Wish Granting Factory
Genre: Fantasy
- 62 Views
BLACK SCREEN:
NARRATOR:
They say to dream! Dreams do come
true.
FADE IN:
1. EXT. ST. LOUIS - HOUSE - DAY
JACK (30s) and other PARENTS sit at the table in the backyard
of the house watching CHRISTOPHER (10) and other CHILDREN
play with a dog.
NARRATOR:
Since childhood, we've been told
that if you make a sincere wish it
will come true.
JOANNA (30s) appears at the porch door holding a huge cake,
and she sets it on the table. Her son, Christopher, gleefully
approaches the table. His father Jack gazes fondly at him. On
the cake, there are 10 candles with the words “Happy Birthday
Christopher”.
JACK:
And now, make a wish, son!
Christopher blows out the candles. The GUESTS applaud.
NARRATOR:
Can the wish come true instantly?
What happens with the wish after it
is made?
2. EXT. PARK - EVENING
A YOUNG WOMAN and a MAN sit on the bench and look at the
stars. They see a falling star.
MAN:
Let's make a wish!
The man takes the woman's hand.
NARRATOR:
What would you say if I told you
that your wish is written in a
special file containing all details
like the date and circumstances the
wish was made? For sure you can
imagine how many files are created
on Christmas Eve and during New
Year's Eve.
3. EXT. TIMES SQUARE - NEW YORK - NIGHT
3. EXT. TIMES SQUARE - NEW YORK - NIGHT
The PEOPLE stand at the square and look at the ball that is
about to drop.
PEOPLE:
Seven, six, five, four, three,
two...
The ball drops. The people applaud and kiss each other.
WOMAN:
(asking her little
daughter)
Did you make a wish?
GIRL:
Yes, Mommy!
The WOMAN kisses her DAUGHTER.
NARRATOR:
So, did you imagine millions of
these files that contain wishes?
Great. Then I should be really
careful and find people that will
help to make these wishes come
true. I create a plan on how you
will meet these people. So, this is
me, who is responsible for
everything that is going on in your
life. Good and bad things, tears
and laughter. Everything that your
life consists of. But isn't it a
great moment when after several
misfortunes you eventually get what
you want and say that you’ve been
dreaming about it all your life?
4. EXT./INT. BUSINESS CENTER - DAY
A YOUNG GIRL, wearing stilettos, approaches the glass door.
She closes her eyes and crosses two fingers on her hand. When
the glass door opens, the young girl gets into the hall of
the building, stumbles, and falls down. A YOUNG MAN
approaches her and helps her to get up. She smiles at him.
NARRATOR:
Sometimes I travel to your world to
meet some of you. You could have
met me once or twice.
I could have been a man on a bus,
2.
I could have been a man on a bus,
who asked for directions, or a
bartender, whom you decided to talk
to at midnight, when the bar was
about to get closed, or a woman in
a hotel lobby you had a few words
with. You might have forgotten
about these conversations, or maybe
not, but they've definitely changed
the way of your thoughts and
therefore you changed some of your
previous decisions.
5. EXT. PLACE MASSENA - NICE - DAY
A WOMAN is throwing a coin into a fountain and making a wish.
A YOUNG MAN is approaching her and starts a conversation.
NARRATOR:
I am the one who helped these
people meet each other.
NARRATOR:
6. EXT. BEACH - EVENING
A YOUNG MAN walks across the empty beach. He notices a log.
He sits on it and takes out an album. He draws the sea. He
gets a stone with a hole under his feet, picks it up, and
looks through the hole at the sea. He makes a wish. He looks
to the right and sees a boat coming out of the bay.
NARRATOR:
We also ensure that the level of
evil does not exceed the level of
good. The level of evil is
monitored by another department,
which receives information about
bad wishes.
7. EXT. BANK - MORNING
The ROBBERS wearing masks enter the bank. The police cars
drive up to the bank.
FADE OUT:
NARRATOR:
So, you might have been wondering
who we are and what we are actually
doing all day.
8. INT. OFFICE - EVENING
3.
8. INT. OFFICE - EVENING
A MAN is sitting at the table and looking at the computer
monitor. We don't see his face.
CLOSE UP - COMPUTER MONITOR
Nine videos from a security camera.
NARRATOR:
We watch you.
9. INT. CINEMA HALL - SAME TIME
The PEOPLE sit on their seats in the cinema hall. Two GIRLS
eat popcorn and laugh. A YOUNG MAN drinks Cola. A young
couple kisses on the love seat.
NARRATOR:
And maybe at this very moment, I am
looking just right at You. Yes,
You. And I smile, because I know
that You don't believe in anything
You hear. You’ve decided to watch a
family movie! Not a blockbuster,
not a thriller. Just some movie you
weren’t interested in at all. But
this story is for You, for the
person, who made a wish to find out
how wishes come true.
(beat)
After you hear this story from the
beginning till the end, all your
questions will be answered. My dear
Friend, enjoy the show!
FADE IN:
10. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - EVENING
The VISITORS leave the building. It starts to snow.
11. INT. READING ROOM - EVENING
Christopher (16), absorbed in thought, sits at the table near
the window and writes in a notebook. He finishes the
sentence, closes the notebook, and looks at the clock on the
wall. It’s 7 p.m. He puts his things into a backpack and
leaves the empty reading room. In the hall, he meets the
SECURITY GUARD (40s) of the library.
SECURITY GUARD:
Christopher! One evening I’m going
to lock you in on accident.
CHRISTOPHER:
4.
CHRISTOPHER:
Yeap, last to leave as usual. Have
a good evening.
SECURITY GUARD:
Have a good evening.
12. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - EVENING
Christopher takes a bicycle, parked near the entrance, and
rides down the street, heading to the South.
13. EXT. KIMBELL FAMILY FARM - EVENING
He gets to the green gates of the farm, opens the door, and
parks his bicycle near the barn.
14. INT. STABLES - EVENING
Christopher comes into the stables, gets an apple from the
pocket, gives it to MARY, the black horse, and pets her.
CHRISTOPHER:
Good girl!
Mary carefully takes an apple from Christopher's hand and
eats it with pleasure.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I've almost finished writing my
story.
Mary neighs.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I'll read it to you as soon as it's
ready.
15. INT. KITCHEN - EVENING
Joanna sets the table putting plates, silverware and napkins.
JOHN (40s), her second husband, an unpleasant bearded man
enters the dining room.
JOHN:
It's late! Where the heck is
Christopher?
John sits at the table.
JOANNA:
5.
JOANNA:
He said he was going to the library
to write his story for literature
class. He promised he would be on
time.
Joanna puts a plate with baked potatoes, grilled chicken, and
a bowl with salad on the table.
JOHN:
Let's eat! I'm not gonna wait for
him again!
John grabs potatoes and a piece of chicken and puts them on
the plate.
JOHN:
All writers are slackers. A man
should work as an engineer, farmer,
or vet and be useful to his
country. Who needs these writers?
They're just writing some stupid
novels and stuff, in other words
doing nothing.
John grabs the bowl with salad and puts some into his plate.
He looks at it and gets angry.
JOANNA:
Let's not talk about that again.
What's the matter?
Joanna is looking at John, trying to understand what
happened.
JOHN:
There are no tomatoes in the salad.
How the heck should I eat it?
JOANNA:
We ran out of tomatoes yesterday.
I'll go to the farmers’ market
tomorrow and get some.
John looks as if she really did something wrong, gets up,
comes up to the fridge, and grabs two cans of beer.
JOANNA (CONT'D)
(making a look that she
didn't notice the beer)
If Christopher wants to become a
writer, it's his choice. Not
everybody wants to work at the
farm. You should understand that.
John drinks out of the can. Joanna makes a look that she
doesn't care about that.
JOANNA (CONT'D)
6.
JOANNA (CONT'D)
Today I went to Mr. Clark's coffee
shop. He needs someone to help in
the kitchen. He offers ten dollars
per hour. I thought I could work
there, save some money. In two
years, I hope, we could afford to
get a loan, so Christopher could
enter the Washington University
(beat)
in St. Louis.
John angrily crumples the can.
JOHN:
In this case, you won't have time
to help me at the farm. We've
already taken a loan to keep this
farm afloat. We can't afford to get
one more loan, you know that. Why
the heck do you always start this
conversation?
John throws the crumpled can into the waste bin.
JOANNA:
But…
Joanna gets up.
JOHN:
Sit down and eat your dinner. I am
tired of hearing about this loan.
If your son needs money, he should
earn it by himself. Nobody gave me
any money when I was his age. I've
been working hard. We have already
discussed that he should go to
community college in Kansas City
and get a real profession.
JOANNA:
But he has been dreaming of
studying at Washington University
in St. Louis, just like his father.
John throws a napkin into his plate.
JOHN:
That’s enough! I gave you home. I
gave you everything I had. I was
treating him like my own son and
this is what I am getting? Having a
conversation about a loan just to
make his dream come true.
(MORE)
JOHN (CONT'D)
He has to stay in Kansas City,
7.
He has to stay in Kansas City,
enter the community college, stay
at the farm and help me, and forget
about writing.
Christopher enters the kitchen.
CHRISTOPHER:
You are not my father and you will
never be. My real father would have
done everything to make my dream
come true. He would have sold a
business he owned to get a loan.
But you are selfish. You think only
about your farm and your tomatoes
that are never gonna grow there.
Never. I hate you and your stupid
farm. I wish we had never met you!
JOANNA:
Christopher! Don't say that.
JOHN:
I don't care about what he says. I
said no loan. That's it. You'll
stay there where you belong. At the
family farm.
John gets up and leaves the kitchen.
JOANNA:
Christopher!
CHRISTOPHER:
Leave me alone!
Christopher runs out of the kitchen.
16. INT. CHIRTOPHER'S ROOM - LATE EVENING
Christopher sits at the windowsill near his cat, DAISY, and
pets her.
CHRISTOPHER:
What should I do, Daisy? I can't
stand this anymore. I hate John and
this farm so much it makes me sick.
My life sucks. I can’t celebrate
Christmas under the same roof with
him and pretend nothing’s happened.
Christopher looks out the window. It snows. He suddenly sees
a falling star.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I wish I never met John.
Christopher gets up from the windowsill and walks around the
8.
Christopher gets up from the windowsill and walks around the
room.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
What if I go to St. Louis tomorrow
and never come back?
Christopher sits at the table, turns on the laptop, and
checks the bus timetables.
Daisy crawls out from under the sofa and sits near
Christopher.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
So, there is a bus to St. Louis at
6 a.m. The bus station is just near
the public library. The only
problem is Lilian. I have to
convince her to come with me.
Christopher buys two tickets one way and pays online. He
enters a phone number and email, receives confirmation, and
opens an e-ticket from the mail on the phone.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Great! I've got the tickets. Now I
have to pack.
Christopher gets a couple of T-shirts and sweatpants out of
the closet and puts them into the backpack. Then he gets a
piggy bank from the shelf and breaks it. He puts money in his
pocket and looks around the room.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Tomorrow I will start a new life.
John won't bother me anymore. I'm
sorry, I can't take you with me,
Daisy.
DAISY:
(pitifully)
Meow, meow, meow
Christopher puts his backpack next to him, lies down on the
bed, and looks up at the ceiling.
17. EXT. KIMBELL FAMILY FARM - EARLY MORNING
Christopher gets out of the house, carrying a backpack. He
meets Joanna near the barn.
JOANNA:
Good morning, Christopher. Why did
you get up so early? I haven't
cooked breakfast yet.
CHRISTOPHER:
9.
CHRISTOPHER:
Good morning, Mom. I ate some
cereal. I'm not hungry.
JOANNA:
Okay.
CHRISTOPHER:
I’m gonna stay at Lilian’s today.
Don’t wait up.
JOANNA:
(anxiously)
Christopher, but you promised John
that you would give him a hand
today in the greenhouse.
CHRISTOPHER:
I’ve changed my mind. Tell him I
won't help him anymore. I don’t
wanna work at this stupid farm from
dawn till dusk.
JOANNA:
But we really need your help. We
can't afford to hire a worker now.
CHRISTOPHER:
Of course, we can't. We can't
afford anything. Even a trip to St.
Louis. I was looking forward to
this trip all year, but…
JOANNA:
We've discussed that already.
CHRISTOPHER:
Whatever. I'm gonna go.
JOANNA:
Christopher, wait! Don't forget to
Christmas dinner tomorrow at 6 p.m.
CHRISTOPHER:
Ok. See you.
Christopher gets on his bike and rides out of the gates.
18. EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - SAME TIME
Christopher rides down a country road.
19. EXT. STEWART FAMILY FARM - SAME TIME
10.
19. EXT. STEWART FAMILY FARM - SAME TIME
Christopher opens the gates and puts the bike near the barn.
He comes up to the house, approaches the door and rings the
bell.
LILIAN:
It's open!
20. INT. HALLWAY - SAME TIME
Christopher enters the hallway. He takes off his jacket and
hangs it in the closet.
21. INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME
He gets to the kitchen. LILIAN (16), a pretty blond girl,
washes the dishes. Her sister SARA (10), sits at the table in
a wheelchair and peels the potatoes.
CHRISTOPHER:
Hello! Lilian! Sara!
LILIAN:
(surprised)
Good morning! Why did you get up so
early?
Christopher walks up to Lilian and kisses her on the cheek.
He approaches Sarah and strokes her head.
CHRISTOPHER:
(to Sarah)
What a beautiful pigtail you’ve
got!
Christopher approaches the coffee maker and makes a cup of
coffee.
CHRISTOPHER:
I couldn't sleep!
Christopher stirs the sugar with a spoon and takes a sip.
CHRISTOPHER:
Sara, how are you feeling today?
SARA:
I think every day I am getting
better and better! Lily and I were
walking in the park all day
yesterday.
CHRISTOPHER:
This is great! You even have a
blush on your cheeks.
Sara smiles and puts the potatoes in the water.
11.
Sara smiles and puts the potatoes in the water.
SARA:
Will you have breakfast with us?
Lily's gonna cook French fries and
bacon.
CHRISTOPHER:
I had breakfast at home. I'll only
have coffee.
Lilian turns off the faucet and dries her hands with a towel.
She takes potatoes from the bowl, gets a knife, and starts to
cut them. Christopher finishes his coffee and puts the cup
down on the table.
CHRISTOPHER:
We need to talk, Lilian.
MRS. STUART (40s), looking tired, and wearing a dirty robe,
enters the kitchen.
MRS. STUART
(yawning)
Who came to us at such an early
hour?
Mrs. Stuart looks at Christopher.
MRS. STUART
Of course, who else? If you can't
sleep, don't disturb others.
CHRISTOPHER:
Good morning, Mrs. Stuart.
MRS. STUART
Morning is never good.
LILIAN:
Mom, it's already 8 in the morning.
It's time to get up!
MRS. STUART
Today is Saturday! Could I sleep at
least one day a week?
Mrs. Stuart yawns and forcefully closes the door.
LILIAN:
Pay no attention to her.
(worried)
You wanted to talk. Did something
happen?
CHRISTOPHER:
We can’t talk here.
LILIAN:
12.
LILIAN:
Okay, let's go to the stables. No
one will hear us there.
Lilian takes a plate with potatoes, a cutting board and a
knife and puts them in front of Sarah.
LILIAN:
Please cut the potatoes! I'll put
them in the deep fryer when I come
back.
SARA:
Okay.
Lilian goes to the closet, opens it, gets her jacket, and
hands a jacket to Christopher. They leave the house and head
to the stables.
22. INT. STABLES - STEWART FAMILY FARM - SAME TIME
Christopher and Lilian enter the stables. Christopher walks
over to the HORSE and pets it. He turns to Lilian.
CHRISTOPHER:
Yesterday John and I had another
fight. I said I hate him. I can no
longer stay under the same roof as
this tyrant.
LILIAN:
When will you stop fighting?
CHRISTOPHER:
Never. I can't stand him! Yesterday
I saw a falling star and my only
wish was to get rid of John. He
makes me sick. So, I decided to
change everything by myself. I’m
gonna come back to St. Louis and
start life over. I figured
everything out. I'll ask my Uncle
Mason for help and stay at his
place for a while. I’m gonna find a
job and then figure something out.
Christopher walks up to Lilian and takes her hand.
CHRISTOPHER:
The bus leaves for St. Louis
tomorrow. Come with me!
LILIAN:
Did you tell your Mom about how you
feel?
CHRISTOPHER:
13.
CHRISTOPHER:
I’ve spoken to her many times. I’ve
asked her to divorce John and get
back to St. Louis, but she doesn't
want to. You see, I can't believe
my Mom likes her life, but she
doesn't want to change anything.
LILIAN:
Maybe she's fine there.
CHRISTOPHER:
But I'm not fine. I want to get
back to the city where I was happy
and celebrate New Year there. Life
is so short to waste it on things
you don’t wanna do. Don’t you think
so?
LILIAN:
She will be devastated if you don’t
get back home in the evening.
CHRISTOPHER:
I told her I was gonna spend this
night at your farm and I would be
back for dinner the next day. So,
we have a day before they start
looking for us. We don't have much
time! Look. First, we get downtown
by bicycle, go to the public
library, hide there, and spend the
night in the basement. The bus
station is just nearby. The bus
leaves for St. Louis at 6 a.m.
LILIAN:
Christopher, it sounds so easy. You
have no idea how I dream of
escaping from a dull life to a city
where no one knows me! But I can't
leave Sara alone. She needs me. No
one but me can take care of her.
CHRISTOPHER:
What about your mother? That's very
comfortable for her.
LILIAN:
She is not able to take care of
herself. Mom constantly yells at
her. But she is just a child! She
deserves to be loved. She is smart,
beautiful, and kind. The best
sister ever.
(with tears)
This accident. How could it happen?
CHRISTOPHER:
14.
CHRISTOPHER:
Please, calm down. The main thing
is that Sara survived! She is
recovering. She will still have a
chance to live a normal life. But
you have to make your mother take
responsibility! This is her child!
Of course, if you do everything,
why should she bother?
LILIAN:
She has always been irresponsible!
The tears stream down Lilian's cheeks.
LILIAN (CONT'D)
(quietly)
Sara has been my child for five
years now. She doesn't even call
her Mom anymore. I’m her mother,
sister, and nurse. It would be so
selfish! I can't even take a day
off! But you want me to go away and
never come back? I can't leave
Sarah alone on Christmas! She won't
even open presents without me! I
don't want to go anywhere without
Sarah.
CHRISTOPHER:
So, you're saying that you'll be
her nurse for the rest of your
days? But what about our family?
When will you start to think a
little about us? Do you love your
sister more than me?
Lilian pulls her hand out of Christopher's.
LILIAN:
How could you say something like
that? I love you, but I would never
leave my sister just to make your
wish come true. If you're asking me
to betray her, then you don't know
me at all.
CHRISTOPHER:
(loudly)
I don't know you? I read you like
an open book! I know that you are
only dreaming, but you do
absolutely nothing! I know that
you're ready to sacrifice yourself,
but it turns out not for me!
LILIAN:
Stop yelling!
CHRISTOPHER:
15.
CHRISTOPHER:
I ask you for the last time. Are
you with me or not?
LILIAN:
If Sara was healthy, I'd go to the
ends of the Earth with you. But...
CHRISTOPHER:
Then we have nothing else to talk
about! That's your choice. You
don’t want to change anything. But
Goodbye, Lilian!
Christopher comes out of the stables, picks up a bike, and
rides off down a country road. Lilian sits down on a bench by
the stables and cries.
23. EXT. DOWNTOWN - KANSAS CITY - DAY
Christopher rides into the main street of the city.
24. INT. CLARK'S FAMILY COFFEE SHOP - SAME TIME
Christopher stops at a coffee shop, enters it, and approaches
a CASHIER (50s).
CHRISTOPHER:
Good evening! Can I get a
cappuccino, please?
CASHIER:
Good evening, Christopher. How is
your Mom doing?
CHRISTOPHER:
(trying not to look up)
She's fine. Thank you.
Christopher takes a twenty-dollar bill out of his backpack
and hands it to the cashier. The cashier hands Christopher
the change. Christopher puts the change into his pocket. He
looks around and sees an empty table by the window.
Christopher sits at a table and starts to look out the
window. He sees a carriage near the coffee shop. A MAN gets
out of the carriage, and gives a hand to the WOMAN, helping
her to get out. Then he takes out a little GIRL from the
carriage. The man hands a coachman money. The carriage
leaves. The family enters the coffee shop. The woman and the
girl sit at a table near the entrance.
The man takes off his coat and hangs it on a chair. He
approaches the cashier and makes an order.
FLASHBACK TO:
16.
FLASHBACK TO:
25. EXT. DOWNTOWN - ST. LOUIS - DAY
Christopher (9), Jack, and Joanna are walking down the
street. Jack sees a carriage.
JACK:
Shall we ride?
Jack waves to the COACHMAN.
JACK:
(to the coachman)
Good afternoon, we would like to
take a ride along the main street!
COACHMAN:
Great! Get in! The weather is
wonderful today.
Jack helps Joanna into the carriage.
CHRISTOPHER:
(happily)
May I sit next to the coachman? I
have always dreamed of riding the
carriage!
JACK:
You can ask for permission! All
dreams do come true on Christmas!
CHRISTOPHER:
Mister...
COACHMAN:
Stampton. Harry Stampton.
CHRISTOPHER:
Mr. Stampton. May I sit next to
you?
COACHMAN:
Of course, son. Get up!
Christopher happily sits down next to the coachman. Jack gets
into the carriage next to his wife.
COACHMAN:
Would you like to ride the carriage
by yourself? It's not difficult at
all.
Christopher happily nods.
COACHMAN:
17.
COACHMAN:
Take the reins and give command to
the horse.
CHRISTOPHER:
Go!
The horse starts walking. Christopher happily watches the
snow flying from under the hooves. They make a circle along
the avenue and stop.
CHRISTOPHER:
Thanks for the riding lesson, Mr.
Stampton. Merry Christmas!
COACHMAN:
Merry Christmas, son!
Jack and Joanna get out of the carriage.
CHRISTOPHER:
Dad, Mom! I actually was riding the
carriage by myself! I dreamed about
it so much!
JACK:
(to his son)
You did great!
(to the coachman)
Thank you very much, Sir! Merry
Christmas!
Jack pays the coachman.
COACHMAN:
Merry Christmas!
END OF FLASHBACK
26. INT. CLARK'S FAMILY COFFEE SHOP - SAME TIME
Christopher picks up a small decorative Christmas tree from
the table and looks at it, absorbed in thought.
MAN:
(to the cashier)
Good evening! Two cappuccinos, a
glass of milk and three pieces of
chocolate cake!
CASHIER:
Good evening!
The man takes out a credit card and hands it to the cashier.
A WAITRESS brings out a tray and places the order on the
table in front of a YOUNG MAN.
Then she walks up to Christopher and places a cup of
18.
Then she walks up to Christopher and places a cup of
cappuccino and a plate with cookies on the table in front of
him.
WAITRESS:
(referring to cookies)
This is a treat for you from my
Mom! Merry Christmas!
Christopher takes the cookie and sniffs it.
CHRISTOPHER:
Thank you!
Christopher takes a bite of the cookie.
CHRISTOPHER:
(with a mouth full)
The best cookies in the world! They
smell like Christmas!
WAITRESS:
Well, have a good evening! Enjoy!
Christopher watches the little girl eating the cake. The man
and the woman look at their daughter lovingly. The man gives
the girl a napkin. The girl wipes her mouth and hands.
CHRISTOPHER V.O
How wonderful to see a happy
family!
Christopher puts an empty cup aside, wraps two pieces of
cookies in a paper napkin, and puts them in his backpack. He
gets up from the table and heads towards the door.
CHRISTOPHER:
Goodbye!
CASHIER:
Goodbye! Merry Christmas!
27. EXT. CLARK'S FAMILY COFFEE SHOP - SAME TIME
Christopher gets on the bike parked in front of the coffee
shop and rides down the main street.
28. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - EVENING
Christopher pulls up to the entrance of the library, jumps
off the bike, and hides it in the bushes.
He enters the library and approaches Jim Potter, the security
guard.
CHRISTOPHER:
19.
CHRISTOPHER:
Good evening, Mr. Potter!
JIM POTTER:
Good evening, Christopher. Today is
Saturday! The library closes at 6
p.m.!
CHRISTOPHER:
Yea, I remember, I'll just finish
the book.
JIM POTTER:
(talking to CLEANER)
Nice guy, but so weird. Coming to
the library on a Saturday night...
CLEANER:
It's better than being ignorant.
The security guard sits down at the table and looks at the
monitor.
29. INT. READING ROOM - SAME TIME
Christopher sits at a table and reads a book. He looks at the
clock on the wall.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER
Dear visitors! The library closes
in ten minutes. Please leave the
study rooms. And don't forget your
stuff. We wish you a good evening
and Merry Christmas.
Christopher slowly gets under the table.
30. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - SAME TIME
The library workers and visitors leave the building. The
security guard closes the door.
31. EXT. LOBBY - SAME TIME
CLEANER:
Another day is over! What are you
doing tonight, Jim?
JIM POTTER:
(laughing)
Nothing special. I am gonna check
the reading rooms.
32. INT. READING ROOM - SAME TIME
20.
32. INT. READING ROOM - SAME TIME
The security guard enters the first study room. He picks up a
pen from the floor, looks at it, and puts it in his pocket.
He walks over to the table under which Christopher hides,
looks around the room, and, then leaves for another room.
Christopher crawls under the tables, leaves the hall, and
sneaks along the corridor. He comes up the stairs and goes
down to the basement.
Christopher examines the basement. There are mops and buckets
in the corner. There is a wooden box by the wall. He notices
a wooden ladder. Christopher walks down the stairs to the
basement one level below and suddenly sees an OLD MAN (70s)
who sits in the armchair reading a book. He looks at him with
astonishment.
OLD MAN:
Who are you and how did you get
there?
Christopher looks surprised and makes a few steps back.
CHRISTOPHER:
(stuttering)
I didn't know there was someone
here. I'm lost. I'm leaving now.
OLD MAN:
No need to rush. Let's have some
coffee and talk. I rarely get a
chance to talk to young people. Did
you have nowhere to go, so you
decided to sleep here?
Christopher heads to the door.
OLD MAN (CONT'D)
Please, don't leave. I’ve been
living in this basement for many
years. I take care of old books.
You love reading books, don't you?
CHRISTOPHER:
It should be obvious, given that
I'm in the library.
The old man hands Christopher a cup of coffee and cookies.
OLD MAN:
Well! How is life treating you?
What's on your mind?
CHRISTOPHER:
21.
CHRISTOPHER:
(angrily)
Life is not fair! I hate everything
and everybody.
OLD MAN:
Hmm. Let’s compare a person's life
with a book.
Sometimes it is thick, sometimes
thin, but it always contains the
same information: born, lived,
died. Someone lives a long time,
and someone dies without knowing
life. Therefore, the number of
pages is different.
CHRISTOPHER:
It makes me angry because I can't
predict anything.
OLD MAN:
You sure can't. Life is so
interesting because it's
unpredictable. Would you read the
book if you already knew the
ending? Huh?
Let's talk about dreams. What do
you want the most at the moment?
CHRISTOPHER:
(quietly)
Are you a shrink or something?
OLD MAN:
Of course not. I am a wizard and I
could make your wishes come true.
CHRISTOPHER:
Are you kidding me? There are no
wizards. It sounds ridiculous. But
okay. If you insist. I wish my
stepfather and that he wouldn’t
adopt me.
The old man shakes his head.
OLD MAN:
I considered you wanted a new car,
for starters. This wish of yours
can't come true. You can't change
the past.
CHRISTOPHER:
I would give anything I have to
change the past. My life sucks
because everything went wrong.
(MORE)
22.
(MORE)
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
We shouldn't have come to this darn
farm. We should have stayed in St.
Louis.
OLD MAN:
Well! You sound really pissed! What
about your other dreams?
CHRISTOPHER:
My dream is to become a writer like
my real father. He died. My stepdad
John doesn’t support me. He hates
books and writers. He wants me to
get a real profession and to work
at his farm for the rest of my
life.
OLD MAN:
What did you do to make your
stepfather understand why you wanna
become a writer? Perhaps if you
talked to him more and told him
about your dreams, he would feel
that you need his support.
CHRISTOPHER:
But I don't want to talk to him. I
hate him with all my heart! He is
rude and ignorant.
OLD MAN:
People always have positive and
negative sides and you can find an
approach to everyone. The wishes
aren’t granted with a magic wand.
Becoming a writer requires a lot of
work. You have to follow through on
your goals. That's it. Only this
way you can meet people who will
help you. And if you run away from
home, you will lose this path.
You've got to believe me. You will
betray...
Christopher puts the cup down on the table and looks at the
old man suspiciously.
CHRISTOPHER:
Whom will I betray? How do you know
that I ran away from home?
OLD MAN:
You will betray yourself! That's
what I wanted to say, young man.
No need to rush. It's obvious that
you ran away from home!
(MORE)
23.
(MORE)
OLD MAN (CONT'D)
I understood it right away! You
must have had a fight with your
stepfather. The usual thing. It's
already dark outside. And it's
snowing. Where will you go? You can
crash on this couch. It's not a
suite, but still better than
spending the night on the street.
Moreover, the police can see you.
CHRISTOPHER:
No doubt, they will. Cops would
definitely make things worse. I'll
go to the restroom and come back.
Thanks for the invitation. Then you
better show me your wizard skills.
OLD MAN:
You got it. I promise.
Christopher takes the backpack and exits the basement.
34. INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME
Christopher goes up the stairs. He enters the restroom on the
first floor.
CHRISTOPHER V.O
The old man will now report about
me to the security guard. I'm sure.
He's probably a janitor. He must be
a nutcase! I won't let anyone ruin
my trip to the native city!
Christopher approaches the window and climbs onto the
windowsill.
36. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - SAME TIME
Christopher jumps off the windowsill and finds himself on the
street. He goes around the library and sees a carriage and a
white HORSE. It kicks and neighs. Christopher slowly
approaches the Horse and gently reaches out to pet it. The
Horse sniffs Christopher.
CHRISTOPHER:
Where is your owner?
HORSE:
Pfuuuu
CHRISTOPHER:
24.
CHRISTOPHER:
You don't know?
HORSE:
Pfuuu, pfuuu
CHRISTOPHER:
Are you hungry?
Christopher takes off his backpack, unzips the zipper and
pulls out an apple. He puts it on his palm and gives it to
the Horse. It gently takes the apple from the palm of his
hand. He inspects the carriage and looks around.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Your owner, I think, wouldn’t mind
if I sit on the coachman seat for a
while. As in childhood!
Christopher gets on the coachman seat.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
You know, things didn't go
according to the plan. I thought I
basement of the library, but the
place has already been taken. This
old man is really suspicious. Maybe
he is homeless.
The Horse nods. Christopher takes up the reins. Suddenly a
holographic display appears in front of him.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
The navigation system is activated.
The following information is shown on the display: Location:
"Default". Mode: "Autopilot". Options: "Confirm" or "Cancel".
CHRISTOPHER:
Wow. Some new technology! I've only
seen this in movies. How does it
work?
Christopher clicks "Confirm".
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Wow! A carriage with a navigation
system. Tourists must love it.
The Horse suddenly starts to run slowly, then faster and
faster.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Stop, stop! That's too fast. There
may be cars there. Stop!
The Horse is not reacting. It goes faster. Then the carriage
25.
The Horse is not reacting. It goes faster. Then the carriage
lifts off the ground and takes off into the sky. Christopher
looks down, terrified. He closes his eyes.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
This is a dream! It definitely
should be a dream. Where are we
going? Are we flying? Do you even
know the way?
The Horse neighs and nods approvingly.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Are you the Horse of Santa Claus?
Did I steal Santa's carriage?
The Horse neighs and looks surprised.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Are we flying to the North Pole?
37. EXT. SKY OVER KANSAS CITY - LATE EVENING
Christopher looks down, watching the lights flicker. The
lights get smaller and smaller and then they disappear.
Suddenly, he sees the mountain peaks and the forested hills.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Probably yes! I’ve stolen the
carriage from Santa and the poor
kids won't get the gifts! Probably,
the old man put something in my
coffee. That can't be happening.
The Horse neighs and nods approvingly.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Just say something! After all, if
I'm in a fairy tale, animals should
be able to talk!
The Horse turns around and looks at him surprised.
HORSE:
Puff, puff, puff
CHRISTOPHER:
You can't talk. Got it. I have to
wait for the destination and
everything will become clear.
38. EXT. SKY OVER UNKNOWN TOWN - NIGHT
The Horse prepares for landing. The carriage descends lower
and lower, flying over a town.
26.
The carriage lands on a street. It slowly pulls up to a
house.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Arrived at the destination.
The following options are displayed: "Complete the route or
Standby mode". Christopher clicks "Complete the route". The
carriage disappears.
CHRISTOPHER:
This is awesome!
Christopher looks around. He approaches the lantern and
gently touches it.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
The lantern looks like a real one.
And it doesn't talk either! Good to
know.
He takes off his hat and shakes the snow off.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
The snow also looks real.
40. EXT. UNKNOWN HOUSE - SAME TIME
Christopher steps on the porch and walks to the door. There
is a Christmas wreath hanging on the door. Christopher looks
for a bell to call, but he doesn’t find it. He knocks on the
door with his fist. Then he sees a sign half covered in snow.
He cleans it from the snow by hand. The sign reads "Jacob
404".
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Is there anyone at home?
Christopher doesn't hear anything. He knocks again. He slowly
moves away from the door and looks around the veranda. He
goes to the door and presses the handle. The door opens.
41. INT. UNKNOWN HOUSE - SAME TIME
Christopher enters the house. The light turns on
automatically. Caught in surprise, Christopher bumps into a
wooden hanger that falls down. He immediately picks it up and
puts it in the corner. He walks into the kitchen and the
light turns on automatically.
CHRISTOPHER:
(with apprehension)
Is there anyone at home? Please,
respond! I'm not a thief, I'm lost!
Still no answer. Christopher walks into the living room,
27.
Still no answer. Christopher walks into the living room,
looking around it. He gets up the wooden stairs.
42. INT. BEDROOM - SAME TIME
Christopher enters the bedroom. He takes off his jacket and
hangs it on a chair. Then he approaches the window. There are
pots with flowers on the windowsill. Christopher sits down on
the bed, takes off his shoes, and lies down.
CHRISTOPHER:
I should get some sleep. If I fall
asleep now, maybe I will wake up at
home, or in the library!
Christopher puts his head on a pillow and looks up at the
ceiling. The eyes slowly close and he falls asleep.
43. INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
An electronic alarm clock rings next to the bed. Christopher
presses the "OFF" button. He looks at the clock. It's 5 a.m.
He jumps out of bed and looks around. He slowly walks over to
the window and carefully draws back the curtain.
CHRISTOPHER:
Wow! It's snowing!
The sun shines outside the window. A bird sits on a branch
and sings. He moves away from the window and walks over to
the coffee table, next to which there is an armchair. He gets
to the closet door, opens the door, and sees neatly hung
trousers and shirts, sweaters of the same blue color. Then he
gets to the second door and opens it.
Christopher walks into the bathroom, opens the faucet and
washes his face, raises his eyes, looks at himself in the
mirror, and sees his backpack.
CHRISTOPHER:
I've got a mobile phone!
Christopher runs out of the bathroom.
Christopher grabs his backpack, pulls out his phone, enters
the password, and presses "Find Wi-Fi network". The message
"No networks found" is displayed. Charge percentage: "15%".
He opens the inbox and makes a call to Mom but the call
doesn't come through. He turns off the phone.
CHRISTOPHER:
28.
CHRISTOPHER:
I need to charge my phone.
Christopher walks around the room and inspects the walls.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Not a single outlet.
How do they charge their phones? Or
they don't have any.
Christopher puts on his boots, takes his jacket in his hand,
and goes down the stairs.
46. INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME
Christopher enters the kitchen, opens the cupboard above the
stove, and sees neatly arranged glass jars with sugar, pasta
and spices.
CHRISTOPHER:
Nothing special!
He gets to the fridge. There is a tablet embedded into the
door. He clicks on it. A list of products that the owner has
run out of is displayed.
CHRISTOPHER:
Let’s see what he ran out of.
He opens the fridge and sees a carton of milk, two eggs, and
a small piece of cheese. He closes the door and clicks
"Order". He selects from the list the following products:
"eggs, cheddar cheese, milk".
CHRISTOPHER:
Done.
He sees a coffee maker and a jar of coffee beans. He opens
the jar and sniffs the beans.
CHRISTOPHER:
Hmm, if I'm in the city of the
future, people should probably be
eating pills by now.
Christopher hears his stomach growl and presses the button on
the coffee maker. He places a cup, the coffee machine grinds
the beans, and the coffee preparation program starts.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
There is nothing better at 5 a.m.
than the smell of freshly brewed
coffee! Wherever I am, hunger will
only make things worse.
He pulls out a white box labeled "cornflakes" from a
cupboard. He examines it with surprise.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
29.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
There is no information about the
manufacturer or ingredients. Just
cereal. Gee.
Christopher gets milk out of the fridge, takes out a bowl,
puts cereal, and pours milk over it. He puts a cup of coffee
next to him, takes a spoonful of milk and cereal and
carefully brings it up to his nose.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Smells like regular cereal.
Christopher eats a spoonful of cereal, then another and
another, until there is only a drop of milk left in the bowl.
He puts down the bowl and starts drinking coffee. After
taking a sip he drinks the whole cup of coffee with pleasure.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Well. Now I can figure out where I
am.
Christopher gets out of the kitchen and heads into the living
room. He approaches a white door with a glass window. He
opens it and gets into a huge room full of light.
CHRISTOPHER:
Wow. It's a library. But why are
all books with gray covers? It's a
really weird collection.
He gets a ladder and takes a random book. The cover reads
"The Life Story of Phillip Olaf, 1885-1977". He opens the
first page and reads it.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Hmm, biography, what could be more
boring? It must have been some
famous person.
He grabs another book with a gray cover.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Another biography! This guy might
be collecting biographies of some
famous people.
He puts the books back, puts the ladder to the corner he got
it from, and notices a white door. He approaches it, opens
and enters the garage.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
An electric car! Just like in a
golf club!
Christopher inspects the car and gets into it.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM VOICE
30.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM VOICE
The navigation system is activated.
The following information is shown on the screen: Location:
"Default". Mode: "Autopilot". Options: "Confirm or Cancel".
CHRISTOPHER:
Great! This is the same device as
on the carriage!
Christopher clicks "Confirm". The garage doors open and the
car begins to drive out of the garage.
47. EXT. HIGHWAY - SAME TIME
Christopher drives down the road, passing suburban houses. He
looks in the mirror and sees two more cars coming up behind
him. He attempts to catch a glimpse of the drivers' faces but
fails.
CHRISTOPHER:
At least they look like people.
48. EXT. UNKNOWN BUILDING - SAME TIME
The car approaches a white building. There is a small park
and a fountain in front of it. The trees are covered with
snow.
49. INT. PARKING LOT - SAME TIME
The car pulls into the parking lot and parks in parking space
#404. Christopher sees a blue cap on the seat, examines it,
puts it on his head, gets out of the car, and looks around.
There are several other cars nearby. The rest of the parking
spaces are still empty.
CHRISTOPHER:
Jason 403, Willie 402, Keith 401.
Looks like employees' parking
spaces.
Christopher sees the elevator and heads for it. He presses
the call button and the elevator arrives.
Christopher looks around the elevator and sees a tablet
embedded in the wall. He touches the screen and the "Enter
floor number" field is displayed.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
31.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
So, if I got into the house of a
certain person, probably an
employee of this company, and his
name is Jacob, and he lives in
house #404, then probably by the
same principle it can be suggested
that he works in the office #404 on
the fourth floor.
Christopher types #4, clicks "Confirm" and the elevator
begins to go up. The elevator stops. The screen displays
"Floor #4." The doors open.
51. INT. FOURTH FLOOR - SAME TIME
Christopher exits the elevator and sees a long corridor.
There are white doors along the corridor.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
It looks like a hospital. I hope I
didn’t die. It's a bit early for
me!
52. INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME
Christopher gets to the first door on the left. There is a
sign that reads "#400."
He approaches the door on the right, the sign reads "#402."
He gets to the next door, the sign reads "#404." Christopher
looks at the door.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Behind this door, I hope I’ll
finally find the answers to my
questions. Either I wake up or I
never wake up.
Christopher turns the handle clockwise, but the door doesn’t
open. He turns the handle counterclockwise and the door
opens.
Christopher enters the room and hastily closes the door
behind him, hearing footsteps outside. He gently opens the
door and peeks out, spotting a short MAN wearing a blue cap.
Christopher quickly closes the door again.
He moves away from the door and takes a look around the room.
There is a huge monitor on the wall and several orchids on
the windowsill. The remote control lies near the pot with the
orchids. In the middle of the room, there is a desk and an
office chair.
On the desk, there is a computer, but there is no other
32.
On the desk, there is a computer, but there is no other
furniture in the room.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
This guy has an ascetic office.
Christopher walks over to the windowsill and picks up the
remote control. He presses the "On" button. The monitor turns
on. Eight windows appear on the screen, in which there is a
broadcast of nine videos at the same time.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Gee. It is Times Square.
In the upper right corner, the current time is displayed. The
yellow taxis drive along the avenue, pedestrians cross the
street, and a cyclist rushes along the pedestrian crossing.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Wow! It seems like a video from a
security webcam. Is it some
security facility?
Christopher puts the remote control on the windowsill, then
walks over to the desk and sits down on the chair. However,
he finds the chair is too high, so he adjusts it to his
height.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
This guy is clearly shorter than
me.
Christopher turns on the computer.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
It looks just like the Windows
operating system.
Christopher looks at the desktop and sees a shortcut to an
application named "Kansas City". He starts the application
and sees a search field. He thinks for a moment and types
"Lilian Stuart". The green folders appear on the screen.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Let’s see what we’ve got here.
He gets into the folder that reads "1998". The folder
contains 365 videos and 365 text files. He opens the video
dated "1st of January, 2000". There is the timeline that
reads 00:
01 a.m. and the date in the upper corner of theplayer. The video duration is 24 hours.
Christopher hesitates for a moment, presses "Play" and starts
to watch the video.
CHRISTOPHER:
Oh my God! It's a baby Lilian!
A little GIRL (4) with curly blond hair is sleeping in a
33.
A little GIRL (4) with curly blond hair is sleeping in a
crib.
She whimpers and rolls over to her other side, then turns
around again, opens her eyes, and starts crying. A pretty
young WOMAN (30s) enters the room and approaches the crib.
She sits down next to the baby and strokes her head.
WOMAN:
What happened, my princess? Did you
have a bad dream?
GIRL:
I saw a huge dragon.
WOMAN:
The dragons exist only in fairy
tales. And sometimes fairy tales
appear in your dreams. I am sure it
was a good dragon! He flew in to
put presents for you under the
Christmas tree. Tonight is New
Year's Eve!
GIRL:
Wow! He will put gifts under the
tree! Maybe he's Santa's helper?
WOMAN:
Well, of course, he is! Go to
sleep, my dear.
The girl rolls over and falls asleep. The woman kisses her on
the cheek and leaves the room. Christopher stops the video.
He closes his eyes with his hands.
CHRISTOPHER:
It can't be true, it's a dream!
Does it mean that someone filmed
Lilian and young Mrs. Stuart? She
looks so nice here.
Christopher opens a text file and reads the text.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Oh my God! It's a kind of
"synopsis" of the events that
happened during the day!
Christopher opens the next video dated "2nd of January,
2000". After advancing the recording, Christopher watches as
baby Lilian plays with a large doll by the Christmas tree. A
MAN (30s) enters the room and takes a seat next to her on the
carpet.
MAN:
Do you like the doll? How did you
name her?
LITTLE LILIAN:
34.
LITTLE LILIAN:
I love her! I named her Anna.
Young Mrs. Stuart enters the room and sits on the couch.
YOUNG MRS. STUART
(to the man)
Could you please light the fire in
the fireplace, dear?
MAN:
Sure.
The man stands up and approaches the fireplace, puts the
wood, and makes the fire.
CHRISTOPHER:
They seem like a happy family. I
can't watch it.
Christopher closes the video, stands up, and approaches the
screen, which is broadcasting from Times Square. He looks at
the videos. His attention is caught by the video in the upper
right corner. A WOMAN with a stroller is getting into the
taxi.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
These events are being recorded
right now. Every single event that
happens to every single person.
Christopher is walking around the room.
CHRISTOPHER:
It's too much for me. I can't stay
here. I have to find out the
purpose of this application.
Christopher gets back to the computer. He gets out of
Lilian's folder, enters the "Menu", and sees the following
items:
"Statistics", "Wishes", "Contact the citizen", and"Life schedule".
CHRISTOPHER:
That might be the clue.
Christopher clicks "Contact the citizen". The following
fields are displayed: “Name of the citizen you want to
contact”. “The character you need to choose: cashier, passerby,
homeless, etc.” “The age you need to have”. “The gender
you need to have”.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Gee! It is clear now. The old man
is Jacob, who got in touch with me
in the library. It's something
unbelievable.
He gets back to the "Menu", clicks "Wishes" and types in the
35.
He gets back to the "Menu", clicks "Wishes" and types in the
search field "Lilian Stuart". The folders "Bad wishes" and
"Good wishes" are shown on the screen.
Christopher hesitates for a moment and gets into the folder
"Good wishes."
CHRISTOPHER:
I couldn't imagine she might have
bad wishes.
A long list is displayed. He selects the file dated "20th of
December, 2000" and opens it. The following information is
written in the file: "20th of December, 2000, time: 08:57.
A wish:
a giant talking doll".CHRISTOPHER:
That's true. Every baby girl wants
to get a talking doll.
He selects the next file, dated "21st of December, 2000". The
following information is written in the file: 21st of
December, 2000, time: 11: 33. A wish: to learn how to fly".
CHRISTOPHER:
Wow, baby Lilian wanted to fly. How
nice!
He opens the next file dated "25th of December, 2000". The
following information is written in the file: "25th of
December, 2000, time: 5: 48. A wish: a white kitten".
CHRISTOPHER:
Her cat Lisa is white. Her wish
came true. Wow.
Christopher scrolled down and opened the file dated “10th of
December, 2005, time: 5:45 p.m. A wish: I wish Sara wouldn't
die”.
CHRISTOPHER:
This is the day when Sara got into
the accident!
Christopher scrolled down and opened the file dated "12th of
December, 2005, time: 7:45 pm. A wish: I wish Sara would get
better”.
CHRISTOPHER:
Gee.
Christopher scrolled down and opened the file dated "1st of
December 2006, time: 6:45 a.m. A wish: Dear Santa, I wish
Sara would walk again.
CHRISTOPHER:
36.
CHRISTOPHER:
No other wishes. Only wishing Sara
to get better.
Then he opens ten other files and reads a wish: “I wish Sara
would walk again”.
CHRISTOPHER:
Oh my God, all her thoughts are
only about Sara. She didn't wish
for anything else except for her
sister getting better. How selfish
I was trying to convince her to go
with me.
Christopher closes his eyes.
CHRISTOPHER:
I wish I could help Sara walk
again. I don't know how I could do
that but please, Factory, help me!
He closes the file and gets out of the folder.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I'm not supposed to read the wishes
anymore. It's a violation of
privacy.
Christopher gets up from the chair and approaches the screen.
He is looking at people who are crossing the intersection.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Life is impossible without wishes
and dreams. They make us do
something, and pursue our goals.
So, the application keeps records
of our lives and collects
information about our wishes in
separate files. But what for? To
make them come true? How do they do
that?
Christopher continues to walk around the room. He looks at
the computer monitor.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
If I am here, I have a unique
chance to fulfill my wish. If all
our actions are written in a text
file, it means it can be edited. If
I delete that day or rather the
moment when Mom decides to go to
the farm, we won’t meet John, and
Mom won’t marry him.
Christopher sits back at the table and types in the search
field "Christopher Kimbell".
The green folders named by years appear on the screen. He
37.
The green folders named by years appear on the screen. He
gets into the "2005" folder. The files named by dates are
displayed.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
We met John in July. The day after
Independence Day.
Christopher selects the file dated "5th of July, 2005". He
opens it and reads the text, getting more and more surprised.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Joanna tells Christopher she'd like
to try working at the farm.
He thinks for a moment.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I'll rewrite it like that: "Joanna
doesn't want to work at the farm
and says it's better to look for
another job”.
Christopher writes the text "Joanna doesn't want to work at
the farm and says it's better to look for another job" and
quickly closes the file. The following options are displayed
on the screen:
"Save" or "Cancel." Christopher clicks "Save".The following information is displayed on the screen:
"Attention! The events are being replaced".
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Great! Now I need to get back to
Kansas City and find Jacob. What if
something happens to him in our
world?
Christopher gets back to the "Menu" and clicks “Contact the
citizen”.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I guess this is how Jacob got to
the library.
The following fields are displayed: “name, location, and
time”. Christopher clicks on the “location” field and types:
“Kansas City Public Library”. The following information is
displayed on the screen: "Make a contact with:....".
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Let it be Mr. Potter.
Christopher types: "Jim Potter”. The field "Select the year
and the date of birth" appears on the screen.
CHRISTOPHER:
Year of birth. He is about forty
years old.
Christopher selects "Jim Potter, male, date of birth 27th of
38.
Christopher selects "Jim Potter, male, date of birth 27th of
July, 1973, a security guard at the Kansas City Public
Library". Christopher clicks "Next". The field "Select the
vehicle" is displayed.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
A retro carriage, a car, a minivan,
a convertible, a motorcycle, an
airplane, a submarine. Wow, there
are so many options here!
Christopher clicks "Car". The "Brand" field is displayed on
the screen.
CHRISTOPHER:
Better look for some not-fancy
cars.
Christopher clicks "Default". The following information is
displayed on the screen: "The passenger car waits for you in
the parking lot. Level E, parking space #JKB404-K".
Christopher clicks "Next". The "Mission" field is displayed.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I'll skip it.
Christopher clicks "Next". The "Choose the character" field
is displayed on the screen. Christopher skips this field and
clicks "Next". The following information is displayed on the
screen:
"Location: Kansas City Public Library. Contact: JimPotter, security guard. Mission: not specified".
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Done.
Christopher turns off the computer, puts on the blue cap, and
carefully opens the door. He looks out from behind the door,
inspects the corridor, and walks quickly to the elevator. He
presses the call button. The elevator arrives.
54. INT. ELEVATOR - DAY
Christopher enters the elevator and selects "Level E" on the
tablet. The elevator gets down, the doors open and
Christopher finds himself at the half-empty parking lot.
55. INT. PARKING LOT - SAME TIME
Christopher finds parking space #JKB404-K and gets into the
car.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
The navigation system is activated.
The following information is shown on the holographic
display:
"Mode: Autopilot.Location:
Kansas City Public Library. Options: Confirm or39.
Location:
Kansas City Public Library. Options: Confirm orCancel". Christopher clicks "Confirm". The car slowly pulls
out of the parking lot and heads towards the exit.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Everything goes just great.
The garage doors open and Christopher drives out the other
side of the building onto an empty road. He turns around.
CHRISTOPHER:
From this side of the building,
they fly to our world! And the
central entrance is used for
employees to drive into the garage.
What a great idea!
The car accelerates along the road and gets up into the sky.
57. EXT. HIGHWAY - KANSAS CITY - AFTERNOON
The car slowly lands on an empty highway.
58. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - SAME TIME
Christopher drives down the avenue and parks near the
library.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Arrived at the destination.
The following options are shown on the holographic display:
"Complete route or enable a standby mode". Christopher clicks
"Enable a standby mode", gets out of the car, and heads
towards the library.
59. INT. LOBBY - SAME TIME
Christopher gets into the library lobby. He approaches the
security guard.
CHRISTOPHER:
Good day, Mr. Potter! Can you help
me? I am looking for my
grandfather.
JIM POTTER:
(surprised)
How do you know my name?
CHRISTOPHER:
40.
CHRISTOPHER:
Don't you recognize me? It's me,
Christopher!
JIM POTTER:
Sorry, young man! Can you imagine
how many people there are in our
library? How can I remember all of
you?
CHRISTOPHER:
So, you mean you don't remember me?
JIM POTTER:
No! I see you for the first time!
Christopher takes a few steps back.
CHRISTOPHER V.O
Of course, if we didn't go to the
farm that day, Mom might not have
found a job in Kansas City, and we
probably moved to another city! Or
even state. Or to another country!
There are million events that could
have happened differently. So, in
the new scenario, I’ve never come
to this library.
Christopher takes a few more steps back and leans against the
wall.
CHRISTOPHER V.O
anyone here, and no one knows me!
JIM POTTER:
(impatiently)
So how can I help you, young man?
CHRISTOPHER V.O
Still, it wasn’t a dream! I’ve
indeed changed events in the past.
Christopher takes out a small notebook and a pen from his
pocket.
CHRISTOPHER:
I have to write an essay. I need to
get the book. It's about...
JIM POTTER:
Get to reception and register.
CHRISTOPHER:
Thank you. Have a good day!
60. INT. READING ROOM - SAME TIME
41.
60. INT. READING ROOM - SAME TIME
Christopher walks into the reading room. He looks around the
room and then heads to the corridor.
61. INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME
Christopher’s walking down the corridor.
Christopher goes down to the basement.
CHRISTOPHER:
Jacob! It's Christopher! Come out.
He finds the switch and turns on the light, looking around.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Jacob! Jacob!
Christopher walks around the basement but finds nothing.
Suddenly a JANITOR (50s) enters the basement.
JANITOR:
What are you doing here? Visitors
are not allowed to enter here. Have
you seen the sign? It says
"Employees only".
CHRISTOPHER:
Mr. Willis! How glad I am to see
you!
The janitor looks at Christopher in surprise.
JANITOR:
Do you know my name?
CHRISTOPHER:
Ah, I’ve read it on your badge.
It's good that you came.
I am looking for my grandfather. He
suffers from this disease, well,
when he forgets everything and
thinks that this library is his
home! He keeps talking about this
library. About how he loved to read
here. He ran away from the nursing
home again. I thought he might be
here. Can you help me find him?
JANITOR:
42.
JANITOR:
(with joy)
Well, of course, I can! I saw him
yesterday near the library. He was
sitting on the curb and talking to
himself. He was asking himself:
"Where is my carriage? Who stole my
carriage?"
He was wearing a black short coat
and a blue scarf. White hair. About
seventy years old. He isn't tall.
CHRISTOPHER:
(stuttering)
Yes. It's him!
JANITOR:
Don't worry, son! I'm sure he's all
right. I took him to a homeless
shelter because it was very cold
outside. He was so lonely. And the
shelter isn’t far from my house. He
looked like he didn't know where he
was or what he was supposed to do.
CHRISTOPHER:
How did he agree to go with you?
JANITOR:
I told him that it would be better
not to stay outside. He might get a
cold.
CHRISTOPHER:
That’s very thoughtful of you.
JANITOR:
My mother constantly forgot where
she put things. Once she went to a
neighbor and could not find her way
home.
JANITOR:
(with sadness)
Mrs. Willis is no longer with us.
This is hard. But it's life.
CHRISTOPHER:
Thank you, Mr. Willis! You are a
very kind and generous person.
JANITOR:
That's the least I could do. After
all, we need to help each other.
What if my mother was there instead
of your Gramps?
CHRISTOPHER:
43.
CHRISTOPHER:
I'm really sorry!
JANITOR:
You can't walk to the shelter. It's
better to get a taxi. Let me write
you an address.
The janitor hands Christopher a piece of paper.
CHRISTOPHER:
Thank you, Mr. Willis! Merry
Christmas!
JANITOR:
Merry Christmas!
Christopher walks quickly down the corridor and walks out
into the lobby.
63. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - SAME TIME
Christopher runs out of the library and gets to the place
where he parked his car. There is no car.
CHRISTOPHER:
How could it happen? Has my car
been stolen?
64. INT. LOBBY - SAME TIME
Christopher runs back to the library. He approaches the
security guard.
CHRISTOPHER:
Mr. Potter! My car has been stolen!
It’s a catastrophe!
JIM POTTER:
Where have you parked your car?
65. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - SAME TIME
Christopher and Mr. Potter get out of the building and
Christopher points to the place where he parked a car.
JIM POTTER:
Son! Do you see, there is a "No
Parking" sign? A tow truck took it
about ten minutes ago.
CHRISTOPHER:
What should I do now?
JIM POTTER:
44.
JIM POTTER:
Ask your parents to give you money
and go pick it up from the impound
lot. It’s nearby!
Mr. Potter goes back to the library.
CHRISTOPHER:
Thank you, Mr. Potter. Have a nice
day.
CHRISTOPHER V.O
First, I need to find Jacob, and
then go to the impound lot.
Christopher looks around and sees a WOMAN (50s) getting out
of the taxi. He waves to the TAXI DRIVER. The taxi pulls up
to him. Christopher opens the door.
66. INT.TAXI - AFTERNOON
He gets into the taxi and hands a taxi driver an address.
TAXI DRIVER:
Well! Are you sure, son?
CHRISTOPHER:
Yes, there should be a social
service. My grandfather is there!
He ran away from the nursing home
again. I have to pick him up!
TAXI DRIVER:
Well, in this case, let's go! But
still, be careful in that
neighborhood!
67. EXT. HOMELESS SHELTER - SAME TIME
The taxi pulls up to the building. Christopher gets out of
the taxi. The taxi leaves. Christopher looks around. Two
crows get into a McDonald's bag looking for food. Pigeons
peck at a piece of bread.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
This place sucks.
The black cat sniffs hamburger, pushes the bun away with his
paw, and bites off a piece of meat. Christopher walks up to
the red brick building, looks around, and gets up the dirty,
shabby stairs.
68. INT. FOYER - SAME TIME
45.
Christopher enters the lobby and walks over to the
registration. The ADMINISTRATOR (40s) is sitting at the table
and drinking coffee from a disposable cup.
CHRISTOPHER:
Good afternoon, Ma'am!
I am looking for my grandfather. He
is about seventy years old. He ran
away from home. He has, well, this
disease when a person forgets
everything.
ADMINISTRATOR:
Good afternoon! We got an old man
yesterday. Go down the corridor,
there you will see a gray door.
Those who arrived yesterday were
assigned to this room.
Christopher runs down the hallway and gets into a room. There
are dozens of bunk beds. An OLD WOMAN (80s) in rags sits on
the bed and gets dirty things out of a bag. A MAN (40s) plays
solitaire. Two GUYS talk about a robbery that happened
yesterday.
CHRISTOPHER:
Hello! I am looking for my
grandfather. He is about seventy
years old.
MAN:
Hey, old man! Get down! Your
grandson came.
The old man gets down from the upper bed.
CHRISTOPHER:
Great! How glad I am that I found
you! Come quickly with me!
The old man silently puts on his boots, takes Christopher by
the hand, and they go down the corridor.
OLD MAN:
Don't say anything right now.
CHRISTOPHER:
(to the administrator)
I've found my grandfather.
The administrator hands him a log.
ADMINISTRATOR:
Sign here.
Christopher signs and they leave the building.
46.
69. EXT. STREET - SAME TIME
Christopher and the old man walk in silence. They reach a
pedestrian crossing, stop and look around.
OLD MAN:
Now tell me!
CHRISTOPHER:
(indecisively)
I’ve stolen your carriage!
OLD MAN:
Tell me everything!
CHRISTOPHER:
It was incredible. The carriage
took off. I arrived in your city,
spent the night in your house and
drove an electric car to your
office. I didn't mean to do
anything wrong...
OLD MAN:
Continue!
CHRISTOPHER:
(scared)
I removed the part of the events
when Mom decides to go to John's
farm. I examined the application
and clicked on the function
“Contact the citizen”. I guessed
that you are Jacob who impersonated
an old man. I came to the library
to look for you, and Mr. Potter
didn't recognize me! It means I
succeeded.
OLD MAN:
How? How did you do this? The past
cannot be changed!
CHRISTOPHER:
I changed the events in the text
file. It was really easy to get it
edited. I've got a completely
different fate now! John is no
longer in our lives! I can start
over. But you need to get back to
work! As I understand, you are a
very important employee.
OLD MAN:
Hasn’t it ever crossed your mind
that now you’ve changed the fate of
several dozen people?
(MORE)
OLD MAN (CONT'D)
47.
OLD MAN (CONT'D)
You didn’t go to the farm, so
everything has changed in your
schedule. You have a different past
you don't know about. All the
people from the past that you knew,
now don't know you.
Also, you completely changed the
lives of the people you, your Mom,
and John communicated with!
CHRISTOPHER:
(happily)
And Lilian! We can start over! I
didn't say nasty things to her.
OLD MAN:
Do you hear what I'm telling you?
CHRISTOPHER:
Lilian, I have to find her!
The old man grabs Christopher by the shoulders and looks into
his eyes.
OLD MAN:
I’ve just told you that you
completely changed the lives of the
people you, your Mom, and John
communicated with.
Do you hear what I am saying?
Lilian doesn’t know you now. She
might have another boyfriend!
Have you thought about it? We need
to return to the Factory and
rewrite every line you deleted.
Have you understood me?
Christopher takes the old man's hands off his shoulders.
CHRISTOPHER:
But I want to know what has changed
in this reality! I want to know
where my Mom is now! I want to
start a new life! I didn't have to
look for you. I don't care about a
couple of destinies that have been
changed!
OLD MAN:
It's good that you decided to find
me. But it was very selfish of you
to change the past. Why did you
even think that everything has
changed for the better? The fate of
a person changes depending on his
intentions. I am really
disappointed.
CHRISTOPHER:
48.
CHRISTOPHER:
But my wish came true!
The old man sits down on the bench at the bus station.
OLD MAN:
Sit next to me.
(MORE)
OLD MAN (CONT'D)
(beat)
Your father was the most decent man
I’ve ever met. His wishes were
always good. He wanted only one
thing. He wanted you to find your
way in life.
CHRISTOPHER:
(with tears)
Why did he die? Why? My mother told
him that we had no milk, and he
went to that supermarket, since the
nearest one was being renovated. If
she hadn't mentioned that milk, he
wouldn't have had an accident! He
would be alive!
OLD MAN:
People die, sometimes quite by
accident and unexpectedly. This is
how your world works! Your father's
book is not so big, but meaningful.
His life cycle has gone through all
stages. All his wishes were
fulfilled. When we get to the
Factory, I will show you the
schedule of his life, and you will
understand that some events had to
happen.
CHRISTOPHER:
But who writes this stupid script?
I want him to rewrite it now! Let
me bring my father back. Let me
rewrite that day! I had to rewrite
when I was at the Factory! And my
father would be alive now!
The old man puts a hand on his shoulder.
OLD MAN:
(sympathetically)
He would have died anyway, but
later! You must understand that
such is his fate, such is his
schedule!
CHRISTOPHER:
49.
CHRISTOPHER:
Fate! I'm sick of that word! I had
to remove from the text file the
moment when Sarah was hit by a car!
Mrs. Stuart did not take her hand
when they were crossing the road.
And little Sarah wasn’t noticed by
the driver.
(MORE)
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I would rewrite every line. I would
write that the driver saw Sarah.
Everything would be fine in their
family. Mrs. Stuart wouldn’t have
gotten depressed, and Lilian
wouldn’t have become a nurse. And
now I would find Lilian, we would
fall in love again, and Sara would
be healthy, and Lilian and I would
go to St. Louis!
The old man jumps up from the bench.
OLD MAN:
(strictly)
You're talking like a spoiled,
selfish youth now! You only think
about yourself and your needs! Have
you ever thought for a moment about
what grandiose consequences could
be after you acted as an "editor"?
CHRISTOPHER:
I didn't think about it! All I
thought about was how to get rid of
this alcoholic and go to St. Louis,
where my father is buried.
OLD MAN:
Enough of this nonsense!
I'm afraid to even imagine what has
changed in the world because of
your actions.
CHRISTOPHER:
(with delight)
But what if my arrival to the
Factory was planned? What if this
is how it was supposed to happen?
OLD MAN:
Stop fantasizing! Your arrival to
the Factory was an accident that
happened due to my negligence.
CHRISTOPHER:
But...
OLD MAN:
50.
OLD MAN:
No "Buts". There is the main rule
in the protocol of our Factory:
"People must never, under any
circumstances, learn about the
existence of the Factory". So, this
is just a coincidence.
(MORE)
OLD MAN (CONT'D)
Perhaps our world is not perfect,
like yours, and factory workers
also make mistakes. I shouldn't
have lost sight of you. I broke the
protocol.
CHRISTOPHER:
(regretfully)
I wish it wasn’t a coincidence.
OLD MAN:
You just have a great imagination,
so you'll become one of the most
popular writers in the United
States.
CHRISTOPHER:
What have you just said? How do you
know the future?
OLD MAN:
I see a schedule that shows how
your dreams will get fulfilled. And
by the way, your cherished dream is
not to become a writer at all.
CHRISTOPHER:
Hmm, what is my cherished dream
then?
OLD MAN:
I'll show you the chart when we
arrive at the Factory!
CHRISTOPHER:
Intrigued!
Christopher looks up at the sky.
CHRISTOPHER:
Okay, I'll get back the lines that
I deleted from the file. But you
must promise me that you’ll tell me
more about the Factory.
OLD MAN:
51.
OLD MAN:
That's wonderful. I promise. We
need to hurry. We’ve already spent
a lot of time arguing.
CHRISTOPHER:
There is a teeny-tiny problem. The
car in which I arrived was taken to
the impound lot. I was in such a
hurry that I parked it in the wrong
place!
OLD MAN:
Taken away? Do you have any idea
how risky it is? What if someone
discovers its capabilities? What
are we waiting for? Let's go pick
it up quickly.
CHRISTOPHER:
(with annoyance)
But we won't be able to pick it up
without documents for the car. We
need to get to the impound lot at
night and turn on the flight mode.
I’ve set a standby mode.
The old man looks at Christopher in bewilderment.
OLD MAN:
How many days did you set in
standby mode?
CHRISTOPHER:
By default.
OLD MAN:
It's two days! When did you arrive?
CHRISTOPHER:
Yesterday around noon.
Christopher looks at the time on his phone.
OLD MAN:
So, the situation is as follows! We
won't be able to take off and to
fly. We need a highway for
acceleration. The only thing we can
do is to sneak to the impound lot
at night and get the navigation
system. We'll install it on another
car.
CHRISTOPHER:
What if...?
OLD MAN:
52.
OLD MAN:
And if something or someone
prevents us from doing it, the car
will disappear in a day, and we
will forever stay with you in an
altered reality. You will eat the
fruits of your actions until the
end of your days! And I'm afraid
they will be rotten like apples
that have fallen to the ground and
that no one has bothered to pick
up.
CHRISTOPHER:
Wow! You should write books! What a
phrase you made up about apples.
I've got goosebumps! Or rather,
worms that eat rotten apples. Uh...
So, let's then make a plan on how
to get to the impound lot. Since we
don't have a car, we’ll have to
hijack one. I've seen in movies how
easy it can be done!
OLD MAN:
(thoughtfully)
Wait! We need not a car, but a
plane! A car in this world won’t be
able to take off. We are in your
world and cars can’t fly. We have
to get on a plane or a helicopter
and start the navigation system
when we will be already flying. I
don't know exactly where our world
is, but we can arrive there only
with the help of the navigation
system. It is key with which you
can travel from our world to yours,
and not otherwise!
CHRISTOPHER:
Airplane? You said airplane? But
where the heck could we get an
airplane? Moreover, it has to fly
to "we don't know where!". I
certainly can't hijack an airplane.
OLD MAN:
You have to think! We are in your
world. Maybe you know someone who
can help us. By the way, a
helicopter will do better for us.
CHRISTOPHER:
I only know one person who can fly
a plane.
OLD MAN:
53.
OLD MAN:
So, let's get to him quickly!
CHRISTOPHER:
This is John, the one I wanted to
get rid of. Before meeting my
mother, he worked at the
agriculture enterprise and was
flying the plane that sprays crops.
Due to back problems, he had to
quit. He often talked about how he
enjoyed working on the field.
OLD MAN:
Then we need to find John and ask
him for help. This is our only
chance.
CHRISTOPHER:
Yes, I'd rather flush myself down
the toilet than ask him for help!
OLD MAN:
You completely forgot that in this
reality, he has no idea who you
are. By the way, he’s got drinking
problems because of you. When you
were little, he loved you very much
and dreamed that you would never
grow up. You were so sweet and
funny. Yeap. I am talking about
you. I remember everything, even
the smallest wishes of people I’m
in charge of. But then you got
older, and a wall of
misunderstanding grew between you,
or rather, not even a wall, but a
huge fortress. He didn’t cope with
the difficulties that await all
parents when their offspring grow
up. He snapped.
CHRISTOPHER:
He constantly yelled at me, forced
me to work, and picked on me. He
isn’t my father to tell me what to
do.
OLD MAN:
He is your father! He adopted you
because he truly loved you.
But he, like any person, could not
cope with negative emotions. He
couldn’t overcome himself and
believe that the day would come and
you call him a father.
CHRISTOPHER:
54.
CHRISTOPHER:
So, you want to say that it's all
my fault!
OLD MAN:
anything! People tend to make
mistakes, be selfish,
overconfident, or insecure! But I
can tell you for sure! If you want
to change something in your life,
you shouldn't dig into the past but
act in the present. So, let's hit
the road and find John.
CHRISTOPHER:
Let's hope that in this reality he
lives on his farm and hasn’t moved
anywhere. I'll call a taxi now.
Christopher takes out his phone and orders a car through the
application. A taxi pulls up in ten minutes.
TAXI DRIVER:
(looks suspiciously at
customers)
Did you call a taxi?
CHRISTOPHER:
Yes! We did.
TAXI DRIVER:
Good! Have you got money?
Christopher takes out his wallet and shows the money to the
driver.
CHRISTOPHER:
But I'll pay when we get there.
TAXI DRIVER:
Okay, get into the car!
Christopher and the old man get into the taxi. The taxi
driver presses the gas pedal.
70. EXT. JOHN KIMBELL'S FARM - EVENING
The taxi pulls up to the farm gates.
71. INT. TAXI - EVENING
The taxi driver looks at the meter.
TAXI DRIVER:
Forty-seven dollars.
Christopher takes out a fifty-dollar bill and hands it to the
55.
Christopher takes out a fifty-dollar bill and hands it to the
driver.
TAXI DRIVER:
I don't have change.
CHRISTOPHER:
Leave it!
TAXI DRIVER:
Thank you. Have a good day!
CHRISTOPHER:
You too.
72. EXT. JOHN KIMBELL'S FARM - EVENING
Christopher closes the doors and the taxi leaves. He looks at
the gates.
CHRISTOPHER:
Look, they are brand new. When my
mother and I arrived at the farm,
they were gray. I painted them
green last summer.
OLD MAN:
Of course, because in this reality
you’ve never been to this farm.
73. EXT. YARD - SAME TIME
Christopher opens the gates and enters the yard. The old man
follows him.
74. EXT. VERANDA - SAME TIME
They get up the stairs, find themselves on the veranda and
approach the door. There is a Christmas wreath hanging on the
door.
CHRISTOPHER:
And the stairs are new too. They
don't make any squeaky noises when
you step on them. When we arrived,
the steps were in a terrible state.
Mom and John fixed them five years
ago.
Christopher looks around.
CHRISTOPHER:
This farm looks very well
maintained.
(MORE)
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
56.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Where is the greenhouse?
(he points to the right)
There was a greenhouse in which we
grow a rare type of tomato!
OLD MAN:
Someone else might live on this
farm.
Christopher presses the bell and listens.
CHRISTOPHER:
What if there is no one home?
Christopher knocks on the door.
CHRISTOPHER:
John! Open the door! We need your
help!
There is a sound outside the door.
JOHN:
Who's there?
CHRISTOPHER:
Please, open!
JOHN:
My pizza has already been
delivered!
CHRISTOPHER:
We need your help! It's a matter of
life and death!
John opens the door. He peeks out and looks at Christopher.
JOHN:
Who are you and how can I help you?
CHRISTOPHER:
Can we come in? Please, I will
explain everything.
John looks at the old man suspiciously.
CHRISTOPHER:
Please! After our conversation,
your life will completely change.
JOHN:
My life will change, you say? Okay,
come on in!
John opens the door wider.
75. INT. JOHN’S HOUSE - SAME TIME
57.
75. INT. JOHN’S HOUSE - SAME TIME
Christopher and the old man get into the house.
76. INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME
Christopher looks around the living room connected with the
kitchen. It looks spacious and modern. On the coffee table
near the couch, there is a pizza box. John wears a nice red
shirt and blue jeans.
CHRISTOPHER V.O
He looks ten years younger! No beer
belly, no beard.
Christopher sits down on the couch, looking at the box with
pizza.
JOHN:
Help yourself!
CHRISTOPHER:
Thank you.
Christopher grabs a slice of pizza and takes a bite with
pleasure.
CHRISTOPHER:
(with a mouth full)
I don't even know where to start so
as not to shock you.
JOHN:
There is no way to surprise me, but
you could try!
OLD MAN:
(to Christopher)
You eat and I'll start.
(to John)
Have you ever felt like you are not
living your life? That something
happened last night and you woke up
in a different reality?
JOHN:
What are you talking about?
OLD MAN:
We don’t have much time. You have
to listen to me.
Christopher grabs the second slice of pizza.
CHRISTOPHER:
58.
CHRISTOPHER:
We came to ask you to find a plane
or a helicopter for us! We need to
fly somewhere.
OLD MAN:
Be quiet! We must tell everything
from the beginning.
JOHN:
Hmm, you really surprised me! What
makes you think that I will give
you my helicopter?
CHRISTOPHER:
Because after you find out what I
did...
A cat enters the room. Christopher puts the half-eaten slice
of pizza on a plate.
CHRISTOPHER:
Daisy! Daisy!
Christopher grabs the cat and hugs it.
CHRISTOPHER:
You told me once that you found her
when she was a kitten. Now she is
about ten years old.
Christopher puts the cat on his lap, strokes her head and
scratches behind her ear.
DAISY:
Meow, meow, meow
CHRISTOPHER:
How I missed you!
Daisy curls up in Christopher's lap and purrs.
JOHN:
Holy Moly! Why does my cat know
you? She is quite a wild kitty, but
she definitely likes when you pet
her.
OLD MAN:
That's interesting! It turns out
that animals can remain themselves
in parallel realities. Nothing has
changed for her! She recognized
you, even though she’s never seen
you in this reality.
JOHN:
59.
JOHN:
Just don't say you're from the
future, or that you're aliens and
your flying device is broken. I
think you are playing me. This is
some kind of a joke! Am I right? My
friends decided to make fun of me,
making me believe some nonsense.
This trick with the cat is amazing.
OLD MAN:
No, you’re never gonna guess.
CHRISTOPHER:
Photos, of course. I'll explain
everything now.
Christopher takes out his phone, and opens a folder with
photos.
CHRISTOPHER:
No photos! No videos? How can I now
prove that I’m his adopted son?
OLD MAN:
Of course, all the photos
disappeared, since in this reality
these events have never happened.
And it's very easy to prove!
(to JOHN)
Recall one rainy summer day seven
years ago. You were selling
vegetables at the farmers' market.
A beautiful woman and a ten-yearold
boy approached you. You talked
about the weather and stuff and she
mentioned they had recently moved
to Kansas City and she was looking
for a job. You fell in love with
her at first sight and thought that
it was a woman that you always
dreamed of marrying. Your wish was
so strong and sincere! And it came
true! In another reality.
John sits down on the couch.
JOHN:
Yes, that's how it was. I offered
her a job at my farm. She was
supposed to come the next day in
the morning. I cleaned the whole
house for her arrival. It has never
looked so clean and comfortable. I
waited all day, but she didn't
come. And I understood everything!
She is a lady!
(MORE)
JOHN (CONT'D)
60.
JOHN (CONT'D)
She belongs to high society. She
won't be able to work at the farm.
And she will never marry a farmer.
She agreed to come only out of
respect!
CHRISTOPHER:
I remember very well how it was. We
came to you the next day in the
morning, as agreed. Mom really
liked the garden. And I liked the
stables! I'd never seen a horse so
close. My mother used to be a
landscape designer, and while my
father was alive, she dreamed of
buying a huge house outside the
city and making a garden there.
John gets up, walks over to the fridge, pulls out a bottle of
water and drinks it in one gulp.
OLD MAN:
A year later, your cherished dream
came true. Joanna fell in love with
you and accepted your proposal.
After the wedding, you adopted
Christopher and then dreamed that
Joanna would give birth to your
daughter.
JOHN:
How is it possible? Now I
understand why your face seemed
familiar to me. It's you. You are
the boy I met seven years ago!
Am I dreaming all this? What
happened? Why am I now living in a
different reality? But that's
impossible! It is impossible to
travel in time!
CHRISTOPHER:
Everything is possible in our life!
Until yesterday, I didn't believe
in fate either! I had a unique
chance to learn something that no
one on Earth knows about. I managed
to change some events in the past.
To return to another world, we need
a plane. If we don’t fly away
today, we will forever remain in
this reality. Do you want to change
everything?
JOHN:
61.
JOHN:
Yes! I don't want to live the way I
live now. I have wealth, but I'm
not happy. I've lost my taste for
life. I bought a helicopter I was
dreaming about, but it didn't make
me happy. I am so lonely. If you're
telling the truth, and I will help
you to get back, then tomorrow I'll
wake up in another reality, married
to Joanna!
OLD MAN:
Absolutely!
JOHN:
Do you know how to fly a
helicopter?
OLD MAN:
It's not a problem! We have a
navigation system. We just need to
start the helicopter, take off and
connect the navigation system.
JOHN:
What are we waiting for? Let's go
to the hangar!
John walks to the front door and puts on his jacket.
CHRISTOPHER:
How did you manage to buy a
helicopter? Where did you get the
money?
JOHN:
I recently quit an agricultural
enterprise because of health
issues. And an old friend of mine
offered me a job at the horse farm.
Then we became partners. We earned
a lot of money selling horses. So,
that's the story.
CHRISTOPHER:
I completely forgot about the
navigation system! You must first
go to the impound lot, and pick up
the navigation system from the car!
JOHN:
Where is this impound lot?
Christopher opens the map on his phone and hands it to John.
John looks at the map and hands the phone back to
Christopher.
JOHN:
62.
JOHN:
My friend works there as a security
guard! If he's on shift right now,
he'll help us. Let's go to the
garage!
John, Christopher and the old man walk through the living
room and get into the garage.
77. INT. GARAGE - LATE EVENING
John walks over to the pickup truck.
JOHN:
Get in!
Christopher and the old man get in the car. He presses on the
gas pedal and the pickup truck pulls out of the garage.
78. EXT. ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING - IMPOUND LOT - SAME TIME
The pickup truck drives up to the administrative building.
John, Christopher, and the old man get out of the car.
JOHN:
You said you need to get the
navigation system.
OLD MAN:
Yes, we can't go back without it.
JOHN:
(to Christopher)
What is the number and model of the
car?
Christopher thinks for a second.
CHRISTOPHER:
Gray Chevrolet Cruze
(thinking)
It's 404 JKB KANSAS.
JOHN:
Ok.
John walks up to the building, and looks at the sign that
reads:
"Opening hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m." John rings thebell at the door.
79. EXT. ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING - SAME TIME
The SECURITY GUARD (30s) gets out of the building.
SECURITY GUARD:
63.
SECURITY GUARD:
John! Wow! Long time no see!
JOHN:
Yeap. How are you? How's your work?
SECURITY GUARD:
Excellent! Everything is going
well. I am gonna be promoted soon.
And, how are you?
JOHN:
I bought a Chevrolet Cruze a week
ago! Exactly the car I needed!
SECURITY GUARD:
Sounds great!
JOHN:
So, I decided to take her for a
spin. I went to pick up my
grandfather in the morning from the
bus station. He told me he forgot
his medicines at home!
(MORE)
JOHN (CONT'D)
I parked for three minutes at the
pharmacy. I didn't notice the sign.
So, we get out of the pharmacy and
there is no car! I was told it had
been taken to the impound lot.
SECURITY GUARD:
Dude, congratulations on your
purchase! Well, so what is the
problem? Pay the fine and you're
gonna get it back. But only
tomorrow. I can't give you the car
now.
The security guard points to a sign with a schedule.
SECURITY GUARD:
We are open until 6 p.m. today!
JOHN:
Yes, I know. I have another
problem. My grandfather's bag was
left in the car. He really needs
all his stuff. Also, he lost his
glasses. Maybe put it in the car
somewhere. Can we pick up things
today, and tomorrow I will pick up
the car?
SECURITY GUARD:
64.
SECURITY GUARD:
Okay! But be quick. Maybe we could
grab a beer then!
JOHN:
Sure, buddy! Thanks a lot. Now I
will call my grandfather. Let him
look for his glasses!
John runs to the pickup truck, and opens the door.
JOHN:
(to the old man)
Gramps, come out quickly! Tell the
security guard that you need your
glasses! Understood?
(to Christopher)
And you stay in the car.
OLD MAN:
Got it.
John helps the old man to get out of the car. They approach
the security guard.
OLD MAN:
Good evening, young man! Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year!
SECURITY GUARD:
You too!
OLD MAN:
I forgot my glasses! I don't even
remember where I put them. I can't
see anything without my glasses.
Anything at all.
SECURITY GUARD:
(to John)
What car do you have again?
JOHN:
Gray Chevrolet Cruze. 404 JKB
KANSAS.
SECURITY GUARD:
If I remember right, it’s located
in sector #8. Be quick.
The security guard opens the gates. John and the old man
enter the impound lot.
JOHN:
Thanks, buddy!
OLD MAN:
Thank you, young man.
80. EXT. SECTOR #8 - SAME TIME
65.
80. EXT. SECTOR #8 - SAME TIME
John and the old man approach the car. John opens the front
door.
JOHN:
Come on quickly. Get the navigation
system!
The old man gets into the car. John walks around the car,
opens the trunk, and pretends to look for the bag.
OLD MAN:
(loudly)
Launch the navigation system.
The holographic display appears. The following information is
shown on the display: "Standby mode. Five hours left”. The
old man gets into settings and clicks "Remove navigation
system”. He puts his hand under the holographic display.
OLD MAN:
Done!
A round device that looks like a hazelnut falls onto his
hand. The old man puts the device into his pocket and gets
out of the car. John takes his glasses out of his pocket.
JOHN:
Put them on, and happily say that
you’ve found your glasses!
The old man puts the glasses on. John and the old man exited
the impound lot. They approach the security guard.
OLD MAN:
I’ve found my glasses!
JOHN:
But we forgot the bag somewhere
else. Thank you, buddy! Merry
Christmas!
SECURITY GUARD:
Always happy to help! And be
careful! Merry Christmas!
John shakes the hand of the security guard.
OLD MAN:
Thank you, young man! Merry
Christmas!
The old man and John get into the pickup truck.
CHRISTOPHER:
Did you get the navigation system?
The old man takes the device out of his pocket and shows it
66.
The old man takes the device out of his pocket and shows it
to him.
JOHN:
Mission is almost accomplished. Now
we’ll go to the hangar.
John presses the gas pedal and drives away from the impound
lot.
81. EXT. PRIVATE AIRPLANE HANGAR - NIGHT
John presses the brakes and the car stops near a hangar.
John, Christopher, and the old man get out of the pickup
truck. John opens the lock on the gates.
CHRISTOPHER:
Is this your hangar?
JOHN:
No. I rent it.
CHRISTOPHER:
You told me how you dreamed of
buying a helicopter, and sometimes
even traveling short distances. But
you didn't.
JOHN:
That’s weird! In this reality, I
can’t live without it. It brings me
so much joy! I show tourists around
Kansas City, as I always dreamed.
(to the old man)
I guess I can’t fly with you.
OLD MAN:
That’s right. You have to stay in
your reality. Since Christopher has
changed the events directly related
to you, you cannot move. Otherwise,
the course of events will be
completely disrupted.
JOHN:
Then I’ll show you how to take off
on your own. It's not as difficult
as it seems.
OLD MAN:
Thank you. But when I launch the
navigation system, the helicopter
will be controlled by autopilot and
it’s gonna take us to our
destination.
JOHN:
67.
JOHN:
That sounds great. Then it won't
take long.
82. INT. PRIVATE AIRPLANE HANGAR - SAME TIME
John takes the helicopter ground handling wheels and
approaches the helicopter. Christopher looks at John with
interest and admiration.
CHRISTOPHER:
And you can move the helicopter by
yourself?
JOHN:
Yeap. It's easy. Helicopter ground
handling wheels are used to lift a
helicopter off the ground for easy
movement in the hangar or on the
ramp. They are attached to the
skids, allowing the user to easily
balance the aircraft during
maneuvering without the tail
hitting the ground. You can help me
if you want!
John attaches ground handling wheels to the skids of the
helicopter. Christopher rolls the helicopter out of the
hangar.
CHRISTOPHER:
That's great! It looks like a toy.
JOHN:
The helicopter is the best
invention of mankind! When I fly, I
feel free!
CHRISTOPHER:
The same thing happens to me when I
write! That's the problem! You
suffered because you gave up on
your dream!
JOHN:
As you see, in this reality I dream
only about a family. I wish I could
show Joanna around Kansas City on
the helicopter.
CHRISTOPHER:
You will. I'll fix everything! It
turns out you are so cool. And I
actually really like you. I promise
everything will change for the
better! I’ll make it happen when I
get back.
OLD MAN:
68.
OLD MAN:
You definitely can do it! You and
only you.
83. INT. HELICOPTER - SAME TIME
Christopher, the old man, and John get into the helicopter.
John starts the engine. The blades begin to rotate, raising a
cloud of dust.
JOHN:
Now the helicopter will warm up and
you can take off. Have a good
flight.
OLD MAN:
Thanks for your help! Tomorrow
you'll wake up in a different
reality, next to your lawful wife.
And in the morning you’re gonna
have your favorite breakfast: three
eggs, bacon, and toast. But you
won't remember these events.
JOHN:
My life was completely empty. I
don't mind waking up married to a
woman I’ve been dreaming about all
my life!
Christopher hugs John and shakes his hand. John looks
attentively at Christopher.
JOHN:
You know, that's exactly how I
imagined my son! I dreamed of how I
would teach him to drive a car, and
then how to fly an airplane or a
helicopter. But the days flew by,
and I didn't meet the woman I
wanted to marry, maybe because I
still couldn’t forget that woman
from the market! It turns out that
I didn’t live my life. Yesterday I
was sitting at the window, looking
at the gate and dreaming that one
day she would come.
CHRISTOPHER:
But I showed up instead of her.
OLD MAN:
Even in a parallel reality created
by mistake, dreams do come true.
John hugs Christopher one more time.
JOHN:
69.
JOHN:
See you in another reality!
CHRISTOPHER:
See you!
OLD MAN:
See you, John! You are a good
person! Merry Christmas!
84. EXT. HELICOPTER - SAME TIME
John gets out of the helicopter.
85. INT. HELICOPTER - SAME TIME
The old man puts his hand into the pocket and takes out the
navigation system.
OLD MAN:
(loudly)
Launch navigation system.
The navigation system starts up. The holographic display
appears. The old man enters the "Menu", selects the
destination, and activates the autopilot.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Autopilot is activated. The system
is ready for the flight.
The helicopter slowly rises and disappears over the horizon.
JOHN:
Gee. I hope I didn't dream it all
up!
86. EXT. PRIVATE AIRPLANE HANGAR - SAME TIME
John closes the hangar, gets into a pickup truck and drives
off, leaving a trail of dust behind him.
87. EXT. JACOB'S HOUSE - LATE NIGHT
The helicopter lands near house #404.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Arrived at the destination.
Jacob clicks "Complete the route". Christopher and the old
man get out of the helicopter. The helicopter disappears.
The old man turns into a short young man. He is wearing a
blue jacket and cap. He approaches Christopher.
JACOB:
70.
JACOB:
Let me introduce myself! My name is
Jacob. I’m the head of the Wish
Granting Department at the Wish
Granting Factory, which serves
Kansas City.
CHRISTOPHER:
Sounds like a serious job.
Christopher shakes Jacob’s hand.
JACOB:
We must immediately go to the
Factory and fix everything.
Jacob opens the garage.
88. INT. GARAGE - SAME TIME
CHRISTOPHER:
I’ve left your electric car in the
parking lot at the Factory because
I flew to Kansas City in the car
selected in the application.
JACOB:
It's not a problem! Sometimes I go
to work by scooter.
Jacob gets on the scooter. Christopher sits behind. The
holographic display appears in front of Jacob. He clicks
“Route by Default" and "Autopilot mode".
JACOB:
Hold on to me!
The scooter drives out onto the road.
89. INT. PARKING LOT - SAME TIME
The scooter drives into the garage and parks next to the
electric car in parking space #404. Christopher and Jacob go
to the elevator. The elevator goes down. The doors open and
they exit the elevator.
90. INT. CORRIDOR - SAME TIME
They go down the corridor, approaching door #404. Jacob opens
the door.
91. INT. JACOB’S OFFICE - SAME TIME
71.
91. INT. JACOB’S OFFICE - SAME TIME
Christopher and Jacob enter the room and Jacob pulls out a
chair.
JACOB:
Sit down. Only you can fix it. I
don't even know how you did it.
Christopher sighs and turns on the computer. He finds the
"Christopher Kimbell" folder and clicks on it. He opens a
text file. The following information is shown on the screen:
"Attention. The file has been changed". Options: "Restore,
Save changes, Cancel". Christopher clicks "Restore" and
closes the file. Christopher opens the file again and reads.
CHRISTOPHER:
Look! All events have been
restored! It says here that my mom
and I are driving down a country
road and stopping at John Kimbell's
farm.
JACOB:
Wow! Until now, I thought that the
past can't be changed. But you
found how. This function should be
unavailable.
CHRISTOPHER:
I agree.
JACOB:
This issue has to be discussed at
the meeting. But only when you get
home and your schedule recovers.
CHRISTOPHER:
Still, maybe it was intended that
way?
JACOB:
No, no, and one more time no!
CHRISTOPHER:
You see, before that, you said that
the past cannot be changed!
JACOB:
Even I can be wrong! Get up, I'd
better show you your schedule. I
promised to tell you what your
cherished dream is!
Christopher gets up and Jacob sits down at the computer.
Jacob clicks on the item "Schedule", and types in the search
the name "Christopher Kimbell”. The schedule is displayed.
JACOB:
72.
JACOB:
As you can see, your wish to get
rid of John came true completely
unexpectedly for all of us!
Therefore, before wishing for
something, you need to think about
the consequences.
CHRISTOPHER:
It turns out that the Factory
taught me a lesson! I am sure it
was meant to be!
JACOB:
No, no, and one more time no! Look.
All your good wishes have been
restored. You changed your mind
about going to St. Louis.
So, it means all your dreams, the
cherished, the main ones, and many
secondary ones, will be fulfilled
according to this schedule.
CHRISTOPHER:
So, you came to the library to talk
me out of going to St. Louis!
JACOB:
You see, the closer you are to St.
Louis, the further you move away
from the plan to fulfill your
dreams.
CHRISTOPHER:
I wonder... what if...
JACOB:
Do not interrupt! If you went
there, you wouldn't meet the right
people who therefore wouldn't help
you to fulfill your main dream, and
you wouldn't fulfill the cherished
dreams of other people. You see,
everything is connected.
CHRISTOPHER:
That is, the task of your factory
workers is to follow the schedule
and help us to meet the right
people.
JACOB:
Exactly! I’ve never failed in my
mission before. But this time I
wasn't careful.
CHRISTOPHER:
73.
CHRISTOPHER:
What about people who have really
bad wishes?
JACOB:
another department. Therefore, one
can often hear the phrase: "Good
Defeats Evil". They carefully
maintain a balance of good and
evil.
CHRISTOPHER:
Hmm, what is my cherished dream?
Jacob clicks on the "C" in "Schedule."
JACOB:
Look here. The letter "C" means
"cherished", the letter "M" means
"main", and "S1", "S2", "S3" -
"secondary".
CHRISTOPHER:
A family!
JACOB:
This is your cherished dream! You
dream of becoming a good father as
your father was and having the
happy family as you had before your
father passed away!
CHRISTOPHER:
I have always dreamed of marrying
Lilian! But after what I said to
her...
Christopher looks slyly at Jacob and the computer.
CHRISTOPHER:
What if I edit our last
conversation with Lilian?
JACOB:
Do not even think! Act in the
present, don't dwell on the past.
Do what your heart tells you!
Apologize to her, but don’t tell
her about your adventures. It's
time for you to go home.
JACOB:
What will you fly home on?
CHRISTOPHER:
74.
CHRISTOPHER:
So, I have already flown by car, by
helicopter, by carriage. Maybe by
motorcycle?
JACOB:
Harley-Davidson?
CHRISTOPHER:
Of course! Retro!
JACOB:
You must get back to the library at
the very moment when you ran away
from me. One second… I’ve taken
care of it. You have to get to
CHRISTOPHER:
Will we ever see each other again?
JACOB:
Maybe! But you won’t recognize me!
Christopher hugs Jacob and Jacob hugs Christopher.
JACOB:
Bon Voyage!
CHRISTOPHER:
Thank you. Goodbye.
Christopher exits the office and walks to the elevator. He
presses the call button and the elevator arrives.
92. INT. PARKING LOT - SAME TIME
Christopher approaches parking space #650. There is a Harley-
Davidson motorcycle waiting for him.
CHRISTOPHER:
Just the one I've been dreaming of!
Christopher gets on the motorcycle. The holographic display
appears.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
The navigation system is activated.
The following information is shown on the screen: Location:
"Kansas City Public Library". Mode: "Autopilot". Options:
"Confirm or Cancel". He clicks "Confirm". The motorcycle
slowly drives out of the parking lot.
75.
93. EXT. HIGHWAY - SAME TIME
The gates open, the motorcycle enters the empty highway,
accelerates, and takes off.
94. EXT. KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN - MIDNIGHT
The motorcycle lands on a deserted street in Kansas City
downtown and drives along the street.
95. EXT. KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - SAME TIME
The motorcycle stops near the library. The holographic
display appears.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Arrived at the destination.
The following options are displayed: "Complete the route or
Standby mode". Christopher clicks "Complete the route". The
motorcycle disappears. He takes out his phone and checks the
time.
CHRISTOPHER V.O
This is precisely when I stole a
carriage.
(MORE)
CHRISTOPHER V.O (CONT'D)
I don't wanna run away from home
anymore. Jacob's mission is
accomplished! That was quite a
trip!
Christopher walks over to the bushes near the library and
pulls out his bike.
CHRISTOPHER:
It's time to go home.
Christopher gets on his bike and rides down the avenue.
96. EXT. GAS STATION - SAME TIME
He stops at the gas station. He walks into a shop and sees a
plastic box. He grabs the box and goes to a CASHIER (40s).
CASHIER:
Good evening! Thirty dollars,
please.
CHRISTOPHER:
Good evening!
Christopher hands the money to the cashier. She packs the box
76.
Christopher hands the money to the cashier. She packs the box
in a paper bag.
CHRISTOPHER:
Thank you. Merry Christmas!
CASHIER:
Merry Christmas!
Christopher exits the store and puts the bag in his backpack.
He gets on his bike and rides along the bike path. He turns
onto a country road and pulls up to the farm.
97. EXT. KIMBELL FAMILY FARM - SAME TIME
Christopher opens the gates and enters the yard. He parks his
bike near the house and opens the front door.
98. INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME
Christopher walks into the living room. Joanna and John are
sitting on the couch, arguing.
JOHN:
I checked every coffee shop. I even
went to the bookstore. What else
can I do?
Joanna wipes away the tears.
JOANNA:
I can't bear that! What if
something has happened to him? He
couldn't just disappear!
CHRISTOPHER:
I am here!
John gets up from the couch. Joanna rushes to Christopher and
hugs him.
JOHN:
Oh my God, Christopher! We've been
so worried. Where have you been?
CHRISTOPHER:
I had a fight with Lilian, so I had
to think things over.
JOANNA:
We know everything. Lilian came in
the morning and told us about your
plan. We went to the police, but
they told us we should wait for one
day. You might come back.
CHRISTOPHER:
77.
CHRISTOPHER:
I am really sorry!
JOHN:
You know, I've been looking for you
all day. When I got home I got a
weird feeling that something is
wrong with me, something is
happening. I thought I probably had
a cold. So, I don’t know how I fell
asleep. I guessed I had a dream,
but it was for real. I swear.
Anyway, in my so-called dream, I
was living in this house all alone.
It looked really nice and neatly
renovated, but it was empty like my
heart. I've never felt such
emptiness before. It was a terrible
dream! You know, I woke up and
realized that I can't live without
Joanna and you. She is the best
thing in my life! I took everything
I have for granted.
CHRISTOPHER:
It wasn't a dream, John. I can't
explain it to you right now.
JOHN:
The most important thing is that
you come back home. Everything will
change from now on.
Christopher runs up to John and hugs him tightly.
CHRISTOPHER:
Thanks for your help! It turned out
you are an incredibly kind and
generous person. Only certain
circumstances changed you a little
bit.
John looks at Christopher in disbelief.
JOHN:
Are you all right? You look at me
like you haven't seen me forever.
JOANNA:
Are you hungry? There is some ham
in the fridge. I could make you a
sandwich.
CHRISTOPHER:
No, I’m not, thanks.
Christopher gets to the backpack, takes out the box and hands
it to John.
CHRISTOPHER:
78.
CHRISTOPHER:
I've got a gift for you! I can't
wait until you find it under the
tree!
John opens the box and takes out a radio-controlled
helicopter.
JOHN:
Wow, it's a helicopter! I’ve been
dreaming about buying one since
childhood.
CHRISTOPHER:
I think you shouldn’t give up on
this dream.
JOANNA:
Christopher, you know we don't have
money for a helicopter!
CHRISTOPHER:
Not yet! But dreams do come true,
Mom!
JOHN:
Since we've already started
exchanging gifts, I'll bring you
yours.
John walks up to the tree and grabs a small paper bag. He
hands it over to Christopher.
JOHN:
I knew you would come back. Merry
Christmas, son!
Christopher opens the bag and takes out a book. He reads the
title.
CHRISTOPHER:
"How to become a great writer".
Written by Stephen Merritt.
JOHN:
After our fight, I felt terrible.
Sometimes I get grouchy, but I love
you and wish you well.
CHRISTOPHER:
I know, John! I couldn’t say I
loved you before, but after what
happened, I guess I really like
you. You used to be really cool and
I want us to be friends again.
JOHN:
79.
JOHN:
Sounds great. But let me speak.
It’s really important. Don't
interrupt! So, after I woke up
after a nap, I felt like going
downtown again and continuing to
look for you. I was walking down
the street and saw a small
bookstore. I've never been
interested in books. I was really
surprised that there were so many
people there. Someone was sitting
in an armchair and reading by the
window. Someone was choosing a
book, I assume, for a gift. Then I
saw a shelf with books for writers.
And I thought about a gift for you.
If you want to be a writer, just do
it. I will only help you from now
on. The shop assistant helped me
choose the best one. I’ve never
felt so wonderful before.
CHRISTOPHER:
Wow, John. Thanks! This is the best
gift!
Joanna wipes her tears with a napkin. John and Christopher
look at her surprised.
JOANNA:
(with tears)
My dream has just come true! You
two finally get along so well.
Christopher puts the book on the shelf.
CHRISTOPHER:
Lilian! I told her nasty things and
broke up with her! What should I do
now?
JOANNA:
Go to her tomorrow morning,
apologize, and remind them again
that we are expecting her, Sarah,
and Mrs. Stuart for dinner. I'm
sure she'll forgive you and
everything will be fine. She loves
you so much. Tomorrow is Christmas
Eve!
Christopher walks up to Joanna and kisses her on the cheek.
CHRISTOPHER:
I won't wait until tomorrow! I'll
go right now!
Christopher takes the jacket and walks out the door.
80.
Christopher takes the jacket and walks out the door.
FADE IN:
99. INT. LIVING ROOM - KIMBELL FAMILY FARM - EVENING
John, Christopher, Lilian, Sara, and Mrs. Stuart sit at the
table. Joanna brings out the holiday turkey. The camera zooms
out and we see this scene on the computer monitor.
100. INT. OFFICE - WISH GRANTING FACTORY - SAME TIME
Jacob sits at the table, looks at the monitor, and smiles.
FADE OUT:
To be continued.
81.
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"Wish Granting Factory" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Dec. 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script-for-sale/wish_granting_factory_358>.
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