Backspace to the Future By R.A.

Johnson

7.12.12 WGA East Registered

Guerrillacoastpictures@gmail.com

FADE IN: Title credits and animations roll with a narrated voice over. NARRATOR (V.O.) My name is Ian Ventor, and I designed a smart phone app to help people become more connected to each other. Well, my company stole the credit for the idea and now people are even more disconnected that ever before. So I built a time machine out of an old copier to go back and undo what I created. This is my blog that documents my attempts at returning humanity back to...well, back to being slightly less a-holes than they were before my invention. End title credits. INT. OFFICE - IANS DESK. MORNING IAN is asleep at his desk, face down on his keyboard. Ian is a 26 year old app designer, considered elderly among his younger co-workers, working for iCorp. He is smart and smart looking but has recently lost his motivation. OFFICE (Dream Sequence) Ian swivels around in his chair to ask his friend and colleague JASPER a question. Jasper is 23 year old nerd, but in a cool sci-fi kind of way. IAN (aloud) Hey Jasper, how did you hack into your Blockbonkers account and delete all your late fees again? Jasper swivels around and looks annoyed. He begins texting on his phone as he glares at Ian. Jasper raises his finger and stabs the send button on his phone. Ians phone VIBRATES. He checks his new text message. Jaspers texts appear as subtitles on the screen. JASPER (SUBTITLES) How is it that the creator of Talk No More, the biggest app this (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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JASPER (SUBTITLES) (contd) company has ever seen, doesnt even use it? Ians phone vibrates again before he is finished reading the first text. Its another text from Jasper. JASPER (CONTD - SUBTITLES) And you know I canceled my Blockbonkers account 18 months ago. You need to update and restart yourself today man? Ive got to get back to work. Jasper swivels back around with authority as Ian swivels slowly back around, confused, shaking his head. IAN (aloud - to himself) Closed his account 18 months ago? He just loaned me Gears, Gadgets and Girls last week. Ian scans his desk while tapping his fingers. He notices a small, lame TROPHY. He picks it up to inquire. IAN (CONTD) (reads aloud) iCorp appreciates your assistance in the creation of Talk No More. Ian sits the lame trophy back down onto his desk. IAN (CONTD) (aloud - to himself) Talk No More? Thats what Jasper was talking about. Er, rather texting about. And why wouldnt he actually speak to me? Ian is interrupted by a incoming text from his boss, MR. JACKSON. Ian checks his phone. We see a picture in picture on screen of his boss. Mr. Jackson is balding with a compensating mustache. The texts appear as subtitles. MR. JACKSON (SUBTITLES) The new design team for Talk No More needs to go over your design notes from the Beta version today at 3p.m. Be on time. And dont sleep through this one Ian, Im warning you.

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The picture in picture disappears quickly as Mr. Jackson ends the discussion. Ian shakes his head in confusion. IAN (to himself) This Talk No More app seems evil. This is all like a bad dream. RAQUEL, an NYU intern, approaches Ians desk wearing scantily clad attire and her nerdy glasses. Ian is wide-eyed and frozen with amazement. She begins texting on her phone. Ians phone vibrates. It startles him. He picks it up and reads the text. The texts appear as subtitles. RAQUEL (SUBTITLES) Ian, can you help me back up my lap dance with your hard drive. Raquel takes off her glasses and shakes her hair out of a pony tail. She jumps up on Ians desk and grabs his stapler. RETURN TO SCENE Ian is asleep at his desk, face down on his keyboard. CHAZ, a 22 year old Oxford grad and head of marketing, struts over to Ians desk with an entourage of DWIGHT from shipping and CHIP, a marketing intern from NYU. Chaz texts a message to the guys. Dwight and Chips phones BEEP, but the alert sound on Chips phone is embarrassing. Chaz and Dwight look at Chip awkwardly. They check their phones. The text appears as subtitles. CHAZ (SUBTITLES) Watch this guys. Chaz draws something quickly on a piece of paper using a pen and pad from Ians desk. Chaz then staples the piece of paper to Ians shirt near his left wrist, covering his palm. Chaz then staples Ians other hand to the front of his pants. The guys are snickering and laughing. Chaz texts the guys. Chips lame ringtone beeps again. Chaz and Dwight glare at him again. Dwight and Chip check their phones. The text appears as subtitles. CHAZ (SUBTITLES) Quick, lets go. Here comes Raquel. The guys rush over to create some distance from them and Ians desk. Chip texts Chaz.

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CHIP (SUBTITLES) Im going to film this with my phone and post it on YouTube. The guys chuckle. As Raquel heads toward Ians desk, Chaz texts Ian. The text appears as subtitles. CHAZ (SUBTITLES) Yo, Ian. The vibration of Ians phone wakes him up. Drool drips onto his keyboard. IAN (aloud - to himself) Oh, thank God I was dreaming. To think of a world where the only communication was text messages. Still trying to wake up, Ian leans over with just his head and glances at his phone as it vibrates again with new text messages. CHAZ (CONTD - SUBTITLES) Here comes your girlfriend. Ian jumps to attention in an attempt to impress Raquel. Raquel is dressed in a sharp pants suit, wearing glasses and a pony tail. She is happily smiling as she walks toward Ian. She can only see his smiling face as his body is blocked by a cluttered desk. IAN (aloud) Hi Raquel. Raquel looks at her phone confused. She didnt get a text from Ian. Ian raises his hand to wave hi. IAN (CONTD) (aloud) How are you todaShe notices his body language. Ians left hand has a note attached to his sleeve that reads... INSERT: I LOVE MYSELF ...And as she gets closer to Ians desk, she notices his right hand has been stapled as if he were grabbing his crotch. (CONTINUED)

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Raquels smile fades quickly. Ian looks himself over, embarrassed. Chaz and the guys lol each other. Chips ringtone is changed, but still just as lame. The guys glare at him again. The text messages appear as subtitles. Raquel looks over at Chaz and the guys laughing, and then looks back at Ian. She texts Ian. Ian looks at Raquel oddly as his phone vibrates on the desk behind him. He looks back at his phone. He reads Raquels text message. The text appears as subtitles. RAQUEL (SUBTITLES) Im really sorry Ian. I like your shirt. Raquel walks passed Ian as she texts Chaz and the guys. IAN (aloud - to himself) It wasnt a dream. Chaz, Dwight and Chip check their phones. Raquels texts appears as subtitles. RAQUEL (SUBTITLES) You guys need to grow up. Raquel continues on her way. Ian jerks his stapled hand from his crotch in a skirmish way. IAN (aloud - to himself) Ouch. He looks at the note stapled to his other hand and rips it off as well. He flops back down into his chair defeated. Jasper enters and sits at his desk. He notices the depressed and disheveled Ian. Jasper swivels around with his back to Ian. Jasper texts Ian. Ians phone vibrates on his desk. He glances over and sees its from Jasper. Ian looks back over his shoulder at Jasper, who has his back to him, and shrugs. Ian reads the text. The texts appear as subtitles.

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JASPER (SUBTITLES) Why the screen saver face Ian? Ian reluctantly replies to Jaspers text. Ians texts appear as subtitles. IAN (SUBTITLES) Well Jasper, if you must know, I had a bad dream that I created this smart phone app that everyone used for the wrong reason. Instead of it helping to connect people in a friendly manner, it seems to have disconnected everyone. No one speaks to each other anymore. Ian spaces out and stares at his desk for a moment. He knocks the lame Talk No More trophy into the waste basket next to his desk. Ians phone vibrates with the alert of a new text from Jasper. The text appears as subtitles. JASPER (SUBTITLES) Thats no dream buddy. That is reality. Once you created that software for every smart phone to be able to recognize any other smart phone in the area, iCorp exploited that technology in every way possible. You know how social media apps work. If youre not the newest thing, youre just a floppy disk. IAN (aloud) Believe me Jasper I know it wasnt a dream. Only the best part of it wasIan looks over toward Raquels desk as she is busy at work. Jasper clears his throat and interrupts Ian. Ian looks back at Jasper. Jasper his waving his cell phone back and forth. IAN (CONTD) (aloud) Oh. Right. Talk No More, I get it now. Ian stops talking and returns to texting Jasper. The texts appear as subtitles.

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IAN (CONTD - SUBTITLES) There has got to be a way to undo this situation and return the world back to its factory settings. Jasper reads his text. And replies. JASPER (SUBTITLES) Did you try turning it off and then turning it on again. Lol. Ian and Jasper spin around in their swivel chairs for a high five. Ian texts Jasper. IAN (SUBTITLES) Good one, Jasper. But Im serious. How can I control-alt-delete this evil app Ive exposed to the world? Jasper reads the text and responds. JASPER (SUBTITLES) To me, youve got two options. Ian and Jasper are quickly texting each other back and forth. IAN Go on. JASPER (SUBTITLES) The first being to create a new social media app, so that Talk No More becomes old news. IAN (SUBTITLES) No way. I would have to create something even more evil just to surpass Talk No More. I wont do that to humanity again. Whats the second option. JASPER (SUBTITLES) Sue their pants off. They stole your designs, so get them back. And then destroy it. Ian begins sorting through some papers and folders on his desk. IAN (SUBTITLES) I dont think that would work though. They have all my original (MORE) (CONTINUED) (SUBTITLES)

CONTINUED: IAN (SUBTITLES) (contd) Beta designs and they are modifying them all today at 3p.m. IAN (CONTD) (aloud - to himself) Or was that part of my dream as well?

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Ian sees a post-it note reminder of the meeting with Mr. Jackson today at 3p.m. on his desk. IAN (CONTD) (aloud- to himself) Damn. I guess the only part of my dream that wasnt real, was my encounter with Raquel. (beat) Unless... Ian sits up in his chair and looks over at Raquels desk again. He spots her, wearing her normal office pants suit. IAN (CONTD) (aloud - to himself) Nope. That is a nice pants suit, but it is definitely not scantily clad. She smiles, just as Chaz leans in and glares at Ian. Chaz blocks Ians view of Raquel with a plant from her desk. INT. OFFICE - RAQUELS DESK. CONTINUOUS Chaz is trying to put the suave moves on Raquel. Raquel is sitting there with her arms crossed. Chaz texts her, while glancing over at Ian to see if he is watching. His texts appear as subtitles. CHAZ (SUBTITLES) So, uh, are you still mad at me? Raquel sits there, unengaged. Chaz takes another peak over at Ian. Ian is trying different angels of view, to better his perspective of the situation, with no luck. CHAZ (CONTD - SUBTITLES) You know, technically, we were on a break when you and I went out. Raquel angerily swivels around front and center in her desk, with her back facing Chaz. Chaz gets a text message from Mr. Jackson. Mr. Jackson appears in a picture in picture on the screen. His texts appear as subtitles. (CONTINUED)

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MR. JACKSON (SUBTITLES) Chaz, I need to see you right away in my office. Top secret. The picture in picture disappears as Mr. Jackson ends the discussion. Chaz leans in to touch Raquel on the shoulder, but is fended off as Raquel unsheaths a sharp letter opener. Chaz exits toward Mr. Jacksons office. INT. OFFICE - IANS DESK. CONTINUOUS Ians phone interrupts his attempt at eavesdropping on Chaz and Raquel with a text from Jasper. JASPER (SUBTITLES) Youve got to get those plans back before your 3p.m. meeting, or all hope is lost. IAN (SUBTITLES) I wish I could tell if youre being sarcastic or not. This whole texting thing is becoming quite annoying. JASPER (SUBTITLES) ;) IAN (aloud - to himself) The winkey face. The most evil of all emoticons. Sinister or sexy, no one really knows. IAN (SUBTITLES) I wish there was a way to go back in time 18 months to when I created this evil monster and just like take a nice nap and not create it at all. Yeah, that would be alright. Ian gives up on searching through the papers on his desk and stares down at the lame Talk No More trophy sitting in the waste basket. He notices a FOLDER underneath it. Ian looks back at Jasper to make sure he isnt paying attention and grabs the folder out of the trash. Jasper his working on a document on his computer screen. Ian opens the folder and sees a MANUSCRIPT titled: (CONTINUED)

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Insert: "Backspace to the Future" By Jasper Jenkins. Ian thumbs through the script scanning its contents. INT. MR. JACKSONS OFFICE. MORNING Mr. Jackson is sitting in a large chair behind his large desk. Chaz pours himself a cup of water from the water dispenser. His phone beeps. He takes it out while sipping from his cup. The interchange of texts appear as subtitles. MR. JACKSON (SUBTITLES) Chaz, I need you to help me make sure Ian doesnt make it to the Talk No More meeting today at 3p.m. Chaz texts with one hand while he finishes his drink. CHAZ (SUBTITLES) Why is that boss? Chaz crunches the paper cup and tosses into the trash bin near the desk. Chaz notices a nice pen on the desk. He begins to meander closer to it with his hand. His phone beeps again. MR. JACKSON (SUBTITLES) Well, thats top secret Chaz, but what the hell. I can trust you right? Chaz pulls back from the pen and replies. CHAZ (SUBTITLES) Absolutely boss. MR. JACKSON (SUBTITLES) Ok. Technically, the Talk No More app was created by Ian. At the meeting today, he as the power to veto its release to the public, which would be a very lucrative move for iCorp. And perhaps yourself, Chaz. Mr. Jackson raises his eyebrow toward Chaz. CHAZ (SUBTITLES) I see.

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CONTINUED: MR. JACKSON (SUBTITLES) Take whatever means neccessary to see that he doesnt make that meeting. CHAZ (SUBTITLES) It will be my pleasure boss. MR. JACKSON (SUBTITLES) Great. Now get out of my office. INT. OFFICE - IANS DESK. MORNING Ian is at his desk reading Jaspers script. IAN (aloud) Yes. Ive got it. Ian swivels around to talk to Jasper. IAN (CONTD) (aloud) Jasper. Ive figured it out-

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Jasper still has his back to Ian. He picks up his phone and waves it at Ian without looking. Ian shakes his fist into the air. IAN (aloud - vengeful) Talk No More. Ian sits back at his desk in a hurry. Picks up his smart phone and begins texting Jasper. The text interchange appears as subtitles. IAN (SUBTITLES) The main character in your script Backspace to the Future builds a time machine to travel back in time and correct something evil. Jasper swivels around and faces Ian. Jasper texts Ian with unbroken eye contact. JASPER (SUBTITLES) You read my script? What did you think of it? Ian, angry about the way he has to communicate with Jasper, fires back a text.

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IAN (SUBTITLES) Jasper. Im being serious now. Is time travel possible? JASPER (SUBTITLES) Ill tell you if you tell me what you thought of my script. Jasper raises his eyebrow at the new advantage. Ian grunts at this pickle. Ian texts Jasper. IAN (SUBTITLES) How about Ill tell you what Raquel was wearing in my dream if you tell me everything you know about time travel. Jasper is wide-eyed and giddy about this agreement. He swivels back around to his computer and starts working fast. He texts Ian. JASPER (SUBTITLES) Im sending you all my files on time travel as well as the blueprints to a prototype I started to build here at the office. Ian and Jasper send several texts back forth discussing the situation. The texts appear as subtitles. IAN (SUBTITLES) Okay, great. Wait. Here at the office? What did you need a time machine for? JASPER (SUBTITLES) Well, I was really hitting it off with Raquel the first day she started here, and Chaz and the guys pulled a prank on me that really embarrassed me in front of her. IAN (SUBTITLES) I hate those guys. JASPER (SUBTITLES) Yeah, me too. So I wanted to go back in time, just a few minutes to thwart Chazs prank and to ask out Raquel before anyone else had the chance.

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IAN (SUBTITLES) Thats a great idea Jasper. So what happened? JASPER (SUBTITLES) Well, I got about half way finished with the time machine, but then the end of the day came. So I left it on my desk to finish in the morning. But when I came back the next day, it was gone. IAN (SUBTITLES) What? Do you know who stole it? Probably Mr. Jackson. He steals all the good ideas from us. JASPER (SUBTITLES) The next morning, the company had replaced all the old copier machines and printers with new ones, and they threw out all the old ones. IAN (SUBTITLES) So? I dont get it. JASPER (SUBTITLES) You didnt read my script did you? IAN (SUBTITLES) What? I sure did. Well, parts of it at least. Jasper is collecting all his old files from random folders on his computer. JASPER (SUBTITLES) Well, just like the main character, I built the time machine out of an old copier. They must have thrown it out with all the rest of the older machines. IAN (SUBTITLES) Damn. That sucks. So you just gave up? JASPER (SUBTITLES) Not at first. I was planning on building another prototype, but then Chaz asked out Raquel, and she said yes. So what would be the (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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JASPER (SUBTITLES) (contd) point then. So I just wrote that amazing Sci-Fi script about the situation instead. IAN (SUBTITLES) Hmm. That is a sticky situation. Do you know what they did with all the old copiers and printers? JASPER (SUBTITLES) I heard Dwight from shipping talking about a closet full of old equipment that he refers to as his eBay cache. IAN (SUBTITLES) Bingo. Thats got to be it. You never checked it out? JASPER (SUBTITLES) I told you. She started going out with Chaz. I lost all interest. IAN (SUBTITLES) Yeah, but they arent together anymore. You didnt try to rebuild the time machine when they broke up. JASPER (SUBTITLES) A girl that would date a specimen like Chaz means nothing to me. Shes just upgrades to every new shiny piece of equipment when it comes out. IAN (SUBTITLES) They went out for like two weeks. JASPER (SUBTITLES) Whatever. Besides, she probably couldnt handle my operating system anyway. Jasper finishes sending all the files to Ian. JASPER (CONTD - SUBTITLES) Sent. Okay, all the files are in your email. Now tell me about what Raquel was wearing in your dream.

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IAN (SUBTITLES) I thought she couldnt handle your operating system? JASPER (SUBTITLES) She still has amazing and complex software. Ian gets up from his desk to leave. He tosses his phone onto his desk. IAN (aloud) Ill tell you later, Im going off the grid. (beat) Ive always wanted to say that. (beat) To find Dwight and his eBay cache. Jasper swivels around to face Ian with a worried look. Ian is standing proud. IAN (CONTD) (aloud) Ive got to find your time machine prototype and go back and undo this evil Talk No More app that is ruining everything humanity stands for. (beat) Or at least so everyone will stop texting each other instead of talking. Its quite annoying. Jasper texts Ian. Ians phone vibrates. Ian shakes his head at Jasper. He picks up the phone and checks the text. The text appears has a subtitle. JASPER (SUBTITLES) All caps man, right on. But be careful, those shipping guys can be bullies, especially Dwight. IAN (aloud) Yeah, I know. Ill need a plan. Ians phone vibrates in his hand. He checks the text even though Jasper is sitting right in front of him. JASPER (SUBTITLES) And dont forget your meeting with Mr. Jackson at 3p.m. and the new Talk No More design team.

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IAN (aloud) There wont be a meeting at 3p.m. if I have anything to do with it. Ian marches toward the shipping department, passing his boss Mr. Jacksons office. Mr. Jackson leans his head out and gives Ian a mean glare.