Differentiation- Your calculator is the scene of the crime.

An extract from my script for Differentiation, a mathematical comedy that parodies Inception.  Enjoy.

Differentiation

 

By William

Munn 

INT. PHARMACY - CONTINUOUS
Row upon row of wooden shelves holding hundreds of dusty
glass bottles of all shapes and colors. At the far end, a
portly 40-year-old man rises from behind his desk, beckoning.
This is YUSUF.

Yusuf: So, you are seeking a mathematician 

(Cobb nods)

       To calculate problems for a job.

Cobb: As well as to be our runner for Cantamath.

Yusuf: You know, I rarely go into the field, Mr Cobb.

Cobb: Well, we would need you there to tailor equations specific to our needs.

Yusuf: Which are?

Cobb: Great complexity.

Yusuf: (nodding)Ah... A function within a function- two sets of brackets.

Cobb: (leaning forward) Three.

Yusuf: Not possible... that many functions within functions would be far too baffling for a non-Korean student.

Cobb: It is...possible. You'd just need to use a graphics calculator.

Yusuf: A powerful graphics calculator.

(holds a rectangular object up to the light)

       This, I think, would be a good place to start. I see it every day.

Cobb: Where?

(Yusuf beckons to a door. On it is written "D12")

Yusuf: Or, perhaps you will not want to see.

Cobb: (beckoning) After you...

INT. CLASS ROOM, BURNSIDE HIGH - CONTINUOUS A class room with ROWS of low DESKS. Each with a school student. They type numbers and symbols on their calculators. An ELDERLY BALD MAN watches over them.

Eames: (counting) 18, 19, 20- mostly Asian. Bloody hell.

Yusuf: They come here every day, to practice calculus.

Yusuf nods at the Elderly Bald Man, who moves to the nearest desk. Reaches out to the STUDENT. Gives his face a FIRM SLAP. The student does not even stir.

Yusuf: See? Very diligent.

Cobb: How long do they work?

Yusuf: Three, four hours every day.

Cobb: How many papers?

Yusuf: With this calculator? About 40 papers, each and every day.

Saito surveys the room, appalled. 

Saito: Why do they do it?

Yusuf: Tell him, Mr Cobb.

Cobb: After a while, it becomes the only way you can be challenged at school.

Yusuf: Can you still use the Binomial Theorem, Mr Cobb?

Cobb stares at the students, still uneasy.

Eames: They come to do calculus?

Cobb turns to the Elderly Bald Man, who looks fondly at his dreamers.  

Elderly Bald Man: No. They come to live the calculus. The algebra has become their reality. 

The Elderly Bald Man pokes a crooked finger at Cobb's chest.  

Elderly Bald Man: Who are you to say otherwise?Who are you?