Beta Project, The (2025)

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic music)

(tense music) (crickets chirping)

(door rattles) (tense music)

(door squeaks) (tense music)

(door clatters) (tense music)

(tense music) (crickets chirping)

(Lana gasps) (tense music)

Lana, it's okay, Lana.

We're not here to hurt you.

We are here to help you.

We've been watching you.

You've been going through

very difficult times lately,

haven't you?

But we are here to give

you a second chance.

What, what are you talking about?

Big changes are coming.

The world is about to be reborn.

Have to be Ready.

We need friends, we need family.

And I want you to be a part of my family.

Family? What do you mean?

Do you like movies, Lana? (tense music)

Think of your favorite movie,

one in which you would love to live.

Now imagine living that

way for the rest of your life.

You would like that, wouldn't you, Lana?

Well, I can give you that. (tense music)

- Michael, it's me.

- Yeah, I know.

[Rose] Have you managed

to assess the sit...?

Have you managed to assess the situation?

Yeah, we got three crusties.

They just made the pitch.

I was about to introduce myself.

[Rose] No, they've already

given her the choice.

We must permit her to make that decision.

I'm not a fan of that rule, Rose.

Never have been, never will be.

(tense music)

So what will it be, Lana?

(tense music) (crickets chirping)

(suspenseful music)

(shrieking sound effect) (tense music)

Damn.

(Mike sighs) (tense music)

(blades clink) (dramatic music)

Yeah!

Finish it!

(dramatic music) (blades clink)

(g*n blasts) (dramatic music)

(blades clink) (fighters grunt)

Ow, damn it. (g*n clicks)

Hey, Lakey. How you doing?

I've had better days.

I thought I was done with you, Michael.

Well, you were, but then you

had to come back into my town

and start turning all the

hot chicks into crusties.

You gotta leave some of

them for us mortals, Lakey.

Uh... (melancholy music)

How about we make a deal?

You let me slip away,

and I'll tell you what you want to know.

What makes you think

you have anything that I want to know?

The fact that I have a

headache, and not heartburn.

(laughs) All right.

But you'd better hurry.

I think Rose is almost

done with her workout.

(blades clink) (g*n blasts)

(Lakey hollers)

(grunts) Wow.

Relax, I didn't hit the heart,

but it is close enough to slow you down.

(Lakey grunts)

Told you. (Lakey groans)

(feet shuffle)

(Rose grunts) (victim groans)

- What the f*ck?

- I'm so sorry.

[Victim] Son of a b*tch!

(shrieking sound effects)

Better hurry. Running

out time, what's the word?

All right, all right. (exhales)

Lameck is back.

(chuckles) No.

Ah, okay, all right, uh, Lilith is in town.

Lilith is dead, she's been

a pile of dust for centuries.

No, she is in town, and she

is planning something big.

And she is building an army.

Well in that case, you can

tell me where to find her.

No, I don't know. Only

that she is recruiting.

(blades clink) (fighters grunting)

(flesh squelches) (jarring effects)

Although, although, she

is looking for someone...

- special.

- Special. Who?

I don't know, I don't

know. I really don't know!

Should I have played with them a bit more?

Nah, he spilled.

So how about it? We had a deal.

You let me go.

Yeah.

I said I'd let you go.

(Lakey groans) (melancholy music)

(crickets chirping)

Lakey.

I said I'd let you go. (dramatic music)

(jarring music) (Lakey hollers)

- So, rumors are true, Lilith?

- Lilith.

- What's the plan? Hank?

- Heavens no.

(crickets chirping)

Does Stanley still have his cover?

Yeah, but I don't want

to blow it over nothing.

Lilith is anything but nothing,

She is if it's bullshit.

And what do you think, Michael?

Do you think it's bullshit? (upbeat music)

Make the call. Use Stanley as bait.

If Lilith is indeed building an army,

she will want someone like him.

(vampire growls) (blade clinks)

(jarring music) (upbeat music)

Don't tell Hank I did that. (upbeat music)

Hey, can I borrow your

phone? I'm out of minutes.

(upbeat music)

Let's start a little

trouble, have a little fun

We'll run around 'til the

moon becomes the sun

Let's get in a little trouble,

you won't wanna miss this

Yeah, you can call

me mischief, mischief

I gotta taste for it

I gotta give me my

punishment that fits the crime

I like to take it if I

know it isn't mine

All the girls are dancing,

all the boys are on fire

We're at the limit,

now let's cross the line

I got a feeling that you like a chase

Gotta keep up the pace

Let's justify it and

it's one hell of a race

Let's get in a little trouble,

wouldn't wanna miss this

Yeah, you can call

me mischief, mischief

Let's get in a little bit

of trouble, is it really fun

You can call me, you can

call me mischief, mischief

I gotta taste for it, I gotta taste.

I gotta taste for it. (music cuts out)

(crickets chirping) (gravel crackling)

(tense music)

(hand claps face) (tense music)

(victim gurgling)

- We know you have it.

(gurgling) I don't know

anything about any Rose.

(tense music)

[Lilith] All right, enough

already. Jesus Christ.

Where did you learn your

interrogating skills? The CIA?

He was just about to break.

Sure he was. (tense music)

I thought you didn't get your hands dirty.

I don't.

I'm here because you're

not honoring our agreement.

I was promised results and I

was promised the Desert Rose.

Ah, well, we've both

made a lot of promises.

I kept mine.

So you have. (foreboding music)

And now I'll keep mine.

[Colleen] Your th*gs have

been pounding on this guy

for damn near four hours.

You really should have

let my people take care of it.

If I let your people handle it,

he'd be dead already,

and we'd still have nothing.

Men are so strong.

They're like rocks.

The strongest ones though,

they don't break by force.

I learned that freshman year in college.

No, they're broken by love,

at least the hope of it anyway.

- Sophomore year.

- Yeah hope.

God damn, I love hope.

Couldn't have done half the sh*t I've done

without the foolishness of hope.

Man's greatest weakness, isn't it?

Well, that and children.

Who was she, Stanley?

[Stanley] What?

Who was it that made you give up on love?

On a family?

What made you dive into your work?

[Stanley] I don't know

what you're talking about.

Don't lie to me, Stanley.

You don't wanna lie anymore.

[Stanley] I, I don't

have anything to tell you.

Oh, you're gonna tell me

everything, and you know it,

'cause you're a good boy.

Yeah, and good boys do as they're told.

(Stanley exhales) (tense music)

- Mojo one in position.

- Copy that. Go on my mark.

(tense music)

[Rose] This is a mistake.

[Hank] Mark.

[Assassin] Target one down.

(tense music)

Target two down. (tense music)

Target three down. (tense music)

(g*ns click) (tense music)

(footsteps shuffle) (tense music)

Come on, Stanley, give it to me.

Come on, gimme what I want.

- I want to.

- Uh huh,

So why don't you tell me, Stanley?

Huh? Mmhmm, come on Stanley.

We don't know where it is.

Oh, Stanley, why do we think that you do?

Because we wanted you

to, so we could find you.

Oh, Stanley, no one even knows I'm alive.

We do, Lilith, Mother of Demons. (exhales)

- Who knows, Stanley?

- Oh.

- Who are you working with?

- Oh.

Tell me Stanley, stay with me. Come on.

- Oh.

- Who are you working with?

Oh, oh... f*ck Stanley, tell me,

who are you working with, who knows?

(tense music) (footsteps shuffle)

Tell me, Stanley, I'll let you have it all.

Come on, Stanley, tell me.

Yes, Stanley, that's it. Tell

me, who are you working with?

The Project. (panting) (tense music)

f*ck!

[Hank] Breach.

(expl*si*n blasts)

You morons, you led them straight to me!

You can't let 'em see me.

You've gotta get me outta here.

Okay, I'll let myself out. (tense music)

[Assassin] Multiple targets acquired.

(g*n blasts) (g*ns sputtering)

Target's down.

[Hank] I told you my teams would get her.

[Rose] That has yet to be seen.

[Hank] It's only a matter of time.

(tense music)

(g*n blasts) (tense music)

[Rose] This is a blood bath.

[Hank] We'll come out on top.

- But at what cost?

- Hey, do you want her or not?

(tense music)

[Assassin] We have eyes on Night Owl.

(dramatic percussion music)

(high pitched ringing)

(g*ns blasting) (tense music)

(fists thumping) (tense music)

(g*ns blasting) (tense music)

(flesh squelches) (tense music)

- I warned you.

- It's not over.

(flesh squelches) (tense music)

(victim screams)

(Lilith laughs) (flames crackle)

[Rose] Now it's over.

(police radio chattering) (tense music)

[Hank] (exhales) Mojo one,

Mojo Axel, how copy? Over.

Mojo three, Mojo Actual, how copy? Over.

Mojo five. (police radio chattering)

Mojo, Johnson! (tense music)

(footsteps patter) (tense music)

I'm grateful to your

assistance up until this point,

but I'm dissolving our partnership.

(dramatic music)

It didn't have to be this way.

(tense music)

[Rose] Your way didn't work.

Now it's my turn.

Go ahead.

You cannot fight what you are.

(dramatic music) (engine hums)

Our backup team has

arrived on location. No survivors.

Five Familiars, three

crusties, all three Mojo teams,

and Stanley. (engine humming)

Location is secure. No sign of Lilith.

(dramatic music) (crickets chirping)

(door clatters) (door squeaks)

[Mike] Hey, hot stuff, wait up!

[Rose] I see the sexual

harassment videos you were

assigned went unwatched again.

[Mike] Eh, you've seen

one, you've seen 'em all.

Call me a pacifist,

but I would've preferred

someone left alive to

t*rture for information.

[Mike] (sighs) So what's the plan?

Obviously, Lilith knows we're coming now.

So element of surprise is gone.

I wouldn't say that.

What, are you kidding me?

She'll see Hank's teams

coming from a mile away.

Hank's teams are a

brutish wall of violence.

They only leave dust

and debris in its wake.

If we are to battle Lilith and her minions-

[Mike] Minions, did you say minions?

Do people still have those?

[Rose] We need to be more surgical,

more precise, more intelligent.

All right, well, I guess we

can take some of Hank's guys,

concentrate on more surgical strikes,

more precise targeting

as far as intelligence.

I guess we can give

them some books to read,

- or something.

- No.

All right, YouTube videos then.

I want to start the Beta Project.

Hank is not gonna be happy with that.

I'll handle Henry. I want

four very skilled women.

(chuckles) Who doesn't?

(gentle strumming music)

(speaks Spanish)

Uh, just a little please.

That's good. Thank you.

(gentle strumming music)

(Ajay and waitress speak Spanish)

Check?

Uh yeah, sorry, yeah, thank you.

(Ajay sighs) (gentle strumming music)

What?

We got a six hour leg ahead of us.

We don't need to be

stopping every five minutes.

- Oh, I'll hold it.

- Yeah.

We're way ahead of schedule.

We can make some

potty breaks if we need to.

Potty breaks? What are you five?

Damn it, did anyone call Pete

to let him know we'll be arriving early?

[Worm] I did.

Oh. (gentle strumming music)

What the hell, worm?

You don't flash that kind

of cash in front of people.

What?

How can someone so smart be so stupid?

Hey, watch it.

She's just invited every thug in this place

to jump us when we get outside.

Hey, she didn't know about

it, okay? It was a mistake.

We told her. Now she

won't do it again, right Worm?

Right, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.

That's the problem, you don't think.

Zoe, knock it off,

or I'll clean every single toilet in here

with that big a*s forehead of yours.

Enough.

Both of you. (gentle strumming music)

Worm, you have to be more careful.

All right, I'm sorry.

Ajay, you touch Zoe without my permission

and I'll make sure you're

in the back of that truck

for the next six months on every job.

Oh yeah, (speaks Spanish)

Zoe, you pick on Worm one more time

and I'm gonna ask Ajay

to clean the bathrooms.

(Ajay whistles)

Understood? (upbeat music)

Let's go.

One last ride, can't

wait to take the train

One last ride (upbeat music)

One last ride, can't

wait to take the train

Another six hours and

we'll be at the border.

We'll stop just before we get there

to prep for the crossing.

All right, sounds good.

Zoe, keep it under 80... Excuse me.

- sh*t.

- Damn it, Worm.

I'm not trying to cause

no trouble or anything,

just like need some cash for

like a bus fare or something.

Sorry. Nada.

All right, I'm not f*ck'

around. Gimme that cash.

Yeah, I saw little white b*tch got it.

- What?

- Who the f*ck you call white?

[Thug] I wasn't talking

to you, (speaks Spanish)

(Ajay speaks Spanish)

(Ajay spits) (upbeat music)

Come get it.

(fists thump) (fighters grunt)

(foot thunks) (thug grunts)

Hey, who's the b*tch now? (speaks Spanish)

Hm, Papi? (speaks Spanish)

(upbeat music)

(Ajay speaks Spanish) (upbeat music)

(fist thumps) (thug grunts)

Night night. (upbeat music)

(boots thump the thug) (upbeat music)

(quiet eerie muttering) (whooshing effects)

[Whispering Voice] Don't

save her, you shouldn't do it.

Don't save her. Let her die.

(g*n blasts)

What the hell, Ajay? What

the f*ck are you doing?

We need to get outta here.

- Worm handle this.

- Ajay, are you okay?

Ajay, we gotta get outta here, all right?

- Yeah, all right.

- All right?

Oh no

All right. One last ride

Can't wait to take

the train, one last ride

Yeah, one last ride

Can't wait to take

the train, one last ride

(door rattles)

One last ride

One last ride

One last ride, oh

One last ride, yeah

I'll take the train, take

the train, take the train

One last ride, one last ride

Look now, now, look now (harmonizing)

Oh yeah

(door rattles)

(engine hums) (mellow music)

- Hey Mehnkah.

- Hi Mike.

Hey wait, hey hey hey hey hey, Mehnkah.

You're like in HR or something, right?

- Accounting.

- Accounting,

hell, it doesn't get any

smarter than accounting, right?

- Okay.

- Congratulations.

- You're on the new team.

- Wait, what?

- Okay.

- Oh wait, hold on.

Yes?

Thanks.

What a f*ck' weirdo.

(footsteps patter)

- Safe.

- You're late.

Yeah, sorry, I had to whip up

this little PowerPoint

presentation for y'all.

Oh well, you wanted the

best four girls on my list?

Here they are.

Smuggler, by the name

of Amanda Jarvis Cortez,

Ajay to her friends.

Survived on the streets as a pickpocket,

running short cons, put

together her own crew.

Now she's one of, if not the best smugglers

in North and Central America.

Not exactly gonna run the

Kessel Run in 12 parsecs,

but pretty damn close.

Second

Next, runs with Ajay,

goes by the name of Worm, as in book.

She's hyper-intelligent,

a little socially awkward,

but dangerous on a keyboard.

So she's your nerd.

You played football in

high school, didn't you?

- Tight end.

- Next.

Next is our very own Mehnkah.

- Mehnkah from accounting?

- HR.

- Accounting.

- Accounting, yes.

(sighs) And number four?

I've got that narrowed

down to two different choices.

First one is a girl named Joy Malone.

Whoa, whoa, wait. Our Joy?

[Rose] Our Joy?

Yes, she helped Mike

and I run an op last year

on some underground meth labs.

Yeah, she's dangerous and a hothead,

and she nearly got herself k*lled.

But she gets the job done,

and she's got some

pretty interesting skills.

What kind of skills?

She's a redhead from the O'Malley line.

Oh, I see.

Okay, well there is that,

but she's also strong,

has a hell of a left hook,

which Hank can testify to,

and she knows her way around

every government issued firearm.

Plus she can run a long

con like nobody's business.

And your final option?

She's gonna be a little difficult to find.

(sighs) Gimme what you

have on her. I'll track her down.

[Mike] You're not gonna find her, Hank.

What's her name?

She goes by the name of The Ballerina.

You're not gonna have

anything on her, Hank.

[Hank] If she exists, we'll find her.

The Ballerina.

A thief, supposed to be

responsible for at least

a dozen of the most high profile jobs

in the last three years.

Now see there, she doesn't exist.

Oh, she exists.

So these are your choices?

A smuggler, a nerd, an

accountant, a banshee,

and a figment of your imagination?

Not everything you can know about somebody

can be put in a file, Hank.

I mean, what does your file say about me?

It says you were born in Dallas, Texas.

Went to Wallace Elementary.

Your mascot was the wallaby.

- Adorable, by the way.

- Thank you.

Graduated Kingwood High School.

Go Mustangs.

Also graduated Texas A&M with a bachelor's,

a master's, and doctorate in

communication and psychology.

Are my eyes really green?

You've taken defensive driving seven times?

Well that was just for the 10% discount

- on my car insurance.

- Have you ever taken

The Project's offensive driving program?

Offensive driving, is

that like driving around

with your a*s hanging out the window?

No, it's k*lling people with your car.

Oh, I can already do that.

Yeah, but can you do it with style?

I knew everything I

needed to know about you

before I met you.

And this tells me that these girls

are a disaster waiting to happen!

This is my team Henry.

They'll be my responsibility.

Fine, Rose. Have it your way.

- You sure about this?

- Of course I'm sure.

I wouldn't be doing it if I

thought it was a mistake.

That's right, I forgot,

you don't make mistakes.

Correct.

I thought I did once, but I was wrong.

Wait, was that a joke?

Did you just tell a joke?

[Rose] If you tell anyone,

I'll be forced to k*ll you in

the most humiliating way.

(upbeat music)

(brakes squeak) (upbeat music)

(door rattles) (upbeat music)

Oh f*ck, I gotta piss.

Try not to flirt with them so much.

Like to get this over with

without any problems.

I flirt with them so that we

don't have any problems.

What if they don't flirt back?

Then we know we got a problem.

(upbeat music)

- Two days ahead of schedule.

- (chuckles) Yeah.

We are impressed.

Two days ahead of schedule. 20% bonus?

You girls are worth

the 20%, just to look at.

(chuckles) Girls?

Would girls be able to smuggle

a whole truck load of your

sh*t from Peru to the U.S.

in five days with no complications?

See, this is why we click.

I don't like complications.

You don't like complications.

Perhaps you and I,

we could spend some

time together after this.

No complications.

Right.

(speaks Spanish) You

give me my quarter million

and we can avoid all sorts

of complications, okay?

You know exactly what to

say to a client, don't you?

It's okay, it's okay. I like it.

(crickets chirping)

Are you sure you ladies

don't want to join us for drinks?

(chuckles) Yeah,

we would love to stay

and celebrate with y'all,

but we got places to see and people to do.

You know how it is, right?

Ready. (upbeat music)

I got a hankering for-(items rattle)

I'm kinda restless, I

can't ignore the beat

Gotta skip in my

step, gotta tap my feet

I got a craving, you're

exactly what I need

I've never been too

good at keeping quiet

Give me occasion, I

can promise I won't bite

What the f*ck is this?

Oh, you weren't supposed to see that.

We better not have drive five days,

smuggling f*ck' (speaks Spanish) Pete.

Tell me this is heroin.

Oh it isn't heroin.

It's a bait.

Let's get little bit drunk,

you won't want to miss this

Yeah, you can call

me mischief, mischief

I got a taste for it

Give me a punishment

that fits the crime

Like to take it if I know it is mine

All the girls are dancing,

all the boys are on fire

We're at the limit

now, let's cross the line

I've got a feeling

that you like a chase

Takes one to know one,

and I can't stay in one place

Ready set go. Can't keep up the pace

I'll justify it and it's

one hell of a race

(upbeat music) (Ajay grunting)

(vampire growls) (Ajay muttering)

(lyrics drowned out)

You're a little trouble,

you won't wanna miss this

Yeah, you can call

me mischief, mischief

(g*n blasting) (Ajay grunting)

I can break your heart

if you play me for a fool

(expl*si*n blasts)

[Disembodied Voice] You should find men

with thicker skins.

You were warned Peter.

The moon becomes the sun

Get a little bit drunk,

you won't wanna miss this

Yeah, you can call

me mischief, mischief

This girl is under the

protection of The Project.

You leave now, or suffer the consequences.

I can break your heart So be it.

If you play you for a fool

We can play a game

if I can break the rules

I can break your heart

if you play me for fool

Yeah so, let's have a little bit of fun

We've run around 'til the

moon becomes the sun

You're a little bit drunk,

you won't wanna miss this

Yeah, you can call

me-- You can't win, Rose.

Peter, I already have.

You're a little bit drunk

(shrieking effects)

(song lyrics drowned out)

I gotta stay strong, I gotta taste

No way. I got a taste for it

I got a-(music cuts out)

Yes way. (dramatic music)

Now you wouldn't wanna lose your head

over little old me, would you?

- What the hell do you want?

- Just a talk.

(suspenseful music)

(g*ns popping)

(Ajay breathes nervously)

Now we could stand here and

sh**t each other in the face,

or we can have a nice polite conversation.

Hear us out and you get to keep the cash.

Mmhmm, we? Your friend

there isn't talking to anybody.

I told you she wouldn't go quietly.

So how about that talk? (crickets chirping)

Oh, thank you.

Unlike my friend, my face

doesn't react so well to b*ll*ts.

All right, so who are you,

and what the hell do you want?

I'm Mike Lorenzo and

this charming soul is Rose.

We belong to an organization

known as The Project.

As for what we want, well-

We simply want to ask you a question.

Oh yeah? Well what

kind of question is that?

Ms. Cortez, do you believe in destiny?

(upbeat music)

What the f*ck? (upbeat music)

[Performer] Oh, here we go.

She got the blue

sundress and cowboy boots

Bent over the table, sh**ting pool

That's what I'm talking about

I got my quarters

lined up and I'm on deck

Grab a pitcher of of

Miller, was practicing

That's what I'm talking about

Yeah, I'm just lookin' for some fun

I got my bluejeans,

with this school ring

Tipping my hat to the country queen

Cowboy revel out on the scene

And things are gettin' low

Band's playing my favorite song

And all the guys and

girls love to sing along

Everybody let me hear you tap dance

That's what I'm talkin' about

She hit the eight ball in

and grabbed my hands

I said forget this cutie,

come on, let's dance

That's what I'm talkin' about

Hey.

Where is she at?

We lit up by the neon Bud sign

Double fisting shots

while we pump and grind

That's what I'm talkin' about

Yeah, we're shutting this place down

I got my bluejeans

with this school ring

Tipping my hat to the country queen

Cowboy revel out on the scene

And things are gettin' low

Band's playing my favorite song

And all the guys and

girls got to sing along

Everybody let me hear you shout

That's what I'm talkin' about

(upbeat music) With no dive

(upbeat music)

(pursuer whistles) (upbeat music)

The beer is cold, the night is young

And we ain't stoppin'

'til the sun comes up

I got my blue jeans

with the school ring

Tipping my had to the country queen

Cowboy revel out on the scene

and things are gettin' low

[Agent] She can run, can't she?

Should remember the first rule of pursuit,

you can run but you can't hide.

Yeah, what does it say

about shattered knees though?

What?

That's what I'm talkin' about

(upbeat music) (fists thumping)

I swear I will end you.

(footsteps patter) (quiet tense music)

Samus, she's here. (quiet tense music)

Guys, let's go. (quiet tense music)

- Well?

- You were right.

The Project knew we were coming.

Took the other one though.

It was unavoidable.

So what do we do with this one?

- Nothing.

- Nothing?

You do nothing.

You keep her here, you watch her.

You let nothing happen

to her. (tense music)

[Samus] You know,

it's only a matter of time

before The Project

realizes what your plan is.

(laughs) Oh, I highly doubt that.

Give me one good

reason I shouldn't, turn you.

(tense music)

Having somebody of your influence

can be very beneficial

to me and my business.

Besides I'd have access

to that husband of yours.

How about that?

Then I'd have a lot of power.

(blade swishes) (Samus laughs)

(laughs) Oh no, what's wrong?

Your little healing trick not working?

The Desert Rose is not the only thing

that can cause wounds that can't heal.

Remember that next time you

decide to whip out your d*ck.

And she is not to be

harmed. She's only to be held.

And under no circumstance

is she to be turned.

Am I understood?

(laughs) I thought so. (dramatic music)

(tense music)

What did I just see?

The truth.

I'm gonna need a little more than that.

Of course,

but we need to know that

we're not wasting our time.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know

you had other places to be.

Are you the type of person

that will hide your eyes from reality

because it contradicts what you believe?

Or are you the type of person

that will accept the truth before them?

Are you willing to sacrifice

everything you were,

everything you are, everything

you can be all for the truth?

Because if you're not Ms. Cortez,

you take your briefcase

and go change your life.

Justify what you saw tonight

as adrenaline, shadows,

smoke, mirrors, reflections of reality

that altered your perception of it.

Take your money and go be happy.

Or?

Or you stay and you discover the truth.

All right, I'm listening.

The men you encountered

tonight, they're not human.

They're the children of an old,

very powerful family of ancient creatures.

We know them only as The Old Ones.

They existed before the gods

of Greece, before mankind,

before the Christian God

pulled the world out of darkness and chaos.

Demons just, just say demons.

She'll understand demons.

I mean, you are Catholic, right?

What? You're just

assuming I'm Catholic, why?

- Because I'm Latina?

- You're not Catholic?

So these things, they're demons, right?

It's as good name as any other to use.

These creatures, they take many forms,

sometimes fire, sometimes smoke,

sometimes the very air that we breathe.

They can even take human form.

They are powerful,

and they are sworn to return this world

into the chaos from

which they were spawned.

What do you want from me though?

We want you to fight.

Mm, fight, got it, fight

these demons, right? Me?

Look, there are those in this world

that have no purpose, no destiny, no fate.

They make up the majority of this world.

They have the ability to choose

where their life will take them,

and they always choose to take it nowhere.

Then there are those of us

who are destined for greatness,

and we will always

begin by asking ourselves

if we have a choice to pursue

or not to pursue our destiny.

Is there a free will?

Of course there is, but

not for people like us.

I make my own choices

and I follow my own path.

Yes, you've had many opportunities

to reach this night before.

Forks, it doesn't matter what

choices you made in the past.

Someday, sometime eventually,

you would have sat down with us.

If not us, those like us,

those with the same purpose.

Let's say you made different decisions

early on in your life.

We would've already had this conversation.

Perhaps Mike would

be sitting where you are,

you'd be sitting here in this pew.

Paths, yes, there are many,

but in the end, they all

lead here, to the same place.

That is destiny.

Ms. Cortez, I'll ask you again,

do you believe in destiny? (dramatic music)

(Joy sigh)

(Joy exhales)

(door squeaks)

(door clatters)

- Are those necessary?

Well, she shattered Cliff's

kneecap and broke my nose.

I wasn't talking to you.

Are those necessary?

Oh, I get it. You must be the good cop.

Take those off.

(cuffs rattle) (cuffs clank)

Oh sorry, I thought you

were still talking to me.

Is there anything else?

Men are idiots. I really

need an all female staff.

- They have their uses.

- That they do.

So let me get this straight,

this is where you spread a

bunch of photos on the table,

right, from a file,

where you tell me everything

you know about me,

and you show me all the people

that I've wronged, or

k*lled, or fill in the blank.

And then you try to get

a confession outta me

all night long.

But then you try to work me

so that I turn on someone

that I know, or work with.

That's right. You're former DEA.

You've been on my side of the table before.

Many times.

Well, I think I should

introduce myself. I'm-

Lilith Stone, ADA.

- That's right.

- It's on your badge, toots.

Ah.

We're gonna have a lot of fun today.

(tense music)

(gentle ethereal music)

They gave you the destiny speech too?

Yeah, they can be kind of

melodramatic sometimes,

but for the most part, they're good people.

Hi, am Mehnkah.

I guess me and you are

going to be partners now?

- Partners?

- Oh yeah, partners,

teammates, whatever you wanna call it.

Oh, I'm Ajay.

Well, Ajay, very nice to meet you.

Yeah.

(laughs) They sure gotta a

thing for destiny, don't they?

Yeah, destiny, right?

Like there's somebody out

there who has it all figured out,

from the beginning of

time to the end of time.

I guess some people would

rather believe in destiny

then admit that sh*t just happens.

Yeah, bad sh*t happens.

I mean, otherwise,

what's the point of

everything without free will?

Am I right?

Free will. (chuckles)

You know, every decision you make,

from the career path you choose

to the line you decide to go into

at the grocery store checkout,

they all have outcomes and consequences.

You, for example,

decide to become an actor

instead of a police officer,

and because of that,

countless lives are lost,

(chuckles) or saved.

And you, you choose the long line

at the grocery store checkout,

and on your way home, you

miss the light by just seconds,

and in doing so, prevents

you from causing the accident

that will k*ll a child, that

would become president.

Outcomes and consequences.

Do you think mankind

is ready for that kind of responsibility?

Are you?

Free will, hm, good luck with that.

Well, aren't you a bucket of sunshine?

Who the hell are you?

I'm the one that's gonna try to prevent you

from getting k*lled.

(gentle dramatic music)

Okay. (gentle dramatic music)

(door rattles) (door squeaks)

Joy Malone, one hell of a future in the DEA

until you made one giant mistake.

Now you've been on

the run for almost a year,

but always one step ahead.

- Until now.

- Until now. Congratulations.

Let's see.

It says you're responsible for

taking out the meth operation

of the Walker sisters, single-handedly?

- By k*lling everyone in it?

- Okay,

that was completely self-defense.

And a competing dealer,

by the name of Mitchell.

Uh, that was an accident.

I was forcibly made to inhale

some wild concoction of drugs.

I don't even know, like cocaine,

I think, and amphetamines.

I think there might have actually been

some antacids in it too,

because I did not have heartburn

for like a month after that, I don't know.

Allegedly.

It's okay. We know you

weren't working alone.

No sh*t.

We want the people

who convinced you to

go after the meth dealers.

- So here comes the deal.

- It's a very nice deal.

Thanks, but no thanks.

I can't keep doing this,

I keep getting myself

into these situations.

I make a mistake, and then

I'm just drowning under water,

and then you suits walk into my life

and you offer me a deal,

and then I just find myself

even deeper underwater.

I just (sighs)

Thanks, but no thanks.

Hm, and here I thought you

were one of the smart ones.

You wanna know why I became a DEA agent?

I wanted to do some good.

I know that sounds naive.

It is naive, but it's true.

So why the DEA and not the FBI, CIA?

I don't know, the DEA wanted me more.

I have a young face,

so they thought I could

infiltrate all the hip scenes.

And then I made a big mistake.

I got a bunch of agents k*lled.

- Then came the deal.

- Then came the deal.

They uh, they were from

some alphabet soup agency,

I thought.

They asked me to help them

out, said they would help me out,

so I did what they asked and,

and they disappeared.

So I've been on the run ever since,

just running from con to

con, and thinking that I might,

I don't know, work my way up the ladder

and turn this whole thing around.

I know I'll never be an

agent again, I know that.

But, I don't know,

I keep thinking I might

find something else.

Redemption?

Purpose.

This shadow agency-

They went by some weird name, like the-

The Project?

Project.

Yeah.

That's who we want Joy,

and we want you to help us get them.

Is that deal sounding a

little more sweet now?

I thought so. (gentle music)

(stick clatters) (gentle music)

(Ajay exhales) (gentle music)

(stick whistles through the air)

(gentle music)

(sticks clatter) (gentle music)

(stick clatters) (Ajay exhales)

Rose would like a word.

Teach them something.

Ah, teach them something,

okay, teach them something.

(sighs) All right, pop quiz.

When was the w*r of 1812?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

(speaks Spanish) Is this

some kind of f*cking joke,

- or what?

- Am I laughing?

You say you want me to be

some sort of badass k*lling machine

for whatever supernatural

bullshit club this is, right?

Then you say you're gonna train me,

and this idiot hands me a little stick,

knocks it out a couple of times,

and you expect me to learn

something from that sh*t?

I, who told you you were gonna be a badass?

Little girls can't be bad asses.

Ha. Excuse me?

(sighs) Oh sh*t, here we go.

[Ajay] Huh?

Okay Ajay, I don't

think that's a good idea.

- Just cut it out.

- I'll kick your a*s

all the way back to whatever

backwoods town you came from.

(chuckles) I think that makes

me pretty f*cking badass.

Wouldn't you, Mehnkah?

- I, mm mm.

- No, it's okay.

I know jerks like this one.

Thinks he's all superior. Hmm?

Shoots his mouth off.

He'll never hit a woman,

no, not because of manners,

but because he knows he'll

probably get his a*s kicked.

Come on big boy. Let's

see who the real badass is.

Ajay, just leave it alone.

(Ajay speaks Spanish)

Let me ask you a question.

You watched a lot of movies

growing up, didn't you?

What is it to you?

You think in the real world,

you can take on a few 300 pound bouncers,

or maybe a bunch of th*gs in a dark alley

because you saw some Mary

Sue do it on the big screen?

This is the real world. (shirt thunks)

And out here in the real world,

you can't kick some 300

pound, highly trained mercenary

with a front flying kick, and

have him fly across the room.

You think you want to be a

badass? You want to kick my a*s?

Kick my a*s. Kick me with

one of those front flying kicks.

Have me fly across the room.

(shoes patter)

Well of course it's not gonna work on you.

You're a mountain!

Hey Bob.

Yeah?

[Hank] Come over here.

Yeah, what's up, Hank?

- Kick Bob.

- Wait, what?

I just bought this shirt.

- Thank you Bob.

- You're welcome.

You may go now.

You're not the daughter of a God.

You're not a superhero, and

you don't have an iron suit.

You're 120 pounds soaking wet.

It's physics.

- Henry.

- What?

[Rose] A moment, please.

Keep practicing.

Practicing what? Nobody

has taught us anything yet.

I don't know, fight

girly style or something.

What?

Would you please put on some clothing?

Oh right, sorry.

So what's up?

We have a dilemma.

Two of Mike's options

are in immediate danger.

Lilith is with the banshee

and Worm is alive.

What's the dilemma?

Go after Lilith. Get the grifter.

Worm is being held by a clan.

It's only a matter of time

before they drain her.

If they haven't already.

[Ajay] Wait, did y'all

say Worm's still alive?

sh*t Bob, we really gotta teach you

to stop using your big boy voice.

Sorry, big family. We had

to speak loud to be heard.

Yeah, noted.

Not an admirable quality for

a super secret organization.

- Wouldn't you say?

- I'm realizing that.

Worm's still alive, where

is she? How is she?

And why are we still

here? Let's go get her.

You need to learn patience.

And you need to learn manners.

- Why?

- Because you...

Look, if Worm is still alive,

we need to go get her right now.

There's another girl in danger, all right?

Okay, well I don't care.

That doesn't change the fact

that I'm gonna go save Worm,

and y'all just go do this-

There are five crusties in that clan.

Yeah, and you and your friends

couldn't handle three last night.

Yeah, but now I know what they are,

and now I know what I'm up against.

Let Mehnkah come with me.

No, no, no I'm not going anywhere

until I get like a black belt,

or like a learner's permit-

Are you f*cking serious?

What the f*ck are you gonna

learn from these people?

They're, they're old, they're-

So how do you k*ll a demon?

You, you, you sh**t them

with, with silver b*ll*ts.

What are you the f*ck' Lone Ranger?

Every demon has their own weakness.

The ones that have Worm,

you gotta turn their brains to mush.

Good luck getting them

to stand still long enough

for you to do that.

Okay, the two of you

stay here. We'll handle this.

Handle what? Handle Worm, because-

Enough!

You stay here, got it? (upbeat music)

f*cking stupid.

Oh, don't worry about it.

I'm pretty sure everything

will work out, you know,

we'll save your friend,

and everything will be okay.

Oh, it'll be fine, because

we are gonna go save her.

(upbeat music)

[Hank] She get it?

[Rose] Just as Michael had predicted.

[Hank] sh*t, I hate when he's right.

[Rose] He's always right.

- Right about what?

- She swiped your file.

[Bob] No, she didn't, my file's right...

She stole my file. (upbeat music)

(bag rustles)

Oh. (spits) Oh God.

Ugh. What the hell is that?

- They're apple.

- Ugh, oh my God,

who gets apple flavored jelly beans?

Who the hell doesn't like

apple flavored jelly beans?

Decent people everywhere?

I love apple.

Maybe it's because I wasn't allowed

to have apples growing up.

You weren't allowed to have apples?

What kind of parents don't

let their kid have apples?

I guess I had a little bit of

an overprotective guardian,

- you could say.

- Like, so no Mom or dad?

You could say that he was like a father,

not in a traditional sense though.

Hmm. Mysterious.

- What about you? Good home?

- Yeah, it's a broken one.

I um, I had a good dad.

He was protective, but not overprotective.

Strict, but not too strict.

He was there for me when I f*cked up.

And your mom?

I don't know. Never met her.

She left when I was four.

- I'm sorry.

- Don't be. I'm not.

Why would I wanna be in her life

if she doesn't wanna be in mine?

I like the way you look at things.

So like, do you have any normal flavors,

like cherry, or cherry?

Can I at least get some gum

to get this gross flavor outta my mouth?

Thank you.

Now tell me, have you

seen any of these women?

(crickets chirping)

[Mehnkah] Okay, here we are.

(sighs) Yep, here we are.

[Mehnkah] We should, we

should probably go get her, right?

[Ajay] Yep, I guess so.

Okay, so what's the plan?

Well, I was thinking we

go in there, g*ns blazing,

k*ll everything that moves, get her, go.

Okay, that's a good plan.

(chuckles) Thanks.

What, where are the g*ns?

Are, are they in the trunk?

What?

- You don't have any g*ns?

- No.

I don't have any g*ns.

Um, I do have a couple of grenades though.

Wait, what?

Are those for real?

The hell would I be walking

around with fake grenades for?

And you say you're an accountant?

Yes. I mean, admittedly

not a very good one.

Should have just f*ck' stayed in Peru.

(knife tapping) (cigarettes tapping)

(tapping continues) (tense music)

(Worm sighs)

Anyone got a cigarette?

She's up.

You don't look like a smoker.

Oh me? (laughs) Yeah.

Been smoking since I was six,

out there on my pink Big Wheels,

riding around without a helmet

on, smoking a big fat one.

Always been a rebel.

Look at that sign right there.

Oh, well I'll step outside then.

(men chuckle)

I won't run away, I promise.

You're not getting a cigarette.

Bummer.

I could really use one

right now. It's been a while.

Plus I just woke up.

Nothing like that first

drag in the morning, right?

Slipping from that groggy, I

wanna go back to bed feeling,

into that calm, relaxed, yet

somehow more alert phase.

Damn! Now I want a cigarette.

You watch her. I'm gonna go grab a smoke.

Fine, but you're gonna watch her.

Whoa whoa whoa whoa, why me?

Where the f*ck are you going?

I'm gonna go smoke a cigarette.

And you didn't think that

maybe I want a little cigarette?

- Just one.

- Oh God, fine.

Not like she's going anywhere.

Look, are we doing this or not?

How? How are we gonna do it?

We have a couple of grenades.

How is that gonna help?

There's like five men in there.

- Okay.

- Okay? We have two grenades.

Do the math. It's not gonna work.

They're all not gonna

be standing in a circle

for us to throw the grenades at them.

(door rattles) (crickets chirping)

(door rattles) (crickets chirping)

Well f*ck, they're all

standing there in a circle.

You know what? Maybe we

should just go in there and...

f*ck. (dramatic music)

Why didn't you wait for me, man?

[Thug] What's going on over there?

That's your girlfriend, man?

Ah, I can't tell.

[Ajay] We're actually doing this.

[Thug] What the hell are they doing?

All right. (tense music)

Are they throwing sh*t at us?

(grenade rattles) (tense music)

(expl*si*n blasts) (debris rattles)

(tense music)

(Worm thumps table) (tense music)

(knife clatters)

(knife swishes)

(chair rattles) (tense music)

(knife rattling) (tense music)

(weapon thunks Worm's head)

(tense music)

(flesh squelching) (weapons thunking)

(Ajay grunting) (labored breathing)

(metal clanks) (Ajay chuckles)

- Where did you get all that?

- From these guys.

You ever seen a movie

where the hero goes in,

kills everybody, and then

doesn't take the g*ns?

(tense music)

(door rattles) You even got a cigarette?

(door rattles) (tense music)

(g*n clicks)

- Hey hey hey hey man.

- Come for your friend ladies?

Yes, look, let's talk. Nobody has to-

(g*n blasts)

- f*ck, my eye!

You b*tch, it stings! (g*n blasts)

Oh, my other eye. Oh!

(thug grunting) (g*n blasts)

(indistinct) Mehnkah, he's dead!

(g*n blasts)

(g*n clatters)

(Mehnkah grunts) (weapon thunking)

(thug grunts) (weapon thunking)

No, I'm pretty sure he is dead.

(labored breathing) (Mehnkah grunts)

Why did you tell me your whole life story?

I don't know. I'm tired.

I'm tired of running. I'm

tired of hiding in the shadows.

I'm tired of not having a home.

I think that's it.

I really want a home.

Mostly, I'm just tired

of being the bad guy.

It's not like I even did

anything that bad. (chuckles)

Then again, I, I did kind of give up

on doing anything that good.

And isn't that what they

say allows evil to win?

When good people do nothing.

- What?

- Good and evil.

What an outdated concept.

Outdated?

Good and evil do not exist.

Sure, like in a cosmic universal sense,

but like, I can tell when someone is good,

and when someone does something evil.

That's not good and evil,

that's order and chaos.

Okay, but chaos is what gets people k*lled.

So does bringing about

and maintaining order.

All right, touch.

But with order, at least

there's laws and rules.

Laws of man. (chuckles)

Hypocrisy at its finest.

- Laws keep us safe though.

- Do they?

Man uses the point of his sword

to force his traditions and opinions

of right and wrong on others.

People fear g*ns, say that they're evil,

so they ask men with g*ns

to take them away from

others that they disagree with.

Laws demand justice.

So justice asks men, fallible men,

to be judge, jury, and executioner.

But chaos, chaos has karma for that.

Chaos is the natural state

of the world, of the universe.

It's order that's unnatural.

(door squeaks)

They're here.

(Lilith clears her throat)

So is any of what you've

told me here today the truth,

or was it all lies?

(Joy laughs)

Ah f*ck, okay, when did I lose you?

You would never have

confessed to all of this

if you really thought I

was a district attorney.

Mm, okay, so I spilled too fast.

That's, that's a good one. I was right.

Well, I wouldn't be spilling now

if your guy hadn't come in and let you know

that the real good guys are

about to bust through that door.

- When did you know?

- Um, the alley?

Those guys in suits,

they looked really good.

They almost had me going for a minute.

But real feds, they have

holograms on their badges.

Also, remember, I'm a former DEA agent?

This is not a legit

operation. (dramatic music)

Besides, someone already got

to me and told me everything.

Who? (tense music)

It looks like you don't have enough time

for me to tell you. (tense music)

So then we're at a stalemate, then.

Stalemate? b*tch, I checkmated your a*s.

(tense music)

(distant weapons popping) (tense music)

So did we have fun? (weapons popping)

(tense music)

(Joy gasping for air) (tense music)

I truly have enjoyed our

conversation to this point.

I think we could have been friends,

but for now, we'll just have to be more.

You don't have to be

afraid of anything anymore.

(tense music)

I'll keep you safe.

(door clatters) (tense music)

(harmonizing vocals) (tense music)

(g*n blasts)

(flames roar)

- Target one is down.

[Rose] And the girl? (g*n clicks)

What the f*ck?

Hey, hi. Huh? (device rings)

Human. (tense music)

[Rose] Let her go. (tense music)

(Joy exhales)

Oh my God. What the hell's going on here?

Who the hell are you people,

and what the f*ck do you want?

We'll supply you with the answers you seek

if you're gonna give us what we want.

What, what you want? I, I don't know, I...

Okay, you do have weapons

that clearly vaporize people.

- Oh come on! You?

- Yeah.

Hey Joy, how you doin'?

- Not so good, Mike.

This was you? This is The Project?

Yeah, a little bit. (Joy sighs)

Hey Mason,

how many mercs does it

take to change a light bulb?

[Mason] (sighs) Standard

operating procedure.

What do you want, Mike?

The end of communism

and a libertarian president.

Other than that, I wanna give you a chance

to do a little bit more good.

More good?

The last time I did more good,

I ended up k*lling seven people.

Well that's true, okay, but this time

you'll get to k*ll a whole

lot more. I promise.

That, that's not, I, I don't wanna...

Who are you and what the f*ck do you want?

I merely want to ask you a question.

- Which is?

- Do you believe in destiny?

Tell me my condition is incurable

All right, let's go.

They tell me that I

need to take these drugs

To numb the pain

It's days like this

I just wish that I

could rewrite my history

But I must live with my mistakes

Hello, my name is Robert

and I'll be debriefing you,

and getting you

associated with The Project,

all settled in. (buoyant music)

(device hums) (buoyant music)

(bird squawks) (buoyant music)

Tell me my condition is incurable

Tell me that I need to take these drugs

To numb the pain

It's days like this I just wish

That I could rewrite my history

Want one?

- What?

- Want one?

(Joy sighs) Got a bit of a sweet tooth,

but we've all got our things, I guess.

It's one of my many vices. (buoyant music)

(fire crackling) (buoyant music)

[Jeff] Neither Lilith nor Rose

must be allowed to get

their hands on the sword,

especially Rose.

[Brother 2874] We will all give our lives

to protect the sword.

(buoyant music)

They tell me my condition is incurable

They tell me that I

need to take these drugs

To numb the pain

Usually not big on candy though.

Kind of rots your teeth,

not really good for you.

These apple flavored ones,

can't get enough of 'em.

Where am I?

Hey.

- Hey Worm?

- Ajay?

Yes, it's me. You're okay now, okay?

- You saved me?

- Yes. We saved you.

(gasps) You shouldn't have done that.

What? (buoyant music)

This isn't gonna end well for you.

For any of us. (buoyant music)

They're getting close.

If I feel it is in danger,

I will return and remove it somewhere else.

[Brother 2874] We understand.

The Desert Rose must

remain safe from Project hands,

for now.

They tell me my condition is incurable

[Brother 2874] What of Lilith?

The danger she represents

has passed, has it not?

It's days like this I just wish

That I could rewrite my history

But I must live with my mistakes

Twist and turns, we never learn

Like the smell of (indistinct) burnin'

Things like that in the dark

Sit back and enjoy the ride

Oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh

We're on the road now,

and we can't slow down

Oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh

We're on the road now,

and we can't slow down

Oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh

We're on the road now,

we're on the road now

Oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh

We're on the road now,

and we can't slow down

(silence)