FadE IN:
Int. basement - day
Bare.  Some packing boxes.  An old bicycle.
Daylight shines through the one small window.  Flashes of bright light punctuate it...
WAR SOUNDS.  GUNFIRE.  Each flash of light is accompanied by an EXPLOSION.  Getting nearer, louder.
SMASH!  The door explodes inwards.  WICKER (early 20s), too young, harried, full combat gear, flies across the room.
He leaps up, kicks the door shut.
BOOM!  Right outside.  The glass window shatters.  Wicker knocked off his feet as smoke fills the room...
Int. Basement - day - later
Wicker unconscious, bleeding.  All quiet, now.
Then, FOOTSTEPS outside.  Wicker suddenly kneeling, silent, gun to the door.
Wicker
Rep!
Voice (o.S.)
Stash!
Wicker stares down his sight a moment.
Wicker
Go!
The door swings open.  DUCA (early 20s), same gear, different ethnicity, opens the door with a smile.
Wicker's gun still up.
Duca
We're good, pal, we're good.
WickER
Stash was yesterday.
Duca
Well-
Wicker fires.  
Bullets hit Duca in the leg and torso.  He drops.
Wicker leaps forward, kicks Duca's gun out of reach.
Stares down at Duca as he starts to hyperventilate.
Int. Basement - day - later
Duca bound, mouth taped shut.
Wicker finishes off a pressure bandage on Duca's leg wound.  Duca's torso is similarly bandaged.
Wicker meets Duca's eyes.  Taps his headset.
Wicker
Word is to hole up here.  They're sweeping to me.  Just FYI.  They should get here in time to get you a doctor.
(realization)
Not one of those "I'd rather die" guys, are you?
Duca shakes his head.
WicKER (CONT'D)
Way I hear it, you headed to a better life 'n us out here, man.  
(fumbles in his pocket)
Cigarette?
Duca rolls his eyes.
WickER (CONT'D)
It's all good.
Wicker draws a knife, cuts a hole in the tape in front of Duca's lips.  Sticks a cigarette in, lights it.
WickER (CONT'D)
I'd rather not shoot you anyway, ya know?  Waste.  Goddamn waste.
FOOTSTEPS outside.
Wicker on his feet in an instant, behind Duca, gun aimed.
WickER (CONT'D)
Rep!
Voice (o.S.)
Civilian!
WickER
Enter slowly with your hands raised!
The door opens.
SULLIVAN (40s), dress shirt and khakis, more like a doctor than a soldier.  Hands raised.
SullIVAN
I'm un-armed.
He spins.  No weapons.
WickER
Door closed behind you.
Duca frantically yells through the tape.  Wicker cuffs his head, levels his gaze on Sullivan.
WickER (CONT'D)
Who are you?
SulliVAN
My name is Sullivan.  May I lower my arms?
WickER
No.
SullIVAN
James Wicker.
WickER
Who the hell are you?
SullIVAN
My name is Sullivan.
WickER
Where'd you get my name?
SullIVAN
Your mother gave it to me.
Wicker fires a shot past Sullivan.  He flinches.
WickER
Isn't the time for jokes, man.
SullIVAN
I'm sorry.  I didn't mean that.  I really meant your...Wendy, gave me your name.
WicKER
From home?  I don't think so.
SulLIVAN
You're not as far from home as you think, James.
WickER
Put your arms down.
Sullivan does.
WickER (CONT'D)
Don't say my name again.
SullIVAN
That's fine.
WicKER
Make it simple.
SullIVAN
Alright.  Are you ready?
WickER
Of course I'm fucking ready.
SullIVAN
What you think is happening is very different from what is actually happening.  You're sick.  Do you understand me?
WickER
I'm, what, hallucinating?
SullIVAN
I know that's difficult, but I'm prepared to offer you proof.
Duca starts to yell again.  Wicker hits him, hard.
SullIVAN (CONT'D)
Please don't do that.  He's not who you think he is.
WickER
Got the call word wrong, 's all that matters.
SullIVAN
May I give you my proof?
WickER
Go ahead.
SullIVAN
When you left the house you told your mother something that you said you had never told anyone before.
WickER
Incorrect.
SullIVAN
Offer to let him go.  If I'm right.
Wicker stares at Sullivan, impassive.  Sullivan holds his gaze for a long moment.
SullIVAN (CONT'D)
Are you going to be honest?
WicKER
Cross my heart.
Sullivan locks eyes with Duca.  Duca shakes his head.
SullIVAN
You told her that after today, your father wouldn't have died there for nothing.
The silence stretches.
Then...
WickER
If you're right, and I'm sick, tell me what's really going on.
SullIVAN
You're in the basement of a family home.  You've hurt several people and the man with you is a police officer who will bleed to death if you don't let me take him out.
Wicker glances around him.  
Duca, still in combat gear.  
Sullivan completely out of place.
Wicker
If you're telling the truth, I'm fucked.
Sullivan frowns.
SullIVAN
No.  We'll get you the help that you need.  We can figure this out.
Wicker
If you're lying, I win.
SullIVAN
Those aren't the only--
WicKER
--either way.
Wicker fires.  A hole between Sullivan's eyes as he slumps.
Wicker places his gun against Duca's chest and fires again.
Int. Basement - day - later
Wicker against the wall, smoking.
Sullivan and Duca's bodies un-moved from where they fell.
FOOTSTEPS.
WickER
Rep!
Voice (o.S.)
Let!
WickER
Go!
A FEMALE OFFICER (40s) enters, same combat gear, tough but motherly.  Moves forward slowly.
WickER (CONT'D)
That was the correct response.
Wicker levels his gun on the Female Officer.
WickER (CONT'D)
But I'm committed, sir.
FemALE OFFICER
James...
Wicker fires.  
The bullet hits her in the chest, killing her.  She drops.
Wicker taps his headset.
WickER
Call word compromised, repeat, call word compromised.
He listens for a moment.
WicKER (CONT'D)
Copy copy.  On the move.
Wicker, gun up, strides out the door.
Fade OUT.
The end.