12 P.M. - 1 P.M.
“24″
“12 P.M. - 1 P.M.”
HELLER
Richard’s here, in Washington, right now?
TONY
Yes, sir. They stopped off to protest the inaugurationÉI may be overstepping my boundaries here, but why don’t you give him a call? Maybe you can arrange to see him before they leave.
HELLER
He doesn’t want to talk to me. He made that pretty clear three years ago.
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.
Audrey stops short when she overhears this, her face conveying a mixture of guilt and contemplation.
TONY
Jack…
JACK
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.
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
So you wanted to monitor Tony’s computer…how did you do it?
SKIP
My campaign manager took care of it.
JACK
WHO IS HE???
SKIP
His name’s Jeff Chang…he works in NetOps.
INT. L’ENFANT PLAZA METRO STATION
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 CHANG
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.
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.
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.
TONY
Éthe 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
Tony, stop…you can’t do this…you can’t go against the president.
TONY
I WILL NOT LET THIS PLANE GO DOWN!
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.
The following takes place between 12 P.M. and 1 P.M. on the day of the presidential inauguration:
FADE IN:
EXT. NATIONAL MALL - 12:00:00
The president’s staff and Secret Service rush around him as he falls to the ground.
AGENT PHILLIPS
He’s got a pulse.
MIKE
Is he conscious?
PHILLIPS
Not at this time, no.
AGENT KRAUS
We’ve got to get him to a hospital now.
MIKE
Alright.
He turns to the Deputy Chief of Staff, GREG ROSENKRANTZ.
MIKE
We need to invoke the 25th now…get the Vice President.
GREG
There’s a slight problem with that, sir.
MIKE
Of course…it’s after noon…there is no vice president.
GREG
So who takes over?
MIKE
(Realization sinking in.)
I don’t know…nobody does.
INT. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE - 12:01:13
AUDREY RAINES is talking to MICHELLE DESSLER on the phone.
AUDREY
Yeah? He did what??? Michelle, he could go to jail for that. You’re his wife…if he won’t listen to you he won’t listen to anyone…alright, I’ll be right there.
Secretary of Defense JAMES HELLER hangs up the phone at the same time Audrey does.
HELLER
The air force pilot is having trouble…the missile is supposed to be pegged to the radar signal on the plane…it should launch automatically when it comes in range, but it’s having trouble picking up the radar signal.
AUDREY
Tony scrambled it.
HELLER
Tony did what???
AUDREY
He manipulated the virus to jam the radar signal so the missile couldn’t pick it up.
HELLER
He wiped out the radar signal?
AUDREY
Not exactly. He didn’t wipe it out…he just scrambled it. He says he’ll unscramble it when the mission has been aborted.
HELLER
So he’s trying to blackmail the president?
AUDREY
I guess…
HELLER
Is he crazy? The president’s going to have him arrested!
AUDREY
I know. I’m going to talk to him right now.
HELLER
Alright, I’ll be there in a minute. Tell him that if he unscrambles it now, before the president is done with his inaugural address, I’ll sign off on a report saying it was a mechanical difficulty.
AUDREY
Okay.
Her phone rings again. She looks at the screen.
AUDREY
It’s Mike Novick.
HELLER
Ignore it. Don’t take any calls from the president’s staff until we talk to Tony.
AUDREY
Okay.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON -
NETOPS - 12:03:16
Michelle is stroking Tony’s arm and trying to get him to look her in the eye as she pleads with him.
MICHELLE
Tony, please, don’t do this.
Tony’s voice is shaky, and he sounds like he is trying to convince himself to stand firm.
TONY
I don’t have a choice, Michelle. The last thing I want to do is put you through this again, believe me, but I can’t let this plane get shot down…I’m not going to let them get away with this.
MICHELLE
Please, Tony, don’t try to be a hero. I’m as angry as you are, but you can’t blackmail the president.
TONY
Yes, I can. I’m the only one who knows the codes to unscramble the signals. And I’m not trying to be a hero…I’m trying to do what’s right. And deep down, I know you agree with me.
MICHELLE
Tony, please…
She starts to cry. Tony pulls her head against his chest and strokes her hair, kissing the top of her head.
TONY
(softly, on the verge of tears)
I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.
Audrey runs over.
AUDREY
Tony, what are you doing?
TONY
I’m not letting this plane go down, Audrey. They tried to take out Jack and cover it up once and I went along with it because I had to protect his cover. But I’m not letting them get away with it again. They are not going to kill over 100 innocent people to cover up the truth. I won’t let them.
AUDREY
So you’re going to blackmail the president to abort the air strike?
TONY
I’m going to do whatever it takes.
AUDREY
Michelle, can you give us a minute?
Michelle nods. Tony kisses her softly before she gets up and walks away, tears streaming down her face.
AUDREY
Tony, I know what you’re doing, and I don’t blame you. I don’t blame you for being outraged and I don’t blame you for wanting to stop this. I know you feel indebted to President Palmer and you want to do everything you can to save him, and I admire you for that. But if you go through with this, the president is going to make sure you go to jail for the rest of your life. Please, Tony, think about what you’re doing. My father said that if you unscramble the radar now he’ll tell the president it was a mechanical difficulty. It’s not too late to fix this, Tony.
TONY
Not too late to fix things. If by fix things, you mean eliminating the evidence, I’m not interested. The only way to fix this is to abort the strike and let the plane land, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that happens.
AUDREY
Please, Tony, think about what you’re doing. Do you really want to put Michelle through this all over again?
TONY
I don’t want to, but I don’t have a choice.
AUDREY
Tony, Michelle’s two months pregnant. If you do this, you’re going to leave her to raise the baby by herself…you may never get to see your child.
TONY
Audrey, if I don’t do this, I may never get to see my child…my child may never be born at all. If they want to take out President Palmer because he knows too much, they’re going to go after all of us too. We’ll be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives unless we get to the bottom of this and expose this conspiracy. And if we lose President Palmer,
we’ll never be able to do that.
Secretary Heller comes over and motions to Audrey to come over. Audrey gets up and goes over to her father.
HELLER
Did you get anywhere with him?
AUDREY
No. I don’t think he’s going to budge.
HELLER
He’s really prepared to go through with this?
AUDREY
I think so.
HELLER
And nothing anyone says is going to make a difference?
AUDREY
You can try, but I don’t think so.
HELLER
Alright, I’m going to go make one last attempt to talk to him. Go see if you can get an update from the Air Force.
Audrey nods and walks away. Heller sits down in a chair facing Tony.
HELLER
Tony, I know what you’re trying to do, and I’m not sure I can say that what you’re doing is wrong. But I want to make sure you understand the consequences if you go through with this.
TONY
Yes, sir, I do.
HELLER
Tony, you’ve worked so hard to put your life back together…you’ve come so far and accomplished so much in the past three years… Audrey tells me you’re expecting a baby…are you really prepared to jeopardize everything you’ve worked so hard for for the small chance that you’ll be able to save this plane?
TONY
Sir, a year and a half ago I told your son that breaking the law should be a last resort, something you do only when you have no other choice. Mr. Secretary, right now I have no other choice.
HELLER
There’s nothing I can say that’s going to change your mind, is there?
TONY
No, sir.
HELLER
I understand.
Audrey comes back in, looking frantic.
AUDREY
Dad, I have Mike Novick on the phone…he says it’s urgent.
HELLER
Alright, I’ll take it in a second.
He turns back to Tony.
HELLER
Tony, this is your last chance to change your mind. Are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this?
TONY
(voice full of fear)
Yes, sir, I am.
Secretary Heller takes the phone from Audrey, who sits down next to Tony and taps him on the arm supportively.
HELLER
(into phone)
Yeah? What???? Is he alive? So who’s in charge? Alright, I’ll have the staff set up the call in my office. Alright, thanks, Mike.
He hangs up and dials another number.
HELLER
By the power vested in me by the 25th Amendment, I’m ordering you to abort the airstrike immediately. I repeat, abort immediately.
WRITTEN: 12:08:48
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
FADE IN:
SPLIT SCREEN:
1) President Logan being rushed to the hospital
2) Chase interrogating Jeff Chang.
3) Secretary Heller in his office teleconferencing with Mike Novick and the rest of the cabinet
4) Tony on the phone with the FAA.
INT. PENTAGON - NETOPS - 12:12:59
Tony, Michelle, and Audrey are still sitting at the computers. Michelle is running from computer to computer checking on the progress of various security tests she’s running, while Tony is on the phone with the FAA and Audrey is getting an update on President Logan’s condition.
TONY
Alright, thanks. Get back to me when you have confirmation.
He hangs up and waits for Audrey to finish her phone conversation.
TONY
The FAA just confirmed that I didn’t damage anything…the radar signals are fine. The plane’s going to make an emergency landing at BWI within the hour…they’re going to evacuate the airport first.
AUDREY
I thought that law only applies to current presidents.
TONY
Ordinarily, it does, but given the circumstances, Homeland Security didn’t want to take any chances. So what’s going on with the president?
AUDREY
He’s alive, but he’s still unconscious…no word yet on what made him collapse or how serious it is.
TONY
So who’s in charge right now?
AUDREY
That’s what the cabinet’s figuring out…under the circumstances it’s not entirely clear. The 25th Amendment delegates command of the military to the Vice President and the Secretary of Defense in the event that the president becomes temporarily incapacitated…it’s deliberately vague, and could cause problems except for the fact that we currently have no vice president…that’s why my dad was able to call off the strike. He’s in command of the military until Logan wakes up, but it’s not clear who’s supposed to act as president right now.
TONY
So you’re basically saying that for all intents and purposes, we don’t have a president right now?
AUDREY
For all intents and purposes, yeah.
MICHELLE
How is that possible?
Audrey grabs a notepad and a pen and starts drawing a diagram. Tony and Michelle watch.
AUDREY
As you probably know, the vote in Florida was so close and so disputed that the state ended up sending two slates of electors, one for Logan and one for Kaplansky. When that happens, the constitution mandates that the House of Representatives picks the president and the Senate picks the vice president. The House has a Republican majority, so they voted for President Logan, but the Senate is split 50/50 between the Democrats and the Republicans, so this is where it gets tricky. Are you with me so far?
TONY
Yeah.
Michelle nods.
AUDREY
Okay, good. Listen carefully, because this is going to be confusing. You know from this morning how a filibuster works, right?
TONY
Yeah, I think so…one senator can block something and I think that has something to do with why controversial nominees take more votes than ordinary nominees to be confirmed.
AUDREY
You listened better than I gave you credit for the other day. So the Democrats have been filibustering the Vice Presidential vote, because if they allowed the vote before noon today the Republican Vice President would have been able to cast the tie vote for himself. Now there is no vice president to do that. Next in line for the presidency would be Speaker of the House Don Ashton…
TONY
But he died of a heart attack last week.
AUDREY
Exactly.
MICHELLE
So who’s next?
AUDREY
This is what the Supreme Court and the Cabinet are trying to determine right now. Next in line is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The problem is, with the Senate divided 50/50 with no vice president, it’s not clear who the President Pro Tempore is…that’s what the Supreme Court is ruling on right now…whether the Republican senator who was President Pro Temp until 15 minutes ago has the legal authority to take office. If not, the Acting Secretary of State will have to take over.
TONY
I don’t even know who that is.
AUDREY
Neither do most people…that’s why Congress changed…oh my g-d.
TONY
What’s wrong?
AUDREY
Hold on a sec.
She dials a number on her cell phone.
AUDREY
Hey, it’s Audrey…I have a question: do you know when H.R. 2319 takes effect? Is it today? Alright, thanks…I don’t know…I guess so.
TONY
What’s H.R. 2319?
AUDREY
A bill that, among other things, removes the acting cabinet secretaries from the line of succession.
TONY
What does that mean?
AUDREY
It means my dad has to take over until President Logan wakes up.
Secretary Heller hangs up his phone as he rejoins everyone.
HELLER
Tony, have you managed to get a hold of Richard?
TONY
No, sir. I haven’t tried in a while. But I’m sure the Secret Service will pick him up…I’ll call right now.
HELLER
So Audrey explained what’s going on?
TONY
Yes, sir.
HELLER
Don’t worry if you don’t understand completely…to be honest I’m not sure I do.
AUDREY
I don’t understand…the Supreme Court made a decision already?
HELLER
No. In the interest of ensuring timely continuity of government, both Stevenson and Birdman agreed that it should go straight to the cabinet, since neither had clear legal standing to assume the presidency.
AUDREY
So have you been sworn in?
HELLER
No, not yet. I wanted you to be there with me. I’d like Richard to be there too, but if we can’t get him here in the next ten minutes, I’m going to have to go ahead…we can’t just leave a void at the top.
AUDREY
Okay.
HELLER
Listen, Audrey, I need you to come with me to the White House…I’m going to operate out of the West Wing unless Secret Service says I should do otherwise.
AUDREY
Why do you want me to come with you? Don’t you need me here?
HELLER
I need you with me. You’ve wanted to be White House Chief of Staff since you were five years old…g-d willing, it’ll only be for a few hours, but this is your chance.
AUDREY
Dad, no. This isn’t the time for me to act out some childhood fantasy. You need to keep Mike Novick in place…he’s wired into the administration and he’s been in this situation before.
HELLER
Mike’s at the hospital with the president…he’ll come back to the White House as soon as they get an initial assessment on the president’s condition. But right now, we have to assume that whatever’s going on goes all the way up to the highest ranks of the executive branch, and aside from the two of you, I don’t know who to trust. Audie, I’ve never started any new job since you were born where you weren’t right there with me…I need you right there with me now.
AUDREY
(voice shaky)
Okay.
HELLER
I’m going to take the oath in the press room here before heading over to the White House. There are two Secret Service agents waiting outside this room who are going to look out for you. I want you to explain to them where Richard might be, then go with them to the press room, but wait outside and don’t talk to the press no matter what, alright?
AUDREY
Okay.
Audrey exits.
HELLER
Michelle, what’s going on with the network? Sam said there may be a problem.
MICHELLE
Yes, sir. We’re afraid that Jeff Chang may have compromised some or all of the information and infrastructure he had access to.
HELLER
Can you change the codes?
MICHELLE
Yes, sir, we’ve already done that. But that doesn’t eliminate the possibility that he could have planted worms or hacks that could compromise the systems or vital data.
HELLER
Alright. Do you have what you need to address the problem?
MICHELLE
In terms of hardware, yes. But we need more personnel…we’ve lost three analysts this morning. I called for backup, and several of the career employees are on there way here. But until we can run a thorough scan, I would recommend running all domestic investigations and operations from CTU.
HELLER
Have you confirmed that CTU has the capacity to handle that?
MICHELLE
Yes, sir. I spoke with the director a few minutes ago.
HELLER
Alright. Keep me posted.
MICHELLE
Yes, sir.
HELLER
Tony, walk with me.
Tony follows him down the hall.
HELLER
I want you to come with me to the White House, to act as my National Security Advisor for the time being.
TONY
With all due respect, sir, I don’t think that’s a good idea.
HELLER
Why not?
TONY
From what Audrey tells me, most people are not going to understand how it is that you became president. And I may not be an expert on politics, but I understand enough to know that making a convicted traitor your national security advisor is not going to help you establish legitimacy.
HELLER
I don’t give a damn about what happened four and a half years ago! Most of the president’s people know your situation…I can’t imagine any of them are going to question your loyalty.
TONY
But the American people don’t know me, sir. And all it takes is one opportunistic member of Congress to go to the floor and start preaching about how you’ve appointed someone who was convicted of treason against the United States and then you’ll have to spend time reassuring the press and the American people that I don’t pose a threat to national security. I’m a liability you don’t need right now, sir.
HELLER
What I need right now is to have people I can trust advising me. Given the circumstances, you, Audrey, and Michelle are the only people I can trust completely, and Sam says I can’t take Michelle because he needs her here to deal with the network crisis.
TONY
Sir, I can advise you from here. I’ll do everything I can to help, but if you take me with you to the White House, you’re going to have to spend time answering questions about me that you need to spend leading this country. I’m honored, sir, don’t get me wrong…I just don’t want to create anymore problems for anyone today.
HELLER
Alright. But I want you to operate out of my office, so you can teleconference with the touch of a couple of buttons.
TONY
Yes, sir.
EXT. NATIONAL MALL - 12:18:08
A state of confusion reigns as word of PRESIDENT LOGAN collapsing makes its way through the crowd. RICHARD HELLER and his boyfriend XING are trying to weave through the mob. Richard is holding his cell phone to one ear and covering the other ear to try to block out the noise. After a moment, he puts the cell phone back in his pocket, frustrated.
Still can’t get through?
RICHARD
No. All circuits are busy.
In the background, they hear someone making an announcement on the loudspeaker, which cannot be made out. The announcement is followed by an uproar of anger, confusion, and panic among the crowd.
(shouting over the crowd)
Richard, did you catch that?
RICHARD
No. What was the announcement?
I don’t know…that’s why I was asking you.
Richard overhears two people standing next to him talking.
WOMAN
I don’t understand…why is the Secretary of Defense taking over and not the Vice President?
MAN
There is no Vice President…his term expired at noon…
Richard cautiously approaches the woman.
RICHARD
Excuse me. I’m sorry to interrupt, but, uh, did you just say the Secretary of Defense was going to become the acting president?
WOMAN
I’m pretty sure that’s what the announcer just said…it was hard to hear.
RICHARD
Do they mean the outgoing secretary or the new one?
WOMAN
I think they meant Secretary Heller…I don’t think Cummings has been confirmed by the Senate yet.
RICHARD
Alright, thanks.
The fear is evident from his expression as he tries again to make a phone call.
INT. PENTAGON -
PRESS ROOM - 12:19:05
Audrey is explaining to a Secret Service agent where she was supposed to meet Richard an hour earlier. Her cell phone rings.
AUDREY
Oh, good…this is him now. I’ll get an exact location.
She answers the phone.
AUDREY
(into phone)
Richard? Is that you?
SPLIT WITH:
EXT. NATIONAL MALL - CONTINUOUS
RICHARD
(shouting)
Audrey?
AUDREY
Yeah, it’s me…where are you?
END SPLIT - STAY WITH RICHARD
RICHARD
I can barely hear you…what’s going on? Is Dad taking over for President Logan?
A few people stare at Richard when he says this.
AUDREY (O.S.)
(Barely audible)
On a temporary basis, yes. Where are you?
RICHARD
I’m still at the rally, with Xing.
AUDREY
Where exactly are you?
RICHARD
Let me check…hold on…E and Constitution. How come you’re not here?
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON PRESS ROOM
AUDREY
(to Secret Service agent)
Did you get that?
AGENT
Yes. We’ll have him picked up within the next five minutes.
AUDREY
(into phone)
There was a crisis this morning and I had to deal with it. Richard, listen to me. Secret Service is going to pick you up any minute…please, go with them and don’t give them a hard time, okay?
RICHARD (O.S.)
I can barely hear you!
AUDREY
I said please, do whatever the Secret Service tells you and don’t give a hard time.
SPLIT SCREEN
RICHARD
Audrey, I can’t hear you…you’re breaking up.
The call gets disconnected. Audrey tries to call back, but gets a message that all circuits are busy.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - PRESS ROOM
AUDREY
Not sure how much of that he heard…I apologize in advance if he gives anyone a hard time.
AGENT
I’m sure our agents can handle it. It’s quite common for presidents’ children to give us a hard time, especially in the beginning.
INT. CTU WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE - INTERROGATION ROOM - 12:20:25
JEFF
I told you…I’m not saying anything else until I get a grant of immunity signed by the president.
CHASE
Well, considering we have no president at the current time, that’s not going to be an option. So you better start talking or I will force the information out of you.
JEFF
(taunting)
Go ahead…try me.
Mollie knocks on the door.
CHASE
Excuse me.
He steps out into the hall.
CHASE
What’s going on?
MOLLIE
Metro Police reported two unidentified bodies found hidden near the Anacostia station. They didn’t look like ordinary homicide victims, though…they didn’t look like they belonged in the neighborhood, for one, and no gunshots were heard by anyone in the area. Metro Police thought this might be more than an ordinary murder and wanted to know if we wanted to coopt it?
CHASE
Do we have a forensics team that can get there in the next twenty minutes?
MOLLIE
Yeah, a team’s getting ready now…they’ll leave on your order.
CHASE
Alright, send them over there. Make sure they’re armed and prepared in the event of any hostility.
MOLLIE
Got it.
INT. LIBRARY - JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY - BALTIMORE, MD - 12:21:14
KIM BAUER and her boyfriend TODD GREENBERG are among a crowd of students gathered standing around waiting as an A/V tech sets up a television so they can watch the news.
TODD
So how is it that the Secretary of Defense is taking over? What about the Vice President?
KIM
There is no vice president…the Senate still hadn’t resolved the election, remember?
STUDENT #1
I thought the Congressional leaders were next.
STUDENT #2
Well, Don Ashton had a heart attack last week and they hadn’t elected a new speaker because of infighting among Congressional Democrats…not sure why the Senate Majority Leader…or is it the President Pro Temp of the Senate…I thought he was next in line, but I guess they changed it.
STUDENT #3
No, they didn’t change it. The Senate’s 50/50…there is no President Pro Temp of the Senate.
TODD
Do you think what happened to Logan is an act of terrorism or just an accident?
KIM
I don’t know…I don’t have any sources that you don’t have.
TODD
Yeah…this is pretty scary…it almost feels like it’s right out of a Crancy novel or something…you know, those nightmare inauguration attack scenarios?
Before Kim can respond, the television comes on, with live coverage showing Secretary Heller being sworn in as president. There is a buzz in the crowd as people try to figure out what is going on. Kim notices Audrey standing next to him as he recites the oath of office.
KIM
(quietly)
I know her.
TODD
You know who?
KIM
The Secretary’s daughter…my dad introduced me to her…two days before he died. He was working as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense…
TODD
I thought your father was a counterterrorism agent who was killed in the line of duty.
KIM
He was…but he had left CTU and was working at DOD…then he somehow got caught up in everything when the Secretary of Defense and his daughter got kidnapped and my dad ended up getting killed…to be honest, I’m not sure exactly what happened…they were kind of elusive when they told me what happened.
Todd notices that her eyes start to get teary.
TODD
Are you okay?
KIM
Yeah, I’ll be fine. Sorry.
TODD
Want to get out of here?
KIM
Yeah, good idea.
He puts his arm around her and they exit the library.
INT. SECRET SERVICE VEHICLE - I-395 - DAY - 12:22:36
AUDREY
I just talked to Richard…I got a location. Secret Service is on its way to pick him up. I tried to explain that to him, but we got cut off, and I can’t get through…all circuits are busy.
HELLER
Alright, at least we know he’s going to be safe. Did you instruct them to bring him to the White House?
AUDREY
Yeah, but they said it’s his choice where he wants to go.
They’re going to have him call me from their phones when he gets in the vehicle…I’ll tell him you want to see him.
HELLER
Alright.
AUDREY
Any word from Sergio?
HELLER
No, not yet. It might be quite a while…police blocked off all the bridges to DC after the president collapsed…they may be stuck on 395. But I’m sure he’d have called if there was a problem. Tony said he’d call me as soon as he hears from him.
AUDREY
Okay.
She bites her nails anxiously.
EXT. NATIONAL MALL - 12:23:05
Secret Service Agent TED REILLY approaches Richard and Xing.
REILLY
Richard Heller?
RICHARD
Yeah?
REILLY
Agent Ted Reilly, Secret Service.
He extends a hand. Richard shakes it hesitantly.
REILLY
Are you up to speed on the situation?
RICHARD
Sort of…my sister started to explain everything to me, but we got cut off and I can’t get through.
REILLY
You’ll be able to call your sister from a secure phone as soon as we’re on the road.
RICHARD
Where are you taking me?
REILLY
We’re going to take you to an undisclosed secure location to ensure your safety. When this crisis is averted, we’ll take you whereever you want to go.
RICHARD
Alright. Xing, let’s go. We have to go with these guys.
REILLY
Sir, I’m sorry, but at this time we can only take the people we’re authorized to protect. Your father can authorize us to send another car for Xing, but you need to come with us now.
RICHARD
What the hell? You’re telling me that you want to take me to some undisclosed location and my boyfriend can’t come with me? No way. He comes with us or I’m not going.
Richard, just do what he says…your sister said to cooperate. I’m going to go back to the hotel…I’ll see you later.
RICHARD
No. I’m not going unless they let you come with me.
Richard, cut it out. You have to go with them…it’s for your own safety. You promised Audrey if she got us tickets to come here you wouldn’t cause any trouble…just do what she says and go with this guy.
RICHARD
Alright, fine. Call me when you get back, okay?
Yeah. Be careful.
RICHARD
You too.
They exchange a quick hug before Richard gets into the Secret Service vehicle.
REILLY
(into RF radio)
All teams, this is Reilly. Woodstock secure. I repeat,
Woodstock secure.
The car drives away.
INT. WAREHOUSE - LOCATION UNKNOWN - 12:24:16
BERT, a bald, broad-shouldered man in his late 30’s, is tinkering with a car and talking to a coworker, RUDY.
BERT
Did Rollie pick up the boy?
RUDY
Not yet…should be any minute.
BERT
Alright. Any problems with the Secret Service agents?
RUDY
No. He disposed of the bodies.
BERT
Good.
Rudy’s phone rings.
RUDY
(into phone)
Did you pick him up? Remember, he must not suspect anything. Alright, keep me posted.
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
FADE IN:
INT. PENTAGON - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE - 12:28:48
Michelle walks in as Tony hangs up the phone.
TONY
Hey…what’s going on?
MICHELLE
We found something…it looks like the virus pinged everything to a server in Beijing.
TONY
Are you sure?
MICHELLE
Yeah.
TONY
So this proves that the Chinese are behind what’s going on?
MICHELLE
Not necessarily. We don’t know if the server belongs to the Chinese government or a private entity. We’re looking into that now.
TONY
Alright. But you have enough evidence to connect the attack to someone in China?
MICHELLE
Yeah.
TONY
Standard procedure in this case would be to notify State and INS so they can notify the Chinese consulate if he requests it. Do me a favor and make sure nobody’s done that yet. I’ll tell Chase to embargo everything they get out of Jeff Chang from everyone except here and the White House…make sure your people follow that same protocol.
MICHELLE
Why?
TONY
Because this may play to our advantage.
MICHELLE
Tony…
TONY
Relax, Michelle…I’m not going to do anything. It’s the president’s decision…I’m just going to give him the facts.
MICHELLE
Alright, but be careful. Promise me you won’t agree to anything that involves you taking the fall for anyone, alright?
TONY
Alright.
MICHELLE
So what’s going to happen with the whole air traffic incident? Are you going to face charges?
TONY
I don’t know, sweetheart. We won’t know until President Logan wakes up, so I’m trying not to think about it. But I promise you this - they bring charges against me, and I’m not going to sit back and take it without making sure my side of the story gets heard. I made that mistake once and I won’t make it again.
MICHELLE
Okay.
He squeezes her hand reassuringly.
TONY
Alright, I’ve got to update the president…get back to me when you have an update on the server in Beijing.
MICHELLE
Alright.
She gives him a quick kiss before leaving the office. He picks up the phone and dials.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - 12:30:06
AUDREY
I looked over the draft of the speech Patricia wrote for you and made some changes…she’ll have an updated copy for you to look at in a minute.
HELLER
Alright. Any word on President Logan’s condition?
AUDREY
Not yet, but I just got confirmation from the FAA…BWI has been cleared for the plane to land.
HELLER
Is everything alright with the plane’s infrastructure and communications?
AUDREY
Yeah, everything’s fine. Tony unscrambled the radar signals, and the air traffic control center and the airport have been in constant communication with the pilot.
HELLER
What did you tell the Secretary of the Air Force?
AUDREY
I said that from what NetOps could determine, the virus had screwed up the radar signals, but they were fortunately able to fix the problem.
HELLER
Did he buy it?
AUDREY
I think so. He said he was glad the action wasn’t necessary. And technically it wasn’t a lie…Tony used the code from the virus with a few modifications to scramble the radar.
HELLER
Alright. Do we know if the president signed off on the strike after Michelle and Chloe fixed the data?
AUDREY
Mike says he said “I can’t authorize it,” which may have been a quiet green light to go ahead with it.
Stacy enters.
STACY
Mr. President, I have Tony Almeida on the line.
HELLER
Alright, thanks.
He takes the phone.
HELLER
Yeah?
TONY
Mr. President, I have a new development. Michelle just discovered that the virus routed information to a server in Beijing.
HELLER
So the Chinese were behind the attack?
TONY
Not necessarily. They have yet to determine if it went to the Chinese government. But it’s a well-known fact that the government uses people who come here for legitimate business as informal spies. Even if we can’t directly link Jeff Chang and the virus to the Chinese government, I think it’s enough to create a potential embarrassment that they’d prefer to avoid, if you get where I’m going with this.
HELLER
Yeah, I get it. Let me see what I can do.
He hangs up the phone and turns to Audrey.
HELLER
The virus was programmed to route sensitive information to a server in Beijing. We can’t prove yet that the Chinese government is behind this, but I think it’s the most logical conclusion given what we know. I need you to contact State and have them draft a resolution condemning China for the attack, but I want it embargoed until I authorize its release. Nobody outside of this office is to see it or know anything about it.
AUDREY
Okay. Do you want me to set up a call with the Chinese Premiere?
HELLER
Not yet. Let’s wait and see if they can find hard evidence of government involvement. Call CTU and see if they’ve gotten anything else out of Jeff Chang.
AUDREY
Alright.
EXT. KIM’S APARTMENT - 12:32:56
Kim and Todd are walking toward the building, unaware that they are being followed by a car.
TODD
So can you believe we’re still having classes?
KIM
I know. I wouldn’t mind getting out of this exam…
TODD
Yeah. Do you want me to go back to my place and let you study?
KIM
Nah, I’ll be alright. If I don’t know the stuff by now I never will.
Two CTU agents get out of the car that had been following them and approach.
AGENT PETERS
Kim Bauer?
KIM
(skeptically)
Yeah, that’s me.
FRANKS
Agent Kyle Franks, CTU.
He shows Kim his badge.
FRANKS
And this is Agent Tim Peters. We have orders to keep an eye on you until otherwise notified for your own protection.
KIM
WHAT??? Why?
PETERS
CTU has intelligence that indicates a possible threat, and as a former CTU employee, you’re entitled to protection when such a threat occurs. Unfortunately, I’m unable to elaborate on the specifics. I don’t want you to panic…it’s only a precaution. Just go about your business and we’ll try to be as invisible as possible.
TODD
Uh, Kim, I’ve got to go. I’ll pick you up at seven. We can still go out tonight, right?
KIM
Yeah, of course.
She gives him a quick kiss and he walks off, looking confused and slightly turned off, wondering what he has gotten himself into. Kim senses this, and turns to the agents with an annoyed expression.
KIM
(exasperated)
Did Chase Edmunds send you?
PETERS
I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m not allowed to disclose the specifics of how and why we were sent here.
KIM
Right. Thanks.
CUT TO:
EXT. INTERSTATE 395 NORTHBOUND - 12:34:09
START ON SERGIO, who is driving Tony and Michelle’s car,
following the Secret Service vehicle to the Chinese embassy.
CUT TO:
INT. SECRET SERVICE VEHICLE - CONTINUOUS
Brief shot of Jack inside the vehicle. EXTERIOR SHOT shows both vehicles getting stuck in traffic.
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - ESTABLISHING SHOT
INT. OVAL OFFICE - 12:34:26
HELLER
So if we manage to pull this off, is President Logan still going to be upset?
MIKE
I couldn’t tell you, sir. It depends how it plays out. If everything goes perfectly, he may be pacified by the fact that you got rid of the mess, or he may still be angry that you went against him. Depends what kind of a mood he’s in.
HELLER
And if things don’t go perfectly?
MIKE
If you’re determined to go through with this, we’ll just have to hope that they do.
HELLER
Could Logan undo what we’re about to do?
MIKE
Not if you do it right…make sure whatever you sign is binding, and you might want to sign a blanket pardon for any crimes he’s ever committed, so Logan can’t turn around and have him charged for crimes committed on US soil.
HELLER
Alright. Have Justice draft an order. On a related subject, what do you think I should do about Tony Almeida?
MIKE
For now, nothing.
HELLER
Even though the plane landed safely, didn’t he still commit a serious crime by scrambling the signals?
MIKE
Technically, yes. But even though the president refused to authorize the takedown, the fact that his National Security Advisor went ahead and authorized the Air Force to shoot down the plane after the data had been secured and the plane no longer posed a threat is not exactly something he’s going to be eager to advertise.
HELLER
So you’re saying he has an incentive not to bring any charges against Almeida?
MIKE
Exactly. Plus, if I know David, once we tell him what Almeida did, he’ll threaten to publicly testify if Logan has him put on trial, and that’s the last thing the president’s going to want to see happen. Where’s Audrey?
HELLER
She’s in with Patricia, helping her figure out what the hell I should say to the American people and the press. Why?
MIKE
Before you make this call, let me call Patricia and tell her to make sure to keep Audrey in there until you’re done.
HELLER
Why?
MIKE
Because if President Logan is angry about this when he wakes up, or if the press starts asking questions, you’re going to want to be able to tell them that she had nothing to do with it.
HELLER
Yeah, you’re probably right. Alright, call Patricia and tell her to keep Audrey from coming in here until I call. And call Tony Almeida at DOD and give him an update.
MIKE
Yes, sir.
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
FADE IN:
WRITTEN: 12:40:24
FOUR WAY SPLIT:
BOX #1: EXT. I-395
Sergio continues to follow the Secret Service vehicle.
BOX #2: BALTIMORE, MD
Kim enters her apartment.
BOX #3: EXT. BWI AIRPORT / INT. AIRPLANE
EXTERIOR SHOT shows the plane landing.
INTERIOR SHOT shows Former President DAVID PALMER sitting in his seat looking out the window.
BOX #4: EXT. BUILDING
Richard Heller is escorted out of the Secret Service vehicle and into a building.
END SPLIT - EXPAND BOX 2
INT. KIM’S APARTMENT - 12:40:24
Kim enters her bedroom, throws her bookbag down on the bed, and picks up her cell phone, looking exasperated as she waits for an answer on the other end.
CHASE (O.S.)
Edmunds.
KIM
Chase, this has got to be a new low.
SPLIT WITH:
INT. CTU WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE - FIELD OPS OFFICE
CHASE
What are you talking about?
KIM
Don’t play dumb with me, Chase. I know you sent CTU agents to spy on me because I have a date tonight, and I’m tired of this.
CHASE
Kim, I didn’t even know you had a date tonight. This may come as a shock to you, but CTU has better things to do than spy on your personal life.
KIM
Then why did you send the agents?
CHASE
I just got worried, alright? The president just collapsed, there was an attack on the air traffic controls, and intelligence we have indicates possible additional terrorist activity for the rest of the day. I wanted to make sure you were protected.
KIM
Chase, my dad died almost three years ago. And we haven’t been together for over a year. So there’s no reason I would be any more of a target than anyone else, unless you know something I don’t.
CHASE
Fine. I talked to Tony Almeida this morning…he called to tell me to assign protection to you.
KIM
Why?
CHASE
When he was in prison, there was another inmate your father had helped put in there, and the guy had vowed revenge when he got out. And he’s being released today.
KIM
That doesn’t make any sense. I visited Tony when he was in prison…my dad would never have let me come with him to visit if he knew there was someone there who could be dangerous. And if this is true, how come Tony never mentioned it in any of the letters he sent detailing anything he heard other prisoners say that he thought might be useful to CTU?
CHASE
I don’t know, alright? Call Tony if you want more information.
KIM
Chase, Tony was in a low security prison in California…none of the inmates were violent offenders. So how is it that someone being released today from that prison could possibly pose a threat to me here in Baltimore?
CHASE
I told you…call Tony if you want to know more…I’ve got to go.
KIM
(pleading)
Chase, please. Just tell me the truth. Why did you send those agents?
No answer for a moment. Finally, Chase takes a deep breath and sighs.
CHASE
Your father’s alive.
KIM
Funny.
CHASE
Kim…
KIM
Oh my g-d. You’re serious, aren’t you? Where is he? I want to talk to him.
CHASE
He’s being transported to China where he’s going to be put on trial and imprisoned for the raid on their consulate three years ago.
KIM
You knew and you didn’t tell me?
CHASE
I didn’t know until about an hour ago, alright? I’m as surprised as you are, believe me.
KIM
Why didn’t you tell me?
CHASE
He asked me not to.
KIM
You talked to him?
CHASE
Only for a couple minutes. He went to L’Enfant Plaza to take down a suspect…we were being kept in the dark all morning because Jack didn’t want me to know he was here, but when I heard about police searching for a suspect at the L’Enfant Plaza metro station I asked one of the analysts to pull up surveillance footage…that’s how I found out. So I decided to go down there and help with the takedown.
Kim sighs.
CHASE
He said you’d already dealt with his death and he didn’t want to put you through it again. I told him you’d want the chance to talk to him one last time, even if only for a minute, but he was adamant that you be kept in the dark. I’m sorry, Kim. Look, this is hard for me too, alright?
KIM
Yeah.
CHASE
Are you okay?
KIM
Yeah, I guess…this is just a shock, that’s all. What’s…what’s going to happen to him?
CHASE
I don’t know…nobody does. Look, he may still be in the Secret Service vehicle on the way to the Embassy. Do you want me to call and see if they’ll let you talk to him?
KIM
(starting to cry)
Um, I guess so…actually, no, don’t. I can’t…it’s too hard.
CHASE
Alright, I understand. If you change your mind just call me back, alright? I’ve got to get back to work now, but if you need to talk later,
you know you can call me, right?
KIM
Yeah…thanks, Chase.
CHASE
Yeah.
Kim hangs up the phone and wipes her eyes. She reaches over to her nightstand and takes a picture off the stand. A CLOSE-UP SHOT reveals that it is the same picture of Jack, Teri and Kim that Jack was looking at at the beginning of day 2.
She curls up on her bed holding the picture, tears streaming down her cheeks.
INT. PENTAGON - OSD - 12:43:58
Tony is typing something when his phone rings.
TONY
DOD, this is Tony Almeida.
MARCIE (O.S.)
Tony, I have Richard Heller on the phone…he wants to speak to you…he says it’s important.
TONY
Alright, patch him through.
RICHARD (O.S.)
Tony?
TONY
Yeah? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you…are you alright?
SPLIT SCREEN
RICHARD
Yeah, I’m fine. Listen, Tony, there’s something I’ve got to tell you…I overheard something really weird before, but I can’t really talk about it right now…the Secret Service agents won’t leave me alone.
TONY
Is it something you overheard the Secret Service agent say?
RICHARD
Yeah…
TONY
Is it about Jack Bauer?
RICHARD
Yeah…how’d you know?
TONY
Lucky guess. What did he say?
RICHARD
I can’t explain right now…what the hell is going on? I thought he…
TONY
Died three years ago? Yeah, so did most people.
RICHARD
Does my sister know?
TONY
Yeah.
RICHARD
Is she okay?
TONY
Yeah, she’s fine. She’s holding up okay. Listen, your father wants to talk to you…he’s been trying to get a hold of you for a while.
RICHARD
Why?
TONY
He’d like to see you and meet Xing before you leave for Boston. Of course, we had this conversation before he found out he’d be taking over the presidency, but please, give him a call…he’s anxious to talk to you.
RICHARD
How does he know about Xing?
TONY
I had to tell him…there was a crisis this morning and someone was trying to frame me for the air traffic attack, so they went through my bank records and found all the transactions. Look, your father wasn’t disgusted or angry…
RICHARD
So does he know about Audrey?
TONY
Yeah. He explained to me why she was so afraid of him finding out. Look, I’ve got to go, but please, have Secret Service put you through to the White House so you can talk to your dad.
RICHARD
(as if Tony is crazy)
No, I’m not going to talk to him.
TONY
Why not? I told you, he was happy when I told him about how much progress you’ve made…he wants to see you and he wants to meet Xing and he wants you to have a relationship again. Please, just give him a call.
RICHARD
Well, I’m glad I’ve now earned the privilege of being worthy of talking to him again, but I think I’ll pass.
TONY
Richard, why are you doing this?
RICHARD
Doing what? Tony, my father hasn’t spoken to me in three years, alright?
TONY
Have you spoken to him?
RICHARD
That’s not the point. He made it pretty clear how he felt about me three years ago, alright? Now that Audrey shares some of my views, suddenly that makes them legitimate…that’s how it works with my dad. That’s how it’s always been, and that’s how it’s always going to be.
TONY
You don’t know that.
RICHARD
Yes, I do. Look, I know you’re trying to help, but please, just let this be, alright?
TONY
Alright. Just do me a favor and don’t put Audrey in the position of having to play referee or go between…if you need someone to do that let me do it…Audrey’s had enough to deal with this morning.
RICHARD
Why, what happened?
TONY
I don’t have time to explain everything right now…I’ve got another call…keep in touch, alright? Let us know when you get where you’re going.
RICHARD
Alright. Hey Tony?
TONY
Yeah?
RICHARD
Can you do me a favor?
TONY
Yeah?
RICHARD
Look out for my sister, alright?
TONY
You know I will.
RICHARD
Yeah. Peace out.
TONY
Peace out.
He hangs up and the phone rings again.
TONY
DOD, Tony Almeida.
OPERATOR
Please hold for the president.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
HELLER
Tony, did you get an update from CTU on the prisoner?
TONY
Yes, sir. They believe he knows more than he’s saying, but he hasn’t responded to any interrogation methods. He says he’ll only talk if he gets immunity.
HELLER
And they believe he has information that could be critical to this investigation?
TONY
Yes, sir.
HELLER
So if I go through with this deal, it can easily be justified as being in the interest of national security?
TONY
Yes, sir, I believe so. Did the Chinese agree to it?
HELLER
Yeah…I didn’t give them much of a choice. Even if this server in Beijing doesn’t directly belong to the government, it’s still an embarassment they’d like to avoid.
TONY
Yes, sir, I understand. I’ll call CTU and tell them an immunity agreement will be faxed over shortly.
HELLER
Alright. I’ll let you know when it’s been finalized. For the time being, I don’t want anyone else to know about this.
TONY
Yes, sir, I understand.
INT. SECRET SERVICE VEHICLE / EXT. MASS. AVE AT ROCK CREEK PARKWAY - 12:48:08
A voice is heard through the earpiece of AGENT KARL EGANS, who is driving the vehicle.
AGENT PENZELL (O.S.)
Agent Egans, come in.
AGENT EGANS
Yeah?
PENZELL (O.S.)
Have you arrived at your destination?
EGANS
Not yet. We were told to wait.
PENZELL (O.S.)
Good. Change of plans. Bring Roughrider to Cement Mixer.
EGANS
Roger that.
CUT TO:
EXT. SECRET SERVICE VEHICLE - 12:48:38
The vehicle gets back on the road and turns around at the next light. A BLACK MERCEDES attempts to follow but misses the light.
INT. BLACK MERCEDES - CONTINUOUS
Sergio picks up his phone and calls Tony.
TONY
Hey Serg, what’s going on?
SERGIO
Something weird is happening…the vehicle was stopped for a while, and then it turned around and started driving back the way we just came from. I missed the light, so I’m going to have to rush to catch up.
TONY
Alright, don’t worry about the sudden turnaround…that’s actually good news, I think.
SERGIO
Why’s that?
TONY
I’m not allowed to say yet…you’ll find out soon enough. Just keep an eye on the car, alright?
SERGIO
(coughing)
Yeah.
TONY
You alright, man? You sound sick.
SERGIO
I’m fine…it’s just my allergies. Tony, while I have your car, do you mind if I use it to pick up my daughter after I’m done following the Secret Service vehicle?
TONY
Yeah, no problem. In fact, if you want, just take the car home and I’ll come get it later. Use it to run some errands or whatever.
SERGIO
Don’t you need it?
TONY
Nah, it looks like it’s going to be a long day here, and if I need to go anywhere I’ll take Audrey’s car.
SERGIO
Alright, thanks, amigo. Are you still in trouble? What’s going on?
TONY
I don’t know…I’m fine for right now…we’ll see how President Logan decides to handle it when he wakes up.
SERGIO
Alright…be careful.
TONY
You too…let me know if you see anything suspicious. From this point forward, there should be no unexpected turns or stops.
SERGIO
Alright. Adios.
TONY
Adios.
Sergio COUGHS again and clutches his chest, his face unusually sweaty as the light turns green and he gets back onto the Rock Creek Parkway.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE - 12:50:03
Audrey walks in with a sheet of papers.
AUDREY
Here’s a preliminary final draft, with some of my handwritten edits. Patricia’s typing them in right now…she’ll have a final copy in a few minutes.
HELLER
Alright. When do I go on?
AUDREY
Less than ten minutes.
Mike pops his head in.
MIKE
Mr. President, it’s a go.
HELLER
And you instructed them to bring him straight here?
MIKE
Yes, sir.
HELLER
Has the Attorney General reviewed the agreement?
MIKE
He’s doing so as we speak…it’ll be ready for you to sign in the next few minutes.
HELLER
Alright, thanks.
AUDREY
Sign what? What’s going on?
HELLER
The suspect Jack picked up earlier, Jeff Chang, may be withholding vital information, and CTU says he’s not responding to interrogation tactics…so it looks like we’re going to have to cut a deal.
AUDREY
Okay…um, I don’t want to overstep my boundaries here, but why is this the first I’m hearing about this?
HELLER
Because it’s a little more complicated than just an immunity agreement.
AUDREY
What do you mean?
HELLER
The virus that attacked the air traffic controllers this morning also sent sensitive information to Beijing. Between that and the fact that the guy who programmed it is a nationalized Chinese immigrant, we’ve created a pretty embarassing situation for the Chinese. So I made a deal with the Chinese Premiere…I guess you could call it a preemptive prisoner exchange.
AUDREY
You mean…
HELLER
I’m going to sign this agreement, which grants Jeff Chang immunity in exchange for information and spares the Chinese a potentially embarassing situation. In exchange, they’re going to drop any and all demands related to the raid on their consulate three years ago, although as a gesture of goodwill we’re going to compensate the Consul’s family.
AUDREY
So Jack’s not going to China?
HELLER
No. And I’m going to make sure he can’t be charged with anything here either.
AUDREY
Wow…that’s…that’s great news.
HELLER
Yeah. I just hope I’m making the right decision…I feel like even if my judgment weren’t clouded, this deal would make sense, but I’m concerned about how it’s going to look.
AUDREY
President Logan’s not going to be happy about this, is he?
HELLER
Probably not.
AUDREY
Is that why you needed to keep me out of the loop?
HELLER
Yeah. Listen, I instructed Secret Service to bring him straight here, because I want to make sure he gets back here safely. After that, I’d like to ask him to stay here for a while…I could use his help and advice with national security…but I didn’t want to do anything without talking to you first…if you’re not comfortable with it than I won’t ask him.
AUDREY
No, go ahead…I agree, we could use his help.
HELLER
Are you sure? Will you be okay working with him?
AUDREY
Yeah…I’ll be fine. When’s he going to be here?
HELLER
Any minute…call Tony and get an ETA.
AUDREY
Okay.
INT. UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - 12:52:23
AGENT REILLY
Richard, I need to see that cell phone for a minute.
RICHARD
Why?
REILLY
It’s standard procedure to check all belongings of protectees just to make sure nothing’s been tampered with…it’ll only take a few minutes.
RICHARD
No, sorry. I don’t let anyone touch my cell phone, ever.
REILLY
It’s for your own protection, sir.
RICHARD
Thanks, but no thanks. The last time I let someone touch my phone, my father and my sister were abducted by terrorists. I have it on me all the time and I never leave it unattended and I’m sure it’s fine. I don’t know what you all are so paranoid about, anyway. My father hates me…if someone wanted leverage against him they’d go after my sister.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - WEST WING LOBBY - 12:52:48
Audrey looks out the window and is relieved when she sees a Secret Service vehicle pull into the driveway.
INT. SECRET SERVICE VEHICLE / EXT. WHITE HOUSE
AGENT
Here we are, sir. The president’s expecting you.
JACK
Excuse me?
AGENT
Those were my orders, to bring you straight to the White House.
JACK
What’s going on? I thought the president wanted me turned over to the Chinese.
AGENT
Oh wow…where have you been for the past hour?
JACK
Right here in this vehicle…you turned down the earpiece for fear I would use something I heard to try to escape, remember?
AGENT
Yeah, I guess you’re right. Here, I’ll let her explain it.
Jack becomes even more bewildered when he sees Audrey come through the doors out to the driveway. She motions for him to get out of the car. He eventually complies, looking like he’s landed on another planet.
JACK
Audrey??? What are you doing here? What am I doing here? What’s going on?
AUDREY
Come on in…I’ll explain everything.
JACK
Okay…
He follows her into the White House.
AUDREY
Right after you left, President Logan collapsed while taking the oath of office.
JACK
What? What happened to him? Was he poisoned?
AUDREY
Unknown at this point.
JACK
But he’s still alive?
AUDREY
Yeah. He’s in a coma…nobody knows when he’ll wake up…it could be hours, days, weeks, months…
JACK
And they don’t know what caused it?
AUDREY
No, not yet.
JACK
So what happened? Your father convinced the vice president to hold off on handing me over to the Chinese?
AUDREY
Not exactly. If you recall from the news broadcast you ridiculed me for watching a few hours ago, there is no vice president, or speaker of the House, or Senate President Pro Temp, for a variety of reasons.
JACK
Wait a second. Is your father now the president of the United States?
AUDREY
For the time being, yes.
JACK
And you’re the White House Chief of Staff?
AUDREY
Sort of. Mike’s still here but I’m helping out…but I’m staying out of the way for right now because I don’t want to step on his toes and create an unnecessary power struggle.
JACK
Understood. So that explains what you’re doing here, but I still don’t understand what I’m doing here.
CUT TO:
EXT. PENNSYLVANIA AVE. NW AT K ST. NW - 12:54:10
Sergio continues coughing and clutching his chest as he looks for the Secret Service vehicle in a crowd of cars. His cell phone rings, and his head collapses onto the passenger seat as he reaches for the phone.
CLOSE-UP of the phone shows that the call is from Tony.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - OSD
TONY
C’mon, Serg…pick up the phone.
MICHELLE
What’s wrong?
TONY
Sergio’s not answering his phone…but Secret Service just confirmed that they dropped Jack off at the White House…this doesn’t make any sense.
MICHELLE
I’ll go check the traffic cams…see if I can find our car.
TONY
Alright, thanks.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - HALLWAY, WEST WING - 12:56:18
Audrey is continuing to bring Jack up to speed on everything as they walk down the hall.
AUDREY
Thankfully, the plane landed safely a few minutes ago, and we don’t know if Tony’s going to face criminal charges, but it’s probably not in the president’s interest to have the case pursued.
JACK
That’s good. I still don’t understand why the Chinese agreed to drop their demand to hand me over.
AUDREY
I don’t completely understand either, but I guess they were as eager to avoid a confrontation over what happened this morning as we were to avoid confrontation over the incident at the consulate.
JACK
I don’t mean to sound cynical, but this just sounds too easy.
AUDREY
I know…I guess there’s something to be said for the healing power of time. From what I gather, I don’t even think the Chinese were all that interested in you anymore to begin with…
JACK
So then who’s behind everything that happened this morning?
AUDREY
We’re still trying to figure that out, but from what we have so far, it looks like it may have been people in our own government who wanted to cover their tracks.
JACK
Geez…
He shakes his head, still struggling to process everything.
AUDREY
I know how you feel…to be honest, I just found out less than ten minutes ago about the deal and I’m still trying to process everything.
JACK
I still can’t believe this. I’m really…I’m really not going to China?
AUDREY
Yeah, you’re really not going.
JACK
I can stay here, under my own name? I don’t have to hide anymore?
AUDREY
Feels good, doesn’t it?
JACK
Yeah…yeah…sorry, I’m just still trying to process…I’m a little overwhelmed.
AUDREY
It’s okay…I understand. Listen, I have to go check on something in the speech…walk with me to the pressroom.
JACK
Okay.
AUDREY
I had one of the White House staffers book you a reservation at a hotel here…you can stay there as long as you need until you find a place to live…your daughter has an exam at 2 and I tried to get in touch with her professor but no luck…but as soon as that’s over CTU is going to bring her down here.
JACK
She knows about me?
AUDREY
Yeah, um, Chase Edmunds got nervous about everything that’s happened this morning…he was afraid she could be targeted, so he sent two CTU agents to protect her…he and Tony concocted an elaborate cover story but she didn’t buy it, so he eventually had to tell her the truth.
JACK
I see…listen, I’m going to get out of your hair now and let you get back to work…but I just want to say that if…if you want this to be the last time we ever see each other I’ll understand completely…I’ll move somewhere and try as hard as humanly possible to make sure that you never have to see me again…but if you…if you ever wanted to sit down and talk about everything, you know, if there are things that are unresolved that you feel like it would help to talk about…even if you just want to yell at me and get all of your pent-up anger off your chest, please don’t hesitate to call, alright?
AUDREY
Wait! You can’t go yet. I mean, um, you can, if you want to, but if you’re up for it, my dad wanted you to stay here for a little while and function as an advisor on national security. You know, with everything that’s going on, he thought we could use your help.
Jack looks surprised.
JACK
How do you feel about that?
AUDREY
I think we could use your help too…I mean, you have a lot of experience and…
JACK
No, that’s not what I meant. I’m happy to help in any way I can, you know that. But is my being here going to make it harder for you to do your job?
AUDREY
No. I mean, I know it’s a little awkward, but I’ll be fine.
JACK
You sure?
AUDREY
Yeah…I think you could be an asset here and that’s more important than anything else.
JACK
So in the interest of national security, you think you can put up with me for a little longer?
AUDREY
(slight smile)
I’ll manage.
JACK
Alright. But I want you to promise me that the second you feel like my being here is making you uncomfortable or unable to do your job, you won’t hesitate to kick me out, okay?
AUDREY
Okay, I promise.
JACK
So Tony really scrambled the radar signals to prevent the Air Force from shooting down the plane?
AUDREY
Yeah…pretty crazy, huh?
JACK
Yeah. Even I’ve never done anything that crazy.
She gives him a look that says “you’ve got to be kidding me.”
AUDREY
At least Tony kept his illegal activities confined to American soil!
JACK
Fair point.
AUDREY
And while scrambling radar signals and attempting to blackmail the president might be as insane as shooting a superior in the leg with a trank, breaking a prisoner out of jail, attacking a Secret Service agent, and carjacking a woman at gunpoint, it’s not as crazy as doing all four in a span of twelve hours.
Jack blushes and chuckles.
JACK
I’m making a mental note to kill Tony the next time I see him.
AUDREY
(laughing)
Don’t be mad at Tony…I pushed him to tell me your stories.
JACK
So did it make you feel better or worse knowing about all the crazy things I did when I worked at CTU?
AUDREY
A little bit of both, I guess.
(tone becomes more serious)
When he told me about you robbing the Mercury Mart to delay a suspect when you were looking for me and my father, I found it oddly amusing at first…just the image of you wearing a mask and robbing a convenience store like a common criminal was kind of funny…but then I realized I wouldn’t be alive if you hadn’t done that, and I guess that made me realize how many people would be dead if you weren’t a complete lunatic…
Jack chuckles.
JACK
Well, thank you.
AUDREY
I also realized that in all the chaos that day, I never even really got to say thank you.
JACK
For what?
AUDREY
For saving my life…and my father’s.
JACK
That’s okay…you didn’t have to say it.
AUDREY
Well, for what it’s worth, thank you.
JACK
Yeah.
He smiles sadly as she walks through the door to the press room.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON -
OSD - 12:58:57
Tony answers his cell phone.
TONY
Tony Almeida.
CHASE (O.S.)
Hey Tony, we found something…the bodies of two Secret Service agents were found near Anacostia…from the forensic analysis, they’d been dead for several hours before they were discovered.
TONY
How is it that we didn’t notice two agents were missing to begin with?
CHASE (O.S.)
That’s what we’re trying to determine…do you have an access code for the Secret Service personnel logs?
TONY
Yeah, let me pull it up…just a sec…
He brings up the database on his screen.
TONY
Alright, go ahead.
CHASE
Their names are Ted Reilly and Carl O’Connor.
TONY
Hold on…did you just say Ted Reilly?
CHASE
Yeah, why?
TONY
I’m pretty sure that’s the agent who picked up Richard Heller…
CHASE
How could that be? These guys have been dead for hours.
TONY
I don’t know…I’ll call Secret Service headquarters and get back to you…get a team ready…we may have a situation on our hands.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - PRESS ROOM - 12:59:15
Heller is going over the speech with Audrey and Patricia when Audrey’s phone rings.
ON PHONE SCREEN:
“Richard (818) 555-6656″.
AUDREY
Hey…I can’t talk right now…can I call you back in a few minutes?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Go where nobody can hear you.
AUDREY
Who is this?
VOICE (O.S.)
Do what I say or your brother will be killed.
AUDREY
(voice shaky)
Okay…okay, I’m going to find an empty room…give me a sec.
She signals to her father and Patricia that she’ll be right back. Heller gives her a questioning look, and she mouths “I’m fine” as she leaves the room through a side door and goes into a utility closet.
AUDREY
Okay, I’m alone. Who are you?
VOICE (O.S.)
Do not ask questions. Just do as I say or your brother will be killed.
She slumps against the wall, paralyzed with fear.
AUDREY
No! No, you can’t do this! Please, don’t hurt him…please.
VOICE (O.S.)
Do what I say and he’ll be fine.
AUDREY
Okay. Okay, I understand…what do you need me to do?
A QUICK PAN shows the room spinning, closing in on Audrey as she listens to the hostage-taker’s demands, which are drowned out by the haunting score that begins to play.
END WITH a BIRD’S EYE SHOT of Audrey gripping a shelf for support, her face pale as snow as she says something inaudible into the phone.
FADE OUT.
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