Fade in:

EXT. REverie-city-night

A major metropolitan city. One, which at this time seems to be completely empty. It is dark, very dark, like wearing sunglasses at night, where only the outline of shapes can be seen.

Three people walk along the sidewalk: a MAN, dressed in a suit; a WOMAN, dressed in red; and another WOMAN dressed in blue. Their clothes stand out against the city, because they are the only things of color.

From this darkness a ZOMBIE emerges grasping a pick axe. His skin is hanging, his clothes are ripped; typical zombie hygiene.

The three people walk in front of him. They do not bat an eye, nor even notice he is there. The only thing occupying their attention is a store window.

The Zombie looks around. From behind him another creature, something along the lines of the SWAMPTHING, approaches. He too is carrying a pick axe in his hand. They both turn to each other, then nod, as if to reassure, then begin SMASHING the ground with the tools.

The three people are still looking into the store window and a PEARL NECKLACE in the display case. The man rises up, grabs the girl in the red dress, and kisses her deeply.

Man in suit

I bought it for you.

Woman

Oh, honey.

They kiss again as the woman in the blue dress FADES AWAY.

Nearly five feet from them the two ghouls are feverishly smashing at the earth. Picking it. The Swampthing starts breaking away part of the shop that displays the necklace. The shop now BEGINS TO FADE.

As the Zombie digs at the sidewalk, it FADES away as well. It becomes clear that the digging does not produce dirt, but much like an eraser, wipes out whatever was behind.

The shop is now gone, the two people gleefully look at nothing.

A gentle breeze kicks up some dust. It circles over and over, spinning itself into a small tornado.

The two monsters freeze, everything they are doing stops. They rotate around, putting themselves shoulder to shoulder. Swampthing holds his pick axe as if he is preparing to fight something.

The small grains of sand continue to blow, but slowly build themselves into SANDMAN. He looks cold, no emotion on his face. He curls his fingers up, signifying to "bring it".

The two creatures charge at him, swinging their axes.

Sandman flies back, landing far clear of their attacks.

His hands rise, inspiring lush vines to grow up from the solid cement road. They capture the pursuing Zombie and Swampthing. Kicking and punching they struggle to try and break free.

Sandman casually approaches, opening his hand, and blowing some dust toward them. The two monsters instantly evaporate with an amazing waterfall of sparks. The vines themselves grow back into the ground.

Sandman brushes his hands off, then an expression of alarm comes over him.

The man takes his wife by the arm.

Man IN SUIT

Come on you'll look great in it.

WOMAN

Oh honey. A pearl necklace, we can't afford it.

MAN IN SUIT

(being sappy)

Love has no cost.

The interesting thing is that there is no store in front of them, just the blackness left by the pick axe holding monsters. He leads his wife right into the wall of black.

SANDMAN

No!

When the woman contacts the black, she loses form and falls to ground like a kicked sandcastle. But when the man hits it, a fantastic display. A GIANT ball of light is sent out, then it comes back shrinking to a point, then a firework style flash, which quickly fades to nothing.

Sandman punches a light pole that bends from the impact.

Int. Real world-bedroom-night

The man in the suit (now in pajama's) sits up, gasps for air, then slumps back on the bed, eyes rolled back into his head.

The lady who was wearing the red dress turns on the light. She looks at him, instantly becoming frantic.

WOMAN

(Shaking him)

Honey. Honey. Honey.

She grabs the phone off the nightstand.

WoMAN

No! Honey wake up, wake up!

Sandman stands to the side watching all of this. He seems quite remorseful. He kneels peering under the bed. There sits the same PEARL NECKLACE from the last scene.

Sandman walks to an open window. The wind blows in, taking him grain by grain through the screen, in an awesome display of his mobility.

Ext. Real world-large hall-night

Strobe lights paint the sky with large beams, and red carpet paves the way in. There seems to be a lot of everything. A ton of security, a bunch of people, and a horde of news reporters.

Int. Real world-large hall-night

A countless amount of tables grace the room, all of them with expensively clad guests.

To the front is a large stage with a glass podium standing in the middle. Looking out at the crowd from behind, is a weary appearing JACOB RILEY. (30's typical lead actor looks.) In one hand an unfolded speech, in the other a finely sculpted award.

Jacob

First and foremost, I can't tell you how honored I am even to be considered.

BACK OF LARGE HALL

A door cracks open, allowing in a swift gust of air and a little debris. It tumbles over and over, floating up, and past the countless tables.

ON STAGE

Now Sandman is standing in front of Jacob.

Jacob

People ask me, where do I get these stories from?

Sandman inches closer to the podium, Jacob is unaffected by him.

JACOB

My response is always the same. I was born with a love for the blank page.

Sandman perks up at the statement, his expression visibly excited. He comes even closer, now putting his hands on the podium, staring directly into Jacob's eyes. Jacob doesn't even flinch.

JACOB

You see I love it, because a blank page can be anything, take me any place. Words on a paper are but a physical representation, of a mind's endless possibility for creative thought.

The crowd stirs into a round of applause. Several guest even stand.

Sandman cheers and claps with much enthusiasm.

SANDMAN

Excellent!

He beams with joy.

BACK OF THE ROOM

Even in the nether regions of the auditorium people express their gratitude. Except for one, a MAN about ready to doze off at his table.

His face bends over, then snaps back awake.

In front of him, now sitting on the place setting, is Sandman. His legs are crossed, he waits patiently.

The man almost dozes off yet again.

SaNDMAN

Slumber, put this man to sleep. Now.

His head finally fully sinks down. His nap is short lived as the woman beside him gives a sharp elbow prod.

MAN

What?

She scowls.

Sandman has vanished from sight.

Ext. Real world-appartment-night

A large building obviously for the well to do. A parking attendant, a door man, and even a red carpet leading to the brass rimmed, glass doors.

Int. ReAL WORLD-APPARTMENT-NIGHT

Jacob has undone his bow tie, his suit coat no where to be seen. He kind of staggers about the room. He looks either drunk or really tired.

He snatches the fancy award he received off of an end table, turns it, and kisses the ass of the sculpture.

JACOB

It's nothing personal, I just wanna keep getting work.

He starts laughing at his own joke, bending over, cackling uncontrollably. The award slips from his hand, falling onto the floor. He steps on it accidentally rolling forward, and slamming his head against a case of other awards.

He's kneeling now after the fall. He picks up the award blows the dust ball off of it, then halfheartedly tries to wipe a scratch off. He sets it back on top of the table.

His focus turns to the cabinet of awards which he smashed his head against. Jacob opens a small drawer full of files, and snatches one out.

JaCOB

I suppose someday I should start writing again.

The file says "OLD MATERIAL".

He opens the file and there is a typed, but also scribbled on, stack of papers. The edges are frayed from so much use. A coffee ring stains the first page. In big bold letters the title reads "THE STONE FACE DRAGON".

With hatred in his eyes, he stands, looking at the awards.

Jacob turns and glares at the new award which ass he kissed.

JACOB

It's the same story! It's just The Stone Face Dragon recycled!

The award fails to say anything back.

Jacob tosses the file, which flies through the air, smashing the award, knocking it to the ground.

With a firm purpose he sits down at his desk, flipping on the monitor.

JACOB

Come on, you can do this.

Jacob clicks on a NEW DOCUMENT.

Frozen, his face reflects the bright white of a freshly opened document. His momentary rage goes away, as he sadly looks at the screen.

JACOB

(drunken and tired)

I hate a blank page.

He pushes some papers off of his desk, slouching down, coming to a rest. And there he lies, eyes shut, sighing.

CLANG! BANG! BOOM!

The sudden onset of MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC.

Jacob is stunned back awake. He freaks, head batting around the room.

JACOB

What the hell is that?

Ext. Reverie-city-day-continuous

Outside of Jacob's window is no longer a street and a door man, but a bazaar. Vendors selling things, with each of their shops packed to the brim with customers.

The things they sell range from snow globes, to CD's, to rugs, to fish. And the people buying them are even weirder.

A GANGSTER holding a tommy gun grabs a stuffed white bear...

A FAIRY is bobbing her head along to the beat of a song, which is playing through the earphones she wears...

Throughout the flea market there arrives all types of creatures. A GNOME, a GHOST, a PUMPKIN even.

Int. Reverie-apartment-day-Continuous

Jacob's eyes are as wide as a human's can possibly be.

JACOB

Oh, no no no.

Behind him Sandman stands.

SANDMAN

Welcome.

Jacob nods.

JACOB

Right, yeah, that's good.

SANDMAN

What's good?

JACOB

I don't know, figured since I've gone crazy, might as well talk crazy too.

SANDMAN

You're not crazy, just in a new place.

JACOB

(total shock)

Oh, and where would that be?

SANDMAN

This would be the human mind's canvas. Jacob Riley, I humbly welcome you...

CUT TO:

Ext. Reverie-large meadowland-day

Sandman and Jacob are now standing in the middle of a field, lush grass is flowing in the gentle wind.

SANDMAN

...to Reverie.

Jacob faints.

Int. REVERIE-APARTMENT-night

Jacob is lying in bed. He jolts up, looking around his apartment. He gives himself a nervous laugh, then nestles himself back into the covers.

JACOB

Eating before bed, not good.

A female, SLUMBER, is heard as she speaks to Sandman. Jacob is unaffected.

SLUMBER (V.O.)

Very subtle, now what?

SANDMAN (V.O.)

Let's let him dream. I want to see, as he put it, 'a mind's endless possibility for creative thought.'

Jacob fluffs the pillow.

Ext. REVERIE-CITY-cafe-day

A small cafe sticks out of the bleak and bland city behind. It is dreary and lacks imagination. However several tables sit out front. One man, dressed casually, flips through an issue of Variety, his cell phone sitting on the table. It's an AGENT.

The chair is pulled away from the table and Jacob sits down in front of him. Big smiles on both their faces as they shake hands.

JACOB

Sorry I'm late. Man did I have a night.

Agent

Didn't sleep?

JACOB

You could say that.

AGENT

I have great news.

JACOB

What's that?

A waiter sets down some food. A peanut butter sandwich is handed to Jacob, while a lobster is set in front of the Agent. They both begin eating with a knife and fork.

AGENT

We got offered four million.

JACOB

For just the pitch?

AGENT

And another six when it gets made.

JACOB

Wow.

AGENT

Plus a percentage.

JACOB

Cool.

AGENT

Gross percentage.

Jacob sets down the knife, he's so happy he can't even eat.

JACOB

That much? Amazing.

AGENT

Well Jacob, you earned it. That was the most original idea ever in the history of all time. You have just been knighted by the Queen, and they are starting to carve a statue of you downtown.

SANDMAN is now sitting at the table, absolutely disgusted by what he is seeing.

SANDMAN

You have got to be kidding me.

Jacob grins spinning his body toward Sandman.

JACOB

The most original idea ever. Ever! And a gross percentage!

(a beat)

Who are you?

SANDMAN

Sandman.

JACOB

You're the guy I dreamed about last night.

SANDMAN

Actually you're still dreaming. Since when do writers get that kind of money, let alone a gross share? Even still, this is quite a creative disappointment as far as dreams go.

Jacob looks at the piece of peanut butter sandwich on his fork and over at the Agent who is back to reading Variety.

Just then a SHADOW creeps over the table, consuming it. What's left of the peanut butter sandwich, turns to Jacob bending up, moving like a sock puppet.

Peanut butter sandwich

It's the same freaking story. You suck!

Jacob turns to see what has caused the shadow. It is a STONE FACE DRAGON, just as his story title had indicated. A hideous, forever scowling face, etched in stone. Purple scaly skin, and swept back wings.

JACOB

(like a superhero who has just seen his arch villain)

You...Stone Face.

Sandman claps his hands.

SANDMAN

This is more like it, good show.

The Dragon clears it's nostrils letting out a hot wet breath onto Jacob.

Cut TO:

InT. REVERIE-APARTMENT-DAY

Jacob sits up in bed screaming.

SANDMAN

You really need to stop trying to wake up.

JACOB

I am awake!

Sandman points over to the computer desk. There sitting at the computer is another Jacob. Jacob (the one in bed) gets up and inspects himself.

SANDMAN

As I said Jacob, welcome to Reverie, land of dreams. A world, which desperately needs your help.

JACOB

Oh man.

He bends down and hugs the other Jacob in the chair.

JaCOB

(whimpering)

I'm sorry, I just need a hug.

Ext. reverie-edge of black-day

At the tip of a field there is a sudden wall of blackness. It is very similar to the one in the first scene that the pick axe holding monster's destruction caused.

Directly in front of this blackness is a long line of recognizable creatures. FRANKENSTEIN is holding an all to familiar axe, looking at it dumbfounded. He turns to the WOLFMAN, who promptly shrugs.

RESTLESS, a young man with teen girl appeal (after all they are a key demographic), grabs the pick axe from Frankenstein and holds it up drawing their collective attention.

RESTLESS

It has become apparent that while scary, you all are very stupid.

He takes a few steps closer to the wall of blackness. He points to the axe, then he points to the ground, then he points to the wall of black. Restless gives a thumbs up.

RESTLESS

Allow me to illustrate further.

He takes the axe swings it down, impacting the ground. It breaks off and the blackness grows a little. Restless rises back up.

RESTLESS

Take the axe and smash the ground. This makes Reverie unusable, in short, dead. This is our goal.

Frankenstein timidly raises his hand. Then a little more. Slightly even a little higher after that.

RESTLESS

(annoyed)

Yes?

FRANKENstein

Uh ah uh um.

RESTLESS

Just hit the dirt Frank.

He nods.

The crew of monsters raise there axes and begin swinging. As their work continues, the blackness slowly swells.

RESTLESS

Good.

Like a work crew chipping away at a coal mine, they begin a pattern. A downswing and a step back, a downswing and a step back.

RESTLESS

He will be pleased.

Restless begins walking away.

Ext. Reverie-city-gate-day

Sandman and Jacob stand at the entrance to Reverie city. It is an interesting array of buildings, everything from a gingerbread house to a tall black skyscraper.

The tall black skyscraper stands out. Oddly, it is the only thing of any real size, and a dark menacing thundercloud hangs above it.

This doesn't seem to interest Jacob, who observes the people walking past. Much like the bazaar in front of his house, they have no pattern, but are all different.

SANDMAN

Congrats, you are the first dreamer to be here and know it.

JACOB

To think I thought my life was meaningless.

SANDMAN

Come now, this is the most fantastic place there is.

Jacob takes notice of one girl that walks past. It is a POP STAR TEEN IDOL. (Britney Spears type)

SANDMAN

Oh you like her?

JACOB

Not really, too fake.

SANDMAN

That's what they all say. Yet night after night here she is.

Sandman waves his hand:

The earth below his feet swells and forms into a replica (of the replica) of the Teen Idol.

Sandman presents her like a prize.

POP STAR TEEN IDOL

I love your writing.

She places her hand on Jacob's shoulder being seductive.

JACOB

(to himself)

It's gonna be one of those weeks.

Another young, very attractive girl walks up. It is SLUMBER. She has teen boy appeal, so basically she is just young and female.

She pushes aside the Teen Idol, asserting herself as the dominant presence in front of Jacob. She extends a hand.

SLUMBER

Slumber.

JACOB

Jacob Riley.

SLUMBER

You have given us a lot of work here.

JACOB

Well, I don't know about you folks, but I'm tired of these formal introductions. Someone want to clue me in as to where I am?

SANDMAN

Reverie!

Sandman bursts with pride.

JACOB

You had mentioned that.

SANDMAN

Slumber why don't you take our guest on a tour. I have a few things to do.

She glares at him. A very awkward pause. Jacob's eyes swivel between the two of them.

Sandman grins, then throws an arm around the Teen Idol. The two of them head off.

SlUMBER

The nerve.

SHORT WAYS OFF

Sandman reaches up into the air and pulls down a dozen roses. He hands them to her as she laughs and bubbles. They continue on.

BACK AT GATE

Slumber is clenching her teeth.

SlUMBER

Jerk.

(turning to Jacob)

He's just showing off.

(back at Sandman)

Whatever.

JACOB

Right...okay...well back to me and my problems. Could you possibly tell me where I am without saying Reverie?

She turns to him. Her angry look fades. Instantly she lights up with a half moon smile. From jealous and spiteful, to happy and hospitable, all in a heartbeat.

SLUMBER

Sure, and if there is anything else you need, feel free to ask.

(turns to present it)

This is the land of dreams. When you dream, this is where you come, a world of pure imagination. Any thought in your head, can be physical reality here.

They both face outward, taking in all the sights that are Reverie. The city, the meadow, the mountains in the background. It's like LA without the traffic. And the sun is always setting, always glowing orange. It's sort of an all in one paradise with a little slice of everything.

SLUMBER

When you read and the story is so alive that you don't even see the words. Or if you daydream and lose focus on everything else. Or whenever your dreams become more real than life itself. You, have come to Reverie.

Slumber leaves his side. Jacob takes a good long look at it all again.

Ext. Reverie-field-day

The large rolling hills stretch out far beyond the city limits. But a ways off, a single dome shaped hut stands, a puff of smoke flowing out of the top. Through the open doorway we see a light flickering.

Int. Reverie-hut-day

Sandman sits on a cot. The interior is something like you might find in an Indian hut. The Pop Star is still with him. She prances around the room, singing. She stops right in the face of Sandman.

Pop STAR TEEN IDOL

(seductive)

So, whadda you wanna do?

SaNDMAN

(sad)

I wish I was like you. Just a figment.

POP STAR TEEN IDOL

What's a figamajjigy?

SANDMAN

A flicker of imagination.

POP STAR TEEN IDOL

Is that bad?

SANDMAN

No, it's very fortunate actually.

She draws closer, her expression flowing with glee.

POP STAR TEEN IDOL

Why is that?

SANDMAN

Because it is such a burden to be anything more lately.

He puffs his lips, she does as well, but instead of kissing, Sandman blows a stream of air. The Pop Star melts away.

Ext. Reverie-fieLD-DAY

Sandman walks out of his hut, and up a slight incline. In the far, far distance he can make out the wall of blackness closing in.

SaNDMAN

Why have you decided to destroy your own world?

Ext. REVERIE-CITY-day

Slumber and Jacob walk along the streets of the city.

Jacob stops at one concession stand. Amazing confections, candies, and finely molded chocolate. Jacob eyes a particularly fancy truffle. He goes to get it, but decides to grab the whole box instead.

JACOB

How much?

SluMBER

It's free.

JACOB

Really?

The clerk nods.

Jacob grabs a box of chocolates as Slumber walks on down the road. He follows, but then darts back and grabs another box. Then one more for the road.

FURTHER DOWN THE STREET

He catches back up to her.

JACOB

Just to clarify, what exactly do you do?

SlUMBER

I take care of all the busy work. Like a secretary. I make people fall asleep, keep you dreaming, and then wake you up. Sandman comes in for about two seconds and gets the dream going.