Reply All--by Michael Raymond

Synopsis—Reply All

Writer:	Michael Raymond	Genre:	Thriller (paranoid/political)
Subject:	Original Screenplay	Circa:	Present-day
Title:	"Reply All"	Locale:	Washington D.C./Virginia/Maryland

Theme/Story
A government film archivist finds himself a hunted man after he accidentally sends an innocent email to an entire government facility and inadvertently discloses the identity of a highly sensitive and politically charged film that he must retrieve and make public in order to stay alive.

ACT I
Leo (30s) is a film geek and collector of 8mm home movies. He works as a film archivist at a federal archives facility with his fiancé Claire, who longs for greater intimacy in their relationship, including the reasons why Leo has an obsession with collecting other people’s 8mm home movies.

During a weekly meeting, Leo discovers an 8mm film that someone stored in the wrong film canister. Later, Leo sends an email where he happens to mention the mislabeled film by name, but accidentally clicks REPLY ALL — sending the note to every department in the U.S. government. Despite his initial embarrassment, his best friend and co-worker convinces him to think nothing of it until Leo discovers that anyone who attended this meeting is dying by suspicious circumstances — including his best friend.

When Leo survives an attempt on his own life, and then discovers that Claire played a part in disclosing his whereabouts, Leo finds himself running for his life from hired killers and local law enforcement — all reporting to Sterling Watson — a shadowy figure with high-level corporate and political connections.

ACT II
Leo seeks refuge and information, as paranoia permeates his every move. Leo survives a series of attempts on his life, and then encounters the sole remaining survivor of the meeting (other than himself) who had gone into hiding, fearing for his life. The survivor makes a startling disclosure regarding the contents of the film, which involves a secret research program focused on developing new strains of lethal viruses, including anthrax, smallpox, and ricin. The most startling and grisly revelations are the gruesome and hideous images that graphically show the use of human subjects and human experimentation.

Leo realizes the only way he can stay alive is to get his hands on the film — for his own protection. However, Leo must retrieve the film from within the archives facility where it is hidden inside a locked cabinet that is scheduled to be collected and destroyed. Also, Leo may need to rely on Claire’s help, but can she be trusted? The clock is ticking, as Sterling Watson’s assorted hit-men are closing in on Leo.

After the remaining meeting survivor is also killed, Leo goes on the offensive, using ingenuity and sleight of hand to elude his pursuers. However, Leo is briefly captured where he endures a gut-wrenching interrogation from Sterling Watson before he is able to flee with the knowledge that the covert program is actually government-sanctioned and funded — from the highest levels.

ACT III
Leo eventually finds a way to get the film into his possession, as he desperately searches for someone he can trust. Leo confronts Watson at a large gathering where he turns the tables, revealing the incriminating evidence with an impromptu and very public viewing of the film and its macabre and horrific images. After Leo overcomes one final confrontation, he must decide whether he can ever return to his former life — including Claire — whom he discovers did indeed have a secret past that involved the much sought after 8mm film. Although Leo emerges from his ordeal a seemingly safe man, he and Claire must reconcile their relationship against the backdrop of a potentially ominous and uncertain future.

Michael Raymond
7719 - 27th Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98117
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