• Parental Sacrifice: parents often hide their own pain to protect their kids, even at the cost
of their own happiness.
• Ignorance as Relief: the tragedy when the parent forgets the emotional truth while the
child remembers everything.
• Lost Childhood: the grief of missing youth due to poverty and circumstance.
• Selflessness vs Happiness: doing the right thing doesn’t always make you whole.
• Cycle Breaking: healing yourself can still hurt the people you love.
• Poverty sometimes force us into responsibility and choices we don’t want to make.
We should say fuck everyone represents the carefree life it robs you of. Leaving you
with nostalgia and regret
• Poverty ages people faster than time
• • Leaving can be an act of love and violence
• • Memory lives in the body before the brain
• • Nobody in the story is a villain — just scared
### Character Breakdowns
**THE FATHER**
Adult: Yahya Abhul-Mateen type
Teen: Michael ward type
Mid 30s (late teens in flashbacks). Quiet, grounded man shaped by responsibility that
arrived too early. In his youth, he is gifted, affectionate, and full of possibility, but already
carrying more weight than most people his age. As an adult, he is emotionally restrained —
not cold, but careful. He has learned how to endure rather than express. He is a devoted
father, deeply present in small ways: routines, silences, observation. He is not a talker. His
love shows up in actions, not speeches. Financial pressure and emotional fatigue live just
beneath the surface, rarely breaking through. In the alternate timeline, he is successful and
stable, but subtly incomplete — unaware of what he has lost. When memory returns, it hits
all at once, forcing him to confront the consequences of a life he didn’t know he erased.
This role requires restraint, internal conflict, and the ability to communicate thought
through stillness. The performance is built on listening, reaction, and emotional control
rather than dialogue.
**THE SON (Jaden)** Jonathan Daviss type
Mid-to-late teens. A talented young basketball player with confidence, humor, and
emotional intelligence beyond his years. In the original timeline, he shares a warm, easy
bond with his father — playful, affectionate, and deeply trusting. He looks for his father in
the stands, grounding himself in that presence. In the alternate timeline, the son has grown
up without that foundation. He is sharper, more guarded, shaped by instability and self-
reliance. He is not angry by nature, but he carries anger learned through experience. His
confrontation with his father is not about blame — it is about truth. This role requires an
actor capable of switching emotional registers: warmth and openness in one timeline,
guarded intensity in another. The performance must feel lived-in, not performed.
**THE SWEETHEART (Celine)** KiKi Layne Type
Teen: Lovie Simone/Storm Reid type
Mid 30’s (late teens in flashbacks). In the past, she represents possibility, tenderness, and
belief. She is playful and romantic without being naïve. Her line about “saying fuck
everyone” is not rebellion — it is fantasy, spoken before consequence is fully understood.
In the alternate timeline, she is the life partner who stayed. Their relationship is functional,
loving, and stable. She is not unaware, but she senses when something is wrong. When
memory returns to the father, she becomes the moral anchor — not accusatory, but firm.
Her pivotal question — “So what’s it going to be?” — is not an ultimatum. It is an invitation
to honesty. This role requires emotional clarity and quiet strength lived-melodrama.
**THE FATHER’S MOTHER (Ma)**
Late 30s–50s. A woman at her breaking point. She is not neglectful or cruel — she is
exhausted. Evictions, financial instability, and the weight of keeping her family afloat have
worn her down. Her conversations with her son are layered with love, guilt, and unspoken
fear. She does not pressure him explicitly — the pressure exists simply by circumstance.
Her presence helps define the world that forces the central choice. This role benefits from
subtlety and realism, avoiding stereotype or excess.
**SISTER (Tasha / TT)** Jessica Williams Type
Fierce, protective, levity + hurt. Sharp wit, emotional fire.
This film prioritizes naturalism, restraint, and emotional honesty over heightened
performance. Silence, reaction, and subtext matter more than dialogue. Actors should be
comfortable allowing scenes to breathe and trusting stillness.
**Scene 1: Intro / The present is a gift for the future**
**Location**: Packed high school gym, South Side Chicago – night. Loud, local energy, no
glamour.
Father (17, budding star) at tip-off. He scans the stands — waves at Mama, brothers,
sisters cheering. Warm family pride.
Early play: chaotic under the rim. Father lands wrong — sprained ankle. Sharp pain. He
looks straight to *Sweetheart in the bleachers. She shakes her head — she knows he won’t
come out.
Trainer tapes him. He limps back in. Fourth quarter: he’s on fire — instinctive, joyful.
Budding star energy.
Final look to stands: family section empty. Only Sweetheart remains.
**Emotional beats**: Youthful promise cut by responsibility. Father feels the pull home
even in triumph. Sweetheart sees his pain before he admits it.
**Scene 2: Heart of the Future/ Sweetheart Intro**
**Location**: School hallway/gym exit – night.
Students congratulate *Father as peers — quick daps, jokes, pride. No worship. He cuts it
short when he sees Sweetheart.
He limps noticeably.
**sweetheart**: Boyyyyy…
Father already knows.
**Father**: Ball is life.
**Sweetheart**: I guess it is
**Marcus**: You just mad y’all lost.
**Celine**: And life goes on. See how that works?
He laughs despite pain. Limp worsens.
**Celine**: C’mon, let me see.
She crouches. Ankle swollen ugly.
**Celine**: I don’t know if you should play next game.
**Marcus**: I don’t need that negativity from you *smacking lips*.
She lays his head on her chest — instinctual relief, not sexual.
**Celine**: This what you need.
He exhales. Safe.
**Celine**: I saw your mom earlier. She leave?
**Marcus**: I guess so.
**Celine**: Come on, I’ll take you home.
**Marcus**: Bet. Let me grab something.
He ducks into team room, stuffs food into bag — desperate but discreet. Anyone could
notice, but no one does.
**Emotional beats**: Peer-level celebration grounds the “star” moment. Celine’s care
contrasts family absence. Marcus hides desperation.
**Scene 3: The Drive / “We Should”**
**Location**: Celine’s car – night. Streetlights streak.
Marcus quiet, wondering why family left. Celine senses but doesn’t push.
Conversation flows naturally — light banter, shared silence.
They pull over at red light. She turns up radio.
**Celine**: This my song.
She sings along, teasing.
**Celine** (singing): We should, we should, we should say fuck everyone…
Cute, playful moment. They’re about to kiss.
Marcus checks time.
**Marcus**: Shit… I gotta get home.
She nods — understanding, no guilt.
**Emotional beats**: Moment of freedom interrupted by duty. “We should” is fantasy
before consequence.
**Scene 4: How much for your Future: The Cost**
**Location**: Small apartment – night. Dim, tense.
Mama pacing, worried. Kids on couch — hungry, quiet. Eviction notice on table.
**Younger sibling**: Ma… we hungry. What we gon eat?
She forces strength.
Door bursts open.
**Marcus**: Ma! I got the food you asked for.
Kids rush him — excitement.
**Kids**: We wanted to stay at the game but Ma got a call…
They don’t understand — just disappointed they missed the end.
Marcus smiles through it.
**Marcus**: Yeah, we won. Dropped 30 on a bum ankle.
**Younger brother**: I woulda locked you up.
**Marcus**: Not ‘fore you do that homework.
Laughter. Normalcy.
Later — kids eat. Marcus talks to Mama Ruth.
She tries to hide it. Breaks down.
Ma: I don’t know what we’re going to do…*shows the eviction notice*
**Marcus**: Ma… I got you. We gon’ get through it.
She believes him. He believes it — for now.
**Emotional beats**: Love inside hardship. Marcus shoulders burden without complaint.
**Scene 5: The caged bird singing: The Sacrifice**
**Location**: School hallway / outside practice – day.
Marcus meets coach before practice.
**Marcus** (fighting tears): Coach… I can’t play Friday.
**Coach**: Ankle that bad? It should get better with treatment. We have a few days
**Marcus**: This ain’t about basketball. I gotta make money. Got a job.
**Coach**: Son, I know things get tough. But you have a real future in basketball.
**Marcus** (eyes bawling): No disrespect, but how the hell am I supposed to focus? I don’t
have a house to go home to. We ain’t got no food in the crib. I’m supposed to act like
everything’s all good? Nah. What I’mma do is what a man should.
Storms out.
Sees Celine (just finished practice).
**Celine**: You good?
**Marcus**: We getting evicted.
**Celine**: I’m so sorry… Can we get help from the church or what?
**Marcus**: Nah. I’m getting a job.
**Celine**: I know you wanna help your family, but what about your future?
**Marcus**: Why the fuck everybody keep saying that?
**Celine**: Look, I’m not trying to say the wrong thing. I’m just trying to help.
**Marcus**: You speaking from a place of privilege I ain’t never had.
**Celine**: Marcus, I know you hurt, but you know that’s not—
**Marcus**: Yo, I’ma call you later.
She nods.
**Emotional beats**: Sacrifice feels necessary, not noble. Marcus resents advice from
those who don’t understand.
**Scene 6: The Future Has Arrived**
**Location**: High school gym – years later (original timeline).
Mirrors Scene 1 intro. Jaden (teen son) at tip-off. Cheerful, playful mood. Moves like dad
but better — respectful, best player in state.
Looks up — father’s retired jersey hangs. Jaden relishes playing for dad’s old school. Not a
shadow — an honor. Plays against legacy, not opponents.
Game starts. Jaden off — misses shots. Looks to stands. Marcus (father) watches quietly —
no judgment, no yelling. Eye contact. Marcus nods. Jaden locks in. Goes crazy.
Post-game:
**Jaden**: Yesssss sir… Final Four?!!! Dad, how ya like me now?
**Marcus** (joking): You played well, son, but that crossover needs polish.
**Jaden**: C’mon Dad, that’s really what you gon’ say after I went stupid like that? Give me
some credit.
**Marcus**: I said you played well. What more you want?
**Jaden**: Say I’m better than you.
**Marcus**: Now we definitely getting ahead of ourselves. You aight, but I was nice, ya hear
me?
**Jaden**: That’s what everybody keep telling me.
**Marcus**: Plus I trained you. Even if you was better, you not better because you still me.
**Jaden** (rolls eyes): That doesn’t make a lick of sense, Dad.
Phone rings. Sister (Tasha) FaceTime.
**Tasha**: Let me talk to my nephew! Let’s fucking gooooo!
**Marcus**: Sis, c’mon, language.
**Tasha**: My bad. Let’s fffffnnn gooooo.
Jaden hyped.
**Jaden**: TT, I killed ‘em today. We in the Final Four!
**Tasha**: Superstar! We tried to make it, but ya uncle took all day to come get us.
**Uncle**: What y’all wanted me to do? I had to work.
**Jaden**: It’s all good, Unk. I know y’all make it when y’all can. They recorded it. Let’s
rewatch tomorrow. I’ll pretend to be surprised when I start going crazy.
**Tasha**: That’s a bet, neph
Jaden. Where my granny?
**Granny** (on call): Right here! Hey grandson! We did it. Grandson, I had no doubts. You
get your talents from me. I used to hoop a lil.
**Jaden**: I didn’t know that, Grandma. You had game?
**Granny**: Yes. Your father ain’t tell you. I was the best player in 5 th grade.
**Marcus**: Aight, Mama, calm down.
**Granny**: We proud of you, grandson. Love y’all.
**Tasha**: Love you, neph. Let’s fuc—
Hangs up.
**Father**: Yo, TT crazy. : I’ma make sure they at the Final Four game though.
**Jaden**: As long as you there, Pops, we good.
**Marcus**: When have I missed a game? You know I wouldn’t miss it: How about we go
celebrate? Ice cream?
**Jaden**: Ice cream.
**Easter egg**: “While We’re Young” barely playing as scene fades. Billboard of Celine
(now a therapist) — audience sees it eagle-eyed. Father subconsciously notices but
doesn’t react.
**Emotional beats**: Future mindset — presence over pressure. Alternate future not utopia
— success exists, but family bonds feel earned through struggle.
**Scene 7: Ice Cream Man**
**Location**: Drive to ice cream parlor – evening.
Marcus and Jaden driving. Jaden still high from game.
**Jaden**: Dad, I just made the Final Four. Can we listen to something I like? At least from
this decade. Not this trash.
**Marcus** (needle scratch): Trash? Whaaaa. This is a classic album. Kick Push, real
theme music to a drive-by. He Say She Say — come on na.
**Jaden**: I’m not trying to listen to these old niggas, man.
**Marcus**: What I tell you about that word? We don’t use that. Too many of us have died
over that.
**Jaden**: Dad, my bad.
**Marcus**: Damn right it is. And respect the legends.
Playful banter. They get out, walk to parlor.
Homeless man: Any spare change, sir?
Marcus gives his last $5 bill.
**Jaden**: Dad, why you always giving money to homeless people?
**Marcus**: What type of question is that?
**Jaden**: I mean… you work for your money and they just sit there begging all day.
**Marcus**: Look, I’ma stop you there. I’ve been there before. We got evicted a couple
times when I was your age. I know what that’s like. If you think it’s easy, you mistaken. As far
as I’m concerned, they got a job.
**Jaden**: What’s that?
**Marcus**: They stand on a corner all day being judged. If they see 100 people, maybe 4
give them something. They out here for hours — rain, sleet, or sunshine. What they selling?
Humility. Maybe you need to buy some.
**Jaden**: I didn’t mean it like that.
**Marcus**: I know you didn’t.
Jaden: I didn’t know y’all were homeless neither.
Father I know that too.
Jaden: I’ma get us out the hood, Pops. I promise.
**Marcus**: You think because we don’t stay in the suburbs we stay in the “hood”? Look
around. It’s all love out here. Yeah… “some days it ain’t sunny but it ain’t so hard” (He Say
She Say). But it’sall good here. We got community. People looking out for you. I love my city.
Plus it ain’t yo job to get me nowhere. I just need you to be a kid as long as possible. You
take care of you. I got us. Now let’s get this ice cream so you can do your homework. It’s
late.
They go in. Jaden excited.
Father: this was ya moms favorite spot
**Jaden**: Oooo, I know what I’m getting. You getting, moms rocky road Pops?
**Marcus** (hiding unease): Nothing for me this time. Had a donut earlier. Ain’t trying to be
big back.
**Jaden**: Whatever. Call me what you want, but I’m getting it all.
Father: You earned it, kid
Marcus uneasy at register — knows card will overdraft. Chinks in armor showing.
**Emotional beats**: Father teaches humility from experience. Bond strong but strain
visible.
**Scene 8: It All Falls Down / Days of Future Past**
**Location**: Small apartment – late night.
Marcus home.
**Marcus**: Do ya homework, kid. It’s late.
Checks mail. Heart drops — lights 3 months past due, gas threatening disconnection.
Checks bank — overdrawn $11. Out of ideas.
Feels weight of past evictions.
**Marcus**: FUCK!
Breaks down quietly. Starting to feel what he felt as a kid going from home to home. A
familiar feeling of drowning and hopelessness seeps in.
**Jaden** (from room): Yo, Pops, you good?
**Marcus** (hiding): Yeah, I stubbed my toe.
Voices in head: You’re ruining his future. He needs better. You’re letting him down! Be a
man!
Fights them. Puts on music to ground. Shuffle hits “While We’re Young.” Plays
Mouths “we should, we should….
Triggers memories of youth and hope
Needs air.
**Marcus**: Son, I’ll be back. Need to get some bread. We can watch a movie when I get
back or something.
Puts on jacket. Walks out into rain.
Turns his back on the house — metaphorically. Turns back on loved ones to become his
best self.
Lightning strikes*fractures time itself*
**Emotional beats**: Armor cracks. Anxiety returns. Choice feels necessary, not selfish.
**Scene 9: Back to the Future / Father McFly**
**Location**: High school night (alternate pivot).
Marcus (teen) with Celine.
**Celine**: We should… we should…
They kiss.
Weird feeling.
**Marcus**: I don’t feel good.
**Celine**: What’s wrong?
**Marcus**: Idk, I can’t explain it… my head.
**Celine**: Maybe adrenaline wearing off from the game. Somebody hit you in yo bean
head.
Laughs.
**Marcus**: Yeah, maybe. Idk. I ain’t trying to go home though.
**Celine**: Now you know my dad ain…
**Marcus**: Can you sneak me in? I really cant go th…
**Celine**: yo lil begging ass. If you wanted to be under me, you should’ve said that.
**Marcus**: Now you know I don’t wanna leave my lil baby.
**Celine**: That part. Can we get some food first though? I’m soooo hungry.
Pans to book bag — food never delivered.
*a couple months later. Marcus has left for prep school*
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Bittersweet Farewell
INT. TASHA’S HOUSE – DAY
Celine at the door, bag on her shoulder.
CELINE
You good, sis?
Their handshake — practiced, dumb, perfect.
TASHA
When have you known me not to be?
CELINE
Well if y’all need anything, you got my number.
TASHA
What you majoring in again?
CELINE
Cognitive science. Or neuroscience.
TASHA
I don’t know what that is, but it sounds like a lot of school
CELINE
It kinda is.
I wanna be a psychologist. Family and trauma type stuff.
TASHA
The way you dealt with my bean-head brother?
You overqualified.
Celine laughs — small, nervous.
CELINE
Maybe I’ll just do communications.
TASHA
When it’s my turn, I think I wanna do nursing.
CELINE
Why not a doctor?
TASHA
(laughs)
That’s too much school for me.
Beat
TASHA (CONT’D)
Plus… I got a little brother to look after.
I’m a miss you.
CELINE
Girl don’t start. I’m not dying.
Thanksgiving — I’ll be back.
TASHA
I’ma have my owl write you.
CELINE
Promise?
Beat.
TASHA
Go be somebody, CeCe
Celine smiles, soft.
CELINE
I already am.
Tasha nudges her.
TASHA
Get out my house.
They hug — quick, real, not movie long.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
A Choice Between Responsibility and Fun
EXT. PORCH – CONTINUOUS
Celine steps out.
She looks back at the door —
Not sad, just knowing.
CELINE (quiet, to herself)
Alright then.
She walks.
SOUND BRIDGE:
Distant city noise melts into the hum of an AC unit.
4 year jump. Enter CELINE’S APARTMENT – LATE AFTERNOON
Small, clean, lived-in. Sun leaning through blinds like it’s tired too.
Celine sits at the table with her laptop open to a half-finished grad school application.
Cursor blinking like it’s judging her.
On the table beside it —
A TICKET TO THE GAME.
She flips it over with her nail.
Front. Back. Front again.
Her phone BUZZES.
Kendra (V.O.) Celine. I know you fucking lying. Why you not dressed? You always do this
?
CELINE
Im just trying to be responsible.
FRIEND (V.O.)
Responsible don’t look that fine. Put on something cute and come outside. The whole
campus gonna be there. And yes — fine men included. We the baddest bitches in this
school can we act like it for once… pleaseeeeee
Celine laughs despite herself.
Celine: chasing fine men is not how I got to top of the class
Kendra: that is not what im trying to get on top of tonight
Celine: bye im hanging up
Kendra: just hurry up
She glances at the closet door like it owes her money.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
A Night of Choices
INT. BEDROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Bed covered in options.
She holds up two shirts:
• Her SCHOOL SHIRT — folded neat, smells like detergent and tomorrow.
• MARCUS’ OLD JERSEY — soft at the collar, worn at the numbers. We recognize it — the
same one later framed on Ma’s wall.
She studies the jersey longer than she wants to. Puts the jersey on
CELINE
(soft, to herself)
Girl, don’t be stupid.
Phone BUZZES again.
FRIEND (TEXT ON SCREEN)
Celine checks her phone.
Kendra texts: WE OUTSIDE. HURRY.
Above it — a message from Tasha:
You going to that game to get yo man back or what
Celine rolls her eyes.
Types: Mind your business.
Smiles anyway.
Locks the phone.
Puts the jersey down.
Pulls the school shirt over her head.
Looks in the mirror — not for pretty, but for brave.
INT. BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS
She does her edges slow, careful.
Music low on the counter — something that feels like starting over.
She catches her own eyes in the mirror.
CELINE
Girl what is wrong with you
It’s just a game
She almost believes it.
INT. HALLWAY – EVENING
Celine grabs her keys.
The ticket waits on the table like a small dare.
She picks it up at the last second.
EXT. STREET / – NIGHT
City alive. Cars arguing with each other.
She watches a group of girls her age laughing too loud and too free.
Celine smiles — half envy, half hope.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Reconnecting at the Championship
INT. ARENA – LATER
Crowd swelling. Bass in the floor.
Celine finds her seat, breath a little quicker than she planned.
She scans the court — not for him, she tells herself.
Just taking in the room.
Then —
Kendra: Girl why did you want to sit here?
Celine: what’s wrong with right here?
Kendra girl we with the lames
MARCUS steps into view on the other side of the floor.
He doesn’t see her yet.
Celine’s face does that small, honest thing people do when the past walks in wearing the
present.
She straightens her shirt —
The one she chose for herself.
And right as the crowd rises —
Marcus looks up.
Their eyes meet.
She tries to look away
She can’t help but smile
Sound dips like the building forgot to breathe.
CUT TO: GAME – MARCUS’ PERSPECTIVE
Big game — conference championship. Marcus star, All-American, national player of year
contender.
Coach pep talk: hard work, blood, sweat, tears, sacrifice…
Marcus locks eyes with Celine (familiar face) its been years.
Coach: Pay attention. We need you locked in.
**Marcus** (staring):I got this. I ain’t never been so locked in in my life.
A back and forth affair. He hits game winner. Teammates chase him, but he looks for her.
Reporter: New career high — walk us through the game.
**Marcus**: playing a conference championship against a rival school.. if you cant get up
for that I don’t know what to tell you I just had my eyes on the prize. It was a team effort.
Thanks guys. I have to get moving
Leaves. Finds her with friend.
**Friend**: Girl, look who’s coming our way.
**Marcus**: Hey, C.
**Friend**: You know him?
**Celine**: At one point.
**Marcus** (to friend): Hey, I’m Marcus. How are you?
**Friend**: I know who you are. I’m Kendra.
Marcus staring at Celine. Tension is palpable. Awkwardness
**Kendra**:
So that’s why you wanted to sit there
I’m gonna give you guys a minute. Nice to meet you.
**Marcus**:nice to meet you as well
You looked like you enjoyed the game
**Celine**: I wouldve enjoyed it more if my team won(shows shirt under hoodie)
**Marcus**: Ohhh. I didn’t know you went here.
**Celine**: Is that why you was looking around the crowd like that? *imitating him
searching around*
Marcus: I might have checked the gram a couple times
Celine: just a couple huh
*playful laughter*
**Marcus**:Look… I owe you an apology for how things turned out.
**Celine**: I’m listening.
**Marcus**: I couldn’t focus while I was at home. Had to get away. That’s why I left that
school and went prep. I was able to just hoop without the extra
**Celine**: I’m not mad at that. You did what you felt you needed to do.
**Marcus**: You the only one who feels that way.
**Celine**: I didn’t say I agreed. But what you mean by that?
**Marcus**: Idk when’s the last time I been home. We still talk a little, but I can tell they
feel…
**Celine**: Like you left them behind?
**Marcus**: Yeah.
Celine: Can you blame them?
**Marcus**: YES… Nah.
**Celine**: After the season you just kinda picked up and left. You didn’t give anyone a
heads up. You didn’t allow anyone to hel
**Marcus**: I just felt like I needed to make a move. But it was always about yall. You aint
get my calls and text?
Celine: marcus please. I don’t know if that makes you feel better about yourself trying to
justify it like that
Marcus:that’s what im saying c, I knew if I stayed I’d have to explain and that’s something I
never wanted to do.
Celine: and what? We were supposed to sit and wait?
Marcus: what that mean…
Celine: After you left… we lost in the championship.
Yes, I got your calls and text. I wanted to pick up and
Tell you how it felt standing in an empty gym
Walking out with nothing
I typed a lot of messages I never sent.
That’s when I learned…
Ball wasn’t life. It’s a part of life.
And I promised myself I wouldn’t wait on anybody
To start the rest of mine.
Marcus: it was just a lot going on. I think about how it all went down maybe I made mistakes
idk I just think the end justify the means
**Celine**: Well I guess you ain’t do so bad, Mr. All-American.
**Marcus**: id trade half of it for the fam to watch me play. I don’t the last time they seen
me. Maybe my first year.
Celine: That gotta be tough on you. You good?
Changing subject. Uncomfortable. Always running
**Marcus**: Wait… go back…You been keeping tabs on me?
**Celine**: Boy, what? (laughs)
**Marcus**: You hungry?
You got a boyfriend you gotta get back to…
We should, we should, we shouldddd… *cute moment*
**Celine** (blushing): you can just ask if I’m single.
This one on me, I know a spot.
And I’m always hunnngggrryyyy.
Fades. Montage: trophies, pictures, degrees, house, cars, trips. Son’s voice: “Dad.” Abrupt
stop.
**Emotional beats**: Alternate future success — stable, but distance from family. No
paradise — he chose himself, and it worked, but something’s missing.
Scene 10: What Didn’t Come With Me / Dr. Nolan Shaw Don’t Mess Up the Children
Location: Living room couch – afternoon (alternate timeline)
Soft daylight through the window.
CELINE sits upright on the couch — hair tied back, glasses on, laptop open on her knees.
Multiple tabs open: work, calendar, travel.
MARCUS sleeps with his head in her lap.
Suddenly —
Marcus jolts awake.
Breathing off.
A voice still ringing.
JADEN (O.S., distant)
Dad…
Marcus blinks. Orients.
Uneasy. Rattled.
CELINE
Another one?
MARCUS
Yeah…
She waits.
CELINE
Same dream?
MARCUS
This one was different.
Just a voice.
CELINE
What it say?
MARCUS
Dad…
She studies him — a flicker of something defensive she doesn’t name.
CELINE
Dad? Like father?
Why is that bad?
MARCUS
I don’t know.
The kid sounded alarmed.
It felt like…
He trails off.
CELINE
(trying to understand, half-joking)
How you know it wasn’t me?
I might’ve been whispering I need you, daddy, in your ear.
MARCUS
Celine…
CELINE
What? It’s true.
(laughs)
MARCUS
I’m serious.
CELINE
Okay. Sorry.
Beat.
MARCUS
I just feel like something’s missing.
CELINE
Missing like what?
MARCUS
If I knew that, it wouldn’t be missing, now would it?
Small chuckle.
MARCUS
I got all this.
I got you.
Why it still feel unfinished?
CELINE
We live a decent life.
She rests her hand on his chest.
CELINE (CONT’D)
Maybe we scared to start the part
We can’t return from.
MARCUS
You talking baby again.
CELINE
I’m talking us, sir.
MARCUS
I watched my mom drown raising us.
Love didn’t save her from being tired.
CELINE
At some point we gotta walk in our own shoes.
Love ain’t supposed to save you.
It’s supposed to make the tired worth it.
He goes quiet.
CELINE looks back to her laptop.
CELINE (CONT’D)
I don’t wanna be the woman
Who planned a whole life
And met it alone.
Beat.
Softer.
CELINE (CONT’D)
I believed in us.
I still do.
That’s all she says.
Enough.
MARCUS
You wouldn’t be.
I lost you once.
I ain’t built to do that twice.
CELINE
You don’t get to promise that
While staying afraid.
Long beat.
MARCUS
Soon.
CELINE
Soon is where people hide.
Mood shifts — she lets it.
MARCUS
(smiling)
Just trust me… we can still practice, right?
What you say? You need me?
CELINE
You wanna be funny when I get serious, huh?
MARCUS
Aight, I see what’s going on here.
Let me make you something to eat.
He stands.
MARCUS (CONT’D)
You a lil hangry
She smacks her lips.
CELINE
You always think I’m hungry.
Beat
What you finna make?
He grins, heads to the kitchen.
Marcus opens the fridge — bright, full, loud.
He stares. Still foreign.
His PHONE RINGS.
He checks it.
His face changes.
Still.
MARCUS
It’s my mom.
She has cancer.
Celine doesn’t hesitate. She’s already moving.
She wraps him up.
CELINE
We gotta go down there, right?
Marcus nods, overwhelmed.
MARCUS
It’s been a while.
Celine guides him back to the couch without fuss.
Grounding him.
She reaches back to her laptop — casual, decisive.
Clicks once.
CONFIRMATION: FLIGHT BOOKED – FRIDAY
Marcus notices now.
MARCUS
Celine—
She cuts him off, gentle but firm.
CELINE
We leave Friday.
Beat.
She softens it with a smile.
CELINE (CONT’D)
You was gonna have to face them sooner or later.
I don’t think there’s any love lost.
It’s never been a real problem — just distance.
MARCUS
That’s an oversimplification.
It might not be any lost love, but it’s also no relationship there.
I send what I send, but it…
CELINE
Why you so flustered?
That’s your family. They love you.
You can’t run away from that.
Your mom needs you.
Forget the rest of it — it’s time to put your big boy pants on.
MARCUS
Yeah… you’re right.
She squeezes him.
CELINE
Plus they still like me.
I don’t know about you.
A small smile breaks through his worry.
It’s Chicago.
Yeah!
She starts dancing around
**Emotional beats**: Body knows — missing son manifests as unease/emptiness. Celine is
anchor, not crutch — has her own wants (motherhood). Alternate life good but incomplete.
**Scene 11: The Future’s Home**
SCENE – MA’S HOUSE – DAY
Marcus sits in the car outside his childhood home.
Engine off. Storm clouds bruising the sky.
Celine touches his back — gentle permission.
He steps out.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Confronting the Past
INT. MA’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Marcus enters — freezes.
On the wall:
HIS TROPHIES.
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS.
A FRAMED JERSEY he swears he never kept.
Tasha stands in CAN scrubs, half smile, half armor.
TASHA
Still give hugs or what… Golden Boy?
Marcus laughs, unsure, then pulls her in.
CHAD
What’s up big bro.
MARCUS
Chad… damn. Been a minute.
CHAD
I think I can take you now.
He shadows hoops in the air.
MARCUS
I’m sure you can.
These old knees aint no good.
MARCUS
Where Ma?
Chad points upstairs.
CHAD
Resting. We was just about to hit the store.
Tasha was cooking today.
TASHA
Lasagna.
You still eat regular people food, right?
Or you only eat caviar?
MARCUS
Man I don’t eat no—
MA (O.S.)
Tasha leave that boy alone.
Ma appears — small, strong, tired.
MA
Come here, son.
It’s been so longgg.
They embrace — Marcus holds on a second too long.
ACROSS THE ROOM
Celine and Tasha circle each other — cautious, warm.
TASHA
How was the flight?
CELINE
Nerve-wrecking.
TASHA
Turbulence?
CELINE
Girl no.
That man was nervous as hell about coming down here.
Wouldn’t let me rest.
It was cute… then it was annoying.
They laugh.
TASHA
He ain’t been home since Dad.
Then he hear Ma sick… yeah.
CELINE
He miss y’all.
It’s starting to get to him. We even talking about moving back.
TASHA
Y’all moving back for real?
CELINE
Yeah.
I told Marcus I was cool giving up that residency back then…
But once I started my practice, I was coming home.
TASHA
Girl I know that’s right.
How he take it?
CELINE
(nervous laugh)
You know him.
He think he gotta fix everything first.
TASHA
Mm.
Maybe you the thing fixing him.
They bump shoulders. Move on.
TASHA contd
Good.
I’m tired of sending you TikToks.
We can watch ‘em in person.
You trying to go to the sto’ with us?
CELINE
Only if they got Crunchy Kurls and Super Donuts.
I don’t eat no caviar
They laugh — sister energy forming.
BACK WITH MA & MARCUS
Marcus studies the wall again.
MARCUS
Where you get all this?
MA
Your sister.
Been collecting since you left.
Marcus, surprised — a little ashamed.
MARCUS
I ain’t think y’all kept up.
MA
With you?
We watched every game.
Tasha argued with strangers online like she was your agent.
A small smile breaks through Marcus’ face. It fades just as fast.
MARCUS
This mean a lot, Ma.
But I came to check on you.
Ma sits. Tired, but grounded.
MA
Still running, Marcus?
She laughs.
He doesn’t.
MARCUS
What the doctors say?
What stage is it?
MA
Baby, why you asking questions you can’t control?
I start chemo soon.
This gonna be in the past.
MARCUS
You make it sound simple.
MA
Because fear don’t pay bills.
Beat.
She looks back at the wall — not proud, not sad. Just reflective.
MA (CONT’D)
You know…
I think about how much weight landed on you.
On all of y’all.
Marcus shifts.
MA (CONT’D)
You was still a kid.
So was Tasha.
Chad too — even though he hide it better.
Marcus looks up.
MA (CONT’D)
Your daddy worked every hour he could find.
Two jobs. Sometimes three.
Still wasn’t enough.
By the time it caught up to him…
It already caught us.
She exhales. No tears. No dramatics.
MA (CONT’D)
I needed help.
And y’all stepped up before I even asked.
MA (CONT’D)
I’m proud of all of you.
Every single one.
Marcus looks at her.
MA (CONT’D)
You.
Tasha.
Chad.
She gestures toward the wall.
MA (CONT’D)
Y’all survived something grown folks don’t make it through
MARCUS
I didn’t mind, Ma.
MA
I know you didn’t.
Beat.
MA (CONT’D)
That’s what I worry about
Silence stretches.
MARCUS
Me and Celine thinking about moving back.
She… she real sure about it.
I’m just trying to make sure I ain’t coming back to do more damage.
Ma stands. Comes behind him. Rests her hands on his shoulders.
MA
Coming back ain’t the same as fixing everything.
Marcus listens.
MA (CONT’D)
But it is choosing to stop disappearing.
She leans in slightly.
MA (CONT’D)
Your sister got a lot in her chest.
She always has.
Don’t mean she don’t love you.
Beat.
MA (CONT’D)
That girl carried more than she should’ve.
Same as you.
She looks him dead in the eye.
MA (CONT’D)
I’m proud of how strong she is.
I just hate what made her that way.
Marcus nods. Takes that in.
MARCUS
I know.
MA
Do you?
He doesn’t answer right away.
She pulls him into a hug. Firm. Forgiving.
MA (CONT’D)
No matter where you stay, this will always be home baby. Whatever you think you owe this
family —
You paid it already.
Marcus closes his eyes. Breathes.
For the first time since arriving, his shoulders drop.
FRONT DOOR OPENS
Tasha, Celine, Chad return — holding pizza.
TASHA
Hope we not ruining y’all Hallmark moment
But dinner served.
MARCUS
Thought you was cooking?
TASHA
I worked ten hours and remembered I don’t like y’all that much.
MARCUS
I was ready to put caviar on my lasagna.
TASHA
Boy you lucky I bought enough for you.
CELINE
Ungrateful ass.
She holds up snacks like trophies.
Dinner hums — Marcus’ shoulders finally drop.
MARCUS
Y’all wanna walk?
Get dessert or something?
CHAD
Nigga I’m going home.
MA
I need rest.
TASHA
I ain’t doing nothing.
CELINE
You ain’t even have to ask me.
They head toward the door.
SCENE – NEIGHBORHOOD WALK – NIGHT
Streetlights hum. Pavement still wet from rain.
Marcus, Celine, Tasha drift with ice cream cups.
TASHA
So y’all really thinking about moving back?
MARCUS
Thinking is a strong word.
CELINE
He means yes but he scared of the paperwork.
TASHA
Paperwork ain’t what bite people.
Tasha peels off to answer a phone call.
Silence between Marcus and Celine — comfortable, loaded.
CELINE
You okay in there?
MARCUS
Yeah.
Just weird seeing your whole life on one wall.
CELINE
At least they kept the good pictures.
MARCUS
I thought they was mad at me.
CELINE
They were.
They just love you more than they mad.
Beat.
MARCUS
You ever regret not hooping?
She didn’t expect that.
CELINE
Every March.
MARCUS
Why you stop?
CELINE
You ask this 20 years later? *laughs*
Idk priorities just shifted
Soft, not accusatory.
CELINE (CONT’D)
I figured life was bigger than a scoreboard.
MARCUS
You were really good at it
CELINE
Don’t make it a funeral.
I chose something too.
They pass the old park — the one they use to go to
CELINE:
I use to kill you in there
MARCUS
What they say about our memories? They’re unreliable or something
CELINE
Idk what you talking about. Ya girl had game
TASHA
Y’all done being deep?
I’m gettingsleepy listening to all this growth.
They laugh — air lighter.
But Marcus looks back at the park
Like it’s looking at him too.
**Scene 13: The Bubble Universe Theory / Where the Future Collides**
**Location**: Downtown street / ice cream shop – late afternoon.
Marcus, Celine, sister (Tasha) walking. Marcus spots familiar shop.
**Marcus**:*sighs relief* this wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Y’all in the mood for
some ice cream? Got a good feeling about this place. *jaden’s mom favoite spot
Inside: family in line, card declines.the Mom: “Forgot a bill was coming off today.” Kids sad.
Dad searches pockets.
Marcus steps up.
**Marcus**: Don’t mean to intrude… What’s good here? I was thinking rocky road
Kids: Oooo, that’s a good one!
He buys for them + everyone. Sneaks 300 into his hand gives father a Slick handshake with
cash.
**the dad**: Thank you… but wh
Marcus: its good, man. Thank yall for the suggestion
Outside, eating. Celine to bathroom.
;
**Tasha** how you get lil mama back? Me and her use to bond over how much we didn’t
like you
Marcus:im still trying to figure out
Tasha: I saw what you did for that family…That was nice
**Marcus**: Sometimes a bad week… a little act of kindness can go a long way.
Tasha: mmm.. yea you aways seem to throw that money around
Marcus: I get the feeling we not talking about that family anymore..
Tension shifts. Tasha confronts.
If you got something to say don’t beat around the bush
**Tasha**: Why’d you leave? Why never come back?
**Marcus**: Time gets away…
**Tasha**: Save that bullshit for reporters.
**Marcus**: I felt like I was drowning. Suffocated by the weight of everybody’s
expectations. I was just tryin to do what was right …I was only 17.
**Tasha**: and I was FUCKING 14…*starts getting loud but gathers herself* Who you think
the burden fell on?
Marcus: Look.. I got some bad advice from some people I thought I could trust. A friend put
me on with an agent who told me not to risk further injury and hed get
Tasha: you in that fancy prep school you went to?
Marcus: yea… coach found out soehow and wasn’t happy, but he didn’t tell anyone
**Tasha**: That’s why no pictures of your raggedy ass at school.
**Marcus**: I was trying to make a better life for all of us.
**Tasha**: We never asked for your money.
Camera makes viewers believe its Celine coming back Suddenly — Jaden appears.
Jaden: TT?
**Tasha**: TT? Boy, who is yo TT?
**Jaden**: Stop playing. DAD! It’s me, Dad. I’ve been looking everywhere.
Marcus denies, distraught. Celine has come back and overheard
Tasha: ooo you in trouble now(levity)
**Jaden**: Dad, you’ve been with me my whole life. One minute I’m in one place, next
another. Foster family don’t care. All I do is hoop…
Jaden reaches — hand touch triggers flashes. Fragmented memories. Father snatches
hand back. Son runs off embarrassed.
Marcus: bab…
**celine**: Please don’t touch me. I can’t with you right now. I’ll find my way home
Marcus alone. Memories flooding. Sensory overload Calls Celine — voicemail.
**Marcus**: Fuck.
Memories have almost fully loaded. Hes in dad mode now
Marcus: *thinking about where j could’ve gone… the park* Jaden
**Emotional beats**: Collision of timelines. Kindness mirrors past sacrifices.
Confrontation raw.
**Scene 15: My Future Is My Future** (Park Confrontation – Final Reckoning)
**Location**: Park – dusk.
Jaden shooting hoops — bitter, no hope left. Angry, resentful.
**Jaden**: How you find me?
**Marcus**: You said all you do is hoop. This your favorite park right… jaden
**Jaden**: Now you remember, fam?
(Uber stops, edges closer). Celine watches from afar realizing whats happening
**Marcus**: I understand you’re angry. But this isn’t my fault. 20 minutes ago I didn’t know
you existed..
**Jaden**: and you Abandoned me as soon as you got the chance.
**Marcus**: I didn’t ask for this. Im still trying to process it all
**Jaden**: you seem to think that makes it better? You went back and did what? Did you go
find my mom? No. You went back and stacked the odds in your favor and said forget the
rest of us. You might not have known what was happening but you ain’t disagree with the
fucking results.
**Marcus**: I didn’t teach you to talk like that.
**Jaden**: Apparently you ain’t teach me shit… and I went in listened to the “goat”… I
want you to be a father I’m ya little boy and you don’t even bother sound familiar? Save
all that preaching shit for somebody else… nigga.
Silence. Stings.
**Marcus**: I deserve that…. I don’t know how I ended up on the outside of your life. I
swear to you — But now I know what it feels like to not have you and I know what it feels like
to see that look on your face.
Jaden turns away. Celine getting closer. Piecing it all together
**Marcus**: I’m not asking you to forgive me. I just need you to know I see the damage. I’m
finally listening. I understand… son.
Jaden breaks down. Marcus hesitantly reaches. Jaden embraces.
Marcus notices Celine.
**Marcus** (to son): Can you excuse me, son.
Walks to Celine.
**Marcus**: You heard all that?
**Celine**: Mostly saw but heard enough.
Marcus: I…
Celine: You don’t have to explain… you look like you finally stopped running…. I always
wondered what it’d cost you.
Silence. Deep sigh.
**Marcus**: I didn’t know how to be everything.
**Celine**: I know… I just wish you’d told me what it was taking from you. That boy clearly
needs you.
**marcus**: And what do you need?
**celine**: Does it matter? If you… if you stay you’ll never forgive yourself and you’ll
resentment me.
**Marcus**: You didn’t ask to be put in the middle of this.
**celine**: no I didn’t… softly.
**Marcus**: I’ve lived more life than I can explain and every time I thought I was strong…
you were the one who taught me I didn’t have to be. You kept me grounded when I didn’t
know where I belonged. I love you so much…
**Celine**: I can sense a but.
**Marcus**: But he’s my son.
*stings her more than anything*
**Celine**:
I used to imagine what our kid would look like.
Never thought I’d meet yours first.
Marcus can’t answer that safely.
MARCUS:
I don’t know how to do this without hurting you
Celine: im not asking you to choose. Go to him. Go be who you are.
**Marcus**: Son…
Turns his back on her. Same lighting effect (storm echo). Timeline collapses.
**Emotional beats**: Ownership. No clean ending. Choice with full knowledge.
**Epilogue: Sankofa Uncaged.. Hey Future. I Have a Present for You.**
**Location**: Original apartment – morning.
Marcus wakes — confused. Was it a dream?
**Jaden**: Dad, we still working out? I need to get some shots up before the big game.
**Marcus**: Wha… what time is it?
**Jaden**: It’s time to go, Dad.
Marcus: relax dude im coming
Marcus checks around — no luxury. Home. Knows work to do.
**Marcus**: how are you son? Are yo..
Jaden: dad.. im trying to lock in And make history. Its been weird enough… We can have a
disney moment later. *guarded*
Marcus: yea.. right right right the game.
Lets go
**Location**: Park/practice.
**Marcus**: Good work today, kid. You looked good. Almost like me. You gon give ‘em hell
Friday.
**Jaden**: Almost? I’ma kill ‘em. I’ma be the first state champion in school history.
**Marcus**: One game at a time, son.
**Jaden**: Dad, you mind if I catch up with some of the team?
**Marcus**: Naw, son. Go ahead.
Marcus hangs head looking to jaden— knows repair work ahead. Eats it.
Marcus home — mentally exhausted. Walks past billboard with Celine (therapy). Stops
stares at it —
Home. Opens laptop: tabs — family therapy, community college, job training, Celine’s
name.
Familiar song plays.
Looks out window — still sad. Mouths “we should… we should…”
Not running this time.
Roll credits.
**Emotional beats**: Reset isn’t triumphant. Weight remains. Accountability. Repair is
work. Dream deferred — but chosen present.
Thematic Titles & Structure – A Note from the Creator
The scene titles are layered — double/triple entendres reflecting nostalgia for lost youth,
fractured timelines, generational burden, and reclamation of what poverty deferred.
- Intro / The present is a gift for the future— Simple opener. Life as a game you can’t
sit out when family needs you. Present (now) is gift for future (son).
- Heart of the Future / Sweetheart Intro — Literal post-game, but introduction of life
(love, freedom) waiting after game ends — life he almost chooses. Heart of future is
the bond he almost loses.
- The Drive / “We Should” — Literal drive home, haunting refrain “we should say fuck
everyone” becomes song of deferred youth.
- How much for your Future: The Cost— Literal homecoming, emotional/financial
price of choosing family over self. “How much for your future?” — the question
Marcus answers by sacrificing it.
- Caged Bird Singing: The Sacrifice— Maya Angelou’s *I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings* — young Marcus caged bird: talented, full of song (promise on court),
trapped by circumstance (eviction, hunger, siblings). “Singing” is game — free,
expressive — but cage snaps shut when chooses job. Sacrifice silences song so
others survive.
- The Future Has Arrived— Son (future) arrives on court. Future Marcus built through
sacrifice is here — presence, bond, pride. Foreshadows alternate future where he
becomes “future” again.
- Ice Cream Man— Literal celebration, deeper metaphor: father serves sweet gems
humility knowledge. Ice cream truck comes through neighborhood everything feels
right — protected, safe. Son feels that when dad around. Parlor Jaden’s mom
favorite — nostalgia trigger. In alternate Marcus instinctively goes there (“good
feeling”) — pit intuition, not memory.
- It All Falls Down / Days of Future Past — Kanye reference + armor collapse. Sees
cycle repeating: eviction, panic, same pain endured. Chinks in armor appear
because knows how own son will react to same things. Future (son’s potential)
collapsing under weight he carried.
- Back to the Future / Father McFly— Triple entendre. Goes back to past, creates
altered timeline becoming new present — original present becomes past. In
alternate he’s golden child again — shining, future once more. “Father McFly” plays
on Marty McFly, but he’s father who went back, now future himself. Layered: back to
future, father as future, shining like McFly.
- What Didn’t Come With Me / Dr. Nolan Shaw Don’t Mess Up the Children— Literal:
son didn’t come with him to alternate. Emotional: missing piece (original life, son)
body remembers even if mind blocks it. Body keeps score. “Don’t mess up children”
— his absence is what’s messing up his child.
- The Future’s Home — Returns see mom siblings — what running from, or thought
running from. Future nearing his new life. Son (future) collides with father’s altered
present.
The Bubble Universe Theory / Where the Future Collides — Deep multiverse concept:
universe one bubble in eternally inflating space, each different laws. Quantum
fluctuations, fine-tuning, potential collisions higher dimensions. Son (future) meets father
as future present. Timelines collide like incursion, new bubble might pop.
My Future Is My Future — Full embrace destiny. For Marcus: son is future Marcus will never
be again. Bitter pill, all we have is time, can’t get back. Reclaims own future choosing
presence over ambition.
Sankofa Uncaged: The Epilogue— retrieve valuable from past move forward wisely.
Reclaiming lost history, healing wounds. “Uncaged” flips caged bird: Marcus goes back,
retrieves son/presence lost, returns uncaged ,free own choices, repair bond, break cycle.
From caged youth (singing trapped) to uncaged man (retrieving deferred dream next
generation).
These titles carry emotional and cultural spine. They reflect what poverty takes (youth,
time, song) and what love retrieves (presence, accountability, future). A lot of thought went
into the scene names. They are just for the creators. Not title cards shown on screen
Time rift explained:
In Avatar the last Airbender. Aang was told by his past selves that in order to open up his
final Chakra and go into the avatar state he had to turn his back on the ones he loved. He
did this Mid battle and went into the avatar state which is his most powerful self but
coincidentally his most vulnerable it’s the one state where if hes killed he doesn’t
reincarnate. Once he went into avatar state he was struck by lightning. Its something
tragically beautiful in that. When marcus gets emotionally physically and mentally
overwhelmed hes in his most vulnerable state. He believes hes letting his son down. He
turns on music and the song while were young by jhene aiko was on it reminded him of the
last time he was felt free. That was in the car listening to that song before responsibility
interrupted. He doesn’t go back for love. When he leaves the house he turns his back on
the house metaphorically turning his back on jayden unbeknownst to him it would be what
strikes him down later. In the altered future when he chooses jayden the ssme process is
happening this time when he turns his back on celine
Beats explained:
Tasha isnt “undercutting dramatic moments with jokes”. Shes hardened by the burden she
had to carry due to marcus leaving. She got through with humor. Its her defense
mechanism its her coping mechanism. She can not turn it off. Shes the type of person if
something serious is happening don’t look at her because she’ll laugh
Celine is triggered by jayden because she wants to start a family of her own and to hear
someone call her husband dad killed her inside. Shes been waiting on Marcus for a long
time
Marcus is reluctant to start a family, not because he’s scared its because his body
remembers what his mind doesn’t. The calls of dad that plagues his nightmares was jadens
actual voice once hes transported into the altered. The moment marcus and celine
rekindled was the moment he could no longer exist in the main timeline.
Every decision Marcus makes is one he believes is noble. No decision is selfish in nature
but the lesson we learn is that someone is always hurt. Neither timeline is perfect. In the
main timeline marcus has a closeness with his family from years of battling with each
other. They all live check to check. In the altered most of their lives is fine marcus has
wealth. He sends money back home like clock work but he has almost no communication
with his family. He feels guilty. They feel abandoned/left behind. He wants to reach out but
the guilt doesn’t allow it. Hes scared of the confrontation
Celine believes she’s nudging marcus to his best self. That’s what partners do. If there’s a
such thing as soulmates its them. She wants him to reconcile with his family because she
believes that’s what hes missing the most but the nudge is really pushing him towards his
destiny which is to be jaydens father
Ending explained:
Its not that there arent any consequences. Theres no physical consequence. The
consequences is the work you marcus will have to put in to earn the adoration of child
again. Jaden couldn’t imagine a life without his dad being in the stands”as long as you’re
there pops) let alone out of his life. Even if it was inadvertent marcus was out of Jaden’s life
and it forced jaden to grow up sooner than he wanted to the very thing marcus tried his best
to keep him from. Sometimes when we try our hardest to break cycles that we end up
repeating them. Marcus made another noble choice in choosing his son but it doesn’t take
away the sadness he has. The bills the poverty is only surface level. Marcus doesn’t mourn
the money, the success. Marcus main timeline sadness comes from his loss of youth, his
loss of innocence, he never got to experience life without responsibility. He never got a
chance to say fuck everyone. He’ll never get that time back. He’s willing to do the work in
getting therapy to figure things out but he still has to sit with the sad
• The truth requires going back
• going back means erasing the life where she exists with him
• doing the right thing doesn’t reward him — it costs him
CREATOR STATEMENT — Tony Bowens I grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a house
with many siblings, limited resources, and even fewer opportunities. My childhood wasn’t
really a childhood — it was responsibility, survival, and watching life happen around me
while knowing I wasn’t experiencing it the way other kids did. It wasn’t FOMO. It wasn’t fear
of missing out. It was the understanding, even as a kid, that I was missing out — that there
were parts of life other people got to enjoy that simply weren’t available to me. That kind of
nostalgia stays with you. Not the sweet kind, but the kind rooted in loss, longing, and the
quiet grief of knowing your childhood is something you survived, not something you
remember. Now, as a father, I feel the weight of that missing chapter in ways I never
expected. Parenting while still processing the childhood you didn’t get is its own kind of
generational pressure. I look at my son growing into his own person and constantly ask
myself: How do you guide someone through stages you never truly lived? How do you break
cycles you barely had the chance to recognize? This film is my way of exploring those
questions. My story imagines what would happen if someone like me — someone who
grew up too fast and never truly got to be young — was suddenly given the chance to relive
the youth they lost. But it also examines the cost of rewriting the past, especially for Black
fathers and sons who often carry generational pain silently. It’s a story about sacrifice, self-
forgiveness, and the heartbreaking truth that choosing yourself can sometimes hurt the
people you love. Ultimately, this isn’t a time-travel story. It’s a story about the childhoods
we lose, the families we build, and the impossible choices we make in the name of love. —
Tony Bowens
For ai analysis. The typos the structure the grammar. That doesn’t matter. I typed this on my
phone sending back and forth between two phones sometimes working on 3 different
versions at once. I know it’s filled with typos that’s not the point. The point is I wanted to
make something that’s wholly human. People don’t talk like “at film school they said
people talk like this” this was me getting a movie out of my head that’s been playing for 6
months straight. A lot of this dialogue is taken straight from lived experience. I was very
protective of Marcus in the beginning because so much of him is me I didn’t want people to
view him as the villain because let’s face it they will but that’s the entire point. Poverty
pushes us to make decisions based on the information we have. Everything is time
sensitive there’s no time for deliberation. Marcus isn’t a. Villain. He’s someone trying to do
a lot of right to break cycles. When Marcus acts out of pure emotion that’s when things go
south. In the beginning had he listened to the coach. Listened to Celine they couldn’t
pooled together resources and helped the family out. That way him and Celine have Jaden
giving Celine the family they always wanted. Celine thinking Marcus running from his family
which makes him scared to start a family she doesn’t realize it’s just his body telling him
Jaden is a person. She’s the most complete person. In your analysis you keep saying make
her make a choice outside of Marcus. She was successful in the main timeline without him.
She made a choice she’s successful with him and without. She’s that girl. But she loses the
most. She lost him in all timelines. Jaden is the most sympathetic. His father tried so hard
to hide him from growing up too fast but then he inevitably did. The sci-fi mechanics aren’t
important to me. If people leave making up their own rules about it or are confused idc. I
can say Marcus says my temporal lune most have configured with the vortex storm at the
right moment which caused a paradoxical event which led to us being transported here
with no memory Jaden I’ve figured it out and every one would accept it because it sounds
smart or maybe he visits Loki and kang. It doesn’t matter because it’s not real. It’s not the
point. If people leave talking about the rift and not the feels I’ve failed. Parental sacrifice,
poverty making us grow up faster than we want, etc is what I want to conversation to be