Mad Max Enters Arena

[zanetti]

FADE IN
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EXT - DESERT - DAY


The sun scorches down on endless stretches of hot

desert. A FIGURE dressed in black climbs over and

across a sand dune. He stumbles half-way and rolls to

the bottom. He takes a canteen from his belt and slowly

unscrews the cap. Removing the scarf from his mouth, he

presses the bottle against his chapped lips. A few

drops of water run down his greying beard. He quickly

gulps it down, dropping the empty flask onto the ground

beside him. MAX closes his eyes.


EXT - DESERT - DUSK


Max lies motionless, covered in sand. ENGINES roar in

the background. Max stirs. The SOUNDS grow louder,

moving closer. They stop suddenly. VOICES are heard.

Max pulls himself up the dune, toward the noise. He

stares in disbelief at what he finds. A small campsite

consisting of a one-man tent, a fire, and two dune

buggies. He examines the two young OWNERS of the

vehicles who sit by the fire roasting rabbits. Max

smiles, sinking back behind the dune.


Elmer Fudd

(whispering)

Be vewy, vewy quiet . . .


EXT - CAMPSITE - NIGHT


The fire flickers out. ELLIOT sits on guard behind the

wheel of the vehicle, dozing off. ERIK sleeps in the

tent. A shadow creeps under Erik's bed. Elliot lays

back in his seat, jerking off. An arm reaches out

from the darkness and pulls hispri. He pushes the body

out and climbs into the seat. Starting it, he puts it

in gear and takes off. The car shoots up the side of

the dune. Erik runs out of his tent and finds his

brother's lifeless body on the ground beside his

vehicle. Drawing an arrow from his back he sets it in

his bow, aiming at Max. He lets it fly, and it falls

short. He climbs into his car and tries to start it,

with no luck. Max's buggy disappears over the crest.

Erik SCREAMS.


EXT - DESERT - DAY


Max's car flies across a flat plane of desert.


INT - CAR - DAY - MOVING


Max chews on a piece of rabbit. He glances down at the

fuel gauge, which reads one-quarter of a tank full.

Reaching onto the dash, he grabs a small piece of paper.

Max examines the map. A red line leads a few hundred

miles north to an unmarked dot. He looks at his compass

and swings the wheel sharply to the right, toward the

sand cliffs.


EXT - SAND CLIFFS - DAY


Max's vehicle twists up and around the cliffs.


INT - CAR - DAY - MOVING


Max's attention is fixed on the winding path ahead, the

needle almost on empty.


EXT - CLIFF-TOP - DAY


Max's vehicle reaches the peak of the cliff. He stops

it. Max gets out and walks over to the edge. He sees a

huge, black object in the distance. Grabbing a pair of

binoculars from the car, he focuses them on the

building.


MAX'S P.O.V.


As he looks through the binoculars at the ARENA, a giant

stadium with an open ceiling. Several small tents

encircle the coliseum, with three large ones set up near

the front. A small betting booth on a forklift blocks

the entrance. PEOPLE crowd around it, placing their

bets, then going inside. They clear out of the way, the

booth is moved aside, and a vehicle enters. The booth

is returned to it's spot and resumes taking bets.


EXT - CLIFF-TOP - DAY


Max lowers his binoculars and moves over to his car. He

pulls a tarp out of the back and covers the vehicle.


EXT - SAND CLIFFS - DAY


Max climbs down the side of the cliff, toward the Arena.

He stops to take a drink from his full canteen.


EXT - ARENA - DAY


Max finishes the canteen, approaching the fortress of

concrete and steel. Two GUARDS at the entrance stare

him down. The MAN in the booth looks at Max.


MAN IN BOOTH

Sorry. No bets after the contest

has begun.


LOCKJAW, a huge, monstrous man who's jaws have been

wired shut, holds a collection plate full of jewelry,

ammunition, coins, and various other valuables out to

Max. Max doesn't flinch.


MAN IN BOOTH

It's customary to make a small

donation to the Brotherhood

before entering the Arena.


MAX

I gave at the office.


He continues his way inside. Lockjaw thrusts the tray

into Max's stomach. Max draws his gun, flipping the

tray and sending it's contents flying. He holds it to

Lockjaw's head. BROTHER WILLIAM, a religious man in

his early twenties, jumps in.


WILLIAM

Wait! There is no need for

violence.


Max lowers his weapon. Lockjaw SNARLS at him. William

leads Max up some stairs, to the stands.


WILLIAM

You'll have to excuse Brother

Lockjaw. His devotion sometimes

overpowers his reasoning.


INT - STANDS - DAY


Max and William look down on a huge concrete field,

where four CARS battle it out. Bloodthirsty SPECTATORS

CHEER wildly. Dressed in a flowing white robe, REVEREND

JOHN stands across from them on a balcony high above,

watching over the contest. He is Max's age, with a long

black and grey beard, cane, and black patch over his

right eye. Four MEN sit in grids near the opening in

the roof, each of them holding a huge spotlight. They

frantically jump back and forth, aiming the beam at

their selected vehicle. DEMOLITION DAN is in the lead.


WILLIAM

I haven't seen you here before.

You must be new!


Max watches the battle.


WILLIAM

My name's Brother William! Did you

come to compete?


Max shifts his gaze slightly.


MAX

What's the prize?


WILLIAM

Food, water, gas! And if you make

the finals, become one of the

Brotherhood!


MAX

I don't care about that. Tell me

about the gas.


WILLIAM

How much?


MAX

Yeah.


WILLIAM

One full tank per win.


MAX

Where do I sign up?


William smiles. He leads Max across the Arena to an

entrance in the wall beneath the balcony and enters a

code into the panel beside it. The door slides open.


MAX

Pretty fancy.


WILLIAM

(blushing)

Yeah. I rigged the electronics

for this place myself.


INT - STAIRWELL - DAY


Max and William enter. To the left, a huge spiral

stairway leads up to the balcony. To the right is an

elevator. Max pushes the button on the wall.


WILLIAM

No! You can't go in there! Only

Reverend John . . .


The door slides open, and Max enters.


INT - ELEVATOR - DAY


Max pushes a button and the doors start to close. He

grabs William and pulls him in. The elevator jerks to a

start. A religious HYMN breaks out over the Arena's

intercom system. William shakes his head in horror,

closing his eyes.


WILLIAM

Oh, God, no. No!


Max pushes the buttons, trying to turn it down. He

pulls his gun on William.


MAX

Shut it off!


WILLIAM

I can't!


INT - ARENA - DAY


The elevator shaft has opened up, exposing Max and

William to the Arena. Everyone looks up at them.

Lockjaw drops his tray and runs to the wall entrance.


INT - GARAGE - DAY


SPRINT, a beautiful young teenage girl, watches

through a slit in the steel wall of the garage, which is

located underneath the Arena stands.


SPRINT

Damn it, William... I want you to kiss my ass


INT - ELEVATOR - DAY


Max notices the opening and puts his gun away.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - DAY


Everyone is silent in Reverend John's domain. He stares

at the elevator doors, prying them open with his eyes.

Six of his FOLLOWERS target the shaft with their

weapons. Lockjaw runs up the stairs and stands in front

of the men. He places an arrow in his crossbow.


JOHN

Patience . . .


Lockjaw takes aim at the doors. The MUSIC stops. The

elevator slides open. Max stands with his hands behind

his head and a pile of weapons on the ground beside him.

William stands next to Max, nearly in tears. John rises

and looks at William, furious.


JOHN

(calmly)

Brother William?


WILLIAM

(terrified)

Yes, Reverend John?


JOHN

How many times have I told you not

to allow anyone in my elevator?


WILLIAM

Too many times, your holiness!


JOHN

Yes, Willy. Far, far too many.

Lockjaw!


Lockjaw snaps to attention.


JOHN

Show this man a taste of hell.


Lockjaw grabs William.


WILLIAM

(begging)

Please, my Lord! Forgive me!


Lockjaw takes William out of the room, SCREAMING in

horror. The door is shut behind them. John looks at

Max, sizing him up.


JOHN

Who are you?


MAX

Max.


JOHN

Why are you here, Max? Are you

mad?


MAX

I've come to play.


JOHN

You any good?


MAX

No. All bad.


John smirks.


JOHN

You're lucky. We've just had a

cancellation for tonight's event.

It starts in two hours.


MAX

I'll be ready.


John walks out onto the balcony and watches Demolition

Dan as he finishes off the last of the competition. He

turns his head back to speak to Max.


JOHN

Oh, and use the stairs, would you?


Max goes down the stairs.


EXT - ARENA - DAY


Max walks back to the sand cliffs.


EXT - ARENA - DUSK


Max's car speeds to the Arena. He pulls up to the

front. The forklift moves, and Max enters.


INT - ARENA - DUSK


The forklift closes the entrance behind Max as he drives

in. A panel of sheet metal slides open on the Arena

floor. Max moves into the garage.


INT - GARAGE - NIGHT


Brother William codes the door, shutting it after Max.

Max stops the car and gets out. He looks around the

garage. Other DRIVERS fix their vehicles, taking a

couple of stops to eye the competition. William

approaches him, his arm bandaged from his trip to hell.


WILLIAM

What do you think?


MAX

Interesting.


William gives Max a tool belt.


WILLIAM

Here.


Max examines it, confused.


MAX

You're just giving me a brand new

set of tools?


WILLIAM

We give them to all beginning

contestants before they compete.

We usually get them right back.


Max puts the belt on, grabbing a wrench from it.


WILLIAM

There's one more thing.


Max returns the wrench to his belt. William leads him

to an exit and codes the door.


MAX

Is this important? I've got a half

hour to get ready.


EXT - ARENA - NIGHT


A strong WIND drives sand up the Arena walls. The door

slides open, and William and Max venture out. He takes

him into one of the larger tents.


INT - GRAVEYARD - NIGHT


A huge pile of smashed automobiles stack up to the roof

of the tent. DRIVERS crawl through the mess, trying to

scavenge parts. Max grins. William walks up onto the

wreckage.


WILLIAM

Welcome to the graveyard. Anything

that you can find here is yours.

Anything at a . . .


A woman's SCREAM is heard from underneath William's

feet. He jumps back. Sprint pulls herself out from the

junk. She looks into her empty hands, stunned.


SPRINT

Oh, no. I lost it!


She glares at William. He trembles.


SPRINT

You idiot! Do you know how long

I've been looking for that?


WILLIAM

I'm sorry, Sprint, I'll buy you another dildo


He runs off. Sprint notices Max's belt and slowly removes it


SPRINT

New cum, huh? Made me the same

pitch.


MAX

Is it a rip-off?


SPRINT

Let's just say you better be good.


She turns back to the pile and starts to suck.


SPRINT

Now, where the hell is that dildo?


Max picks it up off the ground and hands it to her.


SPRINT

Thanks. I owe you one, now bend over bitch!!!


Max exits the tent. Sprint puts the spark plug into her

crotch and crawls back into the wreckage. She lets out

an exhausted breath.


SPRINT

Eight more pieces of ass to go . . .


INT - GARAGE - NIGHT


Max is underneath his car. William approaches.


WILLIAM

Almost showtime, Max! You ready?


Max wheels out.


MAX

Ready enough.


He takes off the belt and sets it on the roof. William

grabs it.


WILLIAM

Why don't I hold onto these for

you?


MAX

Suit yourself.


William notices the initials 'M.R.' scratched onto the

buckle.


P.A.

Drivers, take your positions on the

floor!


Max gets in his buggy.


WILLIAM

God speed!


The panel in front of Max opens and he drives out onto

the Arena floor.


INT - ARENA - NIGHT


A beam of light follows Max out of the garage door. He

stops in front of the entrance and gets out. Squinting,

he shields the light with his hand. Three other

OPPONENTS stand at opposite sides of the Arena, the

light shining down on them, creating an angelic effect.


INT - BALCONY - NIGHT


John walks out and the beams instantly focus on him. In

the brightness, we see the scar tissue covering the

right side of his face. The audience is quiet. He

holds a microphone to his mouth and introduces the

drivers on the floor. Everyone CHEERS. 'Evil' Erik

recognizes 'Mad' Max. He points at him and yells.


ERIK

He f**ked my brother!


The crowd turns silent. All eyes fix on Reverend John,

waiting for his response. Reverend John looks down at

Max's bulge


JOHN

Not my brother.


The stadium ROARS with laughter. Erik climbs into his

car, fuming.


JOHN

Let the games commence!


The cars PEEL out of their spaces and into battle. Erik

makes a beeline for Max, who effortlessly wipes him out.


INT - GARAGE - NIGHT


Sprint watches the action.


INT - ARENA - NIGHT


Max quickly finishes his competitors and moves back into

the garage. The audience goes WILD.


INT - GARAGE - NIGHT


The door closes behind Max. He parks it and gets out.

William walks over to greet him, overjoyed.


WILLIAM

That was incredible! The Reverend

wants to see you upstairs.


Max follows him up.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - NIGHT


John sits in his chair, cradling a small coffin. Max

and William walk up the stairs to the room. John

smiles.


JOHN

Bravo, Max! Tell me, how did you

get so good?


MAX

I was a Bronze.


John straightens, serious.


JOHN

(shocked)

Bronze?


Max nods his head. John grins, calming himself down.


JOHN

Well, officer, I was wondering if

you'd be interested in making a

deal?


MAX

I'll just have my gas.


JOHN

Look at what we have to offer, Max!


He sweeps his arm across the room, over a table full of

food. Three scantily clad LADIES enter.


JOHN

The Brotherhood could use a man

like you.


MAX

No thanks.


JOHN

At least have a hot meal and a good

night's sleep.


MAX

What about my car?


JOHN

We'll give it to you tomorrow. And

the tanks will be full.


Max takes a seat at the table. He loads his plate.


JOHN

(grinning)

That's it, Max. Dig in! You've

earned it.


John walks out onto the balcony. The crowd CHEERS 'MAD

MAX' over and over. He looks back at Max wolfing down

his food.


JOHN

(below his breath)

A star is born.


INT - NIGHT - MAX'S TENT


Max sleeps on a small cot. A fire outside casts shadows

on the wall of the tent. Sweat pours down his face. He

breathes heavily. His eyes snap open as he wakes from a

nightmare. He closes them, trying to relax. Max falls

back asleep.


INT - NIGHT - MAX'S TENT - LATER


Max is sleeping soundly. A figure appears at the

entrance of the tent. He raises his bow and aims it at

Max. Suddenly, an arrow pierces his shoulder. Erik

SCREAMS in pain. Max jumps out of bed and sees him

standing at the entrance with an arrow in his shoulder.

Erik runs away. A woman's shadow dances on the wall,

then disappears. Max scrambles to his feet and runs

outside. He looks around, finding no-one. A BLACK CAT

creeps by, staring at Max, then fading into the night.


INT - GARAGE - DAY


Max fixes his car. John, William, and Lockjaw approach

him.


JOHN

Well, Max? Have you reached a

decision?


MAX

About what?


JOHN

Joining us.


MAX

I already told you. I'm leaving.


JOHN

That's too bad. You've gained

quite a following in your short

stay here.


Max continues working on his car. John examines it.


JOHN

How far do you plan on going with

this? It doesn't look very solid.


MAX

I'll manage.


JOHN

Max, come take a look at what we

want to give you.


Max follows John to a sports car that looks like new.

A pair of legs stick out from under the car.


JOHN

Like what you see?


MAX

Who's is it?


Demolition Dan comes out from under the car.


DAN

Mine.


Max and John look down at him.


JOHN

Max, this is Demolition Dan. He

signed a deal with me last night.


Dan goes back underneath.


MAX

I've seen him play. What a waste

of a good car.


JOHN

This is nothing. Dan showed great

promise out there last night. But

you, Max, are truly gifted! I'll

ask you one more time. Are you

with us?


MAX

Sorry.


JOHN

So am I.


Max walks back to his buggy. He sees the black cat bolt

out in front of him. He follows it to a small, beat-up

car. Max looks inside. A voice comes from behind him.


SPRINT

Can I f**k you?


Max looks back and sees Sprint dressed in skimpy

leathers. He opens his mouth to respond, and is

interrupted by the P.A..


P.A.

Drivers, take your positions on the

floor!


Sprint puts on her strap-on dildo and gets into her car.


SPRINT

Excuse me.


Max walks away. Sprint starts up the car and drives

through the opening onto the Arena floor. A guard codes

it and it closes shut. Max fixes his car.


INT - ARENA - DAY


Sprint gets out of her car and stands beside it.....NUDE. Dan

stands across from her. Reverend John introduces the

drivers, building up Demolition Dan. The drivers get

into their cars. Sprint takes a pair of baby's boots

from her belt and hangs them from the rear-view mirror.

She battles Dan, taking him out quick. Max watches,

smiling grimly. William CHEERS her from the stands.

John looks on, furious. Sprint fights the other

SURVIVOR, who drives a much bigger and heavier car than

her's. Sprint STALLS right in his path. William

stares, frozen in terror. The driver pulls around for

the kill. Reverend John grins.


INT - GARAGE - DAY


Max jumps into his car and starts it. He drives to the

entrance, pulling a gun on the guard.


MAX

Open it.


INT - ARENA - DAY


Sprint's opponent REVS his engine. The door to the

garage slowly slides open. Max REVS his. They both

slam into gear, PEELING toward Sprint's car. She closes

her eyes, trying to brace herself for the crash. The

two cars collide in front of her, exploding into a

thunderous BOOM. Max jumps before impact, rolling to

the side. He MOANS as he looks at the remains of his

car. The other driver sits dead behind the wheel.

Sprint hits the dash with her fist, CURSING in

frustration. John glares down at Max.


JOHN

Lockjaw. Bring them to me.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - DAY


John sits in his chair. Demolition Dan stands before

him.


DAN

I just need one more chance . . .


JOHN

(interrupting)

You've had your chance in the

Arena. Now lets see if you stand a

chance . . . in hell!


He motions to Lockjaw. Lockjaw takes him to hell,

kicking and SCREAMING. Two GUARDS bring Max and Sprint

before John. He looks at Sprint.


JOHN

For a little girl, you certainly

have caused quite a lot of trouble.


SPRINT

I didn't do anything! I don't even

know him!


JOHN

What's your angle, Max? Why would

you do such a stupid thing?


Max doesn't respond. John shakes his head.


JOHN

What am I going to do with you two?


A SCREAM is heard coming from hell. John smiles.

Sprint grabs a bow from the guard next to her and points

it at John.


SPRINT

Think again.


She carefully backs out of the room. One of the guards

slowly begins to pull his trigger. Sprint spins and

shoots him in the chest. Lockjaw's arrow gets her in

the leg. She falls, whimpering in pain. William runs

to her.


WILLIAM

Sprint!


John looks to Lockjaw.


JOHN

Take her away.


Lockjaw takes Sprint from William and puts her over his

shoulder. Dan's tortured SCREAMS echo through the room.

William covers his ears, watching helplessly as she is

taken to hell. Max looks at John.


MAX

Wait . . .


John gestures for Lockjaw to stop.


MAX

Maybe you'd be interested in making

an arrangement.


John smiles. Will breathes a sigh of relief.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - NIGHT - LATER


Max and John sit at the table, discussing the deal.


JOHN

It's a bargain.


He spits and shakes with Max. Max gets up and walks to

the stairway.


JOHN

And, Max . . .


Max stops.


MAX

I know. Take the stairs, right?


Demolition Dan lets out a final, blood-curdling SCREAM.


JOHN

Don't let me down.


Max walks down the stairs.


EXT - ARENA - DUSK


SPECTATORS crowd the entrance of the coliseum. A

MUSICIAN plays his guitar nearby, case open for

contributions. Unable to compete with all the NOISE and

excitement, he puts his guitar into the empty case and

walks up to the booth. Lockjaw takes collection as

William watches things over. The musician pulls the

last coin from his pocket, dropping it onto the plate.

Lockjaw looks him squarely in the eyes. Unflinching, he

uses his hand dexterity to pick up a ring donated by one

of the more loyal followers, his left ring and index

finger placing it on the middle one. William spots the

blasphemous attempt.


WILLIAM

Thief!


The musician panics. Lockjaw grabs him by the throat.


WILLIAM

Reverend John will not be

pleased.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - DUSK


The musician stands next to William and Lockjaw, a look

of defiance burning in his eyes. John sits with his

back turned. He spins his seat around, examining the

guilty party.


JOHN

If there is one act I cannot

tolerate, it's thievery.


He looks to William.


JOHN

Brother William! Since it was

you who witnessed this crime

against God, you may decide upon

the proper punishment.


William nervously bows out.


WILLIAM

Thank you, Lord, but I do not

see myself fit to . . .


JOHN

(interrupting)

Silence! This man's fate rests

in your hands. It's your word

against his!


William swallows hard.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - LATER


Lockjaw holds the man's left hand in a tiny guillotine.

John glares at William, who takes the blade. He pleads

with John.


WILLIAM

Please, don't make me do this!


JOHN

This is a threshold moment,

Willy. Step through!


With a WHIMPER, William SLAMS the blade down, slicing

off the musician's ring finger. He falls to the floor,

holding his hand in pain. John looks down on him with

mock sympathy.


JOHN

Sorry, sir. You'll never play

the guitar again.


He LAUGHS evilly. Enraged, the musician leaps up at

John, strangling him. Lockjaw effortlessly pulls him

off. John stands, regaining his composure.


JOHN

This calls for stricter

sentencing.


INT - HELL - DUSK


The darkly lit room is filled with various torture

devices. John, William and Lockjaw stand around the

centerpiece, a mechanical chair where the musician sits

strapped in.


JOHN

This man is a threat to the

Brotherhood. If we were to

release him, he may again try to

strangle me with his hands.


He looks to William.


JOHN

Brother William, how do you

suppose we eradicate this

problem?


Eyes closed, William reluctantly hits a switch on the

control box. Razor sharp blades shoot out of the arms

of the chair, lopping off his hands. The musician

SCREAMS. William moves over to free him.


JOHN

Wait! He's still not safe. What

if he ran at me, and tried to

kick me?


WILLIAM

I will stop him!


John LAUGHS.


JOHN

You? I hardly feel secure.


WILLIAM

Please, we've taken enough from

him. Set him free!


JOHN

We'll put it to a vote. Opposed?


John and Lockjaw raise their hands.


JOHN

For?


William raises his. Realizing that he is beaten,

William picks up the hand off the floor. In a desperate

attempt, he holds it up. John LAUGHS.


JOHN

Please, William. It was you who

designed this holy terror. Now

put it to good use!


Shaking his head in disgust, Will throws another switch.

Blades jut out of the bottom of the chair. The

musician's feet hit the ground with a PLOP. He falls

unconscious. John holds up his head.


JOHN

Very good, Brother. But there is

one more problem.


WILLIAM

What is it?


John opens the musicians mouth, exposing his teeth.


JOHN

Let's say it's of . . . biting

importance.


WILLIAM

Reverend, not . . .


John shakes his head. Beaten, William again hits the

control box. A weight swings down from the roof,

SMASHING the musician in the mouth.


WILLIAM

There! He can do nothing to you

now!


JOHN

Don't be so sure. I hear a lot

of musicians . . . go both ways.


He looks to the next switch. Sickened, William flees

the room. John LAUGHS, turning to Lockjaw.


JOHN

He's served his purpose. Let him

go.


INT - SPRINT'S TENT - NIGHT


Sprint kneels before her cot, eyes closed, hands clasped

in prayer. A figure enters her tent and approaches her.

He gets closer, hearing Sprint's MUMBLING. He reaches

out to touch her shoulder when she spins, and with

lightning-quick reflexes holds the knife she was

concealing in her palms to William's neck.


SPRINT

What do you want?


WILLIAM

(frightened)

Nothing! I was . . . listening

to you . . . pray.


Sprint moves in closer, a dead calm in her voice.


SPRINT

I am no man's prey.


WILLIAM

No, I mean, you were talking to

God!


SPRINT

What God? There is no God! I

was speaking to my father, who

makes art in heaven!


EXT - SPRINT'S TENT - NIGHT


Max walks by as William flies out the tent door to land

at his feet. Sprint stands at the entrance.


SPRINT

You want a cross to worship?


She pulls her bow out from the flap.


SPRINT

Try this one.


He picks himself up and runs off into the desert. Max

and Sprint look at each other, then she goes back

inside.


EXT - DESERT - NIGHT


William walks alone, soul-searching. He hears a MOAN

from ahead. Picking up his pace, he finds the musician

dragging himself across the ground by his bloody stumps.

He turns to find his accuser, trying to plead with him

through his mangled pulp of a mouth. William sees a

large rock lying nearby and picks it up. Whimpering, he

mercifully puts the musician out of his misery.


SERIES OF SHOTS


Max in new car, winning every competition in his

division. Sprint winning hers, also in new car.

FIREBUG and ANVIL sweeping other two divisions. People

betting on them. John introducing Max. People

CHEERING. Max winning, entering garage.


INT - GARAGE - NIGHT


Max pulls in. John, William, and Lockjaw meet him.


JOHN

Congratulations, Max! Your

performance was excellent, as usual!


WILLIAM

You were great!


JOHN

Come join us for a victory dinner

upstairs.


Max wipes his hands with a cloth and follows them down

the aisle of cars. A vehicle with a cover over it sits

by the elevator entrance. Max examines it. John pulls

the cloth away, revealing a brand new V-8 Interceptor in

perfect condition. Max licks his lips.


JOHN

How do you like it?


MAX

(entranced)

Incredible! Where did you get it?


JOHN

It's been sitting around collecting

dust for as long as I can remember.

I was waiting for the perfect

contestant to drive it. I think

I've found him.


John flips the keys to Max. He catches them and opens

the door. Max finds a bundle of leather sitting on the

front seat. He picks it up, examining it. A Main Force

Patrol uniform. He looks to John.


JOHN

Image.


Max tries on the jacket. A perfect fit. He notices a

bullet hole in the chest, running his finger over it.


JOHN

Yes, that was . . . tragic.


Max follows them onto the elevator.


INT - ARENA - DAY


The contestants drive their cars onto the floor. Max

gets out of the Interceptor, clean shaven and wearing

his uniform. John begins his introduction when he sees

Max. He stops in mid-sentence, a look of shock and

recognition on his face. Shaken, he finishes the

introduction. After a brutal match, Max drives into

the garage, victorious and nearly unscratched.


INT - GARAGE - DAY


Max gets out of the car and walks out into the Arena

stands.


INT - STANDS - DAY


Max enters the crowd, greeted by CHEERS and pats on the

back. The finals notice flashes on the electronic

bulletin board. The division champions: Mad Max, Anvil,

Sprint, and Firebug. Battle tomorrow night. To the

death. Max and Sprint look at each other.


INT - MAX'S TENT - NIGHT


Max sits on his bed. Sprint stands at the entrance.


SPRINT

Max . . .


He turns. She walks in.


SPRINT

(matter-of-factly)

I don't want to kill you.


Max looks at her, thinking.


MAX

Meet me here at twelve. Bring your

prizes.


SPRINT

They're not going to let us just

drive away!


MAX

Midnight. Be here.


She walks out, stopping at the door.


SPRINT

Why should I trust you?


MAX

You haven't got a choice.


She exits.


EXT - ARENA - MIDNIGHT


Max and Sprint carry fuel, food, and ammo to the sand

cliffs.


EXT - SAND CLIFFS - NIGHT


They climb the face of the cliff, straining under their

heavy loads. They reach the top and continue down the

other side.


EXT - DESERT - NIGHT


Max and Sprint drop their supplies. Sprint rests on a

rock.


SPRINT

(panting)

What now?


Max pulls two small shovels out of his pack, dropping

one onto the ground beside her.


MAX

Dig.


She looks at the shovel and groans.


SPRINT

I'm too exhausted.


Max shakes his head, and begins to dig a hole. Someone

watches them from above.


EXT - DESERT - LATER


Max stands in the hole, shovelling. Sprint stares

distantly at a picture of her, age six, with her FATHER.


SPRINT

Do you remember your father?


Max answers, concentrating on what he's doing.


MAX

Yeah, sort of.


SPRINT

I remember mine really well. He

died when I was thirteen. Such a

strong man. Know what he always

used to say?


Finished, he stops digging and turns to reply.


MAX

What?


SPRINT

Why put off for tomorrow what

you can do today . . .


Max finds Sprint holding her bow on him.


MAX

What are you doing?


SPRINT

Exactly what you were going to do

to me. Shoot you, bury you, and

steal your stuff.


MAX

Go ahead. I've already dug my

grave. I'm standing in it. You

won't even have to touch the body.


Sprint hesitates, then lets down her bow. Frowning, she

reluctantly hands Max her things. He smirks, placing

the goods into the hole.


EXT - DESERT - NIGHT


Max fills the hole. William watches from the cliff. He

makes a NOISE. Sprint hears, and gets up to

investigate. She sees someone hiding.


SPRINT

Who's there?


Max stops shoveling. William runs away. Sprint chases

him. She tackles him, holding a knife to his throat.


SPRINT

William! What the hell are you

doing here?


He answers, trembling with fear.


WILLIAM

I followed you! I was worried!

Please, don't kill me!


SPRINT

Calm down. I'm not going to hurt

you. All I want is your word.


WILLIAM

Anything!


SPRINT

If I let you go, you have to

promise that you won't tell

anyone what you saw here tonight!


WILLIAM

I won't tell a soul! I swear!


She lets him up. Max approaches. Will sees him, and

runs away. Max goes after him. Sprint grabs his arm.


SPRINT

No!


Max looks at her, puzzled.


SPRINT

He gave me his word to keep quiet.


They go back to the hole. A figure spies on them.


DREAM SEQUENCE


INT - CAR - DAY - MOVING


Rebecca drives her father in his car down a long stretch

of straight road. Her black KITTY sits on her lap. A

MOTORCYCLE GANG appears and overcomes them. They CRASH,

and Rebecca is thrown out of the vehicle onto the road.

Her father lies trapped inside the car, which is upside

down. The gang parks their bikes around her in a

circle. They rape her as she falls in and out of

consciousness. Her father watches helplessly, SCREAMING

and struggling to get out. They finish with her,

leaving her for dead. The ALBINO leader shoots the

car's tank, BLOWING it up. They leave. Rebecca comes

to and crawls over to her father's burning vehicle,

crying. Kitty approaches her. Rebecca takes it in her

arms for warmth and comfort, watching the fire.


INT - SPRINT'S TENT - NIGHT


Sprint breathes heavy in her nightmare, twitching and

shifting her head. Cat takes off. She shoots up,

suddenly wide awake, and tries to catch her breath.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - DAY


John, William, the rest of his MEN sit with the four

winning drivers for a final feast. Max suspiciously

watches Brother William. Max and Sprint exchange dirty

looks with Anvil and Firebug, and then each other. They

eat. John and his men sit, examining them. Brother

William slowly reaches out his hand for a piece of meat.

John SLAPS it away. William cowers, holding his hand.

Sprint looks disgusted at the men as they make pigs of

themselves. She picks up her fork, cleaning it off with

her napkin. Setting it back down beside her plate, she

puts the cloth on her lap. She then gracefully serves

herself and eats her tiny portions, cutting them up into

small bite size chunks before placing them in her mouth,

closing, and chewing.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - NIGHT


The three guys sit back in their seats, pants

unbuttoned, full, and exhausted from eating. The table

is bare. Sprint wipes off the corners of her mouth

using her napkin, then sets it neatly overtop her empty

plate. She gets up from her seat, gently sliding the

chair back into place, and approaches John.


JOHN

Did you enjoy it?


SPRINT

Yes, thank you. May I use the

floor now?


John nods his head.


JOHN

You may.


She smiles. Max protests, outraged.


MAX

Hey, that's no fair! What about us?


The other two drivers nod in agreement. Sprint glares

at him.


SPRINT

What about you assholes?


MAX

Why should she get to practice and

not us?


The drivers GRUNT in unison.


SPRINT

Because I asked him first!


John stands and waves his hands, trying to calm them

down.


JOHN

You can all go. Just stay clear of

each other until tonight!


Anvil lets out an earth-shaking BELCH. Max struggles to

do up his button, and fails.


MAX

(embarrassed)

Don't need it, anyway.


Sprint laughs at him, moving to the stairs.


SPRINT

See you later, 'Fat Max'.


MAX

Yeah. It's going to be a real shame

laying skid marks all over that

pretty little face of yours.


She gives him a wicked stare while walking down. John's

LAUGHTER cuts through the tension.


JOHN

I love show business!


INT - ARENA - DAY


The door slides open, and Sprint's car pulls out. She

drives around the Arena, quickly swerving and turning as

she trains for the night's event.


INT - STANDS - DAY


Max watches her from the stands. William nervously

approaches him.


WILLIAM

Excuse me?


Max turns around to face him. He flinches.


MAX

What do you want?


WILLIAM

Nothing. I just want to know . . .


MAX

(interrupting)

What?


WILLIAM

Are you really going to kill her?


Max looks back out to the floor.


MAX

Yeah.


WILLIAM

I know all about your plan. You're

going to try escaping with her

tonight, aren't you?


MAX

You writing a book?


WILLIAM

I want to come with you.


Max looks back to the field.


MAX

No way.


Heartbroken, William walks away.


INT - GARAGE - NIGHT


The drivers prepare their vehicles. John, William and

Lockjaw enter the garage. John wishes the drivers luck,

telling them to keep the faith. He approaches Max, who

is up to his elbows in grease.


JOHN

How do you feel tonight, Max?


MAX

Hungry.


John looks at him, confused.


JOHN

Still? After the feast you ate?


MAX

Hungry for blood.


John smiles.


JOHN

Of course.


John leans over and whispers to Max.


JOHN

Don't tell the other drivers, but

you're my favourite.


Max gets back to work. John moves along. Sprint fixes

her car. William approaches her.


WILLIAM

Sprint?


She stops fixing to look at him.


SPRINT

Yes?


He hands her a bullet and a necklace with a cross.


WILLIAM

Take these.


Sprint looks at the shell and closes her hand. She

smiles at William.


SPRINT

Thanks.


P.A.

Drivers, take your positions!


WILLIAM

God speed!


He walks away. Sprint gets into her car, setting the

bullet on the dash. She hangs the boots from her

mirror. Max gets into his car and starts it. They

drive out into the Arena.


INT - ARENA - NIGHT


The drivers stop their cars and get out. Max stands

across from Sprint, wielding his shotgun. Sprint rests

the crossbow on her shoulder, caressing the rifle in her

leg holster with her free hand. Anvil carries a harpoon

gun. Firebug stands outside of his modified flaming red

bug, wearing a filtered mask with protective goggles on

his face. He shoots a blast of fire from the torch

attached to his right arm. Music BLASTS over the P.A..

The crowd CHEERS. John rises in his elevator. The

music stops. He walks out onto the balcony and

introduces the drivers. He mentions that the contest is

to the death, and the audience goes CRAZY. The battle

begins. Max takes on Anvil. Firebug throws a Molotov

cocktail at Sprint that goes wild, hitting and BLOWING

up a section of the crowd. Anvil connects with Max,

sending him CRASHING into the wall. Sprint suffers a

few flame attacks from Firebug. He misses Sprint with

one of his cocktails and again the flaming bottle flies

up into the stands, right at William. Sprint watches,

terrified. Will catches it and throws it back at

Firebug, BLOWING him to pieces. The crowd CHEERS.

Sprint smiles at him. One of the guards grab him and

takes him away. Max flips Anvil's car onto it's roof.

Sprint floors it, CRASHING through the betting booth.

Max follows her out. John watches, smiling. Lifting

the right sleeve of his robe, he uses a lighter to burn

two more kills on his arm next to a long row of past

marks. Anvil flips his car upright and goes after them.


EXT - ARENA - NIGHT


Sprint leads Max out of the front entrance. Lockjaw and

two other DRIVERS ambush them, prepared for their

escape. Anvil drives out and joins the chase, up to the

cliffs. Together, Max and Sprint take them out.


EXT - DESERT - NIGHT


Max and Sprint pull up to the spot where their supplies

were buried. She jumps out, and stares in disbelief at

an empty hole. Max gets out of his car.


SPRINT

William, how could you?


He looks for himself. Sprint closes her eyes. Max

turns, and walks back to his car. He SLAMS the door

shut. Sprint opens her eyes and looks back to Max, who

is putting his car in gear.


SPRINT

Wait! I know where there's more

gas!


Max looks at her, waiting.


SPRINT

It would take a full tank . . .


EXT - DESERT - NIGHT


Max follows Sprint to an isolated area. They stop and

get out of their cars. Sprint sets up camp while Max

siphons the gas from his tank into hers. He covers the

Interceptor and sits by the fire.


SPRINT

I'm sorry, Max. I thought I could

trust him.


Max stares at the fire.


SPRINT

I guess there's no such thing as

trust.


DREAM SEQUENCE


INT - SHACK - DAY


Rebecca fixes dinner for her two year old BOY, an albino

who has his mother's looks. The shack is old and

rundown, but very tidy and well cared for. The ROAR of

MOTORCYCLES appear in the background, then stop outside.

The gang SMASHES the door down. Rebecca grabs a knife,

hiding it behind her back. Albino enters with his

WOMAN. He smiles at Rebecca, who grabs the child from

his seat and stares in horror at his father. Albino's

woman admires the boy. Albino moves closer and reaches

out for him. Rebecca SLASHES the side of his face. He

grabs her and throws her to the gang. They hold her as

the woman rips the SCREAMING child from her arms. The

gang takes her outside.


DREAM SEQUENCE


EXT - SHACK - DAY


Rebecca escapes and makes a run for it. She jumps onto

a gang member's bike and PEELS off. They chase after

her.


INT - TENT - NIGHT


Sprint tosses and turns in bed. Max gently shakes her,

waking her up from the nightmare. She opens her eyes

and looks at Max, wide awake and trembling. A tear runs

down the side of her face.


SPRINT

I want my baby!


Max holds her in his arms.


EXT - ROAD - DAY


Sprint drives the car to her old shack and parks far

enough away not to be seen. Her and Max quietly get out

of the vehicle. An car sits in the driveway. Max taps

the tank, finding it to be nearly full. He looks

underneath.


SPRINT

Well?


MAX

Very professional. Fifteen minutes,

maybe more.


SPRINT

I'll be back in five.


Max nods, and climbs under the car. He tampers with the

electronic system attached to the bottom. Sprint walks

to the front of the shack.


EXT - PORCH - DAY


Albino sits in his chair, rocking back and forth. He

looks much older now. Sprint sneaks up from behind him.

She holds the bow to his head.


SPRINT

Turn around.


He slowly twists his neck back, then stares down

Sprint's arrow into her soulless eyes. His mouth drops

open.


SPRINT

Call him.


ALBINO

Junior!


EXT - SHACK - DAY


Max struggles with the bomb. A pair of woman's legs

walk out from the kitchen. Max shifts for a better

look. Albino's woman moves to the porch, holding a

rifle. She stops and peeks around the corner of the

shack. The woman raises the barrel, aiming it at

Sprint. Max holds his blade to her neck. He grabs the

rifle and takes her to the car. He whispers in her ear.


MAX

I want you to do me a little favour.


EXT - PORCH - DAY


Sprint and Albino wait for ADAM. He glances over to his

blade. Sprint holds steady. Adam, age four, runs

around the corner and SCREAMS at what he sees.


ADAM

Daddy!


Sprint looks to Adam. Albino reaches for his blade.

She pulls the trigger. He falls forward, dead. Adam

SCREAMS, running back around the shack.


SPRINT

Adam!


EXT - PORCH - DAY


The woman fills Max's cans with gas. Max holds the gun

on her, examining the bomb that she removed from under

the chassis. Adam comes around the corner. The woman

runs for the house. Max SHOOTS her.


ADAM

(screaming)

Mommy!


Max drops the empty gun and chases after him. Sprint

runs around the corner and grabs the boy. Max sticks

the bomb in his jacket and picks up the cans, carrying

them to Sprint's car. The child CRIES in her arms,

kicking and SCREAMING.


EXT - ROAD - DUSK


Max fills the tanks. The boy is limp in Sprint's arms.


EXT - CAMPSITE - NIGHT


Sprint sits roasting a rabbit by the fire. Max is

beneath her car, attaching the bomb. He activates it,

moves out from under the car, and sits beside Sprint.

Max watches his dinner burning on a stick.


MAX

Looks a bit well done.


She snaps out of it and pulls the rabbit from the fire.

Max takes the stick from her, putting it down.


SPRINT

Sorry.


Sprint looks to her car, where Adam sleeps bundled up in

the front seat.


SPRINT

He doesn't even know me. He thinks

we killed his parents.


MAX

You know that's not the truth.


Sprint gazes teary-eyed at Max.


SPRINT

It's half true.


They hold each other.


SPRINT

Maybe I should have left him there.


Max looks deep into her eyes.


MAX

No. There's a place where we can

go. It's paradise. We can live

there forever.


SPRINT

What of Adam? He'll never love me.


MAX

He'll learn to. Like I did.


She smiles at him. Max hears something. He stands.


SPRINT

What is it?


A low RUMBLING can be heard.


MAX

Engines!


Sprint runs to the car and starts it up. Max gets in

the passenger side, holding Adam. The cat darts off.


SPRINT

Cat!


It disappears. Sprint SLAMS the door shut, SPINNING

away.


EXT - DESERT - NIGHT


John, Lockjaw, and his men chase Sprint and Max through

the wasteland. Max puts the child down beside him and

grabs Sprint's bow. They wipe most of them out, killing

Lockjaw. John takes a pistol with a laser scope and

SHOOTS her tire. The car flips onto its hood.


INT - SPRINT'S CAR - NIGHT


Max looks around, disorientated. He grabs the kid, who

was knocked unconscious on impact, and reaches for

Sprint, who is also knocked out. John's men pull him

out of the car. He takes the kid with him, grabbing the

bullet that William gave Sprint and hiding it in his

hand.


EXT - SPRINT'S CAR - NIGHT


They drag Max outside. One of the men takes the boy.

Lifting his head, Max sees a peg leg and cowboy boot

standing in front of him. He looks up to find Reverend

John, who is shaven and has had his hair cut. William

stands beside him. John smiles down at Max.


JOHN

What's the matter, Rockatansky?

You look like you've seen a ghost!


FLASHBACK - EXT - ROAD - DAY


From MAD MAX 1. Max finding JOHNNY THE BOY stealing

boots and chaining him to vehicle. Driving away,

EXPLOSION.


EXT - SPRINT'S CAR - NIGHT


Max remembers in horror. John gazes down at him.


JOHN

You should have killed me when you

had the chance.


One of his men takes the handcuffs from Max's uniform

and binds his hands with them. Sprint comes to,

groggily looking around.


SPRINT

(weakly)

Max . . .


Everyone looks at Sprint hanging upside-down in her

vehicle. The cross dangles in front of her face. She

sees William.


SPRINT

William . . . How could you tell?


William moves closer to the car, defending his honor.


WILLIAM

I never told him anything!


Evil Erik walks out from the men.


ERIK

I did.


John puts a cigarette in his mouth. He looks at

William.


JOHN

Light me.


William strikes a match on the zipper of John's leather

jacket. He lights the cigarette, and puts out the

match.


JOHN

Light another.


William looks at Sprint's car, which is leaking gas.

She watches them, terrified. Max tenses.


WILLIAM

Reverend John, no! I don't want

this!


John grabs him by the jacket.


JOHN

I'm very disappointed in you,

William. I thought that you were

faithful.


He throws William down. The guards lift him up and hold

him.


JOHN

When we get back, there'll be hell

to pay.


Erik looks at Sprint.


ERIK

I want the girl.


JOHN

Fine.


Sprint glares at John, dazed.


SPRINT

You said I was your favourite . . .


John gets back into his vehicle. The guards put Max

into one of the cars and they drive off, leaving Erik

with Sprint. Erik taps on her tank, opening it up. The

bomb discharges and the fuse begins to SIZZLE. Erik

makes a run for it.


SPRINT

No . . .


INT - JOHN'S CAR - NIGHT - MOVING


John rides shotgun. Max sits in the back next to one of

his men, picking the lock on his cuffs. In the

distance, Sprint's car EXPLODES, distracting the men.

Max uses the confusion to break free and jump out of the

vehicle, disappearing into the night.


EXT - CAMPSITE - DAWN


Max walks through the campsite, finding Sprint's baby

boots and picture next to the smoldering fire. He picks

them up, and walks away.


EXT - ARENA - DAY


Max goes through the front entrance, with no complaints

by anyone.


INT - STANDS - DAY


Four CARS are in combat below. Max walks through the

crowd, who are too busy watching the fight to notice

him. He walks across to the stairwell door and punches

a code. It slides open. Max enters.


INT - STAIRWELL - DAY


Max puts the bullet in his gun, and walks up the stairs.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - DAY


William stands before Reverend John, awaiting his

sentence. Erik is beside John, singed from the

explosion. The child sits on the Reverend's knee.


JOHN

With-holding information from me is

a serious offence, Brother William.

Your sentencing shall be equally as

serious.


WILLIAM

(defiant)

Go ahead! Kill me! I would rather

die than serve you!


JOHN

Very well.


The guards take him. Erik grins. Max walks up the

stairs. John stands, shocked. The child runs to Max.


JOHN

You are mad!


Max lifts the gun and BLOWS John backwards, off of the

balcony.


INT - ARENA - DAY


John lands with a CRUNCH on the Arena floor. The

drivers stop, the audience hushed.


INT - JOHN'S DOMAIN - DAY


William shakes free of the stunned guard and walks out

onto the balcony. The crowd looks up, and begins to

chant 'William' over and over. Max gives the child the

shoes and turns back down the stairs. William faces

him.


WILLIAM

Max?


Max stops, and turns.


WILLIAM

Take the elevator.


Max smirks and goes to the elevator, pushing the button.

The door slides open, and he enters.


INT - ARENA - DAY


The crowd watches Max come down in the elevator, MUSIC

blasting over the intercom. It reaches the bottom and

Max walks through the entrance. The audience spreads,

allowing him to pass through.


INT - BALCONY - DAY


William stands on the balcony, watching Max as he exits

the Arena. Erik nervously approaches him.


ERIK

At your service, Reverend William!


William looks back at him.


WILLIAM

Go to hell.


Will's men take Erik away, YELLING and struggling to

break loose.


INT - ARENA - NIGHT


Fifteen years later. Adam stands on the balcony,

speaking to his vast ocean of FOLLOWERS below crowding

the Arena floor and stands. The boots are tied to his

belt. He holds a book in his hands.


ADAM

Brothers and sisters . . . Fifteen

years ago on this day, a miracle

took place. A man called Max

wandered in from the wasteland,

into a bloodthirsty pit that is now

our church, and put an end to

Reverend John's reign of terror.

We can never forget his courage,

nor that of my mother, Sprint.

together they gave rise to a new

empire, one of peace and unity, one

that they never even got to see.

Before I read from Reverend

William's 'The Book of Adam', I

ask for a moment of silence . . .


The church is silent.


EXT - DESERT - DAY


Max walks to where he covered the Interceptor and finds

it missing. He looks at the ground to find imprints in

the sand. Crouching down, he sees that they belong to a

woman, with small paw prints alongside them. He looks

at her picture, smiles, and walks away from the tire tracks.


FADE OUT


THE END[/font][/div][/div][/font][/div][/font][/div]

[The Toecutter]

The writing is pretty decent, but the main character is nothing like Max and there is a lot of issues with continuity and character traits from the previous films. The depiction just isn't believable in regard to Max's world. To me, it feels like Thunderdome, not as sh*tty, not as annoying, and it thankfully has a good deal of violence, but still requires you to suspend disbelief on many occassions.





It's one of the best fanfic's I've read, but as far as implementing it into a movie is concerned, I think it would make a horrible MM movie.

[zanetti]

Thanks?

[nick80487]

I read the entire thing with great care. The dialog needs work. It is a bit to choppy and could make people feel left out. Keep in mind few people know anything about max good or bad. This is a problem, That said the script presents many good strong ideas that could provide the sound foundation for a better script, perhaps a script that could be molded as the movie is filmed. The idea of shooting in an arena will be very costly and hard to shoot. I also find it hard to believe that Max, my hero would ever forget a face. No real cold hearted killer ever does. I don't buy that. Other than that I liked the script. Give john a mask? I don't know. I think for it to work John and Max have to avoid each other until the great moment when Max sees John for the first time. A final thought. It is rude to drag the audience out of a scene and into the distant future. For that to work an intro at the beginning is needed, much like Mad Max II with the speech at the opening.

[zanetti]

Both Max and John have beards (John also has a patch over his right eye and is scarred).