Escape From L.A.

ESCAPE FROM L.A. Screenplay by John Carpenter DARKNESS A pounding, metallic beat begins. Twists of sound in a tightrope rhythm. The snap of a military snare drum. SUPERIMPOSE: "1998" FEMALE NARRATOR Forces hostile to the United States grow strong in the late 20th Century. A DARK TABLEAU - CITY STREET - LOS ANGELES - NIGHT Graffiti-smeared walls. Fires raging. Automatic weapons fire. Shadowy figures dash through the southern California night. FEMALE NARRATOR A great moral crisis grips the nation as social revolution and a breakdown of the criminal justice system threaten society. A LINE OF POLICEMEN - NIGHT They stand like sentinels. Black uniforms. Battle helmets. Gleaming military assault weapons. Bullet-proof shields with large emblems: the American eagle against a red background, and in bold letters underneath, "THE UNITED STATES POLICE FORCE". FEMALE NARRATOR To protect and defend its citizens, the United States Police Force is formed. A GLOWING HOLOGRAPHIC MAP Of Los Angeles, on the coast of southern California. SUPERIMPOSE: "1999" FEMALE NARRATOR The population of Los Angeles grows to 40 million. The city is ravaged by crime and immorality. A Presidential candidate predicts a millennium earthquake will destroy the city in divine retribution. The map of L.A. now glows a dark red. EXT. DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES SKYLINE - DAY A hot summer's day. Heat ripples distorts the towering shadowing buildings in the dense smog. FEMALE NARRATOR An earthquake measuring 9.