Endless wrong turn (Chapter 2)

INT. ARTHUR'S APARTMENT. ARTHUR'S ROOM - EVENNG

The setting orange sun shines through the window, blinding Seryozha, who deliberately exposed his face to the rays.

Arthur comes into the room with 2 plates of pasta with minced meat and 2 boxes of juice. Arthur put everything on the table, gives one portion and a box to Seryozha. Seryozha looks at the juice with disappointment.

Arthur goes to close the door to his room so that no one can hear them. He felt Seryozha's disappointment behind his back.

ARTHUR

I'm driving this evening. And you should drink less alcohol.

SERYOZHA

I drink when it's offered to me. Never willingly.

ARTHUR

Let's say I believed it.

Arthur sits down next to Seryozha. He doesn't like the glare of the sun in his eyes. He turns to Seryozha, but now the Sun is shining on his right side, and prevents him from eating. Seryozha has already started eating and opened the juice.

SERYOZHA

I'm good from all sides, especially in the sunlight.

Arthur moves to the other side of Seryozha. Closing his eyes with his left hand, he eats with his right.

ARTHUR

That's true, but my hunger is stronger than other desires.

SERYOZHA

It all depends on what kind of hunger we're talking about.

Arthur tries the pasta and he really likes it. He hums and closes his eyes in pleasure.

ARTHUR

(pointing at the plate)

It's about this.

SERYOZHA

Is that why you closed the door and mumbling in my ear?

ARTHUR

I'm having a serious conversation.

SERYOZHA

Okay, make excuses. I turned on when it is serious. If it's fun around, then I won't look there.

ARTHUR

What happened yesterday?

SERYOZHA

This is not serious. Your father wants a better future for you, and you don't want to listen to him. I was a little jealous. I hate that feeling. So I… You saw.

ARTHUR

My father is not that decent. Today, during my internship, I found out that he is involved in the manufacture of some kind of hypothetical weapon. Do you know something about it?

SERYOZHA

Are you sure that's what you found out? It seems to me the Institute of Technology and Development should create new weapons, of the institute of human relations.

ARTHUR

That's exactly how it is. The bow and arrow, swords, and nuclear weapons are the last century. Now something new is being created, something global.

SERYOZHA

Don't forget that I'm just an ordinary archive employee. I was entrusted with the computer only after six months of work, so that it would be easier to organize the data.

ARTHUR

I need to get the people. I don't want to let that happen.

SERYOZHA

You don't even know what's going to happen, or what kind of people you need.

ARTHUR

So you're not participating?

SERYOZHA

I will support any decision you make. But wouldn't it be easier to make the right decision initially? Who gave you this food for thought?

ARTHUR

The Head of the Development Laboratory.

SERYOZHA

This is the first time you've seen this man, but you're ready to follow him and his ideas. Where are they from? What if it's a provocation? You said you were the only one hired this year, is that a coincidence?

ARTHUR

But we need to be prepared to fight back. I can't risk you and Rita. Speaking of Rita, take care of her if something happens to me.

Seryozha puts his empty plate on the table next to him. He sits in front of Arthur and takes his face in his hands.

SERYOZHA

Chill out. No one is threatening us. I'm here with you. We're going to pick up Rita in an hour. I'll accept you in any way, but please don't scare Rita. I need at least one female friend who will introduce me to her friends.

Seryozha releases Arthur and looks at him, waiting for an answer.

ARTHUR

I'll just mention it. If she wants to support this topic, then I have nothing to do with it.

SERYOZHA

Did you hear me at all?

ARTHUR

I heard about female friends.

SERYOZHA

No doubt.

ARTHUR

You should go to the gym. The girls will throw themselves at you. Believe me. It was tested by me and on me.

SERYOZHA

I would argue that it's about your father's money, but for our rich university with two state-funded places, one of which is mine… Yes, it makes sense to get fit.

ARTHUR

Then you'll have to forget about alcohol.

SERYOZHA

Get lost. I don't want to start this conversation all over again. My dad is a conspiracy theory fan. I've heard enough of this shit.

ARTHUR

Well, your father has a little hobby. It's nice.

SERYOZHA

It's nice until he starts suspecting you of being an alien from outer space. I just don't like noise and meaningless conversations. It was not a point to accuse me of all sins.

Arthur sets his empty plate on the floor. Now he's taking Seryozha's face in his hands.

ARTHUR

Now you need to calm down, right?

Seryozha breaks away from Arthur's arms. He turns to the window.

SERYOZHA

I'm fine. I hate labels.

ARTHUR

Everything is fine. No one puts them on you anymore. Aren't you above all labels?

Seryozha, frowning, looks out the window and does not answer Arthur.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

 And who is above all opinions here?

Seryozha laughs at Arthur's unexpected intonation. He turns to Arthur, saying, "What the hell are you talking about?" Arthur picks up on Seryozha's laughter.

INT. ARTHUR'S CAR - EVENING

A car pulls up to the fast food cafe: Arthur is driving, Rita is next to him with a sports bag and a mat. Seryozha is in the back seat watching the road. There's silence in the car. Everyone is sitting with serious faces.

There are young people in the cafe, just like our heroes. Somewhere a group of merry teen somewhere couples in love. Some moved outside to the nearest park. It's like summer is still going on and no one needs to go classes or go to work tomorrow.

The atmosphere in the car is very different from the outside. Everyone wants to say something, but they don't know where this conversation will lead.

A group of young girls in short skirts and loose shirt passes by the car to the park.

SERYOZHA

Do they serve a cream pie?

Rita laughs. Arthur hides his face in his hands in shame so as not to betray his laughter. The girls pass by, but notice that everyone in the car is laughing.

ARTHUR

They're schoolgirls. The maximum is the first year students.

SERYOZHA

I told you about serious situation. I can make my own wood by watching strange tree's curves, if you understand.

ARTHUR

No, I don't understand. Find a hobby to distract yourself.

Seryozha literally devours the gaze of the departing girls.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

(to Rita)

Do you want to go somewhere else?

RITA

No, it's okay. Seryozha likes it here very much.

Seryozha, Arthur and Rita get out of the car. They go into a cafe.

INT. CAFE - EVENING

In a noisy cafe, the heroes place an order. After taking him away, they find a quiet corner where no one will see or hear them.

The situation is serious again. It is need to say something, but everyone is afraid to say the first word.

RITA

(to Arthur)

How was your first day at the internship?

Seryozha looks at Arthur with feigned interest.

ARTHUR

You're right. It looks like something really weird is going on.

Now Seryozha is actually surprised by what is going on.

SERYOZHA

What? There are two of you? Why did I talk to you about the importance of friendship when you're hiding everything from me?

ARTHUR

I didn't ask. You were the one who confessed your love to me.

RITA

Are you sure I'm not bothering you two?

SERYOZHA

Whatever you think is strange, there must be a logical explanation for everything.

ARTHUR

It seems my dad is involved in the manufacture of some kind of weapon. I need to get a lot of people who will follow us and our ideas.

RITA

What's our idea? All I see is that no one rested during the summer and now they are seeing all sorts of nonsense.

SERYOZHA

Listen to Rita. Maybe this lab guy hasn't been on vacation for a long time, inhaled mercury, and didn't get a job in your father's corporation. A million reasons.

ARTHUR

I know what he was trying to tell me. He gave me an idea, a message. We must rise up.

SERYOZHA

(with tired voice)

You're too easily swayed by any big words. Who are you going to rebel against?

ARTHUR

I don't know yet. We have to be ready when real enemy show up.

SERYOZHA

I want to understand why you trust this man so much?

RITA

Whom?

ARTHUR

The Head of the development department and the head of the laboratory where I am interning.

SERYOZHA

And where did he get such thoughts from?

ARTHUR

He's not the last person. To finance the development, you need to pull a lot of strings. Something will happen, something that requires very powerful computers. Who knows how much time we've already lost? After all, the development is clearly not the first day and not the first year.

SERYOZHA

Calm down, you're attracting attention. I haven't seen you so nervous since first year. You tried to get to know her.

Seryozha points at Rita. She enjoys dinner and doesn't engage in conversation too actively. She doesn't seem to want to listen or talk. She perks up when she realizes that the conversation is about her.

ARTHUR

I didn't know she felt about me.

Rita finishes eating French fries. She wipes her mouth and hands, and proceeds to the next course.

RITA

(chewing)

You could come over and get acquainted. And found this out at the same time.

ARTHUR

It is easy to say.

SERYOZHA

Tell me, did you want to find out how she feels about you, or did you want the script to be transmitted intuitively from your head to her?

ARTHUR

What?

SERYOZHA

I'm talking about your desire for everything to be as you say. It doesn't happen that way. If something happens, it won't ask when you have a day off to cross paths. It's just going to happen.

ARTHUR

I don't want you or my family to get hurt. Is it bad?

SERYOZHA

It's a great wish, and I'll help with it. But didn't you think that we have our own desire? What if we don't want to spend the rest of our lives sitting in a safety waiting for an attack, waiting for you to save us?

Arthur thinks about it. He looks at Rita, she's still eating. She feels Arthur's gaze and looks back at him.

RITA

(chewing)

I agree with Seryozha. We love you and will support. But let us choose for ourselves how to live life.

Arthur is offended. He leans back on the couch and crosses his arms over his chest.

ARTHUR

And these are my closest people. For which I am literally ready to organize an uprising. And what do I get in return?

Seryozha rolls his eyes.

RITA

We have agreed to help. What exactly do you need?

ARTHUR

We need to gather a large group of followers who will follow our plan?

SERYOZHA

Is it a plan? We need to get this group hooked. Like the outline of the plan.

ARTHUR

I didn't think beyond gathering people.

RITA

First, we need to figure out who we're fighting against.

ARTHUR

It doesn't matter. We need to understand what kind of weapons this war will be waged with.

SERYOZHA

Well, the gun itself is an ordinary inanimate object. And when he's in someone's hands, it gets scarier. Therefore, we are looking for a potential enemy.

ARTHUR

Americans?

RITA

Why would they want us?

ARTHUR

Not us. Resources, water, anything else.

SERYOZHA

They would have attacked so long ago if they wanted to. We have so many territories that we could lease it to foreigners. Like Baikonur. We don't mine anything there, but you get the point.

ARTHUR

Can we put this question off for now?

SERYOZHA

Okay, let's put it off. What will be our weapon?

ARTHUR

You know, I was thinking of something quiet and powerful. Something temporarily paralyzes people in a small radius of impact. Of course, this will have to be distanced in order not to get hurt.

SERYOZHA

Okay, now I'm scared. There will be people on the other side, and there is no temporary paralysis. Why don't you take a machine gun?

ARTHUR

What if there are too many people? Don't you always say how important it is to plan ahead?

SERYOZHA

I plan ahead for my programs, not for killing. I agreed to help organize a hypothetical uprising, not a mass murder.

ARTHUR

Don't you want to protect your family?

SERYOZHA

My family got a good punching bag, not a child. If something threatens them, I will not interfere with it.

There is silence at the table. Rita watches as Seryozha and Arthur turn away from each other.

They quarreled while sitting on the same couch.

RITA

(to Seryozha)

That's why you avoid all dating and relationships with girls?

SERYOZHA

(Stealthily wipes the tears from cheeks)

What's that got to do with it?

RITA

I'm trying to smooth things out.

ARTHUR

Are you avoiding guys for the same reason?

SERYOZHA

(Angrily)

Are you trying to imply that I'm gay again?

ARTHUR

I'll accept you, just the way you are.

SERYOZHA

(flirtatious tone)

Careful, I know where you live, and I have a copy of the keys.

ARTHUR

(to Rita)

See, always works.

SERYOZHA

Yeah, always.

RITA

Can we reschedule the conversation for tomorrow? I'm so tired. I'm literally falling off my feet.

ARTHUR

It will be time to reflect on what happened today.

Seryozha wants to leave the table, but Arthur does not let him leave. Seryozha sits on his lap and wraps her arms around his neck.

Rita goes to the exit of the cafe. Realizing that no one is following her, she returns to the table, where Arthur is trying to fight Seryozha, but Seryozha tactically retreats. He hides behind Rita, whom Arthur is afraid to attack.

RITA

(to Arthur)

Are you at my place today?

ARTHUR

I'm tired today too. Let's reschedule it for tomorrow.

Seryozha, Arthur and Rita leave the cafe.

NAT. CAFE - EVENING

It's getting darker outside, but it's still warm.

RITA

Will you take me home?

ARTHUR

Jump in.

Rita and Arthur go to their car doors. Seryozha stands on the sidewalk next to the car and does not sit down. Arthur notices this.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

When I said jump in, I meant you too.

SERYOZHA

I'm on foot. Working in an archive does not involve fresh air and sunlight. There is no sun, so I will at least enjoy the air.

ARTHUR

Tomorrow morning, then?

SERYOZHA

Yes, near the message board.

ARTHUR

Good night.

Arthur actively waves at Seryozha and gets into the car. Seryozha discreetly waves back at him, waves at Rita. She doesn't answer, but only nods her head.

Seryozha slowly walks away in one direction. And the car abruptly, with a creak, turns around in the middle of the road and drives off in the opposite direction.

INT. UNIVERSITY. CORRIDOR - MORNING

Seryozha, as always, stands apart from his classmates, looking at the message board, in particular the sports sections.

Arthur and Rita come up to him, hugging each other.

ARTHUR

Have you decided?

SERYOZHA

Yes, if we're going to fight, I have to be ready. So what's our plan?

ARTHUR

I thought it would be possible to identify the enemy the moment he started acting. You're right. What happens is what happens. It would be strange to accuse innocent people.

SERYOZHA

Great. That's the plan that suits me. We sit and wait. And besides the main lectures, I have to attend the university three more times a week for two hours. So much free time is wasted.

RITA

It is not wasted. An athletic body is not only beauty, it will make you feel more confident.

ARTHUR

And I'm going to ask you to be a hidden observer from inside the father's Corporation. Let us know when you see something unusual.

SERYOZHA

Okay, but I assure you, I work in the archive. There's nothing going on there.

ARTHUR

Don't shirk your duties. Rita will keep an eye on our classmates and her family. After all, the financial sector is a key one. Perhaps this is the only thing that connects corporations and the government.

RITA

Yes, I'm in it too. We discussed everything last night.

Rita is not shy with hugs, which amuses Arthur. Seryozha is worried, because now he has two crazy friends.

SERYOZHA

Arthur, please listen to me. First is a plan. If not a plan, then outline of a plan, and then involve others.

ARTHUR

We are following this plan. We keep an eye on everyone and wait until someone starts acting too actively. Meantime, we are preparing. That is, we create weapons and get ourselves in shape. Right?

SERYOZHA

It sounds logical. Okay. Why not?

ARTHUR

Did you doubt me? And now we apologize, but we urgently need to have time to retire before classes. I don't want Rita to forget about me on vacation.

Arthur picks Rita up from the floor and carries her off in an unknown direction.

SERYOZHA

(to himself)

As though you go there…

Seryozha inspects the message board once more and goes in the other direction.

INT. UNIVERSITY. GYM - EVENING

Seryozha goes to the first spot training. The board featured kettle bells and dumbbells. In reality, it turned out to be an underground gym, where even the window would prefer to come out of the wall just not to feel these smells.

Seryozha comes to the first gym equipment he sees. He does not understand how to use it, so he taps it like a ripe watermelon. He goes further into the space.

His scared and confused appearance attracts the attention of several sports guys.

SPORTS GUY (30) - intimidating-looking, with muscles bigger than Seryozha's head. He calls out to Seryozha with a sound like "Hey". Seryozha turns startled at the sound. The sport guy comes to the gym equipment and shows how to use it. He steps aside, indicating that it's Seryozha's turn now

Seryozha goes back to the simulator. He does everything the way the sports guy showed him. Seryozha checks his gaze to see if he's doing everything right. Seryozha is doing very poorly.

The sport guy stops Seryozha with a hand gesture, walks around the equipment. He adjusts the weight he has to practice with. Sports guy returns to his former place and gives Seryozha a sign to continue.

Seryozha continues the exercise. Now everything has gone much better. But the sports guy shows him a sign to stop again. He adjusts the weights again and returns to his spot.

Seryozha starts the exercise. It became a little more difficult. The sport guy shakes his head approvingly and doesn't leave. Seryozha stops, but the sports guy gestures for him to continue, and with nodes of his head he keeps score.

After counting to 30, the sports guy gestures to Seryozha to follow him. Seryozha, red, sweating and panting, trudges after him.

The sports guy shows to Seryozha next gym equipment. Seryozha looks regretting about his own choice a million times.

INT. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT - DAY

Arthur is looking for something suspicious. He walks through the corridors, looks into open workrooms and laboratories.

Nothing special, just quiet weekdays. Tea parties, every time he goes into the kitchen, gossip and underhand games.

Arthur looks at the monitors to see what the employees are doing: this is either the start window, or some barely working code that is scheduled to be ready in a month.

INT. UNIVERSITY. CORRIDOR - DAY

Rita is at the center of girly gossip. She's tanned and tells everyone about her vacation. She tries her best to remember all the gossip.

Girlish gossip is not like a normal conversation. It is always a chain of meanings that do not overlap with each other.

It is difficult to explain to the uninitiated the transition of thoughts between Turkey and the need to make a manicure exclusively dark green.

INT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. ARCHIVE - DAY

There is a small room with no windows or doors. There are only shelves along three walls, a table and a chair.

Seryozha inspects the room, looks into the drawers, but does not take anything.

Alexander Andreevich knocks on the open door, inviting himself to enter.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Are you ready for new beginnings?

Seryozha shrugs his shoulders indifferently.

They leave the archive together. Alexander Alexandrovich closes the door behind them.

INT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. CORRIDOR - DAY

With the key in his hand, Alexander Andreevich turns to Seryozha.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

You look tired. Is the approaching winter affecting you so much?

SERYOZHA

Sports. It should give strength, but only takes it.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

So it's not your sport. Try something light. Yoga, for example.

SERYOZHA

Isn't this a women's sport.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Yoga is not a sport, and certainly not necessarily a women's sport. My wife hooked me on it when my lower back problems started. But now my back is better than it was in my twenties.

SERYOZHA

Well, I will try.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Wait, that's not why we're standing in an uninhabitable room. Definitely not to talk about yoga.

SERYOZHA

Why?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Aren't you worried about working with such data? I was told more often that my son was watching everyone. What if you tell your secret?

SERYOZHA

I don't hide about working here. No one wants to ask further anyway. Sometimes being in the shadows is an advantage.

Alexander Andreevich gives Seryozha the key to the archive.

SERYOZHA (CONT'D)

But how will you get there?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I don't need it. But I have a copy. No one should enter here. Everything will remain as you left it.

Seryozha turns once more to the door to the archive.

SERYOZHA

It's weird. I've been sitting here for six months, sorting dossiers and documents by year and name. Then I offered you to transfer all this to computers, and you… Listened to me.

Alexander Andreevich puts his arm around Seryozha's shoulder and they walk away from the archive into other corridors.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

It was a good idea. You said you know how and what to do. I'm not a fool to refuse.

SERYOZHA

It was not customary in my family to listen to anyone. Endless arguments turning to even more wrong.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

It's very similar to my family. We had some difficult times back then. Early fifties. The world had to be rebuilt. Growing up early and competing with those who were supposed to protect and guide you in this world. It spoils the impression of adults. But I believe, we will succeed. Finally I can show you my surprise.

Alexander Andreevich and Seryozha stop in front of the tall and wide doors.

SERYOZHA

What's in there?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Your new workplace. You've had enough of running from the archive to the computer room. Now you're going to work here.

Alexander Andreevich opens the doors for Seryozha.

INT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. SERVER ROOM - DAY

Behind the doors is a huge room with high ceilings and small windows located under the ceiling.

The only furniture in the room is a table and a stool, which confuses Seryozha.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Don't be shy, come on in. The furniture will arrive a little later. We will also provide you with the most modern computer. In the meantime, you'll be spending time here. The task remains the same - to identify patterns in people's behavior and create algorithms. So let's predict the future.

Alexander Andreevich slaps Seryozha on the shoulder, which causes him to contort in pain. Alexander Andreevich makes a guilty gesture and disappears behind the doors of the room.

Seryozha stared at the high ceiling. Raising his head, he stands in the center of the room and spins.