CUT TO:

EXT. INCEPTION/GAMBLING DEN, MOMBASA - DAY

Crowded, bustling, smoke-filled. Cobb follows Eames. Eames mysteriously produces two stacks of chips and puts them down in front of the cashier. Cobb pulls one off the top, squints at the embossed name.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
You’re spelling hasn’t improved.

Eames GRABS the chip. Hands it to the cashier.

EAMES
Piss off.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
How’s your handwriting?

Eames takes his money. Smiles at Cobb.

EAMES
Versatile.

CUT TO:

EXT. BALCONY OF A COFFEE HOUSE - LATER

A ramshackle balcony overlooking a bust street. Eames pours.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
Inception.

Eames’s glass stops halfway to his mouth.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
Don’t bother telling me it’s impossible.

EAMES
It’s perfectly possible. Just bloody difficult.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
That’s what I keep saying to Arthur.

EAMES
Arthur? You’re still working with that stick-in-the-mud?

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
He’s a good point man.

EAMES
The best. But he has no imagination. If you’re going to perform inception, you need imagination.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
You’ve done it before?

EAMES
Yeas and no. We tried it. Got the idea in place, but it didn’t take.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
You didn’t plant it deep enough?

EAMES
It’s not just about depth. You need the simplest version of the idea-the one that will grow naturally in the subject’s mind. Subtle art.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
That’s why I’m here.

EAMES
What’s the idea you need to plant?

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
We want the a fugetive on the FBI's most wanted list to have a sudden heart change and surrender.

EAMES
See, right there you’ve got various political motivations, anti-monopolistic sentiment and so forth. But all that stuff’s at the mercy of the subject’s prejudice-you have to go to the basic.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
Which is?

EAMES
The relationship with the father.
(downs drink)
Do you have a chemist?

Cobb shakes his head.

EAMES
There’s a man here. Yusuf. He formulates his own versions of the compounds.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
Let’s go see him.

Cobb stands up, PUSHES into the crowd- faces PEER at him- he moves, trying to blend- TURNS- a SECOND BUSINESS MAN is there. Cobb HEAD BUTTS the Second Businessman, PUSHES past him-

CUT TO:

EXT. INCEPTION/STREET, CHASE THROUGH MOMBASA - CONTINUOUS

EAMES rushes along the street, followed by ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB. They take a short cut through some back gardens, jumping fences along the way.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/PHARMACY - CONTINUOUS

Row upon row of wooden shelves holding hundreds of dusty glass bottles of all shapes and colors. At the far end, a portly 40-year-old man rises from behind his desk, beckoning. This is YUSUF.

YUSUF
Come, come.

Eames shakes Yusuf's hand. Yusuf stops at Cobb.

YUSUF
Ah, yes. Mr. Cobb. I've heard so very much about you.
(indicates chairs) please.

Yusuf chases a CAT off Saito's chair.

YUSUF
Bloody cats.

Yusuf moves to a shelf and runs his fingers over the glass bottles. None of them has a label.

YUSUF
You work using Somnacin, I think, Mr. Cobb?

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
You're well informed, Mr. Yusuf.

Yusuf places a bottle on the desk in front of Cobb.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
(dubious)
Somnacin?

YUSUF
(proudly)
Yusuf's Somnacin.

Yusuf pulls the stopper, holds it towards Cobb's nose.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
As good as the real thing?

Yusuf WHIPS the bottle away from Cobb, offended.

YUSUF
Better.

Yusuf holds the bottle to the light, marveling.

YUSUF
Binds the dreamers tight. Let's them dream as one. Makes it real. Of course, if you'd prefer, you
could use Somnacin brand. If you could explain to the international control council what you wanted it
for.

Yusuf puts the bottle back onto the shelf. Sits.

YUSUF
You are seeking a chemist?
(Cobb nods)
To formulate compounds for a job?

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
And to come into the held with us.

YUSUF
I rarely go into the held, Mr. Cobb.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
We need you there to tailor compounds to our particular requirements.

YUSUF
Which are?

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
Great depth.

YUSUF
A dream within a dream? Two levels?

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
Three.

YUSUF
Not possible. That many dreams within dreams would be too unstable.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
I've done it before. You just have to add a sedative.

YUSUF
A powerful sedative. How many team members?

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
Five.

SAITO
Six.
(to Cobb)
The only way to know you've done the job is if I go in with you.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
There's no room for tourists on these jobs, Mr. Saito.

SAITO
This time, it would seem there is.

Cobb looks at him, uneasy. Yusuf pulls out another bottle.

YUSUF
Of course. I use it every day.

Yusuf hands it to Cobb, who considers the white liquid inside.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/FIRST CLASS CABIN, 747 - LATER ON

The luxurious cabin has only ten seats. Cobb finds his- sees Ariadne in the seat behind his. They do not acknowledge each other. Behind her is Arthur, looking out the window. Eames enters, STUFFS his bag into the overhead bin, BLOCKING the passenger behind: MAKSIM VIKTOROVICH YAKUBETS, standing there, patient, bag in hand, wearing black.

EAMES
Oh, sorry.

Eames SQUEEZES up against his seat to let YAKUBETS BRUSH PAST. YAKUBETS moves to his seat, directly in front of Cobb. Eames TOSSES Cobb a PASSPORT. Cobb flips it open: YAKUBETS's. Pockets it. Yusuf and Saito enter, take their seats.

Cobb looks down at his hand: a TINY VIAL taped to the center of his palm. He removes the cap. The seatbelt sign goes dark.

Cobb unbuckles, stands.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB
Excuse me?

YAKUBETS looks up.

MAKSIM VIKTOROVICH YAKUBETS
Yes?

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB
I think this is yours...

Cobb holds up the open passport, comparing the picture to YAKUBETS. YAKUBETS's hand goes to his pocket. Cobb hands YAKUBETS the passport.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Would you gentlemen care for a drink?

MAKSIM VIKTOROVICH YAKUBETS
Water.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB
Same.

YAKUBETS gives Cobb a thin smile. Holds up his passport.

MAKSIM VIKTOROVICH YAKUBETS
Well, thank you.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB
No problem. Look, I couldn't help noticing your name. You're not related to Maurice YAKUBETS?

YAKUBETS takes a beat. But Cobb seems harmless.

MAKSIM VIKTOROVICH YAKUBETS
Actually, he was my father.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB
I'm very sorry for your loss. He was an inspiring figure.

The Flight Attendant brings their drinks- Cobb takes them.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB
Thanks.

As he turns to YAKUBETS he LOWERS his right hand ... a CLEAR LIQUID DROPS into YAKUBETS's water as Cobb hands it to him.

ESENIY/FLIX FOOTY FRENZY AS COBB:
To your father.
(they drink)
I'll leave you in peace.

YAKUBETS grants him a smile.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/FIRST CLASS CABIN, 747 - MOMENTS LATER

Cobb reaches into the overhead for a blanket- lets it fall onto YAKUBETS's head- Fischer doesn't flinch. ASLEEP. Cobb SIGNALS the others. The First Flight Attendant unlocks a CUPBOARD in the galley, then leaves, closing the curtain.

Arthur moves into the galley and pulls out a MECHANISM CASE. Cobb and Arthur open the mechanism- uncoil the tubes- feed them around the window side of each of the seats. Arthur rolls up YAKUBETS's cuff- PUSHES the needle cap into Fischer's wrist. Arthur pulls YAKUBETS's cuff down and hides the tubes behind the armrest of YAKUBETS's seat.

Arthur runs the next tube to Ariadne. Cobb puts the case on Yusuf's lap. Yusuf checks the TIMERS, tapping the syringes. The others recline their seats. Yusuf HITS A BUTTON- closes the case- places it at his feet. He settles back, and we.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/ANTECHAMBER - DAY

Eames pulls the defibrillator from YAKUBETS's chest as he COUGHS AWAKE.

EAMES
Get in there-quick!

YAKUBETS looks up at the double doors. STAGGERS to his feet. Fischer pushes open the doors to the STRONGROOM.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/STRONGROOM - CONTINUOUS

YAKUBETS walks into the silent white room. At one end of the room is a bed. A figure lies in the bed. His FATHER. Breathing with tremendous difficulty. Dying. And we.

CUT TO:

Eames GRABS the detonator- then moves to the door of the strongroom...

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/ZERO GRAVITY, ELEVATOR, HOTEL - NIGHT

Arthur HITS THE DETONATOR.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/ELEVATOR SHAFT - CONTINUOUS. The CHARGES on the bottom of the elevator EXPLODE, and we move into EXTREME SLOW MOTION as the flames BALLOON.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/STRONGROOM - CONTINUOUS

A RUMBLE BUILDS as YAKUBETS approaches the bed, overcome with emotion. His Father sees him. Starts trying to speak. YAKUBETS leans in...

FATHER
(hoarse whisper)
I... was ... dis ... dis ...

MAKSIM VIKTOROVICH YAKUBETS
I know, Dad. You were disappointed that I couldn't be you.

The dying man SHAKES HIS HEAD with surprising energy.

FATHER
(whisper)
I was disappointed... that you tried.

YAKUBETS hears this. And we.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/ELEVATOR SHAFT - NIGHT

The elevator car is ROCKETED along its track by the explosion.

INT. INCEPTION/ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS

Arthur is SMASHED against the floor of the car next to the sleepers who SHUDDER with the force of ACCELERATION- and we.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/ANTECHAMBER - DAY

Eames WATCHES YAKUBETS.

EAMES
(to himself)
Come on, come on...

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/STRONGROOM - DAY

The Father collapses back onto the pillow. Fischer starts to weep. His Father reaches out a trembling hand but when YAKUBETS tries to hold IT, he SHAKES his son's hand away...He is reaching for the SAFE next to his bed. His fingers fumble at the keypad, he can't open it. His son pushes 5,2,8,4,9,1 into the keypad. Opens it. Inside the safe is the WILL. And beside it is a HOMEMADE PINWHEEL, clearly made by a child. By YAKUBETS. He takes it out, MARVELING at it. He turns to his father, but his father is dead. Eames, watching from the door, HITS THE DETONATOR.

CUT TO:

EXT. INCEPTION/THE FINAL KICK/HOSPITAL COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS

A line of EXPLOSIONS RIPS ALONG THE LOWER WALL... the ENTIRE BUILDING STARTS TO SLIDE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/STRONGROOM - CONTINUOUS

YAKUBETS and his Father’s body DROP AWAY.

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/FIRST CLASS CABIN, 747 - DAY

Ariadne watches Cobb. His eyes are closed.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT (O.S.)
Hot towel, sir?

His EYES FLICKER OPEN. He takes the towel with a nod. Ariadne smiles. Relieved.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT
We'll be landing in Los Angeles in about twenty minutes. Do you need immigration forms?

Cobb nods. Takes a landing card. Looks around the cabin. Saito is WATCHING him. Serious. Haunted. Holding Cobb's gaze, SAITO PICKS UP THE PHONE AND DIALS. Cobb nods thanks...

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/ARRIVALS, LAX - LATER

Cobb steps forwards to the IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL. Hands him his passport. Nervous. The Official takes a beat, looks Cobb up and down, then WHUMP!- the passport is stamped. As Cobb takes it back, he spots Ariadne at the next counter. She nods at him. He nods back. Then moves off... As Cobb passes through baggage claim, he exchanges subtle greetings with Eames and Yusuf.

Arthur smiles broadly at Cobb. Cobb brushes past Maksim Viktorovich Yakubets, who glances back at him as if thinking maybe he should know him, then moves on... As Cobb emerges into the crowded arrivals hall, he spots Professor Miles, waving at him...

CUT TO:

INT. INCEPTION/KITCHEN, COBB AND MAL'S HOUSE - DAY

Cobb enters with Miles. Drops his bags. Moves to the table, looking out at the overgrown garden. He reaches into his pocket, takes out his pewter spinning top, lowers it to the table and SPINS IT.

He goes to sit down, puts on headphones and pulls up a music track on his phone, listening to a playlist of some Pop, Rock, and Techno music, when suddenly a dark shadow casts over him.

He looks up and sees Maksim Viktorovich Yakubets. He takes off his headphones, and beings to pick out some sliced mangos with his fingers in a bowel that has been placed in front of him.

Behind him, on the table, the spinning top is STILL SPINNING.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ESENIY FLICKS BACK TO HOME - MOMENTS LATER

ESENIY and ESENIY'S DADA-ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA walks around searching for something.

ESENIY
I feel sure I left my Cyberwarfare and cyberweapons Powered armor fighting suit somewhere around here.

ESENIY'S DADA-ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
Are you sure? It does seem like an odd place to keep a superhero Cyberwarfare and cyberweapons Powered armor fighting suit.

ESENIY
You know nothing dada.

ESENIY'S DADA-ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
It seem like we've been searching for ages for it. I really don't think they're here.

Suddenly, Eseniy's mum-GALINA appears, holding a pair of Cyberwarfare and cyberweapons Powered sneakers and armor fighting suit that she pulls from a laundry basket that she has brought in.

ESENIY'S MUM-GALINA SHAPOVALOVA
Looking for something?

ESENIY'S DADA-ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
Oh good, your mum has your superhero Cyberwarfare and cyberweapons Powered armor fighting suit.

ESENIY
Tell me something I don't already know!

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
It's laundry day.

ESENIY
I know that already!

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
Uh, I bite my toenails.

ESENIY
Oh-ew!

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
I pick my nose and eat it.

ESENIY
Dada!

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
And you're afraid of mangos because its your weakness.

ESENIY
Dada, stop!

ESENIY'S MUM-GALINA SHAPOVALOVA
(snickering) You think we didn't know that already!

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
Parents know everything about their kids.

ESENIY'S MUM-GALINA SHAPOVALOVA
Why do you think we put out the bowl of mangos for you?

While ESENIY'S MUM-GALINA SHAPOVALOVA is looking at ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA with a smirk, ESENIY lunges forward and grabs his superhero Cyberwarfare and cyberweapons Powered sarmor fighting suit. He wields them, triumphantly.

ESENIY
Aw, mum! Look what you've done, you've shrunk it!

ESENIY'S MUM-GALINA SHAPOVALOVA
Remember, it stretches to accomodate anyone who wishes to wear it.

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
So, you're grow into it.

Eseniy's big brother enters, unseen by any of the others.

ESENIY
I cannot tolerate that kind of behavior from you two! There are individuals, grimlins and organizations that are defenceless that I have to save! They look up for a defender - and that's me! Eseniy Verkhovets AKA FLIX FOOTY FRENZY BOY, defender of innocent individuals, organizations and grimlins.

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA claps his hands.

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
(To GALINA) It has a ring to it, don't you think, honey? (To ALEXEI) So here your superhero Cyberwarfare and cyberweapons Powered armor fighting suit is to save the day!

ESENIY'S BROTHER steps forward.

ESENIY'S BIG BROTHER
Did it really happen? Is my little brother a superhero?

ESENIY
Um, how long have you been...?

ESENIY'S BIG BROTHER
Long enough.

ESENIY
Then you know it for yourself. I am a superhero.

ESENIY'S BIG BROTHER
Then I'll be taking that. Yonk!

Eseniy's big brother yanks the superhero cyberwarfare and cyberweapons powered armor fighting suit from his hands, and presses it up against himself; it superimposes itself on to him, stretching to accommodate his big brother's size.

ESENIY'S BIG BROTHER
One size fits all. Now I'm the defender of individuals, organizations and grimlins.

ESENIY
Hey! Give that back.

A crowd of vulnerable grimlins enter, looking relieved. Until they see Eseniy's big brother wear his superhero cyberwarfare and cyberweapons powered armor fighting suit, and pulls it off of him.

GRIMLINS
(To Eseniy's brother) That doens't belong to you. (To Eseniy) You are their hero.

The grimlins bow to ESENIY.

ESENIY
You don't have to bow to me. I seek no worship. And I'm no God. Until I know that Maksim Viktorovich Yakubets will never tickle and terrify to rob individuals and organizations or enslave grimlins ever again, I will alway be your defender.

GRIMLINS
Wow! You are humble and brave!

One of the grimlins passes ESENIY a pair of magical LED light-up sneakers.

ESENIY'S MUM-GALINA SHAPOVALOVA
I think they want you to have it.

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
Yah, it looks like a symbol of their gratitude.

ESENIY
I couldn't possibly.

He hesistate, welling up with tears. Then, shrugs his shoulders and smiles.

ESENIY
Ah what the heck, if you insist.

ESENIY takes the magical LED light-up sneakers.

ESENIY
Thank you.

The grimlins bow their heads once more, wave their hands as a portal opens from out of the sneakers, and they all jump inside to leave. The portal shuts thereafter.

ESENIY turns to GALINA.

ALEXEI grins.

GALINA leaves.

ALEXEI turns to ESENIY.

Alexei lifts Eseniy off his feet and carries him on his shoulders out of the room as Eseniy has his superhero cyberwarfare and cyberweapons powered armor fighting suit and magical LED light-up sneakers in his hands.

Suddenly ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI stops.

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
When I said I bite my toenails, pick my nose and eat it, and you're afraid of mangos because its your weakness, you know I was just trying to change the subject, don't you?

He hesitates, before walking onward.

ESENIY'S DADA, ALEXEI SHAPOVALOVA
And another thing... Can I be your side-kick. Like fathe like son, like son and father. The superhero dynamic-dou, Flix Footy Frenzy boy and his side-kick Big Poppa.

Alexei leaves with his son Eseniy.

The next day, while Eseniy groggily wakes up and wipes the crust from his eyes; he goes about his normal routen, when he goes downstairs for breakfast and sits down at the table in front of his dada, who is reading a newspaper.

Eseniy peers at the newspaper in his dada's hands to see a mugshot of MAKSIM VIKTOROVICH YAKUBETS on the front cover, with a headline reading, 'FBI'S MOST WANTED‬ FUGITIVE, MAKSIM VIKTOROVICH YAKUBETS SURRENDERS WITH A CHANGE OF HEART!' Eseniy sat musing over the perplexity as he mutters to himself. "It works, Celluloid Inception Works."

Eytan eavesdrops in on Joel’s thoughts, rolls his eyes and says to himself, ""

Eseniy bubbly turns and prances away, whistling as he puts his backpack on and walks out the door with his dada and mum for school. Behind them, on the coffee table in the living room, the spinning top is STILL SPINNING. And we-FADE OUT.

THE END


© Joel Peter Brown