7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
1/42
TERMINATOR
ATREATMENTFORAFEATUREFILMSCREENPLAY
by
JAMESCAMERON
July,1982
ThePresent.LosAngelesghetto.Schoolyard.Night.
Amongthespray-paintedschoolbuildingsacatprowlsbetweenthedumpsters.Itloo sup,freezingalert,atsomethingbeyondhumanperception.
Asourcelesswindrises,andwithita eeningwhine.Papersblowacrossthepavement.Thecatyowlsandhides.Windowsrattle.
Thewhineintensifiesandwithitcomesawashoffrigidpurplelight.Aconcussionli eathunderclaprightoverheadblowsinallthewindowsfacingtheyard.Thecat'seyesarewideastheglowdies.
Electricaldischargesarcfromthedumpstertoawaterfaucetandclimbadrainpipeli eaJacob'sLadder.Thesoundofstrayelectricalcrac lingsubsides.
InthemiddleofthepreviouslyemptyyardstandsaNAKEDMAN.
Tall.Powerfullybuilt.Handsomeinanutterlyunremar ableway,exceptfortheeyes,whichareintenseblueanddepthless.
Heglancesdown,ta ingcalminventoryofhimself,thenscanshissurroundings.Atthehorizon,occasionallightningflashespresageathunderstorm.HestridesOUTOFSHOT.
Abeerbottlesmashesontheground.PULLBACKtoincludeitsex-ownerandhistwocompatriots,YOUTHGANGMEMBERSloungingonajunglegyminthe indergartenplayground.Theyglanceupasthena edmanwal sfrombetweenthe
schoolbuildingsandcomespurposefullytowardthem.
Inresponsetotheirderisivecatcalls,hesaystooneofthemwithoutinflection,"Yourclotheswillfit.Givethemtome."
Thethreetoughsslideoffthejunglegymandsurroundhim,allswaggerandmaligngoodhumor.Withblindingspeedthemanbac handstheoneheaddressedinthethroatandthepun drops,gaggingonblood.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
2/42
Theleaderhashisswitchbladeoutinaninstantandhasslasheditacrosstheman'sthroatinthenext.Thestrangerpausestoglanceatthebloodstreamingdownhischestwithoutapparentconcern,then illstheleaderwithonepunchinthebelly.Thereisawetsoundashedrawsbac hisfistwhichglistenswithbloodtotheelbow.Theleaderslumpslifelesstotheground.
Thethirdpun isalreadystrippingoffhisclothesasthemanturnshisgazetowardhim.
ThismanistheTERMINATOR.
Alightrainbeginstofall.Terminatoremergesontothestreet,hi ingthecollarofthepun 'sjac ettohidehisnec .
Therainstreamsdownoverhisface,runningintoandoverhiseyes.Theydonotblin .
Anotherpartofthecity.Downtown.Seedyapartmentsandstorefronts.Thestreetsglistenandhisswithdesultorylatenighttraffic.SLOWDOLLYintoanopenalleylined
withtrashcontainers,fireescapes,andaderelictsleepinginthecomfortofarecesseddoorway.
Thewetbric wor ishitwithapurpleglareandathunderousshoc wavehurlstrashintotheair.Ratsscurry.Painted-overwindowsshatter.
Afiguredropsintoframeasifoutofthes y,andsmac sthepavementwithamuddysplash.Ana edman,young,compactandmuscular,risesinadefensivecrouch,ignoringthebleedingscrapesofhisabruptarrival.
KYLEREESEiswrac edbyspasms,shiveringandpanting
fromphysiologicaltrauma.Theraindrencheshimashestaggerstohisfeetandloo saround.Herunsunsteadilytoanearbyfireescape.Onthefirstlandinghecrouchesbesideanotherna edmanwhoappearsentangledintheironwor .
Acloserloo revealsthatthemanhasbeenpiercedthroughtheabdomenbythehorizontalslatsandthroughtheshoulder.Hewasmaterializedinthesamespaceoccupiedbythefireescapestructure.Hegrimacesinagony.
"Reese,youOK?"thewoundedmangasps.
"OK""I'moutofit.""You nowwhatIhavetodo,"Reesesaysgrimly."Don'twastetimeonme,justfindher."
Themansagsintounconsciousnessanddoesn'tstrugglewhenReesepressesthepalmofhishandfirmlyoverhismouth,pinchingthenostrilsclosed,andwaits.
Whenitisover,Reesedescendstothealleyfloorand
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
3/42
crossestothestuporousdrun .
Apolicecruisereclipsesthealleymouthandasearchlightblazeson,illuminatingReesejustpullingonthederelict'sfilthytrousers.Twocopsleapfromthecar.Theydon't nowwhat'sgoingonbutitsureloo sillegal.
Reeseboltsdownthealleyandafranticchaseonfootbegins.InastaccatosequenceReesevaultstrashcans,hurdlesfences,divesoverpar edcarsanddodgeswithincredibleagilitythroughthestar -litmazeofalleys.
ThecopsseparateandonecirclesaroundandconfrontsReeseatanalleymouthwithdrawnrevolverandflashlight,onlytobedisarmedashemovesinbyamongoose-fastblowandadevastatingseriesofspinningic swhichleavehiminanunconsciousheap.
AnotherunitarrivesoutfrontasReesecrashesintoadoor,disappearingintothedar nesswithin.
Hefindshimselfinadepartmentstoreanddashesintothemazeofaisles,crab-runninglowamongthemovingshadows
assearchlightsandflashlightsquarterthedar ness.
Asecuritydoghurtlestowardhimoutoftheshadows.
Adar blurwithteeth,veryDoberman,itleapsandReesespins,catchingitbythethroatinmidairandarcingittothefloorwithunflinchingprecision.Suddenlyonitsbac andheldbythethroat,thedogyelpsandstaresatReesewholeansverycloseandfixesitwithagazeofuncompromisingdominance.Someancientcommunicationpassesbetweenthetwo.
Thenhereleasestheanimalandturnshisbac tota e
someclothesfromarac .Thedogbac sawayfromhim,stiff-leggedandconfused.
Reeseisroundingacornerdonningalongovercoatwhenanothercopappears,running,gunforward.
WithoutslowingReeserunstowardhim,leaping,twistinginmidairli eacattododgetheoneshotthecophastimeforbeforetheyhitthepolishedfloorandslide.Twoquic punchesandReeseisupagain,running,tuc ingapolice.38specialinthepoc etofhiscoat.
AsidedoorinthealleyopensandReeseslipsout.
Thefirstcruiserispar edinthealley,unoccupied.Glancingaround,heopensthecardoor,removesthepistol-handledpumpshotgunfromthedashrac andslipsitunderhiscoatwhereitisvirtuallyinvisibleinaverticalposition.Hewal sunhurriedlyoutontothestreet,aninnocuouspedestrian,lostintherainandthesporadicstreetcrowd.
KyleReese21yearsold,hardenedveteran,physicallyand
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
4/42
psychicallyscarred,trainedfromboyhoodtodealandeludedeathtothefullextentthatthehumanorganismiscapable,stepsintoaphonebooth...Loo supaname:Connor,SarahJ.
Slowdissolvetothename'Connor,S'hand-letteredonanapartmentmailboxdoor,whichissoonopenedanditscontentsremovedby(youguessedit)SARAHCONNER.
19,smallanddelicate-featured,prettyinaflawed,accessibleway.Shedoesn'tstopthepartywhenshewal sin,butyou'dli etogetto nowher.Hervulnerablequalitymas sastrengthevenshedoesn'tsuspectsexists.
Thenight'srainhasgivenwaytoatypicalL.A.morningofdiffusesunlight.Sarahjogsbac uptoherapartment,openingthephonebillenroute.Sheshrie s.
"Ginger,whothehelldoyou nowinDesMoniesworth43.51?"
Oneofthebedroomdoorsisflungopenandahumandynamoappears,Sarah'sroom-mateGINGERVENTURA:red-haired,
athletic,prettywhenstill,butstunninginmotion...sheisdancingandlaughingwithuncontainableglee.
BeforeSarahcanprotestsheishauledintothebathroomwhereGingerpointstriumphantlytoasmalltest-tubeinaplasticstand.Atthebottomofacoupleofouncesofyellowfluidisadar ringofresidue,anegativeresultonthehomepregnancytest.
"Beatin'theodds,baby!"Gingercrows,andSarahjoinsinlaughing.Theydoanimpromptujig.
Gingerdemandsachampagnetoastandtheydanceintothe
itchenwhereshesha esupawarm7-Upandspraystheroomwithgenericsubstitute.
GettingonwiththedaySarahpoursherselfaquic bowlofRiceKrispies,butGingerdowsesitliberallywiththesoda,tellingheroverherproteststhatshe'llloveit.Sarahraisesanappreciativeeyebrowafterthefirstmouth-full.
GingerslipsontheheadphonesofherWal man-stylecassetteplayer,towhichsheseemsinoperablyjoinedatthehip,andbeginsmaniacallytearingsomelettuceleavesintosmallpiecesinabowl.
"IfeelsogoodI'llevenfeedPugsleyforyou, iddo,"shesays,approachingalargeterrariumbesidethelivingroomcouchandcautiouslyopeningthedoor."Bac Isay!Bac ,fiendfromHell!Ohno...he'sgone!"
Sarahsuggestsshetrythewindow.Gingerfindsherroom-mate'sthreefootlonggreen-iguanasunningblissfullyonthewindowsillbehindthedrapes.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
5/42
WithmaternalgentlenessSarahcarriesPugsleybac tohiscage,givingthecomplacentreptilea issonitsbluntsnoutasshecrossestheroom,whileGingergroansindisgust.
"Nobodyunderstandsus,Pugsley,"Sarahmurmurs,"Theyjustdon'tta ethetimetofindoutwhatsensitivepeoplewereallyareunderourunassumingexteriors."Pugsleyeyeshervapidlybeforeattac ingthelettuce.
Atthesoundofahornfromthestreetbelowbothgirlsgathertheirschoolboo sandtrompdowntomeetMATTBUCHANAN,Ginger'sboyfriend,whoisgivingheralifttoclass.Mattisleaningagainsttheenormous4-wheeldrivepic -up,dressedinatan -topandcutoffswhichleavehisweightlifter'sbodywelldisplayed.HeistheassistantmanagerofthehealthclubatwhichGingerisanaerobicdanceinstructorpart-time.
Mattisonlyalittlesmarterthanheloo sbut,despitehisimposingappearance,isoneofthe indestpeopleyou'deverwanttomeet,andhisearnestaffectionforGingerisalmostcomical.
Sarahwal shermopedoutofthepar inggarage.Gingersuggeststhatthethreeofthemgettogetherthatnighttocelebratetheresultsofherurinetest,butSarahremindsherthatshealreadyhasadate.Bythesurprisedapprovalthisevo esfromhertwofriends,weseethatthisisnomeanoccurrence.Sarahdismissesitasher'schmuc ofthemonthclubselection'whichshe'llprobablyreturnunopened.
AssheputsonherhelmetandstartsherscootersheassuresGingershe'llbeabletopic herupfromwor attheusualtimeandthenta esoff.Shewhinesdownthestreetinthatdemureposeuniqueto
mopedriders.
Sarahridesthroughthemorningtraffic,enjoyingthewarmwindinherhair,thesunonherfaceandbarelegs,andtheheavyscanningbyguysinpassingcars.
Thedayhasnotprogressedfarenoughtomanifestmanyproblemsandsheisinagoodmood.Sheiswor inghardtowardfulfillmentofhermodestdreams,waitressingpart-timeafterherclassesattheJuniorCollege,andta ingsomesatisfactioninthefactthatlifehasnotbeenhandedtoheronaplate.
Neitherhastherebeenanygreatpainortrauma,oranyofthehardeninginfluenceswhichmighthavepreparedherforwhatwillsooncome.
Shepasseswithoutnoticingamanonthesidewal ,wearingill-fittingpun clothes,andwal ingwithanunhurriedbutpurposefulstride.
Terminatorentersapar inglotbetweentwobuildingsandstopstowatchasanelderlyladyclambersintohercar
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
6/42
andstartsitup.Heseemsstrangelyintentonhermotionsofshiftingthetransmission,releasingthebra e,etc.,asifmemorizingthem.Hisslowcirclingofthecarma esherillateaseandsheloc sthedoors,thenhitsthegasinthewronggearanddrivesforwardoveraconcretebermbeforeshegetsittogetherandbac sout.
Whensheisgone,Terminatorpunchesinthesidewindowofanunattendedcar,unloc sitandgetsin.
Withablowfromtheheelofhishandhesmashesloosetheignitionswitchandstripsthewireswithabrutaltwistofhisfingers.Touchingtheproperwirestogetherhestartsthecar.Imitatingthewoman'sperformanceflawlesslyhedrivesforwardoverthebermandbac sout,tearingadeepgashinthenextcarwithhisbumperandbac ingintothecaropposite.Allwithoutaflic erofconcerninhisexpression.
ThestereoisplayingMozartashepullsoutintotraffic,whichstri esaneclecticeffectwithhisleatherjac etand'Blac Flag'T-shirt.
Terminatorpullsuptothecurbinfrontofapawnshopandgoesinside.Themanattheguncountercheerfullyhandsoverforhisinspectionseveralpiecesofperfectlylegalanti-humanartillery:aBrowningHi-power.45,anS-W.38snub,anIsraelli-madeUzimachinepistolstillinthebox,ausedAR-18assaultrifle(semi-autoonlyonthelasttwo)andaMossbergeightshotpumpshotgunwithacombathandgripandforearmstoc .
"Cashorcharge?"isthepawnbro er'sonlycomment.
Heonlybecomesconcernedwhenhiscustomeropensaboxof
12gaugeshellsfromadisplayrac andcalmlystartsloadingthemintotheshotgun.
"Hey,youcan'tdothat...""Wrong."saysTerminatormatter-of-factly.Heraisesthebarrelandpullsthetrigger.
Terminatorswingshiscarintoagasstationandpar sbesidetheonlyphonebooth,whichisoccupied.Gettingsmoothlyoutofhiscarheopenstheboothdoorsandflingsthemaninsideoutintothepar inglotwithoutaglancebac .
Afaint,reedymonologueissuesfromthedanglingreceiverasTerminatorleafsrapidlythroughthedirectory.Amacroshotshowshisfingerstoppingbesideanowfamiliarlisting:Connor,Sarah.Inthebigmetropolitanboo therearefouridenticallistingsunderthatname.
Sarahiscrossingthecrowdedquadafterherlastclassofthemorning.Sheweavesamongthethrongofbravenewfaces,theirarmsladenwithtomesofcalculusandKeats,theirbrains
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
7/42
febrilewiththoughtsofPac-manandgettinglaid.Sarah'sdayta esitsfirstturnfortheworseasshereturnstohermoped,par edonmotorcyclerow,andfindsthebac tireflat.Sheisresignedlystrappingherboo stotheseatasanerdyguywal supandgetsonhisKawasa inexttoher.
"Hi,"shesays,smiling,"Areyoumechanicallyinclined?"
Shebuzzesintothepar inglotatBigBob'sonlyfifteenminuteslate,andchainsherbi etoalightstandardnearthefiberglasscherubholdinghishamburgerupinperpetualhomagetowhateverdeitywatchesoutforfatids.
"Hi,asshole,"shesaysasshepassesBigBob,enteringthewholesomelyappointedeateryunderthescrutinyofmultiplesurveillancecameras.
CHUCKBREEN,thedaymanager,pimplyandofficious,watchesherononeofseveralsecuritymonitorsinhiscloset-li eoffice.Heleansouttointerceptherasshepassesby,beratingherforbeinglate.
Whensheisaroundthecornersheflipshim'thebird',forgettingaboutthecorridorcameraovertheloc erroomdoor.Chuc 'svoiceboomsfromtheceilingspea er:"Badattitude,Connor.AslongasI'msigningyourchec syou'rea'Bob'sGirl'anddon'tforgetit."
Shemarcheswearilyintotheloc erroom."BigBobiswatchingyou,"oneoftheothergirlsjo es.
Whenherloc erdoorslamsshutsheistransformedintoa'Bob'sGirl',withthatproduction-linehappypeasantloo ...blouse,flareds irtandhairinabun.Shepinchesherchee sandchec sinthemirrortoseeifher
smileisvacuousenough,thengoesoutonthefloor.
Soonsheisbustlingabout,servicingthelunchrush.Whenshestopsbyatablewithseveralsqualling ids,botharmsladenwithsteamingdinners,atwoyearolddumpsascoopoficecreamintoherhiptippouch.Shepausesforacontemplativemomenttorepeattoherselfhermotto:Inahundredyears,who'sgoingtocare?
Theneighborhoodisstanding-issueL.A.suburban:stuccohousessettooclosetogether,littleplotsjealouslyguardedbysta efences.KidsareracingBigWheelsinthestreetinthebac groundasacarglidesuptothe
curb.Itsfronttirecrushesachild'stoytruc .
Terminatorgetsout,pausingbythemailboxtochec thename,andwal stowardtheadjacenthouse.
Thedoorbellisansweredbyafrailmiddle-agedwomaninanapronandcleaninggloves.
"SarahConnor?"saysthevisitor."No,she'supstairs.WhoshallIsayis..."
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
8/42
Ignoringher,Terminatorpushespastthediminutivewoman,crossingthefoyertothestairs.Herprotestsarecutoffinagaspofalarmashepullsthe.45fromunderhisjac etandsnapsthecoc ingslide.
Theoldwomanbeginstoscreechinterror,dartingbacandforthindecisively.Finallyshegoesbac tothefrontdoorandcallsforhelp.
Installedonherbedforanafternoonof'soaps'isthewrongSarahConnor.Electrodepadsexerciseherdoughythighsasthe35yearolddivorceewatchesGeneralHospital.
"What'swrong,Mom?"shecallsoutdistractedly.Thedoorbangsopenandshestaresindumbamazementasthegood-loo ing,intense-eyedmanintheill-fittingclothesraisesapistolandaimsitatherface.
ItallseemslessrealthanGeneralHospitalinthathalf-secondbeforehefires.
Downstairs,hermotherisfumblingwiththetelephonewhenshehearstheshots.Sheshrie swithrenewedterroras
theceilingabovehereruptswithfiveexitholesinrapidsuccession,followedbyadribbleofblood.
Inthebedroom,seeninalowangleshot,Terminatorstandswiththe.45aimeddownatthedeadwomanoutofframebelow.Heunhurriedlydropstheclip,reloadstheweaponandreplacesitunderhisjac et.
Then,crouchingdown,heremovesaplastic-handledrazor-nifefromhispoc etandextendsthefiveinchblade
slowlywithhisthumb.Itisthetypewithnumerousbrea -offsectionsforrenewingthepoint,anditextendswithaquietlyominousclic ing.
InthefoyertheoldwomanstandsparalyzedasTerminatorreappearsonthelandingandwal sdowntowardher, nifeinhand.
Hewipesthebloodybladecleanonherapron,clic sitshutandgoesoutthedoor.Shesagstothefloorinafaint.
Some idswhohavegatherednervouslyatthecurbstepbac asshewal sout,getsinthecar,anddrivesaway.HepullsaMil yWaybaroutofhispoc etandeatsitashedrives,intwobites,withoutremovingthewrapper.
Inthebac roomatBigBob'sSarahhasherfeetup,ta ingawellearnedcoffeebrea .Chattingwithanothergirl,sheispayinglittleattentiontotheearlyeveningnewsdroningonasmallportableTVinthebac ground.
Theanchorwomanissaying"Inourtopstorylocally,policeareatalossforapossiblemotiveinthebizarre,execution-stylemurderofanEncinowomanearlythisafternoon.SarahConnorwasshottodeathinherhomeby
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
9/42
amanwitnessesdescribesas..."ThegirlwatchingthenewsexclaimstoSarahthatsomeonewiththesamenameasherwas illed.Allthreeofthemwatchintentlyasthereportcontinues.
Sarahgazedatthescreencontemplatively,thecoincidenceanuneasyreminderofmortality.
Itisdus whenSarahstopsherscooterinfrontofthehealthclubwhereMattandGingerwor .ShegoesinsideandwaitswhileGingerfinishesthelastfewminutesofherdisco-aerobicsclass,energeticallyleadingherplatoonofpanting,cellulite-cursedwomenthroughtheirrigorouspacestothebeatofaMotownfavorite.
WhenthetapeendsherchargescollapsewithacollectivegroanwhileGinger,barelywinded,cheerfullycajolesandcommendsthemvariouslybeforeheadingfortheloc erroom.WhileGingerputsonherstreetclothes,includinghermuch-lovedWal manearphones,Sarahtellsherabouttheunsettlingcoincidenceanditsaftereffects:thathermotheractuallycalledheratwor toseeifshewasOK,justbecausethenewsitemgavehersuchastart.
GingerturnstoSarahwithanexpressionsobizarrethatshecanbarely eepfromcrac ingup,especiallywithGinger'svocalrenditionoffiftiessci-fimoviethereminmusic.
Sarahtellsherfriendthatshe'snuts."Goodnuts,Ihope,"Gingersays."Mixed."
Thegirlsleaveinhighspirits,stoppingbytheweightroomsoGingercansaygoodbyetoMatt.Sheberateshimfornotdoingafullwor outonhis"lats"and"bi's",
isseshimandgrabsSarahbythearm.Shehasbeenwistfullystudyingtheothermenastheypumpthemassive,complexnautilusmachines.Theyseemtomergeinto ineticsculpturesofchromesteelleversandtubes,andglisteningmuscle...abio-mechanicallandscape.
Outside,thegirlsclimbontoSarah'slittlescooteranddroneoffintothegatheringdar ness.
Later,SarahandGingerarepreparingfortheirrespectivedates:Gingerblow-dryingwithherheadphonesinvertedunderherchin,Sarahtryingonthefourthblouseina
suddenattac ofindecision.
SarahanswersthephoneandMatt,thin ingitisGinger,launchesintooneofhiscustomobscenephonecallsinwhichhedescribesindroolingdetailthepleasuresheintendstoinflictinherpliantflesh.Sarah,suppressingherlaughter,giveshimenoughropetohanghimselfandthensternlyas swhoitis.Mattisgrovellinglyapologetic,andas spolitelytospea toGinger.Whensheta esthephonehebeginsthe
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
10/42
breathymonologueagain.Ginger,withaconspiratorialwin atSarahsays"Oh,hiSteve."Woundedvoice:"ThisisMatt.Who'sSteve?"
Thegirlsarewea fromlaughterwhenthedoorbellheraldsthearrivalofSarah'smysterydate.EnterStanMors y:aggressive,clean-cutlawstudentwithanupwardlymobilesmileandanI'm-so-smooth-I-hardly-believe-it-myselfstylethatinstantlyspellsschmuc .
Hema esabighitwithSarahbyspending80percentofthetimeloo ingatGingeruntilshegetshimcoaxedoutthedoor.NeedlesstosayhedrivesaPorsche.
Anunmar edcarwithaclamp-onlightflashingandsirenblaringscreechestothecurbbehindthreeblac -and-whitesinfrontofaVeniceapartmentbuilding.LIEUTENANTEDVUKOVICK,HomicideDivision,stridesthroughthecrowdgatheredpatientlyfortheirten-secondglimpseofsomethingunderasheet,andwendshiswayuptothescene,athirdfloorapartment.
Ontheflooristhecrumpledbodyofayoungwoman,herbluejeansandsweaterbloodsoa ed.Twobagsofgroceries
liesplitopenonthefloorinfrontofher.Detectivesandphotographersbustleabout,ta ingevidence.
Vu ovic isquic lybriefedbyDETECTIVESGT.BUCKMAN:Thewomanwasshotrepeatedlyatcloserange.Largecaliberweapon.Gotherjustinsidethedoor,so illerwasprobablywaitingintheapartment.Onewitnesssawaguyholdingapistolwal outli ehewaswal ingapoodleforapissinthepar ...hiswords.He'sma ingastatement.Thedeceased'snameisSarahLouiseConnor...
Vu ovic stopsthereport.Didhehearcorrectly?Twohomicidesinonedaywiththesamename?
"That'snotallthat'sthesame,"Buc mansays,liftingoneofthegirl'spant-legswhichhasbeenslituppastthe nee.Alsoslit,froman leto nee,isthes inandmuscleofhercalf,peeledbac li eahotdogbuntoexposetheshin-bone.
Vu ovic scowls.ThesamemutilationastheEncinohousewife,leftlegonly.Toofuc ingweird.Thenewsguys'llhaveafielddaywiththis...thefirstone-daypattern iller.
Vu ovic 'slamentationsarejustifiedwhenhereturnsto
divisionheadquartersandfindshimselfrunningagauntletofreportersandminicamcrewstogettohisoffice.Ithasn'tta enthemlongtofigureoutthatthe illingstoo placeinthesameorderinwhichtheyarelistedinthephoneboo ,andtheywantto nowifhecanofferanythingbesidetheideathatamaniaciswor inghiswaythroughtheL.A.directorystartingwiththeC's.
Vu ovic reacheshisinnersanctumwithNOCOMMENTandwashesdownahandfulofaspirinwithcoffeetwohours
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
11/42
cold.Heas sifBuc manhascalledthethirdnameagain,the'nextgirl',andtheofficerrepliesthathejust eepsgettinganansweringmachine.Aunitsenttotheaddressintheboo reportedthattherewasnoanswertothebuzzerandtheapartmentmanagerwasn'thomeeither.TheLieutenantpondersthereporterswho,inhisopinion,havescrewedupmoregoodpolicewor thananyothersinglefactor.
Buthedecidestheymaydomoregoodthanharmthistime.Withthepatternrevealedandpotentialvictimsalerted,the illermaybewaryofstri ingagainifthatishisintention.
Hegoesbac outsideaftertellingBuc manto eepcalling.Asthedoorclosesonthebabbleandthelights,Buc manbeginspunchingoutSarah'snumber.
Thephoneringsinthedar apartment,triggeringtheloonyphonemessagethegirlshaverecordedontheirmachine.Inthebedroomtherecordedvoicesaremuffled,andlargelydrownedoutbyGinger'smoansassheandMattheavestrenuouslyinthethroesoflovema ing.Gingeris
stillwearingherWal manearphonesandMatt,reachingouttothenighttablewithoutbrea ingrhythm,thumbsthevolumehighersoshewon'tbedistractedbythecall.
Gingerseemstoenjoyhissuretouchonhervolumecontrol.
StanMors y'ssilverPorscheroarstothecurbinfrontofSarah'sbuildingand, illingtheengine,heturnstoherexpectantly.Heinviteshimselfupforadrin ,butSarahdeclinesgracefully,sayingthatherroom-matehascompanyandwithaone-bedroomapartmentit'shernightonthecouch.
Undaunted,Staninvitesherovertohisplaceforanight-capbutshebegsoff,citingalongandfatiguingday.Shebrea sofftheirgoodnight isswhenheshowsnosignofdoingsoandthan shimfordinnerwithanedgeinhervoice.Stanas spetulantlywhat'swrong.Didn'ttheyhaveanicedinner?Don'ttheyhavealotincommon?Don'ttheybothli edogsandswing-erajazz?Hedoesn'tgetit.
Sarahsighs,abandoninggraciousness,andturnsonhimwithavengeance.Whydoessomethinghavetobewrong?Doesshehavetobedefectiveinsomewaytonotwantto
leapintobedwithaguyshehas nownforthreehours,twoofwhichhespenttellingherhowmuchmoneyhe'sgoingtoma ewhenhejoinshisfather'sfirmandtheotherspentdrivingli eMarioAndrettiondietpills?
Sarahenterstheapartment,alone,andtrudgestotherefrigerator,ta ingoutapintofice-cream.ShesitsdownbesidePugsley,letshimoutandplungesthespoonintotheice-cream."Rumraisin,"shesighs,"Itain'tlovebutnineoutof
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
12/42
tendoctorssurveyedrecommenditasasubstitutefororgasm."
Shebeginsmassagingthemuscleofherleftcalfandweseethatalong-healedsurgeryscarrunsdownwardacrosshershinfromjustbelowthe nee."Oldwarwoundactingup,"sheconfidestoPugsley,whoisdrapedcomfortablyacrosshershoulders.
Shebecomesawareofaseriesofrisingmoansandgaspsemanatingfromthebedroom.Sarahrollshereyesinannoyanceasherfriendbecomesmoreandmoredemonstrative.'Oh,Matt...yes,yes'Sarahmouthsinalip-syncparody.
WhenitshowsnosignofabatingSarahgrabsherjac etandleavestheapartment,withoutchec ingthetapemachineholdingBuc man'smessages.Shedescendsthepoorlylitstairstothepar inggarage.
Thin ingshehearsfootstepsbehindhershestopsandsurveystheshadowedrecessesofthepar ingstructure,butcanseenomovement.Sheunchainsthemoped,peddlesuntilthetinyenginecutsin,andwhirrsoutofthe
garage.
Onthestreetshepassesapar edcarinwhichafiguresitshuncheddown,shadowed.Thecar'slightscomeonanditpullsouttofollowher.Within,closer,weseethatitisKyleReese,hisscarredfacesetingrimlinesasthestreetlightsplayacrossit.Fromthesteeringcolumndanglestheignitionassemblywhereitwasrippedlooseforhot-wiring.
Sarahwindsupatapizzaparlornearhercampus,afavoriteofthepost-moviecrowd.Shenursesaglassofwineatoneendofthebarinmorosesolitude.Sheis
ignoringthenewscastontheTVsetabovethebottleracuntilshehearshernameagain.
Thenewscasterissaying:"...apparentlythesamepattern...policearerefusingtospeculateontheapparentsimilaritybetweentheshootingdeathofanEncinowomanearliertodayandanalmostidentical illingjusttwohoursagoofaVeniceresident,who,incredible,hasvirtuallythesamename.SarahLouiseConnor,a24yearoldlegalsecretary,waspronounceddeadatthesceneinherbeachfrontapartment.Noconnectionbetweenthetwovictimshasbeenestablishedasofyetand..."
Thebartenderstartstoturnthechannelattherequestofanothercustomertocatchtheballscore,butSarahsurpriseseveryonewithheryelltoleaveitalone.
Whenthenewscasterturnstothenextitem,Sarahma esherwaytothepayphoneinthebac .Loo ingupherownlistingsherealizessheisthenextintheprogression.
Scanningthefacesintheroomshecatchesthestatisticallynormalnumberofcovertloo sforan
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
13/42
unattendedgirlonaFridaynight,buttheyseemtota eonanewmenace.
KyleReeseloo supfromhisbeerandloo simpassivelyather.Thelightcatchestheburnscaronhischee andSarahshudders.
Shebac sintothewomen'srestroomandstumblesnumblytothesin .Shesplashesherfacewithcoldwater.Inthemirrorsheconfrontsherterrifiedreflection:whyME?
Sheslipsoutandwal squic lytothepayphone,onlytofinditoutoforder.Thecashiertellsherthatthereisaphoneatthebarfurtherdownthebloc andsheheadsoutontothestreet.
Whydoeseveryoneinthesparsecrowdseemtobeloo ingather?Peopleloo atpeople,it'snatural.Butwhataretheythin ing?Whatmightoneofthembethin ing?
Glancingbehindhersheseestheguywiththescarleaning
againstthewall.Whensheloo sbac again,he'sgone,lostinthecrowdsomewhere.Shespeedsup.AnLAPDcruiserglidesbyonthefarsideofthestreet.Whatcouldshetellhim,anyway?
Shereachesthebarandduc squic lyinside.Hernuc lesclenchwhiteasthescarredguyintheovercoat
approachesoutside.Hewal sby,unhurriedly,withoutaglanceinside.
Thegloomyinteriorrevealsitselftobealessthansavoryplace.Shedrawsstares,menacingintheirownright,assheweavesbetweenthepooltablestothebac
ofthebar.
Withaneffortofwillshewal s,ratherthanruns,tothepayphoneanddialsthepolice,onlytobeputonholdfortransfertoanotherdepartment.
InthefoyerofSarah'sbuildingTerminatorstandssurveyingtheban ofcallbuttons.Throughthesteelbarsofthesecuritygatehecanjustma eoutthedoorofSarah'ssecondfloorapartment,number203.
GingerleavesasleepingMattandpadsthroughthedarapartmentwearingashort imonoandhertapeplayer,
boppingtoherselfinthesilentgloom.Therefrigeratorbrieflyilluminatesthe itchenassheremovessnacfixings,andinthatmomentweseesomethingmovingintheforeground.
Asuddencrashandflurryofmotion.Shedropshalfherloadinthatstartledmomentandthenfumblesforthelightswitch.GingersighswithreliefasPugsleysitsblin ingamongoverturnedspicebottlesonthecountertop.Sheshoos
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
14/42
himawayandbeginsslatheringcrunchypeanutbutterontostal sofcelery.
RustlingcurtainsplaypatternsofstreetlightoverMatt'ssleepingface.Thesoundofafaintbreeze.Inthebac groundisthebalcony,empty.Theslidingdoorisopen.
Matt'seyesopenashehearsanominousrepeatedclic ing.
Rightabovehimisthefive-inchrazor nifereachingfullextensioninTerminator'shand.Itslashesviciouslydownward,butMattrollsandthepillowisslitopenwherehisthroathadbeen.
Terminatorgrabshimbythehairandslashesdownagain.Mattgrabshiswristinbothhands.Thebladestopsinchesabovehisface.Theenormousmusclesofhisarms,whichseemcapableofbench-pressingaChrysler,strainand notagainstthepressureofthe iller'ssinglearm...andstilltheblademovesclosertohisthroat.
WithafinalheaveMattdeflectsthedownpressuresidewaysandthebladesnapswithaclin againsttheheadboard.
HerollsoffthebedandslamshisfiststogetherintoTerminator'stemple.Hepic supabrassdecolampandbringsitdownwithpile-driverforce.Unperturbedtheintruder noc sthelampawayandflingsMattcrashingthroughtheglassdoorontothebalcony.
Inthe itchen,oblivioustothenoise,Gingercroonsinroc androllecstasy,singingtothecelery(betweenbites).
Mattheaveshimselfup,powerfulmusclesgleamingwithsweatandbloodfromascoreofcuts,andhurlshimselfupontheintruder.Thetitanscrashintothedresser,reducingitto indling,andthenintotheclosetdoor.Thefull-lengthmirrorexplodes.
TerminatorplacesonehandoneithersideofMatt'sbarrelchest.Sin shisfingersdeepintotheflesh.aninhumangrip.Mattraisedoffthefloor,contortedwithagony,abovetheother'shead.
Gingerisreturningtothebedroomwithaplateofcelerystal sandaglassofmil .Assheapproachesthecloseddoorashapesmashesthroughitinanexplosionofsplintersrightinfrontofher...Matt'slaceratedbodypropelledhalfwaythroughthedoorbyenormousforce.
GingerscreamshystericallyasthedooriswrenchedopenandTerminatorstepsthroughwiththatmassive.45drawn.Shema esitdownthehallbeforethebulletpunchesintoherbac ,pitchingheronherfacejustoutsidetheopen
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
15/42
bathroomdoor.Inlowwide-angleGingercrawlsforward,gasping,drowning.Theimplacablefigureloomsbehindher.Herexpressionisagonyandreeling,nauseatingterrorandincomprehensionrolledtogether.WhyamIsuddenlydying?Hereyesroll,showingthewhites,li eahorsetetheredinaburningstable.
Shescrabblesforagrip,pullingherselfpatheticallyintothebathroom,clutchingtherimofthetoilet.PanupasTerminatorstandsoverher,ta esaim,andemptiestheclip.
Inthesilencethatfollows,theringofthephoneseemsdeafening.Terminatorignoresthegirl'srecordedmessageashecalmlyinsertsanewbladeintotherazor nifeandbendsdown.Howeverhisheadsnapsaroundwhenhehearstheincomingcall:
"Ginger,thisisSarah.I'minthissleazybarcalledSto ersonOlympicbutI'mtooscaredtoleave.I'mreallyscared, iddo...Ithin somebody'saftermeandIsurehopeyouplaythissoon'causeIneedyouandMatttocomepic meup.Thepolice eeptransferringmearound
butI'mgoingtotrythemagain."
CuttothebarasSarahfinishesthemessagebyreadingoffthenumberofthepayphone.Shescansthecrowdnervouslyasshehangsupanddialsanothernumber.
IntheapartmentTerminatorissiftingthroughpapersinthedrawerofSarah'ssmalldes .Sirenswail,approaching.Hepic supherexpireddriver'slicense,scansthepictureforafractionofasecond,tossesitdown.Poc etingheraddressboo ,heslipsoutthebalconydoor.
Meanwhile,SarahhasfinallybeentransferredtoVu ovicwhoapologizesforthedelay,listenstoherhaltingstory,andtellshertostayputuntilhegetsthere.Ifsomeonemeansherharmhersafestbetistobeinapublicplace,inviewofmanypeople.HehangsupandboltsfromtheofficewithBuc man.
AsSarahlocatesanemptyboothandsitsdown,weseeReesewithhisbac toheratthebar,watchingherinthemirror.Shefiddleswithhermenuandorderssomethingtoeat,glancingfrequentlyatherwatch.
Theoutsidedooropensandafigurestandssilhouettedforamomentagainstthestreetlight.Reese'seyesflic tothemirror,tothefigure.Henurseshisbeer,loo ingabittightlywound.Hisovercoatisdoneuptothetopbuttonbuthebeginsslowlytoundoit.Thereisaglintofmetalintheshadowswithin.Reeseturnsslowlyonhisstoolasthefigurebrushespasthim.Sarahloo sup.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
16/42
Close:Reese'shandslidingtothetriggeroftheriot-gun.SarahseesReeseandgasps."Oh,myGod,"shewhisperstoherself.Thensheseesthemanstandinginfrontofher.Weseehisbac ashesitsoppositeherinthebooth."LieutenantVu ovic ?"shesaysuncertainly.
InareverseweseeitisTerminator.Blueeyessopureanddeep.Theeyesofasaint,perhaps.The.45isoutandcoc edandaimeddirectlybetweenhereyesbeforeshecanreactinanyway.Reese'sriot-guniswhippedtoahip-firingpositionwithasnapofhiscoatfallingbac .Sheseemstobeloo ingdownitsbarrelaswell.Itisafrozensliceofnightmare,bro enbytheroaroftheshotgunasitblastsTerminator'shand, noc ingawaytheautomaticjustasitfires.Sarahscreamsinvoluntarilyattheconcussionsonearherhead.
ReesepumpsupandfirestwomoreroundsasTerminatorrises,blowinghimbac wardovertheboothdivider.Sarahscrunchesdown,caughtinthefiringline.
Lyingonhisbac withthreeshotgunroundsinhim,Terminatorseemssomewhatdazed.Butonlyforamoment.Thecustomerscoweringintheboothbesidehimscreamevenlouderashesitsupand,favoringhisdamagedhand,haulsouttheconcealedUzi.Herollsup,sprayingthebaramomenttoolatetocatchthedivingReese.Totalpandemonium.Reeserollsli eacatandcomesupfiring,catchingTerminatorashetriesforanothershotatSarah.Patronsofthebarrun,screamordivedependingontheirlevelofintelligence.
Tablescrashover.Bottlesshatter.Thefrontwindowisblownout.SarahispinnedbythebodyofamanwhocaughtaburstfromtheUzimeantforher.Terminatordropsaspentclipandfumblesforanothermagwithhisbloodyhand,whichisn'twor ingtoowellbutshouldn'tbewor ingatall.
ReeseslidesthroughtheglasstoSarah'sbooth,pullsthedeadmanoffher,andhaulsheroutontothefloorwithhim,practicallydraggingherbehindthebar.Beforehisopponentcangethissecondclipin,Reese
leapsoverthebarandatpoint-blan rangeunloadstheremainingthreeroundsintoTerminator'sbelly.Hecrashesbac wardthroughtwotablesandaplateglasswindowontothestreet.
HighproofalcoholisfeedingaroaringfirebehindthebarandReesetossestheUziintotheblazebeforereachingforSarah.Shescreamswhenheseizesherwristandstruggleshysterically,totallyoverloaded.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
17/42
"Comewithmeifyouwanttolive,"heshouts,pointingtothestreetwhereTerminatorisrisingunsteadilytohisfeet.Hiscoatandshirtareshreddedandblood-drenched.
Sarahfeelsalightningboltofterrorgreaterthansheevercouldhaveimaginedasthecoldblueeyesfixuponheronceagainandheclambersbac throughthewindow.
Reeseruns,draggingher,towardthebac oftheplaceasTerminatorcrashesthroughthewrec agebehindthem,hurlingflamingtablesoutoftheway.Runningheadlong,Reesehitsthedoorofabac hallway,haulsSarahthrough,thenslamsandbolt-latchesit.Terminatorhitsthedooramomentlatterwithenoughforcetotearthelatchscrewshalfoutofthewall.
Behindhimtheflamesengulfacanisterofcleaningsolvent.Heslamsthedooragain,rippingitopen,intimetoseehisquarryreelingoutthebac doorintothealley.
Thecanofsolventexplodes,sendingafireballofsuperheatedgashurtlingdownthecorridorbehindTerminatorasheclearstheouterdoor.
Vu ovic andanotherplain-cararriveoutfront,slowingtoastopintheglass-litteredstreet."Whatthefuc isgoingon?"heshouts,headingfortheblazingbuilding.TwoLAPDunitsarriveandhedeploysoneofthemtocovertherear.
InthealleyReeseandSarahhaveabitofaleadbuttheirpursuerisboundingafterthemli eapanther,leapingtrashcansandotherobstacles.Theyturnthecornerintoanarroweralleybetweenbuildings,caromingoffthewallwithoutslowing.Reeseisreloadingontherun,droppingshells.
HeandSarahpeltalongbesidearowofpar edcarswhichlinethealley,leavinglittleroomtorun.AstheycrestthelastcarhepushesSarahhard,flingingherdown.Flingsopenthecardoor...ashield.Dropstotheground.Firesintothegastan ofacardowntherow,justbeforeTerminatorreachesit.
Theresultingexplosionfillsthealleywithfire,aninfernochanneledbetweentheenclosingwalls,withTerminatorcutoffbeyond.
ReesestuffsSarahintothecarandclimbsinafterher.
Whenhetwiststwowirestogethertostartit,werecognizeitashisstolencar.Theenginecatchesjustasasilhouetteappearsoutofthewallofflame,leapingfromtheroofoftheblazingcaraheadandimpactingonthehoodofReese's.
Terminatorslamshisfistintothewindshield,punchingthroughit.Reesejamsreverseandnailsthethrottle.The illergropesforSarah,laceratinghisarm.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
18/42
Thecarshootsbac wardoutofthealleyasthebloodyfingersgraspherblouseandpull.Reesecran sthewheel.Theyslewsidewaysintoapar edcarandTerminatoristhrownoffontothepavement.ReeseslamsDRIVEandtheyhurtleforward,througharedlightandpastthegatheringminionsofthelaw.
Vu ovic scramblestheblac -and-whitetogivepursuit.
Terminatorrollstoa neelingposition,thenslowlystandsupright,pattingouthissmolderingclothingashewatcheshisquarryescape.Thoughhisfaceisasemotionlessasever,wesensethatinhisownwayheisnotverypleased.
Sarah'sfaceisbloodless.Shoc .Reesehasthehammerdownandhe nowswhathe'sdoing.Evasiveturnsandhighspeedsprintstogaindistance,runningwithlightsoffatninetyplusdownbac streets.
He nowstherabbitstratagemandit'llwor atleastuntiltheygetsomeaerialunitsonthescene.Heas sherifshe'salright.Repeatsthequestiontoreachherintheterrifiedcornerofhermind.
"Whoareyou?"shesays."Reese.Senttoprotectyou.""Fromwho?I'veneverdoneanythingtoanybody.""I now.Butyouwill.Youjusthaven'tdoneityet.That'swhyitwantstogreaseyou...you'retargetedfortermination."
Sarahtriestoma esomethingofthatwhiletryingnottoseethelandscapereelingandblurringbyoutsidethewindows.Flashingredsfallinbehindthem.
"Howcouldthatman...howcouldhebestillalive,after
you...afteryoushothim?""Notaman.It'saTerminator.CyberDynamicsModel101."Reesesaysitwithcommingledrespectandhatred.
AglareoflightoutlinesTerminatorandheturnstowarditssource.Aspotlightontheblac -and-whitesenttocoverthealley.Policeandfiresirenswarblecounterpointacrossthelandscapeofthenight,andtwohelicoptersfencingwithsearchlightscirclethearea.Terminatorheadstowardthesquadcarwiththepurposefulstrideofanexecutivehailinganelevatorfilledwithattractivesecretaries.
"Freeze,tur ey!"thecopshoutsdownthebarrelofhisriotgun,andhedoesitverywelltoo,withtheaggressiveAcademystanceandhoarseauthorityinthevoice...exceptthatTerminatorjustignoresallthatandta eshisgunandhissquadcarandleaveshimstuffedinadumpster.
Thisbeginsathree-waycatandmousepursuitinwhichReeseandSarahattempttoeludeboththepoliceandTerminator,andTerminatorusesthepolicecommunications
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
19/42
toeludecapturehimselfandhomeinonhisquarry,whichheotherwisewouldhaveahardtimedoing.
Infact,heta espartinthesearchasifheisabona-fidecop,answeringtohisunitnumberinaclippedmonotonewhichgoesunnoticedinthemeleeofcoordinatinghalfthecity'sforcesinamassivedragnet.
Vu ovic ,interpretingthatReeseisthe iller,withSarahhishostage,haspulledoutallthestopstofindthem,aftertheday'striple-blowtotheimageoflawenforcementinthisfaircity.
DuringthepursuitReesehandlesthecarwithnervesofsteel,briefingSarahastheygo.Shelistensbecauseit'sbetterthanthin ing...aboutwhathashappenedorwillhappen,oraboutthepar edcarsandlamp-poststhatareaninsensiblebluroutside.
"See,thisTerminator'snotaguy,it'samachine.It'smadetoloo humansoitcaninfiltrate.""Ifit'samachine,howcoulditbleed?"
Hepausestoswerveontoafreewayon-ramp,whicha
pursuingsquadcarmissesinalateralslide.Hewindsto110onthefreewayandanswers:"It'scalledacyborgreally.Cyberneticorganism.Amachineputtogetherwithalivingthing.Thes in,andsomelayersunderit,thehair,thesurfaceoftheeyes,andtheinsideofthemouth...allthatstuff'shumantissue,geneticallydesignedforthecyborgs.Butunderneathit'sallsteelandtitanium.Hydraulicactuatorsinsteadofmuscles.Controlledbyamicrocomputer.Ithastoeatandbreatheto eepthes inalive,thoughalotlessthanus...andthere'salittletinyheartandinternalorgansaboutthesizeofachic en'sinarecessedcompartment."
"Thisisinsane.""Yeah,tellmeaboutit.See,itsweatsandhasbadbreathandfeelstotallyhuman,soitcaninfiltraterealwell.Imean,theystillusedthe600SeriesHunter-Killersandtheother'roachpatrol'machinesbut...""Idon'tbelieveanyofthis,"Sarahsays.Frantic.Sheseemsabouttoscream."Yeah,wellthat'sOK.Butthatdoesn'tmeanitisn'thappening.You'vegottoacceptandunderstandwhatthisthingis.Itcan'tbereasonedwith,itcan'tbebargainedwith,itdoesn'tfeelpityorremorseorfear...anditabsolutelywillnotstop,ever,onceithasbeentargeted.Unlessit'sdestroyed."
Reeseexitsthefreewayandblendsintostreettrafficforawhile,abidingthelawuntilhecanfindaplacetoswitchcars.
"Athingli ethat...Imean,nobodycanbuildsomethingli ethat.Couldthey?""Hellno,notnow.It'sfrom2026.SoamI.I'llneverseeitagainthough.Onewaytic et."
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
20/42
Sarahloo sathimasifhehasjumpedhistrac s,andsowhatifhewassenttoprotecther,whoprotectsherfromhim?Whentheystopatatrafficlightshetriestobailoutbuthecatchesherarm.Shesin sherteethintohishandwillallherstrength,buthisgripdoesn'tslac en.Reesehasspottedacopacrosstheway,waitingintheoncominglane,andheshutsthedoorwithhisotherhandwithoutlooseninghisholdonSarah.Hedrivesonwhenthelightturnsgreenandslipspasttheunobservantofficer.
Heletsgoofherandshestaresatthebloodrunningdownhisarmfromthebitewound,andbac athisgrim,scarredface.Isheacyborgtoo?Hewipeshishandonhispantsandloo sather."Canyou illit?"sheas s,wea ly."Idon't now."
Theystopinadar par inglottoswitchcarsandReesebrea sintoalatemodelsedan,hopefullyaninconspicuouschoice.Helicopterscanbeheard,circlingnearer,andseveral
cruisersflashby,lightsblazing.Anairbornesearchlightsweepsthepar inglot,lightingthewindowsasSarahandReesehuddleontheseat.Twocruisersenterthelot,searchlightsflic ingabout.
Thetwowait,hopingtheirpreviouscarnotfarawaywon'tbespotted.Thechopperroarsfaroverhead.Alightflaresbrieflyacrosstherearwindow.Closeup:Reese'seyes.Thereisamomentaryflashofanimage,ashardofthefuture,Reese'sworld.Abuildinginruins.Anincrediblybrightlightsweepsoverit.Reeseinblac fatigues,crouchingintherubble.He
wearsaswitchboardtypeheadsetandcarriesastrange-loo ingriflewithCRTstarlightscopemountedonit.Roarofsteeltan treads.Amachine,twostoriestall,withsearchlights,gunturrets,infraredeyes,rollsbyoutsidethewall.ThenReeseisupfiring.Boltsofenergyandneedle-thinbeamspiercethenight,theflesh.Explosions.Screamsofmenandelectronicsdying.Thevisionendsonabrightflash.
"Therewasawar,"hebegins,whisperingalmostinSarah'searasthehelicopterscircle,"Unli eanythingyoucan
imagine..."Shestaresathim,eyetoeye,ashespea shishypnotichistory.Thoughittearsintotherecessesofallshenowsorthin sshe nowstobetrueandsane,shebegins
tobelievehim,andsodoingbeginstofeelnewhorizonsofterrorunreelingbeforeher.
Therewasawar.AnditdevastatedtheEarth.Ourweaponsandtheirweaponswereunleashedagainsttheir
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
21/42
ma ersbyathirdandunexpectedplayer.Theartificialintelligencewhichhadbeencreatedtocontrolthebombersandlaunchthemissileswiththeirnu esandchemicalsandgerms...thecomputerentrustedwiththatgraveresponsibilityonedaydecidedtohavedonewiththefollythatwasManandcreaterealorderandrealintelligenceontheplanetforthefirsttime.Machineintelligence.Humanswereobsolete.
Thecitiesfellandintheruinsthesurvivorswerehunteddownandslaughteredbythegleamingpatrolmachines,builtbyrobotsintheautomatedfactories.Largegroupswereroundedupintocampswhereliquidationcouldproceedinanorderlyandsanitaryfashion.
OnlyoneforceopposedthecyberneticReich.Asingleman,amanwhoroseoutoftheslagheaptoorganizethesurvivorsagainstthepogroms,toresistthegenocide,tostormthewireofthecampsandsmashtheirmetalexecutionersintojun .
Reeseholdsherbytheshoulders,spea ingmoreeloquentlyandearnestly,inhishaltingway,thanheeverhasinhis
grimsoldier'slife... nowingthatonlybyconvincinghernowcanhesaveherlife.
"Thisman...hisnameisConnor.JohnConnor.Yourson,Sarah.Yourunbornson."
Thehelicoptersearchlightsweepsacrosstheiroldcar,flic sbac andholds.Thecruisersturnandracetoconverge.Streetlightsflashli ecometsoverthewindshieldasTerminatorpeersintotherowsofpar edcars.Hespotsthegraysedanasitlaunchesoutofitsspacebeforeanyoftheothercopsandpursuessilently.
BehindthewheelReeseisstilltwistingthewiresfirmlytogetherashemaneuversoutofthelot.Terminator'sblac -and-whiteclosesonadiagonalcourse.Thewindowisdown,theshotgunbarrelpo ingout.
Reeseduc s,steeringblind,asthewindshieldandsidewindowsexplodeinwardandhiscarslamsintotheblac -and-white,spinningitintoapar edtruc .Terminatorcatchesuptothemagainonthestreetandtheystrea throughanintersectionatahundredpluswithajewelledstringofsquadcarsfollowing.
ReeseisfeedinghislasttwoshellsintothepumpasTerminatordrawsnear.
"Steer!"heyellsatSarahandleansoutthewindowtofiretwo-handed,still eepingthethrottlemasheddown.
Shegrabsthewheelandscreamsastheyapproachanintersection,redlighttheirwayandanAlphaBetatrucenteringcrosswise.ReeseandTerminatorarestaringdowneachother'sbarrels
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
22/42
asthegapclosesandthecyborgdrawsalongside.Sarahjamsthecarintoreverse.Thesedanslewswithscreamingreartires.Theshotgunsroar.
Terminator'sshottearsoutthedoorpostnexttoReese'sshoulder,whileReese'sstarstheother'swindshield,bloc inghisvisionashehurtlespastthemintotheintersection.Terminatorclipsthebac ofthesemi,s ids,vaultsthecurbinafront-endrollandcrashesupsidedownthroughthecounterareaofanAandW.AsignwhichreadsDRIVEINdetachesfromanawninganddropsacrossthecrushedauto.
ReeseandSarahcometorestsafelyinacarwithnotransmission,surroundedamomentlaterbyanassortmentofLAPD,Sheriff'sDepartmentandCHPcarsandhelicopters.
Reeseholdshishandsupinplainsight.Aphalanxofcops,loo ingli etheyverymuchmeanbusiness,approachthecar.Sarahopensthedoorandrunsstaggeringtowardoneoftheofficerswhopullsheraway
tosafety.
Twocopsruntotheoverturnedsquadcarjammedintothewrec ageoftheAandW,buttheirflashlightsrevealthatitisempty.Thecyborghasvanished.
SomewhereinthelabyrinthofdivisionheadquartersSarahsits,huddledinablan et.Hereyesarefixedinthemiddledistance.Allreservesoftearsandconsciousthoughtdrained.OutsidetheinterrogationroomLt.Vu ovic ismixingcoffeeanddiscussingthenecessityforhavingtoldSarah
ofherroom-mate'sdeathwithBuc man.
Buc manreportsthatSarah'smotherhasbeenreachedandisonherwaydownfromSanBernardino.Theyspeculateonthesingle-mindedferocityofherwould-be iller,butconcludethatnothingaddsuptoanythingatthispoint.Vu ovic carriesthecoffeeintoSarah.Shecowersmomentarilyathisentrance,andhesitsbesideher,patientlyholdingthecoffeewhileshesipsit.
"Thatthingisstilloutthere,somewhere,isn'tit?"shesays."We'llgethim.He'snotwhatyou'dcallcautious.But
don'tworryaboutthat...you'resafehere.Howmuchsafercouldyoube?There'sthirtycopsinthisbuilding.Whydon'tyoujuststretchouthereandgetsomesleepuntilyourmothergetshere.""TheguyIwaswithsaysthatit'snothuman,thatitonlyloo shuman.""That'sagoodwayofputtingit,withananimalli ethat."Vu ovic 'spatronizingsmilereassuresher."IsReesecrazytoo?"sheas s.It'sallbeginningtoseemsodistantnow.Howcouldshehavebelieved...
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
23/42
"Wewon't nowthatuntilwecangethimtotal ."
Reesesitsrigidinachair,handscuffedbehindhim.Hestaresstraightahead,asiftryingtowillhimselforthetwodetectivesinterrogatinghimoutofexistence."Reese,KyleA.,ControlSergeant,DN8675309,"isallhewilltellthem.Theyremindhimthatthereisnorecordofhimwithanybranchofthearmedservices,infactnorecordunderthatnameanywhere,andthatanywaytheserialnumberisnotevenintherightformat.Theypummelhimwithquestionsbuttheanswerisalwaysthesame:name,ran andserialnumber.
"Where'sSarahConnor?"hegrowls."Safe."Reesesneersbutta esnopleasureinit."Youcan'tprotecther.She'sdeadmeat."
Theroomcostsfivedollarsanightandthat'srobbery,butthefireescapeoutsidethewindowaddsanelementofstrategicvalue.Terminatorslipsinthroughthewindowandclic sonthesinglebarelightbulb.
He'samess:abloodyscarecrowwithbulletwoundsinstomach,chest,shoulderandrightwrist...eyebrowssingedoff,hairacharredstubble,lefteyebloodywithembeddedglassshards,leftearshotalmostcompletelyaway.
Hesitsdownatasmallfoldingtableonwhichhehassetoutanarrayofsmalltools.Removingthecharredremainsofhisjac et,hepropshiselbowonthetableandexamineshisnon-functionalrighthand.Hepic supanX-acto nifeandcutsdeeplyintothes inofhisforearmwithanexpressionofmildconcentration.
Hepullsbac aflapofs intorevealacomplextrun ofhydraulicsandsheathedcables,glisteningwithblood.
Hewipesawaythebloodand,withsmallscrewdrivers,beginstodisassemblethejammedmechanismaroundthe12gaugehit.Whenrepairsarecompletehesuturesthes incrudelybacinplacewithaneedleandthread.
Closeup,macro:thedamagedeye.ThepointoftheX-actonifeentersandbeginscuttingawaytheruinedscleraand
cornea,revealingthefaintlyglowinglensmechanismbeneath.
Theeye-s inflopsonthetable.Thebloodiswipedawaywitharag,clearingtheelectroniceye'svision.Severalotherrepairsareseeninmontagestyle:suturingfaceandabdominalwounds,slippingagloveoverthedamagedhand,wipingawaytheburnthairandsettlingamotoringcapontheblisteredscalp.Anewshirtandovercoathidetheotherdamage.
Withthehatpulleddown,thecollarpulledup,and
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
24/42
favoringhisrightprofile,heseemsunhurt.(thoughabitgauntandpale).Butaturnofhisheadbringsthebalefullyglowinglefteyeinitsmetalsoc etintoview,andTerminatorwillhavetorelyonshadowsanddistancetogetbyonthestreet.HeremovestheMossberg,theAR-18andthe.38fromunderthestainedmattressandleavesbythefireescape.
ReeseisleftaloneintheinterrogationroomwithDR.PETERSILBERMAN,acriminalpsychologistloo ingsomewhatcrusty-eyedandput-uponat3:00AM.SilbermanconvincesKyletoanswersomequestionsonthebasisthat,withKyleincarcerated,itmayimproveSarah'schancesforsurvival...sincethatishispurportedmission.IntheensuingconversationReeseexplainsmoreaboutwhySarahisinjeopardy.Inthefuture,in2026,thetideofbattlehasturnedagainsttheelectronicgenocide,infavorofthehumanresistancefighters.Asadesperate,lastditchmaneuverthecomputerhasusedaprototypeofatime-displacementfieldgeneratortosendoneofitsinfiltrationunitsintothepastto illhisenemybeforeheisevenconceived,byillinghismother.
Connor'sforcescapturedthetimefieldlaboratorytoolatetostoptheTerminatorbut,bytracingthecoordinatesused,wereabletodeducetheplanandsendbac twomentointercepttheassassin.Atthispointtheexperimentalequipmentwasdestroyedtopreventrecapture.Therewillbenofurtherhelp,interferenceorcontactfromthefuture.
Silbermanisfascinated.AccordingtoReese,duetolossofrecordsduringthenucleardevastation,littleinformationaboutthemotherofJohnConnorwasavailabletothecomputer:onlyhername,age,andthecityinwhichshelivedupuntil1982,
afterwhichshewas nowntohavegoneintohiding.Therewasonlyonepieceofinformationwhichwouldhaveallowedthecyborgtoidentifyherpositively.InReese'sfuture,SarahConnoris nowntohavediedinaraidattheageof36andbeenroutinelyautopsiedbythedisposalmachines.Thisrevealedtothecomputerthetwosteelscrewssetinhertibiaforacompoundfracturesufferedinafigures atingaccidentinherteens.
Silbermannods,notingthatthiswouldexplainthecuriousmutilationofthepreviousvictims.ButhequestionswhyneitherReesenortheotherfellowareusinganythingbutpresent-dayweapons,when
presumablytheywouldhaveadvancedweaponryandotheritemsoffuturetechnologyattheirdisposal.
Reeseexplainsthatonlyalivingthingcanpassthroughthetimefield,orinthecaseoftheTerminator,ametalstructurecompletelyenclosedbyorganictissue.Ithadsomethingtodowiththemicro-fieldgeneratedbyalllivingmatter.
Therefore:noadvancedweapons,suppliesorevenclothing.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
25/42
Theywerebornintoanewtimeli einfants,na edandalone.Andwithoutanyhopeofreturn.
Vu ovic enters.ReesereiteratesthatthepolicewillbeunabletoprotectSarah.Thelieutenantsayshe'ssupervisedlotsofprotectivecustodyoperationsandtomindhisownbusiness.SilbermanleadsVu ovic intothehall,leavingReeseshoutingthatifit nowswheresheis,it'llgether.
InthehallSilbermanmarvelsattheextentandlucidityofReese'sdelusion,andthecleverwayitisfabricated,requiringnoactualphysicalprooffromthefutureworld.
Vu ovic istootiredtodelveintoReese'stestimony,delusionorotherwise.Forallhe newthe id'sbehaviorcouldbecausedbywatchingStarWarsonPCP.Heshovelsmoreaspirin,chewingthemintheabsenceofcoffee,andas sSilbermantochec onSarah.
Thepsychologistenterstheotherinterrogationroomandadministersasedativetoher,thendeparts.
Outfronthewaitsforthenightdes sergeanttobuzzhimoutthroughtheelectricsecuritydoor.InthefoyerhepassesTerminatorjustcominginthefrontdoor,apaleapparitionincapanddar wrap-aroundsunglasses.
Thedes sergeantinhisbullet-proofboothbarelyglancesatthevisitorwhoidentifieshimselfasafriendofSarahConnorandas stoseeher."Youcan'tseeher.She'sma ingastatement.""Whereisshe?""Loo ,it'sgonnabeawhile.Youwannawait,there'sabench."Terminatorscansthebooth,theelectricdoor,therooms
beyond.InahandheldPOVwhichhasbeenopticallyalteredtoresembleadigitizedcomputer-generatedimage,weseetheroomasTerminatorseesit.Graphicsareoverlayed,extrapolationsofthestructureofthewalls,wiringofthesecuritysystemsetc.,ontopofthebac groundimage.
"I'llcomebac ,"hesays.
Thedes sergeantisn'twatchingasTerminatorgoesout,nordoeshenoticetheheadlightsgettingbrighteroutsidethemaindoors,atleastuntilTerminator'scarcrashesthroughthefoyer,crushinghiminthewrec ageofthe
booth.Terminatorvaultsthehoodofthecar,heavesthroughthesplinteredwallintothecorridor,brandishingtheautomaticrifleli eapistolinonehand,the.38intheother.TheMossbergdanglesathissideonashoulder.
Sarahjer sawa eatthesoundofdistantshots.
Twocopsrunoutofthecoffeeroomintoaburstofgunfire.Terminatorstepsoverthemwithoutbrea ing
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
26/42
stride.ShotsechointhehallwayasVu ovic whipsopenthedoortoSarah'sroom."Stayhere,"hesays,turnstheloc ing nobandslamsthedoor,leavingheralone.Shestaresaroundtheemptyroominmountingpanicasfranticshoutingandmachinegunfirereverberatethroughthebuilding.
Terminatormovesinexorablyforward.Sprintingforcoveracopdivesbehindawallbutthecyborgtargetsonthesoundandshootsthroughthewall,hittinghim.Vu ovic fires,putstworoundsintotheintruder'sheadfromadoorwayambush,onlytoseehimturn,targetandfire.OneofthetwodetectiveswithReeserunsout,leavingtheothertowatchtheprisoner.Asplitsecondafterthedoorcloses,achairsmashesacrosshisbac andReeseisonhim,scrabblingforthehandcuff eys.
Sarahclawsatthelightswitchandhuddlesinacornerofthedar enedroom,unabletobelievethatshehasreawa enedintothesamenightmare.
Theshootingisdrawingnear,relentlessasasteamroller.
Office-boundcopsinshirtsleevesarepullingM-16sfromcabinets.Asmo egrenadegoesoff.Terminator ic sinadoor,scanstheemptyoffice,moveson.Aloc eddoorsplintersunderaburstfromtheAR-18andisflungopen.Copsbehinddes sinthebriefingroomopenfirebuttheintrudermoveson,uninterested,ta ingafewbodyhits.
Sarah'steetharechatteringwithuncontrollablefearasshotsechonearby.Thereistherhythmicthunderofthepumpshotgun,rattlingautomaticfire,screamingandthesoundofrunningfeet.Crashing,splinteringsounds.Moreshots,closernow.Smo ebeginstoseepunderthedoor.
Shestiflesacryasthedoor nobistriedfromtheoutside.Thenaseriesofshotsshattertheloc andshedoesscream.Thedoorbangsopenandafigurestands
silhouettedinthesmo yhallway.
Reese.Sherunstohimandtheyfleetogether,doublingbacthroughasuiteofofficesasgunfireragesinthecorridor.Reesestops,hearinghisnamecalledwea ly.Vu ovic liesproppedagainstades .Thedyingcopholdsoutasetof eysandhispersonalColtPython.357."BlueImperial.Myspace...itsaysVu ovic .That's
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
27/42
withaV."Reesesnatchesthegunandthe eysandisgone."Goodluc , id."
ReeseandSarahsquealoutofthepar inglotinVu ovic 'scarasTerminatorrunsoutoftheheadquartersbuilding.Heaimscarefullywiththeassaultrifle,butitclic semptily.Hewatchesthemgo,thensetsoff,limping,acrossthepar inglot.
Thetwoofthemma eitnorthoutofL.A.somehowbuttheyrunoutofgasontheopenhighwayandrollthecarintoaforestedravinetodelayitsbeingfound.Theyhuddletogetherinadrainageculvertunderthehighwayfortheremainderofthenight.Ahelicoptercirclesinthedistance,searchlightprobing.Acruiserhurtlesbyabovetheirheads.Headlightsflareandpasshypnotically.
SarahfindsoutthatReeseactuallyhasafirstname,Kyle.Sheas shimwhytheysentsuchayoungguy.Hedescribesbeingraisedintheaftermathofthefallof
civilization.Hehas nownonlyalifeofunceasingcombatforsurvivalagainstthemachines.Hehasbeentrainedsinceboyhoodintheuseofweapons,explosivesandvehicles,livingonhate,li earatintheruinsofthecities.Heshowsheranelectronicallyimprintednumberontheinsideofhisforearm,asouvenirofthedeathcampfromwhichhewasfreedbyoneofConnor'ssquads.
Heloo sup,suddenlyalert,atthedistantbar ingofadog.HetellsherthedogsarewhatsavedthemfromtheTerminators.Reeseletshisgazedriftwiththehelicoptersearchlight.
Sarah'seyesslowlycloseashetal son.Hisvoicefadesasthehelicopter'sroarisbroughtup,sequeingintoavisionofthefuture.
Pandownfromthelightsofanaerialpatrolcrafttomoonlitdevastation.Whiteashblowsindriftsamongfire-guttedruins.Blac enedboneslayeverywhereinheaps,aubiquitous,crunchingground-cover.Peopleinragsscavengeforunburstcansintherubble.Searchlightssweepthenightconstantly.
Aflyingmachineli eanadvancedchopperfirestracers
intotheruinsafewbloc saway.
GleamingchromeHunter-Killersgrindthroughthedebrisoftheshatteredstreetsontheirtan -li etrac s,flashingreadandbluelights.Theirheadsturnslowly,playinghigh-intensitylightsoverthebuildings.
Reeseisamongasquadofmeninblac fatigues,carryingequipmentandenergyrifles.Theyrunlowbetweenhul sofcars,anddownalongtunnel
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
28/42
intoanundergroundpar ingstructure.
Theyaremetattheentrancebytwoarmedsentrieswithdogs,andthemenarepassedthroughoneatatimeasthedogschec themout.Beyondisalargegathering,ameetingofamajorresistancecell.AtitscenterthecommandingfigureofConnorstandsconferringwithhisstaff.
Offtoonesideareanumberoffamilygroups.ChildrenarehuddledaroundanoldTVset,seenfrombehind,itsglowbathingthem.Areverseanglerevealsthatthesethasbeenguttedandasmallcoo firecrac lesinsidetheshell.Nearbyagaunt idhasalargeratcorneredandiswhac ingitwithastic .
Theuniformedmen,includingReese,deploytoguardtheperimeterasmoremenarrive,wearingmismatcheduniformsoronlyrags,andarmedwithlaserrifles,shotguns,sharpstic s.Eacharrivalmustpassthecaninescrutiny.Suddenlythedogsgocrazy.Anarrivingman,rag-dressedandinnocuous,dropshis
shawltorevealanenormousenergyrifle.Hebeginsblastingintothecrowd,runningtowardConnor.
"Terminator!"someonescreams.TheTerminatorthrowsconcussionbombs.Beamssearthedar ness.Partoftheroofcollapses.Fleeingchildrenareburstbystraypowerbolts.Everythingislitasifbylightning.
Reeseleapsforthecyborg,firing,andiscutdown.Impressionsimplodeonhim...ofrunningfeet,flashes,screaming,energybeamsra ingtheground.Someoneis
dragginghimaway.Connor.Thehellfireglareisunbearable.Survivorsfleeintothelabyrinth,someta ingreliccarswhichdatefrombeforetheBigNu e...oldninetiesandeightiesmodels.Reeseisloadedintoone.
Reeseliescrushedinthebac seatasthecarbac stowardatunnel.Hefixatesonanimageastheypullaway:anabandonedchildbawlingamidtheinferno.Beyondit,aninjureddogstandsbar ing,litstroboscopically.
Reeseawa enstothesoundofadogbar ingfaraway.Itislightoutside.Sarahisasleepinhisarms.Wasithismemoryofthefutureorherdreamvisioninspiredbyhisnarrative?Sheopenshereyesandgazesathimwithunderstanding.Itwasboth,then.
ReesegoesdowntoasmallstreamtowashhisfaceandreturnstofindSarahgone.Hecatchesuptoherdowntheroadataboarded-upgasstation,standinginaphone
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
29/42
booth.Sheshowshimalistinginthedirectory:CyberDynamicsCorporation.Shecallsthenumberandfindsoutthatitisonlyadistributionoffice,thatthemainofficesandmanufacturingplantareupnorth,inSiliconValley.Shememorizestheaddressandleavesthebooth.
Reeseisupset.Whatthehellisshedoing?Herinspirationistoturnthetables,tota etheoffensiveinsteadoflivingtherestofherlifeinfear.IfCyberDynamicsdevelopedthedefense-networ computersometimeinthenearfuture,thenbywrec ingtheirplantandburningthefiles...destroyingthatseednow...shecanbeatthecomputeratitsowngame.Thecomputerhassentthemawarning,inadvertently,whichmaypreventtheholocaustandreshapethefuture.
Kyleistooby-the-boo tothin intheseterms.That'snothismission.He'sdisturbedattheris presentedbyherinitiative.
ButSarahhasthebitandwon'tberestrained.Shetearsaway,yelling"Whatareyougoingtodotostopme...shootme?"
Shemarchesaheadandstic southerthumbtothepassingcars.KyleispuzzledbythisritualuntilatractortrailerpullsoverandSarahrunsforit.
"Whereyouheadin',sweetca e,"saysthedriver."North.SiliconValley.""Goin'realnearthere.""Comeon,Kyle.Getin!"
Kyleridessullenlyastheyreachtheinterstateandheadnorth.
Afteracoupleofhoursthedriverpullsintoarest-stop
tocatchashortnap,becauseof'thisonewaitressinRiversidewho'salwaysrealpleasedtoseemewheneverI'mdownthisway.'
SarahandKylegetouttostretchtheirlegs.Inthepicnicareapeoplesitunderthetrees,enjoyingabeautifulday,andchildrenracearound,frolic ingwiththefamilydog,playingfrisbeeandthrowingpapercupsofwaterateachothernearthedrin ingfountain.
Kyleshamblesamongthemli eazombie,dirtyandbloodyandwitheredbehindtheeyes.
SarahgoestothepayphoneandcallshermotherinSanBernardinowhogushesemotionallytolearnthatSarahissafe.Sarahtellshertopac somethingsandgorightawaytotheircabininthemountains,don'tas anyquestions,justdoit...thatshe'llcallhertherelater.
Kylestandsamongthechildren,analieninthislandwithoutfear.Alittlegirl,aboutthreeandachinglybeautiful,accostshimwiththeboldnessofinnocence.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
30/42
"You'repissy,"sheasserts,onlytobebowledoverbyanIrishsetterwhichlic sherfacewhilesheshrie swithlaughter.Kyle'sexpressionsoftensashewatchesher.Heseemstowanttosmilebutdoesn'tquite nowhowtogoaboutit.
SarahandReeseleavetherest-stopandwanderintotheadjoiningwoodsalonganarrowpath,stoppinginasun-dappledgladebesideasmallstream.Kylestandsfrozenatthecenteroftheidyll.Leavesrustle.Thewillseemstodrainfromhimandhesagstohis nees,headlowered.Hisshouldersheavewithsilentsobsasthebeautyofthisworld,lostforalleternity,crushesinuponhim.Sarah neelsandputsherarmsaroundhim."It'ssobeautiful,"hewhispershoarsely,"Ithurts,Sarah...worsethanthebulletsandthefire."Shelayshisheadonherbreastanditisafrozenmoment,apivotfortime.
Terminatorsitsinhisroomwiththeblindsdrawntight.Hismisadventuresarehavingatellingeffectonhisappearance.
Li eapictureofDorianGray.He'snotgettingolder,he'sgettingrepulsive.
Apatchofscalpisblownaway,leavingshinymetalundercrustedblood.Aflapofs indanglesfromhischee ,revealingsomeofthedrivecableswhichmovehislips.
Thes iniswaxywhite,bruised,andinsomeplacesgangrenous.HeignoresthefewfliescrawlingaroundonhisfaceandhandsashesitsscanningSarah'saddressboo atarateofahalf-secondperpage.
Weseetheboo inhisPOV,thehandwrittenentriesbeingtranslatedintoCRTdisplaytypefaceprintingoutincolumnstooneside.
Avoicefromthehallwayinterruptshisscanning."Hey,buddy,yougotadeadcatinthereorwhat?"
Terminatorraiseshisheadandturns.ThePOVpanstothedoorandalogicflow-diagramappearsoverlayedincolor-codedwords,concludingwithalistofpotentialappropriateresponses:GOAWAYPLEASECOMEBACKLATER
NOYESFUCKYOUFUCKYOU,ASSHOLE
Thelastbeginstoflashandenlargestofillthescreen.
Objectiveview:Terminatorsays"Fuc you,asshole."Themangoesawayandhereturnstohisscan.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
31/42
Atdus thetwofugitivesstepdownfromthetruc infrontofaneconomymoteljustofftheinterstate.Thetruc erwishesthemwellandrollson.Attheregistrationdes thecler eyesthemwarilysincetheyareonfoot,withoutluggage,etc.,butgivesthemaeyafterSarahhelpsKylecountoutsomeofthemoneyhe
hascrammedinhispoc ets.Stolen,presumably.
Kylechec stheroom,openingthebac doorandscoutingoutside.Hetellsherhe'sgoingtowal intotown,ahalfmiledowntheroad,to'dosomeshopping'.Hehandsherthe.38hetoo fromoneofhisinterrogators.Shewon'tta eit.Heleavesitonthedresserandgoesout.Shestaresatitwithloathing.
Sarahcallsthenumberofthefamilycabininthemountains,andisrelievedtohearhermother'svoice.Theyexchangeconcernovereachother'swellbeing,butwhenhermotheras swheresheis,Sarahdoesn'twanttobespecific.Hermothersaysshethin ssomebodymighthavebeen
followingherwhenshedroveupthehill,andshewantstogosomewhereelse,soshebetteratleastgetaphonenumberwhereshecanreachherdaughter.Sarahgivesherthenumberofthemotel.
Hermother'sclosingdialogueisheardvoice-overwithashotpanningslowlyacrosssmashedfurnitureandablood-spatteredwallofrough-finishedplan s,overatablewithanup-turnedcupofcoffee,ontoTerminatorinclose-up,tal inginaperfectsimulationofhermother'svoice.Hesweetlysaysgoodbye,hangsup,anddialsthenumberSarahgavetogettheaddressfromthedes cler .
The.38isstillonthedresserwhenKylereturns.Hesetsdownseveralbagsandgoesstraighttowor ma inganumberofbul ybutpowerfulexplosivesbyta ingthepowderfromdozensofshotgunshellsandloadingitintofootlongsectionsof2"plumbingpipe.Heclosesthemwiththread-oncapsandinsertsfusesfromcommonfirewor s.Alltheitemshewasabletopurchasewithoutpermitsathardwareandsportinggoodsstores.
Theplanistowaituntilearlymorninghours,justbeforedawn,whentheCyberDynamicsplant(nowonlyafewmilesaway)willmostli elybedeserted.Thentheywillbreain,rigthechargesandasmuchgasolineastheycanfind
containersfor,tocreateablazewhichwillputthecompanyoutofbusinessforever.
AccordingtoKyle'ss etchy nowledgeofhistory,CyberDynamicswouldbecome,withinafewyears,theleadingmanufacturerofcomputersystemswiththeirintroductionofawholenewclassofmirco-circuitchips.Thiswouldleadultimatelytotheircontracttocreatethe4800Series'S ynet'System,whichwouldinturnincineratehumanity.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
32/42
Sarahma esasoberingrealization.NeutralizingthecomputeratitssourcewillmeanthatnoTerminatorwaseversent,orevenbuilt,butitalsomeansthatnoKyleReesewaseversenteither.
Willhedematerializeiftheysucceed,orifatanypointtheydoanythingwhichaltersthecourseofeventsthatmuch?
Kyledoesn't now.Nobody nowsmuchaboutthetime-displacementgame.Probablynoteventhegreatcomputeritself.
Maybehe'lljuststayhereanyway,evenifthefuturechanges.Youcangonutsthin ingaboutit.IftheTerminatorsucceeds,JohnConnorwillneverhaveexistedandthereforetheTerminatorwillneverhavebeensent,andtherefore...
HeandSarahdiscusssomeoftheotheraspectsofthesituation.Thecomputer'sattemptto illherhasgivenhumanityawarning,whichshewillpassontohersoninyearsto
come.Whereshewillliveinthatfugitiveperiod,andwhoshewillmeetthatwillbecomeJohn'sfather,wasnottoldtoKylebyhiscommander,whoofcoursewouldhave nownthesethingsfromhertelling.AllthatKyleistellingherisaresultofbriefingbyConnor,whohadbeentoldofpresenteventsbyher.
Thereisonlyonedirectmessagefromherson,whichKylehasmemorizedtogiveher:"Than you,mother.YouhavebornemeandtaughtmewellandinawayIwillhaveborneyouandtaughtyou.Thefutureisnotirrevocable,butdependssolelyupon
yourwill.Thereisnofatebutwhatwema e.Youmustbestrong...strongerthanyouimagineyoucanbe.""And,"Kylesays,"hesaidtogiveyouthismessagealso:'Youmustwaittostri euntiltheredeyesandthegreeneyesmeet.'That'sall.""Whatdoesitmean?""Hesaidyou'd nowwhenthetimecame."
SarahisasleepwhenKylefinisheshiswor ,puttingtheexplosivesinanylonsatchel.Heta esupavigil,sittingcrossleggedanderectbythewindow,cradlingthePython.
Theimageofmilitarydiscipline.
Sarahawa ensandgoestohiminthedar ness."Tellmeaboutmyson,Kyle."
HedescribesJohnConnor,thegreatmanforwhommany,Kyleincluded,woulddieunhesitatingly.ConnorwastheonlyfatherfigureKyleeverhad,andinthatclosenessKylewastoldstoriesofConnor'slegendarymother,Sarah...thewomanwhotaughthersontohatethe
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
33/42
machinesandpreparefortheiroverthrow...whotaughthimhowtofight,tohide,toorganize.
Shewastheherobehindthehero,andKylehadlovedthatcourageouswomansightunseen.
"HowcanIeverbeher,Kyle?I'msoscaredIcan'tseestraight.I'mnoneofthosethings.""You'reallofthosethings.""Youmustbeprettydisillusionedbywhatyoufound..."
"HowcouldIbe...Iloveyou,Sarah."
"Wasthereawoman,bac thereinyourtime?""No."Shegazesathim."Never?""No,"hesaysafterapause.
Sarahleansforwardand isseshim,butheisunabletorespond.Shecontinues,tenderly,andhesuddenlylatchesontoherli elifeitself.She isseshisnec andchestassheunbuttonshisshirt,andtraceshisscarswithherlips.
Kylecarrieshertothebedandtheyma eloveforalongtime...atenderpulsingcenterofagrimcosmos.
Sarahawa enshourslaterandKyleisgone.Shesitsupinalarm.Hashevanished,beenmadetonot-existbysomethingtheyhavedone?
Shesearchesthesuiteandfindshiminthebathroom,staringmotionlessoutthetinywindow.Hecautionshertosilencewithagesture.Fromthenightoutsidecomesanearbybar ingandgrowling."Listentothedogs."hewhispers.
AGermanshepherdlashesattheendofhischainasafiguremovesbyhiminthedar ness,comingfromtheregistrationoffice.Terminatorwal sdirectlytothedoorofSarah'sroom,agunineachhand,and ic sinthedoor,sprayingthebedwiththeAR-18.Incomputer-scanPOVweapproachthebed,analyzingtheremainsofrumpledpillowsandbedsheets.
ThePOVshiftstothebac door,whichisajar,andmovestowardit,throughthedoor.
Terminatorspinsatthesoundofanenginetryingtostart.
Inthepar inglotKyleandSaraharehuddledbelowdashlevelinalargecustomizedpic uptruc whichisfilthyfromafewdaysinthedesert.Therearetwosmalltrail-bi eslashedinthebed.Kylehasthethinghotwiredandispumpingthethrottle.
"Lightisnow,"hesaystoSarah,whoisholdingaBic
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
34/42
lighternearthetipofafuse.
TerminatorrunsthelengthofthesuiteandstopsatthefrontdoortoleveltheARatthepic up,whichisbac ingwildlyacrossthepar inglot.Hehearsasizzlingsoundandleapsoutthedooramomentbeforeapipechargelyingintheshadowsexplodes,wrec ingthedoorway.
AsReesepealsoutontothestreetaguyonaHonda750pullsinandstopsnearTerminator,whoislyingface-downwheretheblastflunghim."Don'ttrytomove,pal,"theridersays,goingtoTerminatorwhoisstartingtorise.
Pushingthecyclistasideheretrieveshisweaponsandwal stowardthebi e.
Incomputer-scanhand-heldPOVweapproachtheHondaandthedigitizedimagereducestographicoutlines,withseparatesystemscolor-coded,thenrotatesthroughthreeaxestoshowplan,top,andsideelevations...allinlessthanfourseconds.
Reeseslidesthetruc intoanon-rampandgunsitontothefreeway,buryingthethrottle.Hebecomesawareofasingleheadlightbehindthem,gainingrapidly.Thetruc topsoutat110andheholdsit.Terminatoristuc ed,gettingasmuchspeedoutofthebi eashecan.HeraisestheAR-18againstthewindstreaminaone-handedpistolgrip.Usingthesporadiclatenighttraffic,mostly18wheelers,ascover,ReesehurtlesthroughevasionmaneuversasTerminatorcloses.Thecyborgfires.
Strafesthebac ofatruc trailerasReesedivesbehinditafteras iddingfeint.
Terminatorswervesbythetruc ontherightandisforcedoffthefreeway,narrowlymissingthebarrierdividerandscreamingdowntheoff-ramp.Withoutslowingherunstheredlightatthebottomandclimbstheon-ramp.
Reeseseesthemotorcycleconverging.HetellsSarahtodriveandsheslidesoverhim,switchingplaceswithoutslowing.
HepullstheColtPythonfromhisovercoatpoc etandchec stheloadasTerminatorcloses.
Reeseisoutthewindowtothewaist,aimingdouble-handed.Terminatorclearstheon-rampdividerandhurtlestowardthem,fallinginbehind.Sarahweaves,barelyincontrol,terrified.Reesefires.Once.Twice.Thrice.Terminatorroc sbac fromaroundbetweentheeyesthat
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
35/42
baresmetal,thenfires.
Bulletsra ethepic up.Thewindowsareblownout.Thesidemirrorexplodes.Reeseishit.DropsthePython.Sarahshrie sandgrabswithonehandforReese'sslumpedbody,pullinghimbac inside.Heismoaning,stunned,withbulletsinarmandchest.Sheloo satReeseandfeelsallhoperecede,leavingonlyayawningpit.
Terminatorcrossesbehindthetruc ,gainingslowly,cominguponSarah'sside.Theypasstruc sandcarsasiftheyarepar edandGodhelpanyonewhochangeslanes.TerminatorfiresandthedoorpostbesideSarah'sheadclangswithhits.
Theshortburstemptiesthegun.Ithitsthepavementamomentlater,discarded.Terminatordrawshis.38andta esaimagain.
Theyareenteringaninterchange,aheadlaysalong
sweepingcurve,twolaneswideandelevated.Sarahwatchestherearmirror.Anicycalm,bornofrage,leashesthegibberingterrorrisinginsideherli eascream."Comeon..."shecoaxes,underherbreath.Terminatordrawsnearer,aimingatthebac ofherhead."Closer..."shepleads.Herbreathisrapid.Theslipstreamroars.Shewatchestheguninthemirror.
Terminator'sfronttirepassestherearbumperofthepic up.Sarahscreams.Andcran shardonthesteeringwheel.
TheglassbehindherexplodesasTerminatorfiresamomentbeforetheviciouslyswervingtruc slamsintoit,sendingitflyingintotheguardrail.
Sarahfightsforcontroloftheslowingpic upasthecyborggoesoverthebarsatahundredmilesperhour.Hehitsthepavement,tumbling,rolling,slidingwithachatteringscreechandsprayingsheetsofspar sasthefleshstripsawayandsteelscreamsagainstconcrete.
Sarahisbuffetedasthetruc swapsendsviolently,smashingintotheguardrailandgrindingtoastoppartwayaroundtheoverpass.
Shechec sKylewhoispalebutconscious.
Terminatorslidesintotheguardrail,bouncesup,tumblesalongthetopforamomentandthenpitchesoutintospace,droppingtoanotherfreewaybelow.Heliesface-downinthemiddlelane.Motionless.
Afteralongmomentheslowlyrollsoverandsitsup.Lowangleasherisesintoframe:amassofbloodandscrapedmetalfromwhichtwoeyesglare,oneblueandthe
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
36/42
otherglowingfaintlyred.
Headlightsflarebehindhimandanairhornblares.
Adouble-trailerKenworthgasolinetan ersmasheshimdownandunderwithametalliccrash,andherollsclatteringasthemassblursabovehim.Hericochetsbetweenthepavementandtheundercarriageofthetruc untilastraybounceflingshimupintotherearsuspensionwhere,withinhumanreflexesandstrength,heclingsbyhisfingersabovethespeedingasphalt.
Inthecabthestunneddriverhitsthebra es,buthispartnertellshimnottostop.Theyloo ateachotherforamomentandthenheaccelerates.
Sarahseesthetruc driveonwithoutleavingabodyinitswa eandfeelsapremonitorydread.Sherunsbac fromtherailingtothecrippledpic upandsearchesthecabfor eystothemotorcycles.Shefindsthemabovethesunvisor.
BeneaththespeedingsemiTerminatoriscrawlingtowardusli eahumanfly,hisheadtitledbac ,gazingaheadwith
hisoneeyeglowingli eacoal.Heclambersontothesidebeamofthetrailer.Leapstothecab.Ripsthedooropenandflingsthedriverout.Hecrawlsintotheseat,ignoringtheterrifiedpartner,andbeginscalmlyexaminingthecontrols.
IndigitizedPOVweseeanabstractoftheinstruments.Theshiftleverisextendeddownintoathreedimensionalschematicofthetransmission.Analyticaldataprintsoutrapid-fire.
Seenobjectively,Terminatorbeginsdownshiftingand
turningthewheel.Thedriver'spartneropensthedoorandbailsoutasthetruc slows.Sarahwatchesthetan erswinginaslowarc,tearthroughthedividingfenceandheadbac towardheronthewrongsideofthefreeway.Shestaresinnumbhorror.Thenightmarerefusestoend.
Shegoesbac tounlashingoneofthemotorcycles,tearingfranticallyatthestraps.Shepantswithterrorassherollsthebi eoffthetruc ,droppingitonitsside.
Straininguntilshecriesoutinvoluntarilysheliftsituprightandstarts ic ingtheengineover.
Thetan ercrashesbac throughthefenceandstartsuptheoverpass.Sarahistrappedinthatconcretecorridor.
Thebi ecatchesanddies.Thetruc bellowsanddownshiftsonthecurvinggrade.She ic sagainandagain,mumblingprayerstothegodsofinternalcombustion.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
37/42
Thebi ecatchesandruns.
ShehaulsReese,clutchinghissatchel,tothebi eandpropshimontheseatbehindher.Shecanonlyprayhewon'tfaintandfalloff.Sarahgunsthebi eandroarsoff.Secondslaterthetan erdemolishesthepic up,tossingitoverthesideli eabeercan.
Shehitslevelfreewaywithaquarterofamileleadonthetan er,butthelittletrailbi eisoverloadedwithtwopeopleandshecan'tcoaxitaboveseventy-five.Thetruc shiftsupthroughthegearsbehindthem,gaininginexorably.Thedistancecloses.Kyleblin sandloo sbac atasolidwallofmetalandlightsroaringupbehindthem.
Sarahzigzagsacrossthelanesbutthetruc stayswiththem,closing,itstrailerswhiplashingviolently.
Theyenteratunnel...amileofexitlessconcreteandstrobingfluorescentlights.Sarahhunchesdown.
Theyhiteighty.Theleviathanloomscloser,itsbigtiresroaringli ethehubsofHell.
ItistwentyfeetbehindthemastheyclearthetunnelandSarahleansviolentlytooneside,almostdroppingthebi e,andloc sthebra es.Thebi eslides,fishtailing.Thetruc roarspast,hittingitsairbra esamomentlater.Theja e-bra ethunders.ThetrailersforcehercloserandclosertotheguardrailasTerminatortriestosandwichher.Therearmostsetoftirescrashesintotheguardrailfive
feetinfrontofherassheslidestoastop.
Sarahcutsacrossallfourlanesbehindthestoppedtan erandridesdowntheemban ment,spillingthebi eandrollingwithKylethroughalineoftreestotheretainingfence.ShetugsatKyle,forceshimtocrawlunderthechainlin .
Theyfindthemselvesinanindustrialpar .
Shehearsagrindingcrashandloo suptoseethetan errollingdownthesteepemban menttowardthem,flatteningtreesandtearingthroughthefence.
WithKylestrugglingto eepupsherunsamongthelowbuildings.Li eajuggernautthetruc follows,smashingthroughpar edcarsandrippingawayonecornerofabuilding.Movingslowlybutwithinexorableforceitcomeson,flatteningapre-fabstoragebuilding.
Kylefumbleswiththesatchelastheyrun.Theyroundacornerandgaintimeasthetan erslows,
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
38/42
tearingawaythefaceofanofficebuilding.Terminatorwatchesfromhismountainofmachinerythetinyfigureofhispreyrunningintheheadlights.
Itoccurstohimthathistargetissuddenlyalone.
Kyle,crouchedinadumpsterinchesfromthesideofthepassingtan erlightsafuseandwedgesapipebombunderthetan -cylinderofthesecondtrailer.Sarahisstumbling,wrac edandexhausted,intheglareofthelights.Kyleduc sdowninthedumpsterasthetrailerpasseshim,rollsontwentyyards,andexplodes.
Anunbelievablefireballeruptss yward.Thedumpsterisenvelopedbyflamesandishurled,rollingonitscasters,downthealley.Sarahfallsbeforetheblastastheforwardtrailerexplodesandanoceanoffirerollsforward,almostreachingher.ThedumpstertipsoverandKylerollsout.
InthecenteroftheinfernoTerminatorstrugglesviolently.Hisfleshfriesandsizzles.
Hetearsloosefromthetwistedwrec ageandcollapsestotheground.Hesin sintoacharredmassandstopsmoving.
Sarahcrawlsawayfromtheintenseheatandlieswatchingthemotionlessfigureintheblaze.
ShestaggerstoherfeetandcirclesaroundthebuildingtofindKyle.Shefindshimlyingnearthedumpster,shelteredfromtheheatbyitsmass,anddragshimaway.Hisheadlolls.Heopenshiseyes."Sarah."
"Wegotit,Kyle."Theyembrace,silhouettedbythefire.
AndtheTerminatorstaggersoutoftheblazebehindthem.
Thelastfla esofflesharefallingfromhimli eburningleavesandhisgleamingstructureisrevealedinitsentirety.Itloo sli eDeathrenderedinsteel.Achromes eletonwithhydraulicmusclesandtendonsofflexiblecable.Intheeyesoc etsofthemetals ull,theeyeballsswivelwithawhirroftheirtinyservos,bothglowingrednow.Itturnsslowlyandfixesitsgazeuponher.
Sarahcho esonascream,crams nuc lesinhermouth,butitdoesn'thelp.Screamsanyway.
Themachineta esastaggeringsteptowardthem,draggingonemalfunctioningleg.Kylepullshertoherfeet.Theyruntoabuildingandheheavesapottedplantthroughtheglassdoors.Theyenterthedar officestothesoundofalarms.Sirenscanbeheardinthedistance.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
39/42
Theyrundownahallwayandboltthedoorattheendbehindthem.Terminatorsmashesintoit,blastingitoffitshinges,andstaggersthrough.Thetwofleethroughaseriesofpartitionedoffices,doublingbac .Itseesthemthroughafloor-to-ceilingwindowandma esanimmediaterightturnthroughtheglass.
Ta ingtheshortestdistancebetweenitselfanditsprey,itcrashesforward,splinteringpartitionsandflingingdes soutoftheway.KyleandSarahreachthemanufacturingareaandbolttheheavyfiredoorbehindthem.Acresofmachinesstretchawayintothedar ness.
TheTerminatorhitsthefiredoorandthehingessqueal.
Kylegoestothemainbrea erpanelandactivatesthemachines,tomas thesoundoftheirescapefromthehunter'sacutehearing.
Thedar galleryisfilledwithwhirring,clan ingshapes,
chatteringconveyerbeltsandimprobablemechanismslashingmindlessly.Hingesshatterandthedoorishurledinward.Shamblingforward,theTerminatorscansthedar ness.IndigitizedPOVweseetwofiguresdodgingamongthemachineryasredblotchesofinfraredonthecoldbac ground.
Thecyborgchasesthemrelentlesslythroughtheanimatedmaze...over,underandthrough.Alwaysgaining.
Theyenteracorridor-li ealleywaybetweentwomechanizedfacadesandruntotheend,onlytofindthedoorloc ed.
Theydoublebac toescapethelethalcul-de-sacbutarecutoffbytheshamblingsilhouetteoftheTerminator.
Kylesummonshisstrength.Timetostartearninghissoldier'spay.Hewipesbloodoutofhiseyesandpullsalengthofpipestoc fromamongthemachines,holdingitli eaquarterstaff.Andma eshisstand."Run!"heyellsatSarah,pushingherbrutallyasthecyborgcloses.Theytradepowerfulblows,steelonsteel,untilKyleissledgehammeredbac ,landinginaheapyardsaway.
ThecyborgapproachesKyle'sbro enbody.Sarahfalls,getsup,runson.Closeup:afuseburningquietly.Closeup:Kyle'sbloodyface,pressedtothefloorasametalfootclangsdowninfrontofhim.Hiseyessnapopen.
TheTerminatordrawsbac foradeathblow.Kylerollswithhislaststrengthandraisesthepipebombhehasbeencradling.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
40/42
Itclangsintothecyborg'sabdomenandexplodes.
Sarahisblownforwardbytheblastands idsonthepolishedfloorfacefirst,toslamupagainstthedoorattheendofthecul-de-sac.Piecesofscrapmetalclatterthroughoutthefactoryandraindownaroundher.Herlegisbro enbyshrapnelandsheliesslumpedforalongtime.
Whenshecanfindthestrengthandcouragetoloo up,KyleandtheTerminatoraregone.Unrecognizableclumpsofburningdebrislayscatteredabout.Firespreadsintosomeplastictubingandclimbs,triggeringthesprin lersystem.Itbeginstorain.
Sarahcloseshereyes,lettingthecoolwaterbatheher,washingawaybloodandthefear.
Nowthatit'sfinallyover,shecan'tbelieveit.ThedestructionofthecyborgandthelossofKyleneutralizeeachother,leavingavacuum.
Itisalongtimebeforeshecangatherthewilltomove.
Sheseesaphoneonthewallpastthepointoftheexplosionandstartstocrawltowardit,draggingherbro enleg.Shepassesalargeclumpofmetaldebris.Itrollsoversuddenly,becomingrecognizableastheTerminator'sheadandarms,withhalfoftheshatteredtorsotrailingwiresandtwistedsteel.Itlungesforher.Shewantstoscreamthistime,fromthedepthsofhersoul,butthereisnoscream,onlyadryshiveringsob.
TheTerminatordragsitselfscrapingoverthefloor.Sarahissha ingandweepingasshescrabblesaway,
crawlinginagonyjustaheadoftheclutchingsteelfingers.
Shewedgesherselfintooneoftheproduction-linemachinesandflopsontoamovingconveyerbelt.Sherollsoffwea lybeforegoingunderasetofsortingrollers.Itisanightmarejungle,dar ,clashing,rain-drenched...atangleofcablesandpipesandunforgivingmechanismsofsteel.Thecyborgtrac sher,clamberingthroughbehindher,draggingitsbody.ItspotsSarahwedgedli eatrappedhareinthebac ofatinycrawlspace.Thereisnowayout.
Itcrawlsthelastfewfeet,eyesbrightandredinthedar .RightinfrontofSarahisasmallcontrolboxwithapairofgreenlightsabovetwounlitredbuttons.
Waterpoursintohereyes.Somethingsheshouldremember...Somethingabouteyes...Hypnotized,shewatchestheTerminatorreachingtowardherwithoneoutstretchedhand.
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
41/42
Sarah'seyesarecrazynow...she'sovertheedge.Inthatinfiniteinstanttheterrornolongermatters,isgone.
Sheseestheredeyesandthegreeneyesandtheyaremovingintoalignmentasthecyborgmovesthroughthemachine.Itshandreachesforherthroat,tocrushouthermiserablehumanlifeandenditslongmission.
Itcomesevenwiththeswitchbox,withthetwogreenlights.Sarahscreamsthroughclenchedteeth.
Shehitsthebuttonsbeneaththeready-lightswithbothhandsandthemassivehydraulicpressthundersdown,thetonsofmechanicalpressureflatteningthecyborg'sheadandbodyli etin-foil.
Inthewrec ageapinpointofredlightdwindlesandgoesout.
ThesteelfingershavefrozenaninchfromSarah'sthroat.Closeup:Sarah.Shecanonlystare,shiveringasthewaterrunsoverher.
Cuttothesiderailsnappinguponanambulancegurney.Sarahcloseshereyesastheywheelheroutpastthesiteofthelastexplosionwherepolicearepic ingthroughthedebris.AsSarahista enoutweholdontwoemployeesofthefactorystandingintheforeground.One,theplantmanager,bendsdowntoexamineapieceofthecrushedTerminatorlyingatthebaseofthehydraulicpress.
Acopcallsouttohim,"Loo ,Itoldyounottotouchanythinguntilwe'redone.Yougotthat?""Sure,officer,"theplantmanagersays.
Hestandsandpalmsasmallobjecttohisassistant.
"Whatisit?""Micro-computerchassis...butI'veneverseenstuffli ethisanywhere.""It'sweird.Japstuff,maybe.""Yeah.KeepitoutofsightandgetittoR&DMondaysoonest.""Goodidea."
OutsideSarahisbeingliftedintotheambulance.Sheloo supand,asthedoorsareclosing,seesthesignovertheentranceofthebuildingforthefirsttime:CYBER
DYNAMICSCORPORATION,INC.
SLOWDISSOLVEtothecentercapstansofacassettetapeturninginarecorder.Sarah'svoiceisheardinVO.
"...andthehardestthingistryingtodecidewhatIshouldtellyouandwhatnot,butanyway,whateverIrecordnowIcanalwayscutoutbeforeyou'reoldenoughtounderstandthetapes.Atthispointthey'remorefor
7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment
42/42
me...tohelpgetitallstraight."
Apullbac revealsSarahsittingontheporchofasmallwhite-washedstonehouseoverloo ingabeautifulcrescentbayunderascowlingtropicals y.Thereisthesoundofdistantthunder,mixingwithseagullcries.
ItcouldbeMexicoorpointssouth.MaybeGreece.
OneofSarah'slegsisinacastuptothehipandisproppedstraightoutonanotherchairoppositeher.Thecassetterecorderisinherlap,intheleeofherswollenbelly.Sheloo stobeaboutsixmonthsalong.
"I'llalwayswonder,"shecontinues,"Whetheryoushouldnowaboutyourfather...whetherthatwillchangeyour
decisiontosendhim.Didyoualready nowwhenyousentKylethatyouwerehisson...thatyouweresendinghimtohisdeath?Whatanawfulburdenthatwas,orratherwillbe.Kylewasright...youcangocrazythin ingaboutthisstuff.Well,I'lldomorelater.I'mabittired...thin I'llta eanap."
Sarahshutsoffthecassetterecorderandcrossesher
handspeacefullyonherbelly.Overherloosedressshewearsaleathershoulderholster.Thebuttofa.38revolverpressesagainstherbreast.
Aserious,dar -complectedwomanbringshersometea.OnthebeachbelowaboyrunsbyandyellssomethingtothewomaninSpanish."Whatdidhesay,Maria?""There'sastormcomingin."
Sarahgazesatthethunderheadswayoutthere,rollingin.Heatlightningpulsesintheirdepths.Shesipshertea.
"Yes,Iguessthereis."
Top Related