The script is also available on the net:

http://www.themarginal.com/dejavuscript.doc

http://www.themarginal.com/dejavuscript.htm

Please read the treatment and the report on the Net:

http://www.themarginal.com/dejavu.htm

http://www.themarginal.com/dejavureport.htm

Download the doc versions:

http://www.themarginal.com/dejavu.doc

http://www.themarginal.com/dejavureport.doc

www.themarginal.com rm@themarginal.com

A successful and rich philosophy teacher who is paid to think and publish books by a renowned university is experiencing Deja Vu at an alarming rate. He turns all his attention into understanding the phenomenon but as he thinks some more he gets to uncover something really wrong with his existence. His Deja Vu episodes no longer reflect reality. Events and people are changing everyday, contradicting his previous memories of the events. Understandably it makes him question not only his sanity but also the normal flow of time and the reality we have all come to believe in.

One of the ways to explain Deja vu is if we have actually lived those moments before. Somehow we must have gone back in time and relived the same events as if in a time loop. Through Deja vu we can remember having lived those events before and we can change what is to come. If we had many Deja vu episodes and could drastically change our future when we go back in time, then tomorrow I could be a theoretical physicist instead of an author. This is the basis of this film.

I suggest the story takes place in a few days and everyday life is different from the previous day. Henry will be a philosophy teacher for the first day and then he will become successively a medical doctor, a parapsychologist, a theoretical physicist and a psychic medium. This should give us the chance to analyze what is Deja vu from different perspectives.

The idea here is that the future, the past and the present are always in movement. As a result one day we are a philosophy teacher and the next day we can be a medical doctor as it is possible to change the future whenever we go back into the past and are aware of the future. Yet, everything seems fine and we don't question this fluctuating timeline. We don't completely remember having lived in the future (except through deja vu, intuition and feelings).

Deja vu is what will get Henry to understand that something is not right, that perhaps yesterday he was not a medical doctor. He remembers events from a different past and can even predict the future to a certain extent, a future very different from his actual life. As he struggles to understand what is going on, he will speak to his wife and colleagues about Deja vu, trying to explain them, wondering if perhaps he is crazy and suffering from hallucinations.

At the end he will be a theoretical physicist explaining Deja vu via Einstein's Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. He will not know exactly what is going on, if perhaps people are trying to deceive him to prevent him from thinking and reaching conclusions about the mechanics of existence. He will look for a way out and might find one somehow…

So the story will start slowly, our man will have some Deja vu and will try to change things, so it is different from his Deja vu. This is all he will do at first. He will get interested in the phenomenon because he will have four Deja vu in the same day. He will talk about it to his class after his second experience.

His fourth Deja vu episode will show him that something is not right. What he remembers is not what is happening. His wife will not be or say what his Deja vu is telling him. Moreover he will get to know something about his wife that there would be no way for him to know. This should be a freaky experience, not only he remembers that his wife is not what she says she is, but on top of it he knows things about her he should not know, things he would have seen in the Deja vu.

So in a way the Deja vu is a powerful vision as it is right, he has now a clairvoyance gift, he knows things through some sort of sixth sense. But at the same time he does not want to give credit to the Deja vu as the person is clearly not who he remembers her to be. So he does not know what to make of it.

The next day his life has changed. We follow him and we understand that he is no longer a teacher of philosophy as he was able to change the future somehow when going back in time and reliving the same events.

Our philosophy teacher needs to experience Deja vu and I thought of an interesting way to represent that on the screen without looking too much like the Matrix, Groundhog Day or The Truman Show. I feel I came up with something new that has never been done before and should be quite interesting on the screen.

The teacher will actually live just before - or while it is happening - a Deja vu episode that will or will not correspond to reality. The way to show the Deja vu will be a split screen. We will have two realities playing simultaneously. Sometimes one of the screens will become full, then the other one will take over. It would show that two realities are playing out at the same time and sometimes they are identical, sometimes they are different, and sometimes they are identical but out of sync.

Of course, as soon as you realize that you are experiencing Deja vu and that you mention it, you can no longer be doing what the Deja vu shows on the second half of the screen. At that point your reality differs from the Deja vu, especially if you do try to change the events so you don't repeat the same actions over and over again. You feel trapped in a time loop and you are looking for a way out. And by doing everything differently, you might just get out of it (or so you think anyway).

The thing is, if you were to have many Deja vu you could change your life dramatically in comparison with what would have actually happened. As our teacher is an extreme case and experiences Deja vu many times a day, he gets to change his life to a point where even him would not recognize it a few days later. The Deja vu at that point shows us what would have happened if he had not changed anything in his life because of the Deja vu (so it becomes a Jamais vu or Never seen before).

How can he change his life like this, why would he suddenly be someone else tomorrow or that the people in his life are no longer what they were supposed to be? Why this multiplication of different timelines? Good question and important answer for this film.

You see, a Deja vu indicates that somehow we are in a time loop. We live a linear existence up to a point where we go back in time. Could be hours, could be days, could be years. When we go back in time we usually live a very similar timeline unless we get a glimpse of the future, unless we remember something perhaps traumatic, like clairvoyants and mediums can do. At that point you can change the future, you can change who you are, you can influence everyone in your timeline to the point that they too take different decisions.

On this timeline, if you were to have another Deja vu episode when in fact it is the first time that you are living this new timeline, it could tell you instead what was happening in the previous timeline, before you went back in time. This is what is happening here. Both Deja vu and changing the future come from this time loop that brings you back into the past.

Though this could be a normal physical phenomenon, we will make it more interesting by adding another mysterious knowledge to be gained from this phenomenon. Something more spiritual. Understanding this about the existence will give the chance to our teacher to understand much more about the universe we live in.

In my idea we don't repeat the same events over and over again. But from one Deja vu to the other Henry's reality will change. In his Deja vu people will have different functions, different job titles, are no longer there, etc. Though he will clearly remember having lived this before, in time what he will feel that he experienced is no longer happening in real life. Then, to his horror, he will change, though he will not remember that everything in his life has changed. Only via the Deja vu will he get to understand that he has already lived this life before but he was not a doctor, he was a teacher.

So this is a good twist about Deja vu that differs from reality, making our character question the mechanisms of existence. At one point what Henry will be experiencing is no longer a Deja vu (already seen) but a Jamais Vu (never seen before). He will no longer recognize his reality and actions. He will feel lost because he will remember having lived this in a different way. And while he will try to understand what is going on, he will experience Presque Vu (almost seen), as if the explanation was within his grasps and yet escaping him. He needs to find a way out of these time loops so his life is no longer switching from one timeline to another.

This said, in order to be different from Groundhog Day, he is not going to wake up on the same day every day. He will not relive the same events over and over again. The way to make it look good is that he will appear to live a normal linear life in which he will remember that he has lived that before, and eventually that he lived it differently and that people are no longer who they were. In any case I don't intend to do another cheap version of Groundhog Day. I have a mystery to expose and to understand: Deja vu, and the story is a mean to get some answers.

There will be Deja vu episodes just before and while the real events are taking place, to remind him of another reality while his life is going berserk. Normally he should not be aware that everything has changed slightly from one day to another. The idea is that life is not linear or chronological, even it changes everyday though we are usually unaware of this fact. The Deja vu in this context will help him understand that something is not right with reality, that things are changing even though his memories do not contradict anything from one day to another.

The way I explain how this is possible is via a fluctuating timeline due to the effects of relativity and also via the Many-worlds interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. For more details please read my report about Deja vu available on my website.

This film will have a slow start so the viewer can get into the story before losing patience, and I will try to be as evident as possible so they won't lose it, but it is something special and different. Cinema is in great need of more complex stories and this is it. All right, all right, I will try to make it easy to understand, but the viewer will need to be ready to accept that one day our teacher is a doctor. One day he is married and the other he is not. Not only that, all this will not seem weird to our teacher, he will accept all these changes as if nothing happened, like if yesterday he was not someone else. Only through Deja vu will he get to understand that something is not right, that yesterday he was not a doctor. The day is not repeating itself, but every day is different even though we continue on some sort of linear and chronological timeline.

So at first only small changes, and then big ones. Just like in dreams, new universes every day that appear completely logical at the time, only to be dismissed as illogical when we wake up.

Introduction. First Deja Vu. Day 1. Early morning. Home hardware store

The film starts in a home hardware store where Henry Williams, a slightly eccentric philosophy teacher at a renowned university, is waiting at a counter for some help. He is late for his class, he cannot wait any longer and impatiently asks the clerk to speed up a bit. While he waits he sees a 4 year old child wandering around the shop.

This first scene is about Henry experiencing his first Deja vu which will give him the chance of saving a young child from having a fatal accident.

Henry williams

(While waiting at a counter.)

I need two dozen screws. You know the ones that go into the ceiling and get stuck there?

Clerk

I don't know what you mean, sorry.

HenrY WILLIAMS

They're like little Vs that snap into a hole you previously made in the ceiling. Then it holds there and you can suspend a plant or something...

CleRK

You really intend to hang 24 plants from your ceiling? Where do you live, in an institution?

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Don't worry about that...

ClerK

(We see the kid in the background running around.)

I've only recently started here, after failing my degree, so I'm not exactly an expert "in weird screws that go into the ceiling". I'll have to ask my supervisor.

HenRY WILLIAMS

For god's sake, I'm late! I have to teach a class in 15 minutes! Please, screws that go into the ceiling, to suspend things, it can't be that difficult!

ClERK

(Leaving.)

Let me speak with my supervisor...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(While the clerk disappears on to the shop floor. Henry is talking to himself...)

Finally... just go, it's your mission, find me screws for hanging stupid plants! What can be so hard to understand, 24 screws, when you're sooo late!

I'll have to come back, I know I'll have to come back... I'll just have to come back after school... crazy idea to believe I could buy 24 simple screws before my class starts... and people wonder why we become neurotic.

(Shouting.)

It's madness! 24 simple screws! Why can't anyone help me! Where's the supervisor! Where's the manager? This home hardware store is filled with incompetent people! If I was that stupid in my job, I would have been sacked years ago!

The first Deja vu starts, the screen splits into two. On the left hand side of the screen Henry shows an interest in the child, he's not sure why. He asks him to come over, wants to know if he's lost, wonders where his parents are. He tells him to be very careful.

On the right screen however, where Henry hasn't asked the child to come over, we can see Louis pretending to be a plane running around the shop with his arms stretched out. He gets dangerously close to a pedestal sink on demonstration. We can see him put his little hand over the sink and the whole thing crashes down on top of him. The screen returns to one frame after that.

As Henry will have seen what was going to happen in the deja vu, in real life he will be able to prevent the accident.

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

LouiS

(Tugging on Henry's trouser leg.)

Who are you talking to?

HenRY WILLIAMS

What? Just get lost... I'm waiting for my screws...

LouiS

You're screws.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Yeah, go away! I'm going to be late!

LOUIS

(Leaving to go towards the pedestal sink that will fall on him with disastrous consequences.)

You're crazy!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Yeah, yeah... I've seen just about everything today... It's just my day! Where is that guy?

(Witnessing the pedestal sink falling over Louis.)

Oh my God! Careful! Oh dear, now I'll be really late!

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

Louis

(Tugging on Henry's trouser leg.)

Who are you talking to?

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Oh, who are you? What's your name? I know you, I recognize you from somewhere, don't I?

LouiS

My name is Louis. I am 4 years old.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

(While Louis is walking away.)

That old, he? No, no, no, don't leave, come here.

LouiS

(Coming back.)

What do you want?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Are you lost?

LOUIS

No. Are you? You seem lost...

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Yes, most of the time... listen, where's your mom and dad?

LoUIS

I don't know...

HeNRY WILLIAMS

You should go and find them right now.

LOUIS

Why?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Because it's dangerous to be on your own at your age.

LOUIS

OK.

END OF SPLIT SCREEN

After Henry has finished speaking to Louis, the child runs straight towards the sink which, in this reality, has not fallen yet. The clerk is back and asks Henry if this is what he wanted. When he sees Henry fascinated by the child, he asks if everything is OK.

ClerK

Here, I found these screws for you. Are they what you wanted?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Looking at the child instead of the clerk.)

Wait a second... look at that kid...

ClERK

(Impatient.)

What's wrong?

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Something terrible is about to happen...

ClERK

What, you've seen my supervisor? You've already complained about me?

HeNRY WILLIAMS

No, you moron. That little boy, something horrible... I have a bad feeling...

ClERK

(Ironic.)

Oh... a bad feeling...

Suddenly we get a close up of Louis' little hand reaching out for the sink, and Henry's hand at the very last second preventing him from touching the side of the sink. Suddenly the parents of Louis arrive on the scene and are not pleased that a stranger has touched their child. Henry apologizes but explains to the supervisor now present that this is very irresponsible to have such a dangerous installation in a shop.

Father

Hey you! Don't touch my kid!

Mother

We could sue you for that!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Really? I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know just yet the extent of my crime.

Father

You pervert!

Mother

Child abuser!

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Wow! Calm down! I just saved your child from a horrible accident!

Supervisor

Really?

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Yes! It is pretty irresponsible to have such an installation! It could have killed Louis!

Father

You know his name?

Mother

(Taking her mobile phone out.)

That's it, I'm calling the police! They know what to do with people like you! Straight to the electric chair!

HenRY WILLIAMS

This sink will fall any second now! It would have killed your child! Are you all crazy?

SupeRviSOR

(Laughing.)

This is madness, this is not going to fall, it's been there for days!

(The sink falls by itself.)

Oh...

HenRY WILLIAMS

There, you see?

SupervISOR

This is magic...

Father

God, he's right!

Mother

(With her mobile phone in her hand.)

So I shouldn't call the police?

LoUIS

How did you know?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Kneeling down to Louis.)

My poor Louis... it is Deja Vu... I saw you getting hurt. Thankfully I was able to prevent it and change your destiny...

LOUIS

Are you not going to be late?

HenRY WILLIAMS

As a matter of fact, I'm terribly late... I have to go!

CleRK

What about your screws?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Starting to run.)

You know what you can do with those...?

CuT TO:

Second Deja vu. Day 1. Morning. green in front of university

The second experience will simply be a normal Deja vu and Henry will not react until the Deja vu is finished where he will say: strange, I feel I have done this before.

Henry has a lot of money and has written many books. He walks over the grass to reach the pavilion where his class is waiting for him. He meets one of his students along the way.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

(Looking at his watch.)

Oh God, oh God, oh God... I hope they waited for me!

Esteban estevez

Hey, professor, professor!

HenRY WILLIAMS

What now? I'm late! I can't deal with that, I just cannot! Not now! I'm terribly late!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Handing an essay as he reaches Henry.)

Professor! Wait!

The screen splits into two where on the left we see real life and on the right we see a Deja vu. For this whole Deja vu both realities are identical for the only time of the entire film. The meaning is that Henry needed to change something but he did not. He will get a chance at the end of the film to act differently at that very moment.

LEFT AND RIGHT SCREEN

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ (CONT'D)

(Giving his essay to Henry to look at.)

It's not fair! I shouldn't get an F for this!

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Esteban, Esteban, Esteban... you know you deserve an F for that essay...

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Why! I worked very hard on it!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Esteban... when I correct everyone's paper, I see wonderful things, intelligence, a great future. When I come to your essay, it makes me despair.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Nooo? It can't...

HenRY WILLIAMS

You simply have no future in this university or any other.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

But I want to enter the Masters degree program...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Laughing.)

There's no way this will ever happen, I'll make sure of that!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

What is there left for me then? As a career, I mean...

HenRY WILLIAMS

Well, there's a home hardware store close by hiring people like you... perhaps one day you'll make it as a supervisor, if you work more seriously there than you studied in your entire life.

END OF SPLIT SCREEN

HenRY WILLIAMS

Strange, I have the feeling we already had this conversation before...

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Yes! In one of my nightmares!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Just run! You're already late!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Running away as he says that.)

Just one more thing, professor...

HenRY WILLIAMS

What?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Shouting from a distance.)

You're late too!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Talking to himself and walking faster as he looks at his watch.)

I know! I know... If I could only stop time once in a while, life would be so much easier! The screws did it, I will have to blame it on the screws... no one will believe it. It's my damn destiny, always late... stupid clerk... no brain, no future, I tell you... it's just perfect... perfect for Esteban...

CuT TO:

Day 1. Morning. classroom

Once Henry enters the class room with the student he drops his books on the table while Esteban goes to sit down. Henry states to his class that something strange just happened to him, he just experienced Deja vu twice in a row.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Dropping his books on the table.)

Thanks for waiting for me... Even though, as usual, I'm late! I've got a good reason this time... ah, never mind. I didn't prepare anything for today's class, so I'm going to talk about myself...

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

As usual!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Come on! I sometime prepare my course... don't I?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Well...

HenRY WILLIAMS

All right! Anyway... you know which books you have to read for the test, read them and we'll all be fine ...I hope... Now I need to speak about my personal experiences. About deja vu...

EstEBAN ESTEVEZ

Please, we're eager to hear what you have to say!

HenRY WILLIAMS

I'm sure you are! Well... where was I? Ah yes, deja vu... I've been experiencing it recently at an alarming rate. I don't know if it's because I'm writing a book about it, but I tell you, it has opened the doors to a series of deja vu and I'm not sure what to make of it. I was visiting a town recently and I'm certain I had been there before. I remembered every single detail, I knew what to expect around the next corner, but it was my first ever visit.

So he launches into a discourse about Deja vu.

HeNRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

Apparently some Freudians believe that the Deja vu phenomenon is a about experiencing something resembling a repressed memory suddenly escaping the unconscious. The two events are not identical, they appear to be. I don't really believe that crap.

From a medical and more scientific point of view, we are talking about neurochemistry, a glitch in the brain's ability to process recognition and memory. Your two eyes processing the same event but at a fraction of a second difference, making you think you have lived these events twice when in fact you didn't. The memory is not authentic. And I won't get into the two different processing centers of the brain... ah! I admit that I'm not a psychologist or a specialist of the brain and I can't comment on these theories.

From the philosopher's point of view, Deja vu could be interpreted as a higher power giving you the chance to learn from your mistakes. It represents a desire to have a second chance, to set things right. It makes you go through some experiences again to see if this time you can pass the test and learn whatever it is you have to learn from your existence.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

What would this higher power be?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(We see Henry lost in his thoughts while dissolving to the next scene.)

God, destiny, or perhaps a higher self awareness? I'm not sure...

DISSOLVE TO:

Day 1. Late morning. Corridor

Henry is going back to his office but on his way there he meets Elizabeth, the right hand of the dean.

Elizabeth Fairwater

Henry, the dean is looking everywhere for you, you should go to his office immediately.

HenRY WILLIAMS

What does Charles wants with me, I wonder?

ElizaBETH fairwater

Perhaps it is about Esteban Estevez... your biggest fan!

HenRY WILLIAMS

What? He came to see you, once again?

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

Yes, the poor kid is trying hard. He wants to do a Masters degree now...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(With a smile.)

Can you imagine, two or three more years to endure his overzealous attitude?

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

Don't worry, Charles told him that his average results were not good enough.

HenRY WILLIAMS

He spoke to the dean? Nothing can stop him from dreaming, but that's pushing it. And now, my dear Elizabeth, I need to get back to my office.

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

What about the dean?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Oh! I almost forgot. Must be old age.

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

You're not that old. It's just that you're always in thinking mode, must be hard to remember anything in that sort of mind state?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Very funny Elizabeth. But I must admit, better blame philosophy than old age.

ElizaBETH FAIRWATER

Don't worry Henry, every single philosophy teacher in this college suffers from amnesia, just like you. Thankfully you have me to show you the light!

HenRY WILLIAMS

What would we do without you? Fall in precipices lurking around everywhere, while reciting in our heads Aristotle's wisdom?

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

(Laughing softly.)

Huh, huh, huh.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

(Ironic laugh while entering the next door.)

Huh, huh, huh...

CuT TO:

Third Deja Vu. Day 1. Late morning. the dean's office

The third time, Henry will feel weird physically until he will decide to speak about it. From there the Deja vu will be a bit different and out of sync with reality.

Once in the dean's office, the screen splits again for the third Deja vu. The images will be identical until suddenly Henry decides to act against the Deja vu and leaves hurriedly.

The right image on the screen (the Deja vu) will show him having a normal meeting with the dean as if nothing had happened. We will hear the voices of both screens at the same time, perhaps the voices on the right (the Deja vu) could be more distant. We will have to alternate the voices so no one speaks over the other.

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

Charles Worpington

Ah, Henry, please sit down. Am I glad to see you! There's something important we need to talk about.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Not Esteban, I hope?

chaRLES WORPINGTON

Don't worry, it's not about Esteban Estevez. I trust you will deal with him in time... It's about the marketing of your new philosophy book expected to be a best-seller.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Of course! A best-seller you say?

ChARLES WORPINGTON

George is eager to get the ball rolling and is waiting after the final version. They are in a hurry to get it out there.

HenRY WILLIAMS

The book will be sent to George today. A best-seller you say? From the University Press? Times are changing...

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Aren't they just? It's very exciting! I'll be able to get you a big raise after publication, we wouldn't want to lose you now to some better university somewhere willing to give you more money...

HenRY WILLIAMS

Don't worry Charles, I'm already more than comfortable, thanks to you. Though I wouldn't mind having less courses to give so I can spend more time thinking. It's my job, after all.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Say no more Henry. I'll see what I can do. Soon you'll be a free man! And you will beg for teaching more classes when you will get bored thinking your heart out.

Henry WILLIAMS

Thanks Charles, I'll get in contact with my assistant Marianne. She's working at correcting the last chapter right now at my home.

ChARLES WORPINGTON

I'll call George to let him know. Have a nice evening, alone as usual... once Marianne goes back to her husband...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(He closes the door very softly with a smile.)

You wouldn't have it any other way, that's why I can be so prolific and contribute to philosophy and the department. Goodbye Charles!

ChARLES WORPINGTON

(Happily picking up the phone to call the publisher.)

Hello George? Great news...!

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

Charles Worpington

Ah, Henry, please sit down. Am I glad to see you! There's something important we need to talk about.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Realizing he is going through a deja vu.)

Weird...

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Don't worry, it's not about Esteban Estevez. I trust you will deal with him in time...

HenRY WILLIAMS

I...

ChARLES WORPINGTON

Everything's OK, Henry?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Wait, please...

ChARLES WORPINGTON

(Silent for a few seconds while we hear what's happening on the other screen.)

...how long should we stare at each other like this?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Shush, I'm having a deja vu.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

...a deja vu? Isn't that the subject of your book? You certainly do live in what you write.

HenrY WILLIAMS

(In a panic state.)

I have lived this before! I know this meeting is about the book and I don't give a damn about it!

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

What are you saying?

HenRY WILLIAMS

George can wait as far as I'm concerned. I need to get out of the office immediately, I feel trapped in a temporal causality loop of some sort and I want to free myself.

ChARLES WORPINGTON

A temporal what? What are you talking about?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Getting out and slamming the door.)

A time loop! Charles...

ChARLES WORPINGTON

(Completely taken aback from what just happened.)

A time loop...? Henry's gone mad...

CuT TO:

Third Deja Vu (continuing). Day 1. Late morning. corrIDOR

Outside the office the Deja vu continues. Henry on the left is walking like a madman, trying to do things differently to escape the Deja vu. On the right he walks normally with a big smile at the prospect of his latest book already being considered a best-seller.

No matter what Henry does on the left to escape the Deja vu, the same happens on the right.

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Walking normally with a big smile. Stopping for water.)

What a nice day this is. I feel like singing.

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

(Realizing that he is going to drink water on the right, he stops halfway there, sweating. He decides to go in unpredictable directions until he decides to knock on Elizabeth's door.)

This is a nightmare, I have experienced this before! Let's get back to some reality, perhaps Elizabeth can help me! That's it, Elizabeth's job is to keep us all sane.

He opens Elizabeth's door, the woman we saw before. On the right she opens the door to find out about what the dean had to say. At that point the synchronicity of both screens is not exact.

On the right Elizabeth drops a pen on the floor and Henry gets down to pick it up, at that moment we hear a shot and Elizabeth receives a bullet in her chest. As the dean comes out of his office to find out what is happening, he too gets shot by Esteban.

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

(Opening the door and calling for Henry. Happy and smiling.)

Henry, how was the meeting with Charles? Was it about Mr. Estevez?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Over the moon.)

Nope! It was about my new best-seller.

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

(Big smile. Dropping her pen on the floor.)

We are confident, aren't we? Oops...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Bending down to pick up the pen while we hear a shot and Elizabeth receives a bullet in the chest.)

Oh my God! Elizabeth! Elizabeth!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Shooting Henry but missing as Henry turns around horrified.)

This one's for you professor!

ChARLES WORPINGTON

(Coming out of his office to find out what's happening.)

What's going on? What's all the noise!

EstEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Suddenly looking at the dean and shooting him too.)

I might as well shoot you Worpington.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Running into Elizabeth's office while he can.)

Oh God! Oh God!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Other students are trying to stop him, holding his arm, while Esteban finally shoots himself.)

Let me go! I've had enough! Please, you don't understand!

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Knocking on Elizabeth's door.)

Elizabeth! Elizabeth! You've got to help me. I'm trapped... oh no, you're opening the door...

EliZABETH fAIRWATER

(Surprised.)

Calm down Henry, calm down. What's going on?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Silent for a few seconds.)

You don't know...

ElizABETH FAIRWATER

(Dropping her pen on the floor.)

Oops...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Realizing that she will get shot and pushing her right back into the office while she receives a bullet in the forehead.)

Watch out!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Shooting Henry but missing as Henry turns around horrified.)

This one's for you professor!

ChARLES WORPINGTON

(Coming out of his office to find out what's happening.)

What's going on? What's all the noise!

EstEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Suddenly looking at the dean and shooting him too.)

I might as well shoot you Worpington.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Running into Elizabeth's office while he can.)

Oh God! Oh God!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Other students are trying to stop him, holding his arm, while Esteban finally shoots himself.)

Let me go! I've had enough! Please, you don't understand!

END OF SPLIT SCREEN

CuT TO:

Day 1. Afternoon. car park of the university

Henry is now outside, the screen is no longer split. He jumps in his car and the wheels are screeching. We can see in the background many police cars, ambulances and journalists. He rushes home.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Having a nervous break down.)

This is not happening. This can't be happening to me. Why is this happening to me? Why? Oh why? Or how.... Yeah, how can this be happening to me? I need to get into thinking mode as soon as poss... I'm already in thinking mode... figuring this out... I need to figure this out! I need to understand! I need to free myself!

CuT TO:

Fourth Deja Vu. DAY 1. Late Afternoon. Henry's Office in his house

Once home he is visibly shaken. Trying to forget he opens books where he hopes to find some explanation about Deja vu.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Getting books, opening them and throwing them on the floor. Still neurotic.)

There must be an answer somewhere in there. Someone must have experienced this before and documented it. Shame, philosophy appears to be useless at explaining this. Plato, Socraties, Saint Augustin, Joan of Arc, no, no, no!

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

(Sitting down at his desk.)

Philosophy won't help me this time... ignorants! Just a bunch of stupid people who thought they knew everything! They know nothing! Mmh... must be a medical condition, I must be crazy... do I have any books about...

Getting up to look at other books.

The fourth Deja vu will already show that elements of his reality are no longer quite right, people changed somehow and they do unexpected things compared with the Deja vu. His assistant is no longer his assistant, she is his wife.

The screen splits again for the fourth Deja vu. While he is looking at his books on the left and finally sits down with one of them to read, on the right screen we see a woman called Marianne entering the room.

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Reading a book at his desk while things happen on the right screen. He will get up and pick another book eventually.)

Ah... I see...

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

(Once Marianne enters on the right screen, he will say:)

Strange, I feel my assistant will come in any minute now...

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Reading a book at his desk.)

Ah... I see...

Marianne Wilkins

(Entering the room.)

You're here already? I was not expecting you for a few hours after what I heard on the news. As your personal assistant I would like to know if there is anything else I can do with your book before sending it to the publisher.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Somewhere else in his mind.)

Yes... of course... you do that.

MaRIANNE WILKINS

I have done all the corrections and I need to get back to my husband Martin. Should I send the book to George?

HenRY WILLIAMS

After the shooting, George will not be expecting the book anymore. Leave it, anyway I think I need to rewrite that book now.

MaRIANNE WILKINS

So, nothing better than facing death to inspire you, right?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Lost in his reading.)

Yes... of course... you do that... don't forget to send the book to George! He's expecting it today.

MarIANNE WILKINS

(Leaving the room.)

You're crazy! I'm out of here!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Marianne! Don't send the book! Marianne? Oh never mind... go and snuggle with your Martin for all I care. Why do I care? I don't care. Why should I care? I don't care. I don't... Martin Wilkins... sex... hard-core and sweaty sex... must be nice to have a life... a hot and sexual life... like if I care. Marianne! You're fired! You hear me? You're fired! And please send the damn book to George! It's going to be a best-seller for god's sake! Yeah, a damn best-seller... it's better than sex. Marianne?

END OF SPLIT SCREEN

At this point in real life Marianne enters the room, she is in fact his wife though he never had one, and she knows nothing about his new book.

MaRIANNE williams

Oh hi Baby, I didn't know you were back already. What would you like to eat tonight? Crepes, pasta... oh I know, what about a huge Shepherd's pie, just like my mother used to make them, with no onions, I know how you hate onions darling.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Marianne! Marianne? What are you doing here? Have you sent the book to George?

MaRIANNE WIllIAMS

What book? You're working on a new book darling?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Uncertain about if Marianne is his wife or his assistant.)

Of course I am, it's finished! You know that... or do you...

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

Well, you're always talking about one book or another... I wish you wouldn't. It's been two weeks now, you know.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Two weeks?

MariANNE WILlIAMS

Yes, two weeks and I can't stand it anymore. Whether you want it or not, tonight we're making love.

HenRY WILLIAMS

You want sex?

MariANNE WIllIAMS

Oh, sorry! I didn't know we could say the S word around here. Usually you can only survive hearing snuggle... making love is already too much for your poor mind. Yes darling, tonight we're having sex!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Who are you?

MarIANNE WILliAMS

What do you mean?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Well, what are you? My T.A.?

MariANNE WIllIAMS

T.A.?

HenRY WILLIAMS

My teacher assistant... or are you my wife...? Yes, you are my wife, aren't you? This is confusing.

MaRIANNE WILlIAMS

Darling... you've been reading too much, once again you're completely lost. I know just what to do to get you back on track. I'll bake you those little cakes you're so fond of.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Getting up and ready to strangle his wife.)

Don't joke with me! Who are you? What are you doing here?

MariANNE WILliAMS

You've really lost it this time! I'm telling you Henry, I won't suffer this anymore, I'm tired of caring for a mad man! I will ask for a divorce pronto if you force me to! I won't stick around until they put you into a mental hospital!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Yeah... go back to your Martin... he must need a nice Shepherd's pie tonight... or does he prefers crepes?

MaRIANNE WILliAMS

(She breaks down crying.)

You know about him? How did you know?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I don't know. I don't know where that came from. I'm sorry baby, I must be losing it. Unless... you're having an affair with a certain Martin Wilkins?

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

So you didn't know? How...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Taking her in his arms.)

Don't worry Marianne. I must deserve it, I'm such a bad husband.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

Well, you're usually so absorbed with your philosophy...

HenRY WILLIAMS

I can't believe you're my wife. I know you are, but somehow I feel that I almost let you slip away for that Martin.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

I'm sorry.

HENRY WILLIAMS

I just had a deja vu, very vivid, in which you were my assistant and not my wife. I tell you, this reality must exist, I was even confused when you entered the room. You were married to a certain Martin Wilkins.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

You do remember that before we got married I gave you an ultimatum? I said I loved me but if you were not to marry me I would marry Martin.

HenRY WILLIAMS

It was not appropriate for me to marry my assistant, but I married you anyway. In the other timeline I must have told you to marry Martin.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

You must have dreamt all that.

HenRY WILLIAMS

I don't think so. I have experienced many deja vu recently and they could be considered to be a consequence of time loops. We could be going back in time with the chance to change our future if we can remember, via deja vu, our mistakes. I sincerely thought you were my assistant today. What if my reality has changed somehow?

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

Well, I'm sure you will write it all down in your books. Though, is this philosophy?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Good question.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

I'm sorry baby for Martin.

HenRY WILLIAMS

There are worse things...

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

What can be worse than infidelity?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Haven't you heard the news?

MariANNE WILliAMS

What news?

HenRY WILLIAMS

The killings at the university?

MariANNE WILLIAMS

What killings?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Let's open the TV, it must be on every channel by now, nationwide.

CUT TO:

Late afternoon. Day 1. Living room.

So Henry turns on the TV where we can see photos of Esteban, Charles and Elizabeth, and scenes of where the shooting took place.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Turning on the TV and switching the channels.)

There, on every channel... just like I predicted.

MarIANNE WILLIAMS

(Hearing about the shooting.)

Oh my God!

TV

...a student called Esteban Estevez pull out a gun and shot the dean Charles Worpington and his assistant Elizabeth Fairwater... no one knows yet the motive for such a crime but it is said Esteban suffered from bad results and could not enter the Masters degree program at the University.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Muting the TV.)

And that's nothing, even though the media will miss this part of the story, as they always do, one bullet was meant for me.

MariANNE WILLIAMS

What do you mean? How come...?

HenRY WILLIAMS

This morning I told that kid he had no future and that I would go out of my way to make sure of it. So he shot everyone... but missed me in one of nature's wildest ironies. I feel totally responsible for this.

MarIANNE WILLIAMS

(Putting the sound up as we see the picture of a young girl.)

Maybe not, you never know. Perhaps he had other problems, his girlfriend might have left him, maybe she just died or something.

Tv

His girlfriend died unexpectedly two weeks ago from a car accident. This new incident reminds us of other killings in the United States, notably...

At that point the TV confirms that the girlfriend of Esteban died 2 weeks before. As Marianne virtually just said it, they both look at each other thinking about the coincidence.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Muting the TV again.)

How did you know, Deja vu?

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

A lucky guess... I guess.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Well, I need to get back to work, despite everything that has happened. There's more to it than you'll ever know but I won't tell you just yet.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

Why?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Because you would get me declared insane and ready for the asylum, while you go and enjoy a better life with Martin.

MaRIANNE WILlIAMS

Don't say that, you don't know anything. I love you Henry, I always did and I always will. Martin is just, you know, snuggling at a higher speed...

HenRY WILLIAMS

Sex, hot and sweaty sex... is that all? I need to get back to work! Go and cook your cakes... I have a lot of soul searching to do.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

I'll bring you your bottle of Port, I'm sure you'll need it.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(On the verge of crying but getting back to reality.)

You know me so well Marianne... I'm so sorry... I must be to blame for everything that is happening... You know...

MaRIANNE WILlIAMS

No, you must not blame yourself...

HenRY WILLIAMS

I must get back to work!

CUT TO:

DAY1. Tea time. Henry's office in his house

So he goes back in his office while Marianne brings him a bottle of Port with a glass on a platter. She pours him a glass. She then go and watch the news. He sits down and starts thinking. He goes to get a medical book about the human brain, hoping that this is where he will find the answer.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Getting a book and sitting on his chair.)

Right, nothing will stop me now. I need to read about the human brain, that's what I need to do.

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

(He sits down huffing and puffing. )

I wish I was a medical doctor and not just a philosophy teacher, then I might find the answers I'm looking for.

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

(The door bell rings once. Then twice. Then three times.)

Marianne, are you getting it? Marianne? Marianne!

CUT TO:

Day 1. Getting dark. Henry's doorstep

HenrY WILLIAMS

Esteban?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Surrounded by a large limousine and five dancing girls dancing to a popular tune.)

Hello Professor! I thought you must be bored by now.

HenRY WILLIAMS

What is this? That's it, I'm completely mad! Marianne! Marianne? You're doing this to me, aren't you? You're responsible for what is happening to me. I knew it...

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Calm down, professor Williams. I'm only bringing in the entertainment! I know you live alone, I just wish to make you understand that I'm on your side. I will free you from your boring life as a philosopher.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Are you not in prison? Oh wait... you are dead! Perhaps you did shoot me... Maybe I'm dead. Is this what purgatory looks like? Esteban Estevez haunting me for eternity? Bringing down the entertainment?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Dancing and singing, taking his shirt and trousers off.)

Bring down the Dancing Girls! You know these girls are special, if you know what I mean! I Never felt so alive! And you will too after tonight. Can we get in? Are you not an old pervert? Like all the other philosophy teachers at the university? This worked well with professor Burnaby, and Williamson...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Completely out of it.)

Get out! Get out! All of you, and your stupid dancing girls and flashy car! Marianne! Call the police!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Your assistant lives here now? I don't understand! I thought you were human, after all! Don't you enjoy the company of women? Maybe you're gay? That's it! You're gay! Next time I'll bring dancing boys. Are you going to write that letter for me for the department? I'll bring you dancing boys next time, I promise. I'll bring them tonight if you wish... I should have known you were gay, like half the department... What am I talking about? The whole department is gay except Burnaby, Williamson, and... ah yes, me! The gay Maffia has taken over... does this mean I have absolutely no chance in my studies, Mr. Williams? Bring down the dancing boys!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Red with rage. Slamming the door at which point the music stops.)

Get out of here!

MarIANNE WILLIAMS

What's wrong baby? You're in such a state! What happened?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Open the door and find out for yourself!

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

(Opening the door.)

There's no one there!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Looking for himself.)

What? Impossible... You're right, I've imagined it! This is more serious than I thought... I need a psychotherapist... there's no more answer to be found. I'm just completely berserk!

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

Have you drunk the whole bottle of Port again? You know Port is not like wine, you can't just drink the bottle and hope to remain sane. Why don't you come to bed? Perhaps tomorrow everything will be clearer.

HenRY WILLIAMS

You're probably right... Tomorrow's another day. A normal day I hope!

MarIANNE WILLIAMS

(Under the suspicious eyes of Henry, as if the nightmare was continuing...)

Any chance of snuggling tonight?

HenRY WILLIAMS

...not after the day I had.

CuT TO:

Fifth Deja Vu. Day 2. Early Morning. Henry's kitchen

As Deja vu shows that perhaps there is a time loop in which from the future we go back in time and are able to act differently, then the second time around we can be someone totally different. Somehow Henry took advantage of this somewhere along the way, and instead of becoming a philosophy teacher he became a medical doctor.

The next day Henry is a specialist of the brain, as if being a philosopher could not help him understand Deja vu and somehow he decided he needed some new skills to help him understand.

So Henry wakes up and gets ready to leave the house. The screen is split again for the fifth deja vu. On the left in real life he gets all his medical instruments in order and on the right he is preparing his books.

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

HenRY WILLIAMS

Where are my instruments? I'm late, again! Marianne! Marianne? She always conveniently disappears when I need her the most.

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

HenRY WILLIAMS

Where are my books? I'm late, again! Damn!

We see him in his car on the left going to a hospital while on the right he goes to the university. On the right we see the police barriers around where the shooting took place, and Henry looking at this being sorry. Then the screen gets back to normal.

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Seeing ambulances, police cars and journalists' vans.)

They're still here? Unbelievable. How long can it be to figure out that a loser student did not get what he wanted?

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

HenRY WILLIAMS

Finally, here's the hospital. I thought I would never get here.

END OF SPLIT SCREEN

CuT TO:

Day 2. morning. hospital reception

Once inside the hospital, Henry meets Elizabeth, she is now a nurse.

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

Hello Doctor Williams. Did you have a good night sleep?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I think so.

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

Your patient Mrs. Winterbottom is not recovering very well from her brain operation. I'm frightened she won't make it.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Looking at a medical folder with a photo of Mrs. Winterbottom on it.)

I knew it... unfortunately we found out too late about her brain's tumor. There wasn't much we could do for her. I'll go and see her later. But now... please come into my office.

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

I've got lots to do, I'll come in half an hour.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Now!

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

All right, all right! I'm coming!

Then he takes Elizabeth the nurse to his office hurriedly and tells her there's something wrong with him.

CuT TO:

Day 2. morning. henry's office at the HOSPITAL

HenRY WILLIAMS

(In a panic state.)

Are you the one keeping us sane around here?

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

(Joking.)

Are you kidding? The more you doctors operate on people's brains, the more you seem to be losing yours. What would you do without me?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Good!

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

But please bear in mind that I'm also the biggest gossip of this hospital. Anything you will say will be held against you and will be repeated to everyone else.

HenRY WILLIAMS

I don't care. Listen, I'm experiencing Deja vu and something is not right. I feel I should be a philosophy teacher at the University, not a medical doctor specialist of the brain. Somehow I've changed my present, as if the past, the present and the future were all intertwined. Like if there was no linear existence to be lived. And through my deja vu I've changed everything. Like if we were living as much in the future as in the past.

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

Just what I said. You're all going insane! Ye ha! And I'm the only sane person around here! I should be operating on our patients... if they wish to stand any chance of survival. How much Brandy did you have yesterday, my God?

HenRY WILLIAMS

You were also in this other reality, you were not the head nurse, you were the right hand of the dean!

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

(She laughs.)

That's the best I heard so far! Wait until I tell every single nurse in this department! They'll go insane too!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Elizabeth! I'm serious!

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

Studying the brain must have somehow wrecked your mind! Forget about it! I need to remind you that Charles the director is looking for you. Something about your latest book on mapping the human brain or something...

HenRY WILLIAMS

Charles, you say? That's the name of the dean!

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

Apparently he says that it should revolutionize the brain as we understand it. Are you a genius after all? No wonder you're completely mad.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Oh God! What book is that? Is it not about philosophy? About Deja vu perhaps?

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

(Getting up and leaving the office with a big smile.)

How should I know? I'm only the head nurse, no one's telling me anything. And they sure are right in not doing so! Thanks Henry, you made my day! Soon all 13 floors will be talking about you!

He quickly opens his computer and read about his book.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Where's that damn book...? Ah, there it is... Deja vu, from a medical doctor's perspective.

ChARLES WORPINGTON

(Entering Henry's office.)

Henry, about your book!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Forget the book, sit down, I need to speak about Deja vu.

ChARLES WORPINGTON

(Laughing.)

Well, as this is exactly the topic of your book, let's talk about it then.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Still looking at his computer screen.)

As far as I can tell, being a specialist of the brain does not help me understand what Deja vu is.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

What are you talking about? Your study is perfect, no one ever mapped the brain like you did. You explain just about everything that goes on in there! The two brain processes for example, studying the blind people still able to process certain images. This book will be a best-seller!

HenRY WILLIAMS

I don't believe you see an event twice because the brain takes some fraction of a second to interpret what it sees from your two eyes. Well, in theory it is possible, but considering what I'm going through right now, it no longer makes any sense. This book needs to be rewritten.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Who cares? We'll make a lot of money, the hospital will get a better reputation, you can't let me down!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Rewritten not from the point of view of a medical doctor, but from a paranormal investigator's point of view. What I'm experiencing is definitely supernatural.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

In that case I no longer wish to publish the book as this will not be right in our curriculum. I'm warning you Henry, this is a big mistake. Parapsychologists are just charlatans without any credibility! I'll have your head on a platter for this! Mark my words.

HenRY WILLIAMS

You're a real nightmare! Just like when you were the dean of the university! I will no longer suffer any pressure from you!

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Hey, a bit of respect, I'm still the hospital director around here. Dean's university? What are you talking about?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Never mind.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Oh, which reminds me... a young and promising new graduate called Esteban Estevez, was denied working at the hospital because of one person only: Henry Williams.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

(At this name, Henry goes white.)

Ah yes, Esteban… I know something about him... something terrible... I just don't know what.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Well, get over it because we need him. Please reword your report so we can hire him.

HenRY WILLIAMS

I have a feeling that something is not right with that young man…

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Entering the room in a big bang.)

Where is Doctor Henry Williams?

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

You have no right to go in there!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Looking at Charles.)

Is it you? Yes, I do recognize you from the back cover of your books.

HenRY WILLIAMS

He's got a gun, I'm sure! Take cover!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(He takes his gun out and shoots Charles, misses Henry and kills Elizabeth. Other people come in and try to stop him and once again he shoots himself.)

Let me go! I've had enough! Please, you don't understand!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Once everyone is dead.)

Not again!

Man

(Completely horrified.)

Oh my god! This is horrible!

HeNRY WILLIAMS

(Sitting down.)

A parapsychologist… this is what I need to be to understand what is happening to me.

Man

(Puzzled.)

What?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Get out! All of you! Get out of my office! And take those corpses to the morgue for me, will you? While I try to figure out what's happening here...

Man

Well, good luck! But I'm going to call the police and don't you dare touch anything before the coroner finishes his job! For all I know you're to blame for all this!

HENRY WILLIAMS

Who are you? I've never seen you before. Not even at the university...

Man

I think you've been hit.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Suddenly frightened and looking at himself everywhere.)

Really? Where, where?

Man

In the head, right through your brain.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Understanding it was a joke and now being ironic.)

Ah, ah, very funny. Now go call the police somewhere else.

Man

What about the bodies?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Pushing them out and closing the door on them.)

I won't touch anything but I have some thinking to do. So thank you very much for your visit, you're not welcomed back at any time.

DiSSOLVE TO:

Sixth Deja Vu. Day 2. Morning. Henry's office at the paranormal study center

As Henry said that he wished to be a parapsychologist, once he turns around there are no more bodies anywhere. He has switched reality once again and no one has been killed yet.

Something weird happens, a slight change in the atmosphere, everything around the room has changed. Henry looks out the window, everything is different. He is no longer at the hospital.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

(Amazed.)

Where am I? Something happened... or am I just tired?

He is now in a small building where he based his paranormal investigation organization. All around, he picks up books about ghosts, paranormal stuff, etc.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Picking up books and then sitting down.)

Ghosts, Paranormal Investigations, Clairvoyance, Precognition... this is much more like it. These books I need to read right now!

The screen splits into three. We see him as a paranormal investigator, a medical doctor and a philosophy teacher, while he is trying hard to understand what's going on.

SCREEN 1 (real life, Paranormal Investigator)

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

(He is sitting at his desk reading, sometimes stopping like if he was absorbing what happens in the two other timelines.)

Wow... this is amazing... I have a psychic gift, I can see other timelines. I seem to know all possible realities and can act according to what I learn.

Henry is reenacting the shooting scenes at the University and the hospital. The sound for both deja vu screens should be very distant, with only key sentences being heard, like if it was a dream.

SCREEN 2 (deja vu 1, Philosopher)

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

Watch out!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Shooting Henry but missing as Henry turns around horrified.)

This one's for you professor!

ChARLES WORPINGTON

(Coming out of his office to find out what's happening.)

What's going on? What's all the noise!

EstEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Suddenly looking at the dean and shooting him too.)

I might as well shoot you Worpington.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Running into Elizabeth's office while he can.)

Oh God! Oh God!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Other students are trying to stop him, holding his arm, while Esteban finally shoots himself.)

Let me go! I've had enough! Please, you don't understand!

SCREEN 3 (deja vu 2, Medical Doctor)

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Entering the room in a big bang.)

Where is Doctor Henry williams?

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

You have no right to go in there!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Looking at Charles.)

Is it you? Yes, I do recognize you from the back cover of your books.

HenRY WILLIAMS

He's got a gun, I'm sure! Take cover!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(He takes his gun out and shoots Charles, misses Henry and kills Elizabeth. Other people try to stop him and once again he shoots himself.)

Let me go! I've had enough! Please, you don't understand!

END OF SPLIT SCREEN

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Feeling illuminated.)

I know what will happen! Esteban Estevez...

At this time enters Charles, our dean/director and now director of the Paranormal Study Center.

ChARLES WORPINGTON

Good morning Henry! I need to speak to you about your book...

HenRY WILLIAMS

A book... let me guess, about Deja vu? Yes, yes, it is coming to term. I think. I just need more time.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

More time for what, it is finished!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Yes, it is finished, I know what I'm talking about. Wait... Sixth sense, extrasensory perception, getting information via other means than our five senses...

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Yes, why are you telling me this? It's fine, this is perfect for the book.

HenRY WILLIAMS

This is how I can explain my deja vu. It is like a clairvoyance gift, the acquisition of information about another person, object or events not involving the known senses or logical inference.

But Charles, I think I've uncovered a breakthrough here! I know the mean by witch mediums and psychics tap into the unknown! It's like deja vu, but it's more!

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Better be a great breakthrough if you wish to take the time to rewrite the book. If you think it can impact that much on the sales...

HenRY WILLIAMS

Charles, have you become a money motivated person? I'm talking about real life here, explaining the unknown! I hope to help people with this, not make a fortune!

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Well, get rich first, you know how the Paranormal Study Center is in great need of money. Then you can help people. Anyway, how would you help anyone?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I have the gift! I can even predict the future, I'm telling you!

CharLES WORPINGTON

Precognition? Prove it!

HenRY WILLIAMS

You're about to die, and Elizabeth too.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Could we pick up another example, if I'm dead you won't exactly prove me anything.

HenRY WILLIAMS

This is serious Charles. I cannot stop it, a young man called Esteban Estevez will do the killings and even shoot himself.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Are you sure? How can you be certain?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I can't, you're right. I've only seen possible futures. Heck, I'm not even sure.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Who is this Esteban Estevez, I never heard of him. Why would he want to kill me?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Ultimately he wishes to kill me, but somehow he fails in every timelines that I'm aware of. I don't even know where to start to find him, but I guess he will come to us. Perhaps we can change the future, prevent the killings?

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

I'm all up for it... though I don't believe your new found precognition gift.

HenRY WILLIAMS

You know I've always been a bit psychic.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

A bit crazy, yes, psychic... I still need hard proof! How would you know the future? Can you explain it to me?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Time loops, going back in time, changing the future the second time around, remembering different timelines… that's it! I need to study theoretical physics, I need to look into fluctuating timelines, relativity and quantum mechanics!

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Quantum what?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Physics, Charles! It is all down to physics. Somehow we are going back in time, this is why we have deja vu. And if you go further, you can see much more, have many deja vu, know the future, or at the very least possible futures.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

This is crazy stuff Henry... I don't know... I don't like it. Let's stay within the boundaries of paranormal investigations, or else the book will be useless.

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

(Entering the room.)

You want coffee in here? You seem to be involved in quite a discussion.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Elizabeth, do you know a certain Esteban Estevez?

EliZABETH FAIRWATER

Yes, as a matter of fact, he came here this morning. He wanted a job, he's a huge fan of yours.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Has he left a CV?

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

(Ironic.)

What? You can't guess his address?

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Charles, I need your support here. I'm only trying to save all our lives.

ElizABETH fAIRWATER

Save our lives? Charles! Why do you keep me in the dark about these things? I knew the finances were bad but I didn't know you were planning to close down the Study. I suppose I'll need to find a new job now...

HenRY WILLIAMS

Euh, Elizabeth... let's talk about this another time. Has he left a CV?

ElIZABETH FAIRWATER

Well, if that kid can save us, I'll go and get his address immediately! Wait a second...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Taking his jacket.)

Right, I'm off.

ChARLES WORPINGTON

Don't you think I should come with you?

HenRY WILLIAMS

No, I don't want you to die.

chARLES WORPINGTON

What about you?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Somehow I feel he cannot kill me even if he wants to.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Why?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Because it's not my destiny to die at his hand.

ChaRLES WORPINGTON

Call the police, at least!

HeNRY WILLIAMS

The police won't do anything, until we're all dead, that is... Goodbye Charles.

Cut TO:

Day 2. Late Morning. Parking's office

We see Henry leaving the Paranormal Study Center in his car. He goes to Esteban's place.

CuT TO:

Day 2. Late Morning. esteban's porch

Once there Henry knocks on the door and Esteban lets him in.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Surprised.)

Yes? Oh, I know you, you're Henry Williams, right?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(On his guard.)

I'm a parapsychologist working at the Paranormal Study Center. I'm sorry I missed you this morning.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Excited.)

Don't stay there, come in, come in!

CuT TO:

Day 2. Late Morning. esteban's living room

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

I'm so pleased to see you.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Picking up books from the table.)

You've read these?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

I'm your biggest fan. I've read all the books of THE great paranormal investigator. That's why I wish to work with you.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Then Henry sees a gun in a drawer and suddenly he panics. But he tries to keep it cool.)

What makes you think you would be the right candidate?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Haven't you read my CV? I know there isn't much in there. I assure you, I have all the motivation in the world. I can work very hard on anything you will ask me to do. I have a passion for anything paranormal. I know this is where we will find all the answers.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Which answers? Or more specifically, to which questions?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

I don't know. For example, what are the underlying laws of the universe? Finding the truth behind the mysteries of life. What makes us human and what is this weird planet we're all living on?

HenRY WILLIAMS

In which one of my books have you read this?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Mr. Williams, if I appear to be talking like you, or using your words, it's only because we think alike. We all share the same space. We're all interconnected. Wouldn't you say so?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Did you know I was a bit psychic myself?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

I've read your books, I know a great deal about you. I'm not surprised by anything. But why...? What do you feel when you're looking at me?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I don't know what to feel. I can see a lot of energy coming from you, like you're going to leave an indelible mark on this planet's history one way or another.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

You see? That's very positive. That's why you need to hire me and let me work with you.

HenRY WILLIAMS

That's just it. Is it positive? Is it negative? What are the consequences of your actions? Do you know?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Everything happens for a reason, Mr. Williams. Who are we to judge if something is positive or negative? For every positive pole, there is a negative one to keep the balance intact, the keep the world going.

HenRY WILLIAMS

I don't remember you talking like this before.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

We haven't talked before, have we?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I suppose I never actually took the time to really listen to you. It might have been my mistake. I will consider your request and perhaps you will be hired.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

I'm so pleased, Mr. Williams! You won't be disappointed, I promise you!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Leaving.)

Goodbye Mr. Estevez.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Goodbye and see you soon!

CuT TO:

Day 2. Late Morning. on the road

As soon as Henry is back in his car, he leaves and calls the police.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Using his mobile phone.)

Hello, police?

Police

What is the nature of your emergency?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I know of a dangerous man called Esteban Estevez.

PolICE

We know him. What has he done now?

HenRY WILLIAMS

You need to stop him because he will kill people soon.

PoLICE

I'm sorry, who's on the phone?

HenRY WILLIAMS

My name is Henry Williams, I work at the Paranormal Study Center.

POLICE

Oh, are you not the one who wrote those books about ghostly apparitions?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Embarrassed.)

Yeah, yeah, years ago.

PoLICE

My mother is a big fan of yours.

HenRY WILLIAMS

I'm talking about real murders here...

POLICE

(Ironic.)

So, tell me, how does the great Henry Williams know about the future actions of Esteban Estevez? Perhaps a little angel told you, maybe it was your sixth sense? Or was it a ghost?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Shouting.)

That kid has a gun!

POLICE

But as long as he has not done anything wrong, yet, there is nothing we can do.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Are you saying that the only thing the police can do is to pick up the bodies afterwards? You certainly would not try to prevent any crime! Well, once he kills the director of the Paranormal Study Center along with his assistant, and that he has shot himself in the head... I'll remind you that you didn't do anything about it.

PolICE

(Ironic.)

Thank you Mr. Williams. Please call again, you are important to us. We are always happy to hear about strange phenomena.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Can you tell me your name and your badge number?

PoLICE

(Hanging up the phone after the last word.)

Why don't you just concentrate very hard, and you might just be able to guess this information. Have a nice day!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Out of his mind.)

How dare they speak to me like this? It's incredible they can get away with treating people like that. Unbelievable... I better go back to the office before something happens.

CuT TO:

Day 2. Afternoon. esteban's porch

Then we see the police going to Esteban's home. They knock on his door.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Yes? What is it this time? I haven't done anything wrong, so whatever you heard I had nothing to do with it.

PoLICE

Calm down Mr. Estevez. Can we come in?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

No you cannot! Stay where you are unless you have the right papers, which I know you don't.

PolICE

We got the word that you had a gun and you might be tempted to use it.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

I have a gun but it is not illegal, as long as I have my licence.

PoLICE

We'll be watching you, so don't do anything stupid.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

The thought has never crossed my mind, officer. I'm only trying to get somewhere in life. I'm desperately trying to find a job I like, but I can see it's not going to happen. There is just no place in the world for Esteban Estevez. And you're certainly not helping.

POLICE

(Ironic.)

Wow! We didn't ask for your philosophy of life, we're just saying that we will be watching you. Have a nice day, Mr. Estevez. And... by the way, why don't you find yourself a job? Or even perhaps go back to college... it might help keep you out of trouble.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Closing the door.)

Why don't you go and arrest real criminals for a change?

As we see the police leaving, we also see an angry Esteban coming out of the house, putting his gun in his pocket and jumping into his car.

CuT TO:

Day 2. Afternoon. Henry's office at the paranormal study center

Esteban is going back to the Paranormal Study Center and once there, he shoots everyone in sight.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Coming into the office in a rage.)

You told the police I had a gun, you tried to get me arrested, you tried to ruin my life! What have you got to say for yourself?

HenRY WILLIAMS

You're hired!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(He shoots Elizabeth and Charles and then he turns slowly towards Henry.)

Too late!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Completely confident that he won't be shot, Henry is not hiding or worried.)

Please shoot me, I know you will miss somehow.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Desperate.)

I never wanted to kill you! Don't you understand? I only wanted to be recognized by you, to be accepted. I wanted your support, your acknowledgement of my potential!

Esteban does not try to shoot Henry, he just turn the gun to his head and shoots himself. Henry does not appear impressed. He just walks over the bodies as if nothing has happened, not even bothered by what he has just witnessed.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Is that the time? Let's go home...

CuT TO:

Day 2. Late Afternoon. Henry's living room.

When Henry arrives home, he is surprised to see a young girl reading a book is in his living room. She's about 15 years old. He is quite surprised also because the house does not look the same as yesterday. Everything seems to have changed.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Hey! Who are you? Students are not allowed here, you should take an appointment to meet me in my office at the university.

Wynona williams

You should see a psychologist if you do not feel well.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Moving towards her.)

I'm not joking, I will throw you out!

Wynona williams

Mom told me you were going through a patch, she didn't tell me how serious it was! Don't you recognize your own daughter? And you're not even a teacher at the university anymore, you're working from home! What drugs are you on?

HenRY WILLIAMS

You're my... daughter? I work from home? What is it that I do?

Wynona williamS

(Picking up a book and throwing it on the floor.)

God! You're really losing it. This should jog your memory.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Taking the book.)

Of course, I'm an author.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Good! That's sorted... that point at least.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Reading the book's title.)

Temporal Causality Loops, by Henry Williams, Theoretical Physicist. Well, that's pretty good, don't you think?

WynoNA WILLIAMS

(Uninterested and reading her book.)

Yeah... if only we could understand in which language the book is written. You must have sold 20 copies of that book, at least. Mom is starting to complain. It may be time for you to go back and teach at the university. Try not to forget that I told you.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Of course.

WynoNA WILLIAMS

Now, I hope you cooked something and cleaned the house, or else all hell will break loose!

HenRY WILLIAMS

What do you mean?

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Hello! You're not working, she's working. You have to clean and cook!

HenRY WILLIAMS

But I AM working, I'm thinking... and writing books...

WyNONA WILLIAMS

That's not working! It doesn't bring any money... let's face it, you're just lazy. Teaching was too stressful for you... I feel like eating a Shepherd's pie tonight, but mom would prefer crepes... so you decide.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Please order a pizza or something. I've got lots of thinking to do.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

(She looks horrified!)

What? You must be joking, after my speech you're going to think some more?

His wife Marianne arrives at this point and she no longer looks like yesterday. Her hair and eyes are a different color.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Hi mom!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Marianne, thank god you're here!

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

I hope you cooked supper, cos I'm dead!

HenRY WILLIAMS

When did we have... what's her name? Oh yeah, Wynona, isn't it? I remember now.

MarIANNE WILLIAMS

Now you're suffering from amnesia, this is just great. Any reason not to go back to work.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Have you ever known a guy called Martin Wilkins?

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

Never. Was he one of your colleagues?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Don't lie to me now, are you having an affair?

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Dad! How dare you? Mom is the most faithful person I know!

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

(With a big smile and caressing his face.)

Henry, why would I want to meet other people when I'm completely satisfied at home?

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Mom! Don't be gross!

HenRY WILLIAMS

I'm very pleased you never met him. Please Marianne, sit down. I need to speak to both of you.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

(Sitting on the sofa.)

You won't have to ask twice, I'm so tired. I hope as usual we don't have to listen, but just node in agreement and pretend we understand your babbling?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Yes. That will do. I'm starting to remember everything now and I just want to organize and express my thoughts.

He has a long talk with both of them, explaining what is going on from the point of view of physics as now he has the knowledge.

HenRY WILLIAMS

I have a secret to tell. Though I remember marrying you, Marianne, and having had Wynona, I have to say that I also belong to some other lives where things are... let's say different.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

You never wanted me in the first place, I was a mistake. So don't try to justify now with your physics that I should not exist!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Don't get me wrong! I've reach the top, this is the jack pot. I'm so happy! I'm working from home no longer teaching classes, I have a lovely and faithful wife that I love, and I have the most wonderful daughter in the world that I wouldn't trade for anything.

WYNONA WILLIAMS

That's nice to know, but don't forget you still have to clean the house!

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

What do you mean exactly by these other lives?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Other timelines, where things happened differently. You know the Many-Worlds interpretation of Quantum Mechanics states that many different timelines exist, an infinite amount of us inhabiting each new parallel universe. And if we are aware of the different timelines, we can make different decisions in our past and in effect change our future for the better.

MaRIANNE WILLIAMS

You spent nights trying to explain this to me. And your different timelines, from what I gathered, are all parallel to each other, except when they split into branches when you decide to go right instead of left. How could you know about the other worlds and somehow jump from one timeline to another?

HenRY WILLIAMS

And I thought all these late nights you were not listening to me! I'm impressed!

MarIANNE WILLIAMS

Henry, I've corrected all your books! My name should be on the cover too! You always thought I was brainless..

HenRY WILLIAMS

Well, from now on I will consider you a genius!

WynONA WILLIAMS

Only because you think you're a genius and then, she must be if she understands you.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

To get back to your question. How do I jump from one reality to another? How do I change my future and even the present? Very simple.

Einstein's Relativity could account for a fluctuating timeline where the past, the present and the future blend together. Time and space are after all relative, our life is not linear or chronological. In fact we may be trapped in time loops and suddenly reality brings us back in time.

WynoNA WILLIAMS

And how do you account for time loops? If I may ask.

HenRY WILLIAMS

The Earth is always moving in space at a relative speed, there are other strange celestial bodies having a strong gravity effect on the earth. Time and space vary according to our speed in the universe and gravity exerted upon us. Time is always fluctuating, one second can be 1 hour or 5 years from one second to the next. It could also go backwards. creating time loops.

MariANNE WILLIAMS

So now we live as much in the past as in the future? Why is it that we don't feel anything?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Because you don't pay attention to this fluctuating timeline. Psychic mediums do! That's how they know so much. And if we can remember the future while back in the past, we can change our timeline and be someone else. Deja vu is a way to know what happened previously, helping us to remember previous time loops.

WYNONA WILLIAMS

Right! But what as this got to do with the shepherd's pie?

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Great! I now know the means by which this is happening. My Deja vu due to a fluctuating timeline where the present, the past and the future are all mixed up together and life is not linear or chronological.

MarIANNE WILLIAMS

Is this changing anything apart from being a new chapter in one of your books?

HenRY WILLIAMS

This is a breakthrough! But you're right, I wonder: is it just a physical phenomenon ruled by physics and there is nothing else to it except the power to remember we have lived this before and that we can change our future? Or is there another purpose to this? Another higher power in action to take advantage of all this? What have I got to learn from all that?

MarIANNE WILLIAMS

That tonight we eat crepes à la Normande!

HenRY WILLIAMS

All right, I'll get on with the supper. Tonight we eat Indian.

MarIANNE and wynona WILLIAMS

Not again!

CuT TO:

Day 3. Early Morning. Henry's kitchen

The next day when Henry wakes up, he is not sure where he is. He looks around, rushes to reach the books on the table to see if any of them have been written by him.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Rushing to the table for his books.)

Oh no! My universe is in shambles again! What is this book? Helping Others by Henry Williams, Psychic Medium. Oh no! I'm a fortune teller now! I can remember... my schedule... one appointment this morning... Mrs. Winterbottom is coming at ten.

His daughter comes out of her room and he is pleased to see her.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Good morning dad!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Surprised.)

Oh! It's you! You're still here!

WYNONA WILLIAMS

Where else would I be?

HenRY WILLIAMS

It's just that I grew accustom to you and I wouldn't want to lose you.

WYNONA WILLIAMS

Why would you lose me?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Well, there are some decisions you can make in life and I understand that some paths I have taken were mistakes. Now I can make things better in my life.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Daddy... always thinking. You should have been a philosopher, you know, instead of a clairvoyant.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Oh, you know, I'm a bit of everything. I'm a philosopher, a medical doctor, a theoretical physicist. I can be anything I want, I can reach all the knowledge there is in this universe. Because I can take advantage of the mechanisms of this existence.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Keep that crap for you devotees who wish to know if they should get out once in a while and find the perfect man. Even I wouldn't have too much trouble telling them to provoke their own circumstances, and then maybe, just maybe, they would meet the perfect man.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Kissing his daughter.)

You don't understand anything. I've got only myself to blame, I suppose. I will teach you everything you need to know to make sense of the underlying truth of this world.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Don't bother, I read your books and I still cannot understand the world you live in.

HenrY WILLIAMS

Yes, but my ultimate book is never written, you understand? As soon as I finish it, it needs to be rewritten. Because I learn more everyday! And then I become someone else, someone new, with a new book to write. The story of my life.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

I love you all the same, so don't worry.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Where's your mom?

WynoNA WILLIAMS

She's gone to work.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Oh yes. By the way, I had the strangest dream last night. Some killings occurred at the university and/or the hospital. I remember one name: Esteban Estevez.

WynoNA WILLIAMS

How did you know? Gosh, you ARE a psychic! Great! Now I can't have any secrets anymore!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Panicked.)

Please tell me you're not dating that guy?

WyNONA WILLIAMS

For six weeks now! He loves your books more than he loves me, that's how we met! You don't disapprove of me, do you, dad? I'm 15 now...

HenRY WILLIAMS

Right, of course not. I can see there are still things in my life that are not perfect. I'll have to act upon it.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

You said killings?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Don't worry sweet heart, they will never take place. I'll take care of it and you won't have to worry. Just make sure you bring him over so we can meet him and become friends.

WynoNA WILLIAMS

He would love that, he's been asking to meet you since the day we met. Thank you daddy! You're so great! I thought you'd freak out completely! Now I think you should get ready for your first visitor of the day.

CuT TO:

Seventh Deja Vu. Day 3. Morning. Henry's office in his house

HenRY WILLIAMS

Welcome Mrs. Winterbottom, please sit down and tell me what brings you here today.

Mrs. winterbottom

I want to know all about my future and what I should do with my life.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Just that, hey? I'll see what I can do.

The screen splits, we can see that Henry is already seeing what is going on in the life of Mrs. Winterbottom. We also understand that he can bring up his deja vu episodes, they are no longer random.

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

Mrs. Winterbottom

(On her hospital bed, ready for surgery.)

I'm I going to be OK? Please Dr. Williams, tell me the truth!

HenRY WILLIAMS

I don't want to lie to you Mrs. Winterbottom, your brain tumor is quite advanced. We'll do what we can, you're in good hands.

Mrs. WINTERBOTTOM

I know Dr. Williams, I know. Thank you! If I don't make it, thank everyone for me.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Embarrassed because it is a lie.)

You will tell them yourself.

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

You need to go to the hospital as quickly as possible. You have a brain tumor.

Mrs. WINTERBOTTOM

Are you sure? How do you know?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I can see it.

END OF SPLIT SCREEN

Mrs. WINTERBOTTOM

Will I die?

HenrY WILLIAMS

Waiting any longer would be fatal. If you go this morning, you'll be fine. Do you want to stop now?

MrS. WINTERBOTTOM

No, please. I need to know about my son.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(No split screen for this one.)

I see many timelines. In many of them he's dead, from many different ways. How did he died? I'm sorry, I mean, is he dead?

Mrs. WINTERBOTTOM

He died of a drug overdose, I've been told.

HenRY WILLIAMS

This was not the likely occurrence, I didn't see that yet. Now I can see it. Your husband was too rigid, he pushed him too much. In all realities where your son is alive, your husband is absent.

MrS. WINTERBOTTOM

There isn't much I can do now... I can't bring him back from the dead.

HenRY WILLIAMS

Yes there is. Yes you can. You need to think really hard about what I just told you, imagine that life where you left your husband to live with your son alone. And you don't know, you might just wake up one morning in this reality. You wouldn't know about the change, but I assure you it will have happened. Thinking is very powerful, it can change your life. You can imagine anything you want and, I'm telling you, if you want it enough, it will happen.

MrS. WINTERBOTTOM

But changing the past... how...

HenrY WILLIAMS

(Getting up.)

Trust me Mrs. Winterbottom. Do as I say and you'll see. Now you need to go to the hospital to get examined. It's urgent.

MrS. WINTERBOTTOM

How much do I owe you?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Nothing.

MrS. WINTERBOTTOM

(Leaving.)

Thank you Mr. Williams.

Cut TO:

eighth Deja Vu. Day 3. Morning. Henry's living room

WyNONA WILLIAMS

So, how did it go with the old woman? How much money did you get from her?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Please, a bit of respect. I just saved her life and probably the one of her son. In this timeline anyway, and a few others.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

You're sure of that, aren't you?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Well, you can accompany her to the hospital if you want a proof, she's got a brain tumor and they're just about to find out.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Since when are you a doctor, who can even diagnose someone at a distance? You're not a faith healer, now, are you?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I guess I can be anything I set my mind to. I don't even need to be going through the nightmare of living all these realities, and that's what so perfect.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

I wouldn't mind becoming a famous actress in Hollywood... mind you.

HenRY WILLIAMS

I don't think you want it so badly.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

(Ironic.)

Why are you saying this? Oh daddy, please daddy, make me a star!

HenRY WILLIAMS

If that's what you really want to do with your life, you'll achieve it on your own. I'll be there to help you along the way but I can't just make it happen for you. It's not fair if this is not what you feel you need to do in the deepness of your heart.

WyNONA WILLIAMS

How convenient... I'll be a garbage girl then. How's that sound to you?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Sounds great! You need to learn from whatever happen in your life so you can move on to learn more. Being aware of the future gives me the chance to control my life in order to maximize what I need to learn, so I can change and evolve. This is what I have learnt. And now I'm exploiting my aptitudes to help others and myself to a better life.

Henry has another Deja vu episode. He can see the young Esteban Estevez walking beside him at the university. It makes him think…

LEFT SCREEN (real life)

HenRY WILLIAMS (CONT'D)

I'm having a vision... please don't say anything...

RIGHT SCREEN (deja vu)

HenRY WILLIAMS

You simply have no future in this university or any other.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

But I want to enter the Masters degree program...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Laughing.)

There's no way this will ever happen, I'll make sure of that!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

What is there left for me then? As a career, I mean...

HenRY WILLIAMS

Well, there's a home hardware store close by hiring people like you... perhaps one day you'll make it as a supervisor, if you work more seriously there than you studied in your entire life.

END OF SPLIT SCREEN

HenRY WILLIAMS

My God! There are some versions of me out there that will never learn anything!

WyNONA WILLIAMS

Now you know just how I feel.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

I have to help myself...

DiSSOLVE TO:

Back to Day 1. Early Morning. Green in front of university

We are now back to day 1 where the teacher is walking slowly without any books towards his pavilion for his class of philosophy. He meets Esteban who is questioning his F on his essay. There is no more split screen here, Henry appears to know everything already.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Walking slowly, almost like waiting for something to happen.)

What a great day this is!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Hey, professor, professor!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(They sit.)

Hi Esteban, let's go and sit down on this bench.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Giving his essay to Henry to look at.)

It's not fair! I shouldn't get an F for this!

HenRY WILLIAMS

(He looks at the essay.)

Why do you believe you should get a better mark?

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

I've read all your books, I worked very hard this time, I was really hoping to get a good mark and to eventually enter the Masters Degree program.

HENRY WILLIAMS

You're right, you have worked hard, it is much better than what you used to give me. You have read my books and other books, I can see. You might have a future after all. My friend, you should not be judged compared with the others, but from what you were and where you are now.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Giving a pen to Henry as Henry appears to be looking for one.)

Really? I was not expecting this. Here's my pen.

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Henry takes a pen, crosses the F and writes A+. He hands the paper to Esteban.)

Don't let anyone tell you that you have no future, always find a way to get there in the end and prove them wrong.

EstEBAN ESTEVEZ

I can't believe this, professor. This is a life changing event for me!

HenRY WILLIAMS

Believe it or not, this is also a life changing event for me. You'll get your PhD, even if I have to help you after class. If this is really what you want to achieve.

EstEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Very emotional.)

I feel like crying...

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Very emotional.)

Me too, it's exhilarating... Now off you go, or you'll be late for my class!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

(Esteban is over the moon. He starts running and then he turns around and asks:)

But what about you professor? Are you not going to be late to your own class?

HenRY WILLIAMS

(Henry smiles.)

Now I'm in full control of my life and I will never be late again, even when I'm actually really late...

CuT TO:

Conclusion. Back to Day 1. Morning. classroom

Henry gets in his class, no books this time.

HeNRY WILLIAMS

Good morning class. I just came, late as usual, to let you know that today's class is cancelled.

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

Why?

HenRY WILLIAMS

Because I need to go home, rewrite my book, marry my assistant and have a baby!

EsTEBAN ESTEVEZ

You've decided to do all this today?

HenRY WILLIAMS

I'm going to take advantage of everything life has to offer. I'll let you know how it all turns out! Although I've already got a pretty good idea...

44E The Grove, Isleworth, Middlesex, London, TW7 4JF, United Kingdom

Tel/Fax: +44 (0)20 8847 5586 Mobile: +44 (0)794 127 1010

www.themarginal.com rm@themarginal.com