The Mind Field

WADE, 26, is a passionate musician from Los Angeles who hasn't gotten together with his childhood friends - JAMES, 26, and JANDO, 24, since college. In the years in-between, James has moved to New York to pursue writing while Jando is working as a fitness trainer in San Francisco. The three decide to reunite after Wade suggests a last minute camping trip while they're all in town.

In the early hours of the morning, the three pile into Wade’s old RV and head for the Angeles National Forest. As they drive, James explains that he is suffering from writer’s block brought on by a break up he and his long time girlfriend recently had. Wade assures him that his creativity will explode after their camping trip because he has brought with him a new mind altering drug that he personally tried in Peru - a drug that has never been in the United States. Only half listening, Jando jokes that he is ready for a whole new “perspective”.

After arriving and setting up camp, James and Wade catch up as Jando exercises. In their conversation it is clear that the two are very different. James is a serious man with a darkness about him while Wade is more of a modern hippie. Both share a common past and laugh over James perceived woes.

Once settled, the three have a small ceremony where they say what they want to get out of the drug experience. Wade stresses his joy in bringing all three of them along for “a special journey together”. Taking turns, each one shoots back a cocktail of the drug mixed with coffee. Separating, they wait for the effect to take hold.

Alone, each person has a psychedelic experience where their “minds' voices” narrate. Time slows, thoughts flow and euphoria bounds for each individual as they express how connected they feel to the world. During a shared moment, James and Wade realize that they can hear each other’s minds - experiencing a sort of telepathy while on the drug. James distinctly 'hears' Wade say that he is in love with him and always has been since they were kids. Wade confesses it is true and begs James to understand that he loves him deeply and perhaps James is repressing the same feelings. The information is a total surprise to James who is appalled by the news and accusation.

After a heated argument, James leaves Wade alone and the three become estranged under the setting sun. Jando in his own charming way is able to help the two friends patch things up as they laugh at the insanity of it all. Waking up the next morning the three are hungover and confused about the events of the trip. Finding the remnants of the drug out on a picnic table, the group comes to a consensus that they have no memory of the previous day's events.