Endless wrong turn (chapter 3)

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

Arthur is trying to draw a prototype of a future weapon in a notebook. But he gets pistols, cannons, and nuclear explosions.

He looks at his keychain flashlight on the key ring. He takes it, unfastens the flashlight and examines it, turns it on/off. He jumps up abruptly, takes the flashlight and keys and runs out of the room

INT. SERYOZHA'S ROOM - EVENING

There is a small dorm room. There's a bed in one corner, and a desk with a creative mess in the opposite corner. The other part of the room has its own kitchen - electric stove and kettle, refrigerator and storage cabinets.

Arthur shows Seryozha his flashlight and tells him the general idea of the future weapon.

ARTHUR

Imagine the same flashlight, but instead of light, it emits something more powerful than this radiation.

SERYOZHA

This is from school physics. What "more powerful" radiation do you want? Gamma or radio. I can give you a hint: I don't have any irradiated uranium, and I don't even have a radio.

ARTHUR

Are you sure you can't do anything about this idea?

SERYOZHA

What idea? I'm not an engineer. We are studying to become economists and managers.

ARTHUR

You're good with computers.

SERYOZHA

But that doesn't make me an inventor.

ARTHUR

What if theoretically?

SERYOZHA

The mechanism can be the same. It needs to add a few details. Frequency generator and resonator for amplification. But there is no place in the keychain. The case will have to be replaced. It won't look as much as you like.

Arthur perks up and slaps Seryozha on the shoulder, like Alexander Andreevich. Seryozha winces again from the pain in his shoulders.

ARTHUR

I don't need to be stylish. And you said you didn't know. You know everything.

SERYOZHA

Do you understand that this…

(pause)

Squeaker won't be some kind of homing device with radar to track enemies and so on. It's going to be like a bomb, where you're at ground zero.

ARTHUR

We'll need it for an intimidating appearance and safety. I hope we can do without it.

SERYOZHA

Great, we're living in hope now. How's Rita? Did she find anything? The exams are coming soon and everyone will leave during the holidays.

ARTHUR

So far, it's just gossip. By the way, a couple of girls in my group have their eyes on you. I told you sports would help.

SERYOZHA

I'm busy now. A lot of work and study. We need to look for where to get these details.

ARTHUR

Just try it. How many times will you celebrate the New Year alone?

SERYOZHA

Until I find the one, I'll be alone. I haven't met the one yet.

Arthur is walking around the room. The words he said reach Seryozha.

SERYOZHA (CONT'D)

Aren't you going to celebrate the New Year with Rita and me?

ARTHUR

No, my father is taking me to the USA this year. He has some urgent business that I have to attend to.

SERYOZHA

So you won't be expected at the exams again?

ARTHUR

Yes, my grades are almost signed in my card.

SERYOZHA

Does Rita know about your plans?

ARTHUR

I'll tell her later. When we get together next week to check our plans.

SERYOZHA

If you have free time, maybe you can steal some squeaker parts for me from work. I don't think the development department will become too impoverished.

ARTHUR

Are you crazy? If I get caught, it will be a huge scandal. They'll figure it out right away. Aren't you smart? It's too obvious.

Seryozha is silent. He examines the flashlight in his hands, pondering something related to it.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

In short, be ready. Next week we will discuss about everything.

Arthur leaves Seryozha's room. Seryozha, being in some kind of trance, goes to the kitchen corner and takes the little stove and kettle from there. He takes them apart to get the right parts.

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

Rita puts on Arthur's winter sweater. She is nervous about the electrified hair and hastily combs it. It's getting worse.

Seryozha is sorting through pieces of paper in his hands to make the report more structured.

Arthur presses his back closer to the radiator

ARTHUR

So, on this cold winter evening, you and I have gathered to…

(pause)

Why are we here? I mean, what can we call it?

RITA

Whatever! Why is it so cold here?

ARTHUR

The apartment is large, but the radiators are small and work intermittent. Be grateful the electricity wasn't cut off.

RITA

Then next time I will come to visit you in May.

ARTHUR

Don't get mad. When we're done, we'll go to your place, okay?

Rita gets embarrassed and stops being angry. But she still feels uncomfortable in Arthur's scratchy sweater.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

(to Rita)

What have you found?

RITA

I found a connection between the disrupted vacation and our situation. Most of the holidays were disgusted by those who traveled abroad, and those who rested here were fine. Oh, and I've found people who will help us in the uprising. In fact, they are not sure about their plans. So it is better to specify the date.

ARTHUR

(to Seryozha)

What have you got?

SERYOZHA

To be honest, I still don't understand who we're fighting against. Last week, you came to me with a real request to make you a weapon, and I don't even know who it's for.

ARTHUR

I'm organizing all this to protect everyone from what awaits us.

SERYOZHA

Yes, but what awaits us?

ARTHUR

A new war with some unknown new weapon.

SERYOZHA

I was stuck in the archive for forty hours a week, including weekends. Wars don't start in one day. It's like a spiral that gets tighter and tighter until one wrong event unleashes it. What makes you think it's going to be this?

ARTHUR

What else could happen?

SERYOZHA

I have no idea. The opposite of war is peace. Maybe we'll have a wonderful peaceful time.

ARTHUR

So I'm the one who's going to save us all.

SERYOZHA

Are you nuts? We've been running errands for you for three months. Why did we do this at all? And now you're telling me how brave you are and do everything yourself?

ARTHUR

Don't look at me. I made this meeting a month before my departure to plan everything.

RITA

Where are you going in a month?

ARTHUR

Dad takes me on New Year's holidays. Business things. Nothing important.

Rita gets angry again. She abruptly takes off Arthur's sweater.

RITA

Nothing important? Didn't you swear to talk to your father about us? Do you think I like the way he treats me just because I wasn't born into the family he wanted me to be in?

Rita throws a sweater at Arthur's face. Arthur calmly removes it from his face.

ARTHUR

Let's not fight now. Seryozha doesn't have to look at it.

RITA

Are you afraid that your reputation as a tough guy will suffer? You know, I want you to stand by my side, protect me, support me. You're just talking. I'm leaving.

Rita leaves the room. Arthur sits with a sweater in his hand. He is ashamed, but he doesn't want to make up to Rita first.

SERYOZHA

Are you going to follow her?

ARTHUR

She'll come. She is mad now. Soon we'll forget it and live happily after ever.

SERYOZHA

You know, I'm leaving too. You're too upset to discuss the plan right now.

ARTHUR

You wrong. I'm in a great mood and ready to plan further.

SERYOZHA

See you…

(pause)

Someday.

Seryozha takes his notes and leaves the room.

INT. SERYOZHA'S ROOM - NIGHT

Seryozha is at his desk. He builds a prototype of a squeaker according to his hand-drawn "blueprints". Instead of using Arthur's flashlight as a case, he uses a slightly larger flashlight he purchased.

Seryozha works by the light of a desk lamp. Finally, he gathers everything into the case and prepares to turn it on.

The moment of preparation. Take a deep breath. He turns on the squeaker. At the same moment, the electricity goes out in the entire building.

Seryozha turns on Arthur's flashlight, which has been lying on his desk all this time.

Behind the wall, you can hear the hum of angry neighbors in the room. Seryozha is too puzzled by what is happening here and now. There's a knock on his room door, but he doesn't respond.

Seryozha feel unwell. A squeak in ears, like from an electrical appliance turned on nearby. But the building is de-energized.

There's only a flashlight and a battery-powered alarm clock nearby. So the squeaker is working. Arthur's idea is working.

The light in the room turns on. Seryozha's health is deteriorating. He falls off his chair from an unbearable headache. The body suddenly became heavier, which is why the fall was loud.

His nose started bleeding. It became difficult to breathe. Seryozha holds a flashlight in one hand and a squeaker in the other. Gathering his last strength, he turns off both devices with both hands. The pain stopped.

Sergei is lying on the floor. He's trying to figure out what happened.

After spending about an hour on the floor, Seryozha froze. He gets up to lie on the bed. Without taking a single step, he falls onto the bed with the upper half of his body. His knees are on the floor and his head is on the bed. The blood on his face stains the bedspread, but Seryozha doesn't care.

Seryozha falls asleep in this position.

INT. UNIVERSITY. CORRIDOR - MORNING

It's too early in the morning and the day of the first exam. Rita looks nervous, but the exam definitely doesn't bother her.

Seryozha looks calm, but he has a billion thoughts in his head about what he is capable of with the power he has given himself.

RITA

Who does he think he is? I'm not going to run after him. Stoop to his level? I also want recognition, respected, or whatever he said. I'll find a new and more worthy date in a week.

A tearful student comes out of the nearest classroom. After crossing the threshold of the audience, her tears literally soaked back in. Her face became completely natural and even cheerful.

Rita doesn't look at the student. With sudden movements, she picks up her purse and confidently steps towards the audience.

SERYOZHA

Break a leg.

Rita doesn't turn around.

RITA

(loud and sarcastic)

Don't tell me what to do.

Rita slams the classroom door loudly.

Seryozha sits staring ahead with an indifferent gaze.

INT. SERYOZHA'S ROOM - NIGHT

Seryozha rearranged the room: his desk now stands close to the bed, opposite the window. A soft rug appeared next to the bad and table. It's uncomfortable to move a chair, but it's worse to lie on a hard, cold floor.

Seryozha is sitting at the table, preparing for the exam. Rita is visiting Seryozha today, and she really likes lying on the mat. Rita likes to run her hands through the long pile. Seryozha did not tell her that this rug was just for lying face down on it.

RITA

Lisa celebrated the New Year with other guy. This bitch really turned her boyfriend down in order to spend three days outside. I can imagine what will happen the day after tomorrow, when they meet. She'll probably ask this silly guy to be her boyfriend again. His parents have positions in the Ministry of Education, and she needs to get a degree. Stupid of her. It would be easier to skip some holidays. You should always think ahead. But, I'm not judging..

Seryozha is writing a synopsis. Rita keeps talking. No one bothers anyone. An idyll.

INT. UNIVERSITY. GYM - EVENING

Seryozha works hard with gym equipment. Rita is sitting on a nearby bench and chatting incessantly.

Other sports guys are looking at Rita. Not with lust, as one might think, but with interest, thinking: "what is she doing here, and even with this sucker".

RITA

Have you heard about Nina? Her dad was running a scheme to raise more money. Nina was mad about ruining summer, and now her Dad has paid to stay in Italy for a month. She will be back by the beginning of the second semester. Although she became such a beauty after plastic surgery, someone will definitely steal her there.

Rita becomes sad. She aggressively crumples the sweatshirt that Seryozha gave her so that she doesn't freeze.

RITA (CONT'D)

I don't want to marry that asshole. He is not worthy of my attention or my love. Nina would have been perfect for him. She'll do anything for the attention, too. Why did I get involved in this at all? For the sake of the family, of course. Shit.

Seryozha finishes the exercise. He's resting, regaining his breath.

The sports guys and now Seryozha's friends pass by him and silently say goodbye to him, shaking his hand. They look cute in their attempts to "ignore" Rita and at the same time do not take their eyes off her when they pass by.

Rita doesn't notice the presence of anyone. It can be assumed that she is used to increased attention to herself and her appearance. What if the focus of attention is now occupied by one particular person?

RITA (CONT'D)

No. I don't want to think about him. I should be focusing on something else.

(to Seryozha)

What do you think about it?

Seryozha gets off the gym equipment, walks around it, takes something out of the training bag, and comes back out with a brand new yoga mat. He can barely find a place between the equipments to spread it out completely. Rita even sits to the bench with her feet so Seryozha have more space.

SERYOZHA

You do yoga, don't you? Would you recommend some exercises for shoulder and back pain?

RITA

You're tired. You need to change your mindset. Think about the good things.

SERYOZHA

Rita, I'd love to think of good things, but I can't. I have to think about how not to lose my state-funded place, earn to another month of dorm room, earn to food, not to lose my job, not to screw up my life and not look even more pathetic than I am now.

Rita and Seryozha look at each other in silence. Seryozha seems angry, but Rita is right - he is tired, tired of dragging everything by himself and taking on other problems.

RITA

I'll listen to you, and you'll calm down. You also need to learn how to breathe. Lie on your back, and I'll tell you what to do.

Seryozha obediently lies on his back.

RITA (CONT'D)

It's very simple, don't worry. Take a deep breath in and out.

Rita and Seryozha do the exercise at the same time. Rather, Rita repeat after Seryozha, so that he would be less anxious. To show him he is not alone.

RITA (CONT'D)

You choose a bad day for yoga. Your muscles already shake. I can come to you tomorrow and we'll try again. I'll find exercises for you and your back. Do you agree?

Seryozha is lying on a yoga mat. He looks at the ceiling. When Rita asks, he looks into her eyes. And now it's not just regular eye contact, it becomes something more. Rita no longer looks stupid and shallow to him.

INT. SERYOZHA'S ROOM - DAY

Seryozha makes a "downward facng dog" on his yoga mat. Rita is on his bed, reading a 20th century history textbook. Unsuccessfully.

RITA

It's silly. Like couples fight. The first World War is a girl who left the room after an argument, but the Second World War is the phrase "I didn't finish".

Seryozha, being not in the most comfortable position, finds the strength to laugh.

RITA (CONT'D)

Don't laugh at me. Do the Warrior One pose, by the way.

Seryozha gets into a Warrior One pose

RITA (CONT'D)

You know, there's a book where people invented a powerful computer that calculates events. If we had that, the history exams would become meaningless. People have been living for so long and there are no unique scenarios.

Seryozha is shaking, standing in an uncomfortable position and having no foothold.

RITA (CONT'D)

Don't torture yourself, lie on back. You depend too much on my commands. Do as you feel.

Seryozha settles down on the mat with great pleasure. He exhales loudly, relaxing his body.

SERYOZHA

I'll answer your questions in order: I like your assessment of the two world wars that changed the whole world. It's really funny. What did they want in the end? About the book, yes, I read that too. The last question by Asimov. It would be great to bring Multivac into our world, but it will be created by humans. And they need all the historical knowledge they have. This is the problem - a person is subjective. In short, there are as many opinions as there are people. Even about historical events. And about yoga… I don't mind spending a little more time with you. We don't have much in common, but we can try.

RITA

Okay, i will be your dominatrix if you let me.

SERYOZHA

I only meant yoga.

RITA

I hear what I want to hear.

Rita and Seryozha are laughing. The tension between them is too noticeable, which worries them both. Everything, as always, rests on Arthur. He's Seryozha's friend and Rita's boyfriend.

NAT. CITY STREET - DAY

There is a frosty January day. Even the bright sun will not warm those who dare to leave the house. But Seryozha and Rita definitely don't need it to keep warm. They are walking along a thin trodden path among high snowdrifts

Rita snuggles closer to Seryozha. Maybe to keep warm, or there are other reasons. There are also lucky circumstances, like faces wrapped in scarves, what are forced to be closer.

RITA

I was right about Nina. She's getting married. Lisa told me at the last exam. It's interesting. I'm an eligible bride too, did you know that.

SERYOZHA

Isn't Arthur supposed to know about this? You were together for three years.

RITA

(fun and cheerful)

The key word is "were".

Rita, wearing warm mittens, taps Seryozha's nose wrapped in a scarf. The scarf opens his nose, and Seryozha inhales the icy January air. Seryozha shudders as the cold penetrates inside.

RITA (CONT'D)

You're completely frozen. Come to my place. I'll cook something especially for you.

SERYOZHA

You don't cook. I've never seen you cook anything or eating what you've cooked.

RITA

I'm hinting that I'm cold too. And I left my jacket in your room. Can I come in? I'll just pick it up.

SERYOZHA

I'll bring it to you. You can warm up in the lobby so you don't have to put on a hundred coats again.

RITA

(with feigned joy)

Good. Let's go. I'll warm up in the lobby.

They walk on in silence. Rita doesn't snuggle up to Seryozha.

RITA (CONT'D)

Yes, Arthur is coming in a couple of weeks. By the beginning of the semester. He'll start making plans again. By the way, what kind of device are you making? If this is a flashlight, then it was invented a long time ago.

SERYOZHA

What makes you think it's a flashlight?

RITA

You have Arthur's flashlight on your desk. I gave it to him for a month of dating. His dad gave him a car back and winter was approaching. I thought it would be more convenient to use a flashlight in the dark.

SERYOZHA

I really liked his flashlight, and I wanted to find one like it. He gave it to me, and then we all quarreled, and I couldn't give it back.

RITA

I'll give you the same one. Although it's easier to give Arthur another one. He's already losing his head in his ideas and won't notice the substitution.

(with laughter)

He told me he was inventing a device that would kill people from a distance. Not a pistol or a grenade, it is some kind of invisible beam.

Seryozha tenses up. Mentally, he agrees that Arthur's ideas can be crazy. But his idea of a "weapon" worked. Who knows what other idea, no matter how crazy, will work.

SERYOZHA

What else did he tell you about his plans?

RITA

I won't tell you. Why are we even talking about him? I don't want to think about him. Especially, when he's not even around.

Seryozha stopped. He thought about it. Rita stops with him and looks at him questioningly. Seryozha turns Rita towards him, pushes the scarf away from his mouth and Rita's mouth.

SERYOZHA

Don't think about him.

Seryozha kisses Rita on the lips. Not very confident, since this is the first time. Rita doesn't pull away. Seryozha pulls away first.

SERYOZHA (CONT'D)

Did you want to take a jacket?

RITA

I'm wearing it.

SERYOZHA

I need to pick it up to bring it to you.

RITA

Agree.

Seryozha and Rita walked much faster towards the dormitory. They spent the rest of the winter holidays together.

INT. A CAR - DAY

The interior of an expensive car.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Did you like the trip? I waited too long for an official invitation until I thought to buy it.

ARTHUR

Why did we look at these big computers? We have a whole development department, and I'm one of them.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

So did you figure out how to invent such a big computer, or did I take you with me for nothing?

ARTHUR

Did you want me to steal their idea?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

First of all, it's not a big computer, it's a huge server room.

ARTHUR

I didn't know why we were there. I would have prepared myself.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Since you haven't figured it out, I'd like you to take my place when you graduate. It's time to keep the tradition. It's an honor for you to be the first heir in this Corporation. But first I'll finish the job.

ARTHUR

What are you planning to finish?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

To buy a lot of servers and close the entire development department. I also need to upload as much personal data as possible. They only know how to beg for grants for inventions. Total losses. They assign the children of parents with state positions and hope for a miracle. You can't buy talent.

ARTHUR

Why don't you want to work with the government? If you don't like Rita because she's the finance minister's daughter…

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I don't like all the original rottenness of this structure. They took everything for themselves in a "legal" way, and we have to pay. For land, for work, for education. And elections are a nightmare. How are they going to preserve their traditions when a new person comes to power every time?

ARTHUR

It's just one person. They have the same inheritance as we do. You're complaining about it yourself. And I don't want to take your place. I don't want to give up my internship and Rita.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I won't let you go back to where I started from. Didn't Seryozha tell you where he came from and how he ended up among us? He's a talent that was born in a dumpster, and would have stayed there if chance hadn't brought us together. You are lucky to be born into a decent family and occupy a decent position.

ARTHUR

But I'm not interested in human relationships. That's their business. Leave them alone.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Yes, you're interested in inventing new things. So why didn't you invent anything during six months of internship? I took you to look at the most powerful, let's say, "computer" and you didn't even try to memorize or write down everything you saw.

ARTHUR

You're going to close the development institute anyway. Why would I even try to do anything?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I'm sorry I can't please. My last word is that you will take office on October 1 of this year. The abolition procedure will run until September, they are completely lazy.

ARTHUR

No, I don't want to. Rita and I will get married after graduation.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

No, I don't want that. We'll find the right match for you when you go to work.

ARTHUR

(loudly)

I'm not going to take this job!

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Then give me a good reason to believe that you're capable of doing something on your own.

Arthur turns his whole body away from his father and looks out the window. A glint of hatred lit up in his eyes.

Alexander Alekseevich didn't even change his face - he was as calm and impassive as ever.

INT. SERYOZHA'S ROOM - DAY

It's another winter day that's too cold, and it's better not to go outside. Seryozha and Rita, dressed in colorful sweaters, hug each other, wrapped in a blanket.

Seryozha makes Rita laugh by touching her with cold hands under her sweater.

RITA

I'm afraid of tickling my ribs.

SERYOZHA

I was trying to make you laugh with jokes. The humor is not my thing.

RITA

Arthur is the same. He literally screams when someone pokes him in the ribs.

Someone is tugging on the door handle from outside. The door is locked from the inside. There is a knock on the door.

SERYOZHA

Are you waiting for someone?

RITA

It's your place. Who am I waiting for here?

There's another knock on the door with a lot of pressure.

Seryozha tiptoes to the door. Rita wraps herself more tightly in the blanket so that she is not visible at all. From the outside, it looks like a pile of rumpled blankets.

Seryozha reaches for the latch to open the door. The door opens.

Arthur runs into the room, pushing Seryozha away. He has a bulging gym bag in his hands. His face is red, either from running in the cold, or from anger.

SERYOZHA

(as calm as possible)

We were just remembering you.

Seryozha calmly closes the door behind Arthur and goes to his desk.

ARTHUR

We?

Rita jumps out of the blankets and waves her arms joyfully.

RITA

Surprise!

Rita jumps on Arthur with a hug, which forces him to throw the bag on the floor and hug Rita.

ARTHUR

How did you know that I would come here today?

SERYOZHA

Today is Thursday. The new semester is in four days. You definitely couldn't come on Sunday and Monday because your father is disciplined, unlike you. Secondly, you have a gym on Saturday. You could skip it, but not on the first Saturday of the month, when your coach gives a masterclass. Friday is your favorite day of the week and you don't want to spend it traveling. So, it is Thursday.

From such a detailed analysis, both Rita and Arthur stand in shock, forgetting about the joy of meeting.

ARTHUR

Am I that predictable?

SERYOZHA

I'm sorry. As the question, so the answer.

Arthur thought for a moment. Looking at Seryozha's laughing face, he realized that he had been tricked.

Seryozha gets up from his chair to hug Arthur. Their embrace turned out to be more sensual than that of Arthur and Rita.

Arthur and Seryozha shake hands. Seryozha gestures for Arthur to sit on the bed. Arthur sits down. Rita sits next to him and hugs Arthur's hand in her usual way.

ARTHUR

(to Seryozha)

Can I stay at your place?

SERYOZHA

As long as you like.

Arthur lowers his head in embarrassment. Arthur's face becomes scared and more serious.

ARTHUR

I've found the enemy.

SERYOZHA

Which one?

ARTHUR

Who wants to start a new war with a new weapon.

SERYOZHA

Yeap, here we goagain. And who is this lucky guy?

Arthur seems to deliberately take a dramatic pause. Seryozha is nervously waiting for an answer. Arthur pretentiously turns his face away from the window, where the bright sun is shining.

ARTHUR

My father!

Seryozha rolls his eyes and knocks his forehead on the desktop. He returns back to the conversation.

SERYOZHA

Aren't you sick of it?

Arthur gets up from his seat and stands in the center of the room so that everyone can see his performance.

ARTHUR

We have everything ready. There's a weapon, your prototype. Your gym guys You work for my father's Corporation. In addition, you can sabotage your work, which will be the beginning of a revolution. We'll handle it.

Seryozha takes a squeaker out of a drawer to show Arthur.

SERYOZHA

Don't check it here. I have neighbors. The squeaker works when there is some kind of electrical field nearby. But the damage depends on the size of this field.

ARTHUR

Great, there's a lot of electronics scattered around the Corporation: cameras, lights, air conditioners, antennas. Is that enough?

SERYOZHA

(Thoughtfully)

It should be enough.

ARTHUR

The main thing for us is to leave in time, right?

SERYOZHA

Let's say I can ask the guys to come to the place…

ARTHUR

That's great. What is the problem?

SERYOZHA

What exactly should they do? And why would I sabotage my project? I've been preparing for it for three years. I didn't eat or sleep. And all this to what?

ARTHUR

You don't understand. He's going to watch us, take our personal data.

SERYOZHA

Doesn't the government do the same thing when we're born. This is how they keep records of those who were born, who's dead, who's married, who's working.

ARTHUR

It's completely different.

SERYOZHA

Where?

ARTHUR

You're the one who works there. You tell me where.

SERYOZHA

Your father has a registry of randomly selected people with information about them. Computers are much more convenient to work with than paper. Now your father wants to expand the database so that there is more material for research.

ARTHUR

My father wants to abolish the Institute of Technology and Development. He buys computers from the enemy country.

SERYOZHA

He founded this Corporation. He knows how every subsystem works, every little thing. It is logical that he does not see the point in spending decades on development when he can buy ready-made equipment.

ARTHUR

So you're on his side?

SERYOZHA

I'm on your side. But you need to calm down now.

ARTHUR

How can I be calm when someone I considered a friend is working for my father.

SERYOZHA

Stop being dramatic. The room you plan to live in is paid with your father's money. And the food you plan to eat is also paid with your father's money. But you don't have pocket money, and the internship is free. I don't feel guilty that you haven't noticed how I need money.

Arthur is offended, he glares angrily at the ceiling and crosses his arms over his chest. He looks at Rita.

ARTHUR

(to Rita)

I'll stay with you tonight. There's a lot to discuss.

Arthur scowls at the ceiling again. Rita looks at Seryozha with regret that the happy time when they were together has passed. Now she needs to courageously go back to someone more promising.

Rita gets out of bed and with difficulty picks up Arthur's bag from the floor. Arthur stops her, he goes to the exit. Rita takes one last regretful look at Seryozha, takes the jacket and leaves.

Seryozha remains alone in the room. He still clutches the squeaker in his hand, ready to use it for its intended purpose at any second.

NAT. CITY STREET - DAY

Arthur is walking in front. Rita runs after him.

ARTHUR

I advised him to go to the gym. Do I deserve such a friend? Where would he be without me?

RITA

Wasn't it your dad who introduced you?

ARTHUR

Are you sure this is how you should treat your boyfriend after a long separation?

RITA

No one asked you to disappear for two months. You were away for five last weeks. Where were you before it?

ARTHUR

Are you conspiring to bombard me with questions?

Rita catches up with Arthur and habitually hugs his hand.

RITA

We're worried about you. Seryozha often talked about your plan. He's ready to help you. He always needs more specifics.

Rita stops Arthur.

RITA (CONT'D)

I thought you told him to look out for me. So that I don't get bored. To not forget you.

Arthur thawed out. He pulls Rita to his shoulders and kisses her passionately. Rita is no longer happy about Arthur's mood swings like she used to.

ARTHUR

Will I stay at your place?

RITA

Did we agree?

ARTHUR

No. Forever.

Rita is shocked by this suggestion. Two months without Arthur had really opened her eyes to what was happening.

RITA

If our parents find out, it won't be good for all of us. Do you remember what your dad says about me?

ARTHUR

I'll handle it. I need you to put together a backup people for an uprising. In case Seryozha lied to me.

Arthur bravely goes forward, Rita catches up with him again, trying not to fall on the ice path.

INT. UNIVERSITY. CORRIDOR - DAY

Arthur and Rita are standing in front of a group of 20 people whom Rita persuaded to come. All the visitors are Rita's friends and acquaintances, with whom she discusses gossip.

ARTHUR

(In a whisper to Rita)

Why are there so few people?

RITA

These are my friends. Can you be a little more polite to them? They won't tolerate you like I do.

Arthur looks at Rita questioningly. He hadn't expected such words from Rita. Rita turns away from him on purpose and goes into the crowd to her friends.

ARTHUR

Dear participants, I asked you to gather so that you could help me save the world. I am being forced to take a position in a corporation that is also going to forcibly take away your personal data. We must rise up against the one who treats us so immorally. Stand up for yourself! Are you with me?

Arthur ends his story dramatically. He looks hopefully at the crowd. No one answers him.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

What's wrong with you? Don't you want to put in place those who refuse to reckon with us?

In the crowd, Rita stands next to her closest friend LISA (21), a skinny blonde with a perm. She's whispering to Rita about something. Rita mimics that she shouldn't tell him anything at all, but Lisa just warmed up. She raises her hand, and Arthur notices her.

LIZA

No offense, but why did you choose to seek support here? We're almost all rich heirs. We are promised the same positions as you. My ex told terrible horrors about a poor life. That's why he's an ex. I'm sorry, but I'll choose a stable future with immoral work rather than wondering what cataclysm will fall on me tomorrow.

ARTHUR

Did Rita get you to say that?

Rita shyly hides her face in her hands.

LIZA

Do you think I can't have an opinion that matches Rita's?

ARTHUR

I see. So you also want to spend the rest of your life with no worry about the future of other people?

LIZA

Who do you think you are to choose people's lives for them? Has anyone asked you to do this?

Rita can't stand it. She tugs on Lisa's arm to make her stop. Rita makes her way through the crowd to Arthur to get him out of this.

ARTHUR

Well, stay here. When I save everyone, I won't even think about you. Because you won't be in my new world.

Rita takes Arthur away.

Everyone in the crowd is standing and looking at each other, not understanding what just happened. Then everyone went their separate ways. No discussion or support for crazy ideas.

Rita takes Arthur as far away from prying eyes as possible - to a dead end of the corridor, where it was decided to put old furniture, among which was an old wardrobe with a full-length mirror. Arthur notices the mirror and immediately goes to it.

RITA

What was that? Are you completely out of your mind?

ARTHUR

What did I say wrong? I've been rehearsing for a month. Seryozha appreciated it.

RITA

He'll appreciate anything as long as you let him sleep.

ARTHUR

You're angry today. Come here.

Rita approaches Arthur. He puts her in front of him facing the mirror. Arthur pulls Rita's cheeks.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

Winter didn't pass unnoticed, did it? Look at those chubby cheeks. Like a chipmunk.

Rita doesn't care about Arthur's comments, but they have a place to be. Rita looks at her cheeks warily. It's definitely not food, because she loses weight before a spring trip.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

Relax, this is not my people. It will be better with Seryozha's gym-guys. They're not that smart.

Arthur leaves. Rita examines her swollen face, neck, and pulls down her sweater to make sure of her thoughts.

Arthur turns to Rita when he realizes that she is not following him.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

Are you coming?" I want to go home before dad gets home. Mom's just giving me some clean clothes.

Rita looks at herself in the mirror once more and goes after Arthur.

INT. SERYOZHA'S ROOM - EVENING

Seryozha is experimenting with a squeaker. Struggling with suffocation and cramps, he holds the squeaker tightly in his hands, ready to turn it off at any second. In front of him is a notebook stained with blood from his nose with a drawn table where he writes down the time from a battery-powered alarm clock. Each subsequent time is 1-2 seconds longer than the previous one.

Rita bursts into the room, wrapped in scarves from the March wind. She immediately gets into the range of damage from the squeaker. Seryozha does not hear her coming. He sees Rita in the reflection of the window opposite him. He immediately turns off the squeaker. Gathering his last strength, he weakly walks towards Rita, carrying a slightly soiled handkerchief with him.

Rita falls due to a sharp spasm in her body. Her nose, like Seryozha's, is bleeding. Seryozha approaches Rita, and with barely moving hands he helps Rita up. Rita grabs any solid surface with her hands - the floor, walls, kitchen table, Seryozha's hands.

Seryozha looks at Rita's face. He takes her chin in his hand so that she can focus on his face. Rita comes to her senses. Seryozha wipes the blood from her nose and lets go of her face. Rita is still swaying, but the worst is over. Seryozha goes back to his desk to record the time.

Rita goes to her favorite place in this room, on the rug next to the bed. She sits on it, leaning back against the bed.

RITA

What are you doing here?

SERYOZHA

Me? Live here.

RITA

What's it? That weapon Arthur was talking about? How does it work? And what are you doing with it?

SERYOZHA

I've already told you.

RITA

You told Arthur that. I was out of my mind. I was thinking about how he would react at you and me. Here, together. He didn't even notice it. He doesn't care about me. Maybe you too?

SERYOZHA

I noticed that it works when things with electric field is turned on nearby. The frequency of this squeaker, as I call it, coincides with the frequency of other devices and causes a resonance, which you felt for yourself. The human body also consists of electrical discharge with their own frequency. And this squeaker has a very high sensitivity and resonates with literally everything. I want to resist her so that in the future…

RITA

I'm pregnant.

Seryozha would like to pretend to be dumb, but he just explained the principle of operation of new age weapons.

He doesn't react at all. But only externally. He has a storm of emotions inside him

SERYOZHA

How long?

RITA

I think it's a month or a month and a half. I'll tell you when I give birth. It's going to take nine months, isn't it?

SERYOZHA

Does Arthur know?

RITA

Not yet. Just us.

SERYOZHA

I thought I made it in time…

RITA

It's not yours.

(pause)

Agreed?

Seryozha silently nod, he agreed. He's still sitting with his back to Rita, looking at her reflection in the window.

SERYOZHA

Do you want to keep it?

RITA

He comes from a good family. More precisely, he's from a profitable one. I hope you understand. My sister ruined our reputation. I have no choice now.

Seryozha doesn't react.

RITA (CONT'D)

I'll come over tonight and we'll talk it over. Ok?

Seryozha shakes his head again, agreeing with Rita.

Rita gets up from the rug and goes to the exit. She turns to Seryozha once more.

RITA (CONT'D)

You'll be ready in time for us, won't you?

Rita stands for a couple of seconds waiting for a reaction, but Seryozha does not react. Rita leaves.

Seryozha throws all the bloodstained handkerchiefs and notes into a drawer with one movement of his hand. He moves from the chair to the bed. Seryozha lies down and closes his eyes.

INT. SERYOZHA'S ROOM - EVENING

Seryozha was still lying on the bed. Arthur noisily enters the room. Rita follows him in and closes the door.

ARTHUR

(to Rita)

Just look at him. I go to him to discuss the plan, and he's asleep.

Arthur comes closer to Seryozha. He sees that his nose and clothes are covered in blood. He gets scared for his friend, checks his pulse on his neck and arm. Seryozha sleeps soundly and does not react..

Arthur quickly takes off his jacket and throws it towards Rita, who does not understand what is happening.

Arthur sits on top of Seryozha and prepares to resuscitate him. He warms his hands with warm air from his mouth. He puts his hands on his sternum and prepares to push harder.

RITA

(screaming in fright)

What are you doing?

Seryozha wakes up from Rita's scream. He gets scared when he sees Arthur on top of him. Seryozha pushes him first with his hands so that he gets off him, and then with his feet so that he gets off the bed and moves away.

ARTHUR

I thought you were dead. Why are you in blood?

SERYOZHA

My nose started bleeding, and I lay down. The blood didn't stop. Are you satisfied or should I give you a full report?

ARTHUR

I was trying to save you. You could thank me.

SERYOZHA

No one attacked me. What were you saving me from?

Rita gets between Arthur and Seryozha, separating them in different corners of the room.

RITA

Let's get to the plan. I would really like to get home early. A new semester and a diploma are very exhausting.

ARTHUR

(to Seryozha)

I need your gym-guys army and a squeaker. I've come up with the most effective plan - we'll get inside the Dreamland and smash all the computers that are there.

Seryozha dutifully covers his face with his hands, then looks pleadingly at the ceiling, asking it for answers, "why do I need all this?".

SERYOZHA

Your father will buy new ones.

ARTHUR

Purchase like these are not made in one day. The computers that I saw were made for two years. This is without taking into account the delivery time. They won't arrive for another two months.

SERYOZHA

Well, in two years he will buy new ones. Or is your plan to do this every two years?

ARTHUR

A lot can happen in two years. I have secured a position at Dreamland and I will take it in October. It's better if no one finds out that I was involved in this.

SERYOZHA

How do I know that you won't betray all of us when you take your father's place?

ARTHUR

We're friends, why would I betray you?

SERYOZHA

Then why don't you want to participate? If my name gets out, I'll get my ass kicked, just like you. I will lose my job and possibly my entire future.

ARTHUR

I'll leave you the workplace. When I take my father's place, I'll take you back.

SERYOZHA

You haven't become anything yet, but you promise. That's not how it works.

Rita feels that the conflict is getting stronger with every phrase. She tactically steps back towards the kitchen to pour water.

ARTHUR

Do you need more guarantees? You're just as corrupt as everyone else. Do you need more money?

SERYOZHA

I was unlucky to be born with a silver spoon in my ass. I'm tearing it up to build a future for myself, which is given to you ready-made and on a plate.

ARTHUR

So it's my fault that I was born into a wealthy family?

SERYOZHA

So, because you were born into a wealthy family, I also have to tear my ass off for you, right?

Arthur attacks Seryozha, pinning his arms to the bed. Seryozha actively breaks free with his feet and punches Arthur in the stomach. Seryozha moves closer to the table and picks up the squeaker, pointing it in Arthur's direction.

Rita sees what is happening, but she is afraid to approach. She needs to quickly decide who is more dangerous now in order to save the other one.… There's no point in choosing. Right now, any danger is dangerous for both of them, and it's not about Arthur and Seryozha.

RITA

(screaming)

I'm pregnant!

Arthur turns to Rita. Seryozha turns away from them. Seryozha puts the squeaker in his pocket. Arthur falls to his knees and "goes" to Rita on his knees. Arthur kisses Rita on the stomach and hugs her legs. He turns to Seryozha.

ARTHUR

You see, I have a family coming. Won't you help us?

Arthur pretentiously stretches out his hand to Seryozha, calling him to them. Seryozha falls on the bed and hides his face in his hands, wishing not to see the one who now has to play along.

INT. RITA'S APARTMENT - EVENING

Another warm evening in late September. The setting Sun illuminates the walls of houses in pleasant yellow-orange shades, peering into the windows of their tenants.

There is a cozy apartment, gifted by Rita's parents for the birth of a child. It is with the most modern furniture, including a baby cot, and appliances.

Seryozha is in charge of the apartment. He checks that the sharp corners are not too sharp. He checks the "closeness" of kitchen drawers. He checks the baby's crib for durability. Everything is fine, but Seryozha is painfully pale, he is literally shaking from the inside out.

Seryozha almost cuts himself trying to prepare a snack for the festive table, and decides to put down the knife, sit down and take a break.

The apartment door opens with a key. Rita appeared in the doorway, tired, with a large bag, and Arthur, smiling broadly, with a baby wrapped in a white blanket with a pink ribbon.

Rita picks up her daughter and takes her to the crib. Seryozha follows her, but stops on the threshold of the room. Rita notices his fear.

RITA

Come here, hold her, I want to change.

Seryozha walks towards Rita on shaky legs. Seryozha stretches out his arms to properly pick up the child. It's too ridiculous.

Rita is watching Seryozha. It makes her laugh. She decides to make fun of him and barks menacingly. Seryozha shudders and looks questioningly at Rita.

RITA (CONT'D)

She won't bite. Stretch your arms forward. Palms up. Instincts will work.

Seryozha does everything according to Rita's instructions. Rita adjusts his arms a little and gives him the baby. Seryozha instinctively hugged her.

RITA (CONT'D)

Now put her in the crib. Be brave.

Instead of cradling the baby with his hands, Seryozha begins to shake his whole body. It makes Rita laught again.

RITA (CONT'D)

We'll work on that later.

Seryozha puts the baby in the crib. Rita and Seryozha look at the sleeping girl.

Seryozha looks worried again. His breathing accelerates, and his skin becomes even paler. He takes something out of his pocket and hides it in his palm.

SERYOZHA

(Nervous)

I've prepared a gift for her.

Seryozha shows Rita something in the shape of a star.

SERYOZHA (CONT'D)

It's a night light. I've been afraid of the dark all my life. I fought with my parents about this until I moved to a dorm. Look.

Seryozha goes behind the cradle and adjusts something.

SERYOZHA (CONT'D)

I plugged in the socket. The light won't bother you. It will be distributed only here. Turn it on when it's dark, or when she gets scared…

Sergei cries and hides his face from Rita behind the crib. Seryozha finishes setting up the equipment, walks around the cradle and returns to Rita. Seryozha bends over to the cradle - 2 holes are cut out at the head of the crib, as for a socket, where Seryozha inserts a night light. The night light lights up with a pleasant yellow-orange light, like the setting Sun.

Rita starts crying from her feelings too. She kisses Seryozha on the cheek.

RITA

Why are you cold and wet? Are you feeling unwell?

SERYOZHA

I'm so worried. She's so tiny. Your vase for flowers is bigger than her.

RITA

Why did you touch the vase?

SERYOZHA

I brought flowers. They had to be put somewhere.

Rita lets her feelings come out again. She covers her eyes with her hand and turns away from Seryozha.

RITA

By the way, let's go to the kitchen. We still haven't celebrated the housewarming party. You need to rest.

Rita and Seryozha go to the kitchen, where Arthur alone began to help himself to sandwiches from Seryozha.

Seryozha is standing in the doorway again, not knowing which chair to sit on. Rita takes his hand and sits him down in the chair closest to the door.

Seryozha is happy to be here, but at the same time feels superfluous. He watches Rita with delight she is unhappy with Seryozha's work in the kitchen, although she carefully hides it.

SERYOZHA

(to Rita)

Have you decided what you want to call her?

ARTHUR

(with full mouth)

We are waiting for me to take a position in the Dreamland. So that our names don't show up at the registry office yet.

SERYOZHA

But you still not married. Why do you really need to go to the registry office?

ARTHUR

Children are also registered there. Relax, I didn't know either.

Rita finishes slicing vegetables and puts it on the table closer to Seryozha.

RITA

(to Seryozha)

It is Dasha.

Arthur stops chewing when he hears Rita's reply.

ARTHUR

Honey, when did we decide that?

RITA

Honey, I've decided that. Have a conscience. She'll have your last name.

ARTHUR

But why can't I choose a name for her?

RITA

Because you don't want the registry office to know ours.

ARTHUR

Who told you that?

RITA

You. Right now.

ARTHUR

I was worried sick. I have a baby. I'll have to raise him, teach him everything. He will follow in my footsteps and be as great as me.

Crying is heard from the room. Rita immediately turns at the sound, but Seryozha gets up from his seat, as the one closest to the exit, and retreats into the room.

RITA

Do you want to introduce her to Grandpa?

Now Arthur looks angry. The crying in the room is getting louder. Rita goes to check what's going on there.

In the room, Seryozha is rocking Dasha. Like a wave, his whole body is swinging, which makes the situation worse.

Rita enters the room, and what she sees changes her mood to a good one. She gestures for Seryozha to give Dasha to her.

RITA (CONT'D)

Look at me.

Seryozha silently watches Rita's movements. She walks in circles around the room. The room became much calmer. Rita puts the baby in the crib.

Rita bends down to the child to kiss her on the forehead.

RITA (CONT'D)

(to Seryozha)

Is this squeak coming from an outlet or a night light? Maybe it's better to turn it off?

Seryozha turns pale and sweats again.

SERYOZHA

What kind of squeak? That squeak? This electricity flows through the wires. Your refrigerator makes the same sound. After giving birth, your hearing has sharpened to respond instantly to the child's requests. Everything will be fine soon.

Rita leans wearily on the windowsill.

RITA

I wish I had this ability earlier.

Seryozha calms down. His own plan is working.Now he can spend the evening with his friends. Seryozha nods his head and "calls" Rita to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Arthur had already eaten a plate of sliced vegetables.

Seryozha slumps down in his chair, relaxed. Rita, passing by the table, takes the empty plate without looking, but her displeased face and loud exhalation speak for themselves.

SERYOZHA

Leave us something.

ARTHUR

When you have a baby, then we'll see how you'll deal with stress.

Seryozha does not react to Arthur's taunts in any way. He looks out the window, at the houses, at the clouds, at the setting Sun, at Rita, out the window again, and back at Rita.

Rita puts several plates of sliced cheese, bread, meat and vegetables on the table. She takes out 2 juice boxes from the fridge.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

(complaining)

Where's the alcohol?

RITA

Did you buy it?

Seryozha pours the juice into 3 glasses, standing next to each one.

ARTHUR

What should I eat it with?

RITA

With bread.

Rita pushes Arthur a plate with two types of bread - gray and white.

ARTHUR

You're boring.

Seryozha puts a glass in front of Rita and Arthur. Rita picks up her glass and drinks it in one gulp, like something alcoholic.

RITA

Adapt!

Rita takes herself a piece of bread, meat, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and covers it with another piece of bread. She's about to take a bite, but the baby is crying again.

Seryozha gets up from his seat so that Rita can rest, but Rita is angry at being here and now. Perhaps she is angry about a particular person who is actually here and is superfluous right now?

Seryozha and Arthur are left alone. Arthur calmly takes Rita's sandwich from her plate and eats half of it in one bite.

ARTHUR

She's too nervous after giving birth. Don't pay attention. Women are strange creatures.

Seryozha looks at him with a "do you understand what you're saying?" look.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

So, the child is here. I'm supposed to be taking my place at the Corporation in four days. We have to complete our plan in at least two days.

SERYOZHA

Stop. If this is definitely decided, then it would be more logical to take place first, and then do whatever you want with these computers.

ARTHUR

I don't want this position. I don't want my name to be associated with this place.

SERYOZHA

But then innocent people will suffer. Are you ready to take responsibility for this?

ARTHUR

If it can't be without victims, so let it be.

Arthur finishes Rita's sandwich. Seryozha tenses up.

SERYOZHA

What exactly are you planning to do?

Arthur wipes his mouth with his hand and flicks the crumbs onto the floor. He gestures for Seryozha to move a little closer to him.

ARTHUR

(wispering)

I need your sports-guys, squeaker, and you. You enter the Corporation as you usually do for work. After work, you'll stay for an hour or two, so that people leave and innocent people don't get hurt. Through the back door, you go out into the wasteland outside the territory. Your guys will be waiting for you there, ready to follow you wherever you tell them - to the computers.

SERYOZHA

Why do I need a squeaker?

ARTHUR

In case someone tries to stop you. You don't have to watch your project get destroyed. You will stand outside the door and shoot those who bother us. Is it a good plan?

SERYOZHA

(pretended)

Yes, very cool. You really thought through all the little things this time.

ARTHUR

The things I do for children's future.

Arthur fills his glass and Seryozha's glass with juice.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

For children's future?

SERYOZHA

For children's future.

Arthur and Seryozha drink from their glasses.

INT. UNIVERSITY. GYM - DAY

Seryozha enters his former university gym. Literally everything remained unchanged. Even the gym-guys are sitting in the same position in which Seryozha saw them for the first time a year ago.

How can you understand that they are happy to see Seryozha - they joyfully run to hug and to carry Seryozha on their shoulders.

SERYOZHA

(laughing)

Let me go, I have a very important request for you.

The sport-guys let him go and take up positions on the equipments in front of Seryozha.

SERYOZHA (CONT'D)

My really close friend recently had a daughter. Dasha. They're both wonderful, but they really need my help right now. I'm afraid I can't do it alone.

The Sports guy, who taught Seryozha how to train properly, raises his hand to ask Seryozha something. Seryozha gives him a permission with a gesture.

SPORTS GUY

Is that the pretty girl who was here with you?

SERYOZHA

(shyly)

Yes, that's her.

The sports guys laugh stupidly and shyly like Seryozha.

SERYOZHA (CONT'D)

There is one person who can unintentionally harm them. I want to get them out of town and hide them for a couple of weeks. Does anyone have a temporarily empty living space and a moving car?

The same Sports guy is still holding out his hand. Seryozha gives him his word.

SPORTS GUY

I have a cottage outside the city. Grandparents will arrive in May.

SERYOZHA

Great. We won't take up much space. Only the essentials.

The gym guys suddenly tense up. They look behind Seryozha. Seryozha notices this and turns around in the direction of their gaze.

Arthur is standing in the doorway. He looks appraisingly at the gym space from floor to ceiling. Arthur saunters up to Seryozha and whispers in his ear.

ARTHUR

You would have told me that everything is so bad for you. I would take you to my gym.

SERYOZHA

(whispering)

They're good guys. I don't want them to get hurt.

ARTHUR

No one will get hurt. You will protect them. I'm here to guide them. I'm sorry I doubted you.

Arthur steps forward, covering Seryozha with himself, and asks sports guys.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

I hope my colleague brought you up to date. We need to destroy this man's reputation

The inquisitive Sports guy holds out his hand again. Seryozha, behind Arthur's black, gives signs that there is no need to ask or say anything, but the Sports guy does not understand him.

SPORTS GUY

Yes, let's scare this bastard who offends the innocent.

ARTHUR

Everything is right. We'll meet on the spot tomorrow. And if anyone asks, you've never seen me.

Arthur theatrically turns around and leaves. As he passes by Seryozha, he whispers to him again.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

I took Rita and the baby out of town. They will return to a new world. I'll be waiting for you at the exit of the Dreamland.

Arthur comes out of the gym. Seryozha follows him, checks that he is definitely gone and closes the door. Seryozha returns to the gym guys.

The Sports guy pulls his hand up again. Seryozha lets him speak.

SPORTS GUY

Who was it?

SERYOZHA

The one who offends the innocent.

The Sports guy thinks about it

SPORTS GUY

Where did he say to meet?

Seryozha sits down on the floor and hides his face in his hands. The end of all plans.

INT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. SERVER ROOM - EVENING

Seryozha is waiting for the start of Arthur's "operation". He's the only one in the server room. He and a whole glazed wall of servers with flashing lights. Seryozha is hypnotized by them, he forgets to blink, peering at them. It looks like an invisible contact between man and technology.

Seryozha looks at the clock hanging above the entrance to the room. It's time. Seryozha calmly gets up, pushes a chair behind him, leaves the server room, closes the door and goes deeper into the corridors.

INT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. CORRIDOR - EVENING

Seryozha, by inertia, leaves some corridors and enters others. He knows exactly where he needs to go, and the corridors themselves lead him to the right place. If he thinks about how to get to the place, he will definitely get confused and lost.

From the outside, it seems that Seryozha is going to fulfill his part of the pre-agreed plan, but he stops at a dead end in front of a panel with many levers. He turns on all of them. Seryozha goes back into the corridors

Now he's fulfilling his part of the plan.

NAT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. WASTELAND - EVENING

Seryozha goes outside through the back door. The path to the exit of the territory is overgrown with grass, but it can be seen. The sun has not set, and the lighting turned on by Seryozha in the entire building and the surrounding area looks out of place.

Seryozha does not close the door after himself. He puts a brick he found nearby under the door.

Seryozha walks along the path to the exit of the fence. The metal fence also had a latch. It rusted and did not open immediately. It took a little effort to open the gate.

While Seryozha is fiddling with the latch, he sees that his gym friends are walking to the meeting place in a crowd of 15 people and main Sports guy. Everyone is ready to take revenge on the offender.

Seryozha opens the gate and walks out to them with a guilty look.

SERYOZHA

(shouting)

Guys, I'm sorry to have gathered you all here, but…

But then Arthur drives into the wasteland in a car. He says something to the crowd from the car, and does not realize that no one hears him.

He joyfully jumps out of the car, without closing the door, and runs to Seryozha. Arthur almost knocks him down and hugs him tightly, kisses the top of his head and pretends to hit him.

ARTHUR

Buddy, I didn't believe until the last moment that you were on my side. Imagine, everything is already happening. Tomorrow a new life will begin.

Arthur kisses Seryozha on the top of his head once more and steps forward, standing in front of a crowd of sports guys.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

(Solemnly)

My brethren. It is a great honor for all of us to be here today and fight for the common good. Yes, we're going to have a hard time when everything happens. Someone will be prosecuted, someone I won't be able to save, someone will die today, but know that you are all heroes.

Arthur presses his hand to his chest and makes a theatrical bow. The jocks whispered among themselves. Our curious Sports guy comes forward again with his hand raised.

SPORTS GUY

There was no doubt that we would suffer. You both called us to kick the bad guy's ass.

ARTHUR

My friend said it right. Is this man really an asshole and deserves… kicked ass? But first we have to enter this building and smash everything there. Then I promise you, we will go after that man and avenge his actions.

SPORTS GUY

But we don't break into other people's territories. We're here to help.

ARTHUR

(says to himself)

How difficult it is with them.

(to sports guys)

You don't need to break in. The doors are open. Your task is to go inside and break everything you find there. And then we'll go get revenge on the bad guy.

SPORTS GUY

Why should we get involved and do extra work? Show me where to find the bad guy!

ARTHUR

Let's start again: our target is the head of this Corporation. He bought a batch of large computers that will watching us and steal our personal data. Do you really want to be watched?

SPORTS GUY

But even we have lists with each other's personal information. This is how we make sure that everyone has everything they need. Sports uniforms, routine medical check-ups, trips to competitions.

The sports guys nod approvingly and support their leader.

ARTHUR

Are you really stupid or something? They can use this to control you, force you to do things you don't want to do, threaten you and your families. Everything his immoral brain is capable of.

Now the opinions of the sports guys are divided. Someone thought about it, and someone continued to support their leader. Two guys standing at the very end of the crowd grappled with each other, and then the domino effect worked - they hit the third guy, the third guy got angry and hit the fourth, the fifth decided to separate them, but gets a powerful blow in the nose, and decides to take revenge.

Arthur moves closer to the car, shielding it from an accidental blow, but cannot take his eyes off what is going on.

Seryozha moves closer to the gate. He tries to latch it, but it's difficult to do it from the other side of the fence. Seryozha closes the gate, creating the appearance of being locked so that no one can enter.

When the whole crowd is in the heat of a fight, the beaten leader of gym guys gets out of the "thick of the action" and headed towards Seryozha. An inquisitive Sports guy is holding his stomach - someone from the crowd brought a knife with them. What if there are several of them?

SPORTS GUY

(Loudly)

Calm down.

The guys, as if on cue, let go of each other. Someone fell back to the ground and stayed lying there. Someone else is making eye contact with their enemy. Someone is holding the line, looking around.

SPORTS GUY (CONT'D)

(Pointing a finger at Seryozha)

Are you behind this? Aren't we friends…

The Sports guy falls face-first into the ground. The loud thud was clearly audible in the complete silence.

Everyone's attention is on Seryozha. Even Arthur looks at him in disbelief.

The gym guys starts moving towards Seryozha, wanting to avenge their leader. Seryozha takes a squeaker out of his pocket, but no one understands what it is. They stop for a second, fearing the knife. Realizing that this is not a knife, the guys continue their offensive.

Arthur is afraid of being hit. He walks backward to the car. He doesn't take his eyes off Seryozha.

From afar, Arthur can see from the outline that Seryozha is pulling a squeaker out of his pocket. He decides to take it for himself even through force. He carefully wedges himself into the crowd of sports guy and go after them.

Seryozha guards the open gate. He gives the guys and Arthur the opportunity to get closer. Someone nervous from the crowd starts running towards Seryozha.

Seryozha turns on the squeaker.

The runner falls to the ground, clutching his head. A crowd of jocks does the same thing. Screams of pain, heavy attempts to breathe, muscle spasms, pain in recent wounds.

Seryozha, don't waste any time. He walks as fast as possible, but he doesn't turn off the squeaker. Moving away to the possible safe distance, Seryozha turns off the squeaker.

It's not a couple of kilometers that could have saved a life, but it's 5 meters that he was able to walk while being exposed to radiation. With the last of his strength, he tries to run and get away. Seryozha puts the squeaker in his pocket to use both hands in an attempt to keep his balance.

Arthur attacks Seryozha from behind. Arthur knocks Seryozha to the ground and sits on top of him. From his pocket, he takes out a knife he stole from one of the gym guys.

ARTHUR

(Out of breath)

Give me.

Arthur, like Seryozha, doesn't have much energy left. But Arthur is physically stronger, and Seryozha trained himself to keep up with the squeaker.

SERYOZHA

Why?

ARTHUR

I have.

SERYOZHA

Whom?

ARTHUR

Myself.

Arthur throws the knife aside. He presses Seryozha down with his body and brazenly fumbles in the pockets of Seryozha's jeans, looking for a squeaker.

Seryozha does not resist. A little rest would be good for him, but not in a situation where eternal rest is a couple of seconds away.

Arthur takes a squeaker out of Seryozha's pocket. He examines it in his hands.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

(more out of breath)

Are you suicidal? Did you want to kill everyone and yourself? You're a fool, it's remote.

Arthur turns on the squeaker. He and Seryozha turn out to be the epicenter of the radiation. This time, Arthur was not so lucky - the spasm of his hands does not allow him to turn off the squeaker. Or he doesn't want to seem like a fool in the eyes of his friend and prefers to leave with dignity, at least in his own eyes. In any case, we'll never know.

Arthur falls on Seryozha, pinning him down with his body. A dead and heavier body. Seryozha, unable to get up, gropes for Arthur's hand, in which he holds the squeaker, and turns it off.

Seryozha continues to lie down, recuperating. An hour or three hours passed, by Seryozha's standards. Bright lighting on the Corporate premises does not help to understand whether it is dark enough on the street to leave unnoticed or not.

Seryozha wakes up from the jerking of his own body, as in a dream with a fall. He was still lying on the ground, and Arthur was still lying on top of him.

Seryozha couldn't lift Arthur off himself, but he was able to crawl out from under him.

He dusts himself off, looks around. 17 bodies and no one else. Cars do not pass near this place, as they have nothing to do near the autonomous organization.

Seryozha turns away from everything that has happened and leaves. He passes by Arthur's car, which remains with the door wide open. He noticed that the blankets were crumpled in the back seat of the car. Seryozha preferred not to find out the reasons for their appearance.

Seryozha has not yet left the wasteland, as Arthur's car catches up with him, which almost knocks him down.

Rita gets out of the car, crying. She slams the car door loudly.

Seryozha, without any premonition of danger, goes toward her. He examines Rita, her face, he worries about her. He understands that there is now one more person in their family, but thanks to him, one less.

SERYOZHA

Who is Dasha with?

Rita goes up to Seryozha and slaps him on the head, face, ears, and back with her palm. Seryozha closes himself from the blows.

RITA

You let him die. It should be you. If you wanted to win me over so badly, then you're crazy.

It was as if Seryozha had been struck by lightning. It was like being doused with the most icy water. It was as if a third eye had opened, which helped him realize what happened, what is happening, and will happen.

Seryozha grabs Rita's wrists and holds them, looking into Rita's eyes. There are no feelings, sparks, or emotions in Seryozha's eyes. Rita's eyes were filled with a storm of hate, love, resentment, hope, anger, disgust, and desire. Seryozha lets go of her wrists. He goes where he was going until Rita showed up.

Rita is standing. She stares after Seryozha for a long time. It was finally dark. A cold breeze reminds of the impending October. Rita shudders from the cold and goes to warm herself in the car.

Seryozha walked along an empty road. The bright light from the Corporation still illuminated his path. A cold wind caught up with him. Seryozha puts his hands in his pocket, where he feels for the squeaker. He stops.

He pulls a squeaker out of his pocket.

Indifference turned to regret. He clutches the squeaker in his hand, trying to crush it, and cries. Seryozha squats down, unable to keep his balance, falls to his knees. He knocks his forehead on the asphalt. He hit his forehead many times with a squeaky fist and covered his face with his hands.

He calms down. The squeaker is still in his hand. Regret is replaced by fear. The fear is not for himself, but for the fact that someone will find a squeaker. Will find the blueprints, will find the notes. At this very minute, someone in his dorm room can find all this.

The squeaker must be hidden where it cannot be found. Don't think for everyone. The probability is small, but it is never zero. Or hide the squeaker for a while? A specific person must find it. In the future. A person who is "immune" to squeaking. A person who spent his entire childhood next to reduced squeaker copy. And how to get this person to come to the right place and pick up the squeaker?

Seryozha ran as fast as he could towards the Corporation. Rita's car was gone, and the bodies of the guys remained motionless. It doesn't bother Seryozha at all. He enters the Corporation the same way he left - an unlocked gate, which he closes behind him, a back door with a brick, which he also closes.

INT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Seryozha intuitively changes corridor after corr.

The right room now is the switch panel. Seryozha turns off all the electricity in the building. He continues walking by the light of a flashlight that Arthur once gave him. He shouldn't remember the good past. He needs to think about a better future.

Seryozha moves from one endless corridor to another and stops at the door of the archive, which he has not been to for a long time. He opens the door with his key and goes inside.

INT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. ARCHIVE - NIGHT

The archive has not been opened since Seryozha and Alexander Andreevich left it.

Seryozha runs his hand across the table, leaving bright handprints on the dusty table.

Too much dust. Seryozha runs the risk of being discovered. He uses the sleeve of his jacket to brush all the dust off the table. It falls to the floor in gray flakes.

Seryozha stands in front of cabinets with drawers signed by different years. He chooses which drawer to put the squeaker in so that it can be found for sure. Seryozha chooses a box with the inscription "September 99".

He opens it, takes out the drawer itself, puts the squeaker behind the drawer and puts the drawer back in place.

Seryozha thinks again. It would be strange to find such a device without context. It's like someone forgot their keychain flashlight back in 1999.

He takes out a squeaker from a hiding place behind a drawer.

Seryozha opens the other boxes "April 78", "August 78", "September 85", "June 95" and "September 95". In one of the drawers, the stationery given to Seryozha for work was stored - folders, pencils, pens, tape, scissors, notebooks, etc.

Seryozha takes an empty folder into which he puts all the documents he has found. He looks at the notebook. He wants to write a message to the future, but refuses the idea. Seryozha glues the squeaker with tape to the folder and closes it.

Seryozha hides the folder behind the "September 99" drawer. After making sure that everything is put in its place, he leaves the archive and locks it.

INT. ARTHUR'S APARTMENT. STAIR LANDING - NIGHT

Seryozha, in the same clothes and with a bloody forehead, climbs the stairs to the apartment of Arthur's family. The doorbell rings.

Seryozha is in no hurry to make hysterical calls for the second and third time. No one expects guests this late. Footsteps sounded outside the door. Alexander Andreevich came out on the threshold. The harsh light from the apartment blinds Seryozha. He covers his face with dirty hands.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Seryozha, what are you doing here? What happened to you? Come inside.

Alexander Andreevich gestures for him to come in. But Seryozha is not going to go inside.

SERYOZHA

There was a scuffle. Near Dreamland. Arthur is dead. Everyone died. He wanted to look around before starting work. Then they came out and…

Alexander Andreevich leaves the apartment to Seryozha and closes the door. He rests the door. Not from Seryozha, but from his wife, who is definitely not ready for news.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Are you okay?

Alexander Andreevich examines Seryozha, stretches out his arms to examine for injuries. Seryozha pulls away and covers himself with his hands.

SERYOZHA

We were in the car, but he was their target, not me. They probably wanted me to tell you about it.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

You said everyone is dead. How?

SERYOZHA

A strange feeling. Literally all the forces of the world were squeezing the body. My head feels like it's in a fog. I was afraid to go out to them. They dragged him away and killed him. And then…

(pause)

I am a coward.

Seryozha is trying to cry, which doesn't look very convincing. But Alexander Andreevich's shock will not remember the quality of crying, he will only remember that crying was.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Stay at our place. Tell me everything tomorrow. You can barely stand on your feet.

SERYOZHA

No, I can't. We were so close. And now he is…

The second attempt to cry was more successful. Even Seryozha was surprised.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Take a vacation. For a month. Get some rest.

SERYOZHA

I quit.

It seems that this news stunned Alexander Andreevich more than the death of his son.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

You can't quit. Your project. It's your life's work.

SERYOZHA

There's nothing stopping it anymore. I've done everything. I will outlive all of us.

Seryozha dramatically turns around and starts walking down the stairs, clinging too tightly to the railing. He understood why Arthur liked acting so much - the opportunity to cover up his true intentions with strange gestures or actions. Let them think it's strange, the main thing is that they don't ask unnecessary questions.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

But who will manage all this?

Seryozha dramatically turns back to Alexander Andreevich. He lowers his head, kneeling before his benefactor.

SERYOZHA

You had a beautiful granddaughter a couple of weeks ago. You might want to let her into your purebred club.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

A granddaughter? A girl?

SERYOZHA

Kids can be much stronger than you think. She had just been born and had not yet done anything to deserve anyone's hatred. It's hard to realize that you were born into a family where you're not welcome. I know by myself.

Seryozha looks into Alexander Andreevich's eyes with hatred and disgust. Alexander Andreevich feels ashamed. Seryozha turns away and descends the stairs with his usual gait - not holding onto the railing and jumping over the last step.

INT. CIVIL REGISTRY - DAY

There is another ordinary government institution. It could be an administration, a hospital or primary school. The difference is in the sign at the entrance.

Rita is sitting on one of the old chair with a pram, waiting for a call. Rita is called, and she enters the nearest office with a pram.

A WOMAN (45) is waiting for Rita in her office. She's tired of her cramped chair, her cramped clothes, her hated job, and her equally hated life.

A WOMAN

Documents!

Rita gives the Woman the documents she needs. The woman automatically fills out reports, with her free hand she fills out blank forms. She has a seal in her desk in case of registration of children. Rita, hypnotized, watches her and forgets about what is going on.

A WOMAN (CONT'D)

Name?

Rita returns to reality, and really doesn't understand what's going on.

RITA

What?

A WOMAN

Baby name?

RITA

Yes, Daria Sergeevna Vyshina.

The woman writes the name on the form, nodding approvingly, saying "sounds good".

A WOMAN

Where's the father?

RITA

Isn't it customary for us to raise children exclusively in women's families?

A WOMAN

True too.

RITA

Wars are more interesting to them than life.

Rita smiles absurdly, wanting to keep up an awkward conversation.

A WOMAN

Do you want to talk about it?

The woman is clearly not in the mood to talk.

RITA

No. Sorry. Goodbye.

Rita leaves the office with a pram.

INT. DREAMLAND CORPORATION. HEAD'S OFFICE - EVENING

Alexander Andreevich, who has aged over the past 5 years from grief, sprawled in unnatural position in an expensive armchair. Next to him is the same expensive wooden table, on which stands a burning candle, an empty bottle of rum and a dirty glass.

Sleeping Alexander Andreevich in a chic wool suit, high-quality patent leather shoes, in his office with expensive wooden furniture and wooden floor does not match at all.

MARK (20), a pleasant-looking man who is too active due to his age and obviously trying too hard to please his boss, enters the office with a wide gesture of opening the doors.

Mark opens the thick curtains, letting the evening sun into the office, picks up fallen books, stationery, stacks of papers, bottles from the floor, putting everything in its place. He turns on the TV, which is opposite Alexander Andreevich, where the evening news is just beginning on the central channel.

Mark takes out another bottle of rum and a clean glass from the wooden cupboards. He puts them on the table next to Alexander Andreevich, who has not yet regained consciousness, and takes an empty bottle and a dirty glass from the table. Mark leaves the office.

Alexander Andreevich wakes up to the noise of the TV. He obviously doesn't like it. He gets up from his chair. Sways on his legs, he walks to TV to turn it off. He does not find a single understandable button on the modern flat screen.

Mark returns to the office with a folder of papers, a clean glass, and clean clothes in a case on a hanger. He finds Alexander Andreevich tapping on the TV screen. Mark puts his clothes and a glass on one of the bookshelves and runs to save the TV.

MARK

Alexander Andreevich, stop it. What are you doing?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I hate these buzzers. It's just junk and noise. And now everyone is buying them up.

Mark gently leads Alexander Andreevich back to his chair. He pours rum from a bottle into his glass.

MARK

But you also have one.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I prefer books. Who decided that I needed it?

MARK

It's a gift from the security corporation. They decided that if you refuse to leave here, it's out of boredom. Surveillance cameras are also attached here so that you are aware of what is ging on.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Why do I even have to leave here? I don't need to go out. Not to anyone. They're all dead.

Alexander Andreevich shouts the last phrase into the TV..

MARK

But you're still alive. And you have to prolong your life as long as possible.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

No reasons.

Alexander Andreevich gulps down the rum from the glass and puts it on the table. Mark fills it up and walks away towards the shelves, where he hastily had to leave what he was carrying. Mark takes a clean glass and a folder of papers. He puts the glass back in the cupboard. Mark returns to his place next to Alexander Andreevich.

MARK

I've brought you the reports. This one's about your son's death. His friend, who is also the main suspect, wasn't found.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

It's been five years. He started a new life long ago. Why are they still working on this case?

MARK

Sixteen more people died there. Their relatives are looking for the culprits. They reject the theory that it was a provocation to get to you.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

They won't give me the heir back anyway. I'm only interested in the weapon used to kill him. Let me know when they find him. What else?

MARK

On the server room. We are planning to connect to banks. I'm afraid there may be difficulties with the government.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Look, now the success of our work will depend on it. Nightmare. Couldn't there be anyone more competent? Like I'm going to contact her.

Mark looks at the TV screen. A close-up of Rita is shown. The report is dedicated to her assumption of the post of Finance Minister.

Alexander Andreevich takes a glass of rum from the table, but abruptly puts it back down. He crawls to the screen, on his knees, peering at every pixel.

The frame shows Rita taking the oath, her parents stand behind. But Alexander Andreevich knows them by sight and they don't interest him. In the corner of the frame, surrounded by guards, stands a five-year-old girl. As if she was deliberately away from the rest of the family.

The girl does not look at her mother or other family members, she does not look confused or scared. She's studying. It's like she's planning to escape.

She studies the place, the people who are sitting in the audience, cameramen who are filming. This is not the kind of childish look that looks through things, it is adult and conscious, with notes of hatred for what is happening and those gathered. Alexander Andreevich had already seen such a look, just once, but it was enough to remember.

The report ends.

Alexander Andreevich gets up from his knees. He turns to Mark. He looks thoughtful.

Mark picks up a glass of rum from the table and takes it to Alexander Andreevich. He walks past Mark and the glass. It seems that he has a reason to live on as long as possible.

Mark is not satisfied that his boss no longer intends to drown his grief in alcohol. He brings him a glass of rum again.

MARK

What did you see?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

(to himself, answering someone)

Yes, that's it.

(to Mark)

You said it might be difficult to collect the data. We need to attract young people.

MARK

What kind of young people? Children? Schoolchildren?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

School graduates, applicants, and freshmen.

(to himself)

Kids can be much stronger than you think. That's what he said.

(to Mark)

Why don't we organize internship programs for everyone who wants to gain work experience? Mark my words, education is bullshit, experience is what will be appreciated.

MARK

Didn't you abolish entire departments of programmers, engineers, and development when there was a transition to computers?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I abolished entire departments of sociologists and psychologists when we learned to calculate a human behavior based on what they don't have. Then it became easier. You'd be surprised how simple we are. We always reach out to the group and will do everything to join it.

(to himself)

But not her, no.

MARK

Then why do we need interns?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

My son was once an intern. I thought it was bullshit to work for a "thank you". There are no guarantees, and the company will take all the ideas for itself. Why don't we get even worse?

MARK

What?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Don't you think it sounds silly to go on a free internship at a billion-dollar company that can afford to hire an entire department in a second?

MARK

Silly, right. So?

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Why don't we become the ones who will be really interesting to visit? A corporation that does brainwashing, experiments on people, but which offers free stays, real work experience, and a salary?

MARK

I'm sorry, but…

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

Yes, she will like that.

Alexander Andreevich takes the half-finished bottle of rum and puts it in the cupboard.

MARK

She?

He throws the dirty glass out the window he has opened.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I have a granddaughter. I want to give her the Corporation by inheritance. Everything is as it should be.

Mark tensed, because he would like to take Alexander Andreevich's place as his closest confidant

MARK

And who is she? How old is she? One word from you and I'll bring her here. Or rather, I'll send someone to get her.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

It's not that easy, dear Mark. Her mom wouldn't let that happen. And she's still a little girl. We have time to build the right reputation for ourselves, rebuild the apartment block, and try out the internship idea before she comes here on her own. Everything should be perfect.

MARK

But she might not want to come here. Maybe she doesn't want to be like her parents.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

I really hope so.

MARK

But she's your granddaughter, that is, your son's daughter.

ALEXANDER ANDREEVICH

She's definitely coming. I know who her father is.