Two worlds linked together. Nearly identical through out history, they have begun separate paths some thirty-two years ago. However, there is also another difference…one world is the lifeline to the other.

When a famous actor drops dead in mid-performance, the audience gasps...not of shock but of resignation that one of their finest talents is gone. The understudy comes on and picks up the line without missing a beat and the audience soon is immersed in the play again.

Such is the fate of the people on this world, very much like earth except faced with the fact that people...anybody, could just drop dead suddenly. No warning...no illness or disease is necessary. Just dead...like that.

When researchers begin to study an astronomical anomaly, they soon discover that their world is a mirror world of another earth...our earth. They dub these two worlds as Earth Major and Earth Minor. Our world (Major) seems to hold a lifeline to the Minor world and when someone dies in Major, that life force is gone and the doppelganger on Earth Minor dies as well.

However the process is not reversed. If a Minor dies, his or her counterpart on Major continues. Scientists on Earth Minor develop a system of contacting Earth Major.... and of course, the next step...trying to stop it.

Earth Minor sends a representative over via a light wave transfer so that he can find his link. Trevor finds his "doppelganger" on this planet, Darrin Talbot. Talbot is one of the top scientists and is also involved in the investigation of the cross-linking of the two planets. Trevor was a simple custodian worker on his planet but must do his duty in stopping the lifeline…but at what cost?

MIRROR WORLDS

Note: The scientific principles involved here incorporate the theory of twistors, spinrons, and orthopostironiums. They are based on theories proposed by physicists at University of Michigan, University of Toronto, University of Tokyo, Sheldon Glashow-nobel prizewinner at Harvard, and CERN- the European Laboratory for particle physics in Geneva. For simplicity’s sake here, the theory will not be spelled out and the apparatus for the light wave transfer will simply be referred to as "the mirror". In the actual story, the characters will divulge the systematic operations of the transfer mechanism.

This breakdown is for the comic series written by Gary Reed (Masters of Science and former University teacher) and illustrated by Christopher Jones and Larry Shuput.  The information here is suitable for a film treatment.

Note to Artists: The world of Earth Minor is very similar to Earth Major. However, the paths diverted somewhat after 1967. Minor is a more homogenous society, a bit more sterile, less technologically advance in terms of consumer goods (but accelerated on a scientific level), and the society appears more sterile. Think of the Soviet Union in its heyday as the society has taken on a more communal aspect. However, religion has taken on a more public guise as the people have come to believe it is the will of God that has brought the death plague upon them. The changes should be subtle but should be a little "off" of our modern world. Different types of streetlights, cars a bit older looking and big (the world shares the oil so no oil shortage), a more standardized type of clothing amongst everyone (simpler) and just a more general feeling of community.

Mirror Worlds begins with a man brought into a strange situation. He is plunged into a mysterious mission where he is trained but doesn’t know why. His life is in perpetual confusion at the beginning (as is ours while witnessing his ordeal) before his mission is explained to him. With some scientific special effects, he embarks on his mission before finding himself in a thrilling tale of science and a race against time.

Mirror Worlds combines the elements of disorientation, special effects, and intrigue into a science based thriller and provides a fantastic look into the world of physics. With the use of holography graphics, the effects can be spell binding, much like Tron did with the inside of a computer and Matrix with distortion of gravity, Mirror Worlds could deliver a powerful look of imagery.

 

MIRROR WORLDS

The world famous stage actor, Reginald Chaney, collapses during a presentation of "Our Lady Eve", a favorite amongst the theatregoers. A quick gasp from the audience as Chaney’s body is carried off during the closing of the curtain. A moment of silence is asked for and then the play resumes with the understudy taking over the role. The audience is quickly immersed in the play again.

Trevor Jackson, our main character, leaves the theater with Alyssa Miles. They discuss the play with no mention of the death of the actor. Trevor is absolutely enamored with Alyssa but she is more reserved towards him. Alyssa, dressed in a mix of gothic and punk, says that she has to go away. She must go back to work at The Center for a special assignment but won’t divulge any more than that. Trevor protests but she explains that she must do what she is told, for the work of one is the work of many. Trevor tells her he knows the party line but that doesn’t mean he has to like it. Alyssa quickly kisses Trevor and then catches one of many diesel trolleys.

Trevor is at work. He is a Sanitation Designate…or a garbage man. Working with him is an elderly black man, named Joseph. Joseph talks incessantly, especially to the new guy, Jerald. Trevor can only smile and listen. He has heard it all before, far too many times. Joseph explains how he is not a garbage man but a "caretaker". He takes care of the pieces of people’s lives that they discard. No one hides anything from the caretakers. They know what the people eat, drink…and by counting the condoms, how many times they have sex. Jerald has no interest. When Trevor comes across a man lying in the street, the call in is almost casual. Sudden death is a fact of life, especially for these caretakers who are in the streets at the crack of dawn. Joseph talks of the past when this sudden death…commonly called the "falling" didn’t happen. It all started with the atomic bombs that were exploded in space during the space race between the Soviets and United States. He claims that he got that firsthand from his father. It was then that the "falling" started to happen. Trevor smiles. He has heard this theory all of his life. Everyone needs someone to blame. He thinks it is just a cruel joke by God. Joseph is frustrated…Trevor and Jerald can’t possibly understand as their whole lives has had the falling as part of it. As Joseph radios in, Jerald comes up from behind Trevor and shoots a needle into Trevor’s neck. Jerald motions to Joseph to call in two pickups. Joseph is saddened by Trevor’s "death" but deals with this fact of life.

A special truck comes to pick up the bodies but before they can take Trevor’s, yet another truck comes in. This truck takes Trevor and leaves the Sterilization Units curious. They had never seen any of those workers before.

Trevor wakes up screaming. Restrained, he looks in horror as he sees his body is covered with electric needles…making him look like a pin cushion. Suspended by a cable from the ceiling, he glances at other bodies with similar hookups. He spins to see another group of people, but they have a number of IV’s being fed into them. A nurse comes up to him and tells him to be quiet and not to disturb the others. He tries to say something and realizes his mouth has an apparatus on it. He mumbles a protest but can only watch as the nurse turns up his IV and he slowly fades back into unconsciousness.

Trevor in a room. A woman doctor stands next to him as he walks back and forth. She tells him to walk with more of a spring in his step…more on the balls on his feet. She tells him to exude confidence. He starts to say something and she corrects him and tells him to remember the accent. He repeats his protest but with the proper accent. She tells him that he will learn everything when the time is appropriate. The doctor is summoned away and he is told to continue. As soon as she leaves, he stops and swears at her, then corrects his accent and swears at her again. Trevor looks through the chart and as he is looking around, he sees himself in the mirror. He is surprised at his build…it looks like he had undergone physical training although he never had in his life. Going to a chart, he sees pictures of his former self side by side with his new self. A voice startles him. It tells him that the exercise was done by electrical impulses.

When Trevor turns, he sees Alyssa. But she looks different. Her hair is tied back, she is in a suit. No longer the factory girl, she looks like a high executive. She tells Trevor that he has to try, for he is to be involved in something very important, so important that he can’t even fathom it. Trevor just wants to go back home and tries to get her to agree to try and get out of wherever they are. She tells him that he can go home, only if things work out. As she leaves, she tells him to work on his accent. Trevor is left, dazed, confused, and upset.

Trevor is with a group of six other people. He is led into a classroom where most of the doctors he has seen around are. They tell the group that they are about to embark on a fantastic mission and they will be responsible for saving lives of 100’s of 1000’s of people, if not millions.

The lights dim and a screen begins to show images. The screen shots will be holographic and employ some cool special effects and visuals. A nuclear bomb exploding into space. Shots of today’s theories of the spatial universe and how the nuclear explosion caused a disruption. Some unique screenshots showing a parallel universe and it is explained that the two universes (and there may be more…perhaps an infinite amount parallel universes) are exactly the same…identical in every way. However, when BOTH set off the nuclear explosion into space, it caused a severing in the exchange of matter and anti-matter. For simplicity’s sake, positive and negative are used and their Earth was the negative. Now dubbed Earth Major and Earth Minor, the two mirror worlds were no longer identical from that point on. Divergence began. But more importantly, the energy flow was no longer equalized. Earth Major’s energies flowed into Earth Minor but not vice versa. It therefore caused a dependency of energy as Earth Minor had to have the energy of Earth Major to continue. Nowhere was this more apparent than on an individual basis, for now for an Earth Minor person to exist, their counterpart on Earth Major had to exist. However, if the Earth Major person died, the energy flow would stop and consequently, the Earth Minor person would die as well.

And thus, the explanation of "the falling" where normal and healthy people would just keel over and die. They had lost their energy source. It was a one way transfer. If an Earth Minor person died, it would have no effect on the Earth Major counterpart. Science explained such as Jurassic Park’s integral prelude mixed with the mumble jumble of Matrix. Sound principles explained enough so the audience knows what is going on.

Earth Major is shown but these are all computer re-enactments and paintings as no actual film footage can be obtained. The differences are noted. Earth Major has developed differently than their own planet. Personal conveniences are popular such as the Internet, cellular phones, and technology has escalated rapidly.

As the show is over, the Head Scientist explains that they believe they can stop this transfer of energy and for a few years, they have sent people over to Earth Major. And that is why the group of people in the room are here…they are to be sent to Earth Major. When the question is asked "why them", they are told it is because only certain people can "transfer." And they are being sent over to take over certain people’s lives in order to stop the energy flow.

Trevor is continuing his training. Now, he understands although he is a bit uneasy, knowing that he is to take over someone else’s life, even if it is just for a short time. But he is made aware of the importance. He studies the picture in front of him. It is a picture of himself but with a different look…for it is actually Darrin Forrester. Trevor repeats the name to get used to it.

Switch to Earth Major. A person asks a question and Trevor turns to answer. But it is not Trevor…but his counterpart. Darrin Forrester is the top research scientist at the Schrodinger Institute. He outlines his life’s work, the study of parallel worlds (explaining the theories of twistors and the gravity weakness factors of multiple layers of the universe….basic stuff for the layman). He is accompanied by his top assistant, Ed Daniels as they explain to a congressional group. After the group leaves, Darrin is exhausted by the tour…yet it is a necessary evil to continue the financing. The project, code-named Nemesis (note: this is the actual name of the mirror sun that the mirror solar system revolves around in the theoretical application of the proposed quantum mechanics of alliterate worlds). We find out the research has gone on for a couple of years and some noticeable discoveries have been made, but of course, not revealed to the feeble congressmen who couldn’t possibly understand the ramifications.

Trevor is told he is about to prepared to "transfer over". He will continue his training once he is on Earth Major. Trevor is wondering about Alyssa as he hasn’t seen her for weeks. He is told that she is serving her mission and nothing more. Trevor guesses that she is "over there" but is told nothing. He is excited about the transfer and asks how long the prep time is and is told 2 weeks.

 

Trevor on a table. His blood is being drained and it is explained that he has to have his blood chelated because of his diet, which contains an abnormal amount of minerals and heavy metals. Most people don’t need it but he does. Then he is informed that since he went to the State Dentists, he will have to have all of his fillings replaced as a dentist comes in wheeling some horrific apparatus to complete the makeover.

Trevor is in rehabilitation. He finds out that he has been unconscious for over two days. His mouth hurts and it is explained that he had to have some cosmetic work done as well. He gets chastised for not taking care of his teeth better

Darrin Talbot in an excited, agitated stage. He has found out that his light wave transfer system (LTS) has been breeched…not just once, but a number of times. He finds out that he doesn’t have the particulars. He lashes out at Ed Daniels as Daniels should’ve informed him but Daniels pleads innocence. He will correct the problem. Talbot is left wondering what could have possibly breached the transfer and wonders about the ramifications.

Trevor ready to transmute. He is naked on a table. He has to be absolutely motionless. Some scientific jargon as it is explained that he will be de-atomized and re-assembled on Earth Two (similar to Star Trek’s Transportation). Once the memory of his make up is in the computer, the return trip will be almost instantaneous.

The light beams wash over him and Trevor can see the technicians put on head phones. It soon becomes apparent why his Trevor screams as the light lasers seemingly strip away his flesh, then his internal organs and bones, and then at a molecular level (should be some cool graphics without overdoing the gore factor).

A spatial transfer as Trevor can sense his essence being pulled through something like a black hole. The universe races by him as he moves at the speed of light in a field of matter that bends and warps through the planar universe.

Trevor’s eyes open and he sees people standing over him. They welcome him to Earth Major. He vomits and then passes out.

Darrin stands in front of his monitor which displays cool graphics showcasing the folding of the universe. Katherine, his assistant comes in. She is a dead ringer for Alyssa…the new and improved version. She sees him lost in thought. He wonders if right now, a counterpart of him is standing in the exact spot doing the same thing…or perhaps an infinite number of him standing there. He talks about the theories that schizophrenics have a special ability to see into the different worlds and perhaps that causes some of their mental problems. It is possible that somehow they may be able to access different light patterns. Darrin wonders about Katherine as she seems different somehow and we realize that it is not Katherine, but Alyssa.

Trevor has his head bandaged. He has received an implant in his head which will help him process information. A scientist explains the apparatus to him and it is set up similar to a cochlear hearing implant. The device is put under the skin and a magnetic receiver is attached to the outside which will receive information. Trevor is introduced to Dmitri who will school him on the ways of this world. Dmitri is an older man who wears the weary look of an experience and perhaps cynical warrior.

Dmitri takes Trevor around the compound (it is just called the compound) and located somewhere in the southwest desert area. It is a combination of a research facility and where all the Earth Minor transfers go for training. Trevor is shown around and Dmitri explains about the early transfers. Money was obtained from an old confederate gold stash that was found on Earth Minor but not Earth Major…until, of course, the transfers started coming over.

Then Dmitri shows him another reason for the existence of the compound. On the lower levels are rooms set up like prison cells, although much nicer. Trevor is stunned when he sees his President Faulkner playing cards with other "inmates". Dmitri explains that it is actually the Earth Major counterpart. He is a real estate agent here. He’s held here in safety so that nothing happens to him which of course, could affect the President on Minor. Dmitri explains who some of the other people are, counterparts to some of the most important people on Minor although on Earth Major, most are just everyday people. They are treated very well here and have quite a bit of freedom, but they can’t leave. The people here know something unusual is going on but have accepted their fate (the armed guards certainly help their acceptance).

Dmitri comes to a man playing chess by himself. As he looks up, we see it is Dmitri’s counterpart, who is old enough to also be called Dmitri, since they were both well established before the shift of lifelines occurred. Trevor is un-nerved but the second Dmitri is very understanding about the whole situation. The two Dmitris sit to play chess and Trevor is free to roam around.

Trevor walks around and then spots Alyssa. She is walking down the hall. He pursues her but keeps missing her and he frantically calls out her name as he runs down the hall. Finally, he stops at a room and she is sitting in there. He goes in but she is surprised. She asks his name and then he knows that she understands what has happened. It is the real Katherine. They discuss things and she says that he is on a mission to kill millions of people. Trevor leaves, completely overwhelmed by seeing Alyssa’s counterpart and the accusations hurled at him.

Darrin is working on his computer models and in frustration, throws things around. He is missing something but can’t seem to figure it out. Alyssa, as Katherine, goes to soothe him and he is surprised at her amorous overture. Alyssa had assumed that he and Katherine had something going on…it’s apparent they didn’t.

Trevor is in a chair and receiving information via his input. He sees the unleashing of data such as numbers, geometric shapes, holograms, and the folding of the spatial universe. Dizzy after he is disconnected, Dmitri takes him to a room which has a model of Darrin’s control room. Dmitri begins to put Trevor through the paces again of training…and it’s obvious that Trevor is to replace Darrin.

Trevor seeks out Katherine. He talks with her and finds out that Darrin and Katherine were not lovers but it’s more of a case of Darrin didn’t have the time. Katherine tries to tell Trevor that what he is going to do will kill millions of people. Trevor tries to make her see that she’s wrong. If they shut down the lifeline between the two planets, the people on his planet will stop dying every time a counterpart on Earth Major dies. Trevor tells the horror of watching people just die for no reason.

Trevor wants to understand what Katherine is talking about but it quickly becomes apparent that he is talking to the wrong Dmitri as his counterpart comes up and tells Trevor it is time for his mission. As he is led towards the secured areas, Dmitri shows Trevor how they can find all the different counterparts by tapping into databanks of fingerprints, DNA, blood type, Department of Motor Vehicle files, police records, etc. It is an impressive operation.

Trevor is taken to the research facility and appears to be Darrin. He enters the building via fingerprints as the security locks to open doors. He carries off the job well, remembering people’s names as he walks through. Finally, he enters the inner sanctum and Alyssa is there. They go to the computer and Trevor has to have a retina scan to open up the files. The computer opens. He and Alyssa work on the files, hoping to avoid any conflicts but Ed Daniels comes up and asks if Darrin has any clue to the problem that has been vexing them. Trevor punches information and says he thinks so and Alyssa leads Daniels away. She comes back and tells Trevor that they have to make sure nothing is said that Daniels will refer to as it will cause confusion with Darrin. Trevor finishes and the data is inputted. Alyssa helps to get Trevor out and at the same time, the real Darrin is entering the building. Someone asks if he forgot something but Darrin shrugs off the confusion. When Darrin gets to the computer and starts to work with it, Daniels comes up and says that the new information seems to be on the right track. Daniels appears excited but Darrin doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Darrin begins to question Daniels but an image comes up and Darrin realizes it is what he was looking for. Darrin asks Daniels what he did…and again, confusion, but the thrill of the discover quickly takes over and the two start to do measurements of the holograms as Alyssa returns. A breakthrough is eminent.

When Trevor returns, Dmitri takes him down below. Almost embarrassed, Dmitri explains that Trevor has served his purpose and is now considered one of the prisoners. But it’s for his own safety. They can’t allow him to roam this world freely for if something were to happen to him and the switch was made, it could jeopardize Darrin’s life. This is the first Trevor has heard about a reversal but Dmitri won’t discuss it any more and explains he is just doing his job and doesn’t understand the physics behind it.

Trevor finds Katherine. She is crying. One of the friends that she has made is gone. She doesn’t know what happened to him but she heard that his counterpart on Earth Minor died, thus there isn’t any need to keep him any more. Katherine knows that they just can’t release him, so they must have had him killed. Trevor tries to comfort her. She explains that she always wanted Darrin and is not used to compassion coming from someone that looks like him. He confesses that he is in love with a woman that looks just like her but they never really talk. The implication is that these two could easily fall for each other and perhaps are, but both are fighting it as they realize they are in the image of the people they love, even though they find these "new personas" more to each other’s liking.

Darrin and Alyssa at the computer. Alyssa (as Katherine) is inquiring whether the breakthrough is truly there. Darrin is stunned as he realizes that he is finally witnessing the existence of parallel worlds for real. He deduces that the nuclear explosion has caused a disruption and there is a one way flow of energy. He expresses what that means…and he is correct. The energy source on Earth Minor is dependent on Earth Major. Alyssa asks if it can be stopped and Darrin says he doesn’t know.

Katherine and Trevor talking again. Katherine explains what research she was doing about the parallel worlds and Trevor talks about his world and the falling. He tells her what he did and she realizes that it was via Trevor that Darrin would get the last bit of information to be able to figure it out. Trevor feels good, knowing that he helped to finally end the life flow so that his people won’t die any more. Katherine explains about energy and that it can’t be shut down, it can only be reversed. This stuns Trevor and he wonder if he is embarking on a mission that will instantly kill millions of Earth Major people since they don’t have any counterparts on Earth Minor. Katherine tells him that is exactly what will happen.

Trevor and Katherine confront Dmitri and inquire if everything is true. Dmitri is unsure but he has heard a number discussed and he assumes it will be the number of Earth Major people that will die immediately…27 million. They all realize it and understand the ramifications of the reversal. Katherine wonders how they can be involved in such a plan if it will cause so much death. Dmitri and Trevor try to rationalize that their "people" are already dead but Katherine convinces them that they are all the same people, regardless of where they came from.

Darrin and Alyssa are working with Ed Daniels and think they can finish the final programming which will enable them to access the energy flow. Alyssa is impatient and wants to do it now but the other two want to wait until more data if analyzed. As she leaves in a huff, both of them question "Katherine’s" new attitude. Darrin decides he wants to do more research on the matter and is quickly enveloped in the data.

Katherine finds Trevor who is sitting alone. Obviously, he is contemplating his actions. A tender moment between them and Trevor realizes that people are people, regardless of which planet. And to be responsible for 27 million is something he can’t deal with. As they discuss it, Katherine comes up with a plan.

Katherine decides that she is going to kill herself. If she does, Alyssa will die. Darrin needs Alyssa to help pull off the transfer. Sure, she could be replaced, but it will take some time. Trevor can’t believe that she will kill herself just to delay things. Katherine explains that it might be enough time for Trevor to realize what he is part of and maybe give Darrin time to understand what might happen. It’s a long shot, but she has to try. Trevor asks her to wait…maybe he can do something because he can become Darrin and get in the system and screw it up. He doesn’t want to lose Katherine.

The major problem is how to get out of the compound and get to the Research Center. Their only hope is Dmitri. They find Dmitri playing chess with his counterpart. Dmitri already knows why they’re there and he agrees to help.

The three of them leave and head to the Research Center. Dmitri asks Trevor how can he screw things up and Trevor doesn’t know. But if he can get close enough, he can kill Darrin. Dmitri asks if he understands that he will die too, and Trevor knows. But it will save all of the lives.

At the Research Center, Trevor and Katherine can get in but Dmitri can’t as he doesn’t have clearance in the computers. Dmitri sneaks Trevor his gun. As Trevor and Katherine come towards the center, there is some obvious confusion as the workers thought they were both already there. They confront Darrin and Alyssa and explain what is going to happen. Alyssa says that her people have a right not to be at the mercy of Earth Major and if it causes all those deaths, well, what about the last 30 years or so?

Darrin says that he can restore the balance…it doesn’t have to be one way. Alyssa is skeptical although she doesn’t know that much about physics. Katherine punches up data on the computer and agrees with Darrin. Trevor wants to believe but he knows that there are two people of Earth Major making that claim and they would have so much to lose. Alyssa screams for Trevor to not go along with it. Trevor turns the gun on Darrin, knowing that if he kills Darrin, he’ll be killing himself. Katherine comes to Trevor and pleads with him not to do it. She has looked at the data and Darrin is right. Trevor believes her and tosses the gun aside.

Alyssa grabs the gun and turns it on them. Alyssa starts to punch into the computer and start the process. Darrin says that the energy stoppage will happen in 24 hours. Alyssa believes that it will be the reversal. Katherine comes to her and says that she can’t kill her as she’ll die as well. Alyssa points the gun at Darrin and says that she can kill both of them with one shot.

Darrin seems unconcerned, adamant that the energy flow will be equalized and not reversed. Alyssa says that she is heading to the compound to go back to Earth Minor and they’re coming with her. Katherine and Trevor leave first and she and Darrin will leave a few minutes later and head out a different way as to not cause confusion.

At the compound with the top scientists of Earth Minor that are there. Darrin says that even though the energy will be equalized, two of the same energy forces (i.e. two bodies) cannot exhibit the same spatial planet. Both will perish. The head scientists decide that whether it is a reversal or a equalizer, the portal will be closed forever. Members of Earth Minor are being prepared for transfer.

Two hours left as the people start to go back and now most have successfully completed the transfer. The head scientist tells Dmitri to let all the people of Earth Major go.

Trevor kisses Katherine goodbye. Darrin seems unsettled as he sees his assistant essentially kissing himself. As Trevor walks towards the apparatus, a warning light goes off. He had forgotten about the implant in his head. He can’t go back. Shock registers on his face as he realizes he and Darrin can’t occupy the same planetary space. Darrin steps forward. He will go. It’s the only way that they can both survive.

Darrin is prepped as time counts down. Trevor and Katherine monitor the news as they watch the folding of the energy fields. She tells him it is complete. There are no mysterious deaths on Earth Major. The energy flow has been equalized.

On Earth Minor, Darrin is with Alyssa. He is amazed how similar everything is but also of the differences. The Head Scientist tells him that it worked…there are no cases of "The Falling" being reported. Darrin will be the hero of the World.

Back on Earth Major, groups of people who have been at the compound are rounded up by the military as news camera report on the missing people that have been found…from all over the world, they all are together in what has to be one of the strangest mysteries. One of the members of the compound explained that they were abducted by aliens.

Inside the compound, we see the Earth Major Dmitri moving a chess piece. He announces check. We see he is playing his counterpart, Dmitri, who moves out of check and announces yet another draw. They look at each other. Dmitri says that it proves yet again that scientists don’t know everything.

The End