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- The Things We Protect
- FADE IN:
- INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
- A flashlight shines across shipping containers. The light
- illuminates reflects off each one.
- DONOVAN PAULSEN, (30) walks through a dim warehouse. He has
- an AR slung around the front of him. He wears a pair of
- jeans. A tan plate carrier sits over a white button up shirt.
- On his shoulder sits a Sentinel Securities ID.
- The bags on Don's eyes show through the dim light. He wears
- an earpiece.
- The radio comes to life as MARCUS MATTHEWS, (34) keys his
- microphone.
- MARCUS
- (earpiece)
- All teams, radio check.
- MICHAEL CHAVEZ, (24) keys his radio.
- CHAVEZ
- Alpha one, check.
- PAUL CARTER, (25) keys his microphone.
- CARTER
- Alpha two, check.
- Marcus lets off a sigh into the radio.
- Don fumbles with his microphone.
- DON
- Alpha three, check.
- CONRAD MILLER, (28) keys his microphone.
- CONRAD
- Alpha four, check.
- Don yawns. He meets back up with Conrad.
- CONRAD (CONT’D)
- How you liking the job so far?
- DON
- About what I expected.
- Another narrow conex hallway in front of them.
- CONRAD
- You want to switch?
- Don gives a chuckle.
- DON
- It's the same damn thing here,
- dude!
- Conrad gives a shrug.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Fuck it.
- The two switch sides.
- The same setup sits in front of Don.
- DON (CONT’D)
- (muttering)
- Told him.
- Don walks forward, light forward.
- A thud.
- MARCUS
- (earpiece)
- All units, report.
- CHAVEZ
- Alpha one, all clear here.
- CARTER
- Alpha two, nothin' to note here.
- Don takes out his ear piece and listens again.
- A louder and more noticeable thud.
- Don puts his earpiece back in.
- MARCUS
- (earpiece)
- Paulsen, report, damn it.
- DON
- (into mic)
- Alpha three reporting, I got
- something.
- Don slings his rifle forward.
- DON (CONT’D)
- WHO'S THERE?!
- Don pushes forward and flicks the safety off his rifle.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Fuck is that?
- Louder bangs- Something metallic.
- His heart races as he moves forward. Don slows down and
- begins to control his breaths.
- More bangs come from next to him.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Who the fuck is in the container?
- He looks to both sides of him.
- Nothing. Don puts his earpiece back in.
- DON (CONT’D)
- (into earpiece)
- Be advised, found the source of the
- sound.
- MARCUS
- Copy that, don't open that till we-
- DON
- Fuck that.
- Don takes out a pair of bolt cutters and cuts the locks off
- the shipping container. He keeps his hand on his rifle, turns
- on its light, and keeps it trained at the door.
- Don swings the door open.
- INT. SHIPPING CONTAINER - NIGHT
- His once tired eyes change to those of shock.
- DON
- Oh, fuck.
- Children lay on cots inside the container. One bucket sits on
- each end of the container. Don covers his mouth and tries to
- mask the stench of the container.
- At the very front, a child stands there.
- CHILD
- Mama? Это ты?
- DON
- What?!
- Don looks past him and shines his light on the others.
- DON (CONT’D)
- English?
- The child's eyes give Don a blank stare.
- CHILD
- Это ты?
- DON
- I don't...
- Marcus walks into the container.
- MARCUS
- Hey, buddy...
- Don lowers his weapon.
- DON
- Hey man, we gotta go to the feds
- about this-
- Behind Don, Chavez and Carter appear behind him.
- Marcus gets closer and holds something sharp in his hand.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Hey what the fuck are you-
- Marcus stabs the child in the shoulder with the syringe and
- takes it out.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Motherfucker!
- Don raises his handgun only for one to put him in a head
- lock. The other pulls the gun out of his hand.
- The child falls in front of him. Don struggles to get out of
- their grasp as one kicks the back of his leg and brings him
- to his knees. He falls forward and lets off a cry of pain as
- he falls forward.
- Marcus picks the child up and sets him down in an empty cot.
- Marcus walks over to Don.
- His demeanor is calm, casual.
- MARCUS
- Donovan Paulsen.
- (smiles)
- You live with your daughter,
- formerly Ashley Wren Jackson, now
- Ashley Paulsen at 4333 West Bell
- Road, apartment 2043 in Phoenix.
- Don looks up at him with anger.
- DON
- These are god damn kids!
- MARCUS
- Donny, Donny, Donny.
- Don tries to struggle only to get held back as he looks up at
- Marcus.
- MARCUS (CONT’D)
- Always the pessimist, aren't you?
- Don's eyes widen as he looks behind Marcus at the children on
- cots.
- DON
- They're in fucking shipping
- containers...
- MARCUS
- You are standing in front of a
- moving train, Don. I'm just
- protecting our bottom line. Now.
- You get in our way.
- He reaches into a holster and pulls out a suppressed Ruger
- Mark 2 and chuckles.
- MARCUS (CONT’D)
- Otherwise, I'm going to kill your
- daughter and make you watch.
- He reaches into Don's vest pocket and takes out a picture of
- Ash.
- MARCUS (CONT’D)
- I've known you awhile buddy.
- Don just watches this.
- MARCUS (CONT’D)
- Honestly, capping four of your guys
- isn't a very heroic thin-
- Don's eyes widen and light up with anger.
- DON
- FUCK YOU!
- Marcus just laughs.
- MARCUS
- Can you believe this fucking guy? A
- "hero". At least the chicks I'm
- with don't cheat.
- Don lunges forward but gets pulled back by the two that hold
- his arms.
- MARCUS (CONT’D)
- You're so cute when you get like
- that. Now, what's it gonna be?
- Don goes silent as the anger on his face subsides.
- His face changes to that of disgust.
- DON
- I won't talk.
- Marcus reaches into another vest pocket. He takes Don's
- wallet.
- Marcus takes out Don's license snaps a photo of it. He puts
- it all back and throws his wallet down.
- MARCUS
- Pick your shit up and get back to
- it.
- The two agents let him go.
- DON
- Yeah... Sure.
- The three walk out.
- Don still looks at the container, shock in his eyes.
- The kids in cots line the shipping container as Don stands
- back up and walks out.
- The light inside the crate goes away as Don closes it.
- CUT TO:
- INT. CORPORATE OFFICE - DAY
- SENTINEL SECURITIES, is visible against a wall.
- DON
- I can't believe they actually took
- me.
- Don walks through a corridor.
- He wears a suit, the jacket open.
- DAWN "MICHELLE" PAULSEN, (34) walks beside him.
- MICHELLE
- Well, a lot of things tend to when
- you're the "Hero of Houston". Big
- damn hero you are.
- Don shrugs.
- DON
- If it's just that, then I don't
- really deserve it now, do I?
- Michelle rolls her eyes then stops.
- MICHELLE
- Honestly? You don't, Mikey.
- DON
- Excuse me?
- Michelle pulls out a security card and opens a door for him.
- MICHELLE
- First door to the right. Make sure
- not to kill anyone along the way.
- Don raises his arms as anger registers on his face.
- DON
- You weren't there, sis!
- She motions for him to enter. Don walks inside. The door
- closes behind him.
- He takes a deep breath.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Motherfucker.
- Don walks forward and enters
- MEETING ROOM - DAY
- MARCUS MATTHEWS, (30) gives Don a warm smile.
- MARCUS
- Just wanted to congratulate you,
- Mr. Paulsen. You're going to great
- on our team.
- Don shakes his hand and shoots a nervous grin.
- DON
- So, what am I going to be doing
- exactly? I wasn't really clued in
- on that.
- MARCUS
- Just security on high value cargo
- from the Ukraine.
- Don nods.
- DON
- Anything I'll need?
- MARCUS
- Just everything you used during the
- course, no real preference. It's
- all you.
- Marcus shoots a warm smile to him.
- DON
- Sounds good then.
- Marcus puts his hand out and offers a handshake.
- The two shake hands.
- MARCUS
- How's tomorrow sound for your first
- day?
- DON
- I don't see an issue.
- Marcus shoots him a grin.
- MARCUS
- See you tomorrow then.
- INT. HALLWAY - DAY
- Don steps out of the room and closes the door behind him.
- He closes his eyes then takes a sigh.
- DON
- Fuck.
- Don walks down as Michelle approaches him.
- MICHELLE
- How'd it go, Mikee?
- Don shrugs and walks with her.
- DON
- Okay, given the circumstances.
- MICHELLE
- He seems to like you.
- DON
- Yeah, well a lot of people seem to
- like me- Never seems to do me any
- god damn favors.
- Michelle shrugs.
- MICHELLE
- Why can't you be positive Don?
- Don just shoots a look of confusion at her.
- DON
- Why can't you see things for how
- they are? It's always the same with
- you-
- Gunshots ring out as people start to run away through the
- hall.
- An alarm rings out.
- LOUDSPEAKER
- (over building)
- Code silver, all personnel evacuate
- immediately.
- The world slows. Michelle starts to tug on Don's shoulder,
- with a frantic look on her face.
- The world comes back.
- MICHELLE
- WE NEED TO GO, NOW!
- Don's face changes to anger as screams grow louder.
- DON
- Get outta here!
- MICHELLE
- Fine, be that way then!
- Don pushes her away as he moves down the hall way. He makes a
- turn as the gun shots continue to ring out.
- DON
- I'm gonna die, I'm gonna fucking
- die, I'm gonna fucking die...
- Don stops and looks at an armed security guard. The guard
- holds his leg as his blood pools around him. In the other, he
- holds a Beretta and trains it in the direction people run
- from.
- He slumps over and drops his gun.
- Don makes his way over to him and looks at his belt. A
- tourniquet sits on it. He takes it out and cuts off the
- bleeding gunshot wound.
- DON (CONT’D)
- This guy's gonna make it. I'm not.
- Just shoot me, dude. Be done with
- it.
- Don takes the gun and chamber checks it.
- Sweat runs down Don's brow.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Oh, I'm so fucking dead.
- Gunshots ring out behind him. People flee behind him.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Oh fucking christ.
- Don takes a deep breath and charges in.
- INT. OFFICE - DAY
- Everyone in the room is gone.
- Dead bodies lie around. Some in front of the door as if
- they'd tried to escape.
- Two men stand in the room.
- CRAIG, (mid-40s) holds a gun to the other one's chest.
- BILL, (mid-30s) has his hands up. Blood stains his shirt. His
- nose bleeds.
- CRAIG
- You were banging my wife you son of
- a bitch.
- BILL
- Craig, it wasn't like that, she was
- throwing herself on-
- CRAIG
- DON'T tell me that, I know you
- slimey son of a bitch, I know how
- you-
- Don gets into position and trains his Beretta on him.
- DON
- Hey!
- Craig turns the gun on Don.
- Don fires two shots at him, the deafening sound of gunfire
- echoing through the halls office
- The office window behind Don breaks as he crawls forward.
- DON (CONT’D)
- (muttering)
- Well, fuck.
- CRAIG
- You got no part in this, get the
- fuck out of here!
- Craig's gun dry clicks as Don stands up.
- Craig loads a magazine and rides it forward.
- The two take aim at each other.
- Don squeezes the trigger, firing one shot into Craig's
- throat.
- Craig manages to get a shot off, hitting Don in the shoulder.
- Silence.
- Don bleeds from his shoulder as two officers, Parks and
- Hawkins walk in. He throws the gun on the ground, his hands
- up.
- He looks down at his shoulder and falls over as he blacks
- out.
- FADE TO BLACK.
- Don is wheeled out on a stretcher.
- JACQUELINE "JACKIE" PAULSEN, (28) places her hand on his
- cheek. She wears a
- JACKIE (O.S.)
- I love you Donovan Paulsen.
- She holds his hand.Jackie appears as she holds his hand.
- DON
- (mouthing)
- ...Jackie, don't leave...
- Blood runs down the side of his arm. Blood runs down the side
- of his stomach. Don looks up at his sister.
- Michelle stabs something into his arm. Don lets out a scream
- of pain as he sucks in air. His pulse begins to race as she
- shouts something.
- Don's breathing begins to normalize as he looks at his arm,
- covered in blood.
- His hearing returns.
- MICHELLE
- GET UP!
- Don stands up, his pulse guns it once more. He feels his arm.
- DON
- I thought I was shot here...
- For a second he laughs, then drops and passes out.
- INT. BEDROOM - DAY
- Jackie feels the side of Don's face.
- She leans in to give him a kiss.
- JACKIE
- I don't want this to ever go away,
- baby.
- Don pulls her close and kisses her back.
- He pulls back.
- DON
- Me neither, baby girl.
- He kisses her back, gets on top of her, then-
- CUT TO:
- INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
- Don wakes up in a hospital bed. He blinks a couple times, a
- ceiling fan above him.
- He has an IV in his left arm. ASHLEY "Ash" PAULSEN, (18) sits
- next to him.
- Don rolls over.
- DON
- Jackie? Fuck...
- Don sits up and holds his head. He wears a patient's gown as
- he sits up and holds his shoulder.
- DON (CONT’D)
- I should be dead.
- Ash sits there, her arms crossed.
- ASH
- Well, as it turns out you're not.
- DON
- Thought I was back there again.
- ASH
- You're always back there.
- DON
- No- With your mom, Ash.
- Ash just sighs as Michelle walks in.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Hey Michelle.
- MICHELLE
- Oh thank god, it worked.
- Don gives her a look of annoyance.
- DON
- That's good I guess. Doesn't do
- much.
- MICHELLE
- The hell's wrong with you? You're
- alive, aren't you?
- Don just shrugs at this.
- DON
- I'm feeling better, let's get home.
- Don stands up, then clutches his left arm.
- MICHELLE
- Hey, easy.
- Don gives her a look of anger.
- DON
- I've been through worse you know.
- What the hell's in it for you
- helping me anyway?
- MICHELLE
- You're my brother.
- Michelle places her hand on his shoulder.
- MICHELLE (CONT’D)
- Because I care.
- DON
- Yeah, sure Dawn. Maybe we should go
- back so I can prove you wrong.
- He looks over at Ash.
- ASH
- Come on, Ash.
- He gives a look to Michelle.
- DON
- Now if you don't mind? I got
- security I gotta attend to.
- Don takes Ash along.
- INT. FORD MUSTANG - NIGHT
- Don drives.
- Ash sits there on her phone. She looks up.
- ASH
- Dad, why'd you do it?
- Don looks over and cocks an eyebrow.
- DON
- "Do it"?
- ASH
- Y'know? Stopping the guy. It's been
- on the news. They've been showing
- the video around in class. They
- didn't say who it was but-
- DON
- Hey.
- He looks at her.
- DON (CONT’D)
- I'm fine, that's what matters,
- alright?
- ASH
- And another thing. You never
- mentioned having a sister.
- Don shrugs at this.
- DON
- I'd rather you not hang around her.
- ASH
- I mean other than being a prissy
- rich asshole, she doesn't seem that
- bad.
- DON
- That's the problem. She's a prissy
- rich asshole who thinks she grew up
- in fucking Beverly Hills.
- ASH
- You normally this resentful talking
- about family?
- Don just looks forward.
- DON
- Let's just go home, alright? We'll
- talk about this later. I got a job
- to get to and you got class in the
- morning.
- ASH
- Stop fucking treating me like a
- kid, dad!
- Don rolls his eyes.
- DON
- Maybe you should act like a damn
- adult then.
- EXT. APARTMENT PARKING LOT - NIGHT
- The Mustang pulls up to the apartment.
- INT. FORD MUSTANG - NIGHT
- DON
- Make sure you do the dishes,
- alright? I gotta get to work.
- ASH
- Yeah, yeah, sure dad.
- Don shakes his head and drives to work into the night.
- INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
- The door to the conex box closes behind him.
- Don stands there.
- MATTHEWS
- Now that we're all on the same
- page...
- Matthews shoots a look to Don and motions to Conrad.
- MATTHEWS (CONT’D)
- Keep an eye on Mr. Paulsen.
- Don looks back at Conrad and gives him a scowl.
- Conrad nods at Matthews.
- CONRAD
- Yes, sir.
- MATTHEWS
- Good work tonight gents, we'll be
- back it tomorrow. Hooah?
- Don still carries a look of confusion and fear in his eyes.
- CONRAD
- Hooah.
- CHAVEZ
- Hooah.
- DON
- Hooah.
- CARTER
- Hooah.
- Don walks out into
- EXT. WAREHOUSE PARKING LOT - NIGHT
- The rain pours down. Don steps out, walks to his car, and
- starts undoing his plate carrier.
- Conrad walks behind him.
- Don walks over to his car.
- CONRAD
- Paulsen.
- Don opens the trunk to his mustang and puts his plate carrier
- in it.
- CONRAD (CONT’D)
- PAULSEN!
- DON
- WHAT?! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!
- Don raises his arms at him in anger.
- Conrad glares at him.
- CONRAD
- Keep your fucking voice down, you
- trying to get these guys on your
- ass Paulsen?
- Conrad puts his hands up.
- CONRAD (CONT’D)
- I'm trying not to do what he says
- you fucking idiot.
- Don gets into the driver's seat of his car.
- CONRAD (CONT’D)
- Let's talk.
- INT. FORD MUSTANG - NIGHT
- Don gets into his car and unlocks the door.
- Conrad gets in next to him.
- CONRAD
- You should've said no to that
- offer, Paulsen.
- DON
- Oh, now you tell me. What happened
- to you?
- Conrad looks down.
- CONRAD
- It's complicated-
- DON
- Kids in shipping containers?
- Complicated? Killing the dude who
- got your ass out of, oh I dunno...
- He starts counting on his fingers.
- DON (CONT’D)
- One, two, three, four- EIGHT
- FUCKING BINDS?!
- CONRAD
- The last guy was one of ours back
- in the day.
- Don leans back.
- DON
- And I'm supposed to care, why?
- CONRAD
- It was Cho.
- DON
- (muttering)
- Fuck.
- CONRAD
- I got a plan, but I need you with
- me, not against me.
- DON
- Okay, Dutch. Does this plan involve
- Tahiti?
- CONRAD
- Jesus, still a smart ass after all
- these fuckin' years ain't you?
- DON
- Not much has changed.
- Conrad opens the door.
- CONRAD
- Keep your head down. When the time
- comes, you'll know.
- Conrad gets out and closes the door behind him.
- Don sighs and sits back.
- DON
- Motherfucker.
- He starts his
- CUT TO:
- INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
- Don comes into his apartment and turns the light on.
- He looks at the kitchen sink.
- There's still dirty dishes in it.
- DON
- Ah, damn it.
- He goes into her room. She's sleeping.
- DON (CONT’D)
- You actually asleep?
- No response.
- Don rolls his eyes. He goes into the kitchen and starts
- washing dishes.
- During this, Ash comes out.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Ash, I told you to clean these-
- Come on.
- She yawns.
- ASH
- Fuck, slipped my mind, sorry. I had
- homework.
- Don sighs.
- DON
- There's gonna be a time where I'm
- not gonna be here, you know that
- right?
- ASH
- Well, if it's any consolation, I
- found this.
- She takes out a Gameboy Advanced SP from her front pocket.
- Don's eyes widen. He stops cleaning the dishes and dries his
- hands on his jeans.
- He opens it up and looks at the cartridge in it.
- DON
- (softly)
- Sweetie, was there a charger with
- it?
- Don reaches out for it.
- ASH
- Five dollars.
- DON
- You fuckin' serious?
- ASH
- No.
- She smirks at him then passes it.
- Don takes out the cartridge.
- DON
- Pokemon Sapphire...
- His eyes look down.
- ASH
- Can I have it, dad?
- Don looks down. His gaze goes blank.
- IND PERSON 1 (O.S.)
- Can I have it? I'll give it back.
- He shakes his head.
- DON
- Yeah, sure Ash- Not a uh...
- Problem. You can have it.
- A knock at the door. The clock on the microwave reads,
- "12:00".
- Don reaches into the side of his waistband and takes out his
- Colt Defender.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Ash, get away from the door.
- ASH
- Dad?
- Don gets in front of her and keeps his gun trained at the
- door.
- DON
- Who's there?!
- IND PERSON 2 (O.S.)
- Delivery service.
- The footsteps move away from the door.
- Don keeps the gun against the door and looks through the
- peephole.
- He looks into it. A figure wearing jeans and a hoodie runs
- down the staircase.
- Don opens the door, his weapon aimed forward.
- A yellow envelope sits on the ground below.
- Don holsters his gun and takes it.
- DON
- Ash-
- Don stops. He opens the envelope.
- Pictures of Ash going into class appear. They all carry red
- Xes on them.
- More photos appear as he looks through them.
- ASH
- Dad, what is it?
- DON
- Fuck.
- Don's eyes widen.
- ASH
- Dad? Talk to me!
- Ash looks at him with concern.
- Don goes into his room and closes the door behind him.
- DON'S ROOM
- Don sits at his desk and dumps out the pictures in front of
- him.
- He places his hands on his head as he starts to look through
- all of them.
- DON
- Oh, no. No, no, no...
- He lays them all out.
- The photos are all time stamped with the Don and Ash's
- routine. Ash works on her car in one photo.
- In another, Don is out on a run.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Fuck.
- Don buries his head in his hands.
- DON (CONT’D)
- (whispering)
- I can't fucking help them- But I
- can get Ash out of this. I die,
- they have nothing and no one to
- leverage anymore...
- Don takes his gun out of his waistband and puts it to the
- side of his skull. Tears roll down his eyes.
- He takes a deep breath then-
- A knock at the door.
- ASH (O.S.)
- Dad?
- Don exhales and puts the gun back on the table. His eyes
- widen.
- DON
- (muttering)
- Oh god, I almost blew my head off.
- Don looks at the door.
- DON (CONT’D)
- Y-Yeah, sweetheart?
- ASH
- There's still food in the fridge if
- you were looking for it.
- DON
- I'll uh... I'll be out there in a
- sec.
- ASH
- You need me to call the cops?
- Don stops and takes a moment.
- DON
- I don't think they'll be able to
- help us, Ash.
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