1 P.M. - 2 P.M.
“24″
“1 P.M. - 2 P.M.”
KIM BAUER
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 EDMUNDS
Your father’s alive.
—
MICHELLE
We found something…it looks like the virus pinged everything to a server in Beijing.
TONY
…this may play to our advantage.
—
HELLER
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
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.
—
EXT. NATIONAL MALL
RICHARD HELLER
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 (V.O.)
(Barely audible)
On a temporary basis, yes.
—
EXT. NATIONAL MALL
Secret Service Agent TED REILLY approaches Richard and Xing.
REILLY
Richard Heller?
RICHARD
Yeah?
REILLY
Agent Ted Reilly, Secret Service.
(Later)
RICHARD
The last time I let someone touch my phone, my father and my sister were abducted by terrorists. 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.
—
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
I don’t mean to sound cynical, but this just sounds too easy.
—
AUDREY
Okay, I’m alone. Who are you?
VOICE (V.O.)
Do not ask questions. Just do as I say or your brother will be killed.
She slumps against the wall, paralyzed with fear.
The following takes place between 1 PM and 2 PM on the day of the Presidential Inauguration:
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - HALLWAY OUTSIDE PRESS ROOM
JACK BAUER’s phone rings.
JACK
Yeah?
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
TONY ALMEIDA
Hey…are you back at the White House?
INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION
JACK
Yeah.
TONY
Is Audrey with you?
JACK
She was here a minute ago…she had to go check on something for the speech…why?
TONY
She’s not answering her phone.
JACK
Maybe she’s talking to some of the reporters who were in the press room.
TONY
No…Audrey’s not allowed to talk to the press.
JACK
Since when? She used to talk to the press all the time.
TONY
Since she was abducted and used as leverage against her father with the whole world watching. She has to keep a low profile…and you need to find her right now.
JACK
Okay, I’ll go find her…why do you sound so urgent?
TONY
I just got a call from Chase…two Secret Service agents were found dead near Anacostia, and one of them is the same agent who supposedly picked up Richard Heller a half-hour ago.
JACK
Jesus Christ.
TONY
I just talked to Richard ten minutes ago and he sounded fine, so hopefully nobody got to him between now and then. I tried calling him a minute ago, though, and nobody answered.
JACK
Alright, keep trying…I’ll find Audrey and let her know.
TONY
Also, Jack, did you happen to notice what happened to my car when they took you to the embassy?
JACK
You mean the black mercedes that was following us?
TONY
Yeah, Sergio took it to follow you to the embassy and now I can’t reach him.
JACK
Hmm…it was behind us when we got off the Rock Creek Parkway on Mass Ave…after that I don’t remember…I think he may have missed a light that we made but I wasn’t paying too close attention. The cell phone circuits are probably just overloaded because of what’s going on with the president.
TONY
Yeah, you’re probably right. I told Chase to get a team ready…call me as soon as you find Audrey, and don’t let her out of your site whatever you do.
JACK
Why not?
TONY
Chase said the bodies had obviously been dead for several hours. That means whoever picked up Richard Heller had to be an imposter. Which means there’s been a breach in Secret Service.
JACK
And you think whoever’s after Richard might also be after Audrey.
TONY
She was supposed to be with him at the rally, Jack. So I think that’s the only logical conclusion.
JACK
Dammit. Alright, I’m looking for her…is there a way to lock down the building?
TONY
Not if Secret Service has been breached.
JACK
Alright. I want you to monitor all entrances and exits by satellite, and have CTU check the archives to see if anyone could have taken her out in the last few minutes.
TONY
Alright, I’m on it. I’ll check for her phone too.
JACK
I thought you said she wasn’t answering.
TONY
She’s not…but she has a GPS locator on her phone.
JACK
Alright, get back to me.
Jack hangs up the phone and starts running around looking in every office and cubicle.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - PRESS ROOM
HELLER
(on podium)
Now, a lot of people are wondering why I’m standing here in this role, and to be honest, if my daughter hadn’t drawn a handy diagram and spelled it all out for me on the way over here, I’d probably be as confused as everyone else.
Laughter from the crowd of journalists.
ZOOM OUT - SHRINK TO TV SCREEN
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - WEST WING CORRIDOR
Acting President JAMES HELLER’s speech is continued on the row of wall-mounted televisions as Jack runs around looking for Audrey.
JACK
Audrey! Audrey, are you in here? Audrey!
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - WEST WING - UTILITY CLOSET
AUDREY RAINES is crouched against the wall, still gripping the shelf. Her phone continues to ring, but she does not seem to be aware of it.
AUDREY’S POV:
CAMERA JERKS AND ROTATES CONTINUOUSLY to show the room spinning as she trembles.
VOICE OVER:
RICHARD
Yo?
AUDREY
Hey, it’s Audrey.
RICHARD
(surprised to hear from her)
Hey…how are you doing?
AUDREY
I…I’m okay, I guess. How are you doing?
RICHARD
I’m doing alright…I’ve been meaning to call you for a while to see how you were doing, I just…
AUDREY
It’s okay…I should have called you a long time ago too.
RICHARD
No sweat. Are you still living with Dad?
AUDREY
No. No, I’m back in my own place now.
RICHARD
That’s good…was it hard going back?
AUDREY
A little, but I had to face it eventually.
RICHARD
Yeah.
BACK TO SCENE
ANGLE ON Audrey fighting back tears as she replays this conversation with her brother from two and a half years earlier in her head.
JACK (O.S.)
(heard faintly in
background)
Audrey, are you here?
VOICE OVER:
AUDREY
Richard, I have to ask you something, but first I need you to promise that you won’t preach to me and you won’t tell anyone I’m asking.
RICHARD
Uh, sure…what’s going on?
AUDREY
You and your hippie friends…wait, I’m sorry, that’s not how I meant it to come out, but you know what I mean…do you have a real alternative to the president’s defense strategy, or do you just like to complain?
RICHARD
Uh, Audrey, I’m glad to hear from you, but if you’re calling to attack my political views…
AUDREY
No, I’m not. I just…I want to know more about what you believe…I realized that I never really listened to your side of the story.
RICHARD
Um, okay…why the sudden interest in what I think?
AUDREY
Because I don’t know…I don’t know if what I believe is right anymore.
JACK (O.S.)
Audrey! Audrey, are you in there?
Audrey buries her head in her hands. We can hear Jack calling her, but she does not react until the door bursts open, making her gasp and start to quiver. Jack momentarily forgets to keep his emotions in check as he breathes a sigh of relief that she’s okay and crouches down next to her.
JACK
Audrey, it’s okay, it’s me. You’re safe, I promise.
She continues to stare at him blankly for a minute, as if trying to process his presence.
JACK
Audrey, talk to me. Are you okay?
AUDREY
Jack, they…they took my brother.
JACK
Who? Who took your brother?
(pause)
Audrey, come on…I know this is hard, but you’ve got to work with me right now…who took your brother?
AUDREY
I…I don’t know…someone called me from his phone and they threatened to kill him…
JACK
What did they want?
AUDREY
Access code for the president’s direct line.
JACK
That’s it?
AUDREY
For now…
JACK
Did you give it to them?
(no answer)
It’s okay if you did.
She nods slowly.
JACK
Okay, good…you did the right thing. Listen to me…I just got a call from Tony. He said that CTU found the bodies of two dead Secret Service agents, one of whom is Ted Reilly…Tony thinks that’s the name of the agent who called and told you he picked up your brother. Is that right?
Audrey nods.
JACK
Then there’s been a breach in Secret Service.
AUDREY
Oh g-d…
Jack hesitates for a moment before squeezing her shoulder supportively with one hand and lifting her chin with the other.
JACK
Audrey, listen to me. I know how hard this is for you, but you can’t allow yourself to panic. I promise you that I will do everything in my power to help ensure your brother’s safety, but you’ve got to stay calm and you’ve got to stay focused. Do you trust me?
Audrey hesitates for a moment, then nods ever so slightly and speaks quietly but decisively.
AUDREY
Yes.
CUT TO:
INT. CTU WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE - EXT. HOLDING ROOM
Through the observing window, we see CHASE EDMUNDS questioning JEFF CHANG. CTU Director SUSAN WALKER comes to the window and motions for Chase to come out into the observing area.
SUSAN
Mollie said you got some information that may be relevant.
CHASE
Yes, ma’am. Jeff doesn’t know the real name of the person who recruited him, but he thinks the plan was to pick up Richard Heller at the rally posed as a Secret Service agent and then use him as leverage against the president. This plan has been in place for at least a few weeks, which means whoever’s behind it had to know that something was going to happen to President Logan. Jeff said his responsibility was to create a crisis at DOD to make sure Secretary Heller stayed in office past noon.
SUSAN
Does he have any idea where Richard’s being taken?
CHASE
He’s not sure what the final destination is, but he thinks he overheard whoever hired him say something about disabling the traffic cams on the US-29.
SUSAN
And the polygraph indicates that he’s being truthful?
CHASE
Yes, ma’am.
SUSAN
Alright. I’ll have COMM get this information out and coordinate with the other agencies…see what else you can get out of him.
CHASE
Yes, ma’am. Tell them we need a sketch artist and access to the Secret Service and FBI databases.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
MOVE IN on television screen, which shows Heller giving his speech, the volume muted while Tony is on the phone.
TONY (O.S.)
I want teams at every entrance and exit on 395 and the Beltway…close all the bridges in and out of DC in both directions…no, you need to widen the perimeter…they’ve had a half an hour to get out of the city before anyone noticed…it’s possible that he may not know he’s a hostage. Alright, thanks…get back to me when you have a working perimeter.
CAMERA MOVES over to the desk to show Tony hanging up the phone. Michelle walks in.
MICHELLE
NetOps just discovered that someone hacked into the system using a portal that operates through a web browser…Jeff must have created and provided a password for the service. Once you get someone’s password, there’s no way to keep things secure…the remote user has the same level of access as the local user…which in Jeff’s case meant access to highly sensitive information about the network’s security apparatus. It’s going to take weeks to figure out what’s secure and what’s been compromised.
TONY
Well, we don’t have time to deal with that now…we’ve got what looks like a code red situation.
MICHELLE
What’s going on?
TONY
Someone took Richard Heller and is using him as a hostage…we don’t know who has him or what they want yet, but we know where he was picked up and what the license plate number on the car was, so CTU is reviewing the satellite archive to see if they can get an idea where he was taken.
MICHELLE
I don’t understand…I thought Secret Service picked him up a half hour ago.
TONY
That’s what we all thought. I talked to him less than ten minutes ago. But then Chase called and told me that the dead body of the Secret Service agent who supposedly picked him up was found near Anacostia. Then Audrey gets a phone call from someone threatening to kill him if she doesn’t give him the information he wants.
MICHELLE
Oh my g-d. What did he want?
TONY
For right now, just the president’s direct phone line…I’m assuming that to be a necessary precursor for further demands.
MICHELLE
Does the president know?
TONY
Not yet. Jack and I decided that it was best to wait until he finishes his speech so the people don’t suspect anything…everyone’s already shaken up by what happened to President Logan and if they knew what was going on it would create the impression that we’re not in control.
MICHELLE
Listen, I’m going to have to lock down the system here until we can figure out what’s been compromised.
TONY
Are you crazy? You can’t shut down the network right now…we need to find Richard Heller, and we can’t do that if our systems are down.
MICHELLE
You can’t do that if the systems aren’t secure either.
TONY
It’s that serious?
MICHELLE
Yeah. I’m sending someone to bring Jeff’s hard drive and some other drives with information related to the air traffic attack over to CTU.
TONY
Michelle, they’re not going to be able to get to CTU. I just ordered Metro Police to shut down all bridges to DC in both directions.
MICHELLE
I didn’t realize that…I’ll call Chase and see if he can send a chopper.
TONY
Fine. Tell him I’m going to bring those hard drives over myself.
MICHELLE
Why?
TONY
If you’re shutting down the network I’m useless here…I’m going to go to CTU and see what I can do to help out.
MICHELLE
(not happy about this
plan)
Tony…
TONY
Relax, Michelle. I’m just going to help out today…I’m not going back to CTU, I promise.
Michelle sighs. She is clearly not happy about Tony going to CTU, but realizes that it is the right move.
MICHELLE
Okay. Is Sergio back with the car?
TONY
No, he wasn’t feeling well so I told him to go home and I’d pick up the car later, but if you need it just give him a call. You have the keys, right?
MICHELLE
Yeah.
TONY
You know how to work the security system on Audrey’s car, don’t you?
MICHELLE
Yeah.
TONY
If you need the car, use her car to get it…but don’t let anyone else drive her car, because I think the security system will go off if it senses foreign fingerprints on the keypad.
MICHELLE
Alright. Call me when you get there.
TONY
Okay, I will.
MICHELLE
Be careful.
She gives him a quick kiss and leaves the room, a troubled look on her face.
CUT TO:
ESTABLISHING: AIRPLANE ON RUNWAY
INT. AIRPLANE / EXT. BWI AIRPORT
A flight attendant approaches FORMER PRESIDENT DAVID PALMER at his seat.
ATTENDANT
We’ll be ready to deplane in just a few minutes, sir. They’re doing a final sweep of the airport now.
PALMER
Alright, thank you for the update. May I use my regular cell phone now that we’re on the ground?
ATTENDANT
Yes, sir, that’ll be fine.
He turns to Secret Service Agent AARON PIERCE.
PALMER
Did you get an update on the negotiations?
PIERCE
Last I heard, the president was ready to sign the immunity agreement…would you like me to call and get an update?
PALMER
Yes, thank you. In the meantime, I’m going to call DOD…I want to speak to Tony Almeida and thank him personally for keeping this plane afloat.
Palmer’s cell phone rings before he gets a chance to dial.
PALMER
(into phone)
This is David Palmer.
JACK (O.S.)
Mr. President, this…this is Jack Bauer.
Jack’s tone makes it clear that he is not used to being able to use his real name. Palmer grins.
PALMER
Feels good to be able to say that, doesn’t it?
SPLIT SCREEN
JACK
Yes, sir.
PALMER
I just heard the news…I can’t tell you how relieved I am.
JACK
Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to celebrate…we’ve got a new situation on our hands and I need your help.
PALMER
What’s going on?
JACK
The president’s son has been kidnapped…we believe someone posing as a Secret Service agent picked him up shortly after he found out that his father was temporarily assuming the presidency.
PALMER
Good g-d. How long ago was he picked up?
JACK
About a half an hour ago.
PALMER
Contact Homeland Security…you need to shut down all of the airports, Union Station, and major highways in the DC areaÉhave Secret Service set up a perimeter.
JACK
Tony Almeida’s taking care of that now, sir.
PALMER
Does the President know?
JACK
Not yet. We decided that it was better to wait until after his speech was over, so the public won’t suspect that anything’s wrong.
PALMER
I agree…that’s the right call. Have you notified Secret Service?
JACK
Yes, sir…I just spoke to the director. He and I agree that between this and what happened to President Logan, it’s clear that there’s been a breach in the agency. I’m in the White House right now, and I need to take the President’s daughter down to the bunker…can you tell me how to do that?
PALMER
You need a series of access codes, but I doubt mine still work…I’m going to put you on with Agent Pierce…he can give you some advice on how to handle the breach in Secret Service…if you give me a minute I’ll make a few calls and see if I can get you those codes.
JACK
Thank you, sir.
END SPLIT SCREEN
CUT TO:
EXT. PENNSYLVANIA AVE. NW
MED. SHOT of Tony and Michelle’s car, which comes to a SUDDEN STOP and is HIT by another car from behind, causing it to FLIP onto its side.
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
FADE IN:
ESTABLISHING: WHITE HOUSE
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - WEST WING - HALLWAY
HELLER
Why the hell is this the first I’m hearing about this?
MIKE
I just found out myself, sir. Tony said that he and Jack felt it was better if you finished your speech so the public wouldn’t suspect anything. Meanwhile, they took care of shutting down the airports and all of the major roads leading out of the area…CTU is reviewing satellite footage in hopes of tracing the vehicle that Richard was picked up in.
HELLER
Where’s Audrey?
MIKE
Jack took her down to the bunker under the White House.
HELLER
Why did he do that?
MIKE
Based on what we know about Richard’s kidnapping, it’s clear that there’s been a breach in Secret Service. Jack wanted to make sure Audrey was safe.
HELLER
And we still have no idea what these terrorists want?
MIKE
Not at this time, Mr. President. All they asked for when they called Audrey was the access code for your direct line.
HELLER
Can we trace it?
MIKE
We have tracers in place, but it’s unlikely that the terrorists will call from the same location where they’re holding Richard…they have to know that we’d be able to trace it.
HELLER
By giving terrorists access to the direct line, have our communications been compromised?
MIKE
IT is looking into that now, sir. For now, I would advise against disclosing any confidential information using that number. The phone system is being reconfigured now to accommodate for that.
Heller sighs, and you can see that he is struggling to hold it together.
HELLER
You would laugh if you knew the lengths I’ve gone to to protect Audrey since the abduction three years ago. Somehow it never even occurred to me that they’d go after Richard…I realize now that’s a result of my own political biases…g-d, how could I be so stupid?
MIKE
Sir, with all due respect, it’s unlikely that there’s anything you could have done to prevent this, and even if there was, you can’t afford to dwell on that right now. You have to stay focused on getting him back before these terrorists start making demands.
HELLER
Yeah, I know.
He wipes his forehead and sighs, a look of utter despair on his face.
CUT TO:
INT. CTU WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE - MAIN FLOOR
Susan walks out onto the floor and goes up the first few steps of the stairwell to the director’s office, then turns to face the floor.
SUSAN
Can I have everyone’s attention?
Everyone stops working and turns their heads.
SUSAN
As most of you already know, the acting president’s son was abducted about forty-five minutes ago by someone posing as a Secret Service agent. About fifteen minutes ago, the hostage-taker contacted the president’s daughter and threatened to kill her brother unless she gave him the access code for the president’s direct telephone line. We believe this is a precursor for further demands. We need to find Richard Heller before his captors have a chance to make any further demands.
CAMERA PANS across main floor to entrance, where a guard is handing Tony a visitor’s pass.
SUSAN (O.S.)
I want two more people in COMM to work on checking the satellite archive while we continue to scan every live satellite and traffic cam. It’s time to get into crunch mode…I want updates from department heads every fifteen minutes.
CAMERA FOLLOWS CHASE EDMUNDS as he approaches Tony, who is clipping his guest pass to the right lapel of his jacket.
CHASE
Hey man, good to see you again.
TONY
Yeah, you too.
Chase thumps Tony on the back.
CHASE
Thanks for coming over on such short notice.
TONY
No problem. Has Richard’s friend Xing been picked up yet?
CHASE
We’re working with hotel security and Metro police to locate him now. Do you think he’s involved with this?
TONY
I’ve only met the guy once, but I’d be pretty surprised. But I guess anything’s possible. Either way, he was the last person who saw Richard before he was taken, so we need to question him as soon as possible…he may be our best shot at finding Richard.
CUT TO:
COMM DEPARTMENT
CTU Analyst TINA DOWNEY is on the phone with Metro Police.
TINA
Did you talk to your team on the Mall? He was picked up around E and Constitution…check with the officers posted in that area and get back to me.
CAMERA FOLLOWS Tina as she gets up and approaches Agent SCOTT MARSHALL.
TINA
I talked to Metro Police…they’re still trying to get a hold of their ground team…they’ll have an update in a couple minutes. Any progress on tracking the vehicle?
SCOTT
No, we’ve identified a few possible matches, but none of them match the license plate Secret Service gave us.
TINA
Is it possible that whoever killed the agent and assumed his identity could have changed the license plate or used one of those things that makes it harder for hidden cameras to pick up?
SCOTT
That’s why I told you to find out if Metro Police got a visual when the vehicle picked him up.
TINA
Alright, they said they’re still looking into it. You don’t have to act like it’s my fault.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - UNDERGROUND BUNKER
Audrey is seated at a table, still looking really pale and shaken up as she holds her phone to her ear and tries to stay focused and in control. We hear White House Aide NAOMI PARKER talking to her through the phone.
NAOMI (O.S.)
We contacted hotel security…they’re going to check his room and get back to us.
AUDREY
(into phone)
Alright, thanks. Let me know when they pick him up.
NAOMI (O.S.)
Will do. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.
AUDREY
Have CIA and Diplomatic Security been briefed yet?
NAOMI (O.S.)
As we speak.
AUDREY
Alright. Set up a meeting with the Joint Chiefs in fifteen minutes, and get representatives from all related agencies conferenced in.
NAOMI (O.S.)
Should I set up the call in the Situation Room?
AUDREY
No, down here.
NAOMI (O.S.)
Alright, I’ll take care of that right now. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.
AUDREY
Thank you.
Jack comes over, carrying a cup of hot apple cider in one hand and a bag from Cosi in the other. He hands her the apple cider and places the bag down in front of her. She nods to thank him.
JACK
I talked to Secret Service…we got the license plate for the vehicle Richard was picked up in, and CTU is using that to try to locate the vehicle by satellite. We also got the name of the other agent who was killed…unfortunately, he either wasn’t on duty today or someone modified the roster, so we don’t know where the person impersonating him is, but Secret Service is looking into that now. Did you get a hold of your brother’s friend?
AUDREY
No, I couldn’t get through, but Naomi contacted hotel security…they’re going to search the premises.
JACK
Alright. I had one of the interns get you some lunch…I tasted the hot apple cider to make sure it was safe…I’m going to taste your salad too before you eat it.
AUDREY
Thanks, but you don’t need to do that. I’m not really hungry anyway.
JACK
You need to get some food in your system…if you’re feeling weak and lightheaded you won’t be able to stay focused.
AUDREY
I don’t have time to eat right now…I have to brief the communications department and make sure everything’s air tight until my father knows what’s going on.
JACK
I’ll take care of that for you…you need to eat.
He tastes the salad, then gets out another fork and picks up a forkful and holds it up to her.
JACK
Come on…just have a few bites, okay?
She listlessly takes the fork from him and eats the few pieces that are on it, then takes a sip of the cider.
AUDREY
How did you remember?
JACK
Remember what?
AUDREY
Exactly what I like to have for lunch? It’s been almost three years…
JACK
I have a good memory. I guess it goes with the territory.
AUDREY
Yeah, I guess.
An awkward silence follows. After a moment, Jack notices Audrey’s hands start to shake as tears well up in her eyes. She looks away, not wanting him to see her cry.
AUDREY
This is all my fault. If I hadn’t flown my brother here…
JACK
Then they would have found a way to get to him in LA. Audrey, look at me.
She shakes her head, fighting back tears.
JACK
Audrey, please.
She slowly lifts her head to look at him.
JACK
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past ten years,
it’s that when terrorists have an objective, they’re going to find a way to do it no matter what any unsuspecting person does. What’s happening with your brother is not your fault, and you can’t afford to get caught up in thinking about what-if’s right now. I know it’s hard but you’ve got to stay focused.
AUDREY
I…I can’t…I’m not like you, Jack. I can’t just…
JACK
Yes, you can. I’ve seen you put your emotions on hold and rise to the occasion before and I know that you can do it now. And you’re not alone…I know there are a lot of things between us that are unresolved, but no matter what, I’m here, and I know what you’re going through. I’ve been there,
and if you let me I can help.
He looks at her gently, silently pleading with her to let him be there for her. She sits there processing for a moment, then speaks softly.
AUDREY
Could you just…just hold my hand for a second, okay?
JACK
Yeah.
Jack nods. A CLOSE UP SHOT shows him take Audrey’s hand. CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal her gripping his hand tightly, as if she is drawing strength from it as she takes a big breath and tries to get her emotions under control. CAMERA MOVES to the elevator.
JACK (O.S.)
That’s it…take a few deep breaths.
President Heller and Mike Novick get off the elevator.
HELLER
Audrey! Are you down here?
Mike goes into the next room to talk to Jack.
MIKE (O.S.)
Did you get confirmation from Metro Police?
JACK (O.S.)
Yes, sir. Unfortunately, we’re going to need a much wider perimeter than the DC city limit, since the terrorists had a half an hour to get outside the city before anyone knew there was a problem. CTU is coordinating with local police departments all over the region.
Audrey walks over to her father, and he embraces her tightly as they both struggle not to fall apart.
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
FADE IN:
INT. CTU WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE - COMM DEPARTMENT
CAMERA PANS over to Chase leading Tony around near the COMM department.
TONY
Was Susan okay with me coming over to help out?
CHASE
Yeah, if anything, I think she was relieved. She just got promoted to Special Agent in Charge a month ago, and she’s run into the same problem Jack had when he was director.
TONY
You mean having to turn around and enforce the same protocols she’s been violating for years?
CHASE
Yeah. She’s the kind of person who acts on her instincts and doesn’t always care about protocol…but now that she’s in charge it’s a different ball game.
TONY
Alright. Well, do me a favor and reassure her I’m not here to step on anyone’s toes, just to be a liaison to the White House and to help in any way I can.
CHASE
Alright. Tina’s working with Metro Police to put together everything we know about the scene of the abduction…why don’t you go sit with her and see if you know anything that might be useful. I’ll go see if Susan is off the phone and then I’ll introduce you and have IT get you a logon to the system.
TONY
Alright. Which one is Tina?
CHASE
The one over there, with the red curly hair.
TONY
Got it.
CHASE
(discreetly)
Just to warn you, she’s still learning the ropes and she’s kind of sensitive…try not to get impatient with her.
TONY
So in other words, she’s like Chloe without the talent?
CHASE
Something like that, yeah.
TONY
Got it.
MOLLIE LANGDON approaches.
CHASE
Tony, this is Mollie Langdon, head of COMM. Mollie, this is Tony Almeida from DOD.
Tony shakes her hand quickly.
TONY
Nice to meet you.
MOLLIE
Chase, I analyzed the phones of the other hostiles from the metro station and I got something…one of them had made a series of calls to a number that I was able to trace to an auto repair shop in Pasadena.
CHASE
Any idea who it belongs to?
MOLLIE
Yeah. Two brothers named Burt and Rudy Whitley…I’m running their names through our databases now.
CHASE
Does Jeff know who they are?
MOLLIE
I don’t know. Agent Brown took over the interrogation while you came out here…I told him to ask.
CHASE
Alright, good work. Go update Susan…I’ll get this to CTU Los Angeles and see what they can find.
TONY
Do you have an address for the shop?
MOLLIE
Yeah. 1696 East Colorado Blvd.
TONY
Alright. I’ll relay this to Curtis and tell him to get a team over there and see what they find.
Scott hangs up his phone and approaches Tony and Chase.
SCOTT
Susan just got a call from the White House…they want us in on a conference call with Homeland Security, Secret Service, and the Joint Chiefs. Susan wants both of you in the conference room.
CHASE
Alright, thanks, Scott. Any progress on the satellite scan?
He motions for Tony to go ahead. Tony walks off toward the conference room.
SCOTT
Not yet. Unfortunately, there’s no coverage of the exact spot where he was taken…Metro Police said the vehicle went West on E Street after picking him up, which means he was most likely headed for either the Whitehurst Freeway or the Rock Creek Parkway.
CHASE
Alright, make sure all the different police forces have that information.
SCOTT
Tina’s taking care of that now.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - UNDERGROUND BUNKER - 1:33:54
President Heller is seated around the conference table with Jack, Audrey, Mike Novick, ADMIRAL GEORGE RUSSELL, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Counterterrorism Czar CHERYL GOLDBERG, and White House Communications Chair LUKE STEVENSON.
Acting Secretary for Homeland Security JACOB FRIEDLANDER,
Susan Walker, and Secret Service Chief BEN SANDERS are shown on different screens.
FRIEDLANDER (ON SCREEN)
Police have established roadblocks throughout the metropolitan area…the airports, Union Station, the Metro, and all bridges in and out of DC have been shut down. The Beltway has been sealed off, and highway patrol are stopping and searching vehicles at every exit. Unfortunately, they had a half hour to get outside the city before anyone realized what was going on, which means they could have gotten as far as forty miles from the National Mall before we were able to seal off the major roads. Fortunately, all flights have been grounded since 7:00 this morning, so we’re fairly confident that your son is still on US soil.
HELLER
Well, that’s something, I guess…and we still have no idea who these guys are or what they want?
RUSSELL
Not at this time, sir. We’re in the process of assembling known threats and cross-checking with the Secret Service familiar faces database.
HELLER
Susan, have your people found any leads that look promising?
SUSAN (ON SCREEN)
Possibly. We traced a call made by one of the hostiles killed in the takedown at L’Enfant Plaza to an auto repair shop in Pasadena. CTU Los Angeles is looking into it now.
HELLER
Tony, Audrey says you got a call from Richard a few minutes before she was contacted.
TONY (ON SCREEN)
Yes, sir. He had overheard Secret Service headquarters check with the agents who were taking Jack to the embassy through the Secret Service radio frequency in the vehicle and he wanted to know what was going on.
HELLER
And at this point, he didn’t seem to have any idea that he had been kidnapped?
TONY (ON SCREEN)
No, sir. It’s possible that he still may not know that he’s being used as a hostage.
HELLER
How could that be?
TONY (ON SCREEN)
Richard may still believe he’s with Secret Service…it’s unlikely that he would have allowed anyone to use his phone otherwise. Of course, they could have siezed his phone, but Audrey and I have been calling it repeatedly since she got that call, and instead of immediately kicking into voicemail like we’d expect, we keep getting a message that all circuits are busy. That indicates that they may have activated some sort of a jamming signal to make him think that he just has poor cell phone reception.
JACK
If his phone is still on, can’t you ping the number and triangulate the coordinates?
TONY
We’ve tried that. It has to ring four times for that to work,
and we can’t get through because the circuits are jammed.
JACK
Try contacted all of the cell phone providers in the area to see if they’ve gotten any complaints from customers about their phones not working in the last forty-five minutes. If they’ve gotten a lot of calls in a particular area, that may give us an idea of where he’s being held.
TONY
Alright. Audrey, what carrier does he use?
AUDREY
T-Mobile, I think.
HELLER
Ben, is there anything in the Secret Service vehicle that could be traced?
BEN (ON SCREEN)
Ordinarily, yes. Unfortunately, whoever carjacked the vehicle and killed the agent driving it disabled all of the tracking mechanisms.
JACK
But he’s still connected to the radio frequency?
BEN
Not anymore. We switched over to secondary frequency when we discovered the breach, and we’ve had no communication with the vehicle since.
JACK
Is communication between Secret Service vehicles recorded?
BEN
Yes, sir.
JACK
Pipe that over to CTU so they can do a voice analysis of the suspect’s communications.
MIKE
Luke, how are we doing at holding off the press?
LUKE
Patricia’s doing the best she can…they know something’s up.
She’s also been getting a lot of questions about this morning’s events…I won’t go into detail here but when you get a chance she’d like a word.
A White House aide enters the room and approaches Jack.
AIDE
Sir, I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a Kim Bauer on the phone…that’s your daughter, right?
JACK
Yes.
AIDE
Do you want me to tell her you’ll call her back?
JACK
Yes, thank you…can you ask what number I should call her at?
The aide nods, giving Jack a strange look. Heller overhears the conversation and leans in and whispers to Jack.
HELLER
Go. Take the call.
JACK
Are you sure?
HELLER
Yes. We’ll bring you up to speed later.
JACK
Thank you, sir.
He gets up and follows the aide out of the room. She leads him into another room and picks up the phone.
AIDE
(into phone)
He’ll take the call down here.
Jack nervously picks up the phone.
JACK
Kim? Is that you, sweetheart?
KIM (O.S.)
Dad? Oh my g-d…you’re…you’re really alive.
JACK
Yeah. I’m sorry I couldn’t let you know…I was afraid it would put you in danger.
SPLIT SCREEN
KIM
I understand. I’m just glad you’re okay.
JACK
Me too. G-d, it’s so good to hear your voice.
KIM
Yeah…you too.
JACK
Listen, sweetheart, I’ve got to go…there’s a little bit of a crisis here and I’m helping out…but Audrey says you’re going to come here as soon as your exam is over.
KIM
Yeah…I’ll see you then.
JACK
Yeah, see you then. I love you.
KIM
I love you too, Dad.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - MICHELLE’S OFFICE - 1:38:38
Michelle is typing frantically when her phone rings.
MICHELLE
NetOps, this is Michelle Dessler.
OFFICER (O.S.)
Ms. Dessler, this is Officer Tyrone Bradley from the Metropolitan Police Department.
MICHELLE
Yes, Officer, what can I do for you?
OFFICER (O.S.)
Do you own a Mercedes-Benz with Virginia license plate C-U-B-S-R-G O-D?
MICHELLE
(concerned)
Yes…
CUT TO:
EXT. PENNSYLVANIA AVE. NW - DAY
CAMERA FOLLOWS the officer as he surveys the scene of the accident and talks to Michelle on his cell phone. CAMERA FINDS Sergio’s lifeless body laid out on a stretcher.
OFFICER
Do you know someone by the name of Sergio Ramirez?
INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION
MICHELLE
Yes, he’s an old friend of my husband’s. Why, did something happen to him?
OFFICER
I’m afraid I have some terrible news for you.
CUT TO:
INT. MICHELLE’S OFFICE
HAUNTING MUSIC drowns out the conversation, but we can see Michelle’s troubled expressions as she listens to what the officer has to say.
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
FADE IN:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - UNDERGROUND BUNKER
TONY (O.S.)
Is there anything Richard knew that isn’t public knowledge?
AUDREY
You mean classified information?
SPLIT SCREEN
TONY
Yeah, classified information, access codes, DOD policy memos that haven’t been released yet…anything like that.
AUDREY
Just the details of Paul’s death. I think my dad only had that classified so I wouldn’t have to talk about it.
TONY
Did he know anything about Cummings ordering the Secret Service agent to take out Jack?
AUDREY
No…I didn’t even know that until you told me this morning. I don’t think he knows anything of value to the terrorists…when we talked about politics I was careful.
TONY
Alright. Still no more contact from your brother’s captors?
AUDREY
No, not yet.
TONY
Listen, Audrey, I’m not quite sure how to say this, but…you’re sure all they asked you for was the access code to the president’s direct line, right?
AUDREY
Yeah, why?
TONY
I don’t mean to sound accusatory, but I just want to make sure you understand that the best chance we have of finding Richard is if you tell us everything you know and trust our people to handle it. No matter what happens, don’t try to handle it alone.
AUDREY
I know that…what are you implying?
TONY
I’m not implying anything, but I just want you to know that if the terrorists demanded any other information and you gave it to them,
nobody will hold that against you, but you’ve got to be upfront about it.
AUDREY
Why are you telling me this? Don’t you think I know how stupid it would be to try to cooperate with these terrorists and cover it up?
Dead silence as she realizes the implications of what she just said.
AUDREY
Oh g-d. Tony, I am so sorry…I didn’t mean…
TONY
Audrey, relax. I know you didn’t mean anything by it, and you’re absolutely right. What I did was incredibly stupid…after I helped Saunders escape, I not only tried to cover it up, but I kept everyone in the dark and tried to handle it myself, and that was stupid. If Jack hadn’t stopped me on my way to the exchange site and insisted on bringing CTU into it,
Michelle probably would have been killed because I doubt I could have taken on all those hostiles by myself. I should have gone to Jack right after I let Saunders escape and trusted that we could find a way to get Michelle back without compromising the mission. What I did was stupid and irrational, but at the time it seemed like the only way to handle it…I know what it’s like to be in that position, and I just don’t want to see you make the same mistakes I did, alright?
AUDREY
Yeah. I still…I still feel horrible about what I said.
TONY
Audrey, I don’t even remember what you’re talking about.
She smiles ever so slightly.
AUDREY
Thanks, Tony.
TONY
Yeah.
AUDREY
Um, listen…there were a few other questions they asked…nothing classified or anything like that…just stuff that I’m not sure why they asked about and I didn’t say anything before because I was kind of embarrassed. I don’t see why they asked these questions or how they’re relevant, but I guess the more information we have, the better chance of finding my brother, so maybe you’ll figure out something I haven’t been able to.
TONY
What do you mean? What else did they ask?
AUDREY
They asked a few really personal questions about my relationship with Jack, and they also wanted my checking account number. It was really weird.
TONY
You gave them your checking account number?
AUDREY
What was I supposed to do? They kidnapped my brother…they were going to kill him if I didn’t. If they want ransom money fine…let them take money out of my account. Besides, they didn’t even ask for the pin on my ATM card, so I doubt they could even get money out of my account.
TONY
Alright. Can you call your bank and ask them to put out an alert and notify you the second someone tries to access the account?
AUDREY
I did that a while ago.
TONY
And nobody’s tried to access it?
AUDREY
No, not yet.
TONY
When they asked you about Jack, did they ask anything about his whereabouts since he faked his death and disappeared, or anything about the deal that was made a half hour ago?
AUDREY
No, just about our relationship before all that. I would have told you if they asked about anything that happened today.
TONY
Alright. I’m going to have our people start working this up…what you told me is encouraging…if they try to access your account that’ll give us a significant lead in trying to locate them.
AUDREY
Yeah.
TONY
Hang in there, alright? You’ve got a great team here at CTU working to find your brother…we’re going to do everything we can, alright?
AUDREY
Yeah.
CUT TO:
INT. CTU LOS ANGELES - 10:52:02 LOCAL TIME
EDGAR
Chloe, check this out.
CHLOE
Alright, I’m coming…
She goes over and looks at his screen.
CHLOE
I don’t get it…what is that?
EDGAR
A record of system activity…it looks like someone uplinked footage from the security camera the day Jack disappeared.
CHLOE
That doesn’t make sense. Michelle deleted all of the footage of us helping him escape.
EDGAR
I found this in the system activity…the e-mail and the attachment were deleted from the outbox…is there a way to restore the footage to see what they sent?
CHLOE
Maybe…let me take a look.
CAMERA PANS across the COMM department to where Adam is on the phone with Curtis.
ADAM
I uploaded the schematic of the building to your screen.
CURTIS (O.S.)
Did you get a count on how many potential hostiles are inside from the thermal scan?
ADAM
It’s not showing anyone inside…I’m in the process of widening the perimeter of the scan. What’s your ETA?
CURTIS (O.S.)
We’ll be there any minute…is the satellite in position?
ADAM
Any minute.
CURTIS (O.S.)
Alright…I’m switching over to COMSAT…I’ll let you know when we get to the location.
CAMERA MOVES back to Chloe and Edgar.
CHLOE
This is really weird.
EDGAR
What?
CHLOE
It looks like the footage that was uplinked was from the day before, more than 12 hours before Jack escaped.
EDGAR
Can you get the contents of the e mail?
CHLOE
Still working on that…see if you can identify the IP address it was uploaded to.
EDGAR
What’s that going to do?
CHLOE
Just do it, Edgar.
CUT TO:
INT. CTU WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE
Tony is going over the details of Richard’s kidnapping with Tina when his phone rings.
TONY
Almeida.
MICHELLE (O.S.)
(voice shaky)
Tony, it’s me.
Tony steps away from the workstation, a concerned look on his face.
TONY
Michelle, what’s wrong?
MICHELLE
I just got a call from Metro Police…Sergio…Sergio’s dead.
TONY
WHAT??? What do you mean, Sergio’s dead?
MICHELLE
Police found the car flipped over on K Street…his body was flung across the seat…the car was hit from behind.
TONY
Oh my g-d…I don’t believe this.
MICHELLE
Listen, Tony, the police officer I talked to said that from what he could tell, the accident might not have been the cause of Sergio’s death.
TONY
What do you mean?
MICHELLE
It’s too soon to tell, but apparently the point of impact on the car doesn’t match up with the condition of his body…the officer said there were no scars or anything.
TONY
So they think he may have already been dead when he was hit?
MICHELLE
Yeah.
TONY
How?
MICHELLE
They’re looking into that now…the officer said the nursery school called his cell phone wondering where he was…I guess he was supposed to pick up his daughter an hour ago.
TONY
Yeah. I’ll send someone to get her and have them bring her here…Chase has a babysitter on site for his daughter. Can you get the address?
MICHELLE
Yeah.
TONY
(voice cracking)
Call me back as soon as you hear anything from the police, alright?
MICHELLE
Okay, sweetheart, I will.
TONY
Hey Michelle? (pause)
I love you.
MICHELLE
I love you too.
CUT TO:
INT. WHITE HOUSE - UNDERGROUND BUNKER
PATRICIA
Mr. President, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to hold the press off. They know something’s going on…the people want to know why the entire city is shut down.
HELLER
And they’re not buying the idea that it has to do with what happened to President Logan?
PATRICIA
No, sir. Remember, your son’s abduction is the only indication we have that Logan’s collapse wasn’t an accident.
HELLER
Alright, I guess it’s time to go public…do you think I should do it myself or is it better to have you handle it?
PATRICIA
I’ll do whatever you think is best…
HELLER
What do YOU think is best?
PATRICIA
I think it might be best if the people heard it straight from you…you need to assure the American people that you’re still in charge, but if you go on, you have to be willing to promise the American people that you will put national security ahead of everything even if it means sacrificing your own son. I think most people would understand if you’re not prepared to do that.
Heller sighs heavily, struggling to keep from losing it completely.
HELLER
Audrey, what do you think?
AUDREY
What if you were to do both? You give a statement to the press but let Patricia handle questions. That way, you can make it clear that you’re still in charge without having to answer that question.
He looks at Patricia, signaling to her to give her input on Audrey’s suggestion.
PATRICIA
I think that may be the right move, sir. That way, if reporters ask questions you’re not prepared to answer, you don’t have to be the one who either dodges the question or lies to them.
HELLER
Alright. Can you put together a draft of a statement and I’ll have a look at it after I get an update from the Joint Chiefs?
PATRICIA
Rachel’s working on that now, sir.
HELLER
Alright. Let me know when it’s ready for me to look at.
PATRICIA
Yes, sir.
CUT TO:
– ANOTHER ROOM IN BUNKER
Jack is talking to Chloe on his cell phone.
JACK
I thought Michelle deleted all of the incriminating footage.
CHLOE (O.S.)
She did…from what we can tell, this is from much earlier…around 12:30 PM the day before, right you rescued Secretary Heller and Audrey.
SPLIT SCREEN
JACK
Which camera did it come from?
CHLOE
Let’s see…B34…I think that’s the camera in the clinic.
JACK
The clinic?
CHLOE
Yeah…were you hurt during the rescue operation?
Jack thinks for a minute, then comes to realization.
JACK
No, but I went in there to check on Audrey when she was being examined.
CHLOE
Why would someone want footage of that?
JACK
I have no idea. Who sent it, and who did it go to?
CHLOE
Whoever sent it used an anonymous login…we’re trying to see if we can match the syslog to phone logs to determine who used the workstation,
but it’s going to take a while. But we matched the intended recipient to a name, although it’s probably either an alias or someone whose computer was hijacked.
JACK
Who was it?
CHLOE
Some guy in Arlington named Tad Williams…he’s not showing up in any of our databases and a background check didn’t raise any flags.
JACK
Hold on? Did you just say Tad Williams?
CHLOE
Why? Do you know him?
JACK
Sort of…I can’t explain right now…I have to talk to Audrey…send me everything you have, alright?
CHLOE
Uh, okay…that must be awkward.
JACK
What?
CHLOE
Talking to Audrey.
JACK
We’re putting everything aside right now so we can work together…I’ve got to go.
CHLOE
Yeah…I’ll call you when we identify the sender.
JACK
Alright, thanks.
CUT TO:
INT. PENTAGON - NETOPS
Michelle is on the phone, getting information about Sergio’s daughter.
MICHELLE
Alright, I’ll send someone to pick her up…that’s your call…her father was a good friend of my husband’s, but I’m not sure he wants to be the one to tell her. Alright, I will…thank you.
She hangs up the phone and it rings again.
MICHELLE
Michelle Dessler.
INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION
OFFICER
Ms. Dessler, this is Tyrone Bradley from Metro Police. You asked me to get back to you when we had any information on possible causes of your friend’s death.
MICHELLE
Yes, thank you. What have you found?
OFFICER
I’m not sure how to tell you this, Ma’am, but it looks like your friend’s death may not have been an accident.
MICHELLE
What do you mean?
OFFICER
It’s too soon to tell for sure, but from the preliminary forensic analysis, it looks like he had lost consciousness before the car was hit, and our scanners detected the possible presence of an unexpected substance.
MICHELLE
What do you mean, unexpected substance?
OFFICER
Like I said, we can’t tell you anything conclusive yet, but the scanners detected what may be traces of VX.
MICHELLE
VX???
OFFICER
Like I said, it’s too soon to tell for sure…we’ve taken the body and the car back to headquarters for some more comprehensive tests…I just wanted to give you a heads up that while we have no reason to consider you or your husband a suspect, the fact that he was driving your car means you’re going to have to answer some questions.
MICHELLE
(shakily)
I…I understand.
OFFICER
I want you to start thinking if there was any time when anyone else could have accessed your car, and who if anyone might have any motive to harm you or your husband.
MICHELLE
We’re both former counterterrorist agents…it could be anyone.
OFFICER
I understand…please don’t be intimidated…we’re here to help…I’m sure you’re as anxious as we are to get to the bottom of this. I trust that given your background, I don’t have to explain to you how important it is that we have your full cooperation.
MICHELLE
Of course, I understand. Please let me know when you have any more information, and make sure you send whatever you have to CTU.
OFFICER
Yes, ma’am, will do.
CUT TO:
EXT. WAREHOUSE - PASADENA, CA - 10:58:12 LOCAL TIME
CURTIS
Alright, we’re on site. I’m going in first…Agent Bern and Agent Joffey are going to back me up. Adam, do you copy?
ADAM (O.S.)
Yeah.
CURTIS
Still no movement inside?
ADAM (O.S.)
None as far as I could tell.
CURTIS
Alright, we’re going in on three.
The agents cautiously enter, pointing their guns. The warehouse appears to be empty.
CURTIS
Hello? Is anyone in here?
No response. Curtis cautiously opens another door to an empty office while the other agents survey the warehouse. Curtis begins rummaging through papers in the desk.
CURTIS
Adam, I’m going to fax over some financial records…see if any of the customer names match up with any of our databases.
ADAM (O.S.)
Alright.
AGENT HOWARD BERN (O.S.)
Also, run a search on these license plate numbers…756-G24L and 838 KDR8.
CURTIS
Are those the license plates for the cars in the warehouse?
AGENT BERN (O.S.)
Yeah. They probably belong to customers who think this is a legitimate business, but it’s worth a shot.
CURTIS
Alright. See if you can search the car.
Curtis continues rummaging through the papers in the drawer.
Suddenly, he notices something sticking out beneath the drawer liner, which is glued to the bottom of the drawer. He carefully peels off the liner and finds several photographs underneath. He is shocked to see Tony, Michelle, and President Palmer in the pictures. Curtis continues looking for additional photos. Suddenly, an EXPLOSION is heard.
FADE OUT.
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