What Prevuze Doesn't Know

A dark figure slinks through the woods outside the Prevuze compound.
Using infrared goggles the intruder can easily spot the laser beams that if tripped would sound an alarm, alerting the Prevuze security team that someone is attempting to breech the tightly guarded compound.

Like a jungle cat, the figure silently avoids the laser beams and locates the objective of his mission. The Prevuze cable.

Hidden deep in the woods the cable has been the subject of controversy and a government probe into day ahead sites, questioning whether or not they are a threat to national security.

The figure has reached the cable. Slowly a knife is drawn from a sheath, it catches the moonlight for a split second before slashing down towards the cable.

Suddenly out of nowhere another figure tackles the first one. The two tumble down the ravine and end up at the bottom in a pile. The knife is long gone and the pair of figures, both unarmed, separate to face each other. Before either can make a move the moon comes out from behind the clouds, causing the ravine to be flooded with light. Both figures stop cold, staring at one another, gasps of disbelief and recognition come from both.

"MAX! OH MY GOD! What are you doing here?"

"THEO CARVER! I might ask you the same question!"

A few tense seconds pass as the two size each other up. Finally Theo breaks the silence, "Max. We knew someone was plotting to sabotage the Prevuze cable, but we never thought it would be you."

"Well, there are many things you don't know about me Theo" Max says "Now step aside and let me do what I came here to do."

"No Max. People depend on Prevuze to start their day with a smile. To let them know what's going to happen on DOOL the next day. People even risk losing their jobs to read every day." Theo says "And I have sworn to protect this cable, this lifeline to the NBC feed, and by God I will not let you sever it."

"OH give me just a small break here." Max rolls his eyes "The writers haven't given you so much as a line in the past, what year? How can you be so loyal?"

"Never you mind, Max." Theo answers "My family has a story line going right now, okay so it's lame, but at least we are getting camera time, and I will not let you mess that up."

"NO, you don't understand. I used to be a race car driver. I designed and built an engine that was destined to revolutionize the sport of auto racing the world over" Max said "I was set to make millions, to be internationally famous. My whole future was set. Then in one summer, it was all gone!"

"Max, there's always another answer." Theo begs "Don't throw your life away, things can change.."

"DON'T PATRONIZE ME!" Max explodes "I have been reduced to tending bar and hanging around a bunch of sorority bimbos. I had a future! I had fame, money, beautiful women. And THEY TOOK IT AWAY! WELL NOW I AM TAKING EVERYTHING AWAY! IT'S MY TURN!"

Max lunges for the knife lying a few feet away in the leaves. Theo tackles him but not before Max manages to grab the knife. The two struggle but the years Max spent on the streets gives him the advantage and he throws Theo off him, back into a tree.
Theo hits his head on the trunk and is knocked out.

"Sorry I had to do that buddy," Max sneers "But it's time for Maxwell Brady to be on top again."

Max scrambles back up the hill and locates the cable. Stretched as it is by the tree growing out of the hillside, Max knows one quick slice and it will all be over.
Prevuze will be no more, and everyone will just think the cable finally snapped.
Max's knife slashes down towards the cable, but before it can sever the precious link a shot rings out.

Max feels the bullet bite into his arm and the knife falls from his hand. Shocked, he looks up to see who shot him.

"Ciera! I might have known you were in on this."

"Uncle Max, it's over." Ciera stands holding a gun on Max "You won't be cutting that cable or any other one today."

"But my life! I want my life back!" Max moans holding his arm "It's not fair, it's not right!"

"I'm sorry Max." Ciera explains "But we can't let you be famous. No one in Salem can be famous. It would call attention to us, and that just can't happen. Now get up and let's go. There's a plane waiting to take you to our deprogramming facility in Europe. A few days there and you will forget all about your life as a race car driver."

"No no!" Max begs "You can't do this, not again. I saw how Stephanie was when she came back. She didn't even remember how to drive! No please don't do this!"

Two goons appear from the shadows and grab Max. They escort him away into the hidden doorway that can now be seen in a large tree nearby.

Ciera watches Max being lead away and sighs. She takes out her cell phone and dials. "Crisis averted, subject is on the way for reprogramming."
Ciera hangs up her phone and watches the doorway in the tree close.
"Forgive me Max, but it's better this way, you'll see."