JUDGES OF BEING Dark Atmospheric, Crime Sci-fi Created by Kai Vygor Is it justifiable to compromise one's moral principles for the greater good of society? In the aftermath of a devastating war, the Gates stands as the final city, plagued by starvation and oppression. In this volatile environment, the Keep, once a symbol of justice, has become a puppet of the elite. Morality & Identity Rogue Whitlam, a principled investigator, faces a moral quandary when tasked with a murder case. Caught between the oppressive Law and his conscience, Rogue's decision will not only determine the accused's fate but also shape his own destiny. Copyright © 2023 Kai Vygor. All rights reserved. judgesofbeing.com instagram: @kai.vygor 1 OVER BLACK 1 The sound of rain and electricity crackling fills the air, accompanied by the panted breathing of a woman and a man. MAN (MALE PARTNER) (O.S.) I love you. The sound of feet slipping against wet concrete resonates. CUT TO: 2 3 4 5 INT. THE CATALYST - HALLWAYS - NIGHT We open from above looking down at a labyrinth of dark gray hallways. The walls and floor are covered in intricate scales, with curved columns lined with orange lights. Three figures can be seen walking through the vast space. INT. THE CATALYST - CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER The trio now advances down a narrow, dimly-lit hallway. A closed door. A single figure stands behind a desk at the doorway, wearing a strange, pointy, and shiny helmet. As the camera pulls in closer, we see the figure is a girl with genetically enhanced orange eyes. She is wearing strange goggles with a skin-like hole covering, and geometrically symmetrical lines imprinted on her pale white face. The three figures stop and stand before her. She looks up at them, then waves her hand over an orange light panel. The door slides open, revealing a much larger, expansive corridor. A statue of a mysterious black marble head can be seen near the wall. The figures make their way further through the corridor, approaching a matte black hovering ship, smooth and curvy in shape. Past the ship, an opening into the sky, and a city in the distance can all be seen. Lightning flashes across the landscape, illuminating the floor of the corridor through crevasses in the ceiling. EXT. THE GATES - CITY - NIGHT We pan and fly through the city, showcasing three establishing shots of the surroundings. Synthesizers roar, epic music composition, and large-scale soundscapes. We then CUT TO a far shot of the Gate's Keep. EXT. THE GATE'S KEEP - ENTRANCE A sturdy concrete bridge is extending outward from the confines of the Gate's Keep. Fire emits from lanterns held by chains by the Keep's entrance. The Keep, a sizable cylindrical tower, stands solitary amidst darkness, detached from the rest of the Gates. 2 3 4 5 DRAFT 29 2. A few Gatekeepers run past the entrance and through a puddle near ROGUE. A large man dressed in attire. He stands by the Keep's entryway in the pouring rain, holding a black umbrella above his head. An indifferent expression across his face. He checks his watch (3 minutes to 7) as another Gatekeeper known as ‘JORSSE’ walks over to him, holding an umbrella and a Styrofoam cup of coffee. JORSSE Must we stand out in the rain? Rogue turns his gaze away from his watch and peers out along the extending bridge. ROGUE Shouldn't be long now. The Tongue is rarely late. Once fully extended, the bridge emits a loud metallic groan. Lights along its length flicker on, one by one. A white painted line becomes visible on the bridge near the Keep's side. Jorsse hands Rogue a cup of coffee. JORSSE Still struggling to sleep? Rogue takes an unblinking sip. ROGUE Who doesn't? Jorsse shuffles forward. JORSSE Eh. I like to focus on the rain. It simplifies the mind. You should try it. Helps me sleep like a baby. A beat. Rogue pauses and looks over at Jorsse with concern. ROGUE And have you ever seen that, Jorsse? A sleeping baby? Ha. Rogue takes another sip. Jorsse looks down with a lost gaze. He paces his words slowly. JORSSE (Under breath) A figure of speech… Ah, fuck… Rogue glances at Jorsse sorrowfully. ROGUE Hey, look. I get what you’re saying. But simplifying your mind… It isn’t always… Simple. (MORE) DRAFT 29 3. ROGUE (CONT'D) (Rogue yawns) They say you should count sheep jumping over a fence. Yeah well last night I counted three thousand fucking sheep. Jorsse looks up at Rogue with a smile. JORSSE Ha, what’d you do then? Rogue sips the last of his drink, looking out along the bridge. ROGUE Drank more coffee. They share a brief laugh, then a moment of silence together. ROGUE (CONT'D) It's strange... Being out here. Everything just feels like it's moving so slow. Like there's nothing out there. Empty, but... It's not. The rain is loud. The sky is thick with clouds. The Gates are tall and vast. Our whole world, standing there in front of us, hiding behind the darkness. It's chaos... But... JORSSE It's beautiful... Jorsse is looking out at the city, smiling. JORSSE (CONT'D) I know I'm one of the youngest and probably ignorant for saying this but... It's proof y'know, that the God up there, they prayed to. (Slight head shake) Was just us all along. Mankind's greatest creation... was itself. A beat. Rogue looks at Jorsse. ROGUE Hm... What's that like, by the way... Being one of the... 'Last Generation'? Jorsse releases a burdened exhale. DRAFT 29 JORSSE 4. Heavy. I guess I feel a sense of purpose... And at times... I guess I feel alone. ROGUE Well it's a good thing you're here Jorsse. Besides, you're one of the tough ones. You'll make your mark I have no doubt. JORSSE Yeah. I suppose that's something I can at least count on them for. (Jorsse looks up at the city before them) They'll find a place for me... And they'll marry me to it. They've got a purpose for us all. Rogue holds a steady gaze at Jorsse's eyes. He follows, looking up at the city. ROGUE Mm. I hope you're right. He tosses his coffee cup over the platform's edge. It disappears into the abyss. 6 7 EXT. THE GATES - CITY Between two towering structures, identical bridges span a foggy abyss, ending at sealed industrial doors. Rubbish litters the ground as people gather, their attention fixed on the doors. Suddenly, a ship with bright orange lights cuts through the sky, momentarily diverting a few gazes. The scene broadens to show the ship gliding across the cityscape, heading towards 'The Gate's Keep'. EXT. THE GATE'S KEEP - BRIDGE The ship descends slowly onto a circular pad at the end of the bridge, causing the fog to be pushed away as it touches down with a clanking noise. The ship's lights fade. Rogue stands before the Keep's bridge with Jorsse by his side, a dozen Gatekeepers behind them, all without umbrellas. Rogue is looking out towards the end of the bridge. Suddenly, a gap is formed in the fog. DARC, POPPET, and LOCK walk through it along the extended bridge. Darc and Lock lead the way, both are Angels, with Poppet strolling behind. They stop near the white line towards the entryway of the Gate's Keep. Darc looks down at his feet. Rogue salutes. The other Gatekeepers follow in sync. 6 7 DRAFT 29 5. ROGUE, JORSSE & GATEKEEPERS (Altogether) Judges of Being! After a short pause, Poppet looks up at Rogue, and then at a few other Keepers. POPPET Where is Warner? ROGUE Warner is visiting the Anyth by means of business. After looking around, Poppet catches Rogue’s eye and holds contact for a moment. POPPET Hm… Step forward. Rogue hesitates before doing as instructed, uncomfortably stepping over the white-painted line. Darc begins to approach him, revealing a small scanning device from the back of his hip. POPPET (CONT'D) Hold still. Darc places the device over Rogue’s eyes. A small pinhead needle extrudes out and jabs at Rogue’s forehead. It activates, surging a scan of light across Rogue’s face. Rogue quietly grunts to himself. Darc then puts the device away and steps back. Rogue wipes at the blood with his finger, inspecting the drop. Poppet’s orange eyes glisten with light as if receiving information. POPPET (CONT'D) Rogue Whitlam. Rogue darts his eyes up to look at Poppet. POPPET (CONT'D) An impressive record. A four generation long bloodline of Gatekeeping. Two fifty-six years of service. Seventeen of your own. A beat. Rogue nods. Correct. ROGUE POPPET And presently you are the 'Standing Keeper'? DRAFT 29 Rogue nods. 6. ROGUE I was left in charge, yes. Poppet smiles. POPPET Understood. Take charge. Poppet raises his arm out, gesturing down a pathway outwards of the bridge. 8 EXT. THE GATE'S KEEP - OFF PASSAGE Poppet leads Rogue down the pathway as they talk. The Angels trail behind them. ROGUE The crime is murder... THREE QUICK SHOTS OF THE CRIME SCENE, POST MURDER.
A matter of murder? And that, not dealt with yourself? I do hope you aren't wasting my time Mr Whitlam. I have little patience for category twos. ROGUE (Cold) And I’d understand, had the violation been apparent. But we have no evidence, and the scene of crime is… foggy. POPPET (Quickly) You said it yourself, he turned himself in. The murder is unjustified. ROGUE Can’t be so sure it is. POPPET Hm. Rogue looks at the couple. The Female Partner interjects. FEMALE PARTNER That man attacked me! We haven't done nothing wrong! MALE PARTNER That fucker stabbed me. ROGUE My name is Rogue Whitlam. I'm here to conduct your investigation from here on in. This here is the 'Tongue'... Poppet Gryffs... He'll be... Overseeing things. FEMALE PARTNER (A look at Poppet then Rogue) I know what he is. Now hurry up he's gonna die! ROGUE (Under breathe) Okay then. (Loud) Why were you both hanging around a Provision Site on an off day? FEMALE PARTNER Are you serious!? We're fucking starving. We don't all have... (MORE) DRAFT 29 8. FEMALE PARTNER (CONT'D) (Looks down at Rogue's stomach then back at his eyes) Your privledge. MALE PARTNER He had a knife! It was self defense. ROGUE Self defense? You smuggled an illegal firearm from the Anyth, and then shot a man between the eyes with it... MALE PARTNER Hey fuck you man! Argh Blood trickles out of the Male Partner's wound. FEMALE PARTNER We don't have time! Please... He needs a doctor. ROGUE (To Poppet) The 'Moon'. (A look to Darc then back at Poppet) It’s the only way we can know. Poppet pauses for a moment before looking at Darc. POPPET Darc. Darc kneels next to the Male Partner. He brings the scanning device again and holds it to the man’s face. Through his eyes, we enter a tunneling transition of spirals. 9 EXT. THE GATES - MIDDLE OF THE CITY FROM POV OF THE MALE PARTNER Eyes open. The Male Partner moves frantically down a narrow path on the edge of a building block. A ship flies closely by as lightning flashes across the sky illuminating the buildings around him. He steps around a rubbish bag, kicking some cans out of his way and grabs onto the handrail to support himself. 9 DRAFT 29 9. As he continues to make his way further down the path, he hears a woman scream from around the upcoming corner. FEMALE PARTNER (O.S.) HELP! HELP! THIEF (O.S.) SHUT UP BITCH! The THIEF is heard slapping the Female Partner. The Male Partner arrives at the end of the path and turns the corner. He sees his partner being pushed up against the wall by the Thief. THIEF (CONT'D) I know what you've done. FEMALE PARTNER GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF ME! The Thief is holding her against the wall. He roughly spins her around pushing her face up against the wall. He laughs to himself. MALE PARTNER (Yells) HEY! The Thief turns his head to see the Male Partner aggressively approaching him. THIEF Fuck off old man. The Male Partner does not. Instead, he lunges toward the Thief grabbing him by the collar. The Thief releases the Female Partner. A thudding plunge is felt through the Male Partner as he slowly lets go of the Thief's collar. Injured, he takes a few wobbly steps back, clutching the wound in his stomach. His fingers are bloody as drops of blood trickle down into the puddles by his feet. He glances up to see the Thief brandishing a knife. FEMALE PARTNER ARRRRR!!! Noo-oo-o...! She steps towards the Thief, grabbing him by the arm. The Thief remains looking at the Male Partner. He aggressively throws his arm back, flicking the Female Partner off and into the ground. The Male Partner's vision blurs from pain to fear. Suddenly he trips backward into a metal handrail. It gives way, cranking over the edge and snapping off. He turns, seeing the broken rail topple down into the deep abyss below. He swiftly reacts, reaching out to another handrail to catch himself. DRAFT 29 10. Looking up, the Male Partner sees the Thief approaching, the knife pointed at him. Swiftly, the Male Partner slides his hand behind his back and retrieves a handgun. He doesn't hesitate. Pointing the weapon directly at the Thief's head and firing. The bullet penetrates the Thief's face right between the eyes. Blood bursts out behind his head. 10 EXT. THE GATE'S KEEP - CONCRETE COURTYARD The Male Partner opens his eyes with large expressions of emotion and panic. We see a close-up of Darc’s eyes. The normally bright orange iris is faded. As he returns to his senses, the orange iris blinks to life. He takes the device from the Male Partner’s face and puts it away. DARC Justified. Lock looks over at the Female partner sitting down, scrutinizing her appearance. POPPET The Moon speaks to us clearly. The man is innocent. Have him brought to the ward. LOCK Wait. All eyes turn to look at Lock. LOCK (CONT'D) Check hers. There is a short pause. Darc then moves towards the Female Partner, kneeling down to look at her. He hesitates for a moment, before holding her by the shoulder and scanning her eyes with the device. As he slowly takes it away, she is seen as visibly terrified. Darc drops his head briefly and gives her shoulder a single pat. He stands, looking over at Poppet. POPPET A category ONE violation. Very well then, the verdict is clear. Poppet paces his words slowly as if reanalyzing the moment. Rogue turns to look at Poppet, appearing concerned and confused. ROGUE What? 10 DRAFT 29 11. MALE PARTNER She hasn’t done anything wrong you idiots! That piece of shit attacked her! The Female Partner starts to tremble and tear up. Poppet looks at her and then across at the Male Partner. Poppet pauses for a moment. He tilts his head back. POPPET Interesting. A beat. A lightning bolt cracks across the sky. Poppet looks at the Female Partner. POPPET (CONT'D) You haven't even told him yet? The Male Partner glances back at his partner. She shakes, unable to make eye contact. MALE PARTNER (Under breath) What? POPPET She is three months pregnant. The Male Partner's expression rapidly changes from anger to surprise and then to fear. He looks over at his partner, who is now crying. They exchange a loving yet saddened look. Rogue is also shocked. POPPET (CONT'D) They both stand guilty Keeper Rogue, be their equity. Surprised and afraid, Rogue gazes at Poppet. FEMALE PARTNER No, please... Don't do this... ROGUE You can’t be serious? My God… Poppet turns toward Rogue becoming increasingly angry. POPPET If only there were a God, Mr Whitlam, but only we are the judges of this parasitical world. And our God… is the Heaven’s Law. You are the Standing Keeper. Conception is the crime. And you will pass the punishment. DRAFT 29 12. Rogue looks over at the couple, completely stunned. Hesitantly, he takes his handgun from his holster and clutches it by his waist. Slowly, he moves closer to the couple. They stand and lean into each other. Despite his own distress, Rogue still manages to raise his gun. The couple stagger backward, nearing the platform’s edge. Rogue looks down at his weapon, now pointed at the Female Partner's pregnant stomach. The Male Partner steps forward to protect her with his body. A few moments go past as the Angels and Poppet await Rogue's move. Rogue looks at the group of Gatekeepers standing nearby. He notices Jorsse among them, standing resolutely with a stern expression on his face. Jorsse decisively nods at Rogue. Time freezes, Rogue rests his finger on the trigger but stops. A feeling of self-realization is seen in his eyes. He lowers his gun. ROGUE (To Poppet) Fuck this. Your rules, your doings. Rogue holsters his gun and walks away from the scene. Poppet's eyes follow his walk, giving Rogue an intense glare. He gnarls his teeth. Poppet looks to Lock, nodding his approval. Lock takes a step forward and unveils his weapon. Darc then follows Lock revealing his own weapon. The two Angels stand on either side of the couple by the edge. Lock flicks his wrist downwards, activating his armguard, sending bolts of electricity rippling down onto his weapon. Darc follows him right after. Finally, the Female Partner pulls the Male Partner around to look at her. She brings him close to the edge, looking down at the dark abyss. They share one final, tender look, sealing their silent farewell with a hug. MALE PARTNER I love you. From a distance, Rogue, who had been walking away, stops. Turning his head to the side as he looks down. In the background, we can see the couple surrounded by the Angels. They topple over the edge in each others' arms. THE END. CUT TO BLACK. DRAFT 29 EDITORIAL APPRECIATIONS 13. Brok Power Odysseus Pollock Peter McGregor Felix Wilkins Justin Dabner Anthony Thanaxay Spencer Griffiths Leo Laurentz Thomson Warner Jesse McDonald Jordyn Hamilton Gabrielle Angelone DRAFT 29