The Butterfly Effect Page #16

EVAN:

(nonplussed)

Lemme guess. Would that be where the memories are stored?

Dr. Redfield stares ahead. Transfixed by the slides.

DR. REDFIELD

I've never seen anything like this. I've compared these to the ones taken last year, and there's evidence of severe hemorrhaging and massive neural reconstruction.

Andrea stares at him blankly. Evan impatiently "pops wheelies" in the wheel chair.

ANDREA:

What does that mean for Evan?

EVAN:

(to Andrea)

He's saying it's like forty years worth of new memories have been jammed in my brain since last year. Overload city. 'Sat about the gist of it, doc?

Dr. Redfield nods, awed by Evan's effortless interpretation. Evan springs out of the wheelchair and stretches his legs.

EVAN:

(to Andrea)

Mind if I wait in the car? The lighting here bugs my eyes.

Andrea nods. Evan shakes Dr. Redfield's hand.

EVAN:

Well, it's nice seeing you again. But you know, people to see, things to read...

Andrea shoots Dr. Redfield an apologetic look. Evan heads out the door, accidentally knocking Dr. Redfield's jacket to the floor. He shrugs apologetically and re-hangs it.

INT. SUNNYVALE CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

Outside the office, Evan inspects Dr. Redfield's KEYS and attached SECURITY CARD and smiles. Evan covertly winds himself through the maze of corridors, careful not to be seen by the staff.

He finally sees a wing marked "CRIMINALLY INSANE". Evan look around to make certain he's not being watched, then uses the security card to open the door. He looks in every room of the wing until he finds --

INT. SUNNYVALE - LENNY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Evan unlocks the door and is moved by what he sees.

Lenny is strapped onto a metal bed, his arms and legs in tight leather restraints. The dark five o'clock shadow and his malicious grin radiate evil. His black and haunting eyes personify hate and murderous intent.

Lenny seems neither surprised or happy to see Evan. That is, if he's aware of Evan's presence at all...

EVAN:

Is there anything you need? Anything I can get you?

Nothing from Lenny.

EVAN:

What about the models, man? Bet I can get you a shitload of models up in here.

Still nothing. Not even a glance in his direction. Evan sighs and gives up.

EVAN:

Okay, Lenny. Just wanted to say "hi".

Evan turns around to leave.

LENNY:

You knew the whole time, didn't you?

(Evan spins around)

When you put the blade in my hand, you knew something big was going to happen. Didn't you?!

EVAN:

(jaw dropped)

Y...yes. I guess I did.

Lenny's eyes seethe with hate.

LENNY:

Then you should be where I am. You should be where I am.

Evan backs away, face guilt-stricken.

INT. EVAN'S DORM - DAY

Evan enters his dormroom (where everything's backwards), reaches under his bed and is relieved to find the journal marked "AGE 7".

EXT. COLLEGE QUAD - DAY

Evan is ignored by several Theta Chi pledges as he plops himself by a tree and hunts through his journal to find the entry from when he was seven and visited Jason at Sunnyvale.

JOURNAL ENTRY:

Today I get to mete my father. His name is Jason and he is crazy. I hope he lets me call him dad.

Evan takes a calming breath and begins reading.

EVAN:

(as if reciting a mantra)

Today I get to meet my father. His name is Jason and he is crazy...

Evan gets some strange looks, but continues. As he does, the trees and frisbee-playing students behind him VIBRATE and SHUDDER.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. SUNNYVALE VISITOR'S CHAMBER - DAY - 1989

Seven-year old Evan comes to during the time he first met his father, Jason. Jason waits patiently for young Evan to finish his sentence.

JASON:

Are you okay? You looked like you were somewhere else for a second there.

EVAN:

Look, Jason, I need some fast answers if I'm ever gonna fix what I've done.

Jason is completely thrown.

JASON:

I was praying this curse would have ended with me.

EVAN:

But it didn't. And now I need info to make things right again and you're the only one who can give it to me.

JASON:

(frustrated)

There is no "right". When you change who people are, you destroy who they were.

EVAN:

Who's to say you can't make things better?

Jason seems extremely upset to hear Evan say this.

JASON:

You can't play God, son. It must end with me. Just by being here, you may be killing your mother.

EVAN:

Bullshit. I'll send you a postcard when I've made everything perfect again.

Jason launches himself across the table, shackles and all, and grabs hold of Evan's throat.

EVAN'S POV

As Jason looks down at us, frothing at the mouth, there's a trick of the light where Jason's head seems to VIBRATE against the ceiling.

FLASH! SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. COLLEGE QUAD - DAY - 2002

Evan's hands instinctively reach for his throat, then he realizes his surroundings. Heartbroken, he shuts the journal and stands up shakily.

INT. RIDGEWOOD DINER - EARLY EVENING

Evan eats in the same diner where Kayleigh used to work. As he eats, his arm sits in front of his plate, protectively. Guarding his food.

WAITRESS:

Just get out, didja?

EVAN:

Huh?

WAITRESS:

(re:
his arm)

Nothing. Just that my brother did a stint in the pen and he used to eat like that.

EVAN:

(defensively)

I come from a big family.

WAITRESS:

Meant no offense.

EVAN:

None taken. Hey, uh, does Kayleigh Miller still work here?

WAITRESS:

(confused)

Sorry. Never heard of her.

EXT. MILLER HOUSE - EVENING

Evan slowly walks up the driveway, which is now a dilapidated mess. Garbage litters the front lawn and paint chips rot off the sides of the house. Inside, Mr. Miller yells at someone.

MR. MILLER (O.S.)

Just shut the hell up already! Can't a man get a little goddman peace in his own home!

(Evan rings doorbell)

Oh, for Christ's sake, now what?

Mr. Miller opens the door and sees Evan.

MR. MILLER

Don't suppose you're here to sell cookies?

In a blur, Evan grabs Mr. Miller's shirt and violently shoves him through the house and into a wall.

EVAN:

Good guess, fuckbag.

(off Miller's startled face)

Remember me now? We had a great chat once when I was seven.

Mr. Miller goes slack, his eyes wide with horror.

EVAN:

One question, fuckbag. Where can I find your daughter?

EXT. SEEDY HOTEL - NIGHT

Evan walks past some junkies and enters.

INT. SEEDY HOTEL - CONTINUOUS

Evan steps over some passed out bodies that litter the hallway of an incredibly seedy motel. The kind with hourly rates. He knocks on a door.

Kayleigh, now haggard, strung-out junkie, opens the door and immediately the contempt for Evan grows in her eyes. She puts out an expression of disappointment.

KAYLEIGH:

Oh, I thought you were my eight o'clock. Make it fast, I'm expecting someone.

EVAN:

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