The Target - Synopsis and Prologue

SYNOPSIS


Super spy Mark loves his job even if it means not having a personal life. His new assignment seems right up his alley. He needs to infiltrate a group of scientists at a large corporation who are working on a very important device that many are interested in. Mark's objective is to protect the scientists, and more importantly to his superiors, protect the device from being stolen. Seems easy enough, if he wasn't distracted by the CEO's sexy assistant who seems to have secrets of her own. Mark is used to being the predator, but this time, is it he who is the target? Either way, someone has a bulls-eye on their heart.


PROLOGUE:

Scene: Burj Khalifa Building, Dubai, UAE.

In one of the highest floors of the building, there's a secret casino. There are only a few tables in the large opulent room. It is surrounded by glass walls that provides views that only being up that high in the tallest building in the world can provide.

Mark is sitting in one of the Black Jack tables. He looks debonair in a black tuxedo, the attire of most of the men in the room, though some of them are wearing the traditional white robes of the region. There are beautiful women that are walking around and carrying trays of drinks.

Mark is looking at the hand that was just dealt to him. Standing next to Mark is his new friend Malik. Malik looks nervous.

Mark: (to the dealer) Hit me.

Dealer gives him a card. Mark looks at the card. Dealer and Mark reveal their cards. Mark wins the hand. He looks bored.

Malik: (looking more excited than Mark) Yes!

The dealer pushes the winning chips towards Mark.

The pit manager walks over to them.

Pit Manager: Sir, we would like to extend an invitation to you to the “Titanium Table”

Mark: Hmmmm... Sure. But first I'm just gonna take a little break. I need to stretch my legs.

Mark and Malik leave the table and walk to one of the large windows overlooking the city below.

Malik: Mark, are you sure about this?

Mark: (shrug) Sure, why not.

The Target - Episode 1: The Mission

EPISODE 1: The Assignment

Scene: AKME Factory. A nondescript building that looks just like an ordinary factory on the outside.

Mark pulls in his motorcycle in front of the security kiosk. He takes his helmet off and he shows the security guard his badge who points his desktop equipment at him. The device scans his face. This facility is actually The Philippine Bureau of Investigations (PBI) top secret offices.

Security guard: (After hitting some buttons) Come right in, sir.

Mark: Thanks.

Mark puts his motorcycle helmet back on. The gate opens and he drives inside. The gate closes quickly behind him after he goes through.


Scene: Office of Mark's boss. Chief Josefa Tapang is sitting behind a neat desk. She's a small woman and the large executive chair dwarfs her but she projects an air of confidence and authority. The stern expression on her face suits her very well. It's as if she came out of her mother wearing this expression.

Chief: Have a seat... Great job on your last mission,

Mark: (sitting down) Thanks ma'am.

Chief: You are one of our best, Agent 1337. I hope you had enough rest from your well deserved vacation. I regret that I had to ask you to cut it short.

Mark: That's okay. I was ready to leave anyway.

Chief: Are you ready for your next assignment?

Mark: Ready as I'll ever be.

The Target - Episode 2: The Nerd

EPISODE 2: The Nerd

Scene: Atis Corporation. Late that night.

Mark is on the top floor of the building where the executive suites are. He finds the door he is looking for. The sign on the door says “Chief Executive Officer” He knocks tentatively and when no one answers, Mark uses a key card to unlock the door.

Mark: (thinking) Yes! This is too easy.

Later, Mark is looking through the laptop on the desk when he hears someone coming. He very quickly dives under the large desk to hide.

The lights get turned on.

From under the desk, Mark recognizes the red pumps and pair of woman's legs sitting in the chair where he was sitting earlier.

Mark blinks a few times.

Mark: (thinking) Angel?

From under the desk, Angel kicks off her high heeled Christian Loubotin shoes and crosses her legs, giving him a nice view. Mark dare not move a muscle. He dare not breath.

Angel is also looking through the desk and then typed for a few minutes on the laptop. A very serious and somewhat exasperated expression on her face.

From under the table, Mark hears the keyboards clicking and some papers shuffling. Angel uncrosses her legs and stretches it. Mark tries to make himself as small as possible.

Angel reaches down and pats the floor under the table, looking for the red soled shoes. She's one centimeter from touching Mark. Mark gets her shoe and puts it closer to Angel's hands. Angel grabs the shoe, puts it on, grabs her designer purse and leaves the office after turning the lights off.

Mark breathes a sigh of relief. He quietly gets out from under the desk. He was reaching the door knob when all of a sudden, the door opens abruptly!

Angel: (angry) What the hell do you think you are doing?

The Target - Episode 3: Celebration

EPISODE 3: the Celebration


Scene: Leroy Jenkins' Fun Palace (A restaurant, bar, karaoke, internet cafe). The waiters and waitresses are dressed like anime characters. Albert, Stephen, Ada, Mark and Jim are in one of the private karaoke rooms. Pascal was a no-show.

Jim: ha ha ha.. if you think that's funny, then let me tell you about the time our mom got into it with the mom of this kid who stepped on Mark's inhaler..Mark had the worst asthma attack....Ha ha ha ha

Mark: Yes, me not being able to breath is hilarious! Comedy gold! You'll never get tired of telling that story are you?

Jim: ha ha ha, No. Especially if the ending of the story is you in front of our whole school with no pants. Oops, spoiler alert. Ha ha ha ha.

Mark is laughing good naturedly along with the others.

Ada: I think it's nice hearing childhood stories of you, Mark.

Jim: Oh, you want more? I got plenty! Let me tell you about one of Mark's science experiments gone bad ...

The Target - Episode 4: The Island

EPISODE 4: The Island

Scene: At a deserted tropical island. It's daylight, strong winds are blowing palm trees to and fro. The breaking waves are hitting the beach in large swells. Mark and Angel are laying on the beach unconscious.

Angel wakes up first. She looks around and spots Mark several feet away. She gets up carefully and walks over to where Mark is laying on his back asleep, his eyeglasses askew on his face. Angel gets some water from the ocean with her cupped hands and throws it on Mark's face.

Mark slowly opens his eyes. He raises his hands to shield his eyes from the harsh sunlight. Then he sees bare female legs. Above that is a flowy white dress being whipped around by the wind and giving glimpses of shapely thighs. He looks up higher and recognizes Angel's angry face staring down at him. Her eyes shooting daggers.

For the first time in a really long time, Mark gets a real asthma attack.

Mark: ... wheez... wheez... pant... wheeeeez

Mark sits up and then gets on all fours finding the position where he can breath easier. He stands up as he slowly recovers. He looks around, then at the fuming Angel who doesn't seem to have any sympathy for him.

Mark: W-where are we? What happened?

Angel: (still mad) You really don't remember?

Mark still has a blank look on his face. Angel gets so mad she starts hitting him (not that hard but it still hurts) on his arms and shoulders.

Angel: (slap! hit! ) You jerk! This is all your fault! (slap! Hit! Slap!)

Mark: (shielding his head with his arms) Huh? What? Wait! Wait!

The Target - Episode 5: The Rescue

EPISODE 5: The Rescue

Angel: Awww!!! Eeeeeeeeeee! Mark!!!!! MAAAAAAARK!!!!

Mark was surprised to hear Angel screaming and grabs his clothes that were on a large rock and quickly puts just his boxer briefs on and rushes to her side.

Angel: (crying) It hurts!! It hurts!

Mark: What happened!

Angel: (crying) I got bit by a snake!

Mark: What kind of snake?

Angel: (crying) I don't know! It's like the one we saw yesterday!

Mark: Damn! That was a venomous snake! Where did you get bit? Show me!

Angel still sobbing shows Mark the 2 fang marks on her upper thigh.

Mark acts swiftly. He takes his knife and cuts an X mark between the two dots.

Mark: Sorry, I have to do this.

Mark puts his mouth on the snake bite and sucks some blood and spits it out. He does this a few times, while holding on to Angel's hips as she continues to cry.

The Target - Episode 6: The Doubts

EPISODE 6: The Doubts

Scene: Angel's bedroom. The next morning.

Mark and Angel are laying in bed. Mark's just woke up with a huge grin on his face. He looks next to him and sees Angel still sound asleep. She's laying on her stomach with the sheet down to her waist and her whole back exposed.

He gently moves some of the hair covering her face with his fingertips. She makes a sound like a satisfied cat purring. He slowly caresses her shoulders. Then he sees something familiar on Angel's back, something he's thought about more than once. She has a tattoo of the target with two darts with heart shaped flights.

Mark: (disbelieving, thinking) No way! That was Angel in Batanes?

Angel: (waking up) Ummmmm, good morning...

Mark: (big grin) Good Morning.

They are now facing each other.

Mark: Just noticed your tattoo. Does it have a meaning?

Angel: Nope. I just picked it out of a book. My siblings and I went out drinking one night, we were smashed and decided it was a great idea to go to a tattoo parlor. Don't you think it's cute?

Mark: Cuter than a basket of puppies.

Angel: Hi Hi Hi. (Face changes, alarmed) Oh darn! What time is it? I'm gonna be late for work! I have a meeting first thing in the morning!

Angel jumps out of bed quickly and starts to pull some clothes on.

Mark: (watching the whirlwind that was Angel getting dressed) Aww, let's take the day off. Come back to bed..

Angel: I wish! But I can't miss work today.

Mark: You know what I wish? I wish I was still at Batanes, ever been there?

Either Angel didn't hear or she ignored Mark's question.

Angel: (she blows Mark a kiss) Help yourself to whatever you find in the kitchen. I'll make you breakfast next time. Lock the door behind you!

She leaves Mark with a perplexed expression on his face but she doesn't appear to notice it.


Scene: Atis Corp. Mr. Alva's office. Mark knocks on the door.

Mark: Mr. Alva, can I talk to you for a sec?

Mr. Alva: (uneasy) Uh Mark.. sure, sure Uh...What can I do for you?

Mark: (sitting down) Well, we haven't had a chance to talk since the Celebration Cruise. What happened to you?

Mark points at the bruises that Mr. Alva has on his face.

Mr. Alva: Uh.. fine.. fine..Just fell down some stairs.. clumsy me, he he..

Mark: (looking Alva directly in the eye) Oh, okay. I thought I saw a couple of guys beating you up and threatening you. Man, I must have been wasted!

Mr. Alva: Ahem.. yes. Yes you were! That was shameful behavior, Mark. I didn't expect that from you!

Mark: Sorry about that sir. I have some uh, personal problems. Actually.. sir, that's really why I came to see you today.

Mr. Alva: Oh? What's on your mind?

Mark: Well, uh, sir, I need an advance and a raise.

Mr. Alva: I'm afraid that's out of the question. We do not give advances at Atis and your raises are on a set schedule.

Mark: (full on acting) Sir, I'm desperate. I have a bit of a .. gambling bug... I borrowed money against my grandparents house without them knowing and now it is going to get foreclosed by the bank. They are old and sick and very attached to that home.

Mr. Alva: Mark! I'm very surprised! You hardly seem like the kind of person who would do something like this!

Mark: I know sir. I'm terribly ashamed. I was hoping you can help me. Maybe there's some extra work I can do to earn money ...

Mr. Alva appears to be on the verge of telling him something

Mr. Alva: Let me see what I can do. Come back here at 6 PM.


Scene: Afternoon break that day. Atis cafeteria.

Mark and Angel are in line to get coffee. Angel's stepsisters Trixie and Trina arrive.

Trixie: Angel! There you are! Your office said you'd be here! What is going on?? Jermaine texted us that the wedding is off!!

Trina: Please tell us this is just one of his bad jokes!

Angel: Uh... Uh...

Trixie: Oh no ! It's true isn't it??

Trina: Have we been wasting time planning this wedding like a couple of idiots!? We spent hours picking out the cake today!

Trixie: (glaring at Mark) Who is this man and why is his arm around you?

Angel: Uh.. this is Mark. Mark, these are my sisters, Trixie and Trina...

Trina: (gasp) You broke up with Jermaine because you found someone else!

Trixie: How long has this been going on! You've been two-timing our brother? You.. you b1tch!

Mark is amazed at seeing Angel cowering and at lost for words.

Mark: Hey, take it easy..

Trixie: (to Mark) Stay out of this! This is none of your business!

Trina: Of all the inconsiderate, selfish, shameless...

Jermaine arrives on the scene.

Jermaine: That's enough! Don't make a scene here.

Angel: Jermaine..

Jermaine: Sis, as much fun as it is to see Angel squirm, lay off her.

Trina: How can you say that, she obviously hurt you!

Jermaine: (smiling) Me? Hurt? Pshaw! Hardly! Angel found someone else and I'm happy for her. Ha ha ha! Look at your faces! Really, it's all good. (to Mark) Good luck to you, nerd! Have at it! She's all yours!

Jermaine leaves laughing. Trina and Trixie run after him.

Mark puts his arm around the shaken Angel. Other people have been watching them and are still staring.

Mark: C'mon lets get out of here. I know where we can get you the best cappuccino you've ever had in your entire life.



Scene: Basement.

Door is opening, Ada, Albert, Stephen, Pascal are in the open area. They look up and see Mark and Angel who are walking in. Mark and Angel are laughing about something.

Ada: Excuse me, she can't come in here. She doesn't have the security clearance.

Angel: But I've been promised the best cappuccino I've ever had in my entire life.

Mark: This will just take a minute. (pointing to the machine) You have to see this... behold the Javanator!

Mark turns on the machine, they watch as it whizzes and pops finally produce the coffee which Mark hands to Angel. She takes a sip.

Angel: Wow! This is fabulous! But it needs some sugar.

Mark: Oh, I'll get you some from the cabinet.

Angel: I don't mean that sugar, I mean this sugar. (pointing to her lips)

Marks smiles and gives her a quick peck.

Angel: Now it's perfect. I'll take this coffee to go. I'll see you later, Mark. Bye everyone.

Angel leaves, closing the door behind her.

Albert: So...is there something you want to tell us, Mark?

Mark: What?

Albert: Are you two... did you two.. you know.. Have you...

Mark: What?

Stephen: Don't pretend! He wants to know if your Mars probe landed on Venus!

Ada: Ugh! You guys gossip worse than women ! They want to know if you've had sex! Geez, you don't have to use euphemisms, we're all adults here!

Pascal: Oh relax, they are just living vicariously through Mark.

Ada: (smiling at Pascal) You got that right.

Ada and Pascal laugh.



Scene: Mr Alva's office. 6PM

Mark: Mr Alva?

Mr. Alva: Come in, close the door, have a seat.

Mark sits down.

Mr. Alva: Mark, I've checked with my contacts and they want to offer you 'extra work' if you are willing to do it, but it would be ah, unconventional,

Mark: Of course, Mr Alva! At this point, I'll do anything! Who are these 'contacts' ?

Mr. Alva: I trust you Mark, even if I've only known you for a few months. I vouched for you so my neck is on the line here too. Believe me, Mark, you wouldn't want to cross these people. You saw what those goons did to me in the boat. (motioning to his bruises )

Mark put on a confused expression on his face. He knows what role he needs to play.

Mr. Alva: Several months ago, I was approached by someone who works here who turned out to be a spy from Makopa Corp. For a very large sum, they wanted me to tell them about our projects... But we both know I don't really understand what you guys are doing. They want someone who actually does. I told them you may be willing to do this for them.

Mark: Wait, you want me to sell our research to Makopa?

Mr. Alva: In a manner of speaking...

Mark: And you told them I am willing to do this?

Mr. Alva: You said you needed money. Here's a way to earn a lot of it. And it will take the pressure off me. They are asking me things that I don't know how to answer and they are pissed off.

Mark acts unsure.

Mark: I don't know, Mr. Alva, this is a serious crime.

Mr. Alva: Please Mark, they've been leaning on me hard.

Mark still looks unconvinced.

Mr. Alva: I hate to do this to you but I will find a reason to fire you if you don't agree!

Mark: What? That's unfair! That's outrageous!

Mr. Alva: You leave me no choice!

Mark: You're leaving me no choice as well! You know I need this job!

Mr. Alva: It will be all right, Mark. (sounds like he's trying to convince himself and Mark) You give them what they want, they pay you, they leave both of us alone.

Mark: (thinking) Naïve fool. He really thinks its that simple to be in bed with crooks.

Mark: Okay. I agree. I want to meet your contact.

Mr. Alva: Good, good. She's waiting for my text right now.

Mr. Alva sends a text. Just a few minutes later, there was a quick courtesy knock on the door and then it was opened.

Mr. Alva: Come in.

Mark looks back in surprise.

Mr. Alva: (smug) Angel, I believe you know Mark.

Angel: (smiling at the stunned Mark) Yup. Mr. Alva, may I use your office to speak to Mark.

Mr. Alva: Of course. I'm going home anyway.

Mr. Alva leaves with a smile.

Mark: Angel? What is the meaning of this? What's going on?

Angel: Mark, I know this is quite a shock to you. I was stunned myself when Mr. Alva told me that you may be convinced to work with us.

Mark: I didn't tell him I'm willing to sell company secrets! I don't believe it! You're a corporate spy? How can you do this?

Angel: Makopa has spies here. Atis has spies in Makopa. Mark, these companies have been playing these games for a long time and they will continue to play these games whether we are involved or not.

Mark: It's a game to you?

Angel: (shrugs) A game that pays you a buttload of dough! Mark, this is extremely lucrative. Imagine all your money troubles, gone! You can buy anything you want! You've seen my home, my car. I like nice things and I don't deny that! How do you think an executive secretary can afford an Hermes purse?

Mark: Were you even planning on telling me about this side of you?

Angel: To be honest, I have been thinking of how to recruit you. Your boss doesn't know jack.

Mark: What? Is that why ... you slept with me? Are you just using me?

Angel: No! No! Of course not! Mark, in case I didn't make it abundantly clear, I like you. I like you a lot.

Mark: It just seems a tad convenient that you need someone in R&D and we got together.

Angel: Don't insult me! Think about it! If I wanted to, I can seduce any of your co-workers. But I'm not attracted to to them. You're the nerd that I want, Mark... C'mon, I have a feeling that you and I are gonna make a great team. I know what's going on in the boardroom and you know what's going on in R&D. I think it's great that this is out in the open between us.

Mark: It blows my mind how nonchalant you are about this. Doesn't all the pretense bother you?

Angel: I understand your hesitation. Believe me I do. But aren't you being just a wee bit judgmental? You're acting like I murdered an orphanage full of cute kittens! Are you really as pure as driven snow?

Mark, who is usually able to hide his true feelings is showing all of his confusion on his face.

Mark: (thinking) Sonofabitch.. I thought I had everything under control. I know I will agree after acting hesitant, but dammit, I'm not acting.

Mark: Okay. It's not as if I have much of a choice. Alva threatened to fire me!

Angel: That sniveling coward knows his a$s is on the line.

Angel sits on Mark's lap and gives him a long, lingering kiss.

Angel: C'mon let's go to my place. I promised you breakfast didn't I? (at Mark's hesitation) Trust me, Mark.



Scene: Mark's apartment. Mark just finished filling Jim in on the latest developments.

Jim: Angel? Really? It just seems too much of a coincidence.

Mark: That's what I've been thinking. I've been going over it in my head again and again. Is she just playing me? Is she just using me?

Jim: It's exactly what we want. We wanted you to be approached and that's what happened. Are you complaining? Hey, I'd let someone who looks like that use me any time. He, He. (looking at Mark's face) Wait, Oh no, please don't tell me you actually care about her?

Mark: I don't know...maybe...I should have seen it coming and I didn't. Damn, she may be my kryptonite.

Jim: Well snap out of it! She will most likely end up in jail.

Mark: I know. This just can't end well.

Jim: You need to detach yourself now! Let her use you, but do not let her have the better of you! Do I have to remind you what your priority is?

Mark: No, of course not.

Jim: Good. I'm glad we are clear. Now, lets go! I'm starving.

The Target - Episode 7: The Prototype

EPISODE 7: The Prototype

Few days later.

Scene: Mark driving to work. Phone rings. It's Jim.

Mark: Hey bro.

Jim: Hey. I don't have much time so listen carefully. A group including Chief T is on their way to Atis right now to pick up the prototype.

Mark: But, it's not completed.

Jim: Based on your latest report, its good enough. There's genuine concern that it will be stolen at Atis. Chief doesn't think it's safe there and I agree.

Mark: Is this because of my relationship with Angel?

Jim: I assured Chief that she's just part of your strategy.

Mark: But you have doubts?

Jim: It's not important what I think right now... Like, I said, I don't have much time, I'm at the airport Mark, I need you to cover for me while I go off the grid for a couple of weeks. I got what may be a message from Ace.

Mark: What? Ace is not dead?

Flashback of a car chase along a winding road up a mountain. Ace is driving a sportscar behind another sportscar he is chasing. Jim is also driving another car chasing behind them. The road has so many curves that he can't always see them in front. He just came from a hairpin turn that he went too fast on when he saw Ace's car careen off the cliff. Jim gets out of his car and runs to the side of the cliff just in time to see Ace's sports car explode into a fiery ball.

Jim: I saw the car fall off the cliff and explode. But this message can only come from him or someone who knows a lot. I have to pursue it.

Mark: It could be a trap.

Jim: I still have to pursue it.

Mark: I understand. I would go with you if I could.

Jim: I know Dude. Thanks. I gotta go catch this plane. I'll get in touch as soon as I can.

As soon as they hang up, there was another call. It's Angel.

Angel: (urgent) Mark! Where are you?

The Target - Episode 8 The Slip

EPISODE 8: The Slip

Scene: Inside the helicopter. Flying over the city.

Angel: You puke! You a$shole! What are you doing! Where are you taking us?

Mark: You got some nerve! Acting and lying comes naturally to you doesn't it!

Angel: “I” have some nerve?! You're the world class liar here! Too bad, they didn't believe you, but I did. It's true isn't it! You're a PBI agent!

Mark: Yes, I was sent by PBI to Atis.

Angel: I should have known! You're no nerd! I had a gut feeling in the island that there's more to you than meets the eye! You're a fake!

Mark: I'm just doing my job.

Angel: Oh yeah? Was it part of your job to sleep with me, huh? I feel so cheap and exploited!

Mark: Well then we're even! I had no idea you were a criminal when we first got together! You were more than happy to use me too! Admit it!

Angel: Rot in hell ! I hate you !

Mark: Where is it, Angel?

Angel: I don't have it! Don't tell me you really don't know where it is because I don't believe you!

Mark: It's just the two of us, you can drop the charade.

Angel: Me? Charade? You are the great thespian here! You're probably acting right now! All that BS .. (mimicking Mark) It blows my mind how nonchalant you are .....I can't believe I fell for you!

Mark decides on a different tact.


Mark: (calmly) I understand how angry you are. I do. You can imagine my surprise when I found out it was you all along and that's my target. Angel, you must see that you are on the wrong side of the law.

Angel is silent and looks like she still wants his head on a platter.

PKNLB Fanfic Trailer

This video is purely intended as visuals for Mark Anthony Fernandez, Claudine Baretto and Heart Evangelista fanfiction titled “Pangarap Ka Na Lang Ba?”. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All clips and songs belong to their respected owners.