DASH Pilot written by Greg Ernstrom D A S H INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM -- MONDAY MORNING MOVING through a crowd of eager STUDENTS milling about a gym decorated for Homecoming 1995 until we find... DASH BRENNER (15), average in every way. A guppy in an ocean of guppies - currently trying to swim upstream through a sea of students who ignore him or bump into him unnecessarily. DASH Sorry... Come on, really?... He comes to a stop at the end of a short line in front of one of the many sign up booths for various student activities. PRINCIPAL DANVERS Welcome to Homecoming week! PRINCIPAL DANVERS (a woman in her 50s), mic in hand, stands behind the booths. Dash is fixated, eyes glued on the sophomore working the sign up booth for MODEL UN: KATIE HALL (15), the girl next door who's had his heart since their second grade roller skating party. Dash stares, lost in his own thoughts as the world moves around him... PRINCIPAL DANVERS (O.S.) Let's remember! Homecoming is a week to celebrate responsibly, not a week to celebrate debauchery! HABEN (O.S.) Apparently her jokes didn't get better over the summer. HABEN (also 15), Dash's best friend since kindergarten, leans in. Dash doesn't react. Or even notice. HABEN You with me? Or ... (his eyes find Katie) ... Never mind. You're in your special place. DASH (without looking up) Stop calling it that. Haben notices the banner on the sign up booth ahead- HABEN You're signing up for Model UN? DASH Maybe. HABEN They have to give speeches. In front of other people. DASH ...I know. So what? HABEN Need I remind you about Mr. Mittens? DASH It was Mr. Tiger. Mr. Tiger who lost his mittens. HABEN Whatever. All I remember is you standing up on stage crying because you forgot your lines. It was hilarious. DASH It was the fourth grade. And I wasn't crying because I forgot my lines, I was crying because that's what my character would have done had he truly lost his mittens. HABEN Settle down, Pacino. I'm just saying, if this is about impressing Katie, maybe you should pick an activity that's less likely to end with you crying in public. DASH This isn't about-- KATIE (O.S.) --Dash! Dash turns, realizes Katie's looking at him, pen in hand. DASH Hey, Katie. 2. KATIE Are you interested in Model UN? Dash hesitates, building the courage- DASH Yeah, I mean, school spirit right? KATIE That's great! I was worried not enough people were going to sign up. This is going to be SO much fun. She hands him an informational sheet, with an agenda. KATIE We're meeting Thursday to talk about our first mock conference. The prep is a little intense but it'll be worth it when we compete next month. DASH Sounds great. HABEN None of that sounds great. Dash and Katie both ignore Haben... KATIE I never thought you would ever want to be in Model UN. RICK (O.S.) Of course he would, he's a loser. Dash turns and spots RICK (17). Captain of the football team in every sense of the phrase, Rick's the worst but hides it behind his perfect dimples. KATIE Only losers want to be in Model UN? He notices Katie's disapproval- RICK (off Katie's look) Relax. Not you. I'm just messing with the guy. Right, Brenner? Rick playfully noogies Dash who's not amused. 3. DASH (fixing his hair) Yeah. Fun times. Rick kisses Katie's neck but she playfully pushes him away. KATIE Come on, I'm trying to work. (back to Dash) So, you in? She holds out the clipboard, hopeful. Dash's eyes flit to Rick who stares daggers... DASH Actually-- (reading. Covering) Oh man. Thursday? I can't. Haben and I have... this thing-- HABEN We do? Katie masks her hurt. KATIE (not buying it) A thing? DASH It's a demolition rally thing, but for robots which we build- RICK (snorts) Dorks HABEN It's actually pretty neat. Dash hands the sign up sheet back. There might as well be a tail between his legs as he makes for the exit... He slinks out of the gym, Haben in tow. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT -- MONDAY AFTERNOON Cars and busses pull out of the lot. Busy. Dash removes the lock from his bike. HABEN So, that went well. 4. DASH Bite me. HABEN No I mean it. I think Katie was really impressed back there at how scared you are of vagina. DASH Gross. HABEN See? Just the word scares you. RACHEL CARDONA (15), maybe the only kid in school who Dash and Haben outrank, walks past. She's an outsider who couldn't care less about being an outsider... and it shows. RACHEL Hey, Dash. (confrontational) Haben. Haben rolls his eyes. HABEN Judd Nelson called, he wants his look back, Rachel. RACHEL Ooooh, sick burn. Did your mom write that one? Rachel snickers and walks away. Dash gets the lock undone and steps onto his bike. Haben shakes her off and readjusts. HABEN Just saying, that's not how you win over the ladies. They like it when guys show some backbone. DASH I wasn't scared... (off Haben's look) The timing just wasn't right. HABEN (laughs) You've been saying that since the third grade. Dash heads off in a huff on his bike as Haben scrambles to catch up. 5. HABEN Oh, don't be like that! EXT. DASH'S HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - DUSK A quaint house at the end of a tree-lined suburban neighborhood cul-de-sac. HABEN (O.S.) When you get down to it, it's really not your fault... PRE-LAP: MECHANICAL GEARS GRINDING ... INT. DASH'S HOUSE, GARAGE - CONTINUOUS CLOSE ON: A small, circular, homemade robot (think Rumba) spins in a circle on the cement floor. Unable to go straight. DASH The attitude on this thing is still all screwy. Dash sits on a stool next to a small workbench littered with old tools and various parts from disassembled appliances. He works a remote control - but the bot just circles helplessly. The rest of the garage is cluttered with boxes and junk, save for the small work space Dash and Haben carved out. Dash picks up the flailing bot and sets it down on the work bench. Haben steps in, pulling out parts as he continues: HABEN Think about it. Life is never gonna be better than it is right now for Rick. Katie's probably the hottest chick he'll ever get. Dash hands Haben parts without Haben having to ask - it's clear these two work well together, like a pit crew. DASH How is this supposed to make me feel better? HABEN It's not. It's just the reality of the situation you're in. He's at his peak - our peak comes later. 6. DASH Isn't that what your mom always tells you? HABEN So what if it is? Are you calling Dottie a liar? Haben finishes the repairs and hands the bot back to Dash. HABEN Okay, give it a try now. Dash sets the bot back down on the floor and hits the remote. WHOOSH! The robot instantly CATCHES ON FIRE as it careens across the cement floor! DASH Nonononono NOOOO!!! The flaming bot speeds towards a stack of cardboard boxes overflowing with Christmas decorations. Might as well be kindling... Dash leaps off the stool, kicking the small bot just before it reaches the box. He stomps the flames out until his sneaker begins to smolder , burning through the rubber sole- DASH OW! Shit! He hastily flips his sneaker off with his other foot, kicking... right into the box he just saved. WHOOSH! A plastic wreath in the box IGNITES, growing quickly in intensity! HABEN I'm on it! Haben unleashes a BLAST from the fire extinguisher, putting out the blaze with a spray of chemical foam... needlessly dousing Dash in the process. Thick smoke hangs in the garage as Dash gets to his feet, partially covered in foam, and surveys the damage. DASH ... My mom is gonna freak. She loves these ornaments. 7. HABEN I think there's a way to spin this where we come out as heroes... (off Dash's look) Well, where I'm a hero at least. He sets the extinguisher down like a gunslinger. CUT TO: EXT. DASH'S HOUSE, SIDE YARD - NIGHT, MOMENTS LATER CLOSE ON: The burnt box of decorations as they get PUSHED down into a plastic trash can. Dash, with foam still in his hair, tosses his burnt sneaker on top before shutting the lid. KATIE (O.S.) Was that one of those demolition robot things? Startled, Dash looks up to find Katie perched above in a TREE HOUSE built into a tree which hangs over into his yard. DASH Oh, hey. You saw that? KATIE Hard to miss a two alarm fire ten feet away. You missed a spot. She motions to his hair, he quickly fixes it. Suddenly very self conscious. KATIE Haben was right by the way. Dash notices Katie's been working on her homework in the tree house by flashlight... DASH He was? About what? KATIE Those things are pretty neat. Or seem to be when they're not catching on fire. She smiles, Dash does too until- SLAM ! A door slams inside Katie's house, just a few feet away. It's followed by muffled ARGUING. Katie's parents 8. She ignores it, so Dash does the same. DASH Are you working on that paper for Mr. Finn's class? KATIE Not yet. It's just Model UN stuff. I have to do the prep for twelve different countries before our first practice next week. It's just a bunch of facts about various countries, but it's a lot of work. (pointed) I was hoping to have more help with it all, but we only got six people to sign up this year. Dash feels the sting of her words. DASH Sorry about that, I just promised Haben- Suddenly HEADLIGHTS hit Dash from behind. He turns, shielding his eyes, and sees his MOM pulling into the driveway. The garage window behind Dash opens, smoke POURS out of it as Haben frantically tries to vent the garage. HABEN (O.S.) Oh shit! Code red, dude! Don't let her in here! Dash's eyes go wide, panicked. He needs to go but he's reluctant to end the conversation with Katie. She laughs. KATIE Tell your mom I said hi. With that Katie retreats back to her work. Dash casually walks away... until he's sure Katie isn't looking, then he breaks out into a SPRINT. EXT. DASH'S HOUSE, DRIVEWAY - CONTINUOUS Dash rounds the corner just as his mom steps out of her small sedan wearing her work uniform from the local diner. DASH'S MOM Hey, hun 9. Dash's mom is young (late 30s), with kind but tired eyes. She stops when she notices Dash is shoeless and out of breath- DASH I can explain everything, don't worry. She looks her son over - DASH'S MOM I'm late, no time to worry. As long as you've got all your fingers and toes... She pulls a plastic take-out bag out of her car- DASH'S MOM I picked up an extra shift tonight so I can't stay, but I brought you dinner, because...? DASH ...Because you love me. It's clearly a well worn routine between them. Dash takes the bag as she tussles his hair. She recoils a bit, touching some residue of the foam. She wipes off her fingers as Dash covers- DASH Thanks for dinner. DASH'S MOM ...Do I smell burning rubber? DASH You're nuts, and late. DASH'S MOM Right! Dash's mom hustles back into her car, stopping for one more kiss on the forehead before putting it in reverse. DASH'S MOM Don't stay up too late. Love you! Haben sticks his head out the garage door, smoke billows out behind him. HABEN Bye, Mrs. Brenner! 10. INT. DASH'S BEDROOM - MORNING The alarm goes off, jolting Dash from his sleep. He sits up in bed, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He grabs a towel and heads for the bathroom but when he opens his bedroom door he sees a note taped to it. Dash reads it: "Picked up an early shift, home early tonight. Love you!" EXT. DASH'S HOUSE - MORNING Freshly showered with his backpack over his shoulder, Dash hustles over to his bike and hops on. EXT. ROAD -- MONDAY -- MORNING Dash pedals down a suburban road alongside a large lake. PEOPLE are out for the morning commute, enjoying the last bit of early morning fall sunshine. Dash's eyes fall upon a couple holding hands as they stroll along the lake. Dash takes his eyes off the road for a moment too long, lost in thought as he drifts further into the road - HONK! HONK! Dash turns and sees an SUV speeding towards him! DASH Oh, shit! Dash turns his bike hard, trying to get out of the way but the SUV over-corrects and turns towards Dash, closing fast! The bike jumps the curb and Dash dives off just as the SUV clips the now empty bicycle and careens towards the water. Dash tumbles to a painful stop and watches as the SUV launches over the embankment and splashes into the lake. The car fills with water, sinking fast. People rush to the edge of the lake. Waiting. Unsure of what to do. DASH Someone get help! Dash watches, still in disbelief. Waiting, hoping for someone to surface... But they don't - and no one else moves to help. Dash can't take the inaction anymore, he dives into the water and swims towards the sinking car. He takes a deep breath... 11. EXT. LAKE, UNDERWATER -- CONTINUOUS ... And dives into the murky abyss. The car has hit bottom ten feet down. Dash swims towards the driver side door. He struggles with the latch -- but it won't open. He looks through the glass. Inside: A MAN SITS, SEAT BELT FASTENED. SEEMINGLY AT PEACE Dash spots the open passenger side window and swims through. Once inside, Dash surfaces in a small, and shrinking, air pocket. He catches his breath. The water continues to rise, he knows this is his last shot as he submerges. Dash makes quick work of the seat belt and begins to drag the unconscious man back towards the open window. The man's BLUE eyes suddenly BOLT OPEN! He sees Dash and starts to FLAIL! Dash struggles to control the stronger man, pushing him towards the open window. Towards freedom. The Man kicks, SLAMMING Dash against the dashboard. His sweatshirt gets tangled around the steering collum. FUCK. Dash struggles to get free but it's a losing effort. He's drowning... And the Man just watches. Seemingly content to drown right along with Dash. Nearly out of air, Dash struggles to free himself from his sweatshirt. Just as he gets one arm loose... A WHITE LIGHT ENVELOPS US AS THE SOUND DISAPPEARS... FADE TO WHITE: Silence. Then, softly at first, THE SOUND OF RUNNING WATER. HABEN (O.S.) Dash! Yo, Dash! The light flickers, as if blinking. We regain focus... INT. MEN'S ROOM -- THE FUTURE -- DAY DASH'S POV : Hands being washed under a faucet. Soapy. 12. We look up and see FUTURE HABEN. Forty, with the same baby face only masked behind twenty-five years of weathering. FUTURE HABEN You with me, buddy? FUTURE DASH (O.S.) ...Haben? FUTURE HABEN Who else? Dash looks to the mirror and that's when we see it. END DASH'S POV: Looking back at us in the mirror is FUTURE DASH (also 40). Dash blinks. And blinks again... He quickly splashes water on his face, making a fucking mess. FUTURE HABEN Whoa! Settle down! Dash grabs Haben. FUTURE DASH What the hell is going on, Habes?! Haben peels Dash's fingers off his cheap suit. FUTURE DASH You're so OLD ! I'm so OLD! FUTURE HABEN Is this a breakdown? Come on, man. Not today. Haben's iPhone rings. He grabs it. FUTURE HABEN (ON PHONE) No, stall her. We're on our way. I found him. No, he's fine-- Dash looks at the iPhone, confused by the slick technology. FUTURE DASH That's a phone?! FUTURE HABEN What is wrong with you? FUTURE DASH Haben, look at me. 13. Haben does as he hangs up and pockets his phone. FUTURE DASH I was just almost hit by a car-- FUTURE HABEN Wait, what?! FUTURE DASH I was riding my bike to school and this car came out of nowhere- FUTURE HABEN Dude. That was twenty-five years ago. That lands hard on Dash. Haben plows ahead... FUTURE HABEN I really need you not to fall apart today. Tomorrow you can flip out all you want. Just not today. Haben walks out. Dash looks back to the mirror. Twenty-five years? INT. OFFICE, HALLWAY -- THE FUTURE -- DAY Haben walks down the hall at a quick clip. Dash wipes his face with his sleeve as he tries to keep pace. FUTURE DASH What do you mean twenty-five years ago? FUTURE HABEN Jesus, dude, pull it together. Haben smiles at a PRETTY CO-WORKER as he passes -- FUTURE HABEN Hey, Dianne. She ignores him. Haben doesn't skip a beat. FUTURE HABEN Look, I get that you're nervous about this presentation. I know you still Facebook stalk her. FUTURE DASH What the hell is a Facebook ? 14. FUTURE HABEN Just get the presentation materials and your ass to the conference room. FUTURE DASH I don't know what you're talking about-- FUTURE HABEN Come on, man. Don't make me pull the boss card on you. Dash stops abruptly, surprising Haben. FUTURE DASH Wait, you're my boss? Dash lets loose a loud, guttural laugh. The outburst startles Haben and the other CO-WORKERS who turn to look. FUTURE HABEN (mortified) Just get the cost breakdowns! Dash takes a step. Hesitates -- FUTURE DASH Where's my desk-- INT. OFFICE, CUBICLE -- THE FUTURE -- MOMENTS LATER Dash cautiously looks for his cube, avoiding eye contact with his CO-WORKERS as he walks past a window. He doubles back to the window, soaking in the view from the ninth floor: OUTSIDE: An unfamiliar, small metro area spreads out below, clearly not in the best part of town... HABEN (O.S.) Let's GO! Dash scrambles away and finds his cubicle, which he identifies by spotting a picture of himself and a cat on his desk. Dash looks at the picture, unimpressed. Dash opens his desk drawer and finds his business card: DASHEL BRENNER, JR. SOFTWARE DESIGNER. His eyes drift from the business card to his computer monitor. Dash reads the date displayed on the task bar: 15. DASH September 27... 2020. No WAY! FUTURE HABEN (O.S.) You're KILLING ME, Dash! Dash spots a pile of folders on his desk. He reaches for the folders but as soon as he touches them -- ZAP! PARAMEDIC (O.S.) CLEAR! Dash JOLTS back, surprised and staggered as BLINDING WHITE LIGHT ENVELOPS THE ROOM! FADE TO WHITE: ZAP! PARAMEDIC (O.S.) CLEAR! We focus slowly, finding ourselves at ... EXT. LAKE, SIDE OF THE ROAD -- 1995 -- DAY ZAP! Dash (now 15 again) GASPS for air as a PARAMEDIC uses the defibrillator to SHOCK him back to consciousness. PARAMEDIC He's coming around! They work quickly to take off the nodes. Dash COUGHS the water out of his lungs, rolling onto his side. DASH What happened? PARAMEDIC You're going to be okay. Deep breaths. Try not to move. Dash looks around. The once quiet lake side is now surrounded by press and onlookers. DASH There's another guy, he's still-- PARAMEDIC You saved his life. Just relax. 16. Dash rolls over onto his back. Breathing deep. His gaze drifts to the ambulance where a soaking wet man with BLUE EYES sits on the tailgate, wrapped in a shock blanket. His ice blue eyes are locked right on Dash... FADE TO: INT./EXT. CAR -- NIGHT Dash sits in the front seat as his mom pulls into their driveway. She's still dressed from her shift at the diner and is currently on the edge of losing it completely. They sit in silence for a beat. Dash notices her hands trembling on the steering wheel as she tries to keep it inside. Dash can't take it anymore-- DASH I'm okay. Really. DASH'S MOM When they called, no one would tell me what happened and I thought... I thought- DASH Sorry. I didn't want them to call you at work, I tried to stop them-- DASH'S MOM You weren't going to call me?! DASH --I could have rode home if they let me. Now you missed a shift at work and it's my fault- DASH'S MOM Hey, look at me. (he does) I'm not mad at you. You hear me? What you did tonight, saving that man's life... not everyone would have done that. I'm proud of you. Your father would be too. That lands on the both of them. 17. DASH'S MOM But you can't take those kinds of risks, you got me? I can't lose you both. My heart couldn't take it. She smiles at him and tussles his hair. He hates that and she knows it. She hugs him tight until he gives in. INT. DASH'S HOUSE -- NIGHT The phone's ringing as Dash enters the house. He walks by the ringing phone, leaving it to his mother to answer. DASH'S MOM (INTO PHONE) Hey, Jerry. No, he's fine. FOLLOW Dash through the house, heading for his bedroom. The house is small, but warm. As he moves deeper into the house, the conversation fades. DASH'S MOM (INTO PHONE) What did you want me to do-- He passes by a wall of pictures, mostly just him and his mom. From the pictures, it looks like that's how it's been for awhile. There are a few pictures of DASH'S FATHER with young Dash - but just a few... DASH'S MOM (INTO PHONE) I'll make up my shift tonight-- Dash reaches his bedroom... DASH'S MOM (INTO PHONE) You're cutting my hours? You know what, Jerry-- He closes the door and collapses onto his bed. INT. DASH'S BEDROOM -- THE NEXT MORNING The alarm BLARES. Dash, lying spread eagle on his bed, JUMPS awake. He wipes the sleep from his eyes. He looks into the mirror -- double checking to make sure he's still 15. That's not crazy, is it? He grabs a towel and heads for the bathroom but when he opens his bedroom door he sees a new note taped to it. Dash reads it: 18. "Had to go in early, but I made a special breakfast for my big hero! Love you!" INT. KITCHEN -- MOMENTS LATER CLOSE ON: A bowl of cereal with a banana cut up into it and some (now cold) toast sits on the counter. PULL BACK: as Dash schleps down the stairs, backpack slung over one shoulder and clocks the waiting breakfast. He sighs. CLICK! Dash thumbs on the small TV on the kitchen counter as he pours the milk. The local morning news comes to life: TV ANCHOR (ON TV) ...If not for the actions of 15 year old Dash Brenner... An image of Dash comes on the screen. An awful school picture, the last thing you'd want plastered on the news. TV ANCHOR (ON TV) ... the unidentified driver surely would have drowned. INT. HIGH SCHOOL, HALLWAY -- MORNING Dash slumps through the doors and heads down the crowded hallway. HEADS TURN as he walks past, whispers we overhear. A few UPPERCLASSMEN walk by, instead of needlessly bumping into Dash, this time they slap him on the back as they pass- UPPERCLASSMAN 1 Hey, Dash! Way to go, man. UPPERCLASSMAN 2 Good work, bro. Dash smiles politely. Too timid to dare answer back. He keeps moving, suddenly aware that everyone in the hallway is sneaking peaks at him. INT. HIGH SCHOOL, DASH'S LOCKER -- MOMENTS LATER CHA-CHUNK! Dash swings his locker open and takes a breath. HABEN (O.S.) What the hell, man?! Dash peers over his locker door at Haben. 19.