Total Recall Page #2

KIRSTEN (interrupting; corrects herself) ...more of a half-wit. For a

start a war could break out there any day ...

She gestures toward the TV screen where Martian police are keeping

protesters behind a barrier. Some have signs reading "A FREE MARS",

"DOWN WITH COHAAGEN", "EARTH - OUT" etc.

QUAIL That's just media talk. They're... (indicating the protesters)

...just a minority. They're powerless.

KIRSTEN Well, there's a lot of things we need around here before we

waste our money on a trip to Mars. We're broke. I'm just a slave

around this dump. Now if you were capable of finding a better job....

The kitchen clock chimes and talks.

CLOCK It's now eight. You'll be late!

QUAIL I'll be late!

He jumps up quickly from the table, picks up his coat and briefcase,

kisses KIRSTEN's perfunctorily offered cheek and leaves.

4AEXT. CITY - EARLY MORNING

CAMERA TRACKS with Quail as he walks along the busy modern street

towards a subway station. Modern cars (out of focus) pass noiselessly

between the camera and Quail. There is a plaintive tune being played

on violin. Quail pauses and gives a wad of notes to the aged

violinist, then walks on briskly.

5INT. SUBWAY STATION - EARLY MORNING

Quail enters the station. Everybody must pass through a weapons check

before proceeding to the platforms.

TWO ARMED GUARDS stand at either side, as commuters pass through an

electronic beam. On a screen, the entire body of each person is seen in

X-ray. All of them are clearly carrying a gun in their inside coat

pocket.

GUARD No weapon again, Mr. Quail?

QUAIL I keep forgetting, Herb. They frighten me.

GUARD Yeah? Well, it's the law, Mr. Quail. Has been since 1990 they

tell me. Tomorrow - ya carry ya gun or ya get reported.

GUARD gestures to his associate. They've obviously been through this

with Quail before.

QUAIL Okay. Herb, okay.

Quail walks on to the track area. The train arrives. Signs above each

approaching car say "CAR FULL", "ROOM FOR 10 PERSONS", etc. Quail goes

to a carriage marked "NEW CAR".

6INT. URBAN TRANSIT TRAIN - DAY

The doors open and the crowd surges on. Quail grabs a seat. At

intervals throughout the car are VIDEO MONITORS on which a NEWS

BROADCAST is showing.

NEWSCASTER (V.O.) -- more violence today from Mars's strike-torn ore

colonies --

Everyone ignores the broadcast -- except Quail, who perks instantly at

the word "Mars."

The NEWSCASTER is a young black man.

NEWSCASTER (continuing) ...but Earth Intelligence Operations Director

Vilos Cohaagen, clearly worried about the damage to Mars's all

important tourist industry was today dismissive of the dissident

groups....

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