CSI: NY

Proving Ground

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. NEW YORK CITY (STOCK) - DAY

To establish.

EXT. NEW YORK COUNTY JAIL - DAY

A dozen female prisoners in orange jump suits file out of the county jail and onto a bus. Most of them are tough women who have been in and out of the system. They don't look at each other, but they do try staring down the guards.

The last on the bus are ANNIE Stohl and INMATE #12. This is Annie's first offense. She is in her early thirties, very short, with a mass of long, wavy auburn colored hair - Chocolate Almond to be exact.

INT. COUNTY JAIL BUS - DAY

Guards sit the two down in the last two seats and fasten chains from the bar on the floor around their handcuffs. All but two guards leave. One guard sits in the seat behind the driver's seat and the other remains standing at the back

The bus driver climbs aboard, shuts the door, and drive out onto the city streets. Minutes later a van pulls out in front of the bus and stops in the street, blocking the bus.

The van driver gets out, opens the back, and starts unloading boxes. The bus driver honks. The van driver flips him off and continues unloading his van.

Suddenly gunfire explodes from all direction, focused on the bus. The guards hit the floor. The inmates try to get down and four are killed. Annie is such a small woman that she can easily get to the floor and out of the line of fire.

The front door is broken down. The guard at the back motions Annie to get down further. Annie lies on the floor. The guard looks away and suddenly jumps to her feet. More gunfire. The guard is hit in the chest and falls. Annie reaches out to her.

ANNIE
(whisper)
Mellie!

Before Mellie can respond a bullet tears through her skull, splattering Annie and the area with blood and brains. Annie scrambles back against the side of the bus. She looks up when a BAD GUY comes into view, armed with a semi-automatic.

BAD GUY
If you want out, put your hands up.

Annie holds up her hands and he unlocks her handcuffs.

BAD GUY
Get the fuck outta here!

Annie is in shock and doesn't move

He turns to Inmate #12. He unlocks her cuffs as she stands and the two embrace with a lusty kiss. He grabs her hand and they start for the front of the bus.

Outside a gun is fired and it shakes Annie from her shock. She gets up and heads for the front. She glances at the bus driver lying on the floor as she steps over him. He has a head wound and appears to be dead.

EXT. COUNTY JAIL BUS - DAY

Annie steps off the bus into chaos. The neighborhood is frantic with what has just happened. Some inmates are attacking civilians for their cars or money, or just for the sheer fun of causing pain. Inmate #12 returns and charges at Annie with a gun aimed at her.

INMATE #12
Move!

Annie looks back. The bus driver is reaching for the bus radio. He and Annie lock eyes. Annie turns back to Inmate #12.

ANNIE
I will pay you not to shoot him.

That's the last thing the inmate was expecting to hear.

INMATE #12
What?

ANNIE
I will pay you a thousand dollars
if you shoot the radio, leave the
guard unharmed, and get me out
of here.

The woman hesitates. She fires her gun over Annie's shoulder. Annie turns. Inmate #12 did shoot the radio, and it's showering sparks over the guard, but he's still alive.

INMATE #12
(to Annie)
Come on.

Annie and the guard lock eyes again. He has his hand on a gun.

ANNIE
Put pressure on your head wound
until the medics arrive.

She turns her back on him and walks away. She's afraid. The guard aims his gun at her back, but then lowers it, letting her walk away. She gets in a car with Inmate #12 and they leave the scene.

SMASH CUT:

OPENING CREDITS.

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER