Et Cetera

The Words & Writings of Sean Richmond

Machina is an original television pilot written by myself, and occasional writing partner Taylor Hagan. Below is the first scene, written by myself and edited by Taylor. 

MACHINA MACHINA

Fade in:

EXT. DESERT - DAY

EXTREME CLOSE UP - TYLER BLAKE

A hot sun beats down on the washed out face of TYLER BLAKE(27). Gunshots pop and echo in the city ruins of a third world conflict. A shadow blocks the sun and stands above Tyler, and reaches down to pick him up. It is the visage of his commanding officer, known only as DUTCH. His speech is cold, even and stern.

DUTCH

Do it again.

Dutch picks Tyler up roughly, and throws him into some cover. we pull back to reveal a third world battlefield, and the rest of Tyler's squad well placed and defending area.

TYLER

What's go-

Dutch pushes past him, grabbing Tyler's shoulder as he moves. The man moves with an easy grace, not wasting any energy, almost like a dancer. If dancers came built like Dutch, that is. He quickly shoves Tyler down behind rubble and surveys the battle being waged, though we can't see his eyes, hidden behind a sleek pair of sunglasses, before he turns back to Tyler.

DUTCH

You keep standing there like that you're get your head blown off. STAY DOWN.

Tyler crouches but obvious panic strikes his face, he seems completely unused to combat and wears his heavy tac vest and weapons awkwardly.

TYLER

Where- what's happening here?

An EXPLOSION rocks the ground in front of the rubble, throwing dust and rock into the sky raining down on the duo, SCREAMS piercing the smoke filled air.

DUTCH

That's our cue! MOVE!

DUTCH drags TYLER from cover to cover and bullets pepper their progress. They settle behind a blown out vehicle. Dutch glances over the frame of the wreck, his head waving back and forth for no more than a couple of seconds before he ducks back down.

DUTCH (CONT’D)

Okay, sniper in the window, third floor two panels over.

TYLER

What? What are you talking about what the-

DUTCH

STOP. You've still got your M4, and you haven't shot a single round. Now get that rifle up against your shoulder--

Dutch pulls the M4 to Tyler's shoulder and helps him aim.

DUTCH (CONT’D)

There, make sure it's snug, line up your shot-- this is the safety there, click it off--

TYLER

No! I'm not- what are you doing-- stop!

DUTCH

We're dead if you don't do this, kid-- do you see him?

Tyler pushes Dutch off of him, and throws the rifle to the ground.

TYLER

NO! I'm not just going to shoot some guy just because you said I have to!

TYLER stands up, and turns to face Dutch.

TYLER (CONT’D)

I don't know who you are, or where... I'm not even IN the army!

DUTCH

I told you to stay down.

TYLER

Shut the fu-

A GUNSHOT rings out.

SMASH TO BLACK