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.
