Passenger 57

---

NOTE:
Charles Rane was originally named Wolfgang.

FADE IN:

1A CLOSEUP - MAN'S FACE 1A

Handsome. Capable-looking. Sharp, chiseled features. But it's the eyes that grab you. They're the coldest, crudest eyes you've ever seen and they belong to CHARLES RANE, known in the terrorism trade as "Wolfgang." On the Interpol Hit Parade, Wolfgang is number one with a bullet.

DR. BAUMAN (O.S.)

Close, please.

Wolfgang closes his eyes. A felt-tip pen ENTERS FRAME and begins to make precise marks on Wolfgang's features. These are the marks of a skilled plastic surgeon, mapping out the operation he intends to perform. Everything about Wolfgang's face will change.

DR. BAUMAN (O.S.)

Open.

Wolfgang opens his eyes. No amount of surgery can change them. They remain cold, cruel and penetrating.

DR. BAUMAN (O.S.)

Well?

A mirror ENTERS FRAME. Wolfgang smiles at his marked-up image, eyes gleaming with wicked pleasure. This is one scary guy.

WOLFGANG:

I think I'm going to like the new me.

CUT TO:

2 INT. SURGERY 2

Darkness. Then -- BOOM! --a big overhead light comes on, illuminating Wolfgang who reclines in a custom operating chair surrounded by gleaming high-tech equipment and a surgical team headed by DR. MICHAEL BAUMAN, the Florida Gulf coast's foremost plastic surgeon.

Dr. Bauman looks at the wall clock. Two minutes 'til noon. Bauman wipes some sweat from his lip and adjusts his surgical mask.

BAUMAN:

Sedate the patient.

An enter TANK HISSES to life.

3 EXT. CLINIC GROUNDS - DAY 3

Bauman's beautiful hacienda-style hospital is located high in the Palisades overlooking the ocean. Without noise or fanfare, three SWAT vans arrive ON the SCENE.

4 SURGERY 4

A nurse prepares to place the ether mask over Wolfgang's nose and mouth. But the patient has other ideas. Wolfgang reaches up and catches the nurse by the wrist.

WOLFGANG:

(politely)

That won't be necessary. I intend to stay awake.

The surgical team reacts with shocked surprise.

5 INT. CORRIDOR 5

SWAT commandos are on their way, moving with swift, military precision -- each commando armed with the latest in high-tech weaponry.

6 SURGERY 6

Bauman is flustered by Wolfgang's refusal to be sedated.

BAUMAN:

You don't understand. The work I have to do -- the pain involved --

Pain is Wolfgang's favorite word. He smiles his Death's Head smile.

WOLFGANG:

Pain is something I've learned to live with.

It's all there in Wolfgang's eyes. Not just pain but the pleasure of pain. Wolfgang can't wait for Bauman to cut into him! Bauman realizes he's dealing with one weird motherf***er and wisely decides to humor him.

BAUMAN:

All right. Let's proceed.

A scrub nurse presents an operating tray to Bauman. On it are an assortment of strange scalpels and instruments. Bauman shoots a nervous look at the clock -- thirty seconds 'til noon -- and selects a wicked-looking scalpel.

7 CORRIDOR 7

SWAT commandos converge on the door marked "Surgery."

8 SURGERY 8

Bauman bends over Wolfgang. He brings up the scalpel, his hand shaking ever so slightly. A drop of sweat falls from Bauman's forehead and lands on Wolfgang's lower lip. Wolfgang's tongue darts out and licks it away.

Bauman and Wolfgang lock eyes. Wolfgang knows that Bauman has set him up.

WOLFGANG:

The patient lived. But I'm afraid we lost the doctor.

Wolfgang's hand darts up like a cobra, grabs the scalpel and thrusts it into Bauman's neck. Bauman screams and staggers back, spraying blood. The surgical team recoils in horror.

At that moment, the door is kicked open by SWAT.

SWAT COMMANDER:

Freeze!

Wolfgang is already on his feet. He takes two long strides, dives through the air and CRASHES through a wall of smoked GLASS.

8A ADJOINING ROOM 8A

Wolfgang hits the floor in a shower of glass, scrambles to his feet and bursts through a door, knocking over a nurse.

8B INT. CORRIDOR 8B

Terrified patients and staff flatten themselves against the walls as Wolfgang comes charging down the corridor, half-naked, surgical gown flapping behind him, pursued by a wave of SWAT commandos.

9 thru 11 OMITTED

12 ANGLE 12

Wolfgang rounds the bend. At the end of the corridor is an elevator -- its doors have begun to separate. It's Wolfgang's only chance.

Wolfgang races for the elevator, bare feet slapping marble. He's halfway there when the elevator doors slide open to reveal a second team of SWAT cops. They spill out with weapons drawn, ready to open fire.

Wolfgang puts on the brakes. The first SWAT team arrives from behind and Wolfgang is caught in the middle. One false move and he gets fragged from both directions. Oh, well. With a shrug of indifference, Wolfgang raises his hands over his head.

SWAT OFFICER:

You're under arrest!

The smile on Wolfgang's face seems to say, "Temporarily." Wolfgang begins to whistle "Pack Up Your Troubles" as SWAT cops rush forward to cuff him.

CUT TO:

13 EXT. NIGHT SKY 13

Fierce RAIN. Dense clouds. First the awsome ROAR, then we see the massive underbelly of a 707 airliner as it lumbers ACROSS FRAME. Clouds thicken. The big ENGINES work hard against the storm. Suddenly, an EXPLOSION rips out the bulk cargo door and the airliner hurtles to earth -- on fire and out of control -- a symphony of WIND and noise.

CUT TO:

13A INT. BEDROOM (LOS ANGELES) - NIGHT 13A

JOHN CUTTER sits upright in bed, jolted from the nightmare. His eyes are wide with fear.

CUTTER:

Lisa...

Cutter's naked chest is soaked with sweat and his heart is pounding like a jackhammer. The annoying sound in his ears is the BUZZ OF his ALARM CLOCK.

Cutter SHUTS OFF the ALARM. 6 A.M.

Cutter looks around. Nothing to worry about. He's alone in his own bedroom, bathed in the blue glow of a TV test pattern. Cutter runs a hand through his damp hair. He's a black man in his late 20s -- handsome and muscular --but unable to shake the nightmare that has haunted him for two years.

CUTTER:

(under his breath)

I gotta get some new dreams.

ANGLE WIDENS.

The room is pretty much bare. Bed, nightstand and a Solo-flex exercise set-up. Cutter is a man of few possessions. The walls are covered with a variety of bulls-eyes and target silhouettes -- the kind used by law enforcement. Each one is expensively framed -- Cutter's idea of art.

The ALARM GOES OFF AGAIN.

CUTTER:

I heard you the first time.

Cutter SHUTS OFF the ALARM and climbs out of bed. He goes to the Solo-flex and begins a rigorous workout --pumping iron to keep the chaos inside him at bay. As Cutter battles the weights, we PUSH IN ON the nightstand...

13B FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH 13B

of Cutter and a beautiful young woman in happier times. Perhaps this is "Lisa." Next to the photo is an Amtrack brochure and a ticket -- round trip -- Los Angeles to Orlando. But it's the Amtrak brochure that really catches our attention. It's illustrated with a bold drawing of a powerful locomotive. PUSH IN ON the train as we...

DISSOLVE TO:

13C EXT. TRESTLE BRIDGE - DAY (STOCK) 13C

Darkness. Then... a real train bursts out of tunnel and hurtles PAST CAMERA. It crosses a span somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, headed east.

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