################################################################ G.I. JOE / JEM "HOLOGRAPHIC CONVERGENCE" PART ONE Written by Kett & Maryann ACT 1 FADE IN INT. SERPENTOR'S THRONE ROOM PAN across dimly lit throne room, through a row of torches to Serpentor sitting on his throne. PULL BACK as Serpentor stands. SERPENTOR'S POV The Crimson Guard Commanders approach him, dragging Dr. Bradley between them. SERPENTOR (OS) Who is this insolent fool, who disobeys the mighty rule of Serpentor? FULL ON CRIMSON GUARD COMMANDERS AND BRADLEY The Twins release Bradley. He collapses to the floor. CLOSE ON TWINS XAMOT He is Joseph Bradley. TOMAX The scientist working on the hologram project. ON SERPENTOR He nods in acknowledgment SERPENTOR Ah-w, yes, the project to create holograms, and with that more powerful lasers. What is the result of Dr. Bradley's research? ANGLE ON TWINS TOMAX & XAMOT (alternate words) A complete and total disaster CLOSE ON SERPENTOR He scowls ANGLE ON CRIMSON GUARD COMMANDERS AND BRADLEY XAMOT For the last two years, Dr. Bradley has poured countless dollars of Cobra's money into failure after failure. CLOSE ON BRADLEY Bradley is seated on the floor. He covers his face with his hand and trembles in fear. NEW ANGLE TOMAX His preliminary data used to start his research at Extensive Enterprises is as unsubstantiated as the day he arrived. FULL ON SERPENTOR He glares down at Dr. Bradley SERPENTOR You, Dr. Bradley, dare make a mockery of Cobra! Failure has only one possible result! Crimson Guard Commanders, dispose of him as you wish. ANGLE ON CRIMSON GUARD COMMANDERS AND BRADLEY Bradley looks around frightened. Tomax reaches for his pistol. ON TOMAX Tomax pulls a pistol from his belt. PULL OUT to see Bradley cowering on the ground in front of him. BRADLEY'S POV Tomax lowers the pistol towards Bradley and is about the pull the trigger. TOMAX Good-bye, Dr. Bradley TOMAX'S POV Bradley tries to shield himself. BRADLEY No! Stop! I beg you! Th-there's a finished prototype! M-my...research is based on it.... I can take you to it! WIDER ANGLE- CRIMSON GUARD COMMANDERS AND BRADLEY Tomax puts away the gun slowly. Serpentor COMES INTO FRAME as walks down the steps from the throne SERPENTOR And with this prototype you could create the laser weapon, powerful enough to destroy my enemies from a satellite? ON BRADLEY He stands up, brushes himself off and adjust his glasses before speaking BRADLEY Accurate enough to target one of the Double Mint Twins standing right here. ANGLE ON ALL Twins look annoyed while Bradley speaks BRADLEY The prototype could be easily mortified for any number of both short or long range laser devises, and still be a fun hologram game for the kiddies CLOSE ON SERPENTOR SERPENTOR Bring me the new laser weapon, Dr. Bradley, or you will suffer the worst fate known to mankind! This I command!!! Serpentor's voice echoes out into the next scene CUT TO: EXT- ROAD WIDE ON SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL STREET A dark blue cargo van passes by and the camera FOLLOWS as it goes down the street at a high speed. INT VAN- CARGO AREA Xamot and Tomax sit on one side of the van. Four Crimson Guards are seated on the other side with Bradley. ANGLE ON TOMAX He glances behind him and looks out the window, then back at the camera. TOMAX Dr. Bradley, doesn't this seem to the wrong type of area to keep a weapon of such prolific destruction? ON BRADLEY He laughs BRADLEY The old man had his laboratory in an old drive in theater, I told you the old fool didn't know what he had. Used it for music or something, thought it would replace the TV, imagine that. But I gotta hand it to the guy, he took FM synthesis to a whole new level- instead of synthesizing sound waves, this machine synthesis light! EXT. STARLIGHT DRIVE- IN THEATRE The drive is abandoned and has fallen into disrepair. The sign reading "Starlight Drive In" is tipped over and is faded. The building is dilapidated. The movie screen has holes in it. WIDE ANGLE ON VAN The van drives into an old, abandoned drive-in movie theatre. BRADLEY (VO) Here we are gentleman. Prepare to be dazzled. WIDE ANGLE ON VAN- FROM BEHIND The van barreling down the dirt road, towards the Drive-in to the main building then stops out front. CLOSE ON VAN BACK DOORS The doors swing open, as four of the Crimson Guards jump out followed by the Crimson Guard Commanders accompanying Bradley. INT- DRIVE IN MAIN BUILDING It is almost completely black until suddenly the front door comes crashing down, and we see two Crimson Guardsman standing there, having just kicked the door in. ANGLE - FROM ABOVE We watch as the Twins, Bradley and the Guardsman enter the empty room, which is covered in dusk and cobwebs. There is only an old work bench off to one side. ON XAMOT He sneers. XAMOT So, Dr. Bradley, where is your precious holograph prototype? ANGLE ON BRADLEY Bradley scans the room, obviously panic stricken. The camera follows as he darts around the room searching for the computer. BRADLEY I-It must have been moved, the inventor must have it. Maybe... maybe it's at his house, or at the university. We can trace the signal. . ANGLE ON XAMOT AND TOMAX They glare at him angrily both with their arms crossed. XAMOT If you can not produce the prototype, Dr. Bradley. TOMAX Your time on Earth is limited. ANGLE ON BRADLEY He kneels down next to a dusty work bench. There are wires coming out of the wall and electronic circuits laying about on the floor. BRADLEY It must have been moved in a big hurry. These connectors were just ripped from the wall, and look, these capacitors must have fallen out during the move, definitely amateurs, who knows what kinds of problems they might have without one of these. ON XAMOT Xamot stands next to Bradley, then sees a 3-ring binder covered in dust and discarded circuit boards and wires. He bends down and picks it up. CLOSE ON BINDER Xamot dusts it off revealing a hand written note on the cover that says: "TO JERRICA" ANGLE ON XAMOT He flips through the binder, past technical type diagrams and stops at a photograph of Synergy. XAMOT My my my, Dr. Bradley might not be lying to us after all. Bradley comes INTO FRAME quickly retrieves the binder from Xamot. ANGLE ON BRADLEY He flips through the binder BRADLEY This is amazing... This contains everything I need to know to build a hundred holographic computers. ANGLE ON CRIMSON GUARD COMMANDERS AND BRADLEY Tomax grabs the binder from Bradley TOMAX Why build one, when we can have this one? CLOSE ON BINDER Tomax points to a picture of the Starlight Music building on a page about Starlight Music, CUT TO: INT- STARLIGHT HOUSE- REHEARSAL ROOM PAN across room showing the Starlight girls setting up for a rehearsal of their band, Ashley and the Starlights. There is a lot of noise and a huge commotion. Ashley and Deidre are "jamming", making a huge racket with their guitars on stage. Teri and Anne come INTO SCREEN chasing BaNee . Krissy and Marianne have a large spot light and are twirling it around the room. ANGLE ON JERRICA She is standing in the middle of the room. JERRICA (yelling over the noise) Girls! Girls! If you don't settle down and practice, you'll never be ready for your concert! ANGLE ON STAGE The room becomes quiet. Ashley and Deidre stop playing. CLOSE ON ASHLEY ASHLEY Aw-h-h, Jerrica, we're never going to be ready ANGLE ON JERRICA JERRICA Of course you will. Lela, Becky, get to your instruments. C'mon this is a dress rehearsal ANGLE ON STAGE Lela and Becky walk up on stage and to their instruments. JERRICA Alright, Krissy, bring down the lights ANGLE ON GIRLS AT LIGHTING CONSOLE Krissy and several other Starlight Girls are at a small lighting console. ANGLE ON STAGE The lights came down as the camera shows Ashley and the Starlights actually looking like a band. A spot light comes down on Ashley. JERRICA (OS) Nancy, Teri, ready on sound ANGLE ON AUDIO CONSOLE From stage left, Teri & Nancy sit behind an old audio console wearing headphones. Nancy looks up, over the console to Jerrica JERRICA Great, now Becky, when you're ready, count them off FULL ON BECKY & DRUM SET Becky picks up her drum sticks and clicks them together as she counts BECKY one-two-three-four VIDEO SEQUENCE The video shows scenes of Ashley & the Starlights on stage performing, the other girls helping out in various technical roles and Jerrica watching, very pleased, intermixed with flashbacks of Jem & The Holograms returning from a tour and helping them learn to play their instruments. Ends with Ashley and the Starlights on stage. DISSOLVE TO: ANGLE ON JERRICA She applauds enthusiastically and smiles. JERRICA Great job girls! Let's take it from the top of this song again. CUT TO: INT- STINGER SOUND- ERIC'S OFFICE ANGLE ON PIZZAZZ She is pacing back and forth in front of Eric's desk in the middle of telling a long story. Behind her are standing the Misfits (Roxy, Jetta & Stormer) PIZZAZZ ... AND then I told that producer, if that's the way -Eric! Did you hear me? ANGLE ON ERIC He is seated behind his desk, leaning on one arm half asleep. Pizzazz startles him and wakes up suddenly, nearly tipping his chair over. ERIC (mumbles) How couldn't I? Eric takes a moment to straighten up ERIC Pizzazz, you are the one who fired the producer. ANGLE ON ERIC AND PIZZAZZ- FROM BEHIND ERIC Pizzazz just sulks, not even listening to Eric. ANGLE ON ERIC ERIC The Misfits are over budget and behind schedule as is, Stinger Sound can't miss that release date. ANGLE ON PIZZAZZ PIZZAZZ I'm not inspired, Eric. Postpone the release date. WIDEN ANGLE TO INCLUDE ROXY ROXY (to Pizzazz and Misfits) What you need is a change of scenery, lets record the album somewhere exciting, like Maui... or Italy! PIZZAZZ (to Pizzazz and Misfits) Yeah, you're right, what about..... Pizzazz, Roxy & Jetta continues discussing locations under dialogue as background walla ANGLE ON ERIC He leans on his desk and puts his head in his hands. ERIC Ugh! ANGLE ON STORMER Stormer stands in front of Eric's desk STORMER So Stinger Sound really doesn't have the money for Pizzazz's little field trip? ANGLE ON ERIC Eric looks up and nods yes. ERIC Our credits at it's limit, we can barely afford what was already recorded. ANGLE FROM BEHIND ERIC'S DESK Over Stormer's shoulder we can see the other two Misfits discussing where they want to go. ERIC Unless... He sounds excited, and sits back up. ANGLE ON ERIC ERIC The Stingers tour is making a huge profit, we can barrow that to record the new Misfits album, then use the profits from the Misfits tour to pay for the next Stingers album. ON STORMER STORMER But... what if... ANGLE ON PIZZAZZ, ROXY AND JETTA They are all looking out the window. PIZZAZZ (interrupting Stormer) Hey, look at those stiff. Jerrica must be getting audited or something. PIZZAZZ'S POV Across the street Tomax and Xamot are getting out of black sedan in business attire and entering Starlight Music ANGLE ON ERIC He does not seem to react to Pizzazz's comment. Instead, he just gets up and walks over to the door. ERIC Okay, Pizzazz, record anywhere you want; Bali, Mexico, the Bermuda Triangle, just deliver me a Misfits album! Now, if you excuse me, I'm late for a lunch meeting ANGLE ON MISFITS Pizzazz appears very smug and pleased with herself, as the other Misfits elbow each other for a look out the window at the car parked in front of Starlight. STORMER Lunch meeting? It's four o'clock! Pizzazz, I think Eric's up to something. PIZZAZZ Eric's always up to something. C'mon, Misfits, we've got an album to record! CUT TO: INT-STARLIGHT MUSIC- ELEVATOR ANGLE ON TWINS Tomax and Xamot are riding in an elevator alone, talking into palm size video phone to Serpentor. TOMAX We will be 'acquiring' it shortly, oh mighty Serpentor ANGLE ON VIDEO PHONE Serpentor appears in the monitor. The picture is a little distorted and fuzzy from interference. Serpentor My patience wears thin. Where is the prototype? ANGLE ON XAMOT XAMOT The inventor has since pasted away, and he left his belongings to his daughter and his business partner. Both are now CEOs for rival music companies. WIDEN ANGLE TO INCLUDE TOMAX TOMAX Both of which are having financial difficulties. TOMAX & XAMOT This should be a piece of cake (change) TOMAX AND XAMOT both laugh, WIDEN ANGLE MORE Elevator door, opens INT- STARLIGHT MUSIC- OFFICE The Twins are still laughing as they exit the elevator, getting strange looks from two business men entering the elevator. CAMERA PANS as they approach Joanie Stewart seated as a desk working. ANGLE ON ALL Tomax pulling out a business card and hands it across the desk to Joanie, who looks startled and confused. TOMAX We're Extensive Enterprises here to see Jerrica Benton. ON JOANIE Joni frowns looking at the card. JOANIE I'm sorry, you're not on Miss Benton's schedule. You'll have to make an appointment. ANGLE ON ALL XAMOT Extensive Enterprises doesn't make appointments, Miss.... Xamot leans down to pick up the name plate from her desk CLOSE ON NAME PLATE It reads 'JOANIE STEWART- CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ' ANGLE ON TWINS They smile. XAMOT Well, Ms Stewart, maybe you can help us after all. We need to speak with Miss Benton about a piece of computer equipment that her father invented. Tomax pulls out a piece of paper and writes on it TOMAX We're prepared to offer Starlight Music this amount for this prototype. ANGLE ON ALL Tomax hands Joanie a piece of paper with a picture of Synergy and number written on it. ON JOANIE She looks down at the paper and is shocked. WIDE ANGLE Tomax and Xamot begin to walk towards elevator. Xamot stops and looks back at Joni. XAMOT Our offer goes down 10 percent every day you delay. CUT TO: INT: COBRA COMMANDER'S CHAMBERS WIDE ANGLE The room is sparsely furnished and is faintly lit. Cobra Commander is pacing back and forth ranting. Occasionally, in the back of the room, Bradley comes into view, typing at a computer keyboard , then looking over at the technical binder. COBRA COMMANDER Serpentor knows nothing about running a terrorist organization of this magnitude! I told them if they don't get more jet fuel soon there will be no jets to attack anything! Cobra Commander paces more feverishly, waving his hands in the air. ANGLE ON COBRA COMMANDER COBRA COMMANDER (CONT) (in mimicking way) But, no! Serpentor just wants to build up the arsenal, attack GI Joe's heaviest armed bases, then build up the arsenal again! Ugh!!! ANGLE ON COBRA COMMANDER AND BRADLEY Cobra Commander stops and turns to Bradley, who is still working on his computer. COBRA COMMANDER (CONT) I've got to figure out at way to get control of Cobra soon, or there will be nothing left to rule! Bradley swivels his chair around. ANGLE ON BRADLEY BRADLEY Why don't you tap the Alaska pipeline? It's not heavily guarded ANGLE ON COBRA COMMANDER COBRA COMMANDER Don't you think we've tried that? With the number of troops needed, GI Joe would see us coming on radar 300 miles away. ANGLE ON BRADLEY BRADLEY Not troops, Holograms! ANGLE ON COBRA COMMANDER COBRA COMMANDER Holograms can't tap the pipeline! ANGLE ON BRADLEY Bradley turns around and starts typing even faster on his computer keyboard ANGLE ON DOOR Serpentor storms in SERPENTOR (angry) You annoying Hiss Face have plotted against me for the last time!!! FULL ON COBRA COMMANDER Cobra Commander is shocked. He backs up, shaking his hands out in front of him. COBRA COMMANDER No, Oh Mighty Serpentor, I wasn't plotting at all. I-I was just trying to help you win the battle against GI Joe. ANGLE ON SERPENTOR Serpentor comes toward Cobra Commander in a threatening manner, then stops. He reaches behind him and pulls out a top hat and a cane. He breaks out into song and dance (use Happy Fresh Toothpaste song from Satellite Down) WIDEN ANGLE to show Cobra Commander totally shocked. Then Serpentor suddenly disappears. ON BRADLEY Bradley is laughing uncontrollably. BRADLEY Serpentor and the Crimson Ninnies wouldn't listen to me. We don't need to get the prototype, we can control it with its satellite uplink. And who ever owns it its powerless to stop us! ANGLE ON COBRA COMMANDER Cobra Commander begins thinking out loud. COBRA COMMANDER All we need is a handful of troops and a plane to haul the fuel! And while Serpentor and the Crimson Guard Commanders are distracted trying to find the prototype, I can take over Cobra.... Dr. Bradley, I trust that I can count you on my side. WIDEN ANGLE TO INCLUDE BRADLEY BRADLEY As long as you fund my research. You should see what the Bobsey twins did to my new lab coat. COBRA COMMANDER But of course, ..... How soon until we can attack the Alaska pipeline? BRADLEY How about right now? CUT TO: INT- FANCY DINNING ROOM Jem is standing on a stage in front of a podium. The audience is a group of about fifty people in formal wear. There is a sign hanging from wall behind stage reading "HOSPITAL CHARITY BANQUET" FULL ON JEM JEM ...And I also must thank Howard Sands for his contribution to the Emmet Benton Cancer Wing at the Hospital. ANGLE ON AUDIENCE The Holograms and Howard are all sitting at a table in front of the stage. FOCUS in on Howard, who smiles politely. FULL ON JEM JEM (CONT) I look forward to seeing all of you at the Jem and the Holograms concert this weekend to benefit the new Hospital Wing There is a huge flash of light. Jem ducks behind the podium. ANGLE ON HOLOGRAMS Aja jumps up and runs over to the side of the room and switches off all the lights. WIDER ANGLE ON AUDIENCE Audience starts making a lot of noise. Fire alarm goes off and the sprinklers come on. ANGLE ON HOLOGRAMS There is just enough light to see Kimber jumps up on the stage and rush to Jem. ANGLE FROM BEHIND PODIUM Kimber is shocked to see Jem has changed back to Jerrica. The two quickly dart off the stage and Jerrica hides under a table covered by a table cloth ANGLE ON AUDIENCE Everyone else starts rushing towards the exits in a panic. FULL ON HOLOGRAMS The Holograms (all wet) surround the table. Jerrica emerges from under the table cloth visibly distraut, nearly in tears. CLOSE ON JERRICA Jerrica touches her right earring. JERRICA Synergy, can you hear me? Show time Synergy! Why doesn't she answer me! TO BE CONTINUED