SNAP CITY
Episode 6: "Raiders of the Lost Archive"
Created by Toni - SF City Hall Photographer 15+yrs
COLD OPEN
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL - MORNING
MILES, SCOTT, FELIX, and TREVOR are setting up elaborate lighting equipment on the City Hall steps. They have
period costumes laid out: fedoras, leather jackets, and 1930s adventure gear.
MILES
I still can't believe we got hired to recreate movie scenes at City Hall. This is like our biggest client yet.
SCOTT
(checking his notes)
The client wants us to recreate specific shots from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Milk." Both movies were
filmed here, so we need to match the exact camera angles.
TREVOR
(wearing a fedora)
This is so sweet! I look exactly like Indiana Jones, except fatter and more handsome!
FELIX
This costume is really uncomfortable!
A sophisticated HOLLYWOOD PRODUCER approaches them.
PRODUCER
Are you the Snap City Photography team? I'm producing a documentary about movies filmed at government
buildings. I need you to recreate these exact shots.
He hands Scott a folder full of movie stills.
SCOTT
(looking through photos)
These are incredible shots. The lighting, the composition... Wait, this Raiders scene was filmed in the rotunda?
PRODUCER
That's right. And I need you to recreate it perfectly. Spare no expense - I'm paying top dollar for
authenticity.
TREVOR
How much top dollar are we talking about?
PRODUCER
$10,000 for the complete shoot.
TREVOR
(eyes lighting up)
Holy shit! We're rich! I mean... we accept your generous offer, good sir!
BENNY runs up, carrying more equipment.
BENNY
Fellas! I got all the fog machines and the fake boulder you requested! This is gonna be just like a real movie!
PRODUCER
Excellent. I'll leave you to it. Remember - exact recreations. Don't change anything about those original shots.
The Producer leaves. The boys look at the movie stills excitedly.
MILES
You know what? This might actually be fun. When else do we get to recreate classic movie scenes?
SCOTT
Plus, it's educational! We're documenting cinematic history!
TREVOR
I don't care about education! I care about looking awesome as Indiana Jones!
FELIX
Do we need the hats?
Thunder rumbles ominously overhead as they head into City Hall.
FADE TO:
SNAP CITY
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARCHIVE
ACT ONE
INT. SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL - ROTUNDA - DAY
The boys have set up an elaborate recreation of the famous Raiders rotunda scene. Trevor poses dramatically
at the bottom of the Grand Staircase while Scott adjusts the lighting to match the movie still.
SCOTT
Okay, Trevor, you need to stand exactly where Harrison Ford stood. The shadows have to fall at the same angle.
TREVOR
(striking a heroic pose)
Like this? Do I look ruggedly handsome and adventurous?
MILES
You look like a fat kid in a costume, but the lighting is pretty close.
Felix is setting up a camera on a tripod, trying to match the exact angle from the movie.
FELIX
This angle is really tricky to get right.
As Felix adjusts the tripod, one of the legs gets caught in a gap between marble floor tiles. He pulls harder,
and suddenly a section of the floor gives way, revealing a hidden stone staircase leading down into darkness.
BENNY
(shocked)
Oh man! Felix found a secret passage!
SCOTT
What the hell? There's a whole staircase under the floor!
MILES
That's weird. You'd think they'd mention something like this in the City Hall tours.
TREVOR
(immediately excited)
Secret passage! This is just like Raiders! Maybe there's treasure down there!
Greg appears suddenly, carrying a camera with various mystical symbols drawn on it.
GREG
Boys! I felt a disturbance in the dome energy! Something about... scandal vibrations! The dome is 42 feet taller
than the U.S. Capitol dome because it amplifies corruption frequencies!
MILES
Dad, what are you talking about?
GREG
Scandal energy, Miles! Every corrupt act in this building creates psychic residue that gets stored in secret
places! My modified camera can detect it!
Greg's camera starts beeping rapidly when pointed at the hidden staircase.
GREG
OH MY GOD! This place is off the charts! There's decades of scandal energy down there!
SCOTT
Maybe we should report this to the city authorities?
TREVOR
Are you crazy? This is our discovery! We should explore it first and see if there's anything valuable!
The GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN materializes next to them.
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Boys, you've discovered the Lost Archive! I've been waiting decades for someone to find it!
MILES
Ghost of Diane Feinstein! What's the Lost Archive?
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
It's where they've been hiding evidence of City Hall corruption for over a century! Photos, documents,
recordings - everything that could expose the truth!
TREVOR
Evidence of corruption? That sounds like blackmail material! I mean... historical documentation!
SCOTT
If there's evidence of corruption down there, we have a civic duty to expose it!
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Be warned - the archive is protected by traps designed to keep people out. Many have tried to reach it. None
have succeeded.
FELIX
That sounds like a challenge!
Felix grabs a flashlight and starts heading down the stairs.
BENNY
Felix, wait! What if it's dangerous?
TREVOR
Relax, Benny. What's the worst that could happen?
INT. CITY HALL - SECRET ARCHIVE ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS
The boys descend the hidden staircase, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. The walls are lined
with old photographs and documents in protective cases.
SCOTT
(reading wall plaques)
"1906 Earthquake Relief Fund Embezzlement"... "1967 Summer of Love Permits Scandal"... "1978 Jonestown Cover-up
Photos"... Jesus, this goes back forever!
MILES
Look at all these photos! These could expose decades of corruption!
TREVOR
(taking pictures with his phone)
I'm documenting everything! Do you know how much political candidates would pay to bury this stuff? Or to dig up
dirt on their opponents?
BENNY
Trevor, that doesn't sound very ethical! Maybe we should just turn this over to the newspapers?
TREVOR
Fuck ethics, Benny! This is our retirement fund!
As they walk deeper into the archive, Felix notices something glinting in the darkness ahead - a massive stone
door covered in warning symbols.
FELIX
Guys, look at this door!
The door has intricate carvings and a plaque that reads: "THE ULTIMATE ARCHIVE - ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK -
PROTECTED BY ANCIENT CIVIC GUARDIANS."
SCOTT
"Ancient civic guardians"? What does that mean?
GREG
(appearing behind them)
It means the corruption energy has become sentient! The dome channels it down here where it forms protective
spirits!
MILES
Dad! How did you get down here?
GREG
I followed the scandal frequencies! My camera led me right to you!
PERMIT PRINCIPAL suddenly appears, wearing a mining helmet with lights.
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
Hold up, bros! Before anyone accesses this archive, we need to ensure equitable and inclusive distribution of
any potentially problematic historical materials!
TREVOR
What the hell are you doing here, Permit Principal?
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
I'm the official City Hall Archival Access Coordinator! Nobody gets into sensitive historical documents without
proper diversity and inclusion training!
SCOTT
We don't have time for training! This could be evidence of major crimes!
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
Alleged crimes, bro! We need to make sure any exposés consider the intersectional impact on marginalized
communities before we start throwing around accusations!
While Permit Principal lectures them, Felix examines the door mechanism. He notices that it's actually designed
like a giant camera shutter.
FELIX
This door works like a camera! We need a flash.
MILES
Felix's right! Look at these markings - they're like aperture settings!
Felix sets up his camera flash in front of the door and takes a photo. The door mechanism whirs to life and
slowly opens.
CUT TO:
ACT TWO
INT. CITY HALL - THE ULTIMATE ARCHIVE - CONTINUOUS
The door opens to reveal a vast underground chamber filled with filing cabinets, photo albums, and display
cases. The room is lit by an eerie glow coming from somewhere above.
SCOTT
(in awe)
This is incredible! There must be thousands of documents here!
TREVOR
(running to the nearest filing cabinet)
Jackpot! Look at this stuff! "Mayor Newsom's Wine Cellar Receipts"... "Pelosi's Private Jet Fuel Bills"... "Tech
CEO Bribery Photos"!
MILES
Trevor, don't just grab everything! We need to be systematic about this!
Benny walks over to a display case containing what appears to be a photograph of the 1906 earthquake, but
with suspicious details.
BENNY
Fellas, this earthquake photo shows people in suits watching the fire instead of helping! And they're holding
what looks like insurance documents!
SCOTT
(examining the photo)
Holy shit! This suggests the 1906 earthquake response was used for insurance fraud! This could rewrite San
Francisco history!
GREG
(taking photos frantically)
The scandal energy is off the charts! My camera can barely handle the corruption frequencies! The dome must have
been amplifying this for over a century!
Felix discovers a section labeled "PHOTOGRAPHY SCANDALS" and gets excited. He starts pulling out albums filled
with compromising photos of politicians.
FELIX
Look at all these blackmail photos!
As Felix pulls out a particularly large album, he accidentally triggers a hidden mechanism. A rumbling sound
echoes through the chamber.
BENNY
What was that sound?
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
(appearing suddenly)
The ancient civic guardians! You've triggered the archive's defense system!
At the far end of the chamber, a massive stone sphere - clearly inspired by Raiders of the Lost Ark - begins
rolling down a ramp toward them.
MILES
Holy crap! It's just like the movie!
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
This is highly problematic! Ancient traps don't meet current safety accessibility standards!
TREVOR
(stuffing documents into his backpack)
Everyone run! I've got enough scandal material to blackmail half of California!
The boys start running toward the exit, but Felix stops to grab one more photo album. The rolling boulder is
getting closer.
SCOTT
Felix! Forget the photos! RUN!
FELIX
Just one more album!
Felix grabs a photo album labeled "CITY HALL PHOTOGRAPHY SCANDALS 1995-2020" but trips over a loose stone. The
boulder is now only yards away.
FELIX
OH SHIIIIIIT!
The boulder seals the exit. Felix's orange parka is pinned empty against the wall. Felix is gone.
MILES
Where's Felix?!
SCOTT
He was just here!
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
That's why we need proper safety protocols for archival access!
The boulder comes to a stop, blocking the exit. The boys are trapped in the archive chamber.
BENNY
Oh man! We're trapped! And Felix's gone!
TREVOR
Who cares about Felix? Look at what I found! This album has photos of every major politician in compromising
situations! We could make millions!
SCOTT
Trevor! Felix vanished under a boulder, and all you care about is making money off of scandal photos?
TREVOR
Felix vanishes every episode! But opportunities like this are once in a lifetime!
Greg's camera starts glowing brighter as he documents everything.
GREG
The scandal energy is creating a feedback loop! The dome is channeling even more corruption frequencies down
here! We need to get this evidence to the surface!
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
There's another way out, but it leads directly to the Mayor's office. And I should warn you - the current Mayor
has been looking for this archive for years.
INT. CITY HALL - MAYOR'S OFFICE - SAME TIME
A NEW MAYOR (who replaced Mayor McDome after her arrest) is meeting with several SHADOWY FIGURES in expensive
suits.
NEW MAYOR
Are you sure the archive is down there? I've been searching for those documents for months!
SHADOWY FIGURE 1
Our sources confirm it. The Lost Archive contains evidence that could destroy half the political establishment
in California.
SHADOWY FIGURE 2
Which is exactly why it needs to be destroyed. We can't let that information see daylight.
An alarm sounds on the Mayor's desk.
NEW MAYOR
That's the archive security system! Someone's triggered the traps! They've found it!
SHADOWY FIGURE 1
Then we need to get down there immediately. We can't let anyone escape with those documents.
CUT TO:
ACT THREE
INT. CITY HALL - THE ULTIMATE ARCHIVE - CONTINUOUS
The boys are trying to find another way out while Trevor continues stuffing his backpack with scandal photos.
Felix walks out of a side corridor that should not connect here, slightly damp, holding up his camera.
FELIX
Did we win?
MILES
You vanished, we got trapped, and Trevor's trying to steal blackmail material.
FELIX
So, typical Tuesday.
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Boys, you need to understand something. This archive wasn't created to hide corruption - it was created to
preserve evidence until the right time to expose it!
SCOTT
What do you mean?
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
I helped design this place! Every major scandal for the past century has been documented here, waiting for
someone brave enough to bring it to light!
TREVOR
See? She agrees with me! We should totally sell this stuff to the highest bidder!
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
NO! It should be given to journalists and investigators who will expose the truth for the public good!
TREVOR
What's the difference? Money is money!
Permit Principal is examining the filing system with growing concern.
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
Bros, this archive is seriously problematic! All the corruption documentation focuses on white male politicians!
Where's the representation of diverse corruption?
SCOTT
Maybe because most of the politicians in power for the past century were white males?
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
That's exactly the kind of systematic bias that needs to be addressed! We need equal representation in scandal
documentation!
Greg's camera starts beeping frantically.
GREG
Guys! My scandal detector is going crazy! There are people coming down here with massive corruption energy
signatures!
The sound of footsteps echoes from the hidden passage behind them. The NEW MAYOR and the SHADOWY FIGURES
emerge.
NEW MAYOR
Well, well, well. The famous Snap City photographers have found our little secret!
MILES
Your secret? This is evidence of corruption! It belongs to the public!
SHADOWY FIGURE 1
I'm afraid that's not how politics works, son. Some secrets need to stay buried.
TREVOR
(suddenly businesslike)
Actually, we might be able to work something out. I've got photos here that could be... problematic... for
certain people. Maybe we can make a deal?
SCOTT
Trevor! You can't negotiate with corrupt politicians!
TREVOR
Why not? They obviously have money, and I have something they want! It's basic capitalism!
NEW MAYOR
What exactly are you proposing, young man?
TREVOR
Simple. You pay me a million dollars, and I'll give you all the photos that implicate you or your friends.
Everyone else gets exposed, but you stay clean.
SHADOWY FIGURE 2
That's... actually not a bad deal.
SCOTT
That's the worst deal! You're letting the corrupt people buy their way out of consequences!
BENNY
Maybe we could find a compromise? Like, expose the really bad corruption but give people a chance to make amends
for the smaller stuff?
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
We need to ensure that any scandal exposure follows proper diversity and inclusion protocols! Can't just be
exposing the privileged without considering intersectional impacts!
While everyone argues, Felix notices something interesting about the archive's ceiling - it has a camera-like
mechanism built into it.
FELIX
The whole archive is one giant camera!
MILES
What do you mean, Felix?
FELIX
The dome focus light through this chamber to take pictures
of corruption.
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Felix's right! The dome is 42 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol dome because it functions as a giant camera
lens! This archive is where the images are stored!
GREG
(excited)
Of course! The dome automatically photographs corruption using scandal energy frequencies! It's been building a
case against City Hall for over a century!
NEW MAYOR
That's ridiculous! The dome is just architecture!
Felix sets up his camera and takes a flash photo directly at the ceiling mechanism. Suddenly, the entire
chamber lights up like a giant camera, and images start projecting on the walls - photos of every corrupt act
that has ever happened in City Hall, including live images of the current conversation.
SHADOWY FIGURE 1
Oh shit! It's recording us right now!
NEW MAYOR
Turn it off! TURN IT OFF!
The projections show decades of backroom deals, bribery, cover-ups, and corruption - all automatically
documented by the dome's camera system.
SCOTT
It's all here! Every corrupt act, automatically documented! This is the evidence the public needs to see!
TREVOR
(taking photos frantically)
I'm getting all of this! This is better than blackmail - this is a complete historical record of corruption!
CUT TO:
ACT FOUR
INT. CITY HALL - THE ULTIMATE ARCHIVE - CONTINUOUS
The dome's automatic camera system continues projecting images of corruption throughout City Hall's history.
The NEW MAYOR and SHADOWY FIGURES are trying to destroy the equipment.
NEW MAYOR
We have to destroy this system! If this gets out, it'll bring down half the government!
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
You can't destroy the truth! This archive has been waiting over a century for the right people to find it!
MILES
And we're those people! We have a responsibility to make sure this information gets to the public!
SCOTT
Felix, can you download all these images to our cameras?
FELIX
I'm copying everything I can!
While Felix works, Trevor is having an internal struggle between greed and doing the right thing.
TREVOR
(to himself)
On one hand, I could make millions selling this stuff to the highest bidder. On the other hand, Scott would never
shut up about ethics and civic duty...
BENNY
Trevor, what if we released everything to the public but kept the photography rights? That way we do the right
thing AND make money!
TREVOR
(brightening)
Benny, that's brilliant! We'll be the exclusive photographers of the greatest corruption exposé in San
Francisco history!
Permit Principal is still trying to organize the evidence according to diversity principles.
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
Before we release any of this, we need to ensure equal representation across all demographics! Can't just be
exposing white male corruption without addressing systemic bias!
SCOTT
Permit Principal, corruption is corruption! We can worry about representation after we expose the crimes!
Greg's camera suddenly starts projecting its own images, showing the current conversation being recorded and
broadcast live to news stations across the city.
GREG
OH MY GOD! My scandal energy camera has linked up with the dome system! We're broadcasting live to every news
station in San Francisco!
NEW MAYOR
(panicking)
What?! Turn that off immediately!
SHADOWY FIGURE 1
We're blown! The whole city is watching this!
The archive's walls suddenly show live news feeds from around the city, with reporters commenting on the
unfolding corruption exposé.
NEWS REPORTER
(on wall projection)
This is unprecedented! We're receiving live footage from inside City Hall's secret archive, revealing decades of
documented corruption!
MILES
It's working! The whole city is seeing the truth!
FELIX
We did it! We exposed everything!
The NEW MAYOR and SHADOWY FIGURES try to make a run for it, but the archive's exit doors have automatically
locked.
NEW MAYOR
The doors are locked! We're trapped!
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
The archive won't let anyone leave until the truth has been fully revealed! That's how it was designed!
FBI AGENTS suddenly burst through the ceiling on rappelling lines, having been watching the live broadcast.
FBI AGENT
Federal agents! You're all under arrest for conspiracy to obstruct justice and destroy evidence of federal
crimes!
NEW MAYOR
But we're the victims here! These kids broke into our secret archive!
FBI AGENT
Your "secret archive" that contains evidence of decades of corruption? Yeah, that doesn't help your case.
As the corrupt officials are arrested, the archive's camera system begins powering down.
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
The archive has served its purpose. The truth has been revealed, and justice will be served.
SCOTT
You know, I've learned something today. Sometimes the most important photographs aren't the ones you plan to
take - they're the ones that need to be taken for the greater good.
MILES
And the real treasure isn't gold or money - it's the truth and the power to expose corruption.
TREVOR
I've learned that doing the right thing can actually be profitable if you think about it correctly! We're going
to make a fortune as the photographers who exposed the biggest scandal in San Francisco history!
FELIX
I've learned to avoid rolling boulders!
BENNY
Gee fellas, I'm just happy we helped make City Hall more honest! My parents won't ground me for this, right?
Permit Principal is still taking notes.
PERMIT PRINCIPAL
This has been a very educational experience in intersectional justice! Though we still need to work on diversity
representation in future corruption investigations!
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL - EVENING
The boys exit City Hall to find crowds of reporters and citizens gathered on the steps. The dome is glowing
with a pure white light.
REPORTER
Are you the young photographers who discovered the Lost Archive? How does it feel to have exposed the biggest
corruption scandal in city history?
SCOTT
It feels like we did our civic duty. Every citizen deserves to know the truth about their government.
TREVOR
(to the camera)
And if anyone wants exclusive prints of the corruption photos, Snap City Photography is offering a limited
edition scandal series! Only $99.99 per print!
MILES
(sighing)
Some things never change.
Greg appears with his modified camera, which is now smoking and sparking.
GREG
Boys! The dome energy has permanently charged my camera with corruption-detecting capabilities! I'm going to
take this to Washington D.C.! Think of the scandal energy at the Capitol!
MILES
Dad, please don't start a national incident.
GREG
Too late! I've already booked a flight! This is going to be HUGE!
As Greg runs off with his sparking camera, the Ghost of Diane Feinstein appears one last time.
GHOST OF DIANE FEINSTEIN
Thank you, boys. The dome can finally rest easy knowing the truth is out. The archive has served its purpose.
She fades away as the dome's lights return to their normal, gentle glow.
TAG
INT. FELIX'S HOUSE - FELIX'S ROOM - ONE WEEK LATER
Felix is developing photos in a makeshift darkroom. He pulls out a photo that shows the Ghost of Diane
Feinstein clearly visible in the archive.
FELIX
Huh. I didn't know my camera could photograph ghosts. That's actually pretty cool.
He hangs the photo up to dry, then notices something else in the developing tray - a photo of the archive that
shows a door marked "ARCHIVE LEVEL 2."
FELIX
Wait... there's a Level 2? What the hell is in Level 2?
Felix grabs his phone and starts calling the other boys.
FELIX
Guys? Yeah, it's Felix. You're not going to believe this, but I think we only found the first level of the
archive...
FADE OUT.
THE END
EPISODE 6: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARCHIVE