a 48 Hour Film Project 50 Years in the Making
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And we all enjoyed the weekend for a change…
ROLL-UP BEGINS:
a 48 Hour Film Project 50 years in the making
as WHITE TEXT now ROLL-UP on BLACK screen
unperceptive SOUND fades in unnoticed
as CITIZEN DICK’S “Touch Me, I’m Dick ” accentuates the heaving zeitgeist of words once breathing only on an iPad screen
a NARRATOR (ambiguous accent) will soon narrate as YOU read what appears to be THIS SCREENPLAY rolling-up from below,
NARRATOR (V.O.)
as FINALLY my story is literally shedding light and illuminating…
(beat)
rolling-up WHITE TEXT — suffice it to say — illuminates the conscientiousness of this endeavor…
low DISTANT THUNDER you feel within your chest before your ear
as YOU realize the rolling-up text does indeed shed light on your surroundings
NARRATOR (V.O.)(CON’T.)
… presciently, my heartfelt story.
POWERFUL THUNDERSTORMS advance closer to our position
DISTORTED ECHOING TYPEWRITER — fades out
as engulfing slime mold necromantically feeds on WHITE TEXT to BLACKNESS
PAUSE —
THUNDEROUS HOWITZER BARRAGE is heard
the POWER is overwhelming — YOU shutter
along with THIS AUDIENCE from the CONCUSSIVE BLASTS
unmistakable sound of BREAKING GLASS initiates Billy Joel’s “You May Be Right” — which plays continuously
ROLL-UP ENDS.
FADE IN:
EXT. TEL MEGIDDO — NORTHERN ISRAEL — DAWN
Viewed, circling from above, the deafening ROAR of M109A7 Paladins reverberates through the rugged landscape, shaking the ground and rattling the eardrums of all nearby. The air crackles with anticipation as HOWITZERS unleash their firepower upon the enemy.
With each thunderous BLAST, rocket-assisted projectiles streak across the sky leaving trails of smoke in their wake — seeking targets with deadly precision, homing in on the advancing column of Russian T-14 Armatas positioned 18 miles away.
In a cataclysmic display of destruction, a massive EXPLOSION erupts in the distance, consuming the left flank of the enemy tanks in a swirling inferno of flames and billowing smoke. The ground shakes beneath the Rangers’ feet as the shockwave ripples through the battlefield.
a SQUAD OF RANGERS, their faces etched with determination, stand tall amidst the chaos. They exchange silent nods and glances, their unspoken camaraderie a testament to their shared purpose.
Among them stands the CENTRAL FIGURE — THADDEUS — a beacon of unwavering composure amidst the chaos. His eyes gleam with an intensity of an action green-eyed figurine of a Seattle Seahawk, and with a fiery resolve, he places a Nero Cioccolato cigar between his lips, savoring the Toscanello moment.
With practiced precision, he strikes a match against the textured grip of his M4, the flame dancing in rhythm with the burning passion within his soul.
The Rangers take their positions, their anticipation palpable — -knowing a memorable speech is about to unfold
a rallying cry that will ignite their spirits as THADDEUS breaks out in animated song.
THADDEUS
Friday night I crashed your party — Saturday I said, “I’m sorry” — Sunday came and trashed me out again — I was only having fun — Wasn’t hurting anyone — And we all enjoyed the weekend for a change.
The Rangers ROAR in unison, their voices merging into a resounding “HOOAH!” Their collective energy reverberates through the air, charging the atmosphere with a palpable determination.
THADDEUS
I’ve been stranded in the combat zone — I walked through Bedford Stuy alone — Even rode my motorcycle in the rain — And you told me not to drive — But I made it home alive — So you said that only proves that I’m insane
THADDEUS points with the football in his left hand towards the raging inferno on the distant horizon, where EXPLOSIONS punctuate the skyline and billowing smoke paints a dark canvas of chaos.
THADDEUS
You may be right — I may be crazy — Oh, but it just may be a lunatic you’re looking for — Turn out the light — Don’t try to save me — You may be wrong for all I know — But you may be right
The Rangers respond with an emphatic chorus of “HOOAH!” Their voices echo through the battlefield, a symphony of determination and unwavering resolve.
INT. CONDO BEDROOM — DAY
MUSIC ends with shrill sound of an ALARM shattering the tranquility of the room, tearing THADDEUS from his blissful dreamworld. Reluctantly, he reaches over and swipes his iPhone, silencing the persistent noise. Opening his eyes, he finds himself alone, a profound sense of longing lingering in the air.
INT. CONDO HALLWAY — DAY
THADDEUS scans emails on iPhone as he WALKS past framed portrait of himself. A much younger man glowing with pride. The American Flag silhouettes the ruggedly handsome West Point Cadet he avoids making eye contact with.
INT. CONDO HOME OFFICE — DAY
Floor to ceiling mahogany bookshelves line three walls of the spacious hardwood floored room. Numerous philosophical, historical and ecological texts fill the shelves.
A life-sized cardboard Friedrich Nietzsche stands in the corner.
Beyond a four-paneled sliding glass-door wall, the space is extended by a balcony jutting out on to the Gulf of Mexico, high above St. Pete Beach from the 7th floor.
THADDEUS enters, picks up College Navy colored ball-cap in seat of high backed leather chair. Sitting at desk, he rotates the hat he now wears backwards.
Just below a WOODEN WALL-MOUNTED PLACARD:
‘HAVE YOU FINISHED YOUR SCREENPLAY YET? PERHAPS TODAY IS THE DAY…’
— An action green-eyed Seattle Seahawk figurine keeps a watchful gaze on his six as retrieves his copy of THE SCREENWRITER’S PROBLEM SOLVER and drifts into semiconscious persistent stare.
Built into far bookcase wall, a muted 65-inch flatscreen is tuned to BBC World News. Framed by hundreds of volumes related to military conflict, a speechless screen depicts a scene of total devastation. Plumes of black smoke billow from a smoldering crater.
Across bottom scrolls details of carnage in silence… massive chemical explosion… thousands feared dead… mandatory evacuation has been extended to 5 mile radius around exclusion zone… .
With earbuds in place, Hughes types FEVERISHLY on his iPad.
Suddenly, he pauses, his eyes captivated by something beyond the screen.
Out of the corner of his eye, a menacing “HITCHCOCKIAN” flock of pelicans momentarily block out the incoming light, their silhouettes dancing across the room.
BLACKNESS
FLASHBACK BEGINS:
FAD IN:
INT. COLLEGE STUDENT APARTMENT — DAY — 1996
Blocks walk away, from where Layne Staley last lay, graduate housing U-Dub, the heart of Seattle, in the downer-high haze of grunge.
THADDEUS and COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR, early twenties, preppy underclassmen, partaking in a student Film Project, underway, with pizza and beer.
THADDEUS
(reading screenplay)
Ok, so our HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE, our narrator, for now, sings, in German …
Animated, karaoke-style, Thaddeus sings along with the Piano Man in such a way as to make even the “HOFF” proud.
THADDEUS
(singing in German)
Ich bin in der Kampfzone gestrandet, Ich ging allein durch Bedford Stuy, Ich bin sogar mit meinem Motorrad im Regen gefahren, Und du hast mir gesagt, ich solle nicht fahren, Aber ich habe es lebendig nach Hause geschafft, Du hast also gesagt, das beweist nur, dass ich verrückt bin.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
(royally confused)
What the fuck man?
THADDEUS
Dude, stay with me.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
(dismissive)
Even if our script is as good…
Forcefully interrupting… now speaking over each other
THADDEUS
(sternly)
Dude! Let me finish the first page.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
(now heated)
as you have convinced yourself it is, no one with a fucking mind is EVER gonna let you open that way.
PAUSE.
THADDEUS
(mischievously)
Says who? You?
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
(emphatic)
Anyone in a position to actually get our shit made.
Fad to:
DISTORTED echo fades
EXT. MYSTERIOUS FOREST — DAY
As the blazing orb ascends above the horizon, casting an otherworldly glow, THADDEUS finds himself standing in the heart of a mystical forest.
The air is charged with anticipation, and a sense of solitude envelops him. He takes hesitant steps, guided by an unseen force, through the enigmatic darkness.
The SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS echoes through the silent woods, accompanying him on his journey. Each step leads him deeper into the unknown, his senses heightened by the ethereal ambiance.
The forest floor shifts beneath his feet, transitioning from solid ground to an almost sponge-like texture.
Emerging from the dense darkness, a man materializes before THADDEUS, his presence cloaked in an unsettling mist.
The figure moves with a deliberate slowness, as if time itself bends to his will.
Intrigued and captivated, he follows the enigmatic figure deeper into the monochromatic forest.
Towering trees surround them — Bald Cypress, Red Maples, Red Cedars, and Green Buttonwoods — casting elongated shadows that add to the sense of foreboding.
The absence of color creates an eerie stillness, as if the world itself holds its breath, waiting for something significant to happen.
The path he follows becomes littered with fallen leaves and branches, gradually thinning as he nears a clearing.
The SOUND of his gait reveals remnants of an old road, worn and weathered by time. It beckons him forward, leading him toward a revelation that awaits.
Emerging from the forest, the blazing orb now high in the sky reveals the path THADDEUS has traversed.
The remains of Interstate Two-hundred-seventy-five stretch before him, its once bustling lanes now abandoned and reclaimed by nature.
He gazes upon the skeletal ruins of what was once a thriving city — Saint Petersburg. The large white slanted dome of Tropicana Field remains.
Across the bay, a massive blaze consumes the horizon, sending plumes of BLACK SMOKE billowing into the air.
The acrid scent fills THADDEUS’ nostrils, a stark reminder of destruction and loss.
The skyline, once a symbol of vibrant life, now stands as a haunting silhouette against the fiery backdrop.
Undeterred by the devastation, THADDEUS ascends the mighty Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
ACT TWO
NARRATOR (V.O.)
(ambiguous accent)
WHITE LETTERING — begins roll-up from below
NARRATOR will soon continue to narrate as YOU read what appears to be THIS SCREENPLAY scrolling UP from below,
NARRATOR (V.O.)(CON’T.)
as FINALLY my story is literally shedding light and illuminating…
(beat)
Scrolling WHITE LETTERING — suffice it to say — illuminates the conscientiousness of this endeavor… it will all make perfect sense by the end
Low DISTANT THUNDER you feel within your chest before your ear
NARRATOR (V.O.)(CON’T.)
… presciently, my heartfelt story…
POWERFUL THUNDERSTORMS advance closer to our position
NARRATOR (V.O.)(CON’T.)
Before we begin,
(beat)
Two simple tests, now TESTING — the playhouse’s audio video capabilities — and YOU — confused, my friends comprising this audience
(beat)
and your autonomic nervous system or perhaps you’ve heard it called the visceral nervous system — formerly the vegetative nervous system —
PAUSE.
allowing WHITE LETTERING above to fully scroll O.S.
ROLL-UP ENDS.
BLACKNESS
An EXPLOSIVE ELECTRICAL SURGE — soul TINGLING close LIGHTNING
BLACKNESS EXPLODES into luminous WHITE SCREEN
PAUSE.
ROLL-UP BEGINS:
BLACK LETTERING now SCROLLING on WHITE screen as MUSIC: CITIZEN DICK’S “Touch Me, I’m Dick” accentuates a playwright breathing zeitgeist into words on an iPad screen
DISTORTED ECHOING TYPEWRITER… fades out, as black typeface necromantically bleeds out to original canvas
PAUSE — engulfing slime mold BLACK LETTERING
ROLL-UP END.
BACK TO BLACKNESS
P.O.V. BLACK VOID OF SPACE — faint luminous object gradually becomes recognizable layered beneath overlaid scrolling WHITE LETTERING —
THUNDERCLAP — RATTLING the audience
ROLL-UP BEGINS
NARRATOR (V.O.)(CON’T.)
Regardless! — best know a few key things early, wouldn’t you say — eh?
I’ll admit this aloud, audible for all to hear — You May Be Right — Billy Joel
MUSIC: Billy Joel’s “You May Be Right” struggles to combobulate
NARRATOR (V.O.)(CON’T.)
… in nature’s late-day — AM STATIC electrified ALOFT — late-July tropical soundscape of humidity rumbling behind the music.
PAUSE.
NARRATOR (V.O.)(CON’T.)
We now FAD IN as the roll-up ends
NARRATION ENDS.
ROLL-UP ENDS.
P.O.V. — SPACE — LOOKING UPON EARTH — ‘THE BLUE MARBLE EFFECT’
BLINDING FLASH TO WHITE
DISSOLVE TO:
ROLL-UP SCRIPT EFFECT now scrolls its toll on Thaddeus’ reality.
P.O.V. BLACK VOID OF SPACE — faint luminous object gradually becomes recognizable —
NARRATION CONTINUES:
NARRATOR (V.O.)(CON’T.)
— our AVIAN NARRATOR — an unconventional, philosophical eco-existentialist, neon green-eyed part raven-sized seahawk, part seahawk-looking raven — intelligently-clever — HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE — named in Ballard 50 years ago by a previous captor —
SPEAKS with raptorious-rapture — direct — to an unsurprisingly confused yet engaged audience — with charm — his cherry on top — his over enunciation garnished flattened intonation —
SPOT ON-beat brilliance — genius comedic timing ever sharp — always in-tune, HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE — joining in singing…
(subtitled in English)
NARRATION ENDS.
P.O.V. — SPACE NEEDLE — LOOKING UPON EARTH — THE BLUE MARBLE EFFECT after shooting smack
BLINDING FLASH TO WHITE
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PASS-A-GRILLE — ST PETE BEACH — DAY
POV: high above heavenly St Pete Beach
Blinding flash of light
We drop down
Suddenly-THUNDERCLAP-we’re flying through the shade-umbrella forest at high speed
-swooping between beach chairs — -gliding over the tops of coolers.
We dart through the dunes towards traffic-strafing relaxed-dressed beach goers as they scatter with purpose.
Flood of carpark motorists join the beach drive exodus- frustrating their horns in the pre-storm-but clearly too late-gridlock.
Peculiar shades of granite shapes comprise the wall-cloud building out front the Don CeSar beachfront.
PIANO MAN again RAGING-and there has been little break in the weather…
・・・
EXT. ALOFT ABOVE-VOLVO XC-90 — (31 JULY 2015)-DAY-TRAVELING
NARRATION CONTINUES:
Navigating north-pondering ponding palm-lined Interstate 275-in heavy traffic and unrelenting rain.
Beacon of high rise buildings twinkle in the distance. Cloaking aside, the modest St Pete skyline appears from behind the mist stark-in contrast to ominously-black storm front moving in from the east.
Wet tires SQUEAL as they encounter dry pavement-launching high pitched YELPS-bleating JERKY blades struggle upon dry windshields.
Irresistibly-large-no longer missed-white slanted-dome of Tropicana Field passes by on right.
CUT TO:
INT. COLLEGE APARTMENT — U OF WASHINGTON (1998) — NIGHT
CUT-IN:
THADDEUS
The elitist-few? Perfect.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
Trust me man…
THADDEUS
Don’t know any of those, and why the frack do I care what people whom I don’t know, nor whom know me?
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
… odds a reader — with magic movie-making-connections or potential — making it this far
(BEAT)
… what the fuck, man. Not even a full page two.
THADDEUS
Dude, why you getting so worked up?
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
You fucking kidding me, man?
THADDEUS
That’s the beauty of this weekend, this film project is our film project.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
As things stand, we are 3 hours in, with 45 hours remaining and, you, want to, open with an artsy 12 minute philosophical void of darkness, testing some fuckin theory of yours how best to fuckin evacuate an auditorium, through sure will…
THADDEUS
Do you need to curse so much?
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
… poor fuckin saps, they came to buy the honey, but fuckin had no choice but to seek their escape from the fuckin bees.
THADDEUS
They are stinging insects, honey’s risks are well known.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
Fuck you. Do I give you shit about your vocabulary? You have a whole cluster-fuck of words and phases you fuckin-ought-to retire, and besides, you can’t fuckin open an eight minute film with twelve fuckin minutes of some Kubrickian fuckin hidden message.
THADDEUS
Why not? Just because it hasn’t been done, doesn’t mean we should attempt to do the film we’re meant to make.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
… Eh?
THADDEUS
Besides, what the heck they gonna do… shut it down at the eight minute mark?
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
Yes.
THADDEUS
That may be, success all the same, curiosity kills the intelligent cat
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
Meaning what the fuck?
THADDEUS
and someone, not the pussy who decided to pull the plug, will seek out our film — to discover the gem it one day will be.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
A bit grandiose, wouldn’t you say, eh?
THADDEUS
Shlould there be any other way?
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
It can make you sound fuckin nuts, or even worse, an arrogant, delusional prick.
THADDEUS
That’s only true if grandiosity isn’t based on reality, in our case, willing our film, our story into reality, heck with grandiose, I’d rather be presciently grandstanding grandiosely, engrossingly upon frickin grandiosity.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
Don’t think that’s a word, but copy that, I hear you, but for fuck sake…
THADDEUS
Which word, of the words I just spoke, isn’t a word?
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
… we need an eight minute story in the can, over the next 44 hours and 13 minutes. Fuck your philosophical fuckistry, and let’s move on.
THADDEUS
It’ll be polished and ready for the day, it’s needed, and yah-yah I hear ya — moving on, and fuck you dude, fuckistry isn’t a fucking word.
COLLEGE APARTMENT NEIGHBOR
Says fuckin who? You, grandiosely?
Both laughing as they soberly, no longer technically sober, check their watches.
SUPERIMPOSITION: FINALLY ARRIVED WHERE I SET OUT UNKNOWING
BLACKNESS
NARRATOR (V.O.)
(ambiguous accent)
WHITE LETTERING — begins scrolling from below — bringing light upon the blackness.
NARRATOR reads what appears ( it is ) to be a screenplay for the story that now unfolds…
NARRATOR (V.O.) (ambiguous accent)
Somewhere from within the dark silence —
AN EXPLOSIVE ELECTRICAL SURGE — SOUL-TINGLING close LIGHTNING—
TESTING — the playhouse’s maximum audio capabilities and the audience’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) — or perhaps you’ve heard it called the visceral nervous system — formerly the vegetative nervous system —
THUNDERCLAP — regardless!— best know a few key things early, wouldn’t you say — eh?
I’ll admit this aloud, audible for all to hear —You May Be Right — Billy Joel
MUSIC struggles to combobulate late-day — AM STATIC electrified ALOFT — late-July Tampa Bay tropical humidity rumbling through —
HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE (O.S.)
(speaking German)(subtitled in English)
Aber wie Sie bereits wissen, kommt der PIANO MAN immer durch, …
LOUD Music — Now finely tuned
HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE (O.S.)
(speaking English)(Mancunian accent)(subtitled in German)
True, … finely tuned …
DISTORTED echo fades SCROLLING SCRIPT EFFECT to original canvas of blackness —
P.O.V. BLACK VOID OF SPACE — faint luminous object gradually becomes recognizable —
NARRATION CONTINUES:
— our AVIAN NARRATOR — an unconventional, philosophical eco-existentialist, neon green-eyed part raven-sized seahawk , part seahawk-looking raven— intelligently-clever — HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE — named in Ballard 50 years ago by a previous captor —
SPEAKS with raptorious-rapture — direct — to an unsurprisingly confused yet engaged audience — with charm — his cherry on top — his over enunciation garnished flattened intonation —
SPOT ON-beat brilliance — genius comedic timing ever sharp — always in-tune, HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE — joining in singing…
(subtitled in English)
Ich bin in der Kampfzone gestrandet
Ich ging allein durch Bedford Stuy
Ich bin sogar mit meinem Motorrad im Regen gefahren
Und du hast mir gesagt, ich solle nicht fahren
Aber ich habe es lebendig nach Hause geschafft
Du hast also gesagt, das beweist nur, dass ich verrückt bin.
NARRATION ENDS.
P.O.V. — SPACE — LOOKING UPON EARTH — THE BLUE MARBLE EFFECT
BLINDING FLASH TO WHITE
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PASS-A-GRILLE— ST PETE BEACH — DAY
POV: high above heavenly St Pete Beach — Blinding flash of light — We drop down-
Suddenly — THUNDERCLAP — we’re flying through the shade-umbrella forest at high speed — swooping between beach chairs — -gliding over the tops of coolers.
We dart through the dunes towards traffic — strafing relaxed-dressed beach goers as they scatter with purpose.
Flood of carpark motorists join the beach drive exodus — frustrating their horns in the pre-storm — but clearly too late — gridlock.
Peculiar shades of granite shapes comprise the wall-cloud building out front the Don CeSar beachfront.
PIANO MAN RAGING — and there has been little break in the weather…
…
EXT. ALOFT ABOVE— VOLVO XC-90 — (31 JULY 2015)— DAY — TRAVELING
NARRATION CONTINUES:
Navigating north — pondering ponding palm-lined Interstate 275 — in heavy traffic and unrelenting rain.
Beacon of high rise buildings twinkle in the distance. Cloaking aside, the modest St Pete skyline appears from behind the mist stark — in contrast to ominously-black storm front moving in from the east.
Wet tires SQUEAL as they encounter dry pavement — launching high pitched YELPS — bleating JERKY blades struggle upon dry windshields.
Irresistibly-large — no longer missed — white slanted-dome of Tropicana Field passes by on right.
Two individuals — THADDEUS— an adult male drives, and — BELOVED — an adult female occupy the moving vehicle — both remain fully unseen.
The narrative abstraction— and awe-inspiring turquoise-hues captivates our focal attention — remains outside the vehicle as the crows flys —
WE — along with HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE— frolic, agility-aloft and fanciful-in-flight freedom — as the SUV drives — exude and enthrall from the sugar-sands of St Pete Beach to the cobbled rolled-aromas of Ybor —
On a mission— following a Volvo — listening in on two humans…
HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE
(joining in singing)
SINGING to — directly for — YOU —
Well, remember how I found you there
Alone in your electric air
I told you dirty jokes until you smiled
You were lonely for a man
I said, “Take me as I am”
‘Cause you might enjoy some madness for a while.
Sorry to mither ya, but if THAT IS it, boys and gals, I hope you don’t mind if I narrate as we go out speaking the King’s.
BIRD BY BIRD —
NARRATION ENDS.
HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE gives you the middle feather with spring-board grace now dives — bombing a rain-delayed, temporarily-abandoned mid-pint beach-bar.
HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE regains altitude — exerting acrobatically-effortless avian-agility thoroughly-fanciful flight in catching-up with the vehicle —
WE follow along as he offers to share — drinking scotch at high-way speeds while smoking a cigar at 125 feet.
…
INT. VOLVO XC-90 — (31 JULY 2015) — DAY — TRAVELING
FOCUS — remains outside the vehicle and the natural beauty of TAMPA BAY — never clearly viewing THADDEUS or BELOVED
THADDEUS (sheepishly)
Are you excited about this weekend?
BELOVED (less than enthusiastic)
I think it’ll be fun. What’s this year’s film HOPE TO BE about?
THADDEUS
I agree, and I have always known but before I say anything, is there anything in particular you want to explore?
BELOVED (lovingly annoyed)
What’s your idea? Just tell me. I couldn’t care less to be honest. You choose. What are you thinking?
THADDEUS (earnestly)
Well, it is actually a story I have been wanting to tell for a while. I am just not sure how to approach it.
BELOVED (supportive)
Just tell me the story, and we’ll figure it out together.
THADDEUS (encouraged)
Okay then… To provide some perspective, let us start with Cassandra.
BELOVED (confused)
Cassandra?
THADDEUS (consequentially self-implicative)
Yes, Cassandra from Greek legend. She was condemned to know the future but be disbelieved when she foretold it, and suffered the agony of foreknowledge without the ability to change anything.
BELOVED (with bewitchingly-sexy naivety)
What does Cassandra have to do with the story you want to tell?
THADDEUS takes a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.
THADDEUS
Everything… but I cannot explain it now.
It made more cents to export externalities — faraway upon distent lands.
It will no longer make any sense, until the end.
MUSIC FADES
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SPOKANE, WASHINGTON — (4 MAY 1974) — DAY
Aloft. Our BIRD-EYE VIEW — Hanging with HENRY’S FOOLISH NIETZSCHE.
A FESTIVE MOOD electrifies the midday air. The city of Spokane is adorned with a kaleidoscope of colors as numerous national flags from around the world GENTLY FLUTTER in the welcomed BREEZE.
Picturesque cotton ball clouds drift lazily through a clear blue sky overhead, casting a golden glow on the vibrant scene below.
The majestic beauty of Spokane is enhanced by the presence of a massive white pavilion and a historic brick clock tower that loom large in the background.
They stand as proud landmarks, symbols of a city undergoing a transformation.
A JUBILANT CROWD OF EIGHTY-FIVE THOUSAND people has gathered along the banks of the Spokane River, their excitement palpable, bubbling into a lush green park, creating a sea of anticipation.
Bridges spanning the river provide a highly sought vantage point, with hundreds of onlookers securing their spots for the special moment about to unfold.
At the focal point, a lectern adorned with the Presidential Seal stands proudly below the tricolor Expo ‘74 logo design, inspired by the Möbius strip.
EMBATTLED PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON, despite the political turmoil surrounding his administration, walks up to the podium with a sense of purpose. The time has come to address the crowd, to honor the efforts of the State of Washington in protecting the environment and to emphasize the significance of this moment.
NIXON
Governor Evans, Secretary Dent, CONGRESSMAN FOLEY, Your Excellencies representing the nations from abroad, Your Eminence, all of the distinguished guests, and all of those here on this historic occasion for the opening of Expo ‘seventy-four: I am honored to be here…
Before Nixon can finish his sentence, an UNKNOWN HECKLER disrupts the air with a piercing shout.
UNKNOWN HECKLER
“Jail to the Chief!”
Nixon, unfazed but perhaps inwardly affected, continues his speech, determined to convey the importance of Expo ‘74 and its lasting impact on America and the world.
NIXON
… I am honored to be here for a number of reasons: First, because the State of Washington, under the leadership of Governor Evans, I think is generally recognized to be the first State in the Nation in terms of trying to protect the environment. We congratulate this State, its Governor, and its legislators.
And then, it is a great privilege to be here on this sparkling, beautiful day to speak about what this particular occasion means, not only for now and the days ahead in this summer —when I hope that hundreds of thousands, and maybe millions, will come to see it but, looking down through the pages of history perhaps to the year 2000, 25 years from now, when we celebrate a new year that comes once in 1000 years and when we look back to see what we did now to make that a new year that was not only the greatest new year for America but for every nation in the world.
Today, we speak of the environment in terms — as we should — of cleaning up the air and water, of a legacy of parks, of all of those other things that have to do with making our cities and our towns and our countryside more beautiful for our children and those that follow us. The environment means all those things, but environment also means other things to people. It means, for example, for every family in America a job so that he can enjoy the environment around him.
And there are those who sometimes say that the two are in conflict, that it is impossible to have a great, productive society like America — the most industrialized nation in the world — and a clean environment. We have gone through a period in the energy crisis when there have been evidences that these two great interests — one, production which would provide jobs, and two, a clean environment — seem to come in conflict.
But let me tell you what the answer is. We can have both, and we shall have both. And the way we can have both is to develop the great resources of this country in a way that they will not pollute the atmosphere, that they will contribute to a clean environment.
And that is why we are going forward in terms of our huge Government programs in research and development for the purpose of seeing that our coal resources can be developed into a clean fuel. That is why we are going forward in our programs for the development of solar energy and nuclear power which, of course, would be clean fuel.
And I can assure all of you here that your Federal Government, working with the States, working with private enterprise, can and will achieve the goal of not only a better and cleaner environment in terms of our water and our air but also the jobs, the opportunity for all Americans that is so important for us to enjoy an environment.
Another aspect of environment that occurs to each of us, of course, is what this magnificent Expo is going to leave as a legacy. It will leave, I trust, some of these beautiful buildings. It will leave a 100-acre park in the heart of the city of Spokane, which was once a blighted area.
These will be physical monuments to what you, the citizens of Spokane and the State of Washington, have done in putting on Expo ‘74.
But beyond those material things, it will leave something else, and that is a new spirit.
And what impressed me as I read about how this Expo came about was that the idea did not come from Washington, D.C., it came from Washington State. Those who worked on it, those who conceived it, and most of the money that went into it, came from the people.
[ PAPA and NANA — SPOKANE — EARLY Mid TWENTIETH CENTURY ]
And to the people of this State we give you the congratulations for a magnificent achievement.
And it is that spirit, that spirit of individual enterprise, that spirit of doing things and not depending upon someone else to do them for you, it is that spirit that developed the West and the Northwest. It is that spirit that will continue to make America a great nation, we trust, in the years ahead.
There is one other aspect of the environment to which I should like to refer, and it is particularly appropriate that I refer to it in the presence of these very distinguished representatives from the other nations who have exhibits here for Expo ‘74.
We can have good jobs and fine security and good health and clean air and clean water, and it will make no difference unless we find a way for the great nations of the world to settle their differences at the conference table and not on the battlefield.
And that is why we have opened, as you know, negotiations with those who might have been our adversaries, negotiations which did not mean that either we or they agreed with each other in terms of philosophy, but negotiations that had one overriding concern, and that is this: World War I was destructive, World War II was destructive; there cannot be world war III, because it will destroy not only the nations that participate in it, it will destroy civilization as we know it, and we cannot let that happen, and we will not let it happen.
That is what we must do if we are to have the kind of environment that we want for the future.
And now in the presence of the representative from the Soviet Union — as he knows, I will soon be having another round of talks with Mr. Brezhnev and his colleagues in Moscow. We will not agree on all things, we will have sharp debates, but let me tell you this: Whether it is with him or whether it is with leaders of other countries they are allied with or neutral countries in the world, there is no disagreement with regard to the need for all nations to cooperate, share their knowledge and their brains in cleaning up the environment of the world.
We are not just talking about the environment of Spokane or the State of Washington or of the United States but of this whole globe on which we live.
And that is a great enterprise that Expo ‘74 will be remembered for in the years ahead.
Because, as we look at where the great ideas, the great breakthroughs come which deal with the scourges which have afflicted mankind from the beginning of civilization, we find that no one can predict that it will come from one nation or from one continent or from one race, because that spark of genius might be in the Americas, it might be in Asia, it might be in Latin America, it might be in Africa. What we have to realize is that among the 3 billion people that live on this Earth, there are those men and women who have within themselves that genius that will find new answers that will help us to get the clean air and the clean water and all the other things that we want to have a clean environment.
And going further than that, in that whole world we must recognize that that spark of genius that will find the answer to the diseases that plague mankind, it may not be here in America, it may be in some other country.
But the important thing for us to remember in this period when we have ended America’s longest war and when we are moving through a generation and longer of peace, let us see that not just America but all nations, whatever their differences in philosophy, work together to clean up the environment, work together in the causes of peace, and in that way, we will make the progress that we want to make by the year 2000 which the whole human race can enjoy.
No national pride should be taken in the fact that one nation or another finds the answer to what may cure cancer in its various aspects, what may deal with some aspects of heart disease and many of the others that afflict mankind.
No one nation can take any jingoistic pride in the fact that one of its scientists or one of its technicians found an answer to the problem of a cleaner environment.
What we must do is to recognize that it is together, working together, thinking together, that we will find answers that we would never find if we were not talking to each other, negotiating with each other.
And that is why I say to you, my friends gathered here on this magnificent day in the State of Washington, in the city of Spokane, you are dedicated to a great goal, celebrating a new and fresh environment for tomorrow.
What will that tomorrow be, and for all those who are young and who will be here to celebrate that new year 25, 26 years from now?
I will tell you what I think it can be, and this is a beginning: It can be a time when the whole world can look back on progress in conquering the scourges of disease that have afflicted all people wherever they may live. We can look back on a period when the whole world enjoyed the benefits of what our scientists and engineers were able to find out in terms of making our air and our water cleaner and better for everybody.
But most important, let us hope and let us pray on this day that we can look back and say that over that 25 years, the peoples of the world, despite their differences in philosophy, lived together in peace.
Let this be a day in which we concentrate, and consecrate as well, not only our efforts in America but also working with peoples in other nations toward the goal of a fresh, new environment in terms of peace for all mankind so that we can enjoy the magnificent environment that you see around us here today.
Thank you.
MARVIN MILLER (master of ceremonies)
Ladies and gentlemen, as the fair officially opens, we invite you to celebrate with us “Tomorrow’s Fresh, New Environment.” Mr. President, will you say the magic words.
NIXON
At that is noon on this day, acting in my capacity as President of the United States, it is my high honor and privilege to declare Expo ‘74 officially open to all the citizens of the world.
[ Richard Nixon, Remarks Opening Expo ‘74, Spokane, Washington. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/256485 ]
EXT. FAMILY HOME — VERADALE, WASHINGTON — ( SUMMER 1997) — NIGHT
A nightlight struggles to illuminate ringing telephone on kitchen counter. Shuttering after tenth ring, the machine braces for a stutter-entrapment of the teetering enchantment, a hand unwittingly tipped, eloquently-revelatory language’s musicality revealing pressure of speech.
THADDEUS wonders the empty house once known to him as home, seeking a retreat to safer landscapes away from the throes and distorted shores of a reality aloft from stability…
THADDEUS (V.O.)
Daddio, I hope this voice mail finds you in good health and high spirits, in Italy I understand. I wanted to take a moment to discuss something that I believe is of great importance when it comes to giving criticism. As someone who has always valued your wisdom and insight, I wanted to share my thoughts on the role that reading books plays in offering constructive criticism.
Books have long been hailed as a gateway to knowledge, a means of expanding one’s horizons and understanding the world in new and profound ways. They offer a unique perspective, allowing readers to explore different cultures, time periods, and ideas. In essence, you see, books provide us with a rich tapestry of experiences and knowledge that we might not encounter otherwise.
When it comes to giving criticism, I believe that reading books can greatly enhance our ability to provide valuable and thoughtful feedback. Here’s why:
Reading books provides a deep understanding of the subject matter. It allows us to grasp the nuances, intricacies, and complexities of a topic. By immersing ourselves in the pages of a book, we gain a broader perspective and develop a stronger foundation to base our criticism upon.
Books have the power to transport us into the lives of others, fostering empathy and understanding. They introduce us to diverse characters and narratives, enabling us to see the world through different lenses. This empathetic perspective is crucial when offering criticism because it allows us to consider various viewpoints and better relate to the person or situation we are evaluating.
Reading books exposes us to a multitude of writing styles, allowing us to absorb different modes of expression. This exposure enhances our ability to articulate our thoughts and feelings effectively. By honing our communication skills through reading, we can provide criticism that is clear, respectful, and impactful.
Books are a treasure trove of knowledge and ideas. They challenge our preconceived notions, provoke new ways of thinking, and inspire intellectual growth. When we engage with diverse literature, we expand our intellectual capacity and develop a broader range of insights. This intellectual growth empowers us to offer criticism that is well-informed and discerning.
Dad, I understand that time may be limited, and finding moments to delve into my book can be challenging. However, I believe that incorporating reading into our lives, even if it’s just a few pages a day, can profoundly enrich our ability to give meaningful criticism. It’s an investment in our personal growth and the depth of our understanding.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to this brief voice mail, Dad. I value your thoughts and opinions immensely, and I hope that we can embark on this literary journey together. May the pages of books continue to inspire and guide us in our pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
You clearly haven’t read mine.
With love and admiration,
THADDEUS
CUT TO:
INT. CONDO HOME OFFICE — (30 JULY 2015) — DAY
The call ends. Hands TOGGLE phone’s side-switch into audible position and set screen side down onto worn paperback The World Without Us then TAPS space bar to awaken Mac from slumber.
THADDEUS’ P.O.V. — PHOTO — MACBOOK AIR
THADDEUS standing with former Maldivian President MOHAMED NASHEED appears on screen.
On left, a giant of a man, much shorter Nasheed wearing confidence, a navy pin-striped suit and tie. On Nasheed’s left, THADDEUS, nearly feet taller, sporting an arch smile, man in costume consisting of University of South Florida “BULLS” ball-cap, chunky glasses, polo, cargo shorts. BG: Harboro Harbor on the USF St. Petersburg campus.
THADDEUS’ P.O.V. — EMAIL DATED 30 JULY 2015 @11:51
JOEL (V.O.)(enthusiastically)
From: J Bates To: THADDEUS Re: Kick off July thirty-first! Tampa/St. Pete Forty-eight hour film project. Just one more day till the fun begins! Tomorrow I will be at the kick off location by four-thirty, official start time is six. Feel free to come early, rub elbows with other teams, judges, sponsors, etc. The kick off will be held on the corner of eighth ave. and fifteenth st. in Ybor, with parking in garage at six and fifteenth. Remember to print out attached forms you will need for Sunday. Team Leaders must have their ‘Agreement’ signed and turned in tomorrow. (print these attachments: ‘paper clip’-emoji)
Strobing flashes and searing sizzle of extremely close lightning interrupts his reading. THADDEUS braces for thunder which never comes.
JOEL (V.O.)
“Thanks All!!! The forty-eight hour film project Tampa/St. Pete is going to be great this year because of you!” ~ JOEL BATES
The sound of laser-jet printer hums in background.
