The Reindeer Queen. The Pilot episode & bible.

TV-Drama proposal 8 x 55 min Genre: Crime/love story Arena: Contemporary Lapland

TEASER

EXT. REINDEER MEAT FACTORY - NIGHT A massive reindeer herd of over one thousand heads stampedes over the snow-cowered tundra.

Big bulls with massive fur-clad antlers break the thick snow at the herd's front. The smaller deer follow the path in the snow. SUPER: Avzi, Lapland, 2023. Northern Europe. The sound of a gas-fired industrial bolt gun, like a steam train. 2 2 INT. REINDEER MEAT FACTORY - NIGHT A dark, steamy meat factory. Silhouettes of workers skin dead reindeer with powerful pneumatic machines. 3 3 ANTLER QUALITY CONTROL STATION The butchers send reindeer carcasses onto roof rails for sorting. Bulls with big, valuable fur-clad antlers are selected for a special processing line. A YOUNG WOMAN wearing a face mask and white protective overalls selects all the big-horned bulls to the right and marks them with red paint. A big tarpaulin bag arrives on the roof rail instead of a dead animal. The young woman grabs a big knife and cuts it down. Out spills the messy contents. The young woman gives it a rough wash with the cold water hose. It moves. The young woman shivers when she sees a half-naked, hog- tied, bruised woman crawling on the bloody concrete floor. She cuts the woman's hands loose and pulls her up onto a steel stool, moving aside her messy brown hair to see her face… It's ELLE HAALAND, 30, petite but athletic. She shivers, her lips blue.

ELLE

(Sami)

[Please.]

YOUNG WOMAN

(in Sami)

[Who?]

ELLE

A tourist. Elle shows her well-manicured hands to the young woman. YOUNG WOMAN A clerk? Elle nods. ELLE Accountant. The young woman hands Elle a dirty white butcher’s coat. She covers herself. White puffs of condensed air stream out of Elle’s mouth when she tries to talk. The young woman touches her back. Elle clears her throat and looks out of the icy window.

TITLE CARD: “The Reindeer Queen.”

END TEASER

ACT 1

INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE - NIGHT Elle looks out the window. She is hot and happy. She looks at least ten years younger than our introduction to her. SUPER: One year earlier. Oslo, The Norwegian capital. Elle admires the sleeping boy on the seat beside her: LAURITZ HAALAND, her plump nine-year-old son. Elle carefully drapes her coat over him and cuddles down beside him. Distant lights sparkle in the dark countryside. Elle closes her eyes. FAKE KRIS KRINGLE (O.S.) How! How! Lapland calling! Your dream Xmas holiday is at the AVZI SANTA SPA! Elle wakes abruptly. A few seconds as she regains her balance. Elle sits in a bank of four seats. There’s a sleeping WOMAN IN GREY on the opposite bench. Elle looks at the TV screen in the other train compartment. ON TV: Chinese girls dance like a reindeer herd. The girls keep their hands over their heads as symbolic reindeer antlers. In the middle of the ring of reindeer girls dances the fake KRIS KRINGLE. He tears off his fake white beard and ANT-OVLA HAVGA is revealed. ANT-OVLA I'm Ant-Ovla, the King of AVZI SANTA SPA. Here is my guarantee for 100% satisfaction. Pay before December 1st, 2022, and Santa himself pays half of your holiday! He lassoes one girl and brands her on the bum with a giant fake wild west cattle stamp.

GRAPHICS: HAVGA reindeer brand logo: map of Lapland and the North Pole. Elle closes the door to mute the TV. She relaxes back into her seat, calming down, and drifts back into a state of half-sleep. DOPE PEDDLER (O.S) 20 or 50? 10? Awake again, Elle glances between the train seats. She can only see the plastic bag with pink amphetamine pills that are being handed over to a buyer. The train slows down to stop at a station. A young man jumps up and leaves the train. He cautiously looks around the station before disappearing into the darkness. The train moves again. Elle closes her eyes. The dope peddler's phone RINGS. Elle can only see the phone and the hand of the seller between the seats. DOPE PEDDLER (O.S) (cont'd) Carriage 35. Yellow coat. A well-dressed woman in her forties enters the carriage. She looks at the man, but passes to the next carriage. PINK GIRL, about 14, opens the door. Her childish dress is pink. The girl looks around nervously. Peddler waves at her and she calms, running to hug him passionately. DOPE PEDDLER I knew you would come again. PINK GIRL I'm here with dad. He would kill me if he found me here. The dope peddler chuckles. He takes her hand and kisses it. In his other hand is the transparent plastic bag. Pink girl follows Dope Peddler into the back of the carriage. ELLE (to Woman In Grey)

My son is sleeping. Could you please keep an eye on him while I nip to the toilet?

Woman In Grey nods her consent. Elle catches sight of the dope peddler dragging the girl into the toilet in the next carriage. 5 TRAIN TOILET Elle stands outside. The occupied sign is on. She knocks but there’s no reaction. DOPE PEDDLER (O.S.) (to Pink Girl) Shut up. Elle pulls the doorknob, then gives the door a push. DOPE PEDDLER (O.S.) (cont'd) Fuck off, or I'll break your neck! The train brakes. It vibrates, the brakes screaming. ELLE Police! Open the door, or I'll break it in. PINK GIRL (O.S.) (sobbing) Open, please. The door opens slowly. The dope peddler stands behind Pink Girl holding a knife to her throat. ELLE Take it easy. I'm a police officer. Put down the knife. Elle flashes her police badge. The dope peddler panics, kicks the door shut and locks it. ELLE (cont'd) Release the kid, and I’ll let you go. When the train stops, Elle can hear Pink Girl crying. ELLE (cont'd) Drop the knife! A strange muffled noise and Pink Girl is silenced. ELLE (cont'd) Move away from the door! Elle kicks it in and crashes into the toilet.

A glimpse of a yellow coat slipping through the window, disappearing into the chaos of the train station. Pink Girl sobs on the floor. PINK GIRL Please, don't tell dad. Elle takes two steps back. Pink Girl grabs her jumper from the floor and leaves. ELLE I’ll sell you to Mongolia as a slave if I see you here again. Pink Girl escapes to the next carriage. Elle looks into the toilet cubicle and discovers the plastic bag on the floor. Inside: two transparent containers with pink pills. Elle opens the lid and pours the pills into her palm. She trembles. TRAIN INFO SPEAKER (O.S.) Please note that this is the last station on the line. We ask that all passengers alight. The grey woman discretely takes photos of ELLE from the other end of the carriage. 6 EXT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT The station is decorated with Xmas trees and luminescent red Santa dolls. Woman In Grey helps Elle to pull Lauritz's wheelchair down to the platform. CHINK CHINK of a collection box. A fat man in a torn, dirty, red and was-white Santa Claus costume sits on the bench. He stretches his hands out to some children. When a kid smiles in return, he pats on his knees. The little girl jumps up onto his lap, gives him a hug and puts some coins into the collection box. Elle bumps into a trash can with the wheelchair.

She pulls out the plastic bag with the pills from her pocket. Hesitates… Puts the contents back into her pocket. LAURITZ What is it, mum? ELLE Trash. She trashes the empty plastic bag. As she walks away, the pills rattle loudly like magic beans in a fairy tale. ELLE (cont'd) (hums) Hmmmm. Hummmmm. Heeeh! Haaaah! LAURITZ You are happy, mum? ELLE Very! For every step Elle takes, the music gets sweeter and more cheerful. She strokes her well-manicured fingers over her dirty jeans back pocket, and her walk gradually transforms from exhausted single mother to catwalk sensation. ELLE (cont'd) (hums) Gee, Haa, hee, haa! For every stroke of her fingers, the pills emit a stronger greenish neon glow as though radioactive. A street light with a strange dreamy colour flashes like it's broadcasting a secret message in Morse code. Like a spotlight, the intense light beam reveals her true being for a split second: A fairy-tale semi-goddess in an elegant red fluffy tulle evening gown. Elle disappears into the dark, grey, rainy night. Stray dogs howl. Sounds of an Arctic blizzard grow in strength.

7 EXT. ROADBLOCK - NIGHT A blizzard sends a horizontal wall of snow against a reindeer calf struggling to keep its balance in the strong wind. Hungry black crows wait for the calf to collapse in the snow. 8 8 EXT. ROAD - NIGHT An enormous cloud of snow is torn up by the gigantic wheels of a monster truck - MIDGARD TRANSPORTS - as it races through the night. 7 The road is narrow and the vehicle struggles to maintain control. Its registration reveals it’s military and a sign warns of a high-explosive cargo. 9 9 INT. TRUCK - NIGHT TRUCK DRIVER is a Buddha-like middle-aged rock wannabe with long, grey, greasy hair, a hat and thick glasses. Window wipers dance in an insane frenzy. Truck driver keeps one hand on the steering wheel while trying to clean his glasses from fog with the other. 10 10 EXT. MOUNTAIN TOP - NIGHT Two SPOTTERS clad in heavy white reindeer fur coats are hiding on the mountain top. It’s UNCLE PIERA, 55, and ISSAT, 50. Both are high-ranking officers of the Pike gang. The men cover a large area of the treeless tundra with their binoculars. Issat has a glowing cigarette butt in his mouth. He focuses his binoculars on the narrow tundra road. Crows searching for roadkill detect the enormous snow cloud behind the monster truck. The LED decorations on the truck give it a Viking dragon-like appearance. This is what they have been waiting for… Issat sends a text message: The party starts NOW.

EXT. ROADBLOCK - NIGHT MATTI PIKE, 29, prince of the Pike gang, unloads the snowblower from the snowmobile. He is dressed in yellow road maintenance dungarees. He hums when he reads the text message from the spotters. Matti starts the snowblower and blocks the road. He adjusts

the ditch so that the curve in the road is hidden. Matti kicks a switch in the snow and a strip of lights illuminate a fake road over the snow-covered tundra… leading to the cliff. A reindeer calf flees along the illuminated strip. 12 12 INT. TRUCK - NIGHT Loud, heavy rock music keeps the driver awake. Snow drifts over the windshield. Truck Driver must use the plough stick reflex marks on both sides to navigate. Truck Driver sees green moving dots on the road and hits the brakes. He winds down the big side window, leans out and angrily howls. 13 13 EXT. ROAD - NIGHT Reindeer on the road ahead flee in panic. Snowbanks on both sides are too high to climb over - they’re trapped. The truck HONKS. The smallest reindeer calves are close to being crushed by the big truck wheels… 14 14 INT. TRUCK - NIGHT Truck Driver clamps his dirty boot onto the accelerator. CRUNCH of calf bones and flesh. Truck Driver looks in the rear view mirror: two smashed and bloodied calf bodies smeared over the road. He screams with ecstatic, wordless joy, as though his sports team scored a goal.

10.

The big bull in the truck's front smashes through the snow bank. Truck Driver aims for the last reindeer, but the herd flees over the snowbank to the tundra. The big rig slides as Truck Driver brakes, but he regains control. 15 15 EXT. ROADBLOCK - NIGHT Matti works with a big floor brush to finish the illusion of the fake road. Loud HONKING. Matti dumps the brush and, as he hears Truck Driver howl, sprints to hide behind the fake snow mountain. 16 INT. TRUCK - NIGHT Truck Driver smiles, beating his palms against the steering wheel to the rhythm of the music, until… BANG! The truck hits the fake road. 17 17 EXT. ROADBLOCK - NIGHT Matti watches as the dragon-like truck rams the mountain slope, rocks pounding it like ping-pong balls. 16

It hovers over the cliff for a few seconds, fighting the forces of gravity. Then… it dives into the deep canyon. 18 INT. TRUCK - NIGHT The music stops. Time and gravity non-existent as Truck Driver floats inside the cabin. The gravitating trash emulates beautiful Japanese flower decorations. CRACKING of the rig… And we’re back in real time. Truck Driver SCREAMS as he spots the bottom of the canyon rushing towards the windscreen… 19

EXT. ROADBLOCK - NIGHT BOOM!

11.

Matti’s not impressed. He lights a smoke, prepares his fur gloves, switches off the fake road lights and winds it in. He clears the proper road with the snowblower and conceals the entrance to the fake road. A massive amount of hungry crows fight against the wind to position themselves to gnaw at dead reindeer calves. Eyes plucked first, it resembles a pagan ritual. Uncle Piera and Issat arrive on their snowmobiles, wiping all out all traces of the truck in the snow. Matti loads the snowblower on the snowmobile and disappears. When all three snowmobiles have disappeared into the dark night, all that’s left is the lone reindeer calf digging for moss in the snow. 20 20 EXT. BELOW THE CLIFF - NIGHT Crows circle a river. No sign of the truck. 21 21 INT. CHURCH - DAY A dim, flickering light from a candle reveals an old faded photo of a proud middle-aged man standing beside his smiling teenage daughter. In an open coffin lies the same, older man: CONRAD HAALAND. He looks content. Loving arms hug Lauritz. It’s GRETE HAALAND, Elle’s adoptive mother; a fleshy woman in her seventies. Not much of a resemblance between mother and daughter. The coffin is cheap with fake gold decorations. THE PRIEST looks at the coffin and corpse with admiration. PRIEST I'm sure many would like to say some words for Conrad as he begins his last journey. GRETE HAALAND Say something. You were his sunshine. ELLE I can't find the words. A big man in a cheap, ill-fitting suit takes a strengthening hit from his moonshine bottle.

12.

PEER HAALAND, 60, red-faced and messy grey hair, elbows his way to the coffin. Peer is about sixty years old. He stares at Elle and the parish. PEER HAALAND I am his little brother, Peer. Our parents were unlucky. We learned to save as kids, Peer and me. Peer touches Conrad’s hair with his swollen fingers. GRETE HAALAND Oh no... PEER HAALAND Peer was just too holy and dumb. People took advantage of him. They knew he could not say no. Elle walks to the coffin and grabs Peer’s hand tightly. ELLE

Uncle Peer... Thanks for coming to my father's funeral. Please sit down. Sit down, please. PEER HAALAND (resisting) I'm not related to your bastard blood, Elle Skum! Conrad only wanted you to use the Haaland name so people would believe you were his genuine offspring. The Haalands agreed to this just for his sake. Now you should use your Skum name.

Peer looks at Elle with disgust. Pretending to give him a hug, Elle forces Peer back to the church bench. Peer's face distorts in pain. FRODE BUSCH, an athletic man in his sixties wearing the formal uniform of a high-ranking police officer, smiles at Elle’s actions. LATER Grete gives Frode a warm hug. Frode gives Lauritz a firm handshake and leaves. On his way out, Frode spots a GREY MAN alone on the last bench fumbling with a camera.

13.

ELLE (whispers to Grete) Why did you invite him? GRETE HAALAND

Your boss was a friend of Conrad. He is a respected member of the Pentecostal parish. FRODE grabs the grey man’s arm and guides him firmly out of the church. ELLE Who is that? GRETE HAALAND Not one of us. A tourist? 22 22 INT. ELLE’S HOUSE - MORNING The doorbell rings repeatedly. 23 23 BEDROOM Elle struggles to open her eyes. Her black funeral dress lies on the bedroom floor. LAURITZ (O.S.) Hello? ARNE OVERGAARD(O.S.) Good morning! Arne Overgaard and Siv Hoksberg from Child Protection Services. SIV HOKSBERG (O.S.) Where is your mother? We had an appointment. Elle's definitely awake now. She grabs her dressing gown and runs out to the-- 24 24 BATHROOM But not before giving the guests a flash of her bum in the process. ELLE (O.S.) Wait for me in the kitchen! I’ll be right there!

14.

25 HALLWAY Lauritz looks at the guests. ARNE OVERGAARD, 50s, wears a tie. SIV HOKSBERG, 35, is his subordinate. SIV HOKSBERG (O.S.) So, you are Lauritz. Can you show us your room? 26

26 LAURITZ’S ROOM There are a few broken toys on the floor. The wallpaper is torn down and scribbled on with his drawings. LAURITZ It’s Prader that tricks me. The male official shows his fist. Lauritz is puzzled. ARNE OVERGAARD Does she hit you when she is angry? Lauritz takes a step back into his room and closes the door. SIV HOKSBERG Careful. He is just a child. 27 27 BATHROOM Elle opens the cabinet - it’s so full of drugs that they are almost falling out. Lauritz's name is in print on them. Elle frantically empties all the hand-written ones into the official ones. Elle flushes the toilet and tosses the empty containers out of the window. 28 28 KITCHEN Elle nervously sips black coffee at the kitchen table while the officials check their documents. ARNE OVERGAARD We have had complaints. ELLE Who?

15.

ARNE OVERGAARD Your neighbour claims the boy has been beaten by you. ELLE It’s a lie. I refused to date him. ARNE OVERGAARD We have also received warning messages from the school. Lauritz is always hungry. He steals the other pupils’ food. ELLE Lauritz has Prader-Willi syndrome. If he is not fed regularly, his blood sugar drops. So he steals.

Arne looks in his file.

ARNE OVERGAARD You're a police officer? So you understand we must investigate? Arne takes out a form from his briefcase. He finds a pen. SIV HOKSBERG Is it OK if I look around? Elle nods. Siv disappears into the-- 29 LIVING ROOM Siv finds dusty jewellery in a wooden book box. Takes a-- PHOTO: earrings white with oxidation. 30 KITCHEN Arne gives Elle a stern look.

ARNE OVERGAARD Do you have drug problems?

Elle is taken off guard.

ELLE No! My job is to bust drug dealers. Why do you ask?

16.

ARNE OVERGAARD You have no objections if we search your apartment? ELLE (hesitates) In my line of work, drugs are a serious issue. They would fire me without notice if I wasn't 100% clean. ARNE OVERGAARD Many parents of sick children are tempted to take their painkillers as a recreational drug.

31 BATHROOM Siv opens Elle's cabinet. She photographs Lauritz's medicine bottles and counts them. 32 32 KITCHEN Arne checks his documents again. ARNE OVERGAARD Could you show me the last negative drug test from your employer? ELLE It's at work. I’ll send a copy. ARNE OVERGAARD 31

We need the negative drug test in three days, so we can decide about the custody of your son. This is important. Do you understand?

Elle nods.

EXT. GRETE'S GARDEN - DAY Grete's working in the garden when Elle arrives to drop off Lauritz. Lauritz gives Grete a hug and helps dig more holes in the ground for the plants. Elle lies down on a sun chair.

17.

GRETE HAALAND

(to Lauritz) Grandmother’s warrior. You were so strong at the funeral. ELLE I hate funerals and the pencil pushers that destroy the world. GRETE HAALAND The Haalands have always been old- timers. Peer is just jealous that Conrad was the one blessed with love. ELLE Why have you told me so little about the Skums? GRETE HAALAND It's the name of your biological mother and father. ELLE So Peer is right? I should use Skum instead of Haaland? GRETE HAALAND Do you really want to know who you'd be as Elle-Margret Skum? ELLE Yes! GRETE HAALAND You would live in a house without running water. You would be poor and you would have at least five kids. All with different fathers. ELLE No, never!

Lauritz watches on.

GRETE HAALAND Your biological parents were pitiful bastards. ELLE I’m there for flesh and blood. Elle checks her purse. Fills her weapon magazine with six 9mm rounds.

18.

GRETE HAALAND Stay safe! Don't be a hero. Elle gives Lauritz a hug. He draws an imaginary gun and fires. GRETE HAALAND (cont'd) No, Lauritz. Never, ever turn a weapon against a human. ELLE I'll pick him up in the afternoon. GRETE HAALAND Have a good day, Special Agent Elle- Margret Haaland. 34 EXT. POLICE SHOOTING RANGE - EVENING Elle watches Frode prepare for a shooting session in a booth. He takes off his tie, puts on hearing protection and security googles. Frode's hand shakes as he takes aim on the fake crime scene: a dark, war-torn, empty street with abandoned vehicles. Frode kicks a big GREEN BUTTON. BANG! BANG! Rapid incoming enemy fire sounds. Painted crockery pops up from the windows ahead of him. Each time Frode tries to shoot them, they disappear. The simulator declares him dead. Frode wipes the sweat from his forehead, reloads his gun and kicks the green button again. Now, the incoming fire is at a faster pace: red glowing tracer ammo lines through the shooting range’s dusty air. Elle smiles. She takes down a few painted ambushers to help Frode out, but-- The simulator declares him dead. Frode drops to the floor. He hyperventilates. Prays. Kicks the green button. Attacks from windows, cars, trees, roofs and even from behind. After ten seconds--

19.

MACHINE GUNS. Crockery smashes, but he hasn't pulled the trigger? He looks back-- Elle's firing Rambo-style from her hip. As a pair they advance, protecting each others backs. They're soon out of ammo. Enemy crossfire forces them to jump over a water-filled ditch. They crash down into a muddy hole. The lamp goes off. Elle laughs hysterically. A heavy machine gun fires at them. Elle silences the painted machine gun by whacking it with her empty revolver. TRUMPET FANFARE! SIMULATOR Congratulations, you have just passed the 100-point police excellence shooting exam! Frode, relieved, laughs. The lamps switch on again. FRODE BUSCH I guess I owe you a big one for this. Thanks. ELLE I need something else. FRODE BUSCH Anything! Just tell me! ELLE A negative drug test before Friday. FRODE BUSCH I can't falsify a drug test. They're bound to bust me. Elle's look tells him it's serious. FRODE BUSCH (cont'd) I have a better idea. Do you trust me? ELLE

A two-second survivor? Without my help, they would chain you to your boring desk forever.

20.

FRODE BUSCH Monkey cages. Tomorrow.

INT. POLICE STATION ROOFTOP - DAY Elle passes a dimly-lit, narrow corridor with grid doors. She enters an empty detainee fresh air cage. Frode sits on a concrete bench with his back turned against the cage. He offers her a smoke. Elle hands over a pile of case reports. FRODE BUSCH Last month’s case report? Elle flicks him the finger. ELLE Sorry, I'll fix that. He smiles, hands over a contract. A shadow looms in the neighboring cage. Elle can't make them out against the harsh back light. LAWYER IM Frode Busch? Frode nods, then indicates Elle. FRODE BUSCH Special Agent Elle Haaland. (to Elle) Interior Ministry. Frode hands the lawyer Elle's file. He flips through the pages. FRODE BUSCH (cont'd)

Look at her background. She speaks their language. Degree in auditing. LAWYER IM (to Elle) A summary? ELLE I’m 30. Graduated from the academy 8 years ago. Organized gangs are my specialty. I was planning to become an auditor, but it's just too dull.

21.

LAWYER IM

Buorrebeaivvi.

ELLE

Ipmil adde. Frode looks at them questioningly.

ELLE (cont'd) Sami. He said good morning. I said with God's blessing. I still remember it, but I'm rusty. Grew up in a foster family after my biological parents abandoned me. LAWYER IM Listen. We have an offer for you. It's a small gig, three months max. We need you to infiltrate the gangs. They're robbing our transport trucks of sensitive equipment. Dangerous equipment, if the clans learn to use it. ELLE Is this a homicide investigation? LAWYER IM No, all drivers survived, but they were doped to wipe their memories. ELLE Isn't this local police's jurisdiction? LAWYER IM The families have infiltrated them. You're perfect. They'll believe you're one of them. You'd operate as the manager of a business development fund with massive assets. FRODE BUSCH A few strategic funding decisions and you'll gain respect. They can't resist money. LAWYER IM The goal is to identify the hidden commander. FRODE BUSCH The gang's a snake with a fake head. The actual head hides in the sand.

22.

LAWYER IM If we don't identify the leader, the snake will just re-emerge with sharper teeth - even if we slit its neck. ELLE What's the risk profile? I don’t know If I can handle this. LAWYER IM We are sure you can.

The lawyer hands over Elle’s documents with a few added pages and an envelope: photos of Elle on the train, at the church and at the shooting range. ELLE What the?! This is a violation of my privacy. How long have you been spying on me? Silence. The lawyer's disappeared. Elle discards the file and photos. Frode hands over another envelope. FRODE BUSCH Child Services have been calling me as your employer. If you stick

around, you might lose custody. But they wouldn't dare trouble you in Avzi.

Elle opens the envelope and reads the file. ELLE Elle Hansen, accountant? FRODE BUSCH

Your cover story. Learn it by heart.

END ACT 1

23.

ACT 2

EXT. GRETE'S GARDEN - DAY Elle's car pulls up. Lauritz gives Elle a big hug. Wipes his mouth with his sleeve. LAURITZ Ice cream. ELLE That's over 800 calories! Grete comes out onto the porch. GRETE HAALAND I spoke with Frode Busch. ELLE You did what?! GRETE HAALAND Congratulations on the promotion. I'm so proud of you. ELLE A promotion? Grete hugs Elle. GRETE HAALAND

It's only three months. You should be grateful. He's a respected member of our parish. He's taking care of you. This is how we are strong - standing up for the believers. ELLE This is the state police's problem. It's a suicide mission! GRETE HAALAND (whispers) Forgive me for the things I have not told you about your biological parents. I was always so afraid that they would steal you from me. ELLE Who will take care of Lauritz?

24.

GRETE HAALAND They have found a nanny. And you'll be paid a handsome salary. Imagine what you could do for the boy!

INT. ELLE'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - EVENING Elle empties the transparent tube on the edge of the wash basin. She sits down on the toilet. The pink pills stand on parade like proud soldiers. Eight of them, all shining seductively. Elle's hands tremble with indecision. ELLE

Mississippi one, Mississippi two, Mississippi three, Mississippi four... Elle drops one after another into the toilet. Flushes. 38 OUTSIDE BATHROOM Lauritz has his ear against the door. He knocks. LAURITZ (worried) Mum? Please open the door. 39 BATHROOM Elle lies in the bathtub. Candles burn in a ring around her. She is exhausted. She ignores a call. Voicemail: SIV HOKSBERG (O.S.) Hi! We've not yet received your negative drug test. This is the last warning... Elle submerges in the water, leaving Siv's voice a garbled murmur... JET ENGINES. HOOVES IN THE SNOW. BELLS.

25.

DOGS BARK.

INT. AIRPLANE - DAY Elle glances over at Lauritz, who sits across the aisle. He photographs the clouds. PASSENGER, a man in a big fur coat, sits beside him. The landscape changes from deep fords to snow-covered tundras. SUPER: Two months later. A boyish animation in Indiana Jones style shows the plane's route, landing at the North Pole not far from the Russian border. A FLIGHT ATTENDANT passes with the food cart. Lauritz snatches a chocolate bar. Lauritz looks at the route on his phone. They're just above the polar circle outside the Norwegian coast. The map spins. CAPTAIN (O.S.) Don't worry. The Russians are testing their new GPS scrambling equipment. Nothing to worry about. In a few minutes, it'll be over. LAURITZ Look! The map stops spinning. The passenger offers a high-five. LAURITZ (cont'd) I'll hug a bear. PASSENGER A bear? LAURITZ He talks to me at night. In my dreams. My dad. This is your captain speaking. I'm sorry to announce that we will be 40 minutes delayed. PASSENGER (to Lauritz)

26.

PASSENGER

Saying? Lauritz hesitates, then--

LAURITZ

(whispers) He tells me things before they happen. PASSENGER It’s a special gift. Be careful. The passenger looks at Elle applying make-up. LAURITZ I'm afraid. PASSENGER You could ask him to stop? LAURITZ

There are so many sharp rocks on this route. PASSENGER The old man will watch your back. Don't you worry. Passenger gives Lauritz a Sami nose-to-nose greeting. LAURITZ What about mum? Elle’s now sporting a swanky hat. Other passengers glance at her as if she's foreign royalty. 41 41 EXT. AIRPORT - DAY Elle fills her lungs with the dry, crisp inland air. A white cashmere coat and red business suit make her stand out among the crowd. OLD LADY A movie star! Autograph? Elle smiles and signs the notebook. The old lady photographs her. Lauritz dives into the thick snow beside the runway. Throws a snowball at Elle, who reciprocates. Lauritz is happy.

27.

INT. AIRPORT - DAY A small, worn building. Elle and Lauritz walk inside. ELLE Do you remember the game that starts now? LAURITZ Yes, Elle HANSEN. ELLE And you are? LAURITZ Lauritz HANSEN. ELLE Where is that Haaland boy? LAURITZ In Oslo. His mother is getting an apartment with an elevator. No more lugging the wheelchair up stairs. Lauritz spots a stuffed bear on its hind legs in an aggressive attack position. He studies it. Brightly-dressed natives stand in separate groups from the non-Sami in conservative dress styles. A SWEET GIRL wearing a wool scarf and warm mittens in native patterns smiles at Elle. Sweet Girl drops a mitten and Elle spots BLACK PLASTIC STRIPS binding her hands. Men in blue jackets takes her by the arm. She doesn't resist as they pull her into the disabled toilet. Elle rushes over, tries the door: locked. ELLE (furious) Open up! Or I'll kick the fucking door in! The crowd goes silent. Elle gives the door a powerful KICK. A chubby woman dressed in an ordinary grey winter jacket grabs Elle's arm. It's ANNA LARSEN, 40.

28.

She shows a handwritten sign: CEO Elle Hansen, New Norway Fund. WELCOME! ANNA LARSEN

Anna Larsen. I'm your assistant. Congratulations on your promotion. ELLE They forced the girl into the toilet. ANNA LARSEN They're Child Protection. She's probably being transported somewhere for her own protection. ELLE Really?

Anna nods reassuringly.

ELLE (cont'd)

Where's Lauritz? Anna points to the door. Lauritz stands there with his luggage, talking to an older man. ANNA LARSEN Our driver. The trip to Avzi will take about three hours. Have you ever been to the northern part of our country before? ELLE Never. Anna pulls Elle’s gigantic suitcases on the trolley. ANNA LARSEN (to Lauritz) You must be Lauritz. They shake hands. ANNA LARSEN (cont'd) How old are you? LAURITZ Nine, and I hate fat people. ANNA LARSEN Pleased to meet you. Skiing will keep you in shape, Mr Hansen.

29.

EXT. AIRPORT - DAY DRIVER shows them to a car. Anna gets stuck in the snow when she tries to help Lauritz with the wheelchair. ANNA LARSEN Why do you need a wheelchair when you can walk? LAURITZ My skeleton is soft. If I’m on my feet all day, I have to take a lot of painkillers to sleep.

Elle takes the wheelchair, turns it around and tilts it to a 45-degree angle, pulling it over the deep snow. Lauritz smiles proudly. ANNA LARSEN That lady must be a wrestler. 44 44 INT. CAR - DAY The road is icy and slippery. Elle and Lauritz are in the back, Anna up front. ANNA LARSEN

I hope you enjoy the scenery. We'll show you to your new home in Avzi.

The vehicle pulls to a stop: a traffic jam. HONKING at a reindeer herd crossing the road. ELLE Rush hour? LAURITZ

Hallo Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen! Lauritz jumps out and sprints after the reindeer like a crazy tourist. The driver smiles. 45 EXT. ROAD - DAY Lauritz slides down the slope on his back in an attempt to reach the reindeer herd, but the soft snow reaches his waist. The driver helps Lauritz brush the snow from his clothes and shoes.

30.

BACK IN THE CAR - SHORT WHILE LATER Through the window, men are loading long red rods onto snowmobiles. DRIVER Explosives. Used to blow away avalanches. LAURITZ Why? DRIVER Before they become monsters. Big avalanches destroy roads and houses. Elle snaps photos of the snowmobiles. ELLE Private contractors? The men don't look like regular construction contractors. ANNA LARSEN

No. Looks like Rust men. We have two powerful families here. The Pikes and the Rusts. Been fighting each other for decades.

47 INT. ELLE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Anna holds her hands over Lauritz's eyes and leads him into a room with pictures of cross-country ski sports heroes on the wall. Anna releases him. LAURITZ Wow, a PlayStation 5! Elle peeks into the room. ELLE Be careful. We have to pay for anything we break. Lauritz starts a game on the console. 48 48 KITCHEN Equipped with everything a family needs. Elle opens the fridge: full! 47

31.

WALK-IN CLOSET Elle gawps at the designer clothes. Strokes silk scarves. There are at least one hundred pairs of high-heeled shoes. Elle steps into a pair of red formal high-heeled boots. Anna puts one of the posh silk scarves over Elle's shoulder and shows Elle her reflection in the mirror: stunning. ANNA LARSEN The perfect boss of the stinking rich New Norway Foundation. ELLE (smiling) I think I like this? ANNA LARSEN

The police chief wants to meet you tomorrow. The missing trucks. We suspect that the reindeer raiders needed them.

Elle, confused.

ANNA LARSEN (cont'd) The gangs are hard to penetrate. You're not the first one to try. ELLE What? ANNA LARSEN We found them in the spring when the snow melted. They all had a wolverine testicles in their mouths. ELLE Should've been more careful in their sexual exploits...

They laugh.

LIVING ROOM Anna grabs an envelope from the bookshelf and empties it on the table: photographs of dead cops. Black holes in the head instead of eyes.

32.

ANNA LARSEN Crows. We laugh, but I bet they didn't mention how dangerous this mission is? My job is to keep you alive. As long as possible. ELLE Who else knows about it? ANNA LARSEN Our bosses. ELLE Can you get me a gun? ANNA LARSEN No, here you are outgunned in every situation. The gang has ears even inside the police force. Stick to your story. Grant them money. This will keep you alive. They will not butcher a milking cow. The Rusts. Their herd is shrinking. ELLE And the worst wound to inflict on the Pikes? ANNA LARSEN (deadly serious) Don't try anything stupid alone. Ask me first, OK? You're just a tourist here. Without me you are an eyeless, deep-frozen pack of meat in less than three days.

Anna gives Elle the key to the house. ELLE Which gang is the weakest? ANNA LARSEN

Elle nods.

EXT. ELLE'S APARTMENT - DAY Lauritz wears brand new winter clothes in urban style. Elle wears high-heeled boots and an expensive red coat with a fur brim. Around her neck, a chic black silk scarf.

33.

An old, traditionally fur-clad nomad-looking lady - MONGOLIAN LADY - passes on a kicking sled. She stares at Elle as through she's an alien from space. MONGOLIAN LADY Mahtatgo don samigiella? [You understand Sami?] ELLE (nods) Jou. [Yes.] MONGOLIAN LADY

Don fertetgarvudit burebu. Bahtta jitnju. [You have to dress better or your bum will turn to ice.]

Lauritz looks at Elle with admiration. LAURITZ Woah. You understand that? ELLE (smiles, shakes her head) Wheelchair? LAURITZ

It's my first day at school. Please?

School bus HONKS. The driver waves.

LAURITZ (cont'd)

No hugs. They're looking. ELLE Remember, the nanny will fix you dinner and keep you company tonight. See you tomorrow. Lauritz does his best not to limp onto the bus.

On the wall of the house on the opposite side of the road: a monitoring camera hidden inside barbed wire? Elle takes a photo. Anna's blue station wagon pulls in. Elle smiles and jumps in. As they leave... A curtain twitches in the house opposite: an old man with a furrowed face.

34.

INT. ELLE'S OFFICE - DAY A big room with a conference table. Elle boots up her computer. BANG! Gunshot. Elle dives under her enormous desk. A moment passes... ANNA LARSEN (O.S.) Damn thing. Elle stands up. An old wild west movie flickers on the mounted TV-screen. ELLE Shit! How did you get in? Anna fiddles with the TV. ANNA LARSEN

Bjarland will be here soon. He uses an underground tunnel between the police house and this building.

KNOCK KNOCK on the wall. Elle, confused.

ANNA LARSEN (cont'd) Only when stealth is important.

Anna opens a concealed door. Out comes HAKON BJARLAND, 50. He looks more like a teacher than a cop in his knitted sweater with Sami-style ornaments. He greets Elle with a firm handshake. HAAKON BJARLAND

Good morning, Ms Hansen. Welcome to Avzi. I'm Haakon Bjarland, head of this police district. ELLE Elle. CEO of the New Norway Development Fund. HAAKON BJARLAND Welcome. We have high expectations. Your achievements in the capital area are phenomenal.

35.

ANNA LARSEN The situation here is quite different. HAAKON BJARLAND Stealth is critical. We have been preparing some intelligence. Anna closes the hidden door. A surveillance video clip starts up on the TV. HAAKON BJARLAND (cont'd) The targets... A flickering image of an overweight, grey-haired man standing in front of a mirror trying to fix his tie. ANNA LARSEN (O.S.) Ant-Ovla Pike. Tonight is his 70th birthday and he'll be awarded a gold medal. He is the not-so-smart chief of our most powerful mafia family. The man gives up his efforts with the tie. Throws it on the floor. HAAKON BJARLAND (smiles)

We need you to identify the genuine leader of the gang that specializes in trafficking, narcotics, money laundering, reindeer theft, prostitution and much more.

CLIP: MATTI PIKE pulls an Israeli-made mini Uzi sub machine gun from a bag. He is confused when he sees the exotic design of the weapon. ANNA LARSEN (O.S.) Matti, 29, Crown prince, aka "The dentist". He is unpredictable and feared by his enemies. Born out of wedlock. One of the smartest gang members. He is dangerous, even to himself. Matti pulls the trigger on a target, but nothing happens. He looks into the barrel, then tries again: BOOM! He dances like Fred Astaire when the Uzi delivers the rounds close to his reindeer-skin moccasins. Anna laughs.

36.

CLIP: JUHA PIKE tries to start a snowmobile. He's too weak to pull the starter rope with one hand while keeping the other on the gas throttle. HAAKON BJARLAND (O.S.) Juha uses chewing gum to glue the gas throttle in full speed mode. He pulls the start rope with both hands and the engine roars, but before he can get on-- The snowmobile takes off at full speed like a cruise missile. Juha jumps on the sled attached to the back. JUHA Shit. No, no, please! The wild, unmanned snowmobile crashes into a house. UNCLE PIERA and ISSAT PIKE emerge through a snow cloud. ANNA LARSEN (O.S.) Uncle Piera, 55, and Issat, 50. High- ranking officers in the gang. Both have served several jail sentences. Issat is ready to shoot, but puts down the revolver when he sees Juha. Juha, 20. Still just a kid. Dropped out of school in his early teens. CLIP: raw images of an skinny old woman's body covered in cuts and bruises. A doctor examines the confused woman. HAAKON BJARLAND (O.S.) Karen, 60, mother of Matti and Juha. A poor woman. She does not even

remember her own name. Karen is the most loyal cleaner here at the police station. She always wants to do an honest job.

CLIP: Official cleaning crew, in shiny white uniforms, relax and smoke, staring at a woman in rags who cleans like an animal. CLIP: "THE BRAIN" is just a few tracks in the snow. ANNA LARSEN

He is an extraordinary talent, the real chief. In reality, he might be a Russian FSB agent or perhaps a handler from the Chinese MSS?

CLIP: Drone footage of Pike village.

37.

HAAKON BJARLAND (O.S.) We have never photographed him, but we know that he, or she, exists and is extraordinarily sharp. Our goal with this operation is to identify “The Brain”. A photo. Tap his phone. That would be a gold mine. CLIP: Mountains of reindeer antlers cover the Pike estate. ANNA LARSEN (O.S.) The official explanation for the Pike

fortune is 30 years of reindeer antler exports to China. Antler powder is used as an aphrodisiac and as medicine by traditional Chinese doctors. ELLE (to Anna) Northern lights and reindeer antler powder. Better than cocaine for your sex life. ELLE (cont'd) You know I have seen these kinds of ignorant police videos before. When you underestimate the enemy, you lose. HAAKON BJARLAND You're the boss. The state police has all responsibility, not us. Still, we need to know any action you plan to take 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, when you have a big knife against your throat, we might not have the resources to help you. Understood?

Anna frowns.

Elle flashes a cheeky smile. Anna frowns. ELLE So, tonight is the big night? HAAKON BJARLAND In our line of work, trust is the hardest currency. Elle and Haakon leave. LATER

38.

The sun has already set. Elle calls Frode on Skype. He's happy to see her. ELLE Is this a secure line? FRODE Yes, this call is encrypted. ELLE Who the fuck is Haakon Bjarland? Is he the godfather here? FRODE Hey hey, no blasphemy please! He's not your boss. ELLE He claims that I have to ask him permission for every action, 24 hours in advance. FRODE (chuckles) Anna Larsen was fired from the west region police department three years ago. She went to court, but lost the case. The families understand she is for sale because revenge is in her cards. This is the reason we placed her at the fund as a communication tool. ELLE She will barbecue my kidneys. FRODE (laughs) Tomorrow is the big day. Are you ready? Elle nods and ends the call. She looks at the photo of Lauritz on her desk. No, no. Just keep him happy. Give him some information, but it doesn't have to be the whole truth. You need the local police guns on your side. ELLE Who is Anna Larsen? FRODE

39.

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY Lauritz sits in the front row. The teacher writes some English adjectives on the blackboard. Lauritz studies his classmates. The girls are dressed in hand-me-down rags. The boys are all in the back rows, whispering amongst one another. TEACHER Mr Lauritz Hansen. Could you please stand up? Lauritz stands up. Everyone looks at him. TEACHER (cont'd)

Lauritz is our new student. How are you? Could you introduce yourself in English, please? LAURITZ Good morning. My name is Lauritz Hansen. I have moved here from the capital.

Kids laugh. Someone throws a pen at Lauritz while the teacher writes his name on the blackboard in big block letters. TEACHER Could you say something about yourself? Why did you leave the capital? Lauritz looks around. The girls giggle and point at his tourist clothes. LAURITZ

Well. My mother is a secret police agent. We have come here on a secret mission to catch some bad boys.

The whole classroom explodes with laughter. TEACHER (smiling)

Thank you for your excellent presentation. Your English is splendid! Please sit down, Mr Hansen.

Lauritz bows and smiles at his classmates before he sits down. More trash rains over him as soon as the teacher turns her back.

40.

INT. ANNA'S CAR - DAY Anna drives through downtown Avzi. Elle spots a custom-built silver Mercedes-Benz limousine with its tailgate open, parked outside a gym. Kids are waiting in a long line. ELLE Drugs? ANNA LARSEN

Yeah. This is new for Avzi. It’s the Rust family that started this. They are looking for new ways to fund their war with the Pikes. The Rusts have already lost half of their reindeer herd. ELLE Do we have all the business information about the Pikes and the Rusts?

Anna nods.

ELLE (cont'd) Account numbers and stuff like that?

Anna nods again.

ELLE (cont'd) Can we trust the local cops? ANNA LARSEN That is not our business. Elle dials the emergency number on her phone. ELLE

Hi, I would like to report that someone is selling drugs to school kids outside the Midnight Sun Gym.

She hangs up the call. Shortly after-- A SELLER receives a call on his mobile. The dealers hastily close the trunk and drive away. ELLE (cont'd) Fourteen seconds? How do you explain this? ANNA LARSEN We are going to fry that snake. Don’t let them distract you.

41.

The junkies flee on foot. When a cop car arrives with flashing blue lights, the parking lot is already empty. ANNA LARSEN (cont'd) Tonight is our chance to impress. Elle smiles.

END ACT 2

42.

ACT 3

EXT. PIKE VILLAGE - NIGHT A tiny village with about ninety traditional wooden one- family houses inhabited by the closest full-blood members of the Pikes. The Sami and Norwegian flags flutter in the wind. There are also a few smaller Chinese and Russian Federation flags. Exterior loudspeakers play the Sami national anthem, performed by a female choir. Bright spotlights illuminate the parking lot. An honorary military brass band is playing. MONTAGE -- Taxis bring in prominent guests. -- Paparazzi shoot from behind a riot fence. -- A limo glides into a parking lot. -- Paparazzi change focus. -- An elegant, fluffy red tulle dress looks magnificent in the bright cross light from the car. -- High jewel-covered heels walk as though on a catwalk. -- Paparazzi push and shout. END MONTAGE A TV NEWS CREW and a REPORTER broadcast live. REPORTER (O.S.)

Who is this surprise guest? She looks more like a semi-goddess than a human of flesh and blood. Camera flashes reveal: Elle, more ravishing than ever. 56 INT. SPORTS HALL - NIGHT A ballroom packed with the locals and governmental officials.

43.

Flowers, candles, flags and glittery snowflakes are suspended from the ceiling like something out of a fairy tale. Spotlights on ANT-OVLA. He sits on a throne-like armchair in the middle of the stage. The walls are decorated with photos of his glorious life. The choir finishes the Sami national hymn and the room breaks into applause. The GOVERNOR, 65, gets on the stage, bows deeply for Ant- Ovla and leads him to the microphone. A big wooden box is opened. Inside: the big gold medal. GOVERNOR The Kings Cross in Gold is awarded to Anders-Olav Pike, or Havga Ant-Ovla, as you are known. The governor hangs the big gold medal around the chief's neck. The choir chants a wordless song. Elle pretends to take selfies, discretely photographing the guests. KAREN PIKE, dressed in Sami national costume and a grey apron, observes Elle. When Elle catches sight of her, Karen sweeps the floor with feverish mechanical moves. ELLE Hi... Are you Karen? KAREN PIKE Nnnnnnnnnn. Karen's deep inside her own world. Elle photographs her. A SECURITY MAN clocks this. SECURITY MAN Please respect the no-photography rule. ELLE Is this Karen Pike? SECURITY MAN Please, move away. No more photos. Security Man follows Elle as she pretends to shoot more selfies.

44.

SECURITY MAN (cont'd)

A last warning!

INT. SPORT HALL - BAR - NIGHT A lengthy line waits to meet the hero of the night. Haakon Bjarland grabs Elle's arm and leads her to Ant-Ovla. HAAKON BJARLAND (to Ant-Ovla) Hello, my friend! Ant-Ovla gives Haakon a bear hug. ANT-OVLA

I'm honoured to have the force here. The local police is a most critical partner for us. HAAKON BJARLAND Have you met this stunning lady? She is CEO of the new and prosperous New Norway development fund. ELLE Hi, I'm Elle Hansen. My fund is working to create access to expansion funds for successful companies like yours.

Ant-Ovla kisses her hand.

ANT-OVLA

What's the catch? ELLE We need an application form submitting, and access to your bookkeeping files to process it. ANT-OVLA Elle Hansen? Hmm. Do I know you? Mahtatgo Sami giella? [Do you speak Sami?] ELLE Sorry, but I don't understand? ANT-OVLA You have no ring?

45.

ELLE (hesitates) Not married, but I have a very kind boyfriend.

Elle hands over a small gift to Ant-Ovla from her fund: a model oil drilling rig; gold with diamonds spelling “New Norway”. Ant-Ovla hands Elle a return gift. ANT-OVLA If you'd have been married, you wouldn't get a return gift. It's a small bottle that contains suspicious-looking white powder. Cocaine? Elle smiles. HAAKON BJARLAND Perhaps we should arrest you now in front of everyone? Ant-Ovla chuckles. Elle examines the bottle, opens it and smells. She puts her hands over her head so they form the antlers of a powerful reindeer bull. ELLE Sami power! ANT-OVLA (laughs) Northern lights and reindeer antler powder. Better for your sex life than cocaine. HAAKON BJARLAND No! That only works in China. Elle laughs and shows a few more power reindeer bull poses. Haakon puts his hand on her back. ANT-OVLA (to Elle) If you ever need my help, count on me. Ant-Ovla shifts his focus to some other prominent person who seeks his attention. HAAKON BJARLAND (whispers to Elle) Hooked. Wonderful work.

46.

INT. SPORTS HALL - NIGHT The REPORTER leads Elle into the spotlight. She has a queen- like appearance in the soft light. REPORTER Rolling? The cameraman nods. REPORTER (cont'd) Could you explain who you are and what you are doing here? Elle looks into the camera and smiles. ELLE I'm Elle Hansen, CEO of the New Norway development fund. I would like

to announce our first investment decision. The New Norway fund has granted 10 million kroner to RUST Investment, INC. REPORTER The Rust? Have you taken into consideration that the Rust family corporation has been the subject of over ten police investigations? ELLE The New Norway fund is an independent development fund that has as its most important goal to stimulate local economy growth and development. We have nothing to do with the priorities of the local police. REPORTER Have you taken into consideration that the size of the grant will shift the power balance in the criminal world? ELLE Our funds cannot be used to support criminal activities. We have a very strict economic evaluation of how the grant is to be used. Our fund is open to all business organizations in the northern region.

The cameraman switches off the spotlights.

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