The MED: Iron Heaven - Patrick Thibodeaux

INT. POLICE HANGAR. DAY.

We see a semi truck with a massive trailer back into a large
hangar bay. A small group of police officers and elected
officials stand far behind it. They quietly murmur as the truck
comes to a stop.

POLICE CHIEF HANNES

Thank you for joining us today Mr Mayor.

MAYOR HOLT

Of course, I couldn’t miss the arrival of our newest recruit,

even if it cost us a fortune.

POLICE OFFICER
But isn’t this an old model?

The automated doors to the trailer slowly open as a ramp slides
out. The interior is too dark to make out what’s inside.

POLICE CHIEF HANNES

You won’t be disappointed, sir. This machine may not be the
newest model, but it will surely get the job done.
A few red lights highlight a jagged shape inside. The machine, a
huge, imposing, complex TANK rolls out of the trailer. Once out,
its mechanisms heave, as if taking a deep breath. We see some of
the police officers and government officials smile.
A younger official, standing behind the mayor and others, JACOBY
(male, 29), expresses worry on his face.

FADE TO BLACK

INT. NEWS STATION. DAY.
We see NEWS ANCHOR RILEY (female, 37), finishing her report on the weather. After a moment, the screen behind her switches from
weather graphics to photos of a vicious riot.

NEWS ANCHOR RILEY

Tomorrow will mark the first anniversary of the death of Samuel
Walker, whose death at the hands of the city’s police sparked a
large-scale protest, and later intense riots that cost the city
millions of dollars in damages. These riots were later
dissipated gracefully by our city’s police force.

The images then shift to glorifying pictures of the city’s police in riot gear.

NEWS ANCHOR RILEY (cont.)

However, rumors have been spreading through word of mouth
throughout low income communities and social media of another
large scale protest of the anniversary of the Samuel Walker
protests. And with the police increasing their presence city
wide, it’s safe to assume these protests may become a reality.
The screen behind her switches images again, now to a recording
of the city police chief giving a press statement.
NEWS ANCHOR RILEY (cont.)

Speaking of increased police effort, the Chief of City Police
Derek Hannes announced in a joint effort with the city
government the arrival of their newest peacekeeping avenue, a
Mark 5 Mobile Enforcer Device, a MED. While it is an old model,
Chief Hannes said it will be more than effective in reducing
organized crime, deterring unlawful behavior, and enforcing the city constitution.

We see a young reporter, NIA-JEAN (female, 27), watching the
anchor from the back of the studio. After a moment, she leaves
the studio in a well-kept-in fury.

NIA-JEAN

Someone’s gotta do something about it.

INT. CITY GOVERNMENT BUILDING- OFFICE. DUSK.

We see Jacoby neatly organizing some papers on a desk and
tidying up the place. He stops, takes a deep breath, and looks
at his watch. As he leaves the office, he stops to listen to
some other officials in the room over.

GOV. OFFICIAL 1

I’m surprised the thing still works, it looked like a hunk of

junk.
GOV. OFFICIAL 2

That thing can stop wars, it’ll be more than enough.

EXT. CITY GOVERNMENT BUILDING- PARKING LOT. DUSK.

We see the government building loom over Jacoby as he walks to
his car in the parking lot. As he approaches his vehicle, he
sees Nia Jean standing beside it.

JACOBY

Hey Nia-Jean, what’s up? What are you doing here?

NIA-JEAN

There was something I wanted to talk about, and it’s pretty urgent.

JACOBY

Really? How urgent? Is it just another scope you’re looking to find?
NIA-JEAN

This is serious. People’s lives are at stake, and I think you know as well as I do why.

Jacoby’s smile fades into a look of confusion.

NIA-JEAN

You out of all people should know. You’re helping run the city and you don’t have a clue what could be scaring everyone?

Jacoby’s confused look turns into a frown.

JACOBY

It’s the MED, I imagine.

NIA-JEAN

Yep. And I’m sure you guys are aware of the rumors of the protest in the coming days.

JACOBY

Yeah. We know, and I see where this is going. I’m scared too.

NIA-JEAN

Then let’s do something about it.

JACOBY
What?

NIA-JEAN

It’s why I’m here. I came because I need some help. We need to
stop the assholes who brought that thing here to oppress the people. And hopefully before tomorrow.

JACOBY

It’s a peacekeeping tool.

NIA-JEAN

It’s a fucking war machine, Jacoby. We don’t need that thing in the city.

Jacoby is silent.

NIA-JEAN

Look, tank or not, the people are going to protest. And they got every right to. It’s their people that are getting killed by this city’s police everyday. They have a voice, and they’re going to speak up about it.

Nia-Jean points to the building.

NIA-JEAN

They don’t give a damn about what we think. I know you’re different, so please, help me out. I can’t just sit on the sidelines and watch this play out. I know that’s kinda my job, but screw that. I need to do something about it.

Jacoby thinks to himself for a moment. He looks back at the
building, then back to Nia-Jean.

NIA-JEAN

You know things that I don’t, things that would help bring that thing down. Please, for our sake.

Beat.

JACOBY

You’re right. They indeed plan on utilizing the MED for intimidation purposes. And they hope to “debut” it on the force the supposed day of the protest.

NIA-JEAN
Okay, great. And…?

JACOBY

(pointing back at the building)

Screw them.

Nia-Jean smiles.

JACOBY

I actually know someone who could help us meek citizens take down a MED.

NIA-JEAN

Really? I honestly wasn’t expecting to be on the move this fast. That’s great! Where to?

JACOBY

I’ll show you. Follow behind me in your van. I think they’ll be
bothered by a broadcasting truck sitting outside their building.

Nia-Jean runs off to her news van. Jacoby smiles, but before he
climbs into his own car, he takes a look at the building one
last time.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING. NIGHT.
We see the news van park behind Jacoby’s car. Nia-Jean gets out and walks over to Jacoby as he stands before the plain looking apartment.

JACOBY
This is it.

NIA-JEAN

This looks rather simple, and out in the open too. I thought you knew a gang or something?

JACOBY

This person will be better for what we need. Very few people in
this city have enough firepower to take down a MED head-on. We need someone who can get inside it.

NIA-JEAN

Ah, of course. Makes sense.

They head inside the building.

INT. APARTMENT BUILDING. NIGHT.
The two stand before a door in an apartment hallway. Jacoby knocks on the door.

NIA-JEAN

Wait, how do you even know this guy?

JACOBY

Well, my superiors needed to get some information on a rival candidate this past election season. My friend here helped us snoop around…

Nia-Jean’s mouth hangs open.

NIA-JEAN

Are you… serious-

JACOBY

Let’s just focus on the now, okay?

The two stand in silence for a moment longer. Eventually, we
hear several locks jiggle. The door creaks open, and a face pops out, CECIL (non binary, 26).

CECIL
Hey.

JACOBY
Hey.

Beat.

CECIL
Oh, come in.

JACOBY
Thank you.

The two enter the apartment.

INT. CECIL’S APARTMENT.
The studio room is dimly lit. A dozen large computers and
monitors surround and cover a desk against one of the walls. Cecil returns to the desk and sits down. They plug a cord into the back of their skull.

CECIL

So, what exactly do you need my expertise this time?

JACOBY

Trust me, this time it’s really important.

CECIL

Hey, as long as you pay, it doesn’t matter to me.

NIA-JEAN

It should this time. Have you seen the news?

CECIL

I think so, yeah. There’s gonna be this organized protest on the

anniversary of Samuel Walker’s death.

NIA JEAN
Anything else?
CECIL

…Well, I also remember that the police are going to debut an old
MED into their force. Does that have to do with anything?

Beat.

CECIL

Wait. No, no way. I am thinking what you two are thinking?

JACOBY

It looks like you have an idea of what we need you to do.

CECIL

What? There’s no way I’m gonna do that. What am I gonna do when
the cops come breaking down my door? I have no means of protection!

JACOBY

This shouldn’t be too different than last time.

CECIL

Last time, I had you guys to cover my back when I did your dirty
work. If it’s just you two, who want me to hack a MED of all
things, there’s nothing stopping them from coming after me.

JACOBY

They’ll be focusing all of their resources on “maintaining the
peace” at this rally, so I think you have a good chance.

NIA-JEAN

And so what? You’d be actually helping a good cause. You’d be
saving so many people from a potential massacre.

JACOBY

Please, Cecil. Have a little compassion. We need your help. The
people of the city need your help. You’re the best person we could have gone to.

NIA-JEAN

You seem to be an incredibly talented individual. I’m sure you can do it.

Cecil adverts their eyes away from the two as they think to
themself for a while. The other two wait patiently.

CECIL

Hm, okay. I’ll help. But if I’m caught, then you and your party are going down with me.

JACOBY

That’s okay, I’m willing to risk that. Now, what can you do about it? Anything you need us to do?

CECIL
Well, hold on.

Cecil swivels their chair to face the wall of computers and
monitors. The other two walk up to their desk and stand behind
them. They bring up a picture of the MED.

CECIL

I have some ideas of something I could do to slow it down. That
thing looks old, so it might use an out of date system… a system that’s since been released to the public.

NIA-JEAN

That’s great. Damn, look at us mere citizens taking down a MED!

CECIL

But on that note, the thing might be too old for any amount of hacking to do something.

JACOBY
Wait, what?

CECIL

You heard me. I might not be able to do anything.

NIA-JEAN
Really?

Nia-Jean takes a few steps back.

JACOBY

Do you know the exact model of MED that thing is? Are sure there’s nothing you can do?

CECIL

I’m not positive, but I’m also not a MED expert! Going off of
the looks of this thing, I’m pretty sure that thing is all just gears and bolts. I’m sure there’s some sort of AI in there, but the most I’d be able to do is disable its visual sensors, maybe
cause it to go in the wrong direction. I don’t think I could do anything meaningful or long term.

NIA-JEAN
(silently to herself)

Something must be done… something has to be done…

Jacoby and Cecil silently stare at the monitors.

NIA-JEAN
(to herself)
Expert… a MED expert…
(outloud)
That’s it.

The other two look back to Nia-Jean.

NIA-JEAN

A MED expert. They’ll be able to get the specifics of the model,
what system it uses, how it works, etc. Cecil, could you find one?

Cecil’s face lights up with excitement and determination.

CECIL
I can try.

JACOBY

Wait, but how long could that take?

CECIL

Um, I’m not sure. Perhaps a while, we don’t have much to go off of.
JACOBY

The protest is tomorrow, we don’t have time for a search.

CECIL

What were you expecting? For me to magically shut it down now? I’m not a technomancer.

JACOBY

Well, I mean, kind of? I just thought you had some connections,
or more maybe some kind of reactive malware or something.

NIA-JEAN

Jacoby, looking for a MED technician or something is our best chance. Give them some time.

JACOBY

Nia-Jean, we don’t have time. You out of all people should know.

NIA-JEAN

I know, but-
JACOBY

I understand you want to help save the people and all, but we kinda need a solution now.

CECIL

Jesus dude, I’m trying my best.

JACOBY

I’m sorry Cecil, but I think I’m going to look for another option.
NIA-JEAN

Jacoby, stop. We’ll figure this out.

Jacoby heads to the door.

JACOBY

I’m gonna find someone else. I have other connections. I wish you guys the best.

Jacoby leaves. Cecil goes back to working on their several
computers.

CECIL

Is he always a dick like that?

NIA-JEAN

When he gets fired up like that, yeah, sometimes. But that’s how I know he cares. He wants to help.

Beat.

CECIL

I’m glad you trust me.
NIA-JEAN

Of course. I don’t know what Jacoby has in mind, but I think
this is the more peaceful option. I don’t want to report anymore violence.
CECIL

Well, let’s hope this works.

INT. JAPANESE RAMEN SHOP. NIGHT.
We see Jacoby sitting alone in a dingy shop, save for the
cashier. The cashier stares at Jacoby. He glares back, and the
cashier retreats to the back of the shop. A few moments later,
three men in dapper suits come out. The middle one, the YAKUZA
LEADER (male, 50), sits across from Jacoby, while the other two
stand behind each of them.

YAKUZA LEADER
Come to turn yourself in?

JACOBY

No, I’m here to ask a favor.

YAKUZA LEADER

Your party is in no position to ask for favors.

JACOBY

Trust me though when I say this favor is truly beneficial to your people as well as every citizen in this city.

Beat.

YAKUZA LEADER

We’ve been watching you since Patriot’s Day. We’re learning more about you every day. Where you eat, where you live-
JACOBY

That won’t do either of us much good if we end up getting mowed down by the city’s new war machine.

The Yakuza Leader sits in silence.

JACOBY

You all know of the police commissioned MED.

Beat.

JACOBY

Then you can imagine that you all won’t be safe for much longer.
With that thing, they’re gonna keep cracking down on you guys until you’re either dead or life in prison.

YAKUZA LEADER

Are you expecting us to destroy the pigs’ machine? You said it yourself that nothing can stop it.

Jacoby smirks.

JACOBY

I’m working with another outside collaborator to find a weakness
in the MED. It’s an old model and doesn’t appear to be in the
best condition. Once we find a kink in its armor, I’m asking that you guys deliver the killing blow.

The Yakuza Leader leans back in his chair. Beat.

YAKUZA LEADER

Say this blows up in our faces. Where do you expect to run? We
were actually thinking of relocating from this part of town
because of that thing anyways, but there’s no running from us.

Jacoby is completely unfazed.

JACOBY

I don’t plan on running. We have to stop it.

YAKUZA LEADER

Hm, okay. When do you want to go about executing this machine?

JACOBY

…Would tomorrow work?

EXT. CITY STREET. DAY.
The next day, we see a few people looking at a shrine dedicated to Samuel Walker embedded on the sidewalk. Behind them, a large crowd has begun to form. We see someone with a microphone separate himself from the crowd.

PROTESTER 1

Samuel Walker was a beloved member of the community, but one year ago today, on this very pavement we stand on, his life was unfairly robbed by the police. And since then, violence at the hands of them have only gotten worse despite our pleas. We will not forget what he stood for and we will not tolerate the violence any longer! Join me brothers and sisters! The crowd rejoices. Down the street, we can see two police officers staring at the scene next to a cruiser. One of them uses a radio to phone in the station.

INT. POLICE CHIEF HANNES’S OFFICE. DAY.
The chief sits at his desk, watching the news from a large
screen on one of the walls. Eventually, an officer barges in.

POLICE OFFICER

Excuse me sir, we’ve gotten the call.

POLICE CHIEF HANNES
I’m ready.
POLICE OFFICER

Our on scene officers have deemed that the event at Martha Ave could get dangerous to public welfare.

POLICE CHIEF HANNES

Send a team to join them to attempt to calm the crowd. We’ll start mobilizing here. Every officer that isn’t busy is getting suited up. And prep the MED for deployment.

INT. CECIL’S APARTMENT. DAY.
We see Cecil typing away at their computer. They look exhausted.
Nia-Jean sits up from the couch, having just woken up.

CECIL

Took you long enough.
NIA-JEAN

Have you found an engineer? Someone that could help?

CECIL

I’m… close, but I don’t have someone yet.

NIA-JEAN

How has it taken you this long to find someone?

CECIL

I think “they” have been hiding those who’ve worked on them. And if they’re older, they probably don’t have much internet presence.

Nia-Jean stares off into nothing. She looks defeated. She looks
at a clock mounted on the wall.

NIA-JEAN

Oh my god, I got to go. I promised the station I’d cover this in case it escalates.

Nia-Jean hurries to the door.

NIA JEAN

If you find them, please call me.

CECIL

I will. Keep your phone close, I promise I’ll find them.

Nia-Jean lingers at the door for a moment. She then leaves.
Cecil continues typing away.

LATER
EXT. CITY STREET. DAY.

The crowd has grown loud and noisy. The news van pulls up down the street. Nia-Jean sits in the van and stares out. She looks
behind her. Police cruisers are parked along the street. She
fidgets with her clothing.

CAMERA OPERATOR
You ready?
NIA-JEAN
No, not at all.

INT. CECIL’S APARTMENT.
We see Cecil sitting at their desk with wide eyes. We look at the screen… It has a face, a name, and a number next to it.

CECIL
Oh my god.

Cecil plugs a cord from the back of their skull into a computer
and quickly dials the number on one of their several keyboards.
After a moment, we hear the line picked up.

CECIL

Um, hello, this is Cecil Olivria, and I know this is really
random, but I was curious about your position as a chief MED engineer from a few decades ago?

INT. GARS’ HOUSE- LIVING ROOM. DAY.
We see an old man, GARS (70s), sitting in an armchair. The TV’s
on, showing from a helicopter’s point of view the growing gathering of people for the protest.

GARS

Yeah, I was a chief engineer for the Mark 4 and 5 MEDs, what about it?
CECIL

There’s not much time to explain, but have you heard about thecity police’s new MED?

GARS

Yeah, I’ve heard. It’s a rust bucket.

CECIL

It sure is, but I do wonder, would one be able to, say, hack into it?
GARS

What? Why would one want to do that? Who is this?

CECIL

Sir, please. It’s for the sake of the people of the city. We need to do this.

GARS looks back at the TV. The news broadcaster focuses on the growing police response.

GARS
Ah, I see.
CECIL

What if I sent you photos of it? I’m hoping it has some sort of
advanced AI system that I know the more recent MEDs have, but it looks so old, I’m not sure if I’m able to..

GARS continues to stare at the TV.

CECIL

Please, sir! I need your expertise.

GARS

No need to send photos. From what I’ve seen in the news, the
city bought a Mark 4 MED. It’s a series 9, so unless they used
some cheap suppression software, it should have a Brainware system installed.

We see Cecil’s face of despair grow into a soft smile.

GARS

The Brainware system, once connected back into the network, will
try to update itself with the latest safety protocols and
information that will best serve its primary directive: keeping
human lives safe. It knows the law and will strictly abide by
it, unless someone tampered with it. Something the city might want to do if they just want some dumb tank.

Cecil is already working away at their computer.

CECIL

Thank you for being so open about this.

GARS

I understand where you’re going with this. I might be old, but I still want change too.

CECIL

Thank you sir. You’ll see the outcome soon, whatever that may be.
GARS
I’ll be watching.

INT. NEWS VAN.
We see Nia-Jean staring off into space. Suddenly, she hears a
faint buzzing. She quickly fishes her phone out of her pocket
and answers.

NIA-JEAN
Yeah?
CECIL

I spoke to an engineer.

NIA JEAN
Really?! And?
CECIL

I’m currently squeezing my way past the thing’s suppression software. I’m going to need time.

Nia-Jean’s whole body relaxes, her face relieved, for a second.

CECIL

Is there any way you can delay any altercation?

NIA JEAN

I’m the news, there’s not much I can do!

CECIL

Well I’m going to need time to do anything, so think of something!

Cecil hangs up. Nia-Jean looks around, thinking of something to
do. She suddenly pulls her phone out and furiously dials another
number.

EXT. CITY STREET. DAY.
A line of police officers form in front of the crowd, all donned
in advanced riot gear. Both sides are screaming at each other.
From around the street corner, we can see Jacoby’s car.

INT. JACOBY’S CAR.
We see Jacoby in the driver’s seat, the Yakuza Leader sitting
next to him. In the back seat, the two grunts.

YAKUZA LEADER
That’s an offly big crowd.

JACOBY

That’s why we need to stop it. See how many can get hurt?

YAKUZA LEADER

We’re waiting on you, cowboy.

Jacoby goes back to staring at the crowd. Suddenly his phone
begins to ring. He quickly answers it. The other men look at him suspiciously.

JACOBY
Hello, Nia-Jean?
NIA-JEAN

Cecil found the engineer!

JACOBY

Oh my god, great! Did they leak anything? Something we can exploit?
NIA-JEAN

Um, not exactly? Where are you?

JACOBY

What do you mean “not exactly”? What’s happening?

NIA-JEAN

Cecil told me they’re currently hacking into the MED’s suppression software as we speak. Where are you!?
Jacoby looks over to the Yakuza Leader sitting next to him. He
does not look pleased.

JACOBY

Um, I got some help from some other friends to help.

NIA-JEAN

Those “friends” better not be here to create more violence. Jacoby looks into the back seat. The two men in the back carry what appears to be advanced particle rifles. They could pack a serious punch.

NIA-JEAN

Please, if you’re not going to help, then leave. Things are already chaotic enough.

Nia-Jean hangs up. Jacoby looks back at the Yakuza in his car,
then back to the crowd

INT. NEWS VAN.
Nia-Jean puts her phone away. She sighs aloud.

CAMERA OPERATOR
It’s time to go Nia-Jean.

NIA-JEAN
I know. Let’s go.

They step out of the van. The sound between the two factions is almost deafening. The two position themselves on the sidewalk, with the protest in the background.

NIA-JEAN
Is the camera rolling?
CAMERA OPERATOR
We’re rolling.

INT. NEWS STATION. DAY.
We see Riley dismissing the weather on a background screen. She waits for footage of the protest to appear behind her on the screen before continuing.

NEWS ANCHOR RILEY

As expected, the anniversary of Sameul Walker’s death has
brought a in memoriam protest, advocating for the deregulation
of the police and calling for the end of police brutality. We have reporter Nia Jean on the scene now. How do things look?

CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREET.

Nia-Jean tries to calm herself before speaking.

NIA JEAN

As you can see here Riley, the scene here is a mess. Tensions
are high, and at any moment one of the sides is going to snap and go on the offensive. Now, if we look here-
Nia-Jean freezes. She feels her pocket, it’s buzzing. She hesitates to grab it. She looks at the camera man, then back to the scene behind her. The line of riot officers holds strong,
and begins to advance. The opposing crowd is screaming. Her phone is wiggling wildly. She breathes in deeply.

NIA-JEAN
(to herself)
Fuck it.

She answers her phone.

CAMERA OPERATOR
Hey, we’re on live TV!
NIA-JEAN
Yeah?
CECIL
(VO)
I’m almost in!
NIA-JEAN
Great, anything else?

CECIL
(VO)

As I’m cracking in, I’ve been learning more about this Brainware
AI and what it’s designed to uphold. What I need you to do is to
tell that crowd to calm down. Once I break these cheap locks,
its AI will kick in and enforce its own authority. If the protest is peaceful and law abiding, then it can’t do anything.

24

NIA-JEAN

Okay, so you want me to tell them to settle down?

CECIL
(VO)

Yes, and hurry, it’s almost there.

Suddenly, the massive tank rolls around the corner of the block.
Its mass takes up the whole street. The many in the crowd scream in terror. The line of riot officers moving forward don’t stop, but they part ways for the gigantic machine to lumber forward. Nia-Jean quickly looks around. She notices an abandoned microphone speaker laying on the street. She runs to grab it. An officer nearly rams his shield into her, briefly taking her off her feet.

RIOT OFFICER

Get out of here ma’am! Return to your home!

After recovering, she grabs the microphone and runs towards the crowd.

NIA JEAN

Everyone, listen to me!

No one stops moving.

NIA-JEAN
Everyone! Please stop!

A few people slow down. They notice her, but the majority still
continues to retreat.

NIA-JEAN

The only way to stop the MED is to stand firm and remain calm. You have to trust me.

More people stop and look at her.

NIA-JEAN

My friend is working their way into the thing’s systems, and if
we band together peacefully, there’s nothing it can do. Please stand with me!

Nia-Jean turns around to see the MED slowly advance past the
line of riot officers.

THE MED
STOP RESISTING.

CUT TO:

INT. CAR.
Jacoby and the Yakuza watch as protesters flee the scene.

YAKUZA LEADER

Looks like the party’s started. What are we going to do cowboy?
Jacoby stares out for a while. He then turns the car around.

YAKUZA LEADER

What the hell are you doing? The battle’s the other way!

JACOBY

I hope you know what you’re doing, Nia-Jean.

CUT BACK TO:
EXT. STREET.
Nia-Jean stands firm where she is. She stares intensely at the
machine. Suddenly, a person walks up next to her. Then another. Soon, a small crowd forms around her, standing directly in the middle of the street. The MED stops churning forward.

THE MED
PLEASE DISPERSE NOW.

They stand tall, their chests puffed out. They stare down the
tank’s huge primary gun barrel.

THE MED

PLEASE DISPERSE NO-

The machine suddenly freezes. A few of the glaring red lights blink off.

CUT TO:

INT. CECIL’S APARTMENT.
We see Cecil at their desk, holding their breath. They look as if they’re about to pass out.

CUT BACK TO:

EXT. STREET.
Everyone is silent, holding their breath. Suddenly, the machine
comes back to life. It rolls back, away from the crowd. The riot
officers break formation.

INT. POLICE HANGAR.
We see a few officers crowd around the large computer console that controls the MED.

OFFICER SUPERIOR
What is it doing?

MED SPECIALIST

It’s not listening to any of our commands!

OFFICER SUPERIOR

What the hell? Tell it to disperse that crowd! Get rid of them!

THE MED

The people of this city are exhibiting their right to peacefully protest.

All of the officers are thoroughly startled by the MED speaking
through the console.

THE MED

These people are doing nothing wrong. As long as they remain
peaceful and orderly, there is nothing I can do to deny them of their rights within our democratic system.

EXT. CITY STREET.
The riot officers stand around aimlessly. The group that
surrounds Nia-Jean sighs in relief. A protester taps Nia-Jean’s shoulder to get her attention.

PROTESTER
Thank you, so much.

Nia-Jean smiles. A few people who ran away at the sight of the
MED begin to return. As the crowd grows, they gather around the shrine of Samuel Walker.