Original subtitles

That makes six inches of rain so far this week.

Now the storm is expected...

How should I know whether it's the flashing or the gutters?

All I know is it's leaking.

But if it wasn't raining,

I wouldn't need my roof fixed in the first place.

Thanks a lot, pal. You have a good night, too.

Well, if it isn't Paddington Bear.

And stay on the runner. I just dried the floors.

Trailer park mud slide, poodle down a storm drain.

Shower. Bed.

...two inches of rain last night,

making this the worst storm season in...

...power outages throughout the metropolitan area...

"Dearborn Avenue collapse. 500 dead. "

What if you knew, beyond a doubt,

what was going to happen tomorrow?

What would you do?

There's no easy answer

for a guy who gets tomorrow's news today.

* *

"At 2:30p. m., a high-rise at the corner of Dearborn and Randolph

"collapsed in the most devastating structural failure

"in the history of the state.

"Office workers

"in the Tri-Tower building were crushed

"in the debris, as well as countless pedestrians

"within a two-block radius.

"Property losses are expected to run as high

"as half a billion dollars.

"Not since Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the Great Chicago fire

has the city faced such a catastrophe. "

2:30.

So, what happens? An explosion?

No. They drop a, uh, a pylon on the construction site next door.

But, how does that bring down a whole building?

Well, when the builder who drops the pylon

doesn't have the proper geological surveys.

Something about the freight tunnel system

underneath the city.

The rain makes the whole thing flood and collapse.

I'm going to go over to the construction site

and figure out a way to stop this.

How are you going to stop it?

I don't know how I'm going to stop it.

Well, what are you going to say?

I don't know what I'm going to say.

That's right, a spelunker.

A spelunker?

What the hell's a spelunker?

A person who explores caves.

That's right, but there are no caves around here,

so I crawl in the tunnels- big tunnels, small tunnels,

long tunnels, short- it doesn't matter

what kind of tunnel, as long as it's a tunnel.

As interesting as all this is, Mr. Hobson...

But I've been underneath your site,

and the tunnel underneath your site is filled with water.

This is a massive project,

but you want me to go back to the drawing boards

because you did a little...

spelunking this morning?

What I'm telling you is that you're about to drop a pylon

into a flooded tunnel.

There's 50 miles of tunnels in this city.

How do you know that you were underneath my site?

God.

I mean, well, I was underneath your site

and I heard the bells of St. Martin's.

The bells of St. Martin's, that's only a few blocks away,

so obviously, I was under your site, wasn't I, now?

Well, thank you very much for the tip, and I'll look into it.

Yeah, well, I think you'd better look into it pretty soon...

I said, I'll look into it.

Yeah, well, I don't think you understand. I think you...

You heard the man.

Go. Now!

* *

He's back.

What the hell's the problem with this guy?

Excuse me. Are you the foreman?

I'm telling you, you... Yeah, yeah.

Now, listen... Hey.

You got a problem talking to me?

You know what? It's 12:45.

At 2:30, we're all going to have a very big problem here.

According to what?

According to geological surveys

that were not properly done, that's what.

Stop the work.

Call it off.

Are you in position?

Yeah, I'm ready.

All right, you get ready to drop it.

You do it on my go.

All right.

12:45. It's supposed to be 2:30.

Okay, let's go.

Let's get it done. Get him off my site.

Now!

Hey!

I'm-I'm telling you not to do it.

Let me go.

Get him. No!

Hey, don't do it.

Get him out of here, and let's drop this damn thing.

Are you ready?

Ready!

Drop it!

Knives sharpened!

Dry goods!

Boston China!

Knives sharpened!

You okay, Mister?

Chuck?

Who?

What happened? Did-Did the building fall?

Who is Chuck?

What are you doing?

What are you wearing?

I'm Morris.

Morris Best.

What are these clothes?

You've got quite a knock there, Mister.

I have got just the thing for you.

Dr. Morgan's Cure-All Elixir.

20 cents, you're good as new.

Where am I?

Where are you?

Where else?

Chicago. City of Wonders.

The pylon... We...

I- I'm supposed to be at Dearborn and Randolph.

Dear-Dearborn...?

You're sitting on it.

No, no, there-there's-there's the Sears Tower

and the-the Tribune Building.

Listen, that building's going to fall,

and people are going to die! Stop kidding around!

Sure, it is.

Come on. Hyah!

Hey! Dry goods!

Listen, there's something wrong.

Shoe laces!

The-The clothes and the horses and...

Knives sharpened!

You say this is Chicago,

but if this is Chicago, there's something very wrong,

I'm telling you.

You stay away, you hear me?

I'm-I'm a little confused here. If you could just...

You say this is Chicago, but...

What year in Chicago?

Mister, listen, if it's the demon alcohol

that's chawing you up, I know a place that...

What year is it?

1871.

Wait. Whoa!

1871?

If it's 1871, then... then I'm dreaming.

I got to wake up. Oh, mama...

Listen, you got to wake me up, all right?

I- I-I want you to-to hit me.

What? Just hit me!

You're meshuga. Go ahead and hit me.

I'll-I'll buy everything you got.

Please.

Okay, Mister, you're asking for it.

You want I should do another?

My paper... My paper...

I gotta find my...

my paper.

Hey, listen,

I know a saloon down the road.

They're selling newspaper.

But as God is my witness, today is October 7, 1871.

1871.

Yes.

It's what I've been telling you.

That building's going to collapse.

So, look, a wagon full of goods doesn't move itself.

Well, it's been...

interesting.

Wait a second, Morris, uh...

Look, why-why don't you let me buy you a drink here?

Oh, no.

Look, I have family in Minsk.

11 brothers.

You don't get 11 boys across an ocean by sitting in a groggery.

Good luck to you.

This is crazy.

Oh, you're lucky tonight!

For your pleasure, gents, everyone's favorite,

the Dusky Nightingale.

Marissa...

Good to see you, sir. How are you?

I've got your favorite table right here.

Thank you. Right this way.

Excuse me.

Do you, by chance, have any business interests

over on Randolph and Dearborn?

No.

And if I did, I don't think it would be any of your concern.

Can I get you a drink, Commissioner?

The usual, Dan.

Eyes on your work, boy.

Yes, sir.

Marissa?

Excuse me?

Uh, everything is upside down right now.

If you could just tell me that your name is Marissa.

Have we met?

No.

I guess not.

It's just, I'm...

I'm trying to find a way home.

Why don't you, uh,

buy me a drink, Mister, uh...?

Gary.

Hobson.

Sit down.

Mr. Sullivan doesn't like for me to spend time

with the riffraff, but if you

buy me a bottle, he won't interfere.

Here you go.

That'll be 80 cents.

You all right?

You seem troubled.

Have you ever...

had a dream...

where you-you, you-you...

really needed to wake up, but you can't?

Every day, Mr. Hobson.

Um...

you know, my grandmother's name was Marissa.

How'd you know my grandmother's name?

You look very much like somebody that I know.

Mm.

You're not from these parts, are you?

Yes, I-I am.

I- I am.

You see, it's very hard to explain.

I...

Well, are you lost?

Well, if you mean, what am I doing here, yes.

That's kind of funny,

'cause sometimes I don't know why I'm here, either.

You understand what I was saying about the dream,

about not being able to wake up, and...

You see, something is... it's very wrong here, it's...

But, then, maybe you're why I'm here.

I'm why I'm here, Mr. Hobson.

I left Charleston to try and make a better life

for me and my brother Jesse

over there.

He's a smart kid, you know.

He can read and he can write.

Not me- all I can do is sing.

But... Jesse, I...

I think he's got a chance to be somebody.

I came to Chicago

and thought about all the opportunities, you know?

And back home,

everybody cried when the Yankees cried "Free,"

but... I don't feel so free, Mr. Hobson.

Sometimes I don't even know if it's worth it.

Not even for Jesse.

Why am I telling you all this, anyway?

Eleanor!

Yes, sir, Mr. Sullivan?

Come with me.

Commissioner Hayes has expressed

a sincere interest in your... talents.

I want you to sit with him.

Put him in a good mood.

I'll sing for him.

Any song he wants.

You live in my house, you obey my rules.

I'm a decent woman, Mr. Sullivan.

Your brother's a smart one, Eleanor,

but I don't think he wants to be making his way on the streets.

Do you?

Oh, that's a fine-looking timepiece, mister.

But it's running fast.

Thanks.

I'm Jesse Mayfield.

Gary, Jesse.

Yeah. This watch here, not near as pretty,

but I made it myself.

You made that?

Yeah. I found the back under a coal-box buggy.

This winder, I made it from a lamp screw

and one of Eleanor's shoe buttons.

That's real good you did that.

You're a very lovely woman, Eleanor.

What am I doing here?

Cat?

Hey, kitty.

Hey, you, uh, you know this cat?

Never laid eyes.

Look like he knows you.

Yeah.

Ellie says animals have a sense.

She does, huh?

Listen, uh, that fellow over there, Trotter... uh, Sullivan,

why does she let him push her around like that?

You blind, mister?

We're colored.

Now, see, she's doing it for me-

to get money to put me in school.

And she's not looking for no boyfriend.

No, I... I don't want to be her boyfriend.

Then why are you so interested?

Aren't you a little suspicious for a kid?

Yeah, well, Mr. Sullivan thinks

I don't pay any attention, but I got ears, you know.

He needs Ellie to close a deal.

A big deal. What kind of big deal?

Well, see, the city's putting up

a trolley line on Clinton Street.

Mr. Sullivan bought a whole bunch of land on Canal Street.

He bought it cheap.

Now she's trying to get that bald guy

to move the trolley line over to Canal.

Who's the bald guy?

Oh, that's the commissioner.

Ellie says they're all crooked.

Just doesn't seem right, a great city like this.

Ow!

Commissioner...

What's going on here?

She bit me!

You touch her again, I'll...

Garth! Liam!

You get him out of here!

Eleanor, get back here! Eleanor!

You get back here, girl!

Somebody get her, now!

Come on, Jesse.

We have to go quick.

Get him out of here!

Move!

I must apologize, Commissioner.

Eleanor's a spirited girl...

How can I trust you with a business transaction

if you can't control your own employees?

I assure you, I'll get her back- you have my word.

Eleanor, are you scared?

Maybe just a little.

Where are we going?

I think it's time we thought about going back home, Jesse.

Yeah, but I like it in Chicago.

Charleston ain't so bad.

It's just not working out here.

Yeah, I guess.

Listen,

the only thing that's important, Jesse,

is that we never, ever do anything that we're ashamed of.

And if that means going back to Charleston,

then at least we can go back to Charleston with our heads up.

Maybe we can get that man to help us.

Nobody's gonna help us but ourselves.

Shoelaces! Elixir!

Grain alcohol!

Whoa! Whoa!

You again?

Didn't exactly whip your weight in wildcats, huh, mister?

No.

You crossed Sullivan?

He was gonna hurt Mariss...

Eleanor.

Defending colored woman

not exactly the best way to stay healthy around here.

No.

You got diggings?

Place to bed?

You want to bed down with me?

Come on.

Come on, plenty room.

Come on.

You are a fit load of trouble, mister.

Hyah! Michael!

See, you don't understand.

Just this, you... you just sit here,

and I will... I check with lady of the house, okay?

I clear it with her. Hello?

Mr. Best...

What's happened?

Oh, Daniel Sullivan, that's what.

Sure, it's as cold as a wagon rim, he is.

I'll-I'll be fine. You'll be nothing of the sort

until you get some lamb stew and barley into your belly,

and a good night's rest.

Put the kettle on to boil,

and fetch me the tincture of iodine.

And the chamber set.

lodine, the tinc...

Yes, coming right up.

So, new in town, you are.

Uh, sort of.

If you lived here, it's a wider berth

you'd know to give himself- Daniel Sullivan.

Yes, ma'am.

Never mind.

You'll be right as rain by tomorrow.

But that's... I don't...

I don't have until tomorrow.

Nonsense! You've got tomorrow,

and plenty of tomorrows after that.

You're a strong young man, Mister...

You haven't introduced us, Mr. Best.

Oh, um...

Gary Hobson, may I present to you

my landlady, Mrs. O'Leary.

Hello... The stew will be ready in a moment, Mr. Hobson.

You'll forgive me for rushing off,

but I'm after milkin' the cow.

Drop it!

No...!

What are you doing here?

What am I doing here?

"The city of Chicago has been visited

"in the providence of Almighty God

"with a calamity almost unequalled

"in the annals of history.

"At 9:20 p. m., a small cow barn on the corner

"of DeKoven and Jefferson Streets emitted a bright light,

"followed by a blaze, and in a moment,

"the building was hopelessly on fire.

"Lashed by 60-mile-an-hour winds

"in less than ten minutes, the fire embraced the area

"between Jefferson and Clinton,

"and rapidly pushed eastward to Canal Street.

"By the time the engines were at work,

"a perfect sea of leaping flames covered the ground.

"By dawn, the inferno raged seven miles long.

"The rich have been reduced to penury,

"the poor have lost the little they possess.

"God save us,

for surely the Devil has taken his due. "

That's a little over my head, don't you think?

Oh, good morning.

Uh, your uh, your, uh...

Oh, left the barn door open.

Barn...

Mrs. O'Leary was up all night with the baby,

so I am going to do the- the early milking for her.

Wait, Morris, I need, I need to talk to you.

All right, but first, I must go to barn, so...

The barn- that's a good idea, Morris.

I'll meet you in the barn.

Morris?

Boy, this place is a uh... a real fire hazard here.

Did you ever consider that?

It's sort of an accident waiting for something to happen, huh?

Hello, Daisy.

How do you know her name?

Yeah, well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Morris.

See, Morris...

I'm from the future.

The future?

You mean...

I mean I'm from the future.

1998, 127 years from now.

And I'm in a bit of a jam.

Mm-hmm.

You see, you see, I-I get tomorrow's newspaper today.

Usually I get 1998's paper, but this is tomorrow's.

It's October 9, 1871.

Well, let me read it to you, Morris.

You see, right here, it says, "At 9:20 p. m."-

that's tonight, Morris-

"a small cow barn on the corner of DeKoven and Jefferson Streets

"emitted a bright light followed by a blaze,

and in moments, the building was hopelessly on fire. "

That's this barn, Morris.

This barn is gonna burn.

Do you see what I'm saying?

You get away.

Oh, no, I'm not gonna hurt you.

Stay away.

The whole city is gonna burn, though.

Nyet. Da.

It's gonna be the worst fire the country's ever seen!

Now look, from where I come from, every kid knows

that Miss O'Leary's cow, this one, Daisy,

started the Chicago Fire.

Now, you don't want that to happen, do you?

Now, listen... Get out.

Listen, Morris, I've got hundreds of people

that are gonna die a whole century apart.

I've gotta get back to the future.

And the only way I can do that is knowing that someone's gonna

put this fire out, and that someone is gonna be you, Morris.

You leave me alone.

You leave Mrs. O'Leary alone!

Take it easy, now. Get away!

Get out of this barn!

All right. Get out of this home!

Go find Commissioner Hayes.

Tell him we got her.

Yes, sir.

I don't know what to do.

No one listens to me.

I've been to, to every fire station

from here to the North Side. You...

Hey!

Jesse.

What happened?

Where's your sister?

Sullivan's men grabbed her at the station,

so I ran.

They've got her prisoner.

Jesse, I... I wish I could do something.

I, I've got things I've gotta do.

Yeah.

Ellie said no one would help her.

Guess she was right.

Oh, no, Jesse, it's not that.

Listen, don't trouble yourself, mister.

You got no reason to help us.

Where is she?

There she is.

GARY See, Officer, that's her right there.

Hmm.

Clean this up.

This is a respectable establishment.

The hell it is.

Jesse, go get her.

You'll pay for this, boy.

Sullivan here kidnapped Eleanor...

Jesse! so he could bribe a politician.

I hope there's something you can do about this.

Indeed I can. Thank you.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Refreshments are on the house, as usual.

It starts at 9:20.

Half an hour.

Half an hour.

Hey!

Hey! Anybody here?

Listen to me!

The city's gonna burn, you hear me?!

Do you hear me?!

Chicago's gonna burn!

She's here?

I'm sure you'll want to see her...

just as soon as we close our deal.

Anybody?

Anybody?!

You have a visitor, Eleanor.

No, I was referring

to Commissioner Hayes.

He's right out there.

He's here to accept your apology.

No.

What?

I've never done anything I'm ashamed of,

and I'm not about to do it now.

You'll do as I say.

No.

I think you'll be wanting

to reconsider your position.

Oh, yeah, you skunked me again.

You are a huckleberry above my persimmon.

Mr. Best, would you do me a small favor?

Of course, Mrs. O'Leary.

The lantern is a wee bit low.

Oh.

All right, off to bed with you, little missy.

I'm going to get you next time, Mary.

Don't you worry.

Heat, the fuel, here we go.

Here we go.

Thank you, Mr. Best.

Oh, my pleasure, Mrs. O'Leary.

Take your time, Commissioner.

Oh, and Eleanor,

no need to worry about your brother.

He'll be right out here with me and the boys.

Jesse...

Lock him in the cellar. Yes, sir.

Come on, you.

Beer, Liam?

Hey, stop that kid!

Grab him!

Oh! Uh...

Psst! Psst!

Jesse.

Hey, you have to come.

You have to help Ellie.

Well, I, I'm a little locked up right now.

Listen, if I get you out of here,

will you promise to help her?

How are you gonna do that? Just promise.

Do it. Do it.

Uh, yeah, yeah, sure, I promise.

All right, stick this in the lock.

It's wax.

I can make a key.

All right, give it here.

All right.

Hey.

How much longer?

All right, here you go.

How did you...?

Forget it.

Go on! Scoot!

Hey, you're welcome.

No! No!

No! No...!

Come on, let's get you out of here.

Come on.

What? What is it? What?

I am done with you, Daniel Sullivan.

The hell with your women.

The hell with your deal!

It's time for the last milking, Mr. Best.

Watch little Jimmy for just a moment, will you?

Oh, no problem.

Yes. Hello, little Jimmy.

Come to Uncle Morrie.

Yes, come to Papa Morrie, huh?

Huh?

You hungry, Jimmy?

You wanting cookie?

Yes?

You like that, don't you?

Baby, you're pishing everywhere.

You have to stop, please.

Uh, he, uh, he wet himself, Mrs. O'Leary.

Oh, for heaven's sake!

It's a perfectly natural body function, that's all.

Get me a rag and I'll clean your shirt.

Oh, mama...

That's right. That's right.

Where are we going, Mr. Hobson?

Long story. Jesse, what time is it?

It's, uh, 21 minutes after 9:00.

Oh, no.

Oh, my God, you smell that?

It smells like... Smoke?

Whatever happened to your Mr. Hobson?

Oh, well, he was nice fellow,

but a couple of straws short of bale, you know.

Oh, dear.

Fire! Help!

- Oh, no. - Fire!

No, no, you-you wait here.

You just wait with children.

I see what's burning.

Fire!

Morris, give me a hand!

Oh, my God... Grab the blanket!

You-You did know!

You are from future!

Oh!

Give me a hand with the trough.

Come on. On three.

One, two, three...

That one.

Get out!

You did it.

You saved Chicago.

We... We did.

We saved... We saved Chicago.

Good job, my friend. Thank you.

Very good job.

You've interfered for the last time.

Who is this?

Oh, hey, what is problem, huh?

Oh, no, no, no, no.

The lantern! Fire!

Jesse!

Run, Jesse!

I'll kill the little bastard!

Run, Jesse! Come back here!

Come back here, you little...

He's going to kill him, Mr. Hobson.

He told me he would.

Please, Mr. Hobson!

Morris, wake up. Come on.

Come on, Morris.

You got to put the fire out. You hear me?

- Fire? - Yeah.

I thought we already did.

Well, there's another one.

Oh... Here! Here!

Dropped your timepiece.

What a shame.

Come here, you little...

See you in hell, Jesse Mayfield.

Jesse... You all right?

He was going to kill me.

Yeah.

And my watch...

Come on, let's go back to the barn.

Mrs. O'Leary!

Mrs. O'Leary, the barn's on fire!

The barn's on fire!

Get out!

Get out! It's no use!

Get out!

Fire, Daisy. Fire!

Daisy, don't burn!

What in the name of God?

Look, I'll raise the alarm, okay?

Get out!

Take her out!

Throw the alarm! Throw the alarm!

Fire! What happened?

This colored woman and her brother were running away

from saloon keeper, when this man from the future,

he tried to...

No!

This man from future, he...

Oh, hell.

It was Mrs. O'Leary's cow.

Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the fire!

Throw the alarm!

Fire!

Hey, hold up there.

Stop! Hey!

Listen, can you get these people out of here for me?

The fire's going to spread.

Where are we going?

We're gonna get you out of here.

The city's going to burn tonight.

What? What are you talking about?

The city's going to burn?

Everything's going to be all right, Jesse.

We can find you if we get in trouble again?

Look, Jesse, I-I'm just passing through. I...

Sure.

Listen, I wish I could make everything right,

but I-I can't do that.

Here... Jesse...

Look, you take this.

Go ahead.

I want you to have that.

You... You sure, mister?

Yeah. I'm sure.

And don't give up.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

'Cause if you do, I'm going to know about it.

Don't give up.

Yeah.

All right.

God bless you, Mr. Hobson.

Take care.

All right.

Go!

Giddyup! Giddyup!

Jesse, don't give up!

Jesse, you don't give up, you understand?

Come on.

Hey, let's go! It's no use!

I gotta try...

I gotta try.

Mister! Hey, no!

Gary, no!

Gary, get out!

Get out!

You okay?

Yeah.

Ready?

And...

Trotter!

Trotter? Sir?

Shut it down, now.

But... My office, Trotter-

tomorrow, 9:00 am.

Gare!

Oh, what a day I have had!

I want to thank you, Mr. Fishman.

And you, too.

Now, please be assured that there's no way

my company would ever do anything

to compromise the safety of the people here in Chicago.

No, no, no. We were just, uh, concerned.

Oop! Have an appointment.

Excuse me.

Where did you get that watch?

Oh, you like it, huh?

Well, the, um, story goes all the way back

to the Great Chicago Fire.

Chicago Fire?

Yeah, you know, the cow,

Mrs. O'Leary, flames...

My great-grandfather

almost died in that fire, and the stranger that saved his life

gave him this watch.

Since then, it's been passed down

from generation to generation.

Stranger?

Well, that's the story, anyway.

Well, if you'll excuse me, I really have to get out of here.

I... Hey, can I ask...

Can I ask you,

uh... I didn't even get your name.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Mayfield.

Jesse Mayfield IV.

Jesse...

Well, again, thanks to you both, okay?

Thank you, Mr. Mayfield.

Okay.

What are you looking at me like that for? What?

I got something in my teeth?

No. Geez...

I think I need to sit down.

Look, those guys said you were only knocked out

for two minutes, but...

and don't take this the wrong way,

you look kind of chawed up.

What did you just say?

You look kind of messed up.

Marissa?

Yeah?

You, uh, you... you're all right.

Well, yeah.

I'm not the one that got knocked on the head.

You want some tea?

No... Yeah... Yeah, sure.

No, what I mean is, you're... okay?

Right.

I'll get some tea.

Is there something

you're not sharing here, buddy?

Chuck, do you remember Physics 201?

Space-time continuum?

Time, it's not a line, it's a... Time is a...

It's a magazine.

What are you talking about?

It's a magazine.

I don't know what I'm talking about.

It's good to see you.

I just don't know.