11 A.M. - 12 P.M.
The following takes place between 11 AM and 12 PM on the day of the presidential inauguration:
FADE IN:
INT. PENTAGON - HALLWAY OUTSIDE OSD
Secretary of Defense JAMES HELLER, AUDREY RAINES, TONY ALMEIDA, and MICHELLE DESSLER are standing in the hallway where they left off, trying to figure out what is going on with the missing airplane.
TONY
Audrey, what time did you speak to President Palmer?
AUDREY
6:30ish, I think.
MICHELLE
Did he tell you what flight he was taking?
AUDREY
No…at first, he didn’t seem to understand why I was calling him, until I mentioned what I was pretty sure was Jack’s alias, based on something I heard you say a while ago. I wasn’t actually sure until this morning. When I mentioned Jose Rodriguez, he said he’d be on the next plane.
HELLER
If he was on the plane that’s missing, wouldn’t that have raised a flag as soon as they examined the passenger list?
TONY
No, sir. I believe he flies under an alias for security purposes, as does the Secret Service agent who travels with him.
HELLER
Do you know what the alias is?
TONY
No…I can call Secret Service, but given everything that’s happened this morning, I doubt they’ll give it to me.
HELLER
Even if he used an alias, wouldn’t CTU know that?
TONY
Ordinarily, yes. But I would expect that President Palmer may have been more covert and selective about whom he shared information with this morning because of Audrey’s warning about Jack.
HELLER
Alright, I’ll call Secret Service. Michelle, did you guys find anything on Skip’s computer.
MICHELLE
No, sir. I’m running a more intensive scan now, but that won’t be finished for at least a half an hour.
HELLER
Audrey, you weren’t able to activate a listening device on his cell phone, right?
AUDREY
No, I couldn’t think of a way to claim my phone was out of batteries and simultaneously be on the phone with Tony. I put a bug in the keylogger, but it’s unlikely that he’ll do or say anything suspicious as long as Sergio’s there.
Heller sighs).
HELLER
Audrey, I’m sorry, but I think we’re going to have to bring him in for questioning now.
Audrey nods, biting her lip nervously.
TONY
Mr. Secretary, if it’s okay with you I’d like to head that up.
Secretary Heller looks surprised for a second, then realizes what is going on when he sees Audrey shoot Tony a grateful glance.
HELLER
Alright, that’s fine. But have Michelle brief you about the virus first so you can tell if he’s bullshitting.
TONY
Yes, sir. Michelle, do we have access to the actual file that launched the virus?
MICHELLE
No, it was deleted using a secure protocol.
TONY
And Skip’s computer didn’t contain any source code?
MICHELLE
Not that I could tell. I doubt he’d be stupid enough to leave it lying around on his hard drive. I need to talk to NetOps to see what they found when they analyzed the workstation Skip used.
HELLER
Alright, do that. Audrey, I want you to call Secret Service and try to find out the alias President Palmer was using, then call CTU and check that against their passenger lists and see if they have anything else.
AUDREY
Okay.
HELLER
Tony, come with me. I want you to help me update the White House.
TONY
Yes, sir.
Everyone disperses.
TONY
Mr. Secretary, has the president spoken to the Chinese yet?
HELLER
I don’t know…he hadn’t as of the last time I talked to him.
TONY
I think we need to convince him to hold off on doing anything until we get this situation resolved.
HELLER
I agree with you, but he’s not going to listen. He wants Jack handed over now…he thinks once that’s over and done with all this chaos will stop. He assumes that everything that’s happened this morning is because the Chinese are angry about Jack. I’ll try to talk to him, but it’s not going to do any good. I don’t want to do this any more than you do, Tony, believe me.
TONY
I know…look, I know you’re not going to like this, and I probably shouldn’t even be suggesting it…
HELLER
What is it, Tony?
TONY
I think it might be in everyone’s best interests if you didn’t tell the president the details of why we suspect that President Palmer is on the plane.
HELLER
Why not?
TONY
Aside from you, Michelle, and myself, I don’t think anyone else in Washington knows that Jack and Audrey were ever together. Remember, they kept it from everyone at work to make sure you wouldn’t find out.
HELLER
What’s your point?
TONY
If you explain to the president about her call with President Palmer, you’re going to have to admit she knew about Jack, which is going to make it obvious that they were involved up until and through the day he escaped, which could put her and you in a bad situation where you have a lot of explaining to do. I don’t trust the president, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he had one of his political buddies use this to create a scandal should he ever find it advantageous to do so.
HELLER
Tony, I’m handing in my resignation in less than an hour…what reason would he have to create a scandal.
TONY
To discredit you, sir. He’s probably angry that you refused to let me be arrested and waited an hour to tell him Jack was here, and if any of this were to ever be leaked to the press, you’re one of the only people who knows the true story…and it wouldn’t exactly make him look good.
HELLER
Alright, I’ll see if I can blow him off if he asks for details. Since when did you become so politically savvy anyway?
TONY
I didn’t. I just know what it’s like to have people try to discredit me.
DOWN THE HALL
MICHELLE
Brian, it’s Michelle. I’m on my way back there now…what did you guys find on the workstation used to trigger the attack? Was there any way to restore the executable file? Alright, I’ll meet you there in a minute.
INT. CTU LOS ANGELES - 8:03:35 LOCAL TIME
ADAM KOFFMAN is sitting at his station typing. EDGAR STILES walks in and puts his coat around the back of his chair. He notices that CHLOE O’BRIEN’s station is vacant.
EDGAR
Hey Adam, where’s Chloe?
ADAM
Whoa, you didn’t hear?
EDGAR
Hear what? I just got here.
ADAM
Apparently, Jack Bauer’s alive, and Chloe helped him fake his own death and escape when the Secret Service tried to take him into custody.
EDGAR
WHAT??? That’s impossible…I was here when he died…
ADAM
Yeah, I was pretty surprised too.
EDGAR
So where is Chloe now? Is she going to go to jail?
ADAM
No, Tony Almeida managed to get the president to grant immunity to everyone who helped Jack escape in exchange for information about Jack’s whereabouts. But Driscoll said there was no way she was letting Chloe stay on here after multiple incidents of insubordination…I think she’s going to be questioned to make sure she doesn’t know anything else, and then she’ll be sent home.
EDGAR
Geez…are you honestly telling me that Chloe O’Brien managed to keep her mouth shut for three years?
ADAM
Pretty unbelievable, isn’t it?
EDGAR
Yeah.
CTU Director ERIN DRISCOLL comes down the stairs from her office and stands on a low step.
ERIN
Everyone listen up. As most of you now know, it was revealed about twenty minutes ago that Jack Bauer was not killed three years ago as we had previously thought, but that he staged his own death and escaped from custody, with the help of several of his colleagues. Chloe O’Brien was found using CTU equipment to communicate with Jack and participate in a mission that had not been sanctioned by any branch of the US Intelligence Community. She has been fired with cause effective immediately. If anyone else here was involved in the escape effort or has been in contact with Jack Bauer over the past three years, I would advise you to come forward immediately. We will be reviewing surveillance video and all communications, so if you were involved, be assured that you will be caught, and there will be consequences. You can all get back to work now.
She goes back into her office. CURTIS MANNING follows her up the stairs.
ERIN
What is it, Curtis?
CURTIS
I just got off the phone with DOD…they believe that President Palmer might be on the flight we can’t find.
ERIN
Why do they think that?
CURTIS
I couldn’t get any details…I think President Palmer called Tony Almeida this morning to warn him that someone might be onto the fact that Jack was alive, and they think the call may have been intercepted.
ERIN
So President Palmer knew Jack was alive?
CURTIS
Apparently. Tony says President Palmer warned Jack that the Secret Service agent had orders to take him out, and that’s why Jack escaped.
Erin sighs, clearly surprised.
ERIN
Alright, have COMM check the passenger list and see if they can find the alias he was flying under, and coordinate with Homeland Security and DOD…we need to find this flight now.
CURTIS
Yes, Ma’am.
INT. PENTAGON - NET OPS - 11:04:58
ZOE CLINGER, who has been laid out on a cot while they wait for the drugs to wear off, starts to stir. JEFF CHANG scoots over and sits down next to her, gently stroking her cheek.
JEFF
Hey Zo, you awake?
ZOE
Mmm…where am I?
JEFF
You’re at work, in your office.
ZOE
Oh my g-d…please don’t tell Brian I fell asleep…I must not have gotten enough sleep last night.
JEFF
Zoe, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I don’t think you fell asleep because you were tired.
ZOE
What do you mean?
JEFF
What’s the last thing you remember before falling asleep?
ZOE
I think I was going to my office to look something up…I must have fallen asleep when I sat down at my desk.
JEFF
Do you remember what you were trying to look up?
ZOE
Yeah. I thought the login id that was in the report was the same one I had been authorized to disclose to a contractor, so I was going to check for the stickie where I wrote the information down. Did you find out who it was?
JEFF
Yeah, you had it right. It was Skip Taylor. But you don’t remember what happened on your way back to your office?
ZOE
No…I must have just walked back and fallen asleep. Why? What happened?
JEFF
That’s what we’re trying to figure out.
ZOE
Wait a second. I don’t think I told you who I thought it was I gave the login information to. I couldn’t remember…that’s why I went to my office to look.
JEFF
I think you just wanted to check if the name you gave was right.
ZOE
I don’t think so…I remember that I was drawing a complete blank.
JEFF
Hmm…I must be getting confused. I’m just glad you’re okay…I was a little worried.
He starts stroking her hair and leans in to kiss her.
ZOE
Jeff, we can’t do this here…someone will see us.
JEFF
Let them…we’ve been together almost six months…I’m tired of keeping it a secret.
He leans in and kisses her. This time, she does not resist, but just smiles at him. He traces her lips with his finger, and then suddenly, he replaces his finger with his entire hand, holding her mouth shut. He squeezes her nose hard with his other hand.
ZOE
Muffled I can’t breath…what are you doing?
He tightens his grip over her mouth and nose, muting her attempts to talk. She starts to squirm, the look on her face changing from affection to fear. She tries unsuccessfully to pry his hand away from her mouth, becoming increasingly resistant and afraid as he refuses to move his hands. She attempts to scream, but his hand over her mouth makes the attempt futile. This continues for another minute, until she stops squirming and he feels her skin go cold. He leans down to listen to her heart, confirming that she is dead. He then closes her eyelids, hides the gloves he was wearing in his pocket, and leaves the room.
FADE TO BLACK.
WRITTEN: 11:07:45
COMMERCIAL BREAK
FADE IN:
INT. PENTAGON - 11:11:28
FOUR WAY SPLIT:
BOX #1: BATHROOM
Jeff disposes of the Latex gloves.
BOX #2: CORRIDOR 8
Michelle and Brian are examining the workstation Skip used to trigger the attack.
BOX #3: HALLWAY OUTSIDE OSD
Audrey watches as Skip is escorted into a holding room.
BOX #4: NETOPS
Zoe’s lifeless figure laying on the cot.
EXPAND TO:
PENTAGON - E-RING, 3RD FLOOR, CORRIDOR 7
Michelle is typing frantically on the computer Skip used, trying to reconstruct the file that was used to trigger the attack.
MICHELLE
Alright, it’s reconstructing…I’m going to print it out, just in case.
BRIAN
Can you make any sense of it?
MICHELLE
No…it’s in assembly language, and the source code is probably encrypted. Does NetOps have software to decompile it into source code?
BRIAN
Yeah, I think so…what language was the script written in?
MICHELLE
I can’t tell…it looks different from most of the DDOS executables I’ve seen…more foreign characters, less of a pattern…it doesn’t look like it was written in C or Perl…it could be fortran.
BRIAN
Fortran? We don’t have anyone here who knows Fortran…
MICHELLE
If we can get it decompiled, I can analyze it.
BRIAN
Alright, pipe it to my system when it’s done reconstructing and I’ll have Zoe put it through the decompiler.
INT. HOLDING ROOM - 11:12:36
TONY
Alright, I’m going to make it simple. We know you executed the attack on the air traffic control center this morning and tried to frame me for it.
SKIP
What the hell?
TONY
Skip, we have forensic evidence and surveillance footage that make this indisputable, so don’t try to deny it.
SKIP
I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.
TONY
Are you denying that Cummings authorized you to use my login ID this morning?
SKIP
No, I don’t deny it…he wanted to keep an eye on you because he doesn’t trust you…I told him I’d take care of it.
TONY
So when you logged on with my username, what did you do?
SKIP
I executed a script that was supposed to filter pipe your system activity to my system. Somehow you must have figured out how to exploit the script and pipe into my system so you could frame me for whatever you’re accusing me of doing.
TONY
I’ve already been cleared of any wrongdoing related to this morning’s incident, so let’s not waste time. What was the file called?
SKIP
I don’t know…ATCCC, or something like that.
TONY
And you still maintain that you had no knowledge that you were activating a virus that would compromise air traffic control data?
SKIP
What the hell? You’re telling me the program I used to monitor your system activity has something to do with what happened to the air traffic controls this morning?
TONY
Quit playing dumb…it’s not going to work. Were you aware that by doing what you were doing, you were endangering the life of a former president of the United States?
SKIP
What the hell are you talking about? This is ridiculous…all I did is put a filter on your system and now you’re accusing me of trying to assassinate a former president?
TONY
All you did was try to spy on me?
SKIP
Yeah, I swear.
TONY
So why did you mess with Audrey’s phone this morning?
SKIP
I wasn’t messing with her phone.
TONY
She said you were, and we analyzed her phone and discovered it had been converted to a microphone. So I ask again, what did you do to Audrey’s phone this morning?
SKIP
Nothing.
INTERCUT WITH:
EXT. HOLDING ROOM
JACK
Tony, the polygraph’s spiking.
TONY
Copy. Skip, we analyzed her phone after NetOps discovered evidence linking you to the incident this morning. Someone activated a function that caused the phone to serve as a microphone. She said that you were playing with her phone this morning. Are you denying that you had anything to do with this?
SKIP
Fine. I put a filter on Audrey’s phone, and I looked up your number this morning to send to someone who was going to try to bug it remotely.
TONY
Why would you do that?
SKIP
To be frank, I don’t trust you. You and Audrey spend so many late nights working together, she’s more open with you than she is with me, and I’ve been getting kind of suspicious.
OUTSIDE THE ROOM
JACK
That’s ridiculous. Does he know Tony’s history?
HELLER
Yeah, I think so. If he was an outside observer, I could maybe believe what he’s saying…Tony and Audrey are incredibly close…I’ll be forever grateful for the support he gave her after that horrible day three years ago…but I can’t believe Skip could really think there’s something else going on between them…
INSIDE THE ROOM - SEEN THROUGH WINDOW
TONY
Is this a joke? You know my history, right?
SKIP
Yeah. That’s why I don’t trust you. That and the fact that you’ve been helping her to sneak around and encouraging her to get involved with radical anarchist groups behind my back.
OUTSIDE THE ROOM
HELLER
Alright, I’m not going to have him sit there and level baseless accusations at Tony to deflect attention from himself…I’m going to try to see what I can get out of him.
He goes into the holding room and talks to Tony for a second.
INSIDE THE ROOM
HELLER
Alright, that’s enough. I am not going to sit here and let you make baseless accusations against one of my senior advisors and degrade my daughter’s integrity. Why did you bug Audrey’s phone, and why did you execute that virus?
SKIP
I don’t know what you’re talking about…I didn’t execute any virus. All I did was try to keep an eye on Audrey and Tony.
HELLER
That’s ridiculous. Accusing Tony Almeida of being unfaithful to his wife is like accusing ecoterrorists of littering. Now stop wasting time and tell me what your primary objective is.
SKIP
That’s not what I meant.
HELLER
Well, what the hell do you mean?
Skip sighs.
SKIP
I didn’t want to tell you this, but I believe Audrey’s been engaged in subversive activities…and Tony’s been helping her sneak around.
HELLER
Subversive activities?
SKIP
She’s been acting really weird about politics lately…every time I’ve tried to get her to come to an event with me she’s made some excuse about having to work, and I think she’s been involved with radical groups.
HELLER
I’m aware of her political activities, and I would hardly call them subversive. I still don’t understand why this required you to spy on her.
SKIP
She…she was going to disguise herself and go join that mob on the mall this afternoon. I was worried…I didn’t want anything to happen to her.
HELLER
Uh huh. So if you were worried about her safety, why didn’t you come to me?
SKIP
Because I wouldn’t do that to her…I care too much about her.
HELLER
So why didn’t you come to me???
SKIP
I went to Yale, Jim. I graduated when Audrey was a sophomore but we had enough mutual friends that I know what happened last time she questioned her political views…I know that she cried herself to sleep just about every night for a year because you wouldn’t talk to her.
Heller’s face falls, and he looks like he has been punched in the face.
OUTSIDE THE ROOM
Audrey enters the watching area.
AUDREY
What’s going on?
TONY
He’s claiming that he was spying on you because he knew you wanted to join your brother this afternoon and he was worried about your safety.
AUDREY
He’s lying.
JACK
How do you know?
AUDREY
Tony, can you tell my dad to come out here?
TONY
Yeah.
(into mouthpiece)
Mr. Secretary, can you come outside for a second?
HELLER
Excuse me.
He rejoins Tony, Jack and Audrey.
AUDREY
Dad, he’s lying. He didn’t do any of this to protect me.
HELLER
How do you know that?
She gulps, trying not to cry.
AUDREY
Yesterday after the senior staff meeting, I was really angry…I couldn’t get it off my mind, so I told Skip about it at dinner, and he started defending Cummings…and maybe it wasn’t fair to ask him this, but when I asked, he pretty much looked me in the eye and told me he’d never do what Tony did.
HELLER
Geez…he said that?
She nods slowly.
HELLER
Alright, this isn’t working…we’re going to have to have him interrogated by Secret Service…we’ve got an emergency situation and we can’t waste any more time…as long as someone he knows interrogates him, he’s going to keep trying to throw it back at us.
JACK
Let me talk to him.
AUDREY
NO!!!
Secretary Heller considers for a moment.
AUDREY
Dad, please, don’t do this…don’t let him go in there, please!
JACK
Audrey, can I talk to you for a sec?
TRACK WITH AUDREY as she reluctantly follows Jack into the hall.
JACK
Look, I don’t think Skip was knowingly involved with the air traffic attack.
AUDREY
You don’t?
JACK
No. I think he’s a creep who should have his head ripped off for what he said to you yesterday and the way he treated you earlier, but he’s way too clumsy to be operating undercover. If you give me a chance to question him, I may be able to prove that he wasn’t knowingly involved in what happened this morning.
Audrey sighs. Jack looks straight into her eyes, and she looks away.
JACK
Audrey, look at me. I give you my word that I will not lay a hand on him. I just want to ask him a few questions. I know it’s asking a lot, but please, just trust me. Please, Audrey.
She considers for a moment, then finally nods reluctantly.
JACK
Thank you.
He returns to the area outside the holding room. Audrey follows him and nods to her father to let Jack into the holding room.
BACK TO:
INT. HOLDING ROOM
SKIP
Who the hell are you?
JACK
I could ask you the same question. What is your deal? What are you trying to accomplish?
SKIP
I told Secretary Heller…I just wanted to protect my fiancee.
JACK
No, I don’t buy it. I don’t think you were trying to protect Audrey. I think you were trying to protect yourself…you weren’t looking out for her, you were looking out for your own politicial image.
SKIP
That’s bullshit.
TONY
Through mouthpiece Jack, his pulse is spiking.
JACK
So how does her brother threaten her safety?
SKIP
What?
JACK
If all you were doing was worrying about her safety, why would you tell her she couldn’t let her own brother stay with her when he visited?
SKIP
I didn’t want two homosexual hippies staying in my house…I was uncomfortable.
JACK
Uncomfortable because it wouldn’t look good, right? Just like Audrey’s quote-on-quote subversive activities don’t look good?
SKIP
Look, I’m running for political office…I can’t have this kind of dirty laundry to have to explain.
JACK
So a minute ago you were the protective boyfriend who wanted to keep Audrey out of danger…now she’s nothing more than dirty laundry to you?
SKIP
What? No! You’re twisting my words.
JACK
Is that why you found her friendship with Tony to be a threat?
SKIP
He’s a traitor, alright? And they’re together ALL the time…it’s a liability.
Jack’s eyes flash with the anger he is fighting to control.
JACK
Were you aware that Audrey wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for Tony?
OUTSIDE THE ROOM
HELLER
Why don’t you guys take a walk? I’ll monitor the polygraph.
AUDREY
No. I’ll be okay.
TONY
Come on, Audrey. The more of this you have to hear the worse you’re going to feel. Let’s go see if Michelle needs help with recovering the data.
HELLER
I’ll make sure Jack doesn’t hurt Skip, although I can’t say I wouldn’t like to wring his neck right now.
AUDREY
Dad, please…I want to stay.
HELLER
Alright.
DOWN THE HALL - CORRIDOR 8 - 11:17:56
Brian is wrapping up a cell phone conversation.
BRIAN
Alright, thanks.
MICHELLE
What did he say?
BRIAN
We’ve got a problem…we either don’t have the right software to decrypt this thing or nobody knows how to do it. Do you want to take a look?
MICHELLE
Yeah, let me come to NetOps. But I need to make a phone call first.
BRIAN
Alright, I’ll see you there in a minute.
Brian walks off and Michelle takes out her phone and dials a number.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. CTU LOS ANGELES - 08:18:38 LOCAL TIME
Curtis is walking around when the phone rings. He goes over to the closest station and grabs it.
CURTIS
CTU, Manning.
MICHELLE
Curtis, it’s Michelle Dessler. Have you guys confirmed if the plane missing is the one President Palmer is on?
CURTIS
Yes, we just got the alias he was flying under. We’ve been unable to establish any contact.
MICHELLE
Can you put Chloe on? I have the executable file and I need her to decompile it…we don’t have the right software here.
CURTIS
Chloe’s not on the floor.
MICHELLE
Where is she?
CURTIS
I think she’s waiting to be questioned, and then they’re sending her home…she’s in a lot of trouble for helping Jack escape.
MICHELLE
I don’t understand…I thought the president granted her immunity.
CURTIS
Yeah, she’s immune from prosecution, but the president can’t make her immune from being fired or from internal discipline. Should I have Edgar take a look at it?
MICHELLE
No. Patch me through to Erin’s office.
CURTIS
Alright.
He hangs up and presses a button.
MATCH CUT TO:
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
CURTIS (O.S.)
Erin, I have Michelle Dessler on the line for you.
ERIN
Alright, patch her through.
SPLIT WITH:
INT. PENTAGON - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
MICHELLE
Erin, it’s Michelle Dessler.
ERIN
Yes, Michelle…what can I do for you?
MICHELLE
I need you to reinstate Chloe O’Brien, at least on a provisional basis. I need her help decoding this virus.
ERIN
I’m sorry, Michelle, but I can’t do that. This is the second time Chloe has been caught misusing CTU equipment to participate in an unauthorized mission…frankly, I wish I’d been consulted before you brought her back in after she did it the first time. I can’t have this kind of insubordination among my staff.
MICHELLE
Erin, please…
ERIN
I’m sorry, Michelle. My decision is final. If you need help, send it to Adam or Edgar.
MICHELLE
Fine.
END SPLIT - STAY WITH MICHELLE
Tony approaches as Michelle hangs up the phone.
TONY
What’s going on?
MICHELLE
CTU confirmed that President Palmer is on the plane in question…we reconstructed the executable file, but we don’t have the software to decrypt it here.
TONY
Send it to Chloe.
MICHELLE
That’s what I was trying to do, but Driscoll fired her for helping Jack and she’s refusing to reinstate her, even on a provisional basis.
TONY
Did you explain the situation?
MICHELLE
Yeah, I just talked to her…she won’t budge.
TONY
Geez…why don’t we have Secretary Heller call her?
MICHELLE
It won’t help…CTU doesn’t report to DOD…three years ago when he was there she deferred to his judgment as a courtesy, but now that he’s about to leave office and his successor may have an interest in us not succeeding, she has no reason to listen to him.
TONY
You think Cummings is behind this?
MICHELLE
I don’t know…it would make sense, though. President Palmer’s one of the only people who knows the truth about what happened to Jack, and we know Cummings authorized NetOps to give your login information to Skip.
TONY
Actually, we’re pretty sure at this point that Skip wasn’t knowingly involved…I think he just thought he was executing a script that would monitor my communications.
MICHELLE
Where is he now?
TONY
Jack’s questioning him.
Michelle looks surprised.
MICHELLE
Does Audrey know?
TONY
Yeah. Look, we don’t have much time. If we can’t get Chloe reinstated we’re going to have to send this to CTU Washington/Baltimore.
MICHELLE
We can’t do that…if we do that, we’re going to have to tell Chase about Jack.
TONY
Well, what other choice do we have?
MICHELLE
I have an idea.
She takes out her phone and dials a number.
Tony scoffs with disgust and walks away when he realizes what her “idea” is.
CUT TO:
INT. DIVISION - LOS ANGELES - 8:20:54 LOCAL TIME
CHUCK PARKER answers the phone.
CHUCK
Division, Parker…alright, I’ll patch you through.
He pushes a button to transfer the call.
MATCH CUT TO:
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
BILL
Buchanan.
CHUCK
Mr. Buchanan, I have Michelle Dessler from DOD on the line for you.
BILL
Alright, patch her through.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - HOLDING ROOM - 11:21:15
JACK
So you wanted to monitor Tony’s computer…how did you do it?
SKIP
My campaign manager took care of it.
JACK
Who is your campaign manager?
SKIP
Well, he’s not officially my campaign manager yet…I haven’t officially declared that I am running.
JACK
WHO IS HE???
SKIP
His name’s Jeff Chang…he works in NetOps.
JACK
Excuse me.
INT. NETOPS - 11:21:53
Jeff reenters Zoe’s office and rushes over to Zoe, pretending to be shocked and panicked when he finds her dead. He whips out his phone and frantically dials a number, his voice sounding shaky. Split screen.
JEFF
Brian, it’s Jeff. I’m in Zoe’s office…I…I stepped out for a couple minutes to go to the restroom and when I came back I…I found her dead.
BRIAN
Oh my g-d…are you sure?
JEFF
Yeah…her skin’s cold, and her heart’s not beating.
BRIAN
Alright, I’ll be right there. Call security…have them send in a forensics team.
JEFF
Got it.
Jeff’s phone rings before he can follow Brian’s instructions. He answers it quietly, making sure there is nobody around.
INTERCUT WITH:
EXT. NATIONAL MALL
A uniformed officer steps away from the crowd to talk to Jeff on the phone.
JEFF
Yeah?
OFFICER
She is not here.
JEFF
She will be disguised.
OFFICER
I know that. But I have a visual on the two men, and the woman is not with them.
JEFF
What time was she supposed to be there?
OFFICER
11.
JEFF
Alright…wait a little longer. If she does not show up, just get the boy.
OFFICER
It won’t be sufficient. We need the daughter.
JEFF
We need to be ready to act as soon as he takes the oath…we cannot wait.
OFFICER
Is the backup on schedule?
JEFF
Yes.
OFFICER
Alright. What should I do with the other boy?
JEFF
Nothing.
OFFICER
Then he will go to the authorities.
JEFF
Exactly. He will provide a distraction. I have to go.
He presses a button on his phone and switches gears as Brian walks in.
JEFF
Alright, thanks…yeah, NetOps, ground floor.
He hangs up and turns to Brian.
JEFF
Forensics will be here in 10 minutes.
BRIAN
What’s the distraction?
JEFF
Huh?
BRIAN
I heard you say something on the phone about someone providing a distraction.
JEFF
You mean discretion? I said…use your discretion on whether or not to send armed agents.
BRIAN
Oh…ok.
He looks at Jeff suspiciously.
Suddenly, Jeff whips out his GUN and SHOOTS Brian.
Brian FALLS TO THE FLOOR, clutching his chest where the bullet hit.
Jeff STASHES his GUN and RUNS OFF.
FADE TO BLACK.
11:23:54
COMMERCIAL BREAK
INT. PENTAGON - ZOE’S OFFICE - 11:27:46
Michelle knocks on the door. When nobody answers, she walks in.
MICHELLE
Is Brian in…
She STOPS SHORT when she sees Brian laying on the ground, blood all over his chest. She kneels down on the ground next to him and shakes him.
MICHELLE
Brian, it’s Michelle…Brian, can you hear me?
She whips out her phone.
OPERATOR
Pentagon Medical.
MICHELLE
Yes, this is Michelle Dessler in NetOps…we need a medic here now…we have one analyst dead and another with severe bleeding…it appears to be a gunshot wound. Please, get here quickly…he’s dying.
She hangs up and calls Tony.
SPLIT SCREEN
TONY
Almeida.
MICHELLE
Tony, it’s me. I’m in NetOps…someone killed Zoe and shot Brian. Brian’s losing a lot of blood…he needs help now.
TONY
Alright, I’m on it. Is he conscious?
MICHELLE
Not really.
TONY
Michelle, listen to me very carefully. You need to get out of there right now…Skip gave evidence that connects someone in NetOps to the threat to President Palmer and the air traffic attack…a programmer named Jeff Chang.
MICHELLE
Jeff? Are you sure?
TONY
Yeah. He’s the one who programmed the virus…he told Skip it was a script to spy on me.
MICHELLE
Oh my g-d. Where is he now?
TONY
We don’t know. PFPA locked down the building, but he may have already escaped. How long ago was Brian shot?
MICHELLE
I don’t know. It looks like fresh blood. I’m going to analyze Jeff’s computer and see what I can find.
TONY
No. You need to get out of there now.
MICHELLE
Tony, we’re running out of time. If we don’t fix this data ASAP, the president’s going to have to order the plane shot down.
TONY
Michelle, you could be in danger!
Audrey approaches Tony before he can respond.
END SPLIT - STAY WITH TONY
AUDREY
Tony, security camera footage shows him boarding an eastbound Metro train right before the lockdown. Skip thinks he’s headed for the National Mall…that’s where he was supposed to stop me from joining my brother and Xing at the rally.
TONY
Damnit! Alright, Michelle, Jeff slipped the building…we’ve got to figure out what to do. Go ahead and work on Jeff’s computer, but be careful. You still have the gun, right?
MICHELLE (O.S.)
Yeah.
TONY
Alright. I’ll call you when we have a plan.
CUT TO:
INT. OSD - 11:28:38
HELLER
Jack, that’s crazy. I can’t let you go…Secret Service is coming for you within the hour.
JACK
Sir, I give you my word that I will come right back. But we need to apprehend this hostile and we need to do it now. We don’t have time to wait for the Marines to get their act together.
HELLER
What do I say to the president?
JACK
Tell him I escaped and you’re sending the Marines to find me. They can serve as backup.
HELLER
Alright. But take Tony with you. I’ll make sure it looks like Tony was trying to find you, not helping you escape.
JACK
No, sir, I can’t. I can’t take Tony out in the field.
Tony and Audrey enter as Jack says this.
TONY
Why am I not allowed in the field?
JACK
Tony, I’ve got to do this myself. I need you to run point from here…I’ll call you when I’m on my way.
Jack starts to leave the office. TRACK WITH Tony, who follows Jack out the door and down the hall.
TONY
Jack, what the hell? You’re going to try to take this guy down by yourself? He’s already killed someone in NetOps and shot someone else who may not make it.
JACK
I’ve got nothing to lose, Tony. He’s going to try to blend into the crowd of protestors…we have to be discreet.
TONY
Jack, I’m a sniper. I can stake out a position and be ready to shoot when you get a visual.
JACK
Tony, it’s too risky. You need to go to NetOps and help Michelle analyze his computer…she could be in danger.
TONY
What, so therefore I can’t be trusted? Jesus, Jack…I’ve had more people than I care to count question my loyalty in the last 24 hours…but you?
JACK
This isn’t about trust, Tony. I don’t want you going out in the field because you have too much to lose. For all we know, Michelle could be a target…we still haven’t figured out what Pedro and Alejandro meant when they said they had her taken care of.
TONY
Michelle can protect herself…she made that clear when she decided to work with you on some unauthorized covert mission and lie to me about it.
JACK
Tony, grow up.
TONY
Excuse me?
BACK TO:
INT. OSD - 11:29:19
HELLER
Alright, thanks. He hangs up the phone). Audrey, can you go tell Jack and Tony that WMATA’s cameras show him getting on the Metro here at the Pentagon approximately four minutes ago, and police have shut down all Blue, Orange, and Yellow line stations between here and Metro Center?
AUDREY
Yeah.
INT. NETOPS - 11:29:31
Michelle is analyzing Jeff’s computer when her phone rings.
MICHELLE
Michelle Dessler.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. CTU LOS ANGELES - 08:29:48 LOCAL TIME
CHLOE
Michelle, it’s Chloe. They just let me out of holding…I’m looking at the file now…are you sure it just messed up the one flight?
MICHELLE
As far as we know, why?
CHLOE
It’s just a really big file…a lot of code to use just to change the data on one flight.
MICHELLE
So you think it could have additional components.
CHLOE
Yeah.
Chloe hangs up as Edgar approaches.
EDGAR
Chloe, check this out.
CHLOE
Edgar, I’m on the phone.
EDGAR
This is important…it’s about the virus.
CHLOE
Fine, what is it?
EDGAR
Don’t the air traffic control servers use Fedora?
CHLOE
Yeah, why?
EDGAR
Part of the code looks like it’s designed for Windows…check this out.
Chloe types frantically on Edgar’s keyboard.
CHLOE
Michelle, are you still there?
MICHELLE
Yeah, what did you find?
CHLOE
It looks like it could be a smurf designed to send out phony signals to other systems.
MICHELLE
So that’s how the data for the Chicago flight got messed up.
CHLOE
Possibly. But the air traffic servers all use Linux, and some of the code seems designed for Windows. Hold on…oh my g-d.
MICHELLE
What?
CHLOE
This looks like it’s designed for the plane itself. I think it’s a wireless snarf designed to send phony signals to other systems within range.
MICHELLE
Are you sure?
CHLOE
Yeah, I think so…I think it’s designed to cause the pilot’s system to jam the systems of other planes in range when the plane gets close to landing.
MICHELLE
Is there any way to stop it?
CHLOE
Not that I can see…but part of the code has another level of encryption…Adam’s trying to crack it now.
MICHELLE
What kind of algorithm does it use?
CHLOE
RC4.
MICHELLE
Alright. I’ll relay the information. Send me whatever code you’ve managed to unscramble, and make sure the air traffic control center and Homeland Security are up to speed.
CHLOE
Alright.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - HALLWAY - 11:30:59
TONY
Jack, what is this about? Why the hell are you so opposed to me going with you?
JACK
Because you’ve got too much to lose. You’ve worked so hard to rebuild your life…I don’t want you to put yourself, Michelle, and the baby in jeopardy by going out in the field.
TONY
You know about the baby?
JACK
Yes, I know about the baby. Why are you surprised?
TONY
She hasn’t exactly been eager to broadcast the good news…I’m not even sure she views it as good news.
JACK
Yes, she does. The reason she reacted the way she did when she found out was because of what I had her doing…it made her that much more nervous about getting you in trouble, that much more afraid of losing you.
Tony considers for a minute. Audrey, who had been catching up with Jack and Tony, stops when she hears Jack’s next lines. Split screen.
JACK
Tony, you and Michelle came here to start over, just like I did when I moved here four years ago. Then I went back out in the field, and in one day I lost everything and everyone I care about.
TONY
Jack…
JACK
Tony, I will not let you repeat my mistakes! I will not let you go out in the field and risk losing everything you’ve worked so hard for.
Audrey has a look on her face similar to the look she had when she watched Jack interrogate Paul in Season 4 and you could tell she was reconsidering everything.
END SPLIT - STAY WITH JACK AND TONY
TONY
Look, Jack…I appreciate your concern. But if it wasn’t for President Palmer, I never would have had the chance to start over. Now he’s in danger and catching this guy may be the only way to save him. You’ve got to let me do this, Jack. Please…
JACK
I understand how you feel, Tony, I do. But the best thing you can do for this operation is to stay here and run tactical.
TONY
Audrey’s going to do that.
JACK
Audrey doesn’t have any experience coordinating a tactical operation, and there are way too many cameras and agents for one person to monitor. Once we get this guy, even if we can break him in time, if we can’t fix the data fast, the president’s going to have no choice but to shoot the plane down. I need you here to be on hand to help with that. With your experience running tactical and your computer expertise, you’re way more valuable here. Please, Tony, go back to Audrey’s office and help her run point.
TONY
Fine. Call me when you’re in position.
JACK
Thank you, Tony.
CUT TO:
INT. AUDREY’S OFFICE - PENTAGON - 11:32:08
Audrey is monitoring the security cameras from each Metro station and train when Tony walks in.
AUDREY
Tony, I’ve got a possible match…I see someone in car 4 of a train stopped between here and L’Enfant Plaza.
TONY
Let me see.
He walks over and looks at her screen, then whips out his phone.
TONY
Michelle, do you have any idea what Jeff was wearing this morning? Can you ask around? Alright, get back to me.
He hangs up.
AUDREY
Are things okay between you and Michelle now?
TONY
Yeah, I guess…I mean, we never really had the chance to talk about it…I’m still pretty angry and she probably is too…but for right now we have to do our jobs.
AUDREY
For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I never meant to cause trouble between you and Michelle.
TONY
Hey, it’s not your fault, alright? You’re not the one who decided to check up on me and have such little faith in me.
AUDREY
Tony, she was trying to protect you…if you’re going to be angry at anyone about this, be angry at me…I never should have put you in that position.
TONY
You trusted me…right now, that’s more than I can say about my wife.
Tony’s phone rings.
TONY
Almeida…alright, thanks.
He hangs up.
TONY
Yeah, that’s him. I’ll upload the screenshot to Jack…can you be ready to call WMATA and tell them to release the train on Jack’s order?
AUDREY
Yeah.
Skip knocks on the door.
AUDREY
Not now, Skip.
SKIP
Please, just let me talk to you for a second.
TONY
Go ahead, Audrey…I can handle things here.
AUDREY
Fine.
She follows him into the hall.
SKIP
Look, I know you’re mad at me, and I’m sorry for spying on you…but I had no idea what Jeff was up to…I hope you know I never meant to hurt you.
AUDREY
I know. But you meant to hurt Tony.
SKIP
I didn’t mean to hurt him…I just wanted to keep an eye on him.
AUDREY
So you help Cummings find some reason to fire him, because you don’t trust him.
SKIP
I’m sorry, I don’t.
AUDREY
And you don’t trust me.
SKIP
How can you expect me to trust you when you’re sneaking around and doing things behind my back?
AUDREY
I guess you can’t.
SKIP
What’s that supposed to mean?
AUDREY
I guess that means this isn’t going to work.
SKIP
Don’t say that, honey. I love you…I want to make this work.
She shakes her head, blinking back tears.
SKIP
Audrey…
AUDREY
Look, Skip, three years ago, I went through a really tough time.
SKIP
I know you did.
AUDREY
No, you don’t…I didn’t tell you everything. The truth is, I lost more than one person I cared about that day, and I don’t know how I would have gotten through the days and weeks that followed if it wasn’t for Tony. You may not have known everything, but you knew that Tony saved my life and you knew that he was there for me when I really needed a friend. So the fact that you would go out of your way to hurt him tells me that you obviously don’t care about me as much as you claim to. So please, just take this and go.
She takes off her engagement ring and gives it to him, then walks back into her office, trying not to cry. Tony, who saw her give Skip the engagement ring, gets up and gives her a hug when she comes back in.
TONY
You alright?
AUDREY
Yeah…I will be.
TONY
Hey. You did the right thing…I’m proud of you.
AUDREY
Thanks, Tony. What’s going on with the hostile?
TONY
The Metro Police have established a perimeter to prevent anyone from leaving the station. Once they confirm that the perimeter is air tight Jack’s going to call back and I’m going to call Metro and have them release the train.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - 11:33:48
JENNY
Mr. President, Walt Cummings is on the line.
LOGAN
Alright, put him through.
SPLIT SCREEN
LOGAN
What can I do for you, Walt?
CUMMINGS
Sir, I assume you’re up to speed on the problem with the flight from Chicago.
LOGAN
Yes. Jim said DOD is working on it now. As far as I understand, there have been no disruptions on the plane…David Palmer’s Secret Service agent was able to use his cell phone to enable the pilot to communicate with the air traffic control center…the problem as I understand it is just a computer glitch with the tracking software.
CUMMINGS
It’s a little more complicated than that, Mr. President.
LOGAN
What do you mean?
CUMMINGS
The plane’s GPS navigation systems may have been compromised in the attack. The pilot believes that what’s showing on his screen may not correlate with the plane’s actual position. If that’s the case, if the plane is allowed to fly around blind, it could collide with other airplanes, crash into buildings, cause unthinkable amounts of damage.
LOGAN
So we need to send the air force to escort the plane to safe landing.
CUMMINGS
That would be problematic, sir. DOD believes that the virus may have not only corrupted the GPS data on the pilot’s screen…they have reason to believe the navigation system on the plane may have been programmed to send out phony signals that would jam the navigation systems on the military planes and other civilian aircrafts as it approaches the airport.
LOGAN
Are they sure about this?
CUMMINGS
Not 100%, but they’re fairly certain.
LOGAN
So what do we do?
CUMMINGS
Sir, I think at this point, there’s only one option. This plane cannot be allowed to approach the airport.
LOGAN
So what are you suggesting?
CUMMINGS
I don’t think I need to spell that out for you.
LOGAN
You want me to shoot down a plane transporting a former president of the United States?
CUMMINGS
Sir, I don’t think we have any other choice at this point.
LOGAN
And there’s no chance NetOps at DOD will be able to stop this virus?
CUMMINGS
It’s possible, but unlikely, and we don’t have the luxury of waiting. We have to assume there’s a high probability that this is related to the inauguration ceremonies…you can’t go out there to take the oath of office until this plane is on the ground one way or another.
LOGAN
Once I give the order, how long until the plane is down?
CUMMINGS
About ten minutes.
LOGAN
Alright. Have the air force mobilize and prepare to launch, but tell them to wait for my order.
CUMMINGS
Yes sir.
CUT TO:
INT. L’ENFANT PLAZA METRO STATION - 11:35:03
Jack talks to Tony on COM. Split screen.
JACK
Hey…we’re in position at the L’Enfant Plaza station…call WMATA and tell them to release the train.
TONY
Alright.
CUT TO:
INT. CTU LOS ANGELES - 08:35:21 Local Time
ADAM
Chloe, I have Chase Edmunds from CTU Washington/Baltimore on the phone.
CHLOE
Tell him I’m busy…I’ll call him back once the algorithm starts.
ADAM
He says it’s urgent.
CHLOE
Fine.
She picks up the phone.
CHLOE
What’s up, Chase?
SPLIT WITH:
INT. CTU WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE - 11:35:39
CHASE
That’s what I want to know. Why is everything being embargoed from CTU Washington/Baltimore?
CHLOE
We’re working on the air traffic data here…the plane originated here.
CHASE
Why can’t my people look at it too? We have a better chance of tracking this plane if we have more people working on it.
CHLOE
I don’t know…the order comes straight from pision.
CHASE
Chloe, please, just tell me what’s going on.
CHLOE
I can’t, Chase…I’m sorry. I have to get back to work.
CHASE
Fine.
END SPLIT - STAY WITH CHASE
Faux News is playing on the big screen TV on the wall.
ON SCREEN:
REPORTER
We’ve just gotten word of major delays on the Metro between the Pentagon and L’Enfant Plaza on the Blue Line…trains have been stopped for almost ten minutes as police search the L’Enfant station.
BACK TO SCENE.
REPORTER (O.C.)
(continued in background)
Metro and the Metropolitan Police have thus far declined to comment on the reason for the search, which most likely relates to security at the inauguration. The Smithsonian and Archives metro stops have been closed since this morning due to security concerns…
Chase walks down to the floor from his office and approaches CTU Analyst MOLLIE LANGDON after hearing the news on TV.
CHASE
Mollie, can you pull up the security camera feed from the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station?
MOLLIE
Yeah, give me a sec.
She types frantically, bringing up the Metro security camera on her screen. Chase watches intently.
MOLLIE
Do we have people on the ground there?
CHASE
No. For some reason, DOD has decided we should be kept out of the loop on this…Metropolitan Police are taking care of it.
He notices something on the screen.
CHASE
Hold on…can you zoom in on the guy waiting for the train?
MOLLIE
The guy in the uniform?
CHASE
Yeah.
She presses a few keys to zoom in.
CHASE
Holy shit.
He stands there, looking as if he has seen a ghost, watching Jack board the train and start searching passengers.
The scene Chase is watching on the computer screen EXPANDS to take us inside the Metro station.
INT. L’ENFANT PLAZA METRO STATION - CONTINUOUS
Jack is giving to a Metro security guard while Tony and Audrey monitor the cameras from Audrey’s office in the Pentagon. The train arrives, and the conductor makes an announcement on the intercom.
CONDUCTOR
Attention all passengers. This is the L’Enfant Plaza stop on the Yellow Line. For your safety, all passengers are to remain on board until instructed otherwise. Anyone attempting to exit the train without permission will be arrested and could face sanctions including jail time. Thank you for your cooperation, and we apologize for the delay.
TONY (O.S.)
Jack, check car 4 first.
JACK
Copy. I’m going to get on the train and search….keep an eye out for anyone trying to get off the train. Have Audrey monitor the inside of the train while you monitor the station.
TONY (O.S.)
Alright.
Jack gets on the train and starts walking through the aisle, looking for Jeff.
JACK
Everyone please remain seated…we’ll get through this as quickly as possible.
CUT TO:
INT. CTU LOS ANGELES - 08:38:08 Local Time
Chloe answers the phone.
CHLOE
CTU, O’Brien.
INTERCUT.
MICHELLE
Chloe, it’s Michelle. Where are you on the file?
CHLOE
I’ve tried a bunch of decryption techniques but so far nothing’s working…have Jack and Tony apprehended the programmer?
MICHELLE
No, not yet.
CHLOE
I’m going to keep trying, but finding the programmer and getting him to talk may be the only way to decrypt this thing.
MICHELLE
Alright, keep trying…I found something on Jeff’s computer that may have some information…I’m trying to decrypt that now.
CHLOE
Alright. When Jack and Tony get the guy, tell them to get the password right away…we’re running out of time.
INT. PENTAGON - AUDREY’S OFFICE - 11:38:57
TONY
Audrey, do you still have a visual?
AUDREY
No…he must have slipped into another car or away from the camera…I can’t see him anymore.
TONY
Jack, do you copy?
JACK (O.S.)
Yeah. Do you see anything in any of the other cars?
TONY
Negative. Is it possible he could have gotten out before the train got here?
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. L’ENFANT PLAZA METRO STATION - CONTINUOUS
JACK
No, the doors are air-tight.
Suddenly, someone BREAKS THE GLASS on the window with a GUN and tries to jump out.
Jack jumps through the broken window, chasing the guy to the escalator as other passengers flee the train.
Jack SHOOTS the guy in the leg and tackles him to the ground. Jack runs over and points his gun at the guy.
JACK
Where is the air traffic data?
MAN
What the hell are you talking about?
JACK
We don’t have time to play games. You’re going to tell me how to restore the air traffic data right now or I will kill you.
AUDREY
Tony, check this out.
TONY
What is it?
AUDREY
I just saw movement on the floor in car 3.
TONY
Jack, do you copy?
JACK
Yeah.
He handcuffs the guy he was chasing and ties him to the poll, then goes back to the train and crawls down on the ground, looking for Jeff.
TONY
Jack, 11 o’clock.
Jack turns and spots someone crawling under a seat. He backs the hostile into a corner and cocks his gun.
JACK
Come out, you’re completely surrounded.
JEFF
No, you are.
SERIES OF SHOTS, INTERCUTTING AS NECESSARY:
1) Jack turns around and sees several GUNMEN, including the one he tied up, surrounding him.
2) Jeff jumps up and joins them.
3) Audrey bites her nails nervously.
4) Jack drops his gun and puts his hands in the air.
SFX: GUNSHOTS
5) Jack ducks to avoid the broken glass.
5) The hostiles fall to the ground one by one.
6) OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT of Jack, looking shocked and confused as he watches the hostiles fall to the ground one by one.
7) JACK’S POV: PAN UP TO REVEAL CHASE EDMUNDS standing behind the fallen hostiles holding a gun.
WRITTEN: 11:40:02
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
FADE IN:
EXT. CAPITOL HILL
ESTABLISHING SHOT: UNITED STATES CAPITOL
SUPER: UNITED STATES SENATE
INT. HART SENATE BUILDING - PRESS ROOM - 11:44:01
Senator Palmer is answering questions from reporters following a press conference to explain his decision to filibuster Cummings’ nomination.
REPORTER
How would you respond to charges that you’re suppressing the will of the majority by mounting this 99th-hour filibuster?
KEITH
Well, considering Cummings was nominated by a president who lost the popular vote, I think it’s hard to make the claim that his nomination is the will of the majority. But while my opposition to this nomination is well known, my intention is not to prevent Walt Cummings from becoming Secretary of Defense. I am blocking this nominee temporarily to allow time to investigate an allegation made against him, to ensure that we have all the facts before we vote.
REPORTERS
Shouting over each other What was the allegation? Are you doing this because your father told you to? How do you know the allegation has any basis?
Before Keith can answer, one of his aides approaches him.
AIDE
Senator, I have your father on the phone…he says it’s urgent.
KEITH
Alright, thank you very much, everyone. I regret that I won’t be able to take any more questions at this time, but my office will keep you up to date throughout the day. Thank you very much.
He walks away from the podium and into an empty hearing room, where he takes the phone from his aide. The aide leaves the room.
KEITH
Dad? Where are you?
INTERCUT WITH:
EXT. SKY / INT. AIRPLANE
PALMER
I’m on a plane that’s supposed to be headed for DC…I was called back from Chicago on urgent business this morning.
KEITH
Oh, okay. Uh, when do you get in? Depending on when you get in I can try to pick you up…if not I can send someone.
PALMER
No, that won’t be necessary. Keith, I need you to listen to me very carefully. I can’t go into detail, but there’s a good chance this plane may not land at Dulles.
KEITH
You mean they’re perting you to somewhere else for security?
PALMER
No.
KEITH
Dad, I don’t understand…are you saying that the plane may not land at all?
PALMER
That’s correct.
KEITH
Why? Is there something wrong with the mechanics?
PALMER
No. The plane appears to be fine mechanically…but there may be a technical problem that could make it a hazard if it approaches the airport.
KEITH
So what are you saying?
PALMER
Keith, I can’t spell it out for you…not here.
KEITH
Dad, are you saying the president is going to shoot down your plane?
PALMER
I believe he may have no choice.
KEITH
What the hell? Why?
PALMER
I can’t go into detail…I don’t want to create panic among other passengers. Call DOD for a more detailed explanation after we get off. But right now I need you to listen to me…this is very important.
Keith stands there looking shell shocked.
PALMER
This morning, I left a letter at Nicole’s house that contains very important information. If I don’t make it, I need you to read the letter on the Senate floor.
KEITH
What kind of a letter?
PALMER
I can’t go into detail, but it contains information that will exonerate an innocent man. When you see it, you’re not going to want to read it, but I need you to promise me that you’ll do it…more than one life may depend on it.
KEITH
Okay…okay, I promise.
PALMER
Keith, I know that I haven’t always been there for you, and I know I made a lot of mistakes as a father.
KEITH
Dad, please, don’t do this…
PALMER
But I want you to know how proud of you I am…I know the campaign was rough, and I was out of line when I tried to impose my values on you. You’re your own man, and I couldn’t be happier with the man you’ve become. I love you, and no matter what happens today, I want you to know that I will always be there for you.
KEITH
I love you, too, Dad…I love you too.
He hangs up the phone and starts to cry hysterically.
INT. L’ENFANT PLAZA METRO STATION - 11:46:18
Jack is examining the bodies of the fallen hostiles while Chase ties Jeff up.
CHASE
Find anything?
JACK
No. They’re all dead.
CHASE
No ID, passport, anything?
JACK
Not that I can see…most of them look American, so I doubt they’d have passports.
CHASE
Alright, I’ll have a forensics team come pick them up. How does the president want us to handle this guy?
JACK
Unknown at this point. Secretary Heller said the president’s furious with him for letting me out and refused to even listen to a progress report before going out to the mall for the inauguration. I’ve got to get back to DOD now, before the president decides to have the Secretary of Defense arrested. I don’t think we can break the suspect here…I need you to take him back to CTU and interrogate him there…have your people run a background check to see if they can find any leverage.
CHASE
Mollie’s working on that now. My people are also looking up all the numbers we found on the phones to see if they can find anything.
JACK
Good.
CHASE
Did you find anything on the laptop?
JACK
No, it’s all encrypted, and a lot of it is in Chinese. I’m going to take it back to DOD for Michelle to look at, unless you have someone who can do it faster.
CHASE
No, you should probably take it with you…our senior sys tech resigned last week and we haven’t replaced him yet…Michelle can do it faster than any of our other analysts.
JACK
Alright, I’ll call DOD on my way back and make sure they have a translator on hand to help Michelle.
CHASE
Okay. The forensics team should be here in a few minutes.
JACK
Alright. I’d better get back. Thank you, Chase…you saved my life.
CHASE
Yeah.
Jack starts packing up the laptop.
CHASE
Look, Jack, I don’t know what you’ve heard about me and Kim…
JACK
Just the cliffnotes…it’s hard to hear the full story when your phone calls can’t be longer than a minute.
CHASE
I just want you to know that I never meant to hurt her…
JACK
Chase, what happened between you and Kim is between you and Kim. All I ask is that you make sure she never finds out about me. She’s already dealt with my “death”, and I don’t want her to have to go through it again.
CHASE
You know she lives in Baltimore now, right?
JACK
Yeah.
CHASE
Why don’t you call her, Jack? I know if she had a choice she’d want the chance to see you or at least talk to you one last time.
JACK
No…I don’t want to make things harder for her than they’ve already been. Please, promise me, Chase.
CHASE
Fine, I promise.
JACK
Why the hell are you back at CTU? I thought you wanted something different for your life.
CHASE
I did. But three years ago, CTU Washington/Baltimore implored me to come back there after their head of field ops was killed in the line of duty the same day you disappeared. I resisted at first, but I knew they needed me, and I couldn’t walk away.
JACK
Couldn’t walk away.
Jack shakes his head, exasperated.
JACK
That was my problem. I couldn’t walk away either, and look at me now. I’ve failed everyone I ever cared about, and now I’m being handed over to the Chinese to be tried as a war criminal. Don’t do this to yourself, Chase. Don’t do this to your daughter. Get out now while you still can.
INT. OSD - 11:48:24
HELLER
Mike Novick said the president authorized the Air Force to take out the plane if the navigation system isn’t fixed by noon…how’s Michelle coming along with that?
TONY
She’s working with CTU Los Angeles…they have a script ready that should remove the virus, but they need the codes to connect to the pilot’s system, and those were wiped out this morning in the attack. CTU Washington/Baltimore is interrogating the programmer now…hopefully they’ll be able to get the information out of him before it’s too late. CTU downtown is going to take care of running identifying the dead hostiles….Jack’s on his way back here now.
HELLER
How’s Audrey holding up?
TONY
She’s hanging in there…right now she’s getting an update from the Air Force on their plans to take out the plane.
HELLER
Alright. I’ve got to brief the Secretary of the Navy…I have to hand in my resignation in the next ten minutes, and he’ll be in charge until Cummings is confirmed.
TONY
Sir, with all due respect, I’m not sure that’s the best idea. With everything going on, I’m not sure we can trust anyone.
HELLER
Neither am I, Tony, but I don’t have a choice.
TONY
Can I ask a completely naive question? What would happen if you didn’t resign? I mean, is it in the constitution that you have to? If you didn’t hand in your resignation, would your term automatically be up anyway, or would you still be in office until your successor was confirmed?
HELLER
To be honest, I’m not sure. I never really considered it…it’s a longstanding custom for the entire cabinet to resign in advance of the inauguration.
TONY
I understand that, sir…but with everything going on right now, it seems crazy to have a change of command in the middle of all this.
HELLER
I guess you’re right. The president’s not going to be happy if I don’t turn in my resignation right away, but right now the president’s feelings are the last thing I’m worried about. Find out if I’m required to resign by noon…if not, I’ll hold off until things settle down a little.
TONY
Yes, sir.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - PENNSYLVANIA AVE. - 11:49:17
The motorcade pulls out of the White House driveway and onto Pennsylvania Ave.
INT. SECRET SERVICE VEHICLE
LOGAN
Are you sure this is safe?
MIKE
We can never be 100% certain at events like this, Mr. President. But Secret Service has taken every precaution.
LOGAN
Given the circumstances, wouldn’t it be more prudent to take the oath of office in a more secure setting?
MIKE
Sir, if you don’t address the crowd and give your inaugural address as planned, it will convey to the American people and to our enemies that we’re afraid. The people need their president to exude confidence by carrying on as planned…we have to show resilliance.
LOGAN
If this plane is used as a weapon against me, that’s hardly going to show resilliance.
MIKE
Sir, that’s highly unlikely. The pilot is still in control of the plane, and none of the physical security apparatus has been tampered with.
The phone rings.
MIKE
Mike Novick…alright, that’s great news…I’ll alert the president.
He hangs up the phone.
MIKE
CTU Washington/Baltimore captured the man responsible for writing the code that compromised the data…he’s provided information that enabled DOD and CTU Los Angeles to restore the pilot’s navigation system and ensure that the plane doesn’t pose a threat.
LOGAN
That’s great news…so we can abort the air strike?
MIKE
Yes, sir. The plane no longer poses any danger to other planes or the airport.
The phone rings again.
MIKE
Yeah? Alright, here he is.
LOGAN
Walt, I understand the crisis has been averted…you can call off the air strike.
SPLIT WITH:
INT. WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
CUMMINGS
Sir, before you do that, there’s something you may want to consider.
LOGAN
What do you mean? Mike told me that DOD was able to stop the virus. Is that not correct?
CUMMINGS
It is, sir, but we may have another problem on our hands. David Palmer’s scheduled a press conference as soon as his plane lands.
LOGAN
Why is that a problem?
CUMMINGS
DOD phone logs show that he’s been in contact with Secretary Heller’s daughter, Audrey Raines, throughout the morning, including one phone call placed after Jack Bauer entered the Pentagon.
LOGAN
I don’t follow.
CUMMINGS
Jack and Audrey were seeing each other for over six months before he disappeared…
LOGAN
So are you suggesting that she’s somehow convinced David to interfere with Bauer being handed over?
CUMMINGS
Yes, sir, I think it’s possible. And I don’t think I need to remind you what a disaster it would be if Palmer were to come forward with his account of the raid on the Chinese consulate.
LOGAN
So what are you suggesting?
CUMMINGS
I don’t think I need to spell that out for you, sir.
LOGAN
Walt, are you crazy? You want me to authorize the Air Force to shoot down a plane carrying a former president and over 100 American citizens to cover up the truth about what happened three years ago?
CUMMINGS
Sir, we’ve had credible warnings that this plane could pose a threat. Shooting it down would be easily justifiable…all we’d have to do is modify the time logs slightly and nobody would ever know.
LOGAN
This never would have happened if you hadn’t disobeyed me three years ago, Walt. I told you not to interfere with Bauer being handed over to the Chinese…if you hadn’t ordered the Secret Service agent to take him out, we wouldn’t be in this situation.
CUMMINGS
Mr. President, if you’d like me to withdraw my nomination for SecDef, I will. But right now, we don’t have time to be assigning blame. You need to make a decision.
LOGAN
I’m sorry…I can’t authorize the strike under the circumstances.
CUMMINGS
I understand, sir.
END SPLIT - STAY WITH CUMMINGS
Cummings picks up the phone.
CUMMINGS
It’s a go…Delta 5, you’re cleared to engage.
A CLOCK on the screen in the White House situation room shows a TEN MINUTE COUNTDOWN beginning.
FADE TO BLACK.
WRITTEN: 11:50:25
COMMERCIAL BREAK
WRITTEN: 11:53:45
MUSIC: “I Don’t Know You Anymore” by Savage Garden plays in the background.
Maybe I shouldn’t have called, but someone had to be the first to break.
We can go sit on your back porch, relax, talk about anything, it don’t matter
I’ll be courageous if you can pretend that you’ve forgiven me.
INT. OSD
Secretary Heller is putting his pictures and personal artifacts from his desk in boxes while talking on the phone. Jack stares sadly at a picture of Audrey as it is moved from its place on the shelf to a box.
HELLER
Alright, I’ll let him know.
He hangs up the phone and turns to Jack.
HELLER
Alright, the Secret Service will be here in about ten minutes to take you to the Embassy. I’ve arranged for Tony and Sergio to follow the car, to make sure you get there safely and without interference.
JACK
Thank you, sir.
HELLER
Would you like to speak to your daughter before you go?
JACK
No, sir. She doesn’t know I’m alive, and I’d like to keep it that way. She’s already dealt with my death and I don’t want her to have to go through it all over again.
HELLER
Understood. So now the next question is, do you want to speak to my daughter before you go?
Jack blushes and chuckles sadly.
JACK
I don’t think that’s a good idea…she’s got a lot on her mind right now. I don’t want to make things harder for her than I already have by showing up today.
HELLER
Fair enough. I’m so sorry to have to do this, Jack. I wish there was some other way.
JACK
Mr. Secretary, you’re doing what has to be done. It’s out of our hands now.
Secretary Heller takes the picture out of the box and hands it to Jack.
HELLER
Why don’t you hang onto this? I have another copy at home.
Jack blushes again and looks down at the picture sadly, struggling to keep his emotions in check.
JACK
Thank you, sir.
I don’t recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so has your name.
INT. AUDREY’S OFFICE - 11:54:58
Tony knocks on the door.
AUDREY
Hey.
TONY
Hey…did you get confirmation from the Air Force that the strike was aborted?
AUDREY
No, I couldn’t get through…I’m waiting to hear back.
TONY
Alright. Let me know when you get confirmation.
AUDREY
Okay.
TONY
Look, I’m not supposed to tell you this, but Secret Service is picking Jack up and taking him to the Chinese embassy. Your father wants me and Sergio to follow them to make sure nothing happens on the way there…to ensure Jack’s safety.
AUDREY
I don’t understand. Why are they taking him now? We have an active investigation going on and he’s right in the middle of it.
TONY
The president’s decided that the best way to handle this is to hand him over immediately and hope that that will make everything that’s been happening stop.
AUDREY
That’s ridiculous.
TONY
You’re preaching to the choir, Audrey. Look…there’s time if you want to say goodbye.
AUDREY
That’s okay…I said some things earlier that I shouldn’t have…the last thing I want to do is make it worse. Can you tell him goodbye for me?
TONY
Audrey, I’ve known Jack for over ten years, and I know that he only asked us not to tell you he was leaving because he wanted to protect you…I’m sure he’d feel a lot better if he got to see you one more time before he left, and so will you…you’ll feel better if there’s a little bit of closure. Come on…
AUDREY
I tell you what. I’ll go say goodbye to Jack if you go make things right with Michelle.
Tony sighs.
TONY
Why are you doing this to me, Audrey? Now I’m going to feel guilty if I don’t agree and you regret not saying goodbye later.
AUDREY
Well, I feel guilty about causing trouble between you and Michelle, so I guess we’ll be even. Come on…just go talk to her.
TONY
Fine, you win. He’s in your father’s office…I’ll call and tell them to hold off on taking him.
AUDREY
Thanks, Tony.
TONY
Yeah.
INT. NETOPS - 11:56:04
Michelle is talking on the phone, nodding and speaking softly, wiping a tear from her eye.
MICHELLE
I understand…thank you…I don’t know…I don’t think he was married…he talked a lot about his sister…they may even live together. I don’t know…alright, thank you.
Tony approaches hesitantly.
TONY
Hey…what’s wrong?
MICHELLE
I just got off the phone with the clinic…Brian…Brian didn’t make it.
TONY
I’m sorry, Michelle.
He hesitantly touches her arm. When she doesn’t resist, he wraps his arms around her, standing at arm’s length and looking her in the eye.
TONY
Look, about earlier.
MICHELLE
Yeah…look, I’m sorry for the way I handled things…I should have talked to you first. I’m sorry.
TONY
No, I understand why you did what you did. I shouldn’t have kept all this from you. It’s just…Audrey hardly trusts anyone, and given what she’s been through I don’t blame her for that…I just…I didn’t want to betray her trust.
MICHELLE
I understand…you did the right thing, Tony. You were being a good friend. I don’t fault you for that…I just get scared sometimes…after everything we’ve been through, sometimes I’m afraid that it’s all going to fall apart again.
TONY
I know you are…I am too, okay?
She nods. He wipes the tears from her eyes, then pulls her close and strokes her hair.
MICHELLE
I love you so much, Tony.
TONY
I love you too, sweetheart. I love you too.
CUT TO:
INT. OSD
Audrey enters tentatively. Jack looks up, surprised to see her.
We keep running from the pain
But what I wouldn’t give to see your face again.
JACK
I had a feeling Tony wasn’t going to keep his mouth shut.
AUDREY
What’s going on?
JACK
Secret Service is taking me to the Chinese embassy. From there I’m assuming I’ll be transported to China, where I’ll be put on trial and convicted for leading the attack on their consulate.
AUDREY
What are they going to do to you?
JACK
I don’t know, Audrey. I don’t know. Please, don’t worry about it…whatever it is, I’ll deal with it.
AUDREY
Jack, this isn’t fair…you shouldn’t have to take the fall for this.
JACK
Audrey, you said it yourself three years ago…I can’t expect to keep breaking the law and not expect consequences.
AUDREY
Jack, you can’t think that I meant for anything like this to happen…
JACK
I know you didn’t, Audrey. I know if there was anything you could do to change what’s happening you would. But you were right…I have to accept the consequences for the things I’ve done.
AUDREY
Jack, I can’t say that you did the right thing with Paul or that what you did was okay…but you did what you had to.
JACK
Yeah.
AUDREY
And for what it’s worth, when I went back to CTU the next day to debrief, the doctors told me that he probably wouldn’t have made it even if you hadn’t stopped them from operating.
Jack nods, unsure what to say or even what to think. Finally, he breaks the silence.
JACK
I know I made things a lot harder by coming here today…honestly, I didn’t know you were going to be here…Michelle said that you were planning to resign when your father’s term was up. But as much as I regret causing you more pain by showing up here, selfishly, I…His voice starts to crack I’m glad I got to see you one last time.
AUDREY
Me too.
JACK
I thought you hated me.
AUDREY
I thought I did too.
Again and again
I know I never really treated you right
I’ve paid the price
I’m still paying for it every day
She reaches across the table and, after hesitating for a moment, grips his index and ring fingers with her own. Jack notices she is no longer wearing her engagement ring, but does not say anything. They sit like this for a minute until Secretary Heller knocks on the door.
HELLER
I’m sorry to do this, but Secret Service says it’s time.
JACK
Alright, I’ll be out in a sec.
He gets up and starts to walk towards the door. Audrey walks over to him and reaches out as if to give him a hug before backing away. He moves a step closer and pulls her into his arms. She starts to resist but then gives up and returns the embrace. He holds her tightly for a minute, neither of them saying a word, thinking about all the things they want to say but can’t. He rests his lips against her forehead as if to plant a kiss there, but stops himself for fear of rejection and pulls away when he sees the Secret Service Agent approaching.
Was it too soon to tell?
Oh what the hell
It doesn’t really matter
How do you redefine something that never really had a name?
Has your opinion changed?
JACK
Take care of yourself, Audrey.
AUDREY
You too.
I don’t recognise this place
The picture frames have changed
And so has your name
We don’t talk much anymore
We keep running from the pain
But what I wouldn’t give to see your face again
Audrey struggles not to cry as the Secret Service agents escort Jack out of the room. Secretary Heller reenters, speaking to the Secret Service agents as they cross paths in the doorway.
HELLER
I want him treated with respect, you understand?
AGENT
Yes, sir.
The agents escort Jack out of the room and down the hall. Secretary Heller watches them go, the guilt he feels apparent on his face as he wraps his arm around Audrey.
AUDREY
What are they going to do to him, Dad?
HELLER
I don’t know, sweetheart…nobody knows.
He kisses the top of her head, then sits down at the conference table and pulls out his phone.
HELLER
Tony and Sergio are going to follow them to the embassy, to make sure he gets there safely.
Audrey nods. Her phone rings.
AUDREY
Audrey Raines…what? I don’t understand…they fixed the problem…the plane’s fine…the president didn’t give the order to abort? Alright, thanks…I’ll let him know.
HELLER
What’s going on?
AUDREY
That was Mike Novick…Delta 5’s been cleared to engage…they’re going to shoot the plane down in 4 minutes.
HELLER
What? I thought they stopped the virus.
AUDREY
They did…this must be political.
HELLER
You mean to tell me that the president’s going to have a plane with over 100 civilians shot down to cover up the attempt on Jack’s life?
AUDREY
That’s the only explanation I can think of.
HELLER
Geez…I’ll call the Air Force and see if I can’t get them to hold off until I speak to the president…call Tony and bring him up to speed.
AUDREY
Okay.
INT. NETOPS - 11:58:12
MICHELLE
Hey, it’s almost noon.
TONY
So?
MICHELLE
So, in a few minutes you’ll have been a free man for exactly four years.
TONY
Oh yeah…g-d, four years ago right now, Jack was picking me up when I got out of prison…now I’ve got to follow the Secret Service as they take him into custody and hand him over to the Chinese.
MICHELLE
It’s so unfair…
TONY
Yeah.
She wraps her arms around him tightly. He goes to kiss her, but is interrupted when his phone rings.
TONY
Almeida…what? Are you sure? Jesus Christ…he’s going to kill over 100 innocent people to save face? How much time before it hits? Alright, thanks…get back to me when you hear anything.
MICHELLE
What’s going on?
TONY
The president authorized Delta 5 to shoot down the plane.
MICHELLE
I don’t understand…we stopped the virus…the plane’s fine now.
TONY
I know. Audrey thinks the president wants to take out Palmer because he knows too much, and he’s using the virus as an excuse.
MICHELLE
That’s insane…
TONY
I know.
She shakes her head as Tony fights to control his anger. Suddenly, his expression changes, and he runs over to the keyboard on the station where Michelle had been working and starts typing frantically.
MICHELLE
What are you doing?
TONY
Audrey said the missile is programmed to match the radar frequency on the plane…I’m going to modify this virus a little and use it to scramble the radar signals.
MICHELLE
No way…that’s way too risky, not to mention illegal.
TONY
It’s the only way to stop the missile from hitting.
MICHELLE
Tony, stop…you can’t do this…you can’t go against the president.
TONY
I don’t have a choice, Michelle!
Michelle becomes more and more frantic, her voice conveying a mixture of desperation and fear. She tugs at his arm, trying to pull him away, and he shakes her off violently, causing her to stumble back and struggle to maintain her balance.
MICHELLE
Tony, please, don’t do this…please, Tony.
TONY
I WILL NOT LET THIS PLANE GO DOWN!
He continues to type frantically.
FOUR WAY SPLIT:
BOX #1: INT. NETOPS
Michelle continues to plead with Tony.
BOX #2: EXT. PENTAGON
Jack gets into a Secret Service vehicle under the watchful eye of two agents.
BOX #3: EXT. NATIONAL MALL
President Logan gets ready to take the oath of office.
BOX #4: INT. WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
A digital clock on a computer shows the countdown to the missile launch.
ON SCREEN:
“30…29…28″
END SPLIT - EXPAND BOX #1
ON SCREEN:
“Are you sure you want to perform the selected action?”
ON TONY
Looking nervous as he types.
ON SCREEN
The letters “Y…E…S” appear one by one in the command line.
ON MICHELLE
Looking desperate and feeling paralyzed to do anything as she watches with horror.
CLOSE ON Tony’s hand, which trembles as he hits the RETURN KEY to confirm.
CUT TO:
EXT. NATIONAL MALL - 11:59:34
President Logan faces the crowd from the podium and raises his right hand.
LOGAN
I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitu…
Before Logan can finish reciting the oath, he COLLAPSES.
WRITTEN: 11:59:58…11:59:59…12:00:00
FADE OUT.
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