Divine Intervention [Directors Cut]

EXT. BEACH PARKING LOT – DAY

Kai jumps out of his pickup truck and slams the door. He heads to the trunk, pulling out a long purple surfboard and a beach towel.

[ENTER NOSTALGIA PARK Sponsorship]

Kai sets the board on the ground, leaning it against himself as he grabs a water bottle and begins drinking. The camera pans up from his slides to the towel wrapped around his neck, subtly confirming the sponsorship deal.

NARRATOR (V.O.) Today was rough. It was the last day of university, and when I got home for dinner, my roommates—of all times—chose now to suddenly try and get to know me. They’ve always known I went to school for art. They even knew I wanted to become a famous painter, but they never took the time to understand how passionate I really am. They only saw my comings and goings; assumed my dreams were as basic as the lifestyle I portrayed. They never visited my art studio. Never came to my gallery shows. They know nothing about me, yet they think they know what's best. That's why I came to the beach. I just need to clear my mind. I just need peace and quiet.

EXT. BEACH SHORELINE – EVENING

Kai walks into the ocean with his board, lies down on it, and paddles into the evening.

NARRATOR (V.O.) The sun was setting, and he didn't want to stay too long. It would be dark soon. But he honestly didn’t mind it. He could use the peace and quiet, so without realizing it, he stayed a little longer than usual.

MONTAGE: Hours pass. Kai lays on his back in the middle of the ocean — close enough to see the shore, but too far to touch the bottom. He almost falls asleep.

CUT!

DIRECTOR (O.S.) Okay, Kai, I get it — you’re comfortable playing this role because you surf in real life. But you’re way too casual. You’re not capturing the turmoil. Your character doesn’t know if he should work with his roommate’s advertising company, or risk it all and pursue his dreams with no support. He's not peacefully floating — he's screaming to God for a sign!

(beat)

DIRECTOR (CONT'D) Let’s set up the bird drones. One last take — the sun's going down. Alright — ACTION!

EXT. BEACH – SUNSET

Kai runs into the ocean, picking up his pace, kicking the water furiously. He throws his board out, jumps on, and paddles angrily.

He mumbles inaudible words to himself.

Kai reaches the filming mark, sits up on his board, hangs his head, and traces the word "NOSTALGIA" across his board.

He breaks character, hitting the board and yelling — calling out to God for a sign.

The camera crew frantically calls out to him — but his cries drown them out.

Kai turns around — as a massive wave crashes over him, ripping the board away.

He’s underwater and could not feel the way up.  He was being thrown in every direction and began to feel helpless; the water was too high, and too chaotic to escape.  He was lost in it.  

Everything became black as something hit his head.

EXT. OCEAN – NIGHT

Kai awakens lying on his board.

It’s pitch black. He can feel the board and water but can't see his own hands.

He slides off the board, dives under — but can't reach the ocean floor. Disoriented, he turns in circles.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

It was also quiet.  The silence was now an energy that wrapped itself around him like a blanket.  He found comfort in it but also claustrophobic by it.  So he decided to break it.  He screamed to the top of his lungs.  “HELLO WHERE IS EVERYBODY”.  “Where am I?”.  he didn't even hear an echo back.  His heart began to race.  He started to panic.  The ocean always felt like home but now it was a place that felt unwelcoming, a place where he didn't belong.  He covered his hands over his eyes and cried silently.

Not just because he felt lost and hopeless.  But because something told him not to show up today.  Something screamed for him to quit this movie.  It didn't feel real and it felt like they wanted to push a worse agenda.  That when people get in the way you let them control you.  Normalizing giving up on your purpose.  He never even wanted to be an actor.  His parents put him in auditions as a child and it all came extremely too easy for him to please everyone around him.  It happened so fast that by the time he was an adult he didn't know anything else.  The only way he could get away from his family was when he went to the beach.  When he went surfing.  His dream was to be a professional surfer.  That's what he wanted to do,

not this stupid movie.  The only reason he showed up today was because he knew he couldn't start a surfing career in the middle of an unfinished film; it would ruin his reputation.  But reason number 002 was because today was the surfing scene.  He finally had a day where he could be himself and enjoy what he liked to do.  But he couldn't because he wasn't angry enough.  All of this came crashing down on him tonight.

KAI (V.O.) Where am I? How did I get here? What was the last thing I did?

(beat)

I remember them calling "cut"... Then nothing... Did I die?

(beat)

SFX: A distant bell rings.

It grows louder.

Kai starts yelling:

KAI HELP! OVER HERE!!

VOICE (O.S.) I know where you are. That’s why I’ve come.

Kai looks around, confused — total darkness.

VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D) No, I'm not lost. I know my way around here. I've been here many times.

KAI Can you help me get to shore?

VOICE (O.S.) I will help you get to where you need to go — not where you want to go.

KAI Whatever! If it has sand and lights — take me!

VOICE (O.S.) I will show you what you need to see. Now — take my hand.

Kai feels a hand on his shoulder — startled, he falls into the water.

Laughter echoes.

KAI Why don't you have lights? How do you know where you're going?

VOICE (O.S.) The same way you knew I was with you. You needed help and heard my voice. I am here aren't I? Now — take my hand.

Kai hesitantly grabs the hand.

He’s lifted high — feeling the edge of a huge ship. He climbs aboard.

EXT. MYSTERIOUS SHIP – NIGHT

KAI Thank you.

STRANGE MAN No — thank you. We’ve been waiting for your arrival.

KAI Can you at least get some light?

STRANGE MAN

Ok you ask you shall receive 

 As you wish.

A second man appears holding a torch, lighting nearby torches along the deck — revealing a massive ship.

KAI Thank you.

TORCH MAN Don’t mention it.

STRANGE MAN Now — how can we help you?

KAI I don’t know where I am... and I need to go home.

STRANGE MAN What is "home"?

KAI I... I don't remember. But I'll know it when I see it.

STRANGE MAN Good. Good answer.

(beat)

First — we need to talk. Come with me.

Kai 

“talk , WE?” huh

Torch man 

“No more questions come with me”

Kai turns, looking for the man who pulled him aboard — only to find a void.

KAI Are you coming with us?

Silence.

Kai follows the torch bearer.

“What is your name” kai said

“My name is Ty Mathew and

Your name Is Kai futomoto

Good seeing you again”

“What do you mean again”

“Just give it time you will be able to recognize all of us soon”

“Us?”

INT. SHIP INTERIOR – NIGHT

Kai follows the man up narrow stairs lit by torchlight. Each step reveals only the next.

At the top, the torch man swings aside a curtain — blinding light floods the space.

Kai squints — slowly adjusting.

He sees a massive room with a huge table. Around it sit about fifteen people — different ages, races, and genders.

Kai recognizes no one.

(beat)

He...

MAN (pauses, then swings back a curtain)

The lights stun Kai's eyes.

KAI (squinting) It’s so bright…

He blinks rapidly, trying to adjust to the overwhelming light. Slowly, his eyes begin to focus.

KAI (continuing) What…?

As his vision clears, he sees a HUGE ROOM. At the center, a large table surrounded by 15 people of various ages, races, and genders. He recognizes no one.

He finds a seat at the table. Everyone is staring at him, some with emotional expressions. A man approaches him and gives him a hug.

KAI (shocked) Mr. Field? What are you doing here?

MR. FIELD (softly, smiling) It’s time, Kai.

Suddenly, a WOMAN in the center of the room speaks up, cutting through the tension.

WOMAN We are all here for you today.

KAI (confused) What?

WOMAN Kai, this is your intervention.

Kai almost laughs but stops himself, noticing no one else is laughing.

KAI (disbelieving) You’re kidding, right?

WOMAN No. We’re here to help you get help, if you choose to do so.

KAI But I haven’t done drugs… Ever in my life.

WOMAN (with a hard edge) What you do is far worse.

KAI (taken aback) What do you mean? What have I done?

Before anyone can answer, a WOMAN SCREAMS OUT.

WOMAN You’ve given up on yourself. You know what makes you happy, and you don’t care about that anymore. You’re addicted to self-doubt and the validation of others.

Kai is hit hard by her words. He grows quiet, taking the blows.

WOMAN Why won’t you fight back? Why won’t you try to be better? Is this how you want to have a family? Bitter and full of resentment because you never followed your dreams? Is this a trait you want to pass to your kids?

KAI (softly) Honestly… no.

WOMAN (smiling softly) Well, that’s great to hear, Kai. Today, we are going to help you, okay?

She pauses, her tone shifting to something more spiritual.

WOMAN We are your spirit guides. You happen to have an abundance of them. Some protect you, and some guide you. Some are spirits who did not fulfill their mission in their lifetime, and they hope to help you fulfill yours. That is their mission in this realm.

Kai looks at the group, bewildered.

WOMAN We really are all counting on you. I know you don’t remember us yet, but we have known you before you were even born. You agreed to help set people free. But instead, you’re sacrificing your real talents for a check and to please others. You don’t understand how much you will help people when you wake up from here. We had to force this divine intervention because the time will always be in the present. We’ve been waiting for you in this space called the present, but it just seemed like you were never in the moment.

She stands up straight, firm.

WOMAN Now, with that said, if you choose to go to recovery, we will get you there. We just need you to say this out loud:

She hands Kai a letter.

WOMAN "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

Kai reads it aloud, with a deep breath.

KAI (quietly) God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

WOMAN (calming tone) Now, read the rest of the letter we wrote for you. We already knew you would choose to get better, but you didn’t know that you would. This is for you to keep and remember.

The words on the page begin to flow with meaning, Kai’s focus deepening.

WOMAN (reading from the letter) On a roller coaster, the first drop is the highest throughout the entire ride. This is so it gives it all the momentum it needs to get over all the humps ahead. Put both hands above your head and praise Him in advance. You are now descending the first drop.

Kai’s breath quickens as the words continue.

WOMAN Now, when you enter recovery, it will feel painful, but you are required to do this so you can surf the right wave next time. You will learn to swim away from fear and toward your dreams. You are now being given a second chance at life. Please take grace from this place and inspiration from this space. We all are counting on you; we are always rooting for you to open people's eyes to the scary journey of chasing one's purpose. Your testimony will be priceless and useful everywhere you go. You may not remember how you got here, but you cannot forget that you were here.

Kai pauses, staring at the letter.

KAI (thinking to himself) So, I really am dead?

He keeps reading, and the letter starts to write itself.

LETTER (Voiceover) Far from it, my friend. You are becoming more and more alive as you read each line.

LETTER (Voiceover) Now think of where you wish you could be. Close your eyes and count to three.

KAI (closing his eyes, counting) One. Two. Three.

Suddenly, a voice interrupts.

DIRECTOR (panicked, whispering to crew) He's dead, isn't he?

CREW MEMBER (shocked) Oh my God, what are the investors going to say now? This is the worst thing that could happen. There goes our star...

Kai begins to see the light again. As his eyes adjust, he realizes it’s just the light from the camera crew. He feels relief to be somewhere familiar but is somewhat annoyed to be around people who didn’t care for his well-being.

DIRECTOR (rushing over, concerned) Look, everyone! He’s opening his eyes! (to Kai) Hello, Kai. Are you okay?

Kai slowly smiles, which confuses everyone.

CREW MEMBER (softly, puzzled) Why does he have that weird smile on his face after almost dying?

Kai stands up, brushing the sand off of his shorts. He looks at the crew seriously, then turns away and starts walking.

KAI (firmly, with clarity) I am no longer an addict. I QUIT. Now I have to recover, so I can share my testimony. THANK YOU, spirit guides.

The director, trying to maintain a composed facade, looks upset for the crew but feels a deep, unconditional love for Kai as a person. He’s glad that Kai has finally taken the step toward happiness.

DIRECTOR (to the crew, quietly) I knew he was on drugs.

CREW MEMBER (nodding, bitterly) He was always so different.

DIRECTOR (smiling softly) Well, if he was on drugs, he’d be like everyone in Hollywood. Kai is nothing like you losers. That’s why he’s the main character.

Kai walks away, his purpose clearer than ever.