SCENE 1
EXT. THE BRIDGE. EVENING.
The sun sets on a bridge that overlooks a beautiful, scenic horizon that's made of fields and trees. Completely absent of human voices or passing cars, no sound but a gentle wind is blowing through the leaves.
On a close-up of the bridge, we see a young man (MID 20s) standing alone on the shoulder, overlooking the horizon. There's a heaviness in his posture. He stands completely still, though his hands fidget nervously. The man's expression is stoic, yet intense.
Even closer up on the bridge, the man steps up the parapet that leads to the edge of the chasm below. Looking down at his feet, the man finally grasps just how far the chasm falls before it meets the ground below.
Before stepping down from the parapet, the man pauses and closes his eyes. Once again, his fists become clenched. The young man opens his eyes once more, before slowly falling backward toward his death.
HARD CUT:
INT. TROLLEY. NIGHT, LATER.
The same young man, TEVIN, snaps back to reality, revealing to have zoned out on the trolley home, exhausted from the night. There's a dissociative look in Tevin's eyes as he looks forward, staring at nothing in particular.
FLASHBACK:
INT. UNIDENTIFIED APARTMENT. NIGHT.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN
(CONCERNED)
Just, talk to me.
TEVIN
(FRUSTRATED)
There's nothing more to talk about.
TEVIN
This is me being honest with you. It's done.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. TROLLEY. NIGHT, CONTINUED.
Tevin is brought back to the present, remembering where he is upon seeing something unusual. Sitting on the railing of a trolley seat, across from Tevin, sits a strange butterfly. The butterfly glows with the same blue hue from what Tevin saw in the bathroom stall window, from earlier.
Just BEFORE THE DOORS CLOSE, Tevin RUNS OUT of the TROLLEY and chases after the butterfly.
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH. NIGHT, CONTINUED.
The trolley stop leads out to a beach, where the butterfly flies over the boardwalk and over the sand.
Tevin continues chasing after the Butterfly, following it onto the beach. Down to the shore, the butterfly continues to fly over the dark waters where Tevin can't keep chasing after it. The blue hue slowly begins to fade out in the horizon. Tevin stares in wonder, perplexed by where the butterfly came from and where it's going.
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH, CONTINUED. NIGHT.
Tevin walks along the shoreline of the beach. Coming up the shore, a LARGE, DARK OBJECT, LAYING between the sand and the high tide. Noticing the object, but not quite making out what it is, Tevin approaches with a hesitant curiosity. As Tevin gets closer, the object COUGHS UP water and TURNS onto its BACK — STARTLING Tevin. Tevin realizes that it's not merely an object, but a MAN (LATE 20S-EARLY 30S) in SOAKED LAYERS OF ALL BLACK CLOTHING.
TEVIN
(TO HIMSELF)
Oh, damn...
The man looks up at Tevin, BARELY CONSCIOUS and OUT OF BREATH. Tevin stares back, UNSURE of what to do.
TEVIN (cont'd)
Hey man... you good?? You alright?
The man, not listening, focuses on catching his breath.
TEVIN (cont'd)
You... You need me to call someone?
The man doesn't respond.
TEVIN (cont'd)
Like an ambulance, or?...
The washed-up man begins to VIOLENTLY COUGH UP WATER, followed by shaking his head NO.
TEVIN (cont'd)
... You sure?
There's no response: the man just lies back and tries to catch his breath.
TEVIN (cont'd)
(BECOMING IRRITATED)
Anyone wondering where you are? Someone who might need to come get you, make sure you're good?
The man closes his eyes, taking a deep breath.
TEVIN (cont'd)
You got a name? Any ID, something?
No response.
TEVIN (cont'd)
(RESIGNING)
Alright, well if you good then imma slide, because-..
Tevin turns away from the man, walking in the opposite direction. The man catches Tevin's attention, MUMBLING something unintelligible.
TEVIN (cont'd)
(MOVING CLOSER TOWARD THE MAN)
What'd you say?
MAN
(WHISPERS)
Butterfly...
Tevin squints, trying to hear him correctly. The man labors through his exhaustion and SPEAKS UP.
MAN (cont'd)
My name is Butterfly.
Tevin simply STARES, frozen... BEWILDERED. LONG PAUSE.
CUT TO: