THE THIRD DIMENSION ©

PAN AND ZOOM OUT TO MEDIUM SHOT
Josh grabs a piece of pizza from out of the box and moves over to the computer. After righting his seat and sitting down, he moves the mouse to disengage the screensaver and reopens the webbrowser, clicking on a chat room bookmark.

ZOOM TO TIGHT SHOT ON SCREEN
As the chat room page opens, Josh / Yasuru’s statements are highlighted by a archer’s arrow, while Randor is symbolized with a sword and Sibyl by a fireball. In the corner of the screen is a list of the people in the chat room, which includes Yasuru, Randor and Sibyl. The entire dialog is seen via the computer screen, with the only noticeable sound being the clicking of the keyboard during Yasuru’s dialog.

YASURU
Hello?

RANDOR
What the hell are you doing here?

SIBYL
Randor said you were on a hot date. Anything wrong?

YASURU
Only that Randor has a big mouth.

RANDOR
I was just explaining why you wouldn't be here tonight.
BTW, I owe you a ass-kicking.

YASURU
No you don’t. She fell asleep during the movie,
so I’m just letting her sleep.

RANDOR
All right, dude! You wore her out.

YASURU
Not quite.

SIBYL
Well, if you two are done rooting around in the mud,
where do we go from here?

RANDOR
<oinking noises>

YASURU
Well, seeing that we finished the last game,
do we want to try out a new one?

SIBYL
What do you have in mind?

YASURU
I received an e-mail today advertising a new site.
It sounded semi-cool and I thought we might try it out.

RANDOR
Sounds good to me. Sibyl and I will link in through you and
you can lead the way.

SIBYL
What characters should we use? What kind of a setting is it?

JOSH
No clue. Lets go with our standard characters.
They’ve done well by us in the past,
and whatever setting it is we can adapt to.

RANDOR
Sounds good. Let’s go.

Randor and Sibyl’s symbol’s briefly disappear off the screen, only to reappear in a different color second’s later.

JOSH (whispering)
And away we go.

As Josh goes through the bookmark to the SHADOW LORD INTERACTIVE WEBSITE and enters. The colors subside to reveal a set of yellow eyes that seem to peer through the screen and a menu bar for START NEW GAME, LOAD SAVED GAME, CREATE NEW CHARACTERS, LOAD SAVED CHARACTERS, CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT and QUIT.

SHADOW LORD (voice over)
Welcome to my world.

Josh opens the LOAD SAVED CHARACTERS option and inputs three files from his computer named after their characters. In this file, there are also five other names: CHOPPER, ACE, DIAMONDBACK, BRAND and DANCER. After the three primary characters are in, he exits and enters through START NEW GAME. The eyes, which have been the most obvious feature throughout this entire process, recess as a background starts to appear and the three characters appear together on the screen. The image slowly transforms from the grainy pixelized image to live action.

ZOOM TO EXT. WOODLAND SCENE - SAME TIME
MEDIUM THREE SHOT
Yasuru, Randor and Sibyl stand in a circle clearing within a forest. Traffic can be heard in the distance. A small campfire burns in the middle of the clearing. The yellow eyes can barely be seen with the fire in the background. As the trio looks on, however, darkness begins to seep in around the eyes and form the outline of a body. Once the form is filled in, it begins to coalesce into a man with long, flowing dark hair, wearing a long tuxedo coat and a black 16th century shirt with the frilly sleeves.

SHADOW LORD
Greetings.

YASURU
Nice graphics.

SHADOW LORD
Thank you. You haven’t seen anything yet.

YASURU
Wow. This program really is fully interactive.

SHADOW LORD
The better to serve you.

SIBYL
So is it safe to assume that you are our guide in this game.

SHADOW LORD
That is a safe assumption.

RANDOR
In that case, where do we start?

SHADOW LORD
During the process of this “adventure” ...

Shadow Lord smiles faintly at the use of the word.

... you will be given certain tasks to fulfill
which will face you off against various foes.
The villain seeks to take over the world and corrupt innocents.
Any questions.

YASURU
But what is his motivation?

SHADOW LORD
What does it matter?

YASURU
Every bad guy needs motivation. Did his father beat him as a child?
Did the street sweeper run over his puppy?
Did the school bully take his milk money?
Didn’t get a PlayStation for his birthday?
Got fired from his job at the post office?
It doesn’t matter how lame the motivation is;
it just needs to be part of the story.

SHADOW LORD
Perhaps he is evil incarnate, wanting to have humanity as his playthings.

RANDOR
Who cares? Point us in the direction of the baddies.

SHADOW LORD
Excellent.

YASURU
Hang on a second.

Shadow Lord circles around the trio, ignoring Yasuru’s request. He starts moving in the direction of the road and motions for them to follow.

SHADOW LORD
Several of your targets for this stage are about to be released prematurely
from incarceration. It will be your job to stop them,
by whatever means necessary.

SIBYL
When and where?

An explosion is seen and heard in the direction of the road.

SHADOW LORD
Here and now.

As Shadow Lord continues to walk, he fades from existence.

PAN TO MOVING MEDIUM SHOT

The trio takes off through the woods and emerges along the side of the road. The obvious cause of the explosion lies in front of them - a capsized police bus with what’s left of the front end on fire. Several prisoners are fleeing out of the back end of the bus, while others are still chained inside.

YASURU
OK people. What are our options?

SIBYL
The fire is starting to spread.
We should try to rescue the captives still trapped.

RANDOR
Screw that. I say we kill ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out.

SIBYL
You would.

YASURU
Clock’s ticking people.

SIBYL
Lives are at stake.

RANDOR
It’s just a game. Besides, they’re all convicted criminals.

YASURU
Time’s up. Sibyl can work on helping the prisoners still trapped in the bus.

Randor starts running off in the direction of a pack of inmates, pulling his sword and ax as he goes.

RANDOR
Yeah, sure. Whatever.

Yasuru turns to look at Sibyl.

YASURU
You got this under control?

SIBYL
I will as soon as you shut up and let me get to work.

Sibyl looks back to the bus and begins making gestures with her hands. A blue glow begins to radiate from her as a cloud begins to form and rain begins to pour over the front of the bus. Satisfied that she has things under control, Yasuru takes off in the opposite direction of Randor in pursuit of another fleeing group, taking inventory of the arrows in his quiver.

PAN TO MOVING MEDIUM SHOT OF YASURU
Yasuru easily finds and follows the tracks of the escaped convicts and notches an arrow in preparation.

YASURU
OK guys. How about we make this easy and you come on back peacefully.

CUT TO WIDE TWO SHOT
As if in response, one of the inmates steps out from behind a nearby tree wielding a large branch like a club.

YASURU
Didn’t think so.

The prisoner takes his first good look at their pursuer and begins to chuckle softly.

PRISONER #1
What the hell are you dressed up for, boy?

Yasuru smiles.

YASURU
Kickin’ ass, how ‘bout you.

PRISONER #1
Jesus. Just my luck that we’d bust out near a loony bin. No matter.
What’s one more body. After all, they can’t execute me twice.

The prisoner charges at Yasuru with the branch. Yasuru answers by letting the arrow fly and knocking the club from his hand. The inmate is so shocked that he stops dead in his tracks. Without missing a beat, a new arrow is notched and ready to fly.

PRISONER #1
What the hell was that?

YASURU
A number 12 shaft launched from a 40 pound bow
fired with enough accuracy to trim the wings off a hummingbird.
It has enough power to go clean through your eye socket and
out the back of your head. Any questions?

PRISONER #1
Just one.

YASURU
Yes?

PRISONER #1
Do you want me to wait here for you, or meet you back at the bus?

YASURU
The bus is fine. You will find one of my associates there.
Be very nice to her.

PRISONER #1
Yes sir.

CUT TO MOVING MEDIUM SHOT OF YASURU

The prisoner starts back in the direction of the bus as Yasuru watches, then continues through the underbrush. He continues for another thirty paces, then stops. A sound of movement, accompanied by a darting shadow across the path in front of him alerts him to another prisoner’s presence. Without a word of warning, he releases another arrow which hits its mark.

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT OF PRISONER #2
The arrow is embedded in the calf muscle of the right leg of another inmate. The man is staring in shock at his leg, unable to stand.

CUT TO MEDIUM TWO SHOT
Yasuru leans over the crippled man, admiring his handiwork.

YASURU
I still got it.

The inmate looks up vaguely at Yasuru with a look of confusion and moans in pain.

I guess you can wait here. I figure there are two left.
Is that right?

The inmate, finally starts to register what has happened to him and starts building up to scream. As it starts to exit his lips, however, Yasuru strikes him in the head, rendering him unconscious.

I’ll take that as a yes.

CUT TO MOVING MEDIUM SHOT OF YASURU
Notching another arrow in the bow, Yasuru continues on the path another fifty meters, stopping occasionally to listen and observe the tracks. He soon draws to a stop, noting that the footprints go in two separate directions. As he does this, a shotgun is heard cocking.

PRISONER #3
Drop the bow and put up your hands.

CUT TO MEDIUM TWO SHOT
The prisoner steps out behind Yasuru, shotgun in hand.

YASURU
Let me guess. Took the gun off one of the guards.

The prisoner smiles.

PRISONER #3
Out of his cold, dead hands.

YASURU
Lovely imagery.

PRISONER #3
Drop the bow, or I blow a hole in ya.

Yasuru uncocks the bolt and lowers both to the ground.

ZOOM OUT TO WIDE SHOT
The other prisoner comes out of the bush several yards ahead of them as Yasuru raises his hands and links them behind his head. This prisoner is different from the others, however. He is smaller and weaker with glasses; looking as though he is in for something more white collar and far less violent.

PRISONER #4
Did ya get him?

PRISONER #3
Yeah. Come on back and give me a hand.

With Yasuru’s back still turned to him, the prisoner with the gun raises the barrel up to his shoulder; keeping his finger on the trigger. The unarmed inmate slowly starts walking back towards the other two men. Both men reveal cockiness in their movements, but only for a moment.

PRISONER #4
You see. I told you he’d send someone after me.

Sensing the various movements by his opponents, Yasuru grasps a bolt and spins around; throwing the arrow at the armed gunman.

PAN AND ZOOM TO TIGHT SHOT ON PRISONER #3
The bolt, flying as if shot from the bow, hits the barrel of the shotgun, which is jarred enough to fire off the gun, deafening the prisoner and distracting him.

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT ON YASURU
Allowing the momentum of the throw to carry him, Yasuru flips forward and grabs the bow and arrow in mid flip. As he returns to his feet, the shaft is already cocked. Taking a millisecond to aim, the bolt is sent flying.

PAN ON MOVING SHOT OF ARROW IN FLIGHT
The arrow flies through the air towards it’s target.

CUT TO TIGHT SHOT ON PRISONER #3
With the gun still in the upright position, the arrow pierces through the wrist and shoulder of the prisoner. Having lost the use of the hand holding the shotgun, it falls behind him to the ground.

CUT TO MEDIUM TWO SHOT
In one fluid motion, Yasuru, spins back around, pulls another bolt, cocks it and aims. The unarmed prisoner has been caught in mid-run.

YASURU
So, do you give up?

YASURU
Smart boy. Come forward - slowly - and give me a hand with your buddies.

The prisoner does as he’s told. Once he is even with Yasuru, a shotgun is heard cocking.

PAN TO MEDIUM THREE SHOT
As Yasuru turns, he finds the gunman rearmed, but bleeding profusely from the arm and shoulder. He holds the gun in his other hand, having trouble holding it steady with one hand and all the blood loss. The gunman fires, hitting the other prisoner in the chest and knocking him backwards. Acting on instinct, Yasuru lets another arrow fly and punctures the gunman’s heart. Both men hit the ground dead at the same time. Shaking his head, Yasuru heads back towards the bus.

CUT TO WIDE SHOT OF BUS SCENE
As Yasuru emerges from the woods carrying Prisoner #2 over his shoulder, he sees that Sibyl has not only extinguished the fire, but has gotten everyone out of the bus. Many of the prisoners are held by two sets of glowing Chains of Binding, while several other bodies are lying separate, covered from head to toe by a blanket. Sibyl herself is in the middle of casting a healing spell on the only surviving guard - both glowing with a faint green aura. Yasuru places the injured prisoner at the end of the line and walks over to Sibyl.

YASURU
How’s it going here?

As the aura fades, Sibyl glances up and casts a spell towards the newly arrived prisoner, entangling him in a Chain of Binding.

SIBYL
Not too bad. Officer Roberts here is healed from his broken ribs and
will be back on his feet in a couple of minutes.
I’m running kinda low on power, though. I only have three spells left.
How about you?

YASURU
Not too bad. I’ve got 7 arrows left, but I had to take down two of them.

SIBYL
So much for minimum force.

YASURU
Hey. I tried to keep them alive. They just didn’t co-operate.

OFFICER ROBERTS struggles to his feet.

OFFICER ROBERTS
With the prisoners here plus the two you left in the woods,
that leaves six still missing.

YASURU (to Sibyl)
Do you think I should go after Randor; see if he needs some help?

Randor steps into the clearing, blood covering his weapons and splattered across his face and torso.

RANDOR
Don’t bother. The other six are accounted for.

SIBYL
You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?

RANDOR
Like fighting Pig Trolls. Only these guys squealed more.

Officer Roberts gets a look of disgust across his face.

OFFICER ROBERTS
You butchered them.

RANDOR
They put up a fight.

OFFICER ROBERTS
But they were human beings. Who do you people think you are?
Where did you come from?

RANDOR
We’re the heroes.

A dark cloud appears behind Randor and metamorphose into Shadow Lord.

SHADOW LORD
You people have done a fine job this evening. But you are in need of rest.

YASURU
Wait a second. I’m not exactly used to a game sending me to bed.

Officer Roberts has a very confused look on his face.

RANDOR
He’s got a point. I’m getting kinda tired.
Besides, have you checked out the time lately?

CUT TO INT. JOSH’S DORM ROOM - SAME TIME
MEDIUM SHOT
Josh glances up from the computer screen, which holds a computer-generated version of the previous scene. Looking over at the clock, the time is 3:15 AM. Lori gently rolls over, still sound asleep. Josh turns back to the computer.

CUT TO EXT. BUS SCENE - SAME TIME
WIDE SHOT

YASURU
Where has the time gone.

SHADOW LORD
Your characters will be fully recharged upon your return tomorrow.

SIBYL
Sounds good to me. Tomorrow’s Saturday,
so how about we meet back up around one?

RANDOR
Works for me.

OFFICER ROBERTS
What the hell are you guys talking about?

The quartet turn to stare at the officer, then Yasuru looks to Shadow Lord.

YASURU
I think the program may need a little work.

SHADOW LORD (smiling)
I’ll work on it.

RANDOR
OK guys, later.

SIBYL
See you tomorrow, Yasuru.

YASURU
Yeah. Tomorrow.

FADE TO INT. OF JOSH’S DORM ROOM - SAME TIME
TIGHT SHOT ON COMPUTER SCREEN
The screen once again becomes digitized as the characters dissolve from the scene. Josh closes out the webbrowser again.

ZOOM OUT TO MEDIUM SHOT
Josh shuts down the computer screen and stands up. He starts to peel off his shirt, but then remembers that he is not alone in the room. He looks around, trying to figure out where he’s going to spend the night when Lori lifts up her head slightly and looks at him.

LORI
What’s up?

JOSH (whispering)
Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you up.

LORI
No problem. What’s wrong?

JOSH
Nothing.

Lori props herself up on one arm.

LORI
I don’t think so.

Josh smiles.

JOSH
Oh. So now you’re the one with all the answers.

LORI
Sorta. From where I’m sitting, you are probabl
trying to figure out where you are going to sleep,
because you’re too much of a gentleman to ask me to leave
and too shy to just crawl in next to me. Is that about right?

JOSH
Pretty close.

LORI
Well, don’t worry about it.

Lori rolls back over and closes her eyes.

JOSH
What do you mean by that?

LORI
You’re a smart guy, you can figure it out.
Just do me a favor and turn out the light.

Josh shuts off the TV as a news bulletin starts and walks over and turns off the light.

FADE OUT

FADE IN INT. SHOT OF JOSH’S DORM - NEXT MORNING
TIGHT SHOT ON JOSH’S BED
Josh lays asleep on the outer half of the bed. He is wearing the same clothes as the night before - and he’s alone. The door can be heard opening, which wakes up Josh.

ZOOM OUT TO MEDIUM SHOT OF ROOM
Lori walks into the room carrying three carry-out boxes of food. She too is wearing the same clothes as the night before. Josh leans up on one arm.

LORI
Good morning, sleepy head.

JOSH
Morning? What time is it?

LORI
A little before 11.

Josh falls back onto the pillow.

JOSH
What is that I smell?

LORI
Breakfast.

Ben’s head pops out from under the covers of his bed.

BEN
Great. I’m starved.

JOSH
When did you get home?

LORI
About 8 this morning.

BEN
Yeah. I figured that I wouldn’t interrupt anything
at that time in the morning.

JOSH (defensively)
Nothing happened.

BEN
Yeah. I could tell. You two were laying there fully dressed, asleep.

LORI
At least until he woke me up.

BEN
Sorry.

LORI
Not a problem.

She tosses one of the containers up to him.

I fell back to sleep and woke up again about a half hour ago.

Hope pancakes are OK with you.

BEN
From the cafe?

LORI
Yeah.

BEN
Hopefully I’ll live.

Ben flips it open, grabs out the fork and begins devouring the contents. Lori hands another of the containers to Josh as he sits up in bed.

JOSH
Breakfast in bed? Your too good to me.

LORI
Yeah. I know.

BEN
Best be careful, buddy-boy.
Next thing you know, she’ll be expecting you to put out.

Josh begins to blush, while Lori grins. Both of them open their containers and begin to eat.

LORI
So, what are your plans for the weekend?

JOSH
Not sure. I don’t have to work in the computer lab again until Monday.
I’m supposed to meet up with some people around one,
but I don’t know how long we’ll be getting together for.

BEN
Now, would that be face to face, or on-line?

Josh shoots a dirty look towards the upper bunk, though Ben is not in his POV.

JOSH
Anyway, what did you have in mind?

Tired of standing, Lori pulls out the desk chair and sits down.

LORI
I don’t know. I should probably get back to my room soon,
get a shower and talk to Jaime, but I’m not really
planning anything special tonight.

BEN
In other words, Romeo, she wants you to take her out tonight.

JOSH
How about you try minding your own business, Ben?

BEN
I would if you could get your head out of your computer
long enough to get a clue.

LORI
Come on guys. I think its nice that Ben is trying to look out for you.
And Josh has his own way of dealing with things.
Don’t pressure him if he doesn’t want to go out with me.

JOSH
I never said that.

LORI
Great. Where should we go tonight?

Josh stammers from being roped in.

JOSH
Umm. I’m not sure. Maybe dinner and a movie?

Ben lets out a belch, tosses his container over the edge onto the ground and jumps down from the top bunk.

BEN
Well, my job is done, and I’m obviously not going to get any sleep
as long as you two are mooning at each other.
I’m running to the john, then I’ll probably go home for the weekend.

He opens the door and starts out.

LORI
Coming close to TMI there, Ben.

Ben stops in the hall and turns back around.

BEN
Well, I could have gone into more detail,
like how I have to take my morning ...

Josh shoots up off the bed and slams the door shut.

BEN (muffled by the door)
... crap.

JOSH
Shut up!

Josh turns to Lori to find her laughing. He walks over to the discarded container on the floor and picks it up.

JOSH
Sorry about Ben. I don’t think he can help being a pig.

Carrying the container, he walks over to the door to throw it way in the hallway. As he opens the door, Ben is still standing there.

BEN
And I’m not talking about a normal size crap.
We’re talking about a giant evacuate-the-building-size crap.

JOSH
Oh, God. That’s disgusting.

Shoving the container into Ben’s arms, he slams the door shut. Ben’s laughter can be heard through the door.

BEN (through the door)
Just thought I should warn ya.

Attempting to cover up a grin, Josh walks over to Lori, who is still laughing. He sits back down on the bed as they both regain their composure. Once the laughter has subsided, Lori gets up out of the chair and sits down next to Josh - right next to him.

LORI
But seriously though.
Diner sounds good, but how about about we go clubbing afterwards?

JOSH
Clubbing? There aren’t any clubs around here.

LORI
Sure there is. There’s a new one that just opened up in Naperville.
It’s only about a 20 minute drive. Unless you would rather go into Chicago?

JOSH
No, no. That’s OK. What exactly do you do when you go clubbing?

LORI
You’ve never been clubbing?

She looks at him questioningly.

(mumbling to herself)
No, of course you haven’t.

JOSH
What?

LORI
Nothing. We just go there, hang out,
do some dancing, have a few drinks, have some fun.

JOSH
Oh, is that all.

Josh rolls his eyes.

Sure. I guess we can do that.
Do you know of any restaurants in the area?

LORI
Yeah. There are a couple of them out there.

JOSH
OK. Would you mind driving? I don’t have a car here on campus.

LORI
Sure. Not a problem.

Lori gets to her feet and picks up the rest of her breakfast.

Are you going to need us to swing by a ATM in the process?

JOSH
Yeah, probably.

LORI
OK. How about I come by to pick you up around seven?

JOSH
Lets make it about eight.
I have that meeting at one, and I’m not sure how long it will last.

LORI
OK. I gotta get going, though. Things to do, yada yada yada.

JOSH
OK.

Josh gets up to walk her to the door. As he gets to his feet, Lori reaches over and gives him a gentle kiss on the mouth. She then turns and walks to the door.

LORI
Thanks for last night. I had fun.

She opens the door, walks through it, and shuts it behind her; leaving Josh standing where he was.

JOSH
Yeah. Me too.

CUT TO INT. LORI’S DORM ROOM - MINUTES LATER
MEDIUM SHOT
Built similar to Josh’s dorm room, the interior of this room is quite different as designed by a pair of women. The general layout is also quite different as the beds are both at ground level, the desks are stacked and used as an entertainment center and the dressers are side-by-side in front of a giant mirror, covered with makeup and hair-care supplies. The closet doors are removed to make more room for the overabundance of clothes. As Lori opens the door to the room, she catches a well-built young man in the middle of pulling up his pants. A bra and pair of panties are on the floor next to him. Jaime is lying in bed. As Lori enters, the man quickly finishes pulling up his pants and grabs up his shirt and coat. He breezes past Lori, flashes her a quick smile, and is gone. After the door closes, Jaime comes to life. Sitting up and leaning on one arm, she carefully keeps herself covered with the sheet.

JAIME (smiling towards the door)
Thanks for everything.

LORI
So, where did you pick this one up at.

JAIME
Down at the bar. He and a bunch of his football buddies
were sneaking in using fake ID’s.

LORI
So you decided to pick him up.

JAIME
What can I say? I was horny.
And he gets to go home and brag that he got laid by a college chick.
Everybody wins.

Lori walks over to the closet while Jaime gets out of bed, wrapping the sheet around herself.

Besides, I’m not the one that was out all night. Details?

Lori spins around and looks indignant.

LORI
A lady doesn’t discuss such matters.

JAIME
Very true. So what’s the dish?

Lori shrugs and takes a seat on the edge of her bed.

LORI
There’s really not that much to tell.
We watched the movie, which was boring, and we ate pizza.
When it was clear that he wasn’t going to make a move,
I pulled the pretend-to-be-sleeping routine.
When the movie was over, he hopped on the computer,
just like you said he would.

JAIME
I’m sorry, hon. But I told you he was a compugeek.

LORI
Oh, I’m not giving up just yet.
I did eventually doze off, but he got off around three and woke me up.
I did manage to get him into bed at least.

JAIME
Hey, hey! So I’m not the only one that got lucky last night.

LORI
It wasn’t that. All we did was sleep.

JAIME
Oh. I’m sorry.

LORI
That’s kinda what Ben said too.

JAMIE
He would.

Lori gives Jaime a questioning look.

We hooked up for a weekend last year. We were both wasted.
He’s great in the sack, though.

LORI
Anyway, I’m gonna see how things go without that damn machine
in the room tonight. He’s taking me out to dinner and dancing.

JAIME
Progress.

Lori stands up and goes back over to the closet. She pulls off her blouse and throws her housecoat onto the bed. She then starts to pull outfits out, comparing them to each other.

LORI
So which should I go with?

JAIME
Are we talking burgers or Sushi?

LORI
Well, there’s the French place in Naperville.

JAIME
Whoa. Does he know how expensive that joint is?

LORI
Probably not.

Jaime walks over to her closet and pulls out a tiny black dress.

JAIME
Well then, go with this.
It'll distract him from the amount of money he’s spending.

CUT TO INT. DORM BATHROOM - MINUTES LATER
MEDIUM SHOT
With Josh in the shower, Ben leans against the sinks talking. Ben is casting a shadow, though it is slightly darker than it should be.

BEN
So, do you still say that she’s not interested in you?

JOSH
OK, you guys were right. She definitely seems to be dedicated
to us getting together.

BEN
And you aren’t?

JOSH
I don’t know. It’s moving kinda fast.

BEN
Jesus, Josh. Are you sure you’re really a guy?

Ben reaches out and yanks open the curtain. Ben’s shadow doesn’t move with him. Josh, with soap in his eyes, gropes for the curtain and pulls it shut again with some difficulty.

JOSH
Asshole.

BEN
It looks like everything is in the right place.
What the hell’s the matter then?

JOSH
I don’t know. Something just doesn’t seem right.
She’s being almost too persistent.

BEN
Dude. Haven’t you ever had a woman hot for your form before?

JOSH
Honestly, no. This is uncharted territory for me,
and I guess I’m just a little overwhelmed.

BEN
Well, you had better get over this shyness quick,
or she’s liable to change her mind.
Then where will you be? Milking your monkey all alone again.

JOSH
So you’re saying I should just ride it for all its worth
and screw the consequences.

BEN
Actually I was thinking that you should ride her for all she’s worth -
screw her consequences.

Josh, having finished rinsing off, flips back open the curtain, turns the nozzle and hoses Ben down. As he does, Ben’s shadow fades to a lighter tone of gray and begins to move with him.

CUT TO INT. OF LORI’S DORM ROOM - MINUTES LATER
MEDIUM SHOT
In the time that has passed, Lori has slipped out of her clothes and into her housecoat. The black dress is now hanging on Lori’s closet and she is going through the various nail polish colors on the dresser. Jaime is back in bed flipping through a magazine. She has put on the bra and panties from the floor.

JAIME
So how far are you going to carry this?

LORI
I don’t know. He really is a pretty nice guy,and he tries real hard.
I don’t think it would take much to break him.

JAIME
So are you planning on having sex with him?

LORI
I don’t know. It depends on what I get out of the deal.

JAIME
What do you mean?

LORI
Well, if its going to be a deal breaker and can get me something
in the long term, then sure, why not.

JAIME
But what about the passion, the electricity that can be formed
between two bodies connecting in the attempt to provide
each other with the most intense pleasure possible?

Jaime squirms slightly under her covers, then smiles slyly.

LORI
All of that is nice, but I’m not going to let just any Tom,
Dick or Harry stick his shlong in me. No offense.

JAIME
None taken.

LORI
But if they want the goodies, they got to be willing to put out themselves.
Besides, how often do you find a guy who cares about anything
other than getting his own rocks off?

JAIME
Not nearly often enough. That’s why I take the driver’s seat
most of the time, if you know what I mean.
I guess what my question is are you willing to go all the way with him?

Lori turns and looks at Jaime. A very faint image of the Shadow Lord appears in the mirror, but goes unnoticed by the pair of women.

LORI
Well, he’s sorta cute and not in to bad of shape.
If everything falls into the right places, then sure. Why not.

The image fades from the mirror.

CUT TO INT. OF JOSH’S DORM ROOM - A HALF HOUR LATER
MEDIUM SHOT
Josh is now sitting on the edge of his bed. He is wearing a no-sleave T-shirt, a pair of dress pants and is in the process of putting on a pair of black socks. There is a knock at the door.

JOSH
Come in.

Paul opens the door and walks in. The door across the hall is open.

PAUL
Hey Josh. I was wondering if I could borrow your computer science book.

JOSH
Sure. Where’s your’s?

PAUL
Eric borrowed it to study for the mid-term on Tuesday.

JOSH
Oh shit. That’s right. I forgot about it.

PAUL
Oh, like you have to worry about it.

JOSH
Well, it’s nice to be prepared. What do you need it for?

PAUL
To study, of course.

Josh rolls his eyes.

JOSH
Yeah, right. Why don’t you just hack into
Mr. Cartright’s computer again and get the test?

PAUL
Already tried it. He was smart enough to take his compute
off the network this time.

JOSH
Wow. You really can teach an old dog new tricks.
Have you hacked anything good lately?

PAUL
Nothing good.

JOSH
The book is over on the shelf.

Paul walks over to the bookshelf and pulls out the book he needs.

JOSH
Where’s Kelly?

PAUL
She had to work this morning. She’ll be back later.

JOSH
You know that she’s pretty cool, right?

PAUL
Yeah. I’d never admit this in front of her,
but she’s probably too good for me.
She’s real smart - smarter than she lets on -
a member of the volleyball team, fantastic body ...

JOSH
You’re right. She’s too good for you. Where can I get one?

PAUL
Well, there’s Lori.

JOSH
We’ll see. It doesn’t seem as though we have anything in common.

PAUL
Like what?

JOSH
Well, I don’t think she likes Meat Loaf.

PAUL
Few people our age do. It takes a refined taste to appreciate Meat.

JOSH
Does that make her a vegetarian?

PAUL
Funny. Listen, We’re going to have a party tonight.
Why don’t you swing by?

JOSH
Can’t. Got plans.

PAUL
Where are you going?

JOSH
Lori and I are going out to a restaurant and then clubbing.

PAUL
Two dates in two nights. It must not be going too bad.
You’re going clubbing?

JOSH
Yeah, I know. Never in a million years.

PAUL
Tell me about it. Well, have fun. Which club you going to?

JOSH
I’m not real sure. It supposedly just opened in Naperville.

PAUL
Oh yeah. I know The Spot. You got enough money?

JOSH
How much do you think its gonna cost me.

PAUL
Well, I’d take at least 40 just for the club. It’s pretty expensive.

JOSH
That’s what I was afraid of.

PAUL
I’ll tell ya what. There will be two passes at the front door for you.
They’re reservations computer is accessible.
At least that way you don’t have to pay the cover.

JOSH
Thanks dude.

PAUL
No prob. Let me know how things turn out.

JOSH
Later.

Paul exits the room again. Josh, having finished with his socks and shoes, moves over to the computer and opens up the webbrowser.

TIGHT SHOT ON COMPUTER SCREEN
As it opens, it chimes that Josh has e-mail, but he goes straight into the chat room instead. Sibyl is already on-line. This time, however, there has been a change to Josh’s computer in that, when a message arrives, a synthesized version of their voice comes through his speakers.

SIBYL
Hey Yasuru.

CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT OF JOSH

JOSH
What the hell?

He types and talks out loud at the same time.

That was weird.

SIBYL
What was?

JOSH
I never put a synthesizer on the listserve,
but yet there’s one on their now.

SIBYL
Haven’t you checked your e-mail recently?
Shadow Lord has set up synthesizer programs on the chat room for us.
It’s sort of a reward for getting through stage one.

JOSH
Well, I don’t know if I like the idea of someone else
making changes to my service.

SIBYL
Oh, don’t be paranoid. It’s like the on-line bingo games.
You play the game, you win a prize.
Besides, it makes it feel as though I’m actually talking to you.

JOSH
Well, there is that.

SIBYL
Can I ask you a question?

JOSH
Sure.

SIBYL
We’ve been playing these games for quite a while,
and I remember back when you used to have other characters besides Yasuru.
What ever happened to them?

JOSH
Oh, I still have them floating around, but I really enjoy the archer.
He’s probably my favorite. I even took a couple of archery lesson downtown,
but it was a bit out of my price range to continue.

SIBYL
I’m sorry to hear that.

JOSH
Now it’s my turn.

SIBYL
Shoot.

JOSH
In all the time that we’ve been playing together,
neither Randor or I have ever met you face to face. Why is that?

SIBYL
Well, I have a strict policy against meeting people in person
that I meet on the net.

JOSH
Oh, come on. It’s not like we just met and we’re looking for cybersex.
It could just be a group of gamer-buddies getting together for some coffee.

SIBYL
No.

JOSH
But why?

SIBYL
Just let it drop. Besides, it sounds as though you already have a honey.

JOSH
I don’t know.

SIBYL
What’s the matter?

JOSH
She’s a little pushy for my tastes. And I don’t know her that well.

SIBYL
The best way to get to know someone is to spend time with them.

JOSH
I guess. We’re supposed to go out to dinner tonight.

Randor logs on.

SIBYL
And you’re sitting here, trying to pick me up?

JOSH
It wasn’t like that.

RANDOR
Way to go Hawkeye. Should I tell Lori
that you’re already stepping out on her?

JOSH
Mind your own business, barbarian. Are we ready to start?

SIBYL
I guess so.

RANDOR
Let’s rock ‘n roll.

continue…