ANTON5009Join Date: 2009-02-08 Post Count: 125 |
ARIADNE
You have to warn them if it's
getting worse-
COBB
(gentle)
I didn't say it's getting worse.
Look, Ariadne, I need them for this
job. I need you for this job.
Without your help, I'll never get
back to my children. And that's all
I can care about right now.
ARIADNE
Why can't you go home, Cobb?
Cobb looks at her, deciding what to say.
COBB
They think I killed her.
ARIADNE
How did she die?
Cobb thinks.
INSERT CUT: Mal, wind BLOWING her hair, smiles at Cobb. Now
we see Cobb- SHAKING HIS HEAD, TEARS STREAMING, BEGGINGCOBB
Thank you.
ARIADNE
For what?
COBB
Not asking whether I did.
INT. WORKSHOP - DAY
Ariadne, Arthur, Yusuf, Eames and Saito sit around the room,
looking at FILES. Cobb presides.
COBB
The mark is Robert Fischer, heir to
the Australian energy conglomerate,
Fischer Morrow.
Cobb opens a large presentation pad.
COBB (reads aloud)
"I WILL SPLIT UP MY FATHER'S
EMPIRE."
Cobb turns to the team.
56.
COBB
An idea Robert Fischer's conscious
mind would never accept. We have to
plant it deep in his subconscious.
ARTHUR
How deep?
COBB
Three levels down.
ARTHUR
A dream within a dream within a
dream? Is that even possible?
COBB
Yes. It is.
COBB
Now, the subconscious motivates
through emotion, not reason, so we
have to translate the idea into an
emotional concept.
ARTHUR
How do you translate a business
strategy into an emotion?
COBB
That's what we have to figure out.
Robert and his father have a tense
relationship. Worse, even, than the
gossip columns have suggested...
EAMES
Do you play on that? Suggest
breaking up his father's company as
a 'screw you' to the old man?
COBB
No. Positive emotion trumps
negative emotion every time. We
yearn for people to be reconciled,
for catharsis. We need positive
emotional logic.
Eames thinks. Paces. Looking back at the board.
EAMES
Try this... "MY FATHER ACCEPTS THAT
I WANT TO CREATE FOR MYSELF, NOT
FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS."
COBB
That might work.
57.
ARTHUR
Might? We'll have to do better than
that.
EAMES
Thanks for the contribution,
Arthur.
ARTHUR
Forgive me for wanting a little
specificity, Eames.
COBB
Inception's not about specificity.
When we get inside his head, we're
going to have to work with what we
find.
Arthur shrugs, frustrated. And we-
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - DAY
The team are in the middle of a DESERTED intersection.
Ariadne is showing Yusuf aspects of the geography.
EAMES
We could split the idea into
emotional triggers, and use one on
each level.
COBB
How do you mean?
EAMES
On the top level, we open up his
relationship with his father....
Say: "I WILL NOT FOLLOW IN MY
FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS." Next level
down we've accessed his ambition
and self-esteem. We feed him: "I
WILL CREATE SOMETHING MYSELF."
Then, the bottom level, we bring
out the emotional big guns...
COBB
"MY FATHER DOESN'T WANT ME TO BE
HIM."
EAMES
That could do it.
ARTHUR
How do you produce these emotional
triggers?
58.
EAMES
I forge each emotional concept in
the style and manner of Peter
Browning, a key figure in Fischer's
emotional life.
Two AFRICAN PEDESTRIANS wander into view.
ARTHUR
Are those yours?
Eames shakes his head. Cobb turns to Yusuf.
ARTHUR
Yusuf?
YUSUF
Yup. Sorry.
COBB
Suppress them. We don't bring our
own projections into the dream-we
let Fischer's subconscious supply
the people.
EAMES
Saito, when do I get to see
Browning?
SAITO
You fly out to Sydney on Tuesday.
We've arranged for you to spend
several days...
INT. ANTEROOM, MAURICE FISCHER'S OFFICE - DAY
Eames sits in the crowded room. Boxes and files are piled
high. Browning stands by a pair of double doors.
SAITO (V.O.)
...as part of a consulting
litigation team working for
Browning.
BROWNING
I'm not smelling settlement here-we
take them down.
LAWYER
Mr. Browning, Maurice Fischer's
policy is always one of avoiding
litigation-
Browning turns to the lawyer. Calm, but POWERFUL.
59.
BROWNING
Shall we relay your concerns
directly to Maurice?
Browning opens the doors to Maurice Fischer's inner office.
Eames leans in to watch as Browning beckons the Lawyer into-
INT. MAURICE FISCHER'S INNER OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
The office is a MAKESHIFT HOSPITAL ROOM: a BED where the desk
should be. Browning addresses a figure at the window. ROBERT
FISCHER, 30'S, abstracted.
BROWNING
How is he?
Fischer turns to Browning. Motions silence, as he glances at
his FATHER in the bed. Wheezing gently.
BROWNING
I don't want to bother him
unnecessarily but I know he-
FATHER
Robert! I've told you to keep out
the damn!-
MAURICE LASHES OUT, KNOCKING things from his bedside table. A
NURSE calms Maurice as Fischer crouches to retrieve a FRAMED
PHOTOGRAPH. He looks at the photo through the broken glass- a
YOUNG BOY holds a PINWHEEL CLEARLY MADE BY A CHILD (each of
the points is numbered in pen), his FATHER blows on it.
BROWNING
Must be a cherished memory of his-
FISCHER
I put it by his bed. He hasn't even
noticed.
BROWNING
Robert, we have to talk about a
power of attorney. I know this is
hard for you, but it's important
that we start to think about the
future-
FISCHER
Not now, Uncle Peter.
Browning looks at Fischer, considering. Biding his time.
EAMES (V.O.)
The vultures are circling. The
sicker Maurice Fischer becomes, the
stronger Peter Browning becomes...
60.
Eames WATCHES Browning, STUDYING his every move .
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
Eames gestures at a mirror, as if offering to shake hands...
EAMES (V.O.)
I've had time to learn Browning's
physical presence and mannerisms...
In the mirror: BROWNING GESTURES BACK.
INT. WORKSHOP - CONTINUOUS
EAMES
Now, in the dream, I can impersonate
Browning and suggest the concepts to
Fischer's conscious mind...
(draws a diagram)
Then we take Fischer down another
level and his own subconscious
feeds it right back to him.
ARTHUR
(impressed)
So he gives himself the idea.
EAMES
Precisely. That's the only way
to make it stick. It has to seem
self-generated.
ARTHUR
Eames, I'm impressed.
EAMES
Your condescension, as always, is
much appreciated, Arthur.
CUT TO:
INT. DESERTED HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
The team sit on the steps of the large marble lobby,
debating. Ariadne is showing Arthur the lobby.
EAMES
He's not scheduled for surgery, no
dental, nothing.
COBB
I thought he had some knee thing?
EAMES
Nothing they'd put him under for.
Besides, we need a good ten hours.
61.
SAITO
Sydney to Los Angeles.
They turn to Saito.
SAITO
Twelve hours and forty-five
minutes-one of the longest flights
in the world. He makes it every two
weeks...
EXT. AIRFIELD - DAY
Fischer steps out of a black town car and walks across the
tarmac towards a GULF STREAM JET, accompanied by two aides.
COBB (V.O.)
Surely he flies private?
SAITO (V.O.)
Not if there were unexpected
maintenance with his plane.
Fischer is met at the steps by a DISTRAUGHT FLIGHT OFFICER.
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY
Cobb chews this over. Arthur comes over.
ARTHUR
It'd have to be a 747.
COBB
Why?
ARTHUR
On a 747 the pilots are up above,
first class is in the nose so
nobody walks through the cabin.
We'd have to buyout the whole
cabin, and the first class flight
attendant-
SAITO
We bought the airline.
Everyone turns to Saito.
SAITO
It seemed... neater.
COBB
Neater, huh?
(gets to his feet)
Well, now we have ten uninterrupted
hours.
62.
(MORE)
(to Ariadne)
Nice lobby, by the way.
And we-
CUT TO:
INT. WORKSHOP - DAY
The group is back in the workshop, deep in discussion.
ARTHUR
My question is how we go down three
layers with enough stability. Three
layers down a little turbulence is
gonna translate into an earthquake.
The dreams are gonna collapse with
the slightest disturbance.
Yusuf clears his throat.
YUSUF
Sedation. For sleep stable enough to
create three layers of dreaming...
INT. MAKESHIFT LAB - DAY
Yusuf depresses a plunger. Arthur is SLEEPING in a chair.
YUSUF (V.O.)
We will have to combine it with an
extremely powerful sedative....
Eames SLAPS Arthur, HARD. Arthur does not stir.
INT. WORKSHOP - DAY
Arthur unconsciously rubs his cheek.
YUSUF
The compound we'll be using to
share the dream is an advanced
Somnacin derivative. It creates a
very clear connection between
dreamers, whilst actually
accelerating brain function.
CUT TO:
COBB
Buying us more time in each level.
YUSUF
Brain function in the dream will be
about twenty times normal.
63.
COBB (CONT'D)
(MORE)
And when you go into a dream within
that dream the effect is
compounded.
ARIADNE
How much time?
YUSUF
Three dreams... that's ten hours,
times twenty, times twenty, times
twenty...
EAMES
Math was never my strong suit.
COBB
It's basically a week one layer
down, six months two layers down-
ARIADNE
And ten years in the third level.
Who wants to spend ten years in a
dream?
YUSUF
Depends on the dream.
EAMES
It's not going to take us long to
crack Fischer open once we get
going. We'll be out in a couple
days, max.
ARTHUR
How do we get out once we've made
the plant?
(to Cobb)
I hope you've got something a
little more elegant in mind than
shooting me in the head like last
time.
Arthur tilts back in his chair. Yusuf turns to Cobb.
COBB
A kick.
ARIADNE
What's a kick?
Eames slips his foot under Arthur's chair leg. TIPS it-
Arthur's legs SHOOT UP INSTINCTIVELY for balance-
EAMES
That, Ariadne, would be a kick.
64.
YUSUF (CONT'D)
COBB
That feeling of falling which snaps
you awake. We use that to jolt
ourselves awake once we're done.
ARTHUR
But how are we going to feel that
through the sedation?
YUSUF
That's the clever part. I customize
the sedative...
INT. MAKESHIFT LAB - DAY
Cobb, Eames and Yusuf watch Arthur, ASLEEP, in a chair.
YUSUF (O.S.)
To leave inner ear function
unimpaired...
Yusuf, with a wicked grin, slowly TIPS Arthur's chair
backwards... as he falls, Arthur's body JERKS, EYES OPENING
just before he HITS the floor.
INT. WORKSHOP - DAY
Arthur thinks, nodding slowly.
YUSUF
That way, however deep the sleep, the
sleeper will still feel falling...
INT. MAKESHIFT LAB - DAY
Yusuf gleefully LEANS a SLEEPING ARTHUR to one side ...
YUSUF (V.O.)
Or tipping...
Arthur goes down with a CRASH, JERKING AWAKEINT.
WORKSHOP - DAY
Arthur thinks this through.
ARTHUR
Even that won't cut through three
layers of deep sleep.
COBB
The trick is to devise a kick for
each level, then synchronize them
to get a snap that penetrates all
three layers.
65.
Arthur looks at Cobb, getting it.
ARTHUR
We can use the musical countdown to
synchronize the different kicks.
INT. WORKSHOP - NIGHT
Ariadne comes into the darkened main space. Cobb is lying on
one of the chairs, asleep. Plugged into the mechanism.
Ariadne stands over him. Watching.
She opens the case, PULLS one of the tubes, sits, checking
the dials as she injects the needle cap into her arm, and we-
CUT TO:
INT. CAGE STYLE ELEVATOR - DAY
Ariadne ascends. She looks at the buttons. Spots the "B." The
elevator STOPS. She looks through the grill at-
INT. YOUNG GIRL'S BEDROOM - DAY
Ariadne pulls back the grill and walks across the room,
considering the dusty furnishings. At the window is a doll's
house, front slightly ajar. Ariadne opens it. Inside is a
SAFE. She tries it. LOCKED. A NOISE STARTLES her- she turns,
looking through a doorway into another room...
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ariadne looks into the room to see Cobb and Mal talking,
arguing. A private moment. Mal brushes at Cobb's hair, trying
to convince him. We hear snatches of conversation-
MAL
You remember when you asked me to
marry you?
COBB
Of course...
MAL
You said you had a dream...
COBB
That we'd grow old together.
MAL
And we can. You know how to find
me... you know what you have to do.
Cobb is shaking his head, gently. Mal looks into Cobb's eyesgentle,
loving... Mal SPOTS Ariadne spying on them.
66.
FREEZES, staring, hostile. Cobb turns, sees Ariadne, moves
towards her, leaving Mal.
COBB
You shouldn't be in here.
Cobb guides her back into the elevator.
ARIADNE
I wanted to know what "tests" you
need to do on your own every night.
INT. CAGE STYLE ELEVATOR - DAY
Cobb shuts the CAGE DOOR. Ariadne hits a button. The elevator
RISES. Through the GRILL Ariadne can see a BEACH stretching
off into the distance. The elevator stops. Mal sits on the
sand. Beside her, the two children are crouched, away from
us, building a SANDCASTLE.
ARIADNE
Why do you do this to yourself?
COBB
This is the only way I can still
dream.
ARIADNE
Is it so important to dream?
Cobb stares at his family.
COBB
In my dreams... we're still together.
The kids, WITHOUT TURNING AROUND, jump up and RUN AWAY.
INT. CAGE STYLE ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
The elevator descends.
ARIADNE
But these aren't just dreams, are
they? They're memories. You said
never to use memories.
COBB
And I shouldn't.
ARIADNE
You're keeping her alive.
COBB
No.
67.
ARIADNE
You can't let her go.
COBB
No. These are moments I regret.
Moments I turned into dreams so I
could change them.
Ariadne's fingers move across the buttons- stop at the "B."
ARIADNE
What've you got buried down there
that you regret?
Cobb pushes her hand away. Hits the third floor button.
COBB
There's only one thing I need you
to understand about me...
INT. KITCHEN, COBB AND MAL'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Ariadne follows Cobb into the kitchen. A THIN MAN is there,
standing by the table. He holds a FOLDED PIECE OF PAPER.
ARIADNE
This is your house?
COBB
Mine and Mal's.
ARIADNE
Where is she?
COBB
She'd already died.
The Thin Man offers Cobb the piece of paper. A CHILD'S SHOUTCobb
TURNS. Ariadne follows his gaze to the garden. A small
blonde boy faces away from them, crouched on his haunches to
look at something on the ground.
COBB
It's James. My boy. He's found
something. Maybe a worm.
A slightly older girl RUNS into view.
COBB
And there's Philippa.
She crouches beside the boy. Their FACES ARE AWAY FROM US.
They point and discuss whatever is on the ground.
68.
COBB
I thought about calling out, so
they'd turn and smile those
incredible smiles... but I'm out of
time-
The Thin Man thrusts the paper into Cobb's hand.
THIN MAN
Right now. Or never, Cobb.
Cobb nods, turns from the window-
COBB
Then I panic that I'll always wish
I'd seen them turn, that I can't
waste this chance...
Cobb TURNS BACK to call out- but the children RACE OFF...
COBB
But the moment's passed. And
whatever I do, the dream's always
the same... When I'm about to
call... they run.
Cobb watches them run off, calling for grandma, FACES UNSEEN.
COBB
If I'm going to see their faces
again-I've got to get back here in
the real world...
Behind him, Ariadne SLAMS the grill shut. Cobb TURNS.
INT. CAGE STYLE ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
Ariadne hits the BASEMENT button. The elevator starts to
DESCEND. ariadne STARES, fascinated as glimpses of floors
slip past: Mal's childhood bedroom, a thundering wall of
freight train... The elevator STOPS. Through the grill
Ariadne sees a HOTEL SUITE. She pulls open the grill, steps
cautiously out into-
INT. ELEGANT HOTEL SUITE - CONTINUOUS (NOW NIGHT)
DISHEVELED bedclothes, UPENDED room service table,
STRAWBERRIES across the floor. A STRUGGLE. Ariadne steps
forwards- SMASH− she looks down to see that she has kicked
over a CHAMPAGNE FLUTE. Ariadne feels a draught. The CURTAIN
BILLOWS.
MAL (O.S.)
What are you doing here?
Ariadne TURNS. Mal is there.
69.
ARIADNE
My name is-
MAL
I know who you are. What are you
doing here?
ARIADNE
I don't know. Trying to understand.
MAL
How could you understand? Do you
know what it is to be a lover? To
be half of a whole?
ARIADNE
No.
Mal moves slowly towards Ariadne...
MAL
I'll tell you a riddle. You're
waiting for a train. A train that
will take you far away. You know
where you hope this train will take
you, but you don't know for sure...
Mal glides around Ariadne, looking her over.
MAL
But... it doesn't matter. How can
it not matter to you where that
train will take you?
COBB (O.S.)
Because you'll be together.
Cobb is standing in the elevator. Mal nods. Looks at him.
MAL
How could you bring her here, Dom?
ARIADNE
What is this place?
COBB
A hotel. We spent our anniversaries
in this suite.
ARIADNE
What happened here?
Mal picks up the BROKEN STEM of a champagne flute...
70.
INT. CAGE STYLE ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
Cobb PULLS Ariadne into the elevator- Mal THROWS herself
towards Ariadne- Cobb SLAMS the GRILL- Mal SMASHES against it
AGAIN and AGAIN like a WILD ANIMAL- Ariadne FLINCHESMAL
you PROMISED! YOU SAID WE'D BE
TOGETHER!-
COBB
We can. We will. But I need you to
stay here for now-
MAL
YOU SAID WE'D GROW OLD TOGETHER!-
Cobb pushes a button and the elevator starts to rise.
COBB
I'll come back. I need you to stay
here on your own for now. Just
while I do this job. Then we can be
together-
MAL
WE'LL BE TOGETHER-YOU PROMISED!-
Mal THROWS herself against the grill, and. we-
CUT TO:
INT. WORKSHOP - NIGHT
Ariadne watches Cobb sleeping. His eyes gradually flicker
open. He sees her watching him.
ARIADNE
You think you can just build a
prison of memories to lock her in?
You think that's going to contain
her?
The LIGHTS COME ON: Saito and Arthur stand in the doorway.
SAITO
Maurice Fischer just died in Sydney.
COBB
When's the funeral?
SAITO
Thursday. In Los Angeles.
71.
COBB
Robert'll accompany the body
Tuesday at the outside. We have to
move.
Cobb gets up. Ariadne comes over to him.
ARIADNE
(low)
I'm coming with you.
COBB
No. I promised Miles.
ARIADNE
The team needs someone in there who
understands what you're struggling
with. If you don't want it to be me
then you need to show Arthur what I
just saw.
Cobb looks at Ariadne. Turns to Saito.
COBB
We need one more seat on the plane.
INT. DEPARTURE GATE, SYDNEY - DAY
Saito stands looking out the window at a 747. Cobb arrives
beside him. They watch a COFFIN being loaded.
COBB
If I get on this plane and you
haven't taken care of things...
when we land I go to jail for the
rest of my life.
SAITO
Complete the job en route, I make
one phone call from the plane...
you will have no trouble clearing
immigration.
INT. FIRST CLASS CABIN, 747 - CONTINUOUS
The luxurious cabin has only ten seats. Cobb finds his- sees
Ariadne in the seat behind his. They do not acknowledge each
other. Behind her is Arthur, looking out the window. Eames
enters, STUFFS his bag into the overhead bin, BLOCKING the
passenger behind: ROBERT FISCHER, standing there, patient,
bag in hand, wearing black.
EAMES
Oh, sorry.
72.
Eames SQUEEZES up against his seat to let Fischer BRUSH PAST.
Fischer moves to his seat, directly in front of Cobb. Eames
TOSSES Cobb a PASSPORT. Cobb flips it open: Fischer's.
Pockets it. Yusuf and Saito enter, take their seats.
EXT. RUNWAY - MOMENTS LATER
The 747 HURTLES down the runway.
INT. FIRST CLASS CABIN, 747 - MOMENTS LATER
Cobb looks down at his hand: a TINY VIAL taped to the center
of his palm. He removes the cap. The seatbelt sign goes dark.
Cobb unbuckles, stands.
COBB
Excuse me?
Fischer looks up.
FISCHER
Yes?
COBB
I think this is yours...
Cobb holds up the open passport, comparing the picture to
Fischer. Fischer's hand goes to his pocket. Cobb hands
Fischer the passport.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Would you gentlemen care for a
drink?
FISCHER
Water.
COBB
Same.
Fischer gives Cobb a thin smile. Holds up his passport.
FISCHER
Well, thank you.
COBB
No problem. Look, I couldn't help
noticing your name. You're not
related to Maurice Fischer?
Fischer takes a beat. But Cobb seems harmless.
FISCHER
Actually, he was my father.
73.
COBB
I'm very sorry for your loss. He
was an inspiring figure.
The Flight Attendant brings their drinks- Cobb takes them.
COBB
Thanks.
As he turns to Fischer he LOWERS his right hand ... a CLEAR
LIQUID DROPS into Fischer's water as Cobb hands it to him.
COBB
To Maurice Fischer.
(they drink)
I'll leave you in peace.
Fischer grants him a smile.
EXT. 747 - LATER
The great plane SOARS through a burning cloudscape.
INT. FIRST CLASS CABIN, 747 - MOMENTS LATER
Cobb reaches into the overhead for a blanket- lets it fall
onto Fischer's head- Fischer doesn't flinch. ASLEEP. Cobb
SIGNALS the others. The First Flight Attendant unlocks a
CUPBOARD in the galley, then leaves, closing the curtain.
Arthur moves into the galley and pulls out a MECHANISM CASE.
Cobb and Arthur open the mechanism- uncoil the tubes- feed
them around the window side of each of the seats. Arthur
rolls up Fischer's cuff- PUSHES the needle cap into Fischer's
wrist. Arthur pulls Fischer's cuff down and hides the tubes
behind the armrest of Fischer's seat.
Arthur runs the next tube to Ariadne. Cobb puts the case on
Yusuf's lap. Yusuf checks the TIMERS, tapping the syringes.
The others recline their seats. Yusuf HITS A BUTTON- closes
the case- places it at his feet. He settles back, and we-
CUT TO:
INT. SEDAN - DAY
Cobb DRIVES. Saito and Arthur are in the back. Rain BEATS
down. Cobb pulls over-
EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Yusuf stands on the corner, silver briefcase in hand, collar
turned up against the rain. He reaches for the door.
74.
INT. SEDAN - CONTINUOUS
Yusuf clambers into the back, brushing rain from his face.
ARTHUR
(indicates rain)
Couldn't you have peed before you
went under?
YUSUF
Sorry.
The front door OPENS and Eames climbs in, soaked.
EAMES
Bit too much free champagne before
takeoff, Yusuf?
YUSUF
Ha bloody ha.
COBB
At least we know he'll be looking
for a cab in this.
INT./EXT. SEDAN ON RAINY NEW YORK STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Cobb pulls out into the heavy traffic. He weaves around
several cars before lining up behind a YELLOW CAB.
COBB
Brace yourselves.
Cobb hits the gas- REAR ENDS the cab with a CRUNCH. The
CABDRIVER gets out, fuming. Heads to Cobb's window-
CABDRIVER
Hey, idiot! Why don't you try
driving without your thumb up-
He sees the SILENCED PISTOL Cobb is holding at his belly.
COBB
Walk away.
The Cabdriver backs off. Arthur climbs into the cab. Both
cars pull away.
INT./EXT. CAB ON RAINY NEW YORK STREETS - CONTINUOUS
Arthur SLOWS in front of the TRAIN STATION, peering at the
pedes pedestrians. He SPOTS Fischer, lights the cab's sign.
Fischer FLAGS him down. Fischer JUMPS into the back, brushing
rain from his shoulders.
75.
FISCHER
Third and Market. Snappy.
Eames JUMPS in from the other side.
FISCHER
What're you doing?
EAMES
Sorry, I thought it was free. Maybe
we could share.
FISCHER
Maybe not.
Saito gets into the front passenger seat. Pointing a gun.
FISCHER
Great.
Arthur pulls away. Fischer pulls out his wallet and tosses it
at Eames.
FISCHER
(contemptuous)
There's 500 dollars in there. And
the wallet's worth more than that.
For that you ought to at least drop
me at my stop.
Eames smiles at this.
EAMES
I'm afraid-
A SHOT SHATTERS the window by Eames's head- another SHOT
IMPACTS by Saito-
EAMES
Get us out of here!
Arthur hits the gas, but a BLACK S.U.V. SKIDS sideways in
front, BLOCKING the path-
A BLOCK BEHIND- Cobb is at a light. ARIADNE is getting in the
front. Cobb has HEARD the GUNFIRECOBB
Come on!-
Cobb looks ahead to the AMBUSH, hits the gas- the sedan
ROCKETS forwards... but BAM- A FREIGHT TRAIN CLIPS THE FRONT
OF THE SEDAN, SHOVING IT SIDEWAYS AS AN ENDLESS TRAIN BARRELS
PAST, A WALL BETWEEN COBB AND THE AMBUSH-
76.
A SECOND S.U.V. is behind the cab- PLAIN CLOTHES SECURITY MEN
advance through the traffic, weapons trained on the cab.
Bullets RIP into the cab as Eames throws himself on top of
Fischer, PULLING a SACK over his head-
Inside the sedan, Ariadne watches the train passing-
ARIADNE
This wasn't in the design-
Cobb BACKS UP, SPINS around, heading for the tail of the
train-
A Security Man emerges from the front S.U.V. carrying an
AUTOMATIC RIFLE- he steps towards the cab through the rain,
raises his weapon and BLASTS THE CAB'S WINDSCREENCobb
clears the end of the train, and SKIDS across the tracks-
Arthur CROUCHES down- PUSHES the accelerator with his HANDYANKS
the wheel- FLYING BLIND. The cab NAILS the Security
Man, CRUNCHING into the front S.U.V.-
Cobb SMASHES his car into the rear S.U.V., creating a GAPArthur
YANKS the transmission and REVERSES- SCRAPING through
the gap- Security Men DIVE out of the way- Arthur throws a
ragged J-turn to head down a SIDE STREET- Cobb follows in the
other car. Rain whips across Arthur's face as he BREATHESARTHUR
Everybody okay? Saito?
Arthur looks at Saito. Saito's hand is at his belly. Covered
in BLOOD.
EXT. WAREHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
The sedan and cab pull into the side entrance- Eames jumps
out− PULLS the shutter down behind them-
INT. WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Yusuf and Eames PULL Fischer from the cab, HUSTLING him
through a doorway. Cobb JUMPS out of the sedan, furious.
COBB
Arthur! Arthur what the-
Arthur pulls the bloody Saito from the front seat.
COBB
Oh, Christ. Is he dying?
77.
ARTHUR
I don't know. What happened back
there? Where were you?
COBB
We were blocked by a freight train.
ARTHUR
(to Ariadne)
Why would you put a train crossing
in a downtown intersection?
ARIADNE
I didn't.
COBB
(snaps)
Why were we all ambushed, Arthur?!
Those weren't regular projectionsthey'd
been trained!
ARIADNE
How could they be trained?
ARTHUR
Fischer's had an extractor teach
his mind to defend itself. His
subconscious is militarized. It
should've shown on the research-
COBB
So why the hell didn't it?!
ARTHUR
Calm down.
COBB
Don't tell me to calm down-you were
meant to check Fischer's background
thoroughly. You can't make this
kind of mistake-we're not prepared
for this kind of violence-
ARTHUR
Cobb, we've dealt with sub-security
before. We just have to be more-
COBB
This wasn't part of the plan, Arthur!
(points at Saito)
He's dying!
EAMES
So we put him out of his misery.
78.
Eames steps into the room, pulls his gun and moves over
Saito.
COBB
No.
EAMES
He's in agony. Let's wake him up-
Cobb GRABS Eames's arm.
COBB
No!
(they lock eyes)
It won't wake him up.
EAMES
What do you mean, it won't wake
him? When you die in a dream you
wake up.
YUSUF
Not from this. We're too heavily
sedated to wake up that way.
Eames looks at Yusuf, then to Cobb.
EAMES
So what happens if one of us dies?
COBB
That person doesn't wake up. Their
mind drops into Limbo.
ARIADNE
Limbo?
ARTHUR
Unconstructed dream space.
ARIADNE
What's down there?
ARTHUR
Raw, infinite subconscious. Nothing
there but what was left behind by
anyone on the team who's been trapped
there before. On this team... just
Cobb.
ARIADNE
How long would we be stuck there?
79.
YUSUF
You couldn't even think about
trying to escape until the sedation
eases-
EAMES
How long?
YUSUF
Decades-it could be infinite-I
don't know! Ask him-he's the one
who's been there before!
Eames moves to Cobb. Looks him in the eye.
EAMES
Great. So now we're stuck in
Fischer's mind battling it out with
his private army, and if we get hit
we're stuck in Limbo 'til our
brains dissolve into scrambled egg?
Cobb says nothing. Saito groans more loudly.
ARTHUR
Let's just get him upstairs.
INT. OFFICE, WAREHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Saito is laid out on an old desk. Arthur examines him. He
motions to Ariadne. Eames watches Cobb.
ARTHUR
Hold this. Firm pressure.
Arthur turns to Cobb.
ARTHUR
You knew the risks and you didn't
tell us.
COBB
There wasn't meant to be any risk.
We weren't supposed to be dealing
with a load of gunnre.
ARTHUR
You had no right.
COBB
It's the only way you can go three
layers deep, Arthur.
Arthur turns to Yusuf, hostile.
80.
ARTHUR
And you. You went along with this?
YUSUF
I trusted him.
ARTHUR
You trusted him? When? When he
promised you half his share?
YUSUF
(offended)
No! His whole share. Plus, he told
me he'd done it before.
Arthur turns to Cobb.
ARTHUR
Oh, yeah? With Mal? That worked out
great, didn't it, Cobb?
Cobb grabs Arthur.
COBB
You don't know anything about that.
This was the only way to do this
job, Arthur. I did what I had to do
to get back to my children.
EAMES
So you led us into a war zone with
no way out.
COBB
We have a way out. The kick. We
just have to push on, do the job as
fast as possible and get out using
the kick.
EAMES
Forget it. We go any deeper, we
just raise the stakes. I'm sitting
it out on this level.
COBB
You'll never make it, Eames.
Fischer's security is surrounding
this place as we speak. The ten
hours of the flight is a week at
this level−you'll never make it
without getting killed. Downwards
is the only way forwards. We have
to carry on.
Saito groans. Cobb looks at him-
81.
COBB
And we have to do it fast.
Eames and Arthur weigh this.
COBB
Eames, go get ready. Arthur, let's
get in there and soften him up.
INT. BATHROOM, WAREHOUSE - LATER
Cobb and Arthur, wearing BALACLAVAS, PULL the sack from
Fischer's head. He is chained to the radiator.
FISCHER
I'm insured against kidnapping up
to ten million-this'll be simple-
COBB
No, it won't.
Fischer looks at Cobb, unnerved.
ARTHUR
In. your lather's office, below the
bookshelves, is his personal safe.
We need the combination.
FISCHER
I never noticed a safe-
COBB
Doesn't mean you don't know the
combination.
FISCHER
Well, I don't.
ARTHUR
We have it on good authority that
you do.
FISCHER
Whose?
INT. OFFICE, WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Yusuf looks through Fischer's wallet. Eames is opening a
HINGED, THREE-WING MIRROR.
YUSUF
Five hundred dollars, this cost?
EAMES
What's inside?
82.
YUSUF
Cash, cards, ID... and this-
Yusuf holds up a SNAPSHOT: the photo from Maurice Fischer's
office− YOUNG ROBERT holds his HOMEMADE PINWHEEL, his FATHER
blows on it. Eames takes it from Yusuf. STUDIES it. Cobb
enters. Eames hands him the snapshot.
EAMES
Useful?
Cobb studies the snapshot. Eames examines himself in the
hinged mirror from multiple angles: ONE BY ONE the myriad
Eames reflections BECOME BROWNINGS. Cobb pockets the photo.
COBB
You're on. You've got an hour.
EAMES
An hour? I was supposed to have all
night to crack him.
COBB
And Saito was supposed to keep his
guts on the inside. You've got an
hour-get something we can use.
Eames turns from the mirror AS BROWNING. He glances at his
watch, then SCREAMS, as if begging for mercy-
INT. BATHROOM, WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Browning's CRY reverberates- Fischer looks up, concerned-
FISCHER
What's that?
ARTHUR
Good authority.
Another cry rings out. Fischer recognizes the voice.
FISCHER
Uncle Peter?! Make them stop-
ARTHUR
The combination.
FISCHER
I don't know it!
ARTHUR
Why would Browning tell us you did?
FISCHER
Let me talk to him-I'll find out.
83.
INT. BATHROOM, WAREHOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Cobb pushes Browning (Eames), bloody and bruised, into the
room and forces him down next to Fischer. Cobb handcuffs
Browning's wrist to a metal bracket on the side of the sink.
COBB
You've got an hour. Get talking.
Cobb leaves.
BROWNING (EAMES)
They've had me for two days.
They've got someone with access to
your father's office and they're
trying to open his safe-they
thought I'd know the combination,
but I don't-
FISCHER
Neither do I, Uncle Peter.
BROWNING
(confused)
Maurice told me that after he
passed only you would be able to
open it.
FISCHER
He never gave me the combination.
Browning thinks for a minute. Realizes something.
BROWNING
He did, he just didn't tell you
that it was a combination.
FISCHER
What, then?
BROWNING
Something only you would know. Some
meaningful combination of numbers
from your experiences with Maurice-
FISCHER
We didn't have a lot of meaningful
experiences together.
BROWNING
Perhaps after your mother died...
FISCHER
After my mother died, I went to him
in my grief.
84.
(MORE)
You know what he told me? "There's
really nothing to be said, Robert."
BROWNING
He always had a hard time with
emotional-
FISCHER
I was eleven, Uncle Peter.
Browning (Eames) takes this in.
BROWNING
He loved you, Robert. In his way.
FISCHER
"In his way?" At the end he called
me to his deathbed. He could barely
speak, but he took the trouble to
say one last thing to me. He pulled
me close... I could make out only
one word. "Disappointed."
Browning can say nothing.
INT. OFFICE, WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Cobb pulls off his balaclava. Looks down at Saito, who is
breathing fast, shallow.
COBB
How's he doing?
ARIADNE
He's in a lot of pain.
Cobb takes Saito's hand. Looks him in the eye.
COBB
When we get you down to the next
level, the pain will be less
intense.
Saito nods, breathing hard.
ARIADNE
(low)
And if he dies?
COBB
His conscious mind will drop out of
the dream. He'll be trapped in
Limbo for a lifetime...
ARIADNE
What will that do to him?
85.
FISCHER (CONT'D)
Cobb looks at her. Grave.
COBB
When he wakes... his mind could be
completely gone.
SAITO
When... when we wake I will still
honor our arrangement...
Cobb looks down at Saito sadly.
COBB
Saito-san, when you wake you might
not even remember that we had an
arrangement. You'll have forgotten
this world. Limbo will be your
reality. Lost there so long, you'll
have become an old man...
SAITO
Filled with regret?
COBB
Waiting to die alone. Yes.
SAITO
Then I'll take the chance and come
back. And we'll be young men
together again.
Saito smiles weakly. Cobb nods at him, turns to Ariadne.
ARIADNE
When were you trapped in Limbo?
Cobb says nothing. Ariadne pulls him away from Saito.
ARIADNE
Cobb, you might have convinced the
rest of this team to carry on with
the job. But they don't know the
truth.
COBB
What truth?
ARIADNE
The truth that at any minute you
might bring a freight train through
the wall. The truth that Mal is
bursting up through your
subconscious.
86.
(MORE)
The truth that as we go deeper into
Fischer, we're also going deeper
into you-and I'm not sure we're
going to like what we find there.
Cobb stares back at Ariadne. Saying nothing.
ARIADNE
This is not just about Fischer,
it's about you. Tell me what
happened to you and Mal. Trapped in
Limbo.
Cobb looks at her. Thinking it through.
COBB
We were on a job. Exploring dreams
within dreams. But we didn't
understand how your mind can turn
hours into years. How you can get
trapped. Trapped so deep that when
you wash up on the shore of your
subconscious...
INSERT CUT: MAL LIES ON THE SAND, STARING UP AT A CLOUDLESS
SKY, WAVES WASHING OVER HER...
COBB
You can lose track of what's real.
ARIADNE
How long were you stuck?
Cobb pauses before he answers. Looks at Ariadne.
COBB
Fifty years.
Ariadne stares at him, incredulous.
ARIADNE
How did you stand it?
INSERT CUT: COBB AND MAL BUILD A SANDCASTLE ON THE BEACH...
COBB
We built. We created a whole world
for ourselves...
INSERT CUT: COBB AND MAL WALK THROUGH A DESERTED CITY.
COBB
It's not so bad at first, being
gods. The problem is knowing that
it's not real. It became impossible
for me to live like that.
87.
ARIADNE (CONT'D)
ARIADNE
But not for her?
COBB
She accepted it. At some point...
INSERT CUT:
INT. MAL'S CHILDHOOD HOME - DAY
Mal opens a DOLL'S HOUSE. Inside is a SAFE. She opens it- it
is empty. She pulls out her SPINNING TOP.
COBB (V.O.)
...she'd decided to forget that our
world wasn't real.
Mal places the top inside the safe. LOCKS IT AWAY...
INT. OFFICE, WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
ARIADNE
And when you finally woke up?
COBB
To wake from that. From decades
lived. To be old souls thrown back
into youth. It was hard. At first
Mal seemed okay. But I started to
realize something was wrong.
Finally she admitted it. This idea
she was possessed by. This simple
little idea that changed
everything...
ARIADNE
What was it?
COBB
That our world was not real. No
matter what I did, no matter what I
said, she was convinced that we
were still in a dream. That we
needed to wake up again...
INT. COBB AND MAL'S KITCHEN - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Cobb is trying to calm Mal, who is hysterical.
COBB (V.O.)
That to get home we'd have to kill
ourselves.
INT. WORKSHOP - DAY
Ariadne looks at Cobb, appalled.
88.
ARIADNE
What about your children?
Cobb has to look away.
COBB
She... she believed they weren't
real. That our real children were
waiting. Somewhere above...
INT. COBB AND MAL'S KITCHEN - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Mal shakes her head at Cobb as he USHERS the children out of
the room, FACES UNSEENCOBB
Calm down, Mal-
MAL
They're projections, Dom. Your
dreams. I'm their mother-don't you
think I can tell the difference?
Cobb closes the door- turns to her, eyes full of bitter
tears.
COBB
If it's my dream then why can't I
control it? Why can't I stop this?
MAL
(it's obvious)
You don't know you're dreaming.
COBB
You keep telling me I am-
MAL
And you don't believe me!
COBB (V.O.)
She was certain. But she loved me
too much to go without me. So she
made a plan...
INT. ELEGANT HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Cobb walks along, checking door numbers against a key.
COBB (V.O.)
For our anniversary...
INT. ELEGANT HOTEL SUITE - CONTINUOUS (FLASHBACK)
Cobb enters the lavish suite. He notices the DISHEVELED
BEDCLOTHES.
89.
He steps forwards- SMASH- he has tipped over a champagne
glass with his foot... dinner for two is SPREAD ACROSS THE
FLOOR. He looks at the DEBRIS, confused... next to the broken
glass is a SPINNING TOP. He picks it up, studying it,
thinking. He feels a draught, looks to the window. The
CURTAIN BILLOWS.
EXT. EXTERIOR ATRIUM - CONTINUOUS (FLASHBACK)
Cobb looks out the window: Mal sits on the ledge of the
opposite window. HAIR BLOWING. Feet dangling over the
dizzyingly high atrium. She smiles.
MAL
Join me.
COBB
Mal, come back inside.
MAL
No. I'm going to jump. And you're
coming with me.
COBB
No, I'm not. This is real-if you
jump, you're not going to wake up,
you're going to die. Let's go back
inside and talk about this, please.
MAL
We've talked enough.
She KICKS off a shoe and watches it DROP.
MAL
Come out onto the ledge or I'll
jump right now.
She means it. Cobb swings his legs out, sitting on the ledge
opposite is wife. He looks down at the drop.
MAL
I'm asking you to take a leap of
faith.
COBB
I can't do that, Mal. I can't leave
our children.
MAL
If I go without you, they'll take
them away, anyway.
COBB
What do you mean?
90.
MAL
I filed a letter with our attorney.
Explaining how I'm fearful for my
safety, how you've threatened to
kill me...
Cobb looks back at the wrecked hotel suite, PANICKING...
MAL (CONT’D)
I love you, Dom. I’ve freed you
from the guilt of choosing to leave
them. We’re going home to our real
children.
COBB
Out children are here, Mal.
Mal CLOSES HER EYES. Cobb looks for some way to reach her...
MAL
You’re waiting for a train...
COBB
NO! MAL, NO, I CAN’T!
MAL
A train that will take you far
away...
COBB
DON’T DO THIS!
MAL
You know where you hope this train
will take you, you can’t know for
sure...
COBB
DON’T!
MAL
But it doesn’t matter...
COBB
NO!
MAL
Because you’ll be together...
Mal SLIPS FORWARD INTO SPACE. Cobb SCREAMS after her. Then
tries to bury his face in the wall...
INT. OFFICE, WAREHOUSE - DAY
Cobb stares as he remembers.
91.
COBB
He letter to the authorities
refuted all the claims about her
sanity that she knew I’d make...
INT. COBB AND MAL’S KITCHEN - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Cobb stands with the Thin Man, who has a piece of paper.
COBB (V.O.)
She’d had herself declared sane by
three different psychiatrists.
Cobb hears a SHOUT- turns to the garden. James CROUCHES,
Philippa joins him, examining the ground, FACES UNSEEN...
COBB (V.O.) (CONT’D)
It was impossible for me to explain
the nature of her madness...
The Thin Man thrusts the paper into Cobb’s hand.
THIN MAN
Right now. Or never, Cobb.
Cobb turns back to the window- about to call out- James and
Philippa RUN OFF. Cobb turns from the window. Looks at the
paper in his hand. It is an AIRPLANE TICKET.
COBB (V.O.)
So I ran. And I’ve been running
ever since, trying to buy my way
back to my family...
INT. OFFICE, WAREHOUSE - DAY
Cobb looks across at Ariadne.
ARIADNE
Psychiatrists judged her sane?
COBB
She was sane. She was just lost in
the labyrinth.
ARIADNE
Then why should you blame yourself?
COBB
Because we were a family. And we
had a life I would do anything to
get back to now. But that reality
wasn’t enough for me then.
92.
ARIADNE
It might have been your idea to
push the limits, Cobb. But you’re
not responsible for the idea that
destroyed her. The idea that her
world wasn’t real... that was her
own idea from her own mind.
Cobb says nothing.
ARIADNE (CONT’D)
Your guilt defines her. Powers her.
If we’re going to succeed in this,
you’re going to have to forgive
yourself, and you’re going to have
to confront her. But you don’t have
to do it alone.
COBB
You don’t have to do this for me-
ARIADNE
I’m doing it for the others. They
don’t know the risk they’ve taken
coming in here with you.
Cobb looks at the rooftop opposite, sees a SNIPER take up a
position. Cobb shakes his head, frustrated.
COBB
We can’t stay here. Arthur?!
INT. BATHROOM, WAREHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Browning puts his hand on Fischer’s shoulder.
BROWNING
These people are going to kill us
if we don’t give them the
combination.
FISCHER
They won’t, they’ll try to ransom
us-
BROWNING
I heard them-they’re going to lock
us in and run the can into the
river.
FISCHER
What is in the safe?
93.
BROWNING
Something for you. Maurice always
said it was his most previous
gift... a will.
FISCHER
Maurice’s will is with Port and
Dunn.
BROWNING
It’s an alternate. It supersedes
the other only if you want it to.
FISCHER
What does it say?
BROWNING
It splits all the component
businesses of Fischer Morrow into
individual companies, transferring
ownership to the boards of those
companies...
FISCHER
Leaving me nothing?
BROWNING
A basic living. Nothing more. The
entire empire would cease to exist.
FISCHER
Destroy my own inheritance? Why
would he suggest such a thing?
BROWNING
I don’t know, Robert.
Cobb OPENS the door. Arthur is behind him.
COBB
Come to your senses?
FISCHER
Let us go. I don’t know the
combination. Not consciously.
Cobb considers this. Opens his phone. Pulls out his gun.
COBB
Let’s try instinctively. I have
someone standing in your father’s
office ready to tap in a
combination.
He holds the phone to Fischer’s mouth.
94.
|