No Limits Beyond a Genius (Screenplay Edition) 2013

OVER BLACK

SUPERIMPOSE TITLES:

CHAPTER ONE: THE BIRTH

FADE IN:

INT. HOSPITAL -- NIGHT

MRS. KAMAL lays in bed, panting and sweating, as a series of DOCTORS and NURSES assist her in delivering a baby.

DOCTOR # 1

Keep pushing. You’re almost there!

Mrs. Kamal screams, as she pushes harder. More sweat pours down her face.

Doctor # 2 pulls out a NEWBORN BABY. DOCTOR # 2

It’s a girl!

Doctor # 2 hands the baby off to Mrs. Kamal, who cradles the baby in her arms.

MR. KAMAL cuts the baby’s umbilical cord.

Doctor # 2 reaches inside and pulls out ANOTHER NEWBORN BABY.

DOCTOR # 2 And a boy!

Mrs. Kamal smiles.

INT. DR. SHELDON’S OFFICE -- NIGHT

Mr. and Mrs. Kamal hold hands, as DR. SHELDON sits behind his desk, browsing through a series of files.

MRS. KAMAL

Is there any reason for it?

DR. SHELDON

From the looks of it, your child seems to be relatively

healthy. However, we see that he

does weigh two-thirds less than his sister, which is not a common

(MORE)

DR. SHELDON (cont’d)

occurrence with twins. All I ask is that you keep your eye on him. If you see anything out of the ordinary, be sure to inform me as soon as possible. You have my office phone, right?

MRS. KAMAL

Yes, Dr. Sheldon.

DR. SHELDON

And my cell phone?

MRS. KAMAL

Yes.

MR. KAMAL

We will make sure to let you know immediately.

INT. COPTIC CHURCH -- DAY

Mr. and Mrs. Kamal stand over their baby daughter, YOSTINA.

The PRIEST baptizes Yostina and hands her over to Mr. Kamal. Mrs. Kamal hands their baby boy, ANDREW.

PRIEST

What name shall be given to this dear child?

MR. KAMAL John.

The priest delivers his baptismal speech. During he speech, he refers to Andrew as "Abanoub."

Mr. Kamal’s eyes light up. He’s about to correct the priest, when Mrs. Kamal politely stops him.

MRS. KAMAL

(whispering to Mr. Kamal) It must be a sign from God.

CUT TO BLACK

SUPERIMPOSE TITLES:

CHAPTER TWO: CHILDHOOD

FADE IN:

INT. NURSERY SCHOOL -- DAY

A 4-year-old Andrew sits alone in his corner, strategically stacking up a bunch of toy blocks.

A 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL hovers over Andrew.

4 Y/O GIRL

That looks fun! Can I play? ANDREW

No!

The 4 y/o girl runs off and cries. Andrew continues stacking up the blocks.

Mrs. Kamal enters. She’s approached by ALLISON (20’s). ALLISON

May I help you, Miss? MRS. KAMAL

Yes, I’m here to pick up my son Andrew.

ALLISON Sure.

The 4 y/o girl cries loudly and lightly punches Andrew in the shoulder.

4 Y/O GIRL You’re mean!

ALLISON

We... might need to have a little talk about your son.

EXT. NURSERY SCHOOL -- DAY

Mrs. Kamal walks out the door, crying, hand-in-hand with Andrew.

INT. KAMAL HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NIGHT Yostina eats quietly at the table.

Mrs. Kamal places a plate of food in front of Andrew. He

throws the plate at her. She dodges it, screaming in shock.

Mr. Kamal raises his hand, about to slap his son, when Mrs. Kamal holds him back.

MRS. KAMAL

Leave him alone.

MR. KAMAL

Don’t you see what he just did?! (yelling at Andrew)

What is wrong with you?!!!

Andrew elicits no response, as he avoids eye contact with

his father.

MRS. KAMAL

He’s only a boy.

MR. KAMAL

Yes, he’s only a boy. Only a

child. So is Yostina. Look at her! Eating her

vegetables. Listens to every word her mom and dad says. Why can’t he be the same way?

(yelling at Andrew)

Why can’t you be like her?!!! (to Mrs. Kamal)

Look at him! He doesn’t even care!

YOSTINA

Why are you yelling, daddy?

MR. KAMAL

Don’t worry, Yostina. I’m not yelling at you. I’m yelling at your brat of a brother!

MRS. KAMAL

So what shall we do?

MR. KAMAL

I don’t know. This is not

normal! I just want him to be normal!

MRS. KAMAL

Should we take him to see a child psychologist?

MR. KAMAL

Do we have to?

MRS. KAMAL

It’s obvious that has some sort of... disorder or illness.

MR. KAMAL

Yes, let’s take him to a

psychologist and have him prescribe some magic pills that will cure him forever.

MRS. KAMAL

That’s a psychiatrist. I want him to see a psychologist.

MR. KAMAL

Sure, sure. Everything gets cured with therapy. That’s how it works in this country! You know my dad cured me? A slap in the face! It doesn’t cost him a penny.

INT. DR. BLAKE’S OFFICE -- DAY

DR. BLAKE (early 40’s, female) sits across from Andrew, who

avoids eye contact with her.

DR. BLAKE

I’m Dr. Blake. What is your name?

ANDREW

You know my name.

DR. BLAKE

I’m sorry?

ANDREW

My mommy told me your name. Why are you asking me?

DR. BLAKE

I know... but I want you to tell me your name.

ANDREW

Andrew.

DR. BLAKE

Nice to meet you, Andrew. Can I call you Andy?

ANDREW

It’s Andrew.

DR. BLAKE

Fine, Andrew it is. How old are you?

ANDREW Four.

DR. BLAKE

That’s a nice age. Do you have any friends?

ANDREW

No, not really.

DR. BLAKE

Why is that?

ANDREW

Because nobody likes me. I don’t like them either.

DR. BLAKE

Do you know why? ANDREW

No!!!!

Dr. Blake startles.

ANDREW

Why are you asking me all these questions? This is boring!

DR. BLAKE

Would you like a lollipop?

ANDREW

I’m not hungry.

INT. LOBBY -- DAY

Dr. Blake speaks privately with Mr. and Mrs. Kamal. In the B.G., Andrew writes inside an activity book.

DR. BLAKE

Mr. and Mrs. Kamal, Andrew is a wonderful young boy. He’s

extremely intelligent. As a matter of fact, his I.Q. his off the charts.

MRS. KAMAL That’s great!

MR. KAMAL

So what’s wrong with him?

DR. BLAKE

Well... he definitely seems to have a problem relating to

others. Actually, he has major problems relating to other people. He doesn’t pick up on social cues very well, even for a boy his age. He also has

difficulty paying attention. He’s very defiant towards his elders.

MR. KAMAL

So we get it. He’s completely screwed up in the head.

MRS. KAMAL

Malik!

MR. KAMAL It’s true!

DR. BLAKE

Mr. Kamal, there’s nothing to worry about.

MR. KAMAL

Nothing to worry about? Is he your kid?

MRS. KAMAL Please!

MR. KAMAL

Is he your kid?

DR. BLAKE

No...

MR. KAMAL

How would you like it if he was

your son? Or your daughter! And you had to live with that sickness for the rest of your life?! What if it was your kid?

DR. BLAKE

Actually, I don’t have any kids, but if I did--

MR. KAMAL

There is no "if." You have no idea

what it’s like! Give me that!

Mr. Kamal snatches Dr. Blake’s clipboard and glances over

her notes.

DR. BLAKE

Mr. Kamal, I’ll need to ask you to--

MR. KAMAL

Aspergers? O.D.D.? A.D.H.D.?

Mr. Kamal flings the clipboard aside.

DR. BLAKE

Mr. Kamal, I understand that your boy is slightly challenged, but I assure you that he can improve over time. There is no such thing as perfection. A.D.H.D., especially, is very common in children his age, or any age.

MRS. KAMAL Malik!

MR. KAMAL What?!!

Mrs. Kamal sits by Andrew’s side. She holds up his activity book.

MRS. KAMAL Look!

Mrs. Kamal flips through the pages, revealing that all the pages have been completed.

MRS. KAMAL

The whole book. He finished the whole book.

MR. KAMAL

In 20 minutes?

Mrs. Kamal nods.

DR. BLAKE

I’m telling you, your son is brilliant.

Mr. Kamal flips through the pages of the book, staring in amazement.

CUT TO BLACK

SUPERIMPOSE TITLES:

CHAPTER THREE: RELATING TO HIS PEERS

FADE IN:

EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD -- DAY

A 6-year-old Andrew builds a large house out of flash cards. A BULLY knocks down the house. His FRIENDS laugh.

BULLY

Oops!

Andrew grabs all the flash cards and tries to re-build the house. The bully knocks it down again.

The bully and his friends shove Andrew around. He does nothing to defend himself.

Finally, the bully shoves Andrew to the ground.

BULLY

Have a nice fall!

The bully and his friends laugh, as they run off.

EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL -- DAY

Andrew’s GRANDMA waits outside her car, which is parked in front of the school.

GRANDMA

Andrew! Andrew!

Andrew walks over to her, head hung low. She hugs him. She picks his head up, revealing a black eye on Andrew’s face.

GRANDMA

Oh, no! What happened?

10.

INT. CAR (MOVING) -- DAY

Grandma drives, while Andrew stares out the window.

GRANDMA

Why did he punch you?

ANDREW

He didn’t punch me. He pushed me to the ground.

GRANDMA

Did you tell your teacher?

Andrew doesn’t answer.

GRANDMA

Did you?!

ANDREW

No, grandma.

GRANDMA

Why not?

ANDREW

I don’t know.

INT. KAMAL HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- DAY

Andrew sits at the table, doing his homework. Mr. Kamal grabs his son by the arm.

ANDREW

Dad, I was doing my...

Mr. Kamal drags his son out the back door.

EXT. BACKYARD -- DAY -- CONTINUOUS

Mr. Kamal stands Andrew in front of him and bends towards him.

ANDREW

What do you want, dad? MR. KAMAL

I want you to hit me.

ANDREW Why?

Mr. Kamal lightly slaps Andrew on the cheek.

MR. KAMAL

Because I’m hitting you. Now, hit me back.

ANDREW

Why are you doing this? I need to finish my homework.

MR. KAMAL

Hit me first! That’s your homework!

Andrew very lightly touches his fist to his dad’s face.

MR. KAMAL

That’s the best you can do? Come on!!! Come on!!!

Andrew simply walks away from him and back into the house. He continues doing his homework.

INT. MR. AND MRS. KAMAL’S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Getting into his pajamas, Mr. Kamal rambles on and on, oblivious to Mrs. Kamal barely paying attention as she stares into a mirror.

MR. KAMAL

He has to learn to be a man. Maybe we should sign him up for boxing lessons. Or karate lessons.

MRS. KAMAL

He’s only a boy.

MR. KAMAL

So? Three-year-olds take karate

lessons. They’re fun! Come on, he can’t keep coming home with a black eye. What’s next? A broken arm? A broken leg? Next thing you know, he’ll come home in a

wheelchair!

MRS. KAMAL

But he’s getting straight A’s.

MR. KAMAL

And I’m happy for that. But I’d be happier if he learned to fight. My dad taught me to fight when I was four!

No response from Mrs. Kamal.

MR. KAMAL

Hello? Am I talking to a wall?

MRS. KAMAL

(mumbling) I’m pregnant.

MR. KAMAL

What?

Mrs. Kamal shows him the home pregnancy test. A tiny smile forms on Mr. Kamal’s face.

INT. MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL -- DAY Andrew and Mr. Kamal enter.

Led by SENSEI MARIO, a group of YOUNG KIDS practice martial arts exercises.

Andrew timidly looks around. He immediately turns towards the door and attempts to leave. Mr. Kamal stops him.

MR. KAMAL

Where are you going?

ANDREW

Home.

MR. KAMAL

At least take one class. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it.

SENSEI MARIO

OK, everyone take a break. We’ll continue where we left off in five minutes.

(to Mr. Kamal) May I help you?

MR. KAMAL

Yes, I’d like to enroll my son in a class.

Andrew emphatically shakes his head.

SENSEI MARIO

He looks thrilled. (to Andrew)

Hi there, little man. Would you like to become a little ninja?

ANDREW

No.

MR. KAMAL

He’s a little shy. He’ll warm up eventually.

SENSEI MARIO

I’m sure he will. If you’d like, we can suit him up right

now. First class is free.

MR. KAMAL

Really?

SENSEI MARIO

Hey, I run a legit operation. (to Andrew)

What size are you, little man?

ANDREW

Stop talking to me like I’m a moron.

MR. KAMAL

He’s... a bit wise beyond his years.

SENSEI MARIO

That’s fine. I’m willing to work with that.

INT. MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL -- LATER THAT DAY

Sensei Mario teaches the students a series of kicks. One by one, he calls on them to demonstrate. Each one performs the kicks as taught to them.

SENSEI MARIO

Kelly!... Danny!... Kyle!...

Chris!... Sebastian!... Andrew!

Andrew attempts to perform those kicks and falls flat on his back, landing on the mat.

The other students laugh.

SENSEI MARIO

Quiet! We are all brothers and sisters in this room.

ANDREW

Can you wait a second, Sensei?

SENSEI MARIO

Take your time.

Andrew silently calculates the physics of each kick, and practices them strategically.

Finally, he re-demonstrates the kicks and performs them with the greatest of ease.

Everyone stares in silence, including Mr. Kamal.

INT. ANDREW’S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Andrew sits on the bed, doing his homework.

Grandma knocks on the open door. Andrew nods. She enters.

GRANDMA

How are you doing, Andrew?

ANDREW

Good.

GRANDMA

Are you sure?

ANDREW

Yes.

GRANDMA

How’s school?

ANDREW

OK.

GRANDMA

Are you still getting picked on?

ANDREW

A little.

GRANDMA Awww.

Grandma caresses her grandson’s head.

ANDREW

I’m trying to finish my homework.

GRANDMA

Well, if you’re having any more

problems with anyone or anything at school, you come to me, OK?

ANDREW

OK.

GRANDMA

Even if mom and dad won’t listen, I will.

ANDREW

Yes, grandma.

Grandma gives him a concerned look as she steps out the door.

INT. CLASSROOM -- DAY

The teacher, MR. ANTHONY, sits behind his desk.

MR. ANTHONY

Class dismissed.

The students scurry out the room. Mr. Anthony stops Andrew before he walks out the door.

MR. ANTHONY

Andrew... the principal would like to speak to you.

ANDREW

Am I in trouble?

MR. ANTHONY

I don’t know. You’ll have to speak to him.

INT. PRINCIPAL STERN’S OFFICE -- DAY Andrew enters.

PRINCIPAL STERN (50’s) hangs up his phone and blankly looks over to Andrew.

PRINCIPAL STERN Sit down.

Andrew sits.

PRINCIPAL STERN

We need to talk, Mr. Camel.

ANDREW

Ka-mal.

PRINCIPAL STERN I’m sorry?

ANDREW

It’s Ka-mal.

PRINCIPAL STERN Whatever.

ANDREW

What do you want to talk to me about?

PRINCIPAL STERN

Perhaps, I’ll let the paperwork speak for itself.

Principal Stern hands over a sheet of paper. Andrew intently stares over it.

PRINCIPAL STERN

Congratulations. You’ve just been admitted into the Gifted and Talented Program.

ANDREW

Really?

PRINCIPAL STERN

Have you ever heard of Harris University?

ANDREW

Isn’t that in England?

PRINCIPAL STERN

Yes, it is. Our academy is

affiliated with Harris University in Manchester. Judging by your flawless test scores, you qualify to take part in the

program. However, due to the (MORE)

PRINCIPAL STERN (cont’d)

workload, do keep in mind that your class schedule will be a bit longer.

ANDREW

How much longer?

PRINCIPAL STERN

You may not get out of class until sundown.

Andrew doesn’t bat an eye.

PRINCIPAL STERN

Is that OK with you?

Andrew nods.

PRINCIPAL STERN

Congratulations, Andrew. You’re a college student now.

Principal Stern shakes Andrew’s hand.

EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL -- DAY Andrew walks out the door.

BULLY

(screaming) Hey, sissy!

Andrew looks over to the bully, who stands alongside his friends.

BULLY

Heard you got into the Nerdy and Talented Program.

The friends laugh. Andrew continues walking.

BULLY

Come back! I need to congratulate you.

The bully runs behind Andrew, about to grab him, when Andrew quickly turns around and gets into a martial arts stance. He uses his newly learned martial arts moves to kick him to the ground.

The friends run off.

18.

INT. KAMAL HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NIGHT

Andrew, Yostina, Mr. and Mrs. Kamal, and Grandma all have dinner together.

GRANDMA

How does everybody like the food? MR. KAMAL

Great, mom.

MRS. KAMAL

Better than my cooking?

Mr. Kamal blushes. Mrs. Kamal laughs. MR. KAMAL

You can’t ask me a question like that.

MRS. KAMAL

I’ll ask it all I want.

GRANDMA

Just remember who gave birth to you.

Mrs. Kamal piles her plate with food.

MR. KAMAL

Obviously, she loves your cooking too, grandma.

MRS. KAMAL

And so does the baby.

Mrs. Kamal pats her pregnant belly.

YOSTINA

I can’t wait to have a baby sister!

MRS. KAMAL

How do you know you’re having a sister?

YOSTINA (smiling)

I have a good feeling.

MRS. KAMAL

I’m hoping it’s a girl,

too. You’ll finally have a playmate.

GRANDMA

Playmate? She has Andrew.

Mr. Kamal looks over to Andrew, who scribbles on a piece of paper, ignoring the food on his plate.

MR. KAMAL

What are you doing?

Mr. Kamal rushes towards Andrew.

GRANDMA

Maybe he’s not hungry. Leave him alone.

Mr. Kamal grabs the piece of paper, rolls it into a ball, and throws it in the trash.

GRANDMA

You didn’t even bother to see what he was writing!

MR. KAMAL

I don’t care what he’s

writing. We’re at the dinner table. That’s rude!

(to Andrew)

Well? Are you going to eat or not?

Andrew takes one tiny bite of food.

MR. KAMAL

That’s better.

Mr. Kamal returns to his seat.

Andrew quickly hops off his chair, grabs the crumpled piece of paper from the trash, and folds it out. He continues to write.

YOSTINA

Ewww, that’s disgusting. He took it out the garbage.

MR. KAMAL

That is disgusting. (to Andrew)

You have as much manners as a wild dog. Maybe I should leave you in a junkyard.

GRANDMA

Malik, stop it!

MR. KAMAL

I suppose you appreciate the fact that your grandson acts like he belongs in a zoo?

(to Andrew)

Go to your room.

ANDREW

OK.

Andrew leaves the room.

INT. ANDREW’S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Andrew rapidly scribbles onto a notepad. Grandma enters.

Caught up in his work, Andrew doesn’t even look up.

GRANDMA

So what are you writing?

ANDREW

Poetry.

GRANDMA

Oh... that’s interesting. Did you just start writing poetry?

Andrew reveals a large stack of papers, all containing neatly written poems on them.

ANDREW

I’m trying to write a book.

Grandma simply stares in awe.

EXT. SCHOOL COURTYARD -- DAY

Yostina plays with her friends, AMY and DANIELLE.

AMY

Who’s that weirdo over there?

DANIELLE

Yeah, he’s kind of creepy.

[...]