"MORPHINUS"
A Short, Pointless Sci-Fi
Screenplay by Chris McCaleb
FADE IN:
INT. A MODERN OFFICE
We MOVE through a labyrinth of cubicles until we see JIM. Jim, a young, hip computer whiz who has always sensed that something is not quite "right" about this world, pauses a moment from his work on some "code" to stare pensively out the window. Suddenly his phone rings.
JIM
Jim Davis.
VOICE ON
PHONE
Everything you know is a lie.
JIM
Excuse me?
VOICE ON
PHONE
We'll contact you later.
JIM
WAIT - does this mean the Office Max account fell through? WAIT!
The phone line is dead. Concerned, Jim gets up to go to the breakroom.
CUT TO:
INT. BREAKROOM
Jim pours himself a large cup of dark coffee. Suddenly a MAN dressed in a long, black leather coat and dark glasses is next to him.
MAN
This world is fantasy - meant to distract you.
JIM
You're... the guy from the phone!
MAN
I am called Morphinus. And you have been chosen by us to see... the Truth.
JIM
OK, then.
MORPHINUS
This may be hard for you to accept. You see, everything you know... or THINK you know... is a lie.
JIM
Yes, you mentioned something about that on the phone earlier.
MORPHINUS
All of this... (he gestures to the breakroom, but we intuitively realize he means the entire universe) REALITY.. is just an elaborate construct. It's an ILLUSION placed in your mind by our Robot Overlords.
JIM
That's the craziest thing I've ever heard! And yet... I sense in some strange way that it is the truth. Tell me more of the Robot Overlords.
MORPHINUS
Yes, this is why you have been chosen - for your ability to see. Now, take this pill, and all will be made known to you.
Morphinus holds out a simple red pill. Jim takes it without hesitating. Suddenly they are in a
INT. A DARK ROOM
In the center of the room is an examining table. Jim is lying on the table, with some sort of futuristic-looking wire suction cup attached to his forehead. Morphinus appears and removes the suction cup.
MORPHINUS
THERE! You have been removed from the net! The net, you see, is the electronic illusion created by the Robots to fool you. To fool all of mankind.
JIM
Wow!
Morphinus leads Jim to the door.
MORPHINUS
Now, realize this - the world you have just left is the LIE. The world you are about to see is the REALITY.
Jim swallows nervously, then opens the door and exits the room. He is immediately back in
INT. THE MODERN OFFICE
Everything looks exactly the same - the cubicles, the water cooler, the secretaries, everything.
JIM
Um... I don't get it.
MORPHINUS
It's natural for you to be confused at first.
JIM
No, I mean... it's completely identical!
MORPHINUS
Yes, the Overlords were meticulous in their evil work.
JIM
But... I'm not sure I understand the point. So the REAL world is the exact same as the false, computer-generated one?
MORPHINUS
Yes!
JIM
And, apart from the Robot Overlord thing, the worlds are identical?
MORPHINUS
Yes. In every way.
JIM
So... what's the point?
MORPHINUS
I... what?
JIM
WHAT'S THE POINT of creating a virtual reality that's just identical to actual reality?
Morphinus starts to answer, then stops. He scratches his head, then looks at the floor, avoiding Jim's gaze. Jim sighs, then makes his way back to his cubicle.
THE END