EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - DAY
CLOSE ON Cobb’s face, staring. Fixed.
ARIADNE (O.S.): Cobb? Cobb?
Ariadne is beside him. They stand on a cliff, dressed in white snowsuits, carrying white-painted weapons like WWII commandos. Cobb checks his SNIPER RIFLE, examines their objective: a massive FORTIFIED MEDICAL FACILITY a mile below.
ARIADNE: What’s down there?
COBB: Hopefully, the truth we want Fischer to learn.
ARIADNE: I meant what’s down there for you?
Cobb turns to her. Eames, Saito and Fischer arrive, SKIING down from the hill above. Cobb pulls Eames out of Fischer’s earshot.
COBB: You’re the dreamer. I need you to draw the security away from the complex.
EAMES: Then who guides Fischer in? You?
COBB: If I know the route... we could be compromised.
Eames looks at Cobb, uneasy. Ariadne comes over.
ARIADNE: I designed the place.
COBB: No. You’re with me.
SAITO (O.S.): I could do it.
They turn to Saito. Saito shrugs at Eames. Eames smiles.
COBB: Eames, brief Saito on the route into the complex. What we’re looking for is going to be in the most heavily fortified section. That north tower.
Cobb moves to Fischer. Saito COUGHS. SPITS. Eames sees BLOOD on the snow. Looks at Saito.
COBB: Mr. Fischer, you’re going in with Mr. Saito.
FISCHER: You’re not coming in?
COBB: You have to do this on your own. You have to get in there, break into your godfather’s mind and find out the truth about your father.
Cobb taps Fischer’s radio mike.
COBB: Keep this live at all times. I’ll be listening in, covering you. (holds up the sniper rifle) The windows on the upper floors are big enough that I can cover you from that south tower.
Cobb slips into his skis, shoulders his rifle.
CUT TO: INT. ROOM 528 - NIGHT
Arthur checks the mechanism. He hears LOW BOOMS like thunder. He checks his watch- THE SECOND HAND CRAWLS FORWARDS. With a last look at the sleepers, he heads out into the corridor...
INT./EXT. VAN ON RAINY DOWNTOWN STREETS - DAY
A GUNSHOT slams into the van as Yusuf DRIVES- he glances back to see a MOTORCYCLE pulling up behind him, the REAR PASSENGER FIRING A SHOTGUN- the bike pulls alongside Yusuf’s window as the passenger RELOADS- Yusuf YANKS the wheel TOWARDS the bike, bringing the shotgun barrel into the cab so he can GRAB it, spin the wheel back- PULLING the passenger from the back of the bike... Yusuf turns a corner, heading into a disused MARKET-
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
Arthur walks towards the elevator. It OPENS- a SECURITY MAN emerges, heading right for him. Arthur takes a TURN, speeding up. The BOOMS are louder, and we-
CUT TO: INT./EXT. VAN ON RAINY DOWNTOWN STREETS - DAY
The bike crosses behind the van, catching up again as the driver pulls a handgun and starts BLASTING. Up ahead, an S.U.V. sits in a side road, lining up to head off the van- the SECURITY MAN driving the S.U.V. guns it, as the bike creeps up on the other side of the van- Yusuf HITS THE BRAKES, forcing the bike out into the path of the S.U.V., tossing the rider like a rag doll- Heading out of the market, the van races onto a FREEWAY ON RAMP, approaching the BRIDGE. An S.U.V. SMASHES into the van’s side, FORCING it up against a CRASH BARRIER... the van starts to SLOWLY TILT OVER THE BARRIER as the S.U.V. PUSHES-
CUT TO: INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT
As Arthur hurries down the corridor, the corridor starts to TILT, and Arthur is forced to run UP ONTO THE WALL- he rounds a corner- STRAIGHT INTO another Security Man- Arthur HEAD BUTTS him and they STRUGGLE- as they struggle, the corridor SPINS around, THROWING THEM UP ONTO THE WALLS, THE CEILING- as wall becomes floor they DROP through a door into-
INT. HOTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The fight continues all over the spinning room- and we-
CUT TO: INT./EXT. VAN ON RAINY OFF RAMP NEAR BRIDGE - DAY
SLEEPING ARTHUR BOUNCES around as the van TILTS, SCRAPING along the barrier- the van CLEARS THE END OF THE BARRIER AND ROLLS DOWN THE EMBANKMENT, and we-
CUT TO: INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Arthur and the Security Man DROP to the floor, Arthur on top. Arthur gets up- heads to the stairwell.
INT./EXT. VAN ON RAINY STREETS NEAR BRIDGE - DAY
The van SETTLES with a thump. Yusuf BREATHES hard. Then SMILES as he realizes he is in one piece. A RINGING BELL up ahead makes him look up to the bridge, where the barriers are starting to come down. Yusuf checks his watch-
YUSUF: Bugger.
Yusuf hits the gas, heading for the bridge. An S.U.V. lines up behind him, trying to catch up before the van crosses the barrier onto the bridge-
The van JUST MAKES IT- the S.U.V. behind RIPS its read axle off, SCRAPING to a halt on the rising section. The Security Man inside starts FIRING on the van...
INT. HOTEL STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
Arthur RACES down the steps- OPENS the door to the fourth floor- spots SECURITY MEN outside room 491.
ARTHUR: Hey!
They TURN- he DARTS back into the stairwell- RACES down the stairs- the Security Men follow- they start SHOOTING, and we-
CUT TO: EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - DAY
Eames SKIS down within sight of the hospital complex. He reaches into his pack and lets off a FLARE.
EXT. HOSPITAL COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS
Security Men on the ramparts spot the flare and send PATROLS out on skis and SNOWMOBILES to investigate.
EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - CONTINUOUS
Eames watches them close in, then launches himself down the mountain, STREAKING across the icy slope, and we-
CUT TO: INT./EXT. VAN ON RAINY RISING BRIDGE - DAY
Yusuf PULLS FORWARD, looking over his shoulder to line up a BACKWARDS RUN at the edge. He DUCKS as vicious FIRE from the S.U.V. HAMMERS the vehicle. He looks at his watch. The SECOND HAND TICKING SLOWLY...
YUSUF: Sod it. I hope your ready.
He grabs an MP3 player and reaches into the back to place HEADPHONES on sleeping Arthur’s head. As he does so, he notices Saito’s bandage BLEEDING THROUGH. Yusuf hits PLAY- Edith Piaf’s “Non, je ne regrette rien” starts up and we-
CUT TO: INT. HOTEL STAIRWELL - NIGHT
Arthur STOPS, hearing something- MASSIVE LOW-END MUSICAL TONES- he looks up PANICKED-
ARTHUR: No, Yusuf. Too soon!
SHOTS slam into the stairs around him and we-
CUT TO: EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - DAY
Cobb and Ariadne make their way down towards the complex.
EAMES (OVER RADIO): Cobb? Are you hearing that?
Cobb listens. The wind sounds unusually LOW.
EXT. FOREST, SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - CONTINUOUS
Eames is hidden at the base of some trees, whispering as a patrol passes beneath his position.
EAMES: I noticed it twenty minutes ago-at first I thought it was just wind...
EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - CONTINUOUS
Cobb is listening intently. The “wind” changes pitch.
COBB: No, it’s music. Dammit.
EAMES (OVER RADIO): What do we do?
COBB: We move fast. Saito, did you copy?
EXT. MOUNTAINS, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS
Saito and Fischer CLIMB down a CLIFF FACE above the complex-
SAITO: We’re going as fast as we can.
EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - CONTINUOUS
Ariadne looks at Cobb, concerned.
ARIADNE: How long do we have?
COBB: Yusuf’s about ten seconds from the jump, which gives Arthur about three minutes, which gives us about-
ARIADNE: Sixty minutes.
COBB: The route you gave them, can they do it in under an hour?
ARIADNE: I don’t think so. They’ve still got to climb down to the middle terrace.
COBB: They need a new route-a direct route.
ARIADNE: The building’s designed as a labyrinth.
COBB: There must be access routes that cut through the maze. (into radio) Eames?
EXT. FOREST, SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - CONTINUOUS
Eames cannot answer- he SLALOMS through the forest, Sub-security in hot pursuit, bullets smashing into the trunks...
EXT. SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS - CONTINUOUS
Cobb turns to Ariadne.
COBB: Did Eames add any features?
ARIADNE: Yes.
COBB: What did he add?
Ariadne looks at Cobb.
ARIADNE: I shouldn’t tell you. If Mal-
COBB: There’s no time-what did he add?
ARIADNE: Utility closets, trap doors...
COBB: What about service features? Did he add any large pipes or-
ARIADNE: Ducts. He added an air duct system- it doesn’t follow the maze. They can use it to go straight from the outer walls to the upper tower.
COBB: Explain it to them.
ARIADNE (into radio): Saito?
EXT. CLIFF FACE BEHIND COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS
Saito is using a hammer to tap in a belay.
SAITO: Go ahead.
And we-
CUT TO: INT./EXT. VAN ON RAINY RAISED BRIDGE - DAY
Yusuf looks at the Security Man in the S.U.V., gives him the finger and hits the GAS- RACING BACKWARDS at the barrier...and we-
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.
Cobb prepares to fire. Ariadne GRABS the radio-
ARIADNE: Fischer, stop! It’s a trap!
INT. DUCT SYSTEM, HOSPITAL COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS
Fischer does not see the flashing light on his radio as he carefully lifts the grate. He motions for Saito to stay...
INT. TOP ROOM, SOUTH TOWER, HOSPITAL COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS
Cobb TENSES to fire.
COBB: Come on... a little lower... a little-
COBB FREEZES- IT IS MAL IN HIS SIGHTS. Ariadne puts up her binoculars. Spots Mal. Fischer is climbing out of the vent...
ARIADNE: Cobb, that’s not really her-
Cobb turns to her-
COBB: How can you know that?
INT. ANTECHAMBER - CONTINUOUS
Fischer moves into the antechamber, cautious-
FISCHER: I’m in.
Fischer turns up the volume-
ARIADNE (OVER RADIO): Fischer, look out!-
Mal DROPS gracefully to the floor behind him-
MAL: Hello.
INT. TOP ROOM, SOUTH TOWER, HOSPITAL COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS
Cobb looks at Ariadne-
ARIADNE: Cobb, she’s just a projection. Fischer... he’s real.
Cobb thinks. Nods, TURNS back to the scope- too late- MAL SHOOTS FISCHER- Cobb reflexively pulls the trigger- Mal GOES DOWN- Cobb steps back from the scope, STUNNED.
ARIADNE: Eames? Get to the anteroom now!
They run for the door.
INT. DUCT SYSTEM, HOSPITAL COMPLEX - CONTINUOUS
Saito STARTS as he hears the shot. He starts edging forwards, clutching his belly. And we-
CUT TO: INT. ROOM 528 - NIGHT
The sleepers are floating in a rough stack, top-and-tailed. Arthur pulls the bedding from the bed and uses the sheet to bind the sleepers together. And we-
CUT TO: INT./EXT. VAN - DAY
In EXTREME SLOW MOTION, the van CREEPS DOWNWARDS, still high above the river... and we-
CUT TO: INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Arthur PUSHES the floating stack of sleepers to the elevator. He hits the button- the doors open- he pushes them in- GRABS the charges- climbs through the hatch in the ceiling and we-
CUT TO: INT. DUCT SYSTEM, HOSPITAL COMPLEX - DAY
Eames steps over Saito, who looks up at him with DYING eyes-
INT. ANTECHAMBER, HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY
Eames jumps out of the vent to find Cobb and Ariadne standing over the bodies of Fischer and Mal.
EAMES: What happened?
ARIADNE: Mal killed Fischer-
COBB: I wouldn’t shoot her.
Eames grabs a defibrillator from the wall and pulls Fischer’s jacket open-
COBB: It won’t do any good-
Eames SHOCKS Fischer’s chest...
COBB: Even if you could revive his body, his mind’s trapped down there. It’s over.
Eames listens for a pulse. Looks up at Cobb.
EAMES: So that it, then? We failed.
COBB: I’m sorry.
EAMES: It’s you who doesn’t get back to your family.
Eames looks down at Fischer. Then over to the double doors.
EAMES: I wanted to know what was going to happen in there. I think we had this one.
ARIADNE: There’s still a way: We follow Fischer down-
They look at her.
EAMES: We’re almost out of time-
ARIADNE: Down there they’ll be enough time. We’ll find him-soon as you hear Arthur’s music start, you use the defibrillator to revive him-we give him his own early kick from below. Get him in there-(points to doors) Then, as the music ends you blow the hospital and we all ride the kick back up through the layers.
Eames looks at her, then to Cobb.
EAMES: Okay, Saito can hold them off while I plant the rest of the charges.
COBB: Saito’s not going to last, Eames.
ARIADNE: We have to try!
EAMES: Go for it, but I’m taking the kick whether you’re back or not...
Eames pulls the mechanism from his pack. Offers it to Ariadne. Cobb watches. Silent. Ariadne pulls out the tubes-
ARIADNE: Can I trust you to do what’s needed? Mal’s down there-
COBB: And I can find her. She’ll have Fischer.
ARIADNE: How do you know?
COBB: She wants me to come after him. She wants me back down there with her.
Cobb rolls up his sleeve. Ariadne rolls up her own sleeve. Eames NODS. Cobb and Ariadne lie down. Eames hits the button- WATER. BUBBLES. DROWNING. And we are-
