INT.

HIPSTER BAR SATURDAY JANUARY 30, 2005 - 11:23 PM.

Subtitle reads: x Days, x Hours, x Minutes, x Seconds to Extinction. TRON, TRACEY, CLARENCE, and PAT enter in slow-motion. PAT enters last, pumping both fists in the air. The group finds a table and stools near the middle. A DJ spins classic hip-hop music in the far back corner. CLARENCE points to each person and gets their drink order. TRON, TRACEY, and PAT sit while CLARENCE goes to the bar. TRON Yo man, I really dig CLARENCE. vibe to him. Hes got a good

PAT Give him time. Hell wear on you, and then youll discover what a monster he really is. (beat, points) Dont touch his boner. TRON (laughs) Wheres he working? PAT At his parents restaurant out in Aurora. TRON He doesnt wanna find a job in the city? Probably PAT Sometimes hes just a lazy ni-

TRACEY! (embarassed) PAT! Damn. TRON That commute must suck.

PAT Yeah. Hes gotta stay there for like the next month or so straight cuz his parentsre goin to Arkansas to visit these hot springs or somethin. TRACEY Hot springs? PAT I know less than you do. TRACEY (pauses) Wait. So howd you meet him?

PAT Bartending school. TRACEY looks at PAT demanding the backstory. PAT Not now. TRACEY grabs TRONs hand. TRACEY So PAT - hows yoga? PAT (elusive) Salright. TRACEY Well tell me more. PAT Just a lot of boring poses held a lot longer than Id ever wanna hold them. TRACEY PAT - you gotta give us more than that. PAT (thinks) Its a hundred something degrees with eighty or ninety percent humidity. TRON Why they do that? PAT Its supposed to make your muscles warm enough to facilitate flexibility And I think they keep it like that to simulate the climate in India. (laughs to self) If they really wanna simulate the climate in India they might as well burn a pile of cow shit and dead bodies in a corner. TRACEY PAT! PAT Sorry. Awkward silence from a joke way too far. TRON So what about Second City bro?

PAT Its fine. Theres a guy in there that reminds me of you, cept hes Korean. TRON Thats great. You try to touch his boner? TRACEY punches TRON in the shoulder. TRON is unfazed.

PAT Its good. I mean both are good. Theyre givin me some ideas about the ritual I was thinking about the one that could help mankind. TRACEY Oh this again?!?! TRON TRACEYTRACEY I almost forgot about that. I cant believe youre still on that. I didnt take you seriously that day cuz I thought you were high or something. PAT becomes uncomfortable with TRACEYs discouragement. attempts to restore peace. TRON So what kinda ideas bro? PAT (runs hand through hair) Its hard to get my head around and articulate properly. But I did come to a realization that it has to be simple. Really simple. Almost elemental. TRACEY And that means what now exactly? PAT Ehhh Havent figured it all out just yet But the more common or elemental the ritual the more easily understood by everybody. Like the less you have to explain, the easier to understand. TRACEY And that would do what now? PAT (searches for right words) Well the thing doesnt matter. Like the ritual itself doesnt really matter. The specific act (CONTINUED) TRON

PAT (contd) doesnt mean anything. Its what youre meditating upon while youre performing the act TRACEY just stares blankly. TRON makes an effort to process PATs words. PAT notices a salt shaker on the table. He lifts it up as if beholding a sacred object. PAT Anything can become a ritual just depends on what youre meditating upon when you perform the ritual Like this salt shaker (sets salt shaker in the middle of table) I can just put this salt shaker in the middle of the table, draw a circle around it (draws circle with finger) And meditate upon it recite a prayer or a chant or something and turn the whole thing into a ritual. TRACEY (incredulous) Oh cmon PAT! Youre gonna have people worship salt shakers? PAT Not worship. Meditate as an example. TRACEY But a salt shaker? PAT (with conviction) Well the object isnt as important as what youre meditating on when youre contemplating the object. TRON So what would you meditate upon with that salt shaker bro? PAT I dont know If youre pressing me for an answer off-hand Id say that salt is one of the most basic elements necessary to sustain life. That its integral to life. That it ultimately points to life. TRACEY But thats just a salt shaker. And I was just using it

PAT To you its just a salt shaker. To me its a symbol of life. (beat) Did you know some cultures associate salt with fertility? Like in some cultures, bridal couples had salt in their pockets to protect against impotence. And in other cultures, salt was so important a commodity they was used as a form of currency. They even pressed into coins. (thinks) Jung presented this idea as the sign versus the symbol. And what he was saying, was that you can look at the exact same thing, and in one instance it could be a sign, and in another it could be a symbol. And a symbol is something that has one foot in this world and the other pointing towards the great unknowable mystery of the universe, whereas a sign has both feet in this world. And the difference then between a sign and a symbol is that a symbol is an energy-releasing mechanism that informs you of the energies of the universe whereas a sign is a fact. That this miracle or whatever actually happened at such and such a point in history. And this is the problem with religion nowadays. Take Catholicism for instance. When a person partakes in the Eucharist, he or she could either understand the wafer and wine as symbolic of the radiance of eternity, or else they can believe in transubstantiation that the bread and wine actually becomes the flesh and blood of Christ when its inside you. Whether or not that actually happens shouldnt matter if the act doesnt inform you of the radiance of eternity. (as an aside) So maybe we should start all over and use salt as the new symbol of life. Just as long as we meditate upon it properly. TRACEY Oh god! TRON Let him speak. TRACEY Cmon TRON. Do you actually believe what hes saying?

TRON (beat) Its not about belief. Its about giving him the space to say what he has to say. You dont have to respect what he says, but you have to respect his right to say it. PAT Dont worry TRACEY. Im not gonna go around meditating on salt shakers. I got some other ideas that dont involve salt shakers at all. TRON Like what? PAT (reluctant) I dont wanna mess it up or jinx it by talking too much But something more basic. And more importantly more physical. TRON Physical? PAT Yeah. Because sometimes thinking too much fucks everything up. Like the head likes to think its in charge but its really not. Its really a vehicle directed towards consciousness, but consciousness isnt just in your head its the whole system that is you. You know this with skateboarding, right? Like when think about a trick too much you usually screw up. But if you just empty your thoughts and just go with your instincts youll surprise yourself at what you can do. TRON (lights up) Right on. PAT (absorbed in thought) Were all meditating whether we know it or not. All of life is a meditation of sorts. But most of the time were meditating on minor things: where were gonna get our next meal our next paycheck whatever. But if we shift our focus and meditate on something thats beyond ourselves beyond our personal issues or pettiness we can bring ourselves in accord with ourselves, the people around us, and the universe Its just gotta feel like eternity, whatever eternity feels like

TRON (points, dead serious) The ollie. PAT (thinks) For you and me yes. For the rest of the world no. Not everyone can ollie. But you got the right idea. TRON (smiles) Who cares about everyone else?

Just us bro.

TRACEY (rises) Well this is all very interesting use the ladies room.

But I have to PAT watches,

TRACEY pecks TRON on the lips, followed by a high five. displeased again by the passionless PDA. PAT Pathetic. TRACEY laughs and walks away. hearing distance.

TRON makes certain TRACEY isnt within

TRON Hey bro. I didnt wanna say this with the girl sitting by But I think you can actually do it. PAT Thanks. I just hope I don't create a cult that leaves nerve gas on subways. DJ (African-American, late 20s) changes songs to a uptempo, underground hip-hop track (Niggerachi by Chops). The beat and hook speak to PAT personally. PAT That guy is speaking the truth! PAT points his finger to DJ. DJ nods and points back. PAT rises and approaches the DJ. CLARENCE passes PAT and hands PAT his drink. CLARENCE sets the remaining drinks on the table. CLARENCE What is the word sensai? TRON Did PAT ever tell you about his search to invent a new religion or ritual or whatever the fuck he wants to call it?

CLARENCE (slightly weary) Oh this shit again? TRON So you heard about it? CLARENCE Oh yeah. TRON Whaddya think? CLARENCE I dont know To be honest, Im worried about how even if this nigger succeeds whats gonna happen afterwards? Historys got a way of shunning niggers when theyre ahead of their time. Two attractive, benignly middle-class twenty-something girls at the next table stare at CLARENCE. CLARENCE Thats right bitches. I said nigger. Now turn your ass around before I spank you in your daddys Beamer. TRON laughs. Girls return to their drinks in disgust.

CLARENCE So what makes you think this nigger can invent religion? TRON Did PAT ever tell you about the Prince concert? No. CLARENCE What happened at the Prince concert?

TRON (recalls) Well we were at this Prince concert about six months ago? And the lights go out But you know the shows not over, cuz theres gotta be an encore. Its just how concerts are building suspense and shit So PAT just starts screaming "Purple Rain" outta nowhere INT. ALL-STATE ARENA SIX MONTHS PRIOR - FLASHBACK

PAT, TRACEY, and TRON stand in the nosebleed section of the arena. Lighters flicker accompanied by screams and whistles. PATs pump his fists in the air and screams-

PAT Purple Rain! Purple Rain! Rain!

Purple Rain!

Purple

TRON (v.o.) And everybody starts chanting "Purple Rain after that. I dont even think PAT was serious. He just started screaming and everyone followed. And it just kept getting louder and louder Like the whole crowd is chanting Purple Rain together for like 10 minutes And then the lights come onCrowd chants Purple Rain. A single spotlight shines on Prince strumming the opening to "Purple Rain. Crowd screams. TRON (v.o.) (cont'd) And Prince starts playing "Purple Rain." End FLASHBACK. INT. HIPSTER BAR - PRESENT

CLARENCE shakes his head and chuckles. CLARENCE That dumb cracker. TRACEY sneaks up behind TRON and wraps her arms around him. kisses him on the cheek. TRACEY Whats going on gentlemen? CLARENCE TRONs telling me about the Prince concert and how PAT started screaming Purple Rain, and then everyone followed chanting Purple Rain. And then Prince played Purple Rain after that. TRACEY Oh my God thats right! I almost forgot about that. That was so deeply weird But also very funny! PAT returns to the table. PAT Whats going on? CLARENCE Yo TRONs just telling me how you got everyone chanting Purple Rain at the Prince concert. He thinks its the reason why you can invent a new religion. She

PAT (uncomfortable) You guys have to stop acting like that was anything special. The laws of probability are in favor of Prince playing Purple Rain in an encore. Its not like hes not gonna play that in an encore. TRON Yeah, but you dont get it. This is the encore of a Prince show. Dont you think Prince mightve wanted to play more than just Purple Rain? And you had the crowd screaming "Purple Rain" for like ten minutes, and then he played it. That is something. PAT Okay So whats that got to do with me coming up with a new ritual for mankind? TRON (takes sip of beer, looks PAT in the eye) I think if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything. And I know thats a la dee da kinda saying, but you specifically If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. You didnt even try, and you had a crowd chanting Purple Rain with you for ten minutes, and then Prince ended his show with Purple Rain. PAT Thats your interpretation But thanks. (thinks, chuckles) Wouldn't it be hilarious if Prince was like(imitates Prince) Okay. Im feeling really good right now. Let's give em another hour of songs, and then I'll go home and take a purple bubble bath, and then(listens to crowd chanting) Let's just play Purple Rain and go home. (screams) Uhhhhhh! (licks fingers) God. Orgasm. Peace. Romance. Everyone laughs. A pair of hands covers PATs eyes from behind. PAT gropes the hands. He removes the hands and turns around to face MYSTERY GIRL (mid-20s), a cute blond slightly on the trampy side. PAT Hey MYSTERY GIRL tries to kiss PAT on the lips. GIRLs kiss lands on his cheek. PAT turns so MYSTERY

PAT Whats up? MYSTERY GIRL Nothing. Still waitin tables at Leonas. (coy, to CLARENCE) Hi CLARENCE. CLARENCE Sup. MYSTERY GIRL Nothing. (to PAT) So howve you been? I havent seen you in forever. Eh. PAT Same old same old.

MYSTERY GIRL (beat) So listen I got a table in front with some friends of mine. Stop by and have a drink with us. PAT Cool. MYSTERY GIRL (kisses PAT on cheek, waves to everyone) Bye. MYSTERY GIRL walks away. TRON makes sure shes not within earshot.

TRON Okay - who the fuck was that? CLARENCE make a cut it short motion with his hand across his neck. PAT Nobody. TRACEY PAT Did you do something to her? Maybe something with her neck and some shitting on her neck? PATs heartbeat races inside his head again. comes into sharp focus. An argument off-screen

MALE #1 (o.s.) Nigger get your hand outta my pocket!

CLARENCE (scans room) What the-? PAT, TRACEY, TRON, and CLARENCE turn to the far end of the bar in back. Two African-American MALES (MALE #1, MALE #2, early 20s) scream at each other. MALE #2 Nigger get your pocket outta my hand! CLARENCE Awwww helll no! MALE #1 throws a beer bottle at MALE #2. MALE #2 evades. The bottle shatters against a wall near two lovers in a corner, abruptly interrupting their intimacy. MALE LOVER (late 20s) angrily rises and approaches MALE #2 with a bottle in hand. MALE #2 throws his bottle at MALE #1. The bottle misses hits an INNOCENT BYSTANDER (female 20s) on her right eyebrow. Blood shoots from the cut like a fountain. INNOCENT BYSTANDER covers her eye screaming. MALE LOVER smashes his bottle against MALE #2s ear. MALE #2 turns around and punches MALE LOVER mouth the mouth. A riot escalates from flying bottles and punches. The entire bar stampedes for the exit, overwhelming PAT, TRON, TRACEY, and CLARENCE. PAT is pushed backwards into a bottleneck towards the front. PATS POV. Slow-motion. The crowd moves like a massive wave of fear crashing against the door. PATs heartbeat races inside his head. PAT People Youre just making this worse on yourselves. A MISINTERPRETER (mid 20s) takes PATs words as hostile. He reaches for PATs neck. PAT and MISINTERPRETER stumble backwards to the ground. PAT struggles to breathe. He sees MYSTERY GIRL running for the door in his periphery. PAT turns to MISINTERPRETER. PATS POV. Slow-motion. MISINTERPRETERs face subtly changes to a demons eyebrows furrow, teeth sharpen, shadows heighten. Heartbeat is a jackhammer inside his head. PAT (v.o.) Im gonna die. (as if to someone else) Can you hear me? Do you know whats in my heart? Do you hear how my beats for you? (resolute) I love you. More than youll ever know. More (CONTINUED)

PAT (contd) than youll ever understand. (realization) Im gonna die. PAT gropes for a bottle on the ground. He grabs one and smashes it on top of MISINTERPRETERs head. MISINTERPRETER falls off PAT. Blood trickles down MISINTERPRETERs face. PAT reaches for MISINTERPRETERs throat. SCREEN goes BLACK. INT. STAGED SCENERY OF HIPSTER BAR MOMENTS LATER

Spotlights shine on principle characters in their last position, frozen before the lights went black. Everyone unfreezes and exits off the stage. Stage hands dressed in all black enter to remove props and furniture to prepare for the next scene. SCREEN goes black. A quote appears onscreen: The artist is the antennae of the human race - Ezra Pound Quote dissolves.