SIM/CHICAGO FIRE Crossover Episode �Money to Burn.�

Synopsis

The SIM team joins forces with the Chicago FIRE DEPT to expose
a group of paid serial Arsonists.


FADE IN: ON BLACK


We hear SOUNDS of CRACKLING DEBRIS, SIRENS, SHOUTING, HELICOPTERS and TV NEWS
REPORTERS


FADE UP:


EXT � CITY/NIGHT


We come to a focus on a BURNING APARTMENT BUILDING. It�s lower floors are totally
ENGULFED IN FLAMES.


FALLING DEBRIS. It narrowly misses a group of FIREFIGHTERS from down below.
The CROWD REACTS to this.


An overhead TV HELICOPTER tightens its POINT OF VIEW of the situation.


POLICE are doing their best to DISTANCE a CROWD OF WATCHERS.


CUT TO:


INT- BURNING APARTMENT BUILDING � NIGHT


A FIREMAN makes his way through the WINDOW into an apartment, Followed by another.


A SOUND of SMASHING GLASS.


CUT TO:


INT � BURNING APARTMENT BUILDING/HALLWAY - NIGHT


Several pairs of quick hands relay a fire hose.


A pair of FIREMAN are on fast APPROACH from down the hall.


They come next to a stairwell door. One carefully places his hand on door,
looking down for smoke.


He then OPENS it. Inside we see a staircase. He gives a thumbs up. The fireman
next to him acknowledges then signals to another pair of firemen coming from down
the hall with the hose.


CUT TO:


A few firemen are seen trying to keep order among a group of TENANTS. Some are being
questioned by POLICE.


CUT TO:


FIREMAN X1: IS EVERYBODY HERE!?


The group search themselves, their too panicked to know. Another nearby Fireman looks
over his clipboard and calls out�.


FIREMAN X2: RAMONA SANCHEZ! RAMONA SANCHEZ!


A few tenants react, realizing something. Ramona? Oh my God, she�s missing! FIREMAN RUNS
over to the Boden�


FIREMAN X2: ..SIR, SIR WE�RE MISSING SOMEBODY!!


Chief Boden: WHO?


FIREMAN X1: RAMONA SANCHEZ SIR, APARTMENT 412!


Chief Boden: Does anybody else live with her?


FIREMAN X1: No Sir.


Boden radios in�.


Boden (on radio): Casey!


CUT TO:


INT-BURNING APARTMENT BUILDING/HALLWAY


The group of Fire Fighters are now making their way through a smoky hallway.


Boden (VO): Casey, do you copy over?


Casey: Loud and clear Captain, what�s up?


INTERCUT:


Boden: We�ve got one missing. How does it look?


Casey: Good enough. What�s the number?


Boden: 412. The name is Ramona Sanchez. Check the apartment then goto
the next floor.


Casey: Will do.


BACK TO SHOT:


Boden (INTO RADIO): Zvonecek, take it up.


A FIRE TRUCK near the building retract its ladder away from building, extending
it upward.


Boden (TO FIREMAN X2): Get confirmation on the tenants whereabouts.


FIRE MAN X2: Yes Sir.


FIREMAN X2 breaks out a cell phone.


CUT TO:


INT-BURNING APARTMENT BUILDING/HALLWAY


The group of FIREFIGHTERS are checking doors. One of them fans away smoke to see the
Door number.


Fireman x3: CASEY OVER HERE!


Fireman x3 tries the door.


Fireman x3 (Con�t..): IT�S LOCKED!


Casey comes to the door and tries to nudge it.


Casey: Give me the ram.


CUT TO:


INT-DEPARTMENT STORE/LADIES LOUNGE


Ramona�s POV, through mirror, putting on lipstick. She is a very attractive thirty
year old Caucasian.


A Mexican female with a butch haircut enters room.


BLANCA: Hey hoochie.


Blanca goes to her locker.


RAMONA: Hola Blanca, que pasa?


BLANCA: Mucho trabajo para poco dinero. Another year in this Rat trap and not one raise
or promotion.


RAMONA: Again? What was his excuse this time?


Blanca puts on her smock, then joins Ramona at the mirror.


BLANCA: You know, the usual; �We like your work Blanca BUT..�,
Or; �We�d give you the position BUT..�, BUT BUT BUT..


RAMONA: But, you don�t put out.


BLANCA: Damned right I don�t..wouldn�t sell my soul to the Devil for a trick.


RAMONA: Elaine got the job?


BLANCA: Yea.


RAMONA: Sorry.


BLANCA: Don�t be. Everybody knows I was more qualified for the position.


Blanca looks at herself in the mirror.


BLANCA (Con�t..): Yea, just give me five seconds alone with them two, I�ll show her how
to sharpen a pencil.


Blanca smiles, revealing her braces.


BACK TO SHOT:


FIREFIGHTERS BREAK through door with battering ram, ENTERING apartment. A vent,
Pouring smoke into the room, is SHUT. Casey, squatting, spots something on the
floor off camera.


CUT TO:


INT-DEPARTMENT STORE-NIGHT


A woman is nervously fast pacing through the store looking around for somebody.
She sees Blanca.


LADY: BLANCA! HAVE YOU SEE RAMONA?


BLANCA: Yea, she�s in the back.


LADY: Oh, thank God!


Lady RUNS off.


BLANCA: What�s wrong?


CUT TO:


INT-DEPARTMENT STORE-NIGHT


Ramona, walking out from the back of store passes by the Electronics department,
an intense fiery glow from television screens radiate from behind.


CUT TO:


INT � BURNING APARTMENT BUILDING/STAIRWELL � NIGHT


A few FIREMEN are teamed up, hose in hand, holding off what we can only see as smoke from
the lower floor.


CUT TO:


INT- APARTMENT 412/LIVING ROOM


Fireman x3 ENTERS from another room, looking around. He CALLS OUT.


Fireman x3: All clear down below. Repeat all clear down below. Do you copy?


Boden (V/O): Roger I copy that.


INT � APARTMENT 412/UPSTAIRS BEDROOM


Casey looks under a bed.


Casey: Duncan, how does it look?


CUT TO:


INT � BURNING BUILDING/STAIRWELL � NIGHT


FIREMEN are slowly retreating back. DUNCAN is working the hose.


DUNCAN: It�s ganging up on us! I can�t hold her off much longer!


Casey(V/O): Keep it clear, I�M CHECKING THE LAST ROOM NOW!


DUNCAN: Aye.


INT � APARTMENT 412/UPSTAIRS BEDROOM BATHROOM� NIGHT


Casey looks around in the bathroom. Looking down, he picks up a small sized shirt,
from the floor. It starts to make sense.

A quick flashback REVEALS Casey looking at a trail of broken glass with milk
on the kitchen floor. He runs to exit bedroom.


Casey: (Fireman x3)! THE KITCHEN�THERE�S A�!


Gas pocket explosion SHAKES ROOM.


Casey looses balance and CRASHES THROUGH wooden staircase railing.


QUICKCUT:


OUTSIDE: Glass showers down from next floor.


STAIRWELL: Duncan nearly falls over stairwell railing. Borrelli grabs him.


BACK TO SHOT:


Boden: Casey! Casey!!


Fireman x3 comes to Caseys aid.


CUT TO:


INT- APARTMENT 412/LIVING ROOM


Fireman x3 RUNS to Casey who is laying on floor at bottom of staircase.


Fireman x3: Chief, Matt's down.


FIREMAN X1(V.O.):Tenants location confirmed!


Boden(V/O): BAIL OUT, REPEAT..BAIL OUT!


Casey regains consciousness. He shows Fireman x3 what he is clutching. Pointing to Kitchen,
he attempts to get up. Fireman x3 assists him. Caseys bleeding.


Fireman x3:�shit, your bleeding!


Casey stumbles and falls to the floor unconscious. Borrelli enters,
pulling Casey out the door. Fireman x3 heads to Kitchen.


CUT TO:


Boden: CLEAR THE PERIMETER! MOVE THE HELICOPTER INTO POSITION!!!


Fire truck retracts its ladder


EXT � ESTABLISHING SHOT/LOOKING DOWN AT CITY/SCENE OF FIRE � NIGHT


A helicopter stealths by semitransparent to the night sky.


INT � HELICOPTER � NIGHT


It�s a clear night over the city below. In the distance we can see a burning building.

A crew prepares for rendezvous.


BACK TO SHOT:


Boden(v/o): Evacuate to THE ROOF!!


Borrelli carries Casey up the stairwell. Duncan directs firemen, maintaining his grip on hose.


Duncan: Go to the roof and signal them in..GO! GO!


The men head up the stairwell. Duncan drops the hose and follows behind.


CUT TO:


Fireman x3 opens a door looking into pantry. Nothing. He again looks around.


Another explosion rocks the building. He quickly exits.


Helicopter, hovering overhead, jars up in response.


The roof door bursts open. Borrelli and Casey come out.


Borrelli signals pilot. Pilot sees them and lands.


They make it to the copter, getting in.


Duncan and Fireman x3 head toward copter. Casey regains consciousness looking around,
mumbling at first.


Casey(to Fireman x3): Where�s the kid!?


Fireman x3: Nobodies in..[there!]


Casey grabs him


Fireman x3(Cont):�I already checked..[it, there was no more time!]


Casey sits upright and exits helicopter. He heads toward roof exit door.


Duncan: Matt!...SHIGHT!


Duncan (To Fireman x3) Streechin� his neck out a little too far this time aint�cha?


CUT TO:


EXT � CITY/SCENE OF FIRE � NIGHT


Boden watches for helicopter. So far nothing.


Boden: What the hell is taking so long?


Boden reaches for the radio. Someone from an unmarked car gets out and shouts out�


Captain Gullon: Wally, I just got off the phone with Sanchez..there's a Boy in the apartment!


CUT TO:


INT � STAIRWELL


Casey makes his way back down the smoky stairwell.


CUT TO:


Duncan RUNS toward the roof door. Borrelli follows him. Fireman x3 remains in helicopter,
Uncertain.


Duncan: Boden! CAN YA HEAR ME, WE�RE IN DEEP SHIGHT!! Matt's GOIN BACK IN!


Boden(V/O): Cover him Duncan, THE BOY'S IN THERE!


CUT TO:


INT � STAIRWELL/BOTTOM


As Casey nears the bottom of stairwell, the Flames and Smoke become overwhelming. He Stops,
Removing a metallic blanket from one of his pockets. He covers himself with it and then
CHARGES through the flames.


CUT TO:


INT � STAIRWELL/TOP


Duncan and Borrelli fight their way down.


CUT TO:


INT - ROOF DOOR EXIT


Fireman x3 looks in at us. He takes a few steps in. A thick cloud of smoke rushes past us at him.
He stops, coughing. He then exits back to the roof.


CUT TO:


EXT � ROOF � NIGHT


Fireman x3 bends over to keep from fainting.


CUT TO:


EXT � CITY/SCENE OF FIRE


A car screeches to a halt, unable to get past the crowd. Blanca and Ramona get out and cut
through the crowd by foot.


CUT TO:


INT � STAIRWELL


A wall of fire and smoke STOPS Duncan and Borrelli from continuing down. They nearly fall
back from overwhelm.


Duncan: NO!


Borrelli PULLS Duncan back. The FLAMES LASH OUT just missing them.


CUT TO:


INT � APARTMENT 412


Casey enters apartment running through the living room toward kitchen.


CUT TO:


EXT � ROOF


Duncan and Borrelli EXIT roof door half on their knees.


Duncan (Out of breath, coughing, on radio): WE CANT GET THROUGH! HE�S TRAPPED!
WE NEED ANOTHER WAY IN!!!


EXPLOSION! Another gas pocket explosion. The building shakes under them.


SERIES OF QUICKSHOTS:


KITCHEN: Casey DIVES onto the kitchen floor, narrowly missing a stream of flying
debris from living room.


OUTSIDE: Debris and Pieces of glass fall to the ground.


GROUND LEVEL: Boden and Gullon duck behind a squad car.


ROOF: Helicopter JARS up from building.


BACK TO SHOT:


Borrelli GRABS Duncan by the arm.


Borrelli: Come on, it�s gonna blow!


Duncan (into radio) Matt, can you hear me?..Matt!..DAMMIT!


Borrelli: Matts gone, come on!


They RUN toward the helicopter.


CUT TO:


INT � KITCHEN � APT 412


Casey lies motionless on the floor with DEBRIS piled up on him.


CUT TO:


EXT � SCENE OF FIRE � NIGHT


A fireman RUNS toward crowd.


Fireman: GET BACK!! GET BACK!!


INT � HELICOPTER


Pilot gives the throttle a good yank.


EXPLOSION! A flash of fire can be seen from outside the copter.


The helicopter narrowly escapes.


CUT TO:


EXT � CITY/SCENE OF FIRE � NIGHT


From a distance the helicopter can be seen bolting away.


DEBRIS is FLYING around all over the place.


A fireman comes running out at us�


Fireman: GET AWAY! IT�S GONNA BLOW! GET AWAY!


Boden (into radio): Clear out! I repeat clear out. Get everybody as
far away from thisn building as possible!!


The crowd runs in panic joined by journalists, cameramen, etc.


Ramona and Blanca run toward building where they are intercepted by a few firemen.


Fireman: You going the wrong way!


Ramona: MY BABY IS IN THERE!


Fireman stops Ramona from getting too close.


Fireman: It�s too late!


Tears run down her face.


Ramona: NO!


Fireman: Come on!


He takes her away.


CUT TO:


INT � KITCHEN


A broken gas line sticking out from wall. We suddenly HEAR a high pressured
whooshing sound�.


CUT TO:


EXT � SCENE OF FIRE � NIGHT


..after a second of silence�EXPLOSION!


Almost as if in slow motion, fireman looks over his shoulder, pushing Ramona
to the ground behind A squad car. He then goes flying, his arms wailing in mid air.


Another section of floor comes crumbling down.


More fire engines and ambulances can be seen coming from a distance.


INT � KITCHEN � APT 412


After a moment of silence, we begin to hear muffled sounds. Casey slowly
Rises from the darkness. He is only revealed by the occasional flicker
of Fire burning from another room.

He gets up on his feet, looking into the living room. It nearly blinds him.
It�s obviously too late for escape. But is the Boy really here? Was Casey right?
He at least has to know...

He goes over to a lower cabinet and opens it. Nothing. Casey opens another one.
Again, nothing.

He goes to the next one. It�s blocked by debris. He begins clearing it away.

Inside, we see the boy. He�s passed out. Casey reaches in, taking him in his arms.

He stands up, looking around for a way out. It looks hopeless.

He sets the boy down and runs along the kitchen wall, pushing away items that are
blocking his view of it.

He uncovers a door, It�s slightly ajar. He look in. DEAD END. It�s only a dry food
storage pantry.

He looks around in desperation. EXPLOSION! Part of the ceiling wall collapses.
Casey runs to the boy Shielding him.

The flames surge on them, lashing out. He holds the boy closely, rolling over with his
Back to the flames. He tightens his eyes preparing for the worst.

Something catches his eye, he does a double take. A garbage chute.

He quickly gets to his feet, taking the boy. The Flames follow. He tries to open the chute,
but it�s stuck. Something else momentarily catches his attention...

A broken gas line. It suddenly begins to make a whooshing sound. He looks over his shoulder,
The flames are coming. He manages to get the chute open, dropping in the boy. He then jumps in.


EXPLOSION!


SERIES OF QUICKCUTS:


INSIDE OF CHUTE: The flames and force of explosion try to follow them down.


OUTSIDE: The next floor up explodes, showering down debris.


The car windows blow out from above Ramona�s head. Gullon rolls over in pain.


T.V. news crews stand in the distance filming.


BACK TO SHOT:


Boden (To Gullon): Are you all right?


Gullons shoulder is bleeding.


Gullon: I�ll live.


Ramona leans up against car. The glow from the fire lights up her face. She drops to her knees
Sobbing. Blanca goes to her side to comfort her. Medics arrive to treat Gullon.


Borrelli, Duncan and Fireman x3 walk up. They watch in disbelief. They are clearly shaken by the
loss of Casey.


Duncan�s eyes welt up with tears. He tries to say something, but can�t. He just stares.


T.V crews continue to film. There is a moment of silence between them.


One of them looks into their camera.


Cameraman: What in the���We�ve got something!!!


The others react, looking over.


Something catches Duncan�s attention in the fire. He looks as if he had just seen a ghost.


SLOW MOTION: Something emerges through the smoke. It makes it�s way toward us.
It�s Casey alive and well, with the boy in his arms.


The crowd roars with cheers.


SLOW DISSOLVE


END OF TEASER