Story E: The Unbearable Lightness Of Youth!

 

INT. HELSINKI – MUSICAL RESTAURANT – CHRISTMAS – NIGHT

 

JOHNNY and JULIE, his girlfriend, have gone on a Christmas excursion at the snowy and elaborately decorated Helsinki. They’re having dinner at a musical restaurant that plays ballads. During the beginning of their affair, they’re enjoying deeper conversations regarding Johnny’s character and memories.

 

JULIE

I’d be delighted if you would open up about your early youth, Johnny! You seem profound enough for me to know there’s mystery behind a beautiful man…

 

JOHNNY

The years defined by our previous childhood, my my! They were definitely unforgettable.

 

JULIE (wondering)

So?

 

JOHNNY (enthusiastic)

I was a hell of a great student in math and natural sciences. But I would not lose the chance to enjoy family life as well.

 

JULIE

What was the driving force behind such a performance? Can you identify your influences?

 

JOHNNY

Science was definitely not an end in itself! I used to find excitement in reading about hidden symmetries in cosmos, knowing the notion of expelling fear, seeking dreams and nightmares, seeking the truth, searching the real power of symbols, be a fan of ballads and music and last but not least my persistence in excelling at science.

 

While Julie drinks a sip of white wine, the soft music coming back from the piano intensifies. They’re having a mouthful of food so to continue their discussion.

 

JULIE

Only a few words for a lifetime of inquiries! I would be delightful to get to such discussions continuously…

 

JOHNNY

My honor, Julie.

 

JULIE

So, what was it exactly that you were searching at math being so young? A math wizard or an explorer of perfection?

 

JOHNNY

It was only in my later years that I read in a book about The Platonic dream stating our world is nothing else but the materialistic incarnation of a mathematical idea! Subconsciously back then, such equations had been my motivation…

 

JULIE

Meaning above the scope of mere science. Was it music as well, for you, a case of mathematical beauty? You mentioned ballads indeed.

 

JOHNNY

It’s definitely true and we all know it that music has a mathematical structure.

 

JULIE

We’re gonna have plenty of time Johnny here in Helsinki to talk about art and science. Right now, I’m just enjoying the piano over there.

 

While Johnny gets a mouthful of food, he wipes his mouth and takes the floor.

 

JOHNNY

He’s a wonderful player. He’s driving me back to the years of innocence!

 

The couple continues eating with the font of a Christmas decorated restaurant.

 

INT. HELSINKI – HOTEL LOUNGE – CHRISTMAS – NIGHT

 

The couple stares at the fireplace sitting next to it at the lounge of the hotel. There are two or three other couples and individuals present and passing by inside the hotel, including the hotelier who finds chances to talk with her clients.

 

JULIE

I suppose there were voices by movies Johnny that made you emerge these concepts we were discussing back at the restaurant. You remind me of Contact and Sliders.

 

JOHNNY

That’s the truth, Julie!

 

JULIE

Only the truth of emerging pictures or the one you’ve been seeking?

 

JOHNNY

Well, inspired by our Creator as well, in the beginning there is word… We, humans may miss the medium between how words can shape universal matter.

 

JULIE

To the point, Johnny, was it mere science that inspired you as a teenager?

 

JOHNNY

I guess all great students exhibit hidden parts of some form of epic fantasy…

 

While sparks fly out from the fireplace, Johnny manages to get out a sweet potato.

 

JOHNNY (CONT’D)

Hey, wanna taste some?

 

JULIE

Definitely yes!

 

As Johnny and Julie enjoy the food, Julie takes the chance later on to pinpoint her arguments.

 

JULIE (CONT’D)

Importance, progress, knowledge, power, recognition, are notions equally important that emerge out of the effective dealing with scientific problem solving.

 

JOHNNY

You mean that hermeneutics might be the counterpart of rational thinking and science, right?

 

Julie drinks a sip of coffee.

 

JULIE

It’s the journey that we make to get back to our country being our childhood years.

 

EXT. HELSINKI – SNOWY PUBLIC SQUARE CAFÉ – DAY

 

Johnny and Julie are drinking tea and having morning breakfast at a café in the snowy public square at a district of Helsinki. They’re wearing their coats and skull caps.

 

JOHNNY

Let us not try to rationalize our fears, Julie…

 

JULIE

I’m all ears to hear the analysis of it!

 

JOHNNY

When your instincts tell you something’s not good but you lack later evidence of proving that, don’t ignore them. They’re usually right!

 

As the couple enjoys having breakfast, there’s silence and a few moments afterwards Johnny continues.

 

JOHNNY (CONT’D)

The risk is real but fear is a choice.

 

Julie looks mystified by the fact that everything can be put under pen and paper.

 

JULIE

They all carry a story, right? So, Johnny, tell me, what did it take you to be able to explain all that so simply?

 

JOHNNY

Falling flat on my face and being inspired by a few good men who happened to come on my path…

 

JULIE (in awe)

It takes a lot more than just a good company, right?

 

JOHNNY

Remember, Julie, with fear and the power of symbols, like with the shot of Quinn’s counterpart in Sliders, if we only seek success but we fear the measurement of it including rejection, we’ll come up with inner conflict. It means we focus more on failure and that dominates us.

 

JULIE

Grown-ups love numbers, Johnny. It’s high time we embraced measure.

 

JOHNNY

Independent from the rules!

 

JULIE

Independent.

 

Julie kisses Johnny’s cheek as they continue with their day at the square.

Story D: "Not In This World, Sebastian...!"

INT. LA CALIFORNIA – WRITING ROOM – WINTER DAY

SEBASTIAN has a break in his writing office. He looks absorbed by the tools, whiteboards, pinboards, templates, verbal acknowledgement of structural components, his library, software, notes and printed screenplays around him, in terms of his recent screenwriting venture. MIA, who’s having a break drinking coffee next to Sebastian, accompanies him with her thoughts.

MIA
The great writer at work! How’s it going, my dear? A penny for your thoughts…

SEBASTIAN
Have you read this book Mia?

Sebastian grabs Joseph Campbell’s book, The Hero With A Thousand Faces and holds it next to his face to show it to Mia.

MIA
It’s definitely a great book, of course! It portrays the hero’s journey.

SEBASTIAN
That exists as an expression of the writer but not as a creation. That’s my greatest conflict right now in my mindset.

Sebastian, who is a Physicist and a Writer and Mia, who is a Musical Programmer take advantage of the environment to reach their arguments. Mia sits next to Sebastian’s piano pretending she is a singer – sings a little – and Sebastian mimes with his hands writing fastly on the keyboard.

MIA
I guess your Einstein studies didn’t quite predict such an evolution, right?

SEBASTIAN
This is a war and not a fairytale, Mia.

MIA
Go on then. Express yourself. What’s holding you back?

SEBASTIAN
Beyond the script assumptions of a narrative economy. It’s a match made in hell right now of how I will manage to reach the other side, complete the script and sell it…

MIA
We should all feel grateful of who we are including the respect of our ego.

As Mia keeps playing the piano and Sebastian gets up to play with his telescope based next to his window in this quite big and comfortable room, Mia draws back from her experiences in music. She looks at the piano with a joyful and enigmatic look.

SEBASTIAN
It looks you’re so confident and serious when it comes to creativity, right?

MIA
Not in this world, Sebastian…! At least not when it seems you bit the apple.

SEBASTIAN
Meaning?

MIA
Do you truly believe artists are the sole persons who can have the life they desire? You? An internationally renowned Physicist? Oh boy, it’s a multifaceted world!

As Sebastian stays silent and looking serious, he grabs a book and browses its first pages only to pronounce the quote he had written inside of it. He shows the quote to Mia with his one hand.

SEBASTIAN
“In the journey of discovering ourselves, the subject is more important than the label”.

INT. LA CALIFORNIA – WORKPLACE BREAK ROOM – LOUNGE – DAY

Sebastian also works as a data scientist in a multinational. They’re having a break from work and he has called Mia, his girlfriend, at the company to have a good time during their break. Whiteboards with equations also exist in the lounge.

MIA
You must be giving a tough battle right now, right?

SEBASTIAN
It’s just this whirlwind of attributes doesn’t always function…

MIA
Says who?

SEBASTIAN (ironic)
The data scientist!

MIA
Science is independent from the scope it’s being used for… Just remember how many physicists from your class became data scientists, how many of them became researchers at e.g. the LHC at CERN and how many of them ended up primary secondary education professors at public schools…

While Sebastian looks somewhat annoyed and serious, he gets up to approach the whiteboard next to him to play with a few equations…

MIA (angry, CONT’D)
Never ever confuse the science with the career Sebastian…

SEBASTIAN
I guess we may not all deserve a wonderful world…

MIA
Is this your conclusion from your writing hurdles?

SEBASTIAN
I guess so!

MIA
Well, it’s not true, not even for your future colleagues in the entertainment industry.

SEBASTIAN
Where are you heading at, Mia?

MIA
Even producers and directors nowadays are technology heavyweights from what you already know from their resumes and being a writer, a sci-fi writer concerning your script means that accuracy is not guaranteed. You have to find your inner voice…

SEBASTIAN
I guess I will have to invest more time, maturity and a decent amount of money…

Mia with a faint smile now that Sebastian tries to find an edge, get’s up from the table and hits him at the shoulder while he gets back from the whiteboard to sit.

MIA (enthusiastic)
That’s right!

INT. LA CALIFORNIA – COFFEEHOUSE – SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Mia and Sebastian are having a coffee while they discuss their experiences and Sebastian’s journey. They look partly happy and partly disappointed by their realizations.

MIA
You were always looking to find certain standards at people, Seb. Now it seems that affected you as well…!

SEBASTIAN
I’ve been at theater workshops, volunteerism, writing associations, book clubs, dance schools…

Sebastian looks disappointed that his past enquiries didn’t seem to work or be fruitful.

MIA
So?

SEBASTIAN
We can’t predict how others think. Plus, it was an alchemy in my mind to believe such institutions could possibly solve someone else’s problems.

MIA
They’re doing their work, Sebastian… What’s yours?

SEBASTIAN
Being affected I suppose… Political fanatism, underdeveloped individuals, left wing partly rebels, Facebook attacks and indifference is what I ended up mingling with.

MIA
Has that led you to illumination?

Sebastian looks Mia with wonder.

SEBASTIAN
That I should focus on serving myself and not serving the world I suppose…

While Mia and Sebastian are drinking a few sips of coffee, they’re preparing to pay the bill.

Story C: The Student Surpasses His Masters!

                                    

INT. LA SILICON VALLEY – UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM – DAY

AI graduate students have submitted their ideas at the entrepreneurial center of the university for consideration. There’s a pile of papers next to DR. RICHARD’S desk while he reviews the profile of his best student, JACK.

DR. RICHARD
(excited)
 

AI and math with honors, Google Academy, Johns Hopkins, Creative Writing, a thought leader with a record of repetitive innovations in the internet, screenwriter, developer, Jack… I’m impressed!

JACK
 

Thanks a lot professor, it’s an honor hearing you say it.
 

DR. RICHARD
 

So, Jack… what brings you by?
 

JACK
 

A chance to get recognized and ranked for my pioneering work!

Two other students, BRANDON and MARK gossip Jack close to one another.
 

BRANDON
(tilting his head towards Mark)
 

Moves with guts, pal…!
 

MARK
(whispering)
 

You bet they are!
 

DR. RICHARD
 

I believe you will have ample time and opportunities to prove that! That’s it, people, for today. Remember the final day for filing papers is one week from now. Mind the homework, the exams and get ready to write history. It’s your turn, now!
 

Dr. Richard stands up, packs his notes inside his suitcase and leaves the auditorium. It’s time for a break.
 

CUT.
 

INT. LA – UNIVERSITY HALLS – DAY – A FEW MOMENTS LATER
 

Students are having a break from class. The place is crowded, there’s noise, while Jack chit chats with his fellow classmate, GEORGE.

GEORGE
 

You have an extraordinary history of accomplishments Jack! Interested to explain your past and your pitfalls behind this experience?
 

JACK
 

Got fed up with going back and forth with high school math logic and reading poetry gobbledygook by inglorious professors. You know… the web!
 

GEORGE
(happily smiling)
 

Hey, hey, that’s competitive intelligence or better say… your own shadows?!
 

JACK
It’s the price of science into the applied world. There are ups and downs everywhere…
 

The two students head towards the coffee machine next to the canteen. As soon as Jack grabs a cup of coffee he replies back.
 

JACK (CONT’D)
 

You know, science and math are superficial while in high school. Being bombarded with dozens of equations, vague theories for years, bemusing your head vainly, without knowing how to use anything at all… Just for the showoff of saying I know…!
 

GEORGE
 

So, what’s the difference between good and bad science?
 

JACK
 

Time? It’s only a game of physicists, chemists and mathematicians that believe they will have to learn piles of complicated equations by-heart…
 

GEORGE
(enthusiasted)
 

So that weeee, can have a chance to change the world now, right?
 

JACK
(shaking his finger)
 

Not with your ego…! Also a contradiction to some university professors who believe the world, students, are their marionettes…

 

GEORGE

 

Marionettes of their own ideas.
 

CUT.

INT. LA – JACK’S FAMILY DETACHED HOUSE – AFTERNOON
 

Jack has called NICOLE & BRENDA - his classmmates – at his home to study together. They looked puzzled and absorbed over the table with open books and notes on entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. They have a discussion.
 

BRENDA
 

It’s big ideas and not big money that can make positive difference. Pure and simple!
 

JACK
 

Are you thinking the one without the other, Brenda?
 

BRENDA
 

No, just thinking of my sequence of steps.
 

NICOLE
 

Bigger than what you were used to in some initial schools, Jack.
 

BRENDA
 

You can’t have traction without money or money without traction, folks. Just like the chicken or the egg dilemma.
 

JACK
 

But we can focus for those, who seek to find a way to leave their world behind…! Do you remember this is a Jumanji quote?
 

NICOLE
 

You’re so Robin Williams as an artist, Jack, at many aspects of him!
 

Being baffled inside the books and the coursework, Brenda decides to throw the books on the table and take a break.
 

BRENDA
 

Anyone out in the garden for a cigarette?
 

JACK
After a few of our noble interests, but it’s actually words that change lives, right?
 

Nicole and Brenda cheerfully nibble Jack and they all go out together.
 

FADE OUT.

Story B: Shades Of TV Taste!

                                     

This is a story about Anna, an ambitious storyteller who finally learns that opening up about her preferences, her interests and her culture in her personal and professional relationships might be more important than her ego.

 

Opening up the YouTube she feels allured by the shows and the interests and the performances that have played their part in her almost breaking-up mode with her boyfriend, Mark.

 

American Idol, America's Got Talent, writer's room in TV studios and plenty of examples around art and culture have forged her by being the continuous choices in her professional endeavors.

 

Walking away from Mark's worldview boosted by the bodification of emotions, she will seek of creative luck. What does the future hold for her?

 

INT. LA CALIFORNIA VILLA – SLEEPING ROOM – DAY

 

ANNA, an ambitious storyteller has just woken up in her room and watches TV. Opening up the YouTube she feels allured by the shows and the interests and the performances that have played their part in her almost breaking-up mode with her boyfriend, MARK.

 

ANNA 

(looking angry and disappointed)
 

Boys, boys, boys… Such a jerk!

 

Anna watches the audition of a 17 years old girl in America’s Got Talent, singing and playing the piano simultaneously that gifted her the golden buzzer. After a few moments the phone rings. It’s Mark.

 

MARK

 

Hey, what’s up girl? Changed your mind? Wanna hear me now?

Anna tries to get up while holding the phone.

 

ANNA

 

I’ve been a witness of your mentality for years Mark… What makes you think you come first now?

 

MARK
 

I’m just missing of what we had… You drove me nuts with your world, Anna…!
 

ANNA 

(abrupt and outrageous)
 

Keep thinking you have a world asshole…! End of story…

Anna hangs up the phone as she eventually breaks up. She stands up while putting on her clothes.
 

ΕΧΤ. CALIFORNIA – VILLA GARDEN – DAY
 

Anna is having her breakfast while her best friend, ELIZA is enjoying a cocktail lying onto their hammock.
 

ELIZA 

(a little bit sarcastic)
 

You did everything you could again, Anna, right?!
 

ANNA
 

As you fall in love, or making friends you become a witness of their culture, their worldview, if you get my point…
 

ELIZA 

(a little bit ironic)
 

So, it must definitely be American Idol?
 

ANNA
 

The same it goes with mobile phones, the same it goes with platforms and data entry, the same it goes with art exhibitions, the same it goes with model shows, theater, it’s always the same with anything that goes against their economistic perception, or worse, their own anatomy and negligence towards culture. Sometimes I believe they got some money and started to shit everyone…
 

ELIZA
 

Of course it’s so as long as you correlate him with yourself! Must you be the same?
 

ANNA 

(losing control)
 

Forget it! We broke up now…
 

ELIZA 

(skeptic)
 

I truly hope you will find what you search for, Anna, one day…
 

Anna finishes her breakfast and leaves the house.
 

INT. LA - TV WRITER’S ROOM – AFTERNOON
 

Anna works in the development of a TV pilot together with directors and producers and becomes the receiver of angry feedback from management.
 

DIRECTOR
 

You don’t need to become Whitney Houston to mirror interests and preferences in your scripts…
 

MANAGER
 

Hold on a second, JOHNNY (DIRECTOR). My biggest criticism – reflecting your art as well - is that unless you open up your interests to what’s truly inside your heart, you shouldn’t be expecting of breakthroughs in Hollywood or TV…!
 

ANNA
 

I guess my character should open up artistically, right?
 

DIRECTOR 

(Winking)
 

You got it kiddo!
 

EXT. LA RED-CARPET EVENT – PREMIERE TIME – NIGHT
 

Anna and the production crew of their musical “He’s going Hollywood” are celebrating their premiere posing excited at photographers. There’s electricity in the atmosphere as well as gossiping the performance with endorsements.
 

ANNA
 

It’s been a long road, folks! Do you believe it?
 

DIRECTOR
 

This film will reap awards in the future, you bet it!
 

Spectators of the event as well as teen audience cheerfully scream and are being pushed to get autographs. There’s a majestic view of Anna smiling with satisfaction in her ballgown while signing autographs.
 

INT. LA – VILLA – LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON
 

Anna and Eliza discuss in Anna’s home by making a journey of consciousness in terms of their personal and professional relationships and successes. They look calm and thoughtful.
 

ELIZA
 

Always remember it was these wars that revealed the true face of yours, Anna…!
 

ANNA
 

No matter what it costed, right?
 

ELIZA 

(looking reluctant)
 

Well I can’t fully agree with you, though… When you make criticism, you better look yourself in the mirror. Cos they will always judge your ego and not just what you believe.
 

ANNA
 

It’s my time to disagree now, I guess… Being work-centered with a career holding pattern is 1-dimensional when it comes to movies and Hollywood. We’d better search for ourselves in the ‘area of destiny’…
 

ELIZA 

(giggling)
 

Eventually you learned to win, didn’t you?
 

The two women hug each other with satisfaction.
 

FADE OUT.

Story A: The Transfigurations Of A Poetically Inspired Scientist!

This is a story about the things that change, a story of transfigurations that depicts how from the old occur the new...! 

 

Biblically inspired, writer and physicist Noah discusses with his son Robert inside the abyss of his leather-bound books into the library of his study office.

 

Visions and rebirths take place and suddenly Noah and Robert are witnesses of the re-animation of Noah's past. The entire set of characters he once interacted with are there, into a unique space to interact with him and lead to enlightenment...

 

Will he manage to accept the power of his past and his ideas?

 

INT. NY – STUDY ROOM – DAY

NOAH sits on his leather chair at his study office in his apartment. As a background, including the two side walls, there is a library with leather-bound books on the shelves of which there are numerous wooden constructions and sentimental cultural items including scientific equipment.

VOICE OVER

This will be a story about the things that change, a story on transfigurations, to portray how from the old occur the new, a poetic testament of NOAH revealing how one man’s vision can be shifted into the universe of words and change lives! A physicist and a writer, that is Noah, is found at the in-between of his past life with the future exploiting the precious love of his family to change perceptions. Who is to say about destiny in front of God’s eyes?

NOAH is discussing with his son, ROBERT, at his office. They read John’s Revelation. ROBERT closes his eyes to start envisioning the city of God. There’s an otherworldly electricity in the atmosphere at the shades of dark brown and creamy light pink, equivalent with the interior decoration of the office.

ROBERT

And out of precious stones, gold and several other artifacts there will be created a Heaven in which there will be no anathema and people there will reign as kings forever!

Robert soliloquizes. Noah stares at his son with an approbative look. Immediately afterwards Robert slightly opens his eyes and uses his imagination to start transforming the environment around him.

ROBERT

At the beginning, there is only word. And word will become the poetic tool of God to create a universe that is not made up by atoms but by tiny stories…

NOAH (passionate and inspired with his son)

You know it, Robert! The power of God is inside of you! What is it that’s keeping you from accepting God into your deeds and actions and transform your life?

ROBERT

Our life, father, is a far cry from what once it could be. The question is, are we willing to fight and adapt and struggle to get back to our own Belle Epoque of creativity?

NOAH 

(disappointed)

Naaah… We got disappointed once but life is for those who keep trying!

VOICE-OVER

There was always a vision inside Noah’s head, the windswept sperms of which were being reflected into the environment and were being got back through the prism of words inside his online diary. As if this was a canon that perhaps, what he once thought it could be his own identity was not what it seemed and there were always paradigms and humans from the outside, with the same common basic needs with him that were guiding his thoughts and actions. Even though not the perfect decision maker, he was a great listener. But now, there was something in both of them and their thoughts that was being rebirthed around them, as an invisible miracle or an act of Renaissance.

INT. NY – LIVING ROOM - DAY

Paintings and figures were being reanimated, leather-bound books onto the tables were being opened to emit stardust, men from the past were being brought back in his memory and even this fatal period of being an entrepreneur would remind him the bittersweet days of his glory but also the other side of doom.

ROBERT

As a writer and a scientist haunted by the excitement but also the ghosts of the past, I believe dad you possess the perfect raw material to refine your future. The question that remains to be answered is…, are you willing to?

NOAH

It’s still… it, Robert! Notions and words and ideas isolated and personified can be the best argument when we read literature for example but I still can’t explain it in real life.

ROBERT

Then perhaps it’s the interpretation that you give. A selfish approach with which you complete the entire work as a team, on your own thoughts and then cancel the other side…

NOAH

A team… Or an imagined dream team… I guess it’s just a matter of time and mind…

A sudden shift into Noah’s and Robert’s study office and John’s Revelation that was being left onto the desk was being opened to create apparitions in the room. As if all the people that Noah interacted with at the past, were being brought back as avatars from parallel universes, his beloved ghosts, and they would interact with him, emerged from the spacetime of Revelation, only to lead to catharsis.

FIGURE 1

You’re being lost inside the flow Noah…! Management should be all about spirituality!

FIGURE 2

These should be moments of great decisions…!

FIGURE 3

Congratulations! I wish only distinctions for you Noah!

FIGURE 4

I can’t found a theory if I don’t accept a hypothesis externally defined! For Einstein, this was the speed of light…

As a stream of consciousness and memories, a light beam risen from the book and travelled up to the living room, these apparitions into the air had come back, so now Noah’s mind was being bombarded by a mixed reality of emotions and thoughts.

ROBERT

I believe mocking is a repetitive motif when it comes to your history dad… Dirtying the sacred maybe?

NOAH 

(shocked and reactive)

I don’t know! I just don’t know!

ROBERT

Any idea of how to honor your past and the memory of all those you left behind?

NOAH 

(shocked)

Words and patterns… Scientists are makers of patterns…

Noah immediately afterwards started to touch and play with the wooden constructions and the scientific equipment that was found in their living room. A wooden globe standing in the middle of it, a small telescope onto a shelf, a ship resembling the boat of Columbus, a kaleidoscope, Noah would turn around the medium size space and would fight with his ideas and emotions.

NOAH (CONT’D)

I guess we shouldn’t put the blame to men that did everything they could and they just had no more to give, right? Or it’s just that they couldn’t give…

ROBERT

The future holds secrets only the past can reveal… And in this journey, nothing is what it seems and nothing lasts forever!

VOICE-OVER

Noah has been a scientist and a writer who would lack the motivation to acknowledge the good that was being done to him and only accuse others based on their weaknesses and personal attacks! Not until the revelatory experience had he realized destiny was only known to God and unless he could find a way to reconciliate with him and his own stories, he couldn’t be expecting of more to come… And even though perfection belongs to Him and only, force majeure is a reality of humans, right?