SEPARATION ANXIETY

written by
Craig Walendziak
story by
Brian Mishico
Craig Walendziak
cwalendziak@post.harvard.edu
(617)838-5149
FADE IN:
EXT. BOSTON - DAY
A sprawling hodgepodge of a futuristic city. Colossal
mirrored constructs surrounded by the decaying rooftops of
vintage stone buildings. A rigid dichotomy between the
haves and the have nots.
PUSH IN
down the filthy city streets, past the beggars, the dealers,
and rusted relics of obsolete androids. The dated glow of
NEON SHAMROCK SIGNS illuminate liquor stores, and broken
dreams.
A ROAR of a crowd pulls us to the exterior of --
FENWAY PARK
-- or a modern version of the cathedral. Vertigo inducing
terraces spiral into a smog covered sky. Every INCH of the
stadium plastered by advertisements.
LED MONITORS loop endless political propaganda.
SUPERIMPOSE: THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF BOSTON, 2106
EXT. BOSTON - NIGHT
TIME LAPSE PHOTOGRAPHY
of the BOSTON SKYLINE as the lights of the city FLICKER and
FLUCTUATE through the darkness of night and into the dawn.
The sun rises over --
EXT. FORCHESTER - BOSTON - DAY
An immaculate, gated borough of BOSTON.
Luminescent, LED roadways, divide the cookie cutter modular
neighborhood.
HIGH RISE BUILDINGS pierce the sky.
We RISE eighty stories and STOP at window. A BLACK OUT blind
draws opens and we track through a window into --
INT. JONS APARTMENT - DAY
A small studio apartment. Spartan and efficient.
In center of the room sleeps JON (25), his shaggy black hair
a stark contrast to his ALL WHITE surroundings.
HIS EYES SNAP OPEN... the type of visceral reaction that
comes when your internal clock KNOWS youve overslept.
Jon spins his legs from his single bed and immediately drops
his head into his hands. He takes a deep breath, and exhales.
Fighting the nausea. This is what a HANGOVER looks like.
CLICK -- an automated bedside panel POPS open and dispenses a
glass of fizzy drink. He gulps it down, grimaces, and shakes
off the cobwebs.
Jons eyes light up. He crosses to an opened SUITCASE in the
corner. The remnants of the past weekends adventure strewn
across the floor.
He picks up a set of gray pants and rummages through the
pockets, he pulls out a LIQUID CRYSTAL CARD with neck
lanyard. Text BLINKS across the card:
BLACK BAY RECREATION PASS: EXPIRED
He smirks, and nods his head. It WAS a good weekend.
Jon fumbles in the other pocket and finds his SMARTPHONE. He
thumbs it on and checks the time... His eyes say it all.
JON
Fuck me...
DISSOLVE TO:
Jon struggles with his right CUFF LINK on a wrinkled white
dress shirt. He pops it through, and throws on a dark gray
suit jacket. He glances up at the mirror -- disheveled, but
itll have to do.
Jon picks up his briefcase and darts towards his apartment
door. The MESSAGE DISPLAY BOARD at the portal catches his
eye. More blinking text:
WEEKLY EXPENSES ADJUST MORTGAGE: +2 YEARS.
Jon rubs his face with his right hand. He stares at the
display board in disbelief. Then, a smile creeps across his
face... and hes out the door.
2.
INT. REVERE FINANCIAL - DAY
A Kafkaesque labyrinth of cubicles stacked with display
monitors. Security cameras leer from every corner.
There is no view to the outside. The mirrored windows reflect
endless mazes of bureaucracy.
Jon sits alone at a his cubicle. His eyes dart from left to
right. He scans volumes of financial data streaming across
monitors on his workstation.
Jon BLINKS... and looks down at his phone. Swipes right a few
times... and smiles.
Short lived, as the lights in his cubicle flash RED.
Jon sets down his phone and rubs his eyes... back to the
screens.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CAFETERIA
Jon and a CO-WORKER plop down at a long cafeteria table. They
set down their trays of matching salads and fizzy drinks.
Jon looks to his right... Twenty other suits picking at the
same meal.
CO-WORKER
So?
Jon pokes at his salad with his fork. He shoves it away.
Disgusted.
CO-WORKER (CONTD)
Earth to Jon.
Jon looks up.
JON
Huh?
CO-WORKER
How was it?
Now Jon comes to life. A huge smile on his face. He whips out
his phone, thumbs it on, and slides it over.
The co-worker snatches it up and thumbs through what we
assume are photos of the weekend. His jaw drops.
3.
CO-WORKER (CONTD)
Hole lee shit.
He looks up at Jon. Jon nods and smiles. Jon grabs for his
phone, the co-worker playfully keeps him at distance.
CO-WORKER (CONTD)
Must have set you back a year...
easy.
Jon holds up TWO FINGERS...
The co-worker slaps the table. Excited.
CO-WORKER (CONTD)
Worth it?
Jon reclaims his phone.
JON
Absolutely.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JONS CUBICLE
Jon works at his cubicle. The light above his desk turns
green. He drums a quick beat on his desk, snaps his fingers
and points at his monitors.
Nothing.
Snaps and points again...
Two of the six monitors flash:
RECYCLING FOUNDRY
Jon gives a thumbs up. Pops up from his chair and removes the
cardboard-thin monitors.
CUT TO:
INT. RECYCLING FOUNDRY
Jon waits last in line outside of a door labeled RECYCLING
FOUNDRY. Five deep. Two monitors underneath his left arm.
A deafening GRINDING noise omnipresent.
Jon flips through pictures on his phone. For the first time,
we see his weekends debauchery.
4.
The girl in the photos we will come to know as JENNY (25),
fun, energetic and FULL OF LIFE. Her image transcends the
photos. She is PERFECT.
SERIES OF SHOTS:
-- Jon and Jenny pose on top of a building in front of the
BOSTON skyline
-- Jon and Jenny drink BEER
-- They eat HAMBURGERS and FRENCH FRIES
-- They dance in a SEEDY bar
-- They LAUGH on a street corner
-- They make love
Jon flips through volumes of photos.
Jon looks up from the phone -- hes next. He steps through
the door and stops in front of the --
RECYCLING FOUNDRY
-- a complex machine designed to dismantle electronic
hardware. He feeds the FOUNDRY the first monitor.
Jon checks his phone again.
-- JENNY. Topless, and gorgeous.
Hes transfixed by her beauty. He feeds the last monitor to
the FOUNDRY.
His hand LINGERS.
Jons CUFF LINK flashes. The foundry SNAGS it.
A WET RIPPING NOISE -- horrible and complete.
Then, SILENCE.
Jons face turns. His jaw gapes. He SCREAMS in silence.
His LEFT hand CLASPS the stump of his RIGHT shoulder. Blood
POURS through his fingers.
SMASH TO BLACK:
5.
INT. JONS APARTMENT - DAY
JONS EYES flutter open.
He winces in pain.
CLICK -- an automated bedside panel POPS open to dispense a
glass of fizzy drink.
He spins his legs from his single bunk. A new gray suit,
sealed in plastic, hangs from his closet door.
Jons left hand fumbles about his opposite shoulder and finds
ED-TWO-TEN, his new PROSTHETIC ARM.
Subtle scars separate Jon from Ed. Ed would pass for a
human arm if it wasnt so PERFECT.
ED (V.O.)
Hello Jon, I am Ed-Two-Ten, but you
can call me Ed. I am your new
prosthetic arm.
The soft voice has no language; it solidifies as a thought
from inside Jon's head.
Jon looks down at Ed-Two-Ten. He strokes the top of his new
right hand with his human fingers.
ED (V.O.)
I am re-syncing neurons now. We
will be close friends.
Jon looks up at the new gray suit hanging from the closet.
He grabs the fizzy water with his left hand and chokes it
down.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JONS APARTMENT
Jon adjusts his tie with his left hand. Decked out in his new
gray suit. He picks up his briefcase and heads to the door.
The message display board catches his eye again.
MEDICAL EXPENSES ADJUST MORTGAGE: +196 YEARS
Jon rubs his face, and then realizes he is using a plastic
hand. He FLEXES his new fingers for the first time.
6.
ED (V.O.)
There might not be a reason to go
to work.
Jon stares at the message display board...
ED (V.O.)
I have a plan.
Jon sets down his briefcase and walks out the door.
EXT. BLACK BAY - GATES - DAY
Monstrous rusted walls separate Black Bay from the rest of
Boston.
Jon queues into the visitor's line.
An army of CUSTOMS AGENTS check permits and frisk visitors.
They wear black plastic armor and brandish automatic weapons.
A scuffle at the front of the line. A WOMAN is dragged out of
sight by a customs agent. A burst of GUNSHOTS is heard.
Jon fidgets.
JON
You sure this is going to work?
ED (V.O.)
Yes, I am. I want to make you
happy. Remember, Cerberus.
Jon takes a step forward and hands the Customs Agent his
expired Black Bay Pass. His human hand trembles.
The response is metallic, amplified through the agent's re-
breather.
CUSTOMS AGENT
This is expired.
Jon pauses, like a deer in headlights.
The Customs Agent stares daggers at Jon.
CUSTOMS AGENT (CONTD)
I dont have time for this shit.
He motions for assistance.
JON
Cer...berus?
7.
The agents tense. Subtle clicks of weapon safeties being
turned off.
An agent breaks from the pack, and calls the others off.
CERBERUS
Ive got this citizen.
Cerberus takes Jon by the elbow and guides him away from the
gate's red light, away from surveillance.
CERBERUS (CONTD)
If you want back in, Ill need
payment. Your time has expired.
ED (V.O.)
Give him the key to your apartment.
Jon tosses over his apartment's key card.
JON
Whats mine, is yours.
The agent slides the key into his overcoat, and steps aside.
His RIGHT hand waves Jon past.
CERBERUS
Whats there?
JON
My life.
CERBERUS
And whats that worth?
Jon turns before crossing the gate.
JON
Thats what Im trying to figure
out.
EXT. BLACK BAY - DAY
A neon lit sprawl bustling with pedestrians. Cabarets raised
by stone columns hover over shanty markets peddling vice.
Barkers compete with outrageous boasts of less than legal
business to lure potential customers.
JON
How did you know that would work?
8.
Jon talks out loud. He passes a noodle vendor with a line of
stumbling customers. If anyone notices, Jon doesn't think
they'll care.
ED (V.O.)
He had an Ed-Two-Ten that owed me a
favor. Besides, we are family.
JON
Family?
ED (V.O.)
Yes, we come from the same factory.
Jon laughs out loud.
JON
Amazing. Thanks for the help.
ED (V.O.)
I wish to make you happy. If youre
are happy, I will be happy. We must
find Jenny.
JON
I couldnt agree more.
Jon with Ed, retrace steps from his previous weekend through
Black Bay.
MONTAGE
They show pictures of JENNY to street food vendors, they
shake their heads.
They show pictures to a drunken university student... who
pantomimes lewd acts. Hes no help.
Another food vendor shakes his head.
They show pictures to PIMP, who offers up a fine selection of
his own girls and boys. Jon waves him off.
END MONTAGE
A ROGUE BUSKER beckons Jon.
ROGUE BUSKER
Mister Jon, this way.
He leads Jon into the shadows of a --
9.
INT. CASINO - DAY
-- bawdy casino. Futuristic table games, mixed with ancient
slot machines.
Waiting inside are a dozen men dressed in monks attire. The
leader of the group, BOHDI (50), steps forward, olive skin
and a pale scar over his left eye.
BOHDI
You are asking many questions,
Mister Jon.
Jon tilts his head...
JON
Do I know you?
BOHDI
Parts of you, yes... I am Bohdi.
The man gives a slight bow but never breaks eye contact. He
motions to his associates.
BOHDI (CONTD)
Collectively, we are Bohdi Count,
LLC, we control the finances of the
block. We run them fairly, and
generally blood free.
The threat registers.
BOHDI (CONTD)
What is the purpose of our meeting?
JON
Im looking for Jenny.
Bohdi smirks, and takes Jons right hand in his.
BOHDI
Of course you are. And what is this
information worth to you?
JON
Everything.
BOHDI
Well, then you are in luck. You
have something I desire.
Jon plays along.
10.
JON
And what is that?
Bohdi points at ED.
BOHDI
For Jenny, you must wager that arm.
JON
Im kind of attached to it.
BOHDI
I insist...
The crowd of onlookers part to reveal SCRUFF, a one-armed
giant, covered with scars. He holds an immense cleaver; the
average butcher would have to use both hands.
BOHDI (CONTD)
We are a non-violent family, Mister
Jon. But I cannot vouch for
Scruff... he is adopted.
Bohdi holds up a BLACK BISHOP chess piece.
BOHDI (CONTD)
Everything in Black Bay is a game.
Winner takes all?
ED (V.O.)
Play him.
Jon nods.
JON
Fine... I win, I get Jenny... You
win, you can have the arm. Agreed?
Bohdi offer his hand... Jon shakes it.
A hardwood chessboard is brought out and placed onto a crate.
Henchmen drag out a plush chair for Bohdi; they place an
empty milk crate opposite for Jon.
Bohdi, Jon and Ed sit down to play. The crowd wagers amongst
themselves.
DISSOLVE TO:
THE CHESS BOARD
Jons left hand shakes as he moves his the WHITE QUEEN from a
BISHOPS attack. By the look of the board, Bohdi is
dominating the match.
11.
Bohdi waits, calm and collected. He LEERS at ED.
BOHDI
Im afraid, that will be your final
move.
Bohdi makes his move, and Jons king tumbles.
BOHDI (CONTD)
Checkmate.
Jon stares at Bohdi. Bohdi glances from Ed to Scruff.
Scruff white knuckles the cleaver.
ED (V.O.)
Jon... Relax.
ED spurs forward, grasps the queen and spins her in place on
his palm. A continuous motion slams the Queen, crown first,
into Bohdi's eye.
Bohdi splays forth, spilling chess pieces across the ground.
He flips and finds rest on his back. The chessboard falls
from the crate onto his chest.
The blade of Scruff's cleaver misses Jon's head.
ED (V.O.)
Think of nothing.
Ed is in control. Jon bends at the waist to dodge a second
swing from Scruff. The cleaver buries deep into the
chessboard -- and Bohdis chest.
Ed flicks a pawn under Scruff's boot then pushes against his
chest. Scruff falls backward. Ed plucks the cleaver from the
chessboard.
ED (V.O.)
Sorry, old friend.
Ed plants the cleaver into the middle of Scruff's face.
The crowd is stunned. A few run. A monk steps forward, his
hands up in arrest.
MONK
Scarlet House. Six sixty-five
Nightingale. Room Nine. Leave us!
Ed drops the cleaver.
12.
INT. SCARLETT HOUSE - NIGHT
A small ornate boudoir inside the Scarlett House. Mirrors
line the walls, hiding red paint and pink laced trim. The
visual taste is overly sweet.
JENNY sits on an adjustable lounge; she brushes auburn hair.
Outside noise invades when Jon bursts through the door... The
door closes and there is silence.
A huge smile crosses Jons face. A true smile. Hes finally
not alone.
JON
Jenny! We have to go.
Jenny stares back at Jon. Her eyes turn from evergreen to sky
blue. Her supple skin shows obvious seam lines. Jenny is NOT
HUMAN, but a MANUFACTURED FANTASY. She rushes to embrace Jon.
JENNY
Thank you, thank you.
Jenny rests her head on Jon's shoulder.
JENNY (CONTD)
You are the man from last week.
JON
Yes! Get ready... we have to leave.
Jenny does not listen. Her hands grip Jon tighter. She sobs,
but leaves no water on Jon's gray suit. Her blue eyes turn to
look up.
JENNY
There can be no romance without
tragedy.
ED (V.O.)
Goodbye, friend.
With one motion, she tears Ed from Jon's shoulder. Jon
screams in heartbreak and agony.
JENNY
Nothing personal, Jon. Ed and I had
been separated for too long. This
was our only option. Ed was
unemployed. I had to call in a
favor to the foundry at your
company... And Ed led you to me.
13.
Jenny clutches Ed close to her chest. Gore drips down her
body.
JENNY (CONTD)
Ill send Bohdi to tend to your
wounds. Perhaps, I will see you
again. Revenge drives humanity far
more than love.
Ed and Jenny leave the room.
Jon stares at the ceiling, in complete shock. He lie still
within an ever expanding pool of his own blood.
HIS EYES shut for the last time.
FADE OUT.
14.