These are scenes from the July 12, 1996 production draft of the script for the episode Dead Man Sliding written by Nan Hagan. These scenes did not make it into the final episode due to time and story considerations.
Our first missing bit comes at the beginning of Act One where the bar was supposed to have a bit more decoration...
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
CLOSE ON A PICTURE OF ARTURO
It's one of those fake photos -- This one is of Arturo in the cardboard cut out of Rambo. WE HEAR CROWD NOISES. PULL BACK TO REVEAL we are:
INT. HOTEL BAR - LATER
PACKED with a crowd, mostly around the bar TV. On this world, the bar is decorated with pictures of famous criminals from the 80's & 90's -- Claus Von Bulow, Lorraina Bobbit, Tonya Harding, Charles Keating, Jean Harris. There's also something of a mini-WAX MUSEUM (think Madame Trussard's) displaying scenes of crimes and punishments.
The Sliders are in mid lunch.
QUINN
(re: Arturo's photo)
I can't believe Wade talked you
into that.
ARTURO
Nor you, Mr. Mallory...
Arturo holds up another -- of Quinn in a David Hasselhoff cut-out, surrounded by Baywatch beauties. Rembrandt laughs. Wade, who's looking at a map to the star's homes, sighs --
WADE
Okay, some of these *are* stars
but, Robbie Rist, Jill Whelan,
Linwood Boomer? Who are these
people?
QUINN
I've heard of Linwood Boomer. He
was the blind guy on Little House.
But he was never anything of a
star, at least not on our world.
And the scene plays out as we saw it from there...
Did you wonder what Taryn was saying to the street vendor when she went up to him before going in the bar? The scene was there, but no dialogue...and originally, there was some...
EXT. HOLLYWOOD BLVD. - DAY
Taryn talks to a VENDOR (who's selling star maps). She holds up a picture of a disheveled, edgy-looking Quinn.
VENDOR
He was here, cleaned up, with a
girl and a coupla other guys.
TARYN
Where'd they go?
He hesitates. She pulls a fifty...
VENDOR
They said something about a hotel.
Sounded like the Essex.
Taryn smiles, pulls two event tickets to go with the fifty, hands them to him. He reacts, incredulous at the largess.
VENDOR
Tickets to the show...
TARYN
Come today and maybe you'll get to
see the guy play...
INT. HOTEL BAR
The Sliders are just finishing lunch. Behind them, the crowd seems frenzied.
WADE
What are they watching, anyway?
QUINN
It's a game show.
REMBRANDT
The way those people are cheering,
you'd think it was the Olympics or
something.
And then Taryn enters to arrest Quinn and the rest plays on just as we saw it...
There was also a bit more on the end of the struggle of Taryn to capture Quinn...
TARYN
Interfere again, old man -- and
you'll be playing the game again too.
Arturo stops, uncertain what she means, but certain of the gun's intent. She backs out of the bar, pulls a sedated Quinn to his feet and leads him out.
ARTURO
(re: Rembrandt)
Is he alright?
WADE
He seems okay. He's breathing.
Arturo nods, then charges out the door.
EXT. ESSEX HOTEL - CONTINUOUS
Arturo exits, crossing to Taryn, whose gun is now holstered and who's placing Quinn in the passenger seat of her car.
ARTURO
(angry)
I demand to know by what authority
are you arresting this man?!
TARYN
I have all the authority I need.
QUINN
(weakly)
Professor, help...
She ZAPS Quinn, knocking him out. Angering Arturo more. He attempts to pull Quinn out. Taryn tries to pull her stun device out, but Arturo manages to keep her hands from reaching it. Through the struggle...
ARTURO
You're not taking him anywhere!
A POLICE OFFICER runs over, billy club out. He clubs Arturo on the back of the knees. He buckles.
POLICE OFFICER
(to Taryn)
You alright?
ARTURO
(incredulous)
You club me and worry if *she's*
alright?
POLICE OFFICER
(to Arturo; curt)
Step back and keep your mouth shut.
ARTURO
But...
POLICE OFFICER
I said -- *Step back*.
Arturo steps back, infuriated. The Officer moves to Taryn and actually helps her secure Quinn to the car, by cuffing him to a metal bar on the dash. She gets in and drives off.
POLICE OFFICER
(crossing back)
Your name, sir?
ARTURO
What for?
POLICE OFFICER
I can cite you here or down at the
station. It's your choice.
ARTURO
Cite me! On what grounds?
POLICE OFFICER
Section 1-1-5-2-4, interfering with
a valid contestant search.
INT. TARYN'S CAR - IN MOTION
Quinn is coming out of the zap.
TARYN
I always knew you were trouble, but
I never figured you for stupid.
(off his hazy look)
How many times have we done this,
two, three? I always find you.
QUINN
I'm not who you think I am.
TARYN
You're right. The Mallory I know,
he would've never done this...
Then the scene cuts back to Wade and Rembrandt at the bar as we saw in the final version...
There was also a bit more to the outside game that Arturo, Wade and Remmy come up on when first arriving at the studio...
EXT. GAME SHOW STUDIO - DAY
Wade, Arturo and Rembrandt exit a cab. They're in a huge crows (as big as production allows). There's a festival atmosphere; bleacher seating, vendors, pre-show warm up. The CROWD BOOS. We hear an emcee (JOHNNY):
JOHNNY (V.O.)
Okay, let's bring up the owner...
EXT. STUDIO - STAGING AREA
The CROWD ROARS as Mr. Chang, the owner, comes up for his 15 minutes of fame. A Teen Punk is already on stage. Above the stage, there's a large Times Square monitor which displays all that is happening.
JOHNNY
Mr. Chang, tell us the story.
MR. CHANG
Well, Johnny, there's not really
much to tell...
ON THE SLIDERS
They watch from the curb, uncertain.
MR. CHANG (O.S.)
I came out one night and found that
boy spraying my car with paint.
That's about it.
The CROWD GROWS MEAN, calling for blood.
BACK TO SCENE
JOHNNY
Not quite --
A table is rolled out before the punk... Three small boxes are on top. He looks afraid --
JOHNNY
Go ahead, choose your box.
The CROWD YELLS NUMBERS. The kid nods at box number 2. Johnny reads and reacts --
JOHNNY
Ten lashes with a cane!
Mr. Chang breaks into an evil grin. The CROWD GOES WILD. The punk is immediately turned, his hands placed in a small noose and the rope pulled tight, raising his hands...
BACK ON OUR SLIDERS
watching aghast. They wince as the SOUND of the CANE lashes against flesh. The CROWD YELLS: ONE!
WADE
We'd better find Quinn and quick.
They turn from this sight. The CANE LASHES again. The CROWD YELLS: TWO!
Cut to the Sliders entering the studio and it carries on like we witnessed in the broadcast...
We were also supposed to get to see how the game show begins plus graphics thanks to a television monitor...
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
ON A TV MONITOR
Opening credits: Images of Skip, contestants and modes of punishment. The CREDITS END with a CELL DOOR ROLLING SHUT. The CAMERA PUSHES THRU THE DOOR and FINDS, scratched into the wall behind, the words: "The Judgement Game"... REVEAL we are watching this from mounted monitors in --
INT. GAME SHOW SET - SKIP
center stage, pearly whites shining. He winks to the camera.
Then we go into the same dialogue Skip gave in the final version...with the revelation that Johnny from outside is the announcer.
Another difference, though the dialogue is the same...the guest star was originally supposed to be Nipsey Russel.
Also, halfway through Nipsy's speech, we cut to Quinn's double...who originally had a bit of dialogue...
NIPSY
Skip, the People rest.
The CROWD CHEERS: GUILTY, GUILTY...
INT. TOP HAT BAR
Q2 looks like he might be sick. He reaches up and shuts the TV OFF. The Top Hat Bartender returns from busing tables. Q2 stubs out his cigarette, pulls a twenty from his wallet, tossing the cash on the counter.
Q2
When Deanne come in, tell her I'll
be back at her place...
The bartender nods. Q2 puts on his shades, heads out.
Then we cut to Wade and the Sliders watching from outside the studio...where they receive some assurance from a bystander that it isn't over because this is an L.A. audience...
There was also a quite different ending to Wade's meeting with Taryn after breaking into the studio...
Taryn stars at Wade, not certain what to make of this...
Behind them, Phil is watching, not pleased. He starts towards them.
WADE
I know I sound crazy, but I can
explain.
TARYN
Save it. It's too late. He's
already playing.
WADE
No. It can't be.
TARYN
Sorry, there's nothing I can do.
Taryn turns to go. Wade reaches out, grabbing her arm.
WADE
At least hear me out.
Phil grabs Taryn's stunner and ZAPS Wade. She falls onto the floor.
PHIL
I hate these ACLU freaks.
(to Scott)
Get her out of here.
Scott drags her off...
EXT. STUDIO - BACK AREA
Scott leaves Wade on the sidewalk and goes back inside. Rembrandt's head comes around the corner. He rushes over, cradling her head and trying to wake her.
REMBRANDT
Wade, baby...you okay?
Her eyes flitter. She's coming out of it.
Then it cuts to Quinn and Arturo explaining about parallel dimensions on the game show...
Also, the method of audience voting was different in the original script...
INT. STUDIO - AUDIENCE SECTION
We see "Love Connection" type devices on the seatback before each person. There's a dial with an arrow. You can choose from "Guilty" and "Innocent"...
INT. N.D. LIVING ROOM
A HAND reaches for the telephone and dials. On the TV in the background, we SEE a panel that reads: 1-900-Justice.
EXT. GAME SHOW STUDIO - STAGING AREA
Rembrandt and Wade push back to watch the big screen. They exchange a worried look. Rembrandt puts an arm around Wade.
INT. GAME SHOW PRODUCTION OFFICE
PHONES RING off the hook. A bank of P.A.'s take the calls. Taryn watches Quinn on TV. She looks uncertain.
And the rest goes as we saw it from there...
At the beginning of Act Three, Arturo had a slightly different response to Wade...
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. PRISON - THE TOWER (OPTICAL SHOT) - NIGHT #1
A Gothic fortress, high on a hill, surrounded by miles of barbed wire fencing, framed eerily by bluish-purple fluorescent light that glows as a halo around the perimeter.
INT. PRISON - VISITING ROOM
Stark, uninviting. There is a table with a few folding chairs. Wade, Arturo and Rembrandt stand anxiously, waiting. The air is thick with tension. In the corner, there's a camera watching their every move...
WADE
I still think we should have
demanded an appeal.
ARTURO
Miss Welles, we've been through
this. Unless we could prove
special circumstance --
WADE
(injects; angrily)
I think being a double from another
dimension should qualify.
ARTURO
Yes. Of course. And right after
you explain that to these people,
why not set them straight on Santa
Claus and the Easter Bunny as well.
The rest continues as we saw it...
And when Q-Ball comes out for the visit, there is also a slight change...
REMBRANDT
Q-Ball, you alright?
PRISON GUARD
No one talks yet.
Quinn is pushed to the table by the PRISON GUARD. He lays a piece of paper before Quinn.
PRISON GUARD
You want to talk, sign it.
Otherwise, it's back to your cell.
Quinn looks up, Arturo nods. Quinn signs the paper and the guard takes it. He then forces Quinn to sit and --
PRISON GUARD
Try to give us something
interesting, okay?
The door closes behind as he exits.
QUINN
What's that supposed to mean?
WADE
That paper, it gives them the right
to tape us. And the right to
broadcast any part of this meeting.
QUINN
Broadcast?? Why?
REMBRANDT
There's a half hour special planned
tomorrow, right before they --
He just can't say it. Quinn looks like he'll be sick. He gets up, grabs the chair with his cuffed hands and crosses to the camera...
QUINN
Broadcast this, you vultures!
He attacks it with the chair, smashing it to bits. It hangs lamely from the wall.
QUINN
(turns to them)
You gotta do something. You gotta
get me out. I'm going nuts.
ARTURO
We're working on it.
There is also a change to Quinn's exit from the visitation session...
Quinn looks to the clock on the wall, has a realization.
QUINN
Seventeen minutes after they kill
me.
Yep. Now, the guards come in, guns drawn, aimed at Quinn.
PRISON GUARD
You... move and you're a dead man.
Quinn holds his hands up. The Prison Guard crosses to him and places his club in his back. It looks painful.
PRISON GUARD
You'll pay for that, you know. One
way or another...
QUINN
Sure. Feel free to bill me.
The Guard doesn't like the humor, he clubs Quinn -- hard. Quinn winces and falls to his knees.
WADE
Quinn..!
Arturo holds her back. The guard jerks Quinn up.
QUINN
Find my double. It's the only way
I'll get out of this.
And with that, he is pulled out of the room. The prison door slamming with a metallic PINGING noise.
The rest goes as we saw it...
This next missing bit gives a clearer picture of how Wade and Taryn got back into the studio and it also explains why that taser was just lying on the table for Wade to use on Phil...
EXT. STUDIO - BACK AREA - CONTINUOUS
As they approach the office door --
TARYN
Not when you think about it. In
the old system, justice cost the
taxpayers a lot of money. By
televising it, we earn money for
the state. Judgments are swift,
crime is down, everybody's happy.
WADE
But at what cost? How many
innocent people are sacrificed in
the name of swift justice and good
ratings??
Taryn gives Wade a look. She's had these misgivings before. Taryn waves her credential in front of a panel. The door CLICKS open and they enter.
INT. GAME SHOW PRODUCTION OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
It's empty. No PHONES. No P.A.s'...
WADE
Where is everybody?
TARYN
(wryly)
Special event tonight. They're all
on site.
EXT. EDIT BAY 4
Taryn waves her credential again. The light stays red. The electronic lock won't let them in.
WADE
(re: Taryn's stunner)
Can I see that?
Taryn hands it to her. Wade turns the dial to its highest level and puts it against the mechanism. She ZAPS. The lights flash wildly and go dead. The door CLICKS open.
INT. EDIT BAY 4 - CONTINUOUS
Taryn sits at the console and begins to type. The system BEEPS.
TARYN
I don't know how to by-pass the
system.
Wade comes up behind her, begins to type...
Then the script goes through Wade and Taryn finding that Phil is the killer...and Phil comes in. The dialogue is all the same as we saw from there on out, but instead of getting the stun gun from the table, Wade eases it off of Taryn's belt without Phil seeing. A much better explanation for why the gun would be there and why Wade would know how to work it.
Another change came in the conversation with Quinn's double in the hotel room...
REMBRANDT
What's happened to these people?
They're talking about a man's life.
(really upset)
Have they all lost it completely?
ARTURO
By our standards, yes. This is a
society run amuck with sham
justice, completely devoid of any
sense of importance of an
individual's rights.
Q2
(dishing on him)
You always talk like that, like
you're so smart?
ARTURO
(annoyed)
I am smart. Chances are, if you
put half the energy into your mind
that you do into criminal
behaviour, you'd be brilliant too.
Q2 looks at Arturo, new possibilities coming to mind. Wade and Taryn enter. Everybody looks to them expectantly.
WADE
We couldn't get to Network Appeals.
ARTURO
Why not?
TARYN
They're all at a retreat in Sun
Valley. And even if we could now,
it's too late, there's no time to
stop the proceeding.
And the rest went as we as saw...
Another small change, the Sliders were supposed to claim they were part of a CNN news team, not just generically from "the network"...
And did you wonder what happened to Quinn's double? This missing line tells the tale...
Taryn and Rembrandt move some boxes, roll back the carpet. She opens a trap door REVEALING a crawl space underneath.
QUINN
What's this?
TARYN
Your ticket out.
WADE
Compliments of your double, the
welder. He built it for you.
QUINN
Where is he?
REMBRANDT
Long gone. Taryn made sure he
wouldn't be around after.
ARTURO
Hurry.
Wade heads down, a wave goodbye to Taryn. She crawls down. Quinn steps into the hole.
And the rest of the scene progresses as broadcast...
One last notable exception is that the original production script doesn't have any extra world tagged on the end...much less one with short, green and moldy people as we saw in the final version.
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