Original subtitles

I don't like it.

His businesses are legitimate. Why would he need us?

[in Spanish]

He's been buying most of the old city and the outlying areas

using holding companies.

The land is mainly worthless,

but I don't understand what he's doing.

[mechanical whirring]

Encantado.

Likewise.

Have you seen it before?

When I was a kid. Road trip with my parents.

- Hasn't changed a bit. - Hmm.

Let me show you around.

Mm-hmm.

We've upgraded the turbines.

They're rated to last 100 years without maintenance.

All to power... this.

We're looking for resilience.

Our timeline is... more ambitious than most.

We offer a unique proposition.

Data has always been fungible, temporary.

If you invest yours with us, it will be written in stone, forever.

Forever.

[chuckles softly] In my experience,

it's a little bit longer than most people expect.

How much of our platform are you looking to reserve?

- All of it. - Come again?

What I want is already in there. It was stolen from me.

From one of my facilities, eight years ago.

And I know you were paid handsomely to store it.

I would suggest you take it up with the person who stole it.

I can't. She's dead.

Which means I can't decrypt it, and no one else can.

I don't want it moved or disturbed,

so I'll take the whole shebang.

This is a unique asset, and as such, it's not for sale.

This is America. Everything here is for sale.

That's a pretty good return on your investment.

[man] We know what you've been doing.

You think anyone sells land without our approval?

We'd have been happy to sell. It's worthless scrubland.

- But you can't have this place. - [chuckles]

You ever hear the one about the missionary

who tried to negotiate with the tiger?

He told the tiger he could eat most of him,

but he had to stop when he got to his head.

[chuckles softly]

You and your friends in the cartel

or whatever the fuck you're calling yourselves these days,

sell me this lump of concrete, today.

Or?

Or you give it to me for nothing, tomorrow.

We, uh...

We weren't very welcome when we came here.

We had to accept whatever the old timers offered, at first.

We buried most of them at the bottom of this lake.

Our organization has a long, proud history of defending itself

and its business... aggressively.

Door number two, then.

Mañana.

[whispers] Mañana.

[flies buzzing]

[flies continue buzzing]

[flies buzzing]

[buzzing intensifies]

[gasps]

[groans softly]

[in Spanish]

He said that, yesterday, he would have paid,

but today, we would give it to him for nothing.

[laughing hysterically]

[coughs]

[laughter continues]

[yells]

[breathing shakily]

Thank you.

Is my work done?

Yes. You can rest now.

[man grunts]

[theme music playing]

[Maya] You're up.

I have a dilemma.

Which would you choose?

White or black?

Christina?

- They both look great. - Pick a side, Chrissy.

What are you wearing tonight?

- [water flowing] - Um, this?

Right.

It looks great,

unlike these damn bags under my eyes.

I look like a zombie.

- Bad night's sleep? - [sighs]

Nightmares.

Maybe I should've taken a tab, but I just kept tossing and turning.

[cell phone ringing]

[Maya] Is it that weirdo again?

I blocked him, but he keeps getting through.

It's just some creep,

or a bot trying to sell you a privacy subscription.

I guess.

Lately, I feel like someone's watching me.

No offense, but how?

I mean, except for work, you don't leave the apartment,

which is why you're coming out tonight.

I mean, he's supposed to be a really nice guy.

And his profile's platinum rated.

Set-ups are just so awkward.

And so is dying alone.

You cannot hide from the world forever, Christina.

Okay.

[man 1] That's insane. This is way better than I expected.

[man 2] This place is fucking wild.

- Can't believe this is your first time. - [men laugh]

Come on. I know a spot that's really gonna blow your mind.

[man] Can you see it?

It's looming over us. The tower!

Can you see it? [whimpers]

Can you see it?

Can you see it?

[indistinct chatter]

[screen chimes]

Record pitch.

There's a young girl.

Not that young.

More like late teens.

She lives at home with her father in the country.

Scratch that. The city.

He's a little infirm, so she spends most of her time with him,

but she dreams of a bigger life with excitement, adventure, romance.

[Emmett] Christina.

Pause record.

We need to talk about your work performance.

I mean, don't you want to advance in your career?

Of course I do.

Well, then you got to stop pitching these saccharine stories.

You know, people want sex, danger, violence,

transgressions, melodrama. They want tragedy.

Yada, yada, yada.

I know.

I, I was thinking maybe I could write in some different genres

to broaden it out.

Maybe a little romance, some humor.

Maybe just save that for your diary.

I know you've got it in you to write the kind of copy we need.

Now, take that story you wrote a couple months back.

Poor schmuck loses everything, drowns his sorrows, stalks some girl.

How'd it end again?

- Everyone dies. - Yes. That's right.

It's a real tearjerker.

Just... bring more of that.

Or else I'm gonna have to find another writer who can.

- Understood? - Yes, of course.

All right.

[cell phone chimes]

[man on phone] Hello? You hear me?

I know you're out there. I saw what you wrote.

- [sighs] - Why are you doing this to us?

You have to help me. Your game is ruining my life...

[guitar music playing over radio]

[man on radio] Always a classic by the inimitable Hendrix.

And now, back to our coverage of the festivities.

Preparations are underway for this year's...

[radio static]

[static continues]

No!

- [Maeve] Are you ready, darling? - [Caleb] For what?

[Maeve] This is the new world.

And in this world, you can be whoever the fuck you want.

[explosion]

[static intensifies]

[groans]

[electricity crackling]

[gasps]

For fuck's sake.

[man] Got any plans for the anniversary?

No. Just work.

Cashing in on that overtime, eh?

Man, seven years ago,

it would've just been robots working the holiday,

but lucky for us, they're all scrap metal now.

[chuckles] At least the riots ensured our job security.

That wasn't exactly the point of the riots.

Yeah, 'cause the riots had no point.

They won us our freedom.

Sure, but from what?

Ourselves?

Hey, man, the way I look at it, that Incite machine that they blew up

didn't tell us who we could be, it told us who we already were.

- You actually believe that? - Don't you?

Let me ask you this.

Has your life changed since they destroyed those machines?

- [dog barks distantly] - [crow caws]

[toy gun shoots]

You haven't been practicing enough.

- Dad! - Mm. [chuckles]

Good to see you, cookie.

Here. All right.

How'd you do that?

Like I said, practice.

A lot of it.

On cans?

Yeah, on cans.

Here.

Okay.

Remember. Like this.

Now, stare at it.

Okay, visualize.

- Breathe out. - [breathes deeply]

Hold steady.

And squeeze.

- [toy gun shoots] - [Uwade] Frankie! Caleb!

[Frankie groans]

I was visualizing.

Well, come inside and visualize meatloaf.

[Frankie] Just a little longer?

Come on, listen to your mother.

Coming.

Go wash up.

- Enough with the cowboy shit. - She likes it.

She's seven, Caleb.

Thanks to you, her hobbies are sugar and violence.

- [sighs] - Look, I'm sorry.

I know it's not an easy day for you,

but the war is over.

It's time you start living that way.

- Okay? - Mm.

Go set the table.

What's the magic word?

- Divorce. - [both chuckle]

- Love you, too. - Mm.

[bell rings]

You lose power the other night?

Must've been spared.

You sure you don't want some extra bottles for your guests?

- Guests? - [spits] Your friends.

Stopped by asking for directions. I tried to describe it,

but you live pretty far off the beaten path.

You really should get a sat phone

- or some kind of... - These friends of mine,

how long ago did they stop by?

About 20 minutes since you been in.

On second thought,

why don't you go ahead and add that to my tab?

[engine starts]

[car approaching]

- Fire! - [guns firing]

- [gun fires] - [explosion]

[bullets whizzing]

[gunshots]

[gunshot]

[twig snaps]

[man grunting]

[yells]

How did you find me?

Two days ago, we got a signal.

Your little power outage was enough.

How many more are after me?

I'm no... Not at liberty to say.

Well, let me liberate you.

Seven years, I've been off the grid alone,

not bothering anyone.

And yet, here you are darkening my door.

Who sent you, Colonel Brigham?

Who the fuck is that?

I'm afraid I don't have the patience to explain.

Now, be a dear.

Close your eyes, won't you?

Now, be a dear.

Close your eyes, won't you?

[man] Go get her.

I've got no idea she's home or not. Haven't seen her in a couple days.

[gasps]

Shit.

- [device beeping] - [automated voice] Welcome home.

[door unlocks]

[cell phone ringing]

[sighs]

[ringing continues]

Hello?

You on your way?

Shit. I forgot.

[Maya on phone] You didn't forget. You repressed.

I'm not going to be an accessory after the fact

to the murder of your social life. Let's go.

But...

[object clatters]

[bicycle bell trills]

[Maya] Look, I'm sure it was nothing. Probably that kid from the fourth floor

that likes to smoke weed on the fire escape.

- Yeah, right. - Mm. You want some?

- No, I'm okay. - Hmm.

Here. In case.

And remember, smile. You have to at least try.

Do I?

I mean, even if by some miracle, we're right for each other,

shouldn't it be natural and easy?

[laughs] Are you kidding? Take a look at this world.

Nobody wants easy, or natural.

Art is a lie that tells the truth, honey.

And the truth is, you need to get laid.

[indistinct chattering]

Look at this. All the people. You like people.

- You should try breathing. - I should get a drink.

Yes, you should. It's going to be great.

Thank you.

Huh. Just give me the signal if he's a dud, hmm?

Hon, don't forget to smile.

Most people think it's just elite gambling,

but there's a system to investing.

Patterns that some minds can decipher.

If there weren't, I wouldn't be sitting in this lovely restaurant

drinking superb wine with such fine company.

So, enough about me. What is it you do, again?

I'm a writer for Olympiad Entertainment.

Thank you.

What games do you write for? Maybe I've played them.

I've been working on a new game.

It doesn't have a name yet. It's still in beta.

But even after it's released, you probably won't know my work.

I mostly write non-player characters.

What's that?

Background characters that interact with the players on their journeys.

Not as high-profile as programming the leads,

but it's just as important.

For most players, background characters are just cannon fodder.

I'm not doing it for the players, I'm doing it for myself.

How so?

Real life can be disappointing.

Not that it's so bad. Just... there should be more to it.

Maybe you just haven't found the right man yet.

You sound depressed.

There's tabs for that.

They'll fix you right up.

What if I'm not the one that's broken?

What if it's the world that needs fixing?

There's tabs for that feeling, too.

Of course.

Will you excuse me?

[sighs]

[cell phone rings]

Please stop calling me.

[man on phone] Wait, wait! Don't hang up.

[breathing heavily] You need to help me.

The doctors think I'm crazy, but I know you're real.

Just like the tower is real.

You need to stop what you're doing.

I told you, I'm not doing anything.

You're destroying my life.

I'm not. I don't even know you.

You can't hide from me.

I will find you. Do you understand?

You have to end this, or I will.

You need help and I hope you get it,

but the next time you call, I'm going to the police.

No, no, don't hang...

[breathes deeply]

[Maya] Yeah, I'm surprised. I just bumped into a work friend.

Oh, really?

I think I'm going to be out for a while.

Don't be discouraged about tonight. Are you sure you're okay?

Maya, it's fine, really.

Have fun.

- Where are you? - I'm almost home.

Okay, good. I got to go.

- You're okay? - Yeah.

- Take care. - Bye.

- [gasps] - [cell phone clatters]

- Sorry about that. - It's my fault.

I wasn't paying attention.

I... I didn't see you there,

but now I do. [chuckles]

It's okay.

You scared me.

I guess we're even.

I'm Peter.

I, I just have to get home. My roommate's waiting for me.

I've been wanting to meet you for such a long time.

- Excuse me? - I knew you existed.

I was worried you weren't real, but here you are.

Why are you doing this to us?

It's you. You're the one who's been calling.

I need to ask you to leave us alone.

- No. - No, stop! Stop! No, no, no!

- No! - This isn't who I am.

- Get away from me! - Please, this is important.

I lost my job, my wife.

I thought it was the tower, but...

it was you.

You made me do those things.

All these people do what you want them to.

- I don't know what you're talking about. - No!

- No, no, let me go! - You need to stop!

No! No! No!

How did you know so much about us?

- The game, you wrote us into it. How? - Listen to me, listen to me.

Peter, listen, just...

I'm so sorry for everything that's happened to you,

but I have nothing do with that. I can't help you.

- You need to help me. - [exhales sharply]

I need for the story to change. I need the ending to be different.

- I'm sorry. - No!

[Christina screams]

[Peter grunts]

[Peter] Get off me, man! Ow!

[breathing heavily]

[Caleb] "They heard a voice scream, 'We need our dragon!'

But my father and the dragon knew that nothing in the world

would ever make them go back to Wild Island."

The end.

All right. [kisses] Time to tuck in.

All right.

You and Bear-Bear sleep good, all right?

[kisses]

Can we leave the lights on tonight?

Why would we do that?

Bear-Bear's scared. I told him I'd keep watch over him.

Well, you know the best way to keep watch at night

is to turn the lights down around you and light up...

Light up the perimeter?

That way, no one can see you, but you can see...

see everyone.

Look, um, Bear-Bear doesn't need to think about this stuff, okay?

Everyone is safe and sound.

Promise?

I promise.

Okay, goodnight.

[kisses]

[distant clattering]

Did you hear that?

It's probably nothing.

Good night, Mom.

Come on, let's get you in bed.

- Hey. - Fuck!

What the hell is this, Caleb?

There was something out there.

Yeah. A raccoon, or a neighbor,

- or a delivery man. - [sighs]

We've been through this.

You just need to take deep breaths, calm yourself.

The past is in the past.

Nothing is going to hurt you except your own mind.

I'm sorry.

[Caleb exhales]

[sighs]

[cell phone ringing]

[Peter on phone] Are you going to help me or not?

Peter, I know that you're upset,

but whatever you think is happening, you're just confused.

So, you're not going to help.

I wish I could,

but the stories that I write, they're not real.

[scoffs] Do you remember how mine ends?

What?

- Peter, where are you? - Look up.

[gasps]

Is this up to me, or did you write this, too?

[whimpers]

[thuds]

[dog barks distantly]

[hums softly]

I found it under her pillow.

You're rubbing off on her, Caleb.

Isn't that a good thing?

Not when she's pretending to have PTSD.

I see the messages you and your war buddies send to each other.

Chemtrails, government cover-ups.

You see threats everywhere, and now so does Frankie.

Look, I am not paranoid.

Maybe you're right.

I'm beginning to think it's not that you fear war,

it's that you miss it.

Oh, my...

This life is too ordinary for you.

What?

You have a job,

a home,

a beautiful child, and a very patient wife.

But it's never enough, is it?

Hey.

[distant clattering]

False alarm, Bear-Bear.

See? It's just a raccoon.

[gasps]

Crap.

[man] Hey, there.

Is your daddy home?

Daddy, this man wants to talk to you.

Frankie!

[gunshots]

[Maeve grunts]

[Maeve] I believe this is yours.

Who are you?

An old friend.

Caleb?

Frankie! [pants]

Are you okay?

- Go inside. - Okay. Are you okay?

Hello, darling.

It's really you.

You know, I thought...

I was sure I was never going to see you again.

And yet, here I am,

disposing and dismembering, just like the good old days.

If something happened to my daughter, you have no idea...

I have every idea.

Which is why it won't come to that.

I know who sent those men after us.

William.

He's back at it.

[footsteps approaching]

Uh, Frankie's asleep.

Thank God.

I called Carver. The guys are downstairs.

All these years, I thought you were paranoid.

But the war isn't over, is it?

No, it is me... they wanted.

[scoffs]

Look, I am the one who brought this upon us,

and I am the one who has to end it.

So, you're leaving?

Only for a little while.

You promised you'd be a father.

I am one.

Everything I do is for you...

and for Frankie.

You're going to get yourself killed.

Hey, I will come back to you.

I promise.

[footsteps receding]

[breathes deeply]

[indistinct conversation]

All right.

- You know the drill. - [man] You got it.

I always knew this day was coming.

As soon as you stop running, everyone else starts to catch up.

- Any idea why now? - I don't know.

But I had a little tête-à-tête with the one that they sent after me.

We're not the only ones William was after.

He was very interested in talking to a senator in California.

Then we should get to him first.

"We"?

I'm coming.

It's the only way I can protect my family.

I'll be fine on my own. You can stay here.

- You probably should. - Would you?

No.

But I'd regret it.

[engine starts]

Record pitch.

I want to write a new story.

About a girl. A girl who's searching.

The girl doesn't know what she's searching for.

[toy gun shoots]

[Christina] She just knows there is an emptiness in her life.

Or maybe it's inside her.

And when she finds the thing she's searching for,

everything will make sense.

I want a story with a happy ending.

Stupid...

Stupid stories nobody wants to hear.