Toxic Rage Page #5

(The MIDDLE-AGED MAN shares DOCUMENTS with them. GREG scans them quickly.)

GREG:

This is big. We've got them now.

INT. JOEY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

(JOEY's phone BUZZES. A text from an UNKNOWN NUMBER appears.)

TEXT MESSAGE:

Back off, Cassidy. You're in over your head.

(JOEY clenches his fists, visibly shaking.)

GREG:

(noticing)

What's wrong?

JOEY:

They're threatening my family. Look.

(JOEY shows GREG the photos on his phone of his FAMILY.)

GREG:

What do we do now?

JOEY:

I won't let them win. I won't let fear dictate my actions.

EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

(JOEY steps out of his car, carrying a FOLDER with documents. He cautiously approaches the entrance. Suddenly, a MAN emerges from the shadows.)

FIGURE:

You're playing with fire, Cassidy.

JOEY:

(holding up the folder)

I'm here to put out that fire. Once and for all.

(The FIGURE lunges at JOEY, trying to snatch the folder. A HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT ensues. JOEY gains the upper hand and subdues the MAN.)

JOEY:

(panting)

It ends now.

(JOEY throws a PUNCH, knocking the FIGURE unconscious. He takes a CELL PHONE from the MAN's pocket and dials 911.)

JOEY:

I'd like to report a crime. And trust me, you're going to want to hear this.

(JOEY looks around, the weight of his decision and the risks he's taken settling in. But for the first time, he breathes a little easier. The SCENT OF JUSTICE fills the air.)

JOEY:

(to himself)

This is just the beginning.

FADE OUT:

INT. DIMLY LIT ALLEYWAY - NIGHT

Mark, Joey, and Greg stand in a narrow, shadowy alley. The atmosphere is tense, the air thick with anticipation and fear. MARK seems nervous but resolute.

MARK:

(visibly anxious, voice low)

You guys wanted to know the truth, right?

JOEY:

(tense, excited)

Yeah, that's right. Tell us what you've got.

MARK:

(hesitant, whispering)

I came across something significant—a classified document. It's related to a cleanup initiative for the disaster area.

GREG:

(intrigued)

A cleanup initiative? What's so secretive about that?

MARK:

(avoiding eye contact, solemn)

RegalCorp is deliberately delaying the cleanup until they've acquired most of the properties in the affected area.

JOEY:

(angry, clenched jaw)

This is more than unethical—it's outright criminal.

GREG:

(frustrated)

And by the time the cleanup begins, those affected will likely be too ill to fight back or displaced.

MARK:

(sagging, revealing his burden)

Exactly. And they've managed to keep this document classified to ensure no one catches onto their plan.

INT. DIMLY LIT ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS

The atmosphere becomes even tenser. JOEY and GREG look at each other, their faces a mirror of disbelief.

GREG:

(determined)

This goes beyond corruption. They're intentionally jeopardizing lives for their own profit.

MARK:

(lifting his gaze, fear and resolve mixed)

That's why I had to come forward. People deserve to know the truth.

JOEY:

(resolved)

We must expose this.

INT. DIMLY LIT ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS

Suddenly, the sound of screeching tires pierces the air. Headlights from a black SUV illuminate the alleyway. Armed MEN emerge from the vehicle.

JOEY:

(panicked)

Damn, they've found us!

ARMED MAN #1

(growling)

Hand over the document.

MARK:

(defiant yet fearful)

I won't give it to you.

INT. DIMLY LIT ALLEYWAY - CONTINUOUS

A scuffle erupts. JOEY and GREG engage the LARGE MEN in hand-to-hand combat. Despite their lack of formal training, they manage to hold their own. MARK is injured during the fight.

JOEY:

(looking at injured MARK)

We need to get out of here.

GREG:

(urgently)

We must escape.

INT. CONCEALED CORNER OF THE CITY - NIGHT

The trio finds temporary refuge. MARK's injuries are bandaged, but they know they're far from safe.

MARK:

(while being bandaged, voice strained)

The cleanup initiative is an attempt to conceal the disaster's toxic aftermath.

JOEY:

(gaining resolve)

Then we must bring them down, whatever it takes.

INT. CONCEALED CORNER OF THE CITY - CONTINUOUS

United in their mission, the trio faces formidable adversaries but they're unyielding in their pursuit of justice.

GREG:

(firmly)

We'll expose the truth, no matter the risk.

MARK:

(courage renewed)

And may the scent of revolution fill the air.

FADE OUT:

INT. SMALL OFFICE - NIGHT

In a small room filled with stacks of documents, printed articles, and scribbled notes, GREG sits at a desk furiously typing on his laptop. A desk lamp casts a warm glow on the clutter. JOEY sits across from him, his eyes fixed on the computer screen. A pot of coffee is within arm's reach, and the faint aroma of ink lingers in the air.

JOEY:

(nervous but determined)

Greg, we've got to make sure every detail is right. This article could blow the whole conspiracy wide open.

GREG:

(typing, not looking up)

I know, Joey. We can't afford any mistakes. People's lives are at stake here.

The room falls silent, except for the sound of GREG's keystrokes and occasional sips of coffee. Hours pass. Finally, GREG leans back, scanning the finished article on the screen.

GREG:

(exhales)

I think we've got it, Joey.

Suddenly, GREG's phone rings, breaking the tense silence. The caller ID is blocked. He picks up.

GREG:

(answering, concerned)

Hello?

OMINOUS VOICE:

(from the phone, harsh)

You're playing a dangerous game, Miranda. Publishing that article will be the end of you.

GREG:

(visibly angry, but trying to maintain composure)

Who is this?

OMINOUS VOICE:

Someone who knows more about you than you think. You've got a family, Miranda. Think about them.

GREG hangs up abruptly, the line going dead. He locks eyes with JOEY.

GREG:

(grave)

We're in deeper than I thought, Joey.

JOEY:

(resolved)

We can't back down now, Greg. We've come too far.

Both men look at the computer screen. With a final nod, GREG clicks the "Publish" button. The exposé is live.

INT. SMALL OFFICE - DAY, THREE DAYS LATER

GREG and JOEY are pouring over more papers and documents. GREG's phone buzzes with a message from MIA FITZGERALD. He reads it and quickly types a response.

GREG:

(surprised but hopeful)

It's Mia Fitzgerald. She says she's got something that might help us. We're meeting her tonight.

INT. DISCREET MEETING LOCATION - NIGHT

MIA enters the dimly lit room, locking eyes with GREG and JOEY. She joins them at a table.

MIA:

(serious)

I've got something that might interest you.

MIA pulls out a folder from her bag, placing it before GREG and JOEY. They open it to find further evidence against RegalCorp.

JOEY:

(astonished)

This is solid evidence, Mia.

MIA:

(nodding)

I thought it might help your cause. These guys are more connected than we thought, and they won't go down without a fight.

INT. SMALL OFFICE - NIGHT, DAYS LATER

GREG, JOEY, and MIA are working tirelessly, surrounded by an amalgamation of digital and printed evidence. They finalize another damning article.

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