Hot Tub Time Machine Chronicles Chapter 4

The following tale of temporal travel takes place in a universe inspired by the 2010 smash megahit film Hot Tub Time Machine. It is an original story, and does not feature any of the same characters as the film. This is... Life of the Party - Chapter 4.

INT. WALLACE RESIDENCE - NEW YEARS EVE - 10 YEARS AGO

Alex has entered The Party. It is a night he lives over and over. Not just in his head, either. He has returned to this place every year, since -- caught in some sort of cosmic loop.

Here we follow him on his first round. The inaugural New Year's Eve party that kicks off a decade of shame, manipulation, and heartbreak. This journey is not for the faint of heart, to quote Peter Parker.

The first thing we notice is that a specific 80's song plays on the stereo every time we enter the front door of the Wallace Residence. That song is Michael Jackson - Bad.

When you enter The Party, all the guests turn and greet you as if you were their long-lost brother.

"Hey!" they all shout at once, with delight and exuberance.

Of course, Alex has never met a single one of these people before in his life, and mutters a confused response, "Hey?"

SETH and CHAD, sit together on the couch in the foyer. They are popular stoners, seemingly permanently high on cannabis.

Seth points his thumb at Alex, and whispers to Chad, "Who's that guy?"

Chad focuses on Alex for a moment, then says in disbelief, "It can't be..."

"Who?" asks Seth.

"That's Darren Temple," says Chad, then he laughs, "Little Darren Temple, all grown-up! No way, my eyes must deceive me."

"Daredevil?! I can't believe it." asks Seth, using a familiar nickname. The only problem being that he is 100% mistaken, confusing Alex's identity immediately.

"Darren, get your butt over here!" commands Chad.

Alex glances around, then realizes Chad is talking to him. He points to himself quizzically, then walks toward their couch.

"Hey, have you guys seen Kristie Halladay around?" Alex asks them.

"Only in my dreams, man," replies Seth, "Why? Is she supposed to be coming by tonight?"

"Actually," blushes Alex, "I'm kind of here with her."

"Really?!" praises Chad, "No way."

Chad points to a RANDOM FEMALE EXTRA, on the other side of the foyer, "You're here with her?"

Alex corrects him, "Dude, that's not her."

Seth swoons over the extra, "She's everything I dreamed she would be."

Chad swats Seth on the arm, "Back off man! That's Darren's girl."

"Thanks guys," Alex says as he walks away from the couch, "I'm going to see if I can find her."

Alex walks off.

Seth says to Chad, "I don't know. She's totally been giving me the eye all night."

Chad laughs back, "All night?! She just got here 2 minutes ago."

INT. WALLACE RESIDENCE - LATER

We follow Alex, as he wanders through the second story of the large house. He walks through a sunroom, with a steaming hot tub. He walks past a large sliding door that leads on to the balcony. Every inch of the space is filled with teenage extras. Alex takes the stairs back down to the main floor, and sighs. He puts his hand on the doorknob and is about to leave.

Suddenly he hears something coming from the kitchen. Sounds like people chanting, "Chug!"

INT. WALLACE RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Alex walks into the kitchen, and sees Kristie. His heart skips a beat, and he smiles widely.

Kristie is chugging a beer from a plastic solo cup, while sitting on the counter. A tapped keg is in the middle of the floor.

Kristie hops down, and staggers toward the adjacent living room.

"Kristie!" Alex calls after her, and follows.

Kristie doesn't respond, and Alex catches up to her. He touches her on the elbow, and she spins to face him.

"Kristie, Hi!" Alex says excitedly.

"Alex!” Kristie smiles back, “When did you get here?"

"Just a minute ago," Alex replies, "You look great."

"I've looked better," Kristie disparages herself, obviously a little dismissing of the idea of conventional beauty.

"Listen, did you want something?" Kristie asks him.

Alex confesses his plans, "I was thinking maybe we could go somewhere and talk."

Kristie stifles a laugh, "Uh okay, I'm not sure what my boyfriend would think about that."

Alex's heart sinks as he hears those words. Did she just say, "Boyfriend?"