Shadows of Mr Black

Scene 10

**Scene 10: The Race Against Time**

*New York City – Ground Zero*

The scene opens with a wide shot of New York City. The skyline is cast in the golden light of the late afternoon sun, but the mood is anything but serene. Sirens blare as law enforcement vehicles race through the streets. The FBI’s New York field office is a flurry of activity, with agents hurrying to and from their vehicles. Helicopters hover overhead, surveilling the city below.

*FBI Command Center – New York City*

Inside the mobile command center, set up near the suspected target, Agent Luke is coordinating with local law enforcement and federal agents. The atmosphere is tense; every second counts.

**Agent Luke**: (speaking into a radio) "All units, be advised: The primary target is suspected to be St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Evacuate the surrounding area and establish a perimeter. Anti-bomb squads, proceed with caution."

The camera cuts to a split screen showing various agents and bomb squads moving into position, each with their own tasks. Sarah Coleman is on a video call with Mercer back at headquarters, their faces grim with focus.

**Sarah Coleman**: (voice steady, but with underlying anxiety) "Mercer, we’ve narrowed it down to the cathedral. But there’s something off. We haven’t detected any signals that typically come from a bomb—no wireless, no radio triggers. It's too quiet."

**Mercer**: (from headquarters) "Stay vigilant, Sarah. Mr. Black might be using a different kind of device, or it could be a decoy. What’s the status on the other locations?"

**Sarah Coleman**: "Beach is clear. The amusement park is still being searched, but we’ve prioritized the church. I just… something feels wrong about this."

*St. Patrick’s Cathedral – Interior*

Inside the grand cathedral, the silence is oppressive. The anti-bomb squad, clad in full protective gear, moves cautiously through the pews, scanning for any signs of explosives. The lead technician, Agent Miller, radios in.

**Agent Miller**: "Luke, this is Miller. We’ve swept the main hall—no devices found yet. We’re moving to the lower levels."

**Agent Luke**: "Copy that. Stay sharp, Miller."

As they move deeper into the cathedral, tension builds. The agents exchange nervous glances, fully aware that time is slipping away.

*FBI Command Center – New York City*

**Agent Luke**: (turning to Sarah) "Any word from Briggs?"

Sarah checks her watch, feeling the pressure of the ticking clock.

**Sarah Coleman**: "He’s still cross-referencing data, but he’s confident Mr. Black is playing us. This may all be part of a bigger plan."

Suddenly, the screens in the command center flicker, and Mr. Black’s masked face appears. The room falls silent, all eyes on the screen.

**Mr. Black**: (mocking) "Well done, my dear agents. You’ve been such good sports. But I’m afraid you’ve been looking in the wrong places. Oh, don’t worry, I wouldn’t be so cruel as to actually plant a bomb in such a sacred place. That would be... predictable."

He laughs, a sound that echoes through the command center like a sinister melody.

**Mr. Black**: "But I never said there were 15 bombs, did I? I said 10. It seems I’ve been a bit generous with my clues. There were never any bombs on those flights, just a little misdirection. But don’t get too comfortable… the real fun starts now. Toodles!"

The screen goes black, leaving the agents in stunned silence.

**Sarah Coleman**: (furious) "Damn it! He’s playing us like puppets!"

**Agent Luke**: (punches the desk in frustration) "He had us running in circles! We need to re-evaluate everything. He’s not just playing a game—he’s rewriting the rules as we go."

**Sarah Coleman**: (resolute) "Get Briggs on the line. We need to figure out his next move before it’s too late."

*FBI Headquarters – Washington D.C.*

Mercer paces the room, a mix of anger and frustration on his face as he talks to Daniel Briggs.

**Mercer**: "Briggs, we need to know why he’s doing this. What’s his endgame?"

**Daniel Briggs**: (analyzing a series of complex charts and data on his screen) "Mercer, Mr. Black is a narcissist and a strategist. This isn’t just about the bombs—it’s about control. He wants to prove that no matter how many resources we throw at him, he’s always one step ahead."

**Mercer**: (gritting his teeth) "Then we need to get two steps ahead. I want every possible location, every potential threat evaluated immediately. No more mistakes."

**Daniel Briggs**: "Understood, sir."

The scene ends with Mercer staring at the screen where Mr. Black’s video played, his fists clenched.