Frequency Page #13

The BIG LADDER is now in place. As it telescopes up, the

ROOF MAN, BILL CAWLEY, begins his climb.

PUMP TRUCKS and THE FIRE BOAT keep pumping water onto the

blaze. But no matter. For the moment, this is one OUT OF

CONTROL NIGHTMARE FIRE.

BACK TO:

Frank reaching the 5th floor. It's an inferno. He keeps

moving, tearing up the stairs for the 6th floor.

GIBSON (O.S.)

(over walkie)

Gotta be another way up, Frank.

FRANK:

(into walkie)

Then f***in' find it.

(heading in)

I'm going for the girl.

BUTCH (O.S.)

(over walkie)

Billy, you better get up top.

EXT. WAREHOUSE BUILDING/LADDER - CONTINUOUS

ROOF MAN edges up the ladder, as it telescopes above him.

ROOF MAN:

This is Billy, Frank. I'm on my way.

South side.

INT. WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS

FRANK:

(reaching 6th floor)

Glad to hear it. See you on top.

FIRE has torched OPEN a GAPING HOLE IN THE ROOF.

Frank peers around through the smoke and fire and rain. Then

he sees, huddled in the temporary saftey of the corner of an

OFFICE, but trapped by a fallen CONDUIT, the GIRL, passed out

from smoke inhalation.

FRANK (CONT'D)

(into walkie)

I've found the girl.

INT. WAREHOUSE OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

A HIPPIE CRASH PAD

Frank dashes into the office and heaves the conduit off the

girl. He hoists her over his shoulder and heads out.

EXT. WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Butch and Gibson exit the warehouse past the HOSE CREW

already working its way into the building.

They look up to the top of the warehouse where the LADDER is

haltingly inching its way up the side of the building.

INT. BUXTON WAREHOUSE/6TH FLOOR - CONTINUOUS

The fire on this floor is now a raging inferno. Flames shoot

up from the stairway below through the open roof. Surrounded

by fire, Frank, carrying the girl, strides for what looks

like a WINDOW on the south side of the floor.

FRANK:

(into walkie)

It's real hot in here, Billy. I'm coming

out quick.

But apprehension rips across Frank's eyes as he reaches the

window and looks down to see.

EXT. BUXTON WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS

The top end of the ladder FROZEN some 10 FEET BELOW THE

WINDOW. BETWEEN WALKIE-TALKIES.

ROOF MAN:

I'm jammed up here, Frank!

INT. BUXTON WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS

FRANK:

Oh mother...

EXT. BUXTON WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Butch and Gibson are now by the base of the LADDER TRUCK

which is near the canal side of the building. Butch screams

at the ladder OPERATOR.

BUTCH:

What the f***, GINO! Tell me!

LADDER OPERATOR/GINO

Gear box cracked, Butch. We're f***ed.

BUTCH:

(into walkie)

Frank! Frank!

INT. BUXTON WAREHOUSE - 6TH FLOOR - CONTINUOUS

FRANK:

I know, Butch. I know.

Frank clicks off the walkie-talkie and turns to survey the

hell around him. The STAIRWAY IS GONE.

To the RIGHT is a DOOR, flames around it, but none coming

from the room beyond it.

To the LEFT, another DOOR, a metal one, this one surrounded

by fire - flames licking out all around it from room beyond.

EASY CHOICE. Frank turns, heads towards DOOR ON THE RIGHT.

No. Wait. HE STOPS. SOMETHING'S WRONG. HEART POUNDING,

LUNGS COLLAPSING, EYES & SKIN BURNING, EVERY F***ING BRAIN

CELL SCREAMING...THINK!

WE HEAR JOHN'S WORDS ECHO IN FRANK'S HEAD:

JOHN (V.O.)

...one wrong turn...

(beat)

If you'd just gone left.

And for the first time in his life, Frank Sullivan goes

against his instincts and his training as he...

TURNS BACK AROUND AND GOES THE OTHER WAY.

INT. COP BAR - DUSK - 1998

Gordo is in the middle of a story when...

GORDO:

...principal calls us in 'cause Gordy

hacked into the school system - sent out

a little X-rated e-mail.

(nervous laughter)

Scary, huh? Eight-years old.

SATCH:

Just keep him away from girls.

...something happens - TIME STUTTERS AND REPEATS:

SATCH (CONT'D)

(repeat)

Just keep him away from girls.

The effect is like a phonograph needle stuck in the groove.

It lasts only a second and nobody seems to notice. Nobody

except John, who looks wildly disoriented. He grabs hold of

the edge of the table as if to keep his equilibrium.

John breaks into a cold sweat. His HEART POUNDING AWAY.

INT. BUXTON WAREHOUSE - DUSK - 1969

Franks reaches the door on the LEFT. White heat and flames

shoot everywhere...A F***ING FURNACE. He tires to open it.

IT'S LOCKED! WHAM! Frank kicks at it. WHAM! WHAM! The

door blows open and flames leap out, the energy of the blast

tossing Frank and the unconscious girl back onto the floor,

fire surging over their heads. But then...

He sees something on the other side of the doorway, inside

the room, on the far wall.:

A SMALL METAL SWINGING DOOR.

INT. BUXTON WAREHOUSE/CHUTE ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Frank cradles the girl. Gets down on his knees, crawling

under the heat. Reaching the SWINGING DOOR. Pushes it open,

revealing:

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