Chapter Text
EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY
Several PATRONS eat at the tables outside Cafe Diem, including ALLISON BLAKE and her two children, JENNA and NATE.
A THING suddenly zooms past, flying at head level down Main Street.
Hanging onto the thing for dear life is Allison’s husband, SHERIFF JACK CARTER.
At the other end of the street, a tow truck pulls into the Thing’s path - decked out like no tow truck you’ve ever seen.
The driver, HENRY DEACON, swings from the cab up to a control deck without ever stepping foot on the the ground.
As the Thing gets closer, the bells and whistles of the tow truck all come into play, blocking every path of escape for the Thing.
At the last second, the Thing bucks Sheriff Carter off just as one of the arms of the tow truck grabs hold.
A brief tug of war ensues.
The Thing slides free, pieces flying all down Main Street.
Suddenly the Thing is enveloped in crackling energy.
It falls from the sky, landing dormant in the middle of the street.
DEPUTY JOSEPHINA LUPO (don’t ever call her that if you want to live, her name is JO) steps from between buildings, looking very bad-ass, a slight scrape across her upper arm adding character. She is carrying a really Big F-ing Gun. The tip of the muzzle glows faintly then fades.
Henry secures the Thing for transport. Jo helps Carter to his feet. Carter is disheveled, with scrapes on his forearms, palms, chin and one ankle.
DIRECTOR DOUGLAS FARGO stumbles up the street, also looking a little worse for wear, including what appears to be rug burn all down one arm.
FARGO
Did we get it?
Henry cranks the last strap down and slaps the thing. He winces and pulls his hand back. There is a rough scrape across his palm.
HENRY
It’s Secure. Where do you want it, Director?
FARGO
Are you making fun of me? Eight years! Eight years I’ve been the director and you’re still…
Allison walks up behind Fargo during his rant.
ALLI
Fargo, no one’s making fun of you. Can I take a look at that scrape?
With a dramatic flourish, Fargo shows Alli his scrape.
ALLI
That doesn’t look clean, you should probably get up to GD and test the residue.
FARGO
Oh my God, I’m going to die!
Alli grabs hold of his arm.
ALLI
We’ll all go up in a minute.
Alli turns her attention to Carter, Jo and Henry.
A child’s CRY pierces the scene.
Alli whirls around.
6-year-old Nate is on his hands and knees in the street, surrounded by Thing debris. 9-year-old Jenna is trying to help him up.
Alli hurries over to her children.
She kneels in the street and lifts Nate up to his feet. A piece of debris is embedded in his lower leg.
Jenna reaches for the fragment and tries to pull it from Nate’s leg.
ALLI
Jenna, no - leave it in for now, ok?
Jenna pulls away, then looks down at her own hand.
JENNA
Ow, that hurt!
ALLI
Let me see.
Alli takes hold of Jenna’s hand. A small rivulet of blood runs down from a cut on Jenna’s fingers.
Alli stands, scooping Nate up into her arms and offering Jenna a hand.
Blood trickles from a cut on Alli’s leg as well.
ALLI
Fargo, what is that thing?
FARGO
I don’t know. We don’t know. It was in Section Five, just forgotten. I don’t know why it just decided to…
JO
Run away?
FARGO
Yeah.
ALLI
Well, I think we all need to get up to G.D. so we can test the residue, make sure it’s not dangerous. Also, Nate might need stitches.
FARGO
Um, Doctor Blake, you really don’t work for, I mean, um, you can’t just…
CARTER
Fargo, you know she’s right. Let’s just get up there and get it checked out. You wouldn’t want anyone to turn invisible or anything.
FARGO
Fine. But I’m still director, it needs to be my call.
JO
Fargo?
He turns to look at her.
JO (cont)
Shut up.