DUKE EDGINGTON AND THE TIME MACHINE

Duke Edgington walks out of his prison cell and down the corridor amid jeers. Duke is a tough-looking white dude with big arms. He walks outside the prison. A car containing his friends pulls up. His best friends Gizmo (Always inventing, physics Major, Blackman who wears glasses aka Maurice Harris) and Mung (Asian, also a Physics major, martial artist ). Also in the car is Duke's little Brother, Trey (aka The Edge, lady's man but hot-headed).

Duke is surprised that they drive up in a BMW. They joke around and are happy. Edge thinks his brother is cool for his jail stay. Straightened out by Duke, prison is not cool, not fun. Wishes he could have that time back from his life. Duke says the only good thing about it was that he could workout a lot and study the computer.

The guys are students at Arizona State University and pledge to help Duke. Duke stresses that he has no job and no future with this criminal record. The guys assure him not to worry. They won't let him suffer. Duke saved their lives in the past , they won't forget it.

FLASHBACK- Duke, Gizmo, Mung and Edge are sitting in a park talking science. Skinheads start to mess with them. Duke is the most vocal of the group. Duke warns they all are martial artists. The leader of the skinheads, Thomas Donald, laughs, pulls out a gun. The guys step back. Donald talks shit and says he'll kill the Black guy first. Duke kicks the gun out of his hand and starts to beat him down. He pretends he can't breath. Duke steps back as Mung tends to him to help him breathe. Duke sees Donald pull a knife from his boot and prepare to stab Mung. Duke picks up the gun and shoots the skinhead just before Mung is stabbed. Donald becomes paralyzed from the gunshot.

They reflect on the fact that if Donald wasn’t the nephew of a Supreme Court judge, he probably wouldn't have done time. They comment about the corruption in the justice system and how prison is now the new 'slavery system'.

They pull up to Duke's house. It looks good, well kept. The guys have done it, he thanks them. Duke can't wait to see his wife and kid. The guys tell him that his child has a rare, deadly disease. He grieves. The guys tell him they have a plan to solve all of the problems. Tell him to go home 1st, get used to family, freedom etc.

Duke hugs and kisses his wife Crystal. He sees the boy, he is in bad shape. She tries to comfort him but Duke is hurting.

Guys do martial arts work out at ASU. Duke is stronger, sharper than ever, great fighter. The guys take Duke to the secret lab. Show him veiled structure. Tell him it will solve all his problems. They unveil it. It's a Hummer vehicle. They tell him it's a TIME MACHINE. Gizmo pulls out a huge stack of $100's from the back seat. Hands it to Duke. Duke grateful but confused. Gizmo tells him to keep it, more where that comes from.

Here's the deal, they get in, go back in time and bet on a sports event that they know they outcome of, then clean up. They decide to try it out and show him. The Hummer vibrates and makes a noise that even sounds like a low-pitched hum. Nothing looks different. Afterwards they get in Gizmo's car and drive to the racetrack. On the way, Mung pulls out today's paper and starts circling the winners. They get out car, go to racetrack. Later, they come back to the car laughing, drinking, smoking cigars. The open the briefcase they brought with them on the hood of the vehicle. It is stuffed with money.

They hand the $$ to Duke for his kid's operation. Duke is thankful and excited. They will schedule operation for his kid.

In waiting room, Duke and Crystal wait, but are upbeat. The guys come, they tell him not to worry. Operation will fix him up. Doctor comes out, says he had complication. He is worse than before now. More surgery won't help. They give the kid just a few more months to live.

The crew is devastated. All the $$ in the world won't help. Duke is severely depressed.

Donald the skinhead in wheelchair but still powerful. Gathers his gang together. They ambush Gizmo & Mung and put both in the hospital. Duke and Edge want vengeance, Mung talks them out of it, especially with a record. Mung has another way. He and Gizmo did research and Donald. They found that he is a direct descendant of slave-owners from the south. The plan is to break up the romance of the skinhead's ancestors so that Donald isn't born. They decide to let Edge try to bang the female and have her lose interest in her fiance.

Gizmo's mom is in the theatre dept. He gets authentic clothes for the crew. Gizmo=slave, Mung=Indian, Duke and Edge are rich investors from the Arizona Territory. Have been riverboat gambling also.

They go back in time and arrive near the Alabama plantation. They camouflage the Hummer and walk towards the huge plantation. Per the research, the people they need to break-up are called Joel and Trisha. As they get closer, they see the abuse of slaves. Gizmo has a hard time containing himself. A slave driver notices them, calls them over rudely.

The slave driver says Gizmo and Mung must stay away from the house. Duke and Edge are welcome, especially if they are gamblers.

It is Joel's birthday and a party is happening. He dances with Trisha and they look happy. Joel introduced to Duke and Edge. Joel's friends say that they have a surprise for him in the barn. They invite the guys. Duke goes but Edge stays behind to hit on Trisha.

Eventually Edge breaks down Trisha and she gives him a kiss in the shadows. She agrees to give him some.

Meanwhile, Duke leaves the party and goes over to Gizmo and Mung. They hear screaming in the barn, run in. Joel and his crew are trying to gang rape Olive, a young Black girl. They mention that she is a virgin and that it's time to break her in. Joel's birthday present. The crew won't let it happen. They begin fighting, wipe out the rapists easily. Gizmo enjoys the beating. Trisha and Edge peer into the barn form the window. Her hair is messed up and her blouse is slightly undone. They hear Joel confess that he was going to rape Olive and they had no right to stop him. He owns her, it's legal! Trisha storms in, yelling at Joel. Joel slaps her down, ("Once I marry you, I'll own you too.") He snatches a gun hidden in the barn. He says, "This should take care of the problem." He shoots Olive dead. The guys are horrified. He says Duke and Gizmo are next. Edge sneaks up, hits him on the back of the head before he can shoot his friends, grabs his gun and holds his friends at bay. They hear more people coming. They run away and haul ass back to the Hummer.

After they get back, they are drained. Gizmo is devastated. The next day, Duke and Gizmo gather the crew. They have a huge duffel bag. They say they want to go back to the plantation. The boys open the bag, it's full of guns. They say they didn’t know slavery was so terrible. They want to fight back. "If anyone needs to die, it's these bastards!" All the friends agree. They workout hard and prepare themselves.

This time, they go back armed. Now they all are wearing African style clothes. They see the slave driver abusing field workers. He says something rude again, this time they riddle his body full of bullets. They use a silencer on the gun, the field workers are confused.

The guys burst into the barn as Olive is about to get raped. "Since you're into openings in the human body, here's a few more of your own." The modern guns are no match for the pre-civil war, relics. They are mowed down. Olive begs to take her with them. She will be killed by Joel's dad if she stays. Gizmo likes her, they debate but decide to take her. As they leave they burn the plantation to the ground.

Back home, Olive has culture shock in the extreme. They check on Donald the skinhead. It worked, he was never born. No prison record for Duke. They sell artifacts that they brought back and have a small party.

Edge and Mung use the Hummer. Later they come back. They went to Haight Ashbury, 1968 to buy weed and acid. Edge talks the guys into trying it. As they trip, they get into weird conversations. The question arises : "Where would be the greatest place to go in the time machine?" After everybody does there wish, Duke comes up with going to Jerusalem during Biblical times. Not only that, but meeting Jesus and saving him from the cross. They discuss it while then decide to go.

They get the wardrobe together. Gizmo shows a translator he designed to be a small earplug. They will use it. Duke, Gizmo, Mung, Edge, Olive and Crystal pile into the Hummer. Hard to figure exact time and location. Figure time by finding the time of the Star of Bethlehem, then adding 33 years.

Time machine brings them to Jerusalem shortly after Jesus's death. The arrive in Pontius Pilate's orchard. They hide the vehicle. They go to the palace, see Pilate. He is insane now. He talks to himself, always washes his hands, hallucinates. The strangers don't scare him, they think they are Roman Gods. Tell them of troubles after execution, begs for forgiveness. They tell Pilate that he is doomed to Hades unless he gives them gifts, money and maps. Pilate loads them down. They say they will get back to him.

They decide to go farther back in time to see his birth. Stop in later to hear him preach, then save him right before the cross. They pile in the Hummer, then disappear in front if Pilate.

They arrive on the outskirts of Bethlehem. It is raining hard, can't see. Pull Hummer into some bushes. They can see the star overhead. The rain lets up, they can see the people. They are African. Everyone is surprised. They look nothing like the Biblical pictures.

Gizmo explains that : 1. This area is VERY close to Africa. Right along a popular trade route. 2. Hebrews went in to Egypt as just Joseph's family. They came out with Moses, numbering in the ten's of thousands. 3. Migrations of lighter skinned people who settled in the land happened much later.

The clouds clear out, sun shines brightly. Many people are at the barn as the crew draws near. They meet the 3 kings who are kind and wise. They explain that Duke, Edge and Crystal are from the land of the Brits. Mung is merchant from Asia. They stand in line and finally get a chance to meet the Holy family.

When they finally see baby Jesus (& family) they have tears of joy. They happily give Joseph the loot that Pilate gave as an 'offering to his Gods'. They give him rubies, gold and other expensive gifts. Joseph refuses at first. Joke that a guy they knew wanted to give this to a deity, just fulfilling his wish.

Mary insists that each of them hold the baby. The baby is so beautiful, so peaceful. The entire crew is touched. Later, they speak with Joseph, he looks troubled. Says not sure whether to leave or not. The crew asks if he had a dream. Joseph is amazed. They tell him to follow what the dream says and go on to Egypt, Herrod is nuts and very dangerous.

The crew helps load up the caravan. Tell him not worry, will come back to Judea in a few years. Joseph asks how they know these things. They tell him they are from the future and that Jesus will be great Holy man that will bring glory to God. Joseph is skeptical at first, but then is deeply touched and moved that they would travel across time to meet him and his son.

The crew watches the caravan as it heads towards Africa. The crew is excited and is amped to see him as a grown man preaching and healing. They go back to the Hummer, set course for Capernaum and the time for 32 years ahead.

Arrive outside a house where a party is going on. Mary, not knowing who they are, invites them in. Music and dancing are everywhere. A man announces that the party is over because the wine has run out. Just then a young man with piercing eyes stands up and goes to the barrels that the wine is in. He says a few words and the water is turned into wine. The party continues. The crew downs some wine. The best they ever had. They drink more. Finally they go over to Jesus. He looks at them funny, but kindly. "I know who you are, please, do not interfere." It scares them and they go to the Hummer, confused. They fall asleep.

Next day, the guys see Jesus carving wood. Just as they are about to talk to him, a naked, dirty, wild man runs up to them. Edge pulls his gun but Duke has him put it back. The man starts cursing and slashing his flesh with a sharp rock. Jesus puts down the carving, goes to the man, calmly sends the demons into pigs (Whose faces contort horribly as the demons possess them), then watch as the pigs jump over the side of a cliff and die below. The crew is amazed, as are passers-by. Jesus, unphased, picks up his wood, sits down and starts carving again.

Later a hooded man walks by them, goes to Jesus. They see his face, he is a leper. Duke's wife pukes. The rest of the crew knock over tables and each other as they flee the afflicted man. Villagers threaten him to leave or else. Jesus goes to him with arms outstretched. The man cries, says he feels like a monster. Jesus hugs him, he stops crying. Looks down, sees he is healed. Man is super happy. As people celebrate the healer, Jesus humbly removes himself and goes to the woods to pray alone.

Later, they see him do the Sermon on the Mount and he does the miracle of the bread and the fish. Best meal they ever had. Afterwards Jesus goes to the woods to pray. The disciples ask the crew if they'd like a to ride in the boat and see the Sea of Galilee better, they agree. Mid voyage, wind starts blowing, huge waves seen, passengers are scared. They see Jesus walking on water, coming towards them. He calms the sea. He has the disciples try to walk on water, they can't, funny as they sink.

When they arrive at the other shore, Pharisees gang up on him, but in the end, Jesus puts them in their place. Barrabas and the Zealots are hanging out, watch. They applaud him for standing up to the 'sellout' priests. Handicapped go to him and are healed. They are joyous. As Jesus is leaving a woman touches his robe, she is healed by faith. Outcasts are welcome. Tells Good Samaritain story and stresses that the kingdom of God is inclusive, not exclusive.

Jesus pulls the guys to the side, say no to interfere. They say after seeing him, they really, really appreciate him now. Jesus smiles, goes into the woods to pray.

A dozen slaves from Britain are led through town by Roman slave traders. People are amazed at their blonde hair and blue eyes. They are not happy. Olivia talks the guys into trying to free them. Says she knows what it’s like. Finally, they agree to help. They try a humorous con, it works at first, then backfires and although the Brits are freed, Olivia is abducted. Soldiers prepare to rape her, has slavery flashback. Just then the leader walks in, says to save her for King Herrod, he’ll pay big money for her. The guys want to go after her but don’t want to use guns unless needed. Surprised that the Brits want to help.

The crew and the Brit slaves follow after the Roman slave traders. They are hesitant to attack but must do it before they reach Herrod. They need a diversion; they turn on the Hummer stereo very loud. Romans are stunned, Olivia runs, caught at last second by a slaver. Gizmo fires a .45 over his head, he lets her go, Olivia runs to him, give Gizmo a big hug. Brits go nuts, take swords and hack up the Romans. The crew wishes the Brits well and then take off to Bethany because they heard Jesus was going there to visit his deceased friend, Lazarus. They get there late, Lazarus has already been raised and is praising Jesus. He is ready to leave Bethany and meet up with Jesus in Jerusalem. The crew finds that the time machine gadget isn’t working, broken in battle with the Roman slave traders. Big problem but think it will be ok if it recharges.

They go to Jerusalem, Jesus had already made his Palm Sunday entrance and turned the tables in the temple. They can’t find him. They know he will go to a banquet hall to have the last supper, so they go from hall to hall but can’t find him. They find where the Garden of Gethsemane is, decide to wait for him there. They have been awake for 2 straight days, decide to take a short nap. They wake up after Jesus is already taken away.

They go to Pontius Pilate’s Palace. They look through night vision goggles, see Jesus being beaten. As Duke and Gizmo try to think up a plan, Edge pulls up with the Hummer. “Get in guys. It’s time for Heavy Metal, now or never”. He passes out the guns. They run the Hummer into the courtyard where Jesus is being beaten. They get out, blasting away. The Romans are either shot up, or have run off. They take Jesus with them. Jesus argues with them that he must stay and must fulfill the prophecy. They tell him he can do better by not dying. Heal more people, give more wisdom, help us make more sense out of why we are here. Jesus says that it’s not his will, it’s God’s will. He would like a family, the feeling of hugs, kids laughing etc, but can’t do it. Tells them that this is a difficult enough task, without the temptation of running away being there.

They still try to beg and reason with him not to die. They offer to take him to the future. They plan to show him that his sacrifice wasn’t worth it. Mankind still sucks. Jesus resists at first, then is curious to see if the abuse was worth it. He agrees to visit but makes them promise to return him if he asks. They agree. Forgot time machine is broke. Jesus fixes it with one touch. They pile in the Hummer and the Crew leaves with him.

They arrive in Gizmo’s garage, in modern times. Jesus marvels at Gizmo’s gadgets. Carpentry tools especially. He goes in and meets Duke’s mom and his sick kid. They give Jesus a shower, some sweats and something to eat. As Duke tells Jesus that his son is incurable, Jesus rubs his hair, and he transforms into a healthy, robust kid. All are amazed and are very, very thankful.

The guys have him watch the news and flip through the cable stations. He sees a televangelist. The white image of himself with Blond hair and blue eyes horrifies him. The whole bit about begging for money and bending his words enrages him but he remains calm. He keeps clicking and sees the wars fought in his name, idols and statues used in the church, religious doctrine that embellished on what he said and were incorrect, his birthday wrongfully celebrated at Christmas (December 25th which was a Roman holiday called Mithra that the Jews of his time would fear and avoid because Romans overdrank and were more violent). He sees the Indian, African and Jewish genocides. After a segment about a sexually assaulted child whose corpse was found, he gets up from the couch. He asks someone to show him to the woods so he can be alone and pray. It’s too far to walk, Duke and Gizmo drive him to South Mountain, on the Phoenix border. Jesus takes off. They wait, and wait. Forty days go by. Finally he appears.

He Jesus wants to meet people, talk to them one on one. Find out what they are really like. They go down the poorest streets, per Jesus’s wish. He gets out and starts rapping to ordinary people. Many of them have interesting stories, he heals some of them, comforts others. He comforts a unwed mother of several kids. He starts speaking with the kids and tells them a parable. The mother appreciates it and the kids love him, especially when he hands out little animals that he carved himself.

Jesus and the guys go back to Gizmo’s place, invite the others. Says he wants to look at the things they showed him before. They do. Jesus points out that through the genocides, wars, crime and discrimination, the people survived. They survived, went on and their children grew strength from their forefather’s unjust treatment. They survived because they know love conquers, good defeats evil and life is precious. Whether they believe I’m the Savior or not, everyone that hears the story appreciates the courage of my actions, and the wisdom of my words. The sacrifice of one’s self, at age 33, leaves some people speechless. Hope is given, faith in goodness is strengthened, and sacrifice for others is honored. “If I can bring that to the human race, then it is well worth my physical life”.

It’s hard to let go, but the guys understand. They must take him back. Jesus comforts them. Tells them that its not right to use this machine to play God. Jesus goes over to the TV, unplugs it from the wall. While holding the dangling cord in his hands, he says, “Now, it’s time to watch MY video.”

It is the future. A young white man, with the last name of Donald (same as modern Skinhead) is on screen. He is addressing a predominately Black crowd, they are applauding him. It is an, ‘A&E BIOGRAPHY’ type of presentation. Shows that he really was the son of a skinhead, but had heated conflicts with his dad. Dad put him in hospital once. Runs away from home at 15 years old and is raised by his best friend’s family, they are Black. He becomes a Civil Rights attorney; helping victims of police abuse cases sue. Great mind, humorous, lots of charisma. He gets involved with the reparations struggle for those of African descent. Wrote a book that changed America’s hearts. Gets his own talk show. The votes in Congress looks tight, he is invited to speak before the House. The day before the speech, he is assassinated by his own father. It looks like certain government officials may have also been involved. The next day, the vote for Reparations passes in a landslide.

The guys are in shock. They promise Jesus to go back and un-do the killings on the plantation. Jesus says, “None of us knows the big picture. Perhaps you should leave certain things in God’s hands. One of which, is a little situation that you intervened in, back in Jerusalem. I don’t want to go back, but I need to go back. Not for fame, or to have people worship me. I will do it for my Father, and for all of you. With all the problems that have happened through the ages, some of them done in my name. I still see the potential for mankind to become a loving family. I can see it in the faces of the children. I must go, suffer and die. Then to show that evilness cannot destroy righteousness, I will arise and give hope to the hopeless. There is no other way. ”

Reluctantly the guys agree. They hold another, ‘Last Supper’. Jesus conducts another, ‘Holy Communion’ with his new disciples. Bittersweet occasion. He tells them to come and be a witness. Feel the pain, feel the joy – both are overwhelming. Just before he gets into the Hummer, they ask if he has any regrets or last wishes. Says, “Love one another as I have loved you. Use the Time Machine wisely. Find some kind of artistic, creative thing to do with it and with your lives, then let God work through you. Also (he jokes) see about putting a little more color into those images of me. I don’t think you have a shortage of brown paint.” They all hug and say good-byes.

They take off and arrive back near Pontius Pilate’s palace. The soldiers are beating Jesus again in the courtyard. The crew watches from behind a dirt pile. Olivia can’t take it. “Come, let’s go on to Mount Calvary.”