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Character Listing for Part 8

CLOUD STRIFE

BARRET WALLACE

TIFA LOCKHEART

AERIS GAINSBOROUGH

RED XIII

YUFFIE KISARGI

CAIT SITH

RUFUS

REEVE

HEIDEGGER

PALMER

REPAIRMAN

OPERATOR

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

DIO’S ASSISTANT

SECURITY OFFICER

SECURITY GUARD

EMPLOYEE

WOUNDED CIVILIAN

SOLDIER

PRISONER

ARMY CAPTAIN

THUG #1

THUG #2

THUG #3

THUG #4

DIO

DYNE

GATTA

ELEANOR
Set Listing for Part 8

Interiors

SHINRA TOWER - CONFERENCE ROOM

SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

ROPEWAY TRAM

GOLD SAUCER - RAILWAY STATION

GOLD SAUCER - STATION SQUARE

GOLD SAUCER - GHOST SQUARE

GOLD SAUCER - WONDER SQUARE

GOLD SAUCER - CHOCOBO SQUARE

GOLD SAUCER - BATTLE SQUARE

GOLD SAUCER - BOILER ROOM

GOLD SAUCER - DIO’S OFFICE

GOLD SAUCER - ELEVATOR

GOLD SAUCER - PRISON CELLS

GHOST HOTEL - LOBBY

GHOST HOTEL - HALLWAY

GHOST HOTEL - ROOM 4A

GHOST HOTEL - GUEST ROOM

BATTLE SQUARE - BATTLE ARENA

DESERT PRISON - HUT

PIPE

Exteriors

COREL - RAIL TRAM PORT

DESERT PRISON - STREETS

DESERT PRISON - FREEDOM SQUARE

DESERT PRISON - CLIFF EDGE

DESERT PRISON - JUNK YARD

Part 8: My Lucky Color is Blue

FADE IN

INT. SHINRA TOWER - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

REEVE sits in one of the chairs beaten. His face isn’t too bruised but his nose has begun to bleed. The two SHINRA SOLDIERS continue to prevent Reeve from going anywhere.

SHINRA SOLDIER #22

(into his radio)

Yes, sir.

(to the other soldier)

He’s here.

REEVE

Who is? Rufus?

A few beats; then the door opens and RUFUS along with HEIDEGGER enters. Rufus jokingly smiles at the sight of Reeve.

RUFUS

Reeve, my “loyal” executive, greetings.

REEVE

(standing up)

Rufus, I demand to know what is going on here. You have my two military escorts bring me here and tell them to violently abuse me.

RUFUS

You’re quite right. Be thankful that you’re still alive.

REEVE

What are you saying?

Rufus smiles and he and Heidegger sit down at the conference table.

HEIDEGGER

Please do sit, Reeve.

Reeve cautiously sits down at the table.

RUFUS

We’re beginning to question where your loyalty lies.

REEVE

I’ve always been loyal to Shinra.

RUFUS

Then why? Why neglect the President?

REEVE

What do you mean?

HEIDEGGER

You weren’t in Junon for the ceremony. What does that say to the world?

REEVE

(angered)

This is bullshit! Hojo or Palmer weren’t there either!

RUFUS

Hojo had a legitimate excuse. He is on the trail of Sephiroth…along with the Turks. And Palmer isn’t officially an executive. We’ve disbanded out space program for quite some time now.

REEVE

I was in the slums surveying the damage we caused.

RUFUS

Who gave that order?

Reeve is speechless.

HEIDEGGER

Speak!

REEVE

(defeated)

I did.

RUFUS

That’s right and what did I tell you about the Sector 7 Slums?

REEVE

You said that it was a waste because we weren’t rebuilding.

RUFUS

Then why survey the damage, Reeve?

REEVE

(defensive)

Because I disagree with your decision. I think we should rebuild. Shinra can’t put all it money into a plan to reach the Promised Land which we don’t even know exists.

HEIDEGGER

You are speaking the President of Shinra, Reeve. Show some respect!

Rufus calms Heidegger down with a hand gesture.

RUFUS

Tell me Reeve, were you loyal to my father?

REEVE

I’m loyal to all of Shinra.

RUFUS

Prove it then. If you prove to me that you aren’t some money-grumbling moron, I won’t kill you.

REEVE

Kill me?

RUFUS

Yes that’s right. The law does say that to rebel against the president of Shinra will spell your death via execution.

REEVE

No it doesn’t!

RUFUS

Now it does.

Rufus smiles.

RUFUS

(CONT.)

Are we understood? Show me you’re executive material and keep your damn mind focused.

REEVE

(determined)

Yes sir.

(BEAT)

I love my position here and I’ll prove to Shinra that I am valuable.

RUFUS

(smiles)

Good. You do that.

(BEAT)

And now…you’re free to go.

Reeve gets up, buttons his jacket, and leaves the conference room.

HEIDEGGER

I still think we should keep our eyes on him.

RUFUS

I agree. Get in touch with the Turks. I want a status report.

HEIDEGGER

Yes, sir.

EXT. COREL - RAIL TRAM PORT - DUSK

CLOUD, BARRET, AERIS, TIFA, YUFFIE, and RED XIII all wait in the Corel port for the tram to get ready to take them to Gold Saucer. A REPAIRMAN is there fixing a gear counsel.

TIFA

We’ve been here all day!

(to repairman)

Are you done yet?

The repairman flips a switch and the gears in the box begin to spin.

REPAIRMAN

Now I am.

He wipes the grease off his hands and gets up.

CLOUD

What was wrong with it?

REPAIRMAN

Looked like sabotage to me. Stuff like that just doesn’t happen by itself.

AERIS

Who could have sabotaged the tram?

Aeris looks at Cloud and immediately gets an idea of who it was. The repairman walks to the group.

BARRET

How much is it?

REPAIRMAN

Job like that…I’d say about 250.

Barret looks at Cloud. Cloud nods and Barret gives the repairman a pouch of cash.

REPAIRMAN

(stashing the cash)

Thanks.

(BEAT)

Say, aint you the guy everyone in this town talk about?

BARRET

What guy?

REPAIRMAN

Yeah I think you are that guy. A lot of people hate you here.

BARRET

(irritated)

Thanks, I know.

REPAIRMAN

Hey man, I don’t care what you did or didn’t do. I moved here from Midgar. It’s good business being the only repair guy in town.

CLOUD

Thanks for the help.

REPAIRMAN

You bet.

The repairman leaves. A few beats; then the group heads toward the tram.

YUFFIE

So who did sabotage our passage? Those Turk guys?

RED XIII

Perhaps it was him?

YUFFIE

Who?

TIFA

You’ve got a lot of catchin’ up to do, Yuffie.

The team boards the tram.

OPERATOR (OS)

Tram departing!

The OPERATOR flips a lever and the tram’s propellers begin to spin.

INT. ROPEWAY TRAM - NIGHT

The party, except Cloud, all sits on the cushioned bench that lines the interior of the tram. Barret is still extremely depressed as he watches the tram start to move up the ropeway.

TIFA

(comforting)

Barret, you gotta’ cheer up.

BARRET

Just leave me alone.

Cloud walks to the window and looks out.

CLOUD

Sephiroth must know that we’re after him. Who else could have sabotaged those controls?

AERIS

The Turks?

RED XIII

I doubt that, Aeris.

(MORE)

RED XIII

(CONT.)

Don’t you think we would have heard something back in Corel?

CLOUD

He’s right. It could only be Sephiroth.

YUFFIE

Again, who’s Sephiroth!?

Cloud sighs.

TIFA

Long story. But in short, he’s the guy we’re after.

YUFFIE

(sarcastically)

What’d he do to deserve people like us?

AERIS

Is ‘wiping out the world’ a good enough answer?

A beat.

YUFFIE

I see.

BOOM! A huge thundering burst nearly rocks the tram. Startled everyone looks out the window and sees that fireworks are exploding all over the place. In the midst of all the color is Gold Saucer, a huge gold-colored amusement complex that resembles a stem with five mushroom-like branches.

TIFA

(surprised)

That’s Gold Saucer!?

CLOUD

Yeah.

AERIS

Isn’t it beautiful?

RED XIII

Will they welcome my species there? I’d very much like to see this place.

CLOUD

I’m sure they will. Gold Saucer is the place to find the most bizarre creatures on the planet.

AERIS

Is this place run by Shinra?

CLOUD

(smiling)

Nope. It’s Shinra-free.

Aeris grins widely. Barret still sits there depressed.

AERIS

(gazing out the window)

The place is enormous! Can we even find Sephiroth?

CLOUD

We’re going to have to try.

(BEAT)

Now come on, we’re about to dock.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - RAILWAY STATION - NIGHT

The tram docks through a tunnel resembling a giant pink moogle. The station is brightly lit up. The doors of the tram open and the part gets out. They look at the place in amazement.

TIFA

This place is incredible!

Cloud walks up to the front counter next to the complex’s main entrance. There waiting is the EMPLOYEE.

EMPLOYEE

Can I help you folks?

CLOUD

Yeah, we’re looking to get in to Gold Saucer.

EMPLOYEE

Well you’re here. How many of you are there?

CLOUD

Six.

EMPLOYEE

Six-hundred gil then.

TIFA

(shocked)

Six-hundred! Isn’t that a bit steep?

EMPLOYEE

I don’t make the rules, lady. That’s all up to Dio.

Cloud pulls out his envelope of money and pulls the rest of the cash out. He hands it to the man.

EMPLOYEE

(counting the money)

Alright then.

(BEAT)

Welcome to Gold Saucer!

CLOUD

Thank you.

EMPLOYEE

Enjoy your stay. The railway will be waiting.

Cloud nods and the party proceeds into--

INT. GOLD SAUCER - STATION SQUARE - NIGHT

The Gold Saucer Station Square is a small round yellow room that has access to all of the complex’s activity squares. The doors to the other squares are circles connected to a tube transport system. There are six circular passageways. Each of them has the name of the square they lead to above it. The squares are, Chocobo Square, Wonder Square, Ghost Square, Event Square, Speed Square, Battle Square, and Station Square.

RED XIII

This is it?

AERIS

(looking at the circular doors)

I guess we go through those.

TIFA

So where do you want to go?

AERIS

We should do something fun while we’re here. Barret needs some cheering up.

BARRET

I aint in no cheery mood. So ‘jes leave me alone.

CLOUD

Can we just drop this?

AERIS

Sure, but we’re going to go play.

BARRET

So fucking play already! Don’t forget we’re after Sephiroth!

Barret runs and jumps into the Ghost Square passage.

YUFFIE

Where’s he going?

TIFA

Probably to look for a drink.

CLOUD

Alright enough of this! It’s obvious that Barret has a lot on his mind. We all do, but we shouldn’t lose our focus. Sephiroth is somewhere inside and I’m going to find him.

AERIS

How? This place is enormous!

RED XIII

She’s right. It could days to find one man in a black cloak.

Cloud sighs.

CLOUD

We should all split up then. Unfortunately, Barret has the other PHS.

RED XIII

We’ll get it.

YUFFIE

It’s not like you’ll be able to use it.

RED XIII

(sarcastically)

Very funny.

CLOUD

Fine! Red, you and Yuffie go find Barret.

YUFFIE

Roger!

TIFA

Then the rest of us look for Sephiroth?

CLOUD

Right. Aeris will go with me. I can’t risk her being alone here especially of Sephiroth is lurking around.

AERIS

I can handle myself.

CLOUD

Not against Sephiroth.

Aeris sighs with a hint of anger.

TIFA

It’s settled then?

Cloud nods.

REX XIII

Then come on Yuffie.

Yuffie smiles and her and Red XIII jump in the passage leading to the Ghost Square.

CLOUD

(to Tifa)

We’ll meet in the Ghost Square.

TIFA

Why there?

CLOUD

I’m told that there’s a hotel there for traveling customers.

TIFA

Alright then, fine with me. What should I do if I find Sephiroth?

CLOUD

Keep an eye on him and follow him wherever he goes. Don’t start a confrontation.

TIFA

Go it.

Tifa goes and jumps in the Chocobo Square passage.

CLOUD

(to Aeris)

Let’s go.

AERIS

(sarcastically)

Yes, master.

They walk and jump into the Wonder Square passage.

INT. SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - NIGHT

RUFUS

Do you have it?

Rufus sits at his desk. PALMER is there and stands in front of him with a folder.

PALMER

(holding out the folder to Rufus)

Yes. This has everything. From birth to the present everything this guy did is there.

Rufus opens the folder and looks at it.

CLOSE UP on the black and white photograph on the front page. It shows a pilot with dirty blond hair and a rugged beard.

RUFUS

This is him?

PALMER

Yes. Cid Highwind. He was one of our best fighter pilots during the war with Wutai.

RUFUS

Is he not the man you and my father screwed out of being the first man in space?

Palmer is silent. A few beats; then Rufus turns the page to a picture of a huge airship.

RUFUS

I take it he is the one working on the airship for us.

PALMER

Correct Mr. President. He has borrowed money from Shinra to build it. When he has completed the ship, he will have no way of paying us back.

RUFUS

So we’ll take the ship as payment.

PALMER

Correct. Then I suggest we eliminate him to avoid and actions of vengeance.

RUFUS

How close are we to obtaining the airship?

PALMER

Close. Highwind knows he’s starting to have financial troubles.

Rufus stands up.

RUFUS

Do not eliminate him yet.

PALMER

Why not? This man has connections that could bring heavy damage to Shinra if he seeks vengeance.

RUFUS

Yes, that’s true and no doubt will most definitely want Shinra dead after we screw him over again. That airship is our passage to the Promised Land.

PALMER

So what should we do?

RUFUS

We’ll take the airship but not as payment to his debt. We take it and store it at Junon. Highwind will only get it back when he pays us back.

PALMER

Why not just kill him now then and take the ship for ourselves?

RUFUS

Because there is something else I want from this…Cid Highwind.

Rufus takes the photograph of Cid out of the folder and slides it to Palmer on the desk. He points to an airplane in the background.

RUFUS

It’s the Tiny Bronco. Highwind’s first perfect plane he ever built.

PALMER

Does it still work?

RUFUS

Of course it does.

PALMER

What do we need it for? You said yourself the airship was our key to find Promised Land.

RUFUS

In time you’ll find out. Just get me the Tiny Bronco.

(BEAT)

When Shinra takes his ship, he’ll be forced to give us the Tiny Bronco in exchange for his airship back.

PALMER

Why not just take them both and kill him?

RUFUS

Because Cid’s current residence is in Rocket Town. The town is very connected to its history. To them there are only two symbols of their existence, the Tiny Bronco and Rocket Number 26. To avoid an uprising Cid will have to give the Tiny Bronco, thus we can’t be held responsible.

PALMER

Then we kill him?

RUFUS

We kill him and take the airship for ourselves. We’ll have both of Highwind’s genius works.

PALMER

(smiling)

You should call the Turks and tell them to head for Rocket Town.

RUFUS

The Turks are busy, Palmer. If anyone kills Cid, it’ll be you.

PALMER

Why me?

RUFUS

You must understand Palmer. You killed this man’s dream to be the first man in space.

(BEAT)

You killed the dream, now you must kill the man.

PALMER

What will stop Rocket Town from becoming an enemy of Shinra?

RUFUS

They won’t dare rebel against us after we kill Cid, for after we do kill him, I’ll re-launch the Shinra Space Program with you back at its head.

Palmer smiles.

PALMER

Thank you, sir.

A beat; then

RUFUS

I’ll expect the Tiny Bronco to be ours in the coming weeks. Understood?

PALMER

Yes I understand.

(BEAT)

If I may ask, what is going on with Reeve? He’s been a close friend of mine and is now all the sudden distant.

RUFUS

(sitting back down)

Reeve is engaged in a mission to prove himself to Shinra. His life depends on it.

A few beats; then

PALMER

I see. Thank you, sir.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - GHOST SQUARE - NIGHT

Red XIII and Yuffie walk in a phony man-made graveyard in the Gold Saucer Ghost Square. Mechanical monsters and ghost pop up from under the graves as they walk. Neither Yuffie nor Red XIII are fazed.

YUFFIE

You actually think Barret is here?

RED XIII

He came this way. We all saw it.

They look ahead and see a large haunted house.

YUFFIE

What’s that?

RED XIII

It looks like a haunted house. Probably just a funhouse to scare the tourists.

YUFFIE

Barret could be inside.

RED XIII

Doing what!? Pummeling those mechanical monsters?

YUFFIE

Well it’s not like he’d be doing anything out here.

RED XIII

Fine, let’s go.

Yuffie and Red XIII walk up to the house.

INT. GHOST HOTEL - LOBBY - DAY

Inside the supposed haunted house in nothing more than the front lobby of a hotel with a haunted house theme. Yuffie and Red XIII walk inside. They scan the place and see that it’s a hotel.

YUFFIE

It’s a hotel!

RED XIII

(sarcastically)

You’re so observant.

YUFFIE

Shut up.

They look around and see the HOTEL RECEPTIONIST at a desk off to the right side. The two walk up to him.

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

Welcome to Gold Saucer’s Haunted Hotel. Can I help you?

YUFFIE

We’re looking for our friend. We think we may have checked in here earlier.

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

(pulling out his clipboard)

His name?

YUFFIE

Barret.

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

His last name?

Yuffie stops and thinks. She then leans down toward Red XIII.

YUFFIE

(whispering)

What’s his last name?

RED XIII

It’s Wallace I believe.

YUFFIE

(to receptionist)

Wallace. His name is Barret Wallace.

The receptionist checks through the names on the clipboard and sees Barret.

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

Ah. Your friend is here and it looks like he’s expecting more of you.

YUFFIE

How many more?

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

He reserved two rooms. He said he had a party of six.

YUFFIE

Thank you. What room number?

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

4A. However I can’t let you through?

YUFFIE

What? Why not?

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

He’s asked not to be disturbed until a certain time.

YUFFIE

(under her breath)

Bastard.

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

You are welcome to stay here in the lobby until it is time.

YUFFIE

Thank you.

Yuffie slides her hand forward and “accidently” knocks the man’s clipboard off the desk.

YUFFIE

Oops. I’m sorry.

The receptionist bends down to pick up the clipboard. As he does Yuffie swiftly swipes the master key from his belt without him knowing. She holds the key down and Red XIII grabs it. He conceals it in his mouth.

YUFFIE

Everything in order?

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

Yes.

YUFFIE

Okay, again I’m sorry.

Yuffie and Red XIII walk away from the desk. They watch as the receptionist sits in his chair and is about to fall asleep. They quietly walk up the stairs to the second floor.

INT. GHOST HOTEL - HALLWAY - NIGHT

Quietly the two walk the hallway on the second floor looking for rooms 4A and 4B.

YUFFIE

Got the key?

Red XIII spits the key out on the floor. Yuffie picks it up and wipes it off.

RED XIII

Why would Barret want to avoid us?

YUFFIE

You’re asking me? I just met the guy and from what I’ve seen so far, he’s an asshole. How long have you known him?

RED XIII

Only about a month. He and the others saved that maniac Hojo back at Shinra Tower.

YUFFIE

So he saved your life the first moments he knew you, eh? In my case, he tied me and treated me like some lowlife scumbag, which I’m not!

RED XIII

That’s debatable.

Yuffie groans. They continue to walk down the hallway and see room 4A.

YUFFIE

This is it.

Yuffie presses her ear against the door and listens. A few beat; then she removes her ear.

YUFFIE

Nothing. He must be asleep.

She inserts the key in the hole.

RED XIII

Be careful.

CRASH! A fake ghost falls from the ceiling. Yuffie and Red XIII yelp. After they realize it was fake they both sigh.

RED XIII

Damn thing.

YUFFIE

Can we just get inside, please?

She turns the key and slowly opens the door. Both she and Red XIII walk into --

INT. GHOST HOTEL - ROOM 4A - NIGHT

They see Barret sitting at a circular table loading heavy amounts of ammunition in his gun-arm. He glances up and sees them.

BARRET

What are you doing here!?

YUFFIE

What the hell are you doing?

BARRET

Get out!

YUFFIE

Hey, you reserved the room for all of us.

BARRET

Get out!

RED XIII

Take it easy. Let’s all calm down and figure out what’s happening.

(BEAT)

Not Barret, what are you doing?

He goes back to loading ammo in his gun-arm.

BARRET

My own people think I’m a killer. If that’s what they want, then that’s what I’ll be. I’m going to kill everyone here.

YUFFIE

Whoa! What are you saying!

RED XIII

You can’t be serious!

BARRET

You better believe it, you four-legged freak.

RED XIII

Barret this isn’t what your people want! You think murdering more innocent people will make you a hero to Corel? If anything, they will hate you more!

BARRET

What do you know about it?! Have you ever lost everyone you loved!?

RED XIII

Have I not told you anything since we’ve been together? My whole species was wiped out. I’m one of the only few of my species left. Also try having to know that your own father was a coward and he disgraced your name. You’re not the only one who has it bad.

Barret stops and drops his head. Tears develop in his eyes.

YUFFIE

Barret, it wasn’t your fault what happened. You were just trying to help your town.

BARRET

Fuck it! Who cares whose fault it was? It doesn’t matter. I’m the one who’s taking the heat!

RED XIII

You can’t be serious about shooting up the place?

BARRET

I’m going to do whatever I need to.

Barret gets up and storm out of the room. He SLAMS the door shut. A few beats; then

YUFFIE

He should never have trusted Shinra, in my opinion.

RED XIII

It’s too late for that now. We have to stop him.

YUFFIE

You honestly think he’ll shoot this place up? He’ll be killed before even getting the chance.

RED XIII

Exactly. We must save him.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - CHOCOBO SQUARE - NIGHT

Tifa walks around the brightly lit gambling center of Gold Saucer. As she walks, she carefully looks at all the people. Many television monitors are on showing sporting events. However most are occupied by the chocobo races. She stops walking and walks up to the bar.

BARTENDER #3

Looking for something?

TIFA

Yeah. You see a big guy walking around dressed in a black cloak?

BARTENDER #3

Can’t say that I have. I also can’t say that I haven’t. Lots of people come through here. I don’t got time to remember all of ‘em.

Tifa sighs.

TIFA

Alright thanks.

She walks away. Meanwhile near the entrance of square is DIO, a well-built man and the owner of Gold Saucer. He is sweaty and is wearing a silk red suit. Accompanying him is his ASSISTANT [DIO’S]. Dio pulls out a cigar and lights it. He blows some smoke in the air and gazes at all the people.

DIO

This really is the most profitable square in Gold Saucer. However I can’t help but feel guilty letting all these people piss away their money.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Don’t feel guilty. Gambling is a good business. Besides, people never play against the house. They play against each other. The only profit coming our way is the bookie’s cut and gambling fee.

DIO

True, but when I envisioned Gold Saucer, I envisioned it a place for children.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

This still is a place for children. They are still are highest population of customers.

The two start walking.

DIO

(blowing smoke in the air)

Tell me about the problems below.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

(sighs)

Not good, sir. Pressure is coming from all sides.

DIO

That threat we received this morning, do you think it was legit?

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Honestly sir…yeah I do. We’ve been hearing all the rumors for the past four years.

DIO

I care about my customers. I won’t have them harassed by criminals!

(BEAT)

What’ll it take for these scumbags to keep quiet and go on with their lives?

DIO’S ASSISTANT

They want their freedom. The unknown boss of the prison says he’ll take great action against us if we refuse.

Dio sighs heavily.

DIO

Just hold tight. We’ll figure a way to get through this.

BUMP! Tifa, who is still scanning the faces of the crowd, backs into Dio. He staggers a few steps. Tifa turns to face him.

TIFA

Oh, I’m so sorry!

DIO

(dusting himself off)

Relax, it’s alright. Are you alright?

TIFA

Fine.

DIO

Glad to hear it.

Dio takes in a puff of smoke and blows it out.

DIO

(CONT.)

Having a good time, ma’am?

TIFA

I can’t say. I’m not here for entertainment.

DIO

Oh? And what then are you here in Gold Saucer for?

TIFA

I’m looking for someone. Why does it matter to you?

DIO

Whoa. Take it easy. It’s my business because I own this place.

TIFA

You’re the owner?

DIO

(smiling)

In the flesh. The name’s Dio.

Tifa shakes hands with Dio.

TIFA

I’m Tifa.

A few beats; then

DIO’S ASSISTANT

You said you were looking for someone.

DIO

Yes. Who was it?

TIFA

A man dressed in a black cloak. Have you seen him?

Dio looks at his assistant. A beat; then

DIO

As a matter of fact, I have. You’re in luck. Is he friend of yours?

TIFA

(frantic)

Where is he!?

DIO

I don’t know. He could very well be gone. I only saw him this morning. He wanted to speak with me.

TIFA

What’d he want?

DIO’S ASSISTANT

That is classified information.

DIO

Relax, it’s okay.

(BEAT)

He asked me about ‘the Black Materia’. He said he wanted it.

TIFA

Black materia?

DIO

Yes. It’s the only one of its kind.

TIFA

(excited)

Do you have it? Did you give it to him?

DIO

Yes I have it, and no, I did not give it to him. I told him that it wasn’t in my possession anymore. The guy looked awfully suspicious.

TIFA

What’d he look like, aside from the black cloak? Did you see his face?

DIO

(pondering)

Yeah I did. He had long silvery hair and the number ‘one’ tattooed on his hand.

TIFA

A tattoo?

DIO

Yeah.

Dio pauses and smokes his cigar. His assistant points to his watch. Dio nods.

DIO

Pardon me, but I have some business to attend to.

Dio walks away.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Enjoy your stay, ma’am.

The assistant walks to join his boss.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - WONDER SQUARE - NIGHT

AERIS

He’s not anywhere, Cloud.

CLOUD

He’s here. I know it!

Aeris sighs and sits down on a bench.

AERIS

Maybe we should call Barret?

CLOUD

What for?

AERIS

Just to check up on him. He was pretty depressed.

CLOUD

It’s a depressing world.

AERIS

Just do it.

Cloud sighs and pulls out his PHS. He dials the number and presses the device against his ear. It begins to RING. As Cloud waits for an answer Aeris sees a moogle flying toward her. A moogle is a cute, small, white stuffed animal looking creature. It has two small bat wings on its back and red puff ball dangling upward from its head. Aeris looks at it with astonishment.

AERIS

(whispering)

What is it?

Cloud hangs up the PHS and pockets it.

CLOUD

No answer. I guess he doesn’t want to talk.

Aeris watches as the moogle flies past her.

AERIS

What was that thing?

CLOUD

It’s a moogle. You’ve never seen one before?

AERIS

No.

CLOUD

Well I guess there’s a first time for everything then.

(BEAT)

Come on, let’s go.

Cloud begins walking as Aeris trails behind.

AERIS

Tell me, are there a lot of these moogles on the planet?

CLOUD

There’s a decent amount. The high majority live here in Gold Saucer. I guess it helps lighten the mood.

AERIS

How big do they get?

CLOUD

Not much bigger than the one you saw. They’re awfully tiny.

AERIS

You sure?

CLOUD

What? Of course, I am.

AERIS

Then why is there one life-size standing right there?

CLOUD

(turning around)

What are you talking about?

Cloud sees Aeris, who has halted in front of a giant moogle (Mog) that is as tall as them.

AERIS

It’s not moving.

Cloud, cautiously, moves forward. Out of curiousness he pokes the Mog. Nothing happens and Cloud smiles.

CLOUD

It’s stuffed. It’s not real.

SWOOSH! The giant moogle lifts his hand in the air. Startled, Aeris SCREAMS. She and Cloud back up and watch is astonishment as the Mog walks out from the corner.

AERIS

It’s alive!

VOICE (OS)

No, not really. I brought it to life.

CLOUD

(looking around)

Who’s there? Who said that?

VOICE (OS)

I did.

Cloud and Aeris look around and see a black and white cat wearing a crown jump up onto the Mog’s head.

CAT

Me.

CLOUD

You’re a cat.

CAT

Observant this one is. You can call my stuffed counterpart and me, Cait Sith.

FREEZE FRAME:

“Cait Sith”

“Gold Saucer fortune teller”

REAL TIME

AERIS

(dumbfounded)

You’re a talking cat.

CAIT SITH

Simply put, yes. But there’s so much more.

CLOUD

Oh yeah?

CAIT SITH

Indeed. I read fortunes. Would you like yours?

CLOUD

We’ll pass.

CAIT SITH

Come on! First one’s free. I can find missing people, missing things, anything!

CLOUD

No thanks.

AERIS

Come on, Cloud. It’s only a fortune.

Cloud sighs.

CLOUD

Fine alright. Just hurry up.

CAIT SITH

You got it.

The Mog starts to shake. It extends its long arm to Cloud. A small paper shoots out from its hand. Cloud grabs it.

CAIT SITH

Your fortune is…

Cloud sighs as the sight of his fortune.

AERIS

Read it.

CLOUD

(reading his fortune)

Ordinary luck. It will be an active fortune. Give into the good will of others, and something big’ll happen over summer.

AERIS

That’s it?

CLOUD

Yep.

Cloud crumples the paper and throws it on the ground.

CLOUD

Let’s go, Aeris.

CAIT SITH

Wait one more!

CLOUD

I don’t have time.

Ignoring Cloud, the Mog shakes again. It expenses another paper from its hand. Cloud sighs and grabs it.

CAIT SITH

And your fortune is…

CLOUD

(reading)

My lucky color is blue.

(to Cait Sith)

Forget it.

Cloud drops and the paper and he and Aeris start walking. CAIT SITH follows.

CAIT SITH

Wait! Give me one more chance! Third time’s a charm!

CLOUD

We’ve had enough of your games Cait Snitch, or whatever your name is.

CAIT SITH

One more! Please! I’ll leave you alone.

AERIS

Cloud, come on. One more. At least he’ll leave us alone after that.

CLOUD

(annoyed)

Fine!

CAIT SITH

Alrighty then. Here we go.

Cait Sith shakes and for a third time and expenses a fortune from his hand. Cloud grabs it and reads. A beat; then Cloud scowls are the fortune.

AERIS

What’s it say?

CLOUD

(reading)

What you pursue will be yours. But you will lose something dear.

CAIT SITH

Wow. I’ve never gotten it to actually work before. This is a first.

Cloud lets the fortune drop to the ground. Without speech, he and Aeris start to walk off. Cait Sith follows.

AERIS

(looking back at Cait Sith)

What are you doing?

CAIT SITH

What’s it look like?

CLOUD

You can get away now. We’ve had enough of your half-bit fortunes.

CAIT SITH

Oh, but I must see if the fortune was right.

CLOUD

Just leave us alone.

CAIT SITH

No can do, my friend.

AERIS

(to Cloud)

What do we do?

CLOUD

Ignore him. He’ll go away.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - DIO’S OFFICE - NIGHT

Dio walks into his office. He is accompanied by his assistant.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Something needs to be done, sir.

DIO

(sitting at his desk)

I know, I know.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

What shall we do then?

DIO

I won’t free them. That junk town down there has a purpose.

(MORE)

DIO

(CONT.)

It keeps all the murders, rapists and thieves from tormenting the innocent. I won’t just free them all.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Why not just send a firing squad down there?

DIO

Criminals or not, those people are human beings and I am no savage.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

You must do something sir.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - WONDER SQUARE - NIGHT

Cait Sith continues to follow Aeris and Cloud.

AERIS

He’s still there.

CLOUD

So much for ignoring him.

Cloud and Aeris look back at Cait Sith. He smiles at them. A beat; then simultaneously Cloud and Aeris start to run.

CAIT SITH

Hey!

Cait Sith starts hopping after them.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - GHOST SQUARE - NIGHT

Yuffie and Red XIII see Barret standing in the middle of the phony graveyard near the passages to the other squares.

YUFFIE

Barret!

BARRET

Leave me alone!

RED XIII

Come to your senses! We won’t let you murder innocent people.

BARRET

But I’m a killer.

RED XIII

Wrong. You’re a soldier.

Barret looks at Red XIII in the eyes. A few beats; then Barret goes and jumps in the Battle Square passage.

YUFFIE

Barret!

RED XIII

We must stop him.

YUFFIE

No shit.

(BEAT)

Do you have the PHS?

RED XIII

Where would I keep it?

Yuffie groans.

YUFFIE

(sarcastically)

Great. Now we can’t get in touch with Cloud.

RED XIII

It’s up to us, little lady.

Yuffie and Red XIII jump in the Battle Square passage after Barret.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - WONDER SQUARE - NIGHT

Cloud and Aeris running has turned into somewhat of a joyous masquerade as they try to out run. They run into a crowd of people.

CLOUD

Is he still there?

Aeris looks around. She sees Cait Sith a few meters away.

AERIS

There.

Cloud giggles and he and Aeris run again. Cait Sith sees them and runs after.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - WONDER SQUARE - (LATER) NIGHT

Cloud and Aeris holding in their laughs hide behind a fake tree. They watch as a dumbfounded Cait Sith walks by. A few beats; then they walk out from the hiding place.

AERIS

(laughing and out of breath)

We lost him.

CLOUD

Finally.

AERIS

I never knew I could have so much fun, running.

CLOUD

Life’s full of surprises.

CAIT SITH (OS)

Found ya’!

They look and see Cait Sith hopping back toward them. Aeris starts to run away but WHAM! She runs into Cloud knocking herself on top of him. The two look into each other’s eyes briefly then get up.

AERIS

You alright?

CLOUD

Fine.

A beat; then

AERIS

He’s coming.

CLOUD

Right.

Cloud and Aeris start running again. They laugh their whole run.

AERIS

(to Cait Sith)

You’ll never catch us!

Cloud grabs Aeris hand and pulls her up to him. Cait Sith continues to follow. A few beats; then they reach the area with the passages to the other squares. They stop out of breath.

AERIS

We’re trapped, Cloud.

CLOUD

(smiling)

Not, yet.

He pulls Aeris and the two jump in the Battle Square passage.

CAIT SITH

Stupid humans!

INT. GOLD SQUARE - BATTLE SQUARE - NIGHT

Cloud and Aeris arrive in the Battle Square, laughing.

CLOUD

You think that did it?

AERIS

It better have.

They look to the stairs leading into the battle arena. The fun feeling is killed when both of them spot a dead body on the stairs. They walk over to investigate.

AERIS

What happened here?

Cloud investigates the body. He sees a bullet hole.

CLOUD

He’s been shot.

AERIS

You don’t think…

Cloud and Aeris look at each other exchanging thoughts. Cloud unsheathes his sword and starts to walk up the stairs with Aeris.

INT. BATTLE SQUARE - BATTLE ARENA - NIGHT

As they walk in the arena they see nearly 15 dead bodies sprawled all over the place.

CLOUD

Whoa!

AERIS

Was it Sephiroth?

CLOUD

No, they’re all shot. Sephiroth would never use a gun.

Aeris looks to the corner and sees Barret, Yuffie, and Red XIII towering over a body. Barret is slumped on the floor.

YUFFIE

What…the hell did you do?

BARRET

(whispering)

Nothing.

YUFFIE

Sure as hell doesn’t look like nothing!

Barret looks up at Yuffie.

BARRET

I didn’t do anything!

Cloud and Aeris walk over to the three.

RED XIII

Cloud! Glad you’re here.

CLOUD

What happened here?

YUFFIE

Barret shot the place up.

AERIS

What!?

CLOUD

Barret, did you?

A few beats; then Barret looks up at Cloud.

BARRET

I came here ready. I wanted to murder all these people, but I couldn’t.

YUFFIE

Then what the hell happened!?

BARRET

They were dead when I came here.

YUFFIE

You expect us to believe that?

BARRET

Listen! The only the stopped me from killing everyone myself was guilt.

(BEAT)

If I killed these people, I’d only feel worse. The deaths caused by me in my hometown are something I’ll have to live with.

CLOUD

(sarcastically)

It’s great that you have an epiphany now.

Meanwhile, near the entrance of the square, Cait Sith sneaks in. He gasps.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - DIO’S OFFICE - NIGHT

A SECURITY OFFICER burst into Dio’s office.

SECURITY OFFICER

(frantic)

Sir, there’s a problem!

DIO

What is it?

SECURITY OFFICER

We’ve been alerted by one of fortune tellers of a slaughter in the Battle Square.

DIO

A slaughter?

(to his assistant)

Bring up the security feed.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Yes, sir.

Dio stands up and his assistant presses a button. A huge monitor behind his desk turns on. It shows black and white footage of the Battle Square.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

What the hell…?

Everyone stares at the sight of the slaughter.

DIO

Show me the footage from when this massacre occurred.

His assistant reaches for a button. He presses it and the screen skips the frames of slaughter. It now shows what the Battle Square was before the attack.

DIO

Where is it?

DIO’S ASSISTANT

It appears we don’t have it.

DIO

How is that possible!?

SECURITY OFFICER

They must have disabled the cameras, sir.

Dio slams his fist on his desk. He then realizes the party on the screen.

DIO

Who are those people? Civilians?

DIO’S ASSISTANT

I don’t know.

DIO

Can we tell how long ago this attack took place?

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Yeah. I’ll rewind the footage.

He rewinds to the footage of the Battle Square before the attack. He read the time at the bottom.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

The attack took place sometime in the last ten minutes.

SECURITY OFFICER

Those people must be the murders.

DIO

Get security down there right away! I want those people arrested!

SECURITY OFFICER

Yes, sir.

INT. BATTLE SQUARE - BATTLE ARENA - NIGHT

AERIS

What do we do?

Barret gets up and starts to walk away.

BARRET

We leave immediately.

AERIS

But what about these people?

BARRET

They’re dead.

Suddenly a WOUNDED CIVILIAN raises his hand.

WOUNDED CIVILIAN

(struggling)

Help…me.

Cloud and Aeris go to the wounded man. Aeris lifts his head as he attempts to breathe.

AERIS

Are you okay?

CLOUD

What happened here?

A few beats; then

WOUNDED CIVILIAN

(dying)

A man…with a gun on his arm.

Cloud angrily looks up at Barret, who continues to walk away. The wounded man notices who Cloud is looking at.

WOUNDED CIVILIAN

(dying)

No…not him.

CLOUD

Who? Who did this then?

CAIT SITH (OS)

They’re right there!

The party looks to the entrance and sees Cait Sith leading a pack of Gold Saucer security.

CAIT SITH

Arrest them.

CLOUD

(getting up)

Why you little…!

He starts to charge Cait Sith but the security officers raise their weapons.

CLOUD

Take it easy. We didn’t do this.

CAIT SITH

Then who?

RED XIII

We don’t know. We arrived here with to look for our friend and everyone was dead.

CLOUD

(to the wounded man)

Tell them!

The man lays motionless. Aeris feels for a pulse.

AERIS

He’s dead.

CLOUD

Shit!

Aeris closes the man’s eyelids.

AERIS

(to the dead man)

I will pray for you.

She stands up and joins Cloud.

BARRET

Listen…whatever you are. We didn’t do this!

CAIT SITH

Got any proof?

YUFFIE

Like we said before, we came down here to stop our friend from shooting the place up.

RED XIII

Yuffie!

CAIT SITH

Looks like you were too late. Arrest them!

The officers move forward.

CLOUD

This is all a misunderstanding.

BARRET

I didn’t do anything!

The officers start to arrest the party. They grab Cloud’s sword. One officer goes for Red XIII, but WHAM! Red XIII charges the officer knocking him over.

CLOUD

Red! Get out of here!

Red XIII starts sprinting toward the door. He knocks several officers over as he runs.

CLOUD

(CONT.)

Get in contact with Tifa!

Red makes it out.

CAIT SITH

We’ll get him. Don’t worry.

The officers start to escort the party out.

FADE OUT

INT. GOLD SAUCER - PRISON CELLS - NIGHT

FADE IN

Cloud, Aeris, Yuffie, and Barret are all in a prison cell. The cell door opens and Dio, with two GUARDS walk in.

DIO

You must be the bunch.

CLOUD

And you are?

DIO

Dio. I own Gold Saucer.

A beat;

DIO

(CONT.)

You all seem to have caused quite a mess.

BARRET

We didn’t do anything.

DIO

That’s not what I hear.

Dio pulls out a cigar and lights it.

DIO

(CONT.)

Seems one of your lady friends here confessed for you.

BARRET

She’s right about one thing.

DIO

Oh?

BARRET

I thought of killing those people, but I didn’t. They were dead when I got there.

DIO

Perhaps. But who’s the real killer then?

BARRET

I don’t know.

DIO

Then I’m sorry. You’ll have to suffer for it. All of you.

AERIS

What are you going to do to us?

DIO

You’ve never heard of my desert prison?

AERIS

No.

DIO

It’s a place at the base of Gold Saucer…a desert town. It’s inhabited by the most vile human beings on the planet. I condemn criminals there.

AERIS

You’re going to throw us down there?

DIO

I haven’t decided. You see, there’s trouble brewing below. It appears that the criminals have started a resistance. They want their freedom. And if I were to throw you down there with them, I fear you’ll become part of that resistance. Judging from what you did in the Battle Square, they’ll accept you like one of their own.

AERIS

We aren’t criminals!

DIO

Maybe. But evil is always in the eye of the beholder. The only entity that matters is the majority, and they say you’re criminals. I’m sorry.

Dio starts to leave. Cloud gets up.

CLOUD

Wait!

Dio stops and turns around.

DIO

What is it? A last request?

CLOUD

Yeah. Throw us in your desert prison.

YUFFIE

Whoa! Are you insane!

DIO

Yes, are you?

CLOUD

I’ll have a better chance of being free down there than up here.

DIO

Already planning on joining the resistance? If not, the desert is three weeks in every direction.

CLOUD

We will win our freedom.

DIO

How?

CLOUD

We’ll put an end to this resistance garbage for you. And when we do you will free us.

Dio thinks. A few beats; then

DIO

You’re asking me to trade a ton of criminals’ lives for a few.