PEARLS BEFORE TIME
Written by Korama Danquah
Represented by Cary Kozlov Cary Kozlov Literary Management (323) 857-4596 - Office (818) 209-2185 - Cell ckozlov@ckliterary.com
ACT ONE
INT. DREAM VOID - NIGHT
There’s nothing. Only darkness. Then from the darkness a woman’s voice.
DR. JIMENEZ (V.O.)
Tell me about the dream, Pearl.
Suddenly, standing in the dark, there’s PEARL WILLIAMS (32, Black American, sweet and self-effacing to a fault), wearing a green sweatshirt with the word ALCOTT on it in white.
PEARL (V.O.)
I’m minding my own business when suddenly I’m surrounded.
Suddenly, in the void, Pearl is surrounded by people all wearing the same color green.
PEARL (V.O.)
I try to take off my sweatshirt to give it to them, but they start to smother me with it.
She takes off her sweatshirt, but when it’s covering her face, a swarm of hands wraps the fabric around her face.
CUT TO:
INT. DR JIMENEZ’S OFFICE - DAY (2023)
Pearl is in the therapy office of DR. LUNA JIMENEZ (40, put together in a Sheryl Sandberg kind of way). There is a large glass window, through which we can see palm trees and Southern California streets. Inside the office, everything is glass and chrome. The room exists at the intersection of cozy and clinical. There is a bookshelf with psychiatry books and shiny knickknacks, some of which silently oscillate and spin. There is a couch where Pearl sits opposite of Dr. Jimenez who sits in a metal chair and occasionally takes notes.
PEARL
It’s just a dream, though. You know? I probably had some bad fish.
DR. JIMENEZ
You don’t think this is at all related to your college reunion?
PEARL
Pssh. No. Why would it be?
Dr. Jimenez looks at her skeptically.
DR. JIMENEZ
What did the sweatshirt say?
PEARL (sheepishly) Alcott.
DR. JIMENEZ
The name of your college.
Pearl points to Jimenez’s diploma on the wall.
PEARL
You went there for grad school! Maybe the dream was about you. And how I hate therapy.
Dr. Jimenez just stares at her.
PEARL (CONT’D)
Okay, there’s a teensy weensy chance it’s about the reunion.
DR. JIMENEZ
No one is forcing you to go to this thing. You said you wanted--
PEARL
To face my past, I know. I also want to be anxious about it.
DR. JIMENEZ
Okay, let’s be anxious. Walk me through The Incident again.
PEARL
The Sunset Serenade thing?
DR. JIMENEZ
Yes. That happened your first year of college, correct?
PEARL
We don’t have to call it The Incident. That... It’s so dumb. I don’t want to make it a whole thing.
DR. JIMENEZ
It’s not dumb if you were upset by it. And my understanding is that Sunset Serenade is a big deal for first year undergrad students.
As Pearl describes the ritual of the Sunset Serenade, it’s shown onscreen. The students and alumni wear school colors and official Alcott University sweatshirts from multiple generations. They all hold lit candles and the alumni sing joyfully, though we can’t hear it.
PEARL
Yeah. It’s a two hundred year old tradition. The alumni reunion always overlaps with the first weekend of school and at sunset that Saturday, the alumni march two by two and serenade first years.
DR. JIMENEZ
Who also march two by two?
PEARL
Right. And no one would walk with me, so I was bobbing around alone, like an idiot.
DR. JIMENEZ
It seems to me that even though you have a good job and you’re a genuinely lovely person to be around, you’re scared that when you step back on that campus, you’ll go right back to being the girl who has no one to walk with her.
Pearl starts sweating, breathing heavily, and fanning her face. She’s having a panic attack.
DR. JIMENEZ (CONT’D)
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
Pearl follows Dr. Jimenez’s orders. She calms down.
PEARL
Sorry. That was... a production. maybe it was more of an Incident than I thought.
DR. JIMENEZ
What are you feeling right now?
PEARL
Anxious. Sad. I feel like being alone for this big important thing kind of set the tone for the rest of my time at school. And that set the tone for the rest of my adult life. And I haven’t been able to shake it all off. Yet.
DR. JIMENEZ
If you don’t feel like you’re ready, you don’t have to go back.
PEARL
No, I want to. You said that if I did this I could see you every other week instead of every Friday. Can I get some Xanax or something for the trip, though?
DR. JIMENEZ
You know I’m a PhD doctor not a Grey’s Anatomy doctor. I have a better idea.
Dr. Jimenez gets up and walks to the metal knickknacks on her bookshelf and grabs one. It looks like the draconian katra from season four of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There is a portion with metal rings that slide over your fingers and a portion that covers the palm: a round metal disc with a button on it. She hands it to Pearl.
PEARL
I’ve always been good at swallowing pills, but this one’s gonna take some work.
DR. JIMENEZ
This is an alternative therapy device I created called the ZapBak. It’s for anxiety. Think of it like a little electric shock that you can keep in your pocket.
PEARL Is it safe?
DR. JIMENEZ
Of course. I’ve been perfecting it since grad school. It just knocks you out of your anxiety and zaps you back to where you need to be.
PEARL
Hence the name.
DR. JIMENEZ
Yes. We’re out of time today, Pearl. You can tell me all about reunion when I see you next week.
PEARL
Every week, like clockwork.
DR. JIMENEZ
You always show up. That’s a big deal. You’re my only client who’s never missed a session.
PEARL
Because I need more therapy than everyone else.
DR. JIMENEZ
When you get back we can talk about switching to biweekly.
PEARL
Sorry to be annoying about it, Dr. Jimenez.
DR. JIMENEZ
Pearl, you don’t have to apologize. Have a safe trip.
Dr. Jimenez waves goodbye to Pearl as she leaves.
INT. PEARL’S APARTMENT – LATER (2023)
Pearl is in her bedroom. She lives in a very nondescript apartment with no art or posters on the walls. Her suitcase is open and half packed already. She folds her jeans as she practices talking to her classmates at the reunion.
PEARL
You remember me? How flattering!
INT. DR JIMENEZ'S OFFICE - SAME TIME (2023)
Dr. Jimenez paces around her office, recording notes into a recording device.
DR. JIMENEZ
Pearl Williams is the perfect candidate for testing the device. (MORE)
DR. JIMENEZ (CONT’D)
Unfortunately, I’m not sure the patient will use it.
INT. PEARL'S APARTMENT – SAME TIME (2023)
Pearl’s suitcase is nearly full. She picks up the ZapBak and puts it on top of her clothes. She looks at it for a moment, takes it out of the suitcase.
DR. JIMENEZ (V.O.)
If Pearl doesn’t address her anxiety surrounding The Incident, I fear that her progress will stagnate.
Pearl puts the ZapBak into the suitcase once again. A second passes. She takes it out.
DR. JIMENEZ (V.O.)
Pearl has a tendency of not going for what she wants.
Pearl packs a colorful, sexy dress in her bag. The tags are still on it. She looks at it for a moment and opts to take it out, tossing it to the back of her closet. She packs a shapeless taupe dress instead.
DR. JIMENEZ (V.O.)
She talks about feeling invisible, but she takes great pains to keep herself that way.
Pearl zips up her suitcase and rolls it out of the room. The ZapBak is on the bed. She runs back in and grabs it.
DR. JIMENEZ (V.O.)
I sincerely hope that after this trip, she lets herself be seen.
INT. HOTEL VARTAN - NEXT DAY (2023)
Pearl checks into an opulent old fashioned hotel. The sort of architectural marvel that you never find on the west coast. The woman working behind the desk is a young woman, ROXANNE (25ish, Extroverted). She has a name tag on. She places a room key envelope on the counter.
ROXANNE
Alright, checking out tomorrow, September 3rd. You here for the Alcott reunion?
PEARL
Right on the money. Haven’t been back since I graduated. Haven’t even been back in Pennsylvania.
ROXANNE
Don’t worry. Nothing’s changed.
PEARL
That’s what I’m afraid of. You’re a local?
ROXANNE
Thanks for not calling me a “townie.” Yup! My family’s owned the hotel for generations.
She points to a sign that reads “Family Owned and Operated Since 1874”.
PEARL
Hey, is that dollar slice pizza place still open?
ROXANNE
Sergei’s? Shut down. Mob front, if you can believe it.
PEARL
No!!! But it was so good!
ROXANNE
So good! There’s a new spot, but it’s all artisan pizza.
Pearl jokingly retches. Roxanne laughs.
ROXANNE (CONT’D)
I can upgrade you to a king bed if you want. You know, in case you run into any hotties from ye olde days tonight.
Pearl notices a line behind her. She clocks the name tag.
PEARL
Thanks... Roxanne. I’m all good. Sorry for yapping at you.
Pearl grabs the room key off the desk and exits.
EXT. MAIN QUAD – LATER (2023)
It’s a gorgeous clear fall afternoon in central Pennsylvania. The leaves have just started to turn colors. Pearl has changed into an Alcott sweater and is led through the main part of campus by a STUDENT VOLUNTEER (18).
STUDENT VOLUNTEER
The alumni center’s just a short walk through campus and then we can get you all checked in.
Pearl takes in the buzzing campus around her. There’s a group of sorority girls filming a TikTok video. The SORORITY LEADER (20) stops recording.
SORORITY LEADER
So help me, Madi. If you don’t get these counts right, I’ll put you in the back. With the brunettes.
Madi bursts into tears and runs past a RELIGIOUS MAN holding a megaphone and a picket sign detailing a laundry list of sins, including “Denim Skirts” and “Vaxeens”.
RELIGIOUS MAN
Covid is God’s punishment, but you can be saved if you accept Jesus!
STUDENT VOLUNTEER
You must be super excited about Sunset Serenade later. All the other alums are.
A grungy looking guy on a skateboard zooms past, shoving a green flier into Pearl’s hand as he does. It’s got a cannabis leaf on it and a QR code for a 25% discount at the new dispensary near campus.
PEARL
Do you want this?
STUDENT VOLUNTEER
No, thank you, I just microdose for productivity purposes. We renamed Kessler Hall to the Unity Center. We don’t talk about why!
They pass a group of NERDS sitting under a tree, arguing.
NERD ONE
The Marvels is going to flop.
NERD TWO
Come on, man. In Feige we trust.
A student wearing a shirt that reads “Protect Trans Youth” walks by. They arrive at the alumni center on the other side of the quad. The student volunteer points to the registration area.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER
And that’s your stop over there. Is the campus a lot different than when you were a student here?
PEARL
Same stuff, different font.
EXT. LOWER QUAD – LATE AFTERNOON (2023)
Pearl is at a mixer for alumni. She wears a name tag that says “PEARL WILLIAMS - 2013” on it. She nurses a glass of wine. A series of alumni come up to greet her, one at a time.
ALUMNUS ONE
Pearl Williams? Aren’t you the girl who stabbed that math professor?
PEARL
Um...
ALUMNUS TWO
I could have sworn your name was Opal.
PEARL
No. It’s me, Pearl.
ALUMNUS THREE Didn’t I hear you died?
PEARL
No, I’m actually--
ALUMNUS TWO
Are you sure because you’re giving me a real Opal vibe right now.
PEARL
That’s funny because my mom almost named me--
ALUMNUS ONE
Wait, it was an English professor and you kidnapped him.
PEARL
I definitely--
ALUMNUS TWO
Maybe you changed your name to Pearl when you got married?
PEARL
That’s not how that--
She is interrupted by the Student Volunteer from earlier.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER
Class of 2013, it’s time for you to line up for the Sunset Serenade!
ALUMNUS TWO
Nice to catch up, Opal. I gotta go link up with my people for the Serenade. Later!
Pearl sees everyone pairing up. She starts to breathe heavily. Her heartbeat is pounding. She’s a lone straggler as all her classmates start to head toward the meeting spot. She bolts in the opposite direction as she starts to cry.
EXT. PARKER HALL – NIGHT (2023)
Pearl sits, crying, on the steps of Parker Hall, her firstyear dorm. The Student Volunteer from earlier comes out of the dorm and sees Pearl.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER
Hey! It’s you. Class of thirteen. Are you alright? Do you need help?
PEARL
I mean, it’s hard to accept that people don’t remember you. Or they do and they think you’re dead. Or they think you’re some other girl. It’s honestly humiliating. I am a successful thirty-two year old woman but I feel like a teenage loser the second I get back to campus. What is that?
The Student Volunteer pats her on the back, gently.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER
I’m sorry. I more meant help with like... directions on campus and student store coupons. (MORE)
STUDENT VOLUNTEER (CONT’D)
I have a thirty percent off apparel if you want it!
PEARL
No. Thank you. That’s very kind of you.
Pearl starts crying harder.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER
The alumni center gives them to us. It’s really not a big deal. Maybe you should call a therapist or something?
Pearl searches her bag for her phone, but with her phone, she pulls out the ZapBak too. She eyes it, then slides it on.
PEARL
Can’t make things any worse.
She takes a deep breath, lies down on the pavement in front of Parker Hall and closes her eyes. She presses the ZapBak and a wave of color washes over her. She hears echoes of snippets of her conversations from the reunion party
ALUMNUS TWO (V.O.)
You’re giving me a real Opal vibe.
ALUMNUS ONE Stabbed that math professor?
ALUMNUS THREE Didn’t I hear you died?
The voices fade into a loud heavenly chord and everything fades to black as Pearl passes out.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
EXT. PARKER HALL – DAY (2009)
A student CONCERNED STUDENT pushes at Pearl’s shoulder until she wakes up.
CONCERNED STUDENT
Thank God. I thought you were dead!
PEARL
That’s the rumor.
Pearl gets up from the stairs, rubs the sleep from her eyes and tries to check her phone. It’s dead.
PEARL (CONT’D) Stupid battery.
She rummages in her purse for a battery pack. It’s not there.
PEARL (CONT’D)
Must’ve left it at the hotel.
INT. HOTEL VARTAN – DAY (2009)
A bedraggled Pearl approaches the front desk. There’s a middle aged CLERK behind the counter.
PEARL
Hi, I’m in room three ten. My keycard isn’t working, can I get another one?
CLERK
I’ll just need your ID.
Pearl hands over her driver’s license. The clerk looks at it curiously, but types her name into the computer. He frowns and types again.
CLERK (CONT’D)
Sorry, we don’t have you in our system. You say you checked in?
PEARL
Yeah. Yesterday afternoon. With a girl. I can’t remember her name. I can show you my email confirmation if you loan me an iPhone charger.
Pearl holds out her iPhone 11. The clerk looks at it like it’s a snake with two heads.
CLERK
What is that supposed to be?
PEARL
I know, I need to upgrade. Roxanne! The girl’s name was Roxanne!
CLERK
Roxanne checked you in? Yesterday?
PEARL
Yes! We talked about Sergei’s Pizza. She even offered me an upgrade so I could bang in a bigger bed. She’ll remember. Grab her.
The clerk goes to the back office and returns with a girl, YOUNG ROXANNE, no older than twelve years old. Pearl does a double take.
CLERK
Roxanne, do you know this lady?
YOUNG ROXANNE No?
CLERK
Because she says you checked her in, and you know that you’re not supposed to do that without an adult present.
YOUNG ROXANNE
I didn’t. I swear! She’s lying.
CLERK
Then how did she know you love Sergei’s Pizza?
YOUNG ROXANNE
Everyone loves Sergei’s! I swear someone’s Punking us or something!
PEARL
CLERK (CONT’D)
Strangers don’t just lie for no reason. Everyone? Please. Does she look like Ashton Kutcher to you?
I think there’s been some sort of misunderstanding. Sorry. I’ll go.
As Pearl walks off, she passes a desk calendar open to September 2009.
EXT. MAIN QUAD – DAY (2009)
Pearl wanders onto campus, taking the same route as she did the day before. Everything is just a little different. A little bit… off. The clothes are kind of dated. None of the fliers on the bulletin board have QR codes. A group of sorority girls is taking pictures on a digital camera.
SORORITY PRESIDENT
I swear to effing God, Chelsea, if you don’t suck in that gut I’ll put you in the back with the uggos.
A ZEALOT with a megaphone walks by.
ZEALOT
Swine Flu is God’s punishment, but you can find salvation through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Everything is seeming oddly familiar to Pearl. She has deja vu. She bumps into a STONER in a drug rug hoodie.
PEARL
Sorry.
STONER
It’s all good, chica. You look stressed, bruh. I can hook you up.
He mimes smoking a joint. Pearl stumbles away. She sees a student wearing a shirt that reads “Legalize Gay Marriage” and passes a group of COMIC NERDS arguing.
COMIC NERD ONE
Iron Man 2 can’t is gonna suck.
COMIC NERD TWO
In Feige we trust, my dude.
Pearl tries to check her phone again, but it’s still dead. She walks up to a student passing out fliers. It’s the Concerned Student who woke her up.
CONCERNED STUDENT
Hey! The Not Dead girl. You okay?
PEARL
I know this is going to sound crazy, but what’s the date today?
CONCERNED STUDENT
Damn, girl you party hard. It’s September fourth.
PEARL
I lost a whole day? How?
Pearl starts to walk away. She looks around the quad one more time and goes back to the Concerned Student.
PEARL (CONT’D)
Humor me. What’s the whole date?
CONCERNED STUDENT
Friday September fourth, two thousand and nine.
PEARL FUCK!
EXT. CAMPUS ATM – DAY (2009)
Pearl is frantic at an ATM on the main road of campus. On the ground in front of her is a Target Red Card, a Visa, a Mastercard, and an American Express card. She puts a Discover card into the slot.
PEARL
Come on. One of these has to work.
The machine displays an error message: This card does not exist. She dumps out the contents of her purse and comes up with a fistful of nickels and quarters. She quickly counts.
PEARL (CONT’D)
Two eighty five? What am I gonna do with that?
She looks across the street and her eyes widen with delight.
INT. SERGEI’S PIZZA – DAY (2009)
Pearl is chomping down on a huge slice of pizza. A sign behind her says “DOLLAR SLICES ALL DAY EVERY DAY”. EMILY (21, means well but usually does poorly) sits beside her.
PEARL
I know you. Emily! You live in Parker Hall. Are you still the RA?
Emily looks horrified.
EMILY
Why? What did you hear? How was I supposed to know that baby crocodile wasn’t a service animal?
PEARL
I didn’t hear anything.
EMILY
Are you in town for reunion this weekend?
Pearl has to decide quickly how she wants to play this.
PEARL
No, I’m one of your residents. Opal. My name is Opal.
EMILY
I totally knew that. You just looked like you were forty for a sec.
PEARL
I have a... skin condition. It makes me look thirty.
EMILY
What’s with all the jewelry names? There’s a Pearl in our dorm too. You kinda look like her. Not because you’re both Black, though!
PEARL
Can I borrow your phone, Emily?
Emily hands it over. Pearl holds it, and realizes she doesn’t know who to call.
EMILY
Is everything okay, Opal? Do you need me to take you back?
At the words, take you back, Pearl has a lightbulb moment. She pulls the ZapBak out of her purse and tries it right there on the spot. Nothing happens. She tries again.
EMILY (CONT’D)
That’s a funky doodad. Who made it?
PEARL
A grad student I know. Emily, you can see everyone’s housing in the Residential Life office, right?
Emily nods.
PEARL (CONT’D)
I need you to do me a favor.
EXT. LUNA’S APARTMENT – LATER (2009)
Pearl knocks on the door. She’s holding a slip of paper that has the name Luna Jimenez and an address written on it.
LUNA (O.S.)
Who is it?
PEARL
Pearl. A patient. I need your help.
LUNA (26, kooky hairstyles, colorful nails) opens the door.
LUNA
I don’t have patients yet. Am I being Punk’d?
PEARL
I really underestimated the cultural impact of Punk’d. No!
She pulls out the ZapBak and shows it to Luna.
PEARL (CONT’D)
Does this look at all familiar?
Luna’s eyes get huge and she lets out an audible gasp.
LUNA
Come inside. Now.
Luna yanks Pearl by the arm and pulls her into the apartment.
INT. LUNA'S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS (2009)
The apartment is extremely bohemian. There are crystals everywhere and incense burning. It’s nothing like the sterile office of 2023 Dr. Jimenez.
LUNA
Where did you get that?
PEARL
From you! In 2023! A year I’d very much like to go back to, please.
LUNA
And this isn’t a prank? Did Jessica send you? She so would. She thinks I’m a lunatic.
PEARL
Right now I think you’re a lunatic, Dr. Jimenez! What kind of a person gives someone a time travel device and doesn’t tell them about it?!
LUNA
Oh, please call me Luna. I’m not a doctor yet. I’m still just a grad student. But it’s nice to know my dissertation defense will end up going okay. I didn’t mention the topic ever, did I?
PEARL
No, Luna. We never gabbed about your dissertation during my therapy sessions. How does this thing work?
She waves the ZapBak in Luna’s face.
LUNA
Combination of mechanical engineering and a little magic. I’m a practicing witch.
PEARL
Oh, you’re a practicing witch? That’s just great. I meant how does it work to get me home?
LUNA
Oh, I have no clue. I’m still developing my first prototype. It’s a delicate balance between the magic and the science and I haven’t gotten the right ratio yet.
PEARL
Great. I’m stuck in 2009 until you figure out how much fairy dust to put into this piece of crap?
She throws the ZapBak on the ground and starts having a panic attack.
LUNA
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
PEARL
Shut up, you’re not even a doctor.
INT. LUNA'S APARTMENT – LATER (2009)
Pearl is sitting on the couch with a glass of water. She’s calmed down. Luna is pacing.
LUNA
The way I see it, it would be deeply unethical for me to send you here without telling you how to get back.
PEARL Agreed.
LUNA
Maybe I gave you a clue?
PEARL
I don’t want to play Sherlock Holmes, here. I just need you to get me home. You’re the only person who can.
LUNA
Well, there’s this theory I’ve been working with lately. We can test it out if you want.
PEARL
I’ll do anything.
LUNA
Great. Are those the only clothes you have?
INT. CAMPUS BAR – NIGHT (2009)
Luna and Pearl are in a divey bar. You can just tell that the floors are sticky. Pearl wears Luna’s clothes. She looks like a sexy Miss Frizzle. People sing bad karaoke in the background.
PEARL
Are you gonna tell me this theory?
LUNA
So, there are no settings on the ZapBak. Because it’s magic. It sends you to a place and time that’s related to your core issues.
PEARL
Okay, mine is confidence that I never gained in college, so freshman year makes sense.
LUNA
Right. So, my theory is that it can be calibrated to send you back when your core issue is resolved. If you do something totally out of character confident you go back to the future, Miss McFly.
Pearl looks around at the packed dive bar, full of students and locals. She realizes what Luna wants her to do.
PEARL
No. Absolutely not.
LUNA
Even in my very short time knowing you, I can see that singing karaoke is out of your comfort zone.
PEARL
For a reason. I’m going to make a fool of myself if I go up there.
The current karaoke singer ends their ballad on the wrong note. There’s a smattering of applause.
KARAOKE JOCKEY
Up next is Pearl. Pearl come on up!
PEARL
When did you put my name in?
LUNA
While you were getting us a table. You got this. Deep breath in, deep breath out.
PEARL
I don’t even know what song--
LUNA
Deep breath in, deep breath out!
Luna pushes Pearl toward the stage. Pearl grabs the microphone and clears her throat. The TV screens in the bar show that the song is “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas. She stumbles through the intro. Luna adds some background “woo-hoo”s from the crowd, hyping her up. By the time it gets to the song’s bridge, the whole bar is singing along.
CROWD
MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SATURDAY TO SUNDAY!
She wraps up the song with one final, soulful “woo-hoo” and the whole bar claps for her. She runs back to Luna.
LUNA
How’d it feel?
PEARL
It was actually really fun. Can I do it again?
LUNA
Let’s sign you up!
EXT. CAMPUS BAR – LATER (2009)
A much drunker Pearl stands in the bar parking lot, waiting for Luna, who’s talking to the Karaoke Jockey by the door.
LUNA (O.S.)
No, I’m telling you. The Veronicas are going to be huge!
Pearl takes the ZapBak out of her purse, closes her eyes, and tries it. Nothing. She quickly puts it away as Luna meets her in the parking lot.
LUNA (CONT’D)
You can crash at my place and we can try the ZapBak in the morning.
PEARL
You know, tonight was the most fun I’ve had maybe ever. Even if I’m stuck in 2009, I’m glad I know the confidence was in me all along.
Pearl throws up.
LUNA
And now the confidence is out of you. Let’s get you home.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
INT. LUNA’S APARTMENT – EARLY MORNING (2009)
Pearl is asleep on the couch. Luna wheels in a whiteboard covered with notes and diagrams. She pushes Pearl awake.
LUNA
I’ve been thinking about this problem all night.
PEARL
Can you think a little more not as loud? Some of us are having our first hangovers.
Luna ignores her.
LUNA
So you’re like thirty five--
PEARL Recently thirty-two.
LUNA
Touchy. Ok. So if you’re thirty-two that means there’s an eighteen year old you running around 2009 too. Right?
PEARL
Yeah, my RA mentioned her. Me.
LUNA
I think to get back to your time--
PEARL
I have to kill my younger self.
LUNA No? That’s really weird that you’d go there. Pearl, are you suicidal?
PEARL
It’s not suicidal to kill myself if I’m not killing myself. I’m fine!
LUNA
If you say so. Anyway, we make Baby Pearl really confident and selfassured now, you’ll never need therapy. Which means Old Pearl never uses the ZapBak.
PEARL
Isn’t that a paradox?
LUNA
Yes, but I think it’s the good type so we’ll be alright. It’ll break baby Pearl’s brain to see Old Pearl, so we need to give you a makeover.
PEARL
Can we call me something else? Like Wise Pearl or Future Pearl?
LUNA
Come on, get dressed. We gotta get you all dolled up for tonight.
PEARL
What’s tonight?
LUNA Sunset Serenade.
INT. MALL SALON – DAY (2009)
Pearl is at a mall salon, where she is getting a silk press.
LUNA
Some ground rules I thought about last night.
PEARL
When did you sleep?
LUNA
You can’t tell anyone where you came from. Not that I think anyone would believe you if you did.
PEARL
I’d love to avoid getting locked in a padded room. Sounds good to me.
INT. MALL BOUTIQUE - LATER (2009)
Luna sits on a sofa, eating a frozen yogurt while Pearl is in the dressing room.
LUNA
And you can’t use future knowledge for evil, to make major global changes, or for personal gain.
Pearl emerges from the dressing room, clad in a Juicy track suit and UGG boots.
PEARL
So personal gain means no sports betting or lottery tickets, right?
LUNA
Exactly.
PEARL
I don’t know any of that stuff anyway. Global changes feels like a bummer. I can’t stop Donald Trump?
LUNA
Stop him from what? Are they doing another season of The Apprentice? Ugh, that show’s tired. He needs a new job.
Pearl holds her tongue and goes back into the dressing room.
INT. MALL SEPHORA - LATER (2009)
A shop associate is doing a makeover on Pearl while Luna messes around with some Kat Von D Cosmetics products.
LUNA
Most important is that our Pearl can’t find out who you are.
PEARL
What’ll happen if she does?
LUNA
No clue. The world might explode. Just... don’t let it happen.
INT. MALL - LATER (2009)
Pearl and Luna strut through the mall laden with bags from stores like Hollister, PacSun, and Victoria’s Secret. Pearl looks like an Abercrombie and Hot Topic had a baby and then that baby threw up on her. She looks like Pearl, but also not. The job is done, she looks different enough that she can meet Young Pearl now.
EXT. LOWER QUAD – DAY (2009)
The sun is starting to set and the undergrads are gathering in pairs for the Sunset Serenade. Emily the RA is one of a few upperclassmen wrangling students, directing them on which way to march, and handing out candles. Luna and Pearl, who is now wearing an Alcott sweatshirt (not unlike the one from her dream) are on the sidelines.
PEARL
What if she doesn’t like me?
LUNA
This morning you were ready to kill yourself and now you’re not sure if you’ll like yourself?
PEARL
I just mean... back then - now - I didn’t even like myself myself very much.
LUNA
You’re a cool girl who does karaoke! You have bangs! You’ll do great. Now, go be the person you needed then. Now? Time’s confusing.
Future Pearl sees YOUNG PEARL (18, painfully shy) among the students lining up for the serenade procession. She’s clearly is too timid to ask anyone to line up with her. It’s the moment that’s shaped so much of Pearl’s life. The students start to march and Future Pearl sidles up next to Young Pearl.
PEARL
Do you mind if I walk with you?
YOUNG PEARL
Not at all. I’m actually relieved to have a partner. I thought I was gonna be the only loser marching solo.
PEARL
I’d never let that happen to you.
The alumni start to sing the school song in the distance.
ALUMNI
ALCOTT HEARTS ARE STRONG AND PURE MOST ANYTHING THEY CAN ENDURE ALONE WE FALL, WITH HELP WE STAND FOREVER WE’LL MARCH HAND IN HAND
The school song continues indistinctly in the background. The alumni smile and wave at the undergrads as they pass each other.
YOUNG PEARL
I have a kind of weird question.
Future Pearl is scared Young Pearl has realized who she is.
PEARL
Okay, shoot.
YOUNG PEARL
Are you a grad student? Not to say you look old or anything...
PEARL (laughing)
No, I’m a first year like you. I just have a weird skin condition.
YOUNG PEARL
Bummer. Are you liking college so far? I know it’s only been a week.
PEARL
Yeah, I sang karaoke for the first time last night. It was so fun.
YOUNG PEARL
At a bar? In front of people? Wow. I could never do that.
PEARL
I think you’d be surprised what you’re capable of. I was really scared but my friend pushed me, literally, and I realized a part of me always wanted to be the type of person who did karaoke. Deep down.
YOUNG PEARL
I feel that. That’s cool you made a friend already. I... haven’t yet. A part of me is scared I won’t?
PEARL
Well, you seem pretty cool to me. I like how honest you are. Most people wouldn’t admit to being nervous about school. Maybe we’ll be friends.
YOUNG PEARL
Maybe, yeah.
PEARL
I’m nervous about being here too. I have these... these goals. And the stakes feel super high. Like I can’t go home if I don’t achieve them all.
YOUNG PEARL
Don’t be hard on yourself. You can take a summer class if you have to. It’s just college, right?
The procession is over. The sun has fully set. The Pearls blow out their candles at the same time.
PEARL
Thanks for letting me walk with you.
YOUNG PEARL
Sorry I blabbed the whole time. I do that. And I’m blabbing now.
Future Pearl sees herself clearly for the first time. She’s been apologizing for existing. She smiles at Young Pearl.
PEARL
You don’t need to apologize for being who you are. You’re great. We should definitely hang out again.
YOUNG PEARL
I’d like that. My name’s Pearl, by the way.
PEARL
I’m Opal.
YOUNG PEARL
No shit, we’re like basically the same.
PEARL
Yeah, we are.
Pearl watches her younger self walk back toward Parker Hall. Luna runs up to her.
LUNA
How’d it go?!
PEARL
Let’s talk about it over a drink.
INT. CAMPUS BAR – LATER (2009)
Pearl and Luna are back at the dive bar. Tonight there’s no karaoke, just classic rock music from a jukebox in the corner.
PEARL
I don’t know if your theory is right, but either way, I’m gonna help myself - the other myselfout. I think I - like the me version of me - need it as much as she does. I do? Time is confusing.
LUNA
You’re gonna be the best friend you ever had.
PEARL
Can I ask you for help? I need a place to stay. I can’t live in the dorms. I don’t know how to swing that and stay under the radar.
LUNA
Mi casa es su casa. Really, it’s the least I can do since I got you in this mess. Or, will get you in this mess. But I have a favor too.
PEARL
What is it?
LUNA
Can I document your experience for my research? And use your ZapBak to figure out how the heck I made it?
PEARL
Done and done. Let’s toast.
They raise their glasses.
PEARL (CONT’D)
To the future we know and to the future we don’t.
LUNA
I’ll drink to that.
They clink their glasses together.
LUNA (CONT’D)
Okay, I know I’m not supposed to ask, but how does Lost end?
END OF ACT THREE
TAG
INT. DR. JIMENEZ’S OFFICE (2023)
Dr. Jimenez sits at her desk, checking her watch. She hits a button on the intercom.
DR. JIMENEZ
Any word from Pearl Williams?
RECEPTIONIST (O.C.)
I can give her another call, but it’s going straight to voicemail.
DR. JIMENEZ
No, that’s alright, thank you.
RECEPTIONIST (O.C.)
Are you sure? It’s not like her to miss a session.
Dr. Jimenez looks down at her notes. There’s a drawing of the ZapBak and a bunch of calculations.
DR. JIMENEZ
I have a feeling the next time we see Pearl, she won’t be the same.
Jimenez smiles and closes her notebook.
END OF SHOW