THE VOICE OF ATON "MIDDLE MAN" by GORDON D WENN CAST LIST --------- DIDI Mr BLACK NORM Mr WHITE DEBBIE (N/L) MAN w/MUSTACHE HOWARD Jr (N/L) SET LIST -------- INTERIORS --------- KITCHEN APARTMENT SMALL OFFICE BOARD ROOM OUTER OFFICE/HALLWAY Copyright (c) 2003 - All rights reserved - KitsWriter@Yahoo.com # 1. ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. - KITCHEN - DAY We see a woman we will come to know as DIDI, sitting in her kitchen. She's in her early thirties, although she looks slightly older. Her hair is loosely pinned back, with several stray strands drooping to one side. She doesn't appear to be wearing any makeup and her clothes are reminiscent of a trailer park. The kitchen is in complete disarray. We see several large bags of garbage piled up by the outside door. There are dirty dishes in and around the sink. The kitchen table is littered with more dishes, some newspapers and three very full ashtrays. The room also comes with dozens of broken kid toys. Which she trips over, as she gets up from the table. DIDI Son of a bitch! She kicks the offending toy across the room, then turns and steps on another, loosing her balance. She falls, but catches herself at edge of the sink. However, a pile of dishes becomes dislodged and crashes onto the floor. She lashes out, kicking the dishes and a few more toys onto a pile of newspapers in the opposite corner. Then she starts screaming. DIDI(CON'T) (loud) Damn! Damn! Stupid! Stupid! She starts kicking more objects across the room as she screams. DIDI(CON'T) (loud) Stupid House! Stupid Crap! The toys suddenly become her sole objective. DIDI(CON'T) (loud) Stupid Toys! Stupid Kids! God, I want my life back! Not this stupid, stupid crap! Not these stupid, stupid kids! God, I wish they'd never been born! Then we hear the voice of a man we will come to know as NORM. NORM I might be able to arrange that. # 2. She turns and sees him sitting on the other side of the table. Then she throws the heaviest thing she can find at his head. DIDI (angry) Get out of my House! Her aim is good, but it just passes through him, hitting some more newspapers behind him. NORM We aren't responsible for any personal items, which may be damaged or destroyed during the course of these negotiations. DIDI (frightened) Who are you? What are you doing in my house? Get out of here! She throws another object at him, which also joins the pile of newspapers. NORM (shrugs) You could do that all day if you like. I really don't mind. But, there are other parties involved and I don't think they'd appreciate the delay. So why don't we just get down to business. NORM stretches out his right arm, waving it over the kitchen table. All the debris vanishes. NORM(CON'T) Please have a seat. Coffee? A pot of coffee appears on the table. Along with two empty cups, some cream and sugar. NORM helps himself. DIDI (curious) Who are you? What are you doing here? Am I going nuts? NORM Well, my name is Norm. I'm here in response to your request. And no, you're not nuts. Just a bad dresser. # 3. DIDI (loud) Well what do you expect, I never have any money! NORM That's why I'm here. DIDI You're giving me money? NORM No, I'm here for your kids. He puts his briefcase on the table. Then opens it, taking out a thick file. DIDI looks at him very oddly. DIDI You're taking my kids? I'm not on welfare, why would some agency care about my kids? NORM No, I'm here to undo them. DIDI What? NORM Didn't you wish that they weren't born? DIDI suddenly decides that he's nuts and furrows him a very odd look. Then during the moment, when she's wondering what she should do about it, NORM picks up his coffee cup and takes a sip. Thinking that he's solid, DIDI grabs a dirty fork from the sink, then lunges forward with it, stabbing the table where NORMS' left hand appears to be. NORM remains unhurt. DIDI steps back, more angry than frightened. DIDI (confused) You're not real! You can't be! Why are you doing this to me? Then oddly, she stops screaming and moves slightly closer, looking at him for some flaw. Wondering if it's all some gag. NORM reaches up and touches her nose. NORM Beep! DIDI jumps back screaming. Then throws a few more things through him. # 4. DIDI (loud) You stupid bastard, get out of my house! Or I'll call the cops! Understand! Just leave me alone! She steps back trying to find protection with the trash behind her. Then stops, squinting at NORM, trying to think. A few moments go by, then she takes a few steps forward with an accusatory conclusion. DIDI(CON'T) You're some sort of Demon, aren't you? You get rid of my kids and I loose my soul. NORM Close, but no cigar. DIDI What? He motions her to sit. NORM Please, have a seat. DIDI Why should I? NORM You want your life Back, don't you? She doesn't seem totally convinced, but hesitantly sits. NORM(CON'T) I'm not a Demon. Or Devil. Or anyone else, from downstairs. I'm more of a MiddleMan. We try to maintain a certain balance in the Universe. You see, your request is merely one side of an equation that must be balanced by another similar request. DIDI (confused) What are you babbling about? NORM opens the file, taking out a form. # 5. NORM It's all specified in the contract. Two parties come together to maintain order and balance in the Universe. One signature per designated unborn child, is required. He hands her a pen, pointing to where she should sign. DIDI (thinks) What do I get out of this? NORM You get back, that portion of your life, that was disrupted by having children. DIDI (inquiry) And what exactly happens to them? NORM They are recycled and reborn with different parents. DIDI How? They're interrupted suddenly, as DIDIS' four year old daughter DEBBIE, appears on NORMS' right. DIDI orders her to leave. DIDI(CON'T) (loud) Out! Go outside! I'm busy right now! Just go outside! DEBBIE doesn't move. NORM turns and smiles at her. NORM I'll be with you in just a moment, sweetheart. DIDI (puzzled) What the hells' going on? Why is one of my kids here? NORM She's the other half of the equation. DIDI What? # 6. NORM She no longer wants you to be her mother. So as a minor, I'll be acting as her agent. This is specified in section seven on page four. DIDI (angry) She doesn't want me to be her mother! Why not! What the hell's wrong with me! NORM smiles at her, nonchalantly looking around the kitchen. DIDI(CON'T) (defensive) Well, La-Di-Da, you try and make something out of this pile of horse flop. (emotional) I have tried and tried, but nothing good ever happens. My life is still crap. NORM nods, silently offering her the pen again. DIDI(CON'T) (suspicious) Explain this to me. Just exactly what's suppose to happen. NORM Basically, you never meet Benny. DIDI (confused) Benny, what's he got to do with anything? NORM He's Debbies' father. DIDI sits back thinking. DIDI Really?... I thought it was Howard. NORM (explains) No it was Benny. Remember that last secretarial job you had? DIDI Yeah, what about it? # 7. NORM Well, you forgot the mail for the morning pickup, so you decided to send it out after work. You met Benny at the mailbox. DIDI stares at him intently. DIDI Are you really sure? Because I still think it was Howard. NORM Trust me on this one, I know, it was definitely Benny. DIDI still looks very unconvinced. DIDI So, you just wave your Magic Wand and everything changes? The kids disappear and my life gets better? NORM Well, we change things slightly, you don't forget the morning mail, therefore you never meet Benny. Subsequently, all the events that occurred after that, including Debbie, cease to exist. They're all replaced by other events. Other memories. DIDI (quietly) Oh. NORM hands her the pen again. She signs. DIDI(CON'T) (inquiry) What now? NORM takes the form back, flips to the last page and notarizes it with a stamp from his briefcase. Then he tears the last page off, along its perforated edge, turns and gives it to DEBBIE. NORM (to Debbie) There you go sweetheart. She smiles, turns to her left and vanishes. DIDI stands up, looking at the empty spot. # 8. DIDI (amazed) What the hell? Then a wave of change moves through the kitchen. The garbage and newspapers seem to reduce themselves, the dishes in the sink disappear, along with some of the toys on the floor. Then DIDI herself, begins to Morph. Her trailer park clothes change into stylish office wear. Her hair recoiffs itself into something more suitable for a business environment. For a moment she seems overwhelmed at the change, wide-eyed and speechless, just staring at NORM. The she starts sniffing herself. DIDI(CON'T) I think I smell different? NORM (smiles) The sweet smell of success? DIDI (sits) What just happened? NORM You never met Benny, so everything's been changed. This is a whole new time line. Now, you only have two kids and your old job as a secretary. Although your kitchen could still use a little work. DIDI Wait! Why don't I remember any on that? Why do I still remember Debbie? Where did she actually go? NORM Well, Debbie gets reborn with different parents. She's out there right now, a nice happy four year old little girl. With a brand new life ahead of her. Both halves of the equation balanced. (pause) As for your memory of the previous time line, well we still haven't finished our negotiations. # 9. DIDI There's more? NORM You did use the plural. Kids! DIDI (thinks) Yeah, I did, didn't I? (pause) How do you plan on getting rid of Howard Jr? His dad's a dead beat, but I remember it was definitely him. Norm nods knowingly at her. NORM Well, there's going to be a slight problem with his parole, seven years ago. (pause) Which I know, is a rather odd mixture of tenses. But, it's something you just get use to, after a while. DIDI How long have you been in this line of work? NORM Not long, it's a relatively new service. The Universe has had to keep itself in balance up until now. We nudge things along, keep things flowing, so they don't clog up the fabric of the Space/Time Continuum. DIDI leans forward a bit, personalizing her remarks. DIDI You know, that all sounds a little Poopy. NORM (nods) You mean the nudging, the flowing, and the clogging. Yeah, a lot of people don't get that. It's more of an inside joke, from the Bowels of the Universe. # 10. DIDI (puzzled) So, what did you have to do to get this job? NORM Oh, not much. I just died. DIDI (hopeful) So there's an afterlife? NORM It's more of an afterliving. DIDI (surprised) What? NORM You see, I spent my entire life as a regular guy. And for some strange reason, I didn't meet any of the requirements for upstairs or downstairs. I wasn't that much of a Saint, or really Evil. Just a regular guy. So, I got stuck somewhere in the middle. Between Heaven and Hell. Just part of the Great Cosmic Civil Service. (pause) Not that I'm complaining. Well, there's isn't actually anyone that you can complain to. There's no one really in charge. You would think that there would be, but there isn't. It seems, we're all responsible for your own actions, within the fabric of any space/time event. DIDI (lost) What? NORM Do you know anything about String Theory? Symmetry? Or a Universe with eleven Dimensions? DIDI (confused) Not really. # 11. NORM Basically, this job just found me. We fit together perfectly, our Harmonics resonating and linked at the sub quantum level. DIDI You know, that doesn't sound like anything I learned in Sunday School! NORM Me neither. But what else can you do? The Universe is rigged! Life's a bitch, then you die! DIDI doesn't respond right away, as she sees her six year old son, HOWARD Jr, standing on NORMS' right. NORM(CON'T) (to Howard Jr) We'll be just another minute. NORM turns back to DIDI, putting the form and pen back in front of her. She looks at him with a question. DIDI Okay, you said that my kids are reborn somewhere else. What actually happens to them? Where do they go? NORM thinks for a moment. NORM Well, Debbie has nicer parents, grows up well adjusted, gets married and has kids of her own. DIDI With some regular guy? NORM Yeah, it's all very ordinary. (pause) Howard Jr, goes to college, gets a good job, nice wife, kids, mortgage, the whole middle class dream. You know, vacations, dentists, all that consumer crap. Taxes and death. DIDI Instead of staying with me and becoming some psycho killer. # 12. NORM No, Used Car Salesman. DIDI appears very shocked, at this news, then slightly disgusted. She gives HOWARD Jr, a parting frown, then signs the form. NORM stamps the next bottom copy, handing it to HOWARD Jr. Who also turns to the left and vanishes. DIDI stands up, with one last motherly goodbye. DIDI Bye, bye Honey, have a good one. Then the next wave of change moves through the kitchen. But this time, as a wall of light, removing everything in its path. MATCH TO: DISSOLVE TO: INT. - APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS .... As the light diminishes, we see that the house has been replaced by a rather very eloquent apartment and the kitchen by an equally nice breakfast nook. DIDI appears to have just finished showering, as she is now dressed in a clean, white, monogrammed bathrobe with a towel around her head. NORM is still seated on the opposite side of the table, his briefcase and forms still in our view. DIDI looks around her new accommodations, with a very happy smile on her face. DIDI(CON'T) Wow! This place is really mine? NORM Yes it is. It's all yours. How do you smell this time? DIDI tilts her head down to sniff, then suddenly turns around, away from NORM, opens her robe and looks at her body. DIDI (surprised) Hey! My C-Section is gone! She closes her robe, before turning back to NORM. DIDI(CON'T) (happy) I really didn't have two more kids! She looks at NORM, smiling. Then past him, her eyes moving around the room. She suddenly realizes, she's traded in all the old kid toys, for an apartment full of grown up ones. # 13. DIDI(CON'T) (still happy) Wow! This place is great! (smug) And I'm a babe again. She wraps her arms around herself, as if she were cold, but smiles too much in the process. So, what we actually see is a self-congratulatory hug. NORM waves her to sit down at the new kitchen table. She sits, giving him a puzzled look. DIDI(CON'T) There's more? What else could there be? This place is great! NORM You still have another kid left. DIDI You want them all? Can't I just keep the last one? NORM The deal was for all of them. DIDI Yeah, but I thought, since I'd been signing for them one at a time, that I'd be able to quit whenever I wanted. You know, the stop, when your true feelings about your kids start flowing, and you want them back, gag. (smiles) It's in all your better, sell your soul to the Devil, deals. (pause) Besides, this place is really nice. NORM (concerned) I told you, I'm a MiddleMan, I'm not connected to either of the other two places. You're the one who made the request. I'm just here to balance an equation and maintain order in the Universe. DIDI stares at him, apparently stalling for time, trying to come up with a good rebuttal. # 14. DIDI Well, why did I have to sign for them one at a time? Why not all once? NORM You can't force change on the Universe all at once, it has to be gradual. So that the realignment is smooth and normal. It's like when you do a job so well, that nobody notices. It's as if it had always been. Like you've done nothing at all. DIDI looks around the room, feeling a little edgy. She doesn't really want to loose this new life and its accessories, that quickly. Then a very odd thought crosses her mind. DIDI (worried) Wait a minute! How do I pay for all of this? I'm not some High Class Hooker, am I? NORM smiles, shaking his head. NORM No, nothing like that. Your last kid, Allyce, has been on TV for the last four years. You've been living off her income. DIDI Really? They must pay her a lot! NORM It's a SitCom. DIDI Oh.... I'm not one of those pushy stage mothers, am I? NORM Oh, no. Since you didn't have any other kids, you spent a lot of time with her, the two of you are pretty close. The job was just one of those, being in the right place, at the right time, things. # 15. DIDI (gestures) Okay. But if everything is so perfect and happy, why wouldn't she want me to be her Mother? If I like it here, I bet she does also. How can there be any unresolved problems, when nobody has any? Isn't your precious equation, already balanced? NORM Good point. However, the Universe created itself from nothing. By becoming plus one and minus one. It's rather simplistic, but it still balances, it's still nothing. DIDI tries not to look too stupid. But, a doubt surfaces. DIDI (suspicious) I think there's something You're not telling me. NORM (evasive) Such as.... DIDI No, really. I want to know. NORM gives her a rather thin lipped smile. DIDI(CON'T) (surprised) So there is something! NORM shrugs. DIDI(CON'T) (frustrated) Just tell me what it is, then we can move on to other more important things! NORM sits back in his chair, ignoring her interrogation. DIDI(CON'T) No, really. I need to know. # 16. DIDI regains her focus. DIDI(CON'T) (calmer) I'm not too good at guessing. So, why don't you just tell me. NORM I can't. You have to figure it out by yourself. Those are the rules. They're very inflexible. DIDI gives him, her best-disgusted look. Then stands up and looks around her new apartment. Then, for no apparent reason, she walks over to the fridge and opens it. She looks inside, and starts making yummy noises at all the food, that she's just found. She disappears inside for a moment, then comes back with two plates of food. She gently kicks the fridge door closed, then walks back to the table and sits down for a short snack. NORM doesn't say anything, but she defends herself anyway. DIDI What! I think better on a full stomach. (pause) Want some? NORM No. I'm good. DIDI You're sure. NORM waves away her offer. DIDI(CON'T) Right, the dead don't eat. Her last comment, may have been a verbal barb, but NORM doesn't appear to have noticed. Then DIDI moves on and attacks her snack. Between mouthfuls, however, she does appear to be thinking. She stops for a moment, swallows, then makes an observation. DIDI(CON'T) (points) But they do drink coffee. (eats) This is really good. Another forkful or two later, she starts chewing slower, as an idea begins to take form. # 17. Which then slowly begins to turn into a frown, as the idea becomes more of a possibility and most likely the unstated thing, NORM hasn't told her. She puts down her fork suddenly, looking at NORM rather hostile. DIDI(CON'T) (aggressive) Allyce is a kid actor on TV! (pause) Well what happens when she grows up and stops being cute? Do they just dump her when she hits puberty? Rejected and abused, doomed to become some teenage alcoholic junky! NORM opens up. NORM (gestures) Actually, both her and the kid that plays her in the made for TV Biopic. DIDI doesn't look too happy. DIDI (angry) The whole fame thing is just some vicious cycle isn't it? It uses people to make money! (pause) It destroys and distorts the young and innocent. Casting them aside, when they don't fit into some precast mold, some producer created back in the fifties. Then some other kid gets crammed into the same slot, until they're not cute anymore. Then they move on to the next victim. NORM (nods) Actually, I think that was back in the twenties. Silent films used a lot of orphans. DIDI gives him a very sharp look. # 18. NORM(CON'T) Well, were you doing any better before? With your Husband in jail, a house filled with garbage, your kids who knows where.... DIDI (defensive) At least they understood reality! Not some fantasy life, that ends horribly! (pause) So, what happens to Allyce, if I sign again? Undo her. NORM Nothing. DIDI (confused) What do you mean, nothing? NORM Well, she has other parents, grows up normally, gets a career, then a regular life of her own. But, with no fame or limelight. DIDI What about kids or marriage? NORM Nope, she becomes just another functionary. A nice regular nothing job, complimented by a nice regular nothing life. DIDI Nothing? (pause) Like what you said about the Universe being nothing. Plus one and minus one, canceling each other out. DIDI takes a short moment to think, then grabs the forms and signs. Then hands them back to NORM. DIDI(CON'T) Who gets the bottom copy this time? NORM You do. # 19. NORM stamps the last page, tears it off and gives it to DIDI. As she touches it, the wall of light returns, removing her apartment. She frowns slightly, but then anticipation creeps onto her face as the flow of reality begins to solidify. MATCH TO: DISSOLVE TO: INT. - SMALL OFFICE - CONTINUOUS .... DIDI is now dressed as a secretary and sitting at a desk, close to the main street entrance, of a small office. Behind her, we see a row of filing cabinets. Opposite them, a group of desks with chairs facing them for clients. The office walls are decorated with a rather odd theme. On DIDIS' left, the entire surface is covered with Wanted Posters. She stands and looks at them, not really sure of the circumstances that brought her here. Then NORM walks out of a back room, stirring another cup of coffee. She turns and asks him a question. DIDI What is this place? NORM You don't remember? DIDI Not really. NORM This is your Uncle Bobs' Bail Bond office. He gave you your first job. You're the receptionist. This is where you met Howard, got pregnant, married, then started down the path to that Life you didn't want. (pause) Of course now, none of that ever happened. You never met him and never had any kids. (pause) Do you remember now? DIDI sits back down, thinking. DIDI (thoughtful) This is really strange. She turns and looks at NORM. # 20. DIDI(CON'T) I've got these two distinct sets of memories. One with kids and the other without. It's very confusing. NORM Don't worry, everything will correct itself momentarily. DIDI Okay. But, you know, I really liked that apartment. I don't suppose I could keep those memories? NORM shrugs, nodding no. DIDI(CON'T) Yeah, I guess not. (thinks) It's odd that I still work here, though. Fifteen years in the same place, seems sort of boring. This isn't one of those nothing jobs, is it? I'm not here forever am I? NORM No, no you're not. DIDI relaxes, adjusting herself to a less cluttered existence. DIDI I really do, have to thank you for all this. I had no idea, my insignificant life meant so much. Of course, there's that, why me, why not somebody else voice, still in the back of my head. NORM There's no need to thank me. DIDI Oh sure there is. You're just being modest. I really owe you a lot. I don't know how I can ever repay you? NORM None of that is really necessary. DIDI (puzzled) Why not? # 21. NORM Well, as a rule, the Dead, never interfere with the living. DIDI stiffens, as a cold chill passes through her. DIDI (fearful) What? NORM Those are the rules. There's nothing that I can do. DIDI jumps up from her seat, charging towards NORM. DIDI (frothy) Rules? To hell with the rules! You said that I'd get my life back! You didn't say I was going to be dead! NORM No, I said, that you'd get back that portion of your life, that was disrupted by having children. Which is currently true. DIDI (angry) So, you're just going to kill me? NORM Kill you? No, I'm not going to kill you. DIDI (hesitant) Then what? NORM casually takes a sip of his coffee. NORM Oh, you die in the robbery. DIDI (puzzled) What robbery? On cue, the front door jangles the presence of a customer. NORM This one. # 22. CAMERA CLOSES IN ON DIDI, frozen in the headlights of this new reality. We hear the gun shot. Then the Universe becomes light. MATCH TO: DISSOLVE TO: INT. - BOARD ROOM - CONTINUOUS .... The brightness, slowly dissipates into a uniform greyness. Which then forms itself into a set of large grey doors. A pair of hands pushes on both doors, leading us into a large grey room with a large grey boardroom table. We see that the hands belong to NORM, as we follow him into the room. He puts his briefcase down on the end of the table, then looks up at two equally grey figures, sitting opposite each other. Regardless, however, of their current lack of tone, the figure on NORMS' right, is named Mr BLACK and the figure on his left, Mr WHITE. They both just sit, staring at one another, not moving, perhaps waiting for the other one to make some preemptive move. NORM waits, slightly longer than he should, until one of them acknowledges his presence. Mr WHITE finally speaks, without taking his gaze off Mr BLACK. Mr WHITE (nonchalant) Is there something we can do for you Norm. NORM (relaxed) Oh, it's just that matter we were discussing previously. NORM opens his briefcase, taking out the forms that DIDI had signed. He divides them into two equal parts, then slides them down the table, so that both parties get a copy. Curiously, they actually stop staring at one another and pick them up for examination. Mr BLACK (annoyed) Why do I always get the blood stained copy? NORM It's part of your job description. Mr WHITE Is there some point to this document? NORM looks very knowingly at Mr WHITE. # 23. NORM I refer you to our previous conversation. Perhaps you remember the general theme. Mr BLACK You appeared to be very unhappy about something. NORM smiles slightly at the remark. NORM I believe, I may have become slightly emotional with both of you. What, with the yelling the screaming, and the name calling. Generally, an unhappy moment for everyone. (pause) But now, I've come up with a solution, which rectifies the entire problem. They both look at him very coldly. Probing for some weakness. Mr WHITE (terse) And what problem would that be? NORM visibly tightens up, controlling some outburst. NORM (frowning) So, we're back to that. Mr BLACK (goading) Back to what? NORM somehow manages to move past an overwhelming feeling to throw something large at both of them. Finding instead, a larger sense of purpose. Or perhaps he gains strength from the still private, knowledge of his unique solution to the situation. NORM (to both) The Universe created the two of you, to be the Arbiters of everyone's final destination. To be the Impersonal Judges of their ultimate fate. (pause) But, lately, neither of you have been doing your jobs. # 24. Mr WHITE (confused) Our Jobs? NORM (shrugs) We all have functions. Mr BLACK (probing) Really? NORM (to Mr Black) Yes, really. When we don't function properly, things begin to break down. Eventually the Bowels of the Universe become clogged with the undigested remnants of the Dead. Mr WHITE (observant) That's rather descriptive. NORM (to Mr White) I suppose. But it serves a purpose, considering the serious nature of the problem. A problem that the two of you have created. Specifically, that neither of you have let anyone upstairs or downstairs since the eighteen nineties. (pause) We have to ask why? Mr BLACK (sharp) This is none of your concern. NORM (to Mr Black) Incorrect. I believe that this to be everyone's concern. I also believe that the two of you have formed a conspiracy and are making a conscious personal choice with everyone's fate. It seems nobody can measure up to your standards of Good or Evil. # 25. Mr WHITE (correct) Still, none of your concern. NORM You're not suppose to interfere. Your own personal opinions are not required. Your self imposed delays have stopped the process. (pause) They're hip deep back there. The line ends in some alternate dimension. Mr BLACK (clinical) These matters have been under discussion for some time, now. NORM (irked) Really? And much longer is this discussion going to take? They don't answer. Just stare intently at him, as if he'd done something socially unacceptable. NORM(CON'T) (calmer) You still don't get it, do you? Mr WHITE What precisely, is it that you want us to get? NORM You've clogged up the Universe with your inaction. You're just sitting back and sucking your teeth. Making us all squirm, waiting and hoping for some small acknowledgment of hope. (pause) Still, we have to ask why? Mr BLACK No, we don't! NORM (loud) You both don't realize what you've done! Mr WHITE (flip) And what's that? # 26. NORM stops for a moment, not really believing the stupidity being presented to him. He gestures his response. NORM Just look at the two of you. (pause) You're both grey, this table is grey, the room is grey, the doors outside are grey. Everything is grey. (pause) This is not right. Mr BLACK Your point being? NORM The Universe requires you to be what you were, Black and White. Your being Grey threatens the basic nature of existence itself. Mr WHITE (snarky) That sounds ominous. NORM decides that he may be talking to himself. But continues regardless of their contempt for the situation. NORM For the record, the Universe doesn't really exist. The part you think you see, is merely an illusion. It is a Zero, which somehow became Positive One and Minus One. The sum still equalling Zero. NORM notes, rather strangely, that both Mr WHITE and Mr BLACK seem to have acquired the same very goofy smile. Mr BLACK (smarmy) That's all very interesting. NORM continues. NORM Something happened. I really don't know what, but I can speculate. # 27. NORM(CON'T) The Living World has become more complicated. Industrialization has changed the old measures of Good and Evil. Your purpose has become slightly more complicated. Questions had to asked. Things had to be done. The assembly line had invaded this, your private Realm. (pause) I don't think that either of you could cope with the changes. Mr WHITE Fascinating. NORM The conspiracy, presumably originated from this inability to adapt to the changes. Although, I think neither of you were actually consciously aware of what the other was doing. Mr BLACK And what was that? NORM notes that Mr BLACKS' goofy smile has vanished. NORM That you both decided to borrow certain things from each other. Mr WHITE What things? Mr WHITES' goofy smile has also vanished. NORM finds himself moving closer to the exposed nerve, he may have found. NORM Certain traits, that your counterpart had. That both of you felt could aide you in getting through these unknown and perhaps frightening moments of uncertainty. Unconsciously at first, then openly blending yourselves into this dull grey conspiracy. # 28. NORM(CON'T) Of course, like someone with a truly superior personality, both of you felt that you could handle this addiction. Mr WHITE/ Mr BLACK (together) Preposterous! Their singular collective response, invokes a dull rumbling noise in the room. The table begins to vibrate slightly. The sound continues, echoing into the distance. Mr WHITE and Mr BLACK seem unperturbed and seem to ignore it as a commonplace occurrence. NORM continues with a certain more concern. NORM That is the sound of the Universe collapsing in on itself. Everything cancelling out. Becoming the final sum of the equation. Zero. (pause) As your differences become blurred, and your similarities begin to assert themselves, the probability that the Universe will cease to exist, becomes a stronger possibility. You threaten the existence of existence. (pause) You must be stopped. Mr BLACK And how do you hope to accomplish that? NORM Those documents in front of you, represent a mathematical expression wherein the possibility and probability of certain events created by the actions of Living Beings within the Universe, have changed their values. Neither of them seem to following his explanation. Mr WHITE You're not making any sense! # 29. NORM It's called Bio-Vectoring.... Mr BLACK (interrupts) We don't have time for this stupidity! NORM ignores the outburst. Continues his explanation. NORM (gestures) In Physics, objects in motion, tend to stay in motion. Objects at rest, tend to stay at rest. But, if that object is alive, it can start, stop or do whatever it decides. Its path through the Universe is unpredictable, undefinable. Reflecting and refracting all the other Biological paths it encounters. (pause) This is the basis of the Five Chaotic constants, which define the beginning, middles and end of the Universe. (pause) Your place in it, however, is no longer defined. Mr WHITE stands suddenly, venting his misgivings. Mr WHITE (loud) What the HELL are you babbling about? The dull rumbling noise returns to the room, as Mr WHITE invokes the word: HELL. The table begins vibrating again. It increases in pitch, until finally reaching one of its harmonic frequencies, creating a large open crack in the surface of the table. Mr WHITE sits down, slightly paler. NORM (cautionary) I believe, we should all watch our language. Some things are much closer than they appear. Mr BLACKS' hue has darkened, he reverts to basic nature. # 30. Mr BLACK Then I suggest that you listen to us very carefully. Very Bad Things could happen, if you don't. Probably when you least expect them. NORM looks at him very somberly. NORM Actually, none of your threats apply anymore. You've become redundant. Mr BLACK (annoyed) What, because of these bits of paper? Mr BLACK picks up his copy, then waves it menacingly at NORM. NORM Those documents represent the Recycling of several lives and all the other lives that they would have come in contact with. The Chaotic equations readapting the Universe into a new order. One, where the two of you have been downsized. Mr WHITES' tone changes back to grey, as his courage returns. Mr WHITE (also annoyed) But, what does all that actually mean? NORM Specifically, the value system by which you have judged the dead, no longer exists. No one will ever again come into this room to have their fate decided. You have become the Arbiters of nothing. Obsolete. An Anachronism. The Universe no longer requires your services. Mr BLACK (frightened) What? # 31. NORM lifts his briefcase off the end of the table. Then he takes a well deserved moment of his own, before speaking the final litany. NORM You're Fired! NORMS' voice seems to find just the right frequency to reactivate the large crack. It begins to open wider as the vibration gets louder. Eventually turning into a high pitched squeal. Then the edges of the crack start to glow, sending two lines of jagged light toward Mr WHITE and Mr BLACK. The light reaches up and grabs them both, pulling them towards the newly forming White Hole in the centre of the table. We see NORM leaving the light filled room. MATCH TO: DISSOLVE TO: INT. - OUTER OFFICE/HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS .... Then we see NORM exiting through the large grey doors and into the waiting room in the outer office. Almost immediately the grey doors vanish and are replaced by a light blue wall with a large painting of a nineteenth century clipper ship. As NORM turns, the last remnants of the waiting room dissolve. A long light blue hallway appears. More paintings fill in the empty spots along the walls. Several decorative short columns with green plants fade in, giving the hallway a cheerful feeling. NORMS' dark blue jacket and pants are suddenly replaced by a light blue seventies style leisure suit with a ruffled shirt and bowtie. Then a clear plexiglass podium appears in front of him. THE CAMERA MOVES IN ON the two large green buttons on the podium. One with an arrow pointing up and the other with an arrow pointing down. NORM finds himself smiling, then slightly unsure of himself. This reflective moment ends all too quickly, as an unscheduled rift in space/time begins to open a gateway to another dimension, on NORMS' left. We see several tentacles move through the opening, gripping the edges and opening it wider. A woman in a bathrobe is suddenly ejected into the hallway. NORM rushes over to stop her from falling, catching her before she hits the floor. Having done their job, we see the tentacles begin to retract into the rift. NORM calls after them as the hole is sealed. NORM(CON'T) Thanks Steve! # 32. As NORM stands the woman back up on her feet, we see that her clothing has changed. She is now wearing a dark blue power suit with stiletto heels. NORM recognizes her, it's DIDI. She seems to remember him. DIDI (confused) Do I know you? You look familiar. NORM You do, but that's not really the most important thing, right now. DIDI (concerned) It's all very fuzzy. I keep thinking there's something I've forgotten. Something I should remember. It's on the tip of my brain. A short moment passes, then DIDI stiffens slightly. DIDI(CON'T) (wide-eyed) I'm dead! I'm actually dead! NORM (nods) Yeah, but like I said, it's not really that important. After the Show, we can get together for coffee and talk about it. DIDIS' thoughts moved from mild curiosity to an overwhelming understanding. She punches him in the arm. Affectionately. DIDI Coffee, eh? Then DIDI does a double take on last thing NORM said to her. DIDI(CON'T) Show? What Show? NORM (smiles) This one. You're the Hostess. She appears slightly puzzled, then looks around at the set decorations. Then rather quickly, seems to accept her new role. DIDI (nodding) Well okay then. Sounds good. # 33. She also seems to approve of her new wardrobe. DIDI(CON'T) Thanks for the clothes. She spins effortlessly on her very pointy shoes, modeling her new threads. NORM (happy) No problem. They come with the job. Then NORMS' expression changes as the memory of his previous reflective state, returns. Then, oddly, he becomes rather chatty. NORM(CON'T) You know, I understand now. They've given me everything. I have the entire Universe in my head. It's really cool. Go ahead ask me anything. I know all, I see all.... I am really smart. Really. NORM looks at her expectantly. However, she seems to be having some difficulty thinking. As her attention seems to be occupied by her clothing. She makes several interesting poses. DIDI Hmm, no, sorry, I can't think of anything right now. Maybe later. NORM nods, then hands her what looks like a cattle prod. Which, strangely, was just sitting on top of the podium. NORM This is yours. You just bring it forward with a stabbing motion. There's no button to push, as the contacts on the end have a spring inside and activate when you strike the contestant. She nods her understanding, then looks slightly confused. DIDI Contestant? NORM moves closer to the podium, placing his hands on the sides. A spotlight comes on, giving NORM centre stage. NORM And who is our next contestant Didi? # 34. DIDI looks around for a moment, then sees a short man with a moustache, standing in front of the podium. Who seems to have just appeared there, when NORM asked DIDI the question. DIDI (upbeat) It's a Man with a Moustache! NORM gives the man a questioning look. Then asks him a question. NORM Arbeit Macht Frei, Herr Obersturmbannfuhrer? The man with the moustache looks very confused. MAN w/MOUSTACHE Vas? Smiling, NORM presses the green button with the downward arrow. The game show/bad answer horn sounds. NORM I'm sorry, that's the wrong answer! You don't win our Grand Showcase Prize. But, as a concilation, you do get to go straight to Hell! NORM waves to DIDI. She steps in, stabbing the contestant with her cattle prod. There is a short electrical surge, then an all consuming fire engulfs him. He fades away screaming, in what can only be described as pure agony. DIDI (concerned) That looked painful! NORM There's no need to worry, it's all part of the predamnation package. DIDI (not concerned) Oh. Okay. NORM moves back to the podium, then the CAMERA MOVES UP INTO the spotlight, filling our view with light. Then we hear NORM and DIDIS' voices from below. NORM(VO) And who is our next contestant Didi? # 35. DIDI(VO) It's.... A really stupid person! NORM(VO) What is the capital of South Dakota? We hear the game show/bad answer horn sound. NORM(VO)(CON'T) I'm sorry, that's the wrong answer! You don't win our Grand Showcase Prize. But, as a concilation, you do get to go straight to Hell! Then we hear a certain amount of screaming. FADE OUT. THE END #