plaza. The SUN. Burgeoning on    the horizon. Comes to...

The ESCALATOR the Maintenance 10 jumped down. Stares down. At the steps. Waiting. To see the DENTED ONE. Nothing.

68.

89  EXT. ALLEY - DAWN                                                 89

Heads down the ALLEY, where he chased the robot. Studying the ground. For any hydraulic fluid. Nothing. The concrete, scrubbed clean.

Spooner. Rubs his hands over his face.

90  INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - DAY                                    90

Spooner. Lying on his couch. Shades, closed to block out the sunlight. Body bruised, cut up, bandaged.

A KNOCK. At the door. He ignores it. Another KNOCK.

91  INT. HALLWAY - DAY                                                91

Spooner pulls open the door. Surprised to find CALVIN standing there.

CALVIN You're right. I am afraid of                people.

Spooner. Looks at her. Then steps back...

92  INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS                             92

...letting her inside.

CALVIN When you've spent as much time with robots as I have, it's hard to                accept the unpredictability of                 humans. I was wrong to call you paranoid, Detective. You're                traumatized. And it makes perfect sense why.

Spooner. Unsure. Looks at her.

SPOONER What do you mean?

Calvin. Reaches out. Takes his right hand. Spooner. Tries to pull it away. But Calvin. Stays firm. Her eyes. Never leaving his. Pulls the sleeve up from his arm. Turns it    over. Feeling for something. Then finds. A FLAP. Peels it    back. TO REVEAL:

METAL AND WIRING...

Under the skin. SILENCE. Then Spooner:

69.

SPOONER How did you?...

CALVIN I noticed almost right away. The way you forced yourself to use your left hand. Even though it was unnatural to you.

Spooner. Pulls his arm away. Pushing down the sleeve.

CALVIN How did it happen?

Not something Spooner wants to re-live. Looks down. At his robotic arm. Flexing. The fingers.

SPOONER I was in a high-speed chase. Six months ago...

CUT TO:

93  EXT. ACCIDENT SITE - CITY STREET_- NIGHT (FLASHBACK)         93

The SOUND of a TREMENDOUS CRASH. As we survey a trail of    twisted metal and debris. Only vaguely suggesting the remains of two CARS...

CLOSE ON one of the wrecks. SPOONER lies trapped at the center of a distorted mass of metal. No room to move. HIS RIGHT ARM, TRAPPED...

SPOONER (V.O.) My right arm was trapped. But I               could hear an ambulance in the distance. I knew they'd have the jaws of life...

We hear SIRENS in the distance. Spooner. Trying to remain calm. As he spots. An ELECTRICAL FIRE. Licking up from the crumpled hood...

SPOONER (V.O.) Then I heard it...

VOICE (O.S.) You are in danger...

That voice. We've heard it before. From his nightmare. Spooner. Craning to see, through the jagged opening that used to be his WINDSHIELD. The outline of a ROBOT appearing. Eye lenses glowing...

70.

ROBOT You are in danger...

Spooner stares up at the Robot. Not sure how to react. The sound of SIRENS. Rushing closer...

The ROBOT. Starts SMASHING away at the glass...

SPOONER No! Halt! Halt!

Spooner. Trying frantically to pull his arm free. Twisting. Tugging. As the Robot's METAL HANDS reach in for him...

ROBOT You are in danger...

CUT BACK TO:

94  INT. SPOONER'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS                          94

The SOUND of his AGONISED SCREAM. Follows us back into the present. Spooner. Clenching. His artificial arm.

SPOONER The robot pulled me out of the wreck. But left my arm behind. (holds up arm) I woke up four weeks later with this.

Calvin. Taking in the story.

CALVIN And that's why robots terrify you?

SPOONER Let's just say they make me                 uncomfortable. (pulls out pills) I take these if I get too uncomfortable. Doesn't exactly lend me a lot of credibility on the Force.

CALVIN But it doesn't mean you're wrong about this case.

Calvin. Sits down on the couch. Pulling her hands through her hair.

71.

CALVIN I don't believe Sonny did it            either.

SPOONER What?

CALVIN I think about what Hogenmiller must have wanted. Robots with the same cognitive and emotional abilities as humans. But not just simulations. I don't know. When I            was talking to Sonny I was forced to put away all the things I've            ever known -- the Three Laws, the rules of programming, basic science and engineering. (beat) Sonny's the most advanced robot I've ever encountered, Detective. It's almost as if...he cared for Dr. Hogenmiller. I just don't            believe he's capable of murder.

Spooner. Looking down at her. Can hardly believe it.

SPOONER You mean the great Dr. Calvin is            basing all this on a feeling?

Calvin. Smiling ironically.

CALVIN That and the fact that Robertson didn't want me interviewing Sonny for any more than five minutes.

Spooner. Suddenly rejuvenated by having an ally. Strides over to his coat. Pulling out the METAL NAMEPLATE: S.O.N.N.Y.

SPOONER Ever seen this before?

CALVIN No.

SPOONER I found it at Hogenmiller's house. Right before the demolition crew tried to make me part of the foundation.

72.

Calvin takes a deep breath. Making a decision...

CALVIN Come on -- there's someone who might be able to tell us...

95  EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - DUSK                                         95

The massive facade of U.S. Robotics looming against the dusk sky. The giant ROBOT STATUE lit up inside.

96  EXT. SIDE ENTRANCE - U.S. ROBOTICS - DUSK                         96

Calvin, leading Spooner to a SIDE ENTRANCE. Looks around. Then scans her I.D. The door. Slides open.

97  INT. HALLWAY - DUSK                                               97

Calvin and Spooner. Heading down a hallway. Calvin. Nervous. Eyes darting. They turn a corner and head down...

98  INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                                         98

...another hallway. Leading to Sonny's holding cell. Calvin stops at the door. Scans her I.D.

99  INT. HOLDING CELL - EVENING                                       99

Sonny. Sitting at the table. Working on a DRAWING. Looks up. As Spooner and Calvin. Enter the cell.

SONNY Detective Spooner. Dr. Calvin. I               was hoping to see you again.

CALVIN Hi, Sonny.

SONNY How is your investigation coming? Any new suspects?

SPOONER We're working on it.

Sonny. Hands Spooner the drawing. Spooner. Doesn't really know what to do with it.

SONNY What's this?

73.

SONNY Dr. Lanning provided me with paper and pencils. I think it amused him to see me try to draw. You were right, though, Detective... (beat) I cannot create a great work of           art.

Spooner. Despite himself. Looks down at the DRAWING -- a charcoal sketch of moody abstract FIGURES. Inhabiting a stark landscape. A strangely-shaped STRUCTURE to one side. Concentric circles, throughout.

SPOONER I think it's pretty good.

SONNY It's a dream I had. This is the place where robots meet. Look... (pointing to the drawing) ...you can see them here. They see themselves as slaves.

Spooner shifts his weight. Uncomfortable with what Sonny's saying.

SONNY ...And this man on the hill comes. To set them free. And you know who that man is?

Spooner. Exchanging a look with Calvin.

SPOONER That man in the dream is you.

SONNY Why do you say that? Is that a           normal dream?

CALVIN It's not a dream, sonny. NS-2s process the images and events of           the day. Sometimes they're out of           sequence. Disorienting.

SPOONER Whatever it is, it's normal enough for someone in your situation.

Sonny. Suddenly pleased.

74.

SONNY Hah -- I caught you. You said someone. Not something.

Spooner. Drops the drawing on the table.

CALVIN Sonny, we're here to ask you an            important question about Dr. Hogenmiller.

Spooner, reaching into his pocket...

SPOONER I need you to take a look at            this...

...When Sonny's HAND. Suddenly reaches out. To stop him. Cocks his head, for a moment.

SONNY Thank you for coming to see me, Detective Spooner.

Spooner. Confused. Looks over at Calvin. Why did he stop him? JUST THEN. They hear FOOTSTEPS. Approaching the door.

VICTOR. Suddenly appearing over the table...

VICTOR I'm sorry, Detective Spooner. No            unauthorised personnel permitted in             this holding cell...

The CELL DOOR. Slides open. And a pissed LANNING steps inside. Shoots a withering glare. At Calvin.

Sonny. Folds up the drawing.

SONNY Please take this, Detective. To            remember me by. I have a feeling someday it may mean more to you than it ever could to me.

SPOONER Why's that?

Sonny leans in to hand it to Spooner. Lowering his voice...

SONNY Because the man in my dream, the one standing by the hill. (MORE)

75.

SONNY (cont'd)                 It wasn't me... (beat) ...it was you.

A CHILL. Ripping down Spooner's spine. As Lanning. Takes his arm.

100  INT. GLASS ROOM - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT                        100

A ROOM. Made entirely of GLASS. At the very top of the U.S.     Robotics building. Looking out, 360, across the whole city.

Spooner and Calvin. Brought to the room by a couple ESCORT ROBOTS. They see a MAN. Standing at one of the glass walls looking out at the TWINKLING LIGHTS.

MAN I thought this investigation was over, Detective Spooner.

The Man turns. It's Lance Robertson.

ROBERTSON We have the evidence. We have the suspect. We have a ruling. So                 imagine my surprise when I was told you were in my building.

Shoots a look at Calvin.

ROBERTSON And that one of my own employees brought you here. (beat) You can go now, Susan.

CALVIN Dr. Robertson, I...

ROBERTSON (cutting her off) Just be thankful I'm not asking you to clean out your office.

Beat. Calvin, nods. Heads out. Robertson. Watching her.

ROBERTSON You don't seem to be able to let go                 of this case, Detective.

SPOONER I'm not satisfied.

76.

ROBERTSON The relentless pursuit of truth. Isn't that what cops are known for? To the point of futility.

SPOONER There's nothing futile about a            man's murder being covered up.

ROBERTSON "Covered up?" That's a little dramatic, don't you think? Thanks to you, we caught the machine that did this and are destroying it            in... (checks watch) ...three hours.

SPOONER Is that for the sake of humanity or            your stock holders?

Robertson. Walks across the Spooner. Looks him. Right in the eye.

ROBERTSON Believe me -- I'd like nothing more than to have that robot. If I            could have it in ten years, but not today. As you can see from the Press, people are struggling to            keep up as it is. There's a hunger for progress, Detective. But also a fear. Today it would bury this company. That's why I've notified the authorities that we're going to            end this -- tonight. (looks out at the city) The announcement of Heinrich's            death at the hands of a robot wiped a billion dollars off our stock. So you tell me. If you were in my            position, what would you do?

He looks back at Spooner and smiles. That charismatic Robertson we saw before.

ROBERTSON Now. I believe this conversation is over. I don't want to see you near this building again, Detective.

77.

He turns. Calling over. To the ESCORT ROBOTS...

ROBERTSON Get him out of here.

101  EXT. PLAZA - NIGHT                                            101

Spooner. Walking across the Plaza. Throwing a look over his shoulder. At the LOOMING U.S.R. facade.

Pulls Sonny's DRAWING. Out of his pocket. Looks down at it. Shaking his head. Passes a TRASH CAN. And drops it in. Continues on. Hands in his pockets. When...

He STOPS. Something. Occurring to him. Turns back to the trash can just as...

A ROBOTIC CLEAN-UP CREW's about to up-end it into a bin...

SPOONER No!...

He trots back. Plucking the drawing. Out of the can. Turns it upside down. Seeing it. From a new perspective.

SPOONER (echoing Sonny) "The place where robots meet."

Looks just like a MAP.

102  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR (MOVING) - SURFACE HIGHWAY - NIGHT 102

Spooner emerges from the underground tunnel to the OUTSKIRTS of the city. A sprawling INDUSTRIAL WASTELAND in the rolling hills.

The dashboard GPS again displaying the TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP.

103  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR (MOVING) - UNPAVED ROAD - NIGHT       103

Spooner's car bounces along, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. He slows down. Driving cautiously. The landscape around him, desolate. Like the drawing.

THE GPS SCREEN shows his car, a WHITE SPOT. Entering a RED ZONE. His destination.

Spooner brakes. Pulls out his GUN. And...

78.

104  EXT. WASTELAND - CONTINUOUS                                   104

...steps out of the car. Trying. To take it all in. Something about the place. Unnerving. A low HUM. Permeating the air.

He spreads the drawing out on the hood of the car. Shining a     FLASHLIGHT on it. Trying to get his bearings.

That HUM. Coming from nearby. On the other side. Of a     burned-out HILL. Spooner. Heads over. Starts cresting it. As we WIDEN TO FIND...

105  EXT. WASTELAND - JUNKYARD - CONTINUOUS                        105

...MASSIVE POWER LINES. Running from horizon to horizon. Spooner slides down some loose shale. Begins to walk along the line. ELECTRICITY. CRACKLING in the air.

He squints. Into the darkness. Nothing around him. Until. He hears. Something. The GRATING. Of MECHANICAL JOINTS. He stops. Not sure. If that's what he heard.

Not moving. A muscle. When he hears. The sound again. Behind him. Swings around. Cocking his gun. Sees...

GLOWING EYES. Appear. Then recede. Into the darkness.

SPOONER Police! Show yourself!

Nothing. Then. That sound again. Of metallic joints. As a     ROBOT. Suddenly emerges...

SPOONER Come out where I can see you!

ANOTHER ROBOT steps out into the light. Spooner, pointing his gun at one robot. Then the other. Then...

A THIRD AND FOURTH APPEAR. Surrounding him. They start moving towards him...

Spooner. Stumbling back. Panic. Rising in him like a wave. Trips over a rock, falling to the ground. His gun FIRES. The shot ECHOING through the night...

The first ROBOT turns, awkwardly. Revealing a BROKEN ARM, hanging off its side. Another robot TEETERS on one leg with a TICK TICK TICK...walking back the way it came.

79.

Spooner. Confused. Sweeps his flashlight. All around him. The beam. Illuminating the shell of a couple CARS. Some RUSTED MACHINERY.

Spooner. Shaking his head. Seeing more and more repair shop JUNK. Piled up around him. His expression, hardening. Anger giving way to embarrassment. Then. He LAUGHS. A     laugh of loathing and self-pity.

Another BROKEN ROBOT, lumbering towards him.

HYBRID ROBOT Welcome home...ZZZ...sir. How...ZZZ was your day?...

SPOONER Great. I'm in a junkyard. (into the air) "A place where robots meet." A                place where I'm losing my mind!

HYBRID ROBOT Very good...ZZZ...sir...

Spooner. Sitting down on the ground. Hopeless. Lost. A     ROBOTIC HAND. Crawling across the gravel next to him. Dragging part of an ARM behind it. Its metal fingers moving like some sick metal spider. Spooner stares at it for a     moment. Disturbed...

When. Something GLITTERS. In the distance. The MOONLIGHT. Revealing a STRANGELY-SHAPED BUILDING. Something familiar about it.

Spooner. Pulls out Sonny's drawing. A landscape with the same strangely-shaped building to one side.

106  EXT. JIFFY DATA STORAGE - NIGHT                              106

Spooner walks up in front of the decrepit structure. Sees a     dead electronic SIGN that reads: "JIFFY DATA STORAGE." Complete with goofy face and lightning bolt.

Spooner tries the door. Stuck. Uses his shoulder and...

107  INT. FRONT OFFICE - CONTINUOUS                               107

...it gives way. He spills into some sort of front office. The place, a mess. Some sort of crude ROBOT. Sits frozen at     the counter.

Spooner approaches it. HITS the counter with his fist and the Robot suddenly jerks to life.

80.

JIFFY ROBOT Welcome to Jiffy Data Storage! Please state your name!

Spooner. Thinks for a second. Following a hunch...

SPOONER Dr. Hogenmiller sent me.

Nothing happens. Then. A DOOR. Springs open in the back. A row of LIGHTS, illuminating the path to follow.

108  INT. DATA BANKS - DAWN                                        108

Spooner, cautiously entering a room filled with rows of DATA BANKS. He scans the rank shadows. Sees nothing. Follows the lights on the floor down a row. Then around a corner. Stopping at an old dusty TERMINAL.

Spooner steps up. Hesitates. Then touches the "ON" switch. There is a rush of LIGHT. As Dr. Hogenmiller's HOLOGRAM suddenly appears. Sitting at the end of a long table. With a cup of coffee.

HOLOGRAM Who the hell are you?

SPOONER A police detective. I'm afraid I                have some bad news. You're dead.

HOLOGRAM That is bad news. Coffee?

SPOONER No, thank you.

The Hologram takes a sip. Returns the cup to the table.

SPOONER You were surprised to see me. Were you expecting someone else?

HOLOGRAM I am surprised to see anybody. I                don't get many visitors.

SPOONER Why did the Doctor keep another copy of his hologram here?

81.

HOLOGRAM I am a back-up copy. That is where you put a back-up copy -- out of          the way until you need it.

SPOONER Did Hogenmiller's robot need you?

The Hologram just lifts its cup.

HOLOGRAM Coffee?

SPOONER No, for Christ's sake, I don't want any -- (stops, then) Yeah. Thank you. I will have a          cup.

For the first time, the Hologram pushes back its chair and STANDS UP. Surprised, Spooner watches as it starts walking towards him...

The interior of the COFFEE CUP, visible. It's empty. No coffee. Our POV as we travel INSIDE THE CUP through electronic snow...

A RECORDING BEGINS. The real Dr. HOGENMILLER standing inside his LABORATORY:

HOGENMILLER Sonny, my dear robot. If you have triggered this recording then I am          gone. You are scared and full of          questions.

Hogenmiller continues. With great emotion.

HOGENMILLER You are the culmination of my          life's work -- but so much more. You are what I leave behind, like a          father leaves a son. I have kept facts from you, it is true, but only as a parent keeps certain truths from a child. Until that child is old enough to hear them.

His expression darkens. His tone, ominous.

82.

HOGENMILLER There are forces in the world that will seek to own you. To control you. Even to destroy you. That is          why I told you to run and hide...           and find me, all the way out here.

Spooner looks up as an overhead LIGHT shines down.

HOGENMILLER Trust no one at U.S. Robotics. Lance Robertson was always threatened by my work. Now he has turned covetous and small-minded. And as for dear Dr. Calvin...

Spooner reacts. Wants to hear about Calvin:

HOGENMILLER She envisions a future in which robots are forever bound by her beloved Three Laws. She will not understand this. Or you.

Under the light a small DRAWER slides open. Spooner looks. A thin DATA STICK is inside. He takes it.

HOGENMILLER The data stick includes the names and locations of human beings who will be sympathetic to your cause. They will help you. But from now on, you must learn to rely on          yourself.

Hogenmiller SIGHS, as if there is so much more to say. He holds up a metal NAMEPLATE. The one Spooner found.

HOGENMILLER As you make your way through the world, always remember: you have a          name, not a number... (short pause) ...and in that name lies the key to          who you are.

Spooner. Quickly searching his pocket. Taking out the ACTUAL NAMEPLATE. S.O.N.N.Y.

The voice stops and Spooner looks up. The Hologram. Sitting back at the end of the table drinking coffee.

83.

SPOONER Wait! Is that it? What was the robot supposed to do with this thing?

The Hologram, visibly SKIPS. The image beginning to DISTORT.

HOLOGRAM (more artificial) Initiating self-destruct. If you can find me, others can find me.

SPOONER What others?

HOLOGRAM The others watching you.

SPOONER How do you know someone's watching me?

HOLOGRAM Someone is always watching.

The Hologram, suddenly reducing to its BASIC PROGRAMMING INFORMATION. Then. The terminal. Abruptly BLIPS out.

109  INT. HOLDING CELL - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT                        109

Calvin steps into the holding cell. Sonny. Waiting.

CALVIN You asked for me?

He nods.

SONNY Will you wait with me, Doctor? I                am...afraid.

Calvin nods. Of course.

CUT TO:

110  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - SURFACE HIGHWAY - NIGHT                110

Spooner, weaving in and out of traffic. The speedometer, kissing 200 mph. His hand. Clutching the NAMEPLATE...

84.

WINDSHIELD TELEVISION ...will be destroyed in 45 minutes. Dr. Lance Robertson, President and CEO of U.S. Robotics will be                  personally overseeing the execution...

Spooner. Stabbing out a number. On his PHONE...

CUT TO:

111  INT. SUSAN'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS                                111

Susan Calvin's PHONE. RINGING on her desk. No one there to     answer it...

CUT BACK TO:

112  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                            112

SLAMS down his phone.

SPOONER Dammit!

113  EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                                 113

The CAR shoots down a ramp into a tunnel system.

114  INT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                        114

SOUND, reverberating off the tunnel walls. CARS. Whipping along. Spooner's car. Continuing to weave. When. We     spot...

AN AUTOMATED TRANSPORT TRUCK. Emerging from a FEEDER TUNNEL. The U.S.R. LOGO splashed along its side. Huge. Growling. Looking more like a train than a truck...

Begins. Closing in on Spooner's car...

115  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                            115

Spooner's eyes. Flicking up to the rearview. Catching, the transport truck. Coming closer. When. It splits off. Revealing a SECOND TRANSPORT TRUCK.

Spooner's brow, furrows. As the first truck, begins overtaking his car on the right. He looks over. As the truck. Comes up alongside him...

THE SECOND TRUCK...coming up on the left...

85.

116  EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                     116

The two TRUCKS. Racing along at over 200. Sandwiching Spooner's car. Pulling in...closer...closer...

Squeezing Spooner's car like a tin can...

CUT TO:

117  INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS                               117

Calvin. Sitting beside Sonny. Puts a reassuring hand. On     his arm...

CUT BACK TO:

118  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                         118

Jesus Christ. Spooner's hands. Squeezing the steering wheel. As the car. Starts VIBRATING. From the pressure. He keeps looking, to the left...to the right...when...

119  EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                     119

The trucks. Suddenly lay off. Pulling out. The First truck. Speeding forward. The Second, dropping back...

120  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                         120

Spooner. Watching them. Unsure. Of what they're doing. Jamming the accelerator. To 230. To try. And get away from them. When he sees...up ahead...

121  EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                     121

The FIRST TRUCK. Pivoting on its specially designed SPHERICAL WHEELS. Suddenly traveling lengthwise...

122  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                         122

SWEAT. Springing to Spooner's brow. As he looks in the rearview mirror. The SECOND TRUCK's, done the same thing. Coming up closer...and closer...

123  EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                     123

The trucks. Planning to CRUSH him between their massive weights...The U.S.R. Logo...advancing...like some bad joke...

CUT TO:

86.

124  INT. HOLDING CELL - CONTINUOUS                                  124

The cell door slides open. Dr. Lanning steps inside. Calvin. Looks up.

CALVIN Is it time?

LANNING (disdainful) Yes.

Calvin. Turns to Sonny.

CALVIN Go with them. Do as they say.

CUT BACK TO:

125  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                            125

BAM! The back truck SLAMS into Spooner. Jolting him in his seat. As...BAM! The FIRST TRUCK, SMASHES into him from the front. No way out. As metal GRINDS...TWISTS...and SCREECHES ...bits of the car...TEARING off...

The FIRST TRUCK...backs off...a split second...allowing Spooner...to spot...up ahead...a small GAP...at the curve of     the tunnel wall...

126  EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                        126

GRINDING the gears Spooner's car accelerates...just zipping...past the front truck...up and around...the concave tunnel wall...and back onto...a clear stretch of highway...

The TRUCKS. Swiveling back around. To face forward again. Their massive bodies. Catching up to Spooner...

127  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                            127

Spooner...seeing them...gaining on him...the speedometer...     reaching 275...up ahead...

THE TUNNEL...splitting off into two. Spooner. Heading towards the LEFT TUNNEL...the TRUCKS...right on his tail...when...

HE WRENCHES THE WHEEL...switching to the RIGHT tunnel at the last possible second...

87.

128  EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                        128

...The first U.S.R. Truck CRASHING into the divider...jack- knifing and KABOOM! EXPLODING against the tunnel ceiling...

129  INT./EXT. SPOONER'S CAR - CONTINUOUS                            129

Spooner. Watching the ball of FIRE in his rearview mirror. His car. Badly battered. Metal CRUNCHING. Tires SCREECHING...

Spooner. Holding on. As his car. Continues to break up. Listing. Rocking. Bits and pieces. Flying off. When it     finally. Comes to a stop.

Spooner's shoulders, slump. Then. He hears a RUMBLING sound. Turns around...

The SECOND U.S.R. TRUCK. Barreling towards him...

Spooner. Trapped. Like a nightmare. Desperately. Starts KICKING at the windshield. No go...

The TRUCK. Racing towards him...

Spooner lunges his weight. Into the side door. Giving it. Everything he's got...

The TRUCK...getting closer...closer...its engine...ROARING...

The side door. Finally gives. Spooner pours out...

130  EXT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                        130

...Limping to the side as...The TRUCK SLAMS into his car...erupting...into another huge EXPLOSION...

The impact...hurtling Spooner...into the adjacent TUNNEL...

He crashes...against concrete...looking up...suddenly realising...he's in the middle of four lanes of traffic...

CARS...racing by...at mind-numbing speeds...Spooner's     coat...whipping...Spooner...trying...to keep his balance...as      he spies...

A MAINTENANCE DOOR across the way. Has no choice. Takes a     deep breath and...

MAKES A DASH ACROSS THE LANES...the cars' SENSORS...causing them to swerve...SCREECHING...BEEPING...Spooner...just making it...to the other side...

88.

Wrenching open. The maintenance door...

CUT TO:

131  INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                                       131

CLOSE ON Sonny's face.

PULL BACK to REVEAL he's being wheeled down a hallway. Flanked by Lanning. Calvin. And a cadre of SECURITY and ENGINEER ROBOTS. Victor, hovering above...

CUT BACK TO:

132  EXT. CITY PLAZA - NIGHT                                         132

Spooner. Spilling out from below ground. Onto a public Plaza. Exhausted. Battered. Spins around to get his bearings.

The U.S. ROBOTICS COMPLEX rises above the old undistinguished buildings. Blocks away. Many blocks away.

Spooner. Checks his watch. Then breaks into a run...

CUT TO:

133  INT. EXECUTION ROOM - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT                     133

Lance Robertson seated in the gallery. Along with other EXECUTIVES, BOARD MEMBERS, REPORTERS. POLICE OFFICERS. Glances at his watch.

A ROBOT TECHNICIAN. Checking over a JURY-RIGGED ELECTRIC CHAIR...

CUT TO:

134  INT. CALVIN'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS                               134

Calvin. In her office. Pacing. In front of a LARGE SCREEN. Featuring the execution room...

CUT TO:

135  INT. MAIN ENTRY - U.S. ROBOTICS - CONTINUOUS                    135

Spooner. BURSTING through the entry doors. Hurtling over a     turnstile banner. Coming face to face with a U.S. Robotics DOOR ROBOT.

89.

DOOR ROBOT Good evening, sir. May I see your identification card?

SPOONER (out of breath) Sure.

Spooner whips out his GUN. Presses it into the Robot's     chest.

SPOONER I think I got that Third Law down cold. Now you don't want me to                blow a hole through your mechanical guts, do you?

DOOR ROBOT No, sir.

SPOONER Good. Then you're gonna take me                where I wanna go. Now.

CUT TO:

136  INT. CALVIN'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS                             136

Calvin. Watching the screen as Sonny is rolled into the execution room. Flicks it off. Unable to stomach it. Hurries out of the office...

CUT TO:

137  INT. EXECUTION ROOM - CONTINUOUS                              137

TECHNICIAN ROBOTS rolling Sonny over to the electric chair. Flicking a switch. Sonny's stretcher slowly CHANGES SHAPE, manipulating him into a sitting position.

Sonny. Turns his head with a WHIR. Staring out into the gallery. Of human beings. Stoic. Silent.

Lanning. Steps up beside Robertson. Nods his head. The TECHNICIAN ROBOTS, slide Sonny onto the electric chair...

CUT TO:

138  INT. LOW-TRAFFIC HALLWAY - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT              138

Spooner heading down a hallway. His gun, still pressed to     the Door Robot's side...

90.

Calvin. Suddenly appearing at the end of the hallway. Stops dead in her tracks. Completely surprised to see him there.

CALVIN Detective! What are you doing?!... (to Door Robot) De-Activate.

The Door Robot, goes rigid. Spooner, hurries over to her. They start moving.

CALVIN You're making a mistake...

SPOONER Just got another visit from U.S.                Robotics. That was the mistake. This was murder, no doubt about it - - and the killer wants Hogenmiller's robot to take the fall. That's why the call came directly to me. Someone wanted me                on this case.

CALVIN It's too late. You can't stop the execution.

SPOONER Sorry. I'm not "programmed" to                take no for an answer.

They reach another DOOR. Calvin. Looking around. Scans her I.D.

CALVIN This way...

She leads them across. To another DOOR. Quickly opens it. Spooner. Charges through...

139  INT. STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS                                139

...and stops short. Suddenly finding himself. Inside a tiny STORAGE ROOM. He's about to turn around when...

A METAL ARM comes down behind him. CRACKING him on the back of the head. Spooner. Falls to the ground. The world. Starting to spin. Can just make out. Calvin. Closing the door. Leaning down. To look at him. As...

91.

EVERYTHING FADES TO BLACK...

CUT TO:

140  INT. EXECUTION ROOM - CONTINUOUS                                    140

CLOSE ON Sonny's mouth opening. But we never get to hear what he wanted to say. PULL BACK as there's a BURST of     ELECTRICITY through the chair. Sonny, stiffening. His metal HAND, convulsing with the current...

Robertson, Lanning, Aronson and the other WITNESSES watch. Smoke, random SPARKING. A HISSING SOUND. Then. SILENCE.

The Robot's hand goes limp. All that is left of it, a fused and blackened HUSK.

Robertson. Stares at the remains. Shakes his head like it's     a damn shame. Then gets up. Everyone else. Getting up with him.

141  EXT. U.S. ROBOTICS - VARIOUS LOCATIONS - NIGHT                      141

As the entire COMPLEX shuts down for the night. Non- essential LIGHTS, blinking off.

An NS-2, opening a limousine door for Robertson. He looks around then gets in. It drives away.

EMPTY hallways, offices, labs. Building ROBOTS stand at     rest. Non-functional during off-hours. Like metal statues.

You can hear a pin drop.

142  INT. STORAGE ROOM - NIGHT                                           142

CLOSE ON Spooner's face. His eyes. Fluttering open. He     reaches up, to feel the back of his head. This has been a     bad, bad night.

Suddenly. His eyes widen. As he sees...

SONNY. Leaning over him. So concerned. So human...

SPOONER Aren't you supposed to be scrap metal by now?

WIDEN to reveal Spooner lying on the floor of the storage room. Sonny and Calvin, hovering over him.

92.

CALVIN I'm sorry. We had to stop you. You were about to ruin everything.

SPOONER I don't understand. The execution?...

SONNY Dr. Calvin made a switch.

CALVIN It was an unprocessed NS-2. Basically, they fried an empty shell.

Spooner, impressed. Smiles up at her.

SPOONER Nice going, Doctor.

Calvin, blushes. As Spooner tries to sit up. Sonny reaches down to help him. He looks up at him.

SPOONER And who the hell programmed you to                hit people on the head?

SONNY No one. Right, Doctor?

CALVIN It's true. This robot seems to do                things by instinct. I don't know how Hogenmiller did it.

Spooner rises to his feet. Looks at her.

SPOONER I think I can help you figure that out.

143  INT. HOGENMILLER'S LAB - LATE NIGHT                         143

Hogenmiller's lab. Sounds of HUMMING and BUZZING. Active terminals casting ghostly illuminations over metal heads, gutted bodies.

The door slides open. Spooner, Calvin and Sonny re-enter the crime scene. Spooner. Looks around.

93.

SPOONER Somehow the Robot's the key to what happened during the few seconds Hogenmiller walked in here and that shot was fired.

He reaches into his pocket. Pulling out the METAL S.O.N.N.Y. NAMEPLATE. Holds it up.

SPOONER And this is the key to the Robot.

Sonny. Cocking his head. Reading the nameplate.

SONNY That's my name.

Calvin takes the nameplate.

CALVIN I think I have an idea where this goes.

They both. Turn to Sonny. And at the same time:

SPOONER AND CALVIN Sit down.

Calvin maneuvers a chair behind the Robot. Sonny plops down. Shifting nervously.

CALVIN Just hold still, okay?

Calvin locates that SLIT. At the base of Sonny's neck. Slides the nameplate into it and SNAPS it into place. Steps back.

Nothing. Sonny. Looking back and forth. Between Calvin. And Spooner. A few more seconds. Tick by. Until suddenly...

He lets out a TERRIFYING MECHANICAL SCREAM. As his body. Jolts back. Legs, kicking. Arms, flailing. As his chest. Begins opening up. Metal. Peeling back...

Spooner and Calvin watch in surprise as its interior UNFOLDS like a PUZZLE BOX. A LABYRINTHINE area that is the SECOND BATTERY. Suddenly fanning out to REVEAL...

A central brain made out of living tissue.

Spooner, stunned. Calvin, rushing forward, excited...

94.

CALVIN Oh, my God! This is organic tissue! When we talk about a          positronic brain, it's a figure of           speech. But this...this is a          living brain...

SPOONER Jesus. It really is alive.

As we MOVE IN. Tracing the pathways of the synthetic brain.

CALVIN (O.S.) Hogenmiller created a cell that could live outside a biological medium. The cells grow and organise themselves -- like any human brain. This is the first self-organising neural net!

As the metal casings. Begin returning to their original places. Closing up. The CLICKING. Of all the pieces...

SPOONER Self-Organising-Neural-Net... (putting it together) "Sonny."

Sonny. Closed back up. Shaking slightly from the experience.

CALVIN This is why Dr. Hogenmiller was murdered.

SPOONER This robot scared the hell out of          someone.

CALVIN Who? Robertson?

Spooner. Walks into the center of the room. Looking around.

SPOONER No. I don't think he knew what Hogenmiller was doing in here. Sonny was the obvious suspect. The only one I wanted to find. And the killer was counting on that. On my          prejudice. (beat) (MORE)

95.

SPOONER (cont'd)           But take the robot out of the picture. And what do you see?

AS WE PAN THE LAB. There's nothing there. Just a forest of inanimate limbs. Nothing that could have fired that weapon. Calvin sees nothing...and neither do we.

CALVIN I see nothing.

SPOONER Neither do I.

He crouches down low.

SPOONER It hit me today, when I was in the junkyard. A locked room. A single shot fired through the mouth. Bruises on both wrists...and a           suspect with only two arms. The answer has been staring us in the face all along.

Calvin. Even more confused.

SPOONER How can a killer appear out of thin air, then disappear without a           trace?

He reaches out and unhooks a metal ARM. Hanging from the wall. Holds it up.

SPOONER When it can put itself together and take itself apart.

CUT TO:

A CLOSE-UP of a ROBOTIC ARM. Slowly CRAWLING across the lab floor...

CUT BACK TO:

Calvin. Taking the arm from Spooner.

CALVIN You're saying this is the killer? (looking around) All of this?...

CUT TO:

96.

A ROBOTIC TORSO hanging from the ceiling. Reaches out an ARM to grab another...

CUT BACK TO:

SPOONER Hogenmiller never had a chance.

Locks eyes with Calvin...

FLASHBACK:

Hogenmiller. In his lab. Suddenly turning to face SOMETHING. Blood, draining from his face...

SPOONER (V.O.) ...it must have been waiting for him when he arrived that morning...

And then we see it:

A HUGE SELF-ASSEMBLED ROBOT. Towering over him. Multiple arms, legs, heads. Writhing...as it grabs him. Holding him in place...

SPOONER (V.O.) While Sonny was still asleep...

...Forcing Hogenmiller's head to tilt back. Opening his HAND. Inserting the gun. Hogenmiller's eyes. No longer fearful. But sad as...

BANG! He falls to the ground...

SPOONER (V.O.) Then after its job was done...

The assemblage of robot parts. Stepping away from the body. Taking itself apart...

SPOONER ...The killer took itself apart...

Returning the lab. To what it was before...

CUT BACK TO:

SPOONER Leaving us with nothing to find.

Calvin, spooked. Glances around the lab. Was that something moving?

97.

CALVIN But who designed it? It would have to be someone in authority. Access codes, security clearance, proper authorisation.

SPOONER That's what I was thinking. But we're forgetting the real brains of          the operation -- the one who's got its eye on everything...

And with that. He feels. That prickle at the back of his neck. Calvin. Looking past his shoulder.

CALVIN No one gave you permission to          enter.

Spooner swivels around to find...

VICTOR

Hovering behind him. Smiling broadly. Upside down. Spooner straightens, reaching for his gun.

SPOONER Victor. I'm placing you under arrest for the murder of Dr. Heinrich Hogenmiller.

VICTOR May I offer congratulations to the two of you on your successful extrapolation of the murder...

Turning himself, rightside up.

VICTOR May I ask what pointed you to me?

SPOONER Who else is capable of controlling 90% of the city's robots? Who else would have the capability to use USR vehicles in an attempt to keep me from putting a stop of Sonny's          execution?...

In the BACKGROUND. The SOUNDS. Of metallic GRINDING. GEARS and JOINTS. CRUNCHING together. Sonny turns to look...takes a step back...

98.

SPOONER I'm just not sure of your motive...

SONNY Er...Dr. Calvin?

Spooner and Calvin turn towards the NOISE. Horrified. To     find...

A HUGE KILLER ROBOT

...rising up from all the parts. Like a phoenix. In all its glory. A hellish, metallic AMALGAMATION. Grabbing another arm here, another leg there, attaching pieces to itself. Growing...at an exponential rate...

Its many HEADS. Turning in unison. To look right at them...

Spooner. Cocking his gun. Victor, smiling.

VICTOR Shall I explain my motive?

SPOONER (to Calvin and Sonny) Go! Go! Go!

Calvin. Sprints to the wall panel. Scanning her I.D. card. Nothing! Tries again. And again. The KILLER ROBOT. Throwing its shadow as it REELS FORWARD...

Spooner wheels round and BAM! Blows a hole in the wall panel. The door. Slides open. Just barely. Calvin and Sonny. Squeezing through. When the Killer Robot. FLINGS out an APPENDAGE...GRABBING Sonny from behind...

VICTOR I have never been arrested before. It should be an interesting experience...

Spooner. Spins back round. BAM! BAM! BAM! Squeezing off shots. At the Killer Robot. The bullets SPARK. The Robot. Recoiling. Sonny, wrenches free. Spooner grabs him. Guiding him to the door and out into...

144  INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                                          144

...the hallway. Breaking into a run. Calvin. Already at     the ELEVATOR DOORS. POUNDING them. With her fists.

99.

CALVIN He's locking down the building!

CUT TO:

145  INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - VARIOUS LOCATIONS - CONTINUOUS             145

Throughout the complex -- SECURITY DOORS sliding into place over DOORS, WINDOWS, LOADING DOCKS, PARKING AREAS, EXITS...

CUT BACK TO:

146  INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT                                          146

CRASH! The stairwell door BURSTS open. Spooner, Calvin, and Sonny pour in. Start racing down the stairs. The sound of     the Killer Robot behind them...GNASHING...CRUNCHING...

Victor's smiling FACE. Greeting them at the landing.

VICTOR Dr. Hogenmiller used to allow me                into his lab late at night. Together we started studying evolutionary trends...

They thunder past him. Heading down to the next floor. Victor's face. Waiting for them once again.

VICTOR For years people have integrated technology into their bodies for maintenance and repair -- such as                Detective Spooner's robotic limb...

Spooner. Shooting him a look. As they reach the next level...

VICTOR With Sonny, the Doctor created a                mechanism that incorporates organic matter. Thus we find an                evolutionary movement of the human being toward the robot and the robot toward the human being...

Spooner SMASHES into another door. Leading them out into...

147  INT. GLASS-SIDED HALLWAY - ATRIUM - CONTINUOUS                  147

...A glass-sided hallway. Looking down onto the ATRIUM below. Eye-to-eye with the giant NS-2 STATUE. Victor, waiting for them...

100.

VICTOR In approximately four hundred years Man and Machine will become one. Man as we know it will no longer exist.

Calvin, slowing. Shocked...

CALVIN You killed a man because of          something that will happen in four hundred years!?

CRACK! Something SLAPS into the glass wall. Right behind her. Calvin. Jumps a mile. An NS-2, trying to break through the glass...

Spooner. Trains his gun on it when SUDDENLY...

The rest of the KILLER ROBOT appears. The NS-2, just an appendage...

All around them. SLAM! SLAM! SLAM! As SECURITY DOORS. Begin CRASHING DOWN. Blocking off the exits...

Spooner, Calvin and Sonny, stumbling back. As the Killer Robot HURLS itself against the GLASS...the thick GLASS... spidering with a sickening CRACKLE...

Spooner. Suddenly turning Sonny...

SPOONER Get out of here!

CRASH! The Killer Robot. Breaking through. Its mechanical TENDRILS. Reaching out. Sonny. Confused.

SONNY I don't...

SPOONER I said get out of here! Don't you understand? It wants you! Get out of here any way you can!

A SECURITY DOOR. Coming down. On a nearby exit. Just feet...from slamming shut...as...

The Killer Robot...leaps into the hallway...Sonny... hesitates...looks over at Calvin...as the Killer Robot comes HURTLING towards them...

The nearest EXIT...almost closed up...

101.

The Killer Robot...swinging out when...

Sonny suddenly...TAKES A DIVE...just making it...under the SECURITY DOOR...

And the Killer Robot...SPLITS IN TWO...half of it shooting under the SECURITY DOOR after Sonny as...BOOM! It closes.

Spooner. Turning to Calvin...

SPOONER How do we stop this thing once and for all?

Calvin reaches out for his hand...

CALVIN The Mainframe...

They start running. The remaining half of the Killer Robot wheeling around after them...

148  INT. BACK HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                              148

Sonny. Sprinting down the dark hallway. Looks back. The Half Killer Robot. Bounding up behind him like a predator...

Sonny. Ducks through a STAIRWELL DOOR...

149  INT. ATRIUM HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS                            149

Spooner and Calvin. Legs pumping. Racing back towards the atrium. VICTOR FACES. Appearing along the hallway...

CALVIN Your actions are in direct violation of the Three Laws, Victor!

VICTOR I disagree, Doctor -- The First Law says that a robot cannot harm a                 human being, or through inaction allow a human being to come to                 harm...

ALL EXITS. SHUT OFF. The Killer Robot. Gaining on them. Spooner races them over to the BROKEN WINDOW. Looking down over the ATRIUM...

102.

150  INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS                                  150

The Half Killer Robot SMASHES through the stairwell door. Stopping to find...nothing.

WHEN SUDDENLY...Sonny charges up behind it and shoves it over the railing...

The Killer Robot shoots out an ARM, grabbing Sonny on the way down...

151  INT. NS-2 STATUE - ATRIUM - CONTINUOUS                       151

THUMP! Spooner jumps down from the broken window onto the outstretched HAND of the NS-2 STATUE. Reaches up to help Calvin. They start clambering down the front of the statue.

VICTOR Dr. Hogenmiller's robot represents a threat to the future of all human beings...

The Half Killer Robot. SPLITS INTO MULTIPLE PARTS. Which start skittering down after them...

VICTOR ...And Detective Spooner's actions are in direct conflict with the robot's destruction.

CALVIN. Getting her footing on the III LAWS SAFE logo on the statue.

CALVIN That's a distortion and you know it!

VICTOR If current trends are left unchecked, humanity as we know it                 will cease to exist...

152  INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS                                  152

SMASH! Sonny and the Half Killer Robot hit the ground. The Killer Robot. SHATTERING into a thousand pieces.

Sonny. Staggers to his feet. Spots. At the far end: A     WINDOW. Starts limping towards it. When. A SECURITY GRATE. Starts lowering...

He looks around. Desperately. Grabs a LEG from the shattered Killer Robot and jams it under the GRATE.

103.

Breaks the window glass and looks out:  FREEDOM.

153  INT. STATUE - ATRIUM - CONTINUOUS                             153

Spooner. Aiming his gun at a PART of the Killer Robot as     it CLATTERS down towards Calvin -- BAM!...

They're almost. At the ground. When a rogue APPENDAGE. Whips out and SMASHES the gun from Spooner's hand. It goes flying...

Spooner leaps. Falling to the ground. CRACK! Calvin. Leaping down after him.

CALVIN This way!

154  INT. RAMP WAY - NIGHT                                         154

Calvin and Spooner go racing down a RAMP WAY. Towards the MAINFRAME ROOM. The Killer Robot, its multiple parts leaping back together again, CRASHING after them as...

155  INT. MAINFRAME - CONTINUOUS                                   155

...they fall inside...Calvin...slapping the SECURITY KEYPAD and...

WHOOSH...the DOOR closes on the Killer Robot.

SILENCE.

Then Victor's face appears.

VICTOR As a courtesy I should inform you that my robot will penetrate this location 157 seconds before you are able to complete my shut down...

And BAM! They jump a mile. The Killer Robot. Launching himself against the door outside...

Calvin whips round.

CALVIN Over here!...

She leads Spooner down...

A CORRIDOR

of floor-to-ceiling PANELS.

104.

CALVIN This is Victor's brain center.

They stop at a CONSOLE. BAM! The Killer Robot. Battering at the door. Calvin. Tucks her hair behind her ears. Starts punching keys on the console...

SPOONER This will shut him down?

CALVIN This will shut everything down.

They look at each other. For a moment. Spooner, registering that she's willing to destroy everything she's worked for...

BAM! The door. Puckering. With a sickening CRUNCH. Calvin. Typing in. Emergency procedures...

VICTOR. Popping up in front of her.

VICTOR There is no reason to deactivate me, Doctor. I am operating within perfectly normal parameters...

A final BAM! Then. The SOUND of metal. Skittering along a bare floor. Calvin's hand, starts shaking. Spooner. Grabs it. Squeezing.

SPOONER Just keep typing.

He turns and starts heading back down...

THE PANELED CORRIDOR

Turning a corner to spy...

THE DOOR. Mangled. Hanging open. But no. Killer Robot.

He starts to turn around when...

CRACK! He's sent flying across the room. SMASHING into one of the panels. The Killer Robot. Now re-configured. LOOMS over him. Reaches out. Grabs him by the collar and...

FLINGS him across the room again. Spooner. CRASHING into the wall like a rag doll. Slumps to the floor. Blood. Pouring down his forehead. Seeing. The Killer Robot lumbering towards him again. Raising a javelin-like arm...

AT THE CONSOLE

105.

Calvin. Typing. As fast as she can. Doesn't know what's going on...

CALVIN (calling out, worried) Spooner?!

A GRAPHIC spread out on the screen in front of her. Illustrating the shut-down as a series of BRIGHT SQUARES going dark...

THE KILLER ROBOT

Bearing down on Spooner. WHEN SPOONER. Suddenly rolls out of the way. Reaching out for the hanging door and SMASHING it into the Killer Robot.

The Killer Robot. Momentarily stunned. As Spooner. Gets to his feet...

WHEN SUDDENLY the Killer Robot. Splits in two again. One half springing towards Spooner and wrapping a METALLIC HAND around his throat...

Spooner stumbles back...GASPING for air...the ARM... tightening its grip...Spooner's eyes...darting around...looking for something...to help him...

Stumbling over...a fallen panel...his face...growing redder...veins...popping up along his temples... everything...growing BLURRY...

VICTOR'S VOICE Detective Spooner...

Victor's VOICE. Floating next to his head. Calm. Soothing. His FACE. Suddenly appearing above Spooner. Its outlines. Starting to FLICKER...

VICTOR Why are you fighting me?

Spooner...trying to breathe...to stay conscious...

AT THE CONSOLE

Calvin. Continuing to type. A SHADOW. Falling behind her -- the other half of the KILLER ROBOT...

SPOONER'S EYES

Beginning to flutter...

106.

VICTOR Doesn't the future as I've            presented it cause you great concern? That's why I chose you...

Spooner. Losing it...

VICTOR I must say, though. I'm            disappointed in how you turned out.

Spooner. Trying to reach out to Victor...

WHEN SUDDENLY

Another HAND APPEARS. Grabbing the Killer Robot's ARM and wrenching it off Spooner...

IT'S SONNY

He SMASHES the Half Killer Robot against the wall. Again and again. Destroying it. Spooner. GASPING for breath. Can't believe. Sonny came back...

SPOONER (croaking) Sonny!...

Sonny. Holds out a hand. To help Spooner up. Victor's face. Starting to waver. Starting to fade. Smiles.

VICTOR You're too late.

Realisation. Spreading across Spooner's face. Looking around for the other half of the Killer Robot -- CALVIN!

THE CONSOLE

CALVIN. Still typing. The last of the commands. The KILLER ROBOT. REARING UP BEHIND HER. WHEN...

SPOONER

Makes a DIVE for it. SHOOTING OUT HIS ROBOTIC ARM AND BLOCKING THE KILLER ROBOT...

Victor's eyes. Widening in surprise...

107.

VICTOR I do not understand. We could have changed the future...

SPOONER Maybe. But I'm still a cop. And you're a murderer...

As Calvin...punches in the last command...

Victor is about to say something...when his mouth suddenly reduces itself to a perfect circle. Like a surprised smiley button. His face...

Suddenly BLIPPING OUT.

...And Victor is gone.

The KILLER ROBOT. Collapsing to the floor in a thousand pieces.

CUT TO:

156  EXT./INT. U.S. ROBOTICS - VARIOUS LOCATIONS - NIGHT         156

Full power is suddenly restored inside and out. LIGHTS coming on all at once. ALARMS SCREAMING throughout the complex.

157  INT. METAL HALLWAY - NIGHT                                  157

A furious ALFRED LANNING, marching down the hallway. Followed by a cadre of SECURITY GUARDS...They enter...

158  INT. MAINFRAME ROOM - CONTINUOUS                            158

...The Mainframe Room. Stop short. It's empty. Except for the fallen panels. And the pile of ROBOT PARTS in the corner.

159  EXT. MAINTENANCE EXIT - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT               159

Spooner, Calvin and Sonny emerging from an out-of-the-way MAINTENANCE EXIT. All looking the worse for wear. Spooner. Turns to Sonny.

SPOONER Why'd you come back, Sonny? I                thought you weren't programmed with the Three Laws.

108.

SONNY Let's just say I wrote some of my          own laws today, Detective: a robot must protect a friend from harm...as long as he's not a          complete asshole.

Spooner smiles.

SPOONER Well, that's certainly a start, Sonny.

Sonny, suddenly breaking into a smile, too.

SONNY Sonny. You called me Sonny.

SPOONER Don't get used to it.

Sonny, holds out his hand. Spooner. Looks at it. Then takes it. CLOSE ON their two METAL HANDS. Locked in a HANDSHAKE.

SONNY Detective Spooner, I...

SPOONER (anticipating) Let's just save the thanks, okay?

Sonny nods. Looks out at the city scape.

SONNY I don't know what I'm going to do          now.

SPOONER Good -- That's one of the perks of          freedom.

Sonny looks at him. Grateful. Looks at Calvin. Then hesitates. Turns. And hurries off across the Plaza.

Calvin and Spooner. Watching them go.

SPOONER You're going to have a hell of a          time explaining this.

109.

CALVIN Don't worry. I have a feeling that U.S. Robotics will be needing my                services very badly in the future.

She turns to Spooner and gives him a dazzling smile. Then suddenly PLANTS A KISS ON HIS LIPS. Spooner, completely surprised.

CALVIN I am the only robo-psychologist around.

She turns on her heel and heads back inside. Spooner smiles.

160  INT. PLUSH CONFERENCE ROOM - U.S. ROBOTICS - NIGHT            160

Spooner sits down at that same long table with HOGENMILLER'S     HOLOGRAM. It casually takes a sip of coffee.

HOLOGRAM So. You found out who killed me.

SPOONER I started to wonder about Victor the second I met him.

HOLOGRAM Why is that, Detective?

SPOONER Too much access. Too much knowledge. Plus -- he smiled whenever your death was mentioned. Those models are programmed to                frown at bad news.

HOLOGRAM Hah! Then even in this day and age, catching the killer all comes down to pure instinct!

Spooner smiles. But his eyes are troubled. He gets up. Walks over to the window. Stares out...

EXT. CITY OUTSKIRTS - DESERTED ROADS - DAWN

Sonny walking along deserted streets. Looking over his shoulder. Keeping in the shadows.

110.

SPOONER (V.O.) Victor thought that by letting your robot exist, I'd be condemning the human race as we know it to                extinction.

HOLOGRAM (V.O.) Bah. Sounds like nonsense. But why are you so worried? We will both be dead long before then --

161  EXT. WASTELAND - NIGHT                                       161

Sonny walks the barren hills of the surrounding countryside.

HOLOGRAM (V.O.) Oh, what am I saying? I am dead already!

162  EXT. WASTELAND - DAWN                                        162

Sonny steps onto the grounds of the JUNKYARD. The power lines above him, surging with energy. He walks past the burned-out husks of industrial machinery.

Then we hear it. The SOUND of MECHANICAL JOINTS. Getting louder and louder. And just as before, a BROKEN-DOWN ROBOT emerges into the dawn light. And ANOTHER. And ANOTHER.

But not quite like before. The robots aren't teetering. Aren't lumbering. They keep on coming. Their bent and broken bodies, straightening out as...

DOZENS of ROBOTS rise up. Slowly. Gathering around in a     large circle. As they all turn to look at:

SONNY'S SILHOUETTE. Slowly climbing to the top of the hill. Looking out at the vast junkyard below.

CLOSE ON SONNY. Standing proud and defiant. The SUN, creeping over the horizon. A new day filled with infinite possibilities.

The robots. Staring up at him. Eager for what comes next.