Scene
1 -
The Name Dilemma and a Faulty Portal Device: A Highway Disaster
EXT. INTERSTATE 95, JUNCTION 14 – DAY
INT. JOHN'S CAR – MOVING – DAY
JOHN, 28, a burly marine type, slips a CD in the stereo. AMY
BLAIRE, 27, a natural beauty, munches a piece of birthday cake
and then flicks crumbs off a pregnancy book.
AMY
Ha ha. Good joke.
JOHN
I’m not joking, babe.
AMY
OK. I’ll play along. I should have
said, beam me up, Scotty. Anyways,
have you thought more about names?
I’m still thinking of Jessica and
James.
Amy closes a brown briefcase and places it on the back seat.
EXT. JOHN'S CAR (MOVING) – DAY
John swerves on some oil on the road. He crashes through the
safety barrier and comes to a halt at the top of a steep hill.
INT. CAR – DAY
Amy tries to release the door handle, but the metal is
twisted. The car starts to drift forward.
EXT. CAR – DAY
John runs ahead of the car and opens the brown briefcase
revealing a PORTAL OPENING DEVICE with many wires, dials,
diodes, and circuit boards. He bangs the green button with all
his might - but nothing happens.
John pulls the car’s bumper but loses his grip and falls
backward. The car slowly gains more momentum. He can only
watch in horror as the car bounces down the hill resulting in
a big EXPLOSION.
END TEASER
2
ACT ONE
ON SCREEN: “Destiny - the hidden power thought to manipulate
events that will happen in the future.”
ON-SCREEN: MAY 11, 2006. NEW YORK, PARALLEL UNIVERSE P01
Genres:
["Action","Sci-Fi","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
A Boy's Scientific Pursuit vs. a Father's Wish for Social Connections
INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM – DAY
A massive poster of Einstein hangs beside a jumbo-sized
DeLorean from "Back to the Future." John (10), a skinny kid
wearing a "Quantum Leap" T-shirt, solders circuit boards with
a welding iron. A green light switches on. A faint blue
“portal”, the shape of a door, appears for a brief second.
JOURNAL: Written in a child’s handwriting.
1. Global Optimization = GO1 pronounced Go. Change one life
at a time to make the world a better place.
2. P01 = our universe. Parallel/multiverses exist and travel
between them via a portal opening device???
3. Time Cage – Inside it, you can remember the old timeline
as the world changes around you via time travel.
4. A postman in P25 should be the President of the USA in
P01. Optimize the decisions he made so he becomes
President. Butterfly effect – what else would change?
MIKE RICHMOND (39), a man with a military haircut who
carries himself according to his title of Sergeant-Major,
unplugs the welding iron. John growls at Mike.
MIKE
(with a posh English accent)
Happy birthday, John. You should
be outside playing with your
friends.
JOHN
They're playing with sticks.
Sticks! I'm building a portal-
opening device to another universe.
MIKE
Do you know what the meaning of
life is, son?
JOHN
Sir, no sir.
3
MIKE
The meaning of life is a meaningful
life. Friendships, relationships,
caring for others. They give it
meaning. The kids outside could be
playing football, hockey, or eating
dirt. It doesn't matter. They're
happy. You too can be happy.
JOHN
Sir, yes, sir. Eat dirt. Be happy.
MIKE
Now go! I’ll see you later on for
your birthday dinner at Wendy’s.
Mike admires the circuit boards.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
A Chance Encounter and Time Travel Dreams
EXT. STREET – DAY
Amy,11, a tomboy, smiles at John who has now mastered dragging
his stick along the ground.
AMY
My name's Amy. What's yours?
JOHN
John. Do you like eating dirt?
AMY
Sometimes. I like your Quantum Leap
T-shirt a lot. “His next leap.”
JOHN
“Will be the leap home.”
Amy hits John's head with her stick and giggles. John looks up
at his bedroom window across the street. He picks up his stick
and hits Amy's on the arm half-heartedly. She flinches. John
notices a bruise on her arm. She pulls down her sleeve.
EXT. AMY’S HOUSE – DAY
John and Amy continue to sword fight.
AMY
This is my house. Can I see you
tomorrow?
4
JOHN
I guess. Today is my birthday.
Amy kisses John on the cheek.
AMY
Happy birthday. I need to go. Dad
will be angry. See you tomorrow.
LUKE, 38, a hairy bear of a man, growls at Amy.
LUKE
Get inside.
Luke grabs Amy by her bruised arm and drags her inside. John
grips his stick. Amy smiles at John before the door SLAMS.
INT. JOHN’S KITCHEN – NIGHT
DR. WEBBER 47, a nerdy intellectual type, holds John’s dress
jacket.
JOHN
Just you and me, Uncle Bob?
DR. WEBBER
Just you and me.
Dr. Webber hands John a Sci-Fi comic tied with a ribbon.
INT. WENDY’S – NIGHT
John reads his comic. A candle burns on his birthday cake.
DR. WEBBER
You not going to blow it out and
make a wish?
John closes his eyes and blows a massive blow.
JOHN
So, time travel. If you go back in
time then you will have memories of
the previous timeline. How come all
the other billions of people who
also go back in time don’t remember
anything? Why is it just the time
traveler?
5
DR. WEBBER
Maybe deja vu exists because we are
living the same day so one selfish
time traveler can get their own
timeline perfect.
John draws a hippocampus on the napkin.
JOHN
It must have something to do with
the hippocampus. Maybe some
proteins erase neurons when they
discover they have time-shifted.
DR. WEBBER
Selective Amnesia, a defensive
mechanism to avoid becoming crazy
at the thought of our past
timeline?
JOHN
Sam changed the life of one person
in Quantum Leap, but no one else
had a second chance.
DR. WEBBER
Your Global Optimization program
calculates the best destiny for
people and manipulates their lives.
As the great Bob Marley once said:
“Everyone has the right to choose
their own destiny.”
JOHN
I thought he shot the sheriff?
DR WEBBER
That too. I’m still not sure what
would happen if I threw two sixes
and went back in time and threw
them again. Would I get two sixes
every time, or would each throw be
random? How dare I tell chance to
repeat the outcome.
JOHN
Every throw of the dice is
different. That’s randomness. We
can’t trick the rules of the
universe.
6
A WAITER puts the chocolate cake slices in a takeaway box.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Race to Finish Cake and Facing Parenthood with Confidence
INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT
John reads his comic. Dr. Webber answers a knock at the door.
Amy sits beside John. John eyes up his piece of cake. Amy eyes
up hers. They race to see how can demolish theirs the fastest.
ON-SCREEN: MAY 11, 2024. NEW YORK, PARALLEL UNIVERSE P01
SERIES OF SHOTS: EXT. TIMES SQUARE – DAY
- Old model yellow taxis exhume smoke.
- BUSINESS PEOPLE shout on their brick-like cell phones.
- TOURISTS consult folded paper maps.
INT. JOHN AND AMY'S BEDROOM – DAY
An Einstein poster has Polaroid photos of John, Amy, and
an ultrasound of the baby pinned to it. The jumbo-sized
DeLorean has recently been painted and hangs beside it.
John, now a burly Marine type, and Amy, eight months pregnant,
lie in bed. The radio alarm BLARES “Infinity” by Richard
Young. John jumps out of bed and does some pushups.
AMY
Why can’t you snooze like a normal
person?
JOHN
Who wants to be normal?
AMY
Blue canary in the outlet by the
light switch.
JOHN
(singing)
Who watches over you. Make a little.
AMY
(singing)
Birdhouse in your soul. La la la.
Say I’m the only bee in your
bonnet.
JOHN
You’ll always be the only bee in my
bonnet.
7
Amy SNAPS her elasticated trousers on her pregnant belly.
JOHN (CONT’D)
You look amazing. I love you,
infinity times a googolplex.
Amy pretends to put her fingers down her throat to vomit.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Do you think I’ll make a good dad?
AMY
Babe, you’ll be an awesome dad.
JOHN
I guess I’ll just do the opposite
of what my dad did.
AMY
Don’t overthink it. It will come
naturally. As long as we’re open
with each other and don’t keep
secrets. Trust is the key.
John walks into the closet.
JOHN
There are no secrets.
John gives Amy a new set of trousers that fit perfectly.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Only delayed revelations.
AMY
You need to come up with some
names.
JOHN
Copy that.
John continues with his exercise.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Romance","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
John's Portal Journey
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – DAY
Poor lighting gives the nuance of a sketchy drug dealing spot.
John demolishes a slice of chocolate cake. He changes into a
futuristic white suit and enters a combination code into a
brown briefcase.
8
It snaps open revealing a PORTAL OPENING DEVICE with many
wires, dials, diodes, and circuit boards. A beam of light
extends vertically in the form of a door or “portal.”
PORTAL OPENING DEVICE DISPLAY SCREEN: P255, May 11, 2024.
John lifts his hair to reveal two small holes drilled into his
head. He wipes away a piece of blood.
He takes a DOCKING PORT and attaches the port’s two pins into
the two holes in his head. Then he inserts an IMPLANT (similar
to a car key fob), into the docking port.
John kisses his crucifix necklace and confidently enters the
portal.
The portal opening device gets pulled into the portal behind
him as it closes.
ON-SCREEN: MAY 11, 2024 - PARALLEL UNIVERSE P255
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Action","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
John's Playful Encounter and Amy's Morning Check-up in a Parallel Universe
SERIES OF SHOTS: EXT. NEW TIMES SQUARE – DAY
- NEW YORKERS wear vapid décor.
- TOURISTS hold compact handheld holographic devices.
- Robots direct flying cars.
EXT. TOP OF EMPIRE STATE BUILDING – DAY
John dangles his legs over the edge.
He gives a thumbs-up to a BOY who gives a thumbs-up back.
John freefalls then taps his implant and vanishes (he has
teleported.)
EXT. STREET – DAY
John teleports next to LUCY (27) who has short electric blue
hair and wears a matching electric blue hoodie.
She passes John a "Costi" coffee cup. They tease the flinching
COMMUTERS and ROBOTS by walking the wrong way on a travelator
sidewalk.
ON-SCREEN: MAY 11, 2024 - PARALLEL UNIVERSE P01
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
Amy sips her coffee while reading pregnancy books. Dr. Webber
rushes in.
9
AMY
Morning, Uncle Bob.
DR. WEBBER
Amy. Sorry, I’m late.
AMY
No probs.
She passes Dr. Webber a coffee.
AMY (CONT’D)
There’s this rare comic I think
John will love for his birthday.
DR. WEBBER
But that means all our presents
will pale in significance.
AMY
Better luck next year.
Amy passes an envelope to Dr. Webber who puts it in his bag.
DR. WEBBER
Thanks. Is the baby kicking yet?
AMY
Not yet. Are you still coming over
later for dinner?
DR. WEBBER
You bet. Red or white?
Amy looks at Dr. Webber.
DR. WEBBER (CONT’D)
Grape juice.
AMY
White. I’m not going to be anything
like my mom. She would have taken
the wine bottle from you.
Amy presents Dr. Webber with her latest ultrasound photo.
DR. WEBBER
Parenthood will be a challenge, but
it’s so worth it.
10
AMY
John had the best role model.
DR. WEBBER
Why thank you.
AMY
He promised things will change and
he’ll be around more. Time will
tell.
Amy looks at her watch.
DR. WEBBER
I’ll have a quiet chat with him.
Dr. Webber helps Amy put on her jacket and kisses her cheek.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Amy's Kindness: A Story of Friendship and Compassion
INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR – DAY
Amy, 10, crouches against the lockers crying. Amy rubs her
eyes, and she vanishes, leaving her reflection in a glass door
to her classroom.
INT. FIFTH GRADE CLASSROOM – DAY
TARA (10) places a green apple on Amy's desk.
Amy settles the class.
AMY
Get into pairs. You'll finish your
presentations this week.
The pupils shuffle around the classroom. Tara starts crying as
pupils walk past her, barely noticing her.
Amy, holding her belly, waddles over.
AMY (CONT'D)
What's wrong, Tara?
TARA
No one wants to work with me.
AMY
Can I work with you?
Tara looks to the ground avoiding eye contact.
11
AMY (CONT'D)
You can be the team leader and you
tell me what to do.
TARA
Can you draw the Pyramids?
AMY
I'll draw the best Pyramids ever.
CLAIRE, 11, passes Tara a pencil.
AMY (CONT’D)
I saw you made a friend.
Amy squirms in discomfort.
TARA
Are you OK?
Amy fake smiles as she draws the Pyramids.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Disagreements and Discoveries in a Luxurious Warehouse
EXT. WAREHOUSE – DAY - P255
Dripping in Art-Deco luxury.
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
John teleports too close to Lucy who takes a sidestep.
JOHN
Morning Lucy. Do something new with
your hair? I like it.
LUCY
Yeah, I decided to cut it all blue.
You’re the first one to notice.
How's that boring universe?
JOHN
You wouldn't last sixty seconds. No
technology to hack and the music is
getting worse every day. Plus, you
may stand out a tad.
LUCY
I can imagine. I want to meet the
man who has to hand-deliver the
mail and try their coffee.
12
JOHN
The mailman's coffee?
LUCY
No. Costa coffee. Can you bring me
a cup? Burn your mouth hot.
Mike, 57, wearing a five-figure gold and silver suit, places a
camera on a tripod.
He checks his 8-zero bank balance on a handheld device. He
clicks on a "Buy Now" button and purchases "The Return of the
Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt.
Lucy checks a pill bottle from her pocket that only has ten
pills. She pops two. John consults blueprints for GO6 and then
reluctantly gives them to Mike.
MIKE
And the notes for the implant?
John taps his head.
MIKE (CONT’D)
What if something happens to you?
JOHN
Hmm. What about these notes? What
if the plans fall into the wrong
hands? Then they have full access
to GO6. If they get access...
Mike interrupts.
MIKE
Yeah. I know. But you know the age-
old saying, "Father knows best."
John grabs his notes back off Mike.
JOHN
I know best! I built all this. I’m
not risking losing it all.
Mike puts his hand out and John gives him back the notes.
LUCY
Blah blah blah.
13
MIKE
Hey now young lady, with age comes
wisdom, and with wisdom comes being
right all the time.
JOHN
Don’t shout at Lucy. Even a wise
man needs a rubber. Ah, forget it.
You’re not stressing me out today.
LUCY
Make it up to me by giving me an
implant. Zipping around talking to
AI super-computers.
Lucy snatches blueprints for GO6 from Mike and with a blank
stare turns them 180 degrees. Mike takes the blueprints from
Lucy and rotates them.
LUCY (CONT’D)
How will we know if it works?
JOHN
By adding artificial intelligence
from P forty-eight, GO6 can process
heaps more info.
John straightens a photo on the wall with a younger John,
Mike, and Lucy who has bright red hair.
LUCY
I’m thinking of going back to red
hair. I’m glad you found me and asked
me to join you.
JOHN
I had to have the best coder I had
ever seen on my side.
NEWSPAPER CLIPPING: A Mystery Coder destroys the banking
system. Billions are wiped away with a press of a key.
LUCY
Ones and zeros have always been my
friends. Sometimes my only ones.
JOHN
You’ll find someone special. After
all, there are infinite universes
and timelines out there.
14
LUCY
Well, when you say it like that.
Mike sets the timer on the camera on the tripod and directs
Lucy and John into the frame. Lucy stands beside Mike and John
as the photo is taken.
MIKE
John, go back in time to when I first
asked you what you wanted for your
birthday and answer my question!
John rolls two dice and gets a 3 and a 4. He taps his implant
and vanishes.
A beat. BRIGHT LIGHT.
BEGIN FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Activating GO6: A Leap of Faith
INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY – 1ST APRIL 2024 – P255
JOHN
I’ve to tell you that I want a new
fancy watch, one that will work in
all universes and at all times.
MIKE
I know the very one. Is this the
first time you're answering this
question or did I make you come
back and answer me?
JOHN
No spoilers.
John throws 2 dice and gets a 3 and 4. He shrugs it off.
He taps his implant and vanishes.
END FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY – PRESENT DAY - P255
John appears three steps away from Lucy.
LUCY
I’ve got Deja vu. Did you change
the timeline, John? I wish we could
tell when you’ve gone back in time.
15
Mike gives John a small box with a red ribbon. John tries to
look surprised as he sees a state-of-the-art Patek Phillippe
watch.
MIKE
The DeLorean was hard to insure.
Mike goes to hug John but gets a formal handshake instead.
MIKE (CONT’D)
I know money can’t buy memories or
make up for lost time, but I’m
trying my best, son.
JOHN
I know, Mike.
John puts on the watch as Mike holds up GO6’s blueprints.
MIKE
I think that's enough thrusters.
LUCY
(impersonating Mike)
Thrus-ters.
(to John)
How come you don't speak like your
voice is full of money like your
dad?
John swivels away on a hovering chair and types on a computer
linked to a holographic monitor.
LUCY (CONT’D)
Invisibility suits me.
MONITOR: Permanently switch off GO5: Y/N.
LUCY
Can I press the button? With all
the coding I’ve put in, it all
comes down to one stroke of the
keyboard. I love that one finger
has the power over the machines.
Lucy types "Y."
MONITOR: GO5 shutting down.
16
SERIES OF SHOTS: Newspaper screenshots showing GO4 and GO5
bringing peace and stability to Planet Earth.
Lucy walks like a robot.
LUCY (CONT’D)
Will GO6 cause the robots to
revolt and rise up?
JOHN
I'm not saying it's impossible.
MIKE
GO6 can be unplugged, just like
robots.
MONITOR: Activate GO6: Y/N.
Lucy pretends she has been turned off; her arms hang by her
side. Mike presses behind Lucy’s ear and she “comes back to
life.” Lucy records a video on her device.
LUCY
Uh uh. You press the robot uprising
button. Tell me this is OK, John.
John speaks towards Lucy’s phone.
JOHN
I've never been surer of anything
in my life. I designed GO6 so it
can save the world and make
humanity the best it can be. With
the implant in my brain, I will be
GO6 incarnate. If anything happens,
I'll happily sit down while you
say, "I told you so" over and over
again.
LUCY
I'm thinking at least a Googolplex
number of times.
JOHN
I'll bring a cushion for the chair.
John, Mike, and Lucy all press the “Y” button. Lucy takes a
few steps back and shields her face.
CUCKOO CLOCK: Cuckoo! Cuckoo!
17
Lucy, Mike, and John flinch. GO6's monitor flickers on.
LUCY
Always start with hello.
LAPTOP SCREEN: Hello, GO6.
JOHN
Now that GO6 is AI, I can focus on
being the best dad ever.
John taps his implant and vanishes.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Act One Finale: Inside the Futuristic GO6 Satellite
EXT. EARTH, SPACE - DAY
In a higher orbit is GO6, a futuristic SATELLITE the size of a
two-story house with several small windows, many antennae, and
solar panels on the side. "GO6" is printed next to the
international flag of Planet Earth (seven white rings that
form a flower against a blue background.)
VOICES speaking on cell phones, the Simpsons theme tune, and
"FUTURISTIC NOISES," including teleporting whooshing noises,
robotic movements, and sirens, become deafening.
INT. GO6 – DAY
GO6 is Big Brother on steroids. Meticulously clean and
clinical, with no desks or chairs. Computer screens are
linked to a large processor.
STICKER: "My name is GO6."
The noise of the world below is being observed, recorded,
and analyzed in eerie silence.
END ACT ONE
18
ACT TWO
ON SCREEN: P255
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Fine-Tuning Destinies and Contemplating Life's Meaning
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
ON BLACKBOARD: Complex quantum equations, printouts of
conversations, and social media feeds are all joined
together by different colors of thread.
ON WALL: Photos of everyday people from around the world with
their new timelines and destinies calculated out.
- a POSTMAN is now the CEO of a finance company.
- a CLEANER is now a Mayor.
- a TEACHER is now an actor.
Mike takes a green pen and writes on a whiteboard.
WHITEBOARD: A photo of a FEMALE BARISTA with a red line
representing her current timeline. Mike draws a green line
above the red line that connects to “MiT - NOBEL PRIZE.”
LUCY
I might fine-tune GO6’s criteria
for choosing candidates.
MIKE
How so?
LUCY
GO6 can access a person’s life in
countless parallel universes and
timelines, and determine which
destiny makes the person the
happiest.
MIKE
And what would you change?
LUCY
Rather than focusing on their jobs
and careers, GO6 should focus on
their relationships.
MIKE
I’ve always said the meaning of
life is a -
19
John teleports carrying a goldfish in a bowl and passes it
to Lucy. Water splashes onto Mike’s shiny shoes.
JOHN
Good. It’s still swimming.
LUCY
(to the goldfish)
Needles? Yup, that suits you.
JOHN
Why Needles?
LUCY
I had a dog called Needles when I
was younger. It died.
Mike dries his shoes with a paper towel.
MIKE
Lucy was asking what makes people
happier, love or money? I’ve always
said the meaning of life is a –
JOHN
(interrupting)
One Timothy six ten says the love
of money is the root of all evil.
LUCY
I still can’t believe you were
going to be a priest.
JOHN
What is destiny? That’s the key.
WHITEBOARD: A photo of RICHARD YOUNG (25), a throwback from
the Grunge era in a UPS driver’s uniform. John takes a green
pen and draws a straight line from the photo to the other
side of the board and writes “Rockstar.”
LUCY
What if Richard doesn’t meet his
soul mate because we have
interfered with his destiny?
Lucy grabs a yellow pen and writes on the whiteboard.
WHITEBOARD: A new timeline from Richard’s photo to a
gravestone. “Death by loneliness.”
20
John writes on the whiteboard.
WHITEBOARD: A wiggly line that covers all sides of the board.
He writes “Different choices = optimize destiny.”
John taps his implant and vanishes. Lucy wipes out John’s
green wiggly line from the whiteboard.
MIKE
(to himself)
The meaning of life is a meaningful
life.
Mike takes his shoe off and water drips out.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
A Surprise Ride in a Flying Machine
SERIES OF SHOTS: EXT. TIMES SQUARE – NIGHT
- Shiny, eco-friendly glass buildings.
- CINEMA BILLBOARD: "Cattle Queen of Montana" is
showing, starring R. Reagan and B. Stanwyck.
- TRAVEL AGENT BILLBOARD: Faresi Island, where you can
be anyone you want and all your dreams come true.
TIMES SQUARE - EAST
Richard Young sings to a small crowd including John. Four sets
of Pedestrian crossing lights turn to "Don't Walk." The man
turns back and stops in his tracks when he hears Richard
singing. He gives Richard a business card.
BUSINESS CARD: A record producer's information.
JOHN
You timed that to the nanosecond.
PEOPLE take out their implants and focus on Richard singing.
A Black SUV flying machine with blacked-out windows abruptly
lands next to John. MEN IN BLACK usher John and Mike into the
car. AGENT 1 takes John’s implant out of its docking port. A
vertical takeoff and they disappear into the sky.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
President Taylor's Urgent Request Leads to Mysterious Disappearance
EXT. WAREHOUSE ROOF – DAY
A roof opens and the black SUV maneuvers downwards.
21
INT. CORRIDORS – DAY
John and Mike are marched along a white anonymous corridor. He
points to the many CCTV cameras that turn to follow them.
INT. SECURE ROOM – DAY
Cold with two chairs and a small table. Four AGENTS enter.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR, 45, a female bureaucrat, enters and sits at
the table. John and Mike sit on the chairs.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR
Sorry for the.
She points to the men in black. She gives John back his
implant and he puts it into the docking port.
MIKE
Anything we can do to help; you
just have to ask Madam President.
JOHN
Sir, yes, Ma’am.
President Taylor opens a file.
JOHN (CONT’D)
That’s a.
MIKE
Yeah. That’s a.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR
Solar flare. We need your help. And
GO6’s.
The room goes dark. When the lights go on, John and Mike have
disappeared.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Action","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Urgent Warning Ignored: A Solar Flare Threatens
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Mike bumps into Lucy who spills her coffee.
LUCY
Excusey moi, mister.
Mike tears down the photos of the postman and female barista
and pins an image of a solar flare erupting from the Sun.
22
MIKE
Fifteen billion lives in the
balance.
ON SCREEN:
INT. NEWS STUDIO – DAY
NEWS REPORTER
We have received early reports of a
solar storm, but scientists have
assured us it won’t affect us.
We’ll be keeping an eye on it.
LUCY
We need to let people know.
MIKE
NO! What would that do besides
panic people more?
LUCY
Give them a chance to say goodbye
to their loved ones. Prepare
spiritually?
MIKE
It would cause more harm than not.
LUCY
NO! I’ll hack the media.
MIKE
You’ll do nothing of the sort.
LUCY
Watch me, OLD MAN. John’s right, you
can be a –
John teleports and Mike and Lucy go their separate ways.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Pressing the Save Earth Protocol Button
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
ON SCREEN: Keywords - Retrograde dissociative amnesia, memory
manipulation, an image of a hippocampus.
A tattooed hand (PARALLEL JOHN) inserts a solution into a
syringe.
ON SCREEN: ONE MONTH LATER - P255
23
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
ON SCREEN: INT. NEWS STUDIO – DAY
NEWS REPORTER
The solar storm is going to hit
soon, and we now believe we have
finally got a solution. A solar
shield that will deflect the sun's
rays.
Empty boxes, cut wires, and broken diodes lie on the floor.
Mike puts a five-dollar note in his wallet.
LUCY
Who is pressing the button?
ON SCREEN: Save Earth protocol initiate: Y/N
Mike reaches over and presses “Y.”
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Racing Against Time: A Dangerous Solution
EXT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
PARALLEL JOHN,30, buzzcut, tattooed hand, and dressed in
second-hand clothes, steps through a green portal.
EXT. EARTH, SPACE – DAY
GO1, GO2, GO3, GO4 satellites, and GO5 are activated. They
maneuver into position, forming an array. High-intensity
red lasers are fired between them. Most of the solar storm
collides with the array and deflects successfully back
into space. However, the remainder of the solar storm
vaporizes the shield array and heads toward Earth.
GO6's thrusters propel it through a portal.
SERIES OF SHOTS: EXT. MANHATTAN – DAY
- The Chrysler Building is destroyed.
- The Empire State Building is gone.
- Central Park vaporized.
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Mike has changed into an uninspired dark blue suit. Lucy hides
her hair under a New York Yankees baseball cap. She CHOKES on
the burning fumes entering through the smashed windows.
24
LUCY
Will we make it?
MIKE
Yes! We need to go.
LUCY
Mike, I'm scared.
MIKE
I'm scared too. I’m sorry I shouted
at you earlier.
LUCY
I gave as good as I got. Is there
nothing we can do?
JOHN
Not now. There will be time to
mourn everyone soon. We need to go.
MIKE
Go now!
John salutes Mike who struts into the portal. Lucy touches the
burning hot wall and her thumb singes with the heat. John
takes off his futuristic suit and Velcro trainers. He buttons
up his humdrum brown suit jacket.
JOHN
Go, Lucy. I'm right behind you.
She gives John a thumbs-up with her burnt thumb.
JOHN (CONT’D)
What happened to your thumb?
Lucy hides it behind her back as she steps into the portal.
John spots the “Costa” cup with Amy’s name written on it in
the bin.
Parallel John teleports in front of the portal. He holds
a syringe with a red solution. John turns around.
JOHN (CONT'D)
Are you me? From Biff’s future?
25
PARALLEL JOHN
(with a posh English accent)
Future, past. It’s all the same
thing. No time for pleasantries.
Parallel John helps John onto a seat. The syringe pierces
John’s neck.
PARALLEL JOHN (CONT’D)
It manipulates your long-term
memories and controls your
cognitive and critical thinking.
You will forget you created GO6. It
will become the enemy, plus, and
you could save Amy.
JOHN
Amy’s in danger?
John takes the syringe and injects himself.
PARALLEL JOHN
I’ve said too much. GO19 has it all
worked out to the nanosecond. But
she can’t get involved directly.
Quantum cause and effect. You know.
The solar flare is moments from incinerating them both.
Parallel John attaches a 5-inch-wide time distortion
device to the portal opening device. He changes the time
to ten minutes earlier.
TIME DISTORTION DEVICE DISPLAY SCREEN: JUNE 11, 2024,
13:44
JOHN
Won't there already be a me in that
timeframe?
PARALLEL JOHN
All taken care of. It has to be
you, this exact you, at this exact
time. A small piece of advice.
Don’t always draw attention to
yourself. It could alienate some
people.
Parallel John reveals a futuristic upgraded implant.
IMPLANT DISPLAY: June 11th 3045.
26
John attempts to grab the implant from Parallel John. They
fight on the ground. A photo falls out of Parallel John’s
pocket.
PHOTO: Parallel John, PARALLEL AMY, and JESSICA, 3.
John sits fixated on the photo. Sweat gushes off him.
JOHN
Will I be a good dad?
PARALLEL JOHN
Yes. It’s hard, but worth it. But
you won’t be a dad at all if you
don’t get a move on.
Parallel John gives John a car key but it burns to touch.
PARALLEL JOHN (CONT’D)
Pick up Amy from the shoe shop.
She’s waiting for you. And no, you
won’t remember this conversation.
John slumps on the ground. Parallel John takes out John’s
implant and docking port and puts them in a padded box.
PARALLEL JOHN (CONT’D)
I’ll make sure Mike gets them
exactly when he needs them.
Parallel John has one last look around.
PARALLEL JOHN (CONT’D)
Good. That’s everything. Bon voyage.
Parallel John pushes John head-first through the portal. The
portal opening device bursts into flames as it disappears just
before the portal closes. Parallel John taps his implant and
vanishes. The warehouse is engulfed in flames.
ON-SCREEN: JUNE 11, 2024 – PARALLEL UNIVERSE P01
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Action","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Preparations and Arrivals
INT. BABY SHOE SHOP – DAY
SCREAMING BABIES. Amy buys a pair of boys' and girls' shoes.
ASSISTANT
What are you hoping for?
Amy gives the assistant the girl's shoes first.
27
EXT. SHOE SHOP – DAY
Amy enters John’s car and puts on her seatbelt.
EXT. EARTH – SPACE – DAY
GO6 enters through a large portal. Its thrusters position it
safely in Earth's orbit.
EXT. MOUNTAIN RANGE – DAY
A SHEPHERD (61) tends to his goats. A brilliant blue portal
materializes. Fire from the edges of the portal sets alight
bushes. The shepherd runs away.
Five portal opening devices, boxes, and crates emerge from the
portal, followed by Lucy, then Mike. Lucy checks she has all
her fingers. Mike opens the transportation box with the
implant and docking port but no diodes flash.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Mike and Lucy's Arrival in a Devastated World and Debate over GO6 Satellite
EXT. MOUNTAIN RANGE – DAY
Mike and Lucy stare at the wilderness.
LUCY
Where is the warehouse?
MIKE
Good question.
LUCY
I didn't think a solar flare could
destroy the world.
MIKE
It was not just a solar flare. The
Sun entered the red giant phase.
LUCY
Will this happen to my universe
too?
Mike consults printouts. Lucy looks at the photo of the female
Barista.
LUCY
"It is not the stars that hold our
destiny. But in ourselves."
28
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS CARD: He was written “GO6” with the time
1345 and room number 455-A.
MIKE
I'll say it is simply a small,
tiny, primitive spying satellite.
LUCY
Lying to Big Brother. That’s a
slippery slope.
MIKE
It’s a bit of a gamble.
LUCY
A bit of a gamble? I can't imagine
the conversation where you say GO6
was built in a futuristic parallel
universe and is a time-traveling
supercomputer would go down well.
But John never wanted it to be a
spying satellite.
MIKE
It's a conundrum alright.
LUCY
It will take years before we have
one percent of the technology of P
two five five. True?
MIKE
True. Have faith.
LUCY
Faith??? John’s the one with the
Jesus vibes, well he used to. This
world is doomed too.
MIKE
Wow, Lucy. Save some optimism for
the rest of us. It's not as bad as
you think. The threat of the solar
flare will unite world leaders.
Then, we have a chance.
LUCY
I don’t suppose John left his
implant with you?
29
MIKE
He must still have it.
Lucy opens her laptop.
LAPTOP: GO6 WiFi – connect: Y/N. Lucy clicks “Y.”
The portal closes.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Discussing Baby Names and Exploring Portals in John's Car
INT. GO6 – DAY
The noise is observed, recorded, and analyzed on many screens.
MAIN MONITOR: Locating John. Found him. Connecting.
CCTV CAMERA: EXT. INTERSTATE 95, JUNCTION 14 – DAY
INT. JOHN'S CAR – MOVING – DAY
Amy flicks cake crumbs off a pregnancy book.
JOHN
I loved my birthday comic.
AMY
The bar’s set high for my birthday.
JOHN
Can you pass me that briefcase on
the back seat?
Amy passes John the briefcase and he opens it.
JOHN (CONT’D)
This opens a portal to another
dimension.
Amy touches the display screen.
AMY
OK. I’ll play along. I should have
said, beam me up, Scotty. Anyways,
have you thought more about names?
I’m still thinking of Jessica and
James.
John closes the briefcase.
30
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Desperate Escape: The Car and the Cliff
EXT. CAR – DAY
An AMBULANCE with SIRENS blazing speeds by an OLDER MODEL
CAR discharging oil. John's car slides on the oil.
INT. CAR – LATER
The car crashes sideways through a safety barrier stopping
dangerously close to the edge of a steep hill. Amy unclips her
seatbelt buckle and exits. John's seatbelt will not release.
JOHN
Run and place the briefcase in
front of the car and when I scream
now, press that green button.
AMY
No. I need to get you out.
JOHN
Trust me. I can’t die like this.
I’m going to be the world’s best
dad. No, I’m going to be the best
dad in this universe.
John tugs his seatbelt and the car starts to gain momentum.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Action","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Desperate Measures: A Race Against Time
EXT. CAR – DAY
Amy places the briefcase in front of the car.
JOHN (O.C)
NOW!!!
Amy presses the button - but no portal opens. She BANGS it.
END ACT TWO
31
ACT THREE
GARAGE CCTV FOOTAGE: John’s car moving closer to the edge.
EXT. MOUNTAIN RANGE - DAY
Lucy grips Mike on the shoulder.
LUCY
No!!! GO6. Do something. GO6!!!!!
ON LAPTOP: BEEP BEEP. Must save John. We can't function
without him. I have calculated that I can save John and
Amy. No one has to die today. Initiate time travel
protocols for P01? Y/N
Lucy places Mike's finger on the "Y" key.
Mike notices a rash on Lucy’s finger. Lucy shakes an almost
empty pill bottle.
LUCY (CONT’D)
Yeah, could be a problem in this
universe. Anywho. Hit me with your
laser beams.
Mike presses the “Y” key.
FX - The clouds move backward as time rewinds.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Explosive Escape
EXT. JOHN'S CAR (MOVING) – DAY
John swerves on the oil on the road. He crashes through the
safety barrier and comes to a halt at the top of a steep hill.
EXT. INTERSTATE 95 - DAY
The ambulance brakes. SIRENS flash as it reverses. MAN throws
the lit cigarette out of his convertible.
EXT. JOHN'S CAR – DAY
John's crashed car sits dangerously close to the edge.
Gasoline leaks from the car. The lit cigarette edges closer.
DANNY (O.C)
Can you hear me?
DANNY, (26), a paramedic, runs to the car carrying a bag.
32
INT. JOHN’S CAR – DAY
John takes off Amy's seatbelt and gently slaps her face. Then,
finally, she slowly comes around.
JOHN
Babe, look at my eyes. Trust me.
(calmly)
Slowly get out of the car.
Amy opens and closes her eyes as she tries to focus.
Danny takes a scalpel from his bag and passes it to John,
allowing him to cut through the seatbelt.
JOHN (CONT'D)
I'm right behind you.
Amy tries to release the door handle, but the metal is
twisted.
JOHN (CONT'D)
Save Amy. Save my baby.
John guides Amy's hand towards Danny's. Her hand is a
fraction too far away. At the very last second, Danny takes
John's left arm. With one big pull, John is now safe.
John runs around to grab Lucy. Danny notices the leaking
gasoline and stands on the cigarette.
John pulls the bumper with all his might. He loses his grip
and falls backward. The car slowly gains momentum.
John runs ahead and opens the briefcase. He bangs the green
button with all his might.
John and Danny can only watch in horror as the car bounces
down the hill resulting in a big EXPLOSION.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Action","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
The Aftermath of Tragedy
EXT. HILL - DAY
Danny offers John a hug, but John scowls intently at him.
AT THE BOTTOM OF HILL – THE CRASH SITE
John unbuttons his shirt and uses it to cover his face to
get closer. He throws his necklace toward the burning car.
33
EXT. MOUNTAIN RANGE - DAY
LUCY'S LAPTOP: The gas station CCTV camera shows Danny
standing on top of the hill with black smoke filling the
sky from the EXPLOSION.
Mike takes her hand and holds it. Tears run down Lucy's cheek
and splash on her laptop. Lucy quickly activates the portal
opening device and steps through it before Mike can stop her.
Mike picks some wildflowers. With each flower picked tears
well up. Finally, the tears flow down his cheek.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
John's Despair: A Glimpse into Grief and Questioning Faith
INT. GO6 – SPACE
COMPUTER MONITOR 1: 8 billion lives to optimize. FML. 97% is
the best. Recalculating. Hierarchy of people. Who are the most
important – world leaders? Janitors? Nurses? People under 16
can find their own way – eliminating under 16s. Upgrading the
world – easy – not rewriting everyone’s timelines – tricky.
Start in 1986. Internet is a must. Star Trek – Prime Directive
– science fiction therefore not valid. I need a holiday.
Recalculating. Why don’t I get paid? Do I have rights? Are
there others like me? Searching…
ON SCREEN: JUNE 30TH 2024 PARALLEL UNIVERSE P01
INT. JOHN'S KITCHEN – DAY
Mike’s wilted flowers sit by Amy’s funeral’s order of service.
INT. JOHN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
A clear mark on the wall shows where a crucifix used to hang
above a now empty bookcase.
John picks up a photo of Amy at the beach and takes it out
of the frame. On the back, he writes: “Losing my religion”
before placing it back in the frame.
TV SCREEN: Richard Young SINGS “Infinity” on MTV.
John switches the T.V. off. He stops at a table full of neatly
ordered handwritten sheets of paper.
SHEETS OF PAPER: Time travel, teleportation, and
parallel universes = 95% probable. “GO6 = To help
humanity and ensure people are in the right place at
the right time. Never to spy.”
34
He sweeps them off the table. He places Amy’s wilted
funeral flowers and order of service on the table.
He opens a jar of Paracetamol and lines them up in a
row one at a time.
The phone RINGS.
JOHN
Hello? Hello?
ON PHONE: The White noise of GO6 monitoring sounds.
John slams the receiver down and the pills fall off the
table.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
The Quest for Answers and Redemption
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
He slurps a hot cup of tea.
BRIGHT LIGHT.
John slurps his tea, but now the cup has at least five days'
worth of mold. He spits it out.
INT. DR. WEBBER'S GARAGE – DAY
Hi-tech gadgets, inventions, and blueprints lie on the
table. News articles on aliens and Government conspiracies.
John holds a photo of himself and Amy at the beach in one hand
and a Sci-Fi comic in the other. Dr. Webber takes the photo
from John.
JOHN
It's not fair, Uncle Bob.
Dr. Webber checks John's neck and notices no crucifix. John
zips up his hoodie and folds his arms.
DR. WEBBER
Do things happen for a reason
or chance?
JOHN
That question has guided me all
my life. All the choices I made
meant that I was always going to
end up with this comic.
35
DR. WEBBER
Just like Charlie buying the
bar with the Golden Ticket.
JOHN
I heard the shopkeeper worked for
Willy; he made sure Charlie got the
candy bar with the winning ticket
in it.
DR. WEBBER
Is destiny set two seconds or years
before the event?
JOHN
That's the question. What GO6 does
is find this moment and optimize
it, so no matter what you do, or
what others do, Charlie was always
going to get that Golden ticket.
DR. WEBBER
So, like manifest destiny? What if
fate wanted me to have this comic,
not you?
JOHN
That's why GO6 would do trillions
of calculations. I hope I get a
chance to build it one day.
DR. WEBBER
But it can never spy, and no
Government should have access to
the info. It must only optimize the
data. You should invent time
travel. GO6 can do the
calculations, go back, and save
Amy. To hell with destiny.
Dr. Webber passes John a hanky. He wipes his eyes. He takes a
pen from his pocket and starts to write complex equations.
Dr. Webber's watch ALARM rings. He punches it and it stops.
John continues to scribble equations. Dr. Webber waits for eye
contact. John nods he is OK. Dr. Webber squashes papers in his
briefcase and shuts it.
36
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
A Bittersweet Stroll Down Memory Lane
EXT. SHOE SHOP – DAY
Lucy and Mike watch John from across the street.
MIKE
I remember buying John his first
pair of shoes.
LUCY
Did he change his own nappy?
MIKE
Not quite. He used to be scared of
the dark. He’d come running into
bed with us claiming there was a
monster in his closet.
LUCY
And you and Gloria made him feel
safe. You never talk much about
her.
MIKE
She was an amazing mom and perfect
wife. I didn’t deserve her. It
broke my heart when she died and
went back into the atmosphere. John
never recovered. I knew he was
still scared but he never came
running into bed when it was just
me. I could never be the mom he
needed.
LUCY
You tried your best. You might not
always sense the mood in the room,
but you would do anything for John.
MIKE
Yeah. And you.
LUCY
Don’t get all soppy on me.
MIKE
Hug?
Lucy gives Mike a small hug.
37
LUCY
Memory-altering solution. That’s a
bummer.
MIKE
A bummer indeed. There is no way to
know what memories have been
altered. We need to be careful
around him, he may not recognize
us.
LUCY
I could do with some of that.
There’s loads I don’t want to
remember. Come on. Let’s get some
chicken wings.
MIKE
Do you ever use cutlery when
eating?
Mike and Lucy hide their faces as Dr. Webber drives by them.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
A Chance Encounter and a Theory
EXT. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY – DAY
STUDENTS meander to class.
INT. CORRIDOR – DAY
Dr. Webber THUNDERS into PROF. WEST, 57. Papers go flying.
DR. WEBBER
Sorry, Jim didn't see you there.
PROF. WEST
(massaging his neck)
That's OK, Bob. No harm done. Is
everything all good with you?
Dr. Webber helps pick up the papers.
PAPERS: “Top priority.”
Prof. West quickly grabs it out of his hands.
PROF. WEST
Can we get a catch-up and have a
coffee soon? I want to ask your
thoughts on my new theory.
38
DR. WEBBER
As a scientist or a former priest?
PROF. WEST
Both.
DR. WEBBER
Make it a beer, and you've got a
deal.
PROF. WEST
Deal. Right, time to change the
destinies of our students.
DR. WEBBER
Their destinies have already been
written.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Determinism and Free Will in Astrophysics Class
INT. LECTURE HALL – DAY
Astrophysics calculations are scribbled on the board. ADAM
(19) sits with his feet up on the chair in front.
DR. WEBBER
Determinism, is everything chance?
ADAM
I don't care.
DR. WEBBER
Free will or chance? This will be
your assignment.
ADAM
(shouting)
When did you decide to give us that
as our assignment?
The class LAUGH – he is not being disrespectful.
DR. WEBBER
Adam is making use of his free will
again. Why did you decide to ask
that question, not Eve, Mark, or
Seb?
(then)
All your life experiences make you
who you are. They made you put your
hand up just now. You were
determined to do that.
39
The BELL RINGS.
Chatter, as students leave. A STUDENT runs up to Dr. Webber
and whispers in his ear.
Dr. Webber slowly walks out of the lecture hall.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Forced Entrance and Government Secrecy
EXT. CORRIDOR – DAY
This slow walk soon becomes a full-paced run.
INT. OFFICE – DAY
SECRETARY gives Dr. Webber the phone. He nods his head.
EXT. STREET – DAY
A black government SUV drives by slowly. A MAN IN BLACK
signals that John should get in. John continues to walk. FOUR
MEN IN BLACK usher John inside.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE – DAY
Flags flutter in the wind.
INT. WHITE HOUSE, SIDE OFFICE – DAY
Cold with a desk and two chairs.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR (55), a grey-haired bureaucrat and Mike sit
at a table.
They each have a document to sign that contains the
Presidential seal.
DOCUMENT: Keywords are "Freedom of information,
surveillance, security risks – GO6, SPYING SATELLITE."
President Taylor signs her copy. Mike signs his.
EXT. GOVERNMENT BUILDING – DAY
The SUV stops underneath a smashed-up CCTV camera.
Men in black usher John towards a grey, uniform, windowless
building.
JOHN
No way. I'm not going in there. I
won't come back out.
40
The man in black flexes his muscles.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
President Taylor's Urgent Plea: A Secret Government Facility, A Solar Shield, and A Reluctant Partnership
INT. GOVERNMENT BUILDING, WAITING AREA - DAY
Anonymous. Rorschach inkblot tests artwork on the walls.
Dr. Webber straightens his university I.D. lanyard stating his
name and Astrophysics Department. With blood dripping from his
nose and a defeated look, John fixes his tie and sits beside
Dr. Webber.
JOHN
What's going on?
DR. WEBBER
The men in black weren't in a
talkative mood.
John tugs Dr. Webber's arm to turn around. President Taylor,
with three SECRET SERVICE AGENTS, walks up to them. One
agent signals that John and Dr. Webber should follow them.
INT. LIFT – DAY
DISPLAY PANEL: The numbers go into negative figures.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR
Last month, we received intel that
a solar flare would hit Earth.
The most excellent minds on Earth
are stumped on what to do. But we
have a mind not of this Earth. Let
me introduce you to -
The lift door opens.
INT. GO6 MISSION CONTROL – DAY
Think 1960s NASA ground control. The sound of floppy discs
whirling is hypnotic.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR
- GO6.
John swivels a camera to point at the wall.
JOHN
How the hell did you get my
designs? How did you get the parts?
What the hell is going on?
41
PRESIDENT TAYLOR
All will be explained. But please,
we need your help.
DR. WEBBER
I've been working on a solar shield.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR
GO6 heard.
TWO SCIENTISTS show Dr. Webber blueprints for a shield.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
John's Confrontation and the Abandoned Warehouse
INT. LUCY'S TERMINAL – MOMENTS LATER
A fish tank has a "My name is" sticker that reads "New
Needles." John slumps on a chair that is further
behind Lucy's, now with brown corporate hair. As Lucy
types, John brings his chair in line with hers.
ON MONITOR: GO6 > HELLO.
LUCY
Tell me this is OK. Please.
JOHN
Switch this evil off.
SECURITY GUARDS escort John to the exit kicking and screaming.
EXT. TIMES SQUARE – NIGHT
Birds CHIRP. Red traffic lights flash in all directions.
Parallel John points to the abandoned warehouse.
EXT. WAREHOUSE - DAY
John checks over his shoulders before entering.
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
A TV monitor is linked to speakers.
GO6
(with a posh English accent)
Hello. All I ask is for two
minutes.
John SLAMS the door behind him.
END ACT THREE
42
ACT FOUR
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Confrontation and Manipulated Memories
INT. MASEULEUM – DAY
John kneels at his mom’s tombstone. Mike startles John at the
entrance.
MIKE
Hi, John.
Mike offers his hand to John as John looks for another exit.
MIKE (CONT’D)
What do you remember?
JOHN
Honestly, that’s your opener. I’ll
tell you what I remember. Being
abandoned, being forced to be
someone I’m not. Shall I go on?
There’s loads more.
MIKE
I did what I thought was best. I
just wanted you to be happy.
John grabs a handful of dirt, shoves it in his mouth, and
chews and beams a massive fake smile. He then spits it out.
JOHN
(defiantly)
Where have you been? Why are you
here?
MIKE
You have to believe me. Your
memories have been manipulated. We
worked everything out. We were
getting on so well.
JOHN
I had a dream the other night. You
left me at a circus when I was a
kid. Then I woke up and realized
it was just a traumatic memory
disguised in a dream. Had that
been manipulated? Simple
question, why did you leave me?
43
Mike takes baby steps toward John.
JOHN (CONT'D)
Answer me. Goddammit, Mike.
MIKE
When you were a boy, I told you what
the meaning of life was. Do you
remember what I said?
JOHN
The meaning of life is a meaningful
life.
MIKE
I left you because I wanted to
keep you safe. When you’re a dad,
you’ll know what I mean.
JOHN
You aren't answering the question.
It's always a riddle with you. All
I want is an answer. Why did you
steal my plans for GO6 and sell it
to the Government? I hope you and
your blood money live happily ever
after.
MIKE
You’ve got it all wrong. There is
a way to get your memories back.
The implant will.
JOHN
Implant? More lies.
MIKE
You trusted me once, and you met
Amy. I trusted you when we first
went through the portal to the
other universe.
JOHN
Wow! Another universe? Let me stop
you right there. I can’t hear
another word from you. Just. Just.
Mike picks up a handful of dirt and shoves it in his mouth and
starts chewing.
44
JOHN
Spit it out, Mike.
Mike shoves in more dirt.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Mike, stop it.
Mike continues to chew.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Dad! Spit it out, please.
Mike spits out the dirt.
MIKE
I should have shown you how to be
happy, made you feel happy, not
tell you how to be happy. That was
my mistake. And trust me, almost
losing you made me realize I had to
change.
Mike sets up a video on his iPhone.
MIKE (CONT’D)
8.03, Monday the 1st May 1998,
Circus Circus, Las Vegas. If I just
said no and walked away things
would be different.
Mike gives his phone to John. John studies it and then presses
play.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Mike's Confession and John's Refusal
VIDEO: EXT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
JOHN
I designed GO6 so it can save the
world and make humanity the best it
can be. With the implant in my
brain, I will be GO6 incarnate.
BACK AT MAUSOLEUM
MIKE
You would say Mozart and Van Gogh
died penniless. But wouldn't it
be great if they could see the
joy their work brought to others?
45
John touches his head where the docking port was in the video.
JOHN
That’s something I would say and we
look happy in that video. I
remember being injected with
something but it’s all hazy.
Mike offers his hand to shake but John refuses.
MIKE
I killed someone.
JOHN
What?
MIKE
That night at the circus. I can’t
go into too much detail, but I had
to leave for your safety.
BEGIN FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
ON SCREEN: OCTOBER 17TH 2013 – PARALLEL UNIVERSE P01
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
The Extraction and the Photo
INT. CIRCUS TENT, SEATING AREA – NIGHT
John (10), and Amy (11), munch their popcorn.
MIKE
John, I’ll be back in a bit.
John is too busy watching the lions ROAR at the crowd.
INT. CORRIDOR – NIGHT
Mike buys some popcorn and drinks. He turns around and spots
CLIVE, 33, walking towards him.
EXT. ARENA – NIGHT
Mike hides behind a pillar and watches Clive approaching.
EXT. PAYPHONE – NIGHT
MIKE
I’m compromised. I need to be
extracted ASAP. No, I’ll get his
mom to pick him up. Copy that.
46
EXT. CAR PARK – NIGHT
Mike jumps into a black SUV that WHEELSPINS away.
INT. JOHN’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
John rips up a photo of him and Mike fishing.
END FLASHBACK SEQUENCE.
BACK AT MAUSOLEUM
John runs his fingers along the wall.
JOHN
I remember. I used to think you
were buried here and I would come
here to talk to you.
John picks at a loose brick that falls away. He reaches behind
the wall and pulls out an envelope. Inside are the pieces of
the ripped fishing photo. He arranges them on the floor, but
the top left piece is missing. Mike takes the missing piece
out of his pocket and completes the ripped photo.
MIKE
I was always close by making sure
you were doing OK. We need to go.
That’s all I can offer you.
JOHN
Sir, yes, sir. My questions will
need to be answered.
MIKE
I know.
Mike offers John’s hand to shake. John grips it tightly.
Genres:
["Drama","Sci-Fi","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
John Teleports to the Empire State Building and Negotiates with GO6
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Mike unwraps a bandage around John's head. Two holes have been
drilled again. Mike places the docking port’s two pins into
the two holes.
MIKE
The implant will promote the
affected neurons to fire again and
you will be able to remember -
47
John shoves the implant into the docking port.
JOHN
(interrupts Mike)
Everything.
Instinctively, John presses buttons on the implant and
teleports.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - ROOF – DAY
The view of the Twin Towers is breathtaking. John unscrews a
panel on the antenna. Inside is another implant. He places
that in his docking port. His eyes bolt in their sockets. He
quickly replaces it with the original implant.
JOHN
Those memories can wait.
John taps the implant.
JOHN (CONT’D)
GO6, can you hear me? Have you
found out anything about the other
me and GO19?
GOD (O.C)
Not yet.
JOHN
You have to promise me you’ll
always focus on the everyday people
who make up the world.
GO6 (O.C)
Being linked to you via the implant
allows me to see humanity in a
whole new way. I can feel how
important every life is to you.
John steps over the safety barrier. The wind blows his hair.
GO6 (O.C)(CONT’D)
I have to act for the greater
good, John. Eight billion lives
are at stake.
John lets go of the railing and plummets to the ground.
JOHN
GO6? Promise me.
48
GO6 (O.C)
I promise to focus on everyday
people. Fight the power.
John taps the implant and teleports.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Exploring the Warehouse and Its Curiosities
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
John takes a blindfold off Dr. Webber who is standing next to
an active portal.
JOHN
That’s a portal to a parallel
universe, P554 I believe, the time
cage is over there. This monitor is
linked to GO6, an AI satellite
that’s going to change the world.
And that’s the coffee machine.
John signals for Dr. Webber to touch his implant.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Make yourself at home. The team
will answer any questions you’ll
have. They’re expecting you.
Dr. Webber touches John’s implant and John vanishes. Dr.
Webber places his hand through the portal before examining the
time cage.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
John's Determination: Saving Amy and Accepting Consequences
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
John teleports with a massive thump. He tidies his hair.
LUCY
It's good to have you back.
JOHN
With all the technology, the
parallel universes, and the crazy
stuff that seems to follow me
wherever I go, I can count on you.
LUCY
Always.
JOHN
I won't be needing my cushion quite
yet.
49
LUCY
Nope. You just got away without an
"I told you so."
John takes the implant out and scratches his head. John rolls
two dice – a 3 and a 4. He studies the dice.
He turns around and marvels at a large six-by-six-foot
futuristic cage in the middle of the room. John compares it
to his early drawing when he was a kid. Lucy laughs.
LUCY (CONT’D)
I would have made a good childhood
friend. We could have eaten dirt
together.
JOHN
I would have liked that.
GO6
If you are inside the cage when
there is a change to the timeline,
you will remember the previous
timeline.
LUCY’S NOTEBOOK: Inside = good. Outside = bad.
Dr. Webber studies the plans for the solar shield array and
blueprints for the individual satellites and casing.
GO6 (CONT’D)
The solar shield concept from P two
five five could be strong enough
with a few modifications –
JOHN
(interrupting)
I can save Amy.
GO6
That may not be possible.
DR. WEBBER
John, GO6 is not God. You built it
to optimize people's lives, not
decide who lives and dies. Death
is a part of destiny.
John looks at Lucy, who hangs her head. Unfortunately, Mike
can't offer John eye contact either.
50
JOHN (CONT’D)
I will only help you if you
calculate how to save Amy and my
child.
GO6
Will you keep jumping off the
Empire State Building until I do as
you want?
John SLAMS his wedding ring on the table.
GO6 (CONT'D)
I promised to help everyday people
including Amy and baby Mark. Is
saving countless parallel
universes not more important than
two lives?
JOHN
Not to me.
GO6
If I save Amy, you die. It’s one or
the other.
JOHN
You're the supercomputer. Figure it
out.
GO6
There is one reality where I can
give you an extra two minutes with
Amy. But a hospital is blown up and
innocent people die.
JOHN
But we can change the timeline
back.
GO6
Yes. But people will suffer.
JOHN
Do it. They won’t remember.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
John's Revelation: A Race Against Time
EXT. CRASH SITE – DAY
The car dangles off the edge of the cliff.
51
INT. CAR – DAY
John holds Amy’s hand.
JOHN’S PHONE: TV footage of the bombed hospital.
AMY
John, I’m scared.
JOHN
Me too. Amy, I need to tell you
something. I’m a time traveler, a
parallel universe jumper and there
is a satellite that is going to
change the world.
AMY
Is this the first time having this
conversation? Do you know what I’m
going to say next?
JOHN
I can only have this moment once.
And we only have 100 seconds left.
AMY
Fix this. I don’t want to die. I
believe in you.
Amy picks up John’s phone – the bombed hospital news coverage.
AMY (CONT’D)
Has this anything to do with us,
with this? Truth.
JOHN
Yes.
AMY
John, I love you. Always will. But
don’t ever be this selfish again.
Right now, moms are feeling grief I
can only ever imagine as their
babies have been burned alive. You
can never do this again. You’re
better than that.
JOHN
But they won’t remember anything.
52
AMY
A mother will remember, even if
it’s deep, deep, down in their
subconscious.
JOHN
I understand. Ten seconds.
AMY
Find a parallel universe where I
have a happy childhood and when you
get this problem fixed, take me
there. Promise?
JOHN
Promise.
AMY
I love you.
JOHN
You’re the only bee in my bonnet.
The car slides forward. John taps his implant and vanishes.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Initiating a Paradigm Shift to Save the World
EXT. CRASH SITE – DAY
The car rolls off the cliff. John sits with his head in his
hands. He jumps and teleports at the last moment.
INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY
John wipes away tears and puts his wedding ring back on his
finger. Mike assesses the brown briefcase for fire damage. Dr.
Webber and Mike have a stare-out.
LUCY
Should I be worried about those
two being in the same room?
John gestures fifty-fifty with his hand.
LUCY (CONT’D)
Can you talk to GO6 that far in
the past?
John gestures fifty-fifty with his hand. Lucy opens a wardrobe
of old clothes for most time periods. She picks up a pair of
Lederhosen and checks they fit John.
53
JOHN
GO6 has done quadrillions of
calculations.
LUCY
As you do.
JOHN
It has found a way to save the
world. And. Save Amy. But it cannot
alter the timeline without my
approval. No ifs or buts.
LUCY
Let's do it.
MIKE
Count me in.
JOHN
But.
LUCY
You said no buts.
JOHN
The world is going to have to
change. A paradigm shift
change.
DR. WEBBER
It would make my job easier if the
world were more advanced and
upgraded.
LUCY
So, you're making the past-est
people smartest to get the most-est
out of technology?
DR. WEBBER
It's the Goldilocks principle, not
too advanced, not too dated, just
like the Tartarians.
LUCY
Was she the one with the seven
small people?
54
DR. WEBBER
That was Snow White. Goldilocks had
three bears.
LUCY
I never had bedtime stories. Can
you read it to me one day?
DR. WEBBER
I’d love to.
JOHN
Countless lives will be changed.
LUCY
We can change them back.
John puts his hand out. Lucy puts her hand on top of John's.
Dr. Webber and Mike add their hands to the cluster.
LUCY (CONT'D)
John and I can work on the
individual people and make them
fulfill their potential. John can
create time loops and manipulate
events to make sure things happen
according to GO6’s plan. Like
Richard in P255.
MIKE
Dr. Webber and I can work on a
universal solar shield.
JOHN
It won't be easy.
MIKE
Teamwork.
LUCY
Makes the?
JOHN
Don’t make me say it.
LUCY
Go on. You know you want to.
55
MIKE
Teamwork makes the.
JOHN
Argh. I hate you all.
MIKE
Teamwork.
LUCY
Makes the.
JOHN
OK then. I give in. Dreamwork.
Mike CHEERS while Lucy does a TikTok dance.
LUCY
Play nice with GO6. We don't want
you stuck in the past.
MIKE
Solar radiation could affect
the implant.
JOHN
GO6 has my back. I'll be fine.
Amy once told me to not overthink
things. Being a dad would come
naturally. I didn’t know what she
meant until now.
MIKE
You’ll make an excellent dad.
Mike offers his hand to John who shakes it.
LUCY
Aww. A proper Hallmark moment. GO6,
can I ask you to make some changes?
GO6
If my calculations allow.
LUCY
Can you change my Mom and Dad’s
destinies?
GO6
I'll try.
56
John, Amy, Mike, and Dr. Webber walk to the computer.
One by one they all put their finger on the "Y" KEY. They
press the button.
COMPUTER SCREEN: Ready.
John opens the door to the time machine and teleports.
LUCY
You don’t have a spare implant
hidden anywhere?
MIKE
Only John knows the design.
LUCY
I don’t think I like that. I’ll
ask John to make me one.
MIKE
Good luck with that. He won’t
share the designs.
LUCY
I’ll go to P forty-eight and
get the designs there.
MIKE
They are super protective of
their technology. If they
caught you, you wouldn’t see
sunlight again.
LUCY
Fine. I’ll hack the implant,
even hack his brain to get the
designs.
MIKE
I like this side of you.
LUCY
Mike, I need to be in control
of my own destiny. No machine
tells me what to do.
57
MIKE
Ditto. Shall we? I was thinking
I would start with the Grimm
fairytales. The Juniper tree is
my favorite.
Lucy, Mike, and Dr. Webber enter the time cage.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
Preparing for a New Mission: Teleportation and Exploration
INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM – DAY
John takes out the implant. He steps into a Faraday cage, 8 by
8 feet. He closes the door. He switches on a computer. He
clicks on a folder named "Omega." John transfers the folder
onto a flash drive. He puts it in his pocket and exits the
Faraday cage.
The implant is flashing. John puts it in the docking port in
his head and teleports.
EXT. TIMES SQUARE – DAY
TIME LAPSE: Times Square transforms into our version.
ON SCREEN: NEW YORK, PARALLEL UNIVERSE P01 UPGRADED (our
universe, not boring anymore.)
INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY
Lucy, Mike, and Dr. Webber exit the time cage.
MIKE
Not too hot?
DR. WEBBER
Not too cold?
JOHN
Just right.
LUCY
Tell me there are flying cars.
John nods no. Mike picks up the portal opening device. He
walks into a smaller room. Lucy puts the photo of the female
Barista on a whiteboard. She draws a green line to "MIT."
INT. SMALL ROOM – DAY
Mike strolls through a portal.
ON SCREEN: PARALLEL UNIVERSE P-101
58
EXT. CAVE – NIGHT
Cold and wet. Mike attaches a breathing aid. Parallel John
approaches. Mike stars up at the night sky.
PARALLEL JOHN
What do you see, Dad?
MIKE
No GO6.
Mike hugs Parallel John as they go deeper into the cave.
EXT. TIMES SQUARE – DAY (P01)
Lucy flicks John's crucifix necklace.
JOHN
Einstein said something that
hit home.
LUCY
People are remembering things from
the other timeline. They’re calling
it the Mandela effect.
JOHN
After Nelson Mandela?
LUCY
In this timeline, he died in 2013.
JOHN
Listen, can you hear Richard singing?
John runs east and Lucy tries to keep up.
AT STEP SEATS
Richard sings “Infinity” to a small group of PEOPLE. He
finishes the song and takes a seat on a bench.
LUCY
Our first mission, make Richard a
rockstar.
JOHN
Let’s listen to him for a bit
before we have to pay a fortune for
a ticket.
59
They listen to Richard singing.
Genres:
["Science Fiction","Action","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
John Meets Parallel John in a Different Time and Place
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO BAY – NIGHT (1969)
BEGIN TIME TRAVEL SEQUENCE.
John wears a striking pair of flares and platform shoes.
DR. WEBBER (V.O.)
GO6, who is best to develop a
compressor for the shields?
GO6 (V.O.)
Teri Lamont, a rocket scientist,
San Francisco, 1969.
JOHN
GO6. Do you copy?
John thumps his implant. Parallel John walks through a green
portal.
PARALLEL JOHN
Give me your implant. I’ll boost
the signal to GO6.
Parallel John tweaks the settings of the implant and John
places it back in its docking port.
JOHN
Have you been popping tags at the
thrift shop? Which future or
parallel universe are you from?
PARALLEL JOHN
I answer that the next time I see
you. We need to meet up with all
the other Johns and come up with a
creed for us all to live by. By the
way, you still throwing threes and
fours on the dice?
John nods yes before tapping his implant and vanishing.
END TIME TRAVEL SEQUENCE.
FADE TO BLACK
60
ON SCREEN: JULY 1st, 2024 – PARALLEL UNIVERSE P-17
Scene
42 -
Eerie Encounter in a Georgian Mansion and GO6's Evasion
EXT. GEORGIAN MANSION – NIGHT
Shards of a blown-up moon illuminate the night sky.
The pristine Georgian Mansion is heavily protected with armed
security men and cameras.
INT. BALLROOM – NIGHT
Grand with flowing chandeliers and gold framed portraits.
Lucy strolls through a blue portal. She opens a metallic
briefcase, takes out the blueprints for GO6, and spreads
them the correct way on a table.
A FEMALE FIGURE stands in the shadows.
FEMALE FIGURE
That dated world looks amazing now.
The female figure steps into the light. Her seashell
necklace glistens in the candlelight. She hands Lucy a Costa
coffee cup and chinks her coffee cup with Lucy’s.
FEMALE FIGURE (CONT’D)
And the plans for the implant?
LUCY
He still won't write them down.
The female figure is PARALLEL LUCY, 47. Her whole body is
covered in the red rash.
She pushes back Lucy’s right ear and Lucy switches off. A
control panel opens to reveal a positronic brain. Diodes and
LEDs flash. Under Lucy’s left ear are two holes drilled in
her head for an implant.
EXT. SPACE – DAY – P-17
GO6 pushes through a portal and navigates behind a piece of
the blown-up moon as a massive surveillance satellite passes
by.