#Version 3
#Begin-Auto-Completion 
AutoCompletion/Scene/Enabled:True
AutoCompletion/Scene/Items:0
AutoCompletion/Character/Enabled:True
AutoCompletion/Character/Items:0
AutoCompletion/Transition/Enabled:True
AutoCompletion/Transition/Items:6
AutoCompletion/Transition/Items/1:CUT TO:
AutoCompletion/Transition/Items/2:DISSOLVE TO:
AutoCompletion/Transition/Items/3:FADE IN:
AutoCompletion/Transition/Items/4:FADE OUT
AutoCompletion/Transition/Items/5:FADE TO BLACK
AutoCompletion/Transition/Items/6:MATCH CUT TO:
#End-Auto-Completion 
#Begin-Config 
FontSize:12
Margin/Bottom:25.40
Margin/Left:38.10
Margin/Right:25.40
Margin/Top:12.70
Paper/Height:297.00
Paper/Width:210.00
PageBreakActionLines:2
PageBreakDialogueLines:2
SceneContinueds:False
SceneContinuedIndent:45
ShowSceneNumbers:False
IncludeTOC:True
ShowTOC:True
OpenOnCurrentPage:True
RemoveNotes:False
OutlineNotes:True
ShowMargins:False
ShowLineNumbers:False
Cursor/Line:0
Cursor/Column:0
String/MoreDialogue:(MORE)
String/ContinuedPageEnd:(CONTINUED)
String/ContinuedPageStart:CONTINUED:
String/DialogueContinued: (cont'd)
Element/Scene/BeforeSpacing:10
Element/Scene/IntraSpacing:0
Element/Scene/Indent:0
Element/Scene/Width:60
Element/Scene/Screen/AllCaps:True
Element/Scene/Screen/Bold:True
Element/Scene/Screen/Italic:False
Element/Scene/Screen/Underlined:False
Element/Scene/Export/AllCaps:True
Element/Scene/Export/Bold:False
Element/Scene/Export/Italic:False
Element/Scene/Export/Underlined:False
Element/Action/BeforeSpacing:10
Element/Action/IntraSpacing:0
Element/Action/Indent:0
Element/Action/Width:60
Element/Action/Screen/AllCaps:False
Element/Action/Screen/Bold:False
Element/Action/Screen/Italic:False
Element/Action/Screen/Underlined:False
Element/Action/Export/AllCaps:False
Element/Action/Export/Bold:False
Element/Action/Export/Italic:False
Element/Action/Export/Underlined:False
Element/Character/BeforeSpacing:10
Element/Character/IntraSpacing:0
Element/Character/Indent:22
Element/Character/Width:38
Element/Character/Screen/AllCaps:True
Element/Character/Screen/Bold:False
Element/Character/Screen/Italic:False
Element/Character/Screen/Underlined:False
Element/Character/Export/AllCaps:True
Element/Character/Export/Bold:False
Element/Character/Export/Italic:False
Element/Character/Export/Underlined:False
Element/Dialogue/BeforeSpacing:0
Element/Dialogue/IntraSpacing:0
Element/Dialogue/Indent:10
Element/Dialogue/Width:35
Element/Dialogue/Screen/AllCaps:False
Element/Dialogue/Screen/Bold:False
Element/Dialogue/Screen/Italic:False
Element/Dialogue/Screen/Underlined:False
Element/Dialogue/Export/AllCaps:False
Element/Dialogue/Export/Bold:False
Element/Dialogue/Export/Italic:False
Element/Dialogue/Export/Underlined:False
Element/Parenthetical/BeforeSpacing:0
Element/Parenthetical/IntraSpacing:0
Element/Parenthetical/Indent:16
Element/Parenthetical/Width:25
Element/Parenthetical/Screen/AllCaps:False
Element/Parenthetical/Screen/Bold:False
Element/Parenthetical/Screen/Italic:False
Element/Parenthetical/Screen/Underlined:False
Element/Parenthetical/Export/AllCaps:False
Element/Parenthetical/Export/Bold:False
Element/Parenthetical/Export/Italic:False
Element/Parenthetical/Export/Underlined:False
Element/Transition/BeforeSpacing:10
Element/Transition/IntraSpacing:0
Element/Transition/Indent:45
Element/Transition/Width:20
Element/Transition/Screen/AllCaps:True
Element/Transition/Screen/Bold:False
Element/Transition/Screen/Italic:False
Element/Transition/Screen/Underlined:False
Element/Transition/Export/AllCaps:True
Element/Transition/Export/Bold:False
Element/Transition/Export/Italic:False
Element/Transition/Export/Underlined:False
Element/Shot/BeforeSpacing:10
Element/Shot/IntraSpacing:0
Element/Shot/Indent:0
Element/Shot/Width:60
Element/Shot/Screen/AllCaps:True
Element/Shot/Screen/Bold:False
Element/Shot/Screen/Italic:False
Element/Shot/Screen/Underlined:False
Element/Shot/Export/AllCaps:True
Element/Shot/Export/Bold:False
Element/Shot/Export/Italic:False
Element/Shot/Export/Underlined:False
Element/Note/BeforeSpacing:10
Element/Note/IntraSpacing:0
Element/Note/Indent:5
Element/Note/Width:55
Element/Note/Screen/AllCaps:False
Element/Note/Screen/Bold:False
Element/Note/Screen/Italic:True
Element/Note/Screen/Underlined:False
Element/Note/Export/AllCaps:False
Element/Note/Export/Bold:False
Element/Note/Export/Italic:True
Element/Note/Export/Underlined:False
Font/Bold-Italic/Name:
Font/Bold-Italic/Filename:
Font/Bold/Name:
Font/Bold/Filename:
Font/Italic/Name:
Font/Italic/Filename:
Font/Normal/Name:
Font/Normal/Filename:
#End-Config 
#Begin-Locations 
Locations:0
#End-Locations 
#Begin-Spell-Checker-Dict 
Words:0
#End-Spell-Checker-Dict 
#Title-String 0.000000,70.000000,24,cb,Helvetica,,UNTITLED SCREENPLAY
#Title-String 0.000000,85.460000,12,c,Courier,,by
#Title-String 0.000000,93.930000,12,c,Courier,,My Name Here
#Title-String 150.000000,240.000000,12,,Courier,,42 Random Street
#Title-String 150.000000,244.230000,12,,Courier,,Nowhere, CA 90210
#Title-String 150.000000,248.460000,12,,Courier,,123/456-7890
#Title-String 150.000000,252.700000,12,,Courier,,no.such@thing.com
#Header-String 1,0,r,,${PAGE}.
#Header-Empty-Lines 1
#Start-Script 
./FADE IN:
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.AUBREY, a computer hacker, types frantically at the
..keyboard.  Her monitor glows green and black before her.
..Someone is banging on the front door to get in.
.\INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
..Two MASTERSOFT AGENTS are pounding on the apartment door.
._MS AGENT 1
>:Open up! by the power of Mastersoft
>:User Agreement Section 23-a, I
.:demand you let us in!
._MS AGENT 2
>:You can't stay in there forever,
.:Aubrey!
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.The hacker pauses a moment to read some output on her
>.screen, glances at the door, and then goes back to typing. 
..And then the image freezes --
./CUT TO:
.\EXT. CAFE - DAY
>.The hacker, relaxed, enjoying a cappuccino, sits at an
>.outdoor cafe table.  It's bright and sunny and cheerful.  So
..is she.
._AUBREY
>:Oh hi!  You know, it wasn't always
>:like this; I wasn't always a leet
>:haxxor with Mastersoft agents
>:breaking down the door.  Well --
.:let me back up a little.
>:What you're about to see is a story
>:that takes place in an "alternate
>:timeline" -- or, as we say, a
>:"parallel universe". Here, let me
>:demonstrate -- you see, everything
.:starts at ROOT.
>.Aubrey uses a finger as a marker and draws some lines in
..mid-air.
._AUBREY
>:Oh, that's not because I'm in an
>:alternate reality; that's because
>:I'm in a movie. Which...is kinda
>:like an alternate reality, but not
.:exactly.
>:So anyway, everything that exists
>:starts at some arbitrary point of
>:origin. We'll call this point
.:"root".
>:Along this timeline are what a lot
>:of people call "crossroads", but
>:what they really mean is a fork. 
>:So any decision you make creates a
>:fork in the road, or a "branch". 
>:It's got the same code, but with
.:little modifications.
>:Well -- it's complicated, but if
>:you've ever seen an episode of Star
>:Trek, you probably already know all
.:this stuff.
.\INT. CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS
..Aubrey and her cappuccino are now in a classroom.
._AUBREY
>:Point is, you're going to see a lot
>:of weird things in the next 90
>:minutes.  They might confuse you or
>:freak you out a little, and if they
>:do, just remember, this is an
>:ALTERNATE REALITY.  If you keep
>:that in mind, most of your
.:questions should be answered.
..She walks over to a portrait of Hitler.
._AUBREY
>:For instance.  Hitler? in this
>:timeline -- a great guy!  Didn't
>:kill ANY Jews, and in fact was a
>:war hero in the intergalactic
>:battle against the Tralfamadorians. 
>:Yeah, it's true.  He was the 35th
>:president of the Federation of
>:Canada the Lesser -- or "United
.:States of America" as you call it.
>:There are dozens of such examples,
>:maybe I'll try to point them out
>:for you during the movie.  Or maybe
>:not. Maybe I'll just let you enjoy
.:yourself.
>:Either way, I should get on with
>:the story.  So, it all started not
>:long ago.  Oh, by the way, in this
>:reality, whenever someone is
>:telling a story, a weird sort
>:Memory-Effect-Sequence takes over,
>:sort of a transitional thing we do. 
>:So: it all started long ago when I
>:was a computer repairman in my
.:boyfriend's repair company.....
>.And sure enough, a wavey-dream transition takes us to the
..next scene...
./DISSOLVE TO:
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - DAY
>.Aubrey, in a more innocent and simpler time, is sitting at a
>.table working on a computer.  PCI boards and spare parts
..everywhere.  It's surgery without all the blood and guts.
>.Her boyfriend ALEX pops up from a nearby pile of dissected
..PC's.
._ALEX
.:How's that box coming along?
._AUBREY
>:I think it's a fried usb bus. I'm
>:just gonna put in a 4-port PCI card
.:and move this thing out of here.
._ALEX
>:Are you crazy?  Alex Krinko
>:Computer Repair didn't get its
>:reputation by cutting corners.  Put
.:in a new motherboard.
._AUBREY
>:What? Now??  But I wanted to go to
>:the Toshi Station and get some new
.:power converters.
..Aubrey turns to the camera and speaks to the audience.
._AUBREY
>:In this timeline, that's not a Star
>:Wars quote.  There really is a
>:Toshi Station, and they really do
>:sell power converters, and I
>:actually really do need to pick
>:some up.  They're on sale this week
.:so it really is an urgent matter.
._ALEX
>:Not now.  If we don't get those
>:boxes repaired and moved before the
>:next shipment, there'll be hell to
.:pay.
._AUBREY
>:OK.  Fine.  But I'm only doing it
.:because I love you.
>.She walks past Alex to go get a refill of coffee, and on the
>.way leans over to kiss him.  He moves away from her and
>.continues his work.  Obviously, that's normal, because she
..takes it in stride and goes to get more coffee.
._AUBREY
.:Want some coffee?
._ALEX
>:No, you know it upsets my stomach
.:if I have it during the day.
._AUBREY
>:Oh yeah. (pouring coffee for
>:herself) Hey, do you think you can
>:show me that Hotline trick tonight?
>:You know, the one you were talking
.:about with your friend Glen?
._ALEX
>:I don't know, I'm gonna pretty busy
>:tonight.  There's a campaign
>:scheduled for my clan; we're
.:raiding Dark Lord Ryan's hideout.
._AUBREY
>:(hiding her disappointment) OK. 
>:Well, I have some drawings to
.:finish up anyway.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.Alex is all geared up for his MMORPG -- alternate reality
>.style; big gloves with wires extending from the fingertips,
>.big goggles, helmet, the whole nine yards.  The game console
..is a 90s style game console that uses old skool cartridges.
>.Aubrey is sitting on the floor with some drawing pads,
..sketching.
._AUBREY
>:Hey Alex, when do you think we can
>:get a drawing app for one of the
.:computers?
..No response.
>.Alex is immersed in the fantasy world of his MMORPG,
>.flailing his arms around wildly as he controls his
..character.
>.Aubrey stands and goes to the only working computer in the
..place.  She turns it on.
._AUBREY
.:(reading the screen) Unlock code...
>.She sits in front of it and types in a license key from a
..license card kept attached to the computer.
._AUBREY
.:License key...
>.She fumbles with her keychain, finds the certified
>.Mastersoft License Key and inserts it into the computer,
..gives it a turn.  The computer resumes booting.
..The lights flicker.
..Alex throws off his gear in a panic.
._ALEX
.:What happened?  What'd you do!?
._AUBREY
>:What?  What?  I just turned on the
.:--
._ALEX
>:Aubrey, I told you not to boot
>:computers while I'm in-world!  The
>:power surged and I got kicked
>:offline. This is just great.  My
>:team needs me!  I'm missing out on
.:the whole raid!
._AUBREY
>:Oh my gosh!  I'm sorry -- but you
>:said I could try to find some
.:drawing programs, and I thought --
._ALEX
>:I have to go reset the fuse. This
>:could be VERY bad.  We'd just
>:spotted a group of orcs on the
.:horizon.
>.Alex rushes out of the apartment.  Aubrey turns back to the
>.computer.  She clicks on an icon on the desktop and it
..launches an application.
>.Alex comes back inside and goes straight for his gaming
..gear.
._AUBREY
>:Hey! I found an application for
>:drawing!  "Illustationist". And
.:they have a krack for it.
..Alex is already in-world again.
..Aubrey's finger hovers over the RETURN key.
._AUBREY
>:I'll just download it and install
.:it.
..She waits for his response.
._AUBREY
>:I'll just assume that that's ok...
.:unless... you... say otherwise...
..No response.  She presses RETURN and the download begins.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.The computer is on.  An elaborate sketch, done in the new
..Illustrationist application, by Aubrey, is on the screen.
..Aubrey and Alex are sound asleep in separate beds.
>.Suddenly -- a pounding on the door!  Aubrey jerks awake and
>.stumbles out of bed.  More pounding. She shakes Alex to wake
..him up but he's sound asleep and doesn't stir.
..She goes to the front door.
._AUBREY
.:Who is it?
._MS AGENT 1
.:It's Mastersoft.  Open up.
._AUBREY
.:Master Who?  What d'you want?
._MS AGENT 1
>:Mastersoft Software Incorporated. 
>:Open up.  We've had reports of
.:violated User Licenses.
._AUBREY
>:Uh..just a minute...let me just put
.:on some clothes.
>.Aubrey dashes over to the computer.  QUIT.  Do you want to
>.SAVE?  She hesitates -- yes, she wants to save her drawing. 
..She clicks YES.
>.Seconds tick by slower than ever.  Saving file...saving
..file....
._MS AGENT 1
>:It's been long enough -- we're
.:coming in!  CLEAR!
>.The door bursts open -- the file is saved -- Aubrey yanks
..the plug from the wall and the computer goes blank.
>.Two Mastersoft Agents enter the apartment.  One flashes his
>.badge at Aubrey while the other pokes around the apartment
..silently.
._AUBREY
>:Now what's this about a User
.:License?
._MS AGENT 1
>:In a recent sting operation on
>:Hotline LLP, we at Mastersoft
>:Incorporated obtained the IP and
>:MAC addresses of computers
.:illegally downloading files.
._MS AGENT 2
>:Files like Mastersoft
>:Illustrationist.  This sounds
.:familiar to you, maybe?
._AUBREY
>:Never heard of it.  I'm a computer
>:repairman, licensed MCIE, MCE A+,
.:MSC, and LLC.
>.Aubrey goes to her purse and gets her licenses for tech
..repair.  She hands it to the first agent.
..Agent #2 pokes around at Alex's gaming console.
._MS AGENT 2
>:Nice console.  It'd be a shame if
.:anything were to happen to it.
._AUBREY
.:Please -- be careful with that!
>.Agent #1 hands her ID's back and is clearly more interested
..in the computer.
._MS AGENT 1
>:So you're telling me that if I turn
>:this computer on, I won't see a
>:kracked version of Mastersoft
.:Illustrationist on it?
._AUBREY
>:That old thing? it won't turn on,
.:we lost the key.
._MS AGENT 1
.:Oh, I have override keys.
._MS AGENT 2
>:(still at the RPG console) Then
>:again, maybe it's a file sharing
.:node and not a console at all?
>.Agent #2 pries apart a controller attached to the console. 
..Plastic parts fly everywhere.
._AUBREY
.:That's my boyfriend's RPG console!
._MS AGENT 1
.:Maybe you'd better have a seat?
..Aubrey sits down, a little shell shocked.
._AUBREY
>:If he lost it...I don't know what
.:he'd do...
..She's all out of bluffs.
._MS AGENT 1
>:We're reasonable people at
>:Mastersoft.  And it seems like you
>:are an honest, hard-working girl,
>:and probably a pretty good computer
>:repairman.  So we're willing to let
>:this all go.  Under the right
.:conditions, of course.
._AUBREY
.:What kind of conditions?
._MS AGENT 1
>:Well you could pay the fines. The
>:$1200 price of the software plus
>:the $10,000 for the crime of
.:kracking its Licensing Code.
._AUBREY
>:$11,200 -- I don't have that kind
.:of money.
._MS AGENT 1
>:In that case, there is a rare
>:stipulation I'm permitted to make,
>:every now and again.  A sort of
>:agreement between you and
.:Mastersoft.
._AUBREY
.:What is it?
._MS AGENT 1
>:Every day at 10-hundred hours, you
>:will receive a phone call, or you
>:will not.  Either way, you need to
.:be available for this phone call.
>:The phone call will begin with a
>:codeword: foxconn.  You will be
>:deployed on Tech Support
.:housecalls.
._AUBREY
.:What? deal with customers??
._MS AGENT 1
>:It's either that or we report the
>:kracked version of Illustrationist
>:on that computer to the
>:authorities, Aubrey.  Take your
.:pick.
..The two agents show themselves to the door.
._MS AGENT 1
>:At $9 per call, it'll only take
>:you, what, 1523 tech support calls
>:to pay off the price of
>:Illustrationist and the fine for
>:illegally kracking its license key?
.:Have fun sketching, Aubrey.
.:Remember, Aubrey:  FOX CONN.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - DAY
>.Aubrey stumbles into the living room.  She goes straight for
..the coffee.
..She pours herself a cup.
._AUBREY
>:I had the worst nightmare last
.:night.
._ALEX
>:Does that explain why my MMORPG
.:console controller is smashed?
>.Aubrey drops her cup, turns, sees Alex holding the console
..controller.
._AUBREY
.:Oh my gosh.  It wasn't a dream!
._ALEX
>:Look, I don't know what you're
>:talking about but A) we have a lot
>:of work to do and B) you'd better
>:fix my controller before tonight's
.:campaign.
._AUBREY
>:Alex, you don't understand, I'm in
>:big trouble.  Mastersoft Agents
>:found out about that drawing app I
>:downloaded the krack for.  I owe
>:them...a lot of money.  I have to
>:do house calls for them or else
>:they'll break your console and ship
>:me off to the prison world Rura
.:Penthe!
._ALEX
>:Mastersoft agents?  Here?? Look,
>:Aubrey, don't mess around with
>:those guys.  I've had friends
>:who've gotten in trouble with them. 
.:They're the real deal.
._AUBREY
>:Why didn't you tell me Hotwire was
>:dangerous?  You could have warned
>:me!  i thought you did this all the
.:time!?
._ALEX
>:I didn't tell you to krack
>:software.  Don't try to pull me
>:into this.  Anyway, if you're gonna
>:be making house calls for
>:Mastersoft then you'd better get to
>:work here while you can.  You know
.:we've got more orders coming in.
>.Aubrey sits down at her workbench and starts a computer
..repair, dismally.
>.The phone rings.  Aubrey tenses.  She looks at the time. 
>.09:40.  Alex goes for the phone but Aubrey jumps up and
..grabs it.
._AUBREY
.:Hello? (listens) Oh, it's for you.
>.Alex takes the phone and Aubrey returns to work. Aubrey
>.focuses on her work.  She can hardly hear Alex speaking on
..the phone.  She looks at a clock.  09:50.
..Alex hangs up the phone and starts gathering up PC parts.
._ALEX
>:All these PCs.  If people keep
>:abandoning them, I don't know what
>:I'm going to do. (Noticing she's
.:not listening to him) Hey, Aubrey.
._AUBREY
.:Yes?
._ALEX
>:You're zoning out.  Hey, look,
>:those Mastersoft agents are
>:probably never gonna call. They do
>:that kind of stuff, to scare you. 
>:It's like a first warning, you
.:know?
._AUBREY
>:(laughs) Yeah, you're right.  Well,
>:I've learned my lesson.  I'm never
.:gonna krack software again.
._ALEX
>:Yeah, it's not worth it.  I'm gonna
>:call this guy, tell him to come
>:pick up his PC or I'm re-selling
.:it.
>.Alex goes to the phone, picks up.  He starts dialing, stops,
>.looks confused.  He picked up at the moment of an incoming
..call.
._ALEX
>:Oh, hello? (pause) What?  What are
>:you saying? You have the wrong
.:number.
>.Aubrey comes alive.  The clock reads 10:00.  She fumbles,
..jumps up, grabs the phone.
._AUBREY
.:Hello hello?
._DEEP THROAT
.:Foxx Conn.
._AUBREY
>:Yes -- yes... uh, foxx conn. Uh,
>:acknowledged.  Agent, uh, Aubrey,
.:here.  This is she.
._DEEP THROAT
>:You will go to 409 Morewood Avenue,
>:in the residential district.  A
>:downed PC. Possible spyware and
>:ad-ware infection.  Use.  Extreme.
.:Caution.
._AUBREY
.:Uh -- ok.  Uh -- when?
..No response.
._AUBREY
.:Hello?  Hello?
>.Aubrey hangs up and starts gathering her things to go.  Alex
..watches her.
._ALEX
>:Who was that?  They interrupted my
.:phone call.
._AUBREY
.:Tech support.  I have to go.
..The phone rings again.  Aubrey picks up.
._DEEP THROAT
>:Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, your
.:work uniform is in your mailbox.
._AUBREY
.:Um.  Ok.  Thanks.
._DEEP THROAT
>:(attempting to regain the mystery)
.:Remember.  Use extreme --
._AUBREY
.:Right, extreme caution.  Got it.
..She hangs up and leaves the apartment.
.\INT. HALLWAY - DAY
>.Aubrey approaches her mailbox.  Another tenant is there --
..or is he really a Mastersoft Agent?
>.She and the stranger look at each other cautiously.  They
>.study one another.  In the end, she stares him down and he
..walks away with his mail.
>.She opens her mailbox, finds a package wrapped in brown
..paper.
.\INT. TECH CALL 01 HALLWAY - DAY
>.Aubrey wanders the hall searching for the apartment number. 
>.She finds it, stands in front of it, knocks, then remembers
>.the package she took from her mailbox.  She unwraps it --
>.it's a repairman jumpsuit.  Quickly, she starts pulling the
..jumpsuit on over her clothes.
>.Mid-way through putting the new jumpsuit on, the apartment
>.door opens.  The tenant, BOB, stares at her, she stares
..back.
._AUBREY
>:I'm...agent Aubrey
>:from...Mastersoft.  I've come to
.:fix your computer.
._BOB
.:You're from Mastersoft?
._AUBREY
.:Absolutely.
>.Bob doesn't seem to fully believe that she's qualified for
>.this job, so he just stands in his doorway.  She moves
..forward to go in but he doesn't retreat.
._AUBREY
>:I should take a look at your PC,
.:sir.  We suspect an infection.
._BOB
.:What kind of infection?
._AUBREY
>:(whispers) Spy.  Ware. (glances
>:around) Possibly some ad ware. This
>:could be a lot more serious than
.:you realize.
._BOB
.:OK.  Come on in.
.\INT. BOB'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.Bob's apartment is cluttered and dark, his computer is in a
>.corner with far too many wires extending from it to a
>.daisy-chain of surge-protectors.  Above it hangs a single,
..bare lightbulb.
._BOB
>:I don't know nothin' about this spy
>:ware.  I ain't spyin' on nobody and
>:all I ever do is check the emails
.:and the internets.
._AUBREY
>:Then what exactly seems to be the
.:problem...what's-your-name?
._BOB
.:Bob.
._AUBREY
.:What seems to be the problem, Bob?
._BOB
.:Well, the internets...is ...broken.
._AUBREY
>:Actually, I don't think the
>:internet is broken, Bob.  I mean,
.:it does work for me.
>.She reaches deep into her jumpsuit and takes out a
>.pocket-size tablet and shows it to him.  Sure enough, on the
..illuminated screen: the internets!
._BOB
.:Well it don't work on my computer.
>.Aubrey approaches the PC.  It's a typical Windows computer;
>.big iron, bolted down, secured.  It is on, with a dozen
..windows opened and cluttering the screen.
>.Aubrey moves for the mouse, slowly, cautiously. Like an
..animal trainer toward a wild tiger.
._AUBREY
.:Easy, boy...
>.She moves the mouse.  It's slow and painful. Windows close
..slowly and laboriously.
._AUBREY
.:Your computer's moving slow.
._BOB
>:(dripping with sarcasm) Well, good
>:thing they sent their best man for
.:the job.
._AUBREY
>:When was the last time you rebooted
.:this machine?
._BOB
.:Re....booted?
._AUBREY
>:Do you even know what a Windows
.:Registry is?
..Bob is looking a little intimidated now.
._AUBREY
>:How much RAM do you have in this
.:box?
..Bob fidgets nervously.
._AUBREY
>:This is more serious than we
>:thought.  Luckily I have
>:authorization from Mastersoft to
>:wipe the harddrive and re-install. 
>:I'll just switch this off for a
.:moment --
..Aubrey shuts down the computer.
._BOB
.:(too late) No don't do that!
._AUBREY
>:Sir, try to remember, I'm a trained
.:professional.
>.The computer reboots to the typical Windows-startup screen,
>.requesting the License Code.  This is located on a placard
..bolted into the side of the computer, so Aubrey types it in.
>.The computer then proceeds to the License Key screen,
>.waiting for the physical key to be inserted into the
..computer case.
._AUBREY
.:(extending her hand) Your key.
._BOB
>:That's what I was tryin' to tell
>:you.  I lost that key seven years
.:ago, that's why I never reboot.
..Dejection.  Aubrey thinks fast.
._AUBREY
>:It's OK.  I'm a Mastersoft agent
>:now...I have my key. I'll just use
.:it.
>.She's bluffing again but gives it her best shot. She reaches
>.into her jumpsuit, finds her keychain, sorts through the
>.keys until she finds her Mastersoft License Key, and with a
..quick prayer inserts it into the computer.
..Alarms go off, the screen flashes.  She withdraws fast.
._BOB
.:Oh man...
._AUBREY
>:Don't worry.  Don't worry.  I can
>:just jumpstart it.  I've seen this
>:done before. (to herself) In
.:movies...
>.She gets up close to the computer, takes out a screwdriver
>.and a hammer and a pair of pliers, puts on a pair of goggles
>.and a surgical mask, and starts disassembling the lock
..mechanism on the computer.
>.It's not going as smoothly as it does in movies, so she
..takes her hammer to it.
._BOB
>:Oh man.  I knew I shouldn't'a
>:called Tech Support.  I knew it! 
>:All my friends told me, just call a
.:geek and have them do it.
>.Aubrey, oblivious to Bob, has completely disassembled the
>.lock.  Wires everywhere.  She takes a blue and a red wire
>.from the mess, touches the slowly together.  Sparks fly,
>.light flashes, the computer screen flickers in a
..near-overload.
._AUBREY
>:(bluffing) OK, that was just a
>:test. Good to know those two wires
.:work.
>.She turns to Bob, who is blinking in a vain attempt to
..regain his sight.
._AUBREY
>:We're making real progress here,
.:Bob.  It won't be much longer now!
./CUT TO:
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
..It's late.  Alex is playing his MMORPG.
..The door opens, Aubrey trudges in.
._AUBREY
.:Alex, I'm home.
>.No response.  But that was expected.  She goes to make
..herself some coffee.
>.While the coffee brews, she walks over to a paper-chain
..hanging from the wall.  One paper chain link per housecall.
..She tears one off.
._AUBREY
.:One down.  How many more to go?
..She starts counting the links.
..She counts...and counts...
._AUBREY
>:One thousand, five-hundred,
.:twenty-two.
..She sighs and sits back.  In seconds, she's fast asleep.
./CUT TO:
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - DAY
..Another day, another phone call.
._DEEP THROAT
>:Foxx conn.  A downed computer at
>:377-and-a-half 5th Avenue. Don't
.:mess this one up.
._AUBREY
.:Understood.
./CUT TO:
.\INT. ALYSON HALLWAY - DAY
>.Aubrey is in a well-to-do apartment building.  She finds the
..apartment and knocks on the door.
..The door opens.
._ALYSON
.:Yes?
._AUBREY
>:I'm with Mastersoft.  Here to fix
.:your PC.
._ALYSON
.:You got any identification?
._AUBREY
.:I'm wearing a jumpsuit.
._ALYSON
.:OK, come on in.
.\INT. ALYSON'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.Aubrey enters the apartment and stops short. There, on
..Alyson's desk, is an Apple Macintosh.
..The computer is humming softly, glowing, pulsing.
._AUBREY
.:You've got a...Mac?
._ALYSON
.:Of course.  I'm an artist.
._AUBREY
>:Oh really?  Me too!  Well, I draw
>:here and there...you know, just
>:sketches and stuff.  What do you
.:do?
._ALYSON
>:What do you mean what do I do? I'm
>:an...artist.  You know.  I do art. 
>:I don't doodle.  And I don't make
.:house calls.
.:Anyway, can you fix him or not?
>.Aubrey goes over to the Mac and studies it from a safe
..distance.
._AUBREY
>:I don't understand.  Why did you
>:call Mastersoft if you own a Mac? 
>:Aren't there specialists for this
.:sort of thing?
._ALYSON
>:No, I use a Mastersoft application. 
>:You know, for my art.  I think he
>:doesn't like it.  I need it
.:removed.
._AUBREY
>:OK, well, I think I can perform the
.:extraction.  Could be messy.
>.Aubrey reaches out to awaken the computer but Alyson lunges
..forward to intercept her.
._ALYSON
>:Here, let me.  He's very sensitive. 
.:Especially right now.
..Alyson jiggles the mouse and the computer awakens.
._AUBREY
.:Where's the key?
._ALYSON
.:You don't need a key.  It's a Mac.
._AUBREY
>:OK, well, let's get to the
>:Applications folder and I'll start
.:pulling code.
>.Aubrey approaches the computer and Alyson reluctantly gives
>.the mouse to her.  Aubrey clicks around a little until the
..screen switches to a new application.
._AUBREY
>:It keeps telling me that you have
>:to check email.  I'll try to fix
.:that, too.
._ALYSON
>:Fix it?  You don't fix it.  It just
>:means he wants to check email right
.:now.
..Alyson pushes Aubrey aside and sits in front of the Mac.
._ALYSON
>:We should let him rest.  This is
>:very taxing on him.  He needs to
.:meditate.
..Aubrey stands aside and waits as patiently as possible.
._ALYSON
>:You're making him -- and me -- very
>:nervous.  Would you take a seat and
.:try to be sympathetic?
>.Aubrey sits.  The Mac starts to meditate, humming and
>.glowing and pulsing lights again.  Soothing music plays
..softly in the background.
..Aubrey glances at her watch.
._AUBREY
>:(whispering) When do think..."he"
.:will be ready to work?
..No response.
._AUBREY
.:Excuse me...
..Alyson and the computer are both lost to the world.
.\INT. MASTERSOFT AGENT OFFICE - NIGHT
>.Aubrey, in her Mastersoft jumpsuit now stained with oil and
>.grease like a car mechanic, is sitting in the spotless
..office of the highly paid Mastersoft Agent #1.
>.Agent #1 is sitting behind his desk, reviewing Aubrey's file
..on a large PC and old CRT monitor.
._MS AGENT 1
>:You've done remarkably well,
.:Aubrey.
._AUBREY
.:I...have??
._MS AGENT 1
>:According to the reports on your
>:past 25 tech calls, you've
>:maintained, roughly, the standards
>:that Mastersoft has established for
.:its tech support.
._AUBREY
.:OK.
._MS AGENT 1
>:I'd like to move you into a special
>:division, Aubrey.  An elite force
>:of technicians who report directly
.:to me.
>.He pushes a new License Key toward her.  Fancier than the
..normal key, with more bling.
._MS AGENT 1
>:This is the coveted Mastersoft
>:Override Key.  It has the power to
>:override little annoyances like,
>:User Agreements, License Codes,
.:Genuine Advantage.
._AUBREY
>:I've heard of these.  I didn't know
.:they really existed.
._MS AGENT 1
>:For a select few, they exist.
>:Aubrey.  Do you want to be one of
.:those select few?
>.Aubrey can't conceal the tumult inside her.  To have the
>.legendary Mastersoft Override Key.  To be one of the
>.powerful technicians to fix things with a simple turn of a
..key...
._AUBREY
>:I don't know...I still work
>:part-time for my boyfriend's repair
.:shop; I'm really booked.
._MS AGENT 1
>:I could shave off, say, 500 hours
.:off your debt.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
..Aubrey answers the phone.
._MS AGENT 1
.:Bing.
._AUBREY
.:Acknowledged.  Agent Aubrey here.
._MS AGENT 1
>:Suspicious tech call. Possible
.:unauthorized software.
._AUBREY
.:A krack?
._MS AGENT 1
>:No, something much worse. Free. 
.:Software.
._AUBREY
.:Free?  I don't understand.
._MS AGENT 1
.:You will.  You will.
.\INT. ZAC'S HALLWAY - NIGHT
>.Aubrey, now in a spiffy new black jumpsuit, walks
>.cautiously, a little STRIKE-team style, down the apartment
..hallway toward the apartment.
..She reaches it, knocks.
..The door opens, and the frazzled EVALYNE appears.
._EVALYNE
.:You from Mastersoft?
._AUBREY
.:Yes ma'am I am.
._EVALYNE
>:Come in, come in.  It's horrible. 
>:Nothing's working. I can't find my
>:email and ever time I go to a site,
>:it says I ain't using Internet
.:Explorer.
._AUBREY
>:Calm down, ma'am.  I'm here to
.:help.
..Aubrey moves inside.  The door closes.
..Moments pass.
>.The door swings open and Aubrey storms back out in the hall,
..on her way out of the apartment. Evalyne is quick to follow.
._EVALYNE
>:I swear it wasn't my fault!  I
>:don't know where those programs
.:came from!  He gave them to me!
._AUBREY
>:HE?  Who?  Who gave you these
.:"free" applications?
._EVALYNE
>:He did.  That horrible GEEK right
.:there across the hall.
>.Aubrey comes back toward Evalyne, watching the door to the
..apartment directly across from Evalyne's apartment.
._AUBREY
>:Go on back inside, Evalyne. It's
.:over.
>.Evalyne scurries back inside and closes the door, triple
..locking it.
>.Aubrey knocks on the neighbor's door.  It opens a lot
>.quicker than expected.  ZAC, a geek and a hacker, towers
..before her.
._AUBREY
>:Do you mind telling me what you
>:think you're doing? Giving people
>:these free applications like your
>:Firefoxes and Thunderbirds and
>:whatever-else?  Did it ever occur
>:to you that these aren't supported
>:by Mastersoft User Agreements?  Do
.:you have ANY idea --
>.Zac grabs Aubrey by the shirt collar in mid-sentence and
..pulls her inside, slamming the door behind them.
./CUT TO:
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.Zac pulls Aubrey inside, holds her by the neck up against
..the door.
._ZAC
>:How dare you!  Who do you think YOU
>:are?  You think you people own
>:computers?  You think you have a
.:right to say how we use our PC's?
>:The time has come.  The people are
>:taking back their computers, we're
>:running our own applications now,
>:we're playing our own online RPG's
.:and you have no say in it!
>.Aubrey, stunned, is silent.  Her completely puzzled
..expression prompts Zac to chill out.  He lets her go.
._ZAC
>:OK, so who are you really? You
.:Evalyne's daughter?
._AUBREY
>:No.  I'm a Mastersoft agent.
.:Special black ops division.
._ZAC
>:Oh, I get it.  You're an indentured
.:technician.
._AUBREY
.:How'd you know!?
._ZAC
>:Oh, I've been through that.  What'd
>:they get you for? Genuine Advantage
>:expired?  Anti virus not up to
.:date?  Coffee?
._AUBREY
.:What?? Oh -- yes, please. Thanks.
>.Zac goes over to his computer, hits a key, and coffee begins
>.to percolate.  Aubrey slowly approaches the computer -- a
>.hacked-together beast consisting of spare parts, random
..boards and chips, cables as thick as her arm.
._AUBREY
>:(mindlessly) No, I downloaded
>:software and kracked the license. 
.:What IS this thing??
._ZAC
>:That's my computer.  Made it out of
>:spare parts I got from tech repair
>:jobs while doing what you're doing
.:now.
._AUBREY
.:You kracked Windows??
..Zac pours her some coffee.
._ZAC
>:You've got it all mixed up in your
>:head.  You think the goal is to run
>:Windows or Mac for free.  This
>:computer doesn't run either.  This
.:computer runs on pure...coffee.
._AUBREY
.:Coffee!?  Are you serious?
._ZAC
>:No, of course not. (whispers) It
.:runs UNIX.
._AUBREY
>:UNIX?  I thought UNIX died with the
.:Mainframes after the Clone Wars.
._ZAC
>:Oh no.  It's not dead.  Not yet,
>:anyway.  Although Mastersoft would
.:like for it to be.
.\INT. MAINFRAME - CONTINUOUS
>.Some animation, some re-enactments, and so; a dummy's guide
..to UNIX history...
._ZAC (V.O.)
>:Long before the great Mainframe
>:War, some workers at AT&T got tired
>:of fixing phones all day and
>:decided to invent a computer
>:instead. They called it UNIX for
.:short.
>:UNIX had some core philosophies: be
.:modular, and work on everything.
>:When the overlords of AT&T found
>:out that their workers had spent
>:time inventing a computer instead
>:of phones, they took the code and
>:gave it away to Berkley University
>:in California, and killed all the
.:workers involved.
>:What AT&T didn't anticipate was
>:that the UNIX methods would be so
.:popular.
>:Deep in the halls of learning, in
>:the darkest corners of universities
>:everywhere, hackers started writing
>:software on UNIX.  They wrote their
>:own versions of UNIX. They wrote
>:text editors, and commands that
>:could edit text, and then more text
>:editors, and commands that could
>:edit the text that you just edited.
>:And then, they invented...the
.:INTERNET!
>:These hackers would give their code
>:to each other.  They'd put the code
>:on floppies and carry it around
>:with them so they'd always have
>:their favourite software no matter
.:where they were.
>:Then a dark day fell upon the
>:Mainframes.  It is known only as
>:the Day of Sadness, or DOS for
>:short.  A young hacker known only
>:as SMAEGOL copied the worst parts
>:of UNIX, added some particularly
>:bad code, and sold the code to
>:people everywhere by way of
>:Personal Computers.  And he called
.:this DOS.
._AUBREY (V.O.)
>:Why did he want the worst parts of
.:UNIX?
._ZAC (V.O.)
>:I...don't know.  Honestly, I'm just
.:reading this off of wikipedia.
._AUBREY (V.O.)
>:OK, so what's it say about the good
.:hackers?
._ZAC (V.O.)
>:Well, there were two groups. One
>:came from the Berkley University, a
>:group of students who staged an
>:uprising...you've probably seen
>:them on the news; they call
>:themselves the BSD People's Army,
.:or just BSD for short.
>:The other group called itself GNU's
>:Not Unix -- or GNU for short.  They
>:came from the offworld colony of
>:Arrakis. Adamantly dedicated to
>:keeping code free but had also
>:genetically modified it to be
>:self-improving and self-sustaining. 
>:They joined with the Finland
>:Rebellion, also known as the LINUX
.:Liberation Front.
>:So if you look into the code, UNIX
>:isn't dead, it just morphed into
>:these two rebel camps; BSD and GNU. 
>:And together, they're going to
>:bring down the tyranny of personal
.:computers.
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.Aubrey has been listening, entranced by his story.  Now that
..it's over, she snaps out of it a little.
._AUBREY
>:I don't understand.  So, you have
>:the remnants of UNIX, but so what? 
.:What do you do with it?
._ZAC
.:What's your name?
._AUBREY
.:Aubrey.
._ZAC
>:Aubrey, how many clicks does it
.:take you to open a file in Word?
._AUBREY
>:Oh I don't know... (calculates)
.:Maybe 4 or 5.  Ten on a bad day.
._ZAC
>:I can open documents with a single
>:command! from anywhere in the
.:world!
..Aubrey is unimpressed.
._ZAC
.:And...it's all free!
..Aubrey is still unimpressed.
._ZAC
.:And it makes my coffee!
..Aubrey's starting to understand now.
._ZAC
>:Don't you get it??  I've never paid
>:for software in my life! I can
>:download, use, change, and give
.:away any software I want!
._AUBREY
>:Wait a minute -- you mean, even
.:drawing software?
._ZAC
.:What do you mean, drawing software?
._AUBREY
>:You know, a software application
>:that you use to draw stuff. 
.:Sketches, doodles.  Cartoons.
._ZAC
.:You mean art?
._AUBREY
>:No! Gosh no!  Just random sketches. 
.:I like to draw, for fun.
._ZAC
>:Ah, you want Inkscape, of course! 
.:Here.
>.Zac rummages through a pile of computer equipment until he
>.finds a floppy disk.  He hands it to Aubrey.  She looks at
..it, a little puzzled.
._ZAC
>:Inkscape.  A drawing program. No
>:licenses to krack.  No keys.  All
.:you have to do is draw.
._AUBREY
.:What's the catch?
._ZAC
.:Catch?  No catch.
>.Aubrey stands, slowly, cautiously.  It all seems too good to
>.be true.  She takes a final gulp of coffee and then backs
..away toward the front door.
..She reaches the door, starts to open it --
._ZAC
>:All you have to do is figure out
.:how to install UNIX.
>.Zac steps forward and hands Aubrey a pamphlet labeled "How
..to Install UNIX in 3 Easy Steps".
._ZAC
>:It's free!  It installs onto
.:anything!  How hard can it be?
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.Aubrey is diligently repairing a computer.  Alex is nearby,
..also working on a repair.
._ALEX
>:I hope you get another promotion
>:and get more hours cut off your
.:sentence.
._AUBREY
.:Thanks, Alex.
._ALEX
>:These house calls are cutting into
>:business, and my campaigns are
>:really suffering.  You know the
.:Clan of Stephen?
._AUBREY
.:Uh huh.
>.Aubrey glances at Alex.  He's not looking.  She brings out
>.the "How to Install UNIX in 3 Easy Steps" pamphlet and opens
..it.
>.The pamphlet has three big numbers 1,2,3 but under each
>.point are about 20 sub-points.  She doesn't care.  She reads
..it voraciously.
._ALEX
>:(droning in the background) They
>:took over the upper quadrant
>:because I had to miss a game last
>:night.  And tonight, too.  I don't
>:know how much longer we'll hold out
>:if you're never around and I have
>:to keep doing all these computer
.:repairs myself...
._AUBREY
.:Alex.
._ALEX
.:Huh?
._AUBREY
>:Didn't you say some people hadn't
.:picked up their computers yet?
._ALEX
>:Yeah, happens all the time. I've
>:got a closet full of them.  Why,
.:you need a part?
._AUBREY
>:Yes.  I need all of them. Every
.:single box and board we have.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
..Alex is sound asleep in bed.
..Aubrey is not.
>.Computer cases, circuit boards, RAM chips, harddrives. 
>.They're everywhere.  They're connected by every manner of
>.cabling and powered vicariously from a big battery-backup
..system.
>.Aubrey is working ferociously on the frankenstein-like
..computer beast.
>.Finally, she seems happy with her creation.  She takes a
>.floppy disk from her Windows box, and pops it into
..Frankenstein.
..She presses POWER.
..Code flies past the screen.  It's alive!
>.A prompt appears, asking what server to grab the source code
>.from.  Aubrey fumbles with the pamphlet that Zac gave her,
..and types in an FTP server name.
..The install begins.
>.Aubrey makes some coffee for herself.  Paces. Watches the
..computer.  Paces some more.  Pours some coffee.
..She sits down, falls slowly asleep.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.It's late.  Or early.  Aubrey's eyes open slowly. The room
..is glowing.
>.She approaches her Frankenstein computer.  On the screen is
..a prompt:
..Welcome to Linux 2.6.35.7 (tty1) darkstar login:
>.She places her hands on the old typewriter she's converted
..into a keyboard, and logs in.
.\INT. MAINFRAME - CONTINUOUS
..Some animation, some text, whatever.
._AUBREY (V.O.)
>:UNIX commands are almost complex in
>:their simplicity. The system
>:becomes your world, like an RPG but
.:without the fancy graphics.
.:ls.  List files.
.:mv.  Move a file.
.:cd.  Change directory.
>:Simple commands to do complex
>:actions.  All of the data on the
>:system is yours.  You can do
.:anything you want.
>:The moment you enter the UNIX
>:system, you're a programmer whether
.:you know it or not.
.:Each command does one thing.
.:ls (jpgs, pngs, gifs are listed)
>:Pipe that command into another
.:command.
.:ls | grep jpg (only jpgs appear)
>:Or build a command from simple
>:phrases. for X in *jpg; do ls $X;
>:done (lists all jpgs, with names
>:like alex_and_aubrey.jpg,
.:summer_vacation.jpg)
>:And now add new commands into that.
>:for X in *jpg; do ls $(convert $X
.:-resize 50% $X.png
>.A series of images pop up in rapid fire as they are sized
>.down for the web.  They are of Alex and Aubrey during
..happier times.
._AUBREY (V.O.)
>:And then post your memories to the
.:internet, so they live on forever.
..the code: ncftp -u aubrey -p ***** webserver.com *png
./ANGLE ON:
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.Pictures are uploaded, and on another screen, they appear
..online.
>.Aubrey stands and walks over and leans in the bedroom
..doorway, watching Alex sleep.
..She retreats, and sleeps on the sofa.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - DAY
>.Aubrey is back at her computer.  Alex is up and about,
..getting ready to go out.
._ALEX
>:I'm gonna go get that new batch of
>:computers.  It's a big one, I'm
>:gonna need all the help I can get
>:so try to do your tech calls fast,
.:OK?
..Aubrey is lost in the UNIX terminal.
._ALEX
.:Hey, Aubrey.
._AUBREY
.:Huh?
._ALEX
.:Oh kay?
._AUBREY
.:Yeah, OK.  No problem.
..Alex leaves and Aubrey turns back to the terminal.
>.The phone rings.  Aubrey reaches over, absent-mindedly,
..answers it.
._MS AGENT 1
.:Bing.
._AUBREY
.:Agent Aubrey here.
._MS AGENT 1
>:Important job at 5148 Skidoo. Could
>:be another infestation. Check it
.:out.
._AUBREY
.:Yeah -- OK.
>.Aubrey hangs up and goes back to the terminal. It's obvious
..she has no idea what she's just heard or said.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.Aubrey is still at the computer.  The door opens, Alex,
>.carrying a stack of new computesr, enters. He stops short
>.when he sees her still at her Frankenstein computer, in the
..same clothes, doing the same thing as when he left.
..Alex sets the computers down, goes out to get another batch.
>.He comes back in, sets the other computers down, closes the
..front door.
._ALEX
.:Aubrey?
._AUBREY
.:Yeah?  You out of here?
._ALEX
.:What?  No.  I just got back.
._AUBREY
>:Oh OK.  Cool.  Yeah, I'm about to
>:get to work on the next computer
.:repair.
._ALEX
.:How many have you done?
._AUBREY
>:Oh I haven't had a chance to start
.:yet.  I'm just about to get to it.
._ALEX
.:It's been eight hours.
._AUBREY
.:Wha?
..She looks at the time.  She shrugs.
._AUBREY
>:It's been a good day.  I've, uh,
>:learned a lot.  I found...I found
.:something.  In the code.
._ALEX
>:What do you know about code? And
>:what code, anyway?  Is this for
.:Mastersoft?
..Aubrey gets some food and starts eating it voraciously.
._AUBREY
>:I'm so hungry!  Haven't eaten all
>:day.  No, all night and all day. 
>:In fact, I don't think I've eaten
.:in two days. What day is it?
._ALEX
>:I don't know.  We live in an
>:alternate reality, remember? Who
>:knows what the days are even
.:called.
._AUBREY
>:Good point.  Anyway, um, yeah. We
.:should...do some work.
>.Alex starts his repairs on the new batch.  Aubrey grabs one
>.for herself and puts it on her chair since her workbench is
..now completely taken up with her Frankenstein computer.
._AUBREY
>:(to audience) What I'd found was
>:something called libnix.  Yeah,
>:"lib", like library.  And "nix"
>:like...well, nix.  You know, like,
.:nix -- cut, delete, nix.
>:I had no idea what it was and had
>:stumbled across it quite by
>:accident as I aimlessly wandered
>:around my new UNIX filesystem.  But
>:remember the term; it's gonna be
.:important in later scenes.
>:But for now, there are computers to
>:fix, plus I'd already missed one
>:Mastersoft tech call.  Basically,
>:my life was falling to pieces and
.:frankly, I was glad.
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - DAY
>.Zac and Aubrey are sitting in front of Zac's computer,
..studying the screen.
._ZAC
>:Well, whatever it is, it's very
>:old.  It's written in an ancient
.:dialect of eLISP.
._AUBREY
.:E LISP?
._ZAC
>:Oh, an old programming language
>:used by the hackers back in the
>:days of the Old Republic.  Where
.:did you say you found this?
._AUBREY
>:Uh, let's see.  It was in
>:/usr/local/share/emacs
>:/site-lisp/src/include
.:/slack/lib/libnix
._ZAC
>:Geez, how'd you find your way so
.:deep into the system?
._AUBREY
>:I dunno.  cd ?  Do you think it
>:might date back to the Mainframe
.:wars?
._ZAC
>:Doubtful.  Most of that code was
>:lost when AT&T massacred the
.:original programmers.
..He studies it some more.
._ZAC
>:Well, whatever it is, it's beyond
>:me.  It's probably nothing, just
>:some kind of experimental code that
>:somebody was working on, lost
.:interest, and forgot it.
>.Zac gets up from the computer and starts digging around in a
..pile of spare parts.
._AUBREY
>:Do they do that?  They just post
.:code that doesn't do anything?
._ZAC
>:Well, sure.  Theoretically. You
>:know, there's a lot of code making
>:computers run. Hard to keep track
.:of it all.
>.A little dejected, Aubrey sits at Zac's computer and reviews
..the code again.
._AUBREY
>:Are you sure?  I mean, it looks
.:important.
._ZAC
>:Aubrey, no offense, but you're a
>:little new to all of this. I mean,
>:anything with curly brackets looks
.:important to you.
..Aubrey shrugs it off, gets up to gather her things.
._AUBREY
>:You're right.  I guess I got a over
>:excited.  Anyway, I have to get off
.:to a tech call for MS.
>.She shows herself to the door.  Zac, in the meantime, has
..found an old Compaq PDA, and boots it up.
._ZAC
>:Aubrey.  Just in case, you should
.:go visit Corbet.
._AUBREY
.:Corbet?  Who's that.
>.He scribbles an address down from the PDA onto a post-it and
..hands it to Aubrey.
._ZAC
>:He's an old computer hermit, lives
>:out on the edge of town. They say
>:he's one of the original UNIX
>:hackers.  I don't know.  I saw him
>:around on a few MUD's back in the
>:early days.  Haven't seen him
>:lately.  Heck, he probably died at
>:his keyboard, but it's worth a try. 
>:If anyone could identify that code,
.:he could.
.\EXT. CITY OUTSKIRTS - DAY
>.Aubrey walks along the outskirts of the city, where
>.buildings are falling apart, giving way to wide open spaces
..and railroad tracks.
>.Consulting the post-it note from Zac, she finds the building
..she seems to be looking for.
>.She approaches the building, circles around to find the a
..door that isn't boarded up, and knocks.
..No answer.  She knocks again.
>.Still no answer.  She tries the door to see if it's already
..open, but it's locked tight.
>.She is just about to walk away when the door opens.  CORBET,
..a scraggly older man, is standing in the doorway.
._CORBET
.:You from the Feds?
._AUBREY
.:No.
._CORBET
.:The census?
._AUBREY
.:No.
._CORBET
.:Then whaddya want?
._AUBREY
>:I have some e-lisp code that
>:someone thinks you might be
.:familiar with.
._CORBET
>:(looking far in the distance, as if
>:watching for spies) Come inside. 
>:The outskirts are not to be
>:traveled lightly, and it's getting
.:dark.
.\INT. CORBET'S SQUAT - NIGHT
>.Corbet is making tea in an old pan on a gas oven. Clearly
>.he's not paying rent on his abode, but he's fixed it up
>.pretty well.  Pre-dominantly, it's filled with computers and
..cables and old monitors.
>.Aubrey is looking through a user manual that probably weighs
>.as much as she does.  It's filled with schematics and
..diagrams and code snippets.
._AUBREY
.:Did you really work on a Mainframe?
._CORBET
>:Oh yes.  It took up an entire
>:building.  It was a super-computer
>:and it was powerful enough to run
.:an entire starship.
._AUBREY
.:Were you in any space battles?
._CORBET
>:No.  My job as sys admin was far
>:more dangerous.  I lost my right
>:eye in a battle for Server #19.  It
>:was LDAP on one side, Exchange on
.:the other.
>:I was on the LDAP side, of course,
>:but we were outgunned and
>:outmanned.  We lost that battle,
>:Aubrey.  They tried to make us
>:switch sides, persuaded us with
>:support contracts and free trial
.:offers.
._AUBREY
>:I don't understand.  I thought
>:computers and technology was
>:supposed to improve
.:quality-of-life, not kill people.
._CORBET
>:And that's the real battle, young
>:Aubrey.  Will we use technology for
.:Good? or Evil?
>:When IBM began manufacturing
>:Personal Computers, the software
>:was still easy to get and free to
>:share.  But once they started being
>:cloned, the companies realized that
>:with hardware coming down in price,
>:software was the real commodity. 
.:And that's when the fighting began.
>.Corbet serves them each their tea, and then sits at his
..computer.
._CORBET
>:Now let's take a look at this code
.:you've brought me.
>.Aubrey takes the floppy out of her pocket and gives it to
..him.  He pops it into his computer and loads the code.
>.He studies the code for a while, nodding and stroking his
..chin thoughtfully.  Finally he points at the screen.
._CORBET
>:Yes...yes - you see the use of semi
>:colons here and here? it does LOOK
>:like e-lisp code, but not like any
>:kind I've ever seen before.  No,
>:this looks to be a hybrid language,
>:probably a mish-mash of ancient
>:coding languages melded together
.:just before the war.
..He hesitates, eyes scanning the code.
._CORBET
>:Or possibly....during the war.  As
.:a weapon.
..Aubrey stares at the screen in awe.
._AUBREY
.:You think it's...dangerous?
._CORBET
>:(chuckling) No, no, my dear.  It's
>:probably nothing.  Remnants of
>:history such as these are useful to
>:gain insight into the past, but
.:little else.
>:It's a curiousity piece, Aubrey. 
.:Nothing more.
>:I suggest you format that floppy
.:and use it for something useful.
..He gives Aubrey the floppy.
._AUBREY
>:I wonder if the code would still
.:run?
._CORBET
>:Maybe.  Doubtful.  If it was useful
>:for anythign at all, it wouldn't
>:have been buried away in
>:/usr/local/share/src.  If you want
>:my advice, leave it to the
.:programmers, Aubrey.
.\EXT. CITY - NIGHT
>.Aubrey is walking homeward through the city as night begins
>.to fall.  Ahead, she sees two figures heading in her
..direction.
..As they get closer she realizes who they are: MS Agents.
>.She casually takes a turn down an alley, so she can walk
..along the next street over.
>.She looks back.  The MS Agents have followed.  Or at least
..one of them has...
>.Just as she turns back to watch where she's going, she walks
..right into MS AGENT #2.
._MS AGENT 2
.:Good evening, Aubrey.  In a hurry?
._AUBREY
>:Uh...no.  No, not at all.
.:Just...busy.
..MS Agent #1 catches up and stands nearby in ominous silence.
._MS AGENT 2
>:We've been concerned about you,
>:Aubrey.  You've missed six tech
.:calls in the past few days.
._AUBREY
>:I know, I know.  I've just been
>:really busy lately.  And I haven't
.:been feeling well.
._MS AGENT 2
>:Then you should be home.  In bed. 
>:You sure everything's OK, Aubrey? 
.:You seem nervous.
._AUBREY
>:No, everything's fine!  My
>:boyfriend's business has really
.:been picking up speed lately --
._MS AGENT 1
>:Your boyfriend's business is
>:flexible, Aubrey.  Mastersoft
>:customers aren't.  Maybe we need to
>:address Alex's business, if it's
.:going to be a problem.
._AUBREY
>:No!  It's fine.  I'm telling him I
>:resign tonight.  I can't help him
>:any more, he's just gonna have to
.:hire someone else.
._MS AGENT 2
>:I think that's a very good idea. 
.:Don't be a stranger, Aubrey.
..MS Agent #2 starts to leave but MS Agent #1 lingers.
._MS AGENT 1
>:What were you doing out in the
.:outskirts, Aubrey?
._AUBREY
.:Just.  Gathering my thoughts.
._MS AGENT 1
>:Dangerous place to be gathering
>:thoughts.  Better stick to the city
.:limits for a while.  Understood?
._AUBREY
.:Year, sure.  I'll do that. Thanks.
>.The agents depart.  Aubrey watches them go, knowing that she
..narrowly avoided a pretty serious situation.
>.Aubrey starts walking back home but stops suddenly when she
>.sees something on the ground. She picks it up.  An origami
..penguin.
..She looks back at the agents, puzzled.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.Aubrey comes home to find Alex busily working on computer
..repairs for his business.
._ALEX
>:Good, you're back.  I have two
>:computers being picked up tomorrow,
.:I need you to do one.
._AUBREY
>:Alex, we have to talk.  Did it ever
>:occur to you that we don't have to
.:live in this city?
._ALEX
>:Where else would we live? in the
.:outskirts??
._AUBREY
>:Don't you remember how we used to
>:talk about moving away to Paradise
.:Beach on the offworld colony?
>.She holds up a photograph of an idyllic beach with the
..obligatory extra planet in the sky.
._ALEX
>:It's expensive to go to the
>:colonies.  Besides, I like it here. 
.:Business is good.
._AUBREY
>:But Alex, I can't keep working for
>:Mastersoft.  It's gonna take me
>:forever to work it off, and
.:besides, I don't trust them.
._ALEX
>:Look, you were the one to go
>:snooping around for kracked
>:software.  You need to deal with
.:it.
>.Aubrey sits at her Frankenstein computer and puts in her
..floppy.  She loads the code and starts compiling libnix.
._ALEX
>:Hey, aren't you gonna help with
.:these computers?
._AUBREY
>:No, I resign.  I can't work two
.:jobs any more.  I'm sorry.
._ALEX
.:Oh, that's just swell.
..Alex goes into the bedroom.
>.The code has stopped compiling.  Aubrey installs it and
>.opens its digital manual page.  She skims it, and then tries
..a few experimental commands.
..Alex comes back into the room in a change of clothes.
._ALEX
.:Where's my favourite shirt?
._AUBREY
>:I don't know -- why? where you are
.:going?
._ALEX
.:Out.
._AUBREY
.:Don't be angry --
..Alex goes over to the computers he was working on.
._ALEX
>:And now my favourite screwdriver is
>:missing too! Probably closed it up
>:in one of these computers.  This
>:night just keeps getting better and
.:better.
..He heads for the door.
._AUBREY
>:You need your favourite screwdriver
.:to go out?
._ALEX
>:It's a computer technician's
>:meeting.  I'm going alone because
.:you're not one any more.
._AUBREY
>:But you never let me go to those
.:anyway!
._ALEX
.:Well...I was gonna ask you tonight.
>.Aubrey clearly doesn't believe him, and he leaves.  Aubrey
..talks to dead air:
._AUBREY
>:I don't know where your stupid
>:screwdriver is.  Probably with
>:your...um, dreams.  Er,
.:youthfulness.  Whatever.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.Aubrey is sitting at her Frankenstein computer, reading and
..hacking code.
>.She pauses looks at her watch.  She stands, goes to the
..bedroom door, looks in.  Empty.
>.She goes to the front door, opens it to make sure it's
>.unlocked, even looks outside to see if Alex is anywhere to
..be seen.  Nothing.
..She goes and sits down on the sofa.
..The phone rings.  She stands and goes to answer it.
._MS AGENT 2
.:Aubrey?
._AUBREY
.:...Yes?  Who's this?
._MS AGENT 2
>:I tell you that, not over the phone
>:lines.  But I need to talk to you,
.:in person.  In private.
._AUBREY
>:Oh OK, sure.  Let me just hurry on
>:over -- are you kidding?  I'm not
>:gonna go meet some stranger late at
.:night.
..She hangs up.
..The phone rings again.  She picks up.
._AUBREY
.:Whut.
._MS AGENT 2
>:It's imperative that we meet. It's
.:about something you found recently.
._AUBREY
.:(cautiously) Like what?
._MS AGENT 2
>:Whatever it is, it's probably on
>:your computer screen right now,
.:unless I've underestimated you.
>.Aubrey looks over at her computer.  Naturally, it is open to
..a LIBNIX prompt.
.\INT. PARKING GARAGE - NIGHT
>.Aubrey walks through a quiet parking garage, looking from
..here to there, searching for the mysterious caller.
..A car horn sounds.  She turns, looks.  Nothing.
..Nervously, she continues up to a higher level.
>.She turns a corner and -- there in the darkness stands MS
..Agent #2.
._MS AGENT 2
>:Aubrey.  I'd hoped you wouldn't
>:lose your nerve.  My name is
.:Jenkins.
._AUBREY
>:You!?  What do you want?  I told
>:you I'd quit my boyfriend's
>:business, and I did.  Now he
>:probably hates me but -- I don't
.:know, maybe that's not really news.
._MS AGENT 2
>:This isn't about what you think it
>:is.  And I'm not exactly who, or
.:what, you think I am.
._AUBREY
>:What do you know about what I think
.:you are?
._MS AGENT 2
>:I am a member of an elite force of
>:hackers in the UNIX underground. 
>:I've been working at Mastersoft for
>:13 years, making my way up their
.:ranks.
._AUBREY
.:You're a...spy!?
._MS AGENT 2
>:Not a spy, a mole.  Our goal:
>:convert every PC and Mac computer
>:into a timebomb ready to go off
>:when we trigger ignition.  It'll
>:bring the world to its knees and we
.:can move in for world domination!
._AUBREY
>:A bomb!?  You mean... a bomb? That
.:explodes?
._MS AGENT 2
>:We're doing it right now, Aubrey. 
>:All the best technicians are doing
>:it.  The chips are placed into
>:every computer we get a tech call
>:on, which, thanks to the bad
>:programmers Mastersoft employs, has
>:increased with every new version of
.:Windows.
._AUBREY
.:But there'd be millions killed!
._MS AGENT 2
>:The price of war, Aubrey.  Now are
.:you in, or not?
._AUBREY
>:No I'm not in.  All I want to do is
>:learn UNIX and find a good drawing
.:program.
..Aubrey turns to leave.
._MS AGENT 2
.:Aubrey, wait!
>.She ignores him and walks faster.  The agent hurries after
..her.  She breaks into a run, and he pursues.
>.The agent leaps over a cement partition so he ends up on the
>.level into which Aubrey is now running, intercepting her. 
>.The agent grabs hold of Aubrey and pushes her up against the
..wall.
._MS AGENT 2
.:I'm not going to hurt you.
._AUBREY
.:I'm really glad to hear that.
._MS AGENT 2
>:I'm not supposed to mention this to
>:you.  But libnix was created as a
>:non-violent alternative to what
.:I've just discussed.
._AUBREY
.:OK.
._MS AGENT 2
>:Meaning that if you get it to work,
>:it could be the way to avoid mass
>:destruction.  Not that I personally
>:care.  But you're a good
>:technician, Aubrey.  And a talented
>:computerist.  I'd prefer to have
.:you on our side.
._AUBREY
.:I'll see what I can do.
._MS AGENT 2
>:You're picking up UNIX at an
>:alarming rate.  I didn't think
.:you'd get so far in so little time.
._AUBREY
>:How would you know anything about
.:that?
._MS AGENT 2
>:Nevermind that.  Now you start
>:making your tech calls.  Be a good
>:little Mastersoft technician.  And
>:when you've got libnix figured out,
>:you come to me.  Don't go that
.:crazy old man Corbet.
..Aubrey betrays her surprise.
._MS AGENT 2
>:Oh yes, I know about him, too. He's
>:a nutjob.  Crazy.  Keep away from
.:him.
>.The agent takes a CD-ROM from his coat and gives it to
..Aubrey.
._AUBREY
.:What's this?
._MS AGENT 2
>:A compact disc.  It's got all the
>:latest code for libnix on it.  I
.:just downloaded it tonight.
._AUBREY
>:We're in an alterante reality; we
>:use floppies, not discs. Discs are
.:for music.
._MS AGENT 2
.:Oh yeah.
>.The MS Agent takes the disc back, gives Aubrey a floppy
..disk.  And then starts to retreat.
._MS AGENT 2
>:You report directly to me on this. 
>:Mention it to no one.  Oh, and
.:trust no one, either.  Nobody.
._AUBREY
.:Trust No One, right.  Got it.
>.The MS agent disappears into the shadows.  Aubrey heaves a
..sigh and starts back home.
.\INT. ALEX'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.Aubrey opens the door and comes inside, stops dead in her
>.tracks.  The apartment is torn apart.  Her Frankenstein
>.computer is smashed, customer computers in shambles, coffee
..pot smashed.
>.She makes her way slowly inside as she tries to understand
>.why -- and who -- anyone would want to raid the apartment. 
..Then she gasps --
._AUBREY
.:Alex??  Alex!?
>.She looks around the apartment for him, under piles of
..parts, in the bathroom, in the bedroom. He's nowhere.
>.She goes to a closet, opens it -- there's Alex. They both
>.scream in surprise, and upon seeing her, he nearly whacks
..her with the keyboard he's carrying as a weapon.
._AUBREY
>:Alex, thank God you're alright! 
.:What happened??
._ALEX
.:Get out!
._AUBREY
.:What -- ??
._ALEX
>:Get out of my apartment!  I don't
>:know what you've been doing or what
.:you're mixed up in, but it's over!
._AUBREY
.:No -- no, you don't mean that!
._ALEX
>:You're not working for my company
>:any more, you're leaching off of
>:me.  And you're dangerous.  GET
.:OUT! Go on!
>.Aubrey stands back, hurt at first.  But slowly she gains her
..pride and her determination.
>.She turns, rummages briefly in a pile of junk until she
>.finds a (big and old skool) laptop and its power adapter. 
>.She gives it a once-over to make sure it hasn't been
..completely destroyed by who ever raided the apartment.
._ALEX
>:Hey, you can't take that! It's a
.:client's computer!
>.She ignores him, tucks the laptop under her arm, grabs her
..UNIX floppy, and leaves.
.\EXT. CITY - NIGHT
>.Aubrey.  Out on her own.  Nothing but two floppy disks and a
..laptop.  She's determined, though, it's visible in her eyes.
._AUBREY
.:Everything in UNIX is a file.
..Graphics, illustrations on screen help illustrate her point.
._AUBREY
>:By telling UNIX to view everything
>:as a file, a document, the original
>:UNIX programmers were able to make
>:it so that UNIX could manipulate
>:anything.  It could take ownership
>:of anything attached to it or fed
>:into it.  Because as far as the
>:computer knew, everything was a
.:file.
>:What is a "file"?  It's a
>:collection of data.  One's and
>:zero's placed in a specific order
.:to represent something.
>:A text document.  A drawing. Some
.:digital music.  A video clip.
>:There are two states in data
>:streams: zero, off.  one, on.
>:Everything was a file, and so
>:everything could be turned off.  Or
.:on.  With the press of a few keys.
>:Emotions.  Relationships. Where you
>:live.  How you live.  What you care
>:about. What your goals are.  What
>:your purpose in life is. Whether or
>:not you even have a purpose.  And
.:maybe...just maybe.... life itself.
.\EXT. CITY OUTSKIRTS - NIGHT
>.Aubrey knocks on Corbet's door.  It takes a few times, but
..it does eventually open.
._CORBET
.:Aubrey!?  What's wrong?
._AUBREY
>:Corbet, someone's a lot more
>:interested in libnix that we
>:realized.  And I think there's a
>:plot to turn all the home computers
>:into bombs. Although, actually, I'm
.:a little sketchy on that part.
._CORBET
.:You'd better come inside.
..He re-thinks the idea, stops her --
._CORBET
.:Did anyone follow you?
._AUBREY
.:No.
..He lets her in.
.\INT. CORBET'S SQUAT - CONTINUOUS
>.Aubrey enters the apartment and sits, visibly shaken.  She
>.immediately sets up her new laptop and starts installing
..UNIX.
>.Corbet, obviously having just been awakened, makes some
..coffee.
._AUBREY
>:Libnix is a lot more important than
>:you think, Corbet.  Ever since I
>:found it, I've had nothing but
.:trouble.
._CORBET
.:What kinds of trouble?
._AUBREY
>:I was contacted by a group, the
>:UNIX Underground -- have you heard
.:of them?
._CORBET
>:Sure, but I thought they disbanded
.:after the Mainframe wars.
._AUBREY
>:Apparently a faction still exists. 
>:They're interested in libnix.  I
>:want you to take another look at
>:it.  I might have gotten my hands
.:on some more recent code.
..Corbet's eyes light up.
._CORBET
>:Recent code written into libnix? 
>:I'd assumed it was abandoned,
.:left-over code from long ago.
>.Aubrey works on installing UNIX on the laptop for a moment,
..then resumes the conversation.
._AUBREY
>:Well that's what I wanted to ask
>:you about.  You did mention that,
>:when I showed you the code, but...I
>:checked the dates and there's code
>:there dating back only a few weeks
.:ago.  Am I mis-reading that?
._CORBET
>:Well, no.  I didn't think to look
>:at the code's meta data. I was just
>:so interested in the code itself. 
>:Nice work, checking on the ctime
.:and mtime.
._AUBREY
.:Thanks.
>.Aubrey covers it fairly well, but it's clear that she's just
..moved Corbet down a notch in her mind.
>.Corbet brings them both coffee and sits nearby. Aubrey
..finishes the installation.
._AUBREY
>:There! installed.  We should look
>:at the new libnix code. I think I
>:got it to compile earlier today,
.:but I don't know what it does.
..Again, Corbet's eyes gleam.
._CORBET
>:You compiled the code into a
>:functional software application? 
.:And it ran on your computer?
._AUBREY
>:Well, I did a config, make, make
>:install and it did some stuff, and
>:I was able to get a little prompt
.:that said libnix.
._CORBET
>:I'd like to see this.  I'd like to
>:see this very much. You're learning
.:marvelously quickly.
._AUBREY
.:Learning what quickly?
._CORBET
.:UNIX.
>.Aubrey hesitates again.  Second indicator.  Now how did
..Corbet know she was new to UNIX?
..Aubrey stands.
._AUBREY
>:Do you have any cream?  My stomach
>:is all wonky, I don't think I can
.:drink this black.
._CORBET
>:Oh, there should be some in the
>:fridge.  Kinda old but it should be
.:OK.
>.Aubrey goes to the kitchenette and pours some half-and-half
..into her coffee.
._CORBET
.:Might want to smell it first.
>.She ignores him, her eyes lazily surveying the kitchenette
>.wall.  And then she sees it.  Corbet's keychain, hanging on
>.a nail in the wall.  A dozen keys, including -- the
..ultra-rare, special-ops-only Mastersoft Override Key.
>.She closes her eyes in terror as the realization that Corbet
..is an MS Agent sinks in.
._CORBET
.:Smell alright?
._AUBREY
>:Yeah, yeah.  I think the cream is
.:fine.
._CORBET
.:This the libnix code?
>.Aubrey looks over at Corbet.  He's just itching for the
>.code.  He holds up the UNIX install floppy.  She makes sure
..she's got the libnix code floppy in her pocket.
._AUBREY
>:Yeah, that's it.  I haven't created
.:a user on that laptop yet though.
._CORBET
>:It's ok, just give me the root
.:password and I'll create one.
>.Aubrey laughs scoldingly at Corbet, who laughs in response. 
..UNIX users never give out their root password.
..She returns to her seat, mind racing.
._CORBET
>:Something wrong?  I thought you
.:wanted me to see this code?
._AUBREY
>:I'm sorry, it's just been a busy
>:night.  My boyfriend's apartment
>:got raided, I think maybe by
>:Mastersoft Agents. And then he
.:kicked me out.
._CORBET
>:You did wake me up at...2:30 in the
>:morning to show this to me, did you
.:not?
._AUBREY
>:Didn't you hear what I just said? 
>:My boyfriend.  Kicked me out.  For
.:good.  We broke up.
._CORBET
>:Of course, of course.  I'm sorry. 
>:I forgot how you noobs worry about
.:relationships still.
._AUBREY
>:Just why do you think I'm such a
.:noob?
>.Corbet stammers but is saved by the phone ringing.  He
..motions that he'll be right back.
..Who the heck gets a phone call at 3 AM??
>.Corbet goes into the kitchen and answers the phone.  Typical
..mysterious ominous vague phone conversation.
>.Aubrey in the meantime unplugs her laptop and calculates as
>.casually as possible the distance from her seat to the front
..door.
._CORBET
>:Yes. (pause) Yes. (pause) Yes,
>:that's right. (pause) No, not yet.
>:Yes, I think so too. I'll take care
.:of it.
>.Aubrey glances over at Corbet.  He's reaching under the
>.kitchen counter for something.  In his hand -- a laser
..blaster, standard issue but deadly.
>.Aubrey grabs her laptop, makes a mad dash for the door. 
..Corbet sees her just too late, fires -- but she's long gone.
.\EXT. CITY OUTSKIRTS - NIGHT
>.Aubrey runs top speed.  Corbet is running after her but
..can't keep up.  She's out of sight in no time.
.\EXT. CITY - CONTINOUS
>.Aubrey run-walks down the city street, trying both to appear
..casual and also run for her very life.
>.Two people, dressed darkly, approach from the distance.  MS
..Agents?  Maybe.
>.Aubrey picks up the pace, turning corners to lose any
..possible tails.
>.Finally, exhausted, she comes to rest at a loading dock into
..a building.  She strains to think of where to turn.
._AUBREY
.:Zac!
..And she's off, running again.
.\INT. HACKER HALLWAY - NIGHT
>.Aubrey, panting and tired from her sprint, approaches Zac's
..apartment.  Once it's in view, she slows down, horrified.
..The door is taped up with yellow police DO NOT ENTER tape.
._EVALYNE
.:They come and took him.
>.Aubrey, startled out of her skin, turns to see that Evalyne
..has appeared in the doorway across the hall.
._EVALYNE
>:Surprised they didn't take me with
>:him.  But I told them I didn't know
.:nothin' about it.
._AUBREY
.:About what?  Who took him?
._EVALYNE
>:The police, I guess.  Or the Feds. 
.:Or Mastersoft.  Don't YOU know?
>.Evalyne slams her door shut and Aubrey waits a few moments. 
>.Once the coast feels clear, she tries Zac's apartment door. 
..It's locked.
>.She grabs a hair pin and bends it into a hook. She wraps it
>.over the door catch, pulls it and the door at the same time,
..and she's in.
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - NIGHT
>.Aubrey closes the door and locks it behind her, including
>.the security lock.  It's dark so she fumbles her way inward
..until she finds a lamp. She tries it.  It works.
..The apartment is in shambles.  Or was it always in shambles?
>.She clears off some space at the desk and sets her laptop
>.down.  She plugs it in, plugs in an ethernet cable, starts
..it up.
..It boots, she logs in, pops in the libnix code.
>.She starts it compiling.  The phone rings.  She stops, on
..edge.  Who would be calling Zac at 3 in the morning?
>.The phone stops and she resumes her work.  The phone rings
..again.
>.Angrily, she grabs the phone wire and yanks it out of the
..wall.
..That was probably a bad idea.
.\INT. MASTERSOFT AGENT OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
>.MS Agent 1 hangs up the phone he's been using.  To no one in
..particular:
._MS AGENT 1
.:We found her.
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.Aubrey is reading code like a madman.  She alternates
>.between reading and trying out the commands.  Is it
..working??  What's it even supposed to do??
..Suddenly, a knock at the door.  A pounding.
..Aubrey only hesitates a moment.  Then she's back to code.
.\INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
..The two MS agents are pounding on the apartment door.
._MS AGENT 1
>:Open up! by the power of Mastersoft
>:User Agreement Section 23-a, I
.:demand you let us in!
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.The hacker pauses a moment to read some output on her
..screen, glances at the door, and then goes back to typing.
..Through the door:
._MS AGENT 2
>:Aubrey.  It's me, Jenkins. Open up. 
.:We're here to help!
>.Aubrey hesitates.  She almost stands to answer it, but
..thinks better of it.
..Aubrey debates, then turns back to her code.
._MS AGENT 2
>:Aubrey, you have to open up! We're
.:here to help.
..Still ignoring them.
._MS AGENT 2
>:Aubrey.  I know what you're doing. 
>:You're there at the computer,
>:staring at a prompt, wondering what
>:to type in. But you have no idea
>:what to type.  You don't know how
>:it works, Aubrey.  And you're all
.:alone.
>.Aubrey gets up, tip-toes to the door.  She hesitates one
>.last time, then unfastens the security lock.  She stops when
..the agent talks again:
._AUBREY
>:Go away, Jenkins.  You could have
.:warned me about Corbet!
._MS AGENT 2
>:I had no idea.  If I'd known, don't
.:you think I'd have told you?
..Now how does the agent know what she's even talking about?
..Aubrey backs away from the door.
._AUBREY
>:(to audience) You're probably
>:picking up on the same thing I am;
>:obviously he's lying because if he
>:didn't know about Corbet being a
>:double-agent before, how could he
>:possibly know now? (to the agents,
>:obligatorily) You're lying.  You're
>:all lying! (back to audience) But
>:it was at this point that it all
>:clicked.  Think about it. 
>:Everything in UNIX is a file, so
>:everything can be manipulated by
>:any series of ones and zeroes. 
>:Libnix.  A mysterious program from
.:the past?
.\INT. BELL LABS - FLASHBACK
>.KEN THOMPSON, DENNIS RITCHIE, and DOUG MCILROY are standing
>.around a large supercomputer, doing computer scientist types
..of things, like pointing at the screen and typing and stuff.
..Yes, it's a flashback!
._AUBREY
>:Back in Bell Labs at AT&T, just
>:before the massacre, the original
>:authors of UNIX, Ken Thompson,
>:Dennis Ritchie, and the inventor of
>:the UNIX pipe, Douglas McIlroy,
>:were working on a software library
>:to be able to access objects in the
.:real world.
>:I had read it in the man page
>:included in libnix, but didn't
>:fully understand what it meant or
>:what the significance of it was. 
>:Until all I wanted was for everyone
>:who had deceived me or cast me
.:aside to -- disappear.
>.Ken Thompson types in a snippet of code and a nearby monitor
..vanishes with a flash of light.
.\INT. HACKER APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
>.Aubrey is hurrying back to the computer to type in a
..command.
._AUBREY
>:So I'd spent all night, or the
>:parts of it where I wasn't being
>:chased by double agents or being
>:kicked out by a boyfriend who
>:didn't care about me, reading up on
>:how to get libnix to actually work.
>:Obviously it was a dangerous
.:program, not to be used lightly.
>:But if there's ever a time to use
.:it, it's right now.
>.She leans over the laptop, starts to type in some code --
..and the door bursts open.
>.The two agents hurry in, grabbing Aubrey before she can
>.complete the command.  They wrestle her to the ground and
..cuff her.
>.MS Agent #1 looks at the screen but shows no sign of
>.understanding what he sees.  MS Agent #2 checks the
..apartment for any unpleasant surprises.
._MS AGENT 1
>:Never underestimate Mastersoft,
.:Aubrey.
._AUBREY
>:You have no idea what you're
.:dealing with.
._MS AGENT 1
>:Don't try to frighten us with your
>:sorcerer's ways, Aubrey. Your sad
>:devotion to this ancient religion
>:has not helped you conjure up a way
>:to utilize libnix, or given you
>:clairvoyance enough to recognize
.:your real enemies.
>.Aubrey, face-flat on the floor, inches her way toward the
..ethernet cable extending from the laptop.
..When she reaches it, she gnaws on it desperately.
._MS AGENT 2
>:You see, Aubrey, of course we've
>:known for quite some time about
>:libnix.  When we learned that you
>:had developed an interest in it, we
>:allowed you to investigate it for
>:us. We hoped you might make some
>:progress.  And you have.  But
>:you're getting difficult, to deal
>:with Aubrey.  You're starting to
>:believe this nonsense about UNIX
.:and free software.
>.Aubrey is still gnawing on the cable but pauses to extend
..their exposition.
._AUBREY
>:I don't understand.  What do you
>:want with UNIX code?  I thought you
.:hated UNIX.
._MS AGENT 1
>:Embrace.  Extend.  Extinguish.
>:That's the Mastersoftian way,
>:Aubrey.  We'll absorb your "unix",
>:add to its code, make it as bad as
.:our own.
>.The cable has been severed; twisted pairs are popping out of
..the plastic sheathing.  Aubrey sits and faces the agents.
._AUBREY
.:But why?
._MS AGENT 1
>:Tech support, Aubrey. Anti. Virus.
>:Software, Aubrey. An endless supply
>:of troubled computer users wanting,
>:hoping, praying for freedom but not
>:daring to do anything without our
>:fatherly, motherly, supervision.  A
.:world gratefully enslaved to us.
._AUBREY
.:Not for long.
>.Aubrey has taken two of the twisted wires in the ethernet
..cable in her cuffed hands, behind her.
._AUBREY
>:(to audience) I saw this in a movie
.:once. It should work.
>.Aubrey touches the two wires together.  They spark.  A pulse
>.is sent upward through the ethernet cable at light speed, a
..signal is received by the computer --
..libnix> proceed with rm -rf ./agents command?  y/n y
..A flash of light -- Agent #1 vanishes.
..Another flash -- Agent #2 vanishes.
>.Aubrey moves her hands to be in front of her, and then
>.stands, slowly, awkwardly.  She manages to gather up the
..laptop, and walks, exhausted, from the apartment.
._AUBREY
>:(trying her best at a tough action
>:hero catchphrase) Everything in
>:UNIX is a file, sucker.
>:(re-thinking it) Er, I'll Be Back.
.:Or...whatever.
.\EXT. ABANDONED ROAD - DAY
>.Aubrey, a year later.  She's a UNIX guru now and walks like
..it.  She's confident, independent. Self-assured.
._AUBREY
>:You might think that all this power
>:might have corrupted me. I mean,
>:being able to zap people from my
>:computer... But it isn't.  At least
>:not in this timeline.  I use libnix
>:only for Good.  Well, OK, sometimes
>:I zap one of Alex's favourite
>:shirts, just..to mess with him,
.:really.
>:This is actually a year later,
>:according to the script.  We used
>:the magic of movies to skip ahead. 
>:To catch you up -- I left the city
>:but didn't run to some off-world
>:colony. No, I decided to stay, and
>:get better with UNIX, and find
>:other neglected, misunderstood UNIX
>:geeks who are fighting the good
>:fight for software independence,
>:freedom from corporate oppression,
>:and, well, pretty much any other
>:bad thing you want to lump in
.:there.
>.Aubrey walks down the abandoned roadway on the outskirts of
>.town.  As she walks, geeks, nerds, anime fans, and all
>.manner of social rejects, join her in her march until she
>.has a formidable gang (ok, we can't afford an army) behind
..her.
./FADE OUT.
.\INT. AUBREY'S APARTMENT - DAY
>.Aubrey is sitting in her own apartment, laptop in her lap. 
..She's using a Wacom Pen on the glowing laptop screen.
>.She's drawing in the free software app "Inkscape", happy -
..for the most part.
._AUBREY
>:(grumbling) All I wanted to was get
.:a drawing app.
..Aubrey sips some coffee, and continues to draw.
._AUBREY (V.O.)
>:So you see, I got my drawing
>:application, and I evaded
>:Mastersoft.  As for having the
>:power to destroy anything I want
>:with the press of a few keys?  I
>:don't use it much, actually.  As
>:neat as it sounds, it's not
>:actually all that useful, I mean,
>:if you think about it, how many
>:things do you actually want to send
.:off to /dev/null?
>:I figure, in the end, we'll get rid
>:of Mastersoft and the government
>:and movie companies and record
>:labels everything else that gets in
>:our way by just ignoring them until
.:they go away.
>:And as for UNIX, Linux, BSD, all
>:that stuff...heck, it's a computer. 
>:The internet, email, drawing apps. 
>:It's all pretty much the same.  The
>:only difference is that with UNIX
>:you can understand it if you try. 
>:And understanding's half the
>:battle.  The rest is just having
>:good ideas so you can do something
.:different.