CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL STAIRWAY — NIGHT
Arthur RUNS UP the stairs, gun in hand — rounds a corner and — IMPOSSIBLY — arrives behind the Security Man, who looks at him, CONFUSED, then looks down to realize he is now at the edge of a dangerous drop — Arthur shrugs.
ARTHUR
Paradox.
Arthur PUSHES him over the edge — he falls — Arthur races up to the fourth floor — throws open the door — and we—
CUT TO:
INT./EXT. VAN ON RAINY RAISED BRIDGE — DAY
In SLOW MOTION — the van SMASHES THROUGH THE CONCRETE BARRIER — and we—
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR — NIGHT
Arthur is SPRINTING down the corridor when a TREMENDOUS CRASH sends him FLYING into the air — and we—
CUT TO:
EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS — DAY
A MASSIVE RUMBLE prompts Cobb to look across the valley—
EXT. FOREST, SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS — CONTINUOUS
Eames shoots out of the trees, then FALLS to the snow as he sees a great CRACKING up ahead— the SLOPE IS FALLING AWAY IN AN AVALANCHE—
EXT. CLIFF FACE BEHIND COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
Saito hears the RUMBLE above them. He looks down, Fischer is below, near the bottom of the sheer face—
SAITO
Look out!
Saito CUTS the rope — they FALL — HIT the icy face and SLIDE down the slope, clearing the path of the avalanche — and we—
CUT TO:
INT./EXT. VAN — DAY
In EXTREME SLOW MOTION, the van emerges from the concrete balustrade and starts FALLING — and we—
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR — NIGHT
Arthur is still FLYING through the corridor, NOT LANDING — GRAVITY HAS DISAPPEARED… he scrambles for a handhold, GRABBING a sconce — and we—
CUT TO:
EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS — DAY
Cobb watches the avalanche cloud slide past the complex.
ARIADNE
What was that?
COBB
The kick.
EAMES (OVER RADIO)
Cobb? Did we miss it?
COBB
Yeah, we missed it.
EXT. FOREST, SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS — CONTINUOUS
Eames is lying on the snow.
EAMES
What the hell do we do now?
COBB (OVER RADIO)
Finish the job before the next kick.
EAMES
What next kick?
EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS — CONTINUOUS
Cobb looks at Ariadne as he talks into the radio.
COBB
When the van hits the water. I figure Arthur’s got a couple minutes and we’ve got about twenty.
Cobb and Ariadne MOVE towards the base of the complex.
EXT. HOSPITAL COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
Saito and Fischer RUN around the base of the building. They find a large EXHAUST PORT. Lay a charge on the GRILL. They blow the charge. Climb into the open vent.
INT./EXT. VAN — DAY
In EXTREME SLOW MOTION, the van seems SUSPENDED IN MID-AIR
TEN STORIES ABOVE THE RIVER… and we—
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR — NIGHT
In ZERO GRAVITY, Arthur pulls himself to the door of 491,
opens it. He looks at the charges planted on the ceiling.
ARTHUR
How the hell do I drop you?
He PULLS the charges from the ceiling. Hurrying. And we—
CUT TO:
INT. DUCT SYSTEM, HOSPITAL COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
Saito and Fischer hurry through the duct system. Saito is falling behind, coughing up blood.
EXT. UPPER TERRACE, HOSPITAL COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
Cobb GRABS a Security Guard from behind, strangling him unconscious. He beckons to Ariadne, covering her as she runs towards him. They enter the base of the south tower.
INT. TOP ROOM, SOUTH TOWER, HOSPITAL COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
A guard is manning the tower. Cobb and Ariadne enter — Cobb SHOOTS the guard and moves to the window.
ARIADNE
(she points)
That’s the antechamber outside the strongroom.
Cobb looks at the large windows of the antechamber.
COBB
What about the strongroom? Doesn’t it have any windows?
ARIADNE
Wouldn’t be very strong if it did.
(off look)
Look, if you wanted to design it yourself—
COBB
It’s fine. Better hope that we like what Fischer finds in there.
Cobb sets up his sniper rifle. Through the scope he can see three guards on the balcony outside the chamber. Three more inside. Cobb casually picks them off with his rifle. Ariadne watches through binoculars, appalled.
ARIADNE
These projections, they’re part of his subconscious?
COBB
Yeah.
ARIADNE
Are you destroying those parts of his mind?
COBB
No, of course not. They’re just projections.
EAMES (OVER RADIO)
Cobb? Something’s wrong?
EXT. FOREST, SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS — CONTINUOUS
Eames is watching the patrols HEAD BACK towards the complex.
EAMES
They’re heading your way. Like they know something.
INT. TOP ROOM, SOUTH TOWER, HOSPITAL COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
Cobb hears this. Concerned.
COBB
Buy us some time.
EAMES (OVER RADIO)
On my way.
EXT. FOREST, SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS — CONTINUOUS
Eames TAKES OFF towards the base of the complex. And we—
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 528 — NIGHT
Arthur FLOATS into the room. The SLEEPERS are floating, loosely connected by their tubes. Arthur looks at them, MIND RACING. He PULLS Cobb towards Eames, and we—
CUT TO:
INT. DUCT SYSTEM, HOSPITAL COMPLEX — DAY
Saito and Fischer approach the grate covering the exit to the anteroom. Saito SLUMPS to the floor of the duct, pulls out his radio. Fischer looks at him — he is PALE, SHIVERING.
Fischer takes the radio, WHISPERS into it.
FISCHER (into radio)
We’re here. Are we clear to proceed?
INT. TOP ROOM, SOUTH TOWER, HOSPITAL COMPLEC — CONTINUOUS
Cobb SCANS the anteroom through the scope — it looks clear.
COBB
You’re clear, but hurry — there’s an army headed your way…
Ariadne watches the patrols approaching the complex…
INT. DUCT SYSTEM, HOSPITAL COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
The SQUELCH from the radio is too loud- Fischer GRABS it and turns the volume to zero as he starts to remove the grate…
EXT. BASE OF THE HOPISTAL COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
Eames is setting MINES along the LOWEST WALL of the structure. He moves carefully-there is a SHEER DROP below the wall…
INT. TOP ROOM, SOUTH TOWER, HOSPITAL COMPLEX — CONTINUOUS
Cobb SPOTS something through his scope. Something above the main windows, glimpsed through the side of the skylight.
COBB
Shit. There’s someone else in there.