A series of moments from everything I've ever been interested in. When I feel like I want this kind of inspiration, I'll come here to search for new material, and a better idea of what kind of story to write. But they will not happen any particular place. In other words, if the scene is from season 6 of 24, I'll write a story or history which fits that scene...having nothing to do with 24 itself. I write stories inspired by these scenes but with my own characters and setting Ultimately I hope to connect these stories to each-other in an original, almost anthology framework. But the only consistency is poignancy. The main characters in the scene cannot always be the same.
O'Neill is technically holding Darian and his wife hostage.
Darian: I do not understand!
Jack O'Neill: I know how you feel.
Darian: There are two of you?
O'Neill: It's a little more complicated than that.
Darian: Please...do not harm my wife.
O'Neill: (mildly surprised) I'm not gonna hurt either one of you. I just want someone to explain to me what went on here before I arrived. Why people seem to know me, why I'm a public enemy.”
Darian: You...have been here before. Your team came through the Shappa-eye (their word for the Stargate). You said that our god, Heur-ur was a false god. With your help we organized a rebellion and banished Heru-ur's Soldiers. Then the gods sent in more troops to restore order. Now we live according to their rule...and they seem to like you even less than you let on last time.
O'Neill: Well that part makes sense.
Darian: It's something we have in common. (O'Neill stares at him). The punishment my people suffered for our indiscretion was my fault. I convinced them to follow you;and they were made to pay dearly for it.”
Jack O'Neill: Thus explaining why you think I'd want to hurt you....But I still don't get it.
Jack Bauer comes across two people in the Russian Consulate who otherwise were minding their own business, only interested in each-other. He bursts in with his gun drawn, but clearly wounded.
Arik: Please don't hurt her.
Jack: I have no intention of hurting either one of you. But if you do not cooperate I will kill you. Do you understand me? Both of you speak English?”
Arik and Yvonne: Yes...yes.
Jack: I need to make a call.
Arik: You can't. We're on lock down ever since you killed Strovic.
Jack: I didn't kill Strovic.
Arik: I don't believe you.”
Jack Bauer: (aiming his gun at the woman's heart) I don't have to convince you.
Arik: (gulps)...Whatever you need.”
Jack: In case of an emergency, how do you Contact, the, outside world.”
Arik: (Stammering) A..sat phone, two floors above us. I'll..I'll bring it. (quietly) please.”
After he leaves Jack rests himself against a desk his gun ready, but lowered.
(An alien executioner is defeated by Supergirl. The prisoner she saved steps forward timidly)
Professor Narek: Excuse me. May I ask what happens to me? (Supergirl flies him to the university) I don't understand, you're letting me go, why?
Supergirl: Well you've already served your time. And you've students to teach about the stars.
Professor Narek: Thank you Supergirl.
Supergirl: (grinning) No, my name's Kara.
Professor Narek: Well then, thank you miss Kara.
(Oliver has been brought in chains before Rashe)
Rashe Al Gul: Death comes to all living things Mr. Queen, even one as powerful as myself.
Oliver Queen: (kneeling, looking up) Kill me. But spare John Diggle's life. Let him go. (looks down) I will beg for it.
Rashe Al Gul: You've shown tremendous strength, fortitude, power. No Mr Queen. I don't want to kill you. I want you to take my place...I want you to become the next Rashe Al Gul.
Harrison 'Eaobard' Wells: I wasn't exactly eager to be killed. And I know I was responsible for a lot of suffering in this city but *these people (indicates Caitlin, Cisco, Barry) These people have done nothing wrong. You want to punish me, fine. Let's do that. But let these people live.
Faroq: You died that night too. You just didn't know it til today.
In a village right out of European Dark Ages, everyone runs inside as the team approach. A woman is restrained in the town square. A man approaches the team, holding out a cross.)
Villager: Spare her please.
Daniel Jackson: We, we're not going to hurt her--or you. We're...friends. I'm Daniel.
Villager: I am Simon. You have come through the circle of darkness. (Sam nods) Then you must be of his brethren. I beg of you, Mary is so young; she did nothing to warrant sacrifice.
O'Neill: Whoa. What sacrifice?
They figure out he thinks they are literal demons. After Teal'c breaks her free, Mary runs inside.
Simon: (throwing himself on his knees) Leave her body please! Take me in her place.
O'Neill: Oh, stop it will you. Get up. (lifts him gently) We're not demons. Mary is NOT possessed, from the looks of it she's a little sick. Now if you let us, we might be able to help her.
Thor: Brother however I have wronged you, whatever I have done to drive you to do this, I am truly sorry. But these people have done you no wrong. Taking their lives will gain you nothing. So take mine...And end this.
(Surrounded by yelling hooting Apes and addresses himself to the ape leader)
Malcolm: No please, please don't kill me; just hear what I have to say. I know, 'don't come back' I know. I just wouldn't be here if I didn't. (Ape knocks him down he continues; kneeling) I need to show you something, it's not far. Once I show you, you'll understand why I did came. please.
Issak: Where do you stop you Nazi's? After you've killed the last of us all, what, do you turn the guns against yourselves? (Kirk takes the gun,) Issak: (to Kirk) No don't shoot, don't shoot please!
Thawne as Wells: I earned the blame I'm not interested in sharing it. If admitting what I've done means you all are free of this...I'll happily face the music.
Imad al din: (patting a steeds neck) A very good horse.
Balian: Take the horse, and be about your business.
Imad Al Din: This is your prize of battle. I am your prisoner...your SLAVE should you wish it.
Balian: I have been a slave, or very near to one. I'll never keep one nor suffer any to be kept. Go.
(Later Balian is kneeling, defeated before Imad)
Balian: What becomes of us?
Imad: As you deserve. 'You reap what you sow'. You have heard of this, no? Get up.
My character Nikita, whether in Camelot or modern stories has always been a person who believes in the God of the Bible. But whose faith and comprehension extends to anyone who worships the God of Abraham. Jews and Muslims make as much sense to her as anyone who would wear a cross around her neck.
This is especially helpful in a world where the public knows aliens live on Earth and on a regular basis on the street she meets people unfamiliar with any God or religion known here on Earth. H'ronmeer is a God on Mars and she is taking a White Martian out to dinner. Both Martians are shape-shifters so Me'gann looks human in public. Nikita is unsure if White Martians are particularly religious or attentive to thier traditions, so when they get their drinks she makes the only salutation that makes sense to her. Raising a glass Nikita toasts... "To friends and family may whatever 'God' may be keep them safe and hold them in his hand." A pretty universally recognized and appreciated thought.
This latest sketch for my story led to my seriously thinking of Squanto a Warrior's tale. Not the movie, the book version which makes it clear that the group of Franciscan friars one of whom 'would have no pagan worship at his table' had a 'hard time arguing' with Squanto describing His God as simply 'the creator'. In fact every time I watch the movie I internally (sometimes verbally) quote the scene as it plays out in the book. When the Brothers say a prayer of thanksgiving over the food 'heavenly father, we thank thee for these and all thy blessings', Squanto says his own prayer in Algonquin. His prayer ends a second later than theirs.
Brother Paul: What is that word?
Brother Daniel: Kissulk? 'tis the name of Squanto's God.
Brother Paul: And what exactly is the function of this um...this god?
(He would have no pagan worship at his table. Brother Daniel looked to his friend and prompted)
Brother Daniel: Squanto, tell us about Kissulk."
Squanto: He is...the creator. (It was hard to argue with THAT.)
At some point Brother Paul asks what his life was like back home, where he's from...
Squanto paused. first he had to grasp the English, then he had to form a response.
Without the narration, this moment could not be properly communicated to us. Which is why Squanto's pause as he thinks, 'what did you ask me and how do I respond' is not in the film.
