The “butterfly effect” is defined as the scientific theory a single event, regardless of size, can change the course of the universe.  The concept has been used in many contexts.  For example, environmentalist have warned extinction of the most seemingly insignificant species might be the trigger that unleashes a  catastrophic ecological disaster.  And as one might suspect, the butterfly effect is rich fodder for many fictional books, movies and television shows.

The concept plays a prominent role in an episode of the original Star Trek series titled “The City of the Edge of Forever.”  Written by science fiction icon Harlan Ellison, the time travel theme revolves around the eventual outcome of World War II being dependent on the fate of a social welfare worker in depression-era America.  Ellison received the 1968 Hugo Award, science fiction’s most prestigious honor, for Best Dramatic Presentation. This is just one of many Hollywood treatments in which the butterfly effect plays a pivotal part. TasteOfCinema.com has identified at least 10 movies since 1990 which draw on the theory.

Being a political junkie, I was disappointed none of these tales centered on the electoral process and decided the time had come.  I began working on a screenplay in which a small, unrelated event determines the outcome of a contentious presidential contest. Knowing Hollywood loves salacious subplots, I decided the triggering event had to involve sex.

The following is a brief summary of the characters and the plot.

• One candidate is the first female nominated by a major political party.
• Her husband has a history of sexual misbehavior which her opposition exploits throughout the campaign.
• She also has demonstrated some instances of questionable judgment.
• Two weeks before election day, she appears to have overcome voters’ concern about both these perceived weaknesses and is posed to become the next president.
• Somewhere in Midtown Manhattan, a divorced, former Congressman is sexting with an underage female.
• During the investigation of the potential charge of child pornography, the FBI discovers material which turns the trajectory of the election upside down.

The working title for my screenplay  is “The Un-Buttoned Fly Effect.”  I sent the manuscript to several major studios and independent producers.  The response was unanimous, best summed up by the following in a letter from the Weinstein brothers at MiraMax.

While we find your treatment to be highly imaginative, we are afraid it lacks the credibility needed to draw a broad audience.

So much for my career in fiction.  But never give up.  I’m thinking about re-packaging the screenplay as a documentary.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP