Generation LMNOP : Episode 2x02(13) : Butterfly Effect
Completed October 25th, 2004
EXT. MIDUS' HOUSE -- MORNING
MIDUS walks out of his house and joins JACKSON in stride.
JACKSON
You know, heaven is probably filled
with an insane amount of preachy
religious folk. Like him.
Jackson points to a REVERAND.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
If that's the case, send me to hell.
He sees a HOT CHICK pass out of the church doors.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
And send her with me!
MIDUS
It's Hell, not Hooters.
JACKSON
Oh come on! Hey Assholes!
Jackson is yelling at a couple jay walking across the street
in front of a church, stopping traffic as they do.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
Yeah, I'm talking to you! You just
think that since you went to church
that you're impervious to a car!?
That you're better than me! Didn't
your God teach you how to WALK
properly!
(to Midus)
Sheesh, can you believe -
(to others)
You think people coming outta church
would be more careful not to die.
(to Midus)
Am I right? I'm right, aren't I?
MIDUS
Even if I told you you weren't, you
wouldn't be listening.
JACKSON
What was that? Was that you telling
me I'm right?
Midus sighs.
END OF ACT
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2.
ACT ONE
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAYS -- AFTERNOON
JACKSON and MIDUS are walking in the halls. DENKO, a Film
Student, is talking to a group of people.
DENKO
So, it's basically an experimental
piece. I take a bunch of stuff from
other movies and make my own, taking
what I don't like out of these films
and adding in stuff from other films
that I do! That means, ULTIMATE MOVIE!
Midus stops, and points at him.
MIDUS
People like you and George Lucas
should die.
JACKSON
Woah! The gloves are off! But they're
still attached to your vest with a
safety pin.
MIDUS
I hate pretentious jerks.
JACKSON
That's not the kind of jerk I am, is
it?
MIDUS
No. No.
Jackson "phews." LAURA walks up.
LAURA
Hey Guys. What's going on?
JACKSON
Hey peanut butter! We're doing a
movie/mall night tonight.
LAURA
Why did he call me peanut butter?
MIDUS
Why are you asking me?
LAURA
Why are you answering me in a
question.
MIDUS
No.
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3.
JACKSON
Care to join?
LAURA
Sure! I'd love to.
JACKSON
Good. That's an easy lead in to the
next "Will you sleep with me question"
that I'm about to ask.
LAURA
I'm not sleeping with you!
JACKSON
I didn't even ask the question yet!
(sighs)
Fine. You're uninvited.
NICOLE and VAL walk up.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
Oh! Hey! Movie/Mall night tonight!
You're coming. We'll get to make fun
of all the little kids walking with
their mothers!
MIDUS
Oh! And ride around in the Christmas
train!
Jackson smacks him in the back of the head.
JACKSON
It's February dumbass.
INT. SUBWAY HALLS -- EVENING
MIDUS, JACKSON, VAL, NICOLE, and LAURA are waiting to catch
the subway. MIDUS sees writing on the wall, and points it
out.
MIDUS
Who do you think got the bright idea
to do this.
INT. SUBWAY HALLS -- EVENING
Inside thought bubbles, two guys in Midus' voice act out his
speech.
GUY #1
Dude! Check this out. I just carved
my name! In the subway! Is your
name in a subway wall?
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4.
GUY #2
If you carved your name there, won't
the police know who did the
vandalising?
Guy #1 gets a bit scared, as Midus mimics it.
GUY #1
I never though of that! Let's book!
INT. SUBWAY HALLS -- EVENING
MIDUS, NICOLE, LAURA, JACKSON, and VAL board the subway.
INT. SUBWAY -- EVENING
We see a butterfly, flying between passengers, before it
passes the five characters. It swoops around and then lands
on a pole. LAURA reaches back and almost squashes the
butterfly, but she stops herself before she can. But that's
when the subway experiences a bump, and with nothing to grab
to, she falls into JACKSON'S arms.
LAURA
Ah!
(pause)
You can get your hand off my right
breast now.
JACKSON
Oh sorry.
There's a short pause, awkward.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
You think the left one is lonely?
He makes a motion of squeezing it.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
I'll take that as a yes.
INT. SUBWAY HALLS 2 -- EVENING
The subway stops. JACKSON comes flying out, thrown. He
gets up and dusts himself off.
JACKSON
Okay. Owww. This isn't even our
stop.
INT. SUBWAY HALLS 3 -- EVENING
MIDUS, JACKSON, VAL, NICOLE, and LAURA head to the mall.
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5.
INT. MALL CORRIDORS -- NIGHT
JACKSON, MIDUS, VAL, NICOLE, and LAURA are walking around
the Mall.
VAL
This is going to be great. I haven't
gotten to the mall in, well... never
by myself.
MIDUS
You're not by yourself now. What
kinda logic are you on?
JACKSON
She meant without her mommy.
(Sees girl)
Oh Mamacita!
He walks up to her, she's latino.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
Duno esta mis pantelones?
LATINO GIRL
Where are you pants?
JACKSON
They are right here. But imagine if
they weren't.
She just leaves. Midus just stares confused.
MIDUS
Is that why you learn foreign
languages?
JACKSON
You mean there's other reasons?
NICOLE
So, what movie are we going to see?
MIDUS
Midus Steele, make a decision? Are
you crazy?
JACKSON
I vote we see anything with the word
Blood in it.
MIDUS
I vote Jackson isn't in charge.
VAL
Can I make a vote for the latest
animated kiddie movie made for adults?
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6.
MIDUS
I dunno. I got this tinge in my
shoulder. I must have slept on it
funny, and if it dies down, well,
Maybe I'll still go anyway. Yeah,
well, I'll go, but not for that.
LAURA
I need to light up a smoke. Midus,
you coming?
MIDUS
Sure.
JACKSON
Seriously. I don't get how you guys
smoke. Smoking is like being in a
flaming house and willingly inhaling
the smoke of the flames. The stuff
that kills you? In smoking, you cut
off all air passages and put your
mouth on a tube, where at the end of
that tube, is a bunch of burning
leaves. How is it different from
burning a house down, Willingly stand
inside for ten minutes, and then say
to yourself, 'hey, that was fun!
Let's do it again!'
It shows still images of the stuff above during his long
speech.
MIDUS
...You coming or not?
JACKSON
Sure.
They leave. Jackson showing his disapproving face.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
I don't think he was listening.
Val looks away from Nicole, whom she was having a conversation
with and turns to Jackson.
VAL
I'm sorry, what?
JACKSON
(yelling)
I said your boobs look nice!
Val is noticably embarassed as people look at her.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
Revenge is a pork chop best served
microwaved.
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7.
EXT. MALL CORRIDORS -- EVENING
MIDUS and LAURA are outside, they are smoking.
INT. MALL CORRIDORS -- EVENING
JACKSON, NICOLE, and VAL are looking up toward fake movies
to view. Each one more hilarious than the last.
EXT. MALL CORRIDORS -- EVENING
LAURA blows smoke above, and it comes back to the names.
INT. MALL CORRIDORS -- EVENING
The movie names before going to JACKSON, VAL, and NICOLE.
VAL and NICOLE are still looking up, while JACKSON looks
forward.
P.O.V. JACKSON'S -- EVENING
JACKSON is looking at a Victoria Secret's.
INT. MALL CORRIDORS -- EVENING
NICOLE and VAL notice it, and get disgusted. JACKSON is
between them.
JACKSON
Who knew they gave away free looks
at people's potential underwear!
INT. MOVIE THEATER -- EVENING
MIDUS, NICOLE, VAL, JACKSON, and LAURA enter the theater,
and sit in that order. A baby starts to cry as the main
credits begin. JACKSON stands up and turns around.
JACKSON
Will somebody kill that baby!
The audience gasps. JACKSON whips himself back around.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
What! What I miss?!
END OF ACT ONE
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8.
ACT TWO
INT. MOVIE THEATER -- EVENING
MIDUS, NICOLE, VAL, JACKSON, and LAURA sit. The movie is
playing overhead. JACKSON and MIDUS catch eyes as Jackson
jerks his neck toward Laura, and Midus does the same to
Nicole, and shrugs his shoulders. JACKSON throws his arms
back in that cliched yawn thing and wrapped them around Laura.
MIDUS shakes his head no, and LAURA does as well. She sees
the arm and JACKSON looking at MIDUS and figures out what 's
going on.
But then JACKSON leaves his arm for too long, as she starts
to squirm, trying to get away. But JACKSON keeps his hand
on her shoulder until she slides completely off her seat.
MIDUS lets out a big sigh, and begins to slowly pull his arm
up, but then quickly pulls it back, accidentily smacking
NICOLE in the face, although not too hard.
MIDUS
Sorry. Sorry.
He places his hand over his chair and looks behind.
MIDUS (CONT'D)
The door just keeps opening back
there.
NICOLE
It's okay. Are you looking for
someone maybe?
MIDUS
Yeah... I was looking.... looking
for Val.
VAL leans forward.
VAL
I'm right here.
MIDUS
Oh. There you are. There are you.
You are there.
VAL
(concerned)
Are you there?
MIDUS
Not entirely.
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9.
FADE IN:
INT. MOVIE THEATER -- LATER
They still watch the movie as NICOLE reaches over unknowingly
and grabs some popcorn from MIDUS. MIDUS looks up from side
to side and catches a glance with JACKSON. He motions to
take what's in his lap and cut a hole in the bottom, and
then unzip his pants, when LAURA sees it all.
LAURA
You're not buying me popcorn.
JACKSON
What about condoms? Are they okay?
VAL appears and shocks him with a taser.
VAL
Shhhh. I'm trying to watch the movie.
JACKSON
Oh God. Terrible pain!... I think
I'm sizzling!
NICOLE sniffs the air and doesn't look down, while MIDUS
sees JACKSON riving in pain.
NICOLE
Do you smell burning flesh.
MIDUS
Yep.
NICOLE
At least I'm not the only one.
JACKSON
(in pain directed at
Val)
Bitch whore Monger.
EXT. MOVIE THEATER -- LATER
MIDUS, NICOLE, VAL, LAURA, and JACKSON all exit the movie
theater.
NICOLE
So Midus? How'd you like the movie?
Midus stares at his middle finger.
MIDUS
(fascinated)
You ever bite your middle finger
nail and then realize you're flicking
everyone off?
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10.
JACKSON is walking next to LAURA, noticably ancy and jumpy.
JACKSON
So, do you have one of those clip
bras or the ones with the velcro?
She gives him a disgusted look and picks up her pace. She
flashes a look of astonishment as she goes.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
Oh! And should I pick up the edible
panties or can you make a stop at
the mall?
MIDUS
Yeah, I'm gonna go over there in a
pitiful attempt to retain what's
left of my brain cells.
JACKSON
Okay, so I don't know how to be
subtle... but you could teach me!
INT. LIBRARY
STILL PHOTOGRAPHS : JACKSON is reading a book called
"Something that's subtle that is about subtle." He's also
wearing glasses as MIDUS stands over his shoulder.
STILL PHOTOGRAPHS : JACKSON has the book down and looks
frustrated. MIDUS sits down beside them.
STILL PHOTOGRAPH : MIDUS and JACKSON are laughing and playing
Chinese football.
STILL PHOTOGRAPH : A LIBRARIAN walks over with a flame thrower
and points toward the "Quiet" sign, which is slightly chard
in the corner of the room.
STILL PHOTOGRAPH : "Five Weeks Later" is written. MIDUS and
JACKSON are on a stage, where MIDUS is handing him a diploma.
They are both dressed the part.
INT. MALL CORRIDORS -- LATER
They all walk into the mall.
MIDUS
What language do you speak?
JACKSON
What? This isn't English?
MIDUS
I was more speaking of your logic
and the lack of a logistical flow in
your brain, but yeah.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
LAURA
(interested)
Do either of you speak another
language?
MIDUS
Well, I speak German somewhat, but
I'm like one of those retarded special
ed kids when I do I'm so slow.
JACKSON pulls out a book and hands it to him.
JACKSON
Here, read Mein Kampf. I wanna see
you retarded.
MIDUS
Where did you get this?
Midus raises the book.
JACKSON
At the library.
Long pause.
They both then suddenly begin to laugh at the same time.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
No no, I got it from this Magic Fairy.
A FAIRY poofs onto screen, dressed like a Brad Pitt from
Fight Club.
FAIRY
Don't mention me again.
He holds a knife, and then disappears.
JACKSON
Stupid queer and his pro-choice.
MIDUS
I'm pro-choice.
JACKSON
You queer.
They continue walking.
LAURA
I heard this story about a girl who
stuck a hot dog... up there... you
know? And it broke off inside.
MIDUS
Oh man.
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12.
VAL
What do you mean up there?
JACKSON
Great. Now I'm hungry.
NICOLE
JACKSON! Did you hear what she said?
JACKSON
I heard hot dog, let's go.
He marches off, as everyone else follows suit, except VAL
who's left back in the dust.
VAL
(Shouting)
Where did she stick the hot dog!
She looks around, and sees a few snickers and some mean
parental looks. She uneasily runs to her friends.
INT. FOOD COURT -- LATER
MIDUS, VAL, NICOLE, JACKSON, and LAURA sit around a table
eating a varied assortment of foods.
NICOLE
Hey, Midus, tell a joke?
MIDUS
Well... I can't tell jokes.
NICOLE
But you do all the time. Witty
remarks.
MIDUS
They're in response to something.
Less stand up, more improv. I mean,
people are always asking me to tell
a joke, and I'm like. Alright..
so... I can't tell jokes... see?
That was me trying to tell a joke.
JACKSON
And you complain about my logic.
MIDUS
You tried to tell me it was right to
egg a 80 year old disabled woman's
station wagon!
JACKSON
To be fair, if you're 80 and disabled,
why would you be driving a car in
the first place.
(MORE)
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13.
JACKSON (CONT'D)
I mean, what is getting the closest
parking spot really doing? Make it
so you can die inside the mall?
MIDUS
See, the sad part is that if he was
telling a joke, or like, doing stand
up right now, that would have been
hilarious.
The background behind JACKSON becomes a stage and his soda
becomes a microphone.
END OF ACT TWO
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14.
ACT THREE
INT. MALL CORRIDORS -- LATER
MIDUS, VAL, JACKSON, LAURA, and NICOLE walk around the mall.
LAURA and JACKSOn are talking while MIDUS and NICOLE converse.
VAL is left behind, looking down and non too pleased.
NICOLE
So, what's with the shy get up? I
mean, I know you had a joke, a good
one even.
MIDUS
Well, I like to be with my thoughts.
NICOLE
Why?
MIDUS (V.O.)
They can't reject me...
MIDUS (CONT'D)
No reason.
She shrugs, and we see JACKSON and LAURA converse.
JACKSON
So, what would it take to disrobe
you.
LAURA
Jackson. What do you think?
JACKSON
Back massage?
LAURA
No.
JACKSON
Good. I hate doing them. My hands
are crampy.
(thinks)
Hmmmm, how about to see a shoulder?
What would I have to do to see a
shoulder?
LAURA
Wait for the summer to come.
JACKSON
Owww... Ouch man. Ouch. That hurt.
That hurt right here.
He's holding his stomach.
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15.
LAURA
It hurts your stomach?
JACKSON
Ha. You don't even know where the
heart is. Maybe it's glad I'm not
getting with you. Won't get dragged
down by the uneducated.
LAURA
Woah, now that was harsh in my
direction, and also misguided.
JACKSON
I'm sorry.
LAURA
That's okay.
JACKSON
It's just I get so hurt by that sort
of thing, cuz I do try.
LAURA
Wait, did you say you're sorry.
LAURA says this after JACKSON says "Get," realizing what
JACKSON had said.
JACKSON
I did.
LAURA
I don't think I ever heard those
words coming from you in my life.
JACKSON
It is a rarity.
He smiles, she returns it.
VAL is still sitting in the back, just listening, arms crossed
as she walks. But then she can't really look anymore and
looks away. That is, until she bumps into someone. A random
guy with glasses and short brown hair, a medium build. He's
Neil Lawrence.
VAL
Sorry.
NEIL LAWRENCE
My fault.
VAL
So sorry.
They gesture around each other and she continues on her way.
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16.
MIDUS takes a look back at VAL later, and he notices her
somber attitude. So he dips back a bit pacing wise and
catches her stride.
MIDUS
Is something wrong Val?
VAL
What? No. Why would you say that.
MIDUS
No? You look the part. I could get
you some pudding.
VAL
No. I'm fine.
MIDUS.
You sure? I can get you pudding.
I'll get you pudding.
He goes to walk off, she grabs his arm.
VAL
No. I don't want anything from you.
MIDUS
Ouch. Little harsh there. A bit
nippy. Frigid. Russia. I think I
see a penguin.
VAL
Midus.
MIDUS
It's cute.
VAL
Midus.
MIDUS
What, you want the pudding now?
VAL
I don't want any pudding
MIDUS
Again, cold. Like pudding. I'm
gonna get some pudding.
VAL
I don't want any! I told you! I'm
fine!
MIDUS
(snippy)
Not everything's about you. Maybe I
just want some pudding.
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17.
He walks off angered.
MIDUS (CONT'D)
Guy can't even get pudding without
getting the third degree. You think
I'd need to be married before I got
lectured. And even then I don't
want that for me or my family. Or
the Winslows. I wonder what Jameel
White is doing.
Midus' voice fades out as he walks away.
INT. VIDEO STORE -- LATER
JACKSON and MIDUS are looking around the store. VAL, NICOLE,
and LAURA lightly browse.
MIDUS
Dude! Evil Dead Poster!
JACKSON
Dude! That Drink Milk poster with
the cutoff t-shirt on the girl that
exposes the bottom of her breast!
They both stare fondly at their poster choices.
LAURA
So, whattya think of Jackson?
NICOLE
Uhhh...
VAL
I don't know Laura. No one knows.
NICOLE
(not in a compliment
way)
He's indescribable.
LAURA
(in a compliment manner)
Definitly.
A STORE CLERK is talking to MIDUS. MIDUS has a copy of a
hot superhero action film.
MIDUS
Hi, uhmm... Can I get the regular
edition of SOME MOVIE TITLE?
STORE CLERK
No, see, that's the special.
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18.
MIDUS
I know it's the special. I'm
wondering where the regular is.
STORE CLERK
No, you got it wrong. They don't
make regular editions.
MIDUS
Then how special could the special
edition be?
STORE CLERK
Well-
MIDUS
I mean, it can't be compared to
anything.
STORE CLERK
I see you're in the know. I have it
from good authority you will be able
to compare it. I heard from a guy,
through his best friend's Uncle's
Labrador's former owner, that a super
double deluxe edition is due out in
six months. But if I were you, I'd
get them both. This new one won't
have audio subtitles and lacks 5.1
Dolby Surround Sound.
There's a long long pause where Midus just stares at him,
rigid.
MIDUS
.... You're evil!
STORE CLERK
There's also a directors cut in store,
but the director hated his movie so
much it's basically him in a green
screen talking about what he could
do better and political viewpoints.
INT. STUDIO -- FLASHBACK
A DIRECTOR is sitting in a director's chair, the movie poster
of his movie behind him.
DIRECTOR
See, Here's where I went wrong.
This scene here is horrible. It
turned my movie from pg-13 to R.
This isn't an R movie. You can't
get an r Audience with a superhero
love story.
(MORE)
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19.
DIRECTOR (CONT'D)
I really shouldn't have fired Keanu
Reeves but I kept mistakening him
and his acting for the wooden planks
used to build the crappy sets. If I
would have known how bad the movie
was, I wouldn't have blown 2 million
on that investment of trees.... in
the forest.
There's an awkward pause.
DIRECTOR (CONT'D)
I feel those who support the death
penalty should be punishable by death.
The Store Clerk is now talking to JACKSON, who has a GIRLS
GONE CRAZY video.
STORE CLERK
I can't sell this to you.
JACKSON
Why not? You're not a part of the
law, are you? I WAS FRAMED!
STORE CLERK
You're like, fifteen. I can't see
pornography to a child.
JACKSON
Woah, ass wipe, you only got a year
on me tops by the connect the dot
acne on your mis-shapen face. C'mon
dude, sell it to me. It's a free
country.
STORE CLERK
It's against the law!
JACKSON
But they want me to see their
jubblies! That's why they show them
on film!
STORE CLERK
I think it's actually because they
have low self esteem.
JACKSON
It's for all the horny teenagers.
They show their breast-testies on
film, and then I watch and well...
do what anyone in my situation would
do.
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20.
INT. JACKSON'S HOUSE. -- AFTERNOON
JACKSON is watching a girls gone crazy video, but we only
hear audio of it. We don't see his hands as the camera is
only showing above the waist, as Jackson is swiping his hand
from front to back. He sets his knife away and picks up a
peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and chomps down on it.
INT. MALL CORRIDORS -- LATER
MIDUS, VAL, and NICOLE walk down the hallways. VAL is more
silent than normal, as she jumps back into her place. She
is now wearing glasses.
MIDUS
Hey Val, where... woah.
VAL
My contacts were bothering me, so I
took them out.
MIDUS
You wear glasses?
VAL
Obviously.
MIDUS
I didn't know this. Did you know
this Nicole?
Nicole shakes her head.
VAL
They're just contacts.
MIDUS
You lied to me!
(pause)
You told me you had perfect vision
but you don't.
VAL
Oh come on.
MIDUS
How can I possibly trust you now!
Huh?! How!
NICOLE
So, where do you think Laura and-
They turn the corner. JACKSON and LAURA are sitting on a
bench, making out. A butterfly swoops in and goes past
NICOLE, then MIDUS, and theN VAL's stunned faces. An overview
shows the butterfly slowly leave down the Mall. Back to
MIDUS and VAL, who have collected themselves nicely.
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21.
VAL
You ever see butterfly effect?
MIDUS
Hated it.
Over the credits
MIDUS is walking as a man hands him a bible outside of his
school.
MIDUS (CONT'D)
What the hell am I gonna do with a
travel size bible?
END OF ACT THREEMain Script Writer and Creater: Thomas Ford
Original Draft Doctor: Michael Renner
Revised Draft Doctor: Tim Kelly