Blood and Metal - Act I

Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen, several people have requested it, so I'm compressing everything into one thread. Instead of spreading the script out across so many threads, with a new one for each scene, I'm going to keep on updating the OP in this thread until I'm done with Act I. I'll reply to the thread each time with the new scene every time I add new content, so that way we just have 1 thread floating around rather than a bunch (especially if people want to talk about the previous scenes). In any case, I'll continue to write on a daily basis, and I hope everyone here continues to read and enjoy Blood and Metal.

Original Threads
Scene I: http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?id=265855
Scene II: http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?id=266063
Scene III: http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?id=266708

      A dark room. 6 hooded figures gathered around a card table in folding chairs. GSL poster on the wall. The camera pans past each of their faces, the recognizable faces of the best Terran players in the world from each team. Polt the unaffiliated agent sits silently. A pitcher sits at the center of the table, filled with a golden liquid.

MVP
      So I think we can all agree...

NaDa
      Yes. What about Noblesse?

      Keen looks around nervously. Gulping, he speaks up.

Keen
      Does he really have to go? It's just that our team-

Ryung, cutting him off
      Yes. I'll pick MKP, and he will no doubt pick Puzzle, since Polt will have taken Sangho already.

MVP
      And with my having picked Ensnare, his only option will be to pick Clide... Which brings us back to Noblesse. Clide will almost certainly pick Noblesse since he is the group stage Champion.

Keen
      Is this really worth it? He is my teammate and-

      Stirring, Polt slams his Pepsi down. He grunts angrily.

Polt
      It has always been worth it, you insipid FOOL! Look at who we are, WHAT we are! Our race is clearly imbalanced, and it is we the FORERUNNERS who must maintain our imbalanced status. Do you think Blizzard has no ears in this tournament? That they hear not the lamentations of MC, Alicia, and JYP!?

      Polt punches the table, almost knocking over his beverage, his face contorted with anger.

      How do you think I held down the Protoss for so long!? No, no..

      Polt calms himself.

      Listen. The 5 second rax nerf is just the beginning. You gentlemen remember the reaper, the 11 food banshee rush, the eternal glory of the bunker rush, and maps like Steppes. All gone because of our hubris.

      They nod. Keen looks uncomfortable.

Ryung
      I need not tell you of what we have at risk here.

      Each Terran player is now self-consciously looking around. Their gazes converge at the crystal pitcher in front of them. Finally, Keen nods assent. His eyes are downcast. Polt pulls a small bell out from his jacket, and taps it once with a pen.

Polt
      I'm officially calling this meeting of the Terran Supreme Council to order. The Secretary has the floor.

Nada
      Thank you, Mr. President. Only three items on the agenda today. Number One, finalization of group picking coordination for the elimination of unworthy Terrans. Number Two, council vote on the induction of Jjakji as a council-member. Number Three...

      The Legendary BW player smiles, a cruel and sadistic smile.

      ...distribution of the pieces of Zerg and Protoss players' souls that we gathered in the last GSL.

      Fade to black.


+ Show Spoiler +

      SEOUL- Cafe Interior. Wide shot of the city street pans over to a seated figure sipping tea from his straw-punctured cup.

Enter NADA, his jacket flowing in the wind as he walks through the door to the resaurant. He flips his hair as he takes off his jacket, showing off his keenly toned arms. Cut to several women turning their heads and looking over. Cut to NADA'S BODY. He sits down across from the seated figure. Close-up of the seated figure: he is MC.

NADA leans forward grabs the 2nd cup of tea.

MC
      I thought you weren't going to show up. What took you so long?

NADA
      I was at a meeting with a couple of practice partners. Somehow, even on my day off I find ways to keep on practicing. I'm glad I got out of it, though. In a way, I'm becoming tired of TvT, and just tired of this tournament in general. I keep on waiting for some big change and it never happens.

MC
      I'm not sure you have much to complain about; you're still in Code S.

NADA
      For the moment. Have you SEEN my group?

MC
      You've gotten to the Ro16 or beyond in every GSL. You probably don't even know the format of the up/downs, which makes you a very lucky man. I can't say the same for myself. Ever since the start of this dogged summer, I've been feeling... weaker. In my play, and in life.

      And lately...

MC looks up. His chiseled face looks tired, hunted.

A long pause, pregnant with meaning.

      I can't even think of the words to describe it. Did... did you ever read Lord of the Rings?

NADA
      With the hobbits and the elves and orcs?

MC
      Yeah. I remember at the beginning, Bilbo is talking with Gandalf the wizard. He's an incredibly old hobbit and is over 110 years old at the time of the scene. He comments that he feels liken he's become stretched, like butter spread over too much bread. He was weary, tired in a way that you can't refresh with a nap.

      I'm feeling the same way. I used to have a fire inside me, a spark that wouldn't go out. Whenever things were at their toughest, I could turn inwards and find it. It was my swagger, Older Brother. My swagger.

MC gets up. His face is drawn and worn.

MC

      I'll be right back.

Exit MC through bathroom door.

Close-up of NADA's face. The older man looks concerned. Guilty. He furrows his brow. He looks to the door again, and back to the table. He closes his eyes.

---Flashback---
oGs house interior. A room lined with chairs. NADA is at a computer desk, writing. The room is warmly lit, and NADA has a smile on his face. PlayXP is open in front of him with the latest tournament results.

Enter MC.

MC
      Older Brother! I did it! I won my first GSL!

MC runs over. NADA stands. They embrace.

NADA
      I'm so proud of you, Younger Brother.

MC
      Someday I'm going to be just like you, Older Brother. I want to be the greatest Sc2 player of all time...

NADA and MC hold each other close for several seconds.

Fade to black.

---End Flashback---

The cafe lighting is now cold and blue, and dark compared to the oGs house lighting. Close-up of NADA's face. Guilt and concern are mixed with something else-- fear.

He glances around, then reaches into his jacket pocket. He pulls out a small flask of GOLDEN SOUL LIQUID. Carefully opening it, he pours it into MC's tea.

Enter MC from Bathroom Door. NADA quickly pockets his now-empty flask.

NADA
      Well, if it's our day off we might as well have some fun. Finish your tea and let's go talk to those girls over there. I think the one in green was eyeing you earlier.

MC
      Really? I don't know... I'm not sure I'm feeling up to it.

MC sits and drains his tea. His face is suddenly filled with warmth. His posture improves as he sits up straight.

NADA
      Don't be lazy! Let's head on over while one of us still has a little youth left.

MC
      Alright, let's do it.

The two of them stand and walk up to a table with 2 women. Camera backs out through the window. NADA is flexing and showing off his hot body. MC tells a joke, and the women laugh. MC sits down next to one of them.

Wide shot of the street with the cafe storefront. Camera pans back, up over the roof of building across the road. Crouched in the awning of the AC unit is a dark figure looking through binoculars.

He looks down and taps out a text message on his phone.

Close-up of phone.
TO: HQ
Message: Confirmed. Secretary NaDa has been embezzling our earnings and sharing them with his teammate. Orders?

The message is sent. A brief pause.

Reply from: HQ
Message: Take both of them down. Sharing the soul liquid is inexcusable. I don't want either of them able to use their mouse hands for the rest of their careers.

The dark figure looks up. MC and NADA are no longer in the cafe. He vaults the safety rail and lands in the alley, tapping out a text message as he walks towards the road.

Reply to: HQ
Message: Mission accepted.

The dark figure walks out into the sunlight and is revealed to be RYUNG. He turns and walks down the street at a brisk pace.

Fade to Black

      SEOUL- Mall Exterior. Overhead shot of MC and NADA walking along the sidewalk. NADA is talking animatedly with MC. MC is holding his cell phone.

Camera pans over to RYUNG, who pushes his way through the crowd, following the two oGs gamers. Cut to shot of left hand in pocket. Cut to shot of RYUNG's face-- a dark grimace, with teeth clenched.

Fade to wide shot: the busy subway stop. 2 rail lines pass through the center of this station, with platforms on either side. Large electronic billboards on either wall.

MC and NADA are standing close to the rails, talking animatedly. RYUNG comes down the stairs and spots them.

Close-up of RYUNG pushing through the crowd. A woman's voice intones that the train has arrived, first in Korean, then in English.

Split-screen shot of RYUNG breaking through the crowd as MC and NADA enter the train and sit. RYUNG slips through the safety barrier just before it closes, entering two traincars behind.

Cut to SEOUL EXTERIOR -- wide shot MC and NADA exiting train, with RYUNG following them. Pan to MC.

MC
      I dunno, I think I should call her now, while she's still thinking about it.

NADA
      Trust me, younger brother-- if you do that she won't want to talk to you.

MC
      She gave me her number!

NADA
      Look, it's only going to annoy her if you call her now. Let her think about you a little. You can't seem desperate, or she won't want to talk to you.

MC
      I know that, but-- oh, here's a shortcut. We don't want to go around the block.

The oGs progamers turn down a narrow alley that cuts through the city block. RYUNG turns the corner behind them, a dark figure silhouetted against the bright surroundings of the city street behind them.

As they walk down the alley, NADA grabs MC's phone from his outstretched hand.

NADA
      You're not allowed to use this for the rest of the day, you're probably texting her right now!

MC, laughing
      Hey! Give that back!

They struggle with the phone, and finally MC wrests it free. He looks up and sees RYUNG approaching.

MC
      What-

Close-up as RYUNG leaps forward, elbowing MC in the gut. MC doubles over, coughing. RYUNG follows it up by grabbing MC's head and kneeing it. MC grunts and falls to the ground. His cell phone clatters to the ground.

Ground-level close-up of cell phone screen. TO: 555-8364 MSG: I'm glad you enjoyed it, too. How does Saturday sound?

The phone cracks under RYUNG's shoe as he steps back.

Pan up to RYUNG blocking a punch from NADA. The older man's finely-tuned physique is an awe-inspiring sight in hand-to-hand combat.

NADA steps forward as RYUNG recovers, grabs him by the torso and takes him to the mat, pinning him easily.

NADA
      What's the meaning of this?

Ryung, gasping
      You violated the agreement, and you will be punished like anyone else. Nobody is above it, not even one of you. You know what happened with BoxeR[honorific].

NADA
      You can't come against me. Not you, not the president, not ANYONE. I'm the greatest brood war player alive, and the council exists only by my hand! So I make it, so I can unmake it.

Ryung, smirking
      There will be more after me. The others aren't like you-- they have no limits. They'll break your shoulder, your hand if they have to. More will come. Nobody is above the rules, not even you.

NADA, snarling
      I wrote those rules. If more of you will come, then let them come. Tell your chairman that this is a warning: next council meeting I'm retaking the chairmanship, there's nothing he can do to stop me.

NADA lifts RYUNG and dumps him into the trash can, headfirst. He closes the lid.

NADA grabs MC's phone and grabs MC, lifting him over his shoulders. Sweat trickles down NADA's firm, supple muscles as he carries his groggy teammate out of the alley.

NADA reaches the other end of the alley. MC stirs, and NADA sets him on his feet. NADA's face shows deep concern for his teammate,

NADA, whispering to the semiconscious MC
      You're bleeding... we've got to get you cleaned up and fully-awake before AoL or you're gonna lose all your matches. Come on, younger brother, hang in there...

Wide shot-- with MC's arm around his shoulders, NADA presses on into the bright Seoul day. The silhouettes fade into the sunlit background. Fade to white.

      INCHEON- oGs house interior. MC lying on a bed in a dark room. Camera backs up into hallway. JINRO and NADA are arguing in harsh whispers. Cut to JINRO's manly chin face. He's concerned.

JINRO
      Of course they beat him up! What did you think would happen?

NADA
      I thought I could get away with it. He needed the help, anyways-- you've seen how things have been going for him.

JINRO
      He was going to be fine-- Immortal range is getting buffed, and the HS+GS combination is being fixed anyways. I don't even know how you could have convinced him to take part in this travesty to begin wtih.

NADA
      I... I didn't tell him. I gave him the winnings without him knowing.

JINRO scowls at NADA. He gestures to MC.

JINRO
      And look what happened to him. I told you to get out of that-- I did when I could, and it cost me my Code S seed, but once things started down the path they did I couldn't stay on the Council any longer.

Cut to NADA's face. NADA is silent. His expression is concerned but also calculating as JINRO continues.

JINRO
      Whatever our intentions were with that first meeting, things got out of hand very, very quickly. People became mad with power, and the thirst for more. If you think you can stay on the council, go ahead-- but if you had an ounce of sense in you you'd leave it, now. It's only a matter of time before the come for you like they came for MC.

NADA
      It's not going to be that way, not this time. I don't need much help, Jonathan-- just a little. I can change the council, but only if I seize control of it-- and I can't do it alone.

Cut to JINRO's face. As NADA speaks, he continues to frown.

NADA
      Things have gone too far, have gotten out of hand, sure-- but not entirely out of control. The Council is already taking measures to eliminate or absorb all the non-Council Terran players in Code S, but also gearing up to try to balance Code S to avoid future Terran nerfs. It's not all bad, what we do.

NADA shifts uncomfortably as he says this.

NADA
      This all wouldn't be a problem if I ran the council, and to be honest, there's no reason why I shouldn't. The current chairman is mad, mad with power. He wasn't going after MC-- he was coming for me. He won't stop until I'm out of the picture, I'm sure of it. But there's another way-- and I need your help. We could go there, right now, and take them down. With the power back in my hands,

cut to NADA's face. He smiles grimly

      more capable hands, we could have a just council again. I can't do it alone, Jonathan. I need your help. What do you say?

NADA extends his hand. JINRO looks at it thoughtfully.

NADA
      Once I'm in charge, I could even arrange a Code S seed for you. You wouldn't have to fight through the prelims and code A again. I'd do that for you.

JINRO scowls.

JINRO
      I'm going to go make sure MC is okay. I've gotta get him back on his feet before his Code A games.

JINRO turns and steps towards the door to the dark bedroom.

NADA, touching JINRO's arm
      So, that's a "no" then?

Cut to shot of JINRO from the front, walking away from the light and into the darkness. NADA is silhouetted behind him.

JINRO
      Go do what you have to do. I'll return to Code S by my own diligence, or not at all.

Pan to NADA. His face is sad as he turns and walks down the hall. A phone vibrates. He opens his cell phone.

NADA
      Hello?

KEEN
      I heard what happened to you and MC. Are you guys okay?

NADA
      Some of us more than others. I've been meaning to talk to you. I'm concerned about the council decision to eliminated Noblesse. Can we meet?

NADA smiles, a calculating look on his face.

KEEN
      Yes! I was just thinking...

Fade to black

      SEOUL SKYLINE-- nightfall. Seoul is lit up with the excitement that all urban cities share. Pan to building scaffolding-- a new element of the skyline under construction. NADA walks up to the construction fence. He presses on the door, and it swings open, unlocked.

He flips the light switch by the side of the building. A series of portable electric lamps strung along the ceiling light up. He steps under the roof, and walks forward, hesitantly.

NADA
      Keen?

He ducks as a plank of wood swings past his head. Cut to a YOUNG PUNK swinging a second time. NADA parries the blow and punches him in the gut in a split-second. In that moment, he turns, dodging the punch of a 2ND YOUNG PUNK coming from behind, and elbows him in the face. The 2ND YOUNG PUNK cries out, grabbing his bleeding nose. NADA shoves him over and kicks the first YOUNG PUNK down as he stands up. Both punks are now on the ground, crying in pain.

NADA spins around. Cut to first-person view 3RD YOUNG PUNK's fist closing swiftly with face.

Cut to black. 2 seconds of black

Fade in to Dark Room. NADA is sitting before a table, with his hands tied. He has a bruise on his forehead. Suddenly, his eyes pop open. He looks around in a panic. Zoom out. Seated across from NADA is the 2ND YOUNG PUNK, fingering his jaw and grimacing.

NADA is gagged.

2ND YOUNG PUNK
      So, you're awake.

NADA says nothing. He looks around the room, then glares at his captor.

The 2ND YOUNG PUNK exits via the door. Enter KEEN.

KEEN
      I knew someone would come for me eventually. I just didn't think it would be you. I thought you, of any Council member, would have at least have a conscience.

KEEN shakes his head.

KEEN
      I should have known better.

NADA opens his mouth to protest but he is gagged and cannot speak. KEEN continues.

KEEN
      No more talking. Let us decide this as it should be decided: a best of 3.

KEEN stands up and brings in two monitors. NADA notices for the first time the Computers under the table. He reaches down and grabs his mouse and keyboard. He presses the keys. Mechanical. He hefts the mouse in his hand.

Cross-cutting: both progamers plug in their equipment, and boot up starcraft II. Keen pulls a pair of scissors from his pocket and cuts the zip-ties from NADA's hands.

KEEN
      Let's not try anything too tricky, now.

Cut to game start. The players spawn on Daybreak, the GSL map. Cut to several scenes of Terran units fighting each other. NADA types gg. Game 2, Marines fighting each other on a desert tileset map. A medivac flies into the back of a base, unloading hellions. Dead scvs are quickly everywhere. Gradually, KEEN is overwhelmed and loses. Game 3 is on Crevasse. KEEN proxies rax outside of NADA's main. A bunker is up in time and the attack is repelled. KEEN taps out gg.

KEEN stands up. His face is briefly angry, then calms itself.

KEEN
      You've earned your freedom. Let's hear what you have to say before I kick you out of here.

He finally removes NADA's gag.

NADA
      I'm not with the council.

Keen is skeptical.

KEEN
      You are with the council. There's no other reason you'd be here. They've been looking to get rid of me for some time, and you're taking your chance.

NADA
      Get rid of you? Hardly. They want to get rid of me. Have you seen my group? MC and I didn't trip and fall. We were attacked by Ryung. They're trying to force those of us with remaining morals out of the group.

Keen is listening intently.

NADA
      I'm unarmed. You know this. I came here asking for help, not looking for a fight-- though I certainly found one.

KEEN
      Help with what? If what you say is true, there's very little we can do. The chairman has the rest of the council in his pocket, and no-one can go against IMMvp. We don't have enough votes with just the two of us to pass a proposition.

NADA
      I'm not asking for your vote, Keen. I'm asking for your muscle. We can't afford to have Polt in charge any more. We're taking back the chairmanship by force, and putting it in the hands of someone just, kind, and capable. Someone who won't let the power corrupt them. Someone like you.

NADA smiles, a warm, sincere smile.

NADA
      I can't do it alone, and I'm not cut out to be in charge. I need your help, KEEN. We have to move quickly if we're going to stop the council-- and save Noblesse.

KEEN frowns at the mention of NOBLESSE.

NADA
      We don't have much time left now, my friend. We have to move.

NADA stands up and begins walking towards the door.

NADA
      I'm going to go stop the council. I'll do it without your help if I have to, but I probably won't succeed. Follow me if you want.

Exit NADA. KEEN looks around, dismayed for a moment. He steps into the hallway and sees NADA going out the door. He looks into the training room and sees NOBLESSE, sweat pouring down his forehead, concentrating as hard as possible on training for the group stage that might well send him to the up/downs.

After a moment's consideration, KEEN turns and jogs after NADA.

Cut to black.

      KOREA CITY INTERIOR-- over-the-shoulder shot of a PROTOSS PLAYER playing on the ladder. The screen flickers with the light of stalker fire during a furious PvP. Clicking frantically, the PROTOSS PLAYER demonstrates superior blink micro and wins the battle.

The game ends, and a chat window opens up on his (korean) Sc2 client. It's JINRO. In English:
JINRO: Practice Game?
YOU: OK. Invite?
JINRO: I can't host you host it.
YOU: What map
JINRO: Daybreak plz
YOU: You're declining invite
JINRO: Oh, let me re-login.
---
JINRO: Try now
YOU: You're still declining
JINRO: OK maybe I should host
JINRO: I still can't host, maybe you should try again...

Eventually, despite the usual battle.net lag, the two players start a game. The PROTOSS PLAYER opens 3 gateways and a hidden stargate. He attacks JINRO's front but is ultimately repelled by siege tank and viking.

YOU: That was fun
JINRO: Yes. How's the new place?
YOU: Pretty good. You should come by sometime.]
JINRO: I think I'll be okay. By the way, I need to talk to you about something. Come get dinner with me and I'll tell you.
YOU: Ok.

Cut to PROTOSS PLAYER's face: HUK logs off of battle.net and stands up. The apartment is mostly empty, waiting for the other EG players to arrive in Korea. He looks at his cell phone, grabs his jacket, and leaves for the door.

      INCHEON EXTERIOR DAY -- the sun shines brightly down on the building containing oGs house. Cut to oGs house interior. HUK and JINRO are washing their dishes.

JINRO, in english
      ...and that's the long and the short of it.

HUK, in english
      It all makes sense now. The dominance of Terran in Code S, the group selection... I never knew.

JINRO
      And with NADA making a run for the chairmanship, I don't know what's going to happen. I don't think he'll be successful, and the council's grip on GSL will only grow tighter.

HUK
      So, what do we do?

JINRO
      We need to get closer to the wolf. We can't do this as a sheep, because sheeps get eaten. We will have to become wolves ourselves if we want to see whose teeth are sharper.

HUK
      I'm not even a Terran player.

JINRO
      You're in Code S, which is good enough. Let us go, we shepherds in the clothes of wolves, and draw the pack close enough to strike with our staves.

Fade to black

SEOUL -- Sinjeong Station Exterior. NADA and KEEN emerge onto the sidewalk. Walking side-by-side, they move along the somewhat busy street. They're wearing their progaming uniforms.

NADA
      You know, we're going to have to fight each other.

KEEN
      Yeah.

NADA
      I will not hold anything back. Neither should you. MMA and NesTea are both in our group-- I can't really see either of us advancing.

KEEN nods.

NADA
      Even so, I have some new ideas with thors I want to try against NesTea. I guess I won't get the chance unless I beat you, though. Don't worry about our match. It'll be convincing, at the very least, that we aren't working together if we pull no punches.

KEEN
      I'm just afraid of going to up/downs.

NADA
      Don't let that fear decide what you do. Just believe in yourself and try to win. NesTea's ZvT is weak, we have chances.

NADA pauses, and the silence between them is filled with the sounds of the city.

NADA
      Whatever happens, by the end of the day, we'll have what we want. These Code S games are important, but not as important as regaining control of the Council. MMA and NesTea are both innocent bystanders here. We have no beef with them.

KEEN
      And if one of us IS sent to the up/downs?

NADA
      It's not a possibility I haven't considered. It won't matter any more if we have control of the council. Whichever one of us is still in Code S will get the other one back in. We'll be able to do that.

Nada smiles. It's a smile of avarice, not mercy.

NADA
      We know they'll meet as soon as Group D plays.

KEEN
      It's a good thing you were such good friends with HuK

NADA
      And Zenio, too. I've practiced with both of them extensively, and I know more about them than the Council does. They think HuK, who made the quarterfinals last season, is going to beat Virus, and possibly even asd because of his new team alignment. They're wrong, though. HuK's PvT won't be able to hold, though judging from his recent success in PvZ he may beat Zenio.

They come to a crosswalk and stop.

NADA
      What matters, though, is that HuK and Zenio not advance. This will lock in one half of the Ro16 with Mvp, Clide, Ryung, Bomber, the Group C winners (Let's say NesTea and MMA for now), and two Terrans from Group D. This will guarantee at least 3 Terrans in the Ro8, with only half of the groups played through.

The light turns green. The progamers cross.

KEEN
      And of course, the council will freak out. Given the remaining 4 groups, we'd be looking at 5, maybe 6 Terrans in the Ro8, possibly a 3 or 4-Terran Ro4. It would be like the Super Tournament all over again.

NADA
      And given that they're trying to duck another Terran nerf patch, and avoid maps like Bel'shir Beach--

he snarls out the map name

      They'll immediately call an emergency session to figure out how to avoid upcoming Terran Nerfs. They'll be in a rush, and they'll be tired.

KEEN
      They won't be ready for a fight.

Camera pulls back to reveal the looming overhang and billboard of the GSL STUDIO ENTRANCE. The two pro gamers walk in, engulfed by the dark building. Begin fade at black.

NADA
      No, they won't be ready at all.

Fade to black.