1. NERVES OF STEEL (SAMPLE)
Written by
Andrew Loughlin
12 Rolling Hill Rd, Billerica, Ma
978-835-7032

2. INT. DUKE’S ROOM - DAY
We see Duke on his bed, curling with a 80lb dumbbell.
NEIL (O.S.)
Attention everyone. Come to rec
hall for an important meeting. This
is an order.
Duke slams his dumbbell to the ground and leaves through the
door.
INT. REC HALL - DAY
Duke walks through the doors of the rec center. We see that a
lot of soldiers are sitting in the bleachers. At the top of
the bleachers is a projector on a metal stand. As Duke walks
up to the bleacher he passes by a few soldiers.
SOLDIER #1
Hey is that Duke?
SOLDIER #2
Yeah, yeah it is! I heard that guy
has the strength of a bulldozer.
SOLDIER #3
I wonder where he’s been.
SOLDIER #4
Guy has beep cooped up in his room
all day.
Duke finds a seat on the bleachers. As he sits down everyone
around him looks at him in shock, almost like they spotted a
rare animal.
Juniper and Zach take a seat.
Neil and a woman wearing a white lab coat, PROFESSOR DESMOND,
walk in front of all soldiers in the bleachers. Desmond is
holding a clipboard.
NEIL
Bring down the projector screen.
From the ceiling comes a projector screen. Neil pulls a
remote out of his pocket and points it at the projector. The
projector turns on showing a line graph. On the X-axis is
“time”, while on the Y-axis is “# of robots”. The line graph
overall shows a gradual incline.

3. PROFESSOR DESMOND
As you see here...
Desmond pulls out a laser pointer and points at the first
part of the graph
PROFESSOR DESMOND (CONT’D)
...the robots were small in
numbers. They were manageable but
still threatening with their strong
metal skin and gun arms. Gotta
question the usefulness of a gun
arm. Wouldn’t you want two hands
to...
Neil taps Professor Desmond’s shoulder
NEIL
Desmond.
PROFESSOR DESMOND
Sorry sir.
Professor Desmond points the laser graph to the higher
portion of the graph.
PROFESSOR DESMOND (CONT’D)
Now the number of robots has
increase tenfold. Why is this? Next
slide, please.
Neil points the remote at the projector, and the line graph
is replaced with a picture of shadowed jagged mass, with a
shadowed silo with smoke coming out of it.
PROFESSOR DESMOND (CONT’D)
Thanks to our brave scouting teams,
we have found the existence of
robot factories.
At first the room is silent, but then the room fills with
laughter.
SOLDIER #1
Are you fucking kidding me? How
many Saturday morning cartoons have
you been watching, doc?
The crowd continues laughing until Juniper stands up, pulls
out a handgun, and fires it at the ceiling. The crowd gasps.
NEIL
Thank you Juniper. Professor, would
you please explain?
2.

4. PROFESSOR DESMOND
Gladly. Show the slides.
Neil clicks the remote. A picture of robots lifting metal and
hauling it into the factory is seen. Neil clicks the remote
again and a line of crudely made grey robots is in front of
the factory, with a line coming from the large garage door.
The rec is then filled with the worried murmurs of soldiers.
NEIL
Do you believe her now? We have a
serious problem on our hands. We
cannot risk sending a lot of
soldiers to take care of this
factory. That’s why I have hired
three high class soldiers for this
job, Those three are...
Suddenly the rec hall shake violently and the sound of an
explosion is heard. Simon runs into the rec hall.
SIMON
We’re under attack!
NEIL
Soldiers! Mobilize!
Duke is the first one to stand up, pulls out his pipe, and
runs out the rec hall doors.
EXT. VALHALLA UNIVERSITY - DAY
Duke runs towards the University gates and sees a large army
of grey robots attempting to push through the gates.
The soldiers in the watchtowers shoot at the robots, as the
robots try to climb the towers.
Duke runs towards the gate and climbs over it. He lands on
top of one of the robots, crushing it with his weight. Robots
surround Duke, but he charges towards the horde, swinging his
pipe wildly. Duke let’s out a battle cry as he swings at
various robots.
Juniper is on top of a watch tower, shooting at the army of
robots. We then see through her scope as she picks off
various robots. We then see soldiers using their guns to
fight the robots.
Zach, with a smile on his face, running through the
battlefield dropping unpinned grenades. He throws a grenade
as a large amount of explosions happen behind him.
3.

5. Duke smashes a robot to bits. He turns his head to see on top
of a pile of rubble far away an onyx robot with a red cape.
DUKE
What the hell...
The onyx robot points at him, but then turns around. The
robot walks away.
As soon as the onyx robot leaves all the other robots start
walking away from the battlefield.
Various humans try to shoot as many of the robots as
possible.
Neil walk put of the rec hall doors holding a megaphone. He
puts the megaphone to his face.
NEIL
Soldiers! Let’s regroup!
All the soldiers on the battlefield walk back towards the
university. The soldiers surround Neil.
NEIL (CONT’D)
How many soldiers did we lose?
SIMON
I really can’t give a specific
number, but quite a large chunk.
Quincy pushes his way through the crowd.
QUINCY
What the heck was that all about?
NEIL
I think they were just trying to
scare us, but it’s going to take a
lot more than an army of walking
buckets to scare us! We were
unprepared for this attack, but I
assure you, we will be for the next
one!
The soldiers surrounding Neil give a loud cheer except for
Duke, who is standing outside of the group. Duke stares at
the battlefield. The red blood of humans and the black oil of
robots stain the pavement. Limbs of humans and robots litter
the streets.
4.

6. NEIL (CONT’D)
As for the mission of destroying
the factory, I have assigned the
following. Zach, with your
demolition skills, destruction of
the factory will be a breeze.
ZACH
You bet your ass it will be a
breeze!
NEIL
Of course, on your journey you will
need a sharp eyes and cold wit to
stay alive. Juniper, you’re
assigned to the mission.
We see Juniper put away her and cross her arms.
JUNIPER
Sure.
NEIL
And finally, we will need the best
and strongest guardian to accompany
you. Duke, your going as well.
Duke turns around.
DUKE
What?
ZACH
He said you’re going on the mission
with us. Get the gunk out of your
ears and maybe you’ll hear better.
Duke pushes through the crowd and walks up to Neil
DUKE
Sir, I really can’t go. I’ll just
get everyone killed.
NEIL
I’m not asking politely. You are
going. You have been sulking in
your room for days now doing god’s
know what. This mission will really
help you.
Neil turns back to the crowd.
5.

7. NEIL (CONT’D)
Now you three get ready to go.
While you’re gone, we’ll prepare
for the next attack. Move out!
CUT TO:
INT. ZACH’S ROOM - DAY
We see Zach working at his workbench making more bombs.
ZACH
This will do.
He then shoves all the bombs, tools, and regents on the
workbench in his bag and walks out the door.
INT. JUNIPER’S ROOM - DAY
Juniper put her clothes and rations in her bag. On her bed is
a fox with a button eye missing, a fallen over teddy bear
that has been stuffed with too much fluff, and a monkey that
is partially charred from an explosion. Juniper picks up the
teddy bear and places back into the sitting position next to
the fox and the monkey. She then leaves her room.
INT. DUKE’S ROOM - DAY
We see a bag full of cloths and rations on he bed with Duke
sitting next to it, with his hands on top of his forehead.
DUKE
Come on Duke. You can do this. It’s
just one mission. Nothing can go
wrong. Come on...
Duke then slaps himself in the face, picks up his bag, and
leaves.
EXT. VALHALLA UNIVERSITY
Duke, Juniper, and Zach, with their backs to the gate, stand
in front of Neil and the rest of the soldiers on the base.
NEIL
Duke, Juniper, Zach. This is a
great task set upon you. We here
will hope for your safe return.
Soldiers! Let’s see them off!
6.

8. All the soldiers behind Neil cheer and fire their guns
towards the sky. Duke and Juniper start walking out the front
gate. Zach waves towards everyone, blowing kisses while he
walks out the gate.
7.