eric's Writing Portfolio

INT. BAR – NIGHT

Indoor lighting with no windows in sight. A group of people in fancy suits walk by. Jeff is sitting at a table, sipping his whiskey from a small cup. Jeff sighs and stretches his neck, creating popping sounds.

Jerry walks by and sits down next to him.

The bartender comes by, bringing a menu for Jerry.

Jerry (Cont’D)

I’m good. Thanks

The bartender leaves, but the camera shifts to show the metallic wheels its on below the counter.

Jerry(Cont’D)

Hey so how are you doing

Jeff, slightly annoyed

Sorry who are you again?

Jerry

No biggie. Jerry Beson at Tyler industries

Jeff opens his eyes wide and leans in with equal shock and fascination.

Jeff

Aren’t those the people doing-

Jerry cuts him off abruptly.

Jerry

Yes. We are the people making simulated reality… for the dead of society

Jeff

My god. Alright, what do you want?

Close-up shot – Jerry taps his fingers on the table as he smiles.

 Jerry

Anyways, we were just thinking about a business part-

Jeff

Look I’m really not interested right now. I’m already tired of talking all day today. Honestly, I’d talk about anything, and those pathetic specimens will still look with demanding eyes.

Jerry

It will only take a couple minutes. I just want you to see the truth, Jeff. This is the future. 

Jerry takes out a glass jar and sets it on the table.

Close-up shot – A small chunk of brain floats inside a viscous liquid that coats the side of the jar. Wires are jammed into the piece of neural matter.

Jerry (Cont’D)

Think about it like this. What do you do? How did you become so successful?

Medium Shot – Jeff puts his feet on the ground, seemingly getting out of his seat, but a force pulls him back in. Jeff becomes slightly distressed.

Jeff

Uhhh… y’know. I developed quantum computers back in 25’. What is this? Are you trying to interrogate me? 

Jerry

I’m not a salesman, Jeff. I’m here on official business on behalf of Tyler industries. 

Jerry smacks his lips and pauses with a slight smile for a second as Jeff frowns.

Jerry (Cont’D)

Artificial intelligence has reached its end. We have barely been able to achieve anything more than the intelligence of a single human brain. Our current computers, even quantum computers, are just insufficient. 

Jeff

I really don’t need an explanation. I’ve read up on what you guys do.

Jerry puts his finger over his lips as Jeff slowly quiets down.

Jerry (Cont’D)

Well, I need to give it to you. In the end, the only way to exceed the human brain and advance civilization is to use it. If you can’t beat em, join em. Hook some brains up to a machine. A brain is the best neural network after all.

Tyler Industries is leading the way here. Our main project is to give the world happiness in exchange for some processing power. 

Anyone who signs up can join our virtual world, which they design, and can leave during checkpoints in their virtual lives. Their brain will be taken out and put into jars. 

Inside the virtual world, they can experience what they could never have otherwise: wealth, success, and power. 

Jeff

Ok, thank you for your business summary. What do you want from me, though? You want investment? You guys haven’t even made a prototype yet!

Jerry

Oh we have; you’re just five years behind. Under section 5 clause A subsubclause ii of the US code on the rights of uploaded minds, we must inform you that you are currently living in a Tyler industries virtual world. 

In one shot – The bar around them fades to white as Jeff falls back from his chair. The people in the bar stretch into He tries to scream, but his mouth glues shut. He falls into a wooden stool in front of a button. Jerry stands in front of him, leaning on a floating button.

Jerry

Please wait. Calming fluid is being deployed in your jar. 

If you leave, you will have your old body back, and you can continue living your life. However, I must warn you that your life in the real world is much different from the one you are living here.

If you choose to stay, you will forget about this interaction, and continue living here, providing yourself with bliss and Tyler industries with computing power. 

Push the button to leave. You have thirty seconds to choose. I must also inform you that this is your last checkpoint. We have met before, but you don’t remember. Choose wisely. 

Jerry sets a timer next to him. The ticks boom across the infinite white space. Jeff is intoxicated in the chair, unmoving.

As the timer gets to ten seconds, Jeff reaches toward the button but falls off the chair, collapsing on the hard white ground. 

Single shot circling around Jeff – Suddenly, the ground disappears, and he begins falling rapidly toward the earth until he passes through the ceiling of a mansion and hits himself sleeping in a bed. 

Close-up shot – Jeff wakes up in his bed, blinking a couple of times, and moves on with his day.

Jerry appears in a different bar, walking toward a different man sitting alone.