UNTITLED

Written by
Nicolas LeBrun

BLACK SCREEN.
Credits roll.
MOTHERLY VOICE
You can do anything. Youre not
like the other kids your age.
Youre smarter than the other kids
your age. Youre special. Youre
smart and youre special. You are
special. You can do anything. You
can do anything. You can do
anything youll ever want to. You
can do everything, you deserve
everything and you one day everyone
will know how special you really
are.
Credits end.
TITLE CARD : A Prince
That voice echoes out and in comes the voice of CHARLES
DUNNING-KRUGER, our main character. -CHARLESS VOICE
Cut it!
OPEN ON:
INT. THEATER CLASS - DAY
TWO ACTORS sit across a desk from each other on a small stage
in the middle of a large classroom. One of the students is
dressed as a teacher and the other as a student.
CHARLES
(to the actors)
Could you guys come here for a sec.
Charles Dunning-Kruger is 17 years old and a senior at Lake
Posser School for the Artistically Inclined. Average height
and build. He wears glasses and is currently directing a
school play.
ACTOR 1
(to Charles)
Yeah hold on.
The two walk off stage into the classroom, towards Charles
whos standing off to the side. In the background, OTHER
STUDENTS are doing general stage hand work.

2.

ACTOR 2
What is it?
CHARLES
That didnt feel great to me. Its
like it felt a bit too rehearsed.
Its losing its realness.
ACTOR 2
I thought it was good.
ACTOR 1
Yeah. I thought it was good.
CHARLES
Yeah of course. Just remember not
to like act like how you think a
teacher and a student act. You need
to be full characters who also
happen to be teachers and a
students okay.
ACTOR 1
Okay... But how are we supposed to
do that?
ACTOR 2
Yeah, how are we supposed to make
it feel unrehearsed?
ACTOR 1
Yeah what does that mean?
CHARLES
Oh, yeah, no, just... I didnt say
it is over rehearsed, I said it
feels that way. So like -ACTOR 2
Yeah well thats because were
practicing.
CHARLES
Yeah but its still losing its
spontaneity you know. When you
practice you do it to learn the
character - not for the lines. The
lines should come to you. Let the
character define the lines not the
other way around.
The three of them pause for a second until --

3.

PROF
Cut it!
THE CAMERA pulls out to show that Charles, the actors, the
students surrounding them and the stage that they were on is,
itself, on an even bigger stage in the middle of an even
bigger classroom.
CHARLES
What?
PROF
Come down here.
Charles then walks off stage and we follow him into -INT. ACTUAL THEATER CLASS - THAT MOMENT.
PROF is sitting on a directors chair off directly in front of
the stage. As Charles walks by, an other group of students
start setting up on stage, putting sets in place. Etc.
PROF
Sit down.
Charles sits next to him on a slightly but noticeably smaller
directors chair.
PROF (CONTD)
Let me ask you something. What are
you thinking about when youre up
there?
CHARLES
Umm. Not the lines I guess...?
PROF
Youre faking it. Do you know that?
Do you get what Im saying when I
say that? Faking it?
CHARLES
Yeah, no. I do I- I just dont
think Im a good enough actor to
really do what youre expecting of
me you know.
PROF
Youre a keen observer of when to
fish for compliments Charles.
CHARLES
What no I --

4.

PROF
Besides, being an actor has nothing
to do being on stage. Being bad on
stage is not misunderstanding how
to act, its misunderstanding how
to be a real person. Think about
your character tonight and be
better tomorrow.
PROF stands up and walks away. Charles stays sitting and
watches the other students rehearse on stage.
PROF (CONTD)
Alright everyone thats enough for
today. You can leave.
None of the students in the class react and they continue to
work on their individual tasks.
Charles looks at PROF who is watching people in the class.
THE BELL rings and everyone starts talking and wrapping up to
leave.
CUT TO:
INT. LAKE POSSER - MOMENTS LATER
Charles walks into a hallway out side of the class with Noah
(17), his friend.
NOAH
What did he tell you?
CHARLES
I dont know really. Stuff about my
performance but I cant tell if it
makes sense or its just bullshit
complicated enough to seem like it
makes sense.
CUT TO:
INT. SCIENCE CLASS - LATER
The class has just begun and the teacher, MRS. JOHNSON (42),
is giving a LECTURE at the front. Charles sits at the back.
He is looking at MADELINE (18), a girl seated next to Noah.
Theyre talking.

5.

MRS. JOHNSON
(background)
- The observer affect is a term in
many branches of science that
refers to changes that the act of
observation will make on a
phenomenon being observed. In
particle physics, when a particle
feels that it is being observed,
say by a cooler group of particles,
it might temporarily display the
properties of the cooler group.
Because of this temporary
displacement of its initial
properties, the particle is
thereafter known by a new name, a
phonytron.
Charles is listening but distracted. He starts to eaves drop
on what Noah and Madeline are saying.
NOAH
(to Madeline)
Yeah, Im trying to make myself
look smart in your eyes so Im
gonna ask a question right now that
makes me look smart.
Noah raised his hand.
MRS. JOHNSON
(to Noah)
Yes Noah.
NOAH
I just want to say that I want
people to think that Im smart so
Im gonna ask a question now.
MRS. JOHNSON
Good question but what you have to
remember is that youre a high
school student so you dont know
more about science than me or the
physicists that proved this. And
also that was a very transparent
attempt to make yourself look
smart. But thank you.
MADELINE
(impressed)
Youre so cultured.
Charles smirks and turns back around.

6.

MRS. JOHNSON
Charles, do you have anything to
add?
CHARLES
What?
MRS. JOHNSON
Do you have anything to say?
CHARLES
What? No I didnt raise my hand.
MRS. JOHNSON
No but that smirk seemed pretty
indicative of having something to
say. -- Anything you want to say,
anything at all.
CHARLES
Okay, well I would like to say that
I dont say anything because Im
scared of people thinking that I
think Im smart so Im not going to
say anything.
MRS. JOHNSON
Okay see not so bad. Thanks for
that.
CUT TO:
INT. LAKE POSSER HALLWAY - LATER
Charles and Noah lean on a locker in awkward silence. The
hallway is full of people talking to each other.
Miles (17), an other student and Noahs twin, approaches.
Theyre both wearing basically the same outfit.
MILES AND NOAH
(simultaneously/to each
other)
Hey. Whats up?
They do a special handshake reserved for each other.
CHARLES
Hey.
MILES AND NOAH
Caf?

7.

MILES AND NOAH (CONTD)

You know it.
CHARLES
Sure.
CUT TO:
INT. CAFETERIA - LATER
Charles, Noah and Miles are sitting at a cafeteria table,
surrounded by people. Charles is trying to enjoy his meal
while one of the students surrounding him, ERIC (18) tells a
story.
ERIC
Okay so you know how like Marc has
like a cast on his wrist? Yeah so
were on the same hockey team right
and we had a tournament this
weekend right so like half way
through the first game like the
first game he gets hit by this guy
across the boards and not hit that
hard you know like a standard hit
like Ive taken way way worse and
played and stuff.
(he takes a bit of his
food)
But anyways he just like falls to
the ground and starts fucking
screaming on the ice that his
fucking wrist is broken and hes
done this routine before right so
were just thinking like what a
pussy and he just stays there for
like a minute and people are like
skating around him and shit and
hes fucking screaming so finally
(Eric starts chuckling)
he gets himself off the ice and his
fucking wrist is like bent in half
he and he had to go to the hospital
because he got a fucking compound
fracture on his wrist. From just
like a fucking hit that pussy -Charles interrupts -CHARLES
(sarcastic)
I know right hes such a fucking
pussy right.

8.

ERIC
No but seriously this guys is the
worst like of all people it had to
happen to -CHARLES
(sarcastic)
Oh yeah I know what a pussy. This
kid gets fucking injured. I cant
fucking believe it. Hes probably
gay too.
ERIC
(exasperated)
Okay.
Everyone goes back to eating, silenced by that interaction.
CHARLES
(apologetic)
Hey. I - Im sorry man. I donno...
CUT TO:
INT. LACK POSSER - LATER
A winding staircase is shown from the top. Its empty with
the exception of Charles who walks up slowly.
The BELL rings and people starts to file in from the bottom.
CUT TO:
INT. CLASSROOM - LATER
Charles lies on his desk. He turns back and looks at Eric who
is in the same class as he is. The bell rings and he looks up
at the clock. It reads 2:48.
CUT TO:
INT. PROFS OFFICE - 3:00
Theres a knock on the door and Charles pokes his face in. He
knows he can come in but he wants Prof to think hes polite.
CHARLES
Hey.
PROF
Hello Charles. Come in.

9.

Charles takes a seat at Profs desk.

CHARLES
I wanted to talk about umm class
today.
PROF
Okay... What about.
CHARLES
Well I was thinking about what you
said and -- well I just think that
I'd be better not being an actor. I
want you to read something that I
wrote.
PROF
Okay lets see in.
Charles pulls a stack of papers out of his bag. Prof flips
through it, doesnt read it.
PROF (CONTD)
Its a play?
CHARLES
Yeah. Ive been writing it since
the summer.
PROF
Well Ill definitely give it a look
and get back to you.
CHARLES
You dont want to read it now.
PROF
Well Im not sure how long thats
going to take I have other things
to do Charles.
CHARLES
Please could you look at it now. I
really put a lot of effort into it
and -PROF
Look what do you want to hear?
CHARLES
I just think it could really help
me out if --

10.

PROF
No stop. What do you want to hear?
Do you just want me to tell you how
impressed I am that you wrote a
play.
(mocking him)
Wow you wrote this play and youre
only 17 I cant believe it this is
visionary.
(normal tone)
Its good that you have drive but
dont come to me for validation.
Charles takes off his glasses and starts cleaning the lenses.
CHARLES
Look Im sorry if I caught you at a
bad time I just though that I could
use your opinion.
PROF
Dont lie to yourself Charles. Do
you really want my opinion? Really?
CHARLES
Why are you talking to me like
this?
PROF
Just cut it out. Im right arent
I? I know your type, this isnt my
first year at this school. Youre
not interested in any real advice.
You just want me to think about how
cool and smart you are. Ill take
you seriously when you grow up.
Take a loot at yourself in the
mirror and dont let your ego get
in the way.
Charles has no answer but cant stand up. He just sits in
silence until we -CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS DORM - LATER THAT DAY
Posters from contemporary movies line the walls of the room.
Underneath them is a plain white wall. There are no family
picture and there are no papers lying around. The room is
clean. Charles sits in the corner of it, on his bed, watching
a movie on his laptop. Theres a knock on the door, Miles and
Noah enter.

11.

NOAH
Hey were going to the thing.
CHARLES
Oh okay. Ill meet you there in a
bit it think.
NOAH
No come on - come now with us.
MILES
Yeah man come with us.
CHARLES
I just want to sit for a bit.
MILES
Oh.
NOAH
What are you like depressed or
something?
CHARLES
I donno man I think I might be like
depressed or something.
MILES
Yeah I thought so.
CHARLES
I just feel like all I ever want to
do is sit around and watch movies
all day.
NOAH
Yeah man, me too.
MILES
Yeah.
CHARLES
Yeah but Im not happy about it
though.
NOAH
Oh... Hun. Well Im not really
sure what to do about that. Come
okay.
They walk out of the room and we -CUT TO:

12.

INT. LAKE POSSER - LATER THAT DAY

It is 8:00 PM. The entire school has gathered in the
auditorium. Students are settling in and talking with each
other.
Charles walks in and finds an empty seat in the middle of the
crowd.
A HOST walks out on stage. The students quiet and turn their
attentions towards him.
HOST
Hello everyone. Settle down. Settle
down. Good evening everyone. We
have a very important guest today
who I think you all will
appreciate.
The lights go down and a slide show is projected onto the
back wall. Various action shots of the guest are projected
showing him directing a film as a child (in the classic
director pointing somewhere shot), photos of magazine covers
he was on etc...
HOST (CONTD)
He is know by most to be a leader
in the American new wave of cinema.
It has been said by many that his
film Anhedonia is the
quintessential independent film.
The fact that he also wrote,
produced and directed this film at
the age of 12 adds to the lore
surrounding him In the crowd, A STUDENT from the row behind Charles taps on
Charles shoulder.
STUDENT
(whispering)
Wow he did all that by the age of
12 and youre already 17 and what
have you done.
HOSTS VOICE (O.S.)
- Over the past 40 years he has
directed just over 30 films and
starred in as many CHARLES
(confused/angry)
Who are you?

13.

The STUDENT sits back and ignores Charles.

HOSTS VOICE
- Please welcome to the stage
Horace Murray!
The crowd erupts in applause as HORACE walks out on stage. He
is a middle aged British man, with glasses and long greying
hair that is brushed backwards. He shakes hands with the host
and takes the microphone from him.
HORACE
Thank you. Thank you The applause continues.
HORACE (CONTD)
- Really thank you all so much The applause dies down as HORACE begins his talk.
(to the host)
Thank you for that enthusiastic
introduction.
(back at the crowd, he
pauses first)
What I am here for is to talk about
something not only vital to the way
films are made but vital to the way
we conduct ourselves in society:
acting. Acting is something that is
a part of our every day lives and
understanding that can help any
artist out immensely. -- Each and
every one of us are Oscar caliber
actors. -- Were just not good at
acting when its called acting
and put on a stage or in front of a
camera with an audience glaring at
us. We are however good at it
however when we are at home
watching television, or talking on
the phone, or speaking to our
mothers. Et cetera, et certa. Most
of what composes our day to day
actions and interactions is a form
of acting that is so in touch with
reality that it feels like it isnt
acting at all. But I assure you
all, it is. Imagine yourselves in
this scenario: You are in a job
interview.
(MORE)

14.
HORACE (CONTD)
Your goal is to get the job and
your tools are the way you
communicate in that moment. The
interview is the performance. Your
role is that of a qualified
employee, and the interviewee is
your audience. How do you behave?
How do you sit? At what pace do you
blink your eyes to make yourself
look normal and friendly and ready
to take on the responsibility of
the job? These are all questions
that the actor faces on stage just
as the interviewee faces in the
interview. You may no be asking
yourselves but how do we act
normal with such ease but the actor
does so with such difficulty? Well
its simple. You dont think about
it, you just act normal. You simply
are yourselves. Well that, ladies
and gentleman is what truly good
acting is. Acting is being yourself
as someone else. And being yourself
is acting. Not only that, but the
normal us that weve imagined
ourselves to be, is simply the
persona youve settled into over
the years. What you identify as
yourself is a character. A
character where every line is fed
to you from your brain and
delivered in real time to the world
around you. A character written by
yourself and molded by every
experience youve ever had. And
when we realize the extent of this,
we are free to be whoever we want
to be on all the stages and screens
of life. -- Now, the actor who is
confronted with this is left with
two choices as far as how he will
present himself to the audience.
One: he forgets all about himself
when he enters the role and becomes
a new self. And two: he becomes
completely aware of everything the
character puts out. He calculates
every last move from line delivered
to overt eye movement...
(MORE)

15.
HORACE (CONTD)
I need some volunteers, are there
any acting students who want to
come on stage and show off?

CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS DORM - THAT NIGHT
Charles, on his bed, looks at his laptop. A word file is
opened, titled: UNTITLED, SHORT. He writes a sentence
(something like: It was crowded but he felt all too lonely
but erases it shortly thereafter.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS DORM - LATER
Charles is lying on his bed watching Netflix. He is on his
side, and wrapped in his covers like an infant. He closes his
laptop and lies it on the ground. He tries to fall asleep.
After a beat he takes out his phone.
ANGLE, PHONE SCREEN
On the screen we see an article about child geniuses. It
reads: There have been many child prodigies through history.
But chances are you are not one.
FADE TO BLACK:
INT. CHARLESS DORM - THE NEXT MORNING
Charles lies on the bed in the same spot. There is a knock on
the door. He wakes up and we follow him -INT. CHARLESS DORM - THAT MOMENT
-- He walks to the door. He opens the door and no one
answers. There is an envelope on the floor. He picks it up
and opens it.
We see that the letter head is from the offices of the
Director of Student Directing of the school. The letter
reads:
Your presence has been requested at the office of Helen York
D.S.D, tomorrow at 7 PM.

16.

The letter is signed by Helen York.

CUT TO:
INT. LOBBY - 7:00 PM - THE NEXT DAY
Charles sits patiently outside Helens office. GALE (20s),
her secretary, sits nearby.
GALE
You can go ahead, Charles.
CUT TO:
INT. HELENS OFFICE - SECONDS LATER
A large, daunting door opens into a large, equally daunting
office. A dim light illuminates Helen (40) who sits, at her
desk, in the back of the office. Charles walks in and sits
down.
HELEN
Hello Charles.
CHARLES
Hi.
HELEN
Do you know who I am?
Charles doesnt say anything.
HELEN (CONTD)
Well my name is Helen York, and my
official title with the school is
Director of Student Directing. And
what that means is that Im
basically in charge of making sure
that our students get as much out
of themselves as they possibly can.
CHARLES
Oh. I see.
HELEN
Do you think that youve gotten as
much as you can out of yourself?
CHARLES
(thinking)
No.

17.

HELEN
Great. Neither do we.
So with that being said, were
really happy to inform you that you
are a genius.
CHARLES
(surprised)
What? Really?
HELEN
Yes, of course.
CHARLES
Why?
HELEN
Because we decided.
CHARLES
Oh. Okay but what does that like
mean?
HELEN
Well in a couple of weeks were
implementing a genius program at
the school and wed like for you to
be our first genius.
Congratulations and youre welcome
for confirming your suspicions.
CHARLES
I dont really know what to say.
HELEN
If you want I can give you some
ideas about what to say. Are you
happy?
CHARLES
Yeah, definitely.
HELEN
Great. So are we.
CHARLES
Yeah, just um, -- where is this
coming from? I mean its not like
Im doing that well in school or
anything.
HELEN
This decision wasnt made based off
of any previous merits.
(MORE)

18.
HELEN (CONT'D)
For the last couple of weeks weve
put the student body though a
couple rounds of testing in order
to determine which students have
the highest super-IQ. You were then
chosen from a group of the best
students after a period of
observation.

CHARLES
Oh okay... What - What is that,
Super IQ?
HELEN
(laughs)
My super-IQ isnt nearly high
enough to be able to give you an
accurate explanation. But
essentially its like normal IQ,
only super.
CHARLES
...super.
HELEN
IQ, yes. And people with high superIQs have that intrinsic
characteristic that makes them able
to do wonderful things. Basically
you have what it takes to do
anything that you want to. And this
program intends to help you do
these things.
CHARLES
But I dont really do anything.
HELEN
You have interests, no?
CHARLES
Yeah I mean I write a bit... but -HELEN
Thats exactly the type of thing we
had in mind.
CHARLES
Oh. Alight.
HELEN
Now... This is not a normal
program.
(MORE)

19.
HELEN (CONT'D)
You will have many things that you
might consider essential personal
freedoms
(air quotes)
taken away from you. But as a
result you will have an exponential
amount of creative freedom given to
you. Basically by entering this
program you will be put in a
controlled environment where most
aspects of your life with be
controlled or guided. Hopefully
this will enable you to focus all
of your energy on your interests
with the eventual goal of helping
you create an artistic masterpiece.

Helen pulls out some files from his desk and hands them to
Charles. Each is labeled with an aspect of his life.
HELEN (CONTD)
Here is your new life.
Charles flips through some of them.
HELEN (CONTD)
First things first most of the work
you will be doing will be under to
tutelage of a mentor. He has been
personally fitted to you just as
most of these things and he will
hopefully complement your work
ethic perfectly. These folders
detail the different aspects of
your new life. First of all,
financially, you will have complete
liberty, provided by the school.
The money can go to whatever you
feel will benefit your work or even
to things that you just want to
have. You will be provided
emotional counseling by a therapist
who you will meet with twice a
week. Spiritually, you will hence
forth identify yourself as a
secular Neo-Buddhist. Which means
that from now on you dont believe
in capital a G god, just the god
that lives inside of you. Also
youre gonna meditate.
(MORE)

20.
HELEN (CONTD)
Physically you are thankfully in
complete health so there is no
worry in that aspect and as for the
intellectual and occupational
aspects, the ability afforded to
you by this program to pursue
anything and everything that you
want will hopefully be
satisfactory. Finally, in terms of
social wellness, we will be
providing you a girlfriend. She
will hopefully satisfy your need to
connect as a human. Do you have any
questions?

CHARLES
Uh yeah. What if I dont want a
girlfriend?
HELEN
This is a whole package deal. If
you dont want to meditate youre
not in the program. If you plan on
getting fat within the next months
you are out of the program. There
is a way that this works and that
is by committing to it fully.
Having a girlfriend is supposedly
something that people of your age
quite enjoy. You might not know it
now but you need her. She knows you
and she knows how to help you.
Besides were not going to let you
become the type of genius who
doesnt have a girlfriend.
Beat.
CHARLES
Has this type of thing ever been
done before or anything?
HELEN
Not exactly. But I feel like that
type of thing makes this even more
appealing to you, doesnt it?
CHARLES
What if I dont accept?

21.

HELEN
If you dont accept? Hmm. Well you
become just an other student who
floats through his days waiting for
each one to finish and then
eventually realizes that he floated
his way through a huge part of his
life. And then youre going to
realize that the person who took
this fellowship instead of you is
doing the type of things that you
very well might be able to do but
cant because you missed your
chance. -- Dont worry this will
all feel normal.
CHARLES
I really dont think it will.
HELEN
Yes it will. It just will. This is
what it takes Charles. If you want
what I think you want, this is all
necessary. -- Take a couple of days
to decide. Ill be here when youre
ready.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS DORM - LATER
Charles opens the door and walks into the dark room. He turns
on the TV and blankly watches it while lying on a couch.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS DORM - HOURS LATER
The light of an opening door hits Charles. Coming through
that door are Noah and Miles.
MILES
Hey.
CHARLES
(tired/confused)
Hey -- where were you guys?
NOAH
Third floor.
Miles walks into the kitchen. Noah sits down next to Charles.

22.

CHARLES
Oh cool. With who?
NOAH
Hey, so what was the thing finally.
CHARLES
Oh yeah. So the thing finally is
actually pretty big news.
NOAH
Oh yeah what is it?
Miles comes back in and sits will two COKE ZEROs in his
hands. He passes one to Noah and before they open them they
tap them together twice and wink at each other.
CHARLES
Well, its weird, they brought me
in and it was just Mrs. York and
she told me that Im a genius. Hey
what- what was that?
MILES
Oh its our new thing. Were just
trying it out.
CHARLES
Oh okay.
MILES
You think itll be a hit?
CHARLES
What? Yeah sure.
NOAH
Wait so the genius thing. What does
it mean?
CHARLES
Technically I guess it means that
Im better than both of you.
NOAH
Yeah I guess.
MILES
Wait but why you though? Its not
like youre doing that well in
school or anything.

23.

NOAH
Yeah its not like youre doing
that well in school or anything.
CHARLES
Yeah they dont care about that
apparently.
MILES
Thats weird.
CHARLES
Everything about it is weird. Im
not sure but I dont even think
Ill technically be a student
anymore.
MILES
Yeah but why did they ask you?
CHARLES
They just said I have what it
takes.
NOAH
(to Miles)
Dude shut up.
MILES
(to Noah)
What man?
(to Charles)
Do you actually think youre a
genius?
CHARLES
I dont know.
MILES
Exactly
NOAH
Hey shut up.
CHARLES
No its fine I get it. I know this
is weird and I dont know if Im a
genius. I mean I know that I feel
special. And I also know that
everyone thinks theyre special.
(MORE)

24.
CHARLES (CONT'D)
But I also know that no one who
ever did anything special did it
without feeling special. So I dont
know.

CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS DORM - CHARLESS ROOM - LATER
Charles sitting on his bed with his phone to his ear. He is
waiting for someone to answer.
HIS MOTHER picks up. Her voice is barely audible.
CHARLES
Hey, its Charlie.
CHARLESS MOTHER (O.S.)
Hi, whats wrong, how are you?
CHARLES
Im fine, nothings wrong. Im just
- calling. Well not really.
Something big is happening at
school and I just want to talk a
bit.
CHARLESS MOTHER (O.S.)
(concerned)
Why, what is it?
CHARLES
No its nothing bad. They - I was
invited into a gifted program and I
dont know if I should accept it.
CHARLESS MOTHER (O.S.)
Youre kidding! I always knew this
would happen one day youve always
been so gifted -CHARLES
Mommy, stop, please.
CHARLESS MOTHER (O.S.)
Ive been waiting for that school
to recognize your talent -CHARLES
Please, stop. I need you to be
serious right now.

25.

CHARLESS MOTHER (O.S.)

Okay, Im serious.
CHARLES
I dont know if Im gonna do it. If
I do my entire life is gonna be
different. I like what I have now,
Im comfortable. Theyre calling me
a genius and they say that they
think I can make a masterpiece. I I just don't know.
CHARLESS MOTHER (O.S.)
Isnt this what youve always
wanted?
CUT TO:
INT. HELENS OFFICE - LATER THAT WEEK.
Charles sits in Helens office.
CHARLES
Ive decided that Im going to take
the spot in the program.
HELEN
Great. Im happy youre seeing what
were seeing.
CHARLES
Yeah, great.
HELEN
Now I know we just met but were
not going to have much contact
aside from this and a few other
interactions.
CHARLES
Oh well thats fine I guess.
HELEN
As you can realize, because of the
experimental nature of the program
we need to try to abstain from any
direct influence on you. So we
hired someone to have direct
influence on you on our behalf -Thats your mentor.
CHARLES
Okay.

26.

HELEN
Do you think youre ready to meet
him?
CUT TO:
INT. IANS OFFICE - LATER
Charles is in the middle of the room. The walls are
completely white. The door opens and Ian Blain (20s),
Charless mentor, walks in.
Ian looks about 2 years older than Charles. They look like
they could be brothers even. He is happy to be with Charles
but resents him for being a genius. He is actually very
smart, way smarter than Charles, but no one calls him a
genius. He wants to help Charles grow to his full potential
but he wants it to be him that helps him. He wants Charles to
grow on his own terms.
IAN
Hi, Im Ian.
They shake hands.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER - LATER
Its dark but the movie hasnt started yet. Theres a couple
of people dispersed across the seats but its mostly empty.
CHARLES
(trying to break the
discomfort)
So this is where were supposed to
bond right?
IAN
Yeah, you feel it yet?
CHARLES
Maybe.
Beat.
IAN
The thing is - I love movies. But
Im not that guy who sees every
single one.

27.

CHARLES
I know, me to. Its like I like
movies so much that I hate bad
ones.
IAN
Yeah. Thats exactly it.
CHARLES
Does that make us pretentious?
IAN
Why do you care if people think
youre pretentious, what does that
even mean?
CHARLES
I dont know, Id honestly rather
not be thought of in any way by
anyone ever.
IAN
Well then youre going to hate this
program then.
CHARLES
Yeah I guess.
(beat, trying to change
the subject)
Wow this bonding things is really
working eh?
IAN
Are you nervous about the program?
CHARLES
Yeah. Like crazy. But I mean worst
case scenario Im just not a
genius. Which isnt that bad.
Theres been a bunch of people
whove just been not geniuses and
theyve still managed great things.
So I shouldnt really care that
much about it.
IAN
(no irony in the delivery)
Thats true. But I dont really
think thats true. I think just
about everyone deep down wants to
be special. Hell I do. God, I just
wish this was around when I was at
Lake Posser.
(MORE)

28.
IAN (CONT'D)
But it wasnt so I just have to
tell myself whatever it takes to
keep myself feeling special. But I
think a lot of people do that.

CHARLES
Yeah, youre right I guess. Its
like... Do you ever just wish you
believed in the things you tell
yourself you believe in?
IAN
(changing the subject)
Have you ever seen this before?
CHARLES
No I dont think so.
IAN
Well get ready for something
special then. This is the type of
movie youre supposed to like.
CUT TO:
EXT. MOVIE THEATER EXIT - LATER
Ian is leaning up against a wall talking on the phone.
IAN
Yeah no the lines are good its
just hard to casually slip them
into conversation. -- Look Ill try
but -- Ill try -- Okay.
Charles walks out of the entrance.
CHARLES
Hey you ready?
IAN
Yeah lets go.
CUT TO:
INT. IANS APARTMENT - LATER
Ian and Charles are having a drink in Ians apartment. They
sit on the couch for a bit watching an other movie.

29.

IAN
Hey. Do you think its weird - all
this?
CHARLES
What the program?
IAN
Yeah.
CHARLES
I know that Im not a real genius-If thats what youre asking. Well
maybe I could be who knows.
IAN
Hey, they picked you for a reason.
CHARLES
I know that should comfort me. But
somehow it doesnt.
IAN
I get that.
CHARLES
Are you married Ian?
IAN
Im 22.
CHARLES
Shit. I didnt think you were that
young. Why did they hire you then?
IAN
I dont know. I mean people can ger
hired without being married..
CHARLES
No I mean like what qualifie-IAN
Yeah, no I know. And I dont really
know. I mean I do-- I went to this
school. So that probably helped.
CHARLES
Oh yeah.
IAN
So what do you think youll do as
your project or whatever?

30.

CHARLES
I dont know I could try rewriting
my play. But I dont know if play
writing is for me.
IAN
Oh yeah? How?
CHARLES
I dont know I kind of just said
that. I think I should get back to
my dorm.
Charles stands up and heads toward the door.
IAN
Thats probably a good idea. Big
day tomorrow.
CHARLES
Yeah. Big day. Alright so... see
you tomorrow then.
IAN
Yeah see ya tomorrow.
CHARLES
Yeah see ya. Okay.
Charles leaves and we -CUT TO:
INT. HELENS OFFICE - THAT NIGHT
Helen and Ian are having a meeting about Charles.
HELEN
Self-confidence.
IAN
A 4 Id say.
HELEN
Okay, were going to have to get
that up to an 8 at least. Selfconsciousness.
IAN
Probably a 7.
HELEN
Good. Self-awareness.

31.

IAN
He would say a 10 but actually a 8.
HELEN
Okay, good. Cynicism.
IAN
Easy 9.
HELEN
Very good. Self-doubt.
IAN
10.
HELEN
(hoping)
Okay and Narcissism.
IAN
Hed say 6 but really 10.
HELEN
Perfect. Thats our money zone.
CUT TO:
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - LATER
Ian, EMILY, Charless girlfriend, DR. THERAPIST, his
therapist, SPIRITUAL GUIDE, his neo-buddhist counselor and
Helen all sit around a table.
HELEN
Okay so heres his profile.
Everyone study it. As you might
have guessed it hes a mess. But
hopefully hes the type of mess who
can create a masterpiece. This is
going to be difficult but if we
pull this off well be remembered.
Forever. Everyone here can be a
genius. Dont forget that.
FADE TO:
INT. LAKE POSSER AUDITORIUM - STAGE - THE NEXT DAY
Helen stands at a podium at the front of the stage. Charles
and Ian are backstage. The entire school is gathered in the
crowd.

32.

HELEN
Today is an important day in the
history of Lake Posser. With the
inauguration of the Genius Program
we are beginning a new chapter in
our schools history. A chapter
about one very important student. A
student who represents the virtues
that Lake Posser holds dearest.
He is a person who not only has the
capacity to reach a new and better
stage of success, but he might just
bring the rest of the school with
him. He is a student of incredible
talent who is equally gifted in
modesty. He is a student who
understands things that the rest of
us all know but cant communicate.
He is a student who knows himself
fully and knows his potential
fully. He is a genius CUT TO:
INT. LAKE POSSER AUDITORIUM - BACKSTAGE - THAT MOMENT
Charles and Ian are waiting at the wing of the stage.
CHARLES
(to Ian)
Its weird. It hasnt really felt
real until this moment.
HELENS VOICE
- Please welcome to the stage
Charles Dunning-Kruger!
The crows applauds as we follow Charles into -INT. LAKE POSSER AUDITORIUM - STAGE - THAT MOMENT.
Charles walks toward the front of the stage and takes the
applause. As he walk music starts to play. He reaches the
front of the stage and smile forms on his face.
CUT TO:
INT. BACK STAGE - LATER
There are people all around. Charles is surrounded by a group
of students.

33.

STUDENT
Wow Charles this is so exciting.
Try not to forget us when youre
famous.
Everyone laughs except for Charles. He is physically
uncomfortable.
CHARLES
Dont say that. I - I dont think
Im gonna be famous. I -STUDENT
Sure you will. And Im gonna tell
everyone I know that I used to go
to high school with the great
Charles Dunning-Kruger.
Everyone laughs again.
CHARLES
Excuse me.
Charles storms off.
CUT TO:
INT. BACK STAGE - LATER
Charles walks in circles around the room. Nodding and smiling
at people.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Charles and Ian stand outside the door of Charless
apartment.
IAN
Are you ready?
CHARLES
I dont know I think Im tired, is
tonight the best time to do this?
IAN
Yes it is. You have to do this
right now okay.
CHARLES
Okay yeah. Okay.

34.

IAN
Okay. Good luck.
CHARLES
Yeah. See ya around.
IAN
See ya.
Ian walks away. Charles unlocks the door and we -CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - THAT MOMENT
The room is dark. He turns on the lights and we see the rest
of the apartment. Very big, slightly modern. Mostly an open
space and there are pillars keeping up the roof. Near the
back we see his bed. Theres an arrangement of couches in
front of a television towards the front of the place. Off to
the other side is the kitchen. Emily walks out and comes
toward him.
CHARLES
Hi.
She walks over, puts her arms around his neck and kisses him.
EMILY
How was your day?
CHARLES
Good, Im uh Charlie.
EMILY
(chuckling)
I know.
She hugs him.
EMILY (CONTD)
I missed you today.
CHARLES
Its nice to meet you.
EMILY
What? Dont be silly.
She leans in and whispers in his ear.

35.

EMILY (CONTD)
(out of character)
That isnt how this is going to
work.
CHARLES
Okay.
EMILY
(back in character)
Okay now lets get you something to
eat.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
Charles sits at the table. Emily is cooking at the stove.
Its quiet.
CHARLES
You need any help with anything?
EMILY
No, everythings fine. Just relax.
CHARLES
Okay.
Charles, very uncomfortably, tries to relax.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - LATER
Charles looks at his reflection in a window. The window looks
out onto the main quad. Emily hugs him from behind.
EMILY
Dont stay up to late. Tomorrow is
a big day.
CHARLES
You dont have to hug me like that If you dont want to.
EMILY
Why wouldnt I want to?

36.

CHARLES
We dont have to pretend its
anything different than it really
is.
EMILY
Im not pretending.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - LATER
The tv is on. Charles and Emily are lying on the bed, arms
reach apart, watching a movie. She moves toward him and tries
to cuddle with him. He resists.
(whispering)
Please.
CHARLES
Im sorry.
She goes back across the bed.
EMILY
I think Im going to leave soon.
CUT TO:
INT. HELENS OFFICE - THAT NIGHT
Ian is slumped down in a chain dozing off.
Emily opens the door and walks in.
EMILY
Sorry Im late, Helen isnt here
yet?
IAN
What? No, shes coming later she
told me.
EMILY
Thank god.
IAN
Yeah. So how was the big day.
EMILY
(embarrassed)
It was a mess mostly. It was 50%
silence, 50% awkward silence.

37.

IAN
Jeez thats brutal. Do you think he
liked you?
EMILY
He better have or else why am I
fucking here? How about you? How
was your day?
IAN
It was fine. I think were getting
along pretty well actually. Hes
not a bad guy.
EMILY
Bad? No. An awkward mess? Maybe.
The chuckle a bit. Helen opens the door and walks in.
HELEN
Hey guys, so sorry. So how was it?
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - THE NEXT MORNING
The screen is black. You can hear voices but theyre muffled.
VOICES
Okay you guys ready? 3-2-1 Happy
first-day-of-being-a-genius!
Charles opens his eyes and in front of him Ian, Helen and
Emily are standing. Charles is in his bed. Ian puts a
birthday hat on his dead and Emily hugs him. Real fake stuff.
CHARLES
Good morning... Is that actually a
thing?
EMILY
Yes now get up, I cooked your
favorite.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
Theyre all sitting at the table eating in silence.
CUT TO:

38.

INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - LATER

Charles, Helen, Emily and Ian walk out of the apartment.
HELEN
Okay so Charles, youre going to
start with Ian, hes going to run
you through some stuff and then Im
going to come pick you up and I'll
take you through the rest of the
stuff we have to do today, okay?
CHARLES
Sounds good.
HELEN
Alright. And in the mean time Im
gonna get to know youre new
girlfriend.
CHARLES
(awkward laugh)
Okay...
IAN
Okay so lets get going. Youre
gonna like this, well get to see
your library.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - LATER
Ian guides Charles through a new library filled with books
for him. Charles takes note of what Ian says on a pad of
paper.
IAN
Do you have any authors that you
admire?
CHARLES
Yeah of course. Like uh...
Vonnegut, Salinger, you know,
people like that. The regulars.
IAN
Okay good. From now on youre not
allowed to read them. You need to
be reading the books that they read
when they were writing. Find out
who they liked and then start
reading those books.
(MORE)

39.
IAN (CONT'D)
That way you get the same influence
that led them to the place that
they got to.

CHARLES
Okay, okay. And if I start to enjoy
the people who influenced them?
IAN
Then you go back again. Either
youll land on something that you
dont enjoy enough to be
appropriately influenced by it, or
youll go all the way back and you
know find the main source of
influence on all literary
entertainment.
CHARLES
Okay... But what if I just want to
read a book.
IAN
Then you find out people that were
influenced by the books you want to
enjoy and you start to admire them.
That way you can enjoy books on
your own time while using their
books as influence in your genius
time.
CHARLES
Wait but wouldnt that-IAN
And the same goes for the movies
and the music you admire.
Charles takes note of this and we -CUT TO:
INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE - LATER.
Silence. Charles sits in his therapists, Dr. Therapists
(20s) office. She is waiting for him to talk.

40.

CHARLES
I dont really know what to say...
Like I get that youre waiting for
me to talk and everything and Im
not trying to purposefully not talk
I just dont have anything to say
really. -- Did I have to say that,
the thing about me not talking? I
know youre my therapist so I get
that youre not going to judge me
for what I say but I still feel
like I want you to know as a person
that I wasnt trying to offend you
or anything you know not just as a
therapist. Am I supposed to say
every thought that I have? Is that
what therapy is supposed to be? I
dont really know. And I guess Im
saying this also because I dont
want you to think thats just how I
talk I guess I just want you to
think that Im kind of doing it
just because this is what I think
therapy is. And I know that right
now youre just waiting for me to
stop talking so you can write
something down on your paper and
Im not mad at you about that you
know I know youre just doing your
job and stuff so... yeah.
Charles stops talking Dr. Therapist writes something down on
a pad of paper.
DR. THERAPIST
Youre a mess.
She looks up from her pad and smiles at him.
DR. THERAPIST (CONTD)
Dont worry you can calm down. Just
talk to me about the things you
think about. If it helps start by
telling me about one of your
dreams. Thats kind of a standard
therapist question.
CUT TO:
INT. NEO-BUDDHIST DOJO - CONTINUOUS
Charles and his SPIRITUAL GUIDE, mid 30s, sit in a meditative
pose.

41.

SPIRITUAL GUIDE
The point of meditation, or at
least the technique that well be
practicing is to find drive and
happiness through material goals.
You need to focus intensely on what
you want and then make sur every
decision in your life leads you
towards those goals. Okay?
CHARLES
Okay.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
We will also be using a mantra. The
one that you will be using is Be
Better
CHARLES
Be better?
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Correct.
CHARLES
(hesitantly)
Is that a certified mantra?
CUT TO:
INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Back in the therapists office.
CHARLES
So then I rode my bike home and I
got hit by a car. And then my
sister was pregnant. But I dont
have a sister. And also I was late
for one of my classes but that
wasnt a part of what was going on,
that was just something that I
knew.
CUT TO:
INT. NEO-BUDDHIST DOJO - CONTINUOUS
Back in the Dojo. Same position they just were.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Say it.

42.

CHARLES
Be better.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Dont just recite it-- say it.
CHARLES
(more hesitantly)
Be better.
CUT TO:
INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Back at Dr. Therapists office.
DR. THERAPIST
Why do you think its so important
to you that youre different than
others?
CHARLES
What? I dont think that I think
that. How did you get that from
that?
DR. THERAPIST
I think you do.
CHARLES
Some people get to be
extraordinary, why shouldnt it be
me.
CUT TO:
INT. NEO-BUDDHIST DOJO - CONTINUOUS
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Now that youre preparation is
done, it is time for you to reach
enlightenment.
CHARLES
Am I ready?
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Yes. Reach enlightenment. Go.

43.

Charles closes his eyes and tries momentarily then opens them
and gives up.
CUT TO:
INT. THHERAPISTS OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Back at Dr. Therapists office. Further again in the
conversation.
CHARLES
All I see when I look at people are
the lies they tell themselves.
DR. THERAPIST
Thats all you see?
CHARLES
No I just kind of said that because
I thought it would sound like a
good line. Its like a part of what
I see.
DR. THERAPIST
Do you ever lie to yourself?
CHARLES
Yeah. I think everyone does. And
if they say they dont theyre
probably lying to themselves. But I
think that just the fact that I
know that mean I lie less than
normal people do.
CUT TO:
INT. IANS OFFICE - LATER
Charles and Ian sit across a desk from each other. Its
raining outside. Behind Ian is Charless weekly schedule for
the program. Ian leans back on his chair as Charles continues
to take notes.
IAN
If you just want wide recognition,
you have to do movies.
CHARLES
What? Higher chance of being
accepted into the genius community?

44.

IAN
No. Youll get wide recognition but
its harder to cross the genius
threshold. -- With mainstream
movies that is, theres a slightly
higher chance if you make cult
movies.
CHARLES
Okay well-IAN
Then again cult genius is a less
prestigious genius than mainstream
genius.
CHARLES
I thought mainstream genius was
unattainable.
IAN
No it is. You just need to be a lot
better than the average genius. You
might even have to be a real
genius.
CHARLES
How about being a novelist?
IAN
Well. Large market. Passionate
fans... It might work but if you
want to be a genius now youre
going to have to write at least 700
pages, maybe 1000. If not your best
shot as a novelist is posthumous
acceptance into the genius
community.
CHARLES
That could work. I think I might
have 1000 pages in me.
IAN
Or of course you could do something
interesting and original. But I
dont know if were there yet.
CHARLES
Yeah no probably not... I could do
like a thinly veiled autobiography
thing?

45.

IAN
You dont want to do that. No
matter what you write its going to
be about you. You dont want to
make it too much about you, itll
look like youre just a bit to
happy about the fact that youre a
genius. The critics wont like
that.
CHARLES
I thought we werent supposed to
think about the critics though.
IAN
Well no youre not gonna get
recognition as a genius if the
critics dont like it.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Charles and Emily sit on their bed together.
EMILY
This is something were really
going to have to work on. Hard. But
its like that with every
relationship. So that means holding
hands in public, maintaining an
active instagram account where we
post pictures together, missing
each other when were apart,
dreaming about each-other when
were apart, daytime and nighttime
dreaming, and having a lot of cute
inside jokes.
CHARLES
I dont know if Im ready for all
of that.
CUT TO:
INT. IANS OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Back to them. Same spots as before.

46.

CHARLES
(taking notes)
Okay so I have to do things because
the critics like it?
IAN
No. Youre doing it because its
your calling. Youre doing it for
the critics but you say youre
doing it for the fans.
CHARLES
Why do I say Im doing it for the
fans?
IAN
Because critics love it.
CHARLES
Okay.
INT. NEO-BUDDHIST DOJO - CONTINUOUS
Same spots as before.
CHARLES
Okay but what type of enlightenment
am I going for here?
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
You have to be fully enlightened.
CHARLES
Fully? Isnt that harder though?
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Yes but they say its better.
CUT TO:
INT. IANS OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Same spots.
CHARLES
I could do a not-so thinly veiled
autobiography.
Ian looks in disapproval.

47.

CHARLES (CONTD)
(desperate)
It could be meta?
IAN
Charles youre not Charlie
Kaufmann. So dont try to be.
Besides, if you rip him off he
wont let you into the genius
community.
Charles nods and writes it down.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Back here. In the same spots they are before.
EMILY
These are some books I want you to
read.
She hands over a stack of book. The titles are along the
lines of How to make everyone think youre in a better
relation ship than they are. Etc...
CUT TO:
INT. PROJECTION ROOM - LATER
The room is dark. Charles sits on a chair in the middle of
the room with, you guessed it, a pad of paper in his hands to
take notes. On the wall is projected a slide show of
paintings which Ian controls.
At every new slide, Ian says something new.
IAN
Look at this one. -- This ones
important. -- Right there, see
that, thats important. -- Thats
the first time that was ever done. - The artist thought that was his
best work. -- This guy actually
painted this spot over 40 times in
his life. -CUT TO:

48.

INT. NEO-BUDDHIST DOJO - CONTINUOUS

Charles and his guide lie on the floor and stair at the
ceiling.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Now I want you to try to stair at
the entire ceiling right now. All
of it right at once.
Charles tries.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE (CONTD)
Now I want you to stair at one
single point in on the ceiling.
Charles tries.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE (CONTD)
Now what did you realize from this
experience?
CHARLES
That I have to look at the big
picture?
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Okay restart.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS WORKPLACE - LATER
Charles sits next to a record player with a pile of records
next to him. Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Etc. Ian sits nearby.
The record ends and Charles goes to change it.
IAN
No, not that one. Hold on.
Ian grabs an other record and puts it on the player. Charles
leans back and gets comfortable.
IAN (CONTD)
Wait no. Not like that.
Ian grabs Charless arms and moves them into position behind
his head. He then grabs Charless legs and stretches them
out.

49.

IAN (CONTD)
There, thats how you listen to
music.
(then)
Do you like it?
CHARLES
No. Im not enjoying it at all.
IAN
Good.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - LATER
Charles walks through the aisles. He is not walking by
himself however. Ian is behind him holding onto him like a
giant life-sized puppet, controlling his movements. They pick
books off the shelves, flip through them, move along and
continue. The scene is filled with ad-libs by Ian such as:
Look down, delicately, quick scan...etc.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - LATER
The Charles-Ian puppet duo now sits at a desk, throwing a
tennis ball against the wall repeatedly, thinking.
CUT TO:
INT. HELENS OFFICE - LATER
Charles/Ian walks into the office. Helen is there to greet
them.
HELEN
Howd it go?
IAN/CHARLES
Good. A lot of progress for one
day.
Ian hands Charles off to Helen who grabs him and holds him
like a toddler on her shoulder. Ian walks out and Helen drops
Charles on her desk.

50.

HELEN
So tell me what you did today.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - LATER
Helen and Charles, in a similar mother-toddler pose, knock on
the door of Charless apartment. Emily answers and smiles.
EMILY
Good first day?
HELEN
Oh yes. And hes very hungry, I
hope you prepared him something
good.
EMILY
Of course.
Helens makes Charles hold Emilys hand as she hands him off.
HELEN
Good night.
EMILY
Good night.
CHARLES
Goodbye.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - BATHROOM - LATER
Charles sits on the toilet, hiding from Emily. Hes on the
phone with Noah.
The scene is intercut with Noah sitting on his bed in his
dorm.
NOAH
So whats it like with the
therapist?
CHARLES
Its okay... She said that I have
mother issues.

51.

NOAH
Really? Thats weird, usually
people with mother problems crush
chicks.
CHARLES
Yeah I asked her about that and she
said I have a bunch of other
complexes so they balance out.
NOAH
Oh yeah thats probably true.
Listen I have to go. Practice
tomorrow morning.
CHARLES
Oh yeah totally.
NOAH
Anyway I hope everything pans out
with you being a genius and
everything.
CHARLES
Yeah me to.
NOAH
Later. And Miles says later too by
the way.
CHARLES
Oh cool tell him later.
Noah hangs up and Charles is left in his bathroom.
FADE TO BLACK.
TITLE CARD: ONE MONTH LATER
FADE IN:
INT. WAITING ROOM - MID DAY
Ian, Emily and Dr. Therapist wait outside of Helens office.
Spiritual Guide walks out and bows in front of Helen.
HELEN
Sandra. Youre up.
She gets up and follows Helen in.

52.

IAN
(after a while/nervous)
You nervous?
EMILY
No. I dont have anything to be
nervous about.
IAN
How about the fact that you guys
havent had sex yet.
EMILY
Shut up. Not all relationships are
based around that.
IAN
Creative ones are.
EMILY
Fuck I know.
IAN
Dont worry. I think if anyones
gonna get torn apart its gonna be
me. I mean fuck he hasnt written
anything even half decent, he lies
in bed all day, and you know, he
wont even fuck his girlfriend.
EMILY
Hey dont talk about me like that.
IAN
Like what?
EMILY
Like Im not here right now.
IAN
But thats not you.
EMILY
Its a part of me.
IAN
Okay sorry.
Silence for a bit until. Dr. Therapist.
DR. THERAPIST
Youre next Ian. Good luck.

53.

IAN
Okay thanks.
Ian leans over and kisses Emily.
EMILY
Hey cmon not now.
IAN
Calm down no one saw.
Emily smiles and we follow Ian into -CUT TO:
INT. HELENS OFFICE - THAT MOMENT
Ian walks right in and closes the door behind him.
IAN
(pointing at the chair)
Right here?
HELEN
Yes.
He sits down.
HELEN (CONTD)
Just before we start I just want to
say that Im about to be very
honest with you and just because I
say some things that make you feel
bad, it doesnt mean that Im not
proud of you.
IAN
Are you mad at me?
HELEN
Im not- Im not mad. Im
disappointed with the results.
Thats all. Okay?
IAN
Okay.
HELEN
Okay. Lets start then.
CUT TO:

54.

INT. LIBRARY - LATER

Charles sits at a desk with a book in front of him.
ANGLE ON: Charles PHONE
On it is a wikipedia article about the novel he is reading.
He is scrolling down and reading through the plot section.
Charles hears a noise, drops his phone onto his lap and looks
back at his book. No one is there.
CUT TO :
INT. CHARLESS WORKPLACE - THEATER - PROJECTION ROOM - LATER
Charles is looking through some old movie prints, looking for
something to watch. He pulls one out and puts it in the
projector. He struggles slightly to figure it out but
manages.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS WORKPLACE - THEATER - LATER
Charles is looking up at the screen watching the movie he
chose.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - LATER
Charles is now lying on his bed, covered in sheets, watching
the same movie as before but on his laptop.
The door opens. Its Ian.
IAN
Charles?
CHARLES
Im here.
IAN
What are you doing?
CHARLES
Watching a movie. Research.

55.

IAN
Get up youre not in this program
to lie on the couch all day.
CHARLES
Im doing research.
IAN
If you were doing research you
would be watching in the theater we
built for you.
CHARLES
Whats the difference.
IAN
The difference is youre lazy. Come
one. Were going to go through what
youve done today.
CUT TO:
INT. IANS OFFICE - LATER
Ian is reading the work Charles did that day.
IAN
What is this?
CHARLES
This is what I did today. Why are
you so demanding all of a sudden?
IAN
Because things need to change
around here. The whole point of the
program is to get you to make
something and youre turning out a
page a day? Whats going on?
CHARLES
Its just hard.
IAN
Then practice. You have nothing
else to do. Theres no excuse for
this.
CHARLES
Im working as hard as I can and up
until today it met your standards.

56.

IAN
How is this as hard as you can, you
have an outline. The story is there
just do the work.
CHARLES
Its not that easy.
IAN
Why because you like the idea of
being an author more than you want
to actually be an author? And
because you like to practice even
less than that?
CHARLES
(shocked)
No because when I try to write what
I want to write it just comes out
wrong.
IAN
Thats because you dont practice.
CHARLES
Because I only want to give you my
best.
IAN
This isnt your best. Because you
dont practice.
CHARLES
No this isnt my best because the
moment I write things down they go
from the beautiful thing I have in
my head to a piece of garbage.
IAN
Your best is whatever youre able
to do. If this is the only thing
you can write and its crap then
your best is crap.
CHARLES
Then I still dont want my best to
be bad.
IAN
But not doing anything ever isnt a
good alternative to that! If I was
in your- Look just... Get it
together. Soon.

57.

Ian storms off.

CUT TO:
EXT. RESTAURANT TERRACE - DAY
Emily and Ian sit across from each other with in drink in
front of each of them.
EMILY
Im gonna ask you something and I
dont want you to react the way
that youre gonna.
IAN
What the hell is that supposed to
mean?
EMILY
I want to start sleeping over at
Charless apartment.
IAN
What? No. You dont have to do
that. They cant make you do that.
EMILY
Theyre not making me I want to.
IAN
Fuck what the hell did Helen say to
you today?
EMILY
She didnt say anything okay. I
just think I need to start really
committing myself to my character
okay?
Ian stops to think.
IAN
Look Im not one of those -- Youre
allowed to do what you want but Im
not happy about this.
Emily looks angry.
CUT TO:

58.

INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - KITCHEN - LATER

Charles and Emily sit at the kitchen table, eating. They
haven't been talking much.
EMILY
Do you like it?
CHARLES
Of course. Its really great.
EMILY
I would like it if I didnt have to
ask you for you to say that.
CHARLES
Im sorry. Im just tired of
talking sometimes.
EMILY
Well you shouldnt be. We shouldnt
have to tire ourselves thinking of
conversation. Were in a
relationship.
CHARLES
Im sorry.
EMILY
Ask me a question about my life.
CHARLES
Okay. Whats youre real name?
EMILY
Emily. Ask something else.
CHARLES
Why are you doing this?
EMILY
Because I love you.
Emily grabs Charless hand and holds it. She then leans in
and kisses him on the cheek. He does not react. She leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - LATER THAT NIGHT
Emily is standing at the couches. She looks slightly
concerned.

59.

EMILY
Charlie!
CHARLESS VOICE
Yeah?
EMILY
Could you come in here please.
He walks in from the back.
CHARLES
What is it?
EMILY
Can we talk a bit?
CHARLES
Sure, what about?
EMILY
Can we sit down?
CHARLES
Yeah of course.
They both sit down.
EMILY
Okay, so lately, youve been acting
really uncomfortable around me-CHARLES
Yeah I know... This is just harder
than I expected it to be.
EMILY
You act like were not dating.
CHARLES
Well we arent really.
EMILY
Dont say that. Thats exactly what
Im talking about.
CHARLES
Sorry.
EMILY
(hesitantly)
Here.

60.

She moves in closer to him, grabs his hand and puts them
around her lower back.
EMILY (CONTD)
This is how you hold me okay. And
you can put your hands lower if you
want.
CHARLES
I - uh.
EMILY
And when we see each other after
being apart you hug me like this
and I put my arms around your neck
and you kiss me.
CHARLES
Okay.
EMILY
Show me how you would do that.
He does it.
EMILY (CONTD)
Thats better. Again.
Charles does it again.
EMILY (CONTD)
Good. And this is how we kiss.
She leans in slowly and then puts his hand on the side of her
face. They start to make out a bit and she stops them.
EMILY (CONTD)
Follow me.
She walks over to the bed and lays down.
CHARLES
I dont know if I want to do this.
EMILY
Just come.
She grabs his hand and pulls him down onto her. She starts to
kiss him then puts her hand down his pants.
EMILY (CONTD)
(whisper)
You want this.

61.

CHARLES
(under his voice)
What is going on...
EMILY
(whisper)
Do it.
Charles stops for a second then starts kissing her more
passionately. They take off some of their clothes.
EMILY (CONTD)
In the drawer.
Charles leans over and pulls out a condom which he puts on
under the sheets. He takes off his glasses and puts them by
the side of the bed. They have sex for about a minute. They
dont speak at all during but still look at each other the
entire time. When they finish she gets out of bed and goes to
the bathroom.
THE CAMERA stays on Charles. He takes off his glasses. (He
wont wear them again until mentioned.) Emily comes back into
bed.
EMILY (CONTD)
Feel different?
CHARLES
How am I supposed to feel?
EMILY
Better I guess.
CHARLES
Then yes.
(beat)
Was that your first time?
EMILY
It was my first time with you
thats what matters.
CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM - LATER
Charles, Emily, Dr. Therapist, Spiritual Guide and Helen sit
at a dining room table, enjoying a meal together.
Emily and Charles are holding hands under the table.

62.

BUTLERS come into the room and place a meal in front of

everyone.
HELEN
(exaggerated)
Mmmm. Looks good doesnt it?
(to butlers)
Thank you.
Everyone silently starts eating.
HELEN (CONTD)
I just thought that we could
benefit from a bit more time all of
us together. Does everyone agree?
DR. THERAPIST
Thats nice.
Everyone goes back to silence.
HELEN
So what did everyone do today?
Charles?
CHARLES
I tried to write for 3 hours and
then I went to see Dr. Therapist.
HELEN
Thats nice. What did you write
about?
CHARLES
It isnt really ready to be talked
about yet.
HELEN
Oh. Okay then. Thats fine.
They drift back into awkward silence. Emily is looking at
Charles. After a couple of seconds she gets his attention and
nods at him.
EMILY
(excitedly)
Me and Charles have something
important to say.
Everyone turns their attention toward Emily. Charles is still
looking at her.
HELEN
Okay... Go ahead.

63.

EMILY
We were going to wait until the
weekend to announce this but we
couldnt really wait any longer...
Charles and I are finally... having
sex!
Everyone at the table congratulates them. Ad-libs like Wow!
Oh my god! Congratulations!
IAN
(under his voice)
Subtle.
EMILY
Yes, yes, I know. Were very happy.
DR. THERAPIST
Charles you really should have
shared this with me earlier today
this completely changes your
psychological landscape.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
This is progress.
CHARLES
I didnt think this was going to be
a big thing.
HELEN
Well I for one am very excited to
see how this affects your work
Charles. Hopefully youll become
one of those womanizing geniuses.
Charles swallows hard on a piece of food and we -CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
Off the dining room. Emily brings her plate up to the
dishwasher.
BUTLER
I could get -EMILY
Oh no, no its fine.

64.

He leaves and she rests against the counter for a minute.

The door opens its Ian.
IAN
You okay?
EMILY
Yeah of course.
IAN
So you guys finally had sex eh?
Looks like you just earned yourself
a raise.
EMILY
Shut up.
IAN
No for real youll probably get
some sort of sex commission from
Helen.
They fall silent.
EMILY
I think this is gonna be really
good for him.
IAN
Look I told myself that I wasnt
going to bring this up but you know
that you dont have to do all of
this for him. Normal jobs dont ask
this much out of people.
EMILY
Some jobs do. This one does. And
Im happy to do it.
IAN
Okay. Ill leave it. But the moment
you feel used just stop okay.
EMILY
Its my job to be used. Dont you
get that. If Im okay with that you
should be.
Ian doesnt know what to say. He leans in for a kiss. Emily
pushes him off.

65.

EMILY (CONTD)
Hey! ...Im -- Not now.
She walks back into the dining room, mad.
CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM - THAT MOMENT
Emily walks in followed quickly by Ian. Charles watches them.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
(muffled)
No, no, no. Superbad is the
crowning achievement in modern
comedy.
DR. THERAPIST
(muffled)
Okay but then how do we define
modern? Modern doesnt just mean
new you know. Or does it just mean
any time after the time of the
Buddha.
SPIRITUAL GUIDE
(muffled)
Dont give my the Buddha cliche. If
you knew anything about my
teachings you would know that I do
not subscribe to the teachings of
the Buddha.
ANGLE ON: Charles looking at Ian and Emily.
FADE TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - THE NEXT MORNING
Ian walks in. Charles is in bed next to Emily.
IAN
Charles. Wake up.
Charles turns around and gives Ian a look. For a moment, Ian
looks at Emily whos still sleeping.
IAN (CONTD)
Its time to go.
CUT TO:

66.

INT. GENIUS CON AUDITORIUM - DAY

Its the annual Genius-con, held in New York City. A
MODERATOR sits at a panel, on-stage in the front of the
auditorium. Ian and Helen also sit at the table. TECH GUYS
are checking the speaker. OTHER WORKERS are walking around on
stage. THE CROWD MEMBERS are talking liberally, waiting for
the show to start. Everyone who isnt essential steps off of
stage and the Moderator goes to the mike.
MODERATOR
Please help me give a warm welcome
to our guest of honor, Charles
Dunning-Kruger.
The audience applauds and from the side of the stage Charles
walks out. He shakes the moderators hand and sits down next
to Emily. The applause dies down quickly.
CHARLES
(tentatively)
Hello.
He turns back and looks at the crowd. He is out of place.
MODERATOR
(fading out)
Okay so were going to get things
started off with a quick
presentation about the program...
FADE TO:
INT. GENIUS CON GREENROOM - LATER
The room is filled with other geniuses mingling between each
other. Charles sits alone in a corner, eyeing a group of
other people his age. He goes to the back of the room where
theyre sitting. In the group are CAL FANTANO, SOPHIE
REMNICK, DAVID FAUCET, and JOHN WAYNE. As he approaches they
stop talking and turn their attention toward him.
CHARLES
So you guys are the rest of the kid
geniuses I guess eh?
SOPHIE
Why? Youre one?
CHARLES
Thats what they say.

67.

SOPHIE
Thats cool. Im Sophie...
As she says their names the CAMERA pans to the corresponding
person.
SOPHIE (CONTD)
...this is Cal...
CAL
Hey.
SOPHIE
...this is David...
DAVID
Sup.
SOPHIE
...and this is John.
JOHN WAYNE
Hey.
CHARLES
Hi everyone.
It gets quiet and Charles just keeps standing there.
CHARLES (CONTD)
(about to leave)
Okay so -JOHN WAYNE
You can sit down.
CHARLES
Oh (anxious laughs). Yeah.
CAL
Wait so whats youre name?
CHARLES
Umm. Charles. Dunning-Kruger.
CAL
Did you do your panel today?
CHARLES
Yeah. Did you guys hear about it?
CAL
Oh no.

68.

SOPHIE
We dont watch other geniuses.
Howd it go though?
CHARLES
Oh you know... I feel like I dont
deserve to be here and that
everyone resents the fact that Im
here and that people are just
waiting for me to mess up. You know
basic stuff.
SOPHIE
Oh yeah.
CHARLES
Are you guys doing panels?
SOPHIE
Yeah. Tomorrow. Were with the
regular geniuses. Were all carded.
CHARLES
(surprised)
Oh shit really? Thats crazy.
JOHN WAYNE
What do you do?
CHARLES
Um. Nothing really Im just a
standard genius really.
JOHN WAYNE
What does that mean?
CHARLES
Im just a genius. Thats it. Why,
what do you guys do?
JOHN WAYNE
Im a pianist. And shes a
journalist, and hes a cartoonist,
and hes a mathematician.
CHARLES
Oh. I didnt even know they had
geniuses for cartooning. Thats
pretty cool. Its cool that you all
do stuff.
JOHN WAYNE
Yeah thats usually how it works.

69.

CHARLES
Oh yeah for sure.
Charles looks a bit disappointed. The rest of the geniuses
keep talking.
CUT TO:
INT. GENIUS CON FLOOR - LATER
Charles sits at a booth inside the large Genius Con space.
There are hundreds of people on the floor exploring different
impressive exhibits by different impressive geniuses. A YOUNG
MAN is at Charless booth. Charles is zoned out.
YOUNG MAN
... Yeah no, I really think its
about suicide more than anything,
like I actually think that hes
dead the entire time.
CHARLES
(snapping out of it)
What? Im sorry. What?
YOUNG MAN
Oh just -CHARLES
You know what Im sorry I have to
go for a walk.
Charles gets up and walks onto the floor among the other
visitors.
He sees various
performance art
performance art
piece. He stops

exhibits, books, science experiments,

pieces, non-performance art pieces, nonpieces made as a part of a larger performance
at one booth and flips through a book.

On the front cover the title reads: 4 Minutes of Thoughts

CHARLES (CONTD)
How much is this?
MAN AT BOOTH
10.
Charles takes a 10$ bill out of his wallet.
CHARLES
Thanks.

70.

Charles keeps walking into the crowd. After a few seconds he

pulls out his phone and dials Sophies number. She answers.
CHARLES (CONTD)
Hey. Hi Its Charles.
She pauses for a split second.
CHARLES (CONTD)
The genius.
SOPHIES VOICE
Hey, yeah of course. Whats up?
CHARLES
Nothing much I'm just on the floor
right now and need to get out of
here. Are you guys doing anything?
SOPHIES VOICE
Umm. Not really we all just
finished are sets so were just kind
of relaxing right now.
CHARLES
Oh yeah where?
SOPHIES VOICE
The lobby. You can come if you
want.
CHARLES
Okay cool Ill be there in a bit.
SOPHIES VOICE
Okay cool.
Charles hangs up and paces nervously for a few seconds before
finding his bearings and walking toward the exit.
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
Sophie, Cal, John and David sit around a table in the lobby.
They look like theyre drifting in and out of sleep. Charles
is there too but is wide awake and looks anxious.
CHARLES
You guys wanna do anything?
JOHN
No.

71.

Charles looks down, embarrassed.

CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER
Charles lies on his bed. He gets up, grabs a pen and starts
to write something on a piece of hotel paper.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL HALLWAY - LATER
Charles walks out of his room, stops in front of an other
door and then slides that same paper under it.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER
Charles waits patiently/anxiously on his bed. Someone knocks
at the door. He opens it and Sophie is there.
SOPHIE
Hey.
CHARLES
Hey. Thanks for coming.
SOPHIE
Yeah no problem. Why did you put a
note under my door?
CHARLES
What? Oh I dont know I thought it
would -SOPHIE
You could have just texted me you
know.
CHARLES
Oh yeah, well I just thought that
the note would be... I dont know.
SOPHIE
So whats going on?
CHARLES
Uh come. Sit down.

72.

They sit on Charless bed.

SOPHIE
What?
CHARLES
Well I was thinking. And you know
tomorrow is the last day of the
convention and all and Im really
happy that we met you know - and I
know that I would regret it if I
didnt do something.
SOPHIE
Hey look I dont know if -He leans in to kiss her and she awkwardly pushes him off.
SOPHIE (CONTD)
Charles please.
CHARLES
Dont deny yourself this.
He leans in again.
SOPHIE
Jesus stop!
Charles snaps out of it. Sophie gets up and walks toward the
door.
SOPHIE (CONTD)
What the hell is going on?
CHARLES
I dont know. Im sorry. Oh god.
Im sorry I didnt want to put you
in a position like this.
Sophie stops and turns toward him.
SOPHIE
Yes you did, you just did.
CHARLES
Well doing that was actually kind
of like a huge step forward for me,
Im really not the type of person
to try that and I was kind of proud
that I gave it a shot actually so --

73.

SOPHIE
What the fuck are you saying? How
is that supposed to change anything
you creep? I knew that message
under the door was creepy. Ive
known you for a couple of hours -CHARLES
Look just forget about the message
I though it would be different.
SOPHIE
What would be different?!
She tries to get up and leave but he grabs her arm and stops
her.
CHARLES
Look Im sorry, Im sorry please
let me apologize.
SOPHIE
What?
CHARLES
I dont know where that came from.
I was just feeling weird and I
though you maybe liked me.
SOPHIE
What the hell made you think that.
CHARLES
I dont know were both geniuss...
SOPHIE
Youre an idiot.
She goes to the door and Charles follows her without trying
to stop her. She opens the door and then stops herself.
SOPHIE (CONTD)
How did you honestly think this was
going to turn out?
She closes the door.
CUT TO:

74.

INT. PLANE - NEXT DAY

Charles and Ian sit next ot each other on the plain home.
Charles is writing, Ian and Helen sleep next to him. Charles
stops.
CHARLES
(whispering to Ian)
Im not sure if those people were
assholes or Im just bad at making
friends.
Ian doesnt wake up.
CHARLES (CONTD)
Okay.
Charles goes back to writing. On his laptop we see the title:
5 Minutes of Thoughts.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - LATER
Charles walks up to his door with his bags in hand. As he
takes out his keys, Emily opens the door. They hug. He kisses
her.
CUT TO:
INT. CHARLESS APARTMENT - LATER
Charles and Emily are on the bed on top of each other. He
gets off of her and they lay back in exhaustion.
CHARLES
What got into you?
EMILY
I missed you.
CHARLES
Thats sweet.
Silence for a bit.
EMILY
Did you enjoy your self?

75.

CHARLES
Yeah, I think so. I met some really
smart people.
EMILY
I meant the sex.
CUT TO:
INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE - NEXT DAY.
They sit facing each other. Charles looks occupied.
CHARLES
Im working on something new.
DR. THERAPIST
What do you mean new?
CHARLES
Like something that I just started.
I stopped all the other stuff. I
see now that those other things
were just like... guesses. Like
they were just what I thought might
be something good. But this new
thing I think is actually something
good.
DR. THERAPIST
Talk more about what you just said.
That your other efforts are just
guesses.
CHARLES
Well they were literally guesses.
I couldnt think of anything
personal to do so I just invented
what I thought would be something
personal.
DR. THERAPIST
Why?
CHARLES
Because I had to do something. And
I hated it and I felt like a phony
but it was what I had to do.
DR. THERAPIST
And the new thing youre working
on? Tell me about it. If you can.

76.

CHARLES
Well its a novel. And it just
feels so much more personal and
true than anything else that Ive
ever done. Its like... I kept on
waiting for the moment when it
stopped feeling like I was
pretending when Im writing and
when it started feeling like I was
actually doing something real. And
I think Im finally there. I dont
even feel weird saying it or even
calling myself a writer or even a
genius. I finally believe in what
everyone is saying about me.
CUT TO
INT. HELENS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER THAT MONTH
A bottle of champaign pops. The crowd cheers. Charles doesnt
know anyone there. The room is littered with various party
decorations with words like launch party or
congratulations on them. Charles holds the bottle and
people swarm around him. Ian and Helen stand off to the side
watching.
IAN
Do you think hes actually ready
for this?
HELEN
Hell be fine. Hes past the
drinking age in Canada.
IAN
You know what Im talking about.
HELEN
Yes I do think hes ready. Do you
have doubts about what weve been
doing?
IAN
No, no I think weve done
everything we can with him, Im
just not sure hell be able to
handle all the attention, good or
bad.
HELEN
Look at him right now. Have you
ever seen him like this?
(MORE)

77.
HELEN (CONT'D)
Hes loving it. Hes thriving.
Besides youve read it you know how
good it is. Do you have any doubt
at all that thisll be well
received.

IAN
(sarcastically)
Youre right. I have to stop
worrying.
HELEN
Besides were heading into phase
two anyways. -- The focus wont be
on him anymore. And therell be
lots of room for promotions.
Helen walks towards Charles whos talking with PHILLIP
SPITOULI (40s) the editor of Charless novel.
HELEN (CONTD)
I didnt know you two knew each
other?
PHILLIP
Well we just met. I thought it was
about time I met the author of the
book thats given me so much
trouble. Whyve you been hiding him
from us all this time?
HELEN
(joking)
We haven't been hiding him, we just
didnt want to subject him to any
world that would have you in it.
PHILLIP
Oh course -HELEN
Could you excuse us just for a
minute? We just have to do some
famous author stuff.
PHILLIP
Of course.
They walk away.
CHARLES
And tonight is supposed to be a
break is it. I shouldve seen this
coming.

78.

HELEN
This wont take long it just has to
be done.
Charles and Helen walk into an empty bedroom.
HELEN (CONTD)
Charles sit down.
Charles sits.
HELEN (CONTD)
Listen. Okay... Okay listen. When
you went into this program there
were really only two options of
what could happen. Either you
weren't successful and we would
dissolve the program or you would
be and you would become a star.
Thankfully you proved to be even
more than successful in fact you
completely lived up to your title
and amazed all of us. What that
means is that the program works.
And its tested. So for us at this
point the only real option is to
keep going. So within the next two
weeks, we havent decided yet,
were going to hold a press
conference and announce that were
taking on a knew genius into the
program.
CHARLES
What?
HELEN
Were going to find someone else,
just like you, and were going to
do it again. And its going to be
hard for us, thats why were
really going to need you to
cooperate with us. No matter who
the new genius is. I need you to
say to me right now that youre
going to cooperate okay.
Charles doesnt answer.
HELEN (CONTD)
Charles?
CHARLES
Okay I will.

79.

HELEN
Alright. Now the good news is that
youre going to stay in the program
and youll be just as important as
you always were alright. Youre
going to keep working on things and
everything will feel like its
always been okay. This doesnt
change anything.
CHARLES
Okay.
HELEN
Good. Im very proud of the way you
reacted to this Charles.
CHARLES
Thanks...
HELEN
Now Im going to go back into the
party. You can stay here if you
want or you can come you with me
but I dont want you to act any
different than before alright.
CHARLES
Yes.
Helen kissed him on the cheek.
CHARLES (CONTD)
Why did you have to tell me
tonight?
HELEN
Why wouldnt I?
CHARLES
Tonight was important. To me.
HELEN
Well this isnt what should be
important to you.
She walks out. Charles stays for a bit and then walks out.
Everyone is smiling at him and happy to see him but the party
has lost off of its charm.

80.

INT. BOOK STORE - DAY

A video recording of Charles reading a passage of his book is
shown. In the video, Emily is next to him holding his hand.
CHARLES
(reading)
Why hadnt I learned anything? Was
learning things something that I
only expected of myself because I
was raised by movies in which
people always learned things? Was I
even raised by movies? People say
that a lot but I dont know if I
was subjected to enough movies at
an early enough age to qualify as
being raised by movies. Had I
learnt ---wrongly--- that people
are supposed to learn things
through large events. Or maybe what
had happened to me simply wasnt
big enough to qualify as something
large enough to warrant a lesson
learnt. Maybe I should have watched
more Seinfled when I was young,
they never learnt anything. Thats
their whole thing isnt it no
hugs, no learning. I could have
learnt a lesson about not learning
anything. Where did I get that idea
about Seinfeld. I probably wouldnt
even have know that I was watching
was something in which people dont
learn, because I only know that
through what Ive learnt about it.
Would I even know something is good
if someone didnt tell me it was
good? Was I thinking to deeply
about this? Is there a point of
diminishing returns on the metaness? Im only saying that because
that phrase is something Ive heard
on Community. Am I only Meta
because I watched ---and liked--Community and then thought that was
the only acceptable clever way of
being clever? Would I even like
Community if I hadnt been told
that its good?
He folds up his paper and the audience applauds.
CUT TO:

81.

INT. TV STUDIO - DAY

Charles is being interviewed by a Charlie-Rose-type
INTERVIEWER about his new book. The header under him reads:
Genius + Work = Work of genius.
INTERVIEWER
That was Charles Dunning-Kruger
doing a reading from his latest
book Five minutes of Thoughts.
The novel has been called stream
of consciousness for the AD/HD
generation and the type of thing
people think is smart by the New
Yorker. Joining me now is novelist
Charles Dunning-Kruger and Im very
pleased to have him here to talk
about this important novel.
CHARLES
Thank you. Very happy to be here.
INTERVIEWER
Now why 5 minutes of thoughts,
whats the significance of that to
you.
CHARLES
The significance of that is that
the novel is about the thoughts of
a character during 5 minutes of his
life. And thats basically where
the title came from.
INTERVIEWER
Interesting. Now, tell us about
your time at Lake Poser. When did
this all start?
CHARLES
Well I started going to lake poser
in grade 7 so I must have been...
12. Or almost 13. And well my
mother went there so I decided I
should go and she was a really
great writer when she was young so
I thought you know... It did the
trick for her.
INTERVIEWER
Is that true, did she write
anything I might have heard of?

82.

CHARLES
She was never published. But she
writes constantly. She probably
would have managed to if it wasnt
for-INTERVIEWER
For you.
CHARLES
(fake TV laughs)
Yeah I guess. Well for life.
INTERVIEWER
Now she must be proud of you now
isnt she. First novel not only
published but a best-seller.
CHARLES
Yeah shes super proud but I think
she knows better than to let me
know that.
INTERVIEWER
(Fake TV laughs)
Of course. Did she encourage you to
write a lot as a child and during
your early years?
CHARLES
You know she encouraged me in the
way that I... I dont think Id be
writing if it wasnt for her. But
she never really pushed me to do
anything. She turned me onto it
more.
INTERVIEWER
Where was your father in all of
this?
CHARLES
He was also a writer. A poet. But
he actually worked as a teacher
most of his life. So same type of
deal as mom.
INTERVIEWER
And when did this whole program
thing happen?
CHARLES
It started in November of last
year.
(MORE)

83.
CHARLES (CONT'D)
I -- I was called in to meet Helen,
the head of the program and we kind
of just clicked. Her and my mom
both play a very similar role in my
life. Theyre both very important
to me and I dont think that Id be
here if it werent for them.

INTERVIEWER
You dont think you would be here
if not for them. So if you werent
in the program, you dont think
youd ever become a successful
writer?
CHARLES
Umm. Well. I guess I misspoke
there. What I meant is that. Well.
Of course I would like to say that
the program has helped me that much
and Im sure thats whats expected
to be said by me... But thats not
the truth. The whole truth at
least. The program did help me
channel my gift but it did not give
me my gift. Im tired of these
talented artists coming on the
show, or any show really, and being
humble to a point of discomfort. I
get that as a person in he public
eye its important for public
opinion to be humble but I think
something thats really important
is authenticity. People should be
okay with what they think because
they have no choice. Its what they
think. Its neurotransmitters in
our brains, nothing more
complicated than that. And I find
the denial of ones own innermost
feelings even more sickening than
an arrogant artist ever could be.
So yeah... I think that I could
have been a novelist without he
program. But that doesnt mean Im
not grateful for what its done for
me.
CUT TO:
INT. BACK STAGE - CONTINUOUS
Helen and Ian watch Charles from the back.

84.

IAN
What the fuck?
HELEN
This is bad.
IAN
Should we stop this?
HELEN
No, dont stop it. Hes done now.
Whats done is done.
CUT TO:
INT. HELENS OFFICE - LATER
Helen, Ian and Charles sit.
HELEN
Ive got to say I haven't been more
disappointed in you than I am right
now.
CHARLES
I know, look -HELEN
Weve given you everything. Weve
literally given you fame. And this
is how you repay us. By trashing us
on television.
CHARLES
I didnt think -HELEN
Do you know how hard we had to
bargain with them not to air that
part of the interview?
CHARLES
From context I guess pretty hard.
HELEN
Yes. Hard. And dont fucking...
(beat)
I understand what you said out
there and hey, maybe thats how you
actually feel.
(MORE)

85.
HELEN (CONT'D)
But you of all people dont want to
be looking too deep into whether or
not youre being authentic to
yourself.

CUT TO:
INT. VAGUE SPACE - LATER
Charles walks in a white space. A CROWD of faceless people
swarm around him. They all pass by him and say various adlibs like I love your work or youre a genius. Charles
stops and they vanish. An OTHER CROWD appears nearby,
standing still. They aren't talking but their thoughts can be
heard. Similar ad-libs like before.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - DAY
Charles is at a table making his way through a line of people
who want their book signed. He looks up and in the line he
spots Miles.
CUT TO:
INT. BACK ROOM - LATER
Charles walks in followed by Miles. Charles grabs a water
bottle from a fridge and sits down.
CHARLES
You want one?
MILES
Yeah sure.
Charles grabs one for Miles.
CHARLES
Here. So. Hows it goin?
MILES
Its good you know. Schools fine.
Weve been following everything
youre doing. I gotta say when you
were just stated we had no idea
you had this in you.
CHARLES
Noah didnt want to come?

86.

MILES
He couldnt I dont think he meant
anything by it.
CHARLES
Okay. And what do you mean by it?
By coming here.
MILES
I wanted to get my book signed.
Make a bunch of money off of it.
CHARLES
No seriously why are you even here.
MILES
What are you talking about? Were
friends.
CHARLES
No were not. We were just people
who ate lunch together.
MILES
What are you doing? Why are you
trying to start a fight? Im just
trying to talk to you.
CHARLES
I know why youre here okay I get
what this is.
MILES
Jesus Charles not everything has to
turn into a big thing.
CHARLES
Why else would you be here then?
MILES
Fuck you man have some self
respect. Maybe Im here because we
were friends you dick? Because I
care about you?
CHARLES
You know were not friends.
MILES
What the hell are you talking about
we lived together?

87.

CHARLES
That means were roommates.
Congrats. We didn't even pick each
other.
MILES
Then why did you always tag along
with us when we would go do shit
eh? Those weren't your friends we
were hanging out with?
CHARLES
Why do you think? Because I hate
being alone more than I hate being
with people that make me feel
alone.
MILES
Jesus fuck youre a hypocrite. So
Im not allowed to come and ask you
for stuff but youre allowed to use
me as your token friend so that you
dont feel like a complete outcast.
CHARLES
So then you admit you were here to
ask me for stuff.
MILES
Fuck you man. You know this
conversation didnt have to go the
way it just did.
Miles walks out. Charles looks up at the TV and sees Ian on
it. He turns up the volume to listen.
Rest of the movie:
Charles spirals as he works on his masterpiece. He becomes
increasingly dishonest with himself but becomes increasingly
honest with the people around him.
Ian is given the genius position during the second wave of
genius and Charles reacts poorly. Charles confronts Helen and
throws a tantrum. She tells him that she knows that he
plagiarized the book and that she regrets making him the
genius. She doesnt however kick him out of the program.
Charles feels unwanted and wants thing to go back like they
were before, so he leaves Emily and goes to live with his mom
back home

88.

At home he watches family videos of himself as a child and

realizes hes been living a lie. He doesnt get what he wants
out of his mother and cant stay.
He goes back to the program but by the time he comes back
everyone has moved on. Emily has gone to act on Broadway, Ian
is the new genius and is having success, Helen spends all of
her time with Ian. Helen and Ian have a talk and they becomes
very emotional about things. Charles changes his name and
moves away but in the last scene we see him writing a book
called why I cheated.
The end.