Everybody Hates The Phone Company

EVERYBODY HATES THE PHONE COMPANY
Chris Faber and Dan Baron
Based On A True Story

FADE IN:
EXT. HUGHES MARKET PARKING LOT - LATE NIGHT

A large red and white Hughes sign. CRANE DOWN as KEVIN
POULSEN steps out of a beat-up van. A 24-year-old with
platinum blond hair. Lanky. Handsome.
SUPERIMPOSE: OCTOBER 5, 1988
INT. HUGHES - LATE NIGHT

MUSAK. Kevin grabs a box of condoms.
AT CHECKOUT STAND
Kevin waits on line. The far-away sound of SIRENS seeps
into our consciousness. He glances at THE CASHIER.
Who's nervous. Sweaty. The SIRENS get LOUDER. Kevin is
putting this together -- when the cashier leaps across
the counter and wrestles him to the ground, pushing his
face against the floor.
The SIRENS are DEAFENING as a dozen police and FBI cars
pull up out front, their lights flooding the store.
EXT. HUGHES - NIGHT

A phalanx of FBI agents pull Kevin out to a waiting car.
KEVIN (V.O.)
I know what you're thinking. It
shouldn't be illegal to buy
condoms. I couldn't agree more.
INT. HUGHES
Employees laud the cashier, who clutches an FBI advisory
with Kevin's picture. "WANTED FOR: ELECTRONIC TRESPASS.
FLIGHT FROM PROSECUTION. MALICIOUS ACCESS. ESPIONAGE."
KEVIN (V.O.)
In fact, I think there's a lot of
things that shouldn't be illegal.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY (1960'S)

A newborn is delivered to an emotional mother's arms.
KEVIN (V.O.)
That's me being born. And that's
my mother. Now you've spent as
much time with her as I did...
She hands Kevin to a social worker and starts to cry.
2.
INT. NURSERY - DAY

TRACK PAST cribs: Thea. Tony. HOLD ON: "John Doe 1."
KEVIN (V.O.)
People who've taken dime store
psych 101 will tell you that a
traumatic childhood is often a
precursor to adult criminal
behavior...
A social worker picks him up and hands him to a happy
adoptive couple.
KEVIN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
But let's face it, lots of people
have traumatic childhoods. Not
all of us make the F.B.I.'s most
wanted list.
EXT. POULSEN HOME - DAY

A two-year-old Kevin plays with the neighbors' kids. A
SHOT RINGS OUT. A ten-year-old GIRL walks toward his
house, little Kevin following.
INT. KEVIN'S KITCHEN - DAY

The Girl and Kevin enter Kevin's kitchen.
GIRL
Mrs. Poulsen?
No answer. The Girl looks through a doorway. Kevin
moves toward the other doorway. He freezes, staring.
The Girl walks up behind him, gasps, picks Kevin up and
runs. Looking back over her shoulder, he sees: His
mother lying lifeless on the ground, a gun next to her,
blood... disappearing in the distance...
EXT. CHURCH - DAY

Church spires as the BELLS PEAL. CRANE DOWN. It's a
wedding. Mr. and the new Mrs. Poulsen receive the guests
as Four-year-old Kevin tugs at his dad's jacket, feeling
ignored.
INT. WEDDING RECEPTION - DAY

Mr. and Mrs. Poulsen dance. At a table, Kevin sits on
his GRANDMA NANI's lap playing "telephone."
NANI
Is Kevin there?
KEVIN
I'm here!
3.

Who can say why some of us feel
the pull of a special calling?
Maybe there's a moment when an
idea is imprinted on us, or maybe
there is no reason...
INT. KEVIN'S ROOM - NIGHT

A fascinated nine-year-old Kevin is watching a jury-
rigged black and white TV showing The Story of Alexander
Graham Bell with Don Ameche. Kevin's shelves are filled
with books on phones, technology and science fiction.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Maybe some of us are just born to
be doctors or firemen or aluminum
siding salesmen. In my case, as
far back as I can remember, I was
hooked on phones...
INT. KEVIN'S ROOM - DAY

At a table with a bright light and jeweler's glass, Kevin
probes the innards of a princess phone with tools.
KEVIN (V.O.)
When I was old enough to open them
up, I discovered mysterious
jewels, each with a hidden purpose
I knew instinctively I could
discover. Unlike life, phones
always have an answer when you
probe them.
He CROSSES two WIRES. It RINGS.
INT. LIVING ROOM

Mrs. Poulsen grabs the RINGING phone. Mr. Poulsen is
reading the mail.
MRS. POULSEN
Hello?... Hello?
(hangs up)
Gene, talk to him. All he does is
play with phones for hours and
hours. He wired the phone to the
doorbell yesterday. Nani called.
I thought kids were ringing the
doorbell over and over.
MR. POULSEN
(chuckles)
He'll probably end up an engineer.
Mr. Poulsen is puzzled by a thick phone bill. He opens
it and nearly has a heart attack as he flips the pages.
4.
MR. POULSEN (CONT'D)

Kevin! Kevin!!
KEVIN (V.O.)
At ten, I discovered country
codes.
INT. KEVIN'S ROOM

Kevin is on the phone, while using a French dictionary.
KEVIN
Je ni parle --
As his dad storms into the room, he glances up in fear -
FREEZE FRAME.
That was the first time I wondered
how to make free long distance
calls. If there was an answer to
that mystery, it resided where all
the rest probably did.
EXT. CENTRAL OFFICE PARKING LOT - NIGHT

A large, four-story building. Not a creature is
stirring. Kevin, now twelve, circles it, staring at its
locked doors. There's a window off a fire escape. It's
open. Kevin pauses, tempted. But then moves on.
KEVIN (V.O.)
In whatever city, suburb or jungle
you live in, you've passed one by
a thousand times and never
noticed. A large windowless
building shrouded by anonymity,
like an invisible giant. A phone
company central office.
EXT. BACK OF CENTRAL OFFICE - NIGHT

Standing in a dumpster, Kevin rummages papers and
discarded equipment. Excited, he comes up with a cracked
lineman's phone.
EXT. BANK OF PAY PHONES NEXT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

Kevin is surrounded by four expectant young BOYS and two
CUTE GIRLS.
KEVIN
... I whistle the tone which
controls a switch at the central
office...
Kevin puts his retainer in --
5.
INSERT - CROSS SECTION DRAWING

of a mouth with a retainer that FILLS the SCREEN. As
Kevin talks, INSTRUCTIVE ARROWS APPEAR.
KEVIN (V.O.)
By placing a retainer in my mouth
and pressing my tongue behind my
incisors and gently up against the
retainer surface, I could whistle
a perfect 2600 Hertz tone,
allowing me to take control of the
system.
BACK TO SCHOOL YARD

As Kevin whistles into the receiver. CAMERA MOVES IN ON,
then INTO the receiver. Suddenly, we're FLYING --
UNDER GROUND
-- THROUGH the phone lines. We are the call --
We ENTER a mechanical switch, GOING AROUND and AROUND...
KEVIN (V.O.)
... that switch controls traffic
to the satellite dish in Long
Beach...
We hear KEVIN PUNCHING IN NUMBERS -- and we're OFF again,
to another switch... then UP and OUT of a satellite
dish... THROUGH the air... OFF a satellite... DOWN TOWARD
a continental USA... Texas... A city -- We BLAST THROUGH
more underground lines to --
EXT. BANK OF PAY PHONES - DAY

The pay PHONE next to Kevin's RINGS. He nods to one of
the Cute Girls. She answers it skeptically.
KEVIN
Say something.
CUTE GIRL #1
Hello? Who's this?
Kevin hands her his phone. She hears herself: "Hello?
Who's this?"
CUTE GIRL #1 (CONT'D)
You put in a dime when we weren't
looking.
CUTE GIRL #2
He called one phone from the
other. Big deal.
6.
BOY #1
Destination Dorkville. The kids
walk off. One boy lingers a beat.
BOY #2
So you can whistle through your
retainer. Dude, the babes are not
diggin' it.
He walks off. Kevin start to walk away but a 14 year old
who's been leaning against a fence walks over to him.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Every once in a while, like
Stanley running into Livingston on
the Zambezi, you stumble onto a
compadre.
FOURTEEN YEAR OLD
That was really something. What
did that whistle do? Unlock some
electronic switch? Oh, I'm Ron.
Ron holds out his hand. Kevin shakes it.
INT. RON'S ROOM - DAY

Ron's room is filled with electronics, motorized cars,
remote controlled airplanes. Kevin watches as Ron
solders the lineman's phone Kevin found in the dumpster.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

MOVING THROUGH a deserted alley to a telephone pole... We
go UP the pole to find... Kevin and Ron, with duct-taped
lineman's phone hooked up to the line.
Kevin hears something and hits a button.
EXT. ALLEY/INT. PAC BELL TECH CENTER - SPLIT SCREEN

The PHONE RINGS once and a TECH GUY grabs it.
TECH GUY KEVIN
Tech center. This is Mike. Tech center. This is
Kevin.
LINEMAN (V.O.)
(over phone)
This is Bob at Whitney Avenue...
Tech Guy can't hear anything on his line and hangs up.
STAY WITH Kevin as he takes the call, in a deep voice.
Ron listens in.
BOB (LINEMAN) (V.O.)
(over phone)
The V.X. line won't give me tone.
7.
KEVIN
Have you tried the T-BOT protocol?
BOB (V.O.)
(over phone)
Yeah. It just goes dead.
KEVIN
Hm... Try whacking it.
BOB (V.O.)
(over phone)
What?
KEVIN
Just kidding. You must have the
old V.X. D-series. Click the line
twice before testing for tone.
BOB (V.O.)
(over phone)
... Hey. That was it. Thanks.
KEVIN
That's what we're here for. Bye.
EXT. WESTWOOD THEATER - DAY

The marquee says: "WAR GAMES." Kevin and Ron exit the
theater. They're now sixteen and eighteen years old.
SUPERIMPOSE: FALL, 1983
RON
Accidentally dialing into NORAD.
Jesus --
KEVIN
Like a military installation would
have the same phone number prefix
as a game company. It's absurd.
But Ally Sheedy is so hot --
RON
NORAD computers must be completely
isolated -- She is. Totally.
INT. UCLA COMPUTER ROOM - DAY

Coming in, Ron swipes his ID. The drone at the counter
nods as Ron passes the card, unseen, to Kevin, who swipes
it and gets the same nod.
RON
You should pay half my tuition.
8.
KEVIN
Just because you're stupid enough
to pay for an education that
should be free for everybody
doesn't mean I should make the
same mistake.
RON
What if nobody paid tuition?
KEVIN
Then I'd really be an idiot to
pay, wouldn't I?
They wait on line for a terminal. A mainframe sits in
another room behind a big window. Kevin stares at it.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
I bet NORAD's connected to the
ArpaNet. That would be the way to
get to it for real.
RON
You mean go in through a
university --
KEVIN
And hop from university to
university looking for one with a
lot of military contracts. Find a
back door into a base --
RON
Then go base to base.
Ron looks at the mainframe. He looks at a smiling Kevin.
RON (CONT'D)
Five bucks says I bomb Moscow
before you do.
KEVIN
Ten.
INT. STANFORD COMPUTING CENTER - NIGHT

System operators (sysops) run from computer to computer
trying to maintain control.
SUPERIMPOSE: STANFORD MILGRAM COMPUTING CENTER
KEVIN (V.O.)
These were the days before the
world wide web, before Netscape,
before AmazonDotCom. The
Pentagon's ArpaNet would one day
become the Internet, but for now
it was a closely-guarded, user-
unfriendly, computer network.
9.
SYSOP #1 (V.O.)
He's back again!
SYSOP #2 (V.O.)
How?! I cut his link!
SYSOP #1 (V.O.)
He came over from aerospace.
SYSOP #2
Cut off all outside access!
INT. KEVIN'S ROOM - DAY

Sitting at the computer, Kevin and Ron guzzle Cokes.
Thumb-tacked to the wall is "THE HACKER MANIFESTO" with
an autograph scribbled across the bottom: Captain Crunch.
KEVIN (V.O.)
As anarchists, hackers weren't the
most organized bunch, but we
shared a code -- half philosophy,
half attitude. We weren't about
making money or messing up other
people's computers.
Kevin and Ron lean back from the computer simultaneously,
concerned. Ron leans forward and types.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Wait, wait.
Kevin leans in and takes over. Ron nods. Kevin hits
"enter." CAMERA POV ENTERS the computer, takes off --
EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS - DAY

We FLY ACROSS lakes and deserts... PAST fences and signs:
"Stop! US Military Installation!"... "Naval Research
Center"... Armed sentries with dogs... barracks...
KEVIN (V.O.)
We were about seeing what we could
do, what we could learn. Every
boundary was a provocation --
INTO a high tech building, PAST security cameras, UP key-
card secured elevator shafts, INTO a giant mainframe --
INT. NAVAL RESEARCH CENTER - DAY

A LIEUTENANT, walking in, goes apoplectic.
LIEUTENANT
What the hell? Who did this?!
He's staring at five screens, all running "Pac Man".
10.
ENSIGN
Well, sir, we've had some
intrusion problems...
INT. RON'S ROOM - DAY

Pac Man is running wild on Kevin's computer, too. Kevin
and Ron toast cans of Coke Classic, laughing.
KEVIN (V.O.)
We'd done what no one had done
before. We'd hacked the ArpaNet.
EXT. POULSEN HOME - DAY

Dark sedans pull up. MEN IN SUITS jump out. KURT VONNER
-- middle-aged, large-framed, muscular -- squeezes out.
The men nod to him as they head swiftly up the driveway.
The LEAD SUIT knocks. Mrs. Poulsen answers.
LEAD SUIT
Mrs. Poulsen. Deputy D.A. Fenvez.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Kevin sits at the kitchen table in his pajamas, shaken.
His eyes move back and forth between the D.A. and the
cops. He can see his worried mom in the living room,
sitting on the sofa with a cop, and other cops going in
and out of his room carrying boxes.
DEPUTY D.A. (LEAD SUIT)
Why don't you just tell me what
you were doing. What you were
after.
KEVIN
I swear, I was just exploring.
DEPUTY D.A.
Were you working alone? Or with
someone?
Kevin says nothing.
OTHER SUIT
We've got your phone records. We
know about Ron Austin.
KEVIN
(scared)
What did we do? What did we do
that was so bad?
VONNER
(walking in)
You were breaking and entering,
Kevin.
(MORE)
11.
VONNER (CONT'D)
The same as if you'd backed up a
van and loaded Stanford's
computers into it.
KEVIN
Except... don't they still have
their computers?
VONNER
What were you after at the Naval
Research Center?
KEVIN
(jesting)
Global thermonuclear war.
(bad idea; these
people have no
sense of humor)
Come on. We were horsing around.
VONNER
That's not how the law sees it.
California's Computer Fraud and
Misuse Act punishes each instance
of malicious access with a year in
jail and a $100,000 fine.
Kevin blanches.
DEPUTY D.A.
Mr. Vonner is chief of Pacific
Bell security.
VONNER
I think it's time to start
counting up acts of unauthorized
access. What do you think?
Vonner stares at Kevin. Kevin stares at Vonner.
KEVIN
Except for one thing. I'm still a
minor.
This had already occurred to Vonner, off course. He and
the Deputy D.A. move to a corner and talk privately.
DEPUTY D.A.
He's right. I can't charge him if
he's a minor.
VONNER
But his friend isn't.
MONTAGE - HEADLINES FROM AROUND WORLD

LA Herald Examiner, LA Times, as well as British,
Spanish, Norwegian, and Japanese papers ("UCLA WARGAMES
ARREST," "SUPERCOMPUTER CAPER," etc.)
12.
INT. COURTROOM - DAY

Ron stands to hear the judge's verdict, MOS. Kevin sits
in back. Vonner is in the public section glaring at him.
KEVIN (V.O.)
The judge agreed with Vonner and
the D.A. that society would be
best served if Ron made the move
from the bosom of his childhood
bedroom to county jail.
Ron and Kevin's eyes make contact as Ron is hauled out of
the room in an orange jumpsuit and chains.
INT. PRISON HALLWAY

Ron walks a prison hallway clutching his bed sheets.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Some life advice: don't go to
prison. If you must, aim for
Federal. Failing that, shoot for
State. Avoid county like the
plague.
Two scary INMATES stop Ron.
INMATE #1
Give us your locker key. We want
your stuff.
RON
But it's my stuff.
A fist from an unseen inmate hits Ron's face with
alarming speed.
INT. CELL
Ron, a huge bandage on his nose, looks at the prisoner in
the next cell, who's staring at him.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Having just aced his mid-terms,
Ron was jailed for three months
and lost his physics scholarship.
His cell adjoined that of Angelo
Buono, Jr. The Hillside
Strangler.
RON
So. What're you in for?
Buono just stares darkly.
INT. POULSEN HOUSEHOLD - DAY

Kevin is in the den watching TV.
13.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Although I am inquisitive by
nature I did not have the
slightest inclination to find out
what life was like sleeping next
to the Hillside Strangler.
A cheesy commercial comes on for Control Data Institute.
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL CDI GRADUATE (V.O.)
(on TV)
... So don't let the burgeoning
field of computers pass you by.
Take advantage of this low-cost
offer from Control Data Institute
to put your career on the fast
track. All you need is a high
school diploma.
The phone RINGS. Kevin picks up.
EXT. SRI INTERNATIONAL - DAY

Gleaming glass building. Kevin exits a BMW convertible
with the well-dressed VINCE DENVER.
SUPERIMPOSE: SRI Research Facility, Menlo Park, CA.
DENVER (V.O.)
High school? Fuck high school. I
didn't finish, why should you?
INT. SRI OFFICES (MENLO PARK) - DAY

Denver is giving Kevin a tour past large, clean offices.
DENVER
We called you because we're all
very impressed by the way you
bypassed our security. Nobody's
been able to do it since me, five
years ago.
KEVIN
You hacked S.R.I.?
DENVER
Then I offered to fix the holes.
That's why they hired me.
Kevin is self-conscious of his casual attire as they pass
well-dressed young men in offices, hard at work.
DENVER (CONT'D)
We invented the mouse, the optical
disk, the ink jet printer --
clients throw problems at us and
we hand back solutions.
Kevin admires Denver's huge cellular phone.
14.
DENVER (CONT'D)
Nice huh? We designed the circuit
logic on this baby. Small enough
to wear on your belt.
He puts it in a belt pouch. It's awkward, bouncing as he
walks. Kevin notices a cute female programmer. But his
eyes light up when he sees a computer in an empty office.
KEVIN
A Sun Workstation. 5200 series.
DENVER
We need bright minds that can
think out-of-the-box, Kevin. I
think you have that kind of mind.
What do you think?
INT. KEVIN'S OFFICE AT SRI - DAY

Kevin's desk is piled up with programming texts. He's
excited as a PROJECT MANAGER draws cones on the board.
PROJECT MANAGER
We need a white cone that can fall
in any direction, at varying
lengths off a dynamic set of
coordinates. The client needs it
in three weeks. Vince says you're
a quick study. Show me.
MONTAGE
Kraftwerk's "Computer Love" plays on the soundtrack as
Kevin reads computer manuals at night in his apartment.
Kevin programming at his station.
Denver hands Kevin his first paycheck. Kevin opens the
envelope and reacts to the large amount. Denver smiles.
Conservatively-dressed and carrying a briefcase, Kevin
enters the huge SRI complex with a bounce in his step.
INT. GRANDMA NANI'S HALLWAY - DAY

Nani leads Kevin to an apartment across the hall.
NANI
It's nice of you to help. The
phone company are such
schweinhunds.
INT. MRS. HAAS'S APARTMENT - DAY

Grandma Nani talks to Mrs. Haas in Dutch. SUBTITLES
APPEAR: "Don't worry, Kevin will fix it." Kevin is on
the phone, pacing, Mrs. Haas's phone bills in hand.
15.
PHONE COMPANY GUY (V.O.)

(over phone)
I'm sorry, sir, there's nothing I
can do.
KEVIN
She's been paying seventeen
dollars a month for fourteen
months for a discount to Asia. She
doesn't even speak English, let
alone Japanese. You are going to
refund her this money.
(over phone)
I told you, sir, it's not phone
company policy to refund the use
of service.
KEVIN
This is insane! Let me talk to
your supervisor.
(over phone)
He'll tell you the same thing. You
want my advice? Meditate. I
mean, we're the phone company.
What can you do?
KEVIN
I want to talk to a supervisor
right now.
He's put on hold. BORING MUZAK. The LINE CLICKS. The
MUZAK STOPS, then a DIAL TONE. The women look at him,
hopeful. Kevin sighs.
INT. KEVIN'S OFFICE - DAY

Denver pops his head in.
DENVER
The client was very happy with
your cones. Pack up, you're going
to the field test.
INT./EXT. SRI VAN - DAY

Kevin, Denver and an SRI team drive in the desert. They
pass a sign: "Halt! Restricted Area! US Military
Installation!" Kevin looks at Denver, who just smiles.
They arrive at Elgin Air Force Base. Denver flashes an
SRI badge and guards with M16s wave them in.
16.
INT. WAR GAMES ROOM - DAY

Kevin follows everyone in. On the wall are electronic
maps of the Soviet Union and the United States.
LIEUTENANT (O.S.)
Murmansk. Direct hit. 80
megatons. Wind north northwest,
12 miles per hour, fallout over
the Vlodov-Mostoy Valley.
KEVIN (V.O.)
War games. The real deal.
Planning strategy for winnable
nuclear war.
A white cone grows over Murmansk on the map, falling over
the cities of the Vlodov-Mostoy Valley. Both maps are
dotted with white cones marking areas of destruction.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
(knee-jerk pride)
Hey, those are my cones.
LIEUTENANT
Two-point one million casualties.
Eight hundred thousand dead.
Kevin's grin is replaced by concern. Denver smiles.
DENVER
S.R.I. Once again, leading the
client into the future.
EXT. MENLO PARK - NIGHT

A troubled Kevin walks in the rain.
KEVIN (V.O.)
There comes a time in every man's
life when he has to start asking
the hard questions. Was I doing
what I should be doing? Was I
becoming the kind of person I
wanted to be?
Kevin walks past a fence and OUT OF FRAME. RACK FOCUS ON
the building beyond, a huge Pac Bell central office.
Kevin walks back INTO FRAME and stares at it. There's an
open window off the fire escape. The rain stops. Clouds
part above the central office and a shaft of moonlight
shines through over the building.
HANDEL'S "Messiah" comes up over the SOUNDTRACK. MOVE IN
ON the spellbound Kevin. He grabs the fence -- and
climbs it. His tie rips on the fence as he goes over.
17.
INT. MENLO PARK CENTRAL OFFICE - NIGHT

Kevin walks into the cavernous room, filled floor to
vaulted ceiling with ancient wires and machines. He
walks through reverentially, old mechanical SWITCHES
CLICKING by the thousands. MUSIC UNDER.
KEVIN (V.O.)
I was inside the brain of the
world's most advanced computer. A
global web of wires and switches.
A lacework connecting us all to
every corner of the world.
The 1930s wood-paneled walls are church-like. Kevin
takes it all in, fingers lightly tracing a wire and
lingering on a switch. Colored diodes dance around him
like Christmas lights.
Kevin finds a Pac Bell computer manual -- and fires up a
computer.
I had finally accepted my calling.
Information wants to be free. And
I was the agent of its liberation.
INT. DUTCH NEIGHBOR'S APARTMENT - DAY

Mrs. Haas reviews her bill, looking baffled. CLOSE ON
the bill, which reads "Payment due: Credit $400.00."
INT. PRISON VISITING AREA - DAY

Inmates and families sit at bench tables. Kevin and Ron
sit across from each other, talking in low voices.
RON
Back up, back up. You broke into
a Central Office? That's
trespassing!
A guard walks by. They shut up. The guy moves on.
KEVIN
Actually, it's 'B and E.' Though
the window was open so it seems
like it should just be E.
RON
Kevin, what the hell are you --?
KEVIN
(excited whisper)
I'm very close.
RON
Close to what?
18.
KEVIN
To giving free phone service to
everyone in California for a day.
That'll show the phone company
they can't just fuck with people.
RON
You can't do this.
KEVIN
That's what I wanted to ask you.
There doesn't seem to be enough
centralized control in the system
to relate the clocking to the
billing mechanisms --
Kevin pulls out a sketch, shielding it as a guard passes.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
I need to loop every central
office in the state together. I
thought you'd have an idea.
RON
(pushes sketch away)
Can you give me a fucking break?
Look where I am here. Where you
almost ended up --
KEVIN
Okay, take it easy. Maybe you'll
be in a better frame of mind when
you get out.
A BUZZER RINGS. It's the end of visiting hours. People
around them start saying their good-byes. A guard starts
over. They stand. Kevin surreptitiously stuffs the
sketch in Ron's pocket. Ron can't believe it.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Think of it as a brain teaser.
Keep your mind from getting rusty.
INT. VONNER'S OFFICE - DAY

WYLIE, a shy computer tech, steps in, holding a report.
WYLIE
Someone's been inside our
computers. He's leaving capture
files all over the bay area,
recording system functions,
focusing on the clocking system.
VONNER
A hacker? In our systems? In our
systems?
Vonner stands, grabs the report and heads out --
19.
EXT. CENTRAL OFFICE FIRE ESCAPE - LATE NIGHT

Coming out a window, Kevin stops when he sees a KITTEN,
MEOWING with hunger. He hesitates. Then picks it up.
He looks it in the eye.
KEVIN
I'm a cat burglar now.
He puts it in his bag and hops onto a platform, then to
the ground. He looks back. The platform was actually a
very large '60s era phone console. A dozen of them are
laying in a pile around the dumpster.
EXT. CENTRAL OFFICE FIRE ESCAPE - LATER AT NIGHT

Kevin loads one of the consoles into an SRI van. He
yawns. A clock on the bank in the b.g. says 4:00 a.m.
EXT. VARIOUS BAY AREA CENTRAL OFFICES - DAY

Vonner drives past one central office, then another. He
passes the spot where Kevin took the phone console. On
the fire escape, he examines a bent window latch --
INT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - DAY

Kevin is asleep.
KEVIN (V.O.)
When you think about it, I was
holding down two full-time jobs.
The ALARM BLARES. Kevin wakes. It's 9:17 a.m.
What with making breakfast,
driving to work...
QUICK FLASHES
filling two coffee Thermoses --
Speeding in traffic.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Programming all day, shopping ...
Kevin staring at his screen --
Grabbing 20 bags of Ramen and a row of macaroni cheese --
Pics, key blanks and lock carcasses spread out on the
table, Kevin teaches himself to pick locks --
20.

... Planning the night's
educational activities, doing
recon...
Kevin scaling a drainpipe to an open window --
And it's not like I had weekends
off...
Kevin waltzes into a CO in broad daylight, wearing a Bell
shirt. Friendly workers nod hello --
I was lucky if I could catch any
z's at all.
Kevin driving, nods off at the wheel. Then bolts awake
as he swerves to miss an oncoming truck --
Clothes are in piles as Kevin rushes out of his house --
Things were beginning to slip
through the cracks. Getting to
work on time. Feeding the fish,
paying the bill on my storage
locker, calling Nani.
A goldfish floats belly-up --
Grandma Nani sits by the phone --
Something was bound to give.
INT. LOCK & KEY STORAGE - DAY

An attendant stands in front of a storage locker with an
invoice stamped "Past due." He clips the lock and opens
the door revealing a ton of Pac Bell gear and documents.
INT. STORAGE LOCKER - DAY

The attendant leads Kurt Vonner into the room. FBI AGENT
MITCHELL is already here. Mitchell is cut from the same
cloth. Forty, big, humorless. They know each other.
VONNER
What have we got?
AGENT MITCHELL
It's incredible. The guy's got
tons of your stuff. Microfiche
cable maps, system tapes --
Vonner picks up the clipped lock. It has Pac Bell's name
on it.
21.
MITCHELL
Arrogant little shit, isn't he?
VONNER
Find a name?
AGENT MITCHELL
Five. On five Pac Bell I.D.'s.
He shows them to Vonner, who recognizes Kevin's face in
the pictures.
AGENT MITCHELL (CONT'D)
You know this guy?
VONNER
Yeah. Any evidence of scams?
Fraud? Stolen credit card
numbers?
Mitchell shakes his head no. Vonner is perplexed.
FBI AGENT
But we found this.
The FBI agent hands Vonner a photo: A self-portrait of
Kevin inside a central office, smiling for the camera as
he sits at a Pac Bell computer.
INT. KEVIN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

FBI Agents sweep inside, grabbing Kevin and cuffing him.
KEVIN
Hey! What the hell are you -- Ow!
You can't do this!
Mitchell waves a warrant. Vonner walks in.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Oh shit.
Kevin slumps in a chair as his couch cushions are sliced
open. An agent waves a bomb detector wand over his
computer, then dismantles it. Vonner finds two ID's and
brings them to Mitchell. An SRI security clearance badge
and a pass for Elgin Air Force Base.
MITCHELL
Jesus. What's he doing with
these?
KEVIN
They're from my job.
VONNER
And are these from your job?
He shows the Pac Bell IDs from Kevin's locker.
22.
KEVIN
That's more like a hobby. Some
people collect stamps --
An FBI Agent picks up something from under a table.
FBI AGENT
Sir! He's got an F.B.I. badge!
Mitchell is upset, until another agent checks his pocket.
ANOTHER AGENT
Uh, no, that's, uh, that's mine.
Mitchell and Vonner go to a corner to talk as agents tear
up the place. Mitchell is very concerned.
MITCHELL
This guy, working for a military
think tank?
VONNER
He needs to have his wings
clipped.
INT. PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE - DAY

Kevin and his parents watch a PUBLIC DEFENDER look over
Kevin's file.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
The preliminary charges are
extensive. Multiple counts of
B&E, theft --
Mrs. Poulsen slaps Kevin upside the head.
KEVIN
Ow! All I did was take stuff they
were throwing out --
MR. POULSEN
They don't prosecute for stealing
garbage!
KEVIN
Well, apparently they do, Dad,
'cause that's all I took.
Both parents roll their eyes in disgust. The PD
continues reading.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Twenty-seven counts of unlawful
possession of access codes --
KEVIN
That law is for stolen credit card
numbers -- not passwords!
23.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Possession of a stolen F.B.I.
badge --
KEVIN
What?
PUBLIC DEFENDER
And... it says you had the Soviet
embassy's unlisted phone number.
KEVIN
... Okay. This is going to sound -
- I was going to give free phone
service to everyone in California,
except the Russians.
(as they stare
uncomprehending)
On account of the invasion of
Afghanistan. Hey, will the grand
jury go with these charges?
PUBLIC DEFENDER
The grand jury would indict a ham
sandwich if the government said
the mayonnaise had gone bad.
(tosses the file down)
It's charge the defendant with
every crime you can think of and
see if he can prove his innocence.
The short of it is... you could be
facing twenty years.
KEVIN
Twenty years?!
Mr. and Mrs. Poulsen are stunned.
MR. POULSEN
But... it was just garbage.
MRS. POULSEN
Kevin didn't hurt anyone. Kevin
would never hurt anyone.
She bursts into tears and hugs a surprised Kevin.
MR. POULSEN
They can't do this. We'll hock
the house if we have to. Get a
good lawyer -- no offense. We'll
fight this thing, Kevin.
INT. HIGH-PRICED LAW FIRM LOBBY - DAY

Expensive floors. Expensive walls. Expensive art.
Kevin and his parents look small and out of place,
crowded on one end of an 18-foot couch, waiting.
24.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Who were we kidding? My dad's
mortgage against the resources of
the federal government? Ron tried
that and ended up neighbors with
the Hillside Strangler. I wasn't
a criminal. How could they do
this to me?
INT. HACKER CONFERENCE - DAY

The hall is filled with post-pubescent geniuses.
KEVIN (V.O.)
The answer is they were afraid.
There was a movement spreading
across the country: hackers
guided by the principle that
information should be free.
The SPEAKER holds up a report to arrogant applause.
SPEAKER
...And despite official government
reports to the contrary, these
Department of Energy documents,
hacked by Phiber Optik, who may be
here among us, I hope so, show
numerous radiation leaks from the
Hanford Nuclear Research Facility
over a period of 20 years.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Corporations and the government
were becoming more and more
insecure.
SPEAKER
And now it's time for your
favorite game and mine: Who's the
fed?!
Groups in the audience stand and point to three people.
CLOSE ON one of them, caught like a deer in headlights.
KEVIN (V.O.)
No one was permitted to look
behind the curtain. Examples
would have to be made.
Kurt Vonner stands with a group in the back, very grim.
MONTAGE - THREE CUTS OF ADOLESCENT HACKERS BEING RAIDED

Hacker #1 is raided by the FBI, his room ransacked.
Hacker #2 hides in a closet, afraid, as the FBI opens it.
Hacker #3, unwashed, in a messy room, tries to continue,
still clutching his keyboard, as the FBI drags him off --
25.
KEVIN (V.O.)
A nationwide hacker crackdown was
on. The Legion of Doom was
arrested, accused of hacking
Southwest Bell's 411 call network
document from their mainframe.

The prosecutor holds the 411 document aloft dramatically.
KEVIN (V.O.)
After their sentencing it was
discovered the same document was
available by mail order from
Southwest Bell for $1.80. Plus
shipping.
INT. ANOTHER COURTROOM - DAY

Three scared hackers sit in the docket, in prison orange.
KEVIN (V.O.)
The Barrel of Monkeys downloaded a
word processing program and were
charged with damages totaling the
cost of writing the program.
Forty million dollars.

Kevin's arraignment. A judge, the D.A., Mitchell,
Vonner. And Kevin's lawyer, at the defense table.
KEVIN (V.O.)
If that's what they did to
pranksters and novice hackers,
what would they do to somebody who
really could do everything they
were afraid of? I decided not to
make it to the arraignment. I was
hoping nobody would notice.
The seat next to Kevin's lawyer is empty. Kevin's seat.
Vonner stands, infuriated, and walks out.
INT. POULSEN HOME - DAY

Upset, Kevin's mom, dad, and Nani watch the news.
ANGLE ON TV
In front of the Federal Courthouse, Mitchell holds up a
copy of the indictments, Vonner next to him.
26.
VONNER (V.O.)
(on TV)
Mr. Poulsen's actions should cause
us all grave concern. He was
found to be in possession of
sensitive phone company and
military documents and equipment.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
(on TV)
He's a criminal fugitive and we
will find him.
MONTAGE
With JANE'S ADDICTION'S "Been Caught Stealing":
Kevin rips up his driver's license and gets in a U-Haul.
Driving down a ribbonous highway, cat in his lap.
KEVIN (V.O.)
You may think going underground is
glamorous.
Passing the LA skyline on the 10 freeway.
Driving amidst the endless, anonymous valley boulevards.
At the Hall of Records, looking through huge, old books.
In a small apartment, filling out forms.
But mostly it's paperwork. New
Social Security card. New
driver's license.
On a long line at the DMV.
New B.M.G. record club.
In his apartment, sullen, sitting in a La-Z-Boy.
You can't call friends. You can't
visit family. But there is one
thing you've got going for you
when you're not you anymore. You
can be anyone you want to be.
In the bathroom, Kevin wets his hair.
27.
EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD - NIGHT

DEPECHE MODE'S "Personal Jesus" PLAYS on the SOUNDTRACK
as Kevin, now with platinum blonde hair, cowboy boots,
black leather and cool sunglasses, crosses Sunset to the
Rainbow Bar and Grill. There's a line and a BOUNCER at
the door. He stops by two beautiful ROCKER CHICKS.
KEVIN
You ladies do not have to wait.
Come with me.
Somewhat skeptical, they go with him. Linking arms, they
approach the Bouncer. Kevin gives him a card with Arista
Records' name and logo.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Kevin Locke, Arista Records.
Guest of the band.
BOUNCER
You're not on the list.
KEVIN
No one's supposed to know I'm
here.
(leans in, sotto)
In fact, I'd appreciate it if
anyone from M.C.A. or Columbia
asks, I'm not.
The Bouncer looks at the women on Kevin's arms.
INT. RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL - DAY

Kevin enters with the women, who are very impressed. The
place is full, the music loud.
ROCKER CHICK #1
This friend of mine? He's in this
great band, Rectal Damage? You
should hear them.
KEVIN
I'm not really a record executive.
I said that to get us in. So what
are your names?
ROCKER CHICK #1
Oh. Uh, thanks for getting us in.
He starts to speak, but they head out. He walks through
the club, trying to look cool and catch the eyes of the
women. Each time he smiles they look away.
Uninterested. Bored. Contemptuous. Kevin spots a WOMAN
drinking alone. Black hair. Black dress. Black lips.
KEVIN
Get her another of whatever she's
having.
28.
The Bartender brings her the drink and nods at Kevin, who
sidles up.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Hi. My name's Kevin.
WOMAN
And why do I give a fuck?
KEVIN
I -- I don't know, maybe --
WOMAN
Ah. The decisive type. You old
enough to be drinking?
She spots a LONG-HAIRED rocker. The rocker notices her
look, but turns away, uninterested. She goes over to
him. The Bartender smirks as Kevin pays for the drink.
BARTENDER
And what can I get for you?
KEVIN
(checks his meager
cash)
Water. On the rocks.
INT. KEVIN'S VAN - NIGHT

Kevin is driving, lost in thought, RADIO ON.
D.J. (V.O.)
(over radio)
... Keep listening and when we say
call, be caller 25 to win 25
hundred dollars. That's right...
Kevin thinks about that.
EXT. SMALL DESERTED PARK - NIGHT

Ron waits nervously in the dim light. Kevin approaches.
KEVIN
You sure you weren't followed?
RON
Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure.
They smile.
KEVIN
It's good to see you.
EXT. SAME LOCATION - MINUTES LATER

Kevin and Ron walking.
29.
KEVIN
Radio contests use unlisted
numbers to handle call overflow,
right? We tap into Pac Bell's
Cosmos computer, cut off the
overflow connections --
RON
No.
KEVIN
-- While the rest of the world has
only one line to call we have all
the others. Come on, it'll be
like old times --
RON
You're a fugitive, for Christ's
sake. You ever hear the
expression 'lay low'?
KEVIN
Exactly the point. I can't get a
regular job. Ron, we're talking
trips to the Virgin Islands. And
from what I hear, that's a
misnomer.
RON
The F.B.I. came to see me.
KEVIN
Really. What'd you tell them?
RON
That as an ex-felon I wasn't
stupid enough to associate with a
federal fugitive. We had a lot of
fun, Kevin. But I'm going back to
school. I'm going to be a
physicist.
KEVIN
I guess that means you won't help
me break into a few central
offices so I can keep tabs on what
the Feds are up to.
RON
It's taken me this long to get
used to the nose I have now.
Kevin. Aren't you wondering where
you'll be in five years?
KEVIN
Listen to you. A free nose job
and all you do is complain. That
nose is a much better nose than
the other one.
30.
INT. RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL - NIGHT

Kevin with two bored Rocker Chicks, looking anywhere but
at him.
KEVIN
I see you're having a problem
matching my charming, boyish
exterior with the fiery outlaw
within. I can fix that. How
would you girls like to make
$1,200?
Intrigued, the Rocker Chicks look at Kevin.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Can you squeal?
INT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - LATER

The Rocker Chicks watch Kevin dial two phones at the same
time, lightning-fast. His computer dials a third. On
STEREO SPEAKERS we hear: "You're twenty- three!" CLICK.
"Twenty-four!" CLICK. Kevin points to a phone and turns
OFF the RADIO. Rocker Chick #1 picks up.
ROCKER CHICK #1
Janine Lennington... No! I won?!
I won?!
She squeals.
ROCKER CHICK #2
Holy shit. You can do that every
time?
KEVIN
No. But most times. The problem
is I can't go in to get the money
myself more than once. Do you by
chance know anyone else that may
be willing to lend a hand?
MONTAGE
Radio station photos FLOAT and CROSS FADE ACROSS the
SCREEN: Surrounded by station personnel, sexy Rocker
Chick after sexy Rocker Chick hold up their contest
prizes -- cash, checks, plane tickets.
INT. BEN FRANK'S RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Kevin turns to a booth he is sharing with Ron. Ron spots
a crew-cut driver parking and talking into a radio mic.
He points, nervously. Kevin pulls scanner from a bag.
KEVIN
Relax, he's not F.B.I. I'm always
scanning F.B.I. frequencies.
31.
Two more beautiful women pass, saying hi and kissing

Kevin's cheek.
RON
Jesus Christ, you're popular.
KEVIN
Only among women with good taste.
RON
You're not getting laid by any of
them, are you?
A woman catching up to her friends drops off an envelope
with cash and kisses Kevin. He watches her walk off --
into the arms of the handsome, long-haired guy we saw at
the club.
RON (CONT'D)
What happened to rule number one:
The hacker never hacks for profit?
KEVIN
Rule number one is: There are no
rules. As far as the code goes,
I'm not stealing.
RON
What do you call taking money that
doesn't belong to you?
KEVIN
I'm not taking it. They're giving
it to me. And they get what they
want, which is advertising. No
harm, no foul.
RON
What about the guy who would have
won?
KEVIN
Find him. Ask him if he'd do the
same thing.
The Long-Haired guy slides in next to Ron, wearing a
suede duster. He looks straight at Kevin.
LONG-HAIR
Kevin Locke. I'm Justin Petersen.
Kevin takes the offered hand, but says nothing. He
studies Justin.
RON
I'm Ron.
Justin barely acknowledges Ron. He looks back at Kevin.
32.
JUSTIN (LONG-HAIR)
We have a lot to talk about.
First of all, I'm the dude the
chicks are spending the money on
every time you score with a radio
station. You're getting paid and
I'm getting laid. I just got back
from the Virgin Islands. Ring a
bell? I think we have some stuff
we can teach each other.
KEVIN
I'm getting by just fine.
JUSTIN
That brings me to the second
thing. When I heard about a Kevin
winning radio contests by taking
over phone lines, it got me
wondering. Could it be that
legend of the hacker underground?
That phone freak extraordinaire?
And lo and behold.
He throws down an old copy of LA Magazine with photos of
Kevin and Ron at the time of their Arpanet hacker feats.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
It's a privilege to meet you.
Don't worry. Friends in the know
call me Agent Steel. As in:
'nerves of.' I'm a hacker, too.
A great hacker, like you.
RON
Then how come we've never heard of
you?
Justin looks at Ron, then at Ron's picture in the
magazine, making the connection for the first time.
JUSTIN
Hey... you're...
RON
Ron Austin.
JUSTIN
(as they shake)
Right. Well, Ron, you don't know
about me because I'm not dumb
enough to let someone feature me
in a magazine. To be a truly
great hacker, Ron, you need to
know more than how computer
systems work. You need to
understand the way the world
works.
(to Kevin)
I know what it is to be on the
run.
(MORE)
33.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
I've got a Texas warrant out on me
for a little run-in with Southwest
Bell. It's crazy. These people
are so paranoid. They don't
understand a guy who's just trying
to get an education.
He laughs. Kevin smiles, nodding.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
Here's one thing I can teach you.
Any unorthodox income generating
scheme that relies on the use of
too many people is very hairy.
You're lucky it's me sitting here
and not an F.B.I. agent.
KEVIN
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
JUSTIN
No thanks necessary. We're
hackers. Here's another freebie:
No chick who sticks jewelry in her
lip and tattoos her tit wants
flowers. These girls aren't for
you. You can't show them warm and
fuzzy, not up front anyway. But
we'll find you somebody.
INT./EXT. RON'S FIREBIRD - NIGHT

Ron driving, Kevin next to him. Justin in back,
headphones on, mumbling the verses along with "Gloria,"
then screaming the chorus:
JUSTIN
G! L! O! R! I! A! Gloria! G! L!
O! R! I! A! Gloria! I'm gonna
shout it all night. I'm gonna
shout it every day!
RON
'Agent Steel.' 'As in nerves of.'
This is a mistake.
KEVIN
It's not like I can walk into an
employment office and put up a
'B&E partner wanted' notice.
Besides, I checked him out.
Cyclops says he's done some real
hacking.
JUSTIN
(removes headphones)
I have the feeling this is the
beginning of a beautiful
friendship.
Kevin and Ron smile and nod as he goes back to the music.
34.
KEVIN
He's a little out there, but he's
a hacker. His heart's in the
right place. And I need someone
to watch my back.
They approach a central office. Ron pulls over. He
stares at the Federal Building, just two blocks away.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Hey, if they can raid my house,
tap my phones, keep tabs on me,
why can't I keep tabs on them?
RON
This is as far as I go.
EXT. CENTRAL OFFICE - NIGHT

Kevin boosts Justin to a ledge and tosses up the bag.
Justin lifts him up. Climbing on Justin's shoulders,
Kevin shimmies open a window.
INT. CENTRAL OFFICE HALLWAY

Justin and Kevin look around -- and a security guard
comes around the corner. Justin sees him and pushes
Kevin into an alcove before the guard sees them. Kevin
and Justin are silent as the guy walks by, inches away.
They cross the hall to a door. Justin keeps a lookout as
Kevin defeats a mechanical push-button lock, divining the
numbers by feeling the tumblers. It opens.
JUSTIN
Nice. You'll have to teach me.
INT. FRAME ROOM - NIGHT

Kevin works the computer as Justin watches.
JUSTIN
What makes you think they know
you're in L.A.?
KEVIN
They're thinking, 'he'll go where
he feels comfortable, where he
knows the terrain.' Eventually
they'll get frustrated and look
back up north.
Kevin punches up a record for FBI San Francisco.
"Extension 57 -- Joseph Mitchell." There's a code and a
number. 213 area code.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
There. Mitchell has his number
forwarded to L.A. F.B.I.
(MORE)
35.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
I hope they gave him a nice
office. F.B.I. taps for all of
California flow through this C.O.
Let's see what they've got
cooking.
(a number appears)
There. That's my parents' number.
Nothing on Ron, though. That's
good.
JUSTIN
This is really cool.
EXT. SHOPPING MALL - DAY

Mrs. Poulsen and a FRIEND get out of a car. Mitchell and
Vonner intercept them. Mitchell flashes his badge.
MITCHELL
We know where your son is. We're
going to get him today.
VONNER
One way or the other.
MRS. POULSEN
What do you mean?
MITCHELL
We want you to convince him not to
resist.
MRS. POULSEN
I'm not... I don't... You talk
like he's some kind of dangerous
criminal!
VONNER
It would've been better for him if
you'd told us yourself where he
was.
MRS. POULSEN
He never said where he was. Just
'somewhere in the Valley.'
FRIEND
Ann! Don't say anything else.
There's a long pause as they all look at each other.
MRS. POULSEN
You didn't even know he was in
L.A., did you? You have no idea
where he is.
(pause)
What kind of people are you?
MITCHELL
I'm sorry if we inconvenienced
you.
36.
MRS. POULSEN
Inconvenienced me?
Mrs. Poulsen stands there looking lost as Mitchell and
Vonner walk off.
VONNER
I think that'll get his attention.
INT. RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL - NIGHT

Kevin watches from across the room as Justin hits on a
purple-haired WOMAN with a great body. She walks away.
He pursues her. She shoves her finger in his face. He
laughs and grabs her arm. She knees him in the groin. He
stops laughing. Kevin walks over.
KEVIN
I see what you mean about hiding
your warm and fuzzy side.
JUSTIN
(holding his crotch)
'Fuck off' usually means 'fuck
me.' Now I know. If they say
fuck off 'asshole' you have to
watch out.
(sees Kevin eyeing
her)
Go for it. But buy a cup first.
Kevin walks over as she's putting her jacket on to leave.
KEVIN
I hope I'm not being too forward,
but how'd you like to go see a
movie or something sometime?
WOMAN
Seeing me knee somebody in the
crotch turn you on? 'Cause if you
want...
KEVIN
It was the grace and style that
you did it with that I found
enchanting.
She pours a few ice cubes into her mouth and crunches
them like popcorn. Kevin watches her, rapt.
WOMAN
Okay. Ice broken. Now what?
KEVIN
That's very sexy.
(She shrugs, agreeing)
You're lead guitar and vocals for
the Meths. I heard you at the
Filmore. Great stuff.
(MORE)
37.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Not a lot of punk bands have the
imagery to match the energy. That
song 'All's Done,' the line about
the Guatemalan soldier impaling
babies like Popsicles --
WOMAN
I wrote that --
KEVIN
Reminded me of Billy Holiday's
'Strange Fruit.'
WOMAN
Somebody finally fucking got
that... Cool... Crystal.
KEVIN
Kevin.
CRYSTAL (WOMAN)
What are you into, Kevin?
KEVIN
Computers.
CRYSTAL
You do have that sun-starved look.
You any good? Do you do MIDI?
Sound tools?
KEVIN
You'd be surprised what I can make
a computer do.
CRYSTAL
Maybe you could show me sometime.
INT. SWITCH ROOM - DAY

Kevin, in a Pac Bell uniform, is in a small switch room,
a lineman's phone connected to a set of wires inside a
frame box. He dials.
INT. FBI OFFICE AT THE FEDERAL BUILDING - DAY

Vonner's geek technician, Wylie, sits at a computer
engrossed in a novel. Vonner and Mitchel are organizing
evidence amidst piles of Kevin's stuff from the raid.
MITCHELL
I doubt Justice wants to stick its
neck out on an espionage charge.
They'd be afraid the grand jury
won't buy it.
38.
VONNER
They'll buy it. We'll paint them
a picture of Poulsen soaking up
military secrets by day and
breaching the communications
infrastructure by night. Calling
up the Soviets and offering to --
The secretary raps on the glass wall mouthing "It's him."
Wylie snaps to attention. Vonner auto dials a phone.
VONNER (CONT'D)
Get me Spaulding at L.A.P.D.
dispatch... We're tracing, Bill.
Hold for the location.
MITCHELL
(picks up his phone)
Kevin. Long time.
Wylie hits a button on the computer.
WYLIE
Thirty seconds.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. SWITCH ROOM

KEVIN
What's with harassing my parents?
MITCHELL
I understand how you feel. If I
had my parents mixed up in a
series of crimes I'd feel the same
way.
KEVIN
The worst crime my mother ever
committed was swearing when she
stepped on a nail. This whole
thing has been blown way out of
proportion.
MITCHELL
Why don't you come on in and we
can talk about that?
WYLIE
Twenty seconds.
KEVIN
That's why I called. I'm willing
to come in if you'll agree to
reasonable charges, instead of
helping Vonner and Pac Bell ream
me.
39.
MITCHELL
Getting a little paranoid? That
happens when you're on the run.
KEVIN
The good thing about being
paranoid is I know better than to
trust the people conspiring
against me.
MITCHELL
It's not a conspiracy when the
government does it, Kevin. It's a
coordinated effort.
Wylie flashes ten. Vonner hands his phone to Wylie.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
Get this straight. The F.B.I.
does not make deals with fugitives
and terrorists.
KEVIN
Hey, fuck you! If the F.B.I. is
such a noble and virtuous
organization how come you tell the
public there aren't more than 200
phone taps at any one time in the
whole country and right now
there's 182 in L.A. alone?
MITCHELL
(blanches, pause)
I don't know what you're talking
about.
KEVIN
Yeah, you do. Listen, you want to
get in touch with me, call my
voice mail: 674-7135.
An address appears on Wylie's screen. He screams into
the phone.
WYLIE
11,200 Wilshire! 11,200 Wilshire!
VONNER
Shit!
Mitchell slaps his head and leans back, defeated.
WYLIE
What?
MITCHELL
That's this building!
VONNER
He rerouted.
40.
WYLIE
But this program can trace that!
KEVIN
You guys having technical
problems? Anything I can do?
MITCHELL
(into phone)
You think it's funny, you piece of
shit? You... I've got nothing
more to say to you!
KEVIN
Aw, don't go. Put Vonner on.
Let's all chat. Hey, how about
those Dodgers?
MITCHELL
Just remember, Kevin, nobody stays
on the run forever.
Mitchell hangs up.
INT. SWITCH ROOM - DAY

Kevin hangs up, troubled by Mitchell's words. He exits
the small switch room into --
INT. CROWDED LOBBY

TRACKING Kevin, we see this is the Federal Building!
EXT. FEDERAL BUILDING

Police CARS SCREECH to a halt at the curb. Vonner and
Mitchell exit to tell them it's a false alarm. Kevin
walks right behind them, and heads across the lot.
INT. CENTRAL OFFICE - DAY

Mitchell and Vonner walk through, passing the console
where Kevin discovered the FBI taps. Agents dust
everywhere for fingerprints.
MITCHELL
I want this room locked down! I
want this C.O. covered 24 hours! I
want... I want... Cut off
Poulsen's voicemail!...
An FBI AGENT comes in, and goes to Mitchell with a fax.
FBI AGENT
It's from Justice. The Attorney
General says proceed on the
espionage charge.
41.
VONNER
We're gonna keep him so far the
fuck away from being able to do
anything like this ever again,
he'll dream about the day he could
pick up a phone and call anybody.
INT. KEVIN'S VAN - NIGHT

Kevin HONKS. Ron comes out of his house and jumps in.
He hands Ron sleep blinders. Ron looks at him confused.
KEVIN
It's better if you don't know
where I live.
(off Ron's look)
It's nothing personal. I don't
care if you know. But if someone
asks you who shouldn't know it'd
be better to, you know, just not
know.
RON
I can't believe this.
(puts it on)
How does Crystal react to being
blindfolded?
KEVIN
She doesn't know who I am, so she
can know where I live. You know
who I am, so -- I mean, she knows
who I am. Just not the details.
This is a period of my life where
I need some compartmentalization.
Ron is silent.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
You're really going to like her.
She's amazing. An incredible
guitar player.
They drive along in more silence.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
You're mad. Forget it. Just take
it off.
RON
I'd rather not.
KEVIN
No, it's silly.
RON
No, you're right. I don't want to
be in a position where I can cause
you any harm.
(beat)
(MORE)
42.
RON (CONT'D)
You know, you can't stay
underground forever.
KEVIN
I don't have to. Just long enough
for the winds to change.
(off Ron's "look")
In a few years everyone will own a
computer and be accessing
information anywhere on the
planet. These idiots are fighting
the greatest democratizing force
since the printing press.
Eventually they'll deal with it.
They'll have to. All I have to do
is wait it out.
RON
What exactly does Crystal think
you do?
KEVIN
Programming. But she thinks I'm
very creative and I should do more
with my life.
RON
Nag, nag, nag. Well, if she can't
accept you for who you aren't,
maybe she's not for you.
INT. KEVIN'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Kevin, Ron and Crystal sit at a picnic table, eating.
The settings are a garage sale amalgam. Crystal is
clicking a curling iron open and shut near her ear.
RON
This is tasty. What's the crunchy
meat?
CRYSTAL
Chicken feet. Ninety-nine cents a
pound.
She notices Ron staring at her clicking the curling iron.
CRYSTAL (CONT'D)
I'm collecting sounds.
KEVIN
For the band. Found sounds. Found
instruments.
RON
Like The Ministry.
CRYSTAL
And other bands. But it's always
chainsaws, jackhammers, drills.
Guy noises. Noises guys imagine
their penises would like to make.
43.
RON
Well it's hard having a mute
penis. I wish my penis would
speak up once in a while.
CRYSTAL
I want female sounds. When I take
the sound of the curler opening
and amplify it a thousand times
every woman in the audience will
remember waking up three hours
before school to curl her hair
because someone said straight hair
isn't popular.
KEVIN
I've got her all set up on the
computer.
CRYSTAL
I couldn't have picked a better
job for him than Kurzweil
Synthesizers. He just dials them
up and the next thing you know
I've got the latest program
updates.
RON
That is convenient.
KEVIN
That's all I am to you, isn't it?
A meal ticket to better software.
He leans over and kisses her. She kisses him back.
INT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - FRONT DOOR - NIGHT

Crystal grabs her guitar as she heads for the door.
CRYSTAL
We've got a gig at Jabber Jaw
Friday and we are so not prepared.
She kisses Kevin, a nervous bundle, and leaves.
RON
She's very cool.
Kevin nods.
INT. KEVIN'S ROOM - RON AND KEVIN

walking in.
RON
So how's your family?
44.
KEVIN
I don't know. Fuckers cut off my
voicemail. I want to show you
something. I got an idea for a
low profile revenue stream.
He opens a Yellow Pages and points to an ad: "Society
Escort Service." Kevin dials the number.
RON
What are you doing?
INT. HENRY SPIEGEL'S DINGY APARTMENT - NIGHT

HENRY SPIEGEL, 50s, gray ponytail, in torn AC/DC T-shirt
and cutoffs, is zoned out on a couch, bong smoldering on
his potbelly. A HOOKER is zoned out in a chair. The
PHONE RINGS, bringing Henry back to the planet.
HENRY
You up for a trick? Or I can call
Diane.
(picks up)
Society Escorts, can I help you?
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. KEVIN'S ROOM

KEVIN
The question is if you want me to
help you, Mr. Spiegel.
HENRY
Carlos, don't fucking call on this
line, man. Viki, it's Carlos.
KEVIN
Henry! We've never met. Call me
Mr. Smith. I'm calling with a
proposition -- and a warning.
RON
What the hell are you doing?
Kevin shushes him.

HENRY
Who the fuck is this?
KEVIN
Pay attention, Henry. Pacific
Bell has been tapping your phone
and handing off the recording to
police.
Kevin flips a switch on his recording equipment.
45.
HENRY (V.O.)
(on tape)
I think you think I don't know
what's what? Well listen, every
time you get laid, I want my
$152.50.
HOOKER (V.O.)
(on tape)
You think everyone lives to screw
you, 'cause you screw us with a
lousy percentage. Lousy, Henry.
Lousy!
KEVIN
My advice? Black bag your house.
I'll be in touch with the
proposition.
Kevin hangs up. STAY WITH Henry.
HENRY
Fuck! Fuck! Viki, we've got to
get rid of everything. Come on!
The ledger's in there! The
address book! The condoms! No!
Leave the condoms... You! Jesus,
get out! Out.
INT. KEVIN'S ROOM

Ron looks at Kevin, stupefied. Kevin smiles, broadly.
KEVIN
Pretty cool, huh? I read in the
Times how the cops are shutting
down escort services preparing for
the Republican convention --
RON
(puts on blindfold,
covers his ears)
Don't tell me. I'd like to go
home now. Just hand me my
donkey's tail, spin me around, and
send me on my way.
INT. HENRY'S APARTMENT - DAY

An alert Henry does the Times crossword. There's a KNOCK
on the door. He opens it and the COPS sweep in.
COP
Henry Spiegel. This is a search
warrant. Stand to one side and do
not interfere.
HENRY
Yeah, okay. Whatever. Can I get
you guys some coffee or something?
46.
EXT. POLICE STATION - LATE AFTERNOON

Henry comes out, a smile on his face. As he passes a
bank of PHONES, one RINGS. He stops and picks it up.
KEVIN (V.O.)
(over phone)
How's it hanging, Henry?
HENRY
They were so sure, they had the
papers written up! It was
beautiful. What was your name
again?
KEVIN (V.O.)
(over phone)
Mr. Smith.
HENRY
Yeah, okay, so the question now
is, what can I do for you, John?
ANGLE ON KEVIN
at pay phone around the corner, watching Henry THROUGH
the reflection on a side pane of his parked van.
INTERCUT.
KEVIN
Open the Yellow Pages to page 376.
(as Henry does)
That's your two-line ad bottom
left. What'd you pay? Twelve
hundred?
HENRY
Twelve fifty.
KEVIN
Now look at those big ads around
yours, for services that have been
shut down by the cops. What if I
turned their numbers back on and
had them all ring at your place?
Henry flips page after page of ads for escort services.
HENRY
Jesus.
KEVIN
Billboard, newspaper and Yellow
Page ads. Half a million in free
advertising.
47.
INT. HENRY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Business is booming. PHONES RING off the hook. Henry's
assistant, a GRITTY OLDER WOMAN, talks on a phone.
GRITTY OLDER WOMAN
How tall are you?... Blond?
MONTAGE
Tawdry guys and hot women look at Billboards and peruse
ads. One after another they pick up the phone and dial.
KEVIN (V.O.)
I get a $20 commission for each
date.
HENRY (V.O.)
Twenty dollars? No problem.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Your commission's the same.
HENRY (V.O.)
What?! That's chicken shit!
KEVIN (V.O.)
What you lose in percentage you'll
make up for in volume. Fair's
fair, Henry. After all, the women
are doing most of the work.
EXT. POLICE STATION - DAY

We're back at the pay phone with Henry.
KEVIN (V.O.)
(over phone)
And Henry. Don't fuck with me.
I'll be listening.
CLICK. DIAL TONE.
INT. KEVIN'S VAN - DAY

Ron's got the blindfold on.
RON
You're going to get in real
trouble working with these people.
KEVIN
How? No one ever sees me or knows
my name. All I've got is a P.O.
box where Henry drops the money.
It's perfect.
48.
RON
This isn't radio contests. You're
a pimp. A high tech pimp. I got
this for you.
He pulls a '70s lavender "pimp hat," compete with
feather, from a bag and, feeling around, shoves it on
Kevin's head.
RON (CONT'D)
It's got a spot under the brim
where you can hide computer disks.
There's the mirror. Take a look.
This is you now.
KEVIN
The women call us. This is
totally consensual. And here's
the beauty part: Low overhead.
Advertising costs are eliminated,
so I keep our middleman costs down
and can pay my girls better than
anyone. They love Mr. Smith.
RON
Listen to yourself. 'Your girls.'
This is a slippery slope.
INT. AGENT MITCHELL'S OFFICE - DAY

Vonner gets off the phone, throwing down a document:
"Bergstom Air Force Base - Air Tasking Orders."
VONNER
Colonel Mon says Poulsen had it in
relation to his work for them at
S.R.I. He insists it's not a
classified document.
MITCHELL
They're bombing targets, for
Christ's sake. It has to be
classified. We need something
juicy for the grand jury.
VONNER
Let's try this guy, Major
Lockleider. I've talked with him.
He's likely to be sympathetic.
Maybe he'd be willing to see it
our way.
He pulls out a business card and reaches for the phone.
Wylie walks in, frustrated. He takes the phone from
Vonner's hand and dials.
WYLIE
He's set up a new voicemail. I
can't find it to turn it off.
49.
He hands the phone to Vonner, who listens. It's Hal from

2001.
HAL FROM 2001 (V.O.)
(on phone speaker)
Dave, I know you and Frank were
planning on disconnecting me, and
that is something I just cannot
allow to happen.
BEEEEP. Vonner's jaw tightens. But then he smiles.
VONNER
Let him have his fun. Me, I'm
looking forward to meeting Robert
Stack.
INT. TV PRODUCTION STUDIO - DAY

ROBERT STACK shakes Vonner's and Mitchell's hands.
VONNER
This is going to be an enormous
help to us.
ROBERT STACK
That's what we're here for.
INT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Crystal and Kevin watch the "Simpsons" over Ramen
noodles. They laugh at a joke about Homer's drinking.
CRYSTAL
I don't know why I think this is
so funny. My dad was an idiot and
an alcoholic. I didn't think it
was funny then.
A commercial comes on. Docudrama images of a youth
typing at a computer.
ROBERT STACK (V.O.)
(on TV)
He was a teenage computer hacker
who went on to work for a
government military contractor
with full security clearance...
Kevin's eyes go wide when his photograph appears.
Crystal looks up from her Ramen, which she's just had a
mouthful of -- Kevin grabs her head and kisses her, one
eye on the TV. She chokes a bit and laughs.
CRYSTAL
You could at least let me finish
what's in my mouth.
She kisses Kevin passionately, taking off his shirt.
Kevin looks at the TV. Robert Stack stares back at him.
50.
ROBERT STACK (V.O.)

(on TV)
... The strange tale of Kevin
Poulsen, computer genius run amok.
Tomorrow night. On 'Unsolved
Mysteries.'
KEVIN
(gets up)
I need to go for a walk.
CRYSTAL
What's wrong?
KEVIN
Nothing. Everything's fine.
She watches as he grabs his jacket and heads out the
door, leaving her in the lurch. What the fuck... ?
INT. RON'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Kevin paces. He and Ron both have beers in their hands.
KEVIN
Tomorrow, my face will be
broadcast on national television.
Do you know how many people watch
that show? Millions. Why can't
they just leave me alone?
RON
Call me madcap, but I think when
you listened in on their phone
taps you pretty much nixed the
let's-leave-Kevin-alone option.
KEVIN
I could cut the uplink cables so
that the show doesn't broadcast.
RON
You could. But then you'd
guarantee yourself an appearance
on every other episode of
'Unsolved Mysteries.'
KEVIN
Maybe I can just go into hiding
for a couple of weeks. No one
remembers what they see on
television two weeks later.
RON
What about your neighbors? They
don't have to remember for two
weeks. If one of them sees it,
they'll just call the cops.
51.
KEVIN
I came to you for suggestions, not
so you could sit there shooting
down mine.
RON
I'm not going to help you dig your
own grave. Everything you do is
just one more fuck you to them.
Sometimes you just have to
accommodate yourself to a bad
situation.
KEVIN
There is always a workaround.
RON
Today I went to apply for a
physics internship. You know what
the counselor told me? They don't
place felons. So what do you
think my chances are of getting a
job after I graduate? What's my
workaround?
KEVIN
What do you want me to do? Agree
we should just roll over and die?
I'm not going to do that. That's
not going to happen.
EXT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

Ron is waiting by the van when all the lights of the
building suddenly go out. That's weird. A few beats and
a smiling Kevin comes out with oversized wire cutters.
KEVIN
I don't think the neighbors will
be watching.
Awed by Kevin's gall, Ron follows him into the van.
INT. MOTEL 6 ROOM - NIGHT

A computer is already set up. Kevin is hacking. On his
screen it says: "PAC BELL COSMOS SYSTEM SECURE MODE."
"Unsolved Mysteries" is ON. It's the last few moments.
ROBERT STACK (V.O.)
(on TV)
If you have any information on
Kevin Poulsen's whereabouts, call
the number on your screen right
now. Perhaps you will be the one
to help the F.B.I. catch him.
The number flashes. Kevin can't see it from his angle.
52.
KEVIN
What's the number?... Ron!
RON
(begrudgingly)
358-9904.
Kevin types the number. Smiling, he hits enter.
INT. OFFICES OF UNSOLVED MYSTERIES - NIGHT

Vonner and Mitchell pace nervously. OPERATORS wait for
the phones to ring. Not a single one does. One of the
Operators checks her phone.
OPERATOR #1
The phone's dead.
OPERATOR #2
Mine, too.
A producer picks up one phone, then another and another,
at a loss. Vonner and Mitchell look at each other.
INT. MOTEL 6 ROOM - NIGHT

Kevin reads old Pac Bell manuals on his bed, his cat
curled up with him. He's focused on a photo of a
pristine '60s machine, a grey metal console. Underneath
is the name: "S.A.S. - SUBTEST ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM."
The PHONE RINGS. It's set up through his computer. On
the screen, we see the call has been routed through a
series of other numbers. He answers.
KEVIN
Kurzweil.
A KNOCK. Kevin goes to the door. It's Ron with a bag of
produce. Kevin puts his finger to his lips.
CRYSTAL (V.O.)
(over phone)
This is so fucked up. How could
you not know you had to go to
Rhode Island for two weeks?
KEVIN
How could I know the Steel Wheels
tour would be extended?
The Stones are our biggest
account. I'm just glad this is
their last tour.
Ron shakes his head in disgust.
CRYSTAL (V.O.)
(over phone)
First you're acting all weird.
Then you leave without warning --
(MORE)
53.
CRYSTAL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
(beat, softly)
You were supposed to help me with
the different lipstick case
sounds.
KEVIN
I know, honey, I'm sorry. I wish
I was with you, Crystal. I do.
I'll be home soon. You want
anything from Rhode Island?
CRYSTAL (V.O.)
(over phone)
Just you.
Kevin falls back on his bed, weary of the lies.
INT. PAC BELL SECURITY HEADQUARTERS - DAY

Seven COMPUTER MISFITS slouch around a room filled with
high-tech computers. Vonner hands each of them an
envelope. They pull out checks and express surprise in a
variety of dysfunctional ways.
Mitchell stands in a corner.
VONNER
We're paying what we're paying for
your talents, for you to keep your
mouths shut and for one single
overriding purpose: to catch
Kevin Poulsen.
COMPUTER MISFIT #1
What's our group designation? You
know, the name of our little club?
VONNER
The Internet Security Group.
UGLY
The 'I.S.G.' Cool.
SORCERER
I like 'Phreaks for the Feds.'
COMPUTER MISFIT #1
Look much better on a T-shirt.
Vonner looks at SORCERER: wearing all black, goatee,
long hair, in a duster, and carrying a skull-tipped cane.
Vonner is worried.
SUBNORMAL
Don't fry your RAM, Mr. Vonner.
We've spent way more time with
computers than people, but that's
what gives us the edge.
54.
COMPUTER MISFIT #2
(kisses his check)
And this, the motivation.
INT. KEVIN'S CAR (DOWNTOWN L.A.) - DAY

Kevin drives Ron.
KEVIN
Twenty-two million people watch
'Unsolved Mysteries.' That's one
in every 11.8. In a crowd of, say
45, on average four will have seen
my picture on the show. Now we
find out if I was right and two
weeks was enough.
(looks at a stressed
Ron)
Relax. Look, I've got my running
shoes on.
EXT. STREET CORNER (BUSINESS DISTRICT) - DAY

Kevin stands on a busy street corner. Forty people eat
lunch on the steps of a building. Others pass by. Kevin
nudges Ron, who resists.
KEVIN
Come on, don't be a pussy.
A reluctant Ron walks a few feet away. He hesitates.
Kevin glares at him. Ron digs deep for the courage, then
points at Kevin and yells:
RON
Look! There he is! Don't you
see? There he is! It's him!
Many people stop and look. But they got shit to do.
They move on.
RON (CONT'D)
Look! It's Kevin Poulsen!!
A TOURIST walks up to Kevin.
TOURIST
Are you famous?
KEVIN
I've been on TV.
TOURIST
Can I get your autograph?
The Tourist hands him a pad. Ron walks over as Kevin
finishes signing: "Kevin Poulsen - Never Surrender!"
The happy Tourist walks off.
55.
KEVIN
You see? Joe Public has a lot of
information competing for his very
limited attention span.
RON
You're something else. What
exactly, I don't know.
KEVIN
Hold that thought because I picked
this particular corner for a
reason.
Kevin points. Ron looks up at a huge billboard
announcing "THE RICK DEES KIIS-FM PORSCHE GIVE AWAY."
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Now what does that billboard mean
to Joe Public? Like every other
ad, billboard or commercial it's
just another small theft of a part
of us. Our money, our time, our
dreams. But these petty larcenies
add up, until one morning we wake
to find our souls are gone, stolen
from us piece by piece until we've
become nothing but consumers,
living, breathing and dreaming our
entire lives for the generation of
corporate profits. They made
money off me with 'Unsolved
Mysteries.'
RON
Yeah. Okay. So?
KEVIN
So, for you that ad has another
meaning. Two years you've been
looking over your shoulder, afraid
of the shadows cast by the
guardians of the system.
(points to bank guard,
traffic cop)
That ad is a challenge to
unshackle yourself and reclaim
your soul. Not just for you, but
in the name of every man and woman
out here who ever wished they
could take back control of their
own lives. We have the ability to
do that. It's not just our right,
it's our responsibility.
Ron stares at the picture of the Porsche.
RON
You are so full of shit.
(as Kevin says
nothing)
... But it might be fun.
56.
KEVIN
There is that.
INT. SMALL OFFICE BUILDING - DAY

A REAL ESTATE BROKER lets Kevin and Ron in. Kevin looks
out the grimy window at the KIIS-FM building.
KEVIN
It's perfect.
BROKER
(examining Kevin's
card)
You're an investment analyst,
Mr... Vonner?
KEVIN
It's mostly phone work. I'm going
to need to put in several lines.
The Broker nods. Kevin sidles up to Ron at the window.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
We reroute their phone numbers
here...
ANGLE
The CAMERA SLOWLY ROTATES and now there's a table with
phones. We've TIME CUT. Kevin's explanation continues.
KEVIN (O.S.)
We assign them new numbers, known
only to us, and then forward our
phones to them. Every time one of
our phones rings once, we know a
call has gone through...
As he says this, a PHONE RINGS ONCE, then stops. The
CAMERA CONTINUES to reveal that the room is now filled
with wires, two computers, a sound system, and a poster:
"PAC BELL. A NEW BEGINNING."
RICK DEES (V.O.)
(on radio)
Heeey, it's another KISS-FM
Thursday morning! Five days into
our $100,000 Porsche giveaway! Six
a.m. to six p.m., if you hear the
magic trio, Janet Jackson's
'Escapade,' the B-52's 'Love
Shack,' and Prince's 'Kiss,' in
that order -- grab that phone and
be caller 44 to win a brand new
candy-red Porsche 944 S2
Cabriolet!
57.
KEVIN (O.S.)
When the song sequence plays, we
just count the rings, and pick our
moment.
Kevin and Ron sit by the phone bank, with coffee,
exhausted. They've been at it for days. Stacked pizza
boxes in the corner. Unfinished board games set out.
Piles of magazines and newspapers.
MARIAH CAREY'S "Emotion" KICKS IN and we PAN TO the
digital clock, which reads 6:02 a.m. It speeds up. We
hear three seconds of the same TOP FORTY SONGS OVER AND
OVER as the shadows change and the clock arrives at 4:35.
"EMOTION" is PLAYING AGAIN.
RON
is building a chain of paper clips dangling off a ceiling
light. Kevin is building a domino chair throughout the
room. "ESCAPADE" STARTS to PLAY. Ron sits up straight.
Kevin jumps up, knocking over the dominoes to get into
his seat. The dominoes tear across the room, making
nearly impossible Rube Goldberg connections. "Escapade"
gives way to "U CAN'T TOUCH THIS." Kevin and Ron slump.
INT. ISG OPERATIONS ROOM

Vonner signs off on the paperwork as the ISG MISFITS
oversee the installation of computer equipment.
UGLY (MISFIT)
In two hours we'll be the first
people to be able to exert our
will on any C.O., computer or
phone in the California network.
SORCERER (MISFIT)
Awesome. We're phone gods.
VONNER
Let me bring you Adonises back
down to earth. Everything you do,
every keystroke you hit, every
word you speak in this room, will
be recorded. Now get to work.
INT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Crystal and a tired Kevin lay in bed by candlelight,
sharing a joint.
CRYSTAL
Do you think if Beethoven were
born today he'd be in a band?
58.
KEVIN
I think... I think... What was the
question?
CRYSTAL
Tough day at the office, dear?
KEVIN
All day long sitting around
waiting for the phone to ring...
Do you like me?
CRYSTAL
I like your hair.
KEVIN
Why do you like me?
CRYSTAL
Are you serious?
KEVIN
Sometimes I think we hardly know
each other.
CRYSTAL
You mean like, where we were when
Lennon was shot, if we like spicy
food, what's our biggest regret
from the summer we were sixteen?
I know you.
KEVIN
Yeah? Like what?
CRYSTAL
You're not an asshole like most
people.
KEVIN
I'm my own kind of asshole.
CRYSTAL
Right. And you're smarter than
the average white male. You care
about people. And me. You do
have a tendency to disappear, act
weird and lie about it.
She looks to him to gauge his reaction. He doesn't
react. She lets it go. She moves closer and kisses him.
They start to make love.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - EARLY MORNING

Morning. Kevin walks in with two coffees. Ron is asleep
in a chair. "LOVE SHACK" is PLAYING. Kevin shoots a
paper clip with a rubber band. It hits Ron's back.
59.
RON
Ow! You bastard!... oh. I guess
I dozed.
KEVIN
'Escapade' just ended. 'Love
Shack's' playing.
RON
Uh huh. They usually do a teaser
around noon. My bladder's coming
alive with Pepsi.
KEVIN
Hurry up.
RON
They won't do it on Sunday.
They'll drag it on to Monday
morning drive time. I was
dreaming about Mariah Carey. That
she was inside my head eating my
brain.
We hear him PEEING in the bathroom. Kevin lays back
down. PRINCE'S "Kiss" COMES ON. Kevin jumps up.
KEVIN
This is it! It's Kiss!
PHONES START RINGING.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
One! Two. Three. Four. Five!
Come on!
RON
I can't stop.
The RINGS are COMING VERY FAST; Kevin keeps count.
KEVIN
Twenty-five-twenty-six. Let's go!
Twenty-eight! Just pee on
yourself! Thirty!
Ron zips up. They run to phone console and yell out the
number of each call coming in. As Kevin yells "thirty-
six" he dials 73# on one phone, canceling call forwarding
and the line's connection to the radio station. They
call out the next four numbers as they cut off the lines.
Then Kevin speed-dials one-handed like the expert he is.
KISS EMPLOYEE #1 (V.O.)
(over phone)
Sorry, forty-two!
Ron is dialing. It's picked up -- as Kevin dials again.
KISS EMPLOYEE #2 (V.O.)
You're forty-three!
60.
CLICK. Kevin's line is picked up. A moment of silence.

KEVIN
What number am I?
Kevin and Ron hear Kevin over the radio,
RICK DEES (V.O.)
(over phone)
Take a guess.
KEVIN
I don't believe it. I won? I
won?!
Kevin squeals.
INT./EXT. PORSCHE - DAY

VA-ROOOOM! Kevin and Ron tear along in their Porsche,
Ron driving. He HITS the GAS and they zoom past cars.
RICK DEES (V.O.)
(over radio)
I want to send out another
congratulations to our big winner,
Ron Rules. I wish you could have
seen his happy face as he rode out
of here. In fact, he was so
happy, we all decided to make
someone else just as happy.
That's right! We're giving away
another Porsche! So listen in,
six to six, right here...
Ron and Kevin look at each other and smile.
EXT. HOLLYWOOD HILLS - DAY

Early morning. No traffic. Two speeding Porsches ENTER
FRAME. Ron drives one. Kevin the other. The VIOLENT
FEMMES' "American music" fills the SOUNDTRACK. Tops
down, feeling the power, they blow through the streets.
They pass a cop car. Lights and SIRENS GO ON, but as
they disappear ahead of him, the cop just gives up.
INT. ISG OPERATIONS ROOM - DAY

Vonner tries to understand as the excited Misfits explain
rapid-fire with scribbled drawings and phone records.
MISFIT #1
He'd never use the same pay phone
twice after calling his parents --
SORCERER
Kevin is careful, very careful.
And that's what we rely on --
61.
UGLY
If he has other calls to make
he'll use other phones. Nearby.
SUBNORMAL
Every time he calls home we pull
records from pay phones in a one-
block radius. Run them through a
program to cross check all calls
within a five-minute window.
UGLY
Numbers that repeat day to day
could be Kevin. Calling a friend,
a girlfriend --
VONNER
And what does all this get me?
UGLY
Not much really.
SORCERER
Except...
SubNormal hands Vonner a piece of paper.
VONNER
What's this?
SUBNORMAL
A phone number. Ron Austin's
phone number.
Vonner smiles. The Misfits are proud.
INT. JABBER JAW - NIGHT

Crystal is on stage, singing right to Kevin, who's in the
audience with Ron. The music is loud, fierce.
CRYSTAL
'Hey, asshole, what's wrong with
you?
Won't talk to me, give me my due.
Hey, asshole, where you going with
that diode in your hand?
He's a technophile, a computer
geek,
He leaves me alone, but he leaves
me weak...'
Kevin is uncomfortable, but he gives her the thumbs-up.
INT. RAINBOW BAR & GRILL - LATE NIGHT

Justin is at the bar drinking with TWO BABES.
62.
JUSTIN
Right now I've got a system set up
to turn on about a hundred escort
services' dead phones and send
them to this guy I got working for
me. I'm the biggest pimp in L.A.
I mean, I don't get my hands
dirty. I just direct the traffic.
Oh, there's one of my boys now.
Party's over, ladies, duty calls.
Kevin comes up. Justin kisses each one good-bye.
MARCIE
Will I see you again?
JUSTIN
I wouldn't deny you my most
excellent visage.
BABE #2
Catch you later, pimp daddy.
She giggles. Kevin and Justin walk away.
KEVIN
Were you telling them about...?
JUSTIN
Of course not. No. I said it was
me. But just enough to titillate.
KEVIN
Well stop it. I'm the one with my
ass on the line.
JUSTIN
If you'd let me in on it, I'd get
all the pussy you're passing up
and I wouldn't have to talk it up.
It's your own fault.
INT./EXT. '70S EL DORADO CONVERTIBLE - NIGHT

Justin drives. Kevin enjoys the wind in his face. The
dusty old book he was reading in the motel lies on the
back seat open to a picture of the 1960s S.A.S. Machine.
KEVIN (V.O.)
I was on a quest, hunting for a
ghost, but so far I had found no
trace.
A central office rises before them in the moonlit night.
INT. SHERMAN OAKS C.O. HALLWAY - NIGHT

They look around, peering into rooms, checking computers.
They hear GRUNTING down the hall. Kevin starts to move
away. Justin stops -- and follows it. Kevin whispers.
63.
KEVIN
What're you doing?... Justin!...
Justin!
He follows Justin to where the GRUNTING is LOUDER. A
door is ajar. Justin looks in, then falls back trying to
hold in his laughter. He pushes Kevin to look. Inside,
a guard with porno mags moans as he plays with himself
under the desk. Justin lets Kevin pull him away.
JUSTIN
Remind me not to touch any
doorknobs.
HALLWAY
Kevin, alone, looks around. He opens a rusty metal door.
INT. DUSTY OLD ROOM

Kevin takes a quick look, starts out, then takes another
look: A weathered console sits in a corner. It's S.A.S.
KEVIN (V.O.)
There it sat, passed by, used up.
A relic. S.A.S. -- Subtest
assignment System. For Pac Bell
it was just old line testing
technology, a system someone
sitting in a C.O. could use to
drop in on your line to see why it
was dead without bugging a
lineman.
Kevin it on, the amber monitor reflecting in his eyes.
But for me, it was, much, much
more. If I used it to its
unintended full potential, it
would become that mythical device
the legendary phone freak Captain
Crunch had dreamed of.
He pulls out a tape recorder with a mic wire ending in
alligator clips.
A machine that could commandeer
any phone network, data or voice.
That could tap anyone's phone, and
be absolutely untraceable.
Kevin connects the clips to data lines at the back of the
console. He types commands. NOISES. Screens flash by.
All being recorded. "Connected Remote" appears on the
S.A.S. screen. Kevin is entranced.
64.

It was the Holy Grail of hacking
and I had it in my hands.
Kevin hears Justin coming.
But in the wrong hands...
Kevin quickly pockets the tape recorder, taking the
recorded SAS codes and turns off the console -- as Justin
walks in carrying a computer.
JUSTIN
How much do you think I could get
for this?
KEVIN
About one to five. You're here to
learn, remember, not steal stuff.
JUSTIN
You can't eat knowledge.
KEVIN
Come on, put it back.
JUSTIN
I am so sick of your 'this is
ethical but that isn't' weirdo
bullshit. It's okay to rig radio
contests and pimp, but not this?
Give me a handout that explains it
all so I can keep track, will you?
INT. CENTRAL OFFICE HALLWAY - NIGHT

As they tiptoe to the exit, they hear more GRUNTING.
Justin suddenly calls out:
JUSTIN
Oh baby! Oh baby! I love me! I
love me!
There's a CRASH down the hall. Kevin and Justin take off
running and hit the exit, Kevin having to hold the door.
KEVIN
What the hell is wrong with you?!
EXT. CENTRAL OFFICE - NIGHT

They run down the street and jump in the car and take off
as the guard runs out after them, pulling up his pants.
INT. KEVIN AND RON'S COMMAND CENTER - NIGHT

Ron watches over Kevin's shoulder as Kevin's computer
dials into S.A.S.
65.
Kevin's tape recorder is connected to phone line at the

back of the computer. We hear the tones he recorded at
the C.O.
INT. SHERMAN OAKS CENTRAL OFFICE - S.A.S. ROOM - NIGHT

"CONNECTED REMOTE" appears on the S.A.S. console.
INT. COMMAND CENTER

"CONNECTED REMOTE" is mirrored on Kevin's screen.
KEVIN (V.O.)
S.A.S. was more than just a
listening device. With it you had
access to every phone line and
computer of every institution,
government agency and bank. You
had their unencrypted transactions
and their passwords. You had the
information you needed to steal
billions.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
In? Or out?
Ron stares at it, enthralled. It's just too tempting.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - NIGHT

Kevin and Ron are drinking one Coke after another, like
in the old days. DMV'S computer screen is on Kevin's
computer. It's Ron's driving record.
KEVIN
You swear you'll never speed
again?
RON
I promise.
KEVIN
That's good enough for me.
(erases Ron's one
point)
Want a chauffeur's license? You
never know.
RON
No, I'm okay, but thanks.
KEVIN
(exits DMV system)
Okay. I know. Let's move the
COMSAT satellite five degrees.
That'll get the boys at Palomar
hopping.
(off Ron's look)
I'm kidding. I'm kidding. There
is one thing I want to do, though.
66.
Kevin types. Ron watches. He laughs. Kevin laughs.
INT. VONNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Vonner is dialing, but a voice comes over the line.
RECORDED PAC BELL VOICE (V.O.)
To make a call, please deposit ten
cents for the first three minutes.
What the fuck? He clicks the hang-up button. An
operator gets on.
OPERATOR (V.O.)
(over phone)
Sir, to use the pay phone you need
to deposit a coin.
VONNER
This isn't a pay phone. This is
my house.
OPERATOR
(laughs derisively)
Okaaay... then try looking under
the couch pillows. I always find
change there.
EXT. ROXY PARKING LOT - NIGHT

A MAN buys pills from MARCIE (one of the women Justin
bragged to about the pimping). Then flashes a badge.
MAN
Bad news, Marcie. You're under
arrest.
MARCIE
Sheldon, you're a cop? I thought
we were friends. Fuck. Don't do
this. What if I knew something?
SHELDON THE COP (MAN)
What kind of something?
MARCIE
It's wild. Could be a good bust
for you.
INT/EXT. FBI CAR - NIGHT

Four FBI agents in the car, following Ron, who's walking
on the street. They watch as he enters his building.
FBI AGENT DRIVER
(into radio)
Suspect has entered his residence.
So far there's no sign--
67.
INT. RON'S LOBBY - SIMULTANEOUS

FBI AGENT (V.O.)
(over scanner)
-- of Poulsen.
Kevin is here. He grabs Ron, scaring the shit out of
him.
RON
Jesus Christ!
Kevin shushes him and points to the scanner.
MITCHELL (V.O.)
(over scanner)
Okay, John, stick with him.
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND RON'S BUILDING - NIGHT

Hyper-nervous, Ron peeks down the alley at the FBI.
RON
Maybe it's just routine. You know,
following up on known
acquaintances.
KEVIN
'Fraid not. I did some poking
around with S.A.S. Pac Bell's got
some kind of centralized control
now at their headquarters and
somebody's running cross-check-
analyses of pay phone records.
Pay phones that I've used.
RON
Jesus Christ! How the hell do
they know how to do something like
that?!
KEVIN
Or who do they have working for
them who knows how?
RON
Aren't you supposed to tell me to
calm down? Isn't this where you
say relax, there's no need to
overreact?
KEVIN
Calm down. Relax. There's no
reason to overreact.
But he's not very convincing.
68.
INT. GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS - DAY

MOS as we GLIDE THROUGH the grand jury room. The
PROSECUTOR walks tall in his gray suit as he makes a
point. The grand jurors take notes. We GLIDE PAST the
1960s Pac Bell phone console Kevin took from the parking
lot garbage. The CAMERA SETTLES ON the witness:
VONNER
This is a military communications
system. It is used to monitor
telephone calls and data
transmissions both within and
between U.S. military
installations.
We SWEEP BACK AROUND the room PAST the jurors, shaking
their heads in shock, the Prosecutor strutting, Mitchell,
at the Prosecutor's table nodding, then AROUND to SETTLE
ON a new witness, a U.S. ARMY MAJOR in uniform with
medals who hands the Prosecutor back a document.
MAJOR
That is a classified MASNET
profile with tasking orders for
the targeting of U.S. nuclear
weapons.
PROSECUTOR
These are Russian targets, Major
Lockleider?
MAJOR
I'm afraid I'm not allowed to say,
sir.
PROSECUTOR
Major, are you aware that Mr.
Poulsen was in possession of the
Soviet consulate's unlisted phone
number...?
The grand jurors look alarmed --
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING

Kevin and Ron walk a dirty, graffiti-scarred hallway to a
door marked: "ELECTRICAL CLOSET." Kevin picks the lock.
INT. APARTMENT
If this apartment has ever been cleaned, it was in
another life. CYCLOPS types at a feverish pace. Pale,
unwashed, he doesn't hear Ron's KNOCK. Then he sees
Ron's reflection in his screen.
CYCLOPS
Jesus Christ! Ron! Give me a
heart attack!
(MORE)
69.
CYCLOPS (CONT'D)
(as Kevin walks in)
Oh! Great! Kevin Poulsen. This
is what I really need. Why don't
you put a sign on my head,
'accessory after the fact'?
Cyclops goes to the door and looks into the hallway.
KEVIN
We weren't followed.
Cyclops doesn't look too sure. Then he sits at his
computer and stares at the screens floating by.
RON
Cyclops, this place is rank.
Ron goes to open the shades and the window.
CYCLOPS
Don't do that, man. The sun causes
serious glare on my monitor --
Ron opens the shade and window. It's night outside.
Cyclops is confused a beat, then goes back to the
computer, mesmerized. Kevin pulls Cyclops's chair back
and sits in front of the computer.
CYCLOPS (CONT'D)
What? What? What the fuck do you
want?
KEVIN
Somebody is trying very hard to
track me down.
CYCLOPS
Well there's a big fucking
surprise. They're trying hard to
find a fugitive hacker who used to
work for the defense department.
Cyclops tries to peek around Kevin. Kevin shifts.
KEVIN
S.R.I. Not defense. The thing is
I'm not talking Pac Bell or F.B.I.
They got somebody. Cyclops, look
at me.
(off Cyclops's look)
Are you working for them?
CYCLOPS
I-I-I can't believe you even said
that. A: I would never work for
them. B: I got important stuff
of my own I'm working on.
He points to the screen, flashing pages of numbers.
70.
KEVIN
Do you know who's working for
them?
CYCLOPS
(looks down)
No.
He's obviously lying. Kevin reaches down into the guts
of Cyclops's computer, which is jury-rigged, its insides
sprawled onto the floor. He disconnects the hard drive.
Cyclops almost goes into shock.
KEVIN
What's this? Wow, a 40 meg hard
drive. That's a lot of bytes.
CYCLOPS
C'mon, man. Put it down.
(as Kevin tosses it to
Ron)
Hey! C'mon. Give it to me.
(as Ron holds it out
the window)
Ron! Kevin, make him stop!
Jesus! Okay, okay. They hired
some guys. Seven, maybe more.
They got Ugly. Sorcerer.
SubNormal --
RON
SubNormal? Out of M.I.T.? Christ.
Kevin can't believe it either. This is bad news.
CYCLOPS
He dropped out of M.I.T. Works
for some idiot named Gates who
left Harvard to start some
operating system company. They
give him a bunch of options and
shit wages so I guess he's
moonlighting looking for you.
Ron gives back the hard drive. A troubled Ron and Kevin
head out.
KEVIN
We're going to have to be very
careful getting together now.
RON
What the hell was I thinking
letting you talk me back into
doing this stuff?
KEVIN
Well, it's not like you had any
interesting internships knocking
on your door.
71.
RON
That's funny. Very funny.
INT./EXT. KEVIN'S VAN - MOVING - DAY

A contemplative Kevin drives. He approaches his P.O. box
center. He turns up his scanner. Nada. He parks.
INT. BRONCO - DAY

Across the street from the P.O. center a guy in a Bronco
puts down a sandwich and raises a pair of binoculars,
watching Kevin enter.
INT. P.O. BOX CENTER - DAY

As Kevin puts his key in his P.O. box, he glances
cautiously out the window and spots the driver, who
quickly lowers the binoculars. Kevin hesitates. He
takes the key out, leaving his box locked, and exits.
EXT. P.O. BOX CENTER - DAY

Kevin goes to his van. He pulls out. Shit. The Bronco
is following! Adrenaline pumping, Kevin hits the gas,
taking a series of alley and street moves that could only
have been pre-planned. He looks back. No Bronco. He
flicks his RADIO back ON. Still nothing. Passing a
garbage truck, he tosses the key in with a hook shot.
Kevin relaxes and goes back to main streets, but he
notices a Camaro crossing a street behind him that
suddenly hits the gas and turns toward him across
traffic! Kevin FLOORS IT, takes a turn.
He switches his scanner to another channel.
LAPD RADIO (V.O.)
Suspect spotted heading north on
Second...
KEVIN
Oh shit.
Kevin turns again and passes the Bronco, going the other
way! It swings around. On another turn, Kevin's TIRE
HITS a CURB and BLOWS. Damn! He jumps out, looking for
an escape route -- but the Camaro pulls up in front of
him. Nowhere to run, he takes a breath and walks right
up to the Camaro, to the surprise of its two passengers.
EXT. CAMARO - DAY

KEVIN
Excuse me, can you help me with my
flat?
72.
Sheldon -- the vice cop who arrested Marcie earlier --

jumps out of the Camaro, slams Kevin against the car, and
puts a gun to Kevin's head.
SHELDON
Who the fuck do you think you're
bullshitting? We're cops. What's
your name?
Kevin looks momentarily relieved he doesn't know his
name. Then he looks confused. What is his name?
KEVIN
What is this about? What did I
do?
Sheldon pulls Kevin's wallet out and reads the license.
Kevin tries to get a glimpse of it.
SHELDON
Mr. Archie Holdengraber... Any
bets on what his real name is?
Detective 1 shows Sheldon Kevin's bag from his van. The
scanner. Lock pick. Lineman's phone. $800 in twenties.
SHELDON (CONT'D)
Pimping brings in some good dough,
huh, Archie?
Now Kevin gets it. Sheldon cuffs him and shoves him in
the car. He sits there, helpless and nervous. What now?
INT. RAMPARTS POLICE STATION - DAY

A SERGEANT takes Kevin's fingerprints. Kevin watches him
put the card in a fax machine and signal Sheldon.
Sheldon nods and dials his SPEAKERPHONE. Kevin hears the
TONES amid the ambient noise. A COP pulls him across the
room. As it RINGS, Sheldon picks up.
SHELDON
This is detective Sheldon at
Ramparts L.A. I just faxed a set.
I need you to run those before I
leave at five... Great.
As Kevin is hauled out, he sees a clock. It's 2:17.
KEVIN
I'd like to make my call now.
INT. HALLWAY TELEPHONE ALCOVE

Dialing, Kevin looks at the Cop, who's standing close.
KEVIN
Do you mind?
73.
COP
Two minutes.
The cop moves out of earshot, but watches him. The PHONE
RINGS. Ron's MACHINE picks up, then BEEPS.
KEVIN
Ron, pick up... Ron... Listen.
When you get in, wait for my call.
It's important.
INT. HALLWAY TELEPHONE ALCOME - LATER (4:15)

Kevin trying again. Ron picks up.
RON (V.O.)
(over phone)
Let me guess: Kevin Poulsen.
You're probably not going to let
me finish my sandwich --
KEVIN
Don't talk, don't think, just do
what I say, I'm out of time. Turn
on S.A.S.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. RON'S HOUSE

Ron, concerned, sits at his computer and turns it on.
KEVIN
And call this number and tell me
who answers: 916 435-9878.
Ron pushes "HOLD" on his four-line phone, then "LINE 3."
He dials.
VOICE (V.O.)
(over second phone)
Sacramento. Hefflin.
Ron hits the button for Kevin, cutting off Hefflin.

RON
Hefflin, Mister or possibly a bull
dyke... S.A.S. is up.
KEVIN
Access COSMOS. Reroute this call
to L.A.'s Ramparts police station,
general number -- as fast as you
can.
Kevin looks at the Cop, who watches from down the hall.
74.
INT. RAMPARTS STATION

A RECEPTIONIST answers the call.
RECEPTIONIST
Ramparts.
KEVIN (V.O.)
(over phone)
Detective Larson.
INT. RAMPARTS STATION - DETECTIVES' AREA

Sheldon's partner answers the RINGING PHONE. Sheldon is
sitting right across from him, doing paperwork.
DETECTIVE LARSON
Larson.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. HOLDING CELL HALLWAY - PAY PHONE - KEVIN

KEVIN
This is Hefflin in Sacramento.
I've got the results of that print
run --
DETECTIVE LARSON
Hold on, here's detective Sheldon.
He's already handing the phone to Sheldon --
KEVIN
No, just take a message!
The Cop down the hall glances up at Kevin.
SHELDON
Sheldon here.
KEVIN
(beat, low voice,
drawl)
Detective Sheldon, this is
Sergeant Kelbow calling for
Hefflin with those print results.
The Cop down the hall checks his watch, frowns, gets up.
SHELDON
Right. What've we got?
KEVIN
Name's Holdengraber. Archie.
Arrested once for shoplifting at
age seventeen.
75.
COP
(standing next to him)
Time's up.
SHELDON
That's it? No outstandings?
KEVIN
Nope. He's cleaner than the
'Patty Duke Show.' Gotta go now.
Y'all take care.
The drawl makes the Cop look at Kevin strangely. Kevin
just smiles at him and hangs up.
INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

Kevin hurries out. The wall clock says 4:34. Sheldon
watches Kevin walk out, then picks up his RINGING PHONE.
SHELDON
Detective Sheldon... Yeah,
Hefflin, what's up?
EXT. POLICE STATION - DAY

Sheldon and a dozen cops run outside, looking for Kevin.
INT. BUS (IN FRONT OF STATION) - MOVING

Kevin, seeing the cops, slinks down as the bus pulls out.
INT. VONNER'S OFFICE - DAY

Vonner is on the phone to the LA cops.
VONNER
He's a federal fugitive and you
just let him walk! He was an
'Unsolved Mysteries' for Christ's
sake! ... You got a call? You got
a call. Of course you got a
fucking call!
He slams down the receiver.
EXT. SUNSET BOULEVARD - TWILIGHT

Kevin gets off a bus and walks the Sunset Strip, shaken.
INT. BEN FRANK'S - DAY

An upset Ron enters. He spots Kevin with Crystal in a
booth sharing a chili cheese fries. He makes a beeline.
RON
Kevin. I've got to talk to you.
76.
CRYSTAL
Uh, hi, Ron.
RON
Hi, Crystal. Like right now,
Kevin.
Ron walks off. Kevin shrugs to Crystal and follows.
They slide into a booth. Crystal watches them, too far
away to hear. Ron tosses Kevin stained, crumpled papers,
and some computer disks.
RON (CONT'D)
I pulled these out of Justin's
garbage. He's using what you
taught him about hacking to sell
information to private
investigators. He matches names
to phone numbers and addresses.
Hacks T.R.W. for credit reports.
Sells bank statements, medical
histories --
(grabs back a paper)
Here's the price list. Credit
reports, $50. Change a credit
report, $1,000. Phone records,
$350 --
KEVIN
Oh my God.
RON
He's been tapping my fucking
phone, Kevin.
(shows wires to him)
My guess is he knows about S.A.S.
KEVIN
(that sinks in)
We have to find out. We have to
know if he's got S.A.S --
RON
We don't have to do anything. We
is no longer an operative concept.
I'm done. I'm done helping you
tie a noose around your neck. I'm
done letting myself be dragged
into your shit. You talk a lot
about what you believe and what
the things you do mean.
(throws tap wires at
Kevin)
This. This is what you've done.
You've created a monster.
(as Kevin is stunned)
Don't be surprised. Neither of us
should be surprised. I mean, what
the fuck did you think was going
to happen?! Listen.
(MORE)
77.
RON (CONT'D)
Pretend I'm pulling a Kevin and I
didn't tell you where I live, I
didn't give you my phone number
and I'll call you if I need you.
Ron gets up and leaves. Crystal watches him go, then
goes to Kevin.
CRYSTAL
What was that about? What could
you possibly have done to make him
mad like that?
KEVIN
Nothing. It's fine. He just...
He was...
He can't think of a good story and stops. His heart's
not in it. She just looks at him, shaking her head.
INT. JUSTIN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

With Kevin dogging him, Justin preps for a night out,
enjoying his reflection in a mirror as he tries on
garments, applies eyeliner and generally primps himself.
JUSTIN
Why would I deny it? You're not
my mother. You don't tell me what
to do.
KEVIN
You learned all this from me.
JUSTIN
Okay, so... thanks.
KEVIN
There's a responsibility that
comes with having this kind of
access. A restraint you have to
exercise. You're like... Kane in
'Kung Fu.' You have the power to
kick anybody's ass any time, but
do you do it? No. Only when
there's no other way, and only
when good is advanced and evil
defeated.
JUSTIN
He kicked ass in every episode and
it was always the best part.
KEVIN
That's not the point.
JUSTIN
No, that's not your point.
Kevin follows Justin out into:

78.
INT. STAIRWELL - JUSTIN AND KEVIN

descending.
JUSTIN
My point is you want to know
everything and do everything, but
you don't want me to. You and Ron
have some kind of new tapping
device, but were you going to tell
me about it? No. Why? Because
you're selfish. Well sooner or
later I'll find out all about it.
This is Kevin's worst nightmare.
KEVIN
Justin, listen to me, you can't
use S.A.S. --
Justin pulls a gun. Kevin reacts, but Justin doesn't aim
it at him.
JUSTIN
You see it and your brain just
screams out one simple, clear
idea. Power. That's what it's
all about, Kevin. Mine, yours,
the government's. If you have it,
you better use it, because in life
it's either fuck or get fucked.
But right now it's Friday night.
(puts arm around
Kevin's shoulder)
Time to put away the petty shit,
hit the clubs, find the girls --
and party!
Kevin pulls away, stepping back up a couple steps. Justin
shakes his head, then laughs. He hits the exit alone,
SHOOTING his GUN into the air -- BAM -- BAM -- and
letting out a whoop. OFF Kevin's apprehension --
INT. KEVIN'S BEDROOM - DAY

Kevin is listening to his voicemail, jotting down a
number. He hangs up. In the b.g. Crystal cooks in the
kitchen. Kevin closes the door.
INT. WASHINGTON FBI OFFICE - DAY

A view of the capital. An officious FBI AGENT DORCHEN,
surrounded by piles of work, answers the RINGING PHONE.
AGENT DORCHEN
Hello...? Mr. Poulsen, thanks for
getting back to me so fast. I
love that message, by the way. I'm
a huge Kubrick fan.
79.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. KEVIN'S BEDROOM

Kevin is using SAS to make this call.
KEVIN
What's this about Agent Dorchen?
AGENT DORCHEN
It's about resolving your
situation. Your file's come under
review at Justice, and it's been
determined that the charges filed
are not in accordance with the
evidence.
KEVIN
Are you serious? What does that
mean?
AGENT DORCHEN
It means we're dropping most of
them.
KEVIN
When you say 'most,' what are we
talking?
AGENT DORCHEN
(looking at file)
Well, there's still the State B
and E. And one, maybe two,
computer fraud charges on the
federal side. If you're willing
to deal, I think we can meet
halfway.
KEVIN
What do Mitchell and Vonner think
about this?
AGENT DORCHEN
I suspect I'm making this call
because Agent Mitchell wasn't too
happy about it. As for Mr.
Vonner, I wouldn't know. I work
for Justice. Not Pac Bell. I'm
flying out there the day after
tomorrow and I'd like to resolve
this. Why don't you come down to
the Federal Building on Wednesday,
say nine, bring a lawyer if you
want, and we'll close the deal.
KEVIN
I'll be there.
They hang up. Kevin does a jig! He is totally psyched!
Then he thinks. And thinks some more.
80.
His smile fades to uncertainty. He goes to the SAS

computer and types a command. We hear Dorchen's PHONE
line. It's RINGING.
INT. MITCHELL'S EXPANDED OFFICES - DAY

A great hustle and bustle as two dozen new agents take
over the area outside Mitchell's office. There's a
blackboard labeled "POULSEN POINT TEAMS" on the top.
Communications, Counter-Intelligence, etc. Two agents
play darts with Kevin's face as the target.
Inside Mitchell's office, AGENT #1 answers a phone as
Vonner, at the door, shakes hands with one of three MEN
waiting to introduce themselves.
NSA LIAISON
Ned Hartman. N.S.A liaison --
AGENT #1
Sirs, it's Agent Dorchen.
Vonner and Mitchell both grab extensions.
THREE-WAY SPLIT SCREEN - DORCHEN/KEVIN/MITCHELL'S OFFICE

AGENT DORCHEN
It was so easy, I almost felt
sorry for him.
VONNER
Dorch, you've never felt sorry for
anybody.
(to Mitchell)
He took his kids to Bambi and when
the mother died all he could think
was mmmm, venison.
Mitchell laughs.
AGENT DORCHEN
Fuck you.
MITCHELL
I just wish you could be here to
see the expression on Poulsen's
face when we tell him he's going
down for espionage.
They can barely contain their glee. Kevin is in shock.
KEVIN
Espionage?!
They can't hear him.
VONNER
We'll take pictures for you, Dorch
--
Kevin flips a switch. His mic is live.
81.
KEVIN
Espionage?! Where the fuck do you
guys get espionage?
MITCHELL
What?
AGENT DORCHEN
Mitchell?
KEVIN
That's like, forty to life, you
crazy Nazi motherfuckers. I am
not going to bend over and take
this.
VONNER
Poulsen?!
KEVIN
Vonner, you fat fuck, this is a
free country, despite your
efforts!
AGENT DORCHEN
What the hell's going on?
KEVIN
Smile, Dorch, you're on 'Candid
Camera.'
A confused Agent Dorchen looks around.
VONNER
Get off the phone. Hang up.
Vonner and Mitchell hang up. STAY WITH them.
VONNER (CONT'D)
Holy shit.
MITCHELL
I'm calling the Attorney General --
He reaches for the phone, then pulls back as if stung.
They look at each other. Mitchell turns to an underling.
MITCHELL (CONT'D)
Get that N.S.A. guy in here. I
want every agent supplied with an
encrypted cell phone. No one uses
a land line.
VONNER
That goddamn son of a bitch. How
the hell did he do that?
82.
INT. KEVIN'S ROOM

Kevin has his head in his hands. Could things possibly
get worse? He tries to shake it off but can't. He gets
up and marches into the:
LIVING ROOM
Crystal watches Kevin grab his jacket.
KEVIN
I've got to go.
CRYSTAL
But I made dinner.
She shows him the pan. It's macaroni and cheese.
CRYSTAL (CONT'D)
It's real cheese.
KEVIN
I forgot I, I told Mr. Kurzweil
I'd finish the synthetic
Didjeridoo sounds --
CRYSTAL
Whatever it is, it can wait.
KEVIN
I gave him my word.
CRYSTAL
No. Stop right there. I want to
know what's really going on. Tell
me. The truth.
Kevin thinks about it. But he just can't do it.
KEVIN
It's just work.
CRYSTAL
You know what? Fuck you.
KEVIN
You're right. You're absolutely
right. Fuck me. I feel terrible.
I'll make it up to you.
He puts his jacket on as he talks. She slams down the
pan. They both head for the door at the same time.
CRYSTAL
The least you can do is wait for
me to leave first!
He does.
83.
EXT. ANOTHER CITY STREET - NIGHT

Kevin is walking.
KEVIN (V.O.)
I had believed it would somehow
work out. That authority would be
exercised with some measure of
justice and fairness. That
somebody somewhere would realize
the punishment should fit the
crime.
He stops by a wall. And vomits.
EXT. PAY PHONE - NIGHT

Kevin is talking on a Pac Bell pay phone.
KEVIN
Ron, it's important. I need to
talk. Ron.
INT. RON'S APARTMENT - SAME TIME

Ron is sitting by the machine. He turns the volume off.
INT. VONNER'S HOME - NIGHT

Vonner, in pajamas, gets into bed and pulls up the
covers. He turns and stares at his phone. He reaches
over -- and unplugs it.
EXT. PAY PHONE OUTSIDE BEN FRANK'S - DAY

Beautiful women are at a table in the b.g., laughing and
having a good time as Kevin listens to his messages.
MRS. POULSEN (V.O.)
(on voice mail)
Hello, Kevin. Nani... Nani
isn't, uh... Nani had a stroke,
Kevin -- a series of little
strokes. She's under observation.
I know you can't visit, but it
would mean so much to her if you
could call. Her number is 213 38
Kevin hits a button and whips out a pen to write with.
MRS. POULSEN (CONT'D)
(on voice mail)
... could call. Her number is 213
387-8649.
(BEEP)
Hello, Kevin. I'm so sorry. Nani
passed away this evening...
(MORE)
84.
MRS. POULSEN (CONT'D)
I know she knew you were thinking
about her. I love you.
MR. POULSEN (V.O.)
(on voice mail)
It's Dad, Kevin. I love you, too.
MECHANICAL VOICE MAIL VOICE (V.O.)
No more messages. Thank you for
using Pac Bell.
INT./EXT. KEVIN'S PORSCHE - DAY

Kevin sits in the Porsche, windows tinted, two blocks up
from the church his parents were married in. People are
entering. Kevin spies: Feds on the sidewalk; Vonner,
sitting in a car; Feds on the church steps. He watches
his father, taking note of them. SLOW PUSH IN ON Kevin.
KEVIN (V.O.
There's no justice but the justice
you make for yourself. If I
wanted to stay free then I had no
choice. My back was against the
wall.
Kevin watches as Ron arrives. His mom starts crying when
she sees him. Ron hugs her, comforting her.
It was time to take extreme
measures.
INT. GUN SHOP - DAY

Racks of rifles, shotguns, pistols. The guy behind the
counter looks at us and reaches under the counter.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Henry Spiegel knew a guy who could
get me a new passport.
The guy slides the passport over. Kevin opens it. It's
perfect.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
I figured: Four million. Earning
five percent in a bank, that would
be 200 grand a year, not excessive
if you consider the cost of living
in the Caymans.
BEGIN MONTAGE
Inside Credit Suisse Bank. A well-dressed Kevin shakes
hands with a banker as he's handed his new passbook.
KEVIN (V.O.)
The hacker code was a lofty,
romantic ideal of youth.
(MORE)
85.
In the adult world, in the real
world, you did what you had to.
In his command center (where he and Ron won the Porsche),
Kevin is at his computer screen, an unintelligible
alphanumeric stream scrolling by.
Tapping the data stream was just a
matter of turning on S.A.S.
Plucking out bank I.D.s and
Federal Reserve numbers was more
difficult. But once I had them, I
had all I needed.
He prints out three pages densely packed with numbers.
He examines them closely and highlights a nine-digit
number that repeats in four spots.
The only real problem was the big
money. Where was it?
Wall Street mid-day. People and cars rushing by.
Inside Bear Stearns, screaming currency traders on
phones, staring at monitors.
Currency speculation. The making
of money by buying and selling
money. Nothing produced, just a
payoff on the spread between the
cost of currencies in different
spot markets. A trillion dollars
traded every day.
A DISEMBODIED POV FLOATS THROUGH Chase Manhattan Bank at
night, PAST empty teller stations to a machine with "EFT"
written on it.
Electronic Fund Transfer.
The machine comes to life as, in the b.g., the huge bank
vault door starts to open...
With S.A.S., I could intercept a
transfer, and send it anywhere in
the world I wanted. As far as
Chase knew, I was the Bank of
Boston. No witnesses. And no
record of the transfer's little
Swiss detour.
ON Kevin's monitor is an echo of Chase Bank's EFT screen,
the words "Transfer Funds?" and "$4,873,672.12" blinking.
Crystal stands behind Kevin, in awe. He hits "enter." A
beat and a confirmation from "CREDIT SUISSE" appears.
86.

From Switzerland the money can be
sent anywhere. Anywhere they
don't extradite for financial
crimes.
EXT. MEXICAN BORDER POST - DAY

Crystal and Kevin are among a throng of tourists waved
across the border by Mexican agents with nary a glance at
their passports.
KEVIN (V.O.)
The next contact I would have with
Vonner and Mitchell was through
postcards.
INT. MEXICO CITY AIRPORT - NIGHT

Kevin and Crystal board a plane. Destination: The
Cayman Islands.
The plane takes off and flies into the sun.
KEVIN (V.O.)
I mean, come on, if you were me,
what would you do?
FREEZE FRAME. The plane flies backward as the FILM
REVERSES THROUGH the previous sequence in three seconds,
ending Kevin's fantasy at:
INT. BEN FRANK'S - DAY

Kevin is alone at Ben Frank's with a hot dog. He's
examining those same three pages densely packed with
numbers. He has number sequences circled and X-ed off,
looking for the Fed Reserve numbers.
KEVIN (V.O.)
I was a man with a plan.
But it's not working. He can't pick out the numbers. He
looks up. Justin is in a booth, laughing with his rocker
buddies. He glances at Kevin, looking very smug.
Unfortunately, I had a problem.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

Kevin watches a central office from his car across the
street as Justin comes out. Kevin follows him.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Justin was retracing our steps to
find S.A.S. There was no way I
could let that happen. I created
him. I had to stop him.
87.
INT. SHERMAN OAKS CENTRAL OFFICE S.A.S. ROOM - NIGHT

Kevin connects a silent radio alarm transmitter to the
back of the S.A.S. machine.
INT. ISG OPERATIONS ROOM - NIGHT

Also burning the midnight oil, Ugly checks SubNormal's
progress.
UGLY
Has he been in any Pac Bell
systems?
SUBNORMAL
Not since he looked up new phone
tap orders at 6:44 this morning.
It's like he comes in from
nowhere... Does Pac Bell have some
kind of remote testing system?
UGLY
Hm. Worth looking into.
INT. CREDIT SUISSE BANK - CLOSE ON PASSPORT - DAY

Kevin's picture and the name Buster Chesterfield. A
sleep-deprived, very well-dressed Kevin sits across from
a proper SWISS BANKER, who holds the passport and Kevin's
paperwork.
SWISS BANKER
That's fine, Mr. Chesterfield. If
you'll just wait a few more
moments, we'll be done.
Kevin graciously waves off the inconvenience as the
Banker stands -- out of nowhere, Crystal sits down next
to Kevin, her midriff showing, a tattoo peeking up on the
small of her back. Kevin is surprised.
KEVIN
What are you doing here?
CRYSTAL
I've been following you.
The Swiss Banker hesitates, watching them.

KEVIN
What -- what happened?
CRYSTAL
Why don't you tell me?
KEVIN
Is there something particular you
want to ask me about?
88.
CRYSTAL
Bad answer.
Crystal grabs the Banker's coffee off the desk and dumps
it on Kevin's head. Kevin sucks in his breath at the
heat and wetness.
CRYSTAL (CONT'D)
That Porsche you've been driving
around does not belong to Mr.
Kurzweil. He did not lend it to
you because you patched the hole
in his Cello program. I went to
the club where we met and did some
asking around. When exactly were
you going to tell me about the
radio contests you illegally
rigged to win with a bunch of
rocker sluts?
Everyone in the bank is staring at them now.
KEVIN
Can we please go somewhere and
talk?
CRYSTAL
Too late, Kevin. Just fuck off.
He goes after her, but she turns and shoves him. He goes
flying across the Banker's desk. She storms out. The
Banker stares at Kevin.
KEVIN
Kevin's just what she calls me.
Kind of a nickname.
The Banker just stares at Kevin. Kevin grabs his
passport back.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE CRYSTAL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Kevin is outside Crystal's holding flowers, knocking. No
sound emerges from inside. From his tone, he's been
there a while.
KEVIN
Crystal, please open the door.
Crystal.
INT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - LATE NIGHT

Kevin is in his chair, depressed, cat on his lap. His
eyes wander to pages with numbers. Like a revelation,
Kevin suddenly sees it. He takes a highlighter and out
of a sea of random numbers, he marks a repeating nine-
digit number four times on the page.
The federal ID number.
89.
He goes to his computer. On the screen is: "CHASE EFT"

and "FID:" Kevin types in the number and hits enter. A
pause, then the computer asks for it again. Kevin types,
hits enter. "WELCOME BANK OF BOSTON" appears. Kevin
can't believe it. It thinks he's the Bank of Boston!
An ALARM GOES OFF. Kevin looks at it. He looks back at
the screen. He wants to stay. But he knows he can't.
He grabs his jacket --
INT. S.A.S. ROOM - NIGHT

Lights blink on the silent alarm Kevin placed. Dolly
around to Justin, in awe of the S.A.S. machine.
EXT. SHERMAN OAKS CO - NIGHT

Kevin pulls up in his Porsche and sees Justin's parked El
Dorado. He gets out and makes a call from a pay phone.
KEVIN
I saw a man break into the Pac
Bell office at 13400 Ventura!...
He's still in there.
He hangs up and makes another call.
INT. SHERMAN OAKS CO - JUSTIN AT S.A.S. CONSOLE - NIGHT

The PHONE next to Justin RINGS. He looks at it. And
picks up.
JUSTIN
What do you want, Kevin?
INTERCUT WITH:
KEVIN
KEVIN
Pac Bell's beefed up their
security, Justin. The cops are
coming for you.
JUSTIN
Fuck you. You just don't want me
to have S.A.S. Well guess what?
Too late.
KEVIN
Better get your ass out of there.
Listen.
Kevin holds the PHONE up to catch the SIRENS APPROACHING.
JUSTIN
Nice try. This is L.A. When
don't you hear sirens?
90.
He hangs up. Kevin hangs up. He paces. The SIRENS GET

LOUDER. He starts off but stops when he sees the cops
turning two blocks down.
He looks back and forth between the squad cars and the
central office. The cops pull up. Justin, in a cowboy
hat, comes running out a door and across the lot, the
cops on his heels. Kevin jumps in his Porsche and speeds
over to Justin who sees him and jumps in. They take off.
INT./EXT. PORSCHE - NIGHT

JUSTIN
Took you long enough.
Kevin FLOORS it. The cops jump in their cars and pursue.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
You fucking called them didn't
you?
KEVIN
Just to get you out of there. If
you'd have listened to me --
JUSTIN
If you'd just given me S.A.S. to
begin with --
KEVIN
Shut up.
INT. VONNER'S HOME - NIGHT

Vonner is on the phone with a police dispatcher.
POLICE DISPATCHER (V.O.)
(over phone)
... Officers in pursuit.
Passenger is caucasian, six two,
brown pony tail. Driver:
Caucasian, five-eleven, slight
build, platinum blond --
VONNER
It's him. Listen, the driver is
Kevin Lee Poulsen. He's a federal
fugitive, possibly dangerous --
EXT. HOLLYWOOD HILLS

Kevin SPEEDS along. Justin looks out the back. No cops.
He flaps his cowboy hat in the air and whoops.
JUSTIN
We dominate! We totally fucking
dominate!
91.
Kevin's scanner suddenly announces squad cars joining

from east and north. Kevin turns west. Then they see a
helicopter overhead. FBI.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
Oh shit. Oh fuck...
THE PORSCHE
BLASTS through a residential area, the chopper following.
They turn onto a descending hillside, turning them 180
degrees, throwing off the chopper. Kevin pulls over.
JUSTIN
What the hell are you doing?
KEVIN
Follow me!
He hops out. Justin follows. Kevin runs, touching car
hoods. A DOG BARKS. The chopper swings around.
EXT. BOTTOM OF LAUREL LANE - NIGHT

Two cop cars block Laurel Lane. Vonner drives up and
jumps out.
FBI AGENT
They're not coming out. Must be
on foot. But we got 'em pinned.
INT. FBI CHOPPER

An infrared scanner has an image of the streets below. A
small, red figure is picked up. The CO-PILOT points.
FBI PILOT
Too small. A dog. Keep going.
EXT. KING'S PLACE - NIGHT

Kevin and Justin cut through a yard onto a street. We
hear the CHOPPER APPROACHING. An arguing couple gets out
of a car. Kevin leads Justin closer. As the couple goes
inside, Kevin pulls Justin under the car.
The chopper flies slowly by -- so close, their hair blows
in its wind.
INT. CHOPPER
The infrared scanner picks up the warm engine below, but
not the bodies under it. The chopper flies on.
92.
EXT. UNDER PARKED CAR

KEVIN
Gimme your cell phone.
Justin hands it over.
EXT. KING'S PLACE - NIGHT

A cab comes to a stop. Kevin and Justin roll out from
under the parked car and jump in.
INT. CAB - NIGHT

The cab makes its way out of the hills. They pass a
patrol car.
JUSTIN
When you ditched the Porsche, I
thought, he's cracked. But it was
a ballsy move... When are you
going back for it?
KEVIN
I'm leaving it.
JUSTIN
You're leaving the greatest pussy-
catching machine in history? Tell
me you're joking --
KEVIN
Justin! It's just a car! I don't
feel like going to prison over it,
okay?!
Kevin steams. Justin sulks.
JUSTIN
You're no better than me, you
know. You like to think you are,
but you're not.
Kevin turns sharply, Justin's words hitting home. Then:
KEVIN
(to himself)
Oh what the hell do you know?
INT. SHERMAN OAKS CONTROL OFFICE - NIGHT

The Misfits show Vonner and Mitchell their find: The
S.A.S. console.
SUBNORMAL
This is why we couldn't trace him.
93.
UGLY
We've been looking for love in all
the wrong places.
PAC BELL EMPLOYEE
What are you talking about? S.A.S.
is vacuum tubes and trippers.
Sixties line testing technology.
The Misfits snort en masse and look at him like he's an
idiot.
SUBNORMAL
Not the way Kevin uses it. He's
taken a toaster and turned it into
a flame thrower. We pulled the
records of calls routed through
it.
SORCERER
Citibank. Bank of Boston. Chase.
VONNER
He's going to divert a money
transfer.
UGLY
It's what I'd do.
VONNER
How many of these are in the
system?
PAC BELL EMPLOYEE
Can't be more than half a dozen
now.
Vonner grabs the S.A.S. power line -- and rips it out.
VONNER
Find them.
EXT. LAUREL LANE - DAY

Justin walks past the Porsche. Nobody around, he goes
back, pretends to admire it, then hops in, pops a
cigarette in his mouth and hot wires the car. FBI AGENTS
come out of their hiding places, guns drawn.
FBI #1
Freeze, or we'll take your fucking
head off!
JUSTIN
Hey, guys. What's up?
94.
INT. JUSTIN'S APARTMENT - DAY

Cops tag stolen items: Car radios, Pac Bell computers,
TVs. Justin is handcuffed. Vonner sits in front of him.
Mitchell hovers.
MITCHELL
Mr. Peterson, that's a fifty-
thousand dollar car out there.
That's grand larceny. You've got
ten TV's, sixteen car radios, and
a hell of a lot of silverware to
explain.
VONNER
Two choices. Get a good lawyer
and end up in county for five to
ten. Or give us Poulsen.
JUSTIN
(studies them)
Kevin's paranoid about letting
people know where he lives. But I
traced him. Got as far as the
Cedros central office, anyway.
He's in the Cedros service area.
That's all that Sorcerer needed to hear.
SORCERER
We got him.
MITCHELL
What do you mean, you got him?
EXT. JUSTIN'S BUILDING - DAY

Ron is watching Justin's place. The animated Sorcerer
talks to Vonner and Mitchell as they get in their cars.
INT. ISG OPERATIONS ROOM - NIGHT

The computer Misfits are hard at work. A map hangs on a
wall, the Cedros Central office is epicenter, a ten-block
circle drawn around it. Many buildings are Xed in red.
Misfit #1 is Xing off another.
MISFIT #2
(holding cell phone)
Vonner wants to know what's up.
UGLY
(feet up, doing
nothing)
Tell him so far tonight we've
woken up half the neighborhood
with Sorcerer's bright ideas.
95.
SORCERER
It'll work. We know he lives in
the area. We pump a signal
building to building, ringing all
the phones simultaneously. If
there's extra lines he's put in
we'll get lower than expected
amperage feedback --
MISFIT #5
I didn't say it wouldn't work.
It's just not very elegant, is it?
Sorcerer turns red and hyperventilates.
MISFIT #3
(reading off monitor)
Three three four Felix Avenue --
twenty lines... That's 87 amperes.
MISFIT #4
Giving everyone a wake-up call...
He runs a program. The screen reads: "PHONES RINGING:
334 Felix Ave." Then: "87 amperes." Misfit #1 X-es off
that building.
MISFIT #4 (CONT'D)
87. No unaccounted for lines.
SUBNORMAL
(to Misfit #2)
Tell Vonner we've got Felix
Avenue, 300 block covered. The
FBI should check buildings on the
streets just north of Ventura.
We'll start ringing the 400 block.
EXT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - MORNING

A STREET SIGN: FELIX AVENUE. CRANE DOWN as Kevin exits
his apartment. His address is 519.
EXT. STREET - DAY

Crystal is walking. She looks up and stops, surprised.
Ron is waiting. He hands her a thick printout.
CRYSTAL
What's this supposed to be?
RON
Kevin's indictment.
She hesitates, then starts reading, flipping pages --
RON (CONT'D)
He's been on the run over a year --
She throws the papers down and walks off. Ron follows.
96.
CRYSTAL
I can't believe this. Fuck Kevin!
Fuck both of you!
RON
You should be angry. He did a lot
of crazy, stupid, illegal things,
but in his favor he was always
doing what he thought was right --
CRYSTAL
I don't give a fuck about that. He
should have told me.
RON
They've charged him with
espionage. That means they've got
everyone from the N.S.A. to Batman
after him. They're going to catch
him. And soon. I don't know what
to say except... he needs us.
CRYSTAL
He lied to me from breath one.
EXT. STREET - DAY

Kevin at a pay phone retrieving his messages.
RON (V.O.)
(on voicemail)
Kevin, what's going on? Are you
even getting these messages? The
Feds have Justin --
INT. KEVIN'S VAN - DAY

Kevin drives his neighborhood. Passing a 7-Eleven, he
sees a dark sedan. Two suited men talk to the owner,
handing him a circular. Fuck. He jots down the plate
number. Then passes two men and a Pac Bell repairman
looking at phone lines on the side of a building.
INT. KEVIN'S APT. - DAY

Kevin, all business, flicks on the scanner. Nothing.
Weird. He fires up S.A.S. and pulls out the plate number
he jotted down. But over the phone line we hear: "This
number has been disconnected..."
Kevin can't believe it. Disconnected? He grabs a phone
and dials the S.A.S. number. Same message. He blanches.
97.
INT. KEVIN'S APT. - LATER

Kevin packing. Out a window he sees a dark sedan cruise
by. The driver using a cell phone. Then he spots Ron
parking. Ron gets out. Kevin smiles. Crystal gets out.
INT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - DAY

Kevin opens the door on Crystal. Ron hangs back.
CRYSTAL
Well, if it isn't public enemy
number one.
She holds up a flyer the FBI gave her. "Wanted: Kevin
Poulsen."
CRYSTAL (CONT'D)
Is it true what they say? That
you can call the Oval Office
direct, have your finger on the
nuclear trigger, leap tall
buildings in a single bound?
KEVIN
They know about the leaping stuff,
huh?... Crystal, I'm sorry, I
should have told you. I wanted
to. When we started dating I
didn't because, you know, and as
things progressed, I... I was
afraid.
CRYSTAL
What did you think? I've never
broken the law? I've...
jaywalked. I've sped. I've
probably smoked enough pot to
supply a reggae festival.
(as they laugh)
So, I'm not on the F.B.I.'s most
wanted list...
KEVIN
I'm glad you're here, you don't
know how glad, but you should go.
CRYSTAL
If you can't get near me when you
want, what makes you think you can
get rid of me when you want?
She kisses him. He holds her, happy to feel her.
CRYSTAL (CONT'D)
But if you ever fucking lie to me
again, I'll kill you.
98.
RON
(saunters in)
Okay. I'm glad you guys worked
that out.
(looks out the window)
Nice neighborhood.
KEVIN
Until the F.B.I. moved in and
ruined it.
Some papers on Kevin's desk grab Ron's attention.
RON
A money transfer? You're going to
steal a money transfer?
CRYSTAL
You can do that?
KEVIN
Not anymore. They shut down
S.A.S. It's over.
Kevin goes back to packing. Ron stares at the pages,
then turns to Crystal. She's looking at him, a trace of
hope in her eyes.
RON
There's always a work-around.
Kevin looks at Ron, surprised. He thinks about that.
KEVIN
Maybe... But should I do it?
CRYSTAL
Should you? With money, you could
get away, leave the country. You'd
be safe --
She stops herself. Kevin is looking at Ron. Ron looks
back. This is between them. Ron goes to the wall and
pulls down The Hacker Manifesto with Capt. Crunch's
signature which Kevin has had since they were kids.
RON
I know what all this means to you,
but you can't let it send you to
prison.
Crystal comes from behind Kevin and wraps her arms around
him. Kevin is thinking -- when ALL the PHONES in the
building suddenly RING, REVERBERATING.
KEVIN
(figures it out)
They're checking for lines! Let's
go. Now.
99.
INT. LOBBY - SAME TIME

They run down the stairs into the lobby and see an FBI
agent sauntering up the walk. They freeze.
EXT. STREET - DAY

Vonner hangs up his cell phone and yells to Mitchell.
VONNER
519 Felix, apartment three!
FBI agents run for their cars.
INT. KEVIN'S BUILDING

The agent enters the lobby. Kevin, Ron and Crystal are
backing up the stairs out of his line of sight.
RON
Let's go to your apartment, call
his dispatch to patch us through
to his cell phone --
KEVIN
No time --
(pulls out apparatus)
I'll send out a microwave signal
that at least can get it to ring --
Listening to them, Crystal just shakes her head -- then
tucks the bottom of her shirt up under her bra. She
squares her jaw and heads out into the lobby.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Crystal, what're you doing --?
Crystal catches the agent's eye and smiles at him
flirtatiously. As she reaches him, he smiles back and --
She head butts him, knocking him flat.
Kevin and Ron are peeking out from the stairwell, their
heads close to the floor, watching, incredulous.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
That'll do.
EXT./INT. VAN - DAY

They run out and jump in the van. Ron drives.
RON
Get down!
Kevin hits the floor as FBI CARS SCREAM past. We GLIMPSE
Vonner and Mitchell. Agents run toward Kevin's building.
Kevin is on the floor, looking up at Crystal.
100.
CRYSTAL
You do what you have to. Whatever
it is, I'll love you for it.
EXT. PHONE COMPANY HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

Pac Bell headquarters. An imposing '30s deco building.
A cleaning van pulls up. A crew gets out.
INT. LOBBY - NIGHT

The cleaning crew walks through the lobby. Kevin,
dressed in the same steel grey as the cleaning crew,
comes in, as if straggling behind. He passes the
security guard, who pays him no attention. At the
elevators, Kevin gets on a different elevator car.
INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT

He goes to press 14, but it's key-locked. He presses 15.
INT. 14TH FLOOR STAIRWELL - DOOR - NIGHT

He pours graphite powder into the lock -- and picks it.
INT. 14TH FLOOR HALLWAY - NIGHT

Kevin makes his way carefully. As he turns a corner he
sees his destination: The ISG operations room, light
pouring into the hall. He looks inside and can't believe
it. The Misfits are still here.
INT. ISG OPERATIONS ROOM

One sleeps in a chair, one on a desk. SubNormal stares
at his computer. Ugly and Sorcerer review manuals.
Kevin looks longingly at an unused computer next to
SubNormal. Then he spots an equipment room off the main
room. But to get there he'd have to expose himself.
UGLY
I'm getting munchies. Anybody
want?
SORCERER
Reeses and Jolt.
SubNormal says nothing. Kevin makes a hasty retreat as
Ugly starts out. He turns a corner -- but there's a
guard. He backs up, stuck between them. There's a door.
He pulls out his lock picking tools but there's no time!
He looks up. There's a transom above the door. He leaps
up, pushes it open, squeezes through -- as the guard
comes around the corner -- and Ugly steps into the hall.
101.
UGLY
Hey, George.
INT. ROOM - NIGHT

Kevin hangs from the transom. He hears them move on,
then drops to the floor. He looks around. There's a
photo of Vonner as a cadet. Kevin smiles. It's Vonner's
office. Books on electronic trespass, technical volumes,
the California Penal Code. He rummages the desk. And
finds an 8x10 of his own face staring back at him.
He sees some business cards and pockets them.
He sticks his head out the window. It's a long way down,
no ledge, no way to get to the room he wants. Damn. He
thinks. He looks up. There's a dropped ceiling. He
steps on a desk, pulls out a panel and hoists himself up.
The CEILING FRAME CREAKS under his weight.
INT. CEILING
Silently he makes his way along, clinging to the metal
infrastructure the building wiring runs along, about
eight inches above the panels.
INT. STAIRWELL
Ugly takes a shortcut back from the candy machine. As he
unlocks the door Kevin picked, he notices the graphite
powder. What the hell?
INT. CEILING
Kevin is over the equipment room. He lifts off a panel --
and freezes. He misjudged. He's above the upturned,
openmouthed face of Misfit #1, sleeping in his chair.
The other Misfits are close by.
MISFIT #2
What do you suppose he's up to
right now?
SORCERER
Freaking out.
SUBNORMAL
(still focused on
monitor)
Kevin Poulsen does not freak out.
Sorcerer raises an eybrow.
Kevin replaces the panel -- but it slips, dropping. He
just barely grabs it. He replaces it and moves forward.
102.
INT. EQUIPMENT ROOM - DAY

Shoes tied to his shoulder, Kevin quietly drops down.
The VOICES of the ISG filter in through the doorway
between the two rooms as Kevin checks out the equipment.
He sits at a console and goes to work.
INT. ISG OPERATIONS ROOM - DAY

Ugly comes in and tosses the Reeses and Jolt to Sorcerer.
UGLY
Look at this.
SORCERER
What's that?
UGLY
It was all over the lock in the
stairwell.
SubNormal is suddenly paying attention. He swivels for a
look.
SUBNORMAL
That's graphite powder.
They all look at each other. Misfit #3, sleeping on the
desk, speaks.
MISFIT #3
Somebody's broken in. Better call
security.
He sits up, grabs the phone and dials.
INT. EQUIPMENT ROOM

Kevin is listening. He works faster.
SUBNORMAL (O.S.)
Have the guard meet us. I want to
see this.
INT. OPERATIONS ROOM

SubNormal heads out, followed by everyone but Misfit #3
and Ugly, who stares at the powder on his finger,
thinking.
INT. STAIRWELL - NIGHT

A security guard, SubNormal and the others stare at the
powder in the lock. The guard grabs his walkie-talkie to
raise the alarm.
SUBNORMAL
Kevin.
103.
SORCERER
Kevin? Why... why would Kevin
come here?
SubNormal starts heading back at a trot, the others at
his heels.
SUBNORMAL
Because we cut off his lifeline.
There must be something we have
that he can use to get to the
banks.
INT. OPERATIONS ROOM

Ugly has come to the same conclusion. He's looking at
the equipment room doorway. He walks toward it, passing
the still-sleeping Misfit #1.
MISFIT #3
What?
INT. EQUIPMENT ROOM

Kevin is clipping his tape recorder to transmission wires
at the back of the console. The same tape recorder he
used to record SAS commands and to access SAS from home.
AT THRESHOLD BETWEEN TWO ROOMS

Ugly and Misfit #3 approach nervously. They hear the
CLACKING of a KEYBOARD and stop, looking at each other.
They continue. They enter to see Kevin typing away.
UGLY
Jesus Christ. What the hell are
you doing here?!
KEVIN
What does it look like?
UGLY
Call security.
KEVIN
You sure you want to do that?
Misfit #3 hesitates. Kevin continues typing like mad.
UGLY
Of course. Why wouldn't we?
KEVIN
I don't know. I mean it's one
thing to catch me hacker to
hacker. But security. That's
guns, batons, fist fights. I
didn't think that was your style.
Ugly, right?
104.
UGLY
What are we supposed to do, let
you take the money and get away?
KEVIN
Still, walking in on me typing is
not exactly hacker sleuthing. Can
you be proud of that? Why don't
you just let me go and catch me
the honorable way? On-line.
UGLY
That's absurd. We forced you to
come in here because we cut off
S.A.S. That's hacking.
MISFIT #3
Exactly. So we can call security.
Sweat beads on Kevin's brow as he works away.
KEVIN
I don't know... You sure?
Misfit #3 and Ugly look at each other, think about it and
nod.
UGLY
Yeah, we're sure.
Kevin presses enter. A program launches. Screen after
screen of incomprehensible symbols. Then it goes blank.
KEVIN
Okay.
Kevin stands and grabs his bag to go -- as the rest of
the ISG comes tumbling in. Kevin stops. Their reactions
range from dismay to religious awe. SubNormal looks at
Ugly and Misfit #3.
SUBNORMAL
Did you call security?
MISFIT #3
We were about to.
Kevin walks right at them and... they back up and part
before him.
MISFIT #3 (CONT'D)
You're really here. Kevin
Poulsen. I can't believe it. Man,
you are the king.
SORCERER
There's five of us. We can jump
him.
That doesn't go over. Misfit #3 thrusts a document
toward Kevin.
105.
MISFIT #3
Will you sign my UNIX manual?
SORCERER
I'm calling security.
He reaches for the phone. Kevin is past them, heading
for the door.
SUBNORMAL
Wait --
He points to Sorcerer, who pauses dialing at the very
last number.
SUBNORMAL (CONT'D)
-- Kevin!
(as Kevin stops,
turns)
How much did you take?
Kevin just smiles and runs out the door. Sorcerer pushes
the last button on the phone to call security --
INT. HALL
Kevin runs towards the elevators. But the doors open on
one to reveal two SECURITY GUARDS. He runs back. They
chase him. He runs past the ISG again, into the
stairwell. They just watch him go.
MISFIT #2
(to passing Guards)
It's Kevin Poulsen.
GUARD #1
(into radio)
The intruder is Kevin Poulsen!
Kevin Poulsen!
INT. STAIRWELL
Kevin gallops down. At the eighth floor he checks the
door -- locked -- he continues. He looks up and glimpses
the Guards stampeding after him.
INT. VONNER'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Vonner's PHONE RINGS, waking him.
INT. PAC BELL HEADQUARTERS - STAIRWELL - NIGHT

Kevin hits the fifth floor -- and two guards pop out.
Kevin throws his tied-together shoes at the Guards like
bolos. They spin through the air -- and miss them
completely. Kevin barrels into them and all go down.
Kevin gets up first and runs.
106.
INT. LOBBY
Kevin rushes out to see two guards and cops arriving out
front, lights flashing. He slides to a stop on his
socks. All eyes turn. He turns and runs. Guards come
out of the stairwell and all his pursuers converge.
Kevin turns down a hall and enters a door --
INT. MAIL ROOM

Kevin leaps over the counter. Three pursuers do the
same. He runs to the back, looking desperately for an
out. He spies the package chute and dives into it.
INT. BASEMENT
Kevin falls from the chute and slams onto some sharp-
edged boxes in a cart. Stunned, he takes a breath.
COP #1 (O.S.)
(from above)
He's in the basement!
Kevin jumps out. He glances back and forth down the
quiet, fluorescent-lit basement. The loading dock gates
locked. He heads toward a hallway and turns the corner.
Guards and COPS burst out the stairwell and split up.
Kevin takes a corner, sliding on his socks. Six pursuers
take the corner and glimpse him taking the far corner.
COP #2 (O.S.)
He's here! This way!
Kevin turns onto a short hall -- with no outlet. He
hears guards coming. There's three doors. He picks one.
INT. MAINFRAME ROOM

He runs in. It's bright. The WHIR of COMPUTER FANS and
the SWISH of the large reel-to-reels taking a half turn
are the only noises.
KEVIN'S POV
of three walls. Machines. No other doors.
OVERHEAD SHOT - ENTIRE BASEMENT

as if the roof were off. Kevin stands alone in the
mainframe room. Guards search halls and rooms nearby,
closing in. Kevin's the cheese at the end of the maze.
SWISH DOWN TO Kevin. He goes to the mainframe against
the wall. And squeezes behind it. He slides along.
107.
In the corner he finds what he's looking for: a panel

that has a hole through which cables run. He whips out
an electric screwdriver and unscrews the panel. There's
a passage. He slips in and puts the panel back in place.
Two Cops enter, look all around, check behind the
mainframe and exit.
INT. VONNER'S CAR

Vonner is speeding while talking on his cell phone.
VONNER
Update me.
LOBBY GUARD (V.O.)
(over phone)
It's alright. He's cornered in
the basement. We're searching
room to room.
VONNER
The basement!
(slams on brakes)
That is not alright! Get everyone
to the access panel in the east
wall of the mainframe room. That
will lead you to a circuit
passage. Poulsen is in there!
INT. CIRCUIT PASSAGEWAY

This is the electrical sewer -- the underground system
through which electrical and data lines for downtown
buildings pass. Surrounded by cables and tubes of
various sizes and colors, Kevin makes his way. He drops
his screwdriver and it ECHOES in the vast passages.
INT. MAINFRAME ROOM

Cops and Guards barrel in. They slide behind the
mainframe, yank off the access panel, and go in.
INT. VONNER'S CAR

LOBBY GUARD (V.O.)
(over phone)
I have the map, sir.
VONNER
At the east wall of the mainframe
room you will see a series of red,
green, and blue lines leaving the
building from the access panel.
Follow the blue line. You will
eventually see a circle with an X
in the middle. Where is that?
108.
LOBBY GUARD (V.O.)

(over phone)
There is a circled red X and a
blue X at Fifth and Olive.
Vonner PEELS OUT.
INT. CIRCUITRY PASSAGEWAY

Kevin runs. Up ahead he sees streetlight coming through
some holes. It's a manhole cover. He reaches the ladder
and starts up -- but someone is removing the manhole
cover. Kevin stops. He backs down and away as the
person climbs down. It's Vonner. They stand 20 feet
apart, studying each other. The sounds of the COPS
APPROACHING from behind ECHO in the passageway.
VONNER
You know something, Poulsen? It's
a tragedy when you don't know who
you are. And you, Kevin, are a
thief. A common criminal after
money. Like your pal Justin.
Vonner walks toward Kevin. Kevin backs up.
KEVIN
Karl -- I think I can call you
that now -- you don't know
anything about me. But I want you
to know one thing. I never even
thought about taking money until
you went after me. Drove me
underground. Perjured yourself.
When did you decide to break the
law?
Between some tubing above, Kevin spots an access grating.
VONNER
Sorry, you'll have to rationalize
your actions by yourself. I'm not
handing out absolutions today.
The cops are almost there, The FOOTFALLS LOUDER.
KEVIN
Yeah, well then maybe another day.
Kevin grabs the tubing and struggles to get on top of it.
Vonner runs at him. Kevin almost falls -- but makes it
up as Vonner grabs the tubes. Kevin pushes open the
grating as the tubes strain under Vonner's weight. Kevin
goes out the hole as Vonner is up and --
EXT. STREET
Vonner lunges through the hole after Kevin, grabbing his
leg.
109.
But Vonner gets stuck -- the hole too small for him.
Kevin pulls away, leaving nothing but a sock in Vonner's
hands -- and runs off.
INT. EQUIPMENT ROOM - MORNING

The Misfits are at computes working feverishly. Mitchell
and a bleary-eyed Vonner are pacing.
MITCHELL
You had him. Right here!
SORCERER
Hey, we're programmers. It's not
our job to hunt him down with guns
and let him slip through our
fingers.
SUBNORMAL
I don't get it. I can't find
anything. He did it right here.
How do you transfer a pile of
money without a trace?
VONNER
But you can find him?
SORCERER
Let's see. It's 9:30 here.
That's 11:30 out East. Say he
hopped a red-eye to New York last
night... By now he's halfway to
the Caribbean.
All the Misfits turn away from their computers.
MISFIT #1
Yeah, he's long gone.
MISFIT #3
Daiquiris. Beach front house.
MISFIT #2
Guy like that. Probably set up
some commodities trading company
out of Montserrat or the Caymans.
UGLY
... Hey, he's bound to need
programmers.
They all perk up, even SubNormal. Sorcerer starts
putting papers in his briefcase. Vonner and Mitchell
look at each other, ashen-faced.
An unattended console suddenly comes alive, running a
program. All eyes turn. The screen flashes
incomprehensible characters. Ugly and SubNormal come
running. They punch keys but it has no effect.
Under the console, Kevin's tape recorder starts to play.
110.
The SEVEN PHONES in the room RING. As their RINGS trail

off, PHONES can be heard RINGING in nearby offices.
Everyone looks at each other. The phone rings again.
SubNormal types at his computer.
SUBNORMAL
Wow. Look at this. Every phone
in California is ringing right
now. He's got every C.O. in the
state looped through the system we
set up.
The PHONES RING again. SubNormal hits a speaker phone.
KEVIN (V.O.)
(over speaker phone)
In honor of mothers and
grandmothers everywhere, and to
express our gratitude to our
valued customers, Pacific Bell is
proud to announce that this
Mother's Day weekend all long
distance calls will be free of
charge.
SubNormal and Ugly look at each other, incredulous.
INT. RON'S BEDROOM

Ron is in bed, listening on his phone. He laughs.
INT. EAST L.A. KITCHEN

A modest home. DAD is on the phone. He turns to his
wife and kids.
DAD
Claudia, we can call anyone for
free! All weekend! Monica, let's
call la tia --
INT. DEN (BERKELEY) -- MIDDLE-AGED GUY

on the phone.
MIDDLE-AGED GUY
Is this Bob? Bob Jacobson? Hey,
it's Mike Brainin, from Ferndale
High. You know, the pep band...
That's right, it's me, Scurvy -- !
INT. OLD FOLKS' HOME

An ANCIENT WOMAN is in a comfy chair, grinning.
ANCIENT WOMAN
Well, hello!
111.
TRACKING ALONG TELEPHONE LINES

we hear various voices.
VARIOUS VOICES (V.O.)
Ma! -- Hi, Dad! -- Is that you,
Evelyn? -- Hello? -- Eugene --
Hey, Nathan! -- Shango -- C'est
moi! -- Vlad! -- Rose! -- Mom! --
Dad! -- Mom!
We PULL WIDER, MOVING OVER suburban houses. VOICES
OVERLAP as we FLY OVER a neighborhood, then the city and
there's nothing but a CACOPHONY of "Moms" and "Dads."
MUSICAL TONES reminiscent of an AT&T commercial come up.
SUPERIMPOSE ON BOTTOM OF SCREEN: KEVIN POULSEN.
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
INT. HUGHES - DAY

The market we saw Kevin caught in. He walks the aisles.
KEVIN (V.O.)
In the end, we are the choices we
make. I knew what my choice would
bring and I was at peace with
myself.
MUZAK. He buys some wine. Some chocolate. He
approaches the condoms -- and passes them by.
UP FRONT
The manager has a TV tuned to the news. It's a press
conference, a Pac Bell spokesperson being savaged.
REPORTER #1 (V.O.)
Why is Pac Bell rescinding its
offer?
PAC BELL SPOKESPERSON (V.O.)
As I said, the recording was not
authorized --
REPORTER #2 (V.O.)
Are you expecting everyone to
believe that someone not in the
phone company was able to send a
recording to every home in the
state?
It wasn't us!
REPORTER #1 (V.O.)
People have heard your recording
and are making calls. Is Pac Bell
charging them?
112.

Phone calls are not free --
REPORTER #2 (V.O.)
So are you saying its California
customers are not valued by Pac
Bell?
Behind the Pac Bell spokesperson, we spot Vonner putting
his head in his hands. The TV cuts to the news anchor.
NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.)
Shortly after that news
conference, Pac Bell reversed
itself. Phone calls will be free
to its California customers all
weekend.
EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS

watching, applaud what they just heard. Kevin gets in
line at the checkout, wondering what the fuss is about.
WOMAN
They couldn't take the bad
publicity.
(off Kevin's look)
Pac Bell. Gonna cost 'em
millions.
(leans in)
Good. I hate the phone company.
GUY IN FRONT OF HER
Everybody hates the phone company.
ANGLE ON CASHIER
who jumped Kevin in the morning. He's on another pay
phone by the door. Talking to his mother.
CASHIER
Hey, Ma! It's me. How ya doing?
CUT TO:
KEVIN
takes his bag from the bagger and heads out. Unseen by
Kevin, Justin is here and spots Kevin.
KEVIN (V.O.)
I was held without bail for over
three years.
Justin can't believe it. He pulls out Mitchell's
business card and goes to the pay phone.
113.

Then right before trial they had a
change of heart brought about by a
total lack of evidence. They
dropped every charge I originally
ran from, including espionage.
Justin reaches in a pocket for a quarter, then remembers.
He doesn't need one. He dials. It connects. Cool.
What they got me on were things I
did while running from the bogus
charges.
QUICK CUT TO:
RICK DEES
on the stand, pointing to Kevin. FREEZE FRAME.
INT. HUGHES - NIGHT

FBI agents interview Hughes employees, MOS, and hand out
Kevin's mug shot.
INT. CRYSTAL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

There's flowers on the dining table, which is nicely laid
out. Kevin pours he and Crystal each a glass of wine.
CRYSTAL
I picked up our costumes for
Vlad's party.
KEVIN
What'd you get me?
She reaches in a bag and pulls out a striped prison shirt
and cap.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
You bitch.
They both start laughing hysterically. He pulls her onto
the couch and they start making out.
I reached a plea agreement with
the prosecutor for time served.
But then the F.B.I. had a little
tete-a-tete with the judge in
chambers.
Kevin opens up a window behind the couch and screams.
KEVIN (CONT'D)
Come and get me, you dirty screws!
114.
CRYSTAL
(leans out window)
Yeah! Come and get him, you dirty
screws!
They fall back on the couch. He kisses her neck
provocatively. She moans a bit. His head comes up.
KEVIN
Damn. I forgot to buy something.
CRYSTAL
What?
He gives her a last kiss.
EXT. HUGHES MARKET - NIGHT

The large red and white Hughes sign.
KEVIN (V.O.)
The judge tacked on another two
and a half years, saying I was a
threat to law enforcement
activities abroad.
CRANE DOWN from the sign to see Kevin THROUGH the window
of the market as the Cashier leaps across and wrestles
him to the ground.
I wasn't asked my opinion.
EXT. HUGHES PARKING LOT - NIGHT
A handcuffed Kevin is pulled out of the market by the
FBI. Vonner pulls up. He and Kevin's eyes connect as
Mitchell shoves Kevin in a car and closes the door.
VONNER
I just don't get it. Why didn't
he take the money?
MITCHELL
Who cares? We got him. He's
done.
Vonner's CELL PHONE RINGS. He answers it.
VONNER
Vonner... yes, sir, he was -- of
course I'm aware -- no, sir, I
don't have a hundred and eighty
million dollars... Of course... I
understand... I understand...
Mitchell decides it's time to move on. He gets in his
car. Everyone pulls out in a caravan.
115.
INT./EXT. KEVIN'S FBI CAR - NIGHT

Kevin sits silently. We see Vonner out the back window,
being left behind like a distant memory.
KEVIN (V.O.)
They gave me my phone call. I
called Ron, told him the ducks
have flown south for the winter.
He knew what I meant.
INT. KEVIN'S COMMAND CENTER - DAY

Ron is shredding and moving out computers and equipment.
KEVIN (V.O.)
Once again, the phone was my
friend.
CUT TO:
THE DOOR
bursts open. Mitchell and an FBI team swarm in. The
place is completely empty. Except for one thing.
Mitchell sees an enveope on the floor. He picks it up
and opens it. It's an unpaid Pac Bell phone bill.
SERIES OF IMAGES
END TITLES ROLL as SNOOP DOGGY DOG covers Johnny Cash's
"Folsom Prison Blues" over IMAGES of Kevin in prison:
His parents visiting him with a birthday cake...
CRYSTAL
visiting, showing off a new belly button ring...
KEVIN
in his cell, making a complex piece of origami. His
entire cell is covered with the intricate paper art...
RON
visiting, holding an LA Times artile: "HACKER JUSTIN
PETERSON ARRESTED FOR DIVERTING MONEY TRANSFER"...
JUSTIN
in a prison cell of his own, completely demoralized.
116.
KEVIN
walking out of prison. His family is waiting. Dad gives
him a big hug, then his mother does the same.
CUT TO:
BLACK
SUPERIMPOSITIONS FADE IN AND OUT:
KEVIN WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON
AFTER FIVE AND A HALF YEARS.
AFTER HIS RELEASE, HE WAS
FORBIDDEN TO USE A COMPUTER FOR 18
MONTHS.
ALLOWED BACK ON A COMPUTER, HE WAS
FORBIDDEN TO USE THE INTERNET FOR
ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.
THREE MONTHS AGO, HE WAS ALLOWED
BACK ON THE NET...
A MODEM SCREECH fills the SOUNDTRACK, followed by...
COMPUTER VOICE (V.O.)
Welcome.
FADE OUT.
THE END

Everybody Hates The Phone Company

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Everybody Hates The Phone Company

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EVERYBODY HATES THE PHONE COMPANY

Chris Faber and Dan Baron

Based On A True Story

EXT. HUGHES MARKET PARKING LOT - LATE NIGHT

INT. HUGHES - LATE NIGHT

EXT. HUGHES - NIGHT

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY (1960'S)

INT. NURSERY - DAY

EXT. POULSEN HOME - DAY

INT. KEVIN'S KITCHEN - DAY

EXT. CHURCH - DAY

INT. WEDDING RECEPTION - DAY

KEVIN (V.O.) (CONT'D)

INT. KEVIN'S ROOM - NIGHT

INT. KEVIN'S ROOM - DAY

INT. LIVING ROOM

MR. POULSEN (CONT'D)

INT. KEVIN'S ROOM

EXT. CENTRAL OFFICE PARKING LOT - NIGHT

EXT. BACK OF CENTRAL OFFICE - NIGHT

EXT. BANK OF PAY PHONES NEXT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL - DAY

INSERT - CROSS SECTION DRAWING

BACK TO SCHOOL YARD

EXT. BANK OF PAY PHONES - DAY

INT. RON'S ROOM - DAY

EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

EXT. ALLEY/INT. PAC BELL TECH CENTER - SPLIT SCREEN

EXT. WESTWOOD THEATER - DAY

INT. UCLA COMPUTER ROOM - DAY

INT. STANFORD COMPUTING CENTER - NIGHT

INT. KEVIN'S ROOM - DAY

EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS - DAY

INT. NAVAL RESEARCH CENTER - DAY

INT. RON'S ROOM - DAY

EXT. POULSEN HOME - DAY

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

MONTAGE - HEADLINES FROM AROUND WORLD

INT. COURTROOM - DAY

INT. PRISON HALLWAY

INT. POULSEN HOUSEHOLD - DAY

EXT. SRI INTERNATIONAL - DAY

INT. SRI OFFICES (MENLO PARK) - DAY

INT. KEVIN'S OFFICE AT SRI - DAY

INT. GRANDMA NANI'S HALLWAY - DAY

INT. MRS. HAAS'S APARTMENT - DAY

PHONE COMPANY GUY (V.O.)

INT. KEVIN'S OFFICE - DAY

INT./EXT. SRI VAN - DAY

INT. WAR GAMES ROOM - DAY

EXT. MENLO PARK - NIGHT

INT. MENLO PARK CENTRAL OFFICE - NIGHT

INT. DUTCH NEIGHBOR'S APARTMENT - DAY

INT. PRISON VISITING AREA - DAY

INT. VONNER'S OFFICE - DAY

EXT. CENTRAL OFFICE FIRE ESCAPE - LATE NIGHT

EXT. CENTRAL OFFICE FIRE ESCAPE - LATER AT NIGHT

EXT. VARIOUS BAY AREA CENTRAL OFFICES - DAY

INT. KEVIN'S APARTMENT - DAY

KEVIN (V.O.) (CONT'D)

INT. LOCK & KEY STORAGE - DAY

INT. STORAGE LOCKER - DAY

INT. KEVIN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY