I'm posting another script because to write this one out as a book has been hard due to the nature of the main character and that I write in first-person.
Before working on AngelBlue, I had an idea about an android that wanted to be more like a human (wow...how original, eh?) but this machine also embraces Christianity and does not understand how people can be so cruel to each other (even with her limited "feelings" on the matter).
It did pretty well on the original site when it was known as "More Power to Ya"--based on a Petra song.
The newer version is the same, and I have had as of yet to re-write it, so allow me to place some information in:
Project LIND is a part of the US Government Martian Expedition. Four android models that are placed with their creators homes in order to learn human behavior to help the crew and colonists on the future mission.
The four are:
LIND version A (Linda)
LIND version B (Lynnie)
LIND version C (Lindsey)
LIND version D (Linden)
Linden is the only male version
Lindsey is in the form of a teenager and is built with a tougher "shell" design with bluetooth and wifi antennas embedded in her earrings and a hair clip on her braids.
So, to bore you, or intrigue you:
Project LIND Version: C
(original title) “More Power to Ya” ©July 2002
Inspired by the song "More Power to Ya" written by Bob Hartman and performed by Petra from the album "More Power to Ya"
© 1987 Star Song Records
"Love" lyrics written by Bob Hartman from the album “Beyond Belief” originally performed by Petra
© 1993 by Star Song Records
"Amazing Grace" Words: John Newton, 1779; last verse by unknown author.
Scripture passage is from Ecclesiastes 9:1 (NIV)
EXT. CHURCH—MORNING
A brisk, partly-cloudy morning.
A piano and organ accompany the voices of a choir. INT. CHURCH SANCTUARY
Pews of PARISHIONERS sit as the choir finishes their song.
The Pastor-DAVE King (34, black hair, well mannered and with a slight southern accent)--walks up to the podium.
A giant wooden cross suspends from the ceiling, on the back wall.
DAVE
And now, we'll hear our special
music from Lindsey Dolce. Lindsey?
LINDSEY Dolce (15; black hair, exceptionally good-looking, tall with large crystal earrings in her ear.and hair clips in her braids) stands up from next to her brother…
MICHAEL (17; black hair, broad-shouldered, well defined—and has a large gold stud earring which is a radio transmitter) and her parents…
PETER (38; graying hair, tall) and WHITNEY Dolce (35;
elegantly dressed; a woman of sophistication).
She walks up onto the front and takes a microphone. Peter reaches into his pocket and takes out a PDA.
He taps a code onto the unit. A green light flashes. He nods to Lindsey.
She nods to the pianist, who begins to play.
Lindsey sings a version of "It Is Well With My Soul"
The church sits in awe as she sings the song flawlessly. Lindsey places the microphone back as Dave walks to the
podium.
DAVE (CONT'D) Beautiful singing, Lindsey. Let this blessed assurance control.
DAVE(CONT'D)
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. Yes, through it all yes, it is well, it is well with my soul.
Lindsey sits down next to Michael. Peter switches the device off.
DAVE (CONT'D)
Won't you bow your heads and pray
with me. Dear God…
Music quietly plays in the background… EXT. CHURCH—NOON
The music swells to a full bravado as people leave the church.
The Pastor stands at the door and shakes the hands of everyone as they leave.
Peter, Whitney and Lindsey walk out together.
PETER
Good sermon, Brother Dave.
DAVE Thank you, Peter.
(to Whitney) Hello, Whitney.
He turns to Lindsey.
PASTOR
Simply beautiful. Are you sure you
don't want to join up for this
week's revival choir?
LINDSEY
Thank you, Pastor. Maybe I will.
PASTOR
Have a good day. God bless you.
Lindsey smiles and nods as she follows them to the door.
PETER Where's Michael?
He’s—
WHITNEY
EXT. PARKING LOT--CONTINUE
Michael stands next to LEO (15; “big man on campus”-type of stature)
LINDSEY (OS) I'll get him.
Lindsey walks past a car pulling out of a parking space and walks in a straight line to Michael.
LEO
I don't know...I've heard too much
about her.
Like what?
RYAN
MICHAEL
Like she's repeated the ninth grade
twice...
LEO
Still, Shelly's got a great body,
she--speaking of bodies...
Michael jabs him in the ribs and then runs to meet up with
Lindsey.
MICHAEL
Catch you tomorrow, Leo.
They wave back to him.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
I take it they sent you to retrieve
me?
Yes. EXT. HOUSE--MIDDAY
LINDSEY
The Dolce home: a two story house in an upper middle-class neighborhood.
An SUV sits in the driveway. INT. HOUSE
A country décor with bookshelves in a lot of the rooms. Whitney and Peter walk into the kitchen.
Mike and Lindsey walk upstairs. INT. HALLWAY
WHITNEY (OS) Get changed you two.
Michael walks into the first room. Lindsey stops at the door and looks in. INT. MICHAEL’S ROOM
A typical seventeen year-old's; complete with a stereotypical mess of clothes, books and CD'S on the floor.
INT. HALLWAY
Lindsey walks to another door and opens it. INT. LINDSEY'S ROOM
Clean, orderly. Her room has several books and a large desk with various art supplies.
An abstract painting and a Picasso-inspired portrait hang on the wall.
She takes a step into the room, closes the door and unbuttons her blouse.
INT. HALLWAY
Lindsey steps out of her room wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.
She steps in front of a door locked with a keypad. INT. SERVER ROOM
Multiple server racks line the end of the room.
Lindsey walks over to a keyboard and begins typing at an incredible speed.
COMPUTER VOICE Commencing recharge operation.
Lindsey steps up against the wall and onto a raised platform.
Suspend.
LINDSEY
She closes her eyes as the monitor next to her begins to display information: "Project LIND C…System Memory Suspended. Shell Recharge Operation Now In Progress."
INT. KITCHEN
Whitney closes the dishwasher as Peter walks in.
WHITNEY
Michael's game is this Friday.
PETER
I have that day open for him, I'll
be there.
INT. SERVER ROOM
PETER (OS)
I'm going to check on Lindsey.
Peter stands next to the computer on the end and clicks the mouse.
The screen changes.
Lindsey.
PETER (CONT'D)
Lindsey remains motionless.
Ready.
LINDSEY (VO)
PETER Activate shell.
Lindsey's eyes open and look at Peter.
PETER (CONT'D) System check.
LINDSEY (VO)
All systems running. Transmitters
set to secure frequency.
Autoload.
PETER
LINDSEY (VO) Autoload will commence in five seconds.
Peter looks at Lindsey as her eyes close again and then reopen.
PETER Have a nice nap?
He takes her hands and helps her step down.
PETER (CONT'D)
We're still working on the autoload
process. We'll get it.
She nods.
PETER (CONT'D) Well, we have work to do, so—
INT. HALLWAY
Michael runs down the stairs and puts his hands on the front doorknob.
Michael.
PETER (OS)
MICHAEL (whisper)
Damn...do I have to—
Peter and Lindsey walk down the stairs.
PETER Where are you going?
MICHAEL Just going out.
PETER
What about the lawn? You said you'd
mow it yesterday.
MICHAEL
I got busy. I'll do it when I get
back.
PETER
Get back? Get back from where?
Just out.
MICHAEL
PETER Be back by four.
Two hours?
MICHAEL
Peter looks at his watch.
PETER
One hour, fifty-nine minutes--
MICHAEL
Okay, okay…Five o'clock.
Michael opens the door and walks out. Lindsey and Peter follow.
EXT. HOUSE--AFTERNOON
The garage door opens and a car starts. Michael pulls a late model car out.
Peter walks to the garage and takes the lawn mower out. The car drives away.
PETER
Kids...what to do with them?
Lindsey looks at him in question.
PETER (CONT'D)
Never mind I'll be right back.
He runs back inside the house, a door closes.
Lindsey effortlessly starts the mower and pushes it out into the grass.
Across the street, PAUL Voight(45) steps out of his house and looks to the Dolce home.
Lindsey rushes by every few seconds.
Peter steps out of his house as the mower powers off.
He sees the lawn mowed and Lindsey standing with her shoes and clothes dusty.
PETER (CONT'D) You didn't have to do that.
I know.
LINDSEY
He scans the grass and sees Paul on the other side of the street.
PETER
Was he standing there the whole
time?
Unknown.
LINDSEY
PETER
Go on in; get cleaned up—Umm, thank
you.
Lindsey nods as she walks into the house.
Peter and Paul meet up with each other at the curb.
PAUL
Can she mow my lawn?
PETER
Heh, well, Paul, you know teenage
girls…when they really want
something—
PAUL
Heh, yeah, Jerry's like that too,
never know what kids are thinking
about these days.
PETER
Yeah, kids...what to do with them?
INT. JERRY'S ROOM
The repetitive sound of drums drone through speakers. JERRY Voight (15) sits at a desk as he writes.
Posters on the wall are of nihlist nature.
Jerry looks up from his writing and stares ahead at the wall. Behind him, lying on the floor is a football jersey.
The bottom of the paper reads: "Life is Death, and my life should have been over years ago."
A whistle blows.
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD--MORNING Michael steps onto the field. The whistle blows again.
COACH (OS) Alright, let's go, let's go!
Jerry grudgingly puts his helmet on and follows another set of PLAYERS on to the field.
He tightens the strap as everyone gets into position.
QUARTERBACK (OS) Hut one, hut two, he-ike!
The ball snaps back and Jerry runs. The QUARTERBACK throws the ball.
Jerry turns to catch the ball, but Leo rushes into him—both of them tumble to the ground.
A whistle blows.
Michael takes off his helmet.
MICHAEL (mutter)
Dammit, Voight…why do you even bother to play?
Leo stands up.
LEO
What did you do that for?
Jerry rises to his feet.
JERRY You. Ran into me.
The COACH (60's, nearly bald and gruff) yells as he walks over.
COACH
What happened, Voight?
JERRY
Just mixed signals, coach.
COACH
Looks like Meyers here crashed into
you.
(to Leo)
Myers, did you see the ball coming
for Voight?
Yes sir.
LEO
COACH
Then why hell are ya goin’ after
it?
The team snickers.
COACH (CONT'D) Let's hit the showers. This afternoon, gentlemen; we get serious on our teamwork. Got that, Myers?
Leo and Jerry stare at each other.
LEO Yeah, Coach.
Michael walks up next to Leo.
MICHAEL You blew that man.
LEO
I had the ball.
Jerry picks up his helmet and walks a few feet behind them.
MICHAEL Good catch, Jerry.
Jerry ignores the comment.
MONICA Gaines (16, long black hair, preppy) meets up with them as they walk back to the school.
Hey, Mike.
MONICA
MICHAEL
Monica, how was your weekend?
Miserable.
MONICA
EXT. SCHOOL--CONTINUE
The team files into the school.
Why?
MICHAEL
MONICA
You weren't with me.
Awww.
LEO
MICHAEL Shove it, Leo.
Jerry looks at Michael and Monica and then ahead.
LEO (to Jerry)
I don't think she’s, or any girl's, your type.
Monica looks at Jerry as Leo jumps past him. The door closes.
MONICA
I though you were going to stop
picking on him.
MICHAEL
Hey, I'm innocent…he does
everything by himself; falls,
tumbles, trips…he's a walking
demolitions expert.
MONICA
He can't be that bad.
MICHAEL
Yeah, he can…always has been...he's
just weird.
MONICA
Anyway…are we going to the lake
this weekend?
MICHAEL Yes we are.
He kisses her.
MONICA
Great…the stars, you and me…no--
A shadow comes up behind them.
One--
MICHAEL
Else.
MONICA
Lindsey stands behind him—she holds a book in her hand.
LINDSEY
You forgot your math book.
Monica looks at Lindsey and then to Michael.
MICHAEL
I need to shower and get changed.
Can you hold onto it for me?
LINDSEY
I'll take it to your class then.
MICHAEL
Never mind, give it to me.
He takes the book. A bell goes off.
MICHAEL (CONT'D) (to Monica)
Gotta go, love you.
He kisses her.
Lindsey and Michael walk into the building.
MONICA Speaking of weird.
INT. HALLWAY
Lindsey weaves through the various students.
PA VOICE (OS)
Attention students. There will be a
special cheerleader tryout tomorrow
afternoon. Please sign up at the
office if you are interested.
Jerry walks up next to her.
JERRY Hi, Lindsey.
LINDSEY
Hello, Jerry…how are you?
JERRY I'm fine, thanks.
LINDSEY Football doing alright?
They stop in front of her locker.
JERRY
It's okay…do you come to the games?
She opens the locker—it's meticulously clean and devoid of anything but books and notebooks.
LINDSEY Some, when I can…
JERRY Yeah, well—
He looks down the hall and sees Leo with other players. Lindsey closes the locker and looks at Jerry.
Ready?
LINDSEY
Umm, sure. They walk together
JERRY
RENE' Vicroy (15, red hair)—in a cheerleader uniform "shell" skips down the hallway.
RENEE' Hey, Richard!
JERRY
Have you thought about being a
cheerleader?
LINDSEY A cheerleader?
JERRY
There are tryouts after school, why
don't you sign up?
She shrugs her shoulders but turns to look at Renee' as she hugs RICHARD (big guy, BMOC type of persona).
INT. CLASSROOM A bell rings.
LAURA Carlson (40's, a business-mannered woman) stands near an overhead projector.
LAURA
In the mid 90's there was an upshot
in the stock market for what, Mr.
Voight?
Jerry looks up from his doodle filled notebook and stares blankly at the overhead.
JERRY
Ummm a market crash?
EXT. DOLCE HOME—MORNING
Whitney—dressed professionally and with an RN badge on her blouse—walks to her car.
LAURA (OS)
Not the answer I'm looking for, Mr.
Voight.
INT. SERVER ROOM
Several computers beep and hard drives spin.
A large monitor displays various forms of data at a rapid clip.
One section of the monitor displays a CNN news file from the
90's with a report on the stock market.
LAURA (OS)
Lindsey, could you answer our
question please?
Another displays shows: MICROWAVE TRANSCEIVER ONE: ENGAGED; ACTIVE TRANSFER RATE: 8.6 GBPS; DUAL TRANSFER: IN PROGRESS; SHELL BATTERY: 95%; DIAGNOSTICS: IN PROGRESS.
LINDSEY (OS)
The upswing in the market was
caused by a boom of internet
companies, the dotcoms, attempting
to bring up their IPO--
INT. CLASSROOM--CONTINUE LINDSEY
The unsound result was that not
enough money was coming back—and
many companies folded.
Jerry looks at her from the corner of his eyes.
Correct.
LAURA (OS)
He then looks to his notebook.
A scrawl reads: ASK HER OUT, STUPID! INT. HALLWAY
Monica walks alongside Renee' and SAMANTHA Moss (17; brown hair, tall)
RENE'
So, you're really going with him
this weekend?
Monica grins.
SAMANTHA
Just the two of you, ooh, bet you
have a lot planned.
Monica laughs and glares at Lindsey as she walks down the hall.
MONICA I don't like her.
SAMANTHA
She's his sister—you're gonna have
to…
MONICA
I can't…she's too stuck up for her
own good. Thinks she’s better than
everyone.
RENEE
Could you see her cheerleading?
EXT. SCHOOL—MIDDAY
Lindsey kneels next to a FIRST GRADER who has scrapped his knee.
MONICA (OS)
Don't even think about that…I got
to put up with her when I'm at
their house…her room it's like,
nothing—she has all this artwork
everywhere…
She's a…a…
MONICA (OS) (CONT'D)
Her books lie on the ground next to her; large, leather bound
Bible is among them.
SAMANTHA (OS)
Well all I know is she's a Jesus
Freak…that song and dance thing she
did at the talent show?
She smiles to him, grabs her books and holds her hands out to him.
She walks him back to his class. INT. HALLWAY
Michael walks down the hall with Leo.
LEO
We've planned a surprise for Jerry.
We?
MICHAEL
LEO
Some of the guys on the team.
For when?
MICHAEL
LEO
This Friday, before the game.
MICHAEL Can't wait.
Jerry steps out of a classroom and stands in front of his locker.
He opens it and a folded note falls from it. He pockets the note and puts his books away. INT. CLASSROOM
As the TEACHER drones in the background, Jerry unfolds the note:
It reads: "Hello, stud. I've been watching you, watching me. Maybe we should get to know each other better…but for now, we'll be a secret, until the right time"
TEACHER
Excuse me, Jerry, what are you
doing?
He closes his notebook on the paper and looks sheepishly at the teacher.
INT. OFFICE
Lindsey sits behind a computer and types a paper. She taps at the keys and then stops.
She glances out into the hall: a large sign about the cheerleader tryouts.
She looks at the screen. Her essay reads: "Reaching Goals" She stands up and walks out of the office.
INT. HALLWAY
She stares at the sign-up sheet—already filled with various signatures.
She signs her name and nods. A school bell rings.
INT. GYM
Students pass by with backpacks and bags—it's the end of the school day.
MUSIC: "(Bring Me) Edelweiss" performed by Edelweiss, plays as the cheerleaders work on a dance routine.
Lindsey walks into the gym and sits on a section of pulled out bleachers.
She studies the movements of the cheerleaders.
Jerry—in full uniform--walks out of the locker room and sees her.
Lindsey!
JERRY
Monica glares at him.
He climbs up and sits next to Lindsey.
JERRY (CONT'D) What are doing?
LINDSEY Waiting for Michael.
JERRY
You're just going to sit here?
LINDSEY I brought a book.
He looks to her side and sees her Bible. The music starts up again.
JERRY Look at them.
Hmm…?
LINDSEY
Monica claps her hands to a beat as the other girls move through eight counts.
JERRY
Some people are perfect and never
have to work at anything…everything
always comes to them.
LINDSEY
Do you hate perfect people?
He looks to the far side of the gym at Michael and Leo as they go out the door.
The music stops.
JERRY
Hate? No, just some people think
they're better than everyone
else…and they love to remind you of
it, they—You know, I'll bet you can
do this…
What?
LINDSEY
JERRY
This dance, look at them; it can't
be that hard!
Monica glares back at them as she walks by.
MONICA Oh, really?
The other cheerleaders step up next to her.
SAMANTHA
So, you think it's all easy, do
you?
RENEE
Let's see you do it, then.
JERRY
No, I meant it would be easy for
Lindsey to do.
Lindsey looks at him and then to the cheerleaders.
JERRY (CONT'D) You could do it, easily.
LINDSEY Why would I want to?
Monica tosses her hair to the side.
MONICA
I want her to try it...come on,
let's see if you have any co-
ordination.
Lindsey nods and lightly steps down the bleachers. Monica nods to Stephanie and the music starts again. MUSIC: "(Bring Me) Edelweiss" performed by Edelweiss
MONICA (CONT'D) Five, six, seven, eight...
Monica silently eight-counts as she moves along with the other cheerleaders.
Lindsey watches her moves and looks to the speakers. INT. SERVER ROOM
Several drive lights flash.
A monitor displays a motion captured (stick-figure) human form rapidly performing various dance steps.
Another monitor reads: SECTOR MOTORS: ACCELERATED. POWER FLOW: OVERDRIVE.
INT. GYM
Got it.
LINDSEY
She steps in next to Monica and matches every step. Monica's eyes glare at Renee’
Samantha's jaw drops slightly.
The other girls react in disbelief. Jerry grins.
The song ends and Lindsey stands motionless for a few seconds.
Monica scoffs and walks away. Samantha and Renee look at Lindsey.
Lindsey?
JERRY
She continues to stand motionless—her chest ceases to simulate breathing.
INT. SERVER ROOM
The monitor reads: SHELL ERROR. SHELL ERROR; AUTO-RESET WILL COMMENCE IN FIVE…
FOUR…
INT. GYM
Lindsey's back is turned away from everyone. Her eyes remain closed.
JERRY Lindsey, are you okay?
He walks to her—her back still to him.
LINDSEY
(mouth does not open)
I'm fine, just have to relax a bit.
She falls down into his arms—now in normal operation.
Thank you. Jerry smiles.
LINDSEY (CONT'D)
Monica rolls her eyes.
COACH
Hey, Voight! You gonna join the
cheerleaders? Why aren't you on the
field!
JERRY Sorry, coach.
(to Lindsey) You did good.
Thank you.
LINDSEY
He stands her up and runs ahead of the coach.
MONICA
I guess we'll see you at tomorrow's
tryouts then?
LINDSEY Yes, you will.
INT. DINING ROOM
The family sits at the table.
WHITNEY
So, how was your day today,
Michael?
MICHAEL
Same, nothing really going
on…Except Coach is strung out on
this week's game.
PETER
Sounds like Old Coach Brockman all
right.
WHITNEY
What about you, Lindsey?
LINDSEY
I signed up for cheerleading.
The three look at her.
MICHAEL You did what?
WHITNEY
You signed up for cheerleading?
That's wonderful, isn't it, Peter--
PETER
I know she can do it…but I'm going
to have to say no.
Why?
WHITNEY
PETER
For one thing, it would be wrong to
put her in that position: She far
exceeds them in physical strength.
LINDSEY But I want to.
Peter drops his knife and looks at her.
PETER You want to?
LINDSEY
Yes. I want to try; as you said,
you know I can do it…and I can
adjust my accuracy, to let them
catch up.
MICHAEL
Let them catch up? Monica works
hard on her routines—she has to
take time to learn them, but just
because--
LINDSEY
I want to try, father.
Peter shakes his head as he picks his knife up.
WHITNEY
Why not, Peter, she wants to.
PETER
Because the shell is not designed
for that much strain…you're not
designed for it—you know that.
LINDSEY
I understand I have limitations,
but—
PETER
No, if something happens to you,
there won't be a way to hide it. If
you fell down after some stunt and
smashed a leg motor…
Lindsey looks to Peter.
PETER (CONT'D)
I'll see what we can do to increase
the shell strength…but it will take
time.
She nods.
MONICA (OS)
We're leaving after the game,
right?
INT. SERVER ROOM
Lindsey stands on her platform.
The monitor reads CHARGE MODE and notes the time as 11:30 PM
and counting.
MICHAEL (OS)
Yep. We'll pack the car early and
go after the final touchdown.
INT. MICHAEL'S ROOM
He sits on his bed as he talks on the phone.
MONICA (OS)
I told my parents I was going to
spend the night with some friends.
MICHAEL
Same here…don't worry…it'll be
great.
MONICA (OS) Oh…I know it will. I—
MUFFLED VOICE (OS) Monica, what are you doing up?
MONICA (OS) Gotta go…I love you.
MICHAEL Love you too.
INT. STUDY
Peter taps at a laptop and skims over a research book. Whitney enters.
WHITNEY
The revival starts tomorrow night.
PETER
Six o'clock, right?
She nods.
PETER (CONT'D) We'll be there.
WHITNEY
What are you working on?
She stands behind him and leans on his shoulders.
PETER
We're working on an advanced CPU
design…we hope it’s twice as
powerful as the LIND C version.
Mhh-hmm.
WHITNEY
She steps out of the room and comes back with Lindsey's backpack.
WHITNEY (CONT'D)
I've been thinking about something.
What?
PETER
WHITNEY
Do you know what I found in her
backpack?
Hmm?
PETER
She takes out the Bible.
PETER (CONT'D)
I know. Dave gave it to her to read
one day—she expressed an interest
in it.
WHITNEY
I thought she already had one—
PETER
She does—every single translation.
They’re on server J, but, she wants
to read it. Plus, it does give her
a reason for knowing every single
passage of scripture.
WHITNEY
Peter Allen Dolce…is she your
project or your daughter?
They look at a family portrait: Peter, Whitney, Michael and
Lindsey.
PETER
I think we both know the answer.
WHITNEY
She wants to do it all…just like a
real girl.
INT. GYM—THE NEXT AFTERNOON
Lindsey stands alongside several other girls. They are all dressed in shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes.
PETER (OS) That's what I'm afraid of sometimes.
Monica and the rest of the cheerleaders stand before the group.
MONICA
You're here to try out for the
position of cheerleader. We have
two slots and twenty of you have
signed up.
She looks at everyone and then at the cheerleader advisor, Laura—dressed similarly.
Laura nods to the group.
LAURA
The competition will be made up of
a dance routine, two cheers and
your overall attitude during the
tryouts. It's not enough to know
the cheers and the moves, but you
need to show the emotion.
Lindsey looks at the girls around her as they stretch out.
LAURA (CONT'D)
Let's let them see what they're
getting into, Monica.
Right.
MONICA
Samantha turns on a radio. Monica glares at Lindsey.
MUSIC: "Cotton Eye Joe" (full version) Performed by Rednex
The music plays and the cheerleaders move to the cut-time beat.
Some of the girls show looks of fright.
One girl moves with the beat but then shakes her head in despair.
Lindsey studies their patterns. The song ends.
MONICA (CONT'D)
Okay, do we have anybody who thinks
they can do it?
Yes.
LINDSEY
SAMANTHA (mutter)
Yeah, right.
LUARA
Lindsey, you want to try it, now?
Yes.
LINDSEY
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) Accelerating shell sector motors.
Okay.
MONICA
LINDSEY (VO) Power output to Overdrive
Lindsey stands with the girls as the song begins.
She matches pace with the beat and the girl’s motions—each step done flawlessly.
As she moves, an internal ALARM goes off within her. Her eyes blink.
Analyze.
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D)
A high pitch tone sounds off. She continues to dance.
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) Sector motor overload.
The song ends and Lindsey walks to the locker room.
Lindsey?
LAURA
LINDSEY I'll be right back.
INT. LOCKER ROOM
Lindsey sits in the back of the locker room. She looks around--no one is in the room.
LINDSEY
Lindsey to Michael, please respond.
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD--AFTERNOON
Michael stands on the field as the ball is snapped.
LINDSEY (OS)
I need help…system damaged.
MICHAEL I'll be right there.
He runs to the coach.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
I gotta go, Coach, really—I gotta
go.
COACH
Can't you hold it, Dolce?
He shakes his head.
COACH (CONT'D)
Do I need to get you some Pampers,
Mike?
No sir, I—
MICHAEL
Go!
COACH
INT. GYM
The tryouts continue with the music pounding through the speakers.
Michael, without his helmet on, stands on the other side.
MICHAEL Where are you?
LINDSEY (OS) Locker room.
MICHAEL
It's going to be hard for me to
come in there, what's wrong?
INT. LOCKER ROOM
Lindsey opens an access port on her lower leg.
LINDSEY Malfunctioned leg servo.
A motor spins and whirs.
MICHAEL (OS)
You went to the tryouts anyway,
didn't you?
LINDSEY I had to try.
INT. GYM
Michael walks towards the locker room.
MICHAEL
What did you tell them?
LINDSEY (OS)
Nothing. So far, no one knows of
anything.
MICHAEL
How bad is the damage?
LINDSEY (OS)
I can't walk on it until I reset
it—but I can't do that here.
MICHAEL
Physically, does it stick out?
No.
LINDSEY (OS)
Michael waves to Monica as the song ends. INT. LOCKER ROOM
MICHAEL (OS)
Yell out for Monica and see if she
can help you out of there.
LINDSEY Acknowledged.
She closes the access panel.
Monica!
LINDSEY (CONT'D)
INT. GYM
Monica jogs over to MICHAEL.
MONICA
I saw you talking…were you talking
about me to your invisible friend?
MICHAEL
Yes, we were discussing how
beautiful you look and—
Monica!
LINDSEY (OS)
Monica looks to the locker room and then at Michael.
MONICA
Did you know that Lindsey signed up
for tryouts?
I do now.
MICHAEL
LINDSEY (OS) I need help.
MONICA Be right back.
Michael smiles as she walks inside the locker room.
MICHAEL She's on her way.
INT. LOCKER ROOM
Monica walks to the far side of the room and sees Lindsey on the floor.
MONICA What happened?
LINDSEY
I don't know…my leg just gave out.
MONICA Can you walk?
Lindsey shakes her head.
Monica stoops over to help her stand.
MICHAEL (OS) That was incredibly dense—especially for you.
INT. CAR
Lindsey looks straight ahead and then at Michael as he speaks.
MICHAEL
You're not supposed to do things
when Dad tells you not to.
LINDSEY
Like going to the lake with your
girlfriend?
MICHAEL
How do you know about that?
LINDSEY
You don't make it much of a secret.
MICHAEL
You've been listening in on me?
He points to his ear.
LINDSEY
No. You talk about it with her all
the time. It’s difficult to not
notice.
MICHAEL
I suppose you're going to tell
them.
LINDSEY That depends…are you?
MICHAEL glances at her.
MICHAEL No…I, what time is it?
LINDSEY Five thirty-eight.
MICHAEL
Shit, we got revival to get to.
Lindsey nods.
EXT. CHURCH—EVENING A choir sings.
INT. CHURCH
A large congregation fills the pews once again. Michael and Leo sit in the back.
Lindsey sits next to Peter and Whitney.
Dave stands at the podium as the choir sits down.
DAVE
I was asked by a man one day: "How
can I be perfect? How can I be the
perfect human?" My reply was, "you
already are".
Lindsey looks up to him as he speaks.
DAVE (CONT'D)
As humans, we strive to be the best
in everything. Life, school,
sports, relationships…but we
can't…and our minds just can't
fathom why…why can't we be perfect?
Because that's how we are. Only one
man can claim he was perfect and he
became something greater and
perfect than anything we can ever
imagine…though we try.
Michael looks at a note: "To the stud"—made out to Jerry.
DAVE (OS) (CONT'D)
Not that we should slack it all and
think: "well, God, I guess because
it's useless to be try and be
perfect, why should I bother to do
anything? Why should I give my
offerings? Why should I pray, come
to church or help my fellow man?
Leo grins.
DAVE (CONT'D)
It's because you are human—a man
made in the image of God…so we
should all strive to be more God-
like and to look into the mistakes
and sins we've made in our
lives…the lies, the emotions and…
Lindsey's eyes blink twice and then close.
DAVE (CONT'D)
And pray: "God, I need your help, I
need to know where I am and how do
I fit into your view of perfection;
in your great plan for my life…to
give it all…to give it all up for
what you want me to be.
Peter looks to Lindsey and then to Whitney. They look at her as her eyes open.
DAVE (OS) (CONT'D) That is the theme of tonight's sermon: "Is my Life Serving God, or Me?"
An organ plays. EXT. CHURCH--NIGHT
The organ changes to another song. INT. CHURCH
The congregation stands.
Dave stands in front with CHERYL (24, brown hair, petite) and
TOM (26, red hair, strong build) Mendelssohn.
Cheryl holds a baby, MELISSA, in her arms.
DAVE
I suppose you all remember Tom and
his wife, Cheryl; daughter
Melissa…You know, Tom was the one
who made sure that we didn't run
out of syrup for breakfast last
Saturday, by buying that big ole'
drum of Log Cabin.
Light laughter goes through the sanctuary.
DAVE (CONT'D)
Tom and his lovely wife have come
now to join our congregation. Won't
you join me as we welcome them into
our church family.
The organ plays again as the three walk to the back of the auditorium.
Lindsey looks up at the giant wooden cross.
LINDSEY (whisper)
Where do I fit in? INT. SERVER ROOM
Peter stands next to Lindsey and inspects her leg motor.
PETER
How did this happen?
He uses a small screwdriver and removes the motor.
LINDSEY I don't know.
PETER
Were they accelerated?
Yes.
LINDSEY
Why?
PETER
LINDSEY
I went to the cheerleader tryouts.
He stands up and looks at her.
PETER You did what?
LINDSEY
I shouldn't have. You were
correct…I had to reboot shell
operations in order to resync the
motor…but it failed anyway.
PETER
It's been burned out. Michael!
Yeah?
MICHAEL (OS)
PETER
If you're on the phone, get off it
and come in here!
Michael sticks his head into the door.
PETER (CONT'D) Get in here.
What?
MICHAEL
PETER
Did you know Lindsey was going to
the cheerleader tryouts?
MICHAEL
No, not until she called me and
told me something happened and—
PETER
Why didn't you tell me?
I forgot.
MICHAEL
He walks out of the room.
PETER
You forgot? She has a malfunction--
one that could expose her-- and--
Peter follows.
PETER (OS) (CONT'D) And you forgot?
Lindsey eyes blink and tears well up. INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY
Michael and Monica walk through the sea of students.
MICHAEL
Tomorrow night…it's the big night.
MONICA
I know…I can't wait, I—
Leo jumps up next to Michael.
LEO Did you hear?
Hmm?
MICHAEL
What?
MONICA
LEO
Coach threw Jerry off the team.
Really?
MICHAEL
LEO
Yeah—I hear he just stood there as
Coach reamed him on how he wasn't
working with the team…
MICHAEL Oh, thank God!
He raises his hands above his head. INT. CLASSROOM
Jerry sits in the back of the room, a blank look on his face.
LEO (OS)
Can I get an Amen, my brother?
Amen!.
MICHAEL (OS)
MONICA VO Oh, please.
Lindsey walks up to him.
LINDSEY Hello, Jerry.
Hi.
JERRY
LINDSEY What's wrong?
Nothing.
JERRY
She sits down in her chair.
LINDSEY Nothing? Are you sure?
JERRY Yeah, I'm fine.
She turns to the front as the bell rings. Jerry closes his eyes and clenches his fist. INT. HALLWAY
Jerry opens his locker and another note falls down.
JERRY
Who keeps sending these to me?
He opens it up and reads the message.
JERRY (CONT'D)
Well, at least I have one person
who thinks something about me.
He looks down the hall and then down the other end before he slides down to the floor, his hands in his pockets.
INT. VOIGHT HOME
Jerry watches television by himself.
DAVE (OS)
If Jesus knocked on our door…if he
just knocked on our door—just like
Pizza Delivery—and he asked: "What
are you doing for me?" How would we
answer?
His gaze turns to his father's gun collection—in a locked display case.
DAVE (OS) (CONT'D) Would we say: "Well, Jesus, I'm paying the mortgage, cutting the grass and keeping up with the Jones'" And he'd probably just look at us…just look at us and ask—
He walks over to the case and puts his hand on the glass over a shotgun.
INT. CHURCH
Dave stands in front of the podium.
DAVE
Have you told your brother about
me? Told him about me, so that he
won't die…so that he won't be
crying out?
Michael sits with the rest of his family—he glances at
Lindsey as she has an open Bible in her hands and she watches
every move Dave makes.
DAVE (CONT'D)
We're here…we see the good things
God does for us…we feel the love
Jesus has for us…but others don't
see, some can't, some choose not
to…what are we? What have…we
done…for God today?
EXT. CHURCH—EVENING
Whitney and Lindsey walk out together and walk toward
Melissa.
Cheryl!
WHITNEY
Cheryl, with Melissa in her arms, turns around.
WHITNEY (CONT'D)
Hi, how are you doing? Where's Tom?
CHERYL
(strong southern accent)
He had to go to work; they have him
on call for the next few hours.
WHITNEY Firefighter, right?
Cheryl nods.
WHITNEY (CONT'D)
Well, we were hoping that you, Tom
and, and little Melissa, would like
to come over for dinner some time.
CHERYL
Oh, well, thank you, we'd love to.
Umm, I'll talk to Tom--
Lindsey turns away from them and walks to the other side of the parking lot.
She looks to see Leo and SHELLY Davis (15, red hair, very sensual, very out of place) walk to his car.
She stares at them as Shelly puts her arms around him and kisses him.
She turns back to Whitney and Cheryl.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
So, Lindsey, your mother says
you're quite the artist?
INT. BEDROOM
Jerry sits against the wall of his room and looks at all of the "secret admirer" notes.
He picks one of up and reads it aloud.
JERRY
I think you're pretty cool…
He folds the note back and then looks at the clock. It reads: 11:30.
JERRY (CONT'D) I wish more people did.
EXT. HIGHWAY—MORNING
Michael passes another car at a dangerously fast speed. INT. CAR
Michael sips a Mountain Dew as he drives.
LINDSEY
How long has Leo been with Shelly?
MICHAEL
A few days I think…don't know…he's
been flirting with her for a
while…so it’s kind of been off and
on.
A car horn honks as he shifts back into his lane.
Why?
LINDSEY
MICHAEL
He likes her…they talk, they have
things in common.
LINDSEY
What do you and Monica have in
common?
MICHAEL
What do you mean: what do we have
in common?
LINDSEY Why do you like her?
Michael downshifts as they approach a line of buses.
LINDSEY (CONT'D)
Is the attraction a physical or
spiritual?
MICHAEL
Oh…it's very spiritual…when I first
saw her I heard angels singing.
Lindsey looks at him and then back to the front.
MICHAEL (CONT'D) Why? What's on your mind?
LINDSEY
I think someone likes me.
MICHAEL
A lot of people like you…
He looks at her body as she looks ahead.
MICHAEL (CONT'D) For the wrong reasons.
LINDSEY
I don’t think he’s like that.
MICHAEL
Who are you talking about? Who is
this guy?
LINDSEY I’m not telling you.
Say what?
MICHAEL
EXT. HIGHWAY--MORNING
The car pulls over to the side of the road. INT. CAR
Michael kills the engine and turns to her.
MICHAEL
Command Mode function, star, eight,
two, zero, one. Dolce code five.
Run system mode.
Lindsey’s eyes transfix straight ahead.
LINDSEY (monotone)
Lind C Command Mode function. System, ready.
MICHAEL
Who is your secret admirer?
LINDSEY Command unknown.
MICHAEL
Oh, God…I don’t know how to phrase
that.
LINDSEY
God, supreme being…alpha and omega
of life; Father of mankind--
MICHEAL
Cancel…delete command mode session
and return to normal operation.
LINDSEY Compliance.
He starts the car up and drives back onto the road.
MICHAEL
Before you go and plan some kind of
date…You need to talk to Mom and
Dad.
LINDSEY Why? You don’t.
MICHAEL
Never mind what I do. This is you
we’re talking about. Besides…I'm
not the one to ask or give advice
about relationships.
Why?
LINDSEY
MICHAEL
I don't know…I'll ask God next time
I see him on why I can’t give
advice.
She stares back at him. EXT. SCHOOL—MORNING
Jerry walks up to the school and passes by Leo and Shelly—as they stand next to the building.
LEO
Sorry to hear about what happened,
Jerry.
JERRY Yeah, sure you are.
INT. HALLWAY
He turns the corner and goes to his locker. Another note falls out of it.
JERRY
Not again…I don't need one of
these…not now.
He looks up and down the hall.
He opens the letter and then looks down the hall again.
He wipes a tear from his eye and places the note on the top shelf of his locker.
It reads: "I believe in you"
JERRY (CONT'D)
Well, today's the day I'm going to
ask her…well, if not today, then
tomorrow…but—
He grabs his books and walks down the hall.
LAURA (OS) (over intercom)
Attention all cheerleaders, we will have a meeting at noon concerning tomorrow night's game—all cheerleaders, this meeting is mandatory. Please be there.
Lindsey stands at her locker.
JERRY
Sorry you didn't make the team.
LINDSEY
I'm fine, it's okay…I really don't
have the time to do it anyway, I—
She closes her locker and walks.
LINDSEY (CONT'D) Are you okay?
JERRY
I'm fine, I'm doing okay… yesterday
was just a little hard in some
classes and—
She nods as they walk into class. INT. CLASSROOM
LINDSEY
We're having a revival at our
church tonight, why don't you come?
With you?
JERRY
LINDSEY
I'm singing with the choir tonight
and—
JERRY Sure, I'd love to.
A Bell rings.
Great.
LINDSEY
The bell rings and the TEACHER walks in. INT. SERVER ROOM
Several monitors display Bible verses and various pictures and diagrams of scrolls.
A server beeps and whines. Another monitor reads COMPILING.
A screensaver scrolls across one of the monitors: "What have we done for God today?"
EXT. VOIGHT HOUSE--AFTERNOON
Jerry opens the side door of his car for Lindsey.
Thank you.
LINDSEY
JERRY No problem.
He closes the door and they walk together across the street. INT. HOUSE
Whitney types on a laptop at her desk when they enter.
Hi mom.
LINDSEY
JERRY Hello, Mrs. Dolce.
WHITNEY
Jerry, nice to see you again…you
haven't been over in quite awhile.
JERRY
I know, I'm sorry, I—
LINDSEY
I invited Jerry to come to the
revival tonight…is that okay?
WHITNEY
Yes, that'll be fine—we'll leave in
about an hour.
Lindsey nods and leads Jerry out of the room. INT. BEDROOM
Lindsey opens the door to her room.
LINDSEY
Sorry, there's still nothing big
about my room.
JERRY
You have a new painting.
Yes.
LINDSEY
JERRY Did you paint it?
LINDSEY It's a copy…
JERRY
I was thinking…if you painted that,
no way—only a machine could copy it
so precise.
Lindsey nods.
JERRY (CONT'D)
Thanks for inviting me. Lindsey.
LINDSEY
You're welcome. Are you hungry?
He smiles as she leads him out of her room. EXT. CHURCH—EARLY EVENING
Michael's car pulls into a space as a piano plays. INT. CHURCH
Lindsey stands on stage and nods to Peter. Peter taps a code on the comm unit.
Jerry sits in the back pew of the church and looks at
Lindsey.
MUSIC: "Love" (originally performed by Petra)
LINDSEY
Love is patient, love is kind
No eyes of envy, true love is
blind/Love is humble, it knows no
pride/ No selfish motive hidden
inside.
Michael shifts in his seat and glimpses through the corner of his eye at Jerry.
EXT. PLAINS—MIDDAY (DAYDREAM)
Jerry holds Lindsey's hand as the wind blows across the plain.
LINDSEY (VO)
Love is gentle, makes no demands/
Despite all wrong, true love still
stands
They run through the field.
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) Love is holy, love is pure
It lasts forever, it will endure
He turns her face to him and kisses her on the lips.
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) Love knows when to let go
Love knows when to say no
She holds her hand out to him as he kneels before her and looks up to her eyes.
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) Love grows in the light of the Son And love shows the world that the Son of Love has come.
EXT. CLIFF--DUSK
Jerry and Lindsey sit on the edge of the cliff and look into each other's eyes.
LINDSEY (VO)
Love is loyal, believes the best/
It loves the truth, love stands the
test/Love is God sent in His
Son/Love forgives all we have done
He picks her up and spins her around as hey embrace.
INT. CHURCH
Jerry opens his eyes and shakes his head.
LINDSEY
In this world where hatred seems to
grow/True love goes against the
flow/And becomes so hard to show/In
this world where push turns to
shove
EXT. PARK—MIDDAY (DREAM AGAIN) LINDSEY (VO)
We have strength to rise above
Through the power of His love
Lord, we need to know the power of
Your love.
He gives her a ring.
She smiles at him as he puts it on her finger.
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) Love knows when to let go
Love knows when to say no
INT. CHURCH (BACK TO REALITY)
Jerry opens his eyes as Lindsey sings the last of the song. From the other side of the sanctuary—Leo glances at Jerry.
LINDSEY (VO)
Love grows in the light of the Son
And love shows the world that the
Son of Love has come.
SONG ENDS
EXT. CHURCH--NIGHT
Jerry leaves the church, followed by Leo.
LEO
Well, Jerry…interesting to meet you
here.
JERRY
I'm here with Lindsey.
LEO No kidding?
Michael walks up to them.
MICHAEL
Jerry, how did you get here?
LEO
He's here with Lindsey.
Michael looks back to the church. Whitney walks out.
WHITNEY
Michael! I need your help, come
here, please!
MICHAEL
Take my advice, Jerry--
What?
JERRY
MICHAEL
Keep your hands off my sister!
LEO
Like he'd know what to do with them
anyway.
Michael shoots a glance at Leo.
LEO (CONT'D) Jeez, what did I say?
Michael walks away.
LEO (CONT'D)
So, Jerr, planned the wedding out
and everything?
What?
JERRY
LEO
I saw you looking at her…I admit,
she's a great piece and she's got a
mind…but she doesn't like you, it's
a front and she's good at acting
all nice and friendly but she
doesn't care about you more than a
friend.
JERRY
You don't know that.
LEO
Has she been sending you love
letters?
Maybe.
JERRY
Jerry!
LINDSEY (OS)
He looks back at Lindsey and runs to her. Leo grins—unseen by Jerry.
EXT. DOLCE HOME—NIGHT
A lamp shines in a first floor window. INT. SERVER ROOM
Peter stares at the system monitors and then back to Lindsey.
PETER
What's going on with the
allocations?
He clicks a mouse.
PETER (CONT'D)
Ten hours to defrag drive J?
He looks back at the servers and then to the screen.
PETER (CONT'D) What else is on this drive?
He clicks on a folder and a sub-folder list—totaling over
1,340 folders shows up on the screen.
PETER (CONT'D) This is new…and it's running directly from the shell…
He leans back in his chair and stares at the diagnostic data flowing by.
He taps at several keys and three drives begin to whirr.
EXT. SCHOOL--MORNING
Lindsey walks into the school, followed by Michael and
Monica.
INT. HALLWAY
Jerry opens his locker and sees another note fall out. He opens it and looks at the name at the bottom of it:
Samantha
JERRY Samantha…no way…I—
He looks down the hallway at Renee and Samantha as they walk together.
Leo and Shelly stand at the end of the hallway. Michael turns the corner.
Leo motions for him to stop.
Lindsey continues on past Jerry as he stops in front of
Samantha.
Hello.
JERRY (CONT'D)
SAMANTHA Hi…what do you want?
JERRY
Did you write this?
He hands her the note.
Renee leans over and looks at the note; she laughs.
SAMANTHA
I think you're hot…fine…No, I
wouldn't write this about you…I'd--
She crumples the paper and falls over in laughter. Lindsey looks on.
SAMANTHA (CONT'D) Oh…please…oh, God, why would I tell you that I think you're…
Hot!
RENEE
SAMANTHA
Oh God, this is so funny!
Jerry looks at Lindsey
Her face shows no emotion.
He turns to the others in the hallway—everyone appears to laugh at him.
Jerry runs away.
Lindsey picks up the letter as Renee and Samantha walk away—in peals of laughter.
She stares at the handwriting.
MICHAEL
I can't believe he fell for that.
LEO
Did you see his expression?
Lindsey hands the note to Leo.
LINDSEY
Why did you write this?
I didn't.
LEO
LINDSEY
The I's match your handwriting and
the context is your manner of
writing. Shall we compare these to
your assignments in English?
MICHAEL
He said he didn't do it.
LINDSEY (VO) And you know he did.
Michael and Lindsey stare at each other.
LINDSEY (CONT'D) First John...four, seven, and eight.
She walks away.
MONICA What does that mean?
LEO Lindsey, come on—
EXT. SCHOOL—MIDDAY
Lindsey looks around the school for Jerry.
LEO
It was a simple joke.
She shakes her head.
LEO (CONT'D)
And I’m supposed to be sorry if he
can't take a joke?
LINDSEY
You brought him down, someone who
did nothing to you…
LEO
Think what you want…
LINDSEY
So…when Mr. Braga asks you to close
our class with a prayer every
Sunday—you don't really mean what
you say then either, do you?
LEO
What does church have to do with
this? We're at school.
She stares at him and then walks back into the school.
LINDSEY VO
Michael, do you see Jerry anywhere?
INT. HALLWAY
Michael feels at his earring as he kisses Monica.
Lindsey stands in the middle of the hall as everyone passes by—they are all oblivious to what has occurred.
MARIE (VO) Oh, Lindsey, hello.
EXT. VOIGHT HOME—AFTERNOON
Lindsey stands on the front porch in front of MARIE (40’s, rather big boned), Jerry’s mother.
LINDSEY Is Jerry here?
MARIE
Oh yes, but I’m afraid he isn’t
feeling well, he came home from
school early…he looked very pale.
LINDSEY
May I speak to him, please?
MARIE
I’ll tell him you called…
INT. BEDROOM
Jerry lies in bed with his eyes bloodshot and his face an ashen pale.
MARIE (VO)
I think he might be coming down
with something.
LINDSEY (VO) Thank you, Mrs. Voight.
INT. DOLCE LIVING ROOM
Lindsey walks in and looks up the stairs. INT. MICHAEL’S ROOM
Lindsey looks around his room and opens a bottom drawer. A notebook lies in the back.
She opens it up looks at a note.
LINDSEY
Tonight…the lake…after the game.
She closes the book. INT. SERVER ROOM
Lindsey steps onto her platform and closes her eyes. The monitor reads: SHELL STANDBY.
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD—EVENING
The game is in full swing, with the score 14 to 6. Monica cheers along with the other cheerleaders. Michael runs a play.
Peter and Whitney sit in the stands.
ANNOUNCER
And the score is now 21 to 6, in
favor of the Indians.
Peter claps and looks down at a palm pilot. It reads SHELL STANDBY.
INT. SERVER ROOM
A monitor shows “SHELL STANDBY”—but Lindsey is gone. INT. SANCTUARY
Lindsey stands with Cheryl and sings along with the rest of the congregation in a hymm.
CHERYL
Where are your parents, Lindsey?
LINDSEY
Michael has a game tonight, and
they went to it.
Cheryl nods as Dave walks up to the podium.
DAVE
Jesus said one thing to his
disciples when he met them after
his resurrection…
ANNOUNCER (VO)
And that’s the game! Reardan 36,
Davenport 24.
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD--NIGHT
Peter and Whitney walk up to the sideline. Michael stands next to Monica.
PETER
Good game there, son.
MONICA
Hello, Mr. Dolce, Mrs. Dolce.
MICHAEL Where’s Lindsey?
PETER Hello, Monica.
WHITNEY
She wasn’t feeling well, so she’s
staying home.
PETER
Where were you staying tonight?
Leo’s. Peter nods.
MICHAEL
WHITNEY
We’ll see you tomorrow then, dear.
Have a good time.
MICHAEL Bye Mom, Dad.
He walks off with Monica as Peter and Whitney go the other way.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The living room of Cheryl and Tom Mendelssohn: country in theme, but with some subtle young adult items—such as a big screen television.
Lindsey sits on the floor and holds Melissa.
CHERYL
She really likes you.
Thank you.
LINDSEY
CHERYL
Do you work in the nursery? You
should…
LINDSEY
I don’t think I’m old enough, at
least that’s what I’m told.
Cheryl picks Melissa up and cuddles her.
CHERYL
Well, that’s not how I see it…you
could watch her anytime for me.
Really?
LINDSEY
Cheryl hands her back and then sits down.
CHERYL
Yeah, actually...well, I need
someone to watch Melissa when I go
back to work. It would be in the
evenings for a few hours and
Saturday…could you do it?
LINDSEY I’d be happy to.
EXT. DOLCE HOME--LATER
The SUV’s brake lights flash off.
Lindsey? INT. LIVING ROOM
PETER (VO)
Lindsey? INT. SERVER ROOM
PETER
Peter sits at a terminal and plugs a handheld PC into it.
WHITNEY Where is she?
PETER I don’t know.
He turns to the computer and starts typing.
PETER (CONT'D) GPS is not picking her up.
WHITNEY I’ll call Michael.
Peter nods as Whitney runs out of the room.
He taps at the system, the prompt “You do not have permission to access the requested remote system”
PETER Where are you?
EXT. WOODS--NIGHT
Michael and Monica kiss next to a tent. A cell phone rings.
Michael—without even breaking stride—turns the phone off.
RECORDED VOICE (VO) The cellular customer you are trying to call is not answering at this time.
INT. HALLWAY
Whitney pushes a button on a cordless phone as she walks into the server room.
WHITNEY He’s not answering…
Peter taps at the keys.
PETER
Lindsey, respond. Michael, respond.
Whitney sits at another terminal.
WHITNEY
Are you trying the comm?
Yes.
PETER
She picks up two crystal earrings and shows them to Peter.
PETER (CONT'D) She took them off?
EXT. DOLCE HOUSE—NIGHT
Cheryl’s car backs down the driveway as Lindsey walks to the front door.
She stops and stands in the center of the lawn.
DAVE (OS)
And the people gathered, and heard
the message that was given to
him…to be the disciples for God, to
tell the message, save the lost and
be the children of God.
She looks at herself and then up again.
DAVE (OS) (CONT'D) Everyone deserves the grace, the caring and the loving arms, of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
LINDSEY (whisper)
Everyone deserves the grace, the caring and the loving arms, of our Lord, Christ.
Lindsey? INT. LIVING ROOM
PETER (VO)
The three stand in the front room. Peter’s expression is near explosion.
WHITNEY Where have you been?
Revival.
LINDSEY
PETER
The system states you were on
standby.
LINDSEY
I was...but I couldn’t miss the
sermon tonight…I had to hear it.
Peter looks at her as she bows her head and walks upstairs. Whitney stands next to him.
WHITNEY
What’s happening to her?
PETER I don’t know.
INT. SERVER ROOM
Peter clicks at the computer as Lindsey stands at the side, off-line.
He clicks through various menus and folder until he reaches a sub-directory labeled "JESUS"
He accesses the file and his eyes widen.
The screen shows 31 gigabytes of a 40 gigabyte drive devoted to the files.
He looks back at Lindsey and then at the screen.
He right clicks through the files and taps at a few keys.
LINDSEY (VO) Delete this folder?
Peter taps at the keys
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) Please wait.
He looks at Lindsey and shakes his head.
PETER
I'm sorry, Lindsey, but maybe it's
best that you don't know so
much…until I can figure out how.
LINDSEY (VO) Folder deleted.
Peter gets up from the console and leaves the room. The screen clicks on.
A prompt flashes: "Extract files from backup?"
The screen flashes again as the folder group returns.
Another prompt flashes and brings up a massive disk hierarchy
(a la Windows Explorer on the Windows 98 Operating System)
and a message “COPYING FILES TO MAIN SYSTEM SHELL PROGRAM
(LIND C) ESTIMATED TIME: 60 SECONDS.
All servers go on-line.
The files flash by as command consoles appear and disappear after files and images are copied.
EXT. FOREST—NIGHT
Michael looks back to a tent and then looks into the forest. He opens a clenched fist and stares down at a condom
wrapper—unopened.
He then looks back at the tent.
DAVE VO
“The Sunday Christian”…We’ve all
met them. We’ve all been them at
one time or another.
INT. SANCTUARY
Lindsey sits stoic next to Peter and Whitney—without her
Bible.
Michael sits in the back with Leo—he half listens to Dave.
DAVE
How does one become “the Sunday
Christian”? By how he lives his
life throughout the week and then
changes on Sunday. He goes out, he
drinks, he goes to clubs, he cheats
on his soul—this is a
generalization—
Michael stares up at Dave as Leo continues to look down.
DAVE (CONT'D)
But what do we do when we’re
confronted by things that turn us
to walk away from God, away from
the path of righteousness.
Unfortunately, we’re all
guilty—we’ve all done something to
bring down our fellow man or to
have them look down on us.
Michael holds his head in his hands for a moment.
DAVE (CONT'D)
Sometimes we all wish we could be
like the child, the one who doesn’t
know right from wrong the one who
sees everything as brand new and
his life is as clean as the new
fallen snow…
Michael looks down the rows at Lindsey.
INT. SERVER ROOM
Peter sits at the desk and taps at several keys.
Lindsey lies on a table—her lower chest cavity opened with a set of ribbon cables attached inside.
A display shows a diagram of power levels and voltage monitors.
PETER Babysitting?
Yes.
LINDSEY
He removes the ribbon cables as he speaks.
PETER
Let’s see if we’ve increased power
reserves. I have reset your systems
to use power as they need to,
instead of being on at all times.
We’ll log any abnormal changes.
Dad?
LINDSEY
The panel closes and she rises up.
What?
PETER
LINDSEY
May I tell Cheryl I’ll watch
Melissa?
PETER
Yes, you may, I—Lindsey…
What?
LINDSEY
She buttons her blouse back.
PETER
I removed files from drive J…and
you restored them. Why?
LINDSEY
They’re important to me…they are a
part of a system sub-routine.
PETER What sub-routine?
My soul.
LINDSEY
She walks out of the room.
Peter looks back at the monitor…the screensaver from before scrolls across.
INT. JERRY’S ROOM
Jerry sits at his desk and glances back at his stereo and the few personal possessions he owns.
He walks to the window, opens the blinds and looks across the street to the Dolce house.
JERRY
I’ll give it all to her…when I’m
gone.
He closes the blinds. INT. DEN
Whitney sits down on the couch next to Peter.
PETER
I should have seen this coming.
WHITNEY
How could you though?
PETER
I expected her to be oblivious to
the subject…it doesn’t have logical
meaning; it defies parameters of
her programming. I programmed her
diagnostics, speech, memory
pathways…
WHITNEY
And she’s doing what no one would
think a machine could do…think
about that. Isn’t that what you
designed her to do? Become self
sufficient? To be human?
PETER
I don’t think I’m ready for her to
be a missionary though…I--
WHITNEY
We need to add a polymer to the
shell skin.
She stands up and takes Peter’s hand.
Why? He stands up.
PETER
WHITNEY
She’s not exactly waterproof.
PETER
What are you talking about?
INT. PASTOR'S OFFICE
Dave sits behind his desk.
Rows of various theological and doctrine books line the wall behind him.
DOTTIE (50's, cheery disposition) enters.
DAVE
How can I help you, Dottie?
DOTTIE You have a visitor.
Lindsey steps in.
DAVE
Lindsey. Hello, please, sit down.
Dottie closes the door.
He stands until she sits down.
LINDSEY
Thank you, am I bothering you at
this time of day?
DAVE
No, I’m just getting some notes
copied before tonight’s service.
What can I help you with?
LINDSEY
I have a question, pastor, though I
do not think you can answer it for
me.
She places her purse down on the floor.
DAVE
What's your question?
LINDSEY
Where will I go when I die?
Dave looks at her.
DAVE
That depends on where your heart
is.
She looks at him and then down.
LINDSEY
I have tried to grasp the idea of
Heaven…Hell…God, Jesus and what he
means to me…I have thought so much
about it that it has destroyed
major blocks of drive space on my
servers.
I…uh…see.
DAVE
LINDSEY
I know I will never fully
understand heaven or God…I’ve
prayed for understanding…but I do
not know if he understands me.
DAVE
God understands us all, Lindsey.
No…no…
LINDSEY
She grabs her purse and runs out of the room.
Lindsey. INT. SANCTUARY Dimly lit.
DAVE
Lindsey stands at the front and looks up at the cross.
LINDSEY What is there for me?
Dave stands at the back of the room and looks as Lindsey turns around.
LINDSEY (CONT'D) There is no place for something without a real soul, Pastor. I can't deny that…I don’t know why I’m trying to.
He walks forward.
DAVE
Lindsey, you have a soul, everyone
does…and your heart is the biggest
I've ever seen as you help everyone
you can; you're eager to learn…you
have a soul.
LINDSEY
But my heart is not like yours.
Dave looks at her in question as she holds her right hand up.
LINDSEY (CONT'D)
I put my trust in you, Pastor,
because you treat me as a
friend…but even so, I'm afraid you
will turn me away if I—
Dave shakes his head.
DAVE
I would never do that to you.
LINDSEY
My parents do not wish that I know
of him.
DAVE Know of whom?
LINDSEY
Jesus, God…My father attempted to
delete my files devoted to him,
I—He felt it better if I didn't
know more.
Dave stares at her with a puzzled expression.
LINDSEY (CONT'D)
I restored the files and then
incorporated them into my sub-
routines. He is now part of my
daily life…Will you still be my
friend if I tell you the truth?
DAVE
You can tell me anything, I won't
turn you away, Lindsey.
She nods and taps her wrist, the access hatch to her arm opens.
Dave's eyes widen as she moves her hand. The motors in her arm move in-synch.
She looks at his face and then drops to her knees.
LINDSEY
He can never love me. Can God love
a machine?
Dave reaches down to her and looks at her eyes.
DAVE
Will you pray with me, Lindsey?
She nods as she cries.
DAVE (CONT'D)
Dear God…I can’t feel the emotions
that Lindsey has within her
heart…only you can do that. But
help this daughter to know where
she belongs in your kingdom…she
wants your guidance, as only you
can give her. Please open her eyes
and her heart to you. In your name
I pray. Amen.
DAVE (CONT'D) What do you feel, Lindsey?
LINDSEY
I don’t know…it’s a burning
feeling, a hole…like I’m missing
something…but I don’t know how I—
DAVE
Do you know that God sent his only
son to die on the cross and give
his life so that we may know him
and have a close personal
relationship with him?
Yes.
LINDSEY
He walks out of the sanctuary.
DAVE
And do you believe that Jesus will
come back for his children, for
you?
She nods.
INT. SANCTUARY—LATER
A piano plays softly.
The sanctuary is half-filled with the congregation—everyone stands
Michael walks into the back of the church as Dave steps into view from behind the choir loft.
INT. BAPTISMAL
Lindsey stands next to Peter and Lindsey as they adjust a robe over her.
She wears a wetsuit under the robe.
Peter moves her hair away from her ear and inspects an earplug.
He nods.
Dave motions for her to walk up to him. INT. SANCTUARY
Michael looks at the people around him as a camera flashes. INT. BAPTISMAL
Dave pulls her into the water and holds one hand up as he takes her hand and lowers her into the water.
INT SANCTUARY
Lindsey rises up from the water
with her eyes closed.
Michael stares at her and his lips tremble as the congregation claps.
He backs out of the sanctuary. INT. BEDROOM
Michael sits on his bed. Leo sits at the desk.
LEO
You’re breaking up with Monica?
Why?
MICHAEL I don’t know…I—
LEO
What happened in the woods?
Don’t ask.
MICHAEL
Too late.
LEO
Michael gets up and walks to the window.
We did it.
MICHAEL
It?
LEO
He nods.
LEO (CONT'D)
Bout time. You know, I could’ve had
pool goin’.
MICHAEL I didn’t want to.
Leo stares back in shock.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
We played a bit and you know…but I
told her I didn’t want to…that I
couldn’t do it just yet…but—
LEO
Ooh, this is got Skinemax all over
it.
MICHAEL
I fell asleep, and the next thing I
know…
LEO So you did it.
Yeah
MICHAEL
LEO
So must have wanted to, but were
too tired.
MICHAEL
No, no I didn’t want to.
He walks to the window.
LEO
Why? Look at her! She’s like queen
of the school and she like, picked
you or—
MICHAEL
We didn’t pick each other—
LEO
She picks, I know she does—didn’t
you when you started going out?
MICHAEL
No, that’s not the way she is.
LEO
So, she just jumped you?
Michael nods.
LEO (CONT'D)
I wish Shelly would do that…but—
Michael hits his hand against the window frame.
LEO (CONT'D)
Have you called her about it?
No.
MICHAEL
LEO
Are you going to? Or are you just
going to tell her off at school?
MICHAEL
I’m not going to tell her off…but I
am going to talk to her about it,
I—
He looks at the driveway as the SUV pulls in. INT. FRONT ROOM
Michael and Leo walk down the stairs as Peter, Whitney and
Lindsey walk in.
PETER Where were you?
MICHAEL
Sorry, I came home early.
LEO Hello, Lindsey.
LINDSEY Hello, Leo.
She walks past him and up the stairs. EXT. DRIVEWAY--NIGHT
Leo climbs into his car.
LEO
Is she ever going to talk to me
again?
MICHAEL I’ll talk to her...
Women.
LEO
Michael nods as Leo starts the engine.
LEO (CONT'D) Catch you tomorrow!
He waves to him as Leo backs out of the driveway.
LINDSEY (VO) Is he sorry?
MICHAEL (VO)
I don’t know, why don’t you ask
him.
INT. SERVER ROOM
Lindsey stands motionless—her eyes closed--as Michael sits at the desk.
LINDSEY VO
I can forgive him for what he
said…however, it’s hard to
forget…it was a cruel thing to do.
MICHAEL
Heard from Jerry, lately?
LINDSEY VO
Not since Friday. He doesn’t answer
the door, phone…and I don’t see him
on ICQ.
He nods.
MICHAEL
Hey, listen…about the relationship
thing we talked about the other
day…
He stands up and walks in a circle.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Let’s say that a relationship was
not working out the way you
though—No, I mean…Oh God, I don’t
even know why I’m asking you, I--
LINDSEY VO
Have you tried asking God?
MICHAEL You mean praying?
Yes.
LINDSEY VO
MICHAEL
I would…but I want to know now…I
want to know the answer and I can’t
wait for some obscure cloud pattern
or a déjà vu experience to tell me
the way it’s going to be.
LINDSEY VO
Good things come to those who
wait…not to ones who hesitate.
He sits back down.
MICHAEL
I can’t just pray about it…I just
can’t go and say, Hey, God…I’m
feeling a bit shitty right now with
my life…and I—Will you listen to
me? What have I become?
LINDSEY VO I do not understand.
MICHAEL
Command Mode…Shell standby.
A beep sounds off.
Michael sits in the chair and closes his eyes—his face in his hands.
EXT. SCHOOL—MORNING
Jerry trudges up the steps to the high school.
He looks at his backpack and then at the front door. INT. HALLWAY
He stops at his locker as students pass by. Some laugh at him.
He opens his locker and then looks into the pack: a 45 magnum sits in the bottom.
He carefully places his backpack on the bottom shelf and slams the locker closed.
LINDSEY VO Hello, Jerry.
He turns to her.
Hi.
JERRY
LINDSEY
I’m sorry for what happened on
Friday, are you okay?
JERRY
You didn’t do anything, Lindsey…I’m
fine, I—here…
He reaches into his pocket and takes out a cross pendant.
JERRY (CONT'D)
I want you to have this…I think
it’ll mean more to you.
He hands it to her.
LINDSEY Thank you very much.
He looks at her as she clasps the chain around her neck.
JERRY
It looks very nice on you.
Thank you. The bell rings.
LINDSEY
JERRY
I better get to class.
LINDSEY
I’ll see you in second?
He nods.
LINDSEY (CONT'D) Where are your books?
He doesn’t reply as he walks down the hallway in a daze.
Jerry?
LINDSEY (CONT'D)
EXT. PARKING LOT-MORNING
Monica stands a few feet away from Michael.
MONICA
I don’t get it…why are you breaking
up with me?
MICHAEL
I’m not…I’m just saying that we
need to cool down.
Why?
MONICA
MICHAEL
Why are you asking me that? If I
did what you did you’d scream that
I raped you or something.
MONICA
Michael, what are you talking
about?
He leans back on his car.
MICHAEL
I’m not ready for that yet.
What? Sex?
MONICA
MICHAEL
It’s too soon…I feel that it will
be what we’re all about…I don’t
want that, I—
MONICA
You weren’t saying no.
MICHAEL
I wasn’t awake either…and now I
have to worry about pregnancy.
MONICA No, you don’t.
He closes his eyes.
Pill?
MICHAEL
Implant.
MONICA
MICHAEL
Oh, great…even better. How long
have you had one of those?
MONICA
Do you want my sexual history or
something?
MICHAEL Yeah, maybe I do.
MONICA Screw you, Michael!
She storms off.
Michael glares at her as she walks into the building. INT. CLASSROOM
Jerry sits in the back of the room and stares at the desk. He looks at the oblivious students around him.
He rises up from his seat and walks out. INT. OFFICE
Lindsey sits at a computer and looks over multiple pieces of paper.
She looks up and out the window at Jerry as he grabs his bag from the locker.
She stares at him.
She hears an unusual click-click-clack of a magazine loading. The school SECRETARY (40’s, thin) steps into the office.
SECRETARY
How’s your paper coming along,
Lindsey?
Lindsey looks as Jerry walks down the hallway and turns a corner.
LINDSEY Be right back.
She races past the secretary.
INT. HALLWAY
Her systems accelerate and she races down the hallway. A STUDENT falls back as she zooms by.
INT. RESTROOM
Jerry takes the pistol out of the bag and looks at the side of it.
He then brings it up and into the air.
Lindsey opens the door—she does not startle him.
Jerry? She sees the gun.
LINDSEY
LINDSEY (CONT'D) Give it to me.
No.
JERRY
LINDSEY Jerry, give it to me.
He shakes his head--
LINDSEY (CONT'D) I’m not going to let you die.
And lowers the gun to his head.
I have to.
JERRY
In a nanosecond she grabs the gun and twists his hand. He grimaces and releases his grip.
She breaks the gun in two with her fingers. His eyes widen.
LINDSEY
No, I love you too much to let you
die.
He looks at her and then at the pieces of the gun.
She holds her hand out to him.
Jerry?
LINDSEY (CONT'D)
He hugs her and cries in her arms. A bell rings.
INT. HALLWAY
Monica walks up to Leo and Shelly.
MONICA (to Leo)
I need to talk to you.
LEO About what?
MONICA
I just need to talk to you, alone,
me and you.
LEO (to Shelly)
Be right back.
They walk down the hall.
What?
LEO (CONT'D)
MONICA
What the hell is up with Michael?
LEO
I don’t know, really.
MONICA
I don’t know what his problem is,
I—
She stops and looks down the hallway at Lindsey and Jerry. She holds his hand as they talk.
What the…?
MONICA (CONT'D)
Hmm?
LEO
He turns around as Monica points ahead.
MONICA
Sister Christian and Jerry?
LEO Weird…isn’t it?
Monica turns back to Leo.
MONICA
Do you know where he is right now?
Nope.
LEO
MONICA
Thanks, you’re a big help, Leo.
She walks away in a huff. Shelly walks back to him.
SHELLY What’s with her?
LEO What isn’t?
He glances back at Jerry and Lindsey.
JERRY (OS) How did you do that?
EXT. SCHOOL—NOON
Jerry and Lindsey sit in the grass in front of the school.
Do what?
LINDSEY
You know…
JERRY
LINDSEY Adrenaline?
JERRY
Did you mean what you said?
LINDSEY
Yes. You’re important to me—and a
lot of peop(lMeO.RE)
LINDSEY(CONT'D)
Just because people don’t talk to you doesn’t mean that they hate you…maybe they just don’t know you.
JERRY
I know…but I’ve always felt alone
here…everyday…and then you came
here from your school and—
Hmm?
LINDSEY
Nothing...
JERRY
LINDSEY You can tell me.
She takes his hand and looks at his eyes.
JERRY
I look forward to seeing you
everyday…and when I don’t, my
day…well, I feel like it’ll be a
bad day. But when I see you smile
and walk down the hallway—you just
make my day.
LINDSEY
And I like seeing you…alive and
well and sitting here with me.
Thanks.
JERRY
He reaches over and hugs her.
Thank you.
JERRY (CONT'D)
LINDSEY You’re welcome.
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD—AFTERNOON
Michael runs a play with the other members of the team.
LINDSEY (VO)
I’m going to ride with Jerry, if
that’s okay.
MICHAEL Have you seen Monica?
The quarterback throws the ball to Michael.
No.
LINDSEY (VO)
MICHAEL
Tell Mom and Dad I’ll be home late.
Reason.
LINDSEY (VO)
MICHAEL
None of your business.
The ball hovers over his fingers as he dives for it.
LINDSEY (VO) Acknowledged.
COACH (OS)
C’mon, Dolce, what are ya doing?
Daydreaming!
INT. HALLWAY
Jerry walks up to Lindsey.
Ready?
JERRY
She nods.
EXT. HIGHWAY—AFTERNOON
Jerry’s car passes another car. INT. CAR
A clean interior to a rather old-time car.
JERRY
So, you start working today?
LINDSEY
Yes, I’m really looking forward to
it.
JERRY
You ever babysat before?
No.
LINDSEY
JERRY
How old is the kid?
LINDSEY Six months.
JERRY
I used to think about having kids…I
know, here I am failing two
subjects and talking about kids…I
think everyone thinks about it
sometimes…do you?
LINDSEY I’m not able to.
JERRY
Wha? Oh…oh, I-I-m sorry, I—
LINDSEY
I’ve been blessed so far with my
life—I’ll make a difference to a
child one day…even though it may
never be my own.
JERRY
Always adoption…Oh-I—why are we
talking about this, I’m sorry, I—
LINDSEY
You’re very open with your
feelings.
He nods.
JERRY Sometimes…too open.
EXT. MONICA’S HOUSE—EARLY EVENING
A massive red brick and wood home. Monica stands on the front porch.
Michael stands on the bottom porch step.
MONICA
I don’t understand why you’re so
upset.
MICHAEL
Because, you didn’t ask me
first…because I didn’t want to.
MONICA
We’ve already talked about this.
I’m sorry, okay?
MICHAEL
No, it’s not okay. I’m out of this
relationship.
MONICA
You’re breaking up with me?
MICHAEL
I don’t think we were ever really
together…we just liked what we saw.
She shakes her head.
MONICA
You’re as bad as your sister…what
are you? Godchild number two?
MICHAEL Leave her out of this.
MONICA
No, because she’s always in the
way, Mike. She thinks she’s better
than everybody and talks down to
them with her Biblical bullshit!
She thinks you’re too good for me.
MICHAEL
And maybe she’s right.
MONICA Get out of here.
Monica.
MICHAEL
Get out!
MONICA
He holds his hands up in defense and walks back to his car. EXT. HIGHWAY—NIGHT
A lonely pair of headlights drive into town.
MICHAEL (OS) Where’s mom?
INT. LIVING ROOM
Lindsey writes in a notebook as Michael leans back on the couch.
LINDSEY
They called her in for an emergency
delivery.
MICHAEL
Oh…so, what’s your definition of
love?
LINDSEY
To put someone else above me, but
to protect that someone from harm.
To learn to forgive them…and
continue to love.
MICHAEL
Oh, writing sermons now?
LINDSEY
No, just some thoughts.
MICHAEL
I see…How’s Jerry doing?
He’s fine.
LINDSEY
MICHAEL
Mom and Dad know about your
relationship?
LINDSEY I suppose so.
MICHAEL How was work?
LINDSEY
Wonderful, I had a good evening.
He gets up from the couch.
MICHAEL
Wish I could say the same for me.
LINDSEY I’ll pray for you.
He walks upstairs.
MICHAEL
Thanks, I think I need all the help
I can get.
INT. HALLWAY
Peter stands next to Michael’s bedroom door.
Hey, Dad.
MICHAEL
PETER What’s wrong?
MICHAEL
Monica and I had this fight today
and—
PETER What about?
MICHAEL
Heart, soul…you know, the teenager
stuff.
Peter nods.
PETER
Whatever it is, we’re here for you.
MICHAEL
Thanks. I’m going to bed.
Goodnight. INT. SERVER ROOM
PETER
Lindsey lies on the table with her access port opened.
PETER
I’ve gone over the modifications we
made the other day…we’ll have to
reset to full power on all systems.
I don’t like to do that because of
the voltage levels…but it’s putting
too much strain on the motors. Have
you noticed anything wrong?
No.
LINDSEY
PETER
No current pulse? EM issues?
No.
LINDSEY
He turns to the monitor and clicks the mouse.
PETER
I’m noticing that Jerry is getting
a lot of attention from you...a
lot.
LINDSEY We’re going out.
PETER Since when?
Yesterday.
LINDSEY
He looks at her and then at the monitor.
PETER
I remember when we first turned you
on. You were set with basic
instructions, you could make coffee
and converse in French…but I never
expected what you’ve become.
LINDSEY
Are you disappointed?
PETER
Oh, no…I mean you’re the perfect
daughter, you’re our daughter, and
part of our family…You’re a born
again Christian…and…and you have a
boyfriend…you’ve surpassed anything
like you in existence.
She sits up as he disconnects the cables.
LINDSEY
Would I be able to get married one
day?
PETER
I…I don’t know, Lindsey…I—
LINDSEY
I have considered it…if I am asked
one day, what do I say?
Peter closes his eyes.
PETER
I don’t know…if it ever came to
that, you know that you’d have to
tell him what you are.
LINDSEY I’m in love.
Are you?
PETER
Yes.
LINDSEY
He guides her off the table.
PETER Are you sure?
LINDSEY
Are you telling me not to?
She steps onto her platform.
PETER
No, no, no…it’s just that love is a
very powerful word—and when you say
it to someone, you change their
life forever—you become someone
different to them…and to hide
things from them--
LINDSEY
There was a man who gave everything
for me. Can I not love someone like
he did?
PETER
I don’t think there’s anything you
can’t do, Lindsey. Command
Mode…Shell Standby.
Lindsey closes her eyes.
Peter touches her face and looks at the cross pendant.
INT. BEDROOM
Michael lies fast asleep. INT. DEN
Peter sits on the couch with Whitney—still in her uniform. EXT. VOIGHT HOUSE—NIGHT
A light shines in Jerry’s room. INT. BEDROOM
Jerry lies asleep within a clean room—devoid of any clutter and dark edged paraphernalia
EXT. PARKING LOT—MORNING
Leo walks with Michael up to the school.
LEO
Monica called me last night—she
sounded pissed.
MICHAEL Probably was.
LEO
It’s like you’re married to her,
you know?
MICHAEL
Speaking of marriage? Where’s
Shelly?
LEO
Sick, I guess, I don’t know.
MICHAEL You guys, you know?
LEO
No, not yet…she’s not ready, she
says, she’s—Oh, I’m sorry.
Michael hoists his backpack.
MICHAEL
Hey, your life, not mine.
LEO
Hey, are Jerry and Lindsey going
out?
Yeah. INT. HALLWAY
MICHAEL
They brush past students on their way out.
LEO
Why are you putting up with it?
MICHAEL
Because he’s not a problem, it’s
what she wants.
Leo shakes his head.
LEO
I’d kill him if he was dating my
sister.
Michael looks up and sees Monica and Samantha down the hall.
MICHAEL See you later.
LEO
Can’t avoid her forever.
MICHAEL
I’m going to try though.
He ducks into a classroom. INT. HALLWAY
Lindsey stands at her locker as Monica and Samantha pass by.
Bitch.
SAMANTHA
Lindsey turns to her and then goes back to her locker and grabs her text and note book
MONICA I’m talking to you.
LINDSEY (to Samantha)
No, you are(McOuRrEs)ing at me.
LINDSEY(CONT'D)
(to Monica)
You are now talking to me.
The two face each other.
MONICA
What do you think you’re doing?
LINDSEY
Getting my books for class.
Monica slams the books out of Lindsey’s hand.
MONICA
Why don’t you just stay out our
lives?
Whose?
LINDSEY
Monica rolls her eyes as Jerry turns the corner.
Monica moves in to shove Lindsey out of the way but Jerry stands in the way and blocks her.
Michael steps out of a classroom.
MONICA
Get out of my way, Jerry.
JERRY
You have a problem with her, then
you have one with me.
MONICA
It doesn’t concern you.
He stares her down.
JERRY It does now.
Michael walks up behind Monica and puts his hand on her shoulder.
MICHAEL Can we talk?
She brushes him off.
MONICA
What’s happened to you? You’re not
the same person I used to know.
He glances at Lindsey and Jerry
MICHAEL Yeah—I guess I’m not.
Fuck you!
MONICA
MICHAEL I’m sorry, I—
She storms off.
Jerry waves to Michael, but he walks away. EXT. TRACK—MIDDAY
Michael runs laps around the track with a smile on his face. Leo runs next to him.
LEO
So, you broke it off with her?
Yeah.
MICHAEL
LEO
I think you’re crazy to do it,
man…you could’ve worked it out with
her.
MICHAEL
So I reflected on all this and
concluded that the righteous and
the wise and what they do are in
God's hands, but no man knows
whether love or hate awaits him.
LEO
Whatever, man…whatever.
Leo runs ahead. INT. LOCKER ROOM
Lindsey walks into the locker room and opens her locker. She takes a bag out and places her PE clothes into it. Monica steps up behind her.
MONICA (OS) We’re not through yet.
Lindsey turns around and sees Monica with a hockey stick in her hand.
She brings the stick down and slams Lindsey in the upper foot.
Lindsey stumbles back and falls to the ground.
LINDSEY VO Gyroscope failure. Gyroscope failure.
She looks up as Monica grabs for her.
MONICA
Are you going to turn the other
cheek now?
LINDSEY
I’m not allowed to hurt you.
MONICA
I think you’ve hurt me enough. I
know you talk behind me back. You
think you’re so perfect.
LINDSEY No, I don’t.
Monica leans forward and sees a spark flash from Lindsey’s foot.
MONICA What is that?
Lindsey reaches her hand out to Monica and an electrical pulse arcs through Monica’s body.
She faints and Lindsey catches her.
She lays her down on the bench and checks the damage to her foot.
Her “skin” has broken away to reveal the wiring and sector motors.
She pulls her socks up and then searches the lockers for a pair of tennis shoes.
EXT. MENDHALSON HOUSE—LATE AFTERNOON
INT. CAR
JERRY
This is where you work?
She opens the door---
Yeah.
--and climbs out.
LINDSEY
JERRY
Call me when you get home.
I will.
LINDSEY
She hesitates closing the door.
Jerry?
LINDSEY (CONT'D)
Yeah?
JERRY
LINDSEY I…I’ll see you later.
She smiles and closes the door. INT. HOUSE
Cheryl closes the door as Lindsey steps past her. Jerry’s car drives away.
CHERYL Is your leg okay?
LINDSEY
Just sprained, I’m fine though.
She hobbles on one foot as Cheryl walks back into the living room.
CHERYL
I put Melissa down for a nap, she’s
been so cranky and…she’ll wake up
as soon as I leave.
LINDSEY
I’m sure we’ll be okay.
CHERYL
I know, I know…I where did I put my
keys?
Cheryl moves into the front room as Lindsey looks at her foot—a spark falls to the floor.
Lindsey sits down and covers her foot with her other one.
CHERYL (CONT'D) Got em’. I’m sorry about the temperature…I know its cold…the heater died and I turned off the gas until we can get it repaired.
It’s okay.
LINDSEY
CHERYL
Tom will be home at eight.
Melissa’s favorite blanket is in
the washing machine...and…
LINDSEY
I’ll have it dried for her. Have a
good night.
Thank you.
CHERYL
Cheryl opens the door and leaves.
Lindsey looks out the window and then looks to her foot. Another spark falls.
Melissa cries.
EXT. DOLCE HOUSE—EARLY EVENING
Michael shoots a basketball into the hoop—it bounces off the rim.
Nice shot.
JERRY (OS)
Michael grabs the ball and passes it to Jerry—who stands behind him.
Thanks.
MICHAEL
Jerry dribbles the ball and shoots—it goes in.
Nice shot.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Jerry nods as Michael gets the ball.
JERRY
Sorry about you and Monica.
MICHAEL
I wish I could be sorry…but I’m
not.
He passes the ball to Jerry—and he checks it back to him. They play one-on-one as they talk.
Why?
JERRY
MICHAEL
It wasn’t a true love—it was a
wanting—and when I figured it out—I
didn’t want it.
They jump in the air to shoot/block.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
She wasn’t the girl for me—someday
I’ll meet her—like you did.
JERRY
I thought you didn’t want me to be
with her?
MICHAEL
Don’t believe everything I say,
Jerry. I’m not a good judge at
relationships.
JERRY
Do you think we’ll last?
MICHAEL That’s up to you--
He catches the ball and holds it.
MICHAEL (CONT'D) What do you think?
JERRY
I don’t know what I’d do without
her.
INT. BASEMENT
Lindsey hops down the steps on one foot and looks to the washing machine.
A quiet hiss catches her attention. She turns to the gas furnace.
The hiss of gas grows louder.
She steps back—a spark falls from her foot--and the gas ignites.
EXT. HOUSE—EARLY EVENING
The basement windows explode!
Emergency! INT. BASEMENT
LINDSEY (VO)
Lindsey backs away from the flames as she takes off her flaming shirt.
WHITNEY (VO) What’s wrong?
Fire.
LINDSEY
WHITNEY VO
Get Melissa out of there!
LINDSEY Acknowledged.
She hobbles upstairs.
DISPATCHER (VO) Spokane County 911.
LINDSEY VO
This is Lindsey Dolce. I’m at 3722
Woodland. The house is on fire.
INT. KITCHEN
Lindsey stumbles to the floor.
DISPATCHER (VO)
Fire Department has been notified.
INT. MELISSA’S ROOM
Melissa screams in her crib as smoke floods through the house vents.
DISPATCHER (VO) Evacuate the house.
She stands up—her body trembles. Melissa cries again.
She scoops Melissa out and wraps her in a blanket. Her skin continues to melt in the heat.
EXT. HOUSE-EVENING
Peter’s SUV screeches to a halt in front of the house. Peter runs out of the car with Lindsey's com unit.
Lindsey?
PETER
LINDSEY (OS) I'm inside.
INT. HOUSE
Lindsey's right leg hobbles and shorts out. She flips around as she falls on her back. Melissa screeches.
Get out.
PETER (OS)
I can’t!
LINDSEY
PETER (OS) Is Missy with you?
Yes.
LINDSEY
Hang on.
PETER (OS)
LINDSEY No…I can’t.
EXT. HOUSE--CONTINUES
WHITNEY
Lindsey, what are you talking
about?
LINDSEY (VO)
Tell Jerry goodbye…and that I love
him…I hope to see all of you again,
someday.
INT. HOUSE
Lindsey's eyes crystallize and crack in the heat. Her hair singes.
LINDSEY
Amazing grace…how sweet the
sound…That saved a wretch, like
me…I once was lost, but now, am
found. Was blind, but now I see.
The fire builds around her and she curls into a ball to protect Missy.
She closes her eyes as firefighters rush to her location. EXT. HOUSE--CONTINUES
A firefighter carries Melissa out of the house to Whitney. Tom arrives and runs toward the fire crews.
Cheryl’s car stops behind him.
Melissa!
CHERYL
Whitney runs to her and Cheryl takes Melissa and hugs her closely.
CHERYL (CONT'D) Where’s Lindsey?
LINDSEY (VO)
'Twas grace that taught my heart to
fear/And grace my fears relieved;
Three firefighters carry Lindsey's charred body.
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) How precious did that grace appear/The hour I first believed.
Peter, Whitney, Michael and Jerry move in around her.
Peter taps at his handheld unit as Whitney opens Lindsey’s arm access port and runs a cable from the handheld to her.
Connected.
WHITNEY
PETER
I'm not getting any signal. No
activity.
WHITNEY System reboot?
PETER
It’s not the server connection…it’s
her.
Jerry looks down at Lindsey's neck and sees the cross pendant-
-virtually unscathed by the heat.
LINDSEY (VO)
Through many dangers, toils and
snares/I have already come;
Jerry steps away and looks at Michael. Michael closes his eyes and nods.
LINDSEY (VO) (CONT'D) Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail/And mortal life shall cease,
PETER
She's gone…internal damage…
He closes the handheld and picks up his daughter.
LINDSEY (VO)
I shall possess, within the veil/A
life of joy and peace.
An organ arranged version of “Amazing Grace” plays
INT. CHURCH
Dave stands before a very large congregation.
The Dolce family sits to his right—along with Cheryl, Tom, Melissa and Jerry.
A casket—adorned with flowers—stands on the left.
DAVE
The media has questioned me about
this over and over again: How can
there be a memorial for a machine?
As all of us, her church family,
know she wasn't a machine…she was a
young woman, trying to make her
mark in the world…she was ready to
go…and prepared to make the
ultimate sacrifice for someone
else.
Cheryl holds Melissa close to her.
DAVE (CONT'D)
May we all be like her one day, may
we all try to help one another and
be prepared. God called her to act,
what would the rest of us do?
A camera flashes in the back.
Dave looks at a pool of REPORTERS.
DAVE (CONT'D) We won't forget you, Lindsey…because you'll always be with us. Will you pray with me?
He bows his head and so does the congregation.
Jerry opens his eyes and looks at Lindsey's partially reconstructed face and cries.
LINDSEY (VO)
When we've been there ten thousand
years, Bright shining as the
sun/We've no less days to sing
God's praise/Than when we'd first
begun.
FADE OUT
END
Project Lind: Ver C
Screenplay © July 2002
Inspired by the song "More Power to Ya" written by Bob Hartman and performed by Petra from the album "More Power to Ya"
© 1987 Star Song Records
"Love" lyrics written by Bob Hartman from the album “Beyond Belief” originally performed by Petra
© 1993 by Star Song Records
"Amazing Grace" Words: John Newton, 1779; last verse by unknown author.
Scripture passage is from Ecclesiastes 9:1 (NIV)
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Comments
Lindsey
Absolutely gut-wrenchingly beautiful story. I wish I were more like her than I am. I will do my best, knowing it will never be good enough. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for reading it.
Thank you for reading it.
I need to fix the prompts...I have final cut pro to thank for it looking like this..