Characters:
Zeta/Zee (Diedrich Bader)
Ro (Julie Nathanson)
Agent Bennett (Kurtwood Smith)
Agent Rush (Erica Alexander)
Ro’s Brother (Chris Hardwick)
Social Worker (Lisa Edelstein)
Macy’s Mother (Tress McNeille)
Larry Lux (Sam McMurray)
Macy (Tara Strong)
Skye Hoapes (Cree Summer)
NOTE: This is NOT an official script. This is merely a transcript dressed up like one. (If you want to send me a real script however, my address is 139...) As always, The Zeta Project is copyright Robert Goodman, Warner Brothers Entertainment, Atomic Studios, Kids WB!, YTV, Cartoon Network LA, and anyone else who isn’t me.
[The episode title appears and then fades over a view of a futurist magway. The scene zooms in to the inside of a Groundwire, where RO is sitting at a terminal with HER BROTHER. RO has out his picture.]
RO
I mean, this whole thing’s been freaky.
I didn’t even remember I had a brother until I got this.
[She puts down the photo.]
RO’S BROTHER
I remembered you. I, I even looked for
you. You were moving around so much, no wonder I couldn’t
find you.
RO
But you looked.
RO’S BROTHER
Of course! You’re part of my life Ro.
When someone you care about is taken away from you, imagine
how much it must hurt.
RO
Okay, that got much to sappy. Switch back.
[RO’S BROTHER transforms back into ZEE.]
ZEE
Didn’t you like it?
RO
[She turns away.] At first. But any brother of mine would
be so much cooler than that.
[She gets out of her chair and leans on the computer they are sitting next to.]
RO
Anyway, back to the real guy?
[ZEE taps into the computer with that spiffy wire thing that comes out of his wrist.]
ZEE
We should scan the national care records
for any boys with your last name. We might be able to
find-
[The scene cuts to a river running through a large city. It zooms in to a Social Service office. ZEE and RO sit across the desk from a social worker.]
RO
-a guy named Casey Rowan? According to
the net, he was in a foster home here in Twin Cities a
few years ago. The system has stopped tracking him when
he was eighteen, ‘cause that was the last info we could
get. He’d be about twenty now.
SOCIAL WORKER (GWEN)
And what about you? You’re obviously underage
and you’re wandering around on your own. What’ll I find
out if I type your name in here?
[RO and ZEE look at each other.]
RO
Look, I know I took a risk coming here,
but I need your help. I’m supposed to be living in a girls’
home in Maryland, but they weren’t exactly nice people
and I really don’t want to go back. I have a family out
there, my OWN family, and the home wasn’t going to help
me find it. I’m hoping you will.
SOCIAL WORKER
Okay. I’ll give it a shot. If we can find
your family it’d be better than going back to the home
anyway. But I wanna warn you: our computers were hit hard
by a virus last fall. A lot of our records were lost.
[She searches the records.] Yeah, I couldn’t even tell
you what family he was with. I’m sorry.
RO
I knew it couldn’t be that easy.
[ZEE puts an arm around her shoulders.]
SOCIAL WORKER
You know there’s someone else who can
help.
[The scene cuts to the outside of a television studio- KWMS. A couple publicity posters sit on the side of the building.
RO (voiceover)
A vid studio?
[The shot moves to the main walkway within the compound. ZEE and RO walk side by side.]
RO
Are you sure this is the address Gwen
gave us?
ZEE
I’m sure. She said: (in SOCIAL WORKER’s
voice) 3880 Lexington way. Building 43, ask for Harry
Lux. (In his regular voice) This is the place.
RO
Ask a robot a question...
[A scream is heard. They look over to see an apartment type building on fire with a BLONDE WOMAN trapped on the third floor.]
BLONDE WOMAN
Aaaaaa! Help! Somebody! Aaaaaa! Somebody
please help me! Get me out of here!
[A team of FIREFIGHTERS move in.]
BLONDE WOMAN
Get me out! Get me out of there!
[There is a large explosion on the second floor.]
FIREFIGHTER #1
It’s too hot. I can’t get close!
FIREFIGHTER #2
Bring him in!
FIREFIGHTER #3
Pull him up!
[He is pulled back into the fire truck. ZEE uses his laser to detach a ladder from a nearby building. He grabs it and runs to the burning building.]
RO
Zee, wait!
[He brushes by some FIREFIGHTERS and puts it against that building.]
ZEE
Excuse me.
FIREFIGHTER #4
Huh? Who’s that?
FIREFIGHTER #5
What is he doing?
[ZEE climbs that ladder and rescues the woman.]
ZEE
I’ve got you.
DIRECTOR
Cut, cut! The shot’s ruined!
BLONDE WOMAN
What are you doing?
[She pushes him away. A buzzer rings, and the flames are extinguishes to reveal a chubby F/X guy with a flame maker.]
DIRECTOR
Will somebody get that wannabe off my
set?
STAGE MANAGER
Alright people, back to one. Reset effects.
ZEE
[Somewhat confused] Sorry?
BLONDE WOMAN
Oh sure, it’s just another take in this
smoke. I didn’t need a complexion.
[ZEE climbs down the ladder and looks at the director apologetically.]
RO
Heh, yeah, sorry about that. He, he’s
new on this planet. [They walk away] Okay, lesson two
million: this is a vid studio. Everything is fake!
ZEE
It... seemed real...
RO
It’s like I have to teach you everything.
C’mon, building 43 should be right around here.
[They approach a studio with a picture of a young African-American woman with the caption "Skye’s The Limit. A middle-aged man exits the studio door.]
RO
‘Skye’s The Limit’?
HARRY
Rosalie, Harry Lux. Talk about cutting
it close: you just made it! C’mon!
RO
Just made it for what?
HARRY
We’re right in here.
[HARRY leads them into the studio.]
HARRY
Gwen was right, your look is perfect!
Invokes instant pity.
RO
Thanks. I guess. This is my friend Zee.
HARRY
Yeah, yeah, nice to meet ya. [Ignoring
Zee.] I was floored when I heard your story. We are gonna
do everything we can to help.
ZEE
And what exactly is that?
HARRY
Don’t you guys know Skye?
RO
Uh, we’re from out of town.
HARRY
Well she’s got the biggest show in Twin
Cities and reunions are our hottest bits. We’ve been reuniting
loved ones for two seasons now.
RO
Wait up. A talk show? I can’t do-
HARRY
Just watch.
[They approach the edge of the set. SKYE is sitting across from MACY, a young girl.]
MACY
The storm destroyed our whole town. A
lot of us were relocated to shelters and whole families
got separated.
AUDIENCE
Awww...
MACY
I heard some people got head injuries
and forgot stuff. I figured that’s what happened to my
mom.
SKYE
Yeah. And how old were you when this happened?
MACY
I was six.
SKYE
Six years old. Well Macy, we did some
research and that’s exactly what happened to your
mom. She didn’t remember a thing for close to a year-
not even her own name. She’s been searching for you ever
since. Gang, we have a special treat for Macy right now.
Let’s bring her out!
[A middle aged woman closely resembling MACY enters from the left wing and joins them on the set.]
MACY
Mom?
MACY’S MOTHER
It’s me baby.
[The audience awws and applauds. RO watches with mixed emotions from the wings.]
RO
Dang...
SKYE
We’re gonna give these two some time to
get reacquainted. So that’s it for today! Tune in next
time when we make the dream of a family reunion come true
for-
[The studio cameras focus in on RO.]
SKYE
-this girl, Rosalie Rowen.
RO
What?!
SKYE
So ‘til then, remember, the-
AUDIENCE
Skye’s The Limit!!
STAGE MANAGER
And, we’re out.
[The studio lights dim. RO turns to face HARRY.]
RO
What the heck was that?! I never agreed
to be on this show!
HARRY
Hey, chill. Everyone wants to be on ‘Skye’s
the Limit.’
RO
Not me! My face can’t be on the air!
HARRY
Well, too late, it’s a live feed. C’mon,
what’s the big deal?
[The scene cut to the NSA building. AGENT RUSH and AGENT BENNETT are standing in a communication center.]
RUSH
We got a hit. Twin Cities, Minnesota.
‘Skye’s The Limit’ show.
[She plugs in a tape and a clip from earlier plays.]
SKYE (on monitor)
We’re gonna give these two some time
to get reacquainted. So that’s it for today! Tune in next
time when we make the dream of a family reunion come true
for-
[The studio cameras focus in on RO.]
SKYE (on monitor)
-this girl, Rosalie Rowen.
RUSH
According to the vid, she’ll be back on
the show tomorrow.
BENNETT
Then we’ll be there too.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[The scene shifts back to the television studio. RO is still aghast at what has happened.]
HARRY
Hold it, don’t leave so soon. Wait up!
[A camera zooms in] While you’re here, let’s get a promo
shot.
RO
I’m about to give you a promo shot.
C’mon Zee, let’s beat it.
[SKYE notices the commotion and heads over to RO.]
SKYE
Is there a problem?
RO
Not anymore. We are out of here!
SKYE
Harry?
HARRY
Turns out the kid’s camera shy.
SKYE
[Chasing after them.] W, wait. I’m sorry.
I thought everything was already arranged, that you knew
why you were here.
ZEE
We were told you could help find Ro’s
brother.
SKYE
And we can! We’re experts at this. We
have researchers across the country. Right Harry?
HARRY
You said it.
SKYE
Look, I know it can be scary, putting
yourself in front of all those people. But think of what
you have to gain. Isn’t it worth the risk?
[RO looks over at MACY and HER MOTHER. The scene cuts to ZEE and RO standing on a bridge at night.]
RO
I can’t do it. We should have blown this
town already. If I show my face on that show tomorrow,
Bennett’ll be all over me.
ZEE
That’s no reason to stop. I can hide ‘til
the coast is clear.
RO
Don’t you get it? There is no ‘ ‘til the
coast is clear.’ Once Bennett gets his sights on me he’ll
be watching me day and night, hoping I’ll lead to you.
We’ll never be able to see each other again.
ZEE
[Pause.] I would miss you, but I can’t
stand in the way. This is your chance to find your family,
Ro. You wouldn’t have to run anymore.
RO
But-
ZEE
You have to do this.
[They embrace. ZEE looks up at the moon in sadness. They let go and RO wipes her eyes.]
RO
You suck, you know that?
ZEE
Suck?
RO
Forget it.
[The scene cut to the next day at the television studio. SKYE is walking to her set accompanied by a production assistant.]
SKYE
...and remind me to talk to Harry about
our signals. Putting Ro on the air like was a bad mistake.
[She notices RO waiting for them.]
SKYE
We’ll finish later. [The P.A leaves] You
came back!
RO
Figured I’ll go for it.
SKYE
I was sure you’d do it. And Ro, I have
great news. I had Harry start the team looking yesterday
and he told me this morning. We found him! We found Casey!
RO
My brother?
SKYE
He’ll be here for today’s show.
RO
I, I can’t believe it. You guys are amazing.
SKYE
I’m just glad we can help. C’mon, I’ll
take you to makeup.
[They head inside the studio. The camera pans back to reveal that ZEE has been watching them from behind a piece of equipment. He smiles sadly.]
ZEE
Goodbye Ro.
MACY (v.o.)
You’re a liar!
HARRY (v.o.)
Now, now, settle down. There’s no need
to get emotional.
[ZEE peers around the truck to see MACY arguing with HARRY. The young girl is being held by the SOCIAL WORKER from earlier in the episode.]
MACY
That lady wasn’t my mom! She was just
an actress. Even her freckles were fake!
HARRY
Best we could do on short notice.
[ZEE is stunned.]
MACY
But what’s going to happen to me now?
SOCIAL WORKER
Oh, pipe down. You got to spend a nice
night in a hotel. Not a bad break from the foster home.
Now be grateful and get back in the car.
[MACY grudgingly obliges.]
SOCIAL WORKER
You’ll cover the hotel, right?
HARRY
You bet. Plus your usual fee, of course.
Should have seen the ratings. Great shape. Oh good, I
see the new girl came back, Rosalie. She’s all set you
today’s show. You want her when we’re done, right?
SOCIAL WORKER
Yeah. I spoke to that girls’ home down
in Maryland and they’re coming for her. I might even get
a few creds from the State.
ZEE
Ro...
HARRY
Talking money from both sides. A woman
after my own heart.
SOCIAL WORKER
I’ll drop this one off and then come after
Ro.
[She gets in the car. MACY is fighting back tears.]
SOCIAL WORKER
Do you ever find them? The real families,
I mean.
HARRY
Ah, we stopped looking early on. Wasn’t
worth the cost.
[The SOCIAL WORKER drives away. HARRY heads back to the studio, but walks into ZEE. The android grabs his shirt and pick him up.]
ZEE
You’re a liar! You lied to that girl and
you’re lying to Ro now!
HARRY
Wha, hey, hands off. Whatever you thought
you heard, you heard wrong. We’re doing a legitimate show
here.
[ZEE lets him go and starts heading off.]
ZEE
I’m getting Ro out of here. You never
even looked for her brother!
HARRY
Okay, okay, but wait up. You got me. Guilty
as charged! But you don’t know the pressure I am under.
The constant deadlines.
ZEE
I don’t care. I won’t let you hurt my
friend.
[HARRY spies a couple of workers loading things into a truck.]
HARRY
You’re right. Let me take you to her.
She’d be right over here in the makeup trailer.
ZEE
Are you sure this is the right-
[He leads ZEE into the truck and then locks the door behind him.]
ZEE
Hey! Let me out!
HARRY
Take this lunk for a ride, a long ride,
and convince him not to come back.
[The truck starts up and pulls away from the studio. The boxes in the back fall on ZEE as it drives. ZEE uses his wrist saw to slice through the back doors. They fly open, almost throwing him to the pavement. Dropping him hologram, ZETA manages to grab one of the doors and shut them from the outside. The ladder he is clinging to begins to give way and his feet drag on the ground. He climbs up the tuck and drops down into the cab. The driver lets go of the wheel in shock and surprise, and the truck plummets over the meridian into the water.]
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[ZETA pulls the driver out of the cab and grabs the railguard with his spiffy extendo-reach arms. He sits him up against the side and then loads up his hologram. ZEE begins to run back down the highway to the studio. The scene cuts back to the ‘Skye’s The Limit’ show]
SKYE
From the sound of it, you’ve been on the
move a lot.
RO
You don’t know the half of it.
SKYE
It must have been terrible out in the
world alone; no one to share your joys and sorrows with.
RO
It was rough sometimes, but I wasn’t exactly
alone. I made one really good friend.
[HARRY and the SOCIAL WORKER are shown in the wings. The SOCIAL WORKER holds up a pair of handcuffs.]
SOCIAL WORKER
Brought these in case she puts up a fight
SKYE
Well Rosalie Rowen, your wandering has
ended. Let’s bring out Ro’s brother!
[The audience cheers. A blond guy who looks a lot like RO but nothing like the pictures enters the set. AGENT BENNETT and his team move in silently at the back of the audience.]
SKYE
Just look at them, gang. Ro and Casey
haven’t seen each other since they were little kids, but
can’t you instantly feel the connection?
[RO raises an eyebrow. BENNETT check them with his visor, to notice that all three are human.]
BENNETT
Hold your position. Wait for a positive
ID on the synthoid.
RO
Casey?
RO’S "BROTHER"
It’s me Rosalie. Ha, can’t believe it’s
you.
SKYE
Casey, tell us where you were when you
got our call.
RO’S "BROTHER"
Honestly? I was still asleep. It was really
early.
[The audience laughs. RO fishes her photo out of her pocket. She compares the two.]
RO
Your... hair used to be different.
RO’S "BROTHER"
[Pause.] Yeah, I... dyed. My girlfriend
likes it blond.
RO
Your whole face is different...
HARRY
She has a photo? No one told me she had
a photo!
[Outside, ZEE has finally reached the studio. He runs past a couple of stagehands.]
STAGEHAND
Hey!
[ZEE knocks him over and barrels through the door. Back on the set, RO is still suspicious of her "BROTHER".]
SKYE
What must have gone though your head when
you heard we had Ro here?
RO’S "BROTHER"
After the coffee? [The audience laughs
again.] That I could finally be completed. Nothing ever
felt right without my kid sis.
RO
Are you sure this guy’s my brother? I’m
not getting the Rowan vibe off of him.
ZEE
Ro!
[He runs into the studio. BENNETT watches has he runs past the stage manager onto the set.]
STAGE MANAGER
Whoa, you can’t to that!
ZEE
Ro, he’s a fake! The whole show’s a fake!
They’re planning to send you back to the girls’ home!
SKYE
What?
RO’S "BROTHER"
Wait a second, I don’t understand. You
guys aren’t actors too?
SKYE
[Angrily]Harry, what’s going on?
BENNETT
Move in! Now!
[NSA agents come out from the audience.]
BENNETT
Fire!
[They catch ZEE with a bunch of electrified ropes. ZEE drops his hologram and drops to the floor. SKYE and RO’S "BROTHER" react in surprise to the appearance of the synthoid. RO jumps one of the agents, but is grabbed from behind by AGENT RUSH.]
RO
Let go of me!
SKYE
Stop! What are you doing?
BENNETT
This is federal business. Stay out of
the way.
[RO breaks away from RUSH. She drops a lighting set on the ropes, disabling their electric charge. ZEE grabs RO, and the escape through a skylight.]
BENNETT
Outside! After them!
RANDOM AGENT
Move it!
[ZEE and RO climb off the roof and head to an other set.]
ZEE
This way!
[The NSA agents run past the firefighters from earlier. After they leave, one leaves the group to reveal ZETA and RO on his back. They run in the opposite direction from BENNETT. The scene cuts back to ‘Skye’s The Limit.’]
HARRY
All things considered, that was a great
show.
SKYE
[Pause.] You’re fired Harry.
RO’S "BROTHER"
Do I still get paid?
[The scene cuts to a bus station on the edge of town. ZEE and RO are watching one of those mini-TVs.]
SKYE (on monitor)
I was shocked to learn what was going
on. I got into this business to help people. Harry
Lux and the social worker he was working with are both
going to jail. And I want every kid we’ve wrong to come
back on the show so we can make things right.
RO
Well, at least some good came of all this.
ZEE
I’m sorry we didn’t find your brother,
Ro.
RO
Know what, tin man? For now anyway, you’re
all the family I need.
[She leans in on his shoulder. ZEE smiles happily.]
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[And now, that special part of the episode we all love- random 20th century items! This episode: a telephone.]
ZEE
This is what a telephone looked like at
the turn of the century, but I haven’t been able to figure
out what the cord is for.
RO
Hunh. Must have been so they didn’t lose
it.
ZEE
You’re probably right.