EXT. NEW JERSEY SHORE - NIGHT - CLOSE SHOT - EINSTEIN
is waking up, out of a daze.
 EINSTEIN
WIDEN
to reveal the concerned team surrounding him.
MADDEN |
You're in New Jersey. The south shore, to be exact. |
EINSTEIN|
I must have been dreaming. Or were we really in the Lost City of Atlantis? |
The men all laugh.
BUBBA
EINSTEIN
 (continuing)|
I guess I was. What about the giant squid and the Nazi U-boat? |
MADDEN
EINSTEIN
MADDEN
EINSTEIN
(to himself)
EXT. INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY (1995) - ESTABLISHING
SUPER - "SEPTEMBER 8, 1995
INT. LAB - THE SCIENTISTS
are nervously pacing, checking their watches.
MELLINGER |
If they're going to return -- and that's a big if -- it will be in about forty minutes. |
DENTON|
Ten AM. That's it. No ifs, ands or buts. If they're a minute late -- if they're even a second late -- that's it. |
BRICKHOUSE
(to Denton)|
Doctor, just what would happen if they failed to return at that exact moment. |
DENTON|
Hmm. What would happen? Well, they would probably be sucked into a powerful vortex, like a black hole in time, accelerated, decelerated, then thrown out into a secondary plane, a parallel universe, where everything -- everything -- is exactly the same as it is in this universe, right down to the smallest detail, a universe that is a perfect replica of our own. |
MELLINGER|
So? What would that mean? What would be different? |
DENTON|
Nothing. Nothing would be different. |
MELLINGER
DENTON|
Well, it's still only a replica, you see. It's not the real thing. |
SASHIMI|
I think I'm going to lie down, folks -- the tension's starting to get to me. |
EXT. NEW JERSEY SHORE - NIGHT - MADDEN
pulls out a playbook.
MADDEN |
Guys, I think it might be a good time to take a look at the playbook. Who's got the flashlight? |
Butkus steps forward with a black flashlight with a swastika on it.
BUTKUS|
She's a beaut, eh? I want her back, though. She'll bring a pretty penny at a flea market. |
Madden takes it and illuminates a page.
MADDEN|
Let's see... ah, here. Page one eighty-one... |
(reading)|
"Once you've come ashore in New Jersey -- " |
(looks around)|
Hey, this looks like New Jersey -- |
(reading)|
"Once you've come ashore in New Jersey, you should be within one hundred yards of a small shoreline community where one of the country's most notorious criminals -- Dutch Schultz -- lives. Proceed to the house at 2543 Alton Road where, using a pair of pliers -- see the next page -- " |
(turns page, finds pliers)
(continues reading)|
"... hot wire the large car parked in front, following the instructions provided, then -- " |
EXT. HOUSE - A LITTLE LATER - THE TEAM
approaches a large house where a wild party is taking place.
MADDEN |
There's the house. Bubba, you're the tallest, peek inside and let us know when the coast is clear. |
INT. HOUSE - A WILD PARTY
is in progress as GANGSTERS and their MOLLS enjoy the booze and the period MUSIC. One in particular, DUTCH SCHULTZ, is clearly in charge.
SCHULTZ |
You know, boys, this is fun, but I'm in the mood for a good meal. Let's all pile into the car and go over to Louie's. |
GANGSTER
EXT. HOUSE - CAR - THE BOZ
is working under the hood as the rest of the team gets in the typical gangster car with wide whitewalls.
BUBBA (O.S.)
MADDEN
As the gangsters exit the house and approach we
INT. LAB - DENTON, BRICKHOUSE AND MELLINGER
continue their discussion.
BRICKHOUSE
(to Denton) |
So, what you're saying is, they would end up living in a world that was indistinguishable from this one, in every way -- a perfect copy. |
DENTON
BRICKHOUSE|
Then, how do we know that we aren't in that world as well? |
DENTON
(beat)
MELLINGER
(beat)|
I think I'll lie down, too. |
EXT. DUTCH SCHULTZ'S HOUSE - NIGHT (1933) - THE BOZ
signals from under the hood to turn the ignition, and The Fridge does, and it starts.
SCHULTZ AND HIS GANG
appear.
SCHULTZ |
Hey -- that's my car, ain't it?! |
Bubba and The Boz are the last ones in as they pull away from a very angry Dutch Schultz and his henchmen.
HENCHMAN|
We can take my car, boss. |
EXT. HIGHWAY (1933) - NIGHT - THE CAR
chase begins, with the team in Schultz's car, and Schultz and his boys in close pursuit, MACHINE GUNS FIRING out the windows.
INT. CAR - THE TEAM
tries to stay low as bullets fly by them.
FRIDGE
MADDEN|
Not too far, Fridge. Couple of miles. Keep the pedal to the metal! |
EXT. GAS STATION (1933) - NIGHT - A PAIR OF COPS
see the two cars speed by, react, and hop onto their motorcycles in pursuit, firing up their SIRENS.
INT. TEAM'S CAR - BULLETS
smash the side view mirror.
BUBBA
MADDEN
EINSTEIN
EXT. DINER - NIGHT - THREE NEWSPAPER REPORTERS
are just leaving, comparing notes.
REPORTER #1 |
Did you get the last thing he said? |
REPORTER #2|
Nah. But I'll think of something. |
The cars, the machine guns, the police sirens, all go by.
REPORTER #3
REPORTER #1|
Of course I did. I think it was Dutch Schultz firing off that lead! |
REPORTER #2
The reporters race for their cars as we
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT - THE CHASE
continues with the team, the gangsters, the cops, the reporters -- all forming a convoy of vehicles.
EXT. ROADSIDE REST STOP - A CIRCUS
has stopped to rest as the convoy passes by.
MED. SHOT - A COUPLE OF CIRCUS MIDGETS
follow the O.S. chase.
CIRCUS MIDGET #1
CIRCUS MIDGET #2|
Of course I saw that. Come on, let's go! |
INT. TEAM CAR - MADDEN
checks his watch.
MADDEN |
Holy cow -- we've got five minutes to get Professor Einstein to ground zero. |
THE FRIDGE|
I'm going as fast as I can, Coach, under the circumstances. |
EXT. CHASE CONVOY - NIGHT - WIDE
In addition to the gangsters, the cops, and the reporters, the team is now being chased by several trucks of circus vehicles.
INT. SODA FOUNTAIN - A BUNCH
of typical thirties teenagers, i.e., the "DEAD END KIDS," are hanging out.
DEAD END KID #1
DEAD END KID #2|
Oh yeah? Why, I oughta -- |
They're distracted by the approaching entourage of vehicles -- and HEAR MACHINE GUN FIRE, police SIRENS, and CIRCUS MUSIC.
DEAD END KID #1
DEAD END KID #2
DEAD END KID #1|
Your car? Your car can't catch them. |
DEAD END KID #2|
My car can catch anything. |
DEAD END KID #1
DEAD END KID #2
DEAD END KID #1
DEAD END KID #2
EXT. HIGHWAY - THE CHASE
continues as the, by now, long line of vehicles passes an old jalopy loaded down with a family of Dust Bowl migrants, Okies not unlike the Joad family in "The Grapes of Wrath."
TOM JOAD |
Look, ma. I wonder where they're goin'? |
MA JOAD|
They're goin' where there's hope, son. They're goin' where there's opportunity. They're goin' where there's a future. They're goin' where there's jobs. |
TOM JOAD|
Well that's good enough for me, ma. We're gonna go there, too. |
As the Joads join in pursuit we
INT. TEAM CAR - MADDEN
checks his watch again.
MADDEN
BUBBA
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT - A SIGN
says "Princeton University -- Entrance."
EXT. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY - ENTRANCE - THE TEAM CAR
makes a severe turn into the campus, causing a massive pileup of police motorcycles, gangsters, circus midgets, the Joads, the Dead End kids, etc.
INT. CAR - THE TEAM
is thrown to the side of the car on the turn.
MADDEN |
Hey, the last page of the playbook everybody -- quickly. |
They all turn to the last page in their playbooks.
CLOSE SHOT - PAGE - A MAP
of Princeton University, circa 1933, with an "x" marking the so-called "transfer spot."
MADDEN (O.S.)
(continuing) |
We've got to find this spot, men, and do it in -- |
(checks watch)|
two minutes and forty-five seconds. |
INT. LAB (1995) - CLOSE SHOT - PAGE - THE SAME MAP
DENTON (O.S.) |
Two minutes and forty seconds. |
MED. SHOT - THE GROUP OF SCIENTISTS
study the map.
MELLINGER
BRICKHOUSE
SASHIMI|
They could be anywhere, for all we know. |
MELLINGER|
Exactly. They could be anywhere. |
DENTON|
Two minutes and twenty seconds. |
EXT. PRINCETON CAMPUS (1933) - THE CAR
is slowly prowling the campus roadways, what they were back then.
INT. CAR - EVERYONE
is searching for the spot on the map.
MADDEN |
We're looking for the glee club recital hall. |
THE FRIDGE
(pointing to O.S.)
EXT. BUILDING - A SIGN
out front says, "Glee Club Concert Today."
ANGLE - THE TEAM AND EINSTEIN
pours out and heads for the door as we
INT. LAB (1995) - MED. SHOT - THE TIME TUBE
is empty as the scientists step into view in the foreground, watching its portal anxiously.
DENTON
CLOSE SHOT - BRICKHOUSE
shakes her head slowly, a tear sliding down her cheek.
BRICKHOUSE
Hold on her a beat, then
INT. RECITAL HALL - WIDE - THE PRINCETON GLEE CLUB
is assembled in front of a large AUDIENCE.
MED. SHOT - THE CONDUCTOR
gets their attention and everything goes silent. He taps his baton on the podium and it echoes throughout the hall.
MED. SHOT - TENOR SECTION - THE NEW MEMBERS
are handed sheet music. Bubba looks at his watch.
BUBBA
(aside)
INT. LAB (1995) - CLOSE SHOT - DENTON
DENTON
CLOSE SHOT - MELLINGER
MELLINGER
CLOSE SHOT - BRICKHOUSE
BRICKHOUSE
CLOSE SHOT - SASHIMI
SASHIMI
INT. AUDITORIUM - WIDE - THE PRINCETON GLEE CLUB
is about to sing as the conductor has his baton raised.
TWO SHOT - MADDEN AND BUBBA
MADDEN
BUBBA
MADDEN|
This reminds me of that overtime game in Pittsburgh -- |
BUBBA
WIDE SHOT - THE AUDIENCE
is made up of Princeton types, mixed in with Dutch Shultz and his gang, reporters, The Dead End Kids, the Joads, circus midgets, a bearded lady, etc. -- and Albert Einstein.
INT. LAB (1995) - THE TIME TUBE
is empty.
DENTON (O.S.)
CLOSE SHOT - MELLINGER
can barely look.
DENTON |
Five seconds, four, three -- |
INT. AUDITORIUM (1933) - CLOSE SHOT - THE CONDUCTOR
lowers his baton.
WIDE SHOT - THE GLEE CLUB
begins singing beautifully -- with several noticeable exceptions.
ALL
(singing) |
"FLOW GENTLY, SWEET AFTON -- " |
MED. SHOT - THE TEAM
is singing, noticeably off-key. And then, suddenly, they DISAPPEAR, along with their off-key voices, as we
INT. LAB (1995) - THE TIME TUBE
has come alive, beginning to swirl with colors and patterns. We begin to HEAR RUMBLING, and then powerful THUNDERCLAPS, and then the entire building begins to shake.
MED. SHOT - THE SCIENTISTS
react, as smoke begins to fill the room.
MELLINGER |
Something's happening. Stand back. |
They step back as
THE TIME TUBE
starts to go crazy with special effects right out of "Poltergeist" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Lawnmower Man" intermixed with a (STOCK) MONTAGE of relevant film clips and images, i.e.: Nazis on the march, Paris under siege, D-Day, NFL highlights, etc. We continue to HEAR the Princeton Glee Club SINGING "Flow Gently, Sweet Afton."
SERIES OF SHOTS
A) Not unlike the cyclone in "The Wizard of Oz," the members of the team spin in and out of view, along with Hitler, Marie Curie, Tallulah Bankhead, the giant squid, the blimp, the barbecue, the circus midgets, the sardine can, the theory of relativity -- just about anything.
B) The scientists look on in amazement and horror.
C) An EXTREME CLOSEUP of Madden's distorted face as it reflects the frightening light show he's experiencing.
D) Fermi and Heisenberg appear, eating hamburgers.
E) Josephine Baker and Junior Samples compete in a blueberry pie eating contest.
F) Marie Curie wrestles with the giant squid.
G) Einstein parades around as Mr. Germany.
H) Eva Braun flies by in amorous pursuit of The Boz.
I) Marie Curie wrestles Leonardo da Vinci and Shakespeare.
J) Elvis shakes hands with Nixon in the Oval Office.
K) The scientists look on in amazement and horror.
WIDE SHOT - THE TIME TUBE - MADDEN
is the first to blast his way through the time barrier, to the cheers of the scientists.
MELLINGER |
They made it! They made it! |
MADDEN|
Hey -- it's a madhouse in there! You oughta see it! |
Butkus appears, dazed and confused, and stumbles out.
BUTKUS|
Man, that's like trying to tackle Jim Brown without a helmet. |
The Fridge comes out, a bit dizzy.
MADDEN
THE FRIDGE
(looks around, gets bearings)|
Hey, is the cafeteria still open? |
Bubba then steps out, totally unfazed.
BUBBA
(checks watch, casually)|
Right on time. How's everybody doing? |
SASHIMI|
We're doing fine. But we're already here. |
BUTKUS
THE FRIDGE
They look as The Boz appears in the time tube, running towards them, desperately, with something in pursuit.
MADDEN|
Come on, Boz, you can make it! |
BUTKUS
The Boz inches closer as, out of the fog of time we see that Eva Braun is chasing him.
MADDEN|
Faster, Boz, you can do it! |
The Boz gives one extra effort and dives through the time barrier to safety as Eva slips backwards and out of sight.
THE BOZ
(exhausted)
MELLINGER
BUTKUS|
Everyone except the Zonk. |
BRICKHOUSE
(pointing O.S.)
THE TIME TUBE
Csonka, clutching Einstein's papers like a football, dives through the time barrier as if it's fourth and one at the goal line and does a belly flop onto the lab floor.
MADDEN |
Way to go, Zonk. Touchdown! |
SASHIMI|
Oh no, he's got the papers! |
MELLINGER|
The papers! Einstein's papers! What do we do? |
DENTON|
Throw them back -- now -- hurry! |
Csonka and the others take the boxes and throw them back into the tube where they spiral into the distance, disappearing into the swirling fog and dry ice.
INT. AUDITORIUM (1933) - WIDE - THE PRINCETON GLEE CLUB
has just completed "Flow Gently, Sweet Afton," and begins receiving THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE when, from out of nowhere hundreds upon hundreds of pages -- Einstein's writings -- begin to float down from the ceiling.
CLOSE SHOT - EINSTEIN
is relieved as he looks to the heavens, thankfully.
INT. LAB - THE TEAM
and the scientists are exultant.
MADDEN
Doctor Denton raises a beer can in toast.
DENTON
They all raise beer cans.
ALL
As they thoroughly enjoy the moment, we SLOWLY
|