Taking the risk : ep 4

Episode 4: The Collector

EXT. UNKNOWN BACKYARD - DAY

Ana and Dimitri materialize in a flash of light, tumbling onto overgrown grass. The backyard is large but neglected, with rusted garden tools scattered about and ivy covering most surfaces. In the distance, they can see a large house and what appears to be an industrial hangar.

ANA

(getting to her feet, scanning the area)

Stay down until I'm sure we're clear.

She pulls out a small device, checking for movement and energy signatures.

ANA (CONT'D)

No immediate threats detected. Looks residential, but abandoned.

DIMITRI

(standing, brushing dirt from her jumpsuit)

Where do you think we are?

ANA

(checking her tablet)

Honestly I don't know, maybe a variation of Earth, it the first time we appear outside.

They approach a house cautiously. The windows are dark, some boarded up. The hangar sits about 200 yards away, its metal siding weathered and partially rusted.

ANA (CONT'D)

(checking her watch)

Two hours. We need to be systematic.

DIMITRI

(pulling out the materials list)

Right. Let's split up to cover more ground. You take the hangar, I'll check the main building.

ANA

(hesitant)

Maybe we should stick together..

DIMITRI

We'll cover twice as much ground this way. We're running out of time to help Jade and Morgan.

Ana nods reluctantly.

ANA

Stay in radio contact. Any sign of trouble, you call immediately.

They activate small communication devices attached to their jumpsuits.

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - BASEMENT ACCESS - CONTINUOUS

Dimitri finds an unlocked basement door and descends wooden steps. The basement is cluttered with old furniture, boxes, and mechanical equipment, but nothing matching the exotic materials on their list.

DIMITRI

(into radio)

Nothing special down here. Mostly junk and old appliances.

ANA (V.O.)

(through radio, with interference)

Copy that. I'm seeing some interesting equipment in the hangar, but it's all covered in dust.

INT. INDUSTRIAL HANGAR - CONTINUOUS

Ana walks between rows of strange machines - some resembling large printers, others looking like medical scanners. Everything is dusty and apparently abandoned, but the complexity suggests advanced technology.

ANA

(examining a machine, consulting her list)

These look like molecular fabricators... might be promising.

She continues deeper into the hangar, occasionally testing equipment to see if any still function.

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - MAIN LEVEL - CONTINUOUS

Dimitri moves through the house, checking rooms. Most are empty or filled with covered furniture. She approaches what appears to be a study or office.

DIMITRI

(into radio)

Moving to the upper level. Still nothing matching our materials.

She pushes open a door and steps inside.

INT. STUDY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

The door clicks shut behind her with a solid, mechanical sound. Dimitri turns, alarmed, and tries the handle. Locked.

DIMITRI

(into radio, concerned)

Ana, I think I'm..

A FIGURE emerges from the shadows. A tall, muscular man in his 50s, well-dressed but with an unsettling smile. His eyes are sharp, predatory.

THE COLLECTOR

(calmly)

Well, well. What do we have here?

Dimitri freezes, her hand still on the door handle.

DIMITRI

(backing away)

I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone lived here. I was just..

THE COLLECTOR

(approaching slowly)

Just exploring. Yes, I can see that. But you see, this is private property.

DIMITRI

(trying to sound confident)

Look, I'll just leave. No harm done.

THE COLLECTOR

(smiling wider)

Oh, but there's no need to rush off. I so rarely have... visitors.

Something in his tone makes Dimitri's blood run cold. She tries her radio again.

DIMITRI

(quietly into radio)

Ana, I need help..

The Collector produces a small device and presses a button. Static fills Dimitri's earpiece.

THE COLLECTOR

Can't have interruptions, can we?

He steps closer. Dimitri presses herself against the wall.

THE COLLECTOR (CONT'D)

You know, I've been collecting things for a very long time. Rare things. Beautiful things.

(studying her face)

And you, my dear, are quite beautiful.

DIMITRI

(voice shaking)

What do you want?

THE COLLECTOR

(reaching toward her)

What I want is very simple.

He grabs her arm, his grip surprisingly strong.

THE COLLECTOR (CONT'D)

I want you to be perfect.

Before Dimitri can react, he pulls her toward another door.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

The room is elegant but disturbing - filled with mannequins wearing various women's clothing. Some look eerily lifelike.

THE COLLECTOR

(releasing her)

Much better. Now, let's see what we're working with.

DIMITRI

(panicking)

Please, I just want to leave..

THE COLLECTOR

(ignoring her, studying her figure)

Pretty, yes, but not quite right. Too... practical.

He waves his hand dismissively, and impossibly, Dimitri's jumpsuit begins to shimmer and change. The fabric transforms into delicate lingerie, complete with stockings and heels that materialize on her feet.

DIMITRI

(staring in shock)

What, How did you..?

THE COLLECTOR

(pleased)

Much better. But still not perfect.

DIMITRI

(finding her voice, angry)

Change me back! Right now!

THE COLLECTOR

(chuckling)

Oh, my dear. We're just getting started.

He reaches out and touches her arm. Where his fingers make contact, Dimitri's body begins to change. Her hips widen, her waist narrows, her chest becomes more pronounced.

DIMITRI

(horrified)

Stop! Please stop!

THE COLLECTOR

(admiring his work)

There we are. Much more appealing proportions.

Dimitri stares down at her transformed body in shock, unable to process what's happening.

INT. INDUSTRIAL HANGAR - CONTINUOUS

Ana has found several promising materials and is carefully collecting samples when she notices her radio has gone silent.

ANA

(into radio)

Dimitri? Dimitri, do you copy?

Static.

ANA (CONT'D)

(concerned)

Something's wrong.

She quickly packs her samples and heads for the house.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Dimitri has backed into a corner, trying to cover herself with her arms. The Collector approaches again.

THE COLLECTOR

Don't be shy. You're perfect now.

DIMITRI

(desperately)

My friend will be looking for me. She'll..

THE COLLECTOR

(interrupting)

Will find nothing. This room is shielded. Soundproof.

He reaches toward her again, and Dimitri flinches.

DIMITRI

(pleading)

Please, I'm not what you think I am. I'm not even really..

THE COLLECTOR

(touching her face)

Shh. No need to speak. Perfect things don't need to speak.

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - MAIN LEVEL - CONTINUOUS

Ana enters through the front door, moving carefully. She follows the path Dimitri would have taken, eventually reaching the study.

ANA

(trying the locked door)

Dimitri!

She hears muffled sounds from beyond the wall and realizes there must be another room.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

The Collector is reaching for Dimitri again when Ana's voice can be heard faintly through the walls.

THE COLLECTOR

(annoyed)

It seems your friend is persistent.

DIMITRI

(with renewed hope)

Ana!

The Collector moves toward a control panel, but Ana appears in the doorway, having found another entrance. She takes in the scene - Dimitri transformed and cornered, the disturbing room, the threatening man.

ANA

(grabbing a heavy glass ornament)

Get away from her!

She hurls it at the Collector's head. It strikes him in the temple, and he staggers backward.

ANA (CONT'D)

(to Dimitri)

Move! Now!

Dimitri doesn't hesitate. She runs toward Ana, struggling slightly with the unfamiliar proportions of her new body and the impractical heels.

INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - VARIOUS ROOMS - CONTINUOUS

They race through the house, the Collector shouting behind them, his voice growing more distant but no less threatening.

THE COLLECTOR (O.S.)

You can't take her! She's perfect now! She's mine!

EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS

They burst out of the house and run across the overgrown yard, Dimitri struggling with the heels until she kicks them off, running barefoot.

ANA

(checking her watch while running)

Thirty minutes until extraction!

They reach a cluster of trees and bushes at the far end of the property and hide.

EXT. WOODED AREA - CONTINUOUS

Both breathing heavily, they crouch behind thick undergrowth. Dimitri is shaking, still in shock from her transformation.

DIMITRI

(whispering, looking down at herself)

Ana, what did he do to me?

ANA

(examining her friend with concern)

Some kind of localized reality manipulation. Like what happened in the first universe, but more... targeted.

DIMITRI

(touching her changed body)

I can feel everything. It's all real.

ANA

(checking her samples)

At least we got what we came for.

(looking at Dimitri with worry)

Will this reverse when we get home?

DIMITRI

(uncertainly)

I don't know. The first transformation didn't reverse.

They hear shouting in the distance. The Collector has emerged from the house and is searching the yard.

THE COLLECTOR (O.S.)

(far away)

Come back! You don't understand! She's perfect now!

Ana checks her watch.

ANA

(whispering)

Twenty minutes.

They wait in tense silence as the shouting gets closer, then farther away as the Collector searches other areas of the property.

DIMITRI

(quietly)

He said he was a collector. Those mannequins in the room...

ANA

(grimly)

Were probably people. Like you.

DIMITRI

(shuddering)

We have to warn someone.

ANA

Who? In this universe, we don't even exist.

Ten minutes pass. The shouting has stopped, but they remain hidden.

ANA (CONT'D)

(checking her watch)

Five minutes.

DIMITRI

(touching her transformed body again)

What if this is permanent too?

ANA

Then we'll deal with it. Like we dealt with the first change.

DIMITRI

(with bitter humor)

At this rate, I'll be completely unrecognizable by the time we're done universe-hopping.

ANA

You're still you. That's what matters.

The familiar hum begins to build around them as their watches activate the return sequence.

ANA

Here we go.

The air distorts, the black void opening beneath them. As they fall through, they can hear the Collector's voice one last time, distant but furious.

THE COLLECTOR (O.S.)

(fading)

She was perfect!

INT. BASEMENT LAB - MOMENTS LATER

They crash onto the familiar concrete floor. Ana immediately checks the monitors while Dimitri sits on the floor, still processing what happened to her.

ANA

(relieved)

All systems normal. We're back.

She turns to Dimitri, who is examining her transformed body in the lab's fluorescent lighting.

DIMITRI

(touching her wider hips)

It's not reversing.

ANA

(kneeling beside her)

Give it time. Maybe it's different from the first transformation.

DIMITRI

(standing, unsteady)

Everything feels different. The balance, the weight distribution...

(looking down)

I can barely recognize myself anymore.

ANA

(pulling out the collected samples)

But we got what we came for. Three of the materials on Jade and Morgan's list.

DIMITRI

(with mixed emotions)

At what cost?

Ana doesn't have an answer for that.

INT. DIMITRI'S APARTMENT - LATER THAT EVENING

Dimitri sits on the edge of her bed, staring at her reflection in a full-length mirror. The lingerie has been replaced with loose clothing, but her dramatically altered figure is still obvious.

Ana enters with takeout food and tea.

ANA

Any change?

DIMITRI

(shaking her head)

If anything, it feels more... settled. Like this is how I'm supposed to be now.

She stands and moves around the room, still adjusting to her new proportions.

DIMITRI

The first transformation changed who I was biologically. This one changed... I don't know how to describe it.

ANA

Your physical presence?

DIMITRI

(nodding)

Every movement is different. Every step, every gesture.

She sits down heavily.

DIMITRI

I feel like I'm disappearing piece by piece. What if there's nothing left of the original me by the time we find a solution?

ANA

(firmly)

Your mind is still yours. Your memories, your intelligence, your personality - that's all still Dimitri.

DIMITRI

(looking at her hands)

But for how long?

ANA

(setting down the food)

Let's focus on what we can control. We have materials for Jade and Morgan. That's progress.

DIMITRI

(with renewed determination)

You're right. We need to make the next jump count.

ANA

Three days until we can jump again. We'll use that time to plan better, research the target universe more thoroughly.

DIMITRI

(grimly)

And maybe find a way to avoid any more... collectors.

ANA

(checking her tablet)

I'm going to modify our scanning equipment. Try to detect reality manipulation fields before we encounter them.

DIMITRI

(standing with effort)

Good idea. And I want to add some defensive capabilities to our suits.

Ana nods approvingly.

Ana : We learn from every jump. We get better.

Dimitri (touching her transformed body one more time)

We have to. I can't afford many more changes like this.

They look at each other with shared determination, understanding that their mission has become not just about restoration, but survival.