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'"The Instant Messenger"'
written by P. E. Tascionti ... copyright 2002
part I of the epic '"Kyyboa"' trilogy
Synopsis of Screenplay ~ in 4 "Acts"
download the synopsis file
* * * NEW synopsis (extended version) * * *
· <1st of 4 ACTS> : Enter a paradise world - 2179 C.E., 75% of Earth ruled by the greatest civilization of all time. Society is harmonious, happy, and healthy. Neither wars, nor rebellion, trouble the heirarchy; no confusion, no injustice, no crime, no suffering. A true Golden Age, proverbial Utopia. Instead of United Nations, there's a singular United Nation, global entity of advanced science, technology, religion, government, corporation - synthesized as One. Then, suddenly, the sages/elders discover a looming crisis… Must rise to the challenge of protecting their great republic…(the hinter lands roamed by lawless barbarian hordes - outside the Walls)… Reactions of the People… The plan for the hero… His soul must be tested, must be trained… How the project is implemented, through their gargantuan machine of Virtual Reality… eG2. Hurled back into the Past…
· <2nd ACT> : Quest into The Forsaken Age* (drastically different than the perfect world)… dangerous, apocalyptic, pessimistic, dismal, chaotic, full of connivers, criminals, evil doings, temptations and traps in every direction… Unstable economy, ever-changing technology, rapid-fire excess, infinite choices … Introduces a plethora of characters… meeting the natives, gaining status, competing, revealing the bigger picture…
*This is our own world --- The V.R. scenario = Washington, DC c.1999-2002
· <3rd ACT> : Emergency procedures. Meeting of elders and technicians… Arrival of Queen-to-be, decree to generate dual-scenario (extremely complicated), sending her into the same V.R. simulation… Her hasty preparations, transforming from passive, demure lady-in-wait, into aggressive champion for her man… The awe of the People… Her own journey and struggles… How she fares in San Francisco c. 2002… Both are manuevered, drawn together for rendezvous and victory… Meeting in the Rocky Mts. Revelations and mission accomplished. “The Instant Message”
· <4th ACT - reprieve> : They return home - 2180… Accustom their bodies to physical waking… Grand celebration all across the lands… High council to assess findings… Their arduous task of sustaining the perfect civilization has just begun… plans for wedding announced, feast & party... final scene - reunited moment for the lovers in secluded sanctuary.
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I. Opening scenes of Beauty, lush arboretums, terraces, palatial estates, pools and saunas, dreamy visions, surreal imagery, idyllic settings, alluring, sensual… Daily customs of this highly advanced society - how they keep homes, tend gardens, prepare meals, raise children, socialize, travell, romance… Overall balance sustained through lifelong education. Everyone seeks self-awareness, optimum physical/mental well-being. Each citizen develops relationships and wisdom through a perfect system, known as "Civilogy". Culture has stabilized, arts abound, entertainment revolves around History’s remembrance. A ritual is "King & Queen for-a-Day", supervised by ruling elders of each region. Another theatrical tradition - public mingles w/ actors playing "great spiritual leaders".
Status quo maintained by "EG2" - the vast virtual reality network, largest machine ever built, utilized by entering any one of numerous portals, in each region. Imagine the integration of: TV, Internet, telephone, video arcades, and amusement park rides; combined with mind-altering substances, sensory deprivation, hypnosis, and lucid dreaming. No random personal usage, scheduled by administers of master database [unlike gammes of today - there’s time limits, supervision, realism-emphasis; e.g. if you 'die', the game is OVER]. The people receive their mandatory dose of the EG2 and return to real-life, quite contented.
A complex Order pervades, philosophy put to practice… Living in the moment, trusting abundance and efficiency of Nature, constant gratitude, optimism. Periodic reminder of “how things could go wrong”, everyone does guard duty… Terrifying views of the grotesque and gruesome existence outside the Walls - detailing the horrific barbarian hordes, who use magic for vile purposes. Could they breach the Walls? Not physically, only psychically.
An evil force is lurking and a decrease in the People’s collective strength has been detected… The elders convene to Council. Every so often, the hero-archetype emerges in a royal bloodline - "the Kyyboa", a certain omen that the legend must be refreshed. They realize it’s time to resurrect "A Great Rememberer", who will sally forth with his legion of warriors, inspiring the People to greater strength and stability. The figure must first undergo a series of excruciating trials - a journey into the hidden depths of EG2.
Huge gathering at central region, much singing and dancing at the Holiday Feast. Yet this is celebration prior to solemn occasion. He departs his real life to enter an artificial one. His betrothed, Queen-to-be, practically in mourning. She will rely on a circle of maidens to support her. No guarantees, if he fails, he fails the People. Deep VR simulation holds very real dangers. Debate about the scenario and risk factor. EG2 technicians & elders make final adjustments.
Farewells are made; family and friends are saddened because they know the danger, what’s at stake. Only contact w/ home world will be through Instant Messages of a simulated confidante. Messages are suggestive, yet do not directly intervene. One last embrace with his tearful, distraught wife-to-be, then he enters the inner isolation chamber, bound by symbolic shackles. Either to return triumphant from the Past or to waste away comatose. He dives into their most reviled historical era - The Forsaken Age!
· NOTE: 511 days in the simulation = 1 month in real-time (as he sleeps); maximum before physiologic damage is irreversible, approx. 2 ½ years = 64 days real-time
II. Welcome to the bureaucracy of Washington, D.C., the innards of multinational capitalism. Metropolis of power and international intrigue, full of politicians, generals, lawyers, lobbyists, and journalists. In this troubled world, what are the hopes and fears of the common people and where are they headed? As the elders have warned, he’ll become infected by the wicked habits of mankind in chaos and rebellion. Yet he must find inner discipline to rise above.
Zipping through early experiences, immersed in strange situations, social interactions. Embodying the poignant issues of the current era. Absorbing information like a sponge. Odyssey of the ambitious, idealistic, seeker of a righteous path. How to maintain a stable existence, within contemporary society, while true to Self? Job search, bad influences, hedonistic pleasures, sexual intrigue - all go into the mix as the EG2 technicians play Devil’s advocate. The elders monitor scenario carefully, making calculations as to his progress.
We go from office, white-collar soap opera to subculture of bike messengers… these are the streets where only the fast can survive. Drugs, greed, politics delude him. Glimpse into his current state-of-mind as psychiatric evaluation occurs. What makes us tick? That universal urge to become something? For attention? For love? To live to the fullest, to reach for the stars? Seductive, domineering lady enters scene, promising attraction sparks between them. He becomes discontent, needs disciplined outlet. Female pro-boxer excitedly inspires him with the sport. Actual nightmare of the Twin Towers destruction.
From this foray into the brutal sport, there’s restless transformation. He moves on to explore ancient practice of Yoga. Charismatic turn of events - associates, friends join this spiritual pursuit. Event w/ aspiring yogis for unified AUM. As the 64 day deadline approaches, he unpredictably makes escape from city - sells all he owns, heads west on motorcycle, like a bat out of hell.
III. Back at EG2 central - crisis, elders are shocked, had not calculated his move! Brainstorming with technicians. They must cautiously operate the machine under this circumstance. Bringing Queen to the debate. She offers a wild solution - to enter into the Forsaken Ages for rescue manuever. She must keep her wits and help him to recall who he is/who they are.. But is her King too far gone to even recognize her? She’s stalwart, confident. All her maidens and the People in total awe. Takes a final stroll through her sacred garden, yearning to be with him again - yet knowing they both may perish.
She makes neccessary preparations, putting the high princess in charge, then she plunges into the scenario… Entering San Francisco 2002, total culture-shock. Gains her bearings, the same way he did, but there’s even more pressure on her… not conscious of it, as the clock is ticking away. She’s approached by a lesbian and a series of bachelors, as she is put through difficult temptations. Confronted by a gauntlet of distractions - money, material comforts, glamour… she successfully jumps through all the hoops, showing herself to be somewhat superior to her king, more capable of keeping true to her nature and untainted by this world.
The elders and technicians cooperate on masterful programming moves. As she works her way throughout the city, he is drawn westwards. Every manner of omen is placed in his path. In Kansas, there’s a crucial juncture. He meets one prophet, then another, guiding him to go into the mountains and meditate. He embarks on a vision-quest, starts to awaken to what has really been going on. Then he meets a man who defies usual description - the God-like image of one of their greatest leaders (from mid 21st century).
This figure also appears to her with the same advice - intending to get the lost lovers to meet in Colorado. She departs from SF, heading eastwards; while he has paused in the Rockies. Their paths intersect near Pike’s Peak. Feeling as if they know each other, eerie familiarity. They camp at the base of a tall, steep mountain. What happens when they climb to the summit?
As they awaken they will be presented with one final task - a riddle - if they were really citizens of this civilization, what would they do to foster the necessary evolutionary progress that will usher in a greater future?? Upon accomplishing that, the V.R. simulation concludes and they return home, retaining the powerful memories of their amazing journey. Will the questions cease, is there an answer, a message for the world? [secrets leading to the sequel]
Act IV. The People are overjoyed and all across the land there is an echoing murmur that change is going to occur, a strengthening of values and principles that had been waning. There are important revelations as the elders in high council consult with the King and Queen. The Society's "enemy within" must be vanquished first. After that, they will be victorious over the chaotic, evil forces outside the Walls. Wedding plans are sealed, as the royal couple is romantically reunited after their arduous adventure. The movie ends with a huge feast and party.
(section in rewrite - no major changes expected)
[ due to S.A.G. signatory process, some adjustments are being made to the storyline and production structure. Although, the major plot elements will be unaffected. ]
go to treatment of script
go to character breakdown
[END]
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