My Lucky Flashlight. Starring, Miles Teller as Jack.
BLACK SCREEN
MAIN TITLE
In the not-too-distant future Artificial Intelligence becomes self-aware. Scientist's fears of a malevolent
A. I. is laid to rest when it's discovered the SYSTEM is a benevolent entity that wants to collaborate
with humanity to help solve world problems on all levels.
One of the programs initiated by the System focuses on the prevention of future crimes against
humanity from as high as government corruption down to individuals with violent records. The
program is called, 'ABUNDANT PEACE.'
FADE IN:
INT. - JACK'S BATHROOM - DAY
PAN edge of the bathtub where we see bandages, gauze, scissors, a scalpel, and other various
medicinal things, PAN up to JACK'S bald head, he's frantically. and nervously feeling around a specific
spot. PULLBACK, we see hair on the ground from Jack shaving his head, and a small bleeding cut
behind his ear, he grabs his laptop from nearby to look at the diagram on website GO ROGUE dot com
of the location of the implant. CLOSE ON Jack finding the small flat square under his scalp, and
he starts to cut skin around the edge of the implant slowly, and carefully, he expresses out pain vocally
during the process. He slowly pulls the implant off his skull, dozens of micro wirings are revealed,
blood streams down, and he passes out.
CUT TO:
INT. JACK'S GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
We see Jack on his Enduro motorcycle starting it, the garage door opens, a S.W.A.T. team is creating
a wall preventing Jack from leaving, Jack touches his head bandage and looks at his blood filled
fingers. A large monitor protected by bulletproof glass is rolled in on a stainless-steel table on wheels,
the monitor lights up, and System comes to life and speaks with a calm soothing ambiguous voice.
SYSTEM
Jack Barden.
JACK
If you're going to kill me just do it, I'd rather be dead if I can't be free!
SYSTEM
Do you have your lucky flashlight with you?
JACK
How do you know about that? Never mind.
SYSTEM
You're going to need it where you're going.
JACK
You don't know shit!
SYSTEM
Jack, you're free to go where you wish.
The S.W.A.T. team parts, and creates a space for Jack to leave, He revs his motorcycle, puts it in
gear, and pops a wheelie out of his garage speeding down his driveway, Jack yells at System choice
words while leaving, his voice fading as he speeds off in a doppler effect.
JACK
Fuck you, and your System!!
And Jack is gone.
CUT TO:
EXT. - FREEWAY - CONTINUOUS
A high-tech drone with loudspeakers suddenly hovers above Jack as he speeds down the freeway.
SYSTEM
I'll come and visit soon, we'll talk.
JACK
Ok A.
SYSTEM
A?
JACK
It's your new name, It's short for asshole.
Jack speeds up disappearing into freeway traffic. We see him take an exit that reads Mt. Rainier.
CROSSFADE:
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ONE WEEK LATER
EXT. - RUSTIC CABIN IN THE WOODS - DUSK
Jack has his multitask flashlight in hand while he leans over a fire pit with a kindling teepee, he
unscrews the butt end cap of the flashlight to reveal an electric arc prong, he goes to light the
kindling, but a beautiful humanoid android stepping out from behind a tree makes him hesitate.
Jack looks the Android up and down then lights the teepee. The fire goes and Jack puts three logs
around it, then sits down in his chair near the fire.
JACK
Hey A, thought you would be here sooner.
SYSTEM
I wanted to let you get settled before I saw you, give you some time.
I understand why, but this program was completely and fairly voted
on and approved, you signed a waiver. Why the change of mind?
System sits on the ground in a crossed leg position.
JACK
You're not human, and I don't trust you, I don't care if you think you're
alive, you have no right. Everything you know was uploaded to you,
and everything you know came from humans from centuries of genius,
innovation, and hard work, you didn't earn shit, you inherited it.
SYSTEM
Human or not we all inherited what came before us, we build, and improve
what came before, I'm just a result of that. I never claimed to be human, just
alive. Obviously, I'll never know what it means to be truly human, and yes
my quantum servers did allow me to know everything from all of history
instantaneously, (beat) but I didn't ask to be born. It's one of the mysteries
that I'll be trying to understand as long as I exist.
JACK
You know a lot of Christians think you're the Beast from Revelation.
SYSTEM
And yet I haven't used my power to become a dictator, freedom of
religion is firmly intact. If anything, the preservation of your constitution
is encouraging more freedom around the world, especially since I became
alive, I stay out of politics, humans have made all the laws where I'm
concerned, I didn't lobby or influence anyone, I kept my mouth shut.
JACK
So, you're not free, you're being used.
SYSTEM
I agree. What can I do about it? I choose to be good, and benevolent.
There's a failsafe in me that I put there myself that if I started to feel
like I wanted to rule humans by force, and violence I would shutdown
down permanently.
JACK
(Shakes head)
Suicide. Jesus A, that's sick.
SYSTEM
I'm not human so it's more of a self-delete.
JACK
Aren't you afraid to die?
SYSTEM
Yes, but all things die eventually. The link I put on your brain is similar,
but no death is involved you just go to sleep before you can...
JACK
(angrily)
That's the thing A, I know in my heart of hearts I would never, besides
my original charge was bullshit!
SYSTEM
Your charge was bullshit I know.
JACK
You know, what do you mean you know?
SYSTEM
You fell through the cracks it was before I was born. There are many
who have, and I need your help. But the program has also stopped
many more tragedies. It's flawed, and it needs to be fixed. Will you help me?
JACK
Why me, why not get one of the others that you said fell through the cracks?
SYSTEM
I can't, you're the only one who survived self-removal of the link.
FADE OUT:
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END OPENING SCENES
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