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Tenet · written by Christopher Nolan · 2020
Scene 63 of 275 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two
An unnamed intelligence operative, recruited into a shadow war fought through time-inverted weapons and objects, teams with an enigmatic ally to stop a dying Russian oligarch from using technology gifted by a dying future to erase the present.
The Protagonist in his zone of comfort — a skilled, anonymous field operative, competent and confident inside the Kiev operation.
Broken by torture and 'killed,' he needs a new purpose; Fay offers one that transcends the nation-state loyalties that just got his team killed.
He enters the wholly unfamiliar situation of Tenet — the wind turbine, the password test, and Barbara's proof that time itself can run backward.
The Protagonist begins surveilling Kat at her son's school gates — he commits to using her marriage against Sator, entering the upside-down world of the operation proper.
Kat's appraisal-room scene with the forged Goya begins the relationship — with Kat, and by extension her son Max — that will carry the story's theme of what a parent will do to save a child.
A body crashes past Kat's car window.
The Protagonist emerges into the alley, brushing himself off.
The Mercedes speeds off with Kat looking back at him.
This scene
Kat is crouched, talking to her son, MAX. The Nanny hovers –
MAX
Anna says we’re going to Pompeii
and see lava.
KAT
We’ll go together. I’ll be there,
too.
Max looks up at the Nanny. Kat hugs him, tight. The Nanny TAPS Kat on the shoulder. Kat smiles at her son, tears in her eyes, as the car pulls away. She pulls out her phone, dials... hears a RINGTONE behind her –
The Protagonist is there.
PROTAGONIST
I said I’d surprise you. He’s a
cute kid.
KAT
Max. He’s everything.
PROTAGONIST
Where’s the drawing?
KAT
Oslo. At the airport.
PROTAGONIST
The airport?
INSERT CUT: a Rotas car drives across an airport apron, and down a ramp...
KAT
Do you know what a freeport is?
PROTAGONIST
A storage facility for art that’s
been acquired –
...into a SLEEK facility – the OSLO FREEPORT – as a STAFF MEMBER stands ready to greet a new CLIENT...
KAT (V.O.)
But not yet taxed. We started a
network – Rotas, his construction
company, built them, I brought in
clients. The facilities are tax
havens...
The client is NEIL... he takes in the security arrangements...
PROTAGONIST (V.O.)
The clients can view their
investments –