SEASON THREE
EPISODE 16
PTB
Writer: Jaun Carlos Coto
Director: Krishna Rao
Transcribed by Tia
Neil's Bunker
Somewhere in Chicago
(Neil is sitting at a desk in a dark room in an abandoned warehouse. He has headphones on and is talking into a microphone.  We hear a listener's voice through speakers.)
Neil: That my friend is Grade A American-made bear squat!
Listener: But I got an airforce fax.  It says the Trilateral Commission was inside Area 51 on June 10^th 1974.
Neil: Right, and MJ is still bringing the ball up at the United Centre.  Now listen my little misguided friend, I may be working at the tiniest radio station in the city of Chicago but our microphones work!  A fax is not an original.
Listener: Well it could be.
Neil: Survey says BZZZZZZZZ  MORON!  Folks please, come on.  We're smarter than that.  What is my credo?  Never stop questioning.  This is the Neil Robert's program broadcasting live from the bunker somewhere deep inside the loop.  My own little corner of anonymity.  Now if somebody has a real conspiracy out there….something worth firing my synapses over please do give me a call.
Angela: We've got a listener on a cell phone with a comment on that last call.
Neil: Ah, that would be the voice of my lovely and talented producer Angela Sommerset who's in our main studio back at the corporate highrise.
Angela: It's an old friend on line one.  The Middle Man.
Neil: Double M!  Hit me!
(It is night.  Jarod is driving his car, cell phone in his hand.)
Jarod: There's no way the Trilateral Commission was in Area 51 that day.  They were in Delaware!
Neil: How do you know that?
Jarod: We had brunch.  I sat on the other side of a two-way mirror eating optimised nutritional supplements.
Neil: Eating what?
Jarod: It's a long story.
Neil: you still running from the PTB's?
Jarod: PTBs?
Neil: Ahhhhh you're slipping Middle Man.  The Powers That Be.  What'd they do to you anyway?
Jarod: They separated me from my family when I was a little boy.  I barely remember my mum and dad.  I've been searching for them for a long time now.
Neil: (His tone softens, more conciliatory than sarcastic.)  Well, I  have no sardonic response to that, only to say that that kind of dedication comes from deep within.  I kind of envy you.  I don't have anyone that close with the exception of  one person and ah she doesn't even know I exist.  But that my friend is a very long story and I know you've gotta run.
Jarod: As always.
Neil: Take care, and as always a very enlightened call from our friend Double M. (Jarod disconnects, smiling.)  Let's now go to a disgruntled caller on a mobile phone.   Hit me!
Disgruntled caller: Hey squealer, you get my postcard?
Neil: (Neil is disturbed by the familiar voice but quickly recovers.) Well you know my friend I get bushels of fan mail every day.
Pavlov: I sent a package this time.  Express.
Neil: Well here it is, the package.  (Jarod continues to listen to the radio station as he drives.) You hear me opening it on the air.  Here we are.
Pavlov: Hope it's not over the top.
Neil: (Neil opens the package and drops it in shock onto the desk.  It's a large dead rat in a rat trap, accompanied by a photo.) Oh my God.
Disgruntled Caller: Yeah it's a dead rat.  Sort of symbolises your status in life - choices made, choices to live with, or die from.  (Neil looks at the photo; it is of a young woman with blonde hair.  At the bottom are the words "TIME'S UP".) Like the song says, this is the end my friend.  Watch out for that cheese Neil.  (Neil pins the photo onto the inboard behind his desk.  It is the last in a large collection of photos all the same, except the others read either "TICK" OR "TOCK".)
Neil: I'm sorry Patty.
Pavlov:  Hey Neil, you still there?  I don't hear anything.  (Neil picks up his phone and dials quickly.) What's the matter Neil, rat got your tongue?  I'd love to see the expression on your face right now.  In fact that's just what I'll do.  (Neil looks up in fear to a rifle blasting a hole in the door above.  A man kicks in the door.  Neil ducks away but the shooter keeps firing.  He pulls a pin from a grenade and throws it towards Neil.)  Die rat! (The grenade explodes.  Jarod hears it on his car radio and does a 180 on the road.  He speeds back into Chicago, 27 miles away.)

WLNJ Building
Chicago, Illinois
Listener: If Neil was attacked how come the police aren't all over it?
Angela: Because Neil broadcasts from an unknown location in the city.  Neil if you're listening, please call.  (Jarod appears behind her and slips past unnoticed.) It's been thirty-seven minutes, we're worried about you.
Listener: Cut the crap Lady, it's another one of Neil's damn publicity stunts.
Jarod: Hey moron!  (Jarod has donned microphones and is sitting at a microphone, assuming Neil's place.)
Listener: Who's this?
Jarod: If Neil's mission in life is to expose conspiracies and lies do you think he'd create one?
Listener: Ha!  Hell yes.
Jarod: Then go back to the village pal, the one missing the idiot.  (Angela flicks a switch starting up a pre-recorded station identification message before removing her own headphones and striding angrily into the broadcast room to confront Jarod.)  I can explain.
Angela: Explain it to the police. (She picks up the phone and starts to dial.)
Jarod: You would have called them after Neil was attacked if you wanted them involved.
Angela: Who the hell are you?
Jarod: Someone running from the PTB's.
Angela: Middle Man?
Jarod: My name is Jarod.  I know you're very afraid for Neil, I could hear it in your voice.  Look I know this sounds crazy but trust me.  Let me use this show to help you find Neil.  (Angela considers his request and decides to allow him to stay.  She puts down the phone and walks back to her station.  Jarod resumes speaking into the microphone.)

Jarod: We're back and you're listening to ………….the Middleman.  While we  wait for word from Neil I'm going to tell you a little story that's ah both near and dear.  It's about a boy that was raised by an organisation shrouded in secrecy.  A Delaware corporation unlike any other.  Weird, I know, but the truth often is.

Thomas' Residence
The Bedroom
(Thomas reaches for his watch and checks the time before sitting up and pulling on his jeans.  Parker stirs and rests her head on his shoulder, smiling.)
Parker: Hmm.  You've got to learn to sleep in.  (They both smile and she pulls him down onto the bed again.)

Downstairs
Later
(Miss Parker, dressed in robe and with her piled on top of her head is preparing a morning cup of coffee.  Thomas is behind her in the dining room, talking on the phone.  He hangs up and comes into the kitchen.)