UNTITLED VIRTUAL REALITY PILOT - MY DRAFT

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INT. SUBWAY TRAIN - NIGHT

Just another morning commute.

A busy train.

Full of miserable faces.

Some sitting, some standing.

PEPE DE LA COSSA is standing.

Forty-something.

He's got a nice, vintage-style suit.

Clean shaven. Chiseled jawline.

He's a VERY handsome man.

But still -- he's got that same miserable look on his face that the rest of his fellow travelers are wearing.

His EYES examine the rest of the train.

An OLD LADY.

Reading a newspaper.

Two HIPSTERS.

Sharing headphones, listening to a cassette player.

An OBESE MAN.

Holding a caged turtle.

Pepe smirks, just slightly.

A robotic VOICE comes from the speakers.

Pepe subtly mouths along.

As if he'd heard it a million times before.

VOICEWelcome aboard. This is the Z-line. Next stop is Downtown Central Station. This line terminates at Downtown Central Station. Please ensure you have all of your belongings before leaving the train. Thank you.

2.

Pepe grins.

The train slows down.

People race to stand up.

And get near the door.

INT. DOWNTOWN CENTRAL STATION - SAME

A busy subway station.

Pepe gets off his train.

Along with many others.

There's electronic music. Echoing through the building.

A gang of people in GREEN ALIEN COSTUMES push past.

They're in a hurry.

Pepe takes his time.

Looks around.

Takes in the view.

He sees a man selling HELIUM BALLOONS.

Repetitive. Need more diverse things to show here.

Another selling national FLAGS.

The place is more like a carnival than a subway station.

A HELPFUL LADY approaches Pepe.

HELPFUL LADYCan I help you, sir?

PEPENo, no, thank you.

HELPFUL LADYIs this your first time?

PEPENo.

3.

HELPFUL LADYWell, just head to a kiosk if you're lost or anything. Welcome to Faraway City.

PEPEThanks.

She disappears back into the crowds.

Pepe moves toward the exit.

EXT. DOWNTOWN. OUTSIDE THE STATION - SAME

Welcome, indeed.

This city is PACKED.

The LIGHTS, the SOUNDS, the PEOPLE.

All kinds of people.

We push through.

Past a SHOUTING SOAPBOX MAN.

SHOUTING SOAPBOX MANHack the system! Invest in Chrono Coins! The game is rigged! Move all your money into Chrono Coins! The money is real -- even if you're not!

His speech fades, as Pepe walks on.

Past a MARCHING BAND.

More stuff here.

Past

"Past a NEWSPAPER KIOSK.

One of the headlines: "META-ECONOMY IN CRISIS?"

From a street adjacent the Kiosk a group of three punks emerge.

Each one is kitted in military Khaki uniform and urgent to get 'somewhere'.

They brush past PEPE shouting and laughing. Pepe taking litle notice.

4.

INT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT

Pepe's built up his walking pace a little.

The bustling rhytm of metalwork pervades throughout the whole street.

Pepe reaches the end of the alleyway onto a wide street.

EXT. JUNCTION - NIGHT

Several roads meet at one junction.

A walkway bridges between.

Vans pass through covered in government posters.

One large van passes which Pepe takes notice to.

The Van is plastered with a large poster of a fat balding suited man.

"We monitor you even when you're not looking. Vote for _____ party!"

As Pepe walks up to the lollipo road a bus passes beeping at him.

We catch a glimpse of his solemn expression.

Pepe walks across the road. As he does so a cyclist crosses wearing a pink gimp suit.

The cyclist rings his bell and rather than the conventional sound of a whistle there instead comes the sound of a truck horn.

The cyclist gently nods to PEPE who walks on oblivious.

INT. PASSAGEWAY - NIGHT

From the road, PEPE walks into a narrow passageway.

A Glass dome like structure which splits into several other passageways.

PEPE takes the time to stand still and checks his watch.

"6:45"

PEPE becomes more visibly flustered, he's gonna be late

5.

Each exit is labelled referring to seperate districts.

Music also comes from each exit:

"Rembrant's Cafe- Queue 5 minutes" (Jazz music)

"Exotica Apartments. No queue for members otherwise 60 minute queue." (Exotic/Porn music)

"City Centre. Queue 60 minutes" (Classical Music)

"Death Dome. No queue" (Rock Music)

PEPE takes a look at Rembrant's Cafe sign oh fuck

He rushes down the passageway.

INT. CORRIDOR NIGHTAn almost infinitely stretching white corridor.

INT. PASSAGEWAY - NIGHT

The sign reads "4 minutes"

INT. CORRIDOR NIGHT

Pepe continues running.

A cold silence with only the sound of his footstpes and heavy breaths.

He checks his watch again.

INT. PASSAGEWAY - NIGHT

The sign reads "3 minutes"

INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHTHe continues running until a clearing of black space appears.We hear jazz music.

INT. PASSAGEWAY - NIGHT

"0 minutes"

6.

The sign goes green.

INT. CORRIDOR NIGHT

The blackness fills Pepe's vision until

EXT. REMBRANT'S CAFE - NIGHT

In front of Pepe a large bar.

On the front of the bar in Market Deco font

"REMBRANT'S CAFE

Pepe checks his watch again

"6:55"

He rushes in.

INT. REMBRANT'S CAFE - DAY

A low key atmosphere.

Most tables are empty.

One a couple tables suited men are seated smoking cigars. Conversing.

Pepe takes his seat at the centre table.

The Barkeep taking notice of PEPE from the front of the bar.

Pepe checks his watch.

The Barkeep walks from the Stand up to Pepe's table.

BARKEEPCoffee. Two sugars. Spoonful of milk.

PEPEYou got it.

BARKEEPI know you too well my friend.

The Barkeep walks back to the stand.

7.

Pepe looks eagerly out of the window.

The Barkeep comes back with a Coffee jug and places it on the table

PEPE reaches for his jacket

BARKEEP (CONT’D)Hey don't worry about it, it's on the house.

The Barkeep walks away

PEPE sees the door swing open.

Enters a young brunette sweet looking 20 year old woman.

This is GILDA

She looks fairly stressed. Surveying the room.

PEPE raises his hand and smiles.

She walks to PEPE's table and takes a seat.

PEPEYou're dead on 7. I bought you coffee.

GILDAThanks but you know I don't take coffee.

PEPEYou don't? Oh of course not. I'm so sorry. Mark!

The Barkeep notices PEPE calling him

GILDANo. It's fine. You know what let's just talk.

PEPEOk. I can do that. So how've things been?

GILDAThings have been pretty good actually.

PEPEYeah

8.

GILDAYeah I've got my Apartment sorted and found myself a job.

PEPEOh really where are you working?

GILDATech Support, I take in requests from people having trouble setting up their computers.

PEPE(laughing, almost mockingly)

I know what tech support is.

GILDAWell I was just saying.

PEPEDoes it pay well?

GILDASure.

PEPEHow much?

GILDA(Laughing)

That's a weird question.

PEPEI was just interested.

GILDAI don't really wanna tell you how much money I make PEPE. That's between me and my accountant.

PEPE You're right. I'm a jerk.

GILDAYou're doing it again.

PEPEWhat?

GILDAThe self deprecation thing.

9.

PEPEYou know I can't help it.

GILDA I know.

PEPEHey you haven't had your coffee yet.

GILDA blankly stares at him

PEPE (CONT’D)What?

GILDAI literally just told you. I don't take coffee, I drink tea.

PEPEWhat's the difference?

GILDAI don't care what the difference is.

PEPEThe Barman gave us these on the house I mean don't you think it's a little disrespctful to let it go to waste?

GILDAOk Look.

Gilda takes the cup.

GILDA (CONT’D)See I'm drinking it. Happy now?

The Barkeep notices Gilda on the tbale and walks over

BARKEEPHello there folks ready to order?

PEPENo we're good.

Barkeep gets out notepad

BARKEEPWell that'll be $5 for the beverage.

10.

PEPEWhat?

Gilda looks to PEPE he lied to her

GILDAYou said-

PEPEWait a minute you said you were giving these to be on the house.

BARKEEPFor you yes, but your friend, she must pay.

Pepe looks to Gilda

GILDAI'm not paying for that.

PEPESorry I think there's a mix up, the coffee she had was the same one you gave to me.

BARKEEPYes, and you gave it to your friend and she must pay for it. I give to you because you loyal customer, she is not loyal customer.

GILDAI can't believe this.

Gilda reaches into her pocket

PEPEHey I'll pay for it

GILDANo I'll do it. I don't want this guy getting the wrong idea.

PEPEWell I mean It's not like anyone expects you to pay anyway.

A beat

GILDAWhat?

11.

PEPE(laughs)

I mean it's not a problem it's just he knows I pay for the both of us.

GILDAAnd you're proud of that? Like I'm your personal beggar?

PEPEI never said that.

GILDAThen what are you saying?

PEPEI'm just saying that it's not unsual for the man to make the orders.

GILDAYou think a suit and cigar makes you a man?

PEPEYou never told me you had a problem with it.

GILDAWell I do. And that's not the only thing.

PEPEOh I can't wait to hear this list. (Get rid of this snarky shit)

GILDAHow'd you expect to become a better human being if you don't listen to anyone?

PEPEIf you wanna get anywhere in life that's a pretty good philosophy to go by.

GILDAAnd who's getting anywhere? You? You're the one who's stuck pretending you've got it all figured out.

12.

GILDA (CONT’D)Three years with you and I've never once heard you talk about goals or plans for the future. And you know what I think? I think you're scared, scared of change or trying something new and you're stuck in this cushy bubble you've made for yourself. And I don't think I'm going to be part of it anymore.

PEPEWhat do you mean?

GILDAI'm going back to my room.

PEPEWait wait. Is this real?

GILDAI have to go to work.

PEPEThen wait-I- don't go I apologise ok.

GILDAI can't.

PEPEWhy?

GILDABecause you're just gonna apologise again.

PEPEWait look I can change, we'll discuss this properly, I'll come visit you.

GILDAI don't think that's such a good idea.

PEPEWhy not? Do you have a boyfriend?

GILDAI don't have a boyfriend. (Oh quit being so paranoid)

13.

PEPEThen I can come over and we can talk.

GILDAWhy do you keep saying that.

PEPEI just thought-

GILDAYou thought wrong. I think it's best we just stay friends.

PEPEI don't want friends.

GILDAIf you'd prefer a mutual block that can be easily arranged with-

PEPEI'm just trying to understand where you're coming from but if you're just going to be difficult with me then I don't think that-

GILDALook. I think that deep down you're a nice guy, in fact I'm sure of it, but you're under the impression that you can get away with being an asshole without facing reality and I want you to know that's not how life works. We're done.

Gilda gets up from the table and leaves.

(Spend less time on coffee, maybe just make it a look, make PEPE less of a Dick, remove the mutual block thing)

(Like the barkeep comes in and asks for payment, Gilda looks to Pepe, Pepe shrugs, Gilda sighs, Gilda pays)

14.

INT. BAR - NIGHT

It's a quiet, run-down sort of place. But kind of comfy and familiar.

Pepe strolls in.

A handsome man dressed in Ancient Roman military attire is sitting at the bar, having a drink, his name is STANLEY -- he's talking to the BARKEEP.

They're both laughing, having a good time.

Stanley spots Pepe.

STANLEYPepe! Get over here!

PEPEStanley. What the hell are you wearing?

STANLEYI'll give you two guesses.

PEPETokyo?

STANLEYJust got back from New Rome. What do you think?

PEPEThink you look a bit out of place here, man. Place and time. It does suit you though.

STANLEYWhen in Rome, right?