FADE IN:

INT. Office – Evening

Establishing shot: Close up of JACK BAUER’s piercing gaze.

JACK BAUER: (Voice Over) My name is Jack Bauer, and I am a federal agent in the Counter-Terrorist Unit.  I’m currently stationed in Utah in deep cover as a Mormon Bishop with my daughter Kimberly and my wife Teri.  While it appeared that my wife had been killed eight years ago, it was just an elaborate ruse to get out of paying the cable bill.  It didn’t work.  And while I don’t know it yet, I am about to experience the worst 24 minutes of my life.

Camera shot: Pull back to show JACK’s face.

JACK BAUER:  You are a very good liar.  But I’ve seen better.

Reveal: the Bishop’s office. JACK is seated at the desk and an eight year old girl in Sunday dress is seated across from him. The shot pans to the girl’s hands as she wipes them on her knees.

JACK BAUER: Your hands are sweating.

Girl: It’s not my fault.  I have a condition.

JACK BAUER: (Leaning over desk toward the girl) I don’t have time for this.  You wanna know what I think.  Let me tell you what I think.  I think you don’t really have a baby blessing to go to next Sunday.  I think you just don’t want to give a 2 ½ minute talk in Sacrament Meeting.  How about I call your father and see how your story checks out?

Girl: ( Shaking her head) No, don’t.

JACK BAUER:  That’s what I thought.  I’m giving you a second chance, and part of second chances is to take responsibility and make amends.  Be prepared on Sunday, and I expect to be moved.  Now get out of my sight.

Girl: ( Exits office)

JACK BAUER: (Grabs cell phone from inside suit coat.  Speaks into phone) Call Teri Bauer home.

Smash Cut: Camera shows phone ringing in dark, empty home.

Smash Cut: Back to JACK.

JACK BAUER: (Speaks into phone) D@$n! Call Teri Bauer Mobile (phone goes straight to voicemail)

(Walks quickly out of office into darkened hallway.  Speaking into phone): Call Kim Bauer (phone goes straight to voicemail) Son of a –

BROTHER YOUNG, old, balding man, first counselor in Bishopric:  (interrupting JACK in sickeningly sweet sing-song tone) Language, Bishop.

JACK BAUER: Sorry.

BROTHER YOUNG: Problem, Bishop?

JACK BAUER: Teri and Kim should have been back from the Young Women Temple trip two minutes ago, but I can’t reach them.

BROTHER YOUNG: They all probably went out for ice cream again.  I wouldn’t worry.

JACK BAUER: (Scoffs)  I wish I could believe that.  I really do. How can you be that naïve? Come with me.

BROTHER YOUNG: I really need to be getting home.

JACK BAUER: (Grabbing BROTHER YOUNG by the throat and pushing him against the wall) My wife and daughter are missing, and I will do whatever it takes to get them back!  You can either be part of the problem or part of the solution!  Your call!  But before you decide, think about how much you would enjoy spending the rest of your life handling the nursery.

BROTHER YOUNG: Alright, alright. Let’s go find your family.  Gosh, that hurt.

JACK BAUER: Follow me.

Camera shot: Scene shrinks to split screen.  Scenes showing phone in empty house and shot of the Bountiful Temple move into split screen.

Smash Cut: Digital Time Reading 9:06 PM.   Tick.  Tick.  Tick.