Original subtitles

NARRATOR: In the city of Betaville, in the near future,

the technology we developed confronts us.

The science we created seduces us.

But will our dreams of tomorrow be turned into a nightmare?

Welcome to Paradox.

[theme music playing]

But be careful what you wish for.

Nothing is impossible anymore.

[music playing]

In Betaville, Federal Police Marshal Stu Clemens

has the perfect partner--

a law wagon, an artificially intelligent crime

fighting machine, able not only to identify and apprehend,

but to pass judgment and carry out sentencing.

[taser fire]

[tires squealing]

[music playing]

There's just one little problem.

What if the law wagon develops its own personality?

ROBOT: Welcome to the Perlmutter Drug Dispensing System.

Yoo-hoo.

ROBOT: Please stand by for current verification.

[thwacking]

Anybody home?

ROBOT: That verification code is not valid.

Please contact your nearest-- [taser fire]

[bang]

ROBOT: [DISTORTED] Thank you for using

Perlmutter Drug Dispensor.

[beeping]

Where the hell did you come from, hm?

Take it easy. No one has to get hurt.

ROBOT: [DISTORTED] Remember Perlmutter

for all your medication needs.

Well, aren't you going to go after him?

Backup is right outside.

A10: Stop.

You are under arrest for armed robbery.

Please stand by while identification is verified.

I don't think so, OK?

[taser fire]

[beep]

ROBOT: Purchase accepted.

What the hell was that?

A Law Wagon A10, best partner on the force.

Never makes a mistake.

Thanks.

ATTENDANT: Yeah.

Any problems?

Negative.

Vital signs?

Analysis of his pulse rate and brain activity

suggests he should regain consciousness

in a matter of seconds.

And in his case, consciousness is a relative term.

[cup clattering]

What the hell happened?

Take it slow, tough guy.

You got hit with an immobilizing charge.

You're going to feel groggy for a while.

I got beat and bested by a car?

It's not just a car.

When I'm not in it, it takes its own initiative

to patrol the vicinity.

It runs automatic visual checks and psych

profiles on all passers-by.

When it spotted you, you never a chance.

Feel better?

Oh, yeah.

[inaudible] Jones, you are charged with armed robbery.

My data link notes two other outstanding warrants.

You will be taken immediately to the Central District Station

for trial and sentencing.

Thank you, cutie, thanks.

That's great.

Your conversation is no longer required.

And what if I still feel like talking?

What are you going to do about it?

[powering up] [taser shots]

As I said, your conversation is no longer required.

[music playing]

Marshal Clemens, you know that my regular service is

not due for another 36 hours.

This is most unusual.

Don't worry about it, A10.

You're as healthy as a horse.

ATTENDANT: Lieutenant.

It's just a routine check-up, all right?

Don't worry. I'll make her beautiful for you.

Marshal Clemens.

Nah.

How's it going with--

A10, isn't it?

A10's on top of it, sir.

We're ready for anything.

Well, that's good, because we've got a situation on our hands.

Interlocking with central data files.

Awaiting download.

We've been on the trail of a violent thief

called Sheldon Kruger.

Each time he steals, he kills.

First, it was street assaults.

Now, he's getting to home invasions.

Last night, he butchered a whole family.

What do we have to go on?

Your law wagon is getting all the update as we speak.

Now receiving data.

Case number 6472, priority one.

Suspect, Sheldon Kruger, wanted for multiple homicide.

Processing.

Multiple prior arrests.

Case number 2478, multiple burglaries in Town Seven.

Case number 3476, multiple burglary and assault.

[mechanical whirring]

Case number 5376, multiple homicide

and suspicion of copycat crime.

Led to release on technicality.

[beeping]

Damn.

Oh.

Rag, rag, rag, rag.

[beeping]

[sparking]

[boom]

Present case number 6472, [MALFUNCTIONING] Multiple--

ulitple-- hominid.

Print analysis-- alysis-- alysi--

not a copy-- the copy-- the c-copycat.

Not a copy-- copy-- the copycat.

[hood closes]

[beep]

[beeping]

Why aren't you working?

Priority one not a copy-- a copy--

all units on multiple alert.

[powering up]

[tires squealing]

What the--

Hey!

[peeling out]

[tires screeching]

A10, there you are.

[door closes]

A10: Sheldon Kruger, alias Steve Gruber and Shelby Cloog.

Rumored to make use of various accomplices.

Originally based in Town Six.

Considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Sounds like a man who can give us a little test, A10.

You up for it?

I have a history of impressive test scores.

Hey, how about a little music?

[loud buzzing]

What the hell is going on?

The laser needs cleaning.

Give me a couple of minutes.

OK.

Two minutes or else one of us is going to have to sing.

[music playing]

More coffee?

Yes.

[gasp]

[mug shattering]

Ugh.

Uh, that's one of those law wagons, isn't it?

Relax.

A10 always has the situation completely under control.

But I know that guy.

He has the businessman's lunch every day.

Scanning DNA patterns.

Match probability one in 300,000.

Well, criminals have to eat, too.

Don't they?

One in 30,000.

One in 3,000.

Match.

[beeping]

[whirring]

[beeping]

A10, where's the suspect?

I have just apprehended and dispatched

wanted murderer Sheldon Kruger.

You just nabbed Sheldon Kruger?

Are you kidding me?

Made a positive identification six seconds after Kruger

stepped out of the restaurant.

I'm surprised you didn't spot him inside.

Yeah.

Good thing you were there.

That quick, huh?

He give you trouble?

Suspect was considered armed and dangerous.

And he was resisting arrest.

Trial has been held.

A verdict of guilty brought in, death sentenced.

And the sentence carried out, as prescribed by section

15 of my penal law program.

Did you send everything to Central?

Photos, prints, retinal patterns?

Of course, plus a transcript of the trial.

Everything in quadruplicate.

Good work, A10.

You nailed the son of a bitch.

Maybe this will let the rest of them

know what they're up against.

We caught him.

After all, you must have had a subconscious hunch

to come to this coffee shop.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's right.

We did it, partner.

We nabbed Sheldon Kruger.

Get me Kepling on the line.

[car door shuts]

CAPTAIN KEPLING: [ON VIDEOPHONE] Beautiful work, Clemens.

Timely and efficient.

If only we could get rid of all the Sheldon Krugers so fast.

You deserve all the commodations that are coming your way.

And Stu?

If I may speak off the record, you will find yourself

in line for a promotion.

Thank you, Captain.

CAPTAIN KEPLING: Now, I hate to do this to you on a day

you should be celebrating.

But we just got a report of a possible sex crime in Town 10.

A woman was abducted from her apartment.

Her name is Diane Marmon.

We don't have an accurate read on the perpetrator yet.

I'm sending Law Wagon all the personal information.

Excuse me, Captain, what was the victim's name again?

Diane Marmon.

Do you know her?

No, I--

I thought the name rang a bell, but--

yeah.

We'll get right on it.

CAPTAIN KEPLING: Be careful.

And Stu, congrats again on the Kruger case.

A10: Shall I implement manual drive?

What?

Uh, no, just pull up the information

profile on Diane Marmon.

Diane Marmon, 29 years old, resides in Town 10.

Earned a degree as a nurturer, but went on to a career

in inner city counseling.

DIANE MARMON: [IN STU'S MIND] Come on,

I just want to get in the door. What do I have to do?

Merge with you?

Hello?

Talk to me, here.

STU CLEMENS: This is meant to be a painless operation.

[beep]

[doors open]

Green thumb.

Hmph.

Hm.

Thanks, um--

Stuart Clemens.

I'm a student here, criminal science.

Diane Marmon, first year nurturer.

And somewhat of a technophobe.

Nothing a crash course can say save.

I just wish there was still such a thing as keys.

I like the physical interaction, something

I can hold in my hand.

Yeah, well, the bioscanners are a lot more efficient but--

but you'll never have to worry about losing your thumb.

Wait a minute.

I'm getting the picture here.

You're some kind of tech genius.

Efficiency is mankind's loftiest goal, unpredictability

the greatest enemy.

There's no glitch in your program you can't fix.

[sigh]

Whoops.

What about that?

The legal operation going to shut you down?

Special programs for a special situation.

A10: You knew her.

Yeah.

I knew her.

I couldn't help but notice.

It's part of my program.

Your pulse has increased by 30%.

And your dopamine levels just shot through the roof.

You know regulations prohibit any officers

from working on a case where he knows the victim intimately.

She was just an acquaintance.

[static crackling]

You all right, A10?

The screen is breaking up.

It's just a glitch.

I'll have it rectified in a-- fied-- in a sec-sec-sec-sec.

[music playing]

[car door slams]

Begin benefit risk analysis for Marshal Clemens

personal involvement with case number

6472, victim, Diane Marmon.

Benefits outweigh risks at the present time.

[woman sighing]

[sigh]

It's perfect.

[laughter]

[sigh]

Stuart.

I'll be so happy here.

Well, we still got to clear all

the credit checks, character profiles,

and employment projections.

But I'm sure there will be no problem.

Yeah, unless there's a glitch in program.

[kiss]

I don't think there'll be a glitch.

[kissing]

I have a present for you.

Yeah?

Yeah.

[chuckling]

[laughing]

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

That's nice.

[kissing]

Mm.

[sigh]

[beeping]

[bleep]

Hello?

CAPTAIN KEPLING: [ON PHONE] Clemens, where are you?

I'm at Diane Marmon's apartment.

Didn't A10 tell you that?

We couldn't get a hold of A10.

I think our system went down for a second.

Listen, what's the scene there?

There's signs of a struggle.

No blood.

[beeping]

Our indications are that the woman is still alive.

CAPTAIN KEPLING: Our scanners have picked up

fingerprint and skin samples.

We'll have them analyzed, verified, and transmitted

to A10 within the hour.

That's all well and good captain.

But I have a feeling by then it will be too late.

And I'm not about to sit around and wait.

[music playing]

There is no verification of identity or motive

at this time.- I got something for you.

Take a look.

[beeping]

I've isolated their physical and olfactoral prints.

Give me two minutes for unverified identification,

five minutes for probable escape patterns.

Switching to manual drive while I analyze.

That's what I like about you, A10.

You always give a man hope.

[car door slams]

A10: I've got your man--

James Otterson, multiple arrests,

kidnapping, burglary, murder.

Did time for armed robbery about five years ago.

Other than that, nothing ever stuck.

Always released on technicalities.

Bodies were never found.

This is all projection.

Just guesswork in human terms.

I might be wrong.

Understood.

Give it to me.

A10: After researching his favorite locales

as well as creating a composite psychological profile,

I project he's presently in the east side of Town 10

in a condemned factory on 17th Avenue.

He will do exactly what he did before.

The body will never be found.

That's a pretty detailed projection there, A10.

A10: I can only claim a 93% probability of accuracy.

Let's do it.

[music playing]

[car powering down]

[car door closes]

This is where we split up, partner.

You may want to wire us directly into Central.

We might need backup.

It's already done.

Footnote to benefit risk analysis--

benefits of Marshal Clemens involvement

will inevitably be accompanied by

occasional emotional overtones and distortions of the truth.

The situation is consequently highly fluid

and requires periodic reassessment.

[beeping]

[beep alert]

STU CLEMENS: What?

CAPTAIN KEPLING: [ON PHONE] Marshal?

I've got some disturbing news about Sheldon Kruger.

Sir, this isn't a good time.

Haven't you sent for backup?

Backup, what for?

Didn't A10 contact your office?

CAPTAIN KEPLING: I don't know, Clemens.

Listen to me.

We just made an arrest in Town Five.

The man's initial identification is Sheldon Kruger.

What?

I said that we have another Sheldon Kruger.

And this one is very much alive.

[powering up] [boom]

[boom]

[powering up]

[tasers firing]

CAPTAIN KEPLING: Clemens, what the hell is going on?

Captain, I'll get back to you in a minute.

What the hell was that about?

A10, what are you doing?

Attention risk to benefit ratio growing highly volatile.

Engage tolerance monitor.

I had reason to believe your life was in danger.

From what, a sack full of clothes with a face

painted on it?

My infrared scanner read it as a human figure.

That transmitter around its neck was sending out

signals of human body function.

It also had Otterson's scent all over it.

He must have used his own clothes.

What about the hundred taser blasts that would

have fried the suspect's brain?

Is that standard procedure?

The taser is for immobilization purposes.

My program ceases to fire once heart

rate and blood pressure lower.

Since none of the charges pierced the transmitter,

there was no such physical readout.

My program would continue to issue

the fire command until an onboard intelligence override.

You could have run me over.

But you were not run over.

Now are we going to discuss this for the rest of the day or are

we going to find Otterson?

It's a dead end, A10.

Don't you get it?

We were suckered.

A10: My sensors are picking up an undeniable trace

of hydrogen vapor emanating from the street

at the back of the building.

Hydrogen vapor, that would mean a stolen vehicle

from Betaville transport.

Most likely.

[car door opens]

[music playing]

STU CLEMENS: You all right, A10?

So they steal a car and go where?

A10: A Betaville underground system

vehicle has a very limited range when outside the system.

I know.

Based on the fact that it had already been driven here

after it was stolen, my estimation

is a maximum perimeter of three miles.

I'll cross reference Otterson's history

and rank probable destinations.

We don't have much time, A10.

It's the best I can do.

[ANGRILY] It's not good enough.

[sigh]

Kepling phoned when I was in the factory.

He said you never called for backup.

That was a judgment call.

My data told me backup wasn't necessary.

Then why come blasting into the factory?

It doesn't make sense, A10.

That-- that has been previously explained.

What about Sheldon Kruger?

Kepling said that they just booked

Sheldon Kruger in Central.

It makes me wonder.

If he's right, then who's this?

I'm entering new data-- entering new data-- new data--

[a10 malfunctioning]

Are you alright, A10?

Logic default. Program will be shut down.

A10, don't do this to me.

We got to find Diane.

Go manual.

[car powering down]

[chirping]

STU CLEMENS: Great.

[sigh]

Dammit.

[slams car door]

I can't believe this.

What Marshal Clemens needs is what humans refer to as a

cooling off period.

[music playing]

Activate.

[incoming call alert]

HQ.

This is Marshal Clemens.

I'm having trouble with the Law Wagon, A10.

I need roadside service immediately.

You want roadside service on an A series Law Wagon?

Our repair vehicles aren't set up to handle that, Marshal.

You'd have to tow it into a shop.

Either that or you get a systems engineer out there.

Where do I find a systems engineer?

You're talking to one.

DIANE MARMON: [IN STU'S MIND] Why

can't we at least discuss this?

This job is everything to me.

Everything I've worked for, everything I dreamed of.

That's just it, Stuart.

The job is everything.

[sigh]

It takes up all your time and energy.

[sniffing]

It takes you away from me.

You don't even have a life.

Um, if you can't accept that, then you can't accept me.

[shaky sigh]

I can't accept that.

[incoming alert]

Yes?

Clemens, come and get your replacement vehicle.

No.

I need A10.

We're on the trail with Diane Marmon.

A10 is completely inputted with the case,

from the physical data to the psychological profiles.

Getting another vehicle would mean starting over.

But if the car is on the fritz--

I think I overloaded her.

I really put her through the paces tonight.

Stu, it is a common occurrence to develop a human attachment

with the A series Law Wagon.

In fact, such a bond improves the efficiency of the unit.

But A10 is a machine.

We can download all of its data into another law wagon.

I don't have that kind of time, sir.

Chances are, you don't have to be the clock anymore.

What do you mean?

CAPTAIN KEPLING: With the verified identification

and psych profiles, our my system estimates that murder

has already taken place.

We want to put Otterson away this time, Clemens.

Make sure you find the body.

Yes, sir, the body.

[music playing]

[car door slams]

[power up]

[beeping]

[locks disengage]

[car door opens]

Ah, let's see what the problem is.

Wow.

Intruder, please identify yourself.

[car door slams]

[birdsong]

[music playing]

[honking "la cucaracha"]

All better, A10?

No time to explain.

[tires squealing]

Easy, easy.

Are you trying to get us killed?

Time is of the essence.

[inaudible] thinks we already lost her.

You got anything?

A10?

Are you with me?

I have some critical information.

What's this?

Exterior store cam--

I just found it with my net scanner.

That is Otterson.

Look closely at the passenger side in the car.

STU CLEMENS: It's Diane.

She's alive?

She's alive right now.

But the brain scan on Otterson's image verifies

that he intends this as the last stop.

The next one is the end of the line.

[sigh]

Update.

No read on the car yet.

Have you got anything?

We are heading in the most probable

direction of Otterson's escape.

There is an 80% chance of finding them.

In the meantime, perhaps you should settle down.

I can't.

A10: You haven't told me the truth about Diane Marmon.

What do you mean?

A10: Your current pulse rate and blood pressure

coupled with your perspiration rate

indicates that she was much more than a friend.

Much more.

Hmph.

We lived together when we were students and some time

after that.

She was, um, the love of my life.

I just never realized it at the time.

[laughter]

I'd give anything to get her back, you know.

We will find her, Marshal.

I hope so, A10.

I suppose you'll have to report this to Central.

The rulebook clearly states that no officer

shall conduct an investigation concerning

any intimate relation.

Diane certainly falls into that category.

Yes, she does.

A10: But I'm not going to report it.

You're not?

But you have to.

It's in your program.

It's regulations.

It may be regulations, but you are my partner.

[alarm buzzing]

Unverified identification.

Clemens.

We've got a problem.

Visual contact in five seconds and counting.

What?

I said we've got a problem.

That's them.

STU CLEMENS: You sure it's them?

CAPTAIN KEPLING: Clemens, are you listening to me?

Yes, sir.

Split screen.

A10: Positive identification.

[tires squealing]

[tires screeching]

It's about Sheldon Kruger.

It's Sheldon Kruger.

Sheldon Kruger?

[tires screeching]

Clemens, what the hell is going on?

A10: I've got a read on them.

We can still apprehend them.

Permission to override manual mode.

Wait a second!

What did you say about Sheldon Kruger?

Our Sheldon Kruger checks out.

He is the real deal.

The guy you're saying this is--

or was-- a businessman named M. Joblin.

That can't-- that can't be.

A10: They're five minutes ahead of us now.

But we can still intercept the mat the Town Nine crossroads.

CAPTAIN KEPLING: One of our systems

in [inaudible] has been missing since yesterday afternoon.

His log book notes that he was going

to service a broken down law wagon on a route near Town 10.

A10: They're approaching the crossroads.

Isn't that where A10 went down.

Yes, sir.

I think so.

A10: One minute and 30 seconds and it'll be too late Marshal.

CAPTAIN KEPLING: Clemens, I want to bring that car

in for servicing immediately.

A10: One minute.

Clemens, do you hear me?

A10: She's still alive.

There's still a chance.

I've got a job to do.

[tires squealing]

CAPTAIN KEPLING: Stuart!

A10: They're still tracking us.

Override and camouflage.

A10: Done.

[static]

CAPTAIN KEPLING: Damn. - How we doing?

You've still got him?

A10: Just ahead.

Expect visual contact in 10 seconds.

[brakes screeching]

STU CLEMENS: Where are they?

A10: I've lost the read.

What do you mean, you lost the read?

A10: I do not detect any movement.

There may be interference.

Let's find out.

[powering down]

STU CLEMENS: There's no one inside.

He parked it to throw off my movement detectors.

But now we know they're on foot.

[tasers firing]

[whimpering]

[tasers firing]

[whimpering]

[tasers firing]

[electricity crackling]

[muffled yelling]

[tasers firing]

[alarms beeping]

A10, what's happening?

In current system damage.

Initiating self-repair.

Five minute estimate.

Five minutes.

[car door opens]

[music playing]

[bleeping]

[plastic crumpling]

DIANE MARMON: Help me.

Please, help.

Diane.

DIANE MARMON: Stuart?

Stuart!

[WHISPERING] Where is he?

Right here.

Let her go, and I'll let you walk out of here.

Let me consider that offer for a second.

[intake of breath]

No.

[taser fire]

No!

[screaming]

[taser fire]

Oh!

Mama.

[breathing heavily]

[whimpering]

[taser fire]

Risk to benefit ratio in crisis.

Engage the emergency assist sequence.

DIANE MARMON: [SHOUTING] Stay!

Scanning DNA patterns.

Match probability one in 300,000, one in 30,000,

one in 3,000, match.

You are hereby under arrest.

Throw down your weapon, Sheldon Kruger.

A10, no!

[taser fire]

[scream]

This is a public service announcement.

Sheldon Kruger and his female accomplice

have been apprehended and dispatched.

You killed her!

[kiss]

[sobbing]

Crazy damn machine!

You killed Diane.

Scanning DNA patterns.

Match probability one in 300,000.

Throw down your weapon.

You are hereby under arrest, Shelton Kruger.

[powering up]

[music playing]

Marshal Shield?

Break a leg.

[shattering]

Law wagon A10, I presume.

[door opens]

[thwack]

OK.

Let's move out.

[tires squealing]

[alarm beeping]

A10: Stop right there.

I knew we haven't seen the last of you, Sheldon Kruger.

The first time Marshal Stu Clemens's mechanical partner

apprehended and executed a dangerous killer, Clemens

thought he was in for a commendation, maybe even

a promotion.

But when Law Wagon A10 started tracking the same killer again

and again, Clemens discovered that a machine

given too much power can bring much more horror than reward.

Welcome to Paradox.