Rick and Morty Spec Script - The Enigma of Smith Fault
death drive vs. will to power, broh
The Teaser (Minutes 1-3)
INT. SMITH HOUSE - DINING ROOM TABLE
RICK, JERRY, BETH, MORTY, and SUMMER are playing a board game
JERRY
No, you can't do that. Only on your fourth round can you collect two tokens. But you already have six so you have to trade so that you can apply for immunity-
SUMMER
Board games suck ass
JERRY
We don't spend enough time all together as a family. Rick and Morty are always off doing adventures, I never know what's going on in your life-
SUMMER
That's how I like it
JERRY
Beth has work-
RICK
It sounds like you're punishing us for you being jobless
JERRY
Spending time with your family is not a punishment
RICK
It is if you're a part of it
JERRY
You know what?! I'm the man of the house!
SUMMER
(Overlapping) Sexist
BETH
(Overlapping; To Summer) Just let him have this
JERRY
And I say that we need to spend time together as a family, so we're going to spend time together as a family!
RICK
(Sarcastically) Oh yes, almighty patriarch. (Mockingly bowing with hands) Let me just bow down
BETH
Dad-
RICK
What? This is what your husband wants
JERRY
(Sigh) I just want us to spend time together
SUMMER
(On phone) How about we do something that doesn't suck? How about we go to Japan?
JERRY
Why Japan?
SUMMER
Why not Japan? Racist
JERRY
No! I- uh-
MORTY
Seriously, though? Why Japan? What are you a weeb now, Summer?
SUMMER
Morty, I've seen your porn search history. Don't act like you don't wanna visit Japan
MORTY
That doesn't mean I want to go to Japan. I don't
SUMMER
I'll make you go
MORTY
(Mockingly) Ooh, I'm so scared. What are you going to do, blackmail me? Stop the presses, Summer's seen my porn search history
SUMMER
On your second secret laptop from the ZipZop Nebula
MORTY
Let's go to Japan
THEME SONG
EXT. TOURIST SPOT - JAPAN
JERRY is reading a charity tourism pamphlet that SUMMER threw on the ground
JERRY
We should do some charity work while we're here. You know, give back
BETH
(Overlapping) Pass
RICK
(Overlapping) Pass
MORTY
(Overlapping) Pass
JERRY
All this space stuff is making you guys so jaded. I mean when was the last time you helped people?
MORTY
Rick and I help people
JERRY
And hurt people
MORTY
We're chaotic neutral
JERRY
Don't fall into that trap, Morty. That's something your Grandpa says so he doesn't have to accept all the bad things he's done
RICK
I'm a scientist, Jerry. I create and I destroy. I test hypotheses. Sometimes they're wrong. Usually, they're right. But every action has consequences
JERRY
Well, Mr.Scientist, I'll have you know that studies show helping others and being part of a group or community increases your happiness and leads to feeling more fulfilled. Humans need connection
RICK
Uh-huh. What studies?
JERRY
(Unsure) You know- studies
RICK
Jerry, if you're helping people to help yourself that's selfish
JERRY
So all charity is selfish?
RICK
(Burp) Pretty much
SUMMER
I think Dad is right
JERRY
Thank you, Summer
SUMMER
Don't make me regret agreeing with you. (Showing phone) There was a major earthquake at a province near here and citizens are setting up search parties to look for missing people. I say we volunteer
MORTY
Since when do you care about helping people? Are you on drugs?
SUMMER
No, I'm not on drugs
BETH
Morty! Maybe your sister is just trying to be a good person. (To Summer)But seriously, are you on drugs? Because we will get you the help that you need
JERRY
(Muttering under breath) Yeah, because we've been so good at handling your father's addiction issues
RICK
What was that Jerry?
JERRY
Nothing
RICK
(burp) Whatever. I'm truly neutral so I'm taking a back seat this episode. Let you guys actually flex your (air quotes) 'agency' for once and not force me to be the catalyst for all your 'character growth'
JERRY
Great, then you'll be fine with not using any sci-fi knick-knacks or doo-dads if there are any problems
RICK
(Sarcastically) So sayeth the man of the house
JERRY looks pretty pleased with himself
THE TROUBLE (MINUTES 6-8) B-STORY
EXT. SIDE OF MOUNTAIN - NIGHT
The family is in a search party. There is a giant rock slide. RICK saves the family and members of the search party through ingenuity and without sci-fi doodads. The rock slide reveals hundreds of human-sized holes in the exposed face of the mountain
RICK
What the fuck
EXT. SIDE OF MOUNTAIN - DAY
- Scientists examining the holes announce that there is no way to find out how deep into the mountain the holes go
- There were a few exposed before the landslide but now there's tons
- They can, however, determine that the holes are not natural and must have been dug from the inside out.
- The accumulation of soil over the centuries eventually sealed up the entrances, but they have no way of knowing why the holes were made or who would have the technology to do it, especially since they appear to be thousands of years old.
JERRY
I really don't feel good about this. I have like a sinking feeling in my stomach. Rick can you please use your sci-fi doo-dads and figure out what all this means and how to fix it?
RICK
My sci-fi doodads?
JERRY
Sorry. I don’t mean to offend you. It’s just- You’re so smart. I know you could figure it out in no time
RICK
Kissing my ass is only gonna make your lips brown, Jerry. I’m not gonna do it
JERRY
Please, Rick!
RICK
Surely, the man of the house can solve this issue. Are you not the man of the house, Jerry?
JERRY
I am, and as man of the house I’m telling you to fix it
RICK turns to walk away. JERRY gets down on his knees and begs
JERRY
Please, Rick! Please, please, please!
SUMMER
This is pathetic
BETH
Seriously, Jerry
JERRY
He needs to fix it! I can feel it! You're all gonna die!
SUMMER
At least we'll die with some dignity
JERRY
Please, Rick!
RICK
No, Jerry. Clean up your own mess. Besides, none of us have holes of ourselves
SUMMER
I guess now should probably be the time to tell you that I only wanted to go to Japan because I saw a hole in my exact shape on the news
RICK
How did you know it was your exact shape?
SUMMER
I dunno, I just did
RICK
Huh
JERRY
See, Rick! Something really dark and fucked up is going on!
RICK
That proves nothing
SEARCH PARTY GUY walks over
SEARCH PARTY GUY
Did I hear you saw a hole in the shape of your body? That's why I'm here
SEARCH PARTY GIRL
That's why I'm here too
The group murmurs, realizing that's why they all came
SEARCH PARTY GUY
And here it is
SEARCH PARTY GUY enters his hole with a smile and tears streaming down his face as the group screams, "No!"
INT. NEWS STUDIO
NEWS ANCHOR
Scientists can not find any trace of Search Party Guy nor can they stick any instruments further than a few feet inside the holes. Many people are flocking to the site to see if it contains them shaped holes. More on the story as it develops-
INT. TENT - NIGHT
MORTY pauses the news on his phone. RICK enters, throwing his toilet paper roll aside
BETH
Hey, Dad. I saw mine
RICK
Saw your what?
BETH
I saw my hole, Dad
RICK
Ew, Beth, phrasing
BETH
I'm serious It's all I can think about. It's like it's calling to me
SUMMER
I'm glad someone else is feeling it
RICK
Are you two hearing voices? Cause that's super cliche
BETH
No. It's like, magnetic. Like I feel compelled to go inside. Drawn to it. Somehow I know it was made thousands of years ago, just for me
JERRY
I'll go block your and Summer's holes with stones
RICK
Like that's going to do anything
JERRY
You're just mad because we don't need your sci-fi mumbo-jumbo-
RICK
Which you were just begging for
JERRY
My hypothesis was wrong
RICK
You're not a scientist, Jerry
JERRY
I don't need to be a scientist to protect my family
MORTY
You should block off mine too. I saw it and it's taking everything in me not to run into it right now
JERRY
Weird. I saw mine but I don't feel compelled. (Bragging) Maybe it's because I have a strong will. So I will prevent all of you from going into your holes. Because I am the man of the house
RICK shuts the lamp off, pointedly, enshrouding the tent in darkness. JERRY is a little scared. He turns on a night light
RICK
There's no point in dwelling on whatever this is. I'm sure it'll pass
MORTY, SUMMER, and BETH can't sleep. RICK and JERRY fall asleep quickly. MORTY is the first to finally fall asleep after them. Then SUMMER. Then BETH
RICK'S nightmare and MORTY'S dream are shown together
RICK'S Nightmare: He is a criminal in the ancient past who has committed a horrific crime. His sentence is to enter a hole in the mountain that was dug out specifically for MORTY, carved in such a way that made it impossible to move anywhere but forward. As MORTY walked through it, his limbs and neck were torturously stretched and distorted, far beyond any normal humans; somehow, he remained alive and in agony
MORTY'S Dream: He is living in a suburban house in the 1960s with a white picket fence, a wife, a dog, and his two-and-a-half children. He throws away the space section of the newspaper he reads every day while drinking coffee. Life is good. Simple.
INT. TENT - DAWN
RICK wakes to JERRY screaming, "Beth!" and runs out of the tent
EXT. SIDE OF MOUNTAIN
JERRY is trying to plead with BETH, who has unblocked her hole
RICK
(From afar) Beth, no!
BETH smiles and tears stream down her face as she enters her hole. RICK approaches
RICK
Great job protecting my daughter, Jerry
JERRY
I tried!
RICK
By pleading with her? You're so weak! You know that little voice in your head that tells you that you're not smart enough or useful enough? You should listen to it!
JERRY
(Sigh) Are you going to solve this with your sci-fi-
RICK
Yes! But not because you told me to
RICK opens up a portal, but right before he enters he catches a glimpse of his hole
RICK
Keep an eye on Summer
JERRY
Why don't you just portal her away?
RICK
You're the man of the house. You protect her
RICK steps through the portal
INT. TENT - DAWN
A portal opens and RICK'S ARM drags a sleeping MORTY through before it closes
THE TROUBLE (MINUTES 6-8) B-STORY
INT. CREEPY ART MUSEUM - NIGHT
RICK lands on his feet. MORTY does not
MORTY
What the hell Rick?!
RICK
Your mom entered her hole and she's not coming back
MORTY
And you left Summer alone with my dad? Are you insane?
RICK
When did everyone in this house think they got a free pass to question me?
MORTY
(Dude, it's Jerry) You left her. With my dad.
RICK
Fine
RICK portals in DOOFUS RICK
RICK
Work with Jerry and keep Summer out of her hole
DOOFUS RICK
Wha-
RICK shoves DOOFUS RICK through a portal
MORTY
Really? Doofus Rick?
RICK
Together he and your dad have almost a full brain (Showing Morty a picture) Now help me find this painting. There's a rare mineral in the paint I need to build something
RICK and MORTY begin to search in different aisles of the museum
MORTY
Ugh, Rick, do you smell that?
RICK
Is this a fart joke?
MORTY
No, it smells like something’s rotting
MORTY sees a statue. MORTY blinks. The statue moves a little. MORTY is creeped out. MORTY blinks again. The statue moves
MORTY
Rick! The statue is moving!
RICK runs to MORTY
RICK
Fuck
MORTY
What is it?
They hear the sound of concrete scraping
RICK
Stand back to back with me, stare at the statue, and don't blink!
MORTY
What's happening?!
RICK
Weeping Shitheads, Morty! They're fucking Dr.Who sci-fi bullshit creatures
MORTY
What?!
RICK
They're extremely fast, Morty!
RICK and MORTY blink simultaneously. More angels appear and the angels already there get closer
RICK
Fuck!
The lights start to flicker. MORTY'S eyes are tearing up
MORTY
Are they fucking with the lights?
RICK
Obviously, Morty! They can only move when they're not being observed. Whatever you do, don't let them touch you! It's like ontological molestation! They're afraid of death so they send you back in time over and over again draining you of your life as you live it until you shrivel up and die permanently. They feed of humans to stay immortal. Like vampires but shittier
The lights flicker further. MORTY is barely keeping his eyes open
MORTY
Ahh, what do we do?! What do we do?!
RICK
Don't blink!
RICK takes a scalpel and cuts his eyelids off
MORTY blinks. The angels he is facing get closer. RICK sees it in his peripheral vision
RICK
Morty, don't blink!
The lights go out
THE MUDDLE (MINUTES 8-9) A-STORY
EXT. WOODS NEAR MOUNTAIN
JERRY and DOOFUS RICK are peeing on a tree
JERRY
You know normally I would feel exposed and self-conscious with my penis out around someone, but not you Rick
JERRY finishes and zips up
DOOFUS RICK
Aw thanks, Jerry. You know I really missed you
DOOFUS RICK turns towards JERRY, getting pee on his shoes. JERRY leaps backwards
DOOFUS RICK
Oops sorry
JERRY
It's fine let's just finish up and get back to Summer. And Rick
DOOFUS RICK
Yeah, Jerry
JERRY
I really missed you too
EXT. SIDE OF MOUNTAIN
SUMMER is protesting with a group of people
DOOFUS RICK
What are they protesting?
JERRY
Hundreds of people have disappeared into their holes and none have come back. Some of them are chronically ill. A lot of disabled people. But now hundreds of thousands of blue-collar workers disillusioned by capitalism are planning to come so a bunch of companies have started a bidding war to buy the mountain from the Japanese government and close the holes off
DOOFUS RICK
I don't get how the protest fits into all of this. What are they protesting for?
JERRY
People's right to die
THE MUDDLE (MINUTES 9-12) B-STORY
INT. 1920S JAZZ BAR
It is the 1920s. RICK is dressed in overalls with dirt smudged on his face. RICK approaches the bar
BARTENDER
What can I get ya?
RICK
Scotch?
The BARTENDER slides a glass of scotch over
RICK
Just slide me the bottle
The BARTENDER slides him a bottle of scotch. RICK drinks from the bottle
BARTENDER
Jesus, what brings you here?
RICK
(Solemnly) I don't know
RICK gets a flashing memory of his hole
RICK
All I know is I got this device in my pocket 'cept I don't know what it is or how it works
RICK shows the BARTENDER the portal gun
BARTENDER
You one of those sky boys workin' on that scraper?
RICK gets a flash of a memory. He is a poor worker high up on the scaffolding, constructing the Empire State Building
RICK
Yeah, I think I am
A GANGSTER approaches
GANGSTER
You're in my seat
RICK
I don't see your name on it
GANGSTER
Do you know who I am?
RICK
A guy who needs a breath mint?
The GANGSTER swings at RICK, who ducks out of the way, and smashes the bottle against the GANGSTER'S head. RICK gets a flash of the hole again right as the bottle makes contact, knocking the GANGSTER unconscious
BARTENDER
You still have to pay for that
RICK is hopped up on adrenaline
RICK
Holy fuck! I feel alive!
INT. 1960S SUBURBAN HOUSE
MORTY sits at the dining room table. MORTY is dressed like a classic 1960s dad, newspaper in hand. MORTY rips out the science section of the newspaper and crumples it into a ball, aiming for the trash but missing. MORTY reads the paper as days turn to nights. Superimposed over is MORTY doing the same thing over and over again; Waking up, eating the same breakfast, kissing his wife and 2.5 kids goodbye, going to work, and coming home. The headlines of the newspaper change ever so slightly but the content stays the same. Slowly it becomes more and more like gibberish; incomprehensible. We see MORTY's face as he becomes tired and bored. One morning MORTY puts the paper down
WIFE
What's wrong, honey?
MORTY
I don't know
MORTY gets a flash of the hole
MORTY
The hole-
WIFE
I mean it's not Saturday night but sure-
MORTY
No. I remember something. A hole-
The WIFE sits on MORTY'S lap
WIFE
If it's making you upset don't think about it
MORTY
No. I think- I feel like it's important I remember
The WIFE strokes his hair, trying to distract him
WIFE
Now, now-
MORTY gets a flash of his hole again
MORTY
I'm remembering
The WIFE'S neck lengthens, and MORTY pushes her off his lap. The WIFE twists and contorts until she resembles something horrible
CREATURE WIFE
(Distorted) Don't remember, Morty
MORTY screams. Suddenly, a decapitated Morty head attached to long tendrils of sentient hair drops down and begins strangling the wife
MORTY
What the fuck is happening?!
DECAPITATED MORTY HEAD HAIR CREATURE snaps the WIFE CREATURE'S neck
Side by Side montage -
- MORTY comically tries to get away from the hair creature. MORTY throws a pot (which the monster just flicks away) a pan (which the monster just flicks away) and a children's toy (that one of his children left on the floor) the creature just pauses like, "really?" MORTY runs up stairs and the creature chases after him. MORTY slams the bathroom door shut but the hair slips under the bathroom door and rips it clean off its hinges. The monster begins to strangle MORTY. Right as he's about to die, in a flash, all his memories come back
- RICK is engaging in more and more risky behaviors. It begins with illegal cock-fighting, and having to run from the police when they get raided. Then RICK begins sky-diving out of Zeppelins, but the thrill wears off. Then get begins gambling and loses all his money. Owing money to the mob, RICK goes back to his mundane job high on the tower. As he jumps from beam to beam, he almost falls. Right as he's about to die, in a flash, all his memories come back.
-As RICK falls he fumbles for his PORTAL GUN. Right before he hits the ground he opens up a PORTAL and falls through it, which opens up in the ceiling above MORTY. Still falling, RICK grabs MORTY and opens a portal for them to fall through together, which shuts behind them
INT. SMITH GARAGE
Part of the hair came through the portal and begins moving around. RICK grabs a flamethrower and torches it. It screams and hisses
THE MUDDLE (MINUTES 12-13) A-STORY
EXT. SIDE OF MOUNTAIN
JERRY
Summer, stop protesting!
SUMMER
Then let me go into my hole already!
JERRY
Why are you so thirsty for hole?!
SUMMER
Ew, Dad! Don't say thirsty for hole!
JERRY
Well?
SUMMER
You'd never understand. You're either stupid and happy or aware of the horror of existence and sad
JERRY
I'm not stupid. I'm not Rick level smart but I'm smart in other ways. Like emotional intelligence
SUMMER
The concept of emotional intelligence is used to placate idiots while fitting them for work boots
JERRY
Every day you sound more and more like Rick
DOOFUS RICK
Your dad's actually a really smart guy, Summer
SUMMER
Of course, you think that, Doofus Rick! Someone pissed in your gene pool
JERRY
Summer!
SUMMER
You two morons are touching dick tips at the peak of mount stupid on the Dunning-Kruger Effect Curve
DOOFUS RICK
I don't know what that means
JERRY
Neither do I
SUMMER
Exactly! Here's the Hole For Dummies: Birth is non-consensual. You brought me in to the world, but you refuse to take me out. How come I can't take me out? Huh? I'm sentient. I have agency!
SUMMER runs toward her hole but DOOFUS RICK tackles her
THE TRIUMPH/FAILURE (MINUTES 13-15) A-STORY
INT. SMITH GARAGE
RICK is building a device
MORTY
I don't understand what's happening. Did the angels carve the holes or like-
RICK sends a bunch of robots through a portal
RICK
They're unrelated to each other. We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Or I guess the right place at the right time. The holes' powers and the Weeping Shitheads powers contradict. The hole forces you to remember its existence and your past while the Shitheads force you to forget
MORTY
Hole stronger than shit. Got it
The robots return with the painting from before
RICK
Now that the Shitheads have our scent they're gonna hunt us down across time and space unless they either drain us of our life force or we destroy them all
MORTY
How do we kill them?
RICK
I have a hypothesis. Time to test it-
RICK flourishes the device he just finished
EXT. VOLCANO
MORTY
Rick, why are we dangling a bunch of minorities above a volcano?
RICK
They're Oscar bait, Morty
MORTY
What?
A GIANT LAVA WORM shoots out of the volcano eating the minorities
RICK
That's Oscar
RICK sends an army of ROBOT SAMURAI COWBOY DRONES who slice OSCAR up. OSCAR looks fine until he slides into a bunch of pieces and back into the volcano. Suddenly, a giant beacon of light shoots out of the volcano. RICK adds a device that changes the color of the light
WEEPING SHITHEADS appear and begin flying into the light
RICK
Like moths to a flame. The device I added makes this visible to all of the Shitheads throughout time and space. All we have to do is sit back and relax
MORTY
So we just-
RICK
Genocide-d them, yeah
MORTY sighs and shrugs. RICK materializes two beach chairs for them to sit in. We see the reflection in their eyes as they watch the WEEPING SHITHEADS fly into the light
THE TRIUMPH/FAILURE (MINUTES 15-17) B-STORY
EXT. TREELINE NEAR MOUNTAIN
SUMMER is tied to a tree, struggling
SUMMER
Untie me!
JERRY
No!
SUMMER
Fuck you!
DOOFUS RICK
Stop struggling, Summer. I tied those knots super tight. There's no way you're getting out and I don’t want you to get rope burn
JERRY
You know, Rick, I wanted to be a sailor when I was little and I wanted to join Boy Scouts to learn knot tying but my parents wouldn't let me
DOOFUS RICK
Aw that sucks
JERRY
Well, a lot of Boy Scouts get molested so ultimately I think they made the right decision. Can you show me how to tie the one you used?
DOOFUS RICK
Sure thing, Jerry
DOOFUS RICK shows him how to tie a knot... A slip knot, which can be undone simply by pulling the ends
DOOFUS RICK
Uh oh
SUMMER and JERRY make eye contact. SUMMER gets untied and runs towards her hole. DOOFUS RICK and JERRY chase after her. DOOFUS RICK gets winded but JERRY and SUMMER make it to SUMMER'S HOLE. JERRY and SUMMER struggle both trying to fit into the hole at once
SUMMER
This hole isn't for you
JERRY
Every hole is for me
SUMMER
You sound like a rapist. Besides, you won't fit in here, fatty
JERRY
Hurtful
SUMMER
Why are you doing this?
JERRY
I'm sacrificing myself. I know you could live without me, Summer, but I can't live without you
SUMMER takes a step back
SUMMER
What?
JERRY
I know you all shit on me. And I know I'm not the man of the house, I do. But it's just- I love you guys. I wake up every day and I'm happy because seventeen years ago I took a risk and asked out your mom and for some reason only God knows she said yes. And then we had you. And Morty. And I love you guys. And you're a strong woman, and also I don't think you love me that much, so I know if I died or disappeared or whatever, you'd be fine
SUMMER hugs JERRY
SUMMER
I love you, Dad
THE TRIUMPH/FAILURE (MINUTES 17-18) A-STORY
RICK and MORTY portal in
RICK
What's up, dugongs?
JERRY
Rick, I admit it. I'm not the man of the house. You are. Just please, please, fix this
RICK
Fine
RICK pulls out a MORTY'S MIND BLOWER GUN from his pocket
RICK
Just so you know, I could have solved this at any time
RICK erases SUMMER and MORTY'S minds
JERRY
What about me?
RICK
I want you to remember this
JERRY
And the holes? How did they appear? Why? Are you gonna close them off?
RICK
Don't care, don't care, and no. Chaotic. Neutral.
JERRY
What about Beth?
RICK
Let's go
A dazed SUMMER and MORTY have their backs turned to the mountain. SUMMER, MORTY, and JERRY follow RICK through a portal to their house. RICK sticks his head back out, looking at his hole one last time
INT. SMITH HOUSE
RICK
Have fun playing your game, I'm going to go get Beth back
JERRY
How?
RICK
Have you learned nothing from human spaghetti and that talking cat
JERRY
What talking cat?
RICK
Never mind. Just don't question me. I am the man of the house after all
SUMMER
Sexist
RICK EXITS
INT. SMITH GARAGE
RICK takes BETH'S DNA FILE, boogeraids.beth.lastweek, and creates a clone of her, which he drags to the dinner table
INT. SMITH HOUSE
BETH
Dad? Dad, what happened?
RICK
The game was so boring you dozed off
BETH
Oh
JERRY
Yeah
SUMMER
Why are we playing this game? Board games suck ass
RICK
Just play the game, Summer
SUMMER
Whatever
SUMMER rolls the dice, transitioning to-
THE KICKER (MINUTES 19-21)
INT. SMITH GARAGE
RICK is alone in the garage
RICK
Computer, pull up the life span of Schmigadoons and Hairgons
The COMPUTER pulls up images of the hair creature that attacked Morty (It has a blank mask where the face of the person attacking goes) and the creature version of Morty's wife
COMPUTER
Schmigadoons and Hairgons both live for 65 years
RICK
(Shrugging) Eh, should be fine
CREDITS
EXT. BEACH
Parody of a Spanish soap opera. A disgusting-looking slimy alien with a long blonde wig and an open-collar shirt is on a horse. It is meant to look like every guy on the cover of an erotic novel
ALIEN GIRL
I just can’t run away with you, Fabian
The alien makes a weird noise and then gallops off into the sunset. A single tear rolls down the woman's cheek