Story and Screenplay by Arturo Sinclair

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The Prototype

Story and Screenplay by Arturo Sinclair

a DPS3 Production

Inspired by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson

1. Sound of electronically processed water dripping, a siren in the background. Dogs barking.

FADE IN:

EXTERIOR. INDUSTRIAL PART OF THE CITY. EARLY MORNING. RAIN.

A man hurries up towards a dark dilapidated door in an apparently deserted industrial warehouse. There is a deep recessed door that could pass completely unnoticed to a casual passerby. It is dark but we can see someone is sleeping in the floor, covered up with some newspapers.

As Jim rushes in, his eyes not yet adjusted to the darkness we hear cursing.

HOMELESS MAN

Ayee! Goddam! Can't even sleep in my own place, GODDAM MAN you stepped on my toes! I don't even have toes! I'm a vet, can't you see?

JIM

Sorry man, I must get in, can you please move over a bit! (impatiently) Sir, I need to open my door.

The man grunts and turns around curling away from the door.

As Jim waves his hand close to the door, his ring shines for a moment, the door emits a muted click and opens. He scurries inside and closes the door. The homeless man keeps on cursing.

2. INTERIOR JIM'S LAB

All exterior sound is gone. Instead we hear some electronic hums and noises.

Jim turns the light on and takes his coat off, hangs it on a broom atop some equipment boxes. The light is pretty dim but we can see we are in some sort of lab. We can make out some robotic equipment, laser table, work bench, microscope, 3D scanner etc. He waves at his computer which wakes up and goes toward a small coffee machine.

The coffee is stale and apparently smells bad. He dumps it and packs the filter with a triple ration.

Back at his computer we see a progress bar about to finish rendering something.

CUT

3. EXTERIOR. RADEYE BUILDING. SAME MORNING.

Greg and Shira approach the door. They are carrying coffee and donuts. They wave and smile at the security camera. The door opens.

4. INTERIOR. RECEPTION AREA RADEYE CORPORATION.

High tech design and décor. Seems like an expensive operation, more show than anything else. The secretary is flirting with the office boy.

As they go in, the secretary advises them that their boss, Dr.GRANT, wants them in the conference room immediately.

Greg and Shira head up a hallway and pass a few cubicles where we see some people at their workstations. The screens show technical 3D schematics, some renderings and video feeds. A guy wearing some wearable computer stuff in obviously early prototype stage crashes against them spilling Greg's coffee.

GUY

Whoaa!, sorry guys, couldn't see you!

GREG (pissed)

What's the matter! cyclo vision got you addlepated?

GUY

Yeah right, if it only worked, all I get is some displaced data (laughs) I thought you guys were the coffee machine, must be the olfactory system (keeps going down the aisle)kicking in.

GREG

What an idiot

SHIRA (quietly to Greg)

If Jim was here that shit would be already working!uh… what is addlepated?

GREG

He's got more important things to do! I guess.

Addlepated, oh, it means just... potty headed, his brain is just crapping out…

SHIRA
Addlepated, crappyhead, I like that.

They get to the conference room. The secretary hurries them in with a worried grin. Greg and Shira exchange a quick glance.

5. INTERIOR CONFERENCE ROOM.

The setting is grandiose. A huge screen has multiple scenes playing, equipment demos and visualization stuff.

DR.GRANT is sitting at one end. Next to him the CFO is arguing over some papers in a hushed tone. GREG is fuming internally barely controlling himself. When he sees them entering the CFO takes his leave.

GREG motions them to get closer. They sit respecting the hierarchical relationship.

GREG takes his time as if trying to come up with the right phrase. Finally he burst in a loud hush!

GREG (teeth clenched)

Where the fuck is Jim?

SHIRA glances rapidly at GREG

Does he even know what day it is? C'mon you guys, c'mon! (he stands up furious and goes to the screen which shows appropriately disquieting images)

Greg and Shira knew this was coming. Greg starts to pull some papers from his jacket but Shira holds him as DR.GRANT turns around and notices it, but continues with his tirade.

DR.GRANT

What is this. Are you all millionaires that don't have to work? Don't you have families and expensive cars? Now I'm sounding really trite (laughs sorely) Doesn't he understand the situation we are in? If we don't get the defense contract, guys! I am out of a job, never mind you. The entire company will go pfff, pfffff you understand? PFFFFFT!

(sits down close to them, now almost pleading, we can see he is truly desperate)

You know what day it is? For God's sake we have less than a week before the generals storm in the office. What do we have to show? Some guy disguised as a high tech Xmas tree? Gimme me answers, now, NOW!

SHIRA (trying an excuse)

Sir, we can execute only to a point. Jim is in complete control of the project, besides... (realizing he was going to say more than he intended, he stops)

DR.GRANT

Yes? Besides! what is besides? (looks are exchanged)

Look, let me make myself clear ok? I am no idiot, this is a high security operation!

CUT

6. INTERIOR JIM'S LAB. A monitor displays the conversation taken from some hidden camera. We hear the last part of the phrase

DR.GRANT (from the monitor speaker)

!where everything must be under control!

JIM (Talking to himself)

Man, you are sure no idiot, just... such a turkey

He turns around and goes to the 3D nano-printer where a gleaming piece of translucent material has just been assembled.

He takes it and smiles. It looks like a simple iridescent goggle glass. He puts it into the laser workbench and runs a test. 0% errors. He jumps from his chair,

JIM

Yesss! Yess sir, who can do it? and for whom? He acts around his shop. No Mr. Sam, sorry uncle, you are not getting this one, nononano (waves his finger) You are a naughty boy (now serious) you are a bully, a very bad bully. And you don't get no respect, no sir, no respect. Not from me, not from the entire world.

He takes another glass from a case and assembles a pair of goggles. We see some miniature electronics through the microscope as he connects components with a micro-machine.

As he does so the voices in the background become more prominent, JIM takes notice.

DR.GRANT

Are you nuts? You mean to tell me the fucking prototype is not even here in the premises? Aren't you supposed to be the technicians assigned to it?

CUT

7. INTERIOR CONFERENCE ROOM

SHIRA

Sir, I have a PhD in Physics, another in Data-cloud technology, but I can only work based on plans and specific assignments, JIM seems to have all the plans in his head incredible as it seems! And... I don't want to mess with JIM

DR.GRANT

This is unreal! I cannot believe my ears, (shouts) MARGE! (after a second the secretary peeks through the door) bring DREW here, now!

What have you been doing this past few months? Playing tournaments?, that is for sure! (completely losing control) It's drop-dead time in less than a week! Less than a week! And you have the nerve to tell me JIM has everything in his head? Well, I'll crack his damn skull open if I need to! (shouts) DREW!!!

DREW walks in and seems to secretly enjoy this last phrase. At the same time he looks lame and worried.

GREG

Excuse me sir, but JIM is our boss and we have done all the research that he has asked us to do, we also built part of the control enclosure but it got too complex and unstable and JIM offered to do it himself! besides...

DR.GRANT

Yes? Besides? Again? Complex? Unstable?

He turns to DREW

DR.GRANT

I need all the files from Jim’s computer on my desk this afternoon. I don't care what it takes and I don't mind if you need a tank to break through. I want the project files now!

DR.GRANT turns to GREG and SHIRA and gestures hunching his shoulders.

So? (notices that they are looking past him to DREW and turns around in disbelief seeing that DREW is still there)

DR.GRANT

What! (ironic) Is there another problem?

DREW (hesitates before answering)

I've been trying to break into his system since he arrived here, I... I did not trust him! I believe I told you! repeatedly. He is a can of worms, constantly breaches security protocols...bringing in his own hardware.

DR.GRANT

(taking DREW apart holding, almost lifting him by the back of his neck and speaking to him paternally but about to strangle him)

DREW, tell me, how much do you take home each month?

CUT

8. INTERIOR JIM'S LAB.

C.U of DREW and DR.GRANT seen on Jim’s monitoring system DREW is sweating)

JIM

Too much! (laughs) too much! This is too much!

DREW

Sir, he has the most robust security system that I know of. You know I am an expert cryptographer and SE, I don't honestly know how he does it, the guy is unreal.

JIM cracks up

9. INTERIOR CONFERENCE ROOM.

Jim’s laughter reverberates in the background. DR.GRANT explodes

DR.GRANT

What?, did I hire a ghost then? Am I surrounded by complete imbeciles? You an expert? Ha! Don't make me cry. You have PhD's up your ass, that much is true. Problem is you left them there! And look at those idiots (turning to GREG and SHIRA.) I could start a PHD garden (turning dead serious) or grave!.

Listen to me DREW. (softly) If you can't do it, no problem. Just get me someone who knows how ok?, now, please GO!.

DREW leaves sheepishly. The secretary has been watching from the door.

10. INTERIOR DR.GRANT's OFFICE RECEPTION DESK

DREW, now bossy with the secretary orders her.

MARGE, connect me to Mueller at the FBI's IT dept. immediately. Use your persuasion or whatever you need to get through to him, drop the general's name, whatever, you understand? I'll be in my office.

MARGE

Yes sir, I'll do what I can

At this response DREW turns angrily to her.

MARGE (getting the point)

Yes sir, I'll connect you

11. INTERIOR JIM's LAB.

JIM is now about to try his goggles which look pretty much like sport glasses.

JIM

And I'll connect you! (he puts them on and smiles in disbelief, ecstatic)

Oh mygod! (turns around slowly looking at his lab in an entirely different way. Takes things in his hand and observes them, moving like in a strange disjointed dance.)

Baby, baby, let me take you for a walk, let me show you around, oh baby, baby!

He turns the lights off and now we see everything in a layered view, pretty much like a computed tomography. As he moves his hand he controls the depth and complexity of the reading. He walks out the door and closes it behind him. Just before he closes we hear:

HOMELESS MAN

Ayee! Goddam!

FADE OUT

Next. Introduce Jim's wife at home, Mueller at the FBI IT headquarters, Paul (playing on a band in Paris). DR.GRANT gets a call from Commander Brent who asks if everything is ready for showtime. Pressure builds at RadEye.

12. INTERIOR ALEXANDRA'S KITCHEN. SAME MORNING

C.U. Frying pan. Veggies are being tossed and stir fried.

PHONE RINGS

ALEXANDRA does not react, and jut lets the phone ring a few times. The answering machine comes on.

JIM (voice over)

Hello, hello, hello...hellooo?

hmmm, it's JIM, are you there? (whistles)

ALEXANDRA smiles a little sad and nods her head. Then quickly wipes her hands, pushes the speaker button and goes back to the frying.

ALEXANDRA (with a thick latin accent)

Hello stranger, you know? I was NOT thinking about you just now. In fact I am in the middle of a very important project, in a very critical phase, so JIM, if you need something you called at the wrong time. (getting upset) How long has it been anyway... a month? two months, I bet you don't even know.

JIM v.o.(who has been trying to interrupt her)

Shnookums, please, I, I just want to share something wonderful with you...

Sound of frying gets louder when she pours the sauce on the hot pan.

JIM (v.o)suddenly worried by the noise

Shnookums... are you there? Please don't hang up.

ALEXANDRA (losing it)

Don't call me shnookums carajo! my name is Alexandra, remember me? and JIM, if you want to talk and have something WONDERFUL to share have the courtesy of making yourself present, not virtual, a little reality once in a while, ok?, and JIM, I gotta go, I have some burning business, byyee!

CUT

13. EXTERIOR DAY. Busy city street

JIM gesturing wildly and grunting loudly as an old lady talks to her grandson as they pass by.

OLD LADY

Poor man, he must be crazy, there are a lot of loose ones these days.

GRANDSON

He is just talking on the phone gramma, to his boss I bet.

The OLD LADY shakes her head as they walk into the distance.

JIM suddenly takes notice of a plane passing by and looks up at it

POV. C.U. of the plane and data along side it. A series of icons appear, JIM "touches" one (a sound icon) We hear the plane communication channel.

CUT

14 INTERIOR FBI “ITS” OPERATIONS CENTER.

MUELLER is at his desk, A series of screens show some cyberspace geography, traffic, stats and the such. An assistant talks to him through an intercom. We see him on the other control room.

ASSISTANT

Dr. Mueller, it's that DREW guy again, he's now on a medium security line.

MUELLER (with a German accent)

OH GOTT! patch the jerk, let's get this over with.

ASSISTANT

Yes Sir, video LAN two.

DREW appears on a side screen with a data sheet along side. MUELLER keeps working and barely glances at him.

MUELLER

Yes Mr. DREW, how can I help you this time

DREW (on the video screen)

Mr. Mueller, thanks you so much for your time, I know it must be a very bad time, but let me get to the point, we have a situation here that I thought you might be interested in.

MUELLER (impatient)

Mr. Drew, really, we have a war going on, in case you are not informed. How can I help you?

DREW (pausing for effect)

We have DARPA generals coming in a few days for a high security meeting. And ... we have an UG?

MUELLER Looking at the camera, then at his assistant who is monitoring the conversation

An UG?

DREW

An Uninvited Guest?, you know?,UG, a break in.

MUELLER

No I don't. Can you please plain explain? I am really busy

DREW

A break in, someone is breaching our secure network, there is classified military information at risk.

MUELLER blanks out the screen and gestures to his assistant.

Put him on secure one (turns the screen on again)

And why are you calling me? Aren't you the security expert?

DREW

Mr. Mueller, let me be very frank. He is breaking in through military strength security. I think it would be a great opportunity to score big on this one

MUELLER (ironic)

Oh yes?, and you don't want all the credit to yourself, is that so?

C'mon Mr. Drew, I give you one more minute

DREW

I have an idea of who it is. But it's just..., well, I have not been able to pin him down, he is...smart. Besides, I cannot call DARPA SEC. It would compromise our operation and...

MUELLER (who has been scanning RADEYE financial data)

Yeah, I understand perfectly Mr. Drew, that is why I get paid the big bucks you know.

DREW

Yes Mr. Mueller, we are prepared to pay a large sum for this interception.

MUELLER

You are the one who does not understand. RADEYE looks more like REDEYE, you could not even pay me a meal and the wine I like to drink. However...

15. EXTERIOR LATE AFTERNOON. ALEXANDRA'S HOUSE

JIM is at the door with a bouquet of roses. He knocks with a familiar pattern. ALEXANDRA opens the door and shakes her head, let's him in.

16. INTERIOR ALEXANDRA'S LIVING ROOM

C.U. She puts the roses on a vase.

ALEXANDRA

Poor roses, dead and frozen and far away from home. They don't even smell any more.

Turning around to JIM

ALEXANDRA

How many years were we married, seven? And you can't remember I detest dead flowers? empty gestures? Gestures, that is my specialty you know? the most primitive form of language, good for animals, good for men. Can you spare me the reading, and tell me why you came? I can’t spare a lot of time, I am flying to the Amazon tomorrow.

JIM

I was hoping you ask. And I know that you dislike dead flowers, I, I did mean them as a symbolic gesture, I guess it misfired, but I wanted to share something really important for me, us, if you please lower your guard just a little? please...