Disco Inferno
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FADE IN the pudgy director, who sports a mustache and wide '70's sideburns. He wears a bush jacket and lots of Indian turquoise jewelry. Rick reeks "low-budget", and drives his crew to work as quickly as possible. RICK (yelling) Beautiful, babe, loved it. Okay, next shot, over here. Let's go, let's go. We're an hour behind. ANGLE ON RAY, SAM AND CHRIS Ray pulls Sam's jacket off. We see broken blood packs and exposed blasting caps strapped across Sam's chest. Ray unlatches the cable attached to a vest on Sam's body. Sam looks around in amazement. SAM (dazed) I'm a stuntman? Ray looks at Sam like his brain has been scrambled by the stunt. RAY Almost a dead one. (turning on Chris) I told you to check that safety pad! CHRIS (flustered) I did. RAY (furious) Then how come it was moved?! CHRIS (frightened) I don't know. I double-checked it. RAY You almost got your brother's head taken off! Sam looks relieved and rubs the back of his head. ANGLE ON SHANNON (19) She's an extra who stands with other extras and dancers. Shannon is naturally pretty, with a little makeup and a Farrah Fawcett haircut. She watches sympathetically as Ray yells at Chris. ON SAM He steps in front of Chris and reassures Ray. SAM I'm okay. RAY Don't stand up for him. CHRIS Somebody must've moved it while I was working the nitrogen ratchet. ANGLE ON RICK The director looks frantic as he comes up to Ray, Chris, and Sam. RICK C'mon, guys, out of the way. I've got shots to get. RAY (pissed) Not until I find out who moved my safety pad. RICK Not my problem, babe. Ray looks like he's going to deck Rick. RAY Someone gets killed on your set, it will be. (to Sam and Chris) Let's go. RICK What's wrong? RAY You! You're worried more about your shots than people getting hurt. Ray limps off RICK Wait, you can't quit. I need you for Friday's fire stunt. RAY Get someone else. I'm off the picture. Chris appears shocked by his father's decision. RICK But I already paid you. RAY I'll pay you back. Rick looks desperately for a quick solution. RICK Wait, how about you two? RAY (turning) What's that? RICK You quit. Not them. (to Sam and Chris) How about it guys? RAY I'm the stunt coordinator. My boys are with me. I don't work, they don't work. RICK Why don't you let them decide? Rick looks at Sam, who shakes his head. SAM No thanks. RICK (to Chris) What about you, kid? That was your big stunt, wasn't it? Chris, hurt and betrayed, looks at his father. After a long, tense moment, Chris shakes his head, "no". Ray smiles fiercely at Rick, then limps off. Rick turns to see all the dancers and extras who have been watching the argument. RICK (temper flaring) Alright, people, quit gawking. Line up for rehearsal! The dancers reassemble on the dance floor. The camera and lighting crews begin setting up for the next shot. ON CHRIS AND SAM They move back from the dance floor. Chris unbuckles the jerk-off vest from Sam's body. CHRIS (tortured) Chad, I swear I double checked it. SAM Forget it. CHRIS Dad won't let me. (anguished) Why'd he have to quit now? Two days away from my big stunt. It would have gotten me my union card. (pleading) Talk to him, Chad. Maybe you could change his mind. SAM Dad? CHRIS Yeah, if you talked to him, you could get that stunt back for me. SAM (unsure) I'll try. ANGLE ON TRACI She's a voluptuous, aggressive woman in a tight spandex dress and spiked high heels who struts over to Sam. Traci is the queen of sexual innuendo (which, in case anyone forgot, was big in the seventies). TRACI Are you okay? Sam nods, still slightly dazed. TRACI You're crazy...I like that in a guy. SAM (uncomfortable) Really? CHRIS (the proud brother) He's done stunts you couldn't even dream of. TRACI I don't know, I've got a pretty vivid imagination. (gazes at Sam) Traci Duvore'. Boogie Town Records. We're handling all the music on this movie. She hands Sam her business card. TRACI You're Chad Stone. (they shake hands) Leo, right? SAM (not sure) ...I guess so. TRACI I knew it. You've got 'king of beasts' written all over you. Traci completely ignores Chris, who seems used to being the invisible man whenever his big brother is around. Traci's eyes widen as a wardrobe man towels the fake blood off Sam's bare chest. The wardrobe man hands Sam a flower print rayon shirt. TRACI (to Sam) Ever break anything vital? CHRIS Are you kidding? He's broken every bone in his body. TRACI Every bone? Sam refuses to touch that line and excuses himself. SAM I need some water. Traci takes his arm and leads him away. Chris marvels at his brother's prowess with women. MOVING WITH SAM AND TRACI Female dancers and extras smile at Sam as he clomps past the dance floor in his platform boots. In the b.g., we see Rick haranguing a "gofer". SAM'S POV We see all the extras and dancers smiling right at the camera from Sam's point of view. Even the male choreographer throws Sam an inviting look. ON SAM He approaches the craft service table set up next to a bar in the corner of the room. An attractive female extra sitting on a bar stool smiles anxiously at Sam. FEMALE EXTRA Hi, Chad. SAM Hi. The woman and Traci eye each other like alley cats. FEMALE EXTRA Aren't you gonna introduce me to your new 'friend'. SAM Ah, sure. This is Traci. Traci, this is.... (doesn't know) I'm sorry, I'm blanking on your.... FEMALE EXTRA (lashes out) You didn't 'blank' on me in your trailer last night! The woman slaps Sam's face. She starts to move away, then stops. FEMALE EXTRA And you promised me a few lines! She throws a drink in his face for good measure, then storms off. Sam takes a napkin off the craft service table and wipes off his face. He reacts to the reflection in the tacky gold-veined mirror behind the bar. ANGLE ON SAM AND THE BAR MIRROR He looks up to see Chad's reflection. Chad looks like a '70's disco sex mahcine (sort of a young Engelbert Humperdink) with black hair, blue eyes, wide sideburns, and a hunk's body. BACK ON SAM AND TRACI She catches Sam staring at himself in the mirror. TRACI (singing) 'You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you...'bout you ...'bout you....' Sam smiles uncomfortably at himself in the mirror. The playback machine kicks in, playing Van McCoy's song "Do it...Do it...Do it....Do the Hustle". VAN MC COY RECORDING (over speakers) 'Do it...Do it...Do it...Do the Hustle'.... Sam's attention is drawn past Traci to the dance floor. SAM'S POV - AL He's moving with the other dancers rehearsing the next number for the movie. Al is lost rehearsing the hustle and doesn't seem to notice Sam. BACK TO SAM He looks shocked. SAM Al? Traci notices something on Sam's neck and touches it. TRACI Nick hickie. Sam turns and looks into the mirror. ANGLE ON SAM'S REFLECTION IN THE BAR MIRROR He sees that Chad has a hickie on his neck. BACK ON SAM He's shocked and embarrassed. SAM I've got a hickie?! TRACI (examines it) Well, it's not a monkey bump. SAM Listen, Traci, I'll see you in a bit. Traci smiles coyly, then takes Sam's hand. SAM What are you doing? TRACI Giving you my mood ring. As Traci forces the ring on his finger, he winces. SAM'S VOICE (frowns) Great...a mood ring, from the self- obsessed '70's...when everyone was 'getting in touch with their feelings'. TRACI It's for getting in touch with your feelings. (beat) Jade green means you're ultra intense. Blue means you're feeling ecstasy. And reddish brown means you should chug some sangria. (examines ring) Ooo, it's turned black. That means you're tense, disoriented, harassed. SAM'S VOICE Maybe these damned things worked after all. TRACI (seductively) Call me and I'll turn it blue. Sam smiles uncomfortably and walks off. Traci's eyes move down Sam's body and watch him move.... ON SAM Female extras smile and give Sam the eye as he passes. Sam signals to Al on the dance floor. ON AL He ignores Sam and continues rehearsing the hustle. The female dancers next to Al wave back at Sam. ON SAM He fakes a smile, then glares at Al SAM Psst. Al. Al, get over here! ON AL He waves at Sam, then turns away with a fancy dance spin. ON SAM He clomps on his platform boots around the side of the dance floor. VAN MC COY RECORDING (over speakers) 'Do it...do it...Do the Hustle'. OBSERVER (seeing Sam) C'mon, Sam, do it...do the hustle! Sam fires Al a furious look that says, "get your butt over here right now"! ANGLE ON CHRIS He's busy loading up the gear. Shannon moves up to the edge of the dance floor so he can see her. Chris looks up from his work. Shannon pretends not to be aware of him. She smiles at something. Chris follows her gaze to see what she's smiling at. CHRIS POV - ON SAM He stands next to dance rehearsal. ON CHRIS He looks disappointed. CHRIS He's a real killer, huh? SHANNON (laughs) His clothes are the killer. And those gold chains are ridiculous. CHRIS (defensive) That's my brother. Shannon looks at Chris's boots, jeans and work shirt. SHANNON I guess bad taste isn't genetic. (watching Sam) Does he usually talk to himself? SHANNON AND CHRIS'S POV - ON SAM He appears to be arguing with thin air. ON CHRIS AND SHANNON Chris smiles. CHRIS He's just goofing. (puzzled) Every girl I've ever met goes crazy for him. SHANNON I'm not every girl. CHRIS What kind of guy do you like? Shannon looks Chris up and down. SHANNON More natural. You know, jeans, cowboy boots, a blue work shirt with.... (looks at his shirt) ...pearl buttons. CHRIS (flustered) Really?..well...I might know the perfect guy for you. SHANNON (smiles) I'd love to meet him. UPSTAIRS LOFT - ON SAM AND AL They look down at the camera crew and the dance rehearsal. SAM Al, this is worse than anything imaginable. Al excitedly watches the dancers rehearse. OBSERVER (star struck) Are you kidding? You're on the set of a low-budget disaster movie ...'Disco Inferno'! With lights, cameras, and plenty of action! SAM (miserable) But I'm back in the '70's. OBSERVER The happiest time in my life... disco, swinging singles, hot tubs, EST, mantras, Farrah Fawcett, edible underwear.... SAM (remembering) The 'Me Decade,' when people had all the morality of two dogs in the park. Sam yanks on the mood ring that's stuck on his finger. OBSERVER What's wrong? SAM My mood ring's stuck. OBSERVER (examines ring) Looks like you're in a bad mood, Sam. Sam fires Al a look. SAM Where am I? OBSERVER Burbank, California. April 1st, 1976. SAM Great, I'm the butt of a cosmic April fools joke. What's Ziggy say I'm here to fix? Al is mesmerized by the dance rehearsal. SAM Al?...Al! Al gets startled from his daydream. He hits the side of his hand computer. OBSERVER Ziggy crashed on us last night. He's been doing real screwball stuff ever since. Like putting extra zeros on all our paychecks. Half the staff rushed out on vacation. SAM (suspiciously) ...Why didn't you? OBSERVER I can't go. I'm always on standby for you. Besides this is like a vacation. I always wanted to be in the movies. SAM Great, you're star struck. (beat) Al, what am I doing here? Al's face suddenly darkens. OBSERVER ...We were able to come up with one thing.... (off Sam's look) Somehow, in the next two days, Chris is going to die. SAM'S POV - ON CHRIS
ACT TWO RAY Gotcha. Chris manages a smile. RAY Look it, Chris, that director in there he's dangerous. He takes too many chances. You've got to trust me on this one. You'll get your shot. CHRIS When? Ray thinks about it, then turns to Sam. RAY What do you say, Chad? We've got that stunt on 'Earthquake' tomorrow. You think the kid's up to it? SAM (caught off guard) ...Well...ah.... CHRIS Chad, c'mon. I can do it. I can do it. SAM ...Ah.... Ray senses that Sam is reluctant. RAY (to Sam) Up to you. It's your stunt. Sam thinks about it for a frantic beat. Chris smiles expectantly. Sam hates to do it, but he has no choice. SAM No. CHRIS (pleading) No?! Chad, c'mon. I'm ready! SAM Not this one. CHRIS It's just a little fall. SAM (panics) A fall? CHRIS It's a piece of cake. SAM I can't give it to you. Sorry. Next time. Chris looks to Ray for support. RAY Okay. Chris looks like he's been betrayed and walks off. RAY (concerned) It's not that tough a gag, Chad. SAM I have my reasons, okay? ON SAM He turns and follows Chris to the parking lot. RAY (calling out) Five-thirty call tomorrow...don't be late! He catches up to Chris as they walk to the car. CHRIS I could've goten my card with that stunt. SAM You can have one next week. CHRIS I've been hearing that for nine months. Chris jumps into the driver's side of Chad's covertible maroon '76 Corvette. Sam gets in the other side. He picks up a tape box on his seat. SAM Look at all these old 8-track tapes.... CHRIS 'Old'? You just bought 'em. SAM (backpedaling) Yeah, well they get old pretty quick. (reading tapes) Donna Summer, Barry White, Neil Sedaka, The Village People.... (pauses) Kung Fu Fighting? CHRIS (starting the car) Your favorite song, dude. Sam suddenly remembers Al's instructions. SAM Wait, I have to drive. Chris punches it and peels out. Sam's head snaps back. SMASH CUT TO EXT. CORVETTE - DAY The car winds around a tight mountain road. CUT TO INT. CORVETTE - DAY - ON SAM He nervously watches Chris. SAM'S VOICE I didn't mind playing big brother to Chris...for in some strange way, it brought back the memory of my own brother Tom. (beat) But when I try to remember more about him, there's this...fear. (beat) I don't know if I'm more afraid of what might happen to Chris or finding out about my own brother.... DISSOLVE TO
SAM Sometimes big brothers do things little brothers don't understand. CHRIS Yeah, like what? SAM (remembers) ...I had a friend...great athlete. Best in his high school. All State in basketball, track, football. (beat) He had a little brother who tried to be just like him...in fact, the little brother was even offered a basketball scholarship to Indiana State. (beat) But his gift was in something else...physics...and his big brother made him follow it. The kid went to M.I.T. instead. (smiles) Won a Nobel Prize. Chris can't believe this is his brother Chad talking. CHRIS Well, I'm not winning any Grammy Awards. SAM How do you know until you try? Sam looks at the original songs and sheet music stacked on Chris's desk. Chris looks over the music too. We see that this is what Chris secretly wants. The doorbell rings. CHRIS (excited) She showed up! I can't believe it! (off Sam's look) Shannon. I met her on the set today! Chris jumps up, grabs a brush and quickly combs his hair. CHRIS (suddenly insecure) Chad, do me a favor. Don't hit on her, okay? Please SAM Why would I hit on her? CHRIS (obviously) 'Cause you hit on everybody. (off Sam's look) Promise me. SAM Okay. I promise. I won't hit on her. Chris looks at him like, "I don't know if I believe you". SAM Cross my heart. CHRIS What heart? CUT TO INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - ANGLE ON TVWe see "Saturday Night Live" playing on the T.V. WIDER TO REVEAL - SAM, CHRIS AND SHANNON They die laughing. Chris and Shannon sit on the couch together. She's dressed in earthly clothes and Birkenstock sandals. Sam is laughing and having a ball. SAM (remembering) Oh, yeah, this next bit is great. Chevy Chase imitates President Ford. Chris looks curiously at Sam like, "how would you know"? CHRIS This show is live. SAM (busted) ...Yeah, but it's three hour tape delayed. A friend back EAst called and told me about it. CHRIS (suspicious) Chad, you don't know anyone East of Vegas. ANGLE ON THE TELEVISION The "Conehead" sketch ends. Chevy Chase appears as Gerald Ford and does a pratfall off the stage. The audience howls. ON CHRIS, SHANNON AND SAM They all die laughing. SHANNON If Ford falls one more time, there's no way he's going to beat Carter. SAM What makes you so sure Carter will will the Democratic nomination? SHANNON He won Illinois by forty-eight percent. And he's pulling ahead of Wallace, Jackson and Udall with the delegates. Sam smiles, knowing that Shannon's prediction will come true. SAM You may be right Chris jealously watches Shannon smiling at Sam. He ssupects that Chad (Sam) is up to his old tricks again. SAM You're really up on this election. SHANNON I work for the League of Women Voters at school. President Ford is speaking on campus this week. If you guys want to come, I"ll get you special passes. SAM That would be great. Sam notices someone standing on the balcony. The holographic cigar smoke gives his identity away. ANGLE ON BALCONY - AL He wears a blinding white three-piece leisure suit with a satin scarf tied around his neck. BACK ON SAM He gets up. SAM I need to get some air. Chris smiles, glad to be rid of Sam. CHRIS Take your time out there, pal. EXT. BALCONY - NIGHT - ON SAM He comes outside to find Al rehearsing a new dance step. Sam closes the sliding glass window, then motions Al to follow him so Chris and Shannon won't hear their conversation. SAM (whispering) Where'd you dig up the costume? OBSERVER This old thing. I've been waiting years for polyester to make a comeback. Sam notices Al holding a clutch bag. SAM Al, is that a purse? OBSERVER (defensive) It's not a purse...It's a man bag, Vintage 1976. SAM You owned a man bag? OBSERVER All my pants were too tight to carry a wallet. (grins) Women loved it. SAM Is Ziggy fixed yet? Al unzips his "man bag" and pulls out his hand computer. He smacks the side of the computer, then punches in some data. OBSERVER We're still having trouble with him. Right now he's.... (reacts to computer) Japanese! SAM Ziggy is Japanese?! OBSERVER No, he's spitting everything out in Japanese. Must be from those foreign microchips we fed him. SAM Al, how was he killed? Al is suddenly uneasy and nervous. OBSERVER Who? SAM What do you mean, who? Chris! OBSERVER Chris, yeah, well, we're still checking. We know it happens sometime in the next two days. SAM He's a good kid, Al. He's got a future, and from what I just heard, it's in music. I've got to make sure he gets that chance. OBSERVER You're really getting attached to him, aren't you? SAM (nods) I see a lot of myself in him. That same drive he has to prove himself, it's jsut like I was with my own brother. (beat) I remembered, Al. My brother Tom was the one who talked me into going to M.I.T. (beat) He changed my life. I just wish I could shake this fear I have and remember.... Al watches Sam compassionately. He seems to watn to help his friend, but can't. OBSERVER (changing the subject) Hey, you're on the set of 'Earthquake' tomorrow. Chuck Heston, Ava Gardner, Victoria Principal. Pretty exciting, huh? SAM (still disoriented) Exciting? I'm supposed to do a stunt and I don't know what it is. OBSERVER How tough can it be? SMASH CUT TO
ACT
THREE He hits the fake glass, which shatters and sprays around him. The air bag beneath catches his fall. The bag billows around him. ANGLE ON - RAY He hobbles up to the air bag. RAY Chad! You okay, boy? Sam groans and crawls out of the air bag. Ray helps Sam out. The stuntwoman crosses to Sam as the entire crew erupts in applause. STUNTWOMAN Once a screamer, always a screamer. She gives him a big phoney hug. Sam shoots her a look. She turns and sees Chris walking away. CUT TO ON CHRIS He just looks back at him. This could have been his big shot. CUT TO INT. CHAD AND CHRIS'S APARTMENT - DAY Chris enters, pissed. Sam follows a short distance behind. CHRIS I could've done it. I could've had my card. I could've been a stuntman right now. SAM Chris, is that what you want to be? A stuntman? CHRIS Why not? It's what Dad wants me to be. It's what you want me to be. SAM Chris, I'm asking you...what do you want to be? Chris silently thinks about it. CHRIS I don't know anymore. SAM What about your music? CHRIS Oh, yeah, c'mon, can you see me telling Dad, 'I'm going to be a musician'. SAM It's what you really want, isn't it. CHRIS I want to make Dad proud of me. SAM And for that, you're willing to risk your life? Chris can't believe this is Chad talking. CHRIS You've been risking your life every day for the past ten years. SAM Yeah, and what have you been doing every day for the past ten years? Chris thinks about it. SAM Well, what have you been doing? CHRIS Playing guitar. SAM You want to make Dad proud....do what you do best. Chris considers this. He's tempted by the idea. SAM You've just got to go for it. And it'll take as much courage as any stunt I can think of. CHRIS But I don't know anything about the music business. SAM Leave that to your big brother. We hear a woman's sweet country voice singing "Lying Eyes" as we.... CUT TO
INT. PALOMINO CLUB -
NIGHT - ON A COUNTRY SINGER He's playing on stage. ON SAM AND RAY They come in together. ON CHRIS His fingers rip up and down the strings, reeling off hot rockabilly guitar locks. (NOTE: In this sequence, Chris plays GUITAR and HARMONICA. He sings an original song -- to be determined later. His style is similar to the music of "Bruce Hornsby and The Range.") Chris finishes the song, holding the last wailing cord. The crowd goes wild, amazed by Chris's voice and guitar ability. Even the back-up band applauds Chris's performance. As Chris takes a bow, he sees his fatehr standing at the back of the audience. ANGLE ON SAM AND RAY Sam hoots and applauds. Without a word, Ray turns and walks back into the other bar room. ON CHRIS His smile falls. He comes down from the stage. He hands his guitar to Shannon, then follows Ray. INT. BAR ROOM - ON CHRIS He approaches Ray, who sits at the bar. CHRIS ...What did you think? Sam and Shannon come up behind Chris. RAY I think you're wasting your time. Chris is crushed by his father's words. SAM He was good, Dad. Everybody loved him. He got more applause tonight than I got on my stunt this morning. CHRIS Forget it, Chad. He doesn't care. RAY Hey, c'mon, kiddo. I didn't hurt your feelings again, did I? He playfully pops Chris with a light jab. RAY C'mon, put 'em up. Chris shakes his head, no. RAY Don't you want to box with your old man anymore? (pops him again) Afraid I'll whip ya? Ray fakes low, then pops him with a right. Chris turns to walk away. Sam comes up behind Ray. SAM Leave him alone, Dad. RAY See, if I'd a raised you instead of your mom, you'd be able to take me right now. Ray pops Chris on the back of the head. SAM Dad, lay off. Sam holds Ray's arms back just as Chris spins around and blasts Ray's jaw with a blinding hook. He knocks both Ray and Sam down. SHANNON Chris! CHRIS Let's go. He takes the guitar from Shannon and strides out of the club with her. ON RAY He lies on the ground. Sam helps him up. Ray feels his bruised jaw. RAY Kid knows how to throw a punch. (beat) Lucky for him you were holding me. SAM Lucky for you, he only threw one. DISSOLVE TO
INT. CHAD
AND CHRIS'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - ON SAM CUT TO
FADE OUT
FADE IN CUT TO
CUT TO EXT. RAY'S HOUSE - MORNING - SAM AND RAY - CONTINUOUS SAM What makes you so sure he'll want to come back? RAY What the hell else is he gonna do? Be a musician? SAM Why not? RAY Chad, we went through this last night. SAM But we didn't settle it. Chris was great. RAY (grudgingly) Okay, he was good. SAM And he needed to hear that from you. RAY That doesn't mean I want him to go ruin his life. SAM But don't you see. That's exactly what you're doing by forcing him to be a stuntman. After a long beat.... RAY ...I don't know...Sometimes I find myself doing the same things to Chris that my father did to me. It's like I can't stop myself.... (remembering) My old man was a stuntman, so I became a stuntman. I had to prove to him I could do it...And I did. Sam is suddenly overcome by a sick feeling. SAM You don't think Chris is crazy enough to do that fire stunt on his own, do you? Sam and Ray exchange a look as we.... CUT TO INT. "DISCO INFERNO" SET - DAY - ON CHRIS He stands on the upper loft of the disco set. ON RICK He uses a megaphone to talk to Chris. RICK (through megaphone) ...Okay, babe, when you hear your cue, start running across the loft. You'll hit your mark, the charge will go off behind you. You'll come flying down into the air bag here. (beat) Okay, everybody, let's go, we're an hour behind. CINEMATOGRAPHER Rick, shouldn't we get a rehearsal first? RICK The hell with it. We'll shoot the rehearsal. ANGLE ON THE CREW They hesitate, knowing this is a bad idea. ON RICK His temper flares. RICK I said we're shooting the rehearsal! Let's go, people. ON CHRIS He nervously studies his mark. CUT TO INT. "DISCO INFERNO" SET - ON CHRIS He appears tense waiting.... RICK (O.S.) (through megaphone) Alright, everyone, positions.... ANGLE ON TRACI She stands next to the Special Effects Coordinator, who works a control board of detonators. CUT TO
INT. CORVETTE - ON
SAM He materializes out of the fire. BACK ON SAM he can barely make out Al's figure. SAM (whispers) Al! OBSERVER Right here, Sam. SAM (to Ray) Dad. Go back. RAY (hacking) No. SAM I'll find Chris. I swear. Ray tries to stay, but he's too old to go any further. Ray hacks and nods his head. He turns and limps back down the stairs to the exit. SAM (coughing) Al, I can't see you. I can't see anything. OBSERVER Follow me...I'll be your eyes. SAM What? OBSERVER Trust me, Sam...this way. MOVING WITH SAM AND AL They walk down the hallway. OBSERVER Follow my voice...okay turn right here. Sam turns down another hallway. His hands blindly search ahead of him. OBSERVER Down this hallway, then to your left. SAM This way? OBSERVER Hurry. We're losing time. They walk down the corridor. Al hears a crack and looks up. OBSERVER Sam, jump back! Sam recoils. ANGLE ON A BEAM It crashes right through Al's holographic image. OBSERVER Sometimes it pays to be a hologram. (beat) Sam, step over the beam. It's right in front of you. CUT TO NEW ANGLE - AL He turns a corner with Sam following. OBSERVER He's right here. Sam gets down on his knees. His hands blindly feels the carpet until he finds Chris lying unconscious. Sam hefts Chris in his arms. SAM C'mon, Al, hurry. I'm dying in here. MOVING WITH SAM He staggers down the hallway. CUT TO INT. SET - DAY It's literally a disco inferno. Firemen douse the set. Rick yells at various crew members, who recoil from the blaze. CLOSE ANGLE - DOORWAY - ON SAM blackened with soot, holding Chris in his arms. ANGLE ON SHANNON She smiles through her tears. ANGLE ON THE CREW They cheer as Sam carries Chris out of the burning structure. ANGLE ON RAY He tears up at the sight of his two sons coming out alive. ANGLE ON RICK He comes up to Ray. RICK (panting) Ray, babe, that was close, damn close. Thank God you showed up to.... Ray suddenly swings and decks Rick. Ray towers over him. RAY Pay you back, babe. CUT TO EXT. PARAMEDIC TRUCK - DAY - ON SAM Traci holds Sam's hand. He looks at Chris, who lies unconscious on a stretcher. Paramedics tend to him. Shannon and Ray sit beside Chris. Chris's eyes flutter open. He looks dazed for a moment, then focuses on Sam. SAM They say I'm crazy, but that was crazy. Chris nods slightly. As the paramedics lift him, a harmonica drops out of Chris's pocket and clatters on the ground. Ray picks it up. RAY I think you're going to need this. Ray sticks the harmonica in Chris's pocket. Chris smiles and reaches out for his father's hand, gripping it tightly. ANGLE ON SAM He smiles. Traci notices the mood ring on Sam's finger. TRACI Wow, look...you were exposed to all that heat, but your mood ring's bright blue. You know what that means? SAM Guess I'm in a real good mood. ANGLE ON THE MOOD RING It glows bright blue on his finger as we.... SLOW DISSOLVE TO
EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS -
FORD RALLY - DAY QUANTUM LEAPS
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