T. G. O. L.
 The Gate Of Life
    By
    Frank Klempar

"Sometimes it's better to leave things the way they are..."

                                    

                                  

                                  Frank Klempar
                                 #302-4000-Lawrence AVE.E
                                  Toronto-ONT-CANADA
                                  M1E 2R3
                                  Tel:416-792 0391
                                  Tel: 647 881 9499
                          E-mail: frankklempar@gmail.com
                                  WGA-1242987

Fade in

Pre-title sequence:
EXT. OUTER SPACE
Strong deep sound slowly increased in volume. Quiet black deep space and also millions of stars. The sound increases to its ultimate pitch. Moment of silence. Superseded with the futuristic spacecraft hitting straight to our solar system.
INT. INSIDE THE SPACECRAFT
The pilot frantically presses every button he can reach from his seat.
PILOT
(Screaming)
No! No! Please! Don't do this to me! Not now!
EXT. SPACECRAFT
The shuttle continues in free fall throughout deep space. In the far distance, the giant planet JUPITER is clearly visible.
INT. INSIDE THE SPACECRAFT
The pilot struggles to bring his ship back under control. He is completely powerless to stop the violent roller coaster effect. He slams his fist onto the windshield and suddenly freezes. The ship levels.
PILOT
(Whispering)
Holy SHIT!
EXT. DEEP SPACE
The ship heads right into the middle of an ASTEROID BELT. Huge rings spanning millions of miles are visible. Asteroids, some small but some as big as houses, collide violently with each other.
INT. INSIDE THE SPACECRAFT
The pilot is terrified, and he quickly grabs the round handle mounted to the front panel. His eyes are locked onto the action outside. The engine is louder than ever.
PILOT
Alright — I got it! I can do this!
EXT. IMPACT
Asteroids collide against each other. Loud collisions are exploding with fire, creating a WAVE EFFECT. One of these waves grabs the ship and slams it against the asteroids.
INT. INSIDE THE SPACECRAFT
The pilot flies across the entire cabin. He lands hard with his head hitting the wall in the second department beside his bed. The blood quickly rushes down all over his face. All the lights instantly shut down and the engine stops working. He can't get up—he tries, but he quickly falls back down. He lies on his back. It's quiet. His heavy breathing is the only sound in the ship. He slowly wipes the blood from his eyes and one more time tries to stand up, but he can't. Beside him on the floor is a picture of an attractive woman blowing him a kiss and smiling. He grabs the picture and slides back down.
PILOT
I'm so sorry, JANE! I'm so sorry. I love you.
Slowly losing consciousness, his eyes are still on the picture. He holds it very tightly, but it doesn't take long until he let's it slide out of his hands, and he faints completely.
MONTAGE:
1 Ship interior. Dark. 
2 Ship exterior. Visible damage. 
3 Gliding out of the asteroid belt. 
4 Deep space. The ship coasts by. 
5 Control panel a 3-D diagram resembling a black hole rotates on a digital panel. 
6 Deep space. A thin red line cuts across and expands. The ship flies right into the middle of it, and suddenly disappears. 
7 Another thin red line cuts across, gets bigger, and suddenly the ship flies out of the line with incredible speed and devastating sound. 
8 In the distance is our planet EARTH.
EXT. spacecraft
The ship continues to fall into deep space out of control. It gains speed as it passes our MOON.
INT. spacecraft
Through the windshield, the planet earth approaching very fast. A huge fireball blast engulfs the windshield as the ship descends into earth's atmosphere. A high-pitched sound wakes up the pilot. He is slowly gaining consciousness. He stands up and slowly tries to move to the front of the cabin. Some of the cabin's lights have started working again and even some digital components on the front panel. Disoriented, the pilot looks around the cabin. He also looks to his wrist several times, again and again. Suddenly, he hears the sound of something rolling around beneath the front panel.
PILOT
There you are!
He picks up a DEVICE that looks like a watch with a small digital panel. Numbers are rolling and dancing across the panel, not even making any sense, when suddenly they settle on a final number. (65 MILLION B.C.)
PILOT (cont'd)
(Gasps)
BEAT:
That's impossible!
He quickly straps himself into his chair. The sound is really loud and the heat in the cabin is quickly rising. The pilot, horrified, looks all around searching for some answer. The windshield is pounded with blazing flames.
PILOT (cont'd)
(Crying)
Please, GOD, let me die quickly! Please!
Subtitle: SOMEWHERE in canada 65 million B. C.
The lush and beautiful greens of prehistoric vegetation. It is a nice sunny day and in the far distance, on the horizon, a few mountains stand before the beautiful blue sky. Sound of prehistoric animals, are interrupted unexpectedly by the roar of a plummeting spacecraft. Across the sky and over the heads of dinosaurs and other animals resting sleepily on the fields, appearing a huge fireball, which soon crashes spectacularly in the far distance before the horizon.       
Pitch black until a thin red line slashes across it and then expands until it explodes—leaving the words:
THE GATE OF LIFE
EXT. present day, new york city, morning, raining
Crowds of people cover themselves with umbrellas and pack TIME SQUARE. Lots of modern cars and taxis create endless traffic. HORNS and YELLING from some angry drivers. STEFAN, an everyday man in his early forties who is also tall and attractive, tries to cross a busy street, covering his head with a NEWSPAPER. As he finally makes it across, a city BUS drives by and splashes him with water from head to toe.
Stefan
Thank you very much! Genius!
Not far away, a BLACK MAN is selling HOT DOGS.
The MAN
(Laughing)
Oh, yeah! Yes, that is my MAN right there!
Stefan runs for cover to his little shelter.
The MAN (cont'd)
(Still laughing)
Hey, baby -- What's going on?
STEFAN
Don't start
The MAN
You look kind of -- wet.
He starts laughing again.
STEFAN
(Still trying to clean himself up) Man I tell you, these GOD DAMN NEW YORK CITY drivers.
He shakes his head.
The MAN
That's right, BABY - This is NEW YORK CITY!
He winks at Stefan.
STEFAN
How's business anyway?
The MAN
People got to eat BABY!
STEFAN
Yeah - And so do I
The MAN
(Gesturing at the HOT DOGS)
Small, medium or Jumbo?
STEFAN
Yeah, actually I'm not really hungry - Coffee - DOUBLE-DOUBLE..!
The MAN
DOUBLE-DOUBLE - Coming up!
He hands Stefan the COFFEE.
STEFAN
(Sipping)
Thanks.
The MAN
Where are you going, anyway?
STEFAN
(Lifting his newspaper)
Applying for a JOB!
The MAN
OH yeah? What job?
STEFAN
(Rolling his eyes)
Don't ask, But...
Stefan quickly glances at his watch
(continued)
I gotta go!
Stefan tosses the coffee into a nearby garbage bin. He places his newspaper over his head and starts to jog down the street.
The MAN
(Surprised)
BEAT:
Alright. I won't...
Another customer already comes under his shelter to order.
INT. car, MORNIng, RAINING.
In the middle of a traffic jam, a thirty-year-old, very elegant looking, workaholic woman named SIMONE is driving a nice, fancy BMW. She is having a loud conversation on her cell phone with her boss.
SIMONE
Alright Jack, I'm on it!
JACK (O.S.)
You understand, Simone, that this could be your big break to prove that you have what it takes.
SIMONE
(Rolling her eyes)
I know Jack. And I want it, I told you so, right-away when I heard about it, didn't I?
JACK (O.S.)
Yes you did.
SIMONE
So?
JACK (O.S.)
So?
SIMONE
Oh, JACK, for CHRIST'S sake.
JACK (O.S.)
(Interrupt)
OK.
SIMONE
What did you say?
JAKE (O.S.)
BEAT:
I said, OK!
Simone pauses
JAKE (O.S.) (cont'd)
And I wanna see your ASS here in twenty minutes!
SIMONE
(Happy)
I Love you, JACK! And you will see it in ten!
Simone closes her cell and tosses it onto the back seat. Very excited and happy, she continues driving along the street that is still quite jammed. Rain pounds on her windshield and the wipers try to do their job. Simone turns on the radio. A song is on by CHER.
If I could turn back time....
She sings along with it.
INT. SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE, SIRACOM
Stefan is standing in a very massive and modern LOBBY. He's all wet, trying to catch his breath. Some employees are leaving the building and wave to the RECEPTION GIRL-Bye-See ya! Stefan's eyes start cruising the entire lobby. On the ceiling, there is something that captures his eyes. It's the entire history of HUMAN EVOLUTION from early creature to modern HUMAN.
STEFAN
(Ironically)
Well -- Who am I?
RECEPTION GIRL (O.S.)
Excuse me, may I help you?
STEFAN
Ummm - Yeah. My name is GRAND. STEFAN GRAND. I'm...
RECEPTION GIRL
(Interrupting)
Okay, right - You called about the JANITOR job, right?
He approaches the desk.
STEFAN
Yeah that's me.
RECEPTION GIRL
Okeydokey.
She quickly opens the binders and places the APPLICATION FORM on the desk
Reception girl
Just fill this up and you can bring this with you on your first night shift today. Give it to the night guard and...
STEFAN
(Interrupting)
Night shift?
He grabs the application from the desk.
RECEPTION GIRL
(Warily)
Ummm yeah. Is there a...
STEFAN
(Interrupting, nodding)
No-no-no. That is actually - got it, night shift!
RECEPTION GIRL
All ready then? Start at ten, finish at six AM.
She look at Stefan with lifted eyebrows.
STEFAN
Just like that?
RECEPTION GIRL
(Nodding, snaps her fingers)
Just like that. Matter of fact we need this position filled already yesterday if you know what I mean
She gives Stefan a friendly glance and already gets back to work on her Laptop.
STEFAN
Thanks.
RECEPTION GIRL
You're welcome.
Stefan stands there for a few seconds, glances at the newspapers in his hands, and one more time his eyes scan the entire lobby. He slowly starts to walk to the exit.
The girl leans over her desk and observes the water trail he has left behind on the floor all the way from where he stood to the exit.
RECEPTION GIRL
Ah well. I ain't cleaning that. He is.
EXT. MORNING, SIRACOM BUILDING
Stefan exits the building and looks up at the sky to see it has stopped raining. Walking down the stars when suddenly "BUMP" with Simone, shoulder to shoulder, while she was running up the stairs. All her stuff from her purse spreads all around them—make-up, a brush, cigarettes, a cell and more...
STEFAN
Oh my GOD! I am so sorry!
Their eyes meet.
SIMONE
Oh no -- It was my fault
Stefan looks at her like he sees a GHOST.
SIMONE
BEAT:
Ummm -  Do I know you from somewhere?
He quickly snaps out of it.
STEFAN
I - don't think so --
No. Definitely no. I would remember you.
Her big green eyes study Stefan. Stefan is confused suddenly.
FLASHBACK:
Stefan's hand reaches for a half-naked woman standing in front of him, in some bedroom. His hand touches her breast, slowly going up, around her shoulder—neck—lips—cheek—eyes—it is SIMONE.
SIMONE
Are you OK?
He's stunned, but he's back.
STEFAN
Oh -- Yeah -- Absolutely. I'm sorry. Let's pick up your stuff.
They both quickly bend forward and "BUMP" their foreheads, finalizing the moment.
SIMONE
(Laughing)
Oh my GOD! What is wrong with me? Look I am really...
STEFAN
(Laughing, interrupting Simone)
I am so sorry. Geez! Are you OK?
SIMONE
(Nodding, laughing)
Trust me.
STEFAN extends his hand: "STEFAN GRAND." Simone completes the handshake: "SIMONE McAllen."
They pick up the stuff from her purse, exchanging a few smiles as both glance at each other. They depart up. Stefan stops after a few steps, looking over his shoulder, but she does not. Simone enters the building and Stefan continues to walk.
Stefan is confused.
STEFAN
(Whispering)
What the HELL was that?
MONTAGE:
1 Traffic is still bad. 
2 Never-ending chain of people going all directions—the typical NEW YORK morning. 
3 Stefan disappears in the crowd.
INT. SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY, TORONTO, DAY
Four CANADIAN scientists are standing around the latest discovery lying on the LAB table. It has just arrived. The scientists are exchanging opinions, arguing, almost shouting, talking all at once. One YELLS: Enough! Enough!
Scientist-1
Look we ain't even sure that this is a HUMAN skeleton.
Scientist-2
(Shaking his head)
It does have all signs of human remains.
Scientist-3
Before we jump to any conclusions, we should first wait for the DNA data. Actually, NICOLE is working on it as we speak.
Scientist-4
(Nodding)
We should wait.
They pause for a second. On the table there are bones, some broken, some in good condition, all still covered partially with the dirt. There is what appears to be a human skull, but only half, and it does not tell us much. They look troubled.
Scientist-2
Alright then, let's think about that for a second here. We all know that scientists have discovered the remarkably complete skeleton of a three-year-old female from the APE-MAN species represented by "LUCY". She's supposed to be 3.2-million-years old.
Discovered in 1974.
They all nod.
Scientist-2
(Continuing)
Then, new bones were discovered in 2006—in ETHIOPIA.
The new bones belong to the three-year-old girl who lived 3.3 million years ago—150,000 years before LUCY.
Scientist-1
(Quickly jumping in)
What? Are you saying that this is older than that?
Scientist-2
(Closely examining the remains)
No, I'm not. But, it would be a.....
Suddenly he stops talking. He slides out his pen from his shirt pocket and turns over a little bone fragment. He bends closer to it. He has everyone's attention. He reaches his hand over the table to the small table where some tools like brushes, scalpels, saws, and other tools lay. With the small brush he starts to carefully clean up the small piece of bone.
Scientist-2 (cont'd)
BEAT:
Is that what I think it is ?
The bone fragment looks like two or three human teeth with modern denture work.
Scientist-4
I think we can all calm down now and call FORENSICS.
In the lab entryway, we see NICOLE enter—a young woman in her late 20's, looking confident with her 1960's style eyeglasses. She enters the room with a long paper sheet. She has overheard the last comment.
NICOLe
(Confident)
I don't think we need forensics, but we might consider rewriting the entire history of human presence on this PLANET.
The SCIENTISTS standing around the table appear confused.
SCIENTIST-2
What you got, kiddo?
NICOLe (cont'd)
White male in his late 60's, almost six feet tall, his bones are full of signs of modern food—what we're eating today, and the final cherry on top of it? He's sixty-five-million-years old! That will make LUCY look like yesterday's news.
The phone rings and Nicole picks up the handset.
NICOLE (cont'd)
DNA-LAB. Nicole speaking
INT: SIMONE JUST BOARDING a PLANE.
SIMONE
Hi Nicole, This is SIMONE McAllen.
Nicole covers the receiver and whispers to her colleagues:
NICOLE
SIMONE McAllen
They look annoyed by the news.
SIMONE
So?  How are you guys doing?
NICOLE
Terrific.
SIMONE
So I guess everything is ready?
NICOLE
Ready? Ready for what?
SIMONE
(Surprised)
Jack didn't call?
A middle-aged man holding in his hand five airplane tickets walks into the LAB.
THE MAN
You're all leaving to NEW YORK in exactly four hours from now and that thing or whatever it is (he points to the table) is going with you. Supervised by SIMONE McAllen from SIRACOM Institute. So have a nice flight kids.
Nicole to Simone: "Can you hold on for a sec?"
She tries to stop him from leaving the room.
NICOLE
SIR - SIR Please wait a minute!
THE MAN
Yeah, PUMPKIN?
NICOLE
(Confusedly)
Why - We're - What's going on?
THE MAN
Alright people, listen and listen good, all of you. As painful as it sounds, JACK DALTON is still a huge founder of our organization and this is actually his SHOW. So I don't wanna hear anything from you but, NO PROBLEM SIR. Is that understood?
They all nod and agree ("Yes. Right. NO PROBLEM SIR."), Including Nicole.
INT. simone in the PLANE on the PHONE with nicole
Simone overheard everything.
NICOLE(O.S.)
So what time will you be here?
SIMONE
I should touch down at PEARSON airport in TORONTO at 4:30.
We back out from the full plane of passengers and stewards assisting with the baggage, out of the PLANE and the door slams closed.
Int. Stefan is home.
Plate full of food and a fork and knife fighting with it. Stefan is enjoying his meal. Across the table sits his wife JAMIE. She's beautiful and smooth, with a hairstyle from the 90's, which actually makes her look very cool. She's watching Stefan eat his dinner. She appears to feel sorry for him.
JAMIE
You know you don't have to take this job. That is—I mean—there is no way that it can satisfy you right now. I know you're angry, but...
STEFAN
(Interrupting)
I need a break from all of it! I need to think about what I am going to do, Jamie! My father spent his entire life arguing with those EMPTY-HEADED, SELFISH, ARROGANT pricks in the ASTRO-community. Those funds for his program were actually gonna bring success one day. And it only took me five years to lose it.
JAMIE
Stefan, your father was a great ASTRONOMER, but so are you! I'm sure we will think of something for you to do better than being a JANITOR.
STEFAN
(Angrily)
Somebody has to do it. And after all, it is a SCIENTIFIC institute.
JAMIE
(Sarcastically, while leaving the table)
Well, then don't forget to take your TELESCOPE with you.
STEFAN
(Angrily, pushing the food away)
Yeah, maybe I will!
Stefan want to leave the dining room but is stopped by Jamie, who corners him at the tidy kitchen counter.
JAMIE
(Quietly)
I didn't mean that
STEFAN
It's alright, Jamie.
He turns away from her. Jamie sadly glances after him. Stefan slowly starts to go up the stairs, up to his working DEN. On the walls are pictures:
His dad; Stefan, when he was little, beside a huge telescope; Stefan with two other boys, all looking happy; a DIPLOMA; an award from 2002 for the discovery of the tenth planet in our solar system.
Stefan walks to the window. A yellow school bus arrives and two boys around ten years old exit and are running home, waving to Stefan. Stefan smiles and waves back to them. He looks up at the sky and sadly whispers:
STEFAN
Sorry --  I am so sorry, dad.
MONTAGE: EVENING
1 Skyline of NEW YORK city, traffic is lighter, but busy enough. 
2 Stefan boarding a city bus. 
3 A few hookers standing around. 
4 A long LIMO drives by, two girls are in the sunroof waving and holding bottles. 
5 Stefan sitting in the bus looking out the window.
6 A HOMELESS WOMAN pushing a cart full of belongings.
7 Through a window of a high-up floor of the SIRACOM building, we see Simone and the entire CANADIAN scientific group, including Nicole, shaking hands with a good-looking business man in his late 50's, JACK DALTON. 
8 Back inside Stefan's bus. 
9 Stefan sitting in the row behind an apparently HOMELESS COUPLE, a man and a woman. The man takes a bottle of JACK DANIEL'S out from a paper bag. It's half empty to begin with, and with one long sip the man finishes the bottle.
THE HOMELESS MAN
(Letting out a long burp)
Fuck -- me!
HOMELESS WOMAN
(Surprised, turning to him)
Who? Me? Fuck you? NEVER!
The homeless man glances to her, disgusted by her as well. The half empty bus bursts out in laughter. Stefan laughs too, shaking his head in disbelief.
10 Out of the bus all the way up, from a bird's-eye-view, the bus cruising the nicely lit NEW YORK city avenues. Continue up, until busy NEW YORK and the entire earth disappears into the quiet blackness of deep space.
Int. SIRACOM Basement.
There is a long dark hallway, outline of a door, light from inside creeping along its edges. Through the door. A tall older man in his 60's is standing with his back to us, frantically writing on a chalk board full of mathematical fractions. Word's like "TIME" and "ZERO GRAVITY" can be seen over his shoulders. Suddenly he stops writing. Stepping back in horror, his facial expression melt into wonder. He whispers:
I Got it!
INT. Siracom lobby, STEFAN on the NIGHT SHIFT.
NIGHT guard
May I help you, Sir?
Stefan
Hi - I'm here for the...
NIGHT GUARD
(Interrupting)
Oh, The new janitor.
STEFAN
Hmm - Do I look like one?
NIGHT GUARD
No! Not really, but I was expecting you, as my night report tells me.
He looks at a computer monitor.
(CONTINUED)
And? - You are on time. So, Mister Stefan Grand, right?
STEFAN
Yes that's me.
NIGHT GUARD
Do you have your application completed?
STEFAN
Oh Sure, the application
He reaches inside his Jacket and pulls out some rolled up papers. He neatly unrolls them and hands them to the guard.
NIGHT GUARD
Thanks.
Without reading, the guard throws them in a box with a sign that reads NIGHT SHIFT. He turns back to Stefan.
NIGHT GUARD (cont'd)
(Sternly)
Follow me.
INT. SIRACOM, THE NIGHT SHIFT.
Broom land on the floor and water splash around. The broom moves from side to side. Stefan is cleaning the long, narrow hallway. Somebody is coming down the stairs. The entire CANADIAN group is leaving, including Simone. Stefan hides his face as they pass. The group continues to walk down the hall. Stefan glances after them and notices Simone from the back. Her pony-tail dances while she walks. Stefan is intrigued by the group and gives a suspicious look.
FLASHBACK:
Stefan and Simone are jogging on the beach together, laughing and pushing each other playfully. Simone takes on more speed, and Stefan chases her. Her pony-tail dances. Stefan catches up, reaches out and carefully but quickly takes down her hair-tie. Simone is now trying to get her hair-tie back. She starts to run after him.
They run zigzagging across the beach like kids, laughing and having fun.
INT. siracom, night.
STEFAN snaps out of it, confused.
STEFAN (V.O.)
What the hell was that? Why am I
having these...
He pauses.
STEFAN (V.O.) (cont'd)
BEAT:
Memories?!
INT. STEFAN'S HOUSE, JAMIE PUTTING KIDS TO BeD
MARK (kid)
Mom, is dad working tonight?
JAMIE
Yes he is, sweetie.
MARK
But it's Friday night!
JAMIE
That's right, and that is the only reason why I let you stay up so late.
JASON (kid)
But he looked sad today.
JAMIE
(Unsure)
No, he's just tired, just like you are now, so let's get some sleep.
She kisses them, leaving the room.
KIDS
No mommy please - Leave the
light on for a while - Please MOM?
JAMIE
Okay, just for a little while, but I don't
wanna hear a word here.
The kids pretend that they are already sleeping.
JAMIE (cont'd)
(Whispering)
I love you guys.
Jamie leaves the room but stops before walking down the stairs. She glances into Stefan's working DEN. The door is wide open, and the room is tidily sorted. A computer is on the desk, pictures on the wall, and a telescope is by the window. Beside the window, a BIG clock shows the time to be 11:30 PM. She closes the door and starts to walk down the stairs.
INT. SIRACOM, BASEMENT.
An elevator comes to a stop and the doors open. Stefan is pushing a cleaning machine. The elevator door closes and he's standing in a pitch-black hallway.
STEFAN
Great!
He tries to move but trips over his machine and lands awkwardly on his back.
STEFAN
(Furiously)
Jesus! - Christ!
At the far end, a door opens and a tall person stands right in the middle. Light enters into the hallway. Stefan is sitting on the floor with his mouth wide open like he sees a ghost. The person's Russian accent echoes through the hallway.
May I help you?
STEFAN
Hi - um - I'm the new janitor - I'm just...
Stefan manage to stand up.
STEFAN (cont'd)
I couldn't find the switch.
THE MAN
Here!
He reaches with his hand and flips the switch. Now they see each other clearly. The man is tall, in his 60's, and dressed in a white coat. With his strong Russian accent, he says calmly:
Come on in, have some coffee.
INT. STefan has a break with alex.
Stefan shyly enters. It's not really an office as much as a scientific warehouse—messy with unfinished pizza and such. Something catches Stefan's eye. It's the long chalk board full of mathematical fractions, with words like ZERO GRAVITY and SPEED OF LIGHT written between the numbers and equations. ALEX is standing with his back to Stefan, preparing coffee.
ALEX
So? Milk? Sugar?
STEFAN
Yeah. Thanks. Milk and sugar would be fine.
Alex turns back with two cups of coffee, and Stefan quickly takes one. They sit down. Stefan looks around the office. SO MUCH stuff! Alex studies Stefan with skeptical eyes.
ALEX
(Extending his hand)
My name is ALEXANDER VLADIMIR PETROVSKY.
(Shaking his hand)
STEFAN GRAND.
STEFAN (cont'd)
So - Are you a scientist? Or, are you working on some research?
Stefan for some reason looks a little nervous.
Alex rests the coffee on the table, stands up, and proudly answers:
ALEX
Yes! I'm actually working on SOME RESEARCH, and not just working, but soon I will commence the stage of testing this research.
Alex points dramatically to the chalk board. He grabs some unappealing, old cookies and puts them in front of Stefan.
Stefan looks and nods grievously, not really wanting one.
STEFAN
Hmm - I see.
He walks up to the board.
STEFAN (cont'd)
(While reading, he is whispering)
Speed of light - zero gravity.
STEFAN (cont'd)
What - What is this?
ALEX
Well, my friend...
STEFAN
(Interrupting)
I'm an ASTRONOMER. I know very well what I'm reading here, but...
Stefan thoughtfully studies the board to the end, where he pauses. A confused expression melts into a skeptical one, and finally settles on a very stern expression-one. Stefan is STUNNED by what he sees.
Alex is impressed. Stefan gestures toward a section of the chalk board where it is written:
TIME IS CAPTURED BY THE BEAMS OF LIGHT STORED IN OUR UNIVERSE.
STEFAN
What do you mean by this line?
Alex steps closer to Stefan. He is standing right in front of him now.
ALEX
When you look at the stars, you think you see that very star in real time?
STEFAN
No, I know that the image we see of some of the stars is like millions if not billions of years old.
ALEX
That is correct, ASTRONOMER.
Stefan sits down without taking his eyes off the board.
INT. SIRACOM, Night guard
He is sitting, watching a small television set playing the Tonight Show with JAY LENO.
INT. STEFAN'S HOUSe
Jamie is sleeping alone in bed. On the night table there is a picture of Stefan, Jamie and the kids. She opens her eyes.
INT. STEFAN and ALEX continue THEIR DISCUSSION.
Alex walks back to his desk and continues sipping his coffee. Stefan is still studying the board. He still can't believe what he sees.
ALEX (O.S.)
You must think that I'm crazy perhaps, but let me tell you, my friend, twenty years I've been working on this. I lost my wife, daughter, all my friends, practically everything, but not simply because I believe in my work so much...
Alex pauses. Stefan is curious.
SteFAN
Because?
Alex moves toward a wall and removes a picture. Behind it is a safe, which he unlocks. He takes out a binder and puts it in front of Stefan on the table. Capital letters on the binder reads:  T. G. O. L.
ALEX
Because now, I can prove it.
Stefan reaches for the binder.
STEFAN
Can I?
Alex nods.
STEFAN (cont'd)
T. G. O. L. - What's that stand for?
ALEX
The Gate Of Life.
Stefan opens the binder, quickly taking in what's written on the pages, which are full of mathematical fractions. There are geometrical pictures of a black hole with circles around it and a small one in the middle. A straight line is above the diagram with letters above it spelling REALITY.
ALEX
You see, my friend, the question is: what is TIME? What does it mean when we say, TIME? TIME is something that actually doesn't exist in the UNIVERSE.
Stefan is confused.
ALEX (cont'd)
We must accept that TIME is only something that we invented, we, HUMANS. We created TIME to measure our lives. It does make sense to us and it is used globally but that's all it is. We live by the time, we wake up to work by the clock, we go to sleep by the clock. Everything is measured by something that we invented for this purpose, and we call it, TIME.
Stefan stares at him.
ALEX (cont'd)
We all are time travelers, in our real time.
STEFAN
So you invented a time machine? That's what all this is about?
Stefan is skeptical.
AlEX
No I did not. I could not invent something that was already here.
STEFAN
A time machine? - Was where?
ALEX
Here, right now, all around us. I'm talking with you, and you are here, and billions of other things are just happening around the world at this very moment. This is the time machine and we all are in it. And so we travel, every second that we are.
Stefan reaches for the old cookie before him. He takes a bite and then regrets it.
Alex (cont'd)
Minutes ago when you entered this room, that is now the PAST, but it is stored inside our memory.
Stefan looks Interested. He is nodding
STEFAN
So the image of the star we see every night, this is an image that has been stored in the BEAM of LIGHT that traveled all the way from the star to your eye. The light contains that star's past!
ALEX
That's correct.
ALEX (cont'd)
The entire beginning and entire evolution of our PLANET are stored in the BEAMS of light that are traveling throughout our universe as we speak...
STEFAN
But traveling where?
ALEX
Everywhere, to all the distant places where only light can reach
STEFAN
Is there such a place where light can only reach?
ALEX
No! The distance the beam of light reaches is INFINITE.
STEFAN
BEAT:
That's what ALBERT EINSTEIN says, same thing
ALEX
Yes, he did say this
Stefan looks at his wrist, which shows 5:30 AM.
STEFAN
Oh my - The time has really flown.
ALEX
Just like that.
Stefan walks to the door.
STEFAN
I've got to go. My shift is ending in like 30 minutes. But it was very interesting talking with you. I actually would like to continue this.
ALEX
Anytime
Stefan and Alex shake hands and Stefan closes the door behind him.
Alex stands there, looking at the door.
Stefan stops in the hallway, glances back to Alex's door, then turns back toward the middle of the hallway, where he left his cleaning machine.
STEFAN
(Exhaling)
Pohhhhhh
EXT. morning, JAMIE with the kids AT THE fruit market.
Jamie is treading with Jason and Mark through a busy SATURDAY FRUIT MARKET. Vendors have their fruit displays everywhere—on tables, on the ground, on chairs, etc. It is full of people and VENDORS yelling their cheapest offers for apples, bananas, watermelons, peppers, etc. Jason stops in front of one of these VENDORS and just stares at him. The vendor takes notice.
VENDOR
Hi, kiddo
Jason is quiet. Now Jamie notices. She is holding Mark by the hand. The vendor notices Jamie and winks at her. The Vendor grabs one of his shiniest and biggest apples and offers it to Jason.
VENDOR
Here you go, kiddo
Jason accepts the apple, but he stays quiet, still just staring. Mark looks confused. Jamie is visibly troubled by Jason's behavior.
Jamie
Jason honey? What do you say?
Jason looks at the apple and back to the vendor. The vendor gestures with his hand like "It's alright". Another customer steps up hurriedly in front of Jason.
Customer
Please... (She takes a deep breath) ...Can I have some of these apples, please?
VENDOR
Wow! Hey - Of course! Busy busy today. Here you go - Listen, these are the freshest apples that you will find. (He winks at her.)
The vendor packs apples into a bag. Jamie slowly takes Jason by the hand. He is still standing like a statue.
Jamie
(Quietly)
Is everything alright, honey?
Mark
Jason you are a freak!
Jamie gives a look to Mark like "MARK! You're not helping."
Suddenly Jason speaks. His face is serious and his eyes are fiery.
Jason
One day all of this will be gone!
The vendor give back some change to a customer and froze, Jamie is stunt, the customer look at Jason and took off, Mark is like " WHAT?"
INT. JAMIE driving home with the boys.
In the minivan nobody is speaking. The radio is on and the announcer says:
We're gonna have another hot day today, so I hope everybody has their AC running, because traffic is just getting started. Yeah that's right folks, it's a normal NEW YORK city day!
The song Beautiful Day by U-2 starts. Jamie looks disturbed. She turns down the volume and she looks in the mirror. Mark is sitting alone and so is Jason. Mark glances at Jamie, like "I don't know what's wrong either." Jason looks out the window.
Jamie
Jason? Honey? Everything OK?
JaSON
Yeah
Mark
(Bursting out laughing, in a mocking voice)
Everything will be gone! These apples shall perish! NO! Please!
Jamie
(Angrily)
MARK!
JASON
You'll be gone too!
JAMIE
OK! That is enough!
Furious, she stops the car.
Mark is still joking and mocking.
Mark
Please, no more apples for Jason!
Jason is visibly pissed off.
Jamie
Both of you STOP it right now! Jason, what the hell is wrong with you today? And what was that about back there?
MARK
(Whispering)
It was an evil apple
Jamie
MARK! I swear you are so close to being grounded for 2 weeks!
Mark locks his mouth with an invisible key and throws it out the window. Jamie is frantically eyeing the kids, then slides back to a forward position, shifts the van into gear and begins to drive. Jason is angry, and he sneaks glaring looks at Mark. Mark acts afraid sarcastically, but then when Jason looks away he appears a little shaken by his brother. Jamie looks at Jason in the mirror and breathes out heavily. The van is blending into the busy traffic. It's a nice sunny day. The radio announcer was right.
Int.  SIRACOM BUILDing, jack dalton, NICOLE and simone are with the group of scientists in jack's office having a discussion.
It's a busy day in front of the tall SIRACOM building. People are everywhere. Traffic is all over. Cops are directing traffic. People are coming in and out of SIRACOM. We are rising up, floor by floor. There are busy office workers on every floor, except when there is a busy LAB or a packed cafeteria. We stop on the floor where JACK DALTON'S office is located, where Jack is having a lively talk with Simone, Nicole and the four Canadian scientists. Nicole is standing, and she has the floor.
NicolE
The question here is: how can DNA extract from these remains confirm signs of modern food?
Jack
That's why you all are here.
Simone does not look happy. Jack gives Simone a bossy but also reassuring glance.
Jack (cont'd)
And you're all gonna work on this as one big happy family.
Nicole glances at Simone. Simone notices. Nicole quickly turns back.
Jack
What about the age? — Of whoever that is.
One scientist is about to speak, but Nicole is faster. Simone is visibly annoyed.
NicolE
That's - a - Actually that is the really confusing part Um...
Jack
Hmm, How bad is it? Simple enough for me to understand?
NicolE
(Abashedly)
Well, it's pretty simple, sir. It's...
Simone
(Interrupting)
It's 65 million years old, Jack.
She looks at Nicole, who forces a smile.
Jack
What?
They are all quiet, but Jack wants answers.
Jack (cont'd)
People - Talk to me, please!
NicolE
That is the biggest puzzle right now, sir.
Jack leans back in his chair. The room stays silent, until Jack's secretary rushes in.
Secretary
(Excitedly)
Jack, I've got ROBIN from CNN on line 1.
Jack
(Furious)
Jesus! Christ!
To everyone:
Jack (cont'd)
I told you people no MEDIA!
They're confused. Simone is STUNNED.
Int:  JACK'S Secretary'S office
The secretary carefully closes the meeting-room door. Jack is still yelling at the whole group like "What the hell! People I told you no MEDIA at all on this!" A young man walks in holding a resume, dressed upscale.
SECRETARY
Hi. May I help you?
The Young man
Hi, I would like to apply for the DATA assistance JOB. I don't have an appointment but...
SECRETARY
(Whispering)
I don't think this is a good time right now, honey
She picks up the phone.
SECRETARY (cont'd)
ROBIN?
Robin (O.S.)
Yeah, I'm still here
SECRETARY
I have Jack holding for you.
She presses a button and hangs up.
SECRETARY (cont'd)
Why don't you leave your resume here, and I will make sure when it's a good time I will pass this on to MR. DALTON
THE YOUNG MAN
OK - Fair enough.
Int:  JAck dalton'S OFFICE
Jack walks up to the window. Robin from CNN is on his headset. He's still angry with his team, but suddenly his voice sounds really warm.
Jack
Hi, Robin?  How're you doing, princess?
SIMONE
(Whispering)
Princess?
ROBIN (O.S.)
(Smiling)
Hi JACK?
INT.  stEFAN, another NIGHT SHIFT again
A mop lands on the floor, water splashes around. Stefan is cleaning the long narrow hallway, close to Alex's door. Light is coming out from underneath the door. Stefan hesitates, but his curiosity gets the better of him. He knocks.
ALEX (O.S.)
Come in, Stefan.
Surprised, Stefan walks in.
STEFAN
How did you know - that, it was me?
ALEX
(smiling)
Who else would like to skip some of his work time at one in the morning with some crazy old scientist?
Stefan closes the door.
STEFAN
I don't think you're crazy at all.
ALEX
Thank you, young MAN - Coffee?
STEFAN
(Heavily exhaling)
Please
He exhaustively slumps into a chair.
It's silent — Alex preparing coffee and Stefan looking around at the office. Something strikes him — the room is very TIDY and clean.
STEFAN (cont'd)
Did you just hire someone who really, I mean really, did an awesome job cleaning your SCIENTIFIC CRIB?
Alex turns back with two cups of coffee.
ALEX
No, I never have a mess here.
STEFAN
Well, my apologies, but yesterday, as far as I remember, this place was, well, what would be the appropriate word -  a DUMP?
ALEX
(Surprised)
A DUMP? Are You sure it was yesterday? And are you sure it was here?
STEFAn
Come on now - Of course.
ALEX
(Very serious)
Are you 100% sure, Stefan, that it was yesterday?
Stefan is confused and stands up from his chair. He gives a confused look like "What the hell is going on?!" Alex stares at him sternly. The tension is soon replaced with a feeling of awkwardness, that seems to bother Stefan but not Alex.
ALEX (cont'd)
(Bursting out laughing)
Got ya, ASTRONOMER! Geez, you should see your face! Oh my God!
He begins to laugh even harder. Stefan is stunned. He did not expect this PRANK from Alex at all. He slides back into his chair.
STEFAN
(Impressed)
You can act! I have to give you that.
ALEX
I would say I'm sorry, but I can't because this was - PRICELESS.
He is still laughing.
STEFAN
Well, you had your time theory - Who wouldn't be confused - I mean....
ALEX
(Interrupting)
It is not a theory anymore.
STEFAN
Excuse me?
Alex is serious again.
STEFAN (cont'd)
Ok I got that - No! - You can't score twice, my friend.
Alex sits down across from him, calmly.
Alex
Tonight! If you want, we can do something that scientists around the world have dreamt of for centuries.
STEFAN
What?
Alex is quiet. Stefan doesn't understand.
STEFAN (cont'd)
Do what, Alex?
ALEX
We can travel through TIME!
Int:  night guard
The NIGHT GUARD behind his security desk is flipping through some MAGAZINE. He lazily tosses it back onto the desk, puts up his feet, and slowly closes his eyes. It's late and he's tired. His watch displays 2:00 AM.
Int.  Jamie, night, bedroom
Jamie is standing in her night robe by the window, very serious, just staring into the pitch black night outside.
Int.  Back to alex and stefan
Stefan and Alex are debating in front of the chalk board, still full of mathematical fractions and words like TIME and GRAVITY underlined. Alex finishes writing a last line — THE SPEED OF LIGHT IS EQUAL TO TIME.
STEFAN
Equal to TIME? That is impossible.
ALEX
Why?
STEFAN
Well the speed of light travels 160 thousand miles per second.
ALEX
That is right
STEFAN
The speed of light can't - I mean if I stand here and you're flying with the speed of light - Lets say to our nearest star...
ALEX
(Interrupting)
PROXIMA CENTAUR?
STEFAN
That's right! Well the STAR is about 4 light years away. So since one light year is 365.25 days, then...
Alex
You'd be eight years older?
STEFAN
Not four?
ALEX
There. And back.
STEFAN
Oh yeah, I'm sorry!
ALEX
It's OK - OK, Very good by the way—as an astronomer you have some knowledge.
Stefan appreciates the compliment.
Alex (cont'd)
But what if you can control it!
Stefan looks at the board and back to Alex. Alex walks behind his desk and opens the safe behind the hanging picture.
ALEX (cont'd)
Then, my friend, let me show you something.
Stefan is curious. Alex takes out a shiny, small steel BOX, no bigger than a shoe box.
ALEX (cont'd)
This is what will make this possible.
STEFAN
What's in the box, Alex?
Alex glances to him like "Come see". He opens the BOX and takes out a stainless steel looking watch. It's bigger than an ordinary watch with a decent sized digital display panel. It's thicker and stronger-looking than a normal watch, but other than that, not so different. There are three little knobs on the side of the watch. Stefan is curious now, but his face turns to a skeptical expression.
ALEX
Stefan, this is my time travel DEVICE.
Stefan looks shocked yet unsure.
Stefan
Can I?
Alex nods. Stefan turns the DEVICE over in his hands. He shakes his head to in disbelief.
Stefan (cont'd)
What are these knobs for?
Alex
On the left, it turns the device on.
STEFAN
(Skeptically)
Oh, I don't wanna disappear now, Alex
Alex
Very funny - No, that is the main control, turning on the power or powering off.
Stefan
Hmm...
Stefan turns the power on, and the panel illuminates with a beautiful blue color. It says:
WELCOME TO T. G. O. L.
STEFAN (cont'd)
That is impressive
Alex
Now push that second one, on the same side.
The panel changes color to a highly reflective green and then quickly goes back to blue. The panel displays 2007.
Stefan
(Smiling skeptically)
Hmm, Needs updating?
Alex smiles and nods.
Alex
Now you can press the top button on the other side.
Stefan
OK
The panel changes to white and black numbers. The last two numbers (zero and seven) are flashing. Stefan looks at him.
Stefan (cont'd)
Are you telling me, like an ALARM clock, I can just adjust the year and VOILAAAAA?
Alex
Pick a year.
Stefan
Come on, ALEX - This is ridiculous!
Alex
Pick a year, Stefan.
Stefan sees that Alex means business, and he doesn't want to spoil the fun.
BEAT:
STEFAN
Alright, alright - Let's say...
Pressing the buttons, the numbers change from "07" to "08" to "09" and continues until it stops on "2025".
Stefan (cont'd)
Yeah, 2025 looks like an interesting year.
Alex
Yeah? How do you know that?
Stefan
Come on, Alex. I'm just going along here. I mean come on!
Alex
OK, Now pick a date.
Stefan doesn't want to play this game anymore. He feels stupid, but he goes along with it.
Stefan
O -- K. So let's leave the same date—today is?
Alex
August 25.
STEFAN
Yes, AUGUST 25. So what's next?
Alex
It will keep the same date. The specific time, however, might be different. Now it's 2:30 AM. I think you will arrive here around 10:00 AM.
STefan
Arrive here?
Alex
It's not actually that accurate. You might miss your destination by 1 mile, more or less.
Stefan
Alex, please...
Alex
And now, press both knobs on each side, the top ones.
Stefan is about to say something. Alex stops him with a pointing finger. Stefan stares at him for a second. The year 2025 is flashing blue. The color intensifies and makes Stefan squint his eyes. Stefan presses the KNOBS.
Alex (O.S.) (cont'd)
God speed, my friend.
There is pitch black. In the distance, a thin red line appears, then grows bigger and expands across a high-pitched sound emerges. Stefan screams. A white tunnel materializes, filled with the devastating sound. It takes us in!
EXT. NEW YORK, TIMES SQUARE, AUGUST 25 2025
Stefan lands on the ground on his knees and palms. The sidewalk is messy, filled with glass and dirt, and it's almost dark. The light on his wrist turns green. It reads AUGUST 25/2025, and a 30 second countdown then replaces the date. Suddenly panic and chaotic noise come in from all over. People are running, carrying children. Some people are covered in blood. Some kids are alone and crying. Cars are flipped over. All over the streets, there are dead bodies and futuristic cars burning. There is lots of wind. Buildings are in ruins and on fire. Stefan stands up. He looks up to see he is in front of the SIRACOM building, which itself is on fire in parts. A dirty, torn newspaper lands in his hands. The front-page headline reads ASTEROID ON DEADLY COLLISION WITH OUR MOON. He reads the date on the newspaper: AUGUST 25 2025. A little kid trips and falls right in front of him. Stefan quickly picks him up. His eyes are filled with horror, and his right cheek is covered with blood.
Stefan
Jesus Christ, kid -- What's going on?
KID
(Choking on his words)
P-p--l-lease m-mister -- Run!
He squirms out of Stefan's arms.
Stefan
Wait!
Stefan grabs him by his burned, dirty JACKET. The KID stops and looks at Stefan. Stefan looks at him. The kid just points his finger UP. Stefan looks. The kid starts to run again.
Stefan (cont'd)
OH -  MY - GOD!
In horror he cover his head with his arms. The moon is clearly on a collision course with earth. It is so close that the surface craters are clearly visible. The moon is blocking out the sun. The sound is devastating. It looks like the moon is just about to touch the tops of the burnt skyscrapers. Stefan can't believe what he sees. The MOON continues crashing closer to the EARTH as darkness spreads all over. Huge explosions are triggered. Stefan collapses to his knees, yelling, screaming: "No! Noooo!" A sound comes from the wrist DEVICE and gets his attention. He sees "3 - 2 - 1 -"
EARTH, from a bird-eye-view. There is an enormous explosion in a huge ring of fire as the MOON descends right into the EARTH. The entire surrounding space is filled with the explosion.
INT. SIRACOM, BASEMENT HALLWAY, AUGUST 25 2008
There is the dark basement hallway, and a high-pitched sound echoes throughout. Out of thin air, a white tunnel spits out Stefan. He hits the floor hard. There is silence and the hallway is dark.
STEFAN
Oh my God! What the -  Where am I?
He stands up and reaches for a switch. He finds one. He has left bloody hand prints on the floor. He looks at his hands. They are covered with blood, and little pieces of glass are stuck in his palm. He's messy and his clothes are a mess. He realizes that he's back in the SIRACOM hallway. Where is Alex? He's confused.
Stefan (cont'd)
(Pounding hard on Alex's door)
Alex! Alex! Open the door! It's me Stefan.
After a few tries, Stefan runs to the ELEVATOR and presses the lobby button.
INT. SIRACOM LOBBY, Main hallway
A Hispanic male, dancing to the rhythm coming from his headphones. While dancing, he is also operating his cleaning machine. The NIGHT GUARD is gone. The ELEVATOR doors open. Stefan sees the new JANITOR cleaning the LOBBY, dancing backwards toward him. He taps him on his shoulder from the back. The Janitor freaks out.
Janitor
(With a Latino accent)
Oh my God, man!
Stefan
What the hell are you doing here?
JANITOR
I'm working, SIR! And you are?
The Janitor checks him out from top to bottom.
Janitor (cont'd)
SIR, are you supposed to be here?
Stefan
Look, how long have you worked here?
Janitor
A year.
Stefan
Did you already work here when I started? - Do you know me?
The Janitor shakes his head "No".
Stefan is confused. The Janitor stares at him. Stefan takes off straight to the EXIT and runs out of the SIRACOM building.
Janitor (O.S.) (cont'd)
Crazy white people!
Int.  SIRACOM building, top floor offices, NICole and simone are STILL working
Nicole is sitting in front of the monitor trying to put together a DNA model. Simone is sitting right beside her drinking coffee. Both girls are tired, almost lying in their chairs. It is late and they're still working.
Simone
(Breaking her pencil)
This is really boring already!
Nicole
Patience is the key?
Simone stand ups. It seems like the two have finally become comfortable with each other.
Simone
More coffee?
Nicole
Yeah - I guess one more cup, thank you.
Nicole glances at Simone. They exchange a laughing glance.
Simone prepares the coffee.
Simone
You know, I was thinking
NicolE
(Still working on the model, but no luck yet)
Damn you! Sorry, you were saying?
Simone places the coffee in front of Nicole. Nicole removes her glasses and positions herself more cozily in her chair. Simone sits down as well.
Simone
I was thinking, what if this big human discovery from the dinosaurs' age is more like...
Nicole
More like what?
Simone
More like - Umm - Some time traveler, I mean..
Nicole bursts out to laugh almost, chocking on the coffee. Simone looks like  "OK, OK".
Simone (cont'd)
Just put one plus one together here. We've got the skeleton of some dead guy with modern denture work around sixty years old and the DNA confirms that he died around 65 million years ago!
NicolE
(Still laughing)
Yeah - Maybe some DINO MOM misses lots by now
Simone stands up and walks up to the skeleton lying on the LAB table partially put together. She just stares at it.
NICOLe (O.S.) (cont'd)
Girl, we need serious break time, I mean, talk about overtime!
Simone
Yeah I guess so.  We've been working on this like a YEAR already, and what do we have?
Nicole
A whole lot of nothing!
Montage:
1 A dark street—still some life is going on. 
2 Stefan runs across the street and tries to stop a TAXI, but none stop. 
3 He boards a bus, but the bus driver kicks him out. Stefan looks more like a bum with his dirty, half burnt clothes. Desperate, he starts to walk down the street.
Ext.  Stefan, approaching his home
Stefan is at his house, outside. The lights are off. The night is silent. Only a few neighbors lights are still on. Some dogs are barking at Stefan from a nearby yard. He tries to open the door, but it's locked. He tries a few light knocks.
Stefan
(Whispering)
Jamie -- Jamie!
Jamie wakes up hearing the noise. Unsure, she walks up to the window. She sees Stefan and is literally STUNNED.
Stefan (cont'd)
Jamie!
The door opens and Stefan walks in. Jamie stands in front of him. She is visibly stunned, then anger takes over.
JAMIE
What are you doing here, Stefan?
Stefan
Look at me, I'm all a mess. Well, I'm finished early today, at least.
He takes off his JACKET.
Jamie
(Angry)
Early?! I hate you! And guess what -- Your kids hate you!
Stefan stops moving.
Stefan
Jamie what are you talking about? What is with you?
Jamie
(Furious now)
You know what? Just get out of here, please!
Stefan
You are waking up the kids, Jamie!
He steps close to her, taking her face into his palms.
Stefan (cont'd)
JAMIE, what are you talking about?
Jamie starts to cry, putting her head on his shoulder, and then pushes him away.
Jamie
Stefan, where have you been for Christ's sake? How could you, Stefan?
Stefan
(Upset)
Jamie, I don't know what you're talking about, I left yesterday for a night shift. JESUS Christ, Jamie, wake up!
Jamie stares at him. Her eyes are filled with tears. Calmly, she sits down.
JAMIE
I don't know what it is you're trying to pull here but...
Stefan
(Interrupting)
I'm the one who's trying to pull something?
JAMIE
Stefan, you were gone a YEAR! A full, freaking - YEAR!
Stefan freezes at once, his eyes open wide, and his jaw drops. It's an awkward moment. He looks down to the DEVICE on his wrist.
Flashback:
Stefan lands on all fours on ground. The sidewalk is messy, filled with glass and dirt. It's almost dark. His device on his wrist turns to light green. Words read: "AUGUST 25/2025" and disappear. A 30 second countdown replaces the date.
Int:  STEFAN AND JAMIE
Stefan collapses in a chair. His eyes are confused. He's bumbling words.
Stefan
No, No - That can't be, No!
Jamie studies Stefan. Stefan stands up and turns to Jamie. I have to tell you something. Stairs squeak. The KIDS are running downstairs, happy that they see their DAD back HOME.
KIDS
DAD!, DADDY!
Jamie is crying. Stefan stands up and catches Mark and Jason in his arms. He's devastated by this event.
Ext:  in front of stefan'S house
A car starts and idles before slowly starting to drive away. It is Alex!
Montage:
1 Stefan and Jamie talking in the kitchen, almost arguing. The kids are sent back up to theirs rooms by Jamie. They look sad. 
2 Alex is driving. From a pocket of his JACKET he pulls out a really old photo. (It shows Alex at least 30 years ago, in front of an old European house. Beside him is a little five-year old girl, dressed in a thick jacket and a short skirt. Her skinny white legs end in an old pair of giant, adult-sized work boots.) He looks at the picture for a while, kisses it, opens the window and throws the picture out. Traffic destroys the picture as it gets run over on the ground.
EXT.  simone and stefan, morning
Stefan is trying to get through an endless wave of people going to work. He notices SIMONE McAllen running down the steps, leaving the SIRACOM building.
STEFAN
(Yelling)
Simone, SIMONE McAllen
Simone hears her name being yelled, and turns in all directions. Stefan is right behind her.
STEFAN (cont'd)
SIMONE McAllen
She turns, not recognizing him at first.
Stefan (cont'd)
Hi, You remember me from a few days ago, right here?
Simone
Oh, Yeah - Yes that's right.  But a few days ago?! It's more like a YEAR.
Stefan rolls his eyes.
STEFAN
You are absolutely right, I'm sorry. Is it that long already?
Simone
Isn't that something?
STEFAN
Well Simone — actually can I call you Simone?
Simone
Please.
STEFAN
I was thinking. Are you really busy right now? Or I mean - can we maybe...
He chokes on his words, just staring at her, having forgotten how stunningly beautiful she is.
Simone
(Curious)
Can we what?
STEFAN
Can we just get a cup of coffee and talk?
Simone is surprised, but excited as well.
Simone
Are you trying to pick me up or something here?
Stefan
It is very - I mean ahmm...
SimonE
Alright OK, why not, I've got maybe an hour to spare and I was going to STARBUCKS anyway.
Stefan puts on a cute smile. She smiles back, and there is a some beautiful chemistry going on between them.
INT.  jamie is in the attic
Jamie is going through some old junk and boxes. She opens one box full of letters and pictures. One picture captures her attention. She sit on the floor and her eyes are instantly filled with tears. She whispers, "Father". We are moving behind her. The picture slowly comes into focus. It's the same picture that Alex destroyed the other night — "the man with a little girl standing in front of some old European house."
Int:  stefan and simone, sTArBUCKS
They enter the STARBUCKS full of people. There is a laptop on almost every table. It's a busy place where office workers take breaks. Simone sits down and Stefan goes to pick up some coffees. She as well takes out a laptop, powers it on and starts checking her e-mails. Stefan is back with the coffee. He sits down and just silently watches Simone. She takes her eyes off the screen, notices Stefan watching her, and she smiles. So does Stefan. She closes the LAPTOP.
Simone (cont'd)
So, what is it that you wanna talk about?
There is silence.
Simone (cont'd)
I would like to be here with you longer, but I really have only one hour.
Stefan
For you it's been a year since we last saw each other, for me it was a few days.
Simone
OK - This is getting weird a little fast.
Stefan
Wait, let me get to the point
Simone
If there is one...
She takes a sip of coffee.
Stefan
I -  need someone to understand and listen for a moment...
He starts to speak more tenaciously, and with more confidence.
(Stefan (cont'd)
First of all, I want to assure you that I'm not insane or some delusional guy. I'm actually a professional ASTRONOMER, but I lost my government financing for my research LAB that my father built and passed on to me before he died.
Simone
Sorry to hear that
Stefan just nods.
Stefan
So I was really upset with myself, and the first Job I saw in the NEWSPAPER - I just took it.
Simone
What JOB?
Stefan
Janitor...
Simone
Oh my, And where?
Stefan
Where you work — SIRACOM.
Simone
(Surprised)
Really? I don't remember seeing you and I'm working really late hours sometimes.
Stefan
Yeah, you couldn't see me, because in your time I was working there only two nights I think, but in my TIME it was a YEAR!
Simone
What? I'm really losing you here - My time? Your time? What's with the YEAR?
Stefan
I know how that sounds. Please, though, I need to ask for a very open mind here --I mean - I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound so rude here...
Simone
No-no-no. It's OK — open mind, I got it.
Ext:  alex
Standing in a field, somewhere outside of the city. There is nothing around—no houses or anything. He fiddles with the device on his wrist. A white tunnel materializes right in front of him, with devastating sound and Alex is sucked into the tunnel and disappears. The quiet resumes, and there is just the lonely country field.
Int.  Public school, jason
The teacher is finishing a grammar sentence on the chalk board. She asks Jason:
Teacher
Jason, can you please spell the word "sentence"?
Jason stands up very, looking very annoyed.
Jason
I don't know.
TEACHER
Excuse me?
Jason just stares at her.
TEACHER (cont'd)
Jason Grand, can you please spell for the rest of the class the word "sentence"?
JaSON
If I will, will you please leave me alone?
TEACHER
(Stunned)
Mister Jason Grand? Are you willing to stand by this statement?
Jason just stares at her like  "who cares."
TEACHER (cont'd)
Thank you, Jason. Sit down please and I will definitely talk to your parents.
All of the kids in the class are kind of surprised by this weird behavior coming from Jason. He used to be a good kid.
INT.  stefan and simone continue their conversation in STARBUCKS
Simone is stunned by Stefan's story about Alex and his traveling DEVICE.
Simone
Do you hear yourself?
Stefan nods. He senses that Simone does not believe him at all.
Simone (cont'd)
You still have that magic watch?
Stefan rolls up his sleeve and shows it to Simone. She takes his hand and observes the watch closer, then she leans back in her chair.
SIMONE (cont'd)
Well, Stefan, thank you for the very unusual cup of coffee, but I need to go back now.
Simone stands up. Stefan does too, maybe even faster than Simone.
STEFAN
Wait, Please, I know you don't believe me - but...
He pauses.
SIMONE
But what?
Simone (cont'd)
But what, Stefan?
Stefan looks right into her exotic green eyes.

BEAT:
Stefan
(Exhaling heavily)
I can prove it!
Simone
Prove what? Time traveling? Please!
She turns around and leaves. Stefan slides back into his chair. Most people start to leave as well—probably the break time was the same for all office workers. Almost by himself now, he sits and just finishes his coffee. He's tired, he's confused, he's hopeless. How will he prove to her that time travel is a reality? He appears lonely in his frustration.
EXT.  Stefan findS alex, the city
Stefan leaves STARBUCKS. It's the afternoon, so the city is very busy, and he blends into the river of people. The river is rushing, but he's not. He's got lots on his mind. A few meters away, he notices a small crowd watching a TV set in a fairly big glass window. CNN is airing breaking NEWS. Lead SCIENTISTS and ASTRONOMERS of the United States agree that an encounter between our MOON and a huge ASTEROID that is heading straight to our GALAXY is scheduled for sometime in the summer of 2025. Stefan is stunned.
DIANE DUANE
(CNN anchorwoman)
Well, PAUL, can you tell us how this unfortunate event might affect our planet or even life as we know it?
Subtitles: PAUL STEINBERG via Satellite LIVE.
PAUL
Diane, it's not something that we can easily imagine or even estimate what sort of effect this might bring. All we can say for sure is that this is bad. This will be a catastrophe to our PLANET if nothing changes.
DIANE DUANE
Are we in mortal danger, PAUL?
PAUL
(Pauses)
Most likely, yes. The thing is, Diane, that our MOON has an enormous effect on our gravity and magnetic field and these are, as we all know, very important elements for our existence.
Diane nods.
PAUL (cont'd)
After all, only 230 thousand miles separate our PLANET and the MOON. So any massive impact to our only MOON might cause an unimaginable disaster to our planet as well.
The spectators around Stefan are surprised. Some are distracted, some are like "Yeah whatever", some are very interested. The crowd gets bigger and one of the spectators speaks up.
Spectator
Please, people, that is exactly what the MEDIA wants—to create fear in our society. We have terrorist attacks, we have warnings for bridges that might blow out, we even have warnings to be cautious when we open up our MAIL for Christ's sakes.
Stefan
I know how you feel, we all do, but this is real.
SPECTATOR
Oh please! How do you know?
Stefan does not answer. Spectators start to talk to each other.
SPECTATOR (cont'd)
If I say next year I will run for President of the United States, you gonna believe me, too?
STEFAN
(Ironically)
I wouldn't be surprised at all, SIR.
A young teenage GIRL stands right beside Stefan.
TEENAGE GIRL
I sure hope not!
The spectator gives both a bad look and leaves. Stefan glances to the girl. She glances back. We can tell that they are both happy that this annoying man finally left. Stefan suddenly notices that across the street, in front of SIRACOM, Alex is standing, and he as well notices Stefan. Stefan heads out of the crowd as fast as he can.
STEFAN
(Yelling)
Alex! Alex!
Alex stops a TAXI, and waves to Stefan.
ALEX
Let's go, hurry! We've got to go!
Stefan quickly crosses the busy street and jumps into the taxi. The driver is startled.
STEFAN
I'm sorry!
Driver
You wanna kill me or something?
STEFAN
That is the last thing on my mind, trust me.
He turns to Alex. Alex looks different, he's very nicely dressed. He just stares at Stefan.
STEFAN (cont'd)
Jesus Christ, Alex, you have no idea how happy I am to see you.
ALEX
I think I know. We got lots to talk about, you and I.
DRIVER
Where to?
ALEX
Take me home.
Stefan notices Alex has the same DEVICE on his wrist. Stefan checks his own, just to make sure that he still has it.
STEFAN
Yeah, let's talk
The taxi blends into the traffic.
INT.  simone starts to BELIEVE
Simone gets back in the LAB. Nicole looks like she never left, staring through a microscope. Simone places the coffee in front of her.
 SIMONe
Here you go, girl
NICOLe
Thanks. Look, check this out
Nicole stands up and makes way for Simone to look.
SIMONe
What am I looking at here?
Simone turns to Nicole. She looks excited.
Simone (cont'd)
So? What is it?
NicolE
You're not gonna believe this, but after all you probably were right with that blind guess.
Simone
Oh really? What guess was that?
NicolE
Your, time travel HERO!
SIMONE
What? Are you serious? How could you tell from all that? (She points to the microscope.)
Nicole goes to the LAB table. Simone follows.
Nicole
Look
She gently lifts up the left arm of the skeleton.
NICOLE (cont'd)
I took a sample of his left wrist bone, and ran some data. Something wasn't right.
Simone
How did you know to take some sample from his left wrist? Why the left wrist?
NICOLE
Well, I took a close look again - You know how many times we did that
SIMONE
I know, every inch of this Halloween beauty.
NICOLE
Well, we overlooked something. Look.
On the left wrist bone, there's a subtle brown segment two inches wide.
NICOLE (cont'd)
First, I thought it could be some simple deformation sign, since the body was in the decomposing stage, but then, this is the only place where you can find it. His right wrist doesn't have it
SIMONE
So? Then what is it?
Nicole goes back to the microscope and points to the monitor where the sample is a thousand times bigger.
NICOLE
You see that? That is metal or steel, burnt fragments, literally toasted to the left wrist bone.
SIMONE
Couldn't that have been just a watch melted under high temperatures? Maybe that's how this poor guy died
Nicole just gives her a satisfied look.
NICOLE
Exactly
Simone
So? This mystery is solved
NICOLE
Oh, I didn't know that dinosaurs were wearing watches already 65 million years ago.
NICOLE (cont'd)
This data is confirming modern metal or steel! So this most likely is or was a TIME traveler, otherwise we can't explain the GAP in the evolution scale.
Simone is stunned and slowly sits down. Her thoughts take her back to STARBUCKS.
FLASHBACK:
Simone
Do you still have that magic watch?
Stefan rolls up his sleeve and shows it to Simone. Simone takes his hand and observes the watch closer, then she leans back into her chair.
Stefan
(Exhaling heavily)
I can prove it!
Simone
Prove what, time traveling? Please!
Int:  Back in the lab
Simone snaps out of it. Nicole just stares at her.
NICOLE
Hello? You still with us?
Simone suddenly stands up and hurries to the door.
NICOLE (cont'd)
Wait -- Where are you going?
She turns back.
SIMONE
Ummm - I'm sorry, I'll tell you later. And meanwhile do what you're doing. You're doing great!
She slams the door closed, and she's gone. Nicole is standing in the middle of the room, confused by Simone. She walks back to her work, grabs the coffee that Simone brought for her, and turns back to the lying skeleton.
NICOLE
BEAT:
What's your name, handsome?
INT.  stefan and alex in alex'S house
Stefan is standing in the middle of a huge room decorated with antique furniture. Alex is preparing drinks at the BAR.
ALEX
What do you drink, ASTRONOMER?
STEFAN
Nobody calls me that but you. Scotch.
ALEX
Ice?
STEFAN
No, no ice.
Alex
I have good Russian vodka.
Stefan just glances and smiles at Alex and walks to the nicely decorated fireplace. Right on top of it is a very old-fashioned looking bronze gun, preserved in a glass box. Stefan reads "16th Century" on the plaque. Alex takes notice.
ALEX (cont'd)
Some of the finest metalwork of that period.
STEFAN
Magnificent.
Stefan continues to passionately look at the object. Alex steps closer and hands a glass of Scotch to Stefan.
STEFAN (cont'd)
Thanks
ALEX
Bronze guns of this time period are particularly important, as bronze was an expensive commodity, and the demand for ordnance was increasing rapidly.
Stefan is impressed by Alex's knowledge.
ALEX (cont'd)
Due to the techniques applied, no two are the same, making each an important piece of history.
STEFAN
How did you get that? It must be very valuable.
Stefan glances to Alex. He just winks at Stefan and sits on an antique leather sofa. His DEVICE shines from underneath his sleeve.
STEFAN (cont'd)
(Raised eyebrows)
You didn't..
AlEX
Yes. I traveled to the 16th century.
Alex drinks his vodka. Stefan sits across from Alex, looking stunned.
STEFAN
But I thought...
ALEX
I know, I know you thought you are testing my DEVICE - and that you are the first one.
StEFAN
(Angrily standing up)
So you did know and you let me do it? I lost a year of my life! My wife and my kids hate my guts and you...
Alex stands up and goes to a small night table and grabs a framed picture with Alex and some other MAN most likely the same age as Alex. They are standing in front of some futuristic looking ship, something like a modern SPACE SHUTTLE.
ALEX
You see this!
Stefan does not understand. Alex hands him the picture.
StEFAN
So?
ALEX
That was my only brother!
STEFAN
What does he have to do with it?
ALEX
Everything. Sit down and I'll tell you something that you'll understand.
Stefan wants to say something.
ALEX (cont'd)
Just sit down and let me speak...
Alex insists, and Stefan grumpily sits down and is quiet.
Alex (cont'd)
Five years ago, my brother and I did final touches on a primitive SPACE SHUTTLE, if we can call it that. Our electronic instruments were state of the art and capable of exact precision that calculated where the nearest black hole is in our solar system.
Stefan raises his eyebrows.
Alex (cont'd)
Yes, I know. Anyway, he was with me working almost twenty years on the TRAVEL applications and we found out that BLACK HOLES are actually vehicles to other dimensions of reality, other worlds with tunnels in to the past or future.
Stefan shakes his head in disbelief.
Alex (cont'd)
He was eager to be the first one to try, and I didn't want him to, but if you knew him, you would understand.
Alex memories take him away for a moment.
Stefan
So? What happened?
Alex snaps out of it.
Alex
He never came back
Stefan
Jesus! And you didn't have enough with the loss of your brother? So you tried it on me?
Alex
(Angrily)
I am not finished!
Stefan is silent at once.
Alex (cont'd)
For two years I lived liked a BUM. I couldn't work, I couldn't think, I was mentally exhausted. Then-- then I found an ad in the papers that SIRACOM was looking to hire a SCIENTIST, so I took the job. Jack Dalton liked me. He thought that Russian SCIENTISTS are really clever.
Stefan
That's a first
ALEX
He let me do what I wanted. From time to time I speak at some seminars where I represent SIRACOM, but other than that, I was left alone. So I started working again on the TIME TRAVEL application.
Alex (cont'd)
This time I approached my research differently. I knew that building some machine is wrong. I knew that there must be another way.
Alex (cont'd)
And then you showed up and I had just finished my DEVICE.-- I knew you were going to come. I was expecting you before I saw you.
Stefan is confused.
Alex (cont'd)
But I miscalculated. All of it. You are back, but it was supposed to be another way. It was supposed to be that you had never been born.
Stefan slowly stands up, his anger visible, his eyes wide open.
Stefan
What did you just say, old man?
Alex stands right in front of him.
Alex
Before you try to kill me, we first have to travel into the near future, together.
Stefan
Why would I wait to kill you, and instead go with you on some vacation?
Alex
Because that is where the story ends. What you will see will help you understand why maybe If you didn't exist at all, it could be the only solution to all of this. Because the decision you are about to make must be every father's worst night mare.
Stefan steps back and eyes Alex suspiciously.
Alex (cont'd)
Your oldest son, Stefan --  Your own son
Alex puts his arm on his friend's shoulder and like a father gives him a strong hug. Stefan is lost. He still doesn't understand what Alex is trying to tell him. Behind Stefan's back, Alex just presses the buttons on his wrist DEVICE and they both get sucked into the tunnel that instantly materializes close above them. The silence in the room is interrupted by the outside traffic. A tall antique clock shows 3:00 PM.
EXT.  2020, september, hotel plaza times square, new york city, day
Stefan and Alex are standing on a sidewalk right in front of the Hotel Plaza. Times have definitely changed—hologram billboards are everywhere, looking very realistic. It is not so busy like it used to be, because futuristic-looking trains that smoothly glide 100 feet above the ground have replaced most of the car traffic. Cars are literally gliding a few inches above the ground, smoothly and quietly. There are models that Stefan has never seen before. The streets are covered with metal surfaces, most likely used as magnetic fields which power the traffic. Buildings look like they are covered with a coat of silver, smooth glass. A few people are gliding in all directions on escalators built right into the sidewalks, dressed in black skintight uniforms. Almost everybody looks alike.
STEFAN
This is amazing...
Alex
It would be if not for this. Look!
Alex point to another building where one of the hologram billboards shows a young man not even 30 years old dressed with a stylish soldier uniform. Right beside him, red flashing words read:
BILLBOARD
JASON GRAND—our global leader. Vote for the future. Leave the past.
Stefan is mesmerized looking up at the board and back to Alex. He is proudly smiling like any father would.
Stefan
(Surprised)
This - is - my son! JASON!
Alex
It's nothing to be proud of, Stefan, and I'm sorry to tell you that. I really am
Stefan is confused.
Stefan
Are you out of your mind? What father wouldn't be proud?
Alex
You won't be, not when you see the truth of Jason's campaign.
Stefan
What are you talking about?
One of the futuristic cars parks right in front of Stefan and Alex. A door folds into the body of the car, and a young beautiful woman steps out, dressed in an orange skintight uniform. The car takes off. She's standing there like she's waiting for something. Suddenly, from each side right beside her, two thin silver posts shoot right out from the sidewalk. Each is almost 5 feet tall. The posts light up with blue lasers that cover every inch of the woman's body, which almost disappears in the blue for a second. The lasers disappear and she has changed from a skintight orange uniform into a beautiful black dress with an expensive-looking necklace around her neck. Her hair has changed from a brownish plain style to a blonde helmet style. Stefan is stunned. Alex is not impressed.
The woman
Excuse me
Stefan steps aside and she walks by him, giving him a look like "What hell are you wearing?". His clothes aren't exactly the period's latest fashion. She disappears into the hotel doors. Stefan is still shocked.
STEFAN
Did --  you?
Alex
Yeah I saw it --  But we don't have time for this
STEFAN
Unbelievable....
Alex grabs Stefan's arm.
Alex
Hold on and remember this - You will compare it to what has taken its place, one year ahead...
Stefan and Alex are arm in arm. Alex presses the top buttons on his device. The display flashes "2021 September 15". Pitch black. A thin red line grows bigger across and is followed with a high pitched sound. Stefan and Alex appear, and are standing on the same spot, but one year later: 2021 September 15. Stefan can't believe what he sees. The city is in ruins: buildings, streets, cars, everything is destroyed like a war zone. National POLICE guards stand on army vehicles that drive throughout the streets. They have tiny megaphones attached that carry a huge voice announcing:
National police guards
Attention all civilians: Stay in your homes. For your safety, Marshall law allows us to shoot to kill, if necessary. This is for your protection. Stay in your homes.
Alex
This!
Stefan
What the hell happened?
Alex
This is your son's campaign -- This is what my grandson has done
Stefan slowly turns to Alex in disbelief. Did he hear correctly? Alex's eyes are filled with tears.
Stefan
Jason? - Your grandson? -  What?
Gunfire distracts Stefan and Alex, coming from the army vehicles. They duck down. Guards start running towards them. Right beside Stefan, a young man collapses with blood rushing from his mouth. Stefan and Alex realize that they are right in the middle of some trouble. There are young protesters chanting against the new regime with baseball bats and stones in their hands. They are ready for a fight with the guards running towards them. They yell all kinds of names at the guards. The guards open fire. Alex is shot right in his chest. He collapses into Stefan's arms.
Stefan (cont'd)
No! STOP! - Please! 
Stefan is yelling at the guards and running towards them.
Alex
Stefan, go - please...
Stefan
No Alex - Please! You can't - No!
Stefan hurriedly checks his device, but it's powered down. He presses the buttons a few times, but it's dead. Alex is breathing heavily and blood starts to rush out of his mouth. Stefan is angry and tries to stand up but he is quickly dropped down by the guard right behind him. Stefan stands up again and hits the guard hard, in his face, but the guard doesn't move at all.
Stefan (cont'd)
Great!
The guard hits Stefan back. The rest of the guards are fighting viciously with the rest of the angry protesters. Stefan collapses right beside Alex. Alex is close to dying, his eyes are trying hard to stay open.
ALEX
Please - Run!
The guard grabs Stefan by his shoulder and forces him to stand up. Stefan pulls away out of his grip and he's dropped again to the ground by the rest of the fighting group. Stefan covers Alex with his body, and he just gasps with pain.
Stefan
Hold on my friend! Please!
Stefan rolls up Alex's sleeve and powers on Alex's device. The device flashes and the display shows "HOME".
Stefan (cont'd)
You got that right!
Stefan rolls away with Alex from the rest of the group where nobody is physically touching them. For Alex it is painful to move but he holds on to Stefan. Stefan presses the buttons on Alex's device. Pitch black.
INT.  stefan and alex, back in alex's house
Alex is lying on the sofa, blood covering his chest and all over. He's breathing heavily and his eyes look tired. He is slowly dying. Stefan is on his knees beside him, trying to cover his wounds with his palms, but the blood is unstoppable.
Stefan
You'll be alright -- I will call a doctor...
Alex
(Sharply)
No! No - Stefan you will not call -anybody. Do you understand!
Stefan
Why? You can make it!
Alex
I don't wanna make it, Stefan. I'm tired already -- Of everything.
Stefan
We can go back and change it! You can be ok again --  I need you, Alex!
Alex
I need you to listen now.
Stefan
Alex, you said back there something—that you are Jason's...
Alex
Jamie is my only daughter, Stefan.
Stefan leans back, surprised. His palms leave the wound open and blood starts rushing out even more. He quickly covers it again.
Stefan
No -  You can't be - That would be...
Alex
A coincidence? No such thing, Stefan -- No such thing.
Stefan
Jamie told me that her parents died in a car accident a long time ago.
Alex
That is true, but only her mother, not me. Since then she stopped talking to me - We both stopped speaking. She was very close with her mother. I wasn't a good father -- never was there for her. Just working and working - I don't blame her...
He pauses for a second.
Alex (cont'd)
I love her
Stefan
Please, Alex. Let me help you...
Alex
No - You listen to me now. You saw the future, didn't you?
Stefan
I still can't believe it
Alex
I couldn't either, but that is beside the point. The point is you have to go back to your past and change it.
Stefan
What do you mean? Change it. How can I change anything?
Alex gasps with pain and more blood rushes out from his mouth. Stefan is really worried.
Alex
I don't have much time...
Stefan
Please, ALEX. Let me...
Alex silences him at once.
Alex
You have to go back to 1995, to the fruit market where you first met my daughter Jamie.
Stefan
How? How can you possibly know this?
Alex
I told you, Stefan, no such thing as coincidence
Stefan
And?
Alex is quiet for a moment, just looking straight into Stefan's eyes. Stefan doesn't understand, but then his face shows understanding of the sacrifice Alex is asking him make. Stefan shakes his head.
Stefan (cont'd)
No - No! You are crazy! You!
He stands up and starts to walk across the room really confused and angry. Alex tries to sit up but is too weak.
Alex
Stefan, I know that you are a good man and I couldn't ask for a better man for my child, but you...
Stefan
What your asking me to do is- murder?
Alex
I'm not asking you to kill my daughter...
Stefan
I know that. I'm not that stupid. You're asking me to never have started any relationship in the first place, which would mean no marriage, and no Jason and no Mark! Is that not murder?
They both pause for a second. Stefan collapses in a near-by chair. Alex is lying down, and tears come out of his eyes, Stefan notices.
Stefan (cont'd)
What about Mark? Did you think about him? These are my kids!
Alex
Stefan, Jason will become the new HITLER of this century—millions of people are gonna die for nothing. We are the only ones who can stop this.
Stefan
That is not true, Alex.
He looks at Alex.
Stefan (cont'd)
I saw the distant future—2025. Something happened - A big asteroid is gonna hit our MOON. The moon will shift off its orbit and our gravity will force the moon to impact the EARTH --  It is the end of mankind.
Alex
No, you've got this wrong, too, my son. Jason, after his election, let the SPACESTATION disappear and converted the whole program to a "defense" program
Stefan listens intently.
ALEX (coNT'D)
I don't know all the details, but while your son's regime was testing a powerful LASER, a mistake will occur and the laser will interrupt our asteroid ring within the solar system, ruining the shield mother nature has provided for us. The universe is full of surprises, and one thing is connected to the other-- Anyway, there was no longer any shield to stop this asteroid and change its path. It would have just flown by, millions of miles above the EARTH, and disappeared into SPACE - But instead...
Stefan
How can you know this?
Alex
I ran the DATA, maybe a thousand times, and always it was the same result -- It Is Jason's fault..
Stefan closes his eyes. Tears start to slowly go down his cheeks.
Alex (cont'd)
I love you all Stefan, You, Jamie, Jason and Mark --  You will have memories that will be yours forever, because the only future you will change will be Jamie's, not yours...
Stefan
Not mine? What about the kids!?
Alex
What kids. They would have never existed --  You can't murder something that never existed, Stefan...
Stefan
This is crazy!
Alex starts to breathe faster. Stefan is scared and doesn't want Alex to go, not now. Stefan puts his head down and just holds his hands.
Alex
(Quietly)
I know -you - will do the - right --thi --ing -- 1995...
Alex dies, resting his hand on Stefan's shoulder. Stefan is devastated, and tears come from his eyes, more and more like a little kid. He collapses to the ground crying his heart out. Alex is gone and the decision he has to make will cost him Jamie and his two sons that he loves very much.
STEFAN
I can't—I can't do this.
I can't...
Int:  simone, SEARCHING FOR stefan, JACK DALTON'S SECRETARY'S OFFICE
Simone enters furiously.
Secretary
Oh my -- You almost scared the Jesus out of me.
Simone
Is he in?
SECRETARY
Of course, But—
Simone is already closing the door from the inside of Jack's office. The secretary shakes her head.
Jack
You really have a sense for timing!
Water spills all over his shirt. He places the half empty water bottle on his desk.
SIMONE
Sorryy. Anyway, I need a favor.
JACK
Yeah, Me too.
He presses the intercom button on his phone.
Jack
Magee? I need a shirt!
Secretary (O.S.)
Did you say a shirt?
Jack
Yeah, Please.
Simone is all hyper and can't stand on one spot.
Jack
Can you do me a favor?
Simone
Always
Jack
Can you sit down? Woman, you're making me dizzy, running around me like that. I've got one at home just like that already. Every Saturday morning, she's running around everywhere and looking for my wallet, screaming for fifty bucks. Then I get phone calls from her, that she's in the mall but has no money left for the bus to get home. At 16, she still cant count how much she's spending. So if you came here for a RAISE -- take a number
Simone
(A little thrown off by the rant)
Oh, you must love her Jack.
Jack
Nope. She's the youngest—I ADORE her. So what do you want, Simone?
SIMONE
(Firmly)
I need the records of the people who have worked here since last year—especially, janitors.
Jack is eating an "energy bar". He stops chewing and he's speechless.
EXT.  simone IS IN A HURRY—STOPPING A TAXI

INT. SIMONE PAYs A FARE TO the DRIVER

EXT. IN FRONT OF STEFAN'S HOUSE
Simone closes the door of the TAXI and the driver takes off. She looks around and stops. Not far in front of her is Stefan, hiding behind a tree, kind of spying on Jamie and his kids as they play on the lawn. She approaches him from behind. He get's startled.
STEFAN
(Shaken)
What the? - You! What are you doing here?
Simone
(Apologizing)
Sorry! -- Did I frighten you there?
Stefan
(Surprised)
Yeah - You sorta did.
He quickly grabs her hand and pulls her closer to the tree, so as not to be seen by Jamie.
StefaN
Seriously, what are you doing here? How do you even know where I live?
Simone
So you do live here, right?
Stefan
Umm - Yeah
Simone
So why are you hiding behind this tree?
Stefan suddenly has nothing to say. He looks at Jamie and the kids and then quickly back to Simone. He's trying to think of something to say. Simone is confused, but both have one thought in common:
Simone/stefan
I need to talk to you...
They both giggle a little, and then again:
Simone/STEFAN
About what we discu—
StEFAN
Alright, you go first.
He quickly checks again on Jamie and the kids.
Simone
I need to talk to you about what we discussed before, back in STARBUCKS.
Stefan pauses for a second.
StEFAN
Yeah, me too - Look, there's more to the story...
SiMONE
Good... I'm not on break now, so I do have time.
Stefan breathes out.
StEFAN
Yeah - TIME - Right. Time, time is - good!
They slowly back away, out of site. Stefan's eyes are wet as he looks at his family, aware of what's got to be done. He's seeing Jamie and his kids for likely the last time. Simone notices his sadness but she doesn't want to ask.
Jamie calls the kids to go back inside the house. She glances to the site where Stefan and Simone were, but she doesn't see anything.
Jamie
Come on guys, let's go inside...
Kids
Mom - Please 10 more minutes...
JAMIE
Mark, don't you have homework to finish?
Jamie starts picking up the toys spilled all over the lawn.
Kids
I know, MOM, but Jason has homework too - and...
The screen goes slowly black while the kids start helping Jamie pick up all the toys. They are still trying to convince their MOM that they are the fastest "homework makers" ever, but Jamie isn't buying it at all.
INT.  back in starbucks—stefan and simone
Stefan is troubled but happy that he's got somebody he can talk to. Simone is a believer now and wants to know more.
Simone
I knew Alex for a long time, but -- but I would have never thought that he did such research
Stefan just nods.
SIMONE
(Cont'd)
Well - Actually, how could I? We hardly spoke together. Jack always thought of him as a smart man...
StEFAN
Yeah, he is -- Was...
(Carefully)
You know, Simone, as I mentioned before, there is more to the story -- Hmm...
SimONE
I'm listening
Simone's cell interrupts the moment. Stefan just exhales. Simone quickly glances at her cell to see who's calling.
SiMONE
I've got to take this. Give me a second.
Stefan nods. He's a bit relieved.
Simone is listening and suddenly furiously stands up. People take notice.
SiMONE
WHAT?! How? How can it just be gone?!
Simone speedily grabs her stuff and heads for the door. Stefan is confused. She quickly turns to him while she's still on the cell.
SIMONE
Are you coming?!
StEFAN
We're leaving?
Stefan starts to quickly follow Simone.
INT.  Jack dalton'S office
Jack is standing with his back to us, alone, staring out of the window. In his hands he's holding a picture. His face is angry and as we focus on his hands, will see the picture more clearly. It's the picture we saw before—Alex standing with a little girl in front of some old European cottage.
INT.  nicolE, lab
Nicole is pacing in the lab, near the table where the skeleton was, which is now empty. She's in disbelief. She doesn't understand what happened. Suddenly she overhears footsteps coming closer, with a man's voice: "Simone, slow down, wait, what is with you?"
NicolE
(Whispering)
Simone!
Nicole rushes to the door, but before she can open it Simone and Stefan fly in. Simone goes straight to the table, and she can't believe that it is empty. Nicole feels ashamed. Stefan doesn't understand what's going on. Simone turns to Nicole.
SIMONE
Where -- are -the remains?
NICOLe
(Nervously)
I -- I just went to the washroom -- And when I got back...
SIMONE
(Quickly jumping in)
How's that possible? You went to the washroom right here on this floor!
NICOLE
I know. I went to the washroom and went down the hall and bought a snack from the vending machine and when I got back it was gone
She pauses for a second. Stefan is intently watching the discussion and Simone just collapses into a near-by char.
NICOLE
(Continuing, ashamed)
I -- didn't -- lock the door.
Simone closes her eyes and then quickly opens them. She looks at the upper corner of the office where the security camera is installed. Stefan watches Simone and also finds the camera, but what steals his attention is what's on the board on the wall: pictures of the skeleton, one in particular, of the brown segment on the left wrist bone. Nicole notices.
INT. SIRACOM, lobby security desk
The elevator opens, and Simone runs out. Nicole follows, and Stefan, still confused, also follows. The RECEPTION GIRL notices Simone briskly walking straight to her desk.
Reception girl
Miss McAllen?
SiMONE
(Sternly)
I will need all the security-camera tapes from the eighth floor.
The RECEPTION GIRL looks surprised.
RecEPTION GIRL
But Jack Dalton just confiscated all the tapes from the eighth floor like, 15 minutes ago.
Simone and Nicole stare at her like "WHAT?" Stefan still has no clue what the hell is going on and can't get anyone's attention.
Simone
Jack?
ReCEPTION GIRL
I don't think he's left, Miss McAllen. He went back to his office.
Simone raises her eyebrows.
SiMONE
Thanks.
She heads back to the elevator. Stefan glances to the RECEPTION GIRL and she glances back like "Is that the JANITOR from last year?"
ReCEPTION GIRL
You're welcome.
Confused, she watches Stefan, Nicole and Simone rushing back to the elevator.
Int.  Inside the elevator
Simone presses the button, and the elevator starts to rise to the top floor. Nicole looks at Stefan, and she seems to like what she sees. Nicole nudges Simone's elbow and speaks under her breath:
NICOLE
Who is he?
She glances at Stefan. Stefan is closely watching the numbers of the floors that the elevator is passing.
SIMONE
(Under her breath)
Later.
NICOLE
He's cute!
Simone gives her a bossy look. Stefan notices.
Stefan
(Extending his hand to Nicole)
I'm Stefan.
NICOLE
(Quickly)
Yeah, I'm...
She has forgotten her own NAME! Simone rolls her eyes.
SIMONE
...Nicole.
NICOLE
(Embarrassed)
Yeah, that is me.
Nicole looks Stefan up and down. Stefan puts a friendly smile on his face, that changes the color of Nicole's beautiful young face. The ELEVATOR stops, and the doors open. Simone gets out first and notices that the SECRETARY is not there.
SIMONE
Where is she?
Simone makes straight for Jack's office, but an unopened letter on the floor gets her attention. Nicole doesn't stop and goes straight into Jack's office. Stefan shyly exits the elevator last.
There is a single, clear GUN SHOT blast—BOOM!
Nicole's body hits the ground right in front of Simone. There is a wound in the middle of her forehead that starts to fill up with blood. Nicole's face is still young and beautiful, but now, although her eyes remain open, is lifeless.
For a moment there is a tense silence. Stefan is speechless and so is Simone. Simone is in a state of disbelief and reaches for Nicole's hand. Stefan stops her, aware that they need to get out of there. Jack's voice breaks the silence.
JACK
(Sarcastically)
Oh - Did I miss you, sweet heart? --Hmm.
CLICK... It is the sound of a gun reloading.
SIMONE
(Shakily)
What the hell just happened, Jack?
Stefan is holding Simone and doesn't want to let Simone go into the office. He quickly glances to the elevator door. Simone squirms out of his grip and punches the half opened closed doors of Jack's office. Stefan closes his eyes and opens them quickly. Nicole is there lying dead. He slowly follows Simone, and before they enter, Stefan hides Simone behind his back.
INT. JACK DALTON'S OFFICE
Jack is sitting in his chair, calm and with a smug little smile on his face. In his hand he's holding a gun, aiming at the door where Stefan and Simone just entered.
SIMONE
(Stunned)
What have you done, Jack? I've known you for...
JACK
(Sharply)
Shut up!
Simone is silent at once. Stefan is visibly angry and glances again to Nicole's lifeless body.
JACK
So -- Astronomer?
Stefan is surprised. There is only one man who has called him that and that was Alex.
JACK
(Continuing)
Alex is gone. Your wife and kids are almost gone too.
Stefan is ready to charge. Jack sits up sharply in his seat and points the gun right at Stefan. Stefan slowly backs down.
JACK
(Continuing)
What do you have left?
SIMONE
I still don't understand what's going on Jack!
Jack stands up and walks to his window, keeping the gun fixed on them. Stefan looks around, trying to think of some plan. SUDDENLY he sees something familiar. The closet door is slightly open, and on the hanger is a uniform. Stefan has seen this uniform somewhere.
Flashback:
The guard hits Stefan's back. The rest of the guards are viciously fighting with the rest of the angry protesters. Stefan collapses right beside Alex. Alex is close to death, his eyes fighting desperately to stay open.
ALEX
Please -- Run!
The guard grabs Stefan by his shoulder and forces him to stand up. Stefan pulls away, out of his grip, and then is knocked again to the ground by the rest of the fighting group. Stefan covers Alex with his body. He just gasps with pain.
Stefan suddenly visualizes the eyes of the GUARD and his square face! It was JACK DALTON!
INT.  jACK DALTON'S OFFICE
Stefan stares at Jack and Jack stares back at him. Simone is confused and tears fill her eyes as she looks to Nicole's lifeless body.
JACK
You got one of these, astronomer?
He pulls out from his pocket a watch—the exact device that Alex and Stefan have. Stefan is now sure that it was him who killed Alex -- But why? What's going on here?
JACK
Well kids, I would love to talk longer, to give you more light on all of this, but the time is a bitch!
He laughs annoyingly.
JACK
The TIME is a bitch?
Stefan glances at Simone. She's appears shocked and confused. She is speechless and just watching Jack as he comes closer and closer to them with the gun pointing at them. Stefan wants to say something, but before he can, a phone rings on Jack's desk and cuts the through the tension. Jack sharply turns around—Stefan doesn't waste any time and presses the device on his wrist with his arm around Simone's body, falling to the ground, but they disappear before landing, sucked into a spinning tunnel that materializes. Jack desperately fires two rounds but to no avail. He is shouting and angry but his voice is drowned out. Nicole's body is covered with papers and files as the wind from the tunnel causes chaos in the office. The tunnel disappears, as do Stefan and Simone. Jack stares at Nicole's body for a while, until suddenly:
JACK
Wake up, KIDDO, It's all over.
Nicole opens her eyes. She starts to slowly roll down the plastic from her forehead. It is a highly advanced material that has the ability to create realistically looking wounds like that of a bullet hole. A liquid patch hidden above her hairline enabled her to have blood spill over her face.
JACK
Nice job. Should I give you your OSCAR now or later for the
incredible performance?
NICOLE
Save it, DAD! I really liked Simone.
JACK
(Sharply)
You already forget who your mother was and where she is NOW?
Nicole looks down with shame.
NICOLE
I know, DAD -- I know.

Ext.  the middle of a field SURROUNDED by forrest
Wind picks up and the tall green grass blows violently. A vortex materializes in the middle of the field. Simone is first to fly out of the tunnel some six feet above the ground. She lands hard on the grass. Stefan shoots out right after her. The tunnel disappears and it's quiet. They are both somewhere in the middle a big field surrounded by forest. It's sunny.
SIMONE
(Freaking out)
Oh my God! Stefan! Stefan!
STEFAN
Calm down, it's alright. We're alright...
SIMONE
Stefan, tell me I'm alive, please- STEFAN!
STEFAN
Yes, I hear you loud and clear. You're alive. We're alright, trust me.
Stefan picks himself up while Simone still observes her hands, legs and fingers, making sure that she's all in one piece.
SIMONE
This is incredible...
StEFAN
What is?
SiMONE
Well, what we just did - We traveled somehow - We're in a different location - And, you know, my GOD! We can make a fortune with this.
Stefan glances at her and steps closer. After such a crazy and turbulent ride, he is stunned by how beautiful she looks. Stefan is lost for a second in her green eyes. Simone notices.
SIMONE
Umm - You're staring at me...
Stefan snaps out of it.
STEFAN
Are you alright now?
SIMONE
(Fixing her hair)
Yeah - I'm, terrified - but I'm OK.
STEFAN
What the hell happened back there?
Simone is puzzled as well.
SIMONE
I, don't know. I really don't - Nicole is DEAD! For what?!
Simone's thoughts take her away for a second. Her eyes are filled with tears. Stefan understands.
STEFAN
Hate to say this, but we're OK and that's what counts right now
Stefan starts to look around. There is nothing on the horizon that they recognize.
SIMONE
Where are we?
StEFAN
I -- I don't know...
Simone looks at him, startled.
SIMONE
What do you mean, you don't know?
Stefan tries to calm her down.
STEFAN
Just calm down -- I'm—
SiMONE
Calm down?!
He quickly glances to his watch. Simone gets closer to see for herself what the display shows.
SIMONE
1995?! What the heck is that?
STEFAN
95, What was? Oh...
Suddenly he remembers Alex's voice.
I know - you -- will do the - right - thing --1995...
SiMONE
Stefan, please talk to me 1995! What does that mean?
STEFAN
It's a year, Simone.
SIMONE
Excuse me? What did you just...
STEFAN
Simone, this is the time traveling device I told you about.
He points to his watch. Simone is stunned.
SIMONE
I was eighteen -- What are we going to do here?
Stefan turns to her and starts to tell her all about Jamie and his son Jason and most importantly 1995 where he first meets with Jamie in the fruit market...
EXT.  hallway, nicolE tries to talk to jamie
Nicole starts to dial a number on her cell. She hesitates, but she continues to dial. She is standing alone in one of the long hallways in the SIRACOM institute. Somebody answers; it's Jamie.
JAMIE (O.S.)
Hello, Hello?
Nicole hangs up. She quickly opens her cell again but hangs up almost immediately. She leans against the wall, then slides down and breaks down in tears.
INT. Jamie's house
Jamie hangs up the phone. She's about to leave, but she lifts up the receiver and dials a number. She waits as it rings.
EXT.  stefan and simone, SOMEWHERE in A forest, 1995
Stefan walks in-front, Simone right behind. Both are tired and the sun is hot. Suddenly Stefan's cell phone starts to ring in his pocket. He's stunned and Simone is surprised too. After all, they're now in 1995. The display says "JAMIE".
Stefan
Jamie? Hello? JAMIE!!!
It's silent.
INT. Jamie's house
The ring tone is still going, but shortly it's replaced by Stefan's voice mail.
JAMIE
Honey? Can you call me back? I-- I need to talk to you about something and -um, just please call me back. I miss you
EXT.  steFAN AND SIMONE, SOMEWHERE IN THE FOREST, 1995
StEFAN
Jamie! Jamie! I'm here! I can hear you! -- Jamie!
Simone just stares at him. Stefan hangs up and looks confused. He doesn't understand what just happened. A call from the future?
SIMONE
What's going on?
StEFAN
That is so weird!
SIMONE
Something weirder then this? I wanna know
Stefan is thinking. He walks around and is talking to himself. Simone is tired and just collapses on the grass.
StEFAN
Now I know what I need to do. I've got it, Alex -- I got it!
SiMONE
You've got what? That I'm thirsty as hell? And tired and like ten years back in my life?
StEFAN
That too, but now I understand what Alex meant by that one line that I once read in his LAB.
SIMONE
What are you talking about?
STEFAN
The speed of light is equal to time!
SiMONE
Well that sounds, scientific, What else? Is there any water in your ideas because I'm really thirsty...
StEFAN
No, not yet, but that explains what just happened here. Jamie is calling me from the future—2008, our present time, right, But we're in 1995...
SiMONE
(Sarcastically)
Oh, Thanks for all this brand new information
Stefan kneels in front of her, excited.
SIMONE
Oh, Stefan, please, you are a nice guy, but don't you have a family? Why are you proposing to me?
StEFAN
Yeah I do, and I can hear my wife's real-time voice while she's leaving me a message on my voice-mail, but we can't talk to each other for some reason, so a real-time event just happened here with a gap of 10 years! So that is what Alex was saying by that line.
SIMONE
So what are you saying exactly?
StEFAN
That anything you do now, at this moment, at this second, it will instantly reflect in our present because we are now in our own PAST!
SIMONE
Thanks. Well can we move on, because I don't wanna spend the night here.
BEAT:
StEFAN
We can save NICOLE!
Simone stops what she was doing, and her eyes quickly fill with tears.
SiMONE
I'd like that

EXT.  jamie leaving the house, 2008
BABY-SITTER
Just don't worry, Mrs. Grand. I'll take care of them.
Jamie is about to leave. A taxi is waiting in front of the house. She gives a last glance to the baby-sitter.
JAMIE
Thanks
Jamie boards the taxi and takes off. The baby-sitter closes the door and it's quiet. It's the afternoon, and it's generally a calm neighborhood.
InT.  Siracom, jack dalton is packing
Nicole slowly approaches her dad's office. There are loud noises coming out of the office. She enters. Jack is busy with papers and other stuff, just quickly trying to fill up some boxes. It looks like Jack is leaving.
NICOLE
What are you doing?
JACK
What does it look like I'm doing?
He continues packing.
NiCOLe
DAD - I --don't wanna do this anymore, I mean...
Jack stops and gives Nicole an angry look. She swallows her last words.
JaCK
What do you mean? You don't wanna do what?
NICOLE
(Carefully)
We can't live like this, DAD? This is crazy!
JACK
Crazy?
NICOLE
DAD -- I'm not angry anymore. What happened, happened... We have to eventually just live with that...
JACK
Live with that? Live with that?!
Jack stop packing. He looks really angry. Nicole just stands there and stares at the ground. JACK starts to calm down. He sees that his daughter needs more than just an angry DAD right now. He steps closer to Nicole.
BEAT:
JaCK
I'm sorry. I -- I just want everything best for you and I guess I'm not handling it the way I should.
NICOLE
You are a good DAD and I love you for that. I don't care anymore about what happened though DAD. We have our life, DADDY. I've got you and you've got me, that's all that matters.
Jack is quiet, just staring at Nicole. He knows that she's right and he's also proud that the girl he raised is not a girl anymore but a mature young women.
JACK
I believe the right thing to do right now would be to go find Stefan and Simone and just play our cards straight down on the table.
Nicole hugs Jack like it's the first time in a long time. Nicole is happy.
INT.  jamie, siracom elevator
Jamie's face looks stern and serious. She is just staring at the passing floor numbers. Her right hand is in her handbag as the door opens. She exits the elevator briskly. She stands as the door closes behind her. Nicole and Jack hear the elevator open and close, and they listen for steps but don't hear any. They are curious. They step out of the office and are confronted by JAMIE with silenced GUN pointing right at them. It's quiet. All three of them just stare at each other, and then POW! POW! Two small blasts from Jamie's gun shoot straight at Jack and Nicole. They are both his in the heart without mercy. The are DEAD.
JAMIE
Don't worry, Jack. I'll fix it.
Jamie presses the button behind her. The door opens, and she slowly backs into the elevator, calmly just watching the dead bodies. Her face slowly disappears as the door closes.
Montage:
1 Simone find a road. A car is visible in the distance. Simone tries to stop him.
2 Jamie walks out of SIRACOM. She throws the handbag into the garbage bin.
Streets are busy with endless traffic going all directions.
3 Big clock on a local church starts to roll backwards.
4 Jamie presses the device on her wrist, traveling into 1995.
EXT.  fruit market, 1995, new york city, morning
StEFAN
This is it, this is the place...
SIMONE
What place?
STEFAN
Where I first met
He doesn't finish the sentence, because, there she is, Jamie, just looking around the vendors' apples and other fruits. It is from a distance, but Stefan is sure it's her.
SIMONE
Met who? Jamie?
SteFAN
Look. There she is
Simone follows his hand with her eyes, finding her, but something doesn't add up, she thinks. Jamie looks just as she did when Jamie saw her in front of Stefan's house.
Jamie turns to Stefan and Simone. It's clear that she sees them since she starts to walk right toward them. Stefan is horrified and entirely confused. It is Jamie, but clearly just as she appeared in 2008!
STEFAN
What the?!
SiMONE
Stefan, this is really freaky. I'm scared. What's going on?
Simone starts to back up as Jamie gets closer. Jamie has a weird smile on her face. Stefan grabs Simone's hand
STEFAN
Stay close
SIMONE
(Whispering)
Stefan...
Jamie stops in front of them. Stefan is speechless. Simone is terrified.
JAMIE
Hmm - Surprised? Sweetie? Looks like you don't waste any time - A pretty one, too!
SiMONE
It's not what it looks like...
JAMIE
Oh yeah? And, gee, what does it look like?
STEFAN
Jamie! What are you doing here? I mean what is it that I'm missing?
JAMIE
Everything!
STEFAN
I don't understand, Jamie. How in the world do you possibly know about this? I mean you're here in 1995 --  What's going on here?
JAMIE
Baby, that's right. And in the next 10 minutes it will be the first time that we met. And what a coincidence—now here we are again..
SIMONE
I'm just gonna go stand over there for a second, guys, and give you a little privacy...
JAMIE
Oh - No - That is not necessary, sweet heart, because I'll be done really quickly here.
STEFAN
Jamie, what are you talking about?
JAMIE
Shut up!
STEFAN
Shut up?
He's surprised, since he's never heard Jamie speak like this.
JAMIE
My parents did not die in the car crash Stefan, Only my mother.
STEFAN
I know, Jamie...
JAMIE
You don't know "JACK!"
STEFAN
You know Jack? Jack Dalton?
Jamie starts to laugh
JAMIE
Simone, that's why I loved this fool, look at him - I mean "SHIT", Stefan! Shit!
Stefan is quiet, just watching Jamie in disbelief.
JAMIE
So anyway...
SIMONE
How do you know my name?
Jamie slowly looks at her.
BEAT:
JAMIE
Simone, Simone-Simone -- Simone McAllen, 30 years old, living in the Long Island suburbs with her dying mother, JANE McAllen. Oh I'm sorry, will she survive the cancer?
Simone is saddened, and Stefan can't believe how Jamie is speaking.
JAMIE
(Continuing)
Father passed away five years ago, also from cancer actually, lung cancer Hm, how sad - but what a brilliant mathematician!
SIMONE
Who are you, Jamie?
BEAT:
JAMIE
I'm -- I'm your step sister, sweetie!
SIMONE
Excuse me?
Stefan's jaw almost hits the ground, and so does Simone's.
JAMIE
Here is the deal: my father Alex first had a baby girl...
Simone's contemplates this.
JAMIE
(Continuing)
This was in RUSSIA, and that girl was you!
SIMONE
That is impossible, because I have an American birth certificate.
JAMIE
Because your mother is American, but at that time she was in RUSSIA studying science in the top MOSCOW university, where she eventually met with Alex, my father. Unfortunately, it was love at first site and the biggest thing to come of this love is this.
She rolls up her sleeve and shows the same device that Stefan has. Stefan and Simone are quiet. Jamie continues with the story:
FLASHBACK:  to 1970's Russia, MOSCOW science university
Alex is standing outside the campus, in his 30's, looking very good—a tall Russian boy—smoking. Behind his back, a young woman slowly approaches. She is beautiful just like Simone is now, and she covers Alex's eyes with her hands.
Alex
(With a Russian accent)
Who can this be? Hm --I Know this perfume...
He quickly turns to her and with a long kiss he lifts her into the air dances her around. She's happy and so is Alex. They are young, beautiful and in love. He slowly puts her down and kisses her again.
ALEX
I love you, JANE McAllen -- I love you.
JANE
Me too
Suddenly her happiness disappears from her face.
ALEX
What's wrong?
JANE
I have to tell ROBERT about us...
AlEX
I'll tell him...
JANE
No! Alex, please, no! He deserves to hear this from me. I feel so ashamed -- Why did this happen, Alex?
AlEX
You regret this now?
JANE
No- No, I don't -- But, he's your...
AlEX
Brother? He's my step brother. I know that it's not exactly the right excuse, but I love you Jane
Jane leans her head on his chest. Alex understands her grief, and takes her face into his large hands and kisses her again. Jane takes his hand and slowly puts his hand on her stomach. Alex suspiciously watches what she's doing.
JANE
I'm pregnant, Alex.
There is silence for a moment between them. Alex's face is surprised. Jane just stares at him.
JANE
Will you marry me, Alex?
ALEX
(Passionately)
I already did when I first saw you, Jane.
They kiss each other, more and more. A young man walks out of the building, younger than Alex, maybe about 25, blond and handsome but not as tall as Alex. He can't believe what he sees, and they see him as well. He's an American student, a brilliant mathematician, ROBERT.
Robert
(Shocked)
Jane? Alex?
Jane is embarrassed, and so is Alex.
ALEX
We wanted to tell you, Robert...
ROBERT
Tell me what?! That behind my back you've been screwing around with my girlfriend?
JANE
Robert...
ROBERT
How could you, Jane? How?
ALEX
Robert, I'm sorry, but I love Jane.
ROBERT
So did I!
Robert starts to walk away. Jane wants to go after him, but Alex stops her.
EXT.  new york fruit market, 1995
Simone and Stefan are watching Jamie. They are both surprised, but also confused.
SIMONE
I still don't get it. My real father is Alex? Step brother of Robert, the father that I've always known? -- And after all this, he somehow stayed with my mother anyway?
StEFAN
Jamie? Where are the kids?
JAMIE
Baby-sitter
She doesn't even glance at Stefan, but just continues to stare at Simone.
JAMIE
So? A recap? Something like this: Alex, Robert, Jack Dalton and your God mother Jane, were all good friends, and they all worked together on the secret application of the time traveling device, financed by KGB—the Russian mafia if you will...
STEFAN
(Whispering to himself)
KGB?
JAMIE
(Continuing)
Alex stayed in RUSSIA for some reason. Jane, Robert and Jack Dalton, meanwhile, are back in the U.S. Alex, my father, marries his early high school sweetheart ELENA and has me. When I was 5, they immigrated to the U.S. The SIRACOM institute was already big when Alex came here, thanks to the new unknown technology that SIRACOM was able to introduce to the U.S. Market. Why didn't they just steal it from the future and bring it to our present, and a few times here and there write the correct numbers for the lottery and voila, money is not a problem for this trio.
SIMONE
I don't believe you. I don't believe anything you say. This is all crazy -- You and your wife and all this BS story...
Simone turns to Stefan, angry and in disbelief.
JAMIE
You really think that you where so good in your career?
SiMONE
Jack was always good to me but I don't understand why he killed Nicole
Jamie is surprised.
JAMIE
His own daughter? You've gotta be kidding me!
SiMONE
What? Nicole is Jack's daughter?
JaMIE
Like I said before, you don't know "JACK"
Jamie turns to Stefan.
JaMIE
(Continuing)
Jack did not kill Nicole. I did, and Jack too.
Stefan/simone
What?
StEFAN
You did what?
SIMONE
We saw Nicole's body. She was dead.
JAMIE
You're right about that, but it was me who did the killing.
Stefan steps closer to Jamie. He wants to grab her hand. She quickly swings it away...
JAMIE
Don't touch me!
StEFAN
What the hell is going on, Jamie? I don't understand anything you've said.
BEAT: Since when are you killing people?
JaMIE
Since my mother was killed in the fake car crash and my father Alex by the same man, Jack Dalton, who is also a KGB spy.
StEFAN
If this is all true what you're saying, you still can't kill people. I don't believe what you're saying!
JaMIE
You don't have to, and I don't really care. My son will be a leader of this country and possibly the world. The device is mine and Jason's. I know why you're here, Stefan, but that will never happen, you PIG! You think you are better than me, huh? You're trying to somehow change the past so that we would never know each other? HUH? Stefan! What about our kids?!
Stefan doesn't know what to say. He knows that in a way Jamie is right, but at the same time, he knows she is crazy to sympathize with the future Jason and his political campaign. Now Stefan knows where Jason has inherited his mean streak from—apparently he gets it all from his mother Jamie.
StEFAN
I will not let you get in my way!
JAMIE
Oh really? What are you going to do, ASTRONOMER? Kill me?? (She laughs out loud mocking him.) And By the way, Simone, your father did not die from lung cancer. My father is to blame. Alex sent him into the past, wayyy into the past.  It was punishment for your lovely mother.
Simone smacks Jamie across the face. Stefan quickly grabs her and pulls her away from Jamie. Jamie just stands like a statue, uninjured by the slap.
SiMONE
You fucking lying bitch!
JaMIE
I love you too, sis. Well, looks like we ended up getting along with each other pretty nicely (She laughs at her own joke.)
Suddenly Simone freezes. Her thoughts have taken her to the puzzle of the BONE remains.
BEAT:
SIMONE
(Whispering)
Oh my GOD -- The bones - That was my father?
People around the group start to notice all of the drama between them. Stefan takes notice of all the attention they are attracting. Then he sees her—Jamie 10 years ago, walking around the vendors' tables shopping for some fresh fruit. Stefan quickly looks around and sees himself as well, not far from her, just paying for some fruit of his own. He knows it is not long before the two will meet. Now the 2008 Jamie notices what's happening, and she quickly hugs Stefan and presses the DEVICE. Stefan grabs Simone's hand, and all three of them disappear into the powerful vortex that instantly materializes above them. They are gone. Lots of spectators freak out at they have just seen:
Crowd
Did you see that? Did you see that?? What was it? Did you see?
They all are in disbelief.
EXT. SOMEWHERE in the grand canyon
Stefan is lying on his stomach on the edge of a giant rock. Below the rock is a straight drop of hundreds of feet. Both his hands are busy—in one he is holding Simone and in the other Jamie. Both are hopelessly looking at Stefan. Stefan doesn't have enough strength to pull them both up. He must decide quickly who to save and who unfortunately is going to take this horrific fall. It is a hard decision.
STEFAN
(Yelling)
You both have got to help me! Try to climb up! Use my hands! I can't lift you...
Simone looks down and back to Stefan. She is scared. Jamie swings from side to side and angrily starts kicking Simone.
JAMIE
Sorry, sis, you got to go!
SiMONE
Stop! -- No! Stop!
StEFAN
Jamie, don't do this, Please!
Jamie's plan backfires as the her own motion causes her to suddenly lose grip. She falls and yells to Stefan as she does:
StEFAN
JAMIEEEE!!!
JaMIE
You killlllled meeeeee!!!!
BEAT:
Stefan instantly starts crying, but grabs Simone with both hands. Simone finally gets to safety and just collapses beside Stefan. Stefan looks down the drop and his tears follow Jamie. Simone is thankful but doesn't want to interrupt Stefan. She gives him privacy by walking to an edge of the rock.
STEFAN
(Whispering)
You were right, Alex -- Can't kill something that doesn't exist.
For a while, he still looks down. He wipes his tears from his face, and he turns to Simone. She slowly approaches him, and he grabs her hand. She rests her head on his shoulder and breaks down in tears. Stefan looks up at the sky, watching the clouds slowly pass by. His eyes are filled with tears again. He can't hold it in and he breaks down and cries as well. Simone whispers:
SIMONE
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Stefan
Stefan looks at her and hugs her again. A beeping sound comes from his device. Stefan takes a glance at the display, which shows 1700 AD. Simone look at it too.
SiMONE
She must have pressed that in a hurry without planning to.
StEFAN
She died in a time before she was born, so she never even existed, and neither did any of my children --not Mark and not Jason.
His thoughts take him away for a moment. He's sad.
SIMONE
Then how come I'm still here?
Stefan looks at her.
StEFAN
What do you mean?
SIMONE
My father supposedly died something like 65 million years ago, according to Jamie's story. Then I should never have existed...
StEFAN
At least something Jamie said was the truth: your real father must have been Alex, and he died way into the future. I was with him.
BEAT:
SIMONE
We worked in the same building together, and I barely knew him...
Stefan is silent. Simone is waiting for some answer. Stefan takes out of his pocket a picture. It's the with Jamie and the kids. The picture slowly starts to change: Jamie and the kids slowly are erased, and only Stefan is left. STEFAN gets a serene look on his face. There is hope in his eyes, and a sense of understanding.
StEFAN
Sometimes it's better to leave things the way they are
Slowly we go to a wide shot. We see Stefan and Simone standing on the tall massive red rock, and there are several other large dramatic rocks around them, stretching miles away in the beautiful deep canyon. They stand there hugging each other. The sun slowly is setting, and we see Stefan and Simone's silhouettes in the sun. It is a breathtaking sunset ever.
(V.O.)
Mankind are not supposed to know everything, even if they aim only at furthering civilization. The universe, time, why our planet is what it is, why we are here, what is our purpose in the universe, why are we destroying each other and our planet, and why do we believe that there are no consequences for our actions? We are not ready to know the secret that our universe holds about time and life, and maybe we will never be ready. The universe is a gate, that opens for us once, gives us a chance, gives us the approval from the unknown, and we enter into this, Gate of Life, but there is no reason to assume, one day the gate will not close.
The End
Roll credits.
Music starts by JOE COCKER, "You Are So Beautiful To Me".