SOB — Ep. 1 (Text Version)
Shadows of Blue Nova — Episode 1
Shadows of Blue Nova — Episode 1. The Beginning
(Your patience with my script’s formatting is appreciated — I’m learning as I go. Any suggestions for improvement in formatting or story are welcome.)
Check out the formatted version here.
BEGIN MONTAGE:
A series of video clips play.
EMPEROR SAITO
(Delivering a keynote speech for the launch event of Blue Nova )
With Blue Nova, we now witness the dawn of a new era, where prosperity unfurls. Behold, as this beacon illuminates the path to boundless riches and brings forth smiles upon the GEA and all of our states.
RYAN SAKAMOTO
(In an interview on a Tonight Show. He crosses his legs.)
A new era has begun with this. A new type of humankind has stepped foot on the earth.
DAIN KIM
(On a stage, delivering an acceptance speech as he receives Academy Awards for Best Directing for his movie “Lamp” right after he received Best Picture.)
Thank you again, everyone. Creative work is exhausting and draining. And I know all the directors, actors, and everyone in this industry here have had a fair share of such struggles. That’s why I feel obliged to come clean about my use of Blue Nova. It greatly helped me boost my creativity and focus. So, I’d like to attribute this award to Blue Nova.
FADE TO BLACK
TEXT OVER BLACK:
Ep 1. Revolution — (1)
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Remember? Do you remember the time before all this?
The clips of the montage plays backward.
INT. COFFEE SHOP — DAY
Footage of coffee pouring into a mug plays.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The time we drank coffee?
INT. SUBWAY — DAY
Footage of a subway station back in 2000. Crowds of people line up in a subway station. Their faces, tired and crestfallen.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
We lived in the same world as now, constantly chasing productivity and efficiency. The difference between now and then was…
INT. OFFICE — DAY
Footage of an office worker, white shirt with a tie, drinks a cup of coffee, his eyes focused on the monitor.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Back then, the only way to force ourselves awake was using caffeine.
SERIES OF SHOTS — CAFFEINE-RELATED INFOGRAPHIC PLAYS
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Caffeine. A central nervous system stimulant that enhances cognitive and physical performance.
SERIES OF SHOTS — PEOPLE GRIMACING
NARRATOR (V.O.)
However, it accompanies side effects. Heartburn, Addiction, Anxiety, Insomnia, Dehydration, Indigestion, Decreased Urine Output…
INT. OFFICE — DAY
A man drinking multiple cups of coffee.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
And most of all, as you drink more and more, you develop tolerance of its effectiveness. And, Blue Nova launched.
FADE TO BLACK
BEGIN MONTAGE:
INSERT — NEWS BROADCAST
NEWS ANCHOR
Turning our focus to a major story in today’s broadcast, we’re dedicating a significant portion of our program to delve into the latest development from Blue Corporation. This company, which made headlines back in 2005 with its controversial ‘Blue Potion,’ is back in the spotlight. The original potion, known for its claim of enhancing focus and productivity for up to 7 hours, was swiftly recalled following a whistleblower’s shocking revelations about unethical testing practices. The tests, exclusively conducted on vulnerable individuals from the Great East Asia’s colonies, sparked global outcry leading to widespread media condemnation and boycotts. Fast forward five years from the scandal, and Blue Corporation is attempting a comeback with ‘Blue Nova,’ a brand new product. Stay with us as we explore what this means for the company and whether they’ve turned a new leaf in product development and ethical standards.
The sound from the broadcast fades away, but the footage keeps playing. As the screen shows muted images of the news broadcast, a voice-over begins.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
However, that incredible drink didn’t instantly spark its phenomenal success.
INSERT — TV INTERVIEWS
EXT. STREET — DAY
INTERVIEWEE 1
Blue Nova? I mean it sounds good and all, but who’s got money for that? And who wants to be awake for 24 fucking hours?
INTERVIEWEE 2
When I first heard about it, I thought it’d be perfect when I pull an all-nighter, but $500 for a bottle? Who’s got the money for that?
INTERVIEWEE 3
24 hours for a productive boost and then a crash for 12 hours. The company got its timing wrong.
Clips of TV interviews flash across the screen, silent.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
So, how did it revolutionize our life? What triggered its historical success?
The sound of video being rewound plays.
INT. TONIGHT SHOW STAGE — NIGHT
After winning an Academy Award for his movie ‘Lamp,’ Director DAIN KIM is invited to ‘The Tonight Show,’ hosted by the famous comedian, OSCAR SCOTT. In a brightly lit room adorned with numerous pin lights that illuminate everything, Scott sits behind a desk, with Kim on a sofa beside him. Scott sits behind a desk and next to him, Dain Kim on a sofa.
OSCAR SCOTT
Congrats on the award haul! You’re scooping up every trophy out there!
DAIN KIM
(Kim gathers his palms and places them on his chest, his face genuinely appreciating the compliments.)
Haha, thank you! Thank you so much.
OSCAR SCOTT
Your acceptance speech is the talk of the town in every industry — movies, show-biz, publishing, gaming — you name it, all because you attribute your success of the film to this blue bottle.
On the screen behind them, an image of Blue Nova is displayed.
DAIN KIM
Haha, yeah, I did.
OSCAR SCOTT
So, how was it? Was it delicious? Were you high? I want all the deets.
Off-Camera, the sound of audience laughter fills the studio.
DAIN KIM
Haha, it was delightful as a matter of fact. But before going into the details, I’d like to say why I mentioned that.
OSCAR SCOTT
Money? Did they sponsor you or something?
DAIN KIM
That’s exactly why I wanted to talk about everything. Y’know, I had no clue things would spiral out like this. Getting a sponsor from Blue Corporation and stuff? I’d be all over that, honestly, ’cause it ain’t cheap. And the whole debate about whether it’s even cool to use this stuff for art.
DAIN KIM
If I could, I’d just go back in time and give my past self a good smack to just shut it.
OFF-CAMERA, MORE LAUGHTERS ECHO THROUGH THE STUDIO.
OSCAR SCOTT
I bet. You know what? I’m glad you mentioned all that. Been mulling over how I should bring that topic myself.
OSCAR SCOTT
But, let’s keep things in order, shall we? We’ll surely get to that. What did it taste like? And more importantly, what did you feel after that? I can’t help but picture you on some wild trip, like you’re on LSD or mushrooms, just out of this world.
DAIN KIM
Haha, fair enough. But it’s definitely different from those. Tastes like coconut and lemon mixed with sparkling water, just a tad thicker than water, though.
DAIN KIM
It tastes like blue, if you know what I mean.
OSCAR SCOTT
That should be their new tagline.
OSCAR SCOTT
(Scott’s hand swaying dramatically, punctuating each word with an exaggerated gesture.)
It tastes like blue.
Off-camera, the audience cheers with laughter.
DAIN KIM
Haha, it should be.
DAIN KIM
But it’s nothing like any drug that I’ve ever tried. It’s more like… How should I put it… You know how you have your ups and downs? On one of those good days, you’re riding high, confident, buzzing with energy, motivation through the roof like everything just clicks.
DAIN KIM
That’s what you feel generally. And that feeling keeps going. You are focused for a whole day.
OSCAR SCOTT
I’d love to keep having good days for sure.
DAIN KIM
Right. It’s strong, but the strength isn’t in your face. Instead, it helps you unlock and…
(pause, searching for the perfect term)
actualize your own potential.
DAIN KIM
You only understand its true power once the effects wear off. And let me tell you, it’s rough. You end up feeling groggy for the next 10 to 12 hours — lethargic, sleepy, unmotivated, lazy — just everything you dread during a school day.
OSCAR SCOTT
Geez, really? That doesn’t sound fun.
DAIN KIM
Right? But on the flip side, it could be the perfect time to give your body a rest. I mean we are human beings and supposed to sleep. I just loved that after a long rest, you are back to feeling yourself and Blue Nova can pick you up once again. For me, it worked perfectly.
DAIN KIM
I mean, I’d totally do the same if coffee did anything for me. But after years of chugging it, caffeine just stopped working on my brain.
DAIN KIM
Then, I heard about this miracle drink!
DAIN KIM
So, with all due respect, and knowing I can’t speak for every artist, I truly believe this could be an incredible tool for us to tap into our full brain potential. It’s not akin to drugs or anything harmful. There’s no risk of addiction, no serious side effects to worry about — well, except for the crash, but even that’s just your body telling you it’s time to rest, exactly what’s needed after an all-nighter.
The sound from the interview is now silenced, while the footage keeps playing. A voice-over begins.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The interview set everyone buzzing about these drinks, the so-called miracle beverages with the power to make your dreams a reality.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Well, the hope quickly turned sour.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The buzz became envy and jealousy. The rich and famous bought the drinks, posting on their social media platforms.
EXT. STREET — DAY
A reporter stands in front of a Blue Nova store, microphone in hand, with the store’s windows shattered following a robbery.
The upcoming scenes transition to black and white, with the sound of radio static overlaying the real audio. This should signal to the viewers that these moments are where the next episode will resume.
REPORTER A
We’re now outside a Blue Nova store, a sight becoming more familiar as another robbery has left its mark, with broken windows and shattered bottles of Blue Nova.
REPORTER A
The energy from this growing craze for these so-called miracle drinks is palpable.
REPORTER A
At a steep price of 500 USD for just a day’s worth, it’s driving some to drastic actions. Over the past three months, there have been four similar incidents reported, including the robbery that occurred just yesterday.
