Rasputin Rising

By
Travis M. Greene
EXT. TECHROPOLIS - DAY
Distant view of a high-tech city. Towers of glass and chrome
scrape the sky in vivid daylight. RASPUTIN speaks, his voice
strong, intelligent, bitter.
RASPUTIN (VO)
The upper crust. Guardians of the
brass ring, masters of the
universe... Arrogant pricks.
The camera draws back. The view of the cityscape is bent and
distorted around the edges, as if reflected on a lens.
RASPUTIN (VO)
Contributing nothing to society but
the juggling of numbers from one
account to another...
The camera draws back further. Rasputins face is revealed,
looking at the city through high-tech binoculars.
RASPUTIN
Yet they snub their noses at anyone
who doesnt spend all day eating
caviar off a supermodels tits.
The binoculars, attached to an arm mechanism, retract and
collapse, folding up at the side of Rasputins head. His
eyes are piercing, face wizened and strong. His head bobs in
a quick, slight nod.
RASPUTIN
Thats where I belong.
Rasputin grips the railing of a precarious balcony. Hes a
powerfully built man, wearing a ramshackle biomechanical
body-suit, with a metal plate on one side of his head.
The balcony is perched atop a rickety tower of junk, shaped
into a building, which in turn is perched atop the pillar of
a ruined Golden Gate Bridge. A glowing sign proclaims the
building "PROFESSOR RASPUTINS TECHROPOLIS". Other signs
advertise "REMOTE HOLOGRAPHIC DENTISTRY" and "CUSTOM
CYBER-SURGERY (NO REFUNDS)". Another series of signs reads
"ANTIQUES" (crossed-out), "COLLECTIBLES" (crossed-out), and
"ESOTERIC ODDITIES OF A FUTURE PAST".
RASPUTIN
Ive spent too many years toiling
in the muck. Now the time is ripe!
Pungent, oozing, fly-infested ripe!
Rasputin whirls and storms inside.
2.
RASPUTIN
For the world to know the genius of
Professor Caesar Einsteinius
Rasputin!
INT. TECHROPOLIS - DAY
SQUID is a waifish young man in shabby coat and oversized
gloves. He leans over a dentist chair, carefully directing a
holographic robot drill towards a hologram patients mouth.
RASPUTIN (OS)
Squid!
Squid flinches. The drill lunges forward, WHIRRING loudly.
The patient SCREAMS. Squid panics and hits a giant red
button. The hologram disappears. Squid glances around
guiltily.
RASPUTIN (OS)
Squid!
Rasputin pokes his head through a curtain, peers around with
narrowed eyes.
RASPUTIN
I thought you were with a patient.
Squid shrugs and shakes his head.
RASPUTIN
Well, nevermind. Follow me! Were
going into the city!
Rasputin disappears through the curtain. The holographic
patient blinks back into view, still SCREAMING, now
wrestling with the stab-crazy drill. Squid pounds on the red
button until the patient disappears, then quickly hops to
his feet and follows Rasputin.
EXT. RUINED BRIDGE - DAY
Squid and Rasputin pick their way through a tiny shanty
village built up around a bridge pillar at the water-line.
The dregs of society are all around them, dirty people
scraping out a living, many with cheap looking cyber-mods.
RASPUTIN
Ive reached a decision, Squid.
Were going to expand. Explosively!
Theres no future here.
3.
Rasputin and Squid board a barely-floating water taxi.
RASPUTIN
These shit-smeared troglodytes
simply cant appreciate my brand of
genius.
The pilot overhears and scowls at them. Rasputin straightens
imperiously.
RASPUTIN
Do not pretend at insult, Chancey.
You know its true.
Rasputin moves to the prow of the boat and stands like
Washington crossing the Delaware.
RASPUTIN
To the city!
EXT. OCEAN - DAY
Squid dog paddles furiously with a rope in his teeth. The
rope is attached to a piece of flotsam, to which Rasputin
clings, casually being towed along.
RASPUTIN
Thank you, Chancy, for so elegantly
proving my point.
EXT. CITY CHECKPOINT - DAY
A heavily guarded gate at the edge of the city. Squid and
Rasputin, dripping wet, stand in a line of bums and day
laborers being scanned and admitted into the city one at a
time.
The guards are dressed in immaculate, fanciful uniforms,
like hotel bell-hops, but with menacing visored helmets.
RASPUTIN
You see, Squid, in business,
stagnation is tantamount to
failure. If I cant expand my
customer base, reach out to a new
demographic... I might as well give
up. Lock the doors, retire. Start
an algae farm with a toothless
hooker named Saphire whos too
riddled with disease to continue in
her chosen profession.
4.
As he speaks, the line moves forward, one person at a time.
An elderly gentleman reaches the front of the line. The
scanners BEEP in protest.
Guards take the old man gently but sternly, leading him
off-screen as he glances around in confusion. Theres a
FLASH of blinding light off-screen. A wisp of smoke. No one
pays any attention at all.
RASPUTIN
Luckily, the Techropolis is a
growing concern. All I need is an
infusion of capital to branch into
new territory. And I have a plan...
A daring plan! To acquire the funds
I need.
Rasputin reaches the front of the line. He smiles cheerily
at the guards.
RASPUTIN
Gentlemen.
The scanners BEEP.
GAURD
Disinfectant.
RASPUTIN
Pardon?
A guard throws a bucket of white powder all over Rasputin.
INT. BANK - DAY
A posh bank lobby, crowded with the rich and powerful and
well-dressed, all going about their solemn financial
business.
RASPUTIN (VO)
As youll see from the business
plan Ive submitted, the
Techropolis has unparalleled growth
potential in todays market.
Close-up of a placard on a desk, reading "MORTIMER DARING,
LOAN OFFICER".
MORTIMER is thin, with the sneering countenance and hawkish
nose of an English butler. His neck is a foot long,
ensconsced in sterling silver rings. A ruby monocle is
tucked in his left eye.
5.
Rasputin and Squid sit before his desk, still wet, still
dusted with white disinfectant powder. Squid is bent over an
electronic tablet, peering at it intently. Neither seem at
all concerned with their dishevelled appearance.
RASPUTIN
Initial capital outlay is
relatively modest and should be
recouped in short order, as my
profit margins, frankly, border on
the extortionist.
Rasputin gives a smug smile. Mortimer, scowling, makes an
unconvinced sound in the back of his throat. A robotic
attendant approaches with a tray and carefully pours two
cups of tea.
Rasputin lifts his cup in salute to Mortimer, winks, and
takes a sip. Mortimers eyes slowly slide towards Squid.
MORTIMER
And this gentleman is your...
business partner?
Rasputin glances back at Squid, who still struggles to
comprehend whatever is on the tablet.
RASPUTIN
Him? No. No.
Rasputin clears his throat, thinking quickly, turns back to
Mortimer.
RASPUTIN
This is my lawyer. Winston J.
Squiddius, Esquire. Unconventional,
yes, but one look in his eyes and
even an imbecile can see the keen
litigious mind at work therein.
Rasputin gestures at Squid. Squids lips move as he reads
from the tablet. His head tilts back with mouth open and he
stares at the ceiling thoughtfully, as if puzzling through a
difficult math problem. Then he nods and bends over the
tablet, scratching at the surface.
SQUID
S... Q... U...
Rasputin and Mortimer both stare at Squid. Rasputins face
twitches with barely contained horror and rage.
6.
RASPUTIN
Ive never seen this man before in
my life.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Rasputin and Squid trudge down an alleyway towards the
camera. A hose extends from Rasputins wrist, which he uses
to vacuum the white dust off himself.
In the background, a ROBOT custodian walks along behind
them, sweeping the alley.
RASPUTIN
Theres simply no room for an
honest businessman in todays
financial system. Hmph. Banks are
on the outs, anyway. The savvy
investor keeps his money in
commodities. Gold. Soybeans.
Iridium breast implants.
The robot passes by. Rasputin glances over. He casually
reaches out and twists the robots head off. The robots
body crumples to the ground.
ROBOT
Oh no.
RASPUTIN
I was looking in the wrong place. I
dont need a loan, I need venture
capitalists.
Rasputin uses the round, chrome head of the robot as a
mirror to straighten his hair.
RASPUTIN
Networking, Squid. Contacts.
Like-minded visionaries and
gullible morons with deep pockets
to pick. And who wouldnt want to
invest in me?
Rasputin stops and turns to Squid, tossing away the head.
RASPUTIN
I have it all. Brains, charisma...
The burly physique of a cybernetic
Adonis. And you...
Rasputin and Squid stare at each other in silence. Stare
some more. The moment drags on.
7.
Rasputin starts walking again. Squid follows.
RASPUTIN
Fear not, dear Squid. I know
exactly who were looking for. And
where to find them.
EXT. NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
A bustling light club adorned in blazing neon. Fashionably
dressed people stand in line, awaiting entry. A hulking
BOUNCER guards the door, bristling with chrome cybernetic
enhancements.
Rasputin strolls importantly to the head of the line with
Squid in his wake. The bouncer stops him with a hand on his
chest, an immovable wall. His voice is an ED-209 growl.
BOUNCER
Not on the list.
Rasputin stands ramrod straight.
RASPUTIN
How dare you. Dont you...
Rasputin strains to stand taller.
RASPUTIN
Dont you know who...
Rasputin strains more. Even on his tiptoes, the bouncer
towers over him.
RASPUTIN
One moment.
Rasputin flips open a panel on his cybernetic leg and flips
a switch. Slowly, with a hydraulic WHINE, his legs extend,
increasing his height.
The hydraulics stutter. He drops down an inch. He curses and
hits his leg. The hydraulics kick in again, lifting him up
to the bouncers height.
RASPUTIN
Dont you know who I am? Professor
Caesar Einsteinius Rasputin!
Genius. Entrepreneur. I have
business here. And if you dont
stand aside...
Rasputin pokes the bouncer in the chest.
8.
RASPUTIN
There will be hell to pay.
The bouncer gives Rasputin a push. Panic crosses Rasputins
face. His arms pinwheel as he topples backward on his
overextended legs.
RASPUTIN
Hell to pay!
CRASH.
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
Rasputin and Squid, tugging a heavy bag, creep along a wall
topped with razor wire. Robot sentry drones putter through
the air beyond the wall.
RASPUTIN
Networking is dead. No one talks
anymore. Talk is cheap. Allies are
fleeting. This is the age of the
independent man.
Rasputin stops, looks around hastily, drops the bag and
unzips it. He pulls out two crude bundles of wire and hands
one to Squid.
RASPUTIN
You want something for yourself,
you take it. If another man has it,
you knock him down.
Rasputin and Squid set the charges on the wall.
RASPUTIN
If you cant knock him down... You
wait until dark and burn through
his wall with laser charges.
Rasputin and Squid turn away and cover their heads. Theres
a bright, silent flash. When it dissipates, theres a large
smoking hole in the wall.
Rasputin grins and takes Squid by the shoulders.
RASPUTIN
Its a dog eat dog world, Squid.
All for one and fuck the rest.
Charles Darwin said that.
Rasputin hefts the bag and slips through the wall. Squid
follows.
9.
A moment later, ALARMS blare. Spot lights THUMP on and
search the sky. Robot drones blitz through the air.
Rasputin and Squid rush back out through the hole and race
along the wall
RASPUTIN
Retreat is a sound tactical option,
Squid. Ask any general. Discretion
is the better part of valor, thats
what I always say. You know who
else said that? Jesus.
Drones zip after them, lasers firing.
INT. SOUP KITCHEN - NIGHT
A busy soup kitchen. Women in elaborate robes dole out food
to the poor and disenfranchised. Rasputin and Squid stand in
line, laser burns on their clothes still smoldering.
Rasputin sighs wistfully.
RASPUTIN
Charity, Squid. Blessed charity.
Man helping his fellow man...
Rasputin looks meaningfully at Squid.
RASPUTIN
Its the basis of all civilization,
to one degree or another.
Rasputin ponders his own wisdom for a moment, then moves on
down the line. Squid frowns and scratches his head.
EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
A seedier part of town, though still remarkably clean and
polished. Rasputin walks down the street, picking at his
teeth with a toothpick. Squid follows.
Something catches Rasputins attention. He slows, then
stops, stopping Squid with an outthrust arm.
Rasputin watches as a group of cybered-up gangers pull up to
a bar called "THE SIXTH CIRCLE". The gangers dismount their
suped-up bikes, exchange pleasantries, and head into the
bar.
10.
RASPUTIN
Yes... Yes. Thats what I need.
Squid looks worried. Rasputin grabs his shoulders.
RASPUTIN
A reputation. A legend! Dont you
see?
Rasputin turns to the bar with delusions of grandeur.
RASPUTIN
If I can show these drooling,
sub-human pig-men that Im their
superior... then Ill have an army.
A legion of loyal followers to do
my bidding. Then... Then the world
will know.
Rasputin heads for the bar. Squid follows hesitantly.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Rasputin steps into the crowded, ganger-filled bar with
supreme confidence. His eyes scan the room, a scowl etched
in his face. He shoulders past a smaller man. The look on
his face invites the other man to do something about it.
Rasputin moves to the center of the bar, turning a slow
circle. He cracks his neck one way, then another. All eyes
turn towards him.
A chip pops out of Rasputins wrist. He takes it. Looks at
it. "BATTLE PROGRAM OMEGA" it reads. He slots the chip into
a port in his chest and shoves it home.
Rasputins bulk doubles as armor plates extend from his suit
and pop into place. Spikes and blades bristle everywhere. A
face mask slams into place. He pounds a hulking fist into
palm and his eyes blaze red with a menacing growl.
RASPUTIN
Which one of you motherfuckers
wants to be the first to die?
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
The door to "THE SIXTH CIRCLE" swings open. Squid appears,
dragging an unconscious Rasputin.
Squid looks uncertainly up and down the street, then across
it. A sign for another bar glows. "THE SEVENTH CIRCLE".
11.
Squid laboriously drags Rasputin across the street.
Cybernetic parts hang loosely off the bigger man. Wires
stick out everywhere. The sound is the CLATTER of a car
dragging its muffler.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Squid and Rasputin sit at the bar, bruised and bloody.
Rasputin stares into the camera, looking absolutely
miserable. Squid, tongue in his teeth, doodles on a bar
napkin with a green crayon, intent on his work.
Rasputin tries to lift his glass to take a drink. His arm
jerks and stutters, not working right. He gives up. One side
of his face starts to twitch.
Theres an electronic SIZZLE of a short circuit. Rasputins
head writhes in agony, and his hand flies up to grab the
plate in his skull. He screams in anguish. He slams his head
hard against the bar - THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
An agreeable electronic BEEPING. Rasputin straightens back
up with a sigh of relief.
Squid has paid no attention. He looks at his drawing,
smooths it out carefully, then picks up his glass. He tips
it back. Tips his whole head back. Leans his whole body
back, until he CRASHES backward, out of sight.
Rasputin glances down casually, then to the napkin on the
bar. He pulls it closer to get a better look. His eyes
widen.
RASPUTIN
Squid...
Rasputin hops to his feet, lifting the napkin, staring in
wonder.
RASPUTIN
This is genius. Genius!
Rasputin looks down.
RASPUTIN
To the Techropolis, Squid! We have
to work to do!
Rasputin spins and storms off-screen to the right. Receding
FOOTSTEPS. A DOOR creaks open. A woman SCREAMS.
12.
RASPUTIN (OS)
Pardon me, madame.
Approaching FOOTSTEPS.
RASPUTIN (OS)
This way, Squid!
Rasputin hurries into view. He throws a finger into the air.
RASPUTIN
Genius!
Rasputin promptly trips over Squid, still on the ground
off-screen. Rasputin topples forward.
CUT TO CREDITS
CREDITS
Roll credits over still images with peppy, uplifting music
(imagine the Neverending Story theme).
The bar napkin doodle: a giant robot, shooting lasers at the
city.
Rasputin and Squid at the controls of a giant robot,
laughing manaically. Pull back to reveal the giant robot,
swinging a skyscraper like a club at another skyscraper, as
missile racks bring down incoming jet fighters.
Rasputin and Squid in the Oval Office. Rasputin stands with
his foot on the back of the president as reporters snap
pictures. Squid sits behind the desk with feet propped.
The Statue of Liberty toppled in the water. A new statue of
Rasputin and Squid, best friends, erected in its place.
Rasputin in a lab, working with beakers and chemicals. Pull
back to show Squid fending off a zombie horde with a
shotgun. A whiteboard in the background reads: "CANCER"
(crossed-off), "WORLD HUNGER" (crossed-off), "ZOMBIE
PLAGUE".
Rasputin and Squid in space-suits, looking over charts as a
rocket fuels up in the background.
Rasputin and Squid in super-hero garb, battling
supervillains in the skies over the city.
13.
Rasputin and Squid on the pedestal at the Olympics, dozens
of gold medals around their necks. They have an arm around
each others shoulders, giving a thumbs up with their free
hands. Scantily clad women with solid gold cybernetics hang
off of them.