EXT. BATTLE ISLAND - DAY
The Phoenix Squad rushes into an abandoned farmhouse. Tyler slams the door and he and Greg begin barricading it.
TYLER
Man, the Raptor Squad have gotten some serious upgrades.
DANIEL
It’s fine, we can still take them out. Their health is low. They’re desperate. Careless.
BAILEY
I can go to the roof. I got four bullets for my sniper rifle. Thin the herd.
DANIEL
Go. Joel, go with her and give her cover.
Joel and Bailey climb the ladder to the barn roof.
DANIEL
Ok, when Bailey uses up her ammo, we storm out guns blazing. Got it.
GREG
Great plan.
DANIEL
Remember, we need one alive.
There are shots outside. Four in a row.
TYLER
Man, she works fast.
DANIEL
Now!
Tyler opens the barn door and Daniel, Tyler, and Greg run out and shoot their rifles. They take out the remaining Raptor squad members, each one vaporizing and leaving behind supplies and ammo. Only one squad member remains. Daniel and the others gather up the supplies and ammo. Greg holds the Raptor squad member at gunpoint.
Bailey and Joel jump off the barn roof.
Daniel walks up to the Raptor squad member.
DANIEL
What's your name?
RALPH
Ralph.
DANIEL
Hello Ralph. My name’s Daniel and these are my friends. As you can see, we left one of you behind. Now, we have some questions for you, and we don’t have a lot of time because I know that you friends will go after us again once they respawn so I’ll make this quick. Do you know of anyone named Boss?
RALPH
You’re joking right?
DANIEL
I’m being dead serious.
RALPH
Boss is the top player. The best. He’s never respawned. That’s how good he is.
DANIEL
I didn’t ask how good he was. I asked where he was.
RALPH
Where he always is. The Focal. Practically owns the place.
DANIEL
How many people does he have?
RALPH
More than any other squad. He and Adrian-
GREG
Adrian?
RALPH
Yeah.
DANIEL
Are you sure?
RALPH
Yeah.
Daniel looks at the others. They share concerned looks. While they do this, Ralph pounces at Tyler knocking him down. Ralph reaches for Tyler’s pistol, but he is shot by Greg and vaporizes.
DANIEL
You ok?
Tyler yeah.
GREG
So, what now?
DANIEL
We know where Boss is. It’s time to do what we came here to do. Check your weapons and health.
The others nod. Daniel steps away.
DANIEL
Programmer.
PROGRAMMER
Yes?
DANIEL
We found Boss. We’re going after him.
PROGRAMMER
I’d advise against that.
DANIEL
Why?
PROGRAMMER
I’m still working on the antivirus.
DANIEL
How much longer do you need?
PROGRAMMER
This is a very complicated computer virus. Every time I make progress, something else comes up that makes me have to redo everything. But don’t worry, I can crack this. In the meantime, just survive. Buy me some time.
DANIEL
Copy that.
Daniel rejoins the group.
DANIEL
Change of plans. We aren't killing Boss.
JOEL
What? Why?
DANIEL
The antivirus isn’t done yet. The Programmer needs more time.
TYLER
So, what do we do?
DANIEL
We’re still going to the Focal. That way, we can keep an eye on Boss and Adrian who for some reason, is still alive. When the antivirus is done, we can kill him once and for all.
INT. THE FOCAL - DAY
The Phoenix Squad enters the Focal. It’s a massive sprawling building resembling a mall. There are places to buy weapons and outfits. In the center, is a large dining area with a bar. The dining area continues to the second floor.
JOEL
Holy shit, this place is way cooler than our university.
GREG
Our university wasn’t real.
JOEL
I know but still... way better.
The Phoenix Squad proceeds through the building.
DANIEL
Let’s split up. I’ll take the upstairs.
BAIEKTY
I’ll go with you.
GREG
Tyler and I’ll go see if we can upgrade our weapons.
JOEL
And I will go to the bar. You know, in case Boss is drinking his troubles away.
The group rolls their eyes and they part.
Daniel and Bailey walk up the stairs. Joel goes up the bar. Next to him is a girl (White, 20s) with brown hair. Joel notices her.
JOEL
Hey there.
The girl ignores him.
JOEL
The name’s Joel. You?
JACQUELINE
Jaqueline.
JOEL
Cool. Cool cool. Come here often?
JACQUELINE
Are you seriously hitting on me?
JOEL
Yes. That is exactly what I am doing. I thought that was obvious.
Jacqueline gives Joel a threatening smile.
JACQUELINE
I’m sorry, what’s your name again?
JOEL
Joel.
Jaqueline walks over to Joel and gets close to him.
JACQUELINE
Well Joel, I’ll remember that when I see you out there. Before I kill you and take all your supplies.
Jacqueline walks away. Joel looks both stunned and enamored. Tyler and Greg join him at the bar.
GREG
Who was that?
JOEL
My future wife.
TYLER
Oh, great not again. First Dan, now you.
JOEL
You’re just jealous cause I’m better at getting girls than you.
TYLER
She didn’t seem that into you.
JOEL
Oh, she is. She threatened to kill me. Now if you all will excuse me; I’m going to go seal the deal.
Joel walks away and after Jaqueline
TYLER
Why is no one in this friend group good with relationships?
GREG
I’m good at them.
TYLER
You had sex with a syrup bottle.
GREG
That was a simulation.
Daniel and Bailey walk around upstairs. They lean against the balcony.
DANIEL
I don’t see him. Do you?
BAILEY
No.
Pause.
BAILEY
Hey, can I ask you something?
DANIEL
Of course.
BAILEY
What happened. After Boss shot me?
DANIEL
Uhhhhhhhh well, we… we fought him. The others… they died. At least I thought they did.
BAILEY
And you?
DANIEL
I... I shot myself.
BAILEY
What?
DANIEL
I thought you all were dead. I didn’t want to go on alone like that. Not in that world. Not alone.
Bailey pats Daniel’s shoulder.
DANIEL
What’s next after this? I mean, after we kill Boss.
BAILEY
I don’t know. Maybe we go back to the simulation. The real world isn’t safe anymore. At least that’s what the Programmer said.
DANIEL
How can we go back to a simulation? How can we live in one when we know it is one? I just…
BAILEY
Hey, let’s just focus on killing Boss.
Daniel nods.
Joel catches up to Jaqueline who is trying on a new outfit.
JOEL
Looks good on you.
JACQUELINE
You just don’t give up do you?
JOEL
Well, I gave up meat for a day. Didn’t work out. But no, I do not.
Jaqueline walks up to Joel.
JACQUELINE
Let me guess, you’re trying to charm me so that I’ll let my guard down so that you can kill me and take my supplies.
JOEL
No, I’m actually charming you so you'll go out with me.
Joel attempts to brush some hair out of Jaqueline’s face. She grabs his hand and flips him over. She brings his arm behind him.
JOEL
Ow ow ow ow ow ow!
Bailey and Daniel see the commotion.
BAILEY
I got this.
Bailey jumps off the balcony and runs over to Joel and Jacqueline.
BAILEY
Let him go Jaqueline.
JOEL
You know her?
BAILEY
She and I have had some… confrontations.
JACQUELINE
Confrontations? Ha! I’ve killed you at least four times. Oh by the way, that bazooka I took from you… it works perfectly.
Bailey glares at her.
BAILEY
Let him go.
Jaqueline let’s Joel go.
JACQUELINE
See you around… Joel. You too Bailey.
Jaqueline walks away.
JOEL
Who exactly is she?
BAILEY
One of the best players on the island.
JOEL
Cool. Think you can introduce us?
BAILEY
Believe me, you do not want to be associated with her. Besides, this is a simulation. She might be completely different in the real world.
Tyler and Greg join Bailey and Joel.
TYLER
You know, seeing you get your ass handed to you by a girl was something that I needed to see.
JOEL
Shut up Tyler.
Up on the balcony, Daniel watches his friends.
BOSS
Enjoying the place?
Boss appears beside Daniel.
BOSS
Hello Daniel. Good to see you again.
DANIEL
Can’t say the same for you.
BOSS
I don’t blame you.
The two stare at each other.
BOSS
Isn’t this weird, one second you and I are fighting on some poorly named trail and then the next... we’re on an island fighting each other. How do you explain it?
DANIEL
I… I don’t know.
BOSS
Hmmm. Well, I’m not complaining. Here, I’m more in control than I ever was. Here, I can get what I want.
DANIEL
I am going to kill you.
BOSS
Wow right to the point. I respect that. Of course, now that I know that, I have to prevent you from doing so.
Boss snaps his fingers. Daniel is surrounded by armed men and women.
BOSS
You see, I’ve got too many weapons and supplies to lose.
DANIEL
You can’t kill me here. This place is neutral.
BOSS
Yeah, not anymore.
Daniel flips himself over the balcony as the men and women shoot. Daniel lands on his back on the ground floor.
BOSS
Attention everyone! Whoever can apprehend the Phoenix Squad, gets free upgrades on me.
The place goes silent. Everyone looks at Daniel and the others.
DANIEL
Run!
The Phoenix Squad begins running. Bailey pulls out her guns and starts shooting. She hits multiple people and they vaporize.
They reach the exit. A squad of six players appears and raises their weapons.
TYLER
Aw man, respawning hurts.
Jaqueline throws three throwing stars vaporizing three of the squad members. She pulls out a katana and runs toward them. In seconds, she eliminates them all.
Behind the Phoenix Squad, more players approach.
JACQUELINE
Let’s go!
EXT. THE FOCAL - DAY
They exit the building.
BAILEY
I’ll get out the bikes.
JACQUELINE
Don’t bother, I got something better.
Jaqueline taps her wrist and a pop-up screen appears. She taps on an icon and a helicopter appears.
JOEL
Oh... yeah.
They board the helicopter and it takes off. It flies over the island.
INT. THE FOCAL - DAY
In the Focal, Boss walks among the damage. Adrian walks next to him.
BOSS
Send word to our allies. Let them know I want the Phoenix Squad. Alive.
END.